13 killed in Thai car bomb attacks

A series of car bombs have killed 13 people and injured more than 500 in the deadliest attacks to hit the insurgency-torn far south of Thailand in recent years.

In an apparent escalation of their tactics, suspected militants on Saturday attacked a hotel in Hat Yai, the largest city in southern Thailand and a popular destination for tourists from neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore.

A car bomb in the basement triggered a fire which spread to a shopping mall within the Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel and killed three people, including a Malaysian tourist, according to the police.

Songkhla provincial governor Grisada Boorach said 416 people were injured, mostly suffering from smoke inhalation, and 140 were still in hospital on Sunday.

Until now Hat Yai and Songkhla province have been relatively untouched by the shadowy insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives in the neighbouring Muslim-dominated provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat since 2004.

The hotel bombing came about an hour after two car bombs minutes apart hit the town of Yala around midday as people were out shopping.

Those blasts killed 10 people and wounded 117 others, officials said.

National police chief General Priewpan Damapong said the hotel bombing was linked to the Yala attack.

"It was a car bomb and it's related to the incident in Yala and I believe that it was the work of the same group," he said in televised remarks.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says there are no reports of Australians being caught up in bomb blasts in Thailand.

A spokesman says local authorities have confirmed to the Australian Embassy in Bangkok that there are no foreigners among the dead and injured after a bomb attack in the southern town of Yala.

A complex insurgency, without clearly stated aims, has plagued Thailand's far south near the border with Malaysia since 2004, claiming thousands of lives, both Buddhist and Muslim, with near-daily bomb or gun attacks.

However, they are rarely as deadly as Saturday's explosions.

The insurgents are not thought to be part of a global jihad movement but are instead rebelling against a long history of perceived discrimination against ethnic-Malay Muslims by successive Thai governments.

Struggling to quell the unrest, authorities have imposed emergency rule in the region, which rights campaigners say effectively gives the army legal immunity.

Myanmar votes in historic election; spotlight on Suu Kyi

Myanmar votes on Sunday in its third election in half a century, a crucial test of its nascent reform credentials that could propel opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi into parliament and convince the West to end sanctions. The United States and European Union have hinted that economic sanctions - imposed years ago in response to human rights abuses - may be lifted if the election is free and fair, unleashing a wave of investment in the impoverished but resource-rich country bordering rising powers India and China.
Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace Prize winner held for 15 years under house arrest until 2010, complained last week of "irregularities", though none significant enough to derail her party's bid for 44 of 45 by-election seats.
"We're happy to see that everything is going peacefully and we hope that the whole day can be run in a peaceful way," said Ivo Belet, a member of the European parliament who is in Myanmar to observe the election.
"We'll make an evaluation later of course on the basis of all the polling sessions that we will be seeing. We will be working all day from this morning until tonight and also try to follow the counting of the votes."
To be regarded as credible, the vote needs the blessing of Suu Kyi, who was freed from house arrest in November 2010, just days after a widely criticised general election that paved the way for the end of 49 years of direct army rule and the creation of a civilian parliament stacked with former generals.
The parliament has surprised the world by pursuing the most dramatic political reforms since the military took power in a 1962 coup in what was then known as Burma.
The government has freed hundreds of political prisoners, begun peace talks with ethnic rebels, relaxed its strict media censorship, allowed trade unions, and showed signs of pulling back from the powerful economic and political orbit of its giant neighbor China. It was rewarded last November when Hillary Clinton made the first visit to the country by a US secretary of state since 1955.
Business executives, mostly from Asia, have swarmed into the commercial capital, Yangon, in recent weeks to hunt for investment opportunities in the country of 60 million people, one of the last frontier markets in Asia.
Voting stations opened at 6am (2330 GMT), some under the watch of small numbers of observers from the European Union and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The last election, in November 2010, was widely seen as rigged to favour the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), the biggest in parliament. Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) boycotted the vote.
But as Myanmar changes, so too, is Suu Kyi.
At 66, many see her now as more politically astute, more realistic. She has described President Thein Sein -- a general in the former military junta -- as "honest" and "sincere" and accepted his appeal for the NLD to take part.
Her top priorities, she says, are introducing the rule of law, ending long-simmering ethnic insurgencies and amending the 2008 constitution ensuring the military's strong influence over the country. She is expected to easily win a seat in parliament, running in the constituency of Kawhmu, south of Yangon.
While her party may end up with only a small number of seats, many expect her to exert enormous influence. Some Burmese wonder if conservatives would dare oppose her ideas in parliament given her popularity, especially ahead of a general election in 2015. Many want to be seen closely aligned with her.
But the election has not gone smoothly. She has suffered from ill health and accused rivals of vandalising election posters, padding electoral registers and "many, many cases of intimidation." Some of these infractions, however, have been quite minor and are typical of elections across Southeast Asia.
Skeptics in the democracy movement say she is working too closely with a government stacked with the same former generals who persecuted dissidents, fearing she is being exploited to convince the West to end sanctions. Others have almost impossibly high hopes for her to accelerate reforms once she enters parliament.
It was not clear when the election results would be announced, and whether they will be seen as free and fair. The government has invited a small number of election observers, including five from ASEAN, but they have been given hardly any time to prepare inside Myanmar.
Some US restrictions such as visa bans and asset freezes could be lifted quickly if the election goes smoothly, diplomats say, while the EU may end its ban on investment in timber and the mining of gemstones and metals.

Pyongyang's New Leader, Nuclear Policy Worry Tokyo

TOKYO—North Korea's development of nuclear and ballistic missile technology against the uncertain political background of a young leader attempting to consolidate power marks a potential new level of danger for regional security, according to a report by the research arm of Japan's Ministry of Defense.

The East Asian Strategic Review, by the National Institute for Defense Studies, draws the situation surrounding security on the divided Korean peninsula as unpredictable as ever.

"Concerns over the nuclear situation are becoming more acute," the report says, citing the possibility that the North may have succeeded in nuclear miniaturization. "If this leads to North Korea gaining the ability to mount its nuclear warheads on ballistic missiles, it would pose a major threat to countries in the region, including Japan," the report states.

The review covers developments in 2011, and so doesn't address North Korea's recent announcement of a plan to launch a rocket between April 12 and 16, which Pyongyang says is aimed at putting a satellite into space for peaceful purposes.

The launch announcement by North Korea, which already is under heavy international sanctions for its previous missile and nuclear development, has been met with widespread condemnation, particularly from South Korea, Japan and the U.S. They say the planned launch is in violation of sanctions imposed by the United Nations.

