Monday 20 April 2009

Oil Prices to Near $50 on 2nd-half Recovery Hopes

SINGAPORE: Oil prices crept to near $50 a barrel Thursday in Asia as investors brushed off poor economic news from the U.S. and eyed a possible second-half recovery in crude demand.
Benchmark crude for May delivery rose 45 cents to $49.70 a barrel by midday in Singapore in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract on Wednesday dropped 16 cents to settle at $49.25.
Oil prices have clung near $50 this month as traders parse recent economic data for signs global crude demand could recover soon.
Investors are brushing off the current dismal signals that demand remains weak, instead eyeing a possible rebound in the second half.
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries said Wednesday it expects global demand to fall to 84.2 million barrels a day this year, or 1.6 percent less than last year.
OPEC’s forecast follows a similar U.S. government forecast that said global oil demand will fall in 2009 to 84.1 million barrels a day.
“Demand hasn’t come back yet, but the market is expecting it to turn around in the second half and grow next year,” said Clarence Chu, a trader with market maker Hudson Capital Energy in Singapore.
U.S. crude inventories continue to grow, suggesting American consumers and companies remain mired in a severe recession.
The Energy Information Administration said crude oil inventories rose by 5.6 million barrels last week, more than twice what analysts expected. The total of 366.7 million barrels now in storage is the most held since Sept. 7, 1990, according to the EIA.
Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve reported a slowdown in activity at U.S. factories and mines. Total industrial capacity utilization rate fell to 69.3 percent from 70.3 percent, the lowest on records dating to 1967.
In March, industrial production declined for the fifth straight month, the Federal Reserve said. Production at U.S. factories, mines and utilities dropped a seasonally adjusted 1.5 percent last month.
In other Nymex trading, gasoline for May delivery fell 0.65 cents to $1.39 a gallon and heating oil dropped 0.71 cents to $1.46 a gallon. Natural gas for May delivery slid 2.0 cents to $3.61 per 1,000 cubic feet.
In London, Brent prices jumped $1.11 to $52.90 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange.

Japan Pledges up to $1 bln to Pak

TOKYO: Japan’s Prime Minister Taro Aso on Thursday promised up to one billion dollars in aid to help stabilise Pakistan, after meeting President Asif Ali Zardari on the eve of a donors meeting. Aso said at a media briefing after their talks that “I told him that Japan would make a pledge of up to one billion dollars” at the Tokyo aid conference on Friday that is jointly hosted by Japan and the World Bank.
The Japanese premier said Pakistan’s stability is important for the region and for “the peace and stability of the international community”.
President Zardari called Japan, already Pakistan’s biggest aid donor, “an important partner in the world. Japan is showing its responsibility by being always there to support Pakistan and its fight against terrorism.”
Almost 30 donor countries are to meet on Friday to raise what the World Bank hopes will be four to six billion dollars in loans and grant aid pledges for the poor, nuclear-armed country.
Washington has put Pakistan at the heart of the fight against Al-Qaeda and US President Barack Obama has unveiled a sweeping new strategy to turn around the Afghan war and defeat Islamist militants on both sides of the border.
Zardari stressed in a newspaper article in Japan that his government is determined to fight Islamic militants, but said it needed an aid drive which he likened to the US Marshall Plan for post-World War II Europe.

Karachi Stock Exchange on Downslide, Loses 119 Points

KARACHI: Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) trading opened this morning downbeat, which in a state of confusion further aggravated, as the profit-takers went on selling spree and the KSE-100 index recorded a loss of over 100 points hardly an hour after the business today.
Market pundits said that the investors appeared to be focused on the outcome of the underway Friends of Pakistan Conference and donors conference in Tokyo before taking any new venture in the market. Meanwhile, KSE-100 index shedding 199 points pegged at 7551 points until the filing of this report.

Boao Forum Opens to Discuss Economic Challenges

SANYA: Annual Boao Forum for Asia opened to discuss with world leaders challenges and uncertainties that Asia faces in the light of the global financial crisis. President Asif Ali Zardari arrived here on Friday to represent Pakistan at the forum. The President arrived here from Tokyo after chairing a meeting of the Friends of Pakistan and a Donors Conference hosted by Japan to help the country confront economic challenges it was facing, particularly in the backdrop of activities of extremists and militants.
The theme of this year’s event is Asia: Managing Beyond Crisis where over the next three days delegates are expected to debate and discuss the impact of the crisis on Asia and how the region can weather these challenges effectively.
The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), from April 17-19 in Boao, is a good opportunity for Asian nations to get together and think about strategies to deal with the current financial crisis, Pakistani’s Ambassador to China Masood Khan told the media team covering the President.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao delivered a keynote speech at Boao in the Hainan Province.
Apart from President Asif Zardari, the leaders who are attending the Boao Forum are Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe, Mongolian Prime Minister Sanj Bayar, Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Michael Thomas Somare and Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand Korbsak Sabhavasu, Iran’s Vice President Parviz Davoudi, besides former U.S. President George W. Bush and former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.

3 Executives of Tech Mahindra May Join Satyam Board

NEW DELHI: Three senior executives of Tech Mahindra are likely to be inducted in the Satyam board. The names doing the rounds are vice-chairman, MD & CEO Vineet Nayyar, president (international operations) CP Gurnani, and president (strategic initiatives) Sanjay Kalra. Anand Mahindra, chairman of Tech Mahindra, who is in Hyderabad, is expected to address Satyam employees to provide them comfort amid concern that the new management may cut jobs.3 Executives of Tech Mahindra May Join Satyam Board
Tech Mahindra will have its first official interaction with the Satyam board on Monday after obtaining the Company Law Board’s approval for acquiring majority stake in troubled IT company.
Mahindra may also address all the vertical and process heads of Satyam and get an idea of the operations and business from the officials on the field.
“There is a board meeting on Monday. All Satyam directors and senior officials of Tech Mahindra will participate in the meeting to take stock of the situation,” a Satyam Computer spokesperson said.
Tech Mahindra emerged as the highest bidder for majority stake in Satyam at Rs 58 a share in an auction held on last Monday. It has to pay Rs 1,756 crore by April 22, 2009 for 31% stake.
As per the bidding schedule, the payment of Rs 1,756 crore will ensure the ownership of Satyam to Tech Mahindra following which the Mumbai-based company has to acquire another 20% in an open offer to public.

