Sarah Palin email hacker found guilty

A college student who hacked into former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's email account and posted some of its contents online has been found guilty.

After four days of deliberations, a federal jury found David Kernell, the 22-year-old son of a Democratic Tennessee state legislator, guilty of obstruction of justice - a felony - and unauthorised access of a computer - a misdemeanour.

Kernell was cleared of a wire fraud charge and the jury could not agree on a verdict on a charge of identity theft.

Judge Thomas Phillips declared a mistrial on the identity theft charge but did not set a date for sentencing.

The obstruction charge alone carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years, while the misdemeanour count is punishable by up to one year in jail.

Ms Palin issued a statement on her Facebook page, thanking the jury and prosecutors and explaining the case's importance.

"Besides the obvious invasion of privacy and security concerns surrounding this issue, many of us are concerned about the integrity of our country's political elections. America's elections depend upon fair competition," the statement said.

"Violating the law, or simply invading someone's privacy for political gain, has long been repugnant to Americans' sense of fair play. As Watergate taught us, we rightfully reject illegally breaking into candidates' private communications for political intrigue in an attempt to derail an election."

A subdued Kernell had no comment and he was released on bond while barred from using a computer except for school assignments and email.

Kernell's attorney had argued during the week-long trial that the hacking of Ms Palin's email account amounted to nothing more than a college prank.

But prosecutors said Kernell had hoped to derail the Republican's campaign.

Ms Palin and her daughter Bristol each testified about the disruption the break-in had caused to both their personal lives and the campaign.

"If there's any unauthorised access to computers, the Department of Justice takes that very seriously," said prosecutor Mark Krotoski after the verdict was announced.

In September 2008, Kernell used some research and some guesswork to answer security questions and gain access to Ms Palin's personal e-mail account.

At the time, published reports had questioned whether the then-Alaska governor had improperly used her personal email to conduct official business.

Kernell said he found nothing incriminating, but posted some of the account's contents online, along with a new password he assigned it.

"The conduct was serious," Mr Krotoski said. "He had every opportunity to pull out and not proceed."

Read more »

Posted in: AndhraPradesh NEWS

Sarah Palin email hacker found guilty

A college student who hacked into former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's email account and posted some of its contents online has been found guilty.

After four days of deliberations, a federal jury found David Kernell, the 22-year-old son of a Democratic Tennessee state legislator, guilty of obstruction of justice - a felony - and unauthorised access of a computer - a misdemeanour.

Kernell was cleared of a wire fraud charge and the jury could not agree on a verdict on a charge of identity theft.

Judge Thomas Phillips declared a mistrial on the identity theft charge but did not set a date for sentencing.

The obstruction charge alone carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years, while the misdemeanour count is punishable by up to one year in jail.

Ms Palin issued a statement on her Facebook page, thanking the jury and prosecutors and explaining the case's importance.

"Besides the obvious invasion of privacy and security concerns surrounding this issue, many of us are concerned about the integrity of our country's political elections. America's elections depend upon fair competition," the statement said.

"Violating the law, or simply invading someone's privacy for political gain, has long been repugnant to Americans' sense of fair play. As Watergate taught us, we rightfully reject illegally breaking into candidates' private communications for political intrigue in an attempt to derail an election."

A subdued Kernell had no comment and he was released on bond while barred from using a computer except for school assignments and email.

Kernell's attorney had argued during the week-long trial that the hacking of Ms Palin's email account amounted to nothing more than a college prank.

But prosecutors said Kernell had hoped to derail the Republican's campaign.

Ms Palin and her daughter Bristol each testified about the disruption the break-in had caused to both their personal lives and the campaign.

"If there's any unauthorised access to computers, the Department of Justice takes that very seriously," said prosecutor Mark Krotoski after the verdict was announced.

In September 2008, Kernell used some research and some guesswork to answer security questions and gain access to Ms Palin's personal e-mail account.

At the time, published reports had questioned whether the then-Alaska governor had improperly used her personal email to conduct official business.

Kernell said he found nothing incriminating, but posted some of the account's contents online, along with a new password he assigned it.

"The conduct was serious," Mr Krotoski said. "He had every opportunity to pull out and not proceed."

Read more »

Posted in: AndhraPradesh NEWS

No need for new architecture for engagement, says Qureshi

Upbeat after the Premier-level meeting between India and Pakistan at Thimphu, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Friday said there was no need for a new architecture for engagement but maintained that there were no issues between the two countries over nomenclature.

Echoing a stance taken by Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao to questions on whether the re-engagement would mean resumption of the “composite dialogue,” Mr. Qureshi said: “Call it what you may, it is the spirit of dialogue that is important. Both countries agree that dialogue is the only sensible way forward.”

Briefing journalists here on his return from Thimphu, the Minister was also categorical in denying that dialogue had been resumed under pressure from a third party. “Yes, others can advise; not compel. They can nudge you; they cannot force you.”

Evidently surprised by the Indian response to Pakistan's persistent calls for dialogue, Mr. Qureshi did not hide the fact that it was beyond expectation. As media sought to point out discrepancies in his post-summit briefing and that of Ms. Rao's, he urged journalists not to nit-pick and vitiate the atmosphere.

However, to a pointed question on whether the dialogue would start from scratch, he shot back: “Why should we go back to Class I when we have already cleared some ground.”

With the Foreign Ministers and secretaries of the two countries being tasked to chalk out the road map for further engagement, Mr. Qureshi said he planned to contact his counterpart after the ongoing session of the Indian Parliament adjourns on May 7.

All issues that have been discussed in the past would be on the table in the future also, he said, identifying Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek, water, trade and people-to-people contact as Pakistan's concerns. As for India's concern about terrorism, his counter was that it was a global concern and would be best addressed collectively.

According to Mr. Qureshi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's approach was very positive. “He wants India-Pakistan ties to improve to such an extent that the two premiers can be on first name basis and feel comfortable enough to call each other at any point to discuss any subject.”

Asked if Pakistan feared that Dr. Singh may have conceded more ground than the Indian polity and his own party would allow – as was the case after his effort to break the ice in Sharm-el-Sheikh – Mr. Qureshi maintained that this time the Congress party appeared to be on board.

On the water front and the charges of India violating the Indus Waters Treaty – leaving Pakistan high and dry – and referring to demands for reworking the agreement, Mr. Qureshi asserted: “It would be dangerous to suggest that the treaty should be worked out afresh.'' About India ‘stealing' Pakistan's water, he lamented the tendency to exaggerate and pass the buck. Reeling out statistics, he sought to draw attention to the poor water management by Pakistan.

On the specific question of India building dams on the “Indian side of Kashmir,” he said: “We need to see if they are as per the treaty or in violation of it. We are not only bound by the treaty but also its annexure. If there is a violation, we will definitely take it up.''

Read more »

Posted in: National News

No need for new architecture for engagement, says Qureshi

Upbeat after the Premier-level meeting between India and Pakistan at Thimphu, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Friday said there was no need for a new architecture for engagement but maintained that there were no issues between the two countries over nomenclature.