Tokyo is particularly sensitive to North Korean missiles, which flew over northern Japanese territory in 1998 and in 2009. This time, North Korea says it will launch toward the south, which could see the rocket fly over islands in the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa. Japan says it may shoot down the rocket if it threatens to hit its territory.

Hiroyasu Akutsu, a professor at the ministry's institute and an expert on North Korea, said there is little chance Pyongyang will reconsider its plan despite the international outcry.

He cited similar circumstances in 2009 when North Korea asserted its sovereign right to carry out a space launch.

"North Korea is confident that China will ultimately support it even if it carries out the launch," he said, adding that the country's new regime under Kim Jong Eun is trying to establish itself. "Because of this, for domestic reasons they are also in a situation where they can't call off the launch," he told reporters Thursday at a briefing on the report's release.

The third-generation leader of North Korea, who remains largely unknown, took the helm of the nation after the death in December of his father, Kim Jong Il. The rocket launch is said to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of his grandfather Kim Il Sung, North Korea's founder.

"It is entirely unclear whether a young leader short of experience and charisma can, over the longer term, cement the foundations of the regime by securing the support of the military, maintaining internal stability, reviving the economy and achieving a favorable shift in external relations," the report states.

Other topics in the report include last year's earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan, the territorial dispute in the South China Sea involving China and Southeast Asian countries and the possibility of defense-budget cuts in the U.S. harming its military capabilities.

Sharapova struggles into Miami final

Maria Sharapova will bid for her first title of the season after claiming a roller-coaster victory over Caroline Wozniacki, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 on Thursday for a place in the final of the Miami Masters.

Sharapova has placed into her fourth final at Miami, but has never lifted the trophy. The 24-year-old Russian took more than two hours to claim her struggling victory, ending with 50 winners and 46 unforced errors as she went for shots against her opponent.

“I just kept fighting and just kept playing for every point,” said Wozniacki. “Maria started off really well and played aggressively.

She played some good tennis out there. “I tried to do my best, and it just wasn’t enough today. I was very close. This is tennis — one time you win; one time you lose.”

Sharapova broke on six of 16 occasions in a match, where she began by winning four of the first five games, only to see Wozniacki fight back to claim the last five and win the first set.

The Russian rallied in the second to square it but almost gave away a 5-2 lead in the third.

Sharapova failed to serve out victory in the eighth game but came good on her next opportunity. Wozniacki saved a first match point as Sharapova netted a backhand two games later.

The match was decided on a controversial call, with a Sharapova serve called out by the linesman but overruled from the chair. With Wozniacki out for challenges, the call — replays showed the serve was good — stood to ensure victory.

“I started off so well but I had a concentration drop,” said Sharapova. “She started playing much better. I was just happy to get to the third set today.

“Being aggressive was really the key, she’s a great mover and she can keep you out there for a many hours. “We both fought hard for more than two hours. I didn’t want the match to end this way, but I’m glad to get to the final.”

Both sides fume over ‘letter leak,’ Gen seeks meet with PM, Antony today

The UPA government is learnt to be disinclined to take any immediate action against Army chief General V K Singh even as the latter’s support base in political class appeared to be running thin.

Senior Congress leaders who had supported him on his age controversy are distancing themselves from him in the wake of his allegations of a hefty bribe offer, and his letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh regarding defence preparedness. The Army chief has, in the meantime, sought an appointment with the PM and Defence Minister A K Antony on Friday.

Antony today asserted that all three service chiefs enjoy the confidence of the government but vowed “strongest action possible” against those responsible for the “leak”.
Earlier in the day, the Army chief issued an official statement asserting that his communication with the PM was “privileged” and the leak should be treated as “high” treason. “This cynical approach to tarnish my reputation should stop. Sources of the leakage should be found and dealt with ruthlessly,” he said.

A visibly upset Antony took questions on the issue stating that the Intelligence Bureau (IB) has been asked to conduct an expeditious probe as “national security is at stake”.

Senior Congress leader Captain Amarinder Singh who had earlier written to the Defence Minister supporting the Army chief’s contention on his age, today appeared to distance himself from him. “I don’t want to comment on this. That was a different issue, this is a different issue,” Amarinder Singh told The Indian Express. Congress MP from Maharajganj Harsh Vardhan also wrote a letter to the defence minister demanding the removal of the Army chief “in the interest of the country and the Army”.

Sources said Antony is against the extreme step of either sacking the Army chief or asking him to go on leave. Incidentally, in 1999, when Navy chief Vishnu Bhagwat was dismissed by the NDA government, the Congress had then demanded setting up a Joint Parliamentary Committee to look into the charges levelled by Bhagwat. The ruling dispensation is also inclined to wait for the findings of the probe into the “leakage” of the Army chief’s controversial letter before taking the next step.

“I assure you that we will not leave it there (IB probe). We will make every possible attempt to find out the real culprits who have done this anti-national activity and they will be given the maximum punishment under the Indian Penal Code,” the minister said at a press interaction on the first day of the Defence Expo. “All the three service chiefs enjoy the confidence of the government. They are still working. Otherwise how can they continue,” he added.

While Antony refrained from making any comments on his relationship with Singh, he made it clear that anyone found guilty of leaking the letter, no matter how senior, would be punished with the harshest sentence possible. “My first priority is to find who leaked the letter...don’t want to live in a fantasy, want to find the trust first,” he said.

The minster took on questions about the preparedness of the armed forces, questions on which had been raised in the Army chief’s letter to the PM, holding that the strengthening of defence forces is a continuous process but the need to modernise has to be balanced with the desire to keep corruption at bay.
“Don’t blame us on both counts. There are complaints (of malpractice) which I have to enquire but at the same time, have to ensure that things are processed quickly. I can’t ignore the complaints of corruption. I can’t throw them in (the) basket,” he said.

The Congress hardened its stance today. “It is ridiculous to suggest that every nut and bolt is procured by the Ministry. Army is autonomous at many levels and when big bucks comes into play, the ministry comes in,” Congress spokesperson Renuka Chowdhury said. “The country is being visited by leaders, including those from our neighbouring country. There should be restraint and constraint. Our patience should not be viewed as our weakness.”

She said that anyone pointing fingers at the Defence Ministry was not only doubting the integrity of the government but also that of Parliament. “If you are going to go to the media, then there seems to be a larger picture. We do not discuss what we discuss with the defence minister. Then it evokes a response,” she said adding that she was sure that the Army chief was “aware of the scope of his jurisprudence”.

1st Test: Sri Lanka beat England by 75 runs

GALLE (Sri Lanka): Rangana Herath completed a maiden 10-wicket match haul to take Sri Lanka to an emphatic win in the first Test against England despite Jonathan Trott's defiant century threatening to steal the game.