Pakistan’s Nuclear Program in Safe Hand: Manmohan Singh

GUWAHATI: Even as concern mounts around the world about the growing anarchy in nuclear armed-Pakistan, prime minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday said India has been assured that Pakistan’s nuclear weapons are in safe hands “as of now”.
Pakistan Nuclear Program in Safe Hand: ManmohanThe PM did not specify where the assurance had come from. But his comment clearly signified that India has been worried enough to seek reassurance on that count. Significantly, there have been a series of high-level exchanges between India and the US of late. The PM recently met US President Barack Obama at the G20 meet in London, and the problem of terror in Af-Pak (Afghanistan-Pakistan) figured in their discussions.Senior Obama administration officials like US special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke and chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen also made high-profile visits to the region recently.
The PM’s comment on Sunday was in response to questions raised by opposition BJP about the unrest in Pakistan and the increasing fire-power of the Taliban in the neighbouring country.
“We have been assured that Pakistan’s nuclear weapons are in safe hands as of now. And I have no reason to disbelieve the assurance,” Singh said when asked whether there is a threat of the Taliban capturing Pakistan’s nuclear assets.
Only a day earlier, BJP president Rajnath Singh had expressed concern that large parts of Pakistan were under “Taliban control”. Addressing an election rally at Behali in Assam’s Sonitpur district, Rajnath said, “Some provinces of Pakistan are under the control of Taliban. New Delhi has to be prepared to tackle the situation.”
Addressing a news conference at Amingaon in Guwahati just before a Congress election rally, the PM also said Maoists and terrorism posed a great threat to the country’s security and integrity as these hampered development.
“The twin menaces need to be dealt with a firm hand and we are committed to it. All right-thinking people should get together to counter the threat,” Singh said. Congress, the PM added, was the only party competent to handle these problems.
Taking serious note of the Maoist attacks in five states during the first phase of the polls, the PM said he did not think that the remaining phases of elections would be violent. Singh attacked the BJP-led NDA’s track record in tackling terror attacks when they were in power at the Centre. “During the Mumbai terror attack, the (Congress-led) UPA government dealt with the situation with a firm hand unlike the Opposition parties. What steps did they (NDA) take during their time to control terrorism? There is always a difference between BJP’s words and actions,” Singh said.
On the recent bomb blasts in Assam, the state he represents in the Rajya Sabha, Singh said: “I share the grief of the victims of the recent violence. And we are committed to stop this mindless violence.” A renewed effort was needed to control insurgency in the North-East, he said.
The PM welcomed the unilateral ceasefire declared by a section of Ulfa last year. “I do not agree that violence is a means to achieve a goal. I think those who are with weapons cannot work for the poorer and weaker sections of society.”

India launches First Spy Satellite

ndia has launched its first all-weather spy satellite, that will help security agencies keep a watch on the movements on the borders. The PSLV-C12, carrying 300-kg Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT-2) and 40-kg micro educational satellite ANUSAT lifted off from ISRO’s Satish Dhawan space Centre on Monday.

india launches first spy satellite 266x300 India launches first spy satellite

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, weighing 230 tonnes at the time of launch, soared into a clear sky from the spaceport here, about 90 km north of Chennai. RISAT has all-weather capability to take images of the Earth and would also be beneficial in mapping and managing natural disasters, such as floods and landslides, besides amplifying defence surveillance capabilities of the nation
ANUSAT is the first satellite developed by an Indian university (Anna University).
University sources said scores of students and faculty from different streams had worked on this satellite for the last six years. This is the 15th flight of ISRO’s workhorse PSLV, which had launched 30 satellites (14 for India and 16 for foreign countries) into a variety of orbits since 1993.

Sheikh Rashid Holds Meeting With Munawwar Hassan

LAHORE: Chief of Awami Muslim League Sheikh Rashid reached Jamat Islami headquarters Mansoora to meet Munawwar Hassan, new leader of Jamat. Rashid congratulated Munawwar Hassan for his election as the new Ameer of Jamat Islami.
In the talks the two leaders were concerned over drone strikes in Pakistan and agreed that Pakistan should express stern reaction against the US spy planes raids.

SBP Set to Cut Interest Rate Today

KARACHI: The monetary policy for third-quarter of the current fiscal year is being announced today, while the economists are divided on whether Pakistan will lower interest rates for the first time since 2002 to stoke growth, as price gains remain “stubbornly” high.
Stock market brokers, traders and industrialists all alike anxiously waiting as to whether the State bank of Pakistan (SBP) cuts the interest rate or not in its third-quarter monetary policy being announced here today. The analysts expecting a cut said that the private sector loans have dropped down seven times below Rs50 billion, while large-scale industrial production has fallen to minus 5.37, which was pacing up unemployment and the economic growth rate was feared to remain at 2.5 percent.
Senior bankers said that the interest rate constitute the miniscule part of any company’s trading. They said that the government would also have to address the energy crisis besides SBP monetary policy correlating with other policies. Economists also accept that following the entrance into IMF program, its approval on policy decisions was necessary.
It may be recalled that monetary policy is not made keeping in view the inflation and price-hike rates only. Lower interest rate would induce buying on taking loans and because of the low production capacity, the demand pressure would be met by imports, which would result in depletion of foreign exchange reserves, weakening of rupee value and widening trade deficit gap.

PAF Offensive kills 20 Militants in FATA, Claim Officials

Islamabad: At least twenty militants were reportedly killed in an offensive launched by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in the Orakzai region of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Pakistan military officials have claimed.
According to the Dawn, PAF jets and helicopter gunships launched an attack targeting a close aide of Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud, Hakimullah Mehsud, who had claimed the responsibility for a suicide car-bomb attack on a security convoy in which 25 security personnel were killed near Kohat town of the agency.
“Our jets and helicopters attacked suspected hideouts of militants in the Ghiliju area and killed 20 militants,” a military official said.
Local residents said the fighter jets bombed a government school which was turned into a training camp by the Taliban.
However, officials were unable to give details about whether Hakimullah Mehsud had also been killed in the attack or not.

Militants Attack Foiled in Kurram Agency

PARACHINAR: Frontier Corps repelled an attack on a convoy in Thall Toorkamma region of Kurram tribal region. The militants attacked the convoy when it was travelling to Bathai checkpost from Alizai, a spokesman said.
The security men exchanged intense fire with militants in the clash in which two militants were seriously wounded and an explosives laden vehicle was destroyed.

Sharia-Deal With Talibanl Rejected by MQM

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has rejected the sharia-deal between the Pakistan Government’s and the Taliban. The Daily Times quoted Hussain, as saying that the Taliban’s Sharia law was based on violence, and urged people to unite against the menace of Talibansation.
Hussain also condemned a statement by Pak-Taliban chief Sufi Muhammad, that high courts and the Supreme Court are un-Islamic. Addressing an ulema convention in Karachi by telephone from London, he said the MQM was not against sharia, but against the “sharia of the Taliban”. He claimed the enforcement of the peace-deal was just the beginning of the Talibanisation of the country, adding innocent people were being punished on false accusations.
He said the time had come to choose between the Taliban and Pakistan.