Echoing a stance taken by Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao to questions on whether the re-engagement would mean resumption of the “composite dialogue,” Mr. Qureshi said: “Call it what you may, it is the spirit of dialogue that is important. Both countries agree that dialogue is the only sensible way forward.”

Briefing journalists here on his return from Thimphu, the Minister was also categorical in denying that dialogue had been resumed under pressure from a third party. “Yes, others can advise; not compel. They can nudge you; they cannot force you.”

Evidently surprised by the Indian response to Pakistan's persistent calls for dialogue, Mr. Qureshi did not hide the fact that it was beyond expectation. As media sought to point out discrepancies in his post-summit briefing and that of Ms. Rao's, he urged journalists not to nit-pick and vitiate the atmosphere.

However, to a pointed question on whether the dialogue would start from scratch, he shot back: “Why should we go back to Class I when we have already cleared some ground.”

With the Foreign Ministers and secretaries of the two countries being tasked to chalk out the road map for further engagement, Mr. Qureshi said he planned to contact his counterpart after the ongoing session of the Indian Parliament adjourns on May 7.

All issues that have been discussed in the past would be on the table in the future also, he said, identifying Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek, water, trade and people-to-people contact as Pakistan's concerns. As for India's concern about terrorism, his counter was that it was a global concern and would be best addressed collectively.

According to Mr. Qureshi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's approach was very positive. “He wants India-Pakistan ties to improve to such an extent that the two premiers can be on first name basis and feel comfortable enough to call each other at any point to discuss any subject.”

Asked if Pakistan feared that Dr. Singh may have conceded more ground than the Indian polity and his own party would allow – as was the case after his effort to break the ice in Sharm-el-Sheikh – Mr. Qureshi maintained that this time the Congress party appeared to be on board.

On the water front and the charges of India violating the Indus Waters Treaty – leaving Pakistan high and dry – and referring to demands for reworking the agreement, Mr. Qureshi asserted: “It would be dangerous to suggest that the treaty should be worked out afresh.'' About India ‘stealing' Pakistan's water, he lamented the tendency to exaggerate and pass the buck. Reeling out statistics, he sought to draw attention to the poor water management by Pakistan.

On the specific question of India building dams on the “Indian side of Kashmir,” he said: “We need to see if they are as per the treaty or in violation of it. We are not only bound by the treaty but also its annexure. If there is a violation, we will definitely take it up.''

Read more »

Posted in: National News

Prabhakaran's mother given 2 weeks time to represent case

Chennai: The Madras High Court on Friday gave two weeks time to slain LTTE chief Prabakaran's ailing mother Parvathi Ammal, deported from here to Malaysia recently, to represent to the state government if she wanted to undergo medical treatment here. Passing interim orders on a PIL, a bench comprising judges Elipi Dharmarao and K K Sasidharan said the state government had submitted that it had not received any representation from Parvathi for allowing her to stay in the state to undergo medical treatment. HC asks TN to explain its stand on Prabhakaran's mother "Therefore, it is left to the petitioner, an advocate, to take steps to make a representation on behalf of Parvathi or to get the representation from her itself and submit the same to the state government within two weeks," it said. After receiving the representation, the matter would be placed before the Centre by the state government within two weeks for consideration, it said. Advocate Karuppan had filed the PIL seeking a direction to the Centre not to deport passengers who had a valid visa after immigration authorities denied permission to Parvathi to undergo medical treatment in Chennai and sent her back to Malaysia. The Centre, in its counter, has defended the deportation saying there was a warning circular in force barring entry of Parvathi, issued on a request from the state government in 2003. SEARCH

Read more »

Posted in: National News

Prabhakaran's mother given 2 weeks time to represent case

Chennai: The Madras High Court on Friday gave two weeks time to slain LTTE chief Prabakaran's ailing mother Parvathi Ammal, deported from here to Malaysia recently, to represent to the state government if she wanted to undergo medical treatment here. Passing interim orders on a PIL, a bench comprising judges Elipi Dharmarao and K K Sasidharan said the state government had submitted that it had not received any representation from Parvathi for allowing her to stay in the state to undergo medical treatment. HC asks TN to explain its stand on Prabhakaran's mother "Therefore, it is left to the petitioner, an advocate, to take steps to make a representation on behalf of Parvathi or to get the representation from her itself and submit the same to the state government within two weeks," it said. After receiving the representation, the matter would be placed before the Centre by the state government within two weeks for consideration, it said. Advocate Karuppan had filed the PIL seeking a direction to the Centre not to deport passengers who had a valid visa after immigration authorities denied permission to Parvathi to undergo medical treatment in Chennai and sent her back to Malaysia. The Centre, in its counter, has defended the deportation saying there was a warning circular in force barring entry of Parvathi, issued on a request from the state government in 2003. SEARCH

Read more »

Posted in: National News

China telecom equipment hits roadblock

New Delhi: India has stopped giving clearances to telecom equipment imported from China after the ministry of home affairs and the Prime Minister’s Office issued advisories expressing security concerns.

“They (home ministry) had issued an advisory saying that there were security concerns, so we have stopped giving any approvals to equipment that is being imported from China, temporarily,” a senior department of telecommunications (DoT) official said, asking for anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.

The department was also asked, on Friday, for its views on an overall policy decision regarding a ban on equipment originating from China, another DoT official said, also requesting anonymity.

The move comes amid verbal skirmishes between the two nations over border territories, besides other irritants in the relationship. India had last year imposed anti-dumping duties on equipment coming from Chinese vendors, saying the products were being sold at below market prices.

“The Chinese companies can go to the WTO (World Trade Organization) protesting restrictive trade practices, but over and above that, it is well within the sovereign right of India to put in place such a ban citing security concerns,” said a regulatory expert working with some telecom operators and who has contributed to a number of studies on the sector by the government.

DoT had issued a notification earlier saying that all equipment from China needed the home ministry’s approval and if the government did not respond on the clearances within 30 days, the operator could consider the equipment cleared.

“Chinese equipment makers like ZTE and Huawei have been offering very competitive prices to India’s telecom service providers as well as long-term payment options, which cannot be matched by European counterparts Ericsson and Nokia Siemens,” said a telecom company official on condition of anonymity. “Not only will the cost go up, but also the time to roll out our services will get longer if this ban remains. This may also lead the other vendors to hike their prices” amid a tariff war in the Indian market.

“They have not given clearance to any equipment to at least four of the operators that buy from Chinese vendors,” an official with a telecom operator added.

At least 10% of ZTE’s revenue came from India, its largest market outside China. ZTE’s first quarter net profit rose 39.7% over a year ago to 109.9 million yuan (Rs72 crore).

Huawei’s 2009 profit rose to 18.3 billion yuan from 7.85 billion in 2008, on sales of 149.1 billion yuan.

India is the fastest growing telecom market and is second to China in the number of total subscribers. India added more than 20 million new connections in March, taking the total to 621.28 million, including 584.38 million mobile connections.

Huawei India said it had not received any official communication. The firm “is currently evaluating and understanding the latest development and seeking clarifications from the concerned authorities,” it said in a release. “Huawei is being used in telecom operators worldwide, including 45 of the top 50 global telecom operators in over 120 countries.”