Scorecard

Chasing 340 to win, England were bowled out for 264 just after tea on the fourth day on Thursday.

Herath finished the match with 12 wickets for 171 in the match.

Trott faced 266 balls and hit 10 boundaries before being out just before tea. It was his seventh century playing his 27th Test.

John wants me to marry a half Mallu: Asin

John Abraham clicked with Asin so well on the sets of Housefull2 that he even advised her to get married to a half Mallu like himself...

John Abraham and Asin have become good friends. No doubt their Malayali connection seems to have done the trick. After all, John's father is a Malayali.

When we caught up with Asin, she told us, "I tried speaking to John in Malayalam. He had no clue what I was saying. He, obviously, doesn't know the language. But said that I should get married to half Mallu!"

Asin and John worked together for the first time in Housefull 2. The duo bonded over Mallu food too. Speaking about it, Asin said, "John and I have a strong Mallu bond. He is half Mallu. He used to ask me to get unni appams from home. We didn't get any chance to share much Mallu food though he actually wanted me to make some for him. Someday.." she trailed off, laughing!

China wins where India fails

Be it voting against Sri Lanka at the United Nation’s Human Rights Commission in Geneva, or rapidly stepping in to recognise Maldives’ new regime – India seems to be emerging as the best country in losing friends. And the fact that China does not waste much time in catching the friends India fails to keep in its net is not surprising.

India’s vote against Sri Lanka could prove to be a major strategic miscalculation, which could push Colombo closer to Beijing. Notably, China and Pakistan had voted in favour of Sri Lanka and against the US-backed resolution. And how can one forget the world’s largest democracy’s quick recognition of the new Maldivian regime, which ousted the country’s first democratically-elected president Mohamed Nasheed in a `coup` on February 07. I will rather term it as India’s shocking strategic blunder in the Indian Ocean region.

There is no doubt that Nasheed, the self-proclaimed great lover of India, not only helped New Delhi track down extremists but also keep an edge over China in the India Ocean. Nasheed, 44, even questioned after receiving cold shoulder from New Delhi: "My question to Indian establishment is that if they think we did not perform, do they think this is a better option?" referring to the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) of former dictator Abdul Gayoom. "Unlike PPM, we are a group of people who strongly believe in India, their role and functions in Indian Ocean and the relationship that we want with India," he said.

The former Maldivian president went on to predict that India will lose to China under the new regime. India’s image also got tarnished in Maldives, which relies heavily on New Delhi for everything ranging from employment and education to health services and entertainment. A Maldivian friend, who declined to be named, told me that the swift recognition of the new regime has dented New Delhi’s image so much that ordinary Maldivians do not trust India anymore. What is India’s plan to regain that trust is yet to be found out.

Reports indicate that the new Maldivian regime is closer to inking a defence agreement with China. If that happens, what is India’s plan to gain an edge apropos China in the Indian Ocean region?

Moving to Sri Lanka, twenty-four countries recently voted at the UNHRC against Colombo, fifteen in favour, with eight abstentions. In that sense, India’s vote was quite decisive. And this time, India succumbed to the pressure of the United States and Tamil Nadu parties, including coalition partner Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK). For this ‘betrayal’, the Sri Lankan media brutally portrayed India as a ‘loser’ in Geneva.

China will leave no stone unturned in gaining leverage in Sri Lanka after India’s vote. Will India proactively engage Sri Lanka to water down its own mis-step is yet to be seen. Notably, China has invested heavily in Sri Lankan airport, roads and power plants. Remember, China pitched in to build Port in Hambantota when India refused to do it.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa once famously said: "Our neighbours are Indians. I always say, Indians are our relations...From the time of Asoka, we have had that culture, but that doesn't mean we won't get commercial benefits from others; from China, or Japan, or whoever. They will come here, they will build and they will go back. India comes here, they will build and they will stay. This is the difference."

India hardly takes decisions as far as global issues are concerned. Keeping in mind the position it wants to hold at the United Nations’ prestigious Security Council, India is expected to take good decisions and give appropriate statements. However, it seems that New Delhi is tilting towards Washington in decision-making, probably to gain advantage in terms of securing a seat at the UNSC. But it is forgetting that it can’t afford to be a spineless country or a US’ puppet on the global forum.

Letting down friends is not a good habit. And the sooner India gets rid of this habit, the better for it

India-Sri Lanka joint sea patrolling sought

COLOMBO: A Sri Lankan minister has called for joint patrolling by the Indian and Sri Lankan Navies to prevent clashes between their fishermen.

Douglas Devananda, the ministry for traditional industries and small enterprises development, claimed on Thursday that Indians encroaching in Sri Lankan waters off Kachchaitivu Island resulted in clashes and affected the daily livelihood of the island nation's fishermen.

"Sometimes the Indians damage the fishing nets of Sri Lankan fishermen. This has become a serious issue. I have suggested that the Sri Lankan and Indian navy conduct joint patrolling near the maritime boundary of both countries to prevent these kind of incidents from taking place," said the minister.

Indian fishermen accuse the Sri Lankan fishermen and Sri Lankan Navy of attacking them when they cross the boundary line to catch fish near Kachchaitivu Island, which was ceded to Sri Lanka many years ago.

Devananda said that the only way one can find out who is attacking who is by conducting joint patrolling at the international maritime boundary line.

He also called on Tamil Nadu politicians to look at the fishermens' issue for a solution instead of levelling allegations of human rights violations against Sri Lanka.

Qatar: Representation in Baghdad a 'message'