71st Death Anniversary of Iqbal To be Observed Tomorrow

ISLAMABAD: The 71st death anniversary of great national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal will be observed across the country on April 21 (Tuesday) to acknowledge his services for getting a separate homeland for Muslims of the Sub-continent.
Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal is officially recognized as national poet of Pakistan and known as Muffakir-e-Pakistan “The Thinker of Pakistan”, Shair- e-Mashriq “The Poet of the East”, and Hakeem-ul-Ummat “The Sage of Ummah”.Allama Iqbal was a great Muslim poet, philosopher and politician born in Sialkot. His poetry in Urdu, Arabic and Persian is considered to be among the greatest of the modern era.
He gave the vision of an independent state for the Muslims of British India that led to the creation of Pakistan.
One of the most prominent leaders of the All India Muslim League, Iqbal encouraged the creation of a “state in northwestern India for Muslims” in his 1930 presidential address.After studying in England and Germany, Iqbal started law practice,but concentrated primarily on writing scholarly works on politics, economics, history, philosophy and religion.
He is best known for his poetic works, including Asrar-e-Khudi-which brought a knighthood- Rumuz-e-Bekhudi, and the Bang-e-Dara, with its enduring patriotic song Tarana-e-Hind. In India, he is regarding for the patriotic song, Saare Jahan Se Achcha. In Afghanistan and Iran, where he is known as `Iqbal-e Lahori,’ he is highly regarded for his Persian works.
Iqbal was a strong proponent of the political and spiritual revival of Islamic civilisation across the world, but specifically in South Asia; a series of famous lectures he delivered to this effect were published as “The
Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam.” Iqbal’s poetic works are written mostly in Persian rather than Urdu.
Among his 12,000 verses of poem, about 7,000 verses are in Persian. In 1915,he published his first collection of poetry, the Asrar-e-Khudi (Secrets of the Self) in Persian. The poems delve into concepts of ego and emphasise thespirit and self from a religious, spiritual perspective. Many critics have called this Iqbal’s finest poetic work.
In Asrar-e-Khudi, Iqbal has explained his philosophy of “Khudi,” or “Self.” He proves by various means that the whole universe obeys the will of the “Self.” Iqbal condemns self-destruction. For him the aim of life is self-realization and self-knowledge. He charts the stages through which the “Self”has to pass before finally arriving at its point of perfection, enabling the knower of the “Self” to become the viceregent of Allah.
His birthday is annually commemorated in Pakistan as Iqbal Day,a national holiday. Iqbal is the namesake of many public institutions, including the Allama Iqbal Medical College, Allama Iqbal Open University and the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore. Government and public organizations have sponsored the establishment of colleges and schools dedicated to Iqbal, and have established the Iqbal Academy to research, teach and preserve the works, literature and philosophy of Iqbal. His son Javid Iqbal has served as a justice on the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

5 killed in Clash Between Taliaban And TNSM

KHAR: At least five persons were killed and eight others injured in a clash between Tehrik-e-Taliban and Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat Muhammadi in Bajaur on Monday, reports said.

Government examining Sufi remarks: Rehman Malik

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik has said that the government is examining Maulana Sufi Muhammad’s remarks about the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the democracy. Rehman Malik said “Provincial government is responsible to maintaining law and order situation in Swat and other parts of NWFP.”
The recording of Sufi Muhammad’s public address is being seen to evaluate the intent behind his remarks about superior courts and the democracy. Malik said that he had sought a report from the provincial government about prevailing security situation in Swat valley and parts of NWFP.
“A high-level meeting has been called on Tuesday to review the overall law and order situation across the country.” Earlier, he called on Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and apprised him of the steps taken by the government to improve law and order situation.

United States ask Iran to end its “hateful rhetoric”

WASHINGTON: The United States called Monday on Iran to end its “hateful rhetoric” after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s attacks on Israel but said it still wanted talks with Tehran to mend relations. President Barack Obama “disagrees vehemently” with Ahmadinejad, who branded Israel a racist state, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters.
He said it vindicated the decision by the country’s first African-American president to shun the UN conference on racism in Geneva. “This is hateful rhetoric. It’s, I think, one of the reasons why you saw the administration and the president determined that its participation in this conference was not a wise thing to do,” he said.
But Gibbs added, “We continue to evaluate our policy and understand that from a larger foreign policy framework, doing things the same old way is not likely to bring about the change we need in our foreign policy.”
State Department spokesman Robert Wood said Ahmadinejad’s “rhetoric is unhelpful, it’s counterproductive and it just feeds racial hatred.”
“We want to have a direct dialogue with Iran, but Iran needs to do a number of things to get back in the overall good graces of the international community,” Wood told reporters.

PML-N criticised for not joining federal cabinet

Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarian leader Arbab Khizar Hayat Khan expressed has criticised Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif for not rejoining PPP-led federal government and termed the decision as contrary to the larger interest of country and nation. In a statement issued here on Monday , the PPP leader said President and Co-chairperson of PPP Asif Ali Zardari keeping in view the national interest and the turmoil loaming over the country invited the PML (N) leader to rejoin the cabinet and join hands to solve the common problems.
Khizar Hayat Khan said PML rejection to the offer reveals it true face that its leaders were more interested to get benefit from the situation and prefer their petty and personal interest above national interest, adding that Pakistan was acquired after hectic efforts and sacrifices of millions of people and defending it was every body’s national and ethical duty. President Asif Ali Zardari, PPP leader said believed in politics of harmony and wished to work jointly with all parties for the people and country, especially, he added , in a situation while the country was surrounded by various kinds of dangers. PPP leader Khizar Hayat Khan said PML (N) leader rejected the invitation with the aim to get popularity and increase its vote banks but he added the masses were well aware and would reject the PML (N)and its leaders in the elections expected to be held in 2013.

Deputy Speaker Legislative Assembly (NALA) shot dead in Gilgit

GILGIT- Pakistan: As many as two people were killed including a Deputy Speaker Northern Areas Legislative Assembly (NALA) Syed Asad Zaidi while one was injured in a firing incident on a car here in Kashrot area of Gilgit late on Monday, police sources reported.
According to sources, unknown armed militants opened fire at car on the link road in Kashrot area of Gilgit district, killing two persons on the spot including Deputy Speaker Northern Assembly Syed Asad Zaidi while his driver was critically injured.
Police, having got to the firing scene, have shifted the injured and dead bodies to District Headquarter Hospital Gilgit meanwhile, police have kicked off investigation into the incident, police sources said.
All the government departments and educational institutes in Northern Areas will remain closed on Tuesday in protest of slaying of deputy speaker. Where as one day mourning has been announced to be observed on Tuesday.