The government informally asked telecom operators recently to avoid Chinese equipment. It also dissuaded Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd, a state-owned telecom service provider, from awarding any part of a 93-million GSM line tender to Huawei in zones with international borders.

In December, a ban on Chinese-made handsets without IMEI (international mobile equipment identity) numbers came into effect, disconnecting some 20 million connections. However, India has seen a number of “local” handset brands mushroom in the past two years, selling handsets made in factories based in China and Taiwan.

Ross Gan, a Huawei spokesman, said in December that the closely held Chinese firm had $1.7 billion (Rs7,548 crore today) in contract sales from India in 2008.

ZTE, China’s second biggest phone equipment maker, fell 4.2% to HK$28.30 (Rs161) in Hong Kong, after dropping as much as 9.9% earlier, after the Financial Times reported India blocked phone carriers from buying gear from Chinese vendors, Bloomberg reported.

In another alleged aggravation, hackers traced back to China infiltrated computers, including those of India’s government, underscoring the growing threat of cyber attacks, according to an April report by Information Warfare Monitor, a research group associated with the University of Toronto. The Indian government had said it was investigating the matter, while China’s foreign ministry said it doesn’t condone Internet attacks.

China and India, which fought a war in 1962, also vie for global energy resources. India’s trade deficit with China widened more than 40% to $15.8 billion in 2009.

Senior Indian security officials also said they were not aware of any ban on Chinese equipment, Reuters reported.

“I’m not aware of any such blanket ban. In fact, Chinese equipment is coming in,” G.K. Pillai, India’s home secretary, said.

“We want stringent security in place so the country’s security is not compromised. But we have not heard of any blanket ban on Chinese equipment,” said U.K. Bansal, India’s internal security chief.

Read more »

Posted in: International

China telecom equipment hits roadblock

New Delhi: India has stopped giving clearances to telecom equipment imported from China after the ministry of home affairs and the Prime Minister’s Office issued advisories expressing security concerns.

“They (home ministry) had issued an advisory saying that there were security concerns, so we have stopped giving any approvals to equipment that is being imported from China, temporarily,” a senior department of telecommunications (DoT) official said, asking for anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.

The department was also asked, on Friday, for its views on an overall policy decision regarding a ban on equipment originating from China, another DoT official said, also requesting anonymity.

The move comes amid verbal skirmishes between the two nations over border territories, besides other irritants in the relationship. India had last year imposed anti-dumping duties on equipment coming from Chinese vendors, saying the products were being sold at below market prices.

“The Chinese companies can go to the WTO (World Trade Organization) protesting restrictive trade practices, but over and above that, it is well within the sovereign right of India to put in place such a ban citing security concerns,” said a regulatory expert working with some telecom operators and who has contributed to a number of studies on the sector by the government.

DoT had issued a notification earlier saying that all equipment from China needed the home ministry’s approval and if the government did not respond on the clearances within 30 days, the operator could consider the equipment cleared.

“Chinese equipment makers like ZTE and Huawei have been offering very competitive prices to India’s telecom service providers as well as long-term payment options, which cannot be matched by European counterparts Ericsson and Nokia Siemens,” said a telecom company official on condition of anonymity. “Not only will the cost go up, but also the time to roll out our services will get longer if this ban remains. This may also lead the other vendors to hike their prices” amid a tariff war in the Indian market.

“They have not given clearance to any equipment to at least four of the operators that buy from Chinese vendors,” an official with a telecom operator added.

At least 10% of ZTE’s revenue came from India, its largest market outside China. ZTE’s first quarter net profit rose 39.7% over a year ago to 109.9 million yuan (Rs72 crore).

Huawei’s 2009 profit rose to 18.3 billion yuan from 7.85 billion in 2008, on sales of 149.1 billion yuan.

India is the fastest growing telecom market and is second to China in the number of total subscribers. India added more than 20 million new connections in March, taking the total to 621.28 million, including 584.38 million mobile connections.

Huawei India said it had not received any official communication. The firm “is currently evaluating and understanding the latest development and seeking clarifications from the concerned authorities,” it said in a release. “Huawei is being used in telecom operators worldwide, including 45 of the top 50 global telecom operators in over 120 countries.”

The government informally asked telecom operators recently to avoid Chinese equipment. It also dissuaded Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd, a state-owned telecom service provider, from awarding any part of a 93-million GSM line tender to Huawei in zones with international borders.

In December, a ban on Chinese-made handsets without IMEI (international mobile equipment identity) numbers came into effect, disconnecting some 20 million connections. However, India has seen a number of “local” handset brands mushroom in the past two years, selling handsets made in factories based in China and Taiwan.

Ross Gan, a Huawei spokesman, said in December that the closely held Chinese firm had $1.7 billion (Rs7,548 crore today) in contract sales from India in 2008.

ZTE, China’s second biggest phone equipment maker, fell 4.2% to HK$28.30 (Rs161) in Hong Kong, after dropping as much as 9.9% earlier, after the Financial Times reported India blocked phone carriers from buying gear from Chinese vendors, Bloomberg reported.

In another alleged aggravation, hackers traced back to China infiltrated computers, including those of India’s government, underscoring the growing threat of cyber attacks, according to an April report by Information Warfare Monitor, a research group associated with the University of Toronto. The Indian government had said it was investigating the matter, while China’s foreign ministry said it doesn’t condone Internet attacks.

China and India, which fought a war in 1962, also vie for global energy resources. India’s trade deficit with China widened more than 40% to $15.8 billion in 2009.

Senior Indian security officials also said they were not aware of any ban on Chinese equipment, Reuters reported.

“I’m not aware of any such blanket ban. In fact, Chinese equipment is coming in,” G.K. Pillai, India’s home secretary, said.

“We want stringent security in place so the country’s security is not compromised. But we have not heard of any blanket ban on Chinese equipment,” said U.K. Bansal, India’s internal security chief.

Read more »

Posted in: International

India gets access, may grill Headley any time

New Delhi: Indian authorities can go and cross examine David Coleman Headley on his role in the Mumbai carnage any time now. The US has imposed no pre-conditions on the access to Headley who is currently under FBI custody.

The US President Barak Obama had assured India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of letting Indian authorities question Headly of late. But there had been roadblocks in the past which have been taken care of in a meeting between the Solicitor General of India Gopal Subramanium and the US Attorney General Eric Holder.

Headley may be grilled by Indian authorities any time now. A new investigating team will be set up by India to go and question Headley, sources said. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P Chidambaram will be briefed on the Headley case later Saturday.

Headley has already confessed to his role in the November 26, 2008 Mumbai assault, in a bid to avoid the death penalty.

What India wants from Headley

Indian investigators hope to get the following details while questioning Headley.

- Precise details of his visits to India including local contacts

- Information about the planning and people behind 26/11

- The role of Illyas Kashmiri and Pak intelligence

- Plans for strikes in which other cities in India

- Details of terror camps where he trained

Case details

Oct 3: FBI arrests Pakistani-American David Coleman Headley in Chicago

Oct 27: FBI files affidavit alleging that LeT was planning to use Headley to carry out 26/11

Dec 7: Headley charged with criminal conspiracy in 26/11 case

Dec 9: Headley pleads not guilty

Dec 14: Headley appears to turned into informant to FBI to avoid death penalty.