BAGHDAD (AP) — Qatar's prime minister says that his nation is sending Baghdad a "message" with its low-level representation at an Arab summit in the Iraqi capital, criticizing what he says is the marginalization by the country's Shiite-led government of its Sunni Arab minority.
The emir of Kuwait is the only Gulf Arab leader attending the summit, which Iraq had hoped would serve as its debut into the Arab mainstream after two decades of isolation. This reflects increased Sunni-Shia tensions across the region in the aftermath of last year's Arab Spring uprisings, particularly the one against a regime dominated by a Shiite offshoot sect in Sunni-majority Syria and another by majority Shiites in Sunni-ruled Bahrain, also a Gulf Arab nation.
Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassem Bin Jabr Al Thani, who is also the country's foreign minister, told Al-Jazeera late Wednesday that Syrians have a right to defend themselves against the crackdown by President Bashar Assad's regime, suggesting that his energy-rich nation approves of arming rebels there, or is arming them already.
Sheikh Hamad is one of six Sunni-led Gulf Arab nations whose relations with Iraq have been fraught with tension because of Baghdad's close ties with Shiite Iran and its ambivalence on Syria, where the United Nations says at least 9,000 people have died since an anti-Assad uprising began a year ago.
Majority Shiites have dominated Iraq since the 2003 ouster of Saddam Hussein, a Sunni. The nation's once powerful Sunnis complain that the Shiite-led government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is concentrating power in the hands of the Shiites. There is a growing desire by Sunni-majority provinces to win autonomy as a way to escape Shiite domination.
Tens of thousands of Iraqis died in the sectarian violence that began shortly after Saddam's ouster but peaked in 2006 and 2007. Tension continues to simmers to this day, with occasional attacks by Sunni militants against Shiites and crackdowns on Sunni areas by the Shiite-led security forces.
Sheikh Hamad told al-Jazeera his energy-rich nation, a key regional player, disapproved of the marginalization in Iraq of "some segments, including the Sunnis," and that this policy was not in the interest of Iraq or the Arab world.
"Qatar wants the Iraqi government to resolve this in a way that unites the Iraqi people and gives everyone their rights through a dialogue involving all parties," he said.
Iraq is hosting the annual Arab summit for the first time since 1990, keen to show it has emerged from years of turmoil and U.S. occupation. But the Syria issue has clouded its attempts to win acceptance by other Arab nations, which are deeply suspicious of its ties with Iran.
In a snub to Baghdad, all but one of the rulers of the six, U.S.-allied Gulf Arab nations were staying away from the summit, sending lower-level figures instead. League officials said the level of representation was aimed at showing their frustration over the lack of more assertive action on Syria.
Instead of its king, Saudi Arabia was sending its ambassador to the Arab League — a worse slap because the post is even lower than the foreign minister level. The League officials said Saudi Arabia and Qatar had wanted Iraq to invite representatives of the Syrian opposition to the summit. Baghdad declined, much to their dismay, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject.
The one Gulf ruler who is attending, Kuwaiti emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, was received by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Malik at Baghdad's international airport and the two leaders held hands as they walked to the facility's VIP lounge.
Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in 1990, but his army was driven out of the oil-rich nation the following year at the hands of a U.S.-led coalition. Relations between the two neighbors remained tense even after Saddam's 2003 overthrow, but they partially thawed recently. Al-Maliki visited Kuwait earlier this month.
Relations between Iraq and the Gulf Arab nations have also been tense over criticism by Shiite Iraqi politicians and clerics of Bahrain's crackdown on Shiite protesters. The demonstrators seek more economic opportunity and an end to what they see as discrimination by the Sunni ruling family.
Al-Maliki on Wednesday met with Bahrain's foreign minister on the sidelines of the Arab summit and Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari later told reporters that Bahrain would not be on the summit's agenda, a decision that appeared to be a concession by the hosts.
Offering a glimpse of Qatar's thinking on the Syrian crisis, Sheikh Hamad said it would be a "disgrace to all of us if the sacrifices of the Syrian people go to waste."
"We are faced with a difficult choice — either we stand by the Syrian people or stand by him (Assad)," he said. "It is not to be expected from the Syrians to idly stand by while the regime continues to kill its own people this way."
The Gulf nations, particularly Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have been pushing behind the scenes for more assertive action to end the conflict. Privately, they see little benefit in the Arab League's efforts to reach a peaceful settlement and prefer instead to see a small core of nations banding together to act on their own.
Among the options they are considering are arming the Syrian rebels and creating a safe haven for the opposition along the Turkish-Syrian border to serve as a humanitarian sphere or staging ground for anti-regime forces. Such a step would require help from Turkey — the country best positioned to defend such a safe haven — but so far Ankara has seemed reluctant.
For Gulf nations, removing Assad would almost certainly break Syria's alliance with Iran, disrupting the sphere of Tehran's influence that now extends from Iraq and across Syria to the shores of the Mediterranean. Syria's Sunni majority makes up the bulk of the uprising. Assad's regime is dominated by his own Alawite sect, a minority offshoot of Shiite Islam.

Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press.

 

 

Court takes cognizance of case against Army Chief

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Thursday took cognizance of a defamation complaint filed by Lieutenant General (Retired) Tejinder Singh against Army Chief General VK Singh, and four senior Army officers.


The court also fixed April 10 as the next date for pre-summoning of evidence in connection with the case.

The complainant, Lieutenant General (Retired) Tejinder Singh, has accused Army Chief General VK Singh, and four senior Army officers of criminal conspiracy to defame him.

Tejinder Singh had moved to the court after the Army Chief disclosed that he was offered a 14-crore bribe in 2010 to clear "sub-standard" trucks for use by the Army, apparently pointing fingers to the retired Lieutenant General.

In his defamation suit filed in a Magistrate's court, Tejinder Singh asked the court to summon and initiate proceedings against General Singh for making the "libelous" statement against him in the media.

In his complaint, the retired Lieutenant General also named SK Singh (Vice-Chief of Army staff), Lt Gen BS Thakur (DG MI), Major General SL Narshiman (Additional Director General of Public Information) and Lieutenant Colonel Hitten Sawhney, accusing them of misusing their official position, power and authority to level false charges against him.

Serena loses, Nadal marches on at Sony Ericsson Open in Miami

Serena Williams' bid for a record sixth Key Biscayne title ended on Tuesday night when she lost in the quarterfinals of the Sony Ericsson Open to former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, 6-4, 6-4.
"I made her run," Wozniacki said.

Wozniacki served well and was content to keep the ball in play from the baseline, using her retrieving skills to extend rallies until Williams would make a mistake. Williams hit 34 winners to 12 for Wozniacki, but also committed 36 unforced errors to the Dane's 13.

Serena Williams reacts to losing a point during her match against Caroline Wozniacki on Tuesday.

Getty Images

"Everyone I play always plays the match of the year," Williams said.

Williams, seeded 10th, was playing in her first tournament since January after being sidelined by a left ankle injury. She hasn't won a title since August.

"I probably played about 20 per cent," Williams said. "I just made a tremendous amount of errors. There's no reason for that. I'm older and I shouldn't do that. There's no excuse. I've just got to stop that. It's silly."

Rafael Nadal swept five consecutive games midway through his match, propelling him to a 6-4, 6-4 win over Kei Nishikori to reach the quarterfinals.

The victory was by far Nadal's most taxing of the tournament, and he took a medical timeout late in the opening set for treatment of his troublesome left knee. Even so, he's one round closer to his first Key Biscayne title.

"I am not probably in perfect condition today with the left knee," he said. "But the important thing is to try to win as many matches as possible. For me this is an important tournament, and every victory has very, very big value for me, especially without being perfect."

Nadal, a three-time runner-up at Key Biscayne, lost the final last year to Novak Djokovic, and they could meet again on Sunday. The top-ranked Djokovic reached the final eight by beating No. 17-seeded Richard Gasquet 7-5, 6-3.