Sunday 12 April 2009

UK Police Release One Man Arrested in Terror Raids

London: One of the 12 people arrested on suspicion of planning a major terror attack in Britain has been released without charge and was being questioned by immigration authorities, authorities said.
The unidentified 18 year old is now in the custody of the UK Border Agency, a police spokeswoman said on condition of anonymity in keeping with departmental policy. She said the other 11 suspects arrested in a series of raids in northern England three days ago are still in custody and being questioned.
British officials have not released details about the reported terror plot, but Prime Minister Gordon Brown called it “very big”. Britain’s media have suggested that an attack could have been timed to coincide with the Easter holiday and that pictures of supermarkets were uncovered by police hunting for evidence in the northern cities of Liverpool and Manchester.
Most of those in custody were Pakistanis living in Britain on student visas, and the arrests have roiled relations between Pakistan and Britain. News of the alleged plot also has raised questions about the strength of the UK’s immigration system.
Opposition leaders are calling for a crackdown on the student visa system, which allows tens of thousands of foreigners into Britain each year.

100,000 Tamil Tiger Supporters March Through London

LONDON: At least 100,000 people marched in London on Saturday to demand an immediate end to Sri Lanka’s bloody offensive against Tamil Tiger rebels. Ethnic Tamils and their supporters packed the streets of the capital, brandishing Tamil Tiger flags and urging the UK to suspend development aid to Sri Lanka, a former British colony.
London’s River Thames embankment was flooded by Tamils wearing red, black and yellow scarves emblazoned with the rebels’ tiger insignia.
In Trafalgar Square, protesters carried a skeletal effigy hanging from a scaffold labeled with the words: “Continuous rape and murder.”
Elsewhere, children carried a mannequin representing a dead woman on a stretcher. A sign read: “Caused by government force.”
Sri Lankan forces have recently made significant gains in their more than 2-decade-long war against the rebels, who draw their support from the country’s minority Tamil population. But the offensive has sent the civilian death toll soaring and led to international criticism.
“The people here have lost direct family members,” said Suren Surendiran, of the British Tamils Forum, which organised the march.
“They are here for a reason. They are worried about their next of kin. This is not about a ‘Stop the War’ march or anything like that,” he said, referring to the massive London protest against the Iraq war in 2003.

Barack Obama’s Half-brother Refused Entry Into Britain

London : Britain refused an entry visa for US President Barack Obama’s half-brother, Samson Obama, who was implicated in alleged sexual assault in Britain and a false document attached to his statement, British media reported Sunday. Samson, a Kenyan, was stopped and turned back by immigration officials at the East Midlands Airport in January while en route to Washington for Barack Obama’s inauguration, the Press Association reported.
The news agency cited a Home Office spokesman as confirming that the visa was refused after immigration officers noticed a falsified document included in Samson Obama’s visa application.
Further inquiries then showed he had been arrested by police in Berkshire after an alleged sex attack on a girl around the time of his last stay in Britain last November but not charged, according to the News of the World reported.
Samson, a mobile phone shop manager, and the US president have the same father.

Sri Lanka Declares 48-Hour Ceasefire in Civil War

Colombo: Sri Lanka’s military will halt fighting for two days to allow tens of thousands of trapped civilians to escape a no-fire zone where they are being held by the Tamil Tigers, the Media Minister said on Sunday.
“Cabinet decided there will be a halt to fighting for the Sinhala and Tamil New Years on Monday and Tuesday,” Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, also the Cabinet spokesman, said.
Amid mounting international concern for the safety of thousands of civilians trapped in a small strip of coastal land in the island’s north-eastern Mullaitivu district, US ambassador to Sri Lanka Robert O’Blake had met Army commander Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka.
According to the media report, the US ambassador “had apparently made a request for him (Army chief) to agree to a seven days’ ceasefire to rescue the civilians trapped inside the No-Fire-Zone”.
Killing over 525 LTTE cadres in 72 hours of fierce battle for Puthukkudiyiruppu, the military said that the troops were “close to the last leg of the war” against the LTTE which has been fighting for a separate state over the past quarter century.
“As the troops are poised to enter the No-Fire-Zone, it has been reported that Prabhakaran is making an effort to flee the country apparently with the assistance of the Norwegian government,” the media report said.
It said although there had been no official intimation about the discussions the Tamil Tigers had with the Norwegian government, LTTE’s political leader Nadesan has had a lengthy discussion with the Norwegians about the situation in the No-Fire-Zone.
There is no immediate response from the LTTE in this regard. A top visiting UN envoy has said that over 100,000 civilians were “trapped in the 14 sq km No-Fire-Zone” and expressed deep concern for their lives.

Sri Lanka Declares 48-Hour Ceasefire in Civil War

Colombo: Sri Lanka’s military will halt fighting for two days to allow tens of thousands of trapped civilians to escape a no-fire zone where they are being held by the Tamil Tigers, the Media Minister said on Sunday.
“Cabinet decided there will be a halt to fighting for the Sinhala and Tamil New Years on Monday and Tuesday,” Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, also the Cabinet spokesman, said.
Amid mounting international concern for the safety of thousands of civilians trapped in a small strip of coastal land in the island’s north-eastern Mullaitivu district, US ambassador to Sri Lanka Robert O’Blake had met Army commander Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka.
According to the media report, the US ambassador “had apparently made a request for him (Army chief) to agree to a seven days’ ceasefire to rescue the civilians trapped inside the No-Fire-Zone”.
Killing over 525 LTTE cadres in 72 hours of fierce battle for Puthukkudiyiruppu, the military said that the troops were “close to the last leg of the war” against the LTTE which has been fighting for a separate state over the past quarter century.
“As the troops are poised to enter the No-Fire-Zone, it has been reported that Prabhakaran is making an effort to flee the country apparently with the assistance of the Norwegian government,” the media report said.
It said although there had been no official intimation about the discussions the Tamil Tigers had with the Norwegian government, LTTE’s political leader Nadesan has had a lengthy discussion with the Norwegians about the situation in the No-Fire-Zone.
There is no immediate response from the LTTE in this regard. A top visiting UN envoy has said that over 100,000 civilians were “trapped in the 14 sq km No-Fire-Zone” and expressed deep concern for their lives.

Italy Prepares to Mourn Quake Victims in Good Friday Ceremony

Dozens of wooden caskets containing some of the victims of Monday’s earthquake in Italy were being lined up Friday at a parade ground of a police training school in the city of l’Aquila, a few hours ahead of a planned state funeral. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was scheduled to attend the solemn ceremony over which the Vatican’s second highest official, Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone was set to preside. By Friday morning the death toll from the earthquake stood at 287, including at least 20 children.
Rescuers sifting through rubble in L’Aquila and other nearby, badly damaged towns, were set to continue their work until Easter Sunday in the hope of finding more survivors.
The task is being made even more dangerous by dozens of powerful aftershocks that have followed the main earthquake. Monday’s tremor registered around 6.2 on the Richter scale.
Some 17,000 people spent Thursday night housed in several tent camps set up by authorities as shelters mainly for residents of the worst hit areas including L’Aquila’s city centre and the towns of Onna and Paganica.
The government says that reconstruction costs will rise to 1.2 billion euros (1.6 billion dollars) and entire towns will have to be rebuilt.
Monday’s earthquake was the deadliest to hit Italy in almost 30 years.
In 1980 up to 3,000 people are estimated to have died in an earthquake in the southern Campania and Basilicata regions.