Mar 17: Headley pleads guilty to 12 counts, including conspiring to murder

Apr 12: Obama promises PM India will get access to Headley

Apr 27: Solicitor Gen Gopal Subramanium and US Attorney General Eric Holder meet to discuss modalities

Read more »

Posted in: National News

India gets access, may grill Headley any time

New Delhi: Indian authorities can go and cross examine David Coleman Headley on his role in the Mumbai carnage any time now. The US has imposed no pre-conditions on the access to Headley who is currently under FBI custody.

The US President Barak Obama had assured India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of letting Indian authorities question Headly of late. But there had been roadblocks in the past which have been taken care of in a meeting between the Solicitor General of India Gopal Subramanium and the US Attorney General Eric Holder.

Headley may be grilled by Indian authorities any time now. A new investigating team will be set up by India to go and question Headley, sources said. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P Chidambaram will be briefed on the Headley case later Saturday.

Headley has already confessed to his role in the November 26, 2008 Mumbai assault, in a bid to avoid the death penalty.

What India wants from Headley

Indian investigators hope to get the following details while questioning Headley.

- Precise details of his visits to India including local contacts

- Information about the planning and people behind 26/11

- The role of Illyas Kashmiri and Pak intelligence

- Plans for strikes in which other cities in India

- Details of terror camps where he trained

Case details

Oct 3: FBI arrests Pakistani-American David Coleman Headley in Chicago

Oct 27: FBI files affidavit alleging that LeT was planning to use Headley to carry out 26/11

Dec 7: Headley charged with criminal conspiracy in 26/11 case

Dec 9: Headley pleads not guilty

Dec 14: Headley appears to turned into informant to FBI to avoid death penalty.

Mar 17: Headley pleads guilty to 12 counts, including conspiring to murder

Apr 12: Obama promises PM India will get access to Headley

Apr 27: Solicitor Gen Gopal Subramanium and US Attorney General Eric Holder meet to discuss modalities

Read more »

Posted in: National News

One radiation exposure patient dies in New Delhi

New Delhi- A 35-year-old man died in a local hospital late Monday, 19 days after he was exposed to radioactive material in a scrap market in New Delhi. Doctors have said the patient suffered from a multi-organ failure.

Doctors at the premier All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital said another patient, Ram Kalap, who was also exposed to radiation, was in a critical condition.

Rajender Prasad, who was exposed to Cobalt 60 at a scrap dealer shop in the crowded industrial area of Mayapuri in west Delhi and admitted to AIIMS on April 8, died around 9.30 pm local on Monday after multiple organ failure, doctors said..

"His condition had deteriorated and his platelet count had dropped drastically. He had developed pneumonia and liver functions impairment. He was on ventilator and was being administered multiple drugs,” attending doctors said.

According to doctors, Kalap is critical and his blood counts have reduced significantly. He has been put on prophylactic antibiotic and anti-fungal agents.

Six people were admitted at AIIMS with radiation exposure. One was discharged on April 20. Three other patients continue to have low blood count but are "stable", the doctor said.

Deepak Jain, a scrap metal dealer from Mayapuri, was the first victim. He turned black after he touched the radioactive source. He had a considerably suppressed bone marrow and is hospitalized at the Indraprastha Apollo hospital.

Ajay Jain, another scrap metal dealer from Mayapuri, was admitted to Max Hospital in Pitampura on April 10. He suffered minor burns and was declared radiation free by the hospital authorities. His condition is being monitored.

Ten sources of Cobalt-60 had been found in the Mayapuri scrap market earlier this month.

Cobalt-60 is a radioactive isotope of cobalt, which is a hard, lustrous, grey metal. It is used in cancer therapy machines and other medical equipment.

Indian scientists last week had cordoned off part of an industrial area in New Delhi and started investigations after a radiation leak from a scrap shop.

The people came in contact with a "bright shining object" at the shop in the Mayapuri industrial area in western New Delhi.

"A team of experts has already identified the source of radiation, removed it and sent it for further investigations," senior district police official Sharad Agarwal had told reporters last week.

Scientists from the Crisis Management Group of the Department of Atomic Energy and Atomic Energy Regulation Board were surveying the extent of radiation in the area.

They confirmed the radioactive emissions were coming from the scrap. They also sealed off the area within a kilometre and conducted tests to check if there was any other source of radiation in the area.

"The experts have identified the material as Cobalt-60. They have identified six sources of Cobalt-60 from the scrap shop," B B Bhattacharya, member of National Disaster Management Authority.

Meanwhile, a top Indian nuclear scientist has advocated that police should be trained to take necessary actions in case radioactivity is detected.

Anil Kakodkar, former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) has been quoted by PTI news agency as saying: “After any kind of explosion, police teams going to the spot should be armed with radiation monitors. If radioactivity is detected then the place has to be cordoned off and the authorities of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) should be called. ”

The former chairman further said since nuclear and radiation technologies are improving in India, there is a need to secure malevolent use of these materials and technologies by terror outfits.

Kakodkar also said the police should not create a panic situation. “Several times we have seen police holding press conferences to announce the seizure of huge quantities of uranium. But such uranium is not at all harmful,” he said.

End it srinath

Read more »

Posted in: National News

One radiation exposure patient dies in New Delhi

New Delhi- A 35-year-old man died in a local hospital late Monday, 19 days after he was exposed to radioactive material in a scrap market in New Delhi. Doctors have said the patient suffered from a multi-organ failure.

Doctors at the premier All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital said another patient, Ram Kalap, who was also exposed to radiation, was in a critical condition.

Rajender Prasad, who was exposed to Cobalt 60 at a scrap dealer shop in the crowded industrial area of Mayapuri in west Delhi and admitted to AIIMS on April 8, died around 9.30 pm local on Monday after multiple organ failure, doctors said..

"His condition had deteriorated and his platelet count had dropped drastically. He had developed pneumonia and liver functions impairment. He was on ventilator and was being administered multiple drugs,” attending doctors said.

According to doctors, Kalap is critical and his blood counts have reduced significantly. He has been put on prophylactic antibiotic and anti-fungal agents.

Six people were admitted at AIIMS with radiation exposure. One was discharged on April 20. Three other patients continue to have low blood count but are "stable", the doctor said.

Deepak Jain, a scrap metal dealer from Mayapuri, was the first victim. He turned black after he touched the radioactive source. He had a considerably suppressed bone marrow and is hospitalized at the Indraprastha Apollo hospital.

Ajay Jain, another scrap metal dealer from Mayapuri, was admitted to Max Hospital in Pitampura on April 10. He suffered minor burns and was declared radiation free by the hospital authorities. His condition is being monitored.

Ten sources of Cobalt-60 had been found in the Mayapuri scrap market earlier this month.

Cobalt-60 is a radioactive isotope of cobalt, which is a hard, lustrous, grey metal. It is used in cancer therapy machines and other medical equipment.

Indian scientists last week had cordoned off part of an industrial area in New Delhi and started investigations after a radiation leak from a scrap shop.