No. 2 Maria Sharapova became the first semifinalist when she drubbed reigning French Open champion Li Na 6-3, 6-0. Sharapova had lost their previous four meetings.

"I just really wanted to change that," she said, "so I was extremely focused and, you know, looking forward to the match."

Like Nadal, Sharapova seeks her first Key Biscayne title. She lost the final in 2005, 2006 and last year.

Nadal has been bothered by his knee since Indian Wells, where he lost to Roger Federer in the semifinals two weeks ago. Nine games into his match against Nishikori, Nadal called a medical timeout and had a trainer tape his leg.

That's when the momentum swung. In the next game, Nadal took the opening set with a service break when Nishikori sailed an easy forehand long. The Spaniard broke again as he raced to a 3-love lead in the second set.

"At the end of the first set, I felt that I started to win my serves easier than him," Nadal said. "I had more the control of the game."

Nadal improved to 16-3 this year. He's seeking his first tournament title since the 2011 French Open.

No. 4 Andy Murray, No. 5 David Ferrer and No. 6 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga also won in straight sets.

No. 8 Mardy Fish edged No. 12 Nicolas Almagro 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-3. Fish was relegated to the grandstand court for the third consecutive match rather than the stadium, even though he's the top-ranked American man, but the slight didn't faze him.

Less than 24 hours after his upset win over Federer, Andy Roddick endured a drubbing against Juan Monaco, 7-5, 6-0.

Monaco, a patient baseliner seeded 21st, was unfazed by Roddick's big serve, and the match became a succession of long rallies. Roddick began to look weary as the match progressed and stumbled after several shots as the match slipped away.

For Roddick, the performance was a big comedown after he beat Federer for only the third time in 24 tries, temporarily silencing critics who say he should consider retirement.

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Iran says expects nuclear talks on April 13

Iran expects to reopen talks with world powers that could defuse mounting tensions over its disputed nuclear programme on April 13, Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said on Wednesday.
Turkey has offered to host the talks and the location will be decided in the next few days, Salehi said, after greeting Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan on his arrival in Tehran.
The major nations are keen to get Iran to enter talks on curbing its uranium enrichment programme, which the West suspects is aimed at developing a nuclear weapons capability but Tehran says is peaceful.
Western officials in particular are hoping the increasingly harsh sanctions they have imposed on the major oil producer in the last few months will make it more willing to compromise in the long-running nuclear row and help avert the threat of war in the Middle East.
Iran has so far shown no sign of backing down over nuclear development, which it sees as its inalienable right. But it now seems ready to hold talks with the United States, Russia, France, Germany, Britain and China - a group known as the P5+1 as it comprises all five members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany.
Brussels- and Vienna-based diplomats also said April 13 was the likely date for a meeting, but the location remains unclear.
"Talks regarding the venue are under way," Salehi was quoted as saying by the Iranian Students' News Agency.
"Turkey has announced its willingness to host the talks between Iran and major powers, and it seems that P5+1 has welcomed it. This suggestion has also been given to Iran and we are considering it."
The last meeting between Iran and the representatives of the U.N. Security Council nations and Germany, held in Istanbul in January 2011, failed to even agree on an agenda.
Erdogan, who held talks on Iran with U.S. President Barack Obama on Sunday in South Korea, was quoted by the official Iranian news agency IRNA as saying Turkey had proposed hosting talks in Istanbul.
"I had consultations in South Korea with Iran's counterpart in the talks," Erdogan said, according to IRNA. "And we are awaiting results of these consultations and their views. Our intention is to help the process of these talks."
SERIOUS DIALOGUE?
Since January last year Washington and the European Union have imposed new punitive measures on Iran. Relations with the EU hit new lows when it announced an embargo on Iranian oil and Britain closed its Tehran embassy after it was ransacked by protesters.
Western diplomats said it is hard to be optimistic given Iran's track record, but analysts say the negotiations could provide a breathing space for all sides over the possibility of an immediate Israeli attack on Iran.
"It will be difficult for the Israelis to attack Iran while there are nuclear talks ongoing," said Gala Riani, an analyst at London-based risk consultancy Control Risks.
"It is in everyone's interest at the moment to at least get some talks under way, even if there is a realisation that talks cannot hope to achieve much in the form of a meaningful breakthrough."
Senior fellow Greg Thielmann of the Washington-based Arms Control Association said he was cautiously optimistic ahead of the talks, saying the powers had now greater leverage over Iran.
"Iran's economic situation is increasingly problematic. While rising oil prices may allow it to muddle through, U.N. Security Council sanctions and increasingly severe unilateral sanctions are taking a toll," Thielmann said.
Israel and the United States have threatened military action if Iran fails to abandon its uranium-enrichment activities. But on Tuesday an Israeli official played down the prospect of an imminent attack on Iran, saying Iran's atomic programme could still be hampered through sanctions and sabotage.
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton is expected once again to lead the talks on behalf of the six powers.
Earlier this month the group called on Iran "to enter, without pre-conditions, into a sustained process of serious dialogue, which will produce concrete results."
Tehran says it has the right to pursue a peaceful nuclear programme under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and has refused to suspend uranium enrichment, which can have both civilian and military purposes.
"According to Islamic law, we do not have a programme other than our peaceful use of nuclear technology," IRNA quoted Iranian Vice President Mohmmad Reza Rahimi as saying in a joint press conference with Erdogan. "The West wants to keep a monopoly of nuclear technology to itself," Rahimi said.

Pope Benedict meets Fidel Castro in Havana

Pope Benedict met with Cuban revolutionary icon Fidel Castro after saying mass in Havana on Wednesday, Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said.
The meeting comes towards the close of the pope's three-day visit to the Communist-run island, during which the pontiff has called for greater freedoms, and a bigger role for the Roman Catholic Church in Cuban society.
(Reporting by Philip Pullella, Editing by Eric Walsh)

H-1B visa applications to be accepted from April 2

Applications for the H-1B work visa — used extensively by Indian IT professionals — for the fiscal beginning October 1, would be accepted beginning April 2, a federal immigration agency announced on Tuesday.

The congressionally mandated numerical limitation on H-1B petitions for the fiscal year 2012-13 is 65,000, as has been in the previous years.

Additionally, the first 20,000 H-1B petitions filed on behalf of individuals, who have earned a U.S. master’s degree or higher are exempt from the fiscal year cap.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said H-1B applications will be considered accepted on the date it takes possession of a properly filed petition with correct fee and not the date on which it was sent.