British PM tells Pakistan, Do more on terror

London, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Thursday told Pakistan to do more to wipe out terrorism breeding inside the South Asian country. His comments came hours after the UK police arrested 12 people, including 11 Pakistanis, on suspicion of having links with al Qaeda terrorist network in a series of raids in northwest England.
“We know that there are links between terrorists in Britain and terrorists in Pakistan,” Brown said. “That is an important issue for us to follow through and that’s why I will be talking to President (Asif Ali) Zardari about what Pakistan can do to help us in the future.”
The arrest came hastily after UK top anti-terror chief, Scotland Yard’s Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick, unintentionally revealed the details of the operation.
Quick stepped down over the gaffe, which saw him photographed as he arrived at Brown’s Downing Street office on Wednesday with a secret document about the suspected plot clearly visible.
Photographs of the document, made public on Thursday, included locations of the raids and showed the operation was “AQ-driven,” meaning al Qaeda.
The British PM further defended the decision to move the raids forward to Wednesday evening once it became clear that the police swoop risked being compromised.
“We have been investigating a major terrorist plot and we have got to act early. Our first concern is always the safety of the public. It is right that we took the urgent action that we did over the course of yesterday,” he said.
“We are dealing with a very big terrorist plot. We have been following it for some time. There were a number of people who are suspected of it who have been arrested. That police operation was successful.”
Pakistan envoy shocked
Pakistan’s high commissioner to Britain, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, told the BBC that he was “shocked” and “surprised” at the alleged plot’s link to his country.
Hasan claimed that Pakistan was working hard tackle terrorism within its borders. He further noted that many of those arrested were reportedly in the UK on student visas, adding issuing these was Britain’s responsibility.
“If they (British authorities) allow us to make inquiries first, if they ask us to scrutinise those who are seeking visas, we can help them,” he said.
The raids took place in the cities of Manchester and Liverpool — including at John Moores University — as well as in the nearby town of Clitheroe.
According to the Times, there were plans to attack a nightclub and shopping centre complex in Manchester.
Britain has been on high security alert ever since the July 2005 attacks in London, which killed 56 people including four suicide bombers, and failed car bomb attacks in London and Glasgow in June 2007.
The threat remains on its second highest level, severe. MI5 chief Jonathan Evans said in January that al Qaeda leaders based in Pakistan still intended to mount attacks on Britain — and had the capacity to do so.

Strike Against Balochistan leaders’ Murder Continues on 3rd Day

TUBAT: The strike for the third day today continued protesting against the murder of Balochistan leaders. Sources said that Turbat, Mand, Tamp, Baleda and the surrounding areas continued observing shutter down strike today in protest against the murder of balochistan leaders.
Police said that eight persons, who were arrested yesterday, have been released on bail.
Aabsar UC Nazim Akhtar Shahwani, Nasirabad UC Nazim Mansur Rind and Naib Nazim Kambeel Abdul Khalique Dashti have resigned from their posts in protests against the murders.

Taliban Quits Bunair

PESHAWAR: Taliban have vacated the Pir Baba shrine in Bunair and conditions are peaceful in the area, a local official said. DPO Bunair Abdul Rasheed said that the Taliban have quit the area with the efforts by a local peace Jirga and Commissioner Malakand division.
Clarifying reports about the Pir Baba shrine, DPO said the shrine and the mosque have been opened and people offering prayers in the mosque. He also denied about any restrictions over the visit to the shrine.
The official also said that the conditions have returned to normalcy in Bunair and all markets and schools have been opened.

Police Stations’ Boundary Walls To be Constructed in NWFP

PESHAWAR: In a bid to thwart security threats, NWFP government has issued directives to the relevant authorities for the construction of boundary walls escorting all the major police stations in province.
According to police sources, Federal government has steeped up security measures across NWFP and Punjab provinces following alleged terrorist threats from Taliban were received by government officials while sensitive places and important buildings have been cordoned off with heavy deployment of police and rangers’ troops.

Balochistan Protests Leaders Slaying

KARACHI: Balochistan mourning slaying of three Baloch nationalist leaders as BNP leader Akhtar Mengal has called for shutter down strike in Balochistan. MQM holding a protest rally in Karachi today. MQM Quaid Altaf Hussain will address the party rally that will begin from Mazar-e-Quaid to protest against slaying of the Baloch leaders.
Property worth millions of rupees was ransacked during protests on Saturday which erupted across the province after the murder of three Baloch leaders in Turbat.
Meanwhile, a shutterdown strike was observed in the provincial capital and other parts of Balochistan. All major business centres and markets remained closed throughout the day.
In Turbat, some enraged protestors set on fire a bank branch, a museum, a hotel in Kech and the TMO office. Sources said the fire in the museum caused damage to antiques. The district administration of Turbat arrested 12 miscreants on charges of ransacking and damaging the government property. The FC have taken control of the city.
In Naushki, some infuriated demonstrators set ablaze an official quarter near District Jail. However, the fire caused no injury to any.
Similarly, the Quetta-Karachi RCD highway was blocked by some protesters.
The workers of the Balochistan National Party (BNP-M) took out a protest rally showing their anger against the killings of three Baloch leaders.
A large number of women also took out protest rally and staged demonstration in the Mand area of Kech. They also staged a sit-in in front of the FC camp.

David Miliband Call FM Qureshi

ISLAMABAD: British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband telephoned Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday and discussed matters relating to the Friends of Democratic Pakistan meeting which is going to be held in Tokyo on April 17.
According to the details by foreign office, the two leaders also discussed EU-Pakistan summit and asked Pakistani government for support regarding arrest of ten alleged Pakistan nationals in Britain. However, they expressed satisfaction at the state of bilateral relations, reaffirming their mutual desire to continue working towards further strengthening Pak-UK ties.

Taliban Captures new Areas in NWFP

The Swat Taliban has established its grip over new areas in the Buner region of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP). A day earlier, the Taliban had announced that it would move out of the region. According to sources Taliban fighters have also taken control of the shrine of Sufi saint Pir Baba in the region.taliban Taliban captures new areas in NWFP
“They (Taliban) have taken control of vast areas in Buner. They are freely moving around while police and other law-enforcement personnel remain confined to their posts,” the Dawn quoted a local living near the shrine, as saying.
Sources said that outlawed operatives ransacked the shrine and destroyed it completely.
TV sets, pictures, paintings and audio-video cassettes were put on fire in the shrine before being locked.
Security officials said they have been asked by their superiors not to retaliate.
“We have been asked by our seniors not to interfere with the Taliban,” a police officer of the Pir Baba police station said.
The official said Taliban fighters possessed some very advanced arms and ‘never seen before’ arms and ammunitions.
The Taliban has also captured houses of several tribal elders in the region.
The administration said that talks were on with the militants to urge them leave the area, but sources said the talks between the militants, administration officials and a local jirga headed by Maulana Waliullah Kalbalgrami, could not reach an agreement, and they have been allowed to ‘go anywhere’ in Buner.

