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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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,...

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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,...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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 controver...

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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 controver...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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 sa...

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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 sa...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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Posted in: National News