“If the number of applications received exceeds the numerical cap, USCIS will randomly select the number of petitions required to reach the numerical limit from the pool of petitions received on the final receipt date,” USCIS said in a statement, adding that it will reject cap subject petitions that are not selected, as well as those received after the final receipt date.

Petitions for new H-1B employment are exempt from the annual cap if the beneficiaries will work at institutions of higher education or related or affiliated non-profit entities, non-profit research organisations or governmental research organisations, USCIS said.

Keywords: H-1B visa, Immigration Services

Russia opens floodgates to new parties

Russia's Federation Council, the upper house of Parliament, approved on Wednesday a law easing registration rules for new parties, the first in a series of reforms outgoing President Dmitry Medvedev has promised to liberalise the country's political system.

The law, which will come into effect after Mr. Medvedev signs it on Monday, slashes the minimum number of members a new party needs to be registered from 40,000 to 500 and simplifies a few other procedures.

Other reforms announced by Mr. Medvedev include restoring direct elections of governors in Russia's 83 regions, which were cancelled seven years ago, and making changes in the electoral system.

The new party law will open floodgates to the rise of new political parties. There are currently seven registered parties, four of which sit in Parliament. After party registration rules were tightened seven years ago the Justice Ministry has cancelled the registration of two dozen parties and registered only one new party, the pro-Kremlin Right Cause.

The Kremlin launched political reforms in response to unprecedented public protests against the current electoral system, which were sparked by evidence of massive fraud at recent parliamentary and presidential elections.

Critics denounced the new party law as an “imitation” of democratic reforms designed to consolidate the power of President-elect Vladimir Putin. They said the drastic lowering of registration demands will lead to the explosive growth of dwarf parties that will badly fragment the political scene and strengthen the dominant position of Mr. Putin's party, United Russia.

The Justice Ministry said it has already received about 80 applications from aspiring parties, which includes such exotic names as a Subtropical Party and Russia's Singing Cedars.

“The Kremlin has a simple plan – to reduce to absurdity and discredit the idea of a multi-party system,” said opposition politician Ilya Ponomaryov.

However, analysts said parties with credible ideology and charismatic leaders stand a chance of winning a national following and edging out the current Kremlin-co-opted parliamentary parties

Is the '$1.5 million maid' an isolated case?

New York:  Shanti Gurung, a 22 year-old Indian maid, was recently awarded $1.5 million in damages by a United States district judge after her three years of service with an Indian diplomat and her husband.

Ms. Gurung's case is extreme - she was forced to work 16 hours a day, paid a total of $120 (around 5,500 rupees) for the three years she worked and lost 63 pounds, dropping to 84 pounds, court documents say. She slept on the living room floor and was only allowed to eat leftovers.

But it does not seem to be isolated. Adhikaar, the Woodside, Queens based non-profit which brought Gurung's case to light is reviewing "at least five" other cases of Indian employers exploiting their domestic workers from India, according to Luna Ranjit, the executive director of Adhikaar.

That does not surprise me after living in New York City for the past decade. I've seen many Indian families here bring over household help from India, the way Neena and Jogesh Malhotra did with Shanti Gurung. Sometimes, the way these families treated their help was less than ideal.

While my experience is purely anecdotal, and hardly the result of a scientific survey, I think there remains a huge disconnect between what is acceptable in the United States and what is acceptable in India.

An acquaintance of mine, for example, hired a woman from Mumbai to live with his family in New Jersey so she could take care of his two children, cook all the meals and clean the house. He paid her $150 a week for her six days of work and thought that he was being exceptionally generous because she was making far more than she would be in India, where the going rate is 5,000-8,000 rupees a month, the equivalent of $100 to $160. His rationale: she was going back to India eventually anyway and thanks to him, she would have more than enough money saved to support her whole family for the rest of their lives.

Another family had a live-in cook from New Delhi, who spent long hours in their Midtown Manhattan apartment kitchen churning out food for the endless stream of lunch and dinner parties the couple held for their friends. His bed was the floor of the small kitchen that he cooked in all day.

Generally, at least from what I have observed, when Indians coming directly from India hire other recent immigrants from India to work for them in their homes in New York City, they pay them far below the going rate of $10 to $18 an hour.

Often, those employees get free room and board since they live with their employers. But their terms of employment often do not meet the pay, time-off and other requirements of national and local labor laws. Federal minimum wage in United States is $7.25 compared with the wage floor of 100 rupees - $2 - per day in India as set by the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.

Ms. Gurung and employees from India are protected by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the New York Labor Law (NYLL) unless their employer is recognized as a diplomat by the U.S. State Department. "Some court decisions have made it difficult for domestic workers of diplomats to raise FLSA claims against their employers," said Dana Sussman, an associate with the Manhattan-based employment law firm Outten & Golden LLP.

In Shanti Gurung's case, though, the United States court determined that diplomatic immunity did not apply. According to the judge's final decision on the Gurung case, "the FLSA requires employers to pay their employees at least the federal minimum wage for every hour worked."

The Malhotras have never contested the charges, and have since returned to India. Collecting the award may be difficult. A Delhi High Court ruled this month that Ms. Gurung should not pursue the case because she and the Malhotras are Indian citizens, so it is a matter for the Indian government to decide.

While it's common to hear of illegal workers being exploited in the United States, employees from India, like Ms. Gurung, generally come to this country legally and are entitled to be treated fairly. States like New York also protect illegal domestic workers.

Generally, at least from what I have observed, Indian employers who do not follow laws in the United States do not think they are doing something wrong.  In fact, they often think they are doing their help a favor, giving them an opportunity to build their savings quickly.  But even after factoring in the free room and board, it's hard to see this compensation meeting requirements or market rates.

I certainly do not want to suggest that all help brought over from India does not receive pay deemed acceptable by American standards. I have also seen several instances of them being treated exceptionally well by their employers who in addition to fair wages, will pay for their medical care, their children's schooling in India and even annual trips back home where the time off is fully paid.

It is not just Indian domestic workers brought over from India who are vulnerable to employer abuse in the United States, Ms. Ranjit says. "Anytime anyone brings domestic workers over from a developing country such as the Philippines, these domestic workers are at risk because they don't know the country or how the system works and don't have other co-workers to consult," she said. "Many of the situations where domestic workers are being abused such as Gurung was never see the light of day because the workers don't have the courage to come out," she said.

Ms. Gurung learned about Adhikaar through another domestic worker she met in the Malhotras' Midtown East neighborhood. In her case, the Malhotras asked her to lie about her pay to the American Embassy in New Delhi, to ensure that her visa was issued. She told the embassy that she would be paid $7 per hour, not the 5,000 rupees, or about $100, per month the Malhotras had negotiated with her. U.S. magistrate Judge Frank Maas noted that Ms. Gurung thought that 5,000 rupees "sounded like a good salary for someone in [her] position."