Chakwal Suicide Bomber’s Sketch Released

CHAKWAL: Punjab police have released the sketch of the alleged terrorist suicide bomber involved in the Imambargah suicide bombing here on April 5, resulting in the death of 27 persons and several injured.
Police drawing the sketch with the help of the eyewitnesses released here appealed to the people to inform Chakwal DPO and Punjab IG police offices, if they have any information about the attacker.

Nawaz Sharif With His Family Leaves for Dubai

LAHORE: Former Prime Minister and Muslim League (N) Quaid Nawaz Sharif left here for a four-day private visit of Dubai on Sunday. Sharif will hold meetings to settle some private matters during his stay in Dubai, PML-N sources said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister House spokesman has announced that Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif will attend a luncheon with the prime minister today.

NATO Planes Low in Chaman

CHAMAN: NATO warplanes low altitude flights at Pak-Afghan border Chaman Sunday caused harassment in local population. “Two warplanes of NATO violated the airspace of Pakistan near Pak-Afghan border,” eyewitnesses in Chaman.
The security forces however denied the claim adding that the NATO warplanes were flying on low altitude within Afghan territory adding that the security at the Pak-Afghan border was on alert as per routine.

Asif Ali Zardari talks Aslam Raeesani Over Baloch leaders Slaying

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari Sunday said the federal government was using all resources at hand for earlier arrest of the culprits involved in murder of Baloch nationalist leaders Ghulam Mohammed Baloch, Lala Munir and Sher Mohammed Baloch.
In telephonic conversation with Chief Minister of Balochistan Nawab Aslam Raeesani President Zardari rejected the impression of involvement of any secret agency in the slaying incident.
He said the facts will be made public after impartial investigation of the incident. The president reassured people of Balochistan that no excess will be made with them.
Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raeesani informed President Zardari that his government has ordered judicial inquiry of the Turbat tragedy.

Asif Ali Zardari talks Aslam Raeesani Over Baloch leaders Slaying

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari Sunday said the federal government was using all resources at hand for earlier arrest of the culprits involved in murder of Baloch nationalist leaders Ghulam Mohammed Baloch, Lala Munir and Sher Mohammed Baloch.
In telephonic conversation with Chief Minister of Balochistan Nawab Aslam Raeesani President Zardari rejected the impression of involvement of any secret agency in the slaying incident.
He said the facts will be made public after impartial investigation of the incident. The president reassured people of Balochistan that no excess will be made with them.
Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raeesani informed President Zardari that his government has ordered judicial inquiry of the Turbat tragedy.

India Cooperation Can Help Removing Concerns: Shah Mehmodd Qureshi

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmodd Qureshi has urged India for resumption of dialogue with Pakistan saying that Indian concerns could only be removed by their cooperation and not by their accusations.
In interview with Indian television, Shah Mehmood said Pakistan wants good relations with India and said that bringing the Mumbai attacks accused to the court of justice is in the interest of Pakistan and India.
Indian refusal to dialogue will strengthen the terrorists, he said. Pakistan has taken several steps against terrorism but India has ignored them, Qureshi said.

23 killed in fire Cracker factory Blasts in Maharashtra

Twenty-three persons were killed and 48 injured as fire broke out at a fire cracker factory at Parola, around 60 km from Jalgaon in Maharashtra on Friday afternoon. Twenty-three persons were killed and 48 injured as fire broke out at a fire cracker factory at Parola, around 60 km from Jalgaon in Maharashtra on Friday afternoon.fire cracker factory 23 killed in fire cracker factory blasts in Maharashtra
According to police, the explosion occurred in Savitri Fireworks factory, about three kms away from Parola town, at around 1700 hrs, leading to collapse of parts of the unit.
Fire tenders and JCP machine have been pressed into service, they said.
The cause of the explosion is yet to be ascertained.
Amol, who is son of former legislator Chimanrao Patil told a news agency from the spot that 35 persons have been killed in the incident.
The number may rise, he said, adding several people are feared trapped under debris of a slab of the factory

Mulayam Releases Samajwadi Party manifesto, promises to remove farmers plights

Releasing the Samajwadi Party’s manifesto in Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow on Saturday, party chief and former chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav promised to improve the plight of farmers.mulayam singh yadav2 Mulayam releases Samajwadi Party manifesto, promises to remove farmers plights
Yadav has been consistent in his demand that the Central Government should waive off farmers’ debts.
In the recent past, he said: “We have no hope from the Uttar Pradesh government’s forthcoming budget. Asking banks to lower interest rates would not solve the problem; suicides can only be stopped, once the farmers get loan waivers and are saved from debt burden.”
“They should also be provided with proper irrigation facilities, electricity, and insecticides, in time and loans at very low interest rates,” he added.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau data, Maharashtra is ahead of all others in the farmers’ suicide cases.
In last year, the rise in farmer suicides in Maharashtra is four and a half times higher than Andhra Pradesh.
The latest data from the NCRB show that Maharashtra recorded 4,453 farmer suicides, higher than any other state.
Tata Institute of Social Sciences figures suggest that around 150,000 farmers have committed suicide over the past 10 years as they could not repay debt owed to money-lenders He said that if his party were voted back to power in the state, it would also tackle the problem of unemployment through various development-related schemes.
The SP chief also stated that solving the problems of hunger and corruption would be at the forefront of his party’s agenda.
Singh said his government in Uttar Pradesh would snatch away the extra wealth of persons whose finances exceeded their incomes.
On the issue of terrorism, the former chief minister said that it is important to improve relations with neighbouring countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh to crush the menace.
“The Samajwadi Party will focus on increasing security at the borders and ensuring that India has better policies with regard to neighbours like Pakistan and Bangladesh so that the three countries develop together,” Mulayam Singh told reporters.
“The basic cause of terrorism lies in regional differences. The forums across the world which deal with the issue of terrorism work on the behest of America. If a government comes to power with our support, we will ensure that action is taken against communal powers and attack terrorism at its roots,” he said.
“Previous governments have promoted forward trading, share trading and mall culture. Any government formed with our support will either reduce or stop it completely,” he added.
Samajwadi Party leaders Sanjay Dutt and Amar Singh were also present on the occasion.
The manifesto states that the party will tackle issues of unemployment, education, corruption, environment, and reservation for backward classes, minorities and tribals.