The people came in contact with a "bright shining object" at the shop in the Mayapuri industrial area in western New Delhi.

"A team of experts has already identified the source of radiation, removed it and sent it for further investigations," senior district police official Sharad Agarwal had told reporters last week.

Scientists from the Crisis Management Group of the Department of Atomic Energy and Atomic Energy Regulation Board were surveying the extent of radiation in the area.

They confirmed the radioactive emissions were coming from the scrap. They also sealed off the area within a kilometre and conducted tests to check if there was any other source of radiation in the area.

"The experts have identified the material as Cobalt-60. They have identified six sources of Cobalt-60 from the scrap shop," B B Bhattacharya, member of National Disaster Management Authority.

Meanwhile, a top Indian nuclear scientist has advocated that police should be trained to take necessary actions in case radioactivity is detected.

Anil Kakodkar, former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) has been quoted by PTI news agency as saying: “After any kind of explosion, police teams going to the spot should be armed with radiation monitors. If radioactivity is detected then the place has to be cordoned off and the authorities of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) should be called. ”

The former chairman further said since nuclear and radiation technologies are improving in India, there is a need to secure malevolent use of these materials and technologies by terror outfits.

Kakodkar also said the police should not create a panic situation. “Several times we have seen police holding press conferences to announce the seizure of huge quantities of uranium. But such uranium is not at all harmful,” he said.

End it srinath

Read more »

Posted in: National News

BJP moves privilege motion against PM

Fifty BJP MPs on Tuesday tabled a breach of privilege notice in Lok Sabha against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for announcing outside Parliament his decision to reject setting up of a joint parliamentary committee on the issue of alleged phone tapping.

The MPs submitted the petition to Lok Sabha Secretary General P.D.T. Achary.

Their action comes close on the heels of Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj objecting to the Prime Minister's announcement on the issue.

"This is disrespect to the House. The Prime Minister should give a statement in the House on the issue," she said in Lok Sabha.

She insisted this was a serious matter as phones of even cabinet ministers were allegedly tapped. BJP has also demanded a JPC into the IPL controversy.

Read more »

Posted in: National News

BJP moves privilege motion against PM

Fifty BJP MPs on Tuesday tabled a breach of privilege notice in Lok Sabha against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for announcing outside Parliament his decision to reject setting up of a joint parliamentary committee on the issue of alleged phone tapping.

The MPs submitted the petition to Lok Sabha Secretary General P.D.T. Achary.

Their action comes close on the heels of Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj objecting to the Prime Minister's announcement on the issue.

"This is disrespect to the House. The Prime Minister should give a statement in the House on the issue," she said in Lok Sabha.

She insisted this was a serious matter as phones of even cabinet ministers were allegedly tapped. BJP has also demanded a JPC into the IPL controversy.

Read more »

Posted in: National News

US Republicans block debate of finance rules reform

US Republican senators have blocked moves to start debating a bill to introduce the most significant reforms to financial regulations for 60 years.

Needing 60 votes in the 100-seat Senate to begin debating the bill, Democratic leaders fell three votes short.

Democratic Senator Ben Nelson joined 39 Republicans in voting against it.

Republicans say the bill does not go far enough in its reforms, while Democrats say their opponents want to protect wealthy corporate interests.

Both parties say they expect the overhaul will eventually be approved.

Correspondents say that with Wall Street reeling from a fraud case against Goldman Sachs they are eager to act before November's Congressional elections.

Goldman executives are due to appear before a Senate committee later. On Monday, the committee said the bank had made billions of dollars at its clients' expense during the housing market collapse.

'Obstruction'

Minutes after Monday's procedural vote, President Barack Obama said he was "deeply disappointed" that Republicans had rejected a debate and urged senators to put the interests of country ahead of party.

"Some of these senators may believe that this obstruction is a good political strategy, and others may see delay as an opportunity to take this debate behind closed doors, where financial industry lobbyists can water down reform or kill it altogether," he said.

"But the American people can't afford that."

It is likely that the Democrats will try again later this week to push through a debate. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid switched his vote to "no" at the end - a manoeuvre that will enable him to call for a new vote as early as Tuesday.

"The only thing Republicans stand for is standing together," he said.

The Democratic dissenter, Sen Nelson, said his vote reflected concerns about the bill from businessmen in his home state.

Nebraska-based billionaire Warren Buffett has reportedly been lobbying to exempt existing derivatives from new regulations.

Analysts say that with neither side appearing to be willing to compromise over the shape of the bill, further delays look likely.

Last-minute talks had already taken place to try to reach a compromise before the vote.

But Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell had urged his side to stand firm.

"All of us want to deliver a reform that will tighten the screws on Wall Street. But we're not going to be rushed on another massive bill based on the assurances of our friends on the other side," he said.

Democrats and their two independent allies control 59 Senate seats, but had needed at least one Republican vote to overcome delaying tactics.

The bill's supporters say it would tackle financial institutions that are "too big to fail", putting in place a framework that would mean taxpayers do not fund any future bailouts.

Among the bill's proposals are changes to the derivatives market and tougher legislation to protect consumers.

Mr Obama has made reining in Wall Street a cornerstone of his presidency.

In a speech last week to the financial community, he attacked the army of lobbyists in Washington employed by banks to oppose his changes.

A poll published in the Washington Post on Monday suggests two-thirds of Americans support stricter financial regulations.

Read more »

Posted in: National News

US Republicans block debate of finance rules reform

US Republican senators have blocked moves to start debating a bill to introduce the most significant reforms to financial regulations for 60 years.

Needing 60 votes in the 100-seat Senate to begin debating the bill, Democratic leaders fell three votes short.

Democratic Senator Ben Nelson joined 39 Republicans in voting against it.

Republicans say the bill does not go far enough in its reforms, while Democrats say their opponents want to protect wealthy corporate interests.

Both parties say they expect the overhaul will eventually be approved.

Correspondents say that with Wall Street reeling from a fraud case against Goldman Sachs they are eager to act before November's Congressional elections.

Goldman executives are due to appear before a Senate committee later. On Monday, the committee said the bank had made billions of dollars at its clients' expense during the housing market collapse.

'Obstruction'

Minutes after Monday's procedural vote, President Barack Obama said he was "deeply disappointed" that Republicans had rejected a debate and urged senators to put the interests of country ahead of party.

"Some of these senators may believe that this obstruction is a good political strategy, and others may see delay as an opportunity to take this debate behind closed doors, where financial industry lobbyists can water down reform or kill it altogether," he said.

"But the American people can't afford that."

It is likely that the Democrats will try again later this week to push through a debate. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid switched his vote to "no" at the end - a manoeuvre that will enable him to call for a new vote as early as Tuesday.

"The only thing Republicans stand for is standing together," he said.

The Democratic dissenter, Sen Nelson, said his vote reflected concerns about the bill from businessmen in his home state.

Nebraska-based billionaire Warren Buffett has reportedly been lobbying to exempt existing derivatives from new regulations.

Analysts say that with neither side appearing to be willing to compromise over the shape of the bill, further delays look likely.

Last-minute talks had already taken place to try to reach a compromise before the vote.

But Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell had urged his side to stand firm.

"All of us want to deliver a reform that will tighten the screws on Wall Street. But we're not going to be rushed on another massive bill based on the assurances of our friends on the other side," he said.

Democrats and their two independent allies control 59 Senate seats, but had needed at least one Republican vote to overcome delaying tactics.

The bill's supporters say it would tackle financial institutions that are "too big to fail", putting in place a framework that would mean taxpayers do not fund any future bailouts.

Among the bill's proposals are changes to the derivatives market and tougher legislation to protect consumers.

Mr Obama has made reining in Wall Street a cornerstone of his presidency.

In a speech last week to the financial community, he attacked the army of lobbyists in Washington employed by banks to oppose his changes.

A poll published in the Washington Post on Monday suggests two-thirds of Americans support stricter financial regulations.

Read more »

Posted in: National News

BlackBerry unveils new Bold and Pearl smartphones

Toronto, April 27 (IANS) BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM) Monday launched another smartphone – called BlackBerry Bold 9650 – to add another device to its premier Bold brand.

The company also unveiled the new BlackBerry Pearl 3G, its smallest smartphone yet.

“The new BlackBerry Bold 9650 is an extraordinary smartphone that we think customers will love,’ said RIM president and co-CEO Mike Lazaridis. “Whether at work or at play, the new BlackBerry Bold 9650 offers a truly impressive communications, multimedia and connectivity experience,’ he said at the launch of the latest smartphones.

About the new BlackBerry Pearl 3G, he said, “The BlackBerry Pearl 3G is unlike any other smartphone in the world and we expect a broad range of new and existing customers will be drawn to its powerful features and compact design.’

Beside a keyboard, optical trackpad and built-in Wi-Fi, the new smartphone also allows users to talk on the phone while browsing the web or sending and receiving email.

Loaded with 512 MB Flash memory and an expandable memory card slot that supports up to 32 GB microSDHC cards, the BlackBerry Bold 9650 smartphone supports 3G networks.

Built in stylish design with glossy black finish and chrome highlights, the new device features large high-resolution display which allows pictures, videos and web pages with great contrast and detail, the RIM statement said.

Apart from a 3.2 megapixel camera with flash, zoom, image stabilization, autofocus and video recording, the new BlackBerry Bold also features advanced media player for videos, pictures and music, a 3.5 mm stereo headset jack and support for Bluetooth.

The new BlackBerry Pearl 3G measures less than two inches wide and weighs only 93g. It also features an optical trackpad for smooth navigation, a 3.2 MP camera with flash for quality pictures, and support for up to 32 GB of personal content.

Both the new devices will support mobile applications built by third parties for RIM and carry built-in GPS with support for geo-tagging, BlackBerry Maps and other mapping applications.

“The BlackBerry Bold 9650 fuses form and function in a striking design and, in addition to providing premium phone and multimedia features, it of course delivers the industry’s leading mobile solution for email, messaging (IM, SMS, MMS) and social networking,’ the company said in its statement.

Read more »

Posted in: SPECIAL NEWS

BlackBerry unveils new Bold and Pearl smartphones

Toronto, April 27 (IANS) BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM) Monday launched another smartphone – called BlackBerry Bold 9650 – to add another device to its premier Bold brand.

The company also unveiled the new BlackBerry Pearl 3G, its smallest smartphone yet.

“The new BlackBerry Bold 9650 is an extraordinary smartphone that we think customers will love,’ said RIM president and co-CEO Mike Lazaridis. “Whether at work or at play, the new BlackBerry Bold 9650 offers a truly impressive communications, multimedia and connectivity experience,’ he said at the launch of the latest smartphones.

About the new BlackBerry Pearl 3G, he said, “The BlackBerry Pearl 3G is unlike any other smartphone in the world and we expect a broad range of new and existing customers will be drawn to its powerful features and compact design.’

Beside a keyboard, optical trackpad and built-in Wi-Fi, the new smartphone also allows users to talk on the phone while browsing the web or sending and receiving email.

Loaded with 512 MB Flash memory and an expandable memory card slot that supports up to 32 GB microSDHC cards, the BlackBerry Bold 9650 smartphone supports 3G networks.

Built in stylish design with glossy black finish and chrome highlights, the new device features large high-resolution display which allows pictures, videos and web pages with great contrast and detail, the RIM statement said.

Apart from a 3.2 megapixel camera with flash, zoom, image stabilization, autofocus and video recording, the new BlackBerry Bold also features advanced media player for videos, pictures and music, a 3.5 mm stereo headset jack and support for Bluetooth.

The new BlackBerry Pearl 3G measures less than two inches wide and weighs only 93g. It also features an optical trackpad for smooth navigation, a 3.2 MP camera with flash for quality pictures, and support for up to 32 GB of personal content.

Both the new devices will support mobile applications built by third parties for RIM and carry built-in GPS with support for geo-tagging, BlackBerry Maps and other mapping applications.

“The BlackBerry Bold 9650 fuses form and function in a striking design and, in addition to providing premium phone and multimedia features, it of course delivers the industry’s leading mobile solution for email, messaging (IM, SMS, MMS) and social networking,’ the company said in its statement.

Read more »

Posted in: SPECIAL NEWS

I was misquoted on anti-Sikh riots: Gadkari

Nagpur: BJP President Nitin Gadkari on Monday said he has not given any clean chit to the Congress in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

"I have not said any such thing and I have been quoted out of context," he said here.

Gadkari was reacting to a radio report in which he was quoted as sayig that some people might be involved in those riots (anti-Sikh riots) but it would not be entirely correct to say that the riots were initiated by the (Congress) government.

"My statement was totally misinterpreted. The reference was to riots in Gujarat where Chief Minister Narendra Modi was being blamed and held responsible," he said.

Read more »

Posted in: National News

I was misquoted on anti-Sikh riots: Gadkari

Nagpur: BJP President Nitin Gadkari on Monday said he has not given any clean chit to the Congress in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

"I have not said any such thing and I have been quoted out of context," he said here.

Gadkari was reacting to a radio report in which he was quoted as sayig that some people might be involved in those riots (anti-Sikh riots) but it would not be entirely correct to say that the riots were initiated by the (Congress) government.

"My statement was totally misinterpreted. The reference was to riots in Gujarat where Chief Minister Narendra Modi was being blamed and held responsible," he said.

Read more »

Posted in: National News

Chidambaram denies authorising phone tapping

New Delhi: The Government on Monday "categorically" denied it had authorised the tapping of phones of key political leaders.

Amid a furore over the issue in the Lok Sabha, Home Minister P Chidambaram said the government had investigated the matter but found "nothing to substantiate" the allegations reported in a weekly magazine last week.

"I wish to state categorically that no telephone tapping or eavesdropping of political leaders was authorised by the previous UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government. Nor has the present UPA government authorised any such activity. After the issue of the magazine was available late Friday, the allegations in the story were thoroughly inquired into. Nothing has been found in the records to substantiate the allegations," Chidambaram said in the house.

Newsmagazine Outlook in a report had said that the government was tapping the telephones of Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Prakash Karat and Congress leader Digvijay Singh.