Salary issue aside, Ms. Gurung's award may be partially to do with the treatment she received from her employers. The court also found that Ms. Gurung had no escape route since the Malhotras seized her passport and visa upon her arrival in the United States. The magistrate judge also found that they constantly warned her of the consequences of leaving their apartment, claiming that she would be "arrested, beaten, raped, and sent back to India as 'cargo."'

It's hard to believe that this was happening in the same city as this nanny, who earns $180,000 a year.

Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/is-the-1-5-million-maid-an-isolated-case-190933&cp

Can't have ill-will for Jayalalithaa even in dreams, says Sasikala

Chennai:  The woman who served as J Jayalalithaa's closest confidante for decades has today spoken about their bitter falling-out. In December, Ms Sasikala, who lived with the Tamil Nadu chief minister in her home, was expelled by Ms Jayalalithaa from her party, the AIADMK.

"I've snapped ties with all those who betrayed Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa," Ms Sasikala said in a statement released today to Jaya TV, the official channel of the chief minister's party. "I can't forgive my relatives who worked against her," she added. Ms Sasikala's husband Natarajan and brother Diwakaran have been arrested for alleged land-grabbing.

Though Ms Jayalalithaa has not discussed the reasons for her estrangement with Ms Sasikala, party sources say that the chief minister was tired of her friend interfering with administrative issues, including the postings of bureaucrats. AIADMK sources said those close to the chief minister had warned her of  a plan by Ms Sasikala's family to take over the party if Ms Jayalalithaa is convicted in a corruption case.  She is on trial for allegedly misusing her earlier terms as chief minister for vast personal gains.

In her letter Ms Sasikala  adds "I don't have any ambition to enter politics, nor to become an MLA or a Minister. I've dedicated my life to  my sister, Jayalalithaa."

The statement hints strongly at a possible reconciliation . "I've not thought ill of Jayalalithaa even in my dream," said Ms Sasikala today. "I lived at Jayalalithaa's residence for 24 years. She too accepted me as her sister."

The main opposition party in Tamil Nadu, the DMK, had described Ms Sasikala's estrangement from the chief minister as a staged drama. The DMK alleges that Ms Jayalalithaa wanted to distance herself temporarily from Ms Sasikala so the latter could serve as scapegoat in the corruption case against the chief minister.

Yuvraj completes second cycle of chemotherapy

 

New Delhi: Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh has completed the second cycle of chemotherapy, continuing his recovery from a rare germ cell cancer in Boston (United States).
"Second cycle has finished today! Had a bleomycin shot feeling weak but I'm sure tom will be a better day! My next scan dated on 7th march," the 30-year-old left-hander tweeted. Yuvraj had last month stated that the tumour between his lungs is almost out of his system.

Yuvraj, has been in Boston since last month, is expected to be back on the field in May.

Yuvraj, who has been in Boston since last month, is expected to be back on the field in the first week of May, according to his doctor.
The batsman, who went to US in January, has gone bald during the treatment, which will go on till the last week of March before the process of rehabilitation starts in April.
After being diagnosed with the illness, Yuvraj has not played competitive cricket since taking part in two of three home Tests against the West Indies in November.
He has so far scored 8,051 runs in 274 one-dayers and 1,775 runs in 37 Tests since making his international debut in 2000. He was named Player of the Tournament in the World Cup for scoring 362 runs and grabbing 15 wickets in nine matches.
During the treatment, Yuvraj had been paid a visit by legendary former Indian spinner Anil Kumble.

Tendulkar will play IPL 5: BCCI sources

Mumbai: Reacting swiftly to reports that Sachin Tendulkar will not play IPL 5 due to a recurring toe injury, a BCCI source on Wednesday said that the Mumbai Indians captain would be available for the tournament.

Additionally, sources from within the Mumbai franchise told CNN-IBN that there was no concern over Tendulkar missing the fifth season of the IPL.

According to the Mumbai Indians, Tendulkar, who had gone to London to consult a doctor, will be fit for IPL 5.

Earlier in the day, it was reported that Tendulkar, 38, was in doubt for IPL 5 after it was confirmed that he has gone to London to consult a specialist about the toe injury.

"Yes, Sachin Tendulkar has gone to London for consultation about his toe injury. He has been playing with this injury for long. It is not sure when he will return as even a surgery may be needed to correct it," a BCCI source told PTI on Wednesday.

The new edition of the cash-rich tournament will commence in Chennai on April 4 where Mumbai will play the defending champions Chennai Super Kings at the M A Chidambaram Stadium.

Tendulkar, who recently scored the much awaited 100th international century against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup, also did not attend the BCCI-organised felicitation function of Rahul Dravid, who retired from the game lately, on Tuesday night as he had already left for England.

The toe injury has come back to haunt Tendulkar time and time again, with him missing the ODI leg of India's tour to England last year. He was withdrawn from the team before the first ODI because of the same injury.

But after playing the Test series against West Indies at home last winter, Tendulkar opted out of the five-match ODI series. He, along with the other senior players, left early for the Test series in Australia where India were pummeled 4-0 by the home side.

Army chief's letter to PM reflects frustrations: minister

Following uproar in Parliament over Army chief V K Singh having written to the Prime Minister on state of affairs in the Army, Defence Minister A K Antony said that the government will take appropriate action on the issue.
In his letter, dated March 12, Gen Singh had warned the PM that Army tanks have run out of ammunition and that obsolete technology is putting the country's security at risk.
He also described the state of artillery, air defence, and infantry as 'alarming'.
Gen Singh requested the Prime Minister to "pass suitable directions to enhance the preparedness of the army".
He claimed that the Army's tanks are "devoid of critical ammunition to defeat enemy tanks" and air defence is "97 percent obsolete and it doesn't give the deemed confidence to protect... from the air."
Antony has acknowledged in Parliament that such a letter had been written. He told members of the Rajya Sabha that the Army chief's letter was meant to be confidential and that the government will respond to it "at an appropriate time."
Attacking Army chief Gen V K Singh for writing to the Prime Minister about state of affairs in the force, Union Minister Vayalar Ravi said this reflects "frustrations" of an individual, who had to withdraw his petition on the age row in the Supreme Court.
Ravi also felt that the Army chief should have written to Defence Minister A K Antony instead as per the "maryada" (decorum).
"I do not know what is the issue. I have not seen the letter. The Army is a disciplined force. (He) could not get an extension even by the court. May be a frustrated man suffers," Ravi told reporters outside Parliament.
He was reacting to queries that the Army chief had reportedly written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying all is not well with the force.
Asked if Gen Singh should have written to Defence Minister A K Antony instead of the Prime Minister on the issue, Ravi said, "That is the maryada. But I am saying... whatever he does is action of a frustrated individual."
The issue of the Army chief's letter have led to uproar in Rajya Sabha, which was adjourned twice. Members in the Upper House have also demanded action against the person
who leaked the letter to the Prime Minister.
Janata Dal (U) demanded dismissal of the Army chief for "gross indiscipline".
Yesterday, the audio tapes of a purported conversation between Gen Singh and another person were received by the CBI, which is looking into the alleged bribery offer case referred by the Defence Ministry.
The tapes carry a purported conversation between the Army chief and another officer in which the former is said to be shouting. However, they said the voices in the tapes are not authenticated so nothing can be said about their veracity.
The Army chief had claimed in media interviews that an equipment lobbyist had offered him a bribe of Rs 14 crore, a matter which he had reported to Defence Minister A K Antony.
The Ministry had then recommended a CBI probe into the allegation made by the Army chief.