PM Manmohan to Campaign in Kerala today

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is scheduled to visit Kerala on a daylong election campaign today. “After addressing an election rally in Kochi, Dr. Singh will arrive here to address a public meeting at 3 pm,” DCC President K C Abu told reporters in Kozhikode.manmohan singh13 300x177 PM to campaign in Kerala today
Union ministers A K Antony and Vayalar Ravi besides Opposition Leader in the state assembly Oommen Chandy and KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala would also be present, he added.
On Friday, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi made a brief electioneering tour of the state.
Gandhi attended UDF rallies at Vatakara near Kozhikode, Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram.

Rahul Gandhi Promises inquiry into Swiss Bank allegations

Determined to prove that the Congress has a clean image, party General Secretary Rahul Gandhi has promised to set up an inquiry into the BJP allegations that the party had salted away lakhs and crores of rupees into Swiss banks. “You elect us. We will order an inquiry,” Rahul Gandhi said at an election rally in Qutbullahpur, Andhra Pradesh.IND10127B
Gandhi claimed that the BJP would forget their promises of unlocking the money from Swiss bank accounts because they know there was no such money anywhere.
“They are raking up the issue only to derive political benefit,” Gandhi said.
The BJP has alleged that the UPA Government had failed to unearth the money deposited in Swiss banks ranging from 25 to 70 lakh crore rupees.
The BJP further criticized the UPA for remaining silent on its demand since the money stashed overseas belonged to Congress politicians.

Prime Minister failed to tackle militancy: Modi

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Friday targeted Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on his failure to tackle acts of militancy in the country.IND10130B
“Prime Minister, it is fine that you could not prevent bomb blasts in the country but you could have at least thought of the place, which you represent,” Modi said while addressing an election rally here.
Modi also said that the militancy could only be dealt if replied in the same language of the terrorists.
“Militancy can be dealt with the same treat, only then we can get rid of it,” Modi added.
The BJP leader termed the Congress as a ‘private limited’ party which was sinking with its alliance partners.
“The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) led by the private limited party of Sonia Gandhi was sinking with its alliance partners, while the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Laloo Prasad, the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) President Ram Vilas Paswan and the Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav have deserted it,” he added.
Modi alleged that the Congress was concerned about bringing back its Muslim vote bank from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP).

Advani Continues to Target PM Manmohan Singh

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Lal Krishna Advani on Friday reiterated that Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has to seek permission from Congress President Sonia Gandhi before taking a decision.
“If a decision has to be taken, a minister is sent to the residence of Sonia Gandhi to ask that the Prime Minister wants to do this. Whether he should do it or not? The country will not accept this kind of situation. I have come here to say that India has a lot of potential,” Advani said while addressing an election rally here.
Advani promised that a special status would be accorded to Bihar if BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) comes at the Centre.
“We will ensure giving special status to Bihar for further pacing up the development works initiated by the Nitish Kumar-led Government, if the alliance is voted to power,” he added.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister S. K. Modi accompanied him at the rally.

V S Sampath Set to Become Next EC


V S Sampath would be taking rein of the Election Commission soon. He is all set to become the new Election Commissioner. An officer of 1973 Andhra Pradesh cadre, Sampath is the Union Power Secretary now. He will conduct the 2014 general election and sh

Priyanka takes on Modi, Says Congress is not Old

Congress party’s star campaigner Priyanka Gandhi has lashed out at Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for comparing the Congress party to a ‘budhia’ (old woman), and asked people if she looked old.priyanka gandhi Priyanka takes on Modi, says Congress is not old
“Do I look old to you? Does Sonia Gandhi (Congress president and her mother), Rahul Gandhi or I look old to you,” she asked people of Khalidpur village, while addressing a rally there.
During his election campaigns, Modi has repeatedly been asking the voters to choose the 30-year-old “young” BJP the Congress party over a “125-year-old budhia”.
Priyanka, who is the poll manager for her mother Sonia and brother Rahul, kick started her electioneering work from Amethi and Raebareli, respectively.
Addressing a rally in Furshatganz, Priyanka outlined the development work done by her brother Rahul Gandhi by citing his works done in the field of education and health, including a hospital in Munshiganj.
“Rahul has done a lot for the people. As you know, the state government has not been of much help in carrying out development projects and whatever work has been done is with the Centre’s help,” the younger Gandhi sibling said, while aiming the Mayawati Government.
Priyanka seemed to have struck an emotional cord with people of his father Rajiv Gandhi’s Karbhoomi.
“You have given a lot of love and support and I don’t want to insult your love by asking for votes. We will always be grateful to you,” she said.
“In this election drama a lot of people will come and ask for your votes on the basis of religion and caste. It is for you to decide whom to vote,” she added.
Priyanka, who was busy in the rituals after her father-in-law’’s demise, will visit a number of villages, local representative of the UPA chairperson KL Sharma said.
According to the party sources, Priyanka Gandhi will visit villages Pure pal, Pure Chirai, Sambhawa, Belkhaur, Sambhawa, Sarai Hriday Shah, Anapur and is also expected to hold road-shows.

Noted Writer Vishnu Prabhakar Passes Away

Eminent writer, litterateur and Padma Bhushan award winner Vishnu Prabhakar passed away on Saturday in New Delhi. Dr Prabhakar, who was suffering from chest infection, was admitted to the Maharaja Agrasen Hospital in Punjabi Bagh two weeks ago following complaints of breathing difficulties.vishnu prabhakar Noted writer Vishnu Prabhakar passes away
The Sahitya Akademi award winner, 96, is survived by two sons and two daughters. His wife Sushila Prabhakar died a few years back.
Dr Prabhakar’s condition deteriorated late last night and the end came in early morning, and his family members were by his side when he breathed his last.
In his will, Dr Prabhakar had decided to donate his body organs.
The body will be donated to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
Prabhakaran was born on January 29, 1912 in the Mirapur village of Muzaffarnagar district in Uttar Pradesh.
Writer of over 50 published works, Dr Prabhakaran had written novels, plays and story collections in his lifetime.
A unique characteristic of his works is that it had elements of patriotism, nationalism and messages of social upliftment.
Dr Prabhakar was awarded Padma Bhushan and the Sahitya Akademi Award for his novel Ardhanarishvara (The Androgynous God or Shiva).
He had also won lot of acclaim for his biography ”Awara Maseeha”

Nearly 4 lakh Students to Sit for IIT-JEE today

About four lakh students from across the country will appear in the Indian Institute of Technology -Joint Entrance Examination on Sunday, the results of which will be out by 25th May and counselling for admission will be held in June.iit jee exam results Nearly four lakh students to sit for IIT JEE today
With an overall increase in the number of seats in IITs due to implementation of OBC quota and opening of new IITs, the number of aspirants studying at the prestigious institutes has gone up by nearly 80,000 this year.
“The total number of candidates for IIT-JEE is 3.98 lakh this year. They include about 63,000 in Delhi region. There are about 6,000 seats in all the IITs, IT-BHU and ISM Dhanbad,” IIT Delhi Director Prof Surendra Prasad said.
There will be 137 centres in Delhi region, he said. Last year, about 3.2 lakh candidates had appeared in the test. The test will have no change in the question pattern from last year.
To implement the 27 per cent OBC quota, the IITs are increasing their seats in a staggered manner over the period of three years from last year. Besides this, six new IITs have started functioning from last year.
The government has also decided to make two more new IITs functional from this year. They are IIT-Madhya Pradesh and IIT-Himachal Pradesh. The new IITs will offer 120 seats each.
The test will comprise two papers having objective type questions from Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Wrong answers will have negative marking.
Besides the IITs, the IT BHU and ISM, Dhanbad, will also take students from the IIT-JEE merit list.