However, the home minister's statement did not satisfy the protesting MPs led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Chidambaram's statement came after opposition MPs demanded a statement from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the issue.

Amid an uproar that made the home minister barely audible, Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned the house till 2 pm. This was the second disruption of the house on Monday.

Earlier the opposition MPs stalled the Lok Sabha over the matter soon after the house reassembled after the weekend.

Manmohan Singh is likely to speak over the issue in the house at 3.30 pm.

Read more »

Posted in: National News

Chidambaram denies authorising phone tapping

New Delhi: The Government on Monday "categorically" denied it had authorised the tapping of phones of key political leaders.

Amid a furore over the issue in the Lok Sabha, Home Minister P Chidambaram said the government had investigated the matter but found "nothing to substantiate" the allegations reported in a weekly magazine last week.

"I wish to state categorically that no telephone tapping or eavesdropping of political leaders was authorised by the previous UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government. Nor has the present UPA government authorised any such activity. After the issue of the magazine was available late Friday, the allegations in the story were thoroughly inquired into. Nothing has been found in the records to substantiate the allegations," Chidambaram said in the house.

Newsmagazine Outlook in a report had said that the government was tapping the telephones of Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Prakash Karat and Congress leader Digvijay Singh.

However, the home minister's statement did not satisfy the protesting MPs led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Chidambaram's statement came after opposition MPs demanded a statement from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the issue.

Amid an uproar that made the home minister barely audible, Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned the house till 2 pm. This was the second disruption of the house on Monday.

Earlier the opposition MPs stalled the Lok Sabha over the matter soon after the house reassembled after the weekend.

Manmohan Singh is likely to speak over the issue in the house at 3.30 pm.

Read more »

Posted in: National News

Chidambaram denies authorising phone tapping

New Delhi: The Government on Monday "categorically" denied it had authorised the tapping of phones of key political leaders.

Amid a furore over the issue in the Lok Sabha, Home Minister P Chidambaram said the government had investigated the matter but found "nothing to substantiate" the allegations reported in a weekly magazine last week.

"I wish to state categorically that no telephone tapping or eavesdropping of political leaders was authorised by the previous UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government. Nor has the present UPA government authorised any such activity. After the issue of the magazine was available late Friday, the allegations in the story were thoroughly inquired into. Nothing has been found in the records to substantiate the allegations," Chidambaram said in the house.

Newsmagazine Outlook in a report had said that the government was tapping the telephones of Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Prakash Karat and Congress leader Digvijay Singh.

However, the home minister's statement did not satisfy the protesting MPs led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Chidambaram's statement came after opposition MPs demanded a statement from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the issue.

Amid an uproar that made the home minister barely audible, Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned the house till 2 pm. This was the second disruption of the house on Monday.

Earlier the opposition MPs stalled the Lok Sabha over the matter soon after the house reassembled after the weekend.

Manmohan Singh is likely to speak over the issue in the house at 3.30 pm.

Read more »

Posted in: National News

Chidambaram denies authorising phone tapping

New Delhi: The Government on Monday "categorically" denied it had authorised the tapping of phones of key political leaders.

Amid a furore over the issue in the Lok Sabha, Home Minister P Chidambaram said the government had investigated the matter but found "nothing to substantiate" the allegations reported in a weekly magazine last week.

"I wish to state categorically that no telephone tapping or eavesdropping of political leaders was authorised by the previous UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government. Nor has the present UPA government authorised any such activity. After the issue of the magazine was available late Friday, the allegations in the story were thoroughly inquired into. Nothing has been found in the records to substantiate the allegations," Chidambaram said in the house.

Newsmagazine Outlook in a report had said that the government was tapping the telephones of Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Prakash Karat and Congress leader Digvijay Singh.

However, the home minister's statement did not satisfy the protesting MPs led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Chidambaram's statement came after opposition MPs demanded a statement from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the issue.

Amid an uproar that made the home minister barely audible, Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned the house till 2 pm. This was the second disruption of the house on Monday.

Earlier the opposition MPs stalled the Lok Sabha over the matter soon after the house reassembled after the weekend.

Manmohan Singh is likely to speak over the issue in the house at 3.30 pm.

Read more »

Posted in: National News

Chirayu Amin appointed interim IPL chairman

Mumbai: Baroda Cricket Association president Chirayu Amin was on Monday unanimously appointed as the interim commissioner of the Indian Premier League after Lalit Modi was suspended late last night by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

The IPL governing council met here and deliberated for close to two hours before arriving on Amin's name. The board, while not appointing an interim IPL committee to help Amin run the show, has in a move that is expected to be widely appreciated, announced that former India captains and current members of the IPL governing council, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri will discuss the strategy for IPL 2011.

Addressing the media after the meeting, BCCI president Shashank Manohar said it was necessary to suspend Modi "so that there is no interference".

"I don't think that the autonomy of the Board is threatened. It's the duty of the board to look into allegations. It is necessary to suspend a person so that there is no interference. Suspension is not a punishment, it's just for free and fair inquiry."

He added that the IPL "is a great property and has love from all of you and across the globe" and while the "commercial aspect is important also ethics are important".

Manohar said the show cause notice and the suspension letter was sent to Lalit Modi after the IPL final last night as they did not want to disrupt the tournament.

He confirmed that the 22 charges against Modi were discussed in the meeting and said, "Everyday the IT dept is asking for the documents which we don't have in our custody."

Manohar also took on the media and said,"An allegation is being made, the media is saying that all members are party to the decisions made by governing council. The governing council had no other option. Media should have the correct facts before they present their views.

"All of us were here as honorary members, we don't hide anything from the board. As far as IPL is concerned we knew it's a huge property."

He also indicated that all people involved with the IPL could not be held responsible for the mess in the IPL and said, "We have appointed officials and professionals for various jobs, everyone can't be held responsible."

Fielding question on the counter-charges made by Lalit Modi, the BCCI chief said it was a "misconception" created by the media.

"If Rajasthan Royals funds are coming from outside India, I have no machinery to check that. The Income-Tax and the Enforcement Directorate are investigating into this, we got the information from them."

Stating that the ownership of the Rajasthan franchise was still not clear as there were "too many unidentified companies" and that the "names of Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra was not present in the ownership documents of Rajasthan Royals".

Manohar said Board official Ratnakar Shetty will look into the missing bid documents.

The Board president reiterated that "all decisions are to be taken by the IPL governing council in majority and if others are guilty we'll take same action against them."

Manohar said that he had never persuaded Modi to attend the meeting and that he was "not aware whether Modi was to attend the meeting or not".

He added that the Board has no documents to probe allegations of facilitation fee made about telecast rights for the IPL.

Read more »

Posted in: SPORTS

Chirayu Amin appointed interim IPL chairman

Mumbai: Baroda Cricket Association president Chirayu Amin was on Monday unanimously appointed as the interim commissioner of the Indian Premier League after Lalit Modi was suspended late last night by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

The IPL governing council met here and deliberated for close to two hours before arriving on Amin's name. The board, while not appointing an interim IPL committee to help Amin run the show, has in a move that is expected to be widely appreciated, announced that former India captains and current members of the IPL governing council, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri will discuss the strategy for IPL 2011.

Addressing the media after the meeting, BCCI president Shashank Manohar said it was necessary to suspend Modi "so that there is no interference".

"I don't think that the autonomy of the Board is threatened. It's the duty of the board to look into allegations. It is necessary to suspend a person so that there is no interference. Suspension is not a punishment, it's just for free and fair inquiry."

He added that the IPL "is a great property and has love from all of you and across the globe" and while the "commercial aspect is important also ethics are important".

Manohar said the show cause notice and the suspension letter was sent to Lalit Modi after the IPL final last night as they did not want to disrupt the tournament.

He confirmed that the 22 charges against Modi were discussed in the meeting and said, "Everyday the IT dept is asking for the documents which we don't have in our custody."

Manohar also took on the media and said,"An allegation is being made, the media is saying that all members are party to the decisions made by governing council. The governing council had no other option. Media should have the correct facts before they present their views.

"All of us were here as honorary members, we don't hide anything from the board. As far as IPL is concerned we knew it's a huge property."

He also indicated that all people involved with the IPL could not be held responsible for the mess in the IPL and said, "We have appointed officials and professionals for various jobs, everyone can't be held responsible."

Fielding question on the counter-charges made by Lalit Modi, the BCCI chief said it was a "misconception" created by the media.

"If Rajasthan Royals funds are coming from outside India, I have no machinery to check that. The Income-Tax and the Enforcement Directorate are investigating into this, we got the information from them."

Stating that the ownership of the Rajasthan franchise was still not clear as there were "too many unidentified companies" and that the "names of Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra was not present in the ownership documents of Rajasthan Royals".

Manohar said Board official Ratnakar Shetty will look into the missing bid documents.

The Board president reiterated that "all decisions are to be taken by the IPL governing council in majority and if others are guilty we'll take same action against them."

Manohar said that he had never persuaded Modi to attend the meeting and that he was "not aware whether Modi was to attend the meeting or not".

He added that the Board has no documents to probe allegations of facilitation fee made about telecast rights for the IPL.

Read more »

Posted in: SPORTS

New chief Amin gets ready to clean up IPL

Mumbai: Newly-appointed IPL Commissioner Chirayu Amin said Monday his immediate priority is to clean up the Twenty20 league, which has been rattled by a massive financial scandal.

Amin replaced the flamboyant Lalit Modi, who has been suspended for alleged bid rigging and shady TV and internet rights deals among other charges. With the league in the eye of a storm, Amin said he has his task cut out.

"The immediate task is to clean-up the IPL. The game has just been concluded and so we will start planning for the next year. That is the priority right now," Amin, who also owns a pharmaceuticals company, said.

The Baroda Cricket Association chief, who is also a BCCI vice-President, was a surprise pick for the job considering that his name was not even mentioned in the run up to the IPL Governing Council meeting here Monday.

Read more »

Posted in: SPORTS

New chief Amin gets ready to clean up IPL

Mumbai: Newly-appointed IPL Commissioner Chirayu Amin said Monday his immediate priority is to clean up the Twenty20 league, which has been rattled by a massive financial scandal.

Amin replaced the flamboyant Lalit Modi, who has been suspended for alleged bid rigging and shady TV and internet rights deals among other charges. With the league in the eye of a storm, Amin said he has his task cut out.

"The immediate task is to clean-up the IPL. The game has just been concluded and so we will start planning for the next year. That is the priority right now," Amin, who also owns a pharmaceuticals company, said.

The Baroda Cricket Association chief, who is also a BCCI vice-President, was a surprise pick for the job considering that his name was not even mentioned in the run up to the IPL Governing Council meeting here Monday.

Read more »

Posted in: SPORTS

No reply by PM on phone tapping; LS adjourned

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day on Monday as the Opposition continued its protests over reports that politicians' phones were tapped by government agencies. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was supposed to speak in the Lok Sabha over the allegations at 3.30 p.m.

When the House reassembled after the lunch at 2 p.m., Opposition MPs from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Samajwadi Party (SP) shouted slogans against the government and gathered near the speaker's podium. They were supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Left party MPs.

Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Raghuvansh Prasad Singh also raised the issue of the Indian Premier League (IPL) controversy. As the Opposition continued its protest, Deputy Speaker Karia Munda adjourned the House for the day.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had earlier told the House amid furious protests by Opposition MPs: "PM is ready to speak in the House at 3.30 pm."

Oppn not satisfied with Chidambaram's reply:

The BJP and the CPI-M said they were not satisfied with Home Minister P. Chidambaram's denial that the government did not tap telephones of four senior political leaders.

BJP leader M. Venkaiah Naidu said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should respond to the demand for setting up of a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) to look into the allegations.

"The government's statement is an afterthought. Why they did not respond the first day (when allegations surfaced)? The Prime Minister should respond to the demand for JPC," Naidu told reporters here.

The issue rocked parliament Monday following a report in a news magazine that the government had tapped telephones of Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, CPI-M leader Prakash Karat and Congress leader Digvijay Singh.

CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury said a statement should come from the Prime Minister. "We are not satisfied with statement of Home minister." The Congress, however, said Chidambaram's statement in both the Houses had made it clear that no phone tap were authorised by the government.

"The fundamental question is whether the Opposition is looking for a reply from the government or wants to score political brownie points," Congress spokesman Manish Tewari said.

Read more »

Posted in: National News

No reply by PM on phone tapping; LS adjourned

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day on Monday as the Opposition continued its protests over reports that politicians' phones were tapped by government agencies. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was supposed to speak in the Lok Sabha over the allegations at 3.30 p.m.

When the House reassembled after the lunch at 2 p.m., Opposition MPs from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Samajwadi Party (SP) shouted slogans against the government and gathered near the speaker's podium. They were supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Left party MPs.

Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Raghuvansh Prasad Singh also raised the issue of the Indian Premier League (IPL) controversy. As the Opposition continued its protest, Deputy Speaker Karia Munda adjourned the House for the day.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had earlier told the House amid furious protests by Opposition MPs: "PM is ready to speak in the House at 3.30 pm."

Oppn not satisfied with Chidambaram's reply:

The BJP and the CPI-M said they were not satisfied with Home Minister P. Chidambaram's denial that the government did not tap telephones of four senior political leaders.

BJP leader M. Venkaiah Naidu said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should respond to the demand for setting up of a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) to look into the allegations.

"The government's statement is an afterthought. Why they did not respond the first day (when allegations surfaced)? The Prime Minister should respond to the demand for JPC," Naidu told reporters here.

The issue rocked parliament Monday following a report in a news magazine that the government had tapped telephones of Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, CPI-M leader Prakash Karat and Congress leader Digvijay Singh.

CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury said a statement should come from the Prime Minister. "We are not satisfied with statement of Home minister." The Congress, however, said Chidambaram's statement in both the Houses had made it clear that no phone tap were authorised by the government.

"The fundamental question is whether the Opposition is looking for a reply from the government or wants to score political brownie points," Congress spokesman Manish Tewari said.

Read more »

Posted in: National News