Abhishek Bachchan The ‘Genda Phool’ Guy!

Abhishek Bachchan is surely crazy about his song Genda phool from Delhi 6, a film that did little to b(l)oom his career graph. Anyway, Abhi’s stylish shake to genda… wasn’t overlooked. And full credit for this wonderful choreography, Abhishek insists, goes to “I, me, myself!” he says.
“You see Rakeysh (director Rakyesh Omprakash Mehra) wouldn’t hire a choreographer for this song. Everyone was told that they could do whatever they wanted… So I just went with the flow, and did whatever I wanted… Now that everyone seems to like my dance so much, it’s time I applied for a copyright. Nowadays I call it the AB dance,” he explains. Whenever Abhi gets the opportunity to dance on that number, he makes for a jumpstart. Talk about chance pe dance.

Not at Mannat, Says Aamir Khan

Has the Bollywood producers and distributors’ stand-off with the multiplexes over a 50:50 profit sharing broken the ice between Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan? No, they only came together for this cause, and BT has learned that the personal differences between the Bollywood Khans is far from over. It was Aamir who after his meetings with the multiplex representatives, took it upon himself to involve the other A-list actors. “He sent an SMS to Shah Rukh, Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Hrithik Roshan,” said a United Producers and Distributors Association Forum member.
Akshay, Salman and Saif replied that they were busy with their shoots, but would go along with whatever Aamir thought best for the industry; Hrithik didn’t respond at all; and, Shah Rukh was graceful enough to lend his support. The Bollywood Badshah also invited Aamir to his home, Mannat.
“The principled man that he is, Aamir is reported to have told Shah Rukh that since they have a few unresolved personal issues, he would not go to Mannat. ‘And let’s not meet at my home, either, let’s meet on neutral ground,’ Aamir is said to have added. And that is why meetings were held at Karan Johar’s Union Park residence for two nights in a row,’’ said the source.
When they met at Karan’s house, SRK and Aamir got so involved with the multiplex issue, that they left their differences aside.
“Shah Rukh was happy to let Aamir lead because he knew Aamir had already had a few meetings, and was more updated on the issue,’’ said the source. Ronnie Screwvala, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Mukesh Bhatt, Priti Shahani and Karan Johar witnessed the crackling chemistry between Bollywood’s two super-giants. “SRK, who is blessed with the gift of the gab, was truly a treat to hear,’’ said one of those present at this high-power summit.
While digging into pastries that were served, Shah Rukh commented, “With Aamir around, I have to eat something extra sweet.’’ At which Aamir laughed. Next, when Aamir went to find a toilet and came back (thrice) complaining to Karan that all the toilets were occupied, Shah Rukh teased him saying, “Arre, what’s with you? Do you want to pee in every toilet in Karan’s house?’’ SRK then asked Aamir for some personal advice on how to quit smoking. “How did you manage to give up,’’ he asked Aamir. “I’m trying real hard but I haven’t succeeded.’’

Hrithik and Sussanne Roshan Move out of Khan Home

Hrithik and Sussanne Roshan have now shifted out of Sanjay Khan’s house into JW Marriott
Last week, Sussanne Roshan had shifted to her father Sanjay Khan’s house Sanjay Plaza (Near Juhu Post Office ) when Hrithik was away in Cape Town to shoot for a commercial , sparking rumours that there were problems in their marital life because of Hrithik’s growing fondness for the Latin actress Barbara Mori.
Earlier, Hrithik and Sussanne had decided to move into JW Marriott around November-end because their residence at Palazzio , Juhu had to be renovated.
However, the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai forced the couple to abort their plans since the fivestar hotels in Mumbai were put on high-alert .
In an interview to this paper three days ago, Sussanne had admitted , We have a termite problem on our floor (10th Floor in Palazzio). We had been planning to do some renovations since a long time. Initially, we had planned to shift to the JW Marriott until the work was over. But after 26/11, we temporarily put on hold the idea of shifting.
The latest on the couple is that they have shifted from Sanjay Plaza to Hotel JW Marriott. The couple will be staying in the hotel for a month.
A source said, All looks well in the Roshan parivaar. Staying in JW Marriott, Hrithik and Sussanne look very happy together.
Sussanne confirmed and said, Yes, Hrithik and I have checked into JW Marriott. The renovation work in our house is going to take a month to complete.

Is Preity Zinta Dating Vikram Chatwal

After her break-up with Ness Wadia, Preity Zinta has moved on and how. On April 3, Mumbai Mirror had broken the story on how Priety and Ness’s relationship was going through a rough patch and that the two were only together as business partners in their IPL team, Kings XI Punjab.
But Preity is far from being heartbroken and instead has a new man in her life. She is now seeing New York-based businessman and hotelier Vikram Chatwal, who has been known to date some of the hottest international models.
That the Vikram-Priya Sachdev marriage is also on the brink of a breakdown is well-known. “Meanwhile, Preity and Vikram have become quite close and the two get along like a house on fire,” said a source.
Preity’s close relationship with Vikram was especially obvious during the Mai Mumbai show at the Lakme Fashion Week organized by Vikram Chatwal.
An eyewitness said, “When Vikram walked the ramp, it was Preity who was cheering most loudly for him. From the look of it, it was apparent that Vikram and Priety enjoy being together. At a party held later during the day, Priety was with Vikram throughout the evening.”
Priety, who was always accompanied by Ness when they were in a relationship, raised quite a few eyebrows by arriving at the event all alone. “People were surprised when Priety came without Ness. But her close friendship with Vikram became obvious when they hung around together during the fashion week” said our source.
Our source added, “Vikram too is enjoying his single status as his wife Priya spends most of her time at her parents’ house at New Delhi. In fact, in an interview to a magazine Vikram had clearly stated how he longs to enjoy his freedom once again. Looks like Preity and Vikram have found comfort in each other’s company.”
We tried contacting Preity Zinta but she remained unavailable for comment.