Kingfisher to give several cities a miss

New Delhi, March 27:

Kingfisher Airlines has said that it has "temporarily suspended" operations to several cities as a result of a new “holding plan” that has been put in place.

While the airline did not specify which cities it has “temporarily suspended” operations to, it did say that in the "holding plan" adequate care has been taken to ensure that part of “our core inter-metro schedule is retained, while connectivity is maintained to many cities where we are the sole operator".

Summer schedule

The statement adds that the airline has begun the summer schedule with about 120 daily flights and 20 dedicated aircraft.

The airline states that in the current schedule care has been taken to ensure that Kingfisher maintains “schedule integrity with 100 per cent reliability”. The Directorate-General of Civil Aviation threatened to cancel the airline licence saying it is not maintaining schedule integrity.

Staff told to stay at home

The statement adds that since Kingfisher could resume operations after getting re-capitalised, most staff at these stations have been asked to stay at home whilst remaining on the company's rolls.

“There is, however, much speculation on whether we are going to lay off a large number of our staff. To clarify, we are in a "holding" pattern right now and are waiting for various decisions from the Government and our Consortium of Bankers on FDI policy, working capital funding, etc. All of these will have a major impact on the staffing decisions we will have to make.

The airline said it has paid Rs 44 crore towards TDS dues which was due on or before March 27, 2012

Indian student jailed in Australia in visa scam

Melbourne: A Perth-based Indian student will spend 14 months in jail for his involvement in a scam to falsify English test scores to get Australian visas.


Rajesh Kumar, 31, faced ten charges for his part in fraudulently altering the International English Testing System (IELTS) scores at Perth's Curtin University between November 2009 and June 2010. A Perth District Court sentenced Rajesh Kumar on Monday after he pleaded guilty for changing the outcomes of IELTS test apparently to get permanent residence in Australia.
Nine other persons have already been jailed in a scam to increase the IELTS scores to get permanent residence in Australia. The list includes Kok Keith Low, a Curtin University English Language Centre employee who would be behind the bars for two years for playing the key role in falsifying the scores for various, mostly, Indian students.
Anyone achieving a score of a minimum 7.0 in four IELTS components gets extra points in the skilled points test to get permanent residence in Australia.
Rajesh Kumar was found guilty of taking a total of $32,000 from three IELTS candidates applying for Australian visas. He kept $14,000 for himself while giving remainder to an intermediary Pritesh Shah. The latter paid some of this bribe to Kok Keith Low who would then falsify the score at Curtin University's IELTS test c
The former Indian student had earlier paid $5,000 to Shah to get his own IELTS score changed to enable him to apply for an Australian visa.

The investigation carried out by Western Australia's Corruption and Crime Commission led to the conviction of ten persons including Rajesh Kumar. In total, 73 charges were laid against 12 persons leading to fines of up to $20,000 and maximum jail of two years given to the former Curtin employee Kok Keith Low who faced 15 counts of bribery.

A former Indian national (and Kok Low's flatmate) Abdul Kader was sentenced for 18 months of imprisonment on 15 counts while Pritesh Shah has been handed a one year's sentence.

Judge Jeremy Curthoys of West Australian District Court has, according to The Australian newspaper, found Rajesh Kumar guilty of compromising the integrity of Australia's migration program.

'It was greed - pure and simple,' The Australian has quoted Judge Curthoys as saying while handing down the sentence to the Indian student.

Rajesh Kumar's sentence was backdated to November 2 last year when he was arrested after arriving back in Australia from India.

Source: IANS

Manmohan-Gilani meet, decide to intensify dialogue

Seoul: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani met here Tuesday and said the two countries had charted the right path to resolve their issues and decided to intensify dialogue

The two leaders, who met on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit here in an unscheduled informal meeting, reviewed their improving bilateral relations, said sources.

This was the first meeting between the two leaders since they met in the idyllic Addu resort in the Maldives where they had vowed to script "a new chapter" in their bilateral ties.

According to a statement from the Pakistani Prime Minister's office, both the leaders "expressed their desire to intensify the dialogue process for further engagements".

In the last few months, India and Pakistan have sustained the momentum in their revived dialogue process, with Islamabad moving ahead in the direction of granting India the Most Favoured Nation status.

External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna is expected to go to Pakistan later this year to hold the annual foreign minister-level dialogue with his counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar.
Source: IANS
Full coverage: Seoul Nuclear Security Summit

Sehwag ready to explode in IPL 5

NEW DELHI: Virender Sehwag will be the man under the scanner during the fifth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for more than one reason.

There has already been talk of revolt in the Indian team led by Sehwag earlier this year. In addition, questions are now being raised over his form and fitness.

Sehwag knows that the best way to answer back is to score runs, at his preferred brisk pace.

He also has the added responsibility of turning around the fortunes of the Delhi Daredevils, who finished dead last in 2011.

The Delhi opener has played an active role in bringing in new recruits to the side and help Daredevils regain the form which took them to the IPL semifinals in the first two seasons.

The now 'rested' and 'refreshed' Sehwag looked eager to get on with it during Daredevils' first practice session at the Ferozeshah Kotla on Sunday.

He spoke exclusively to TOI about his preparations for IPL 5.

Excerpts from the interview:

You had said recently that you were happy with the composition of the side this season. In your opinion, what will be the strengths of the Daredevils?

We have got a solid batting line-up that can either set a stiff target for the opposition or chase down any total. We also have a very competitive fast bowling unit which will be backed by good spinners. And, we have some excellent all-round fielders too. I had asked for some specific players going into the IPL auction and I am happy we managed to get all of them.

You have plenty of explosive options in the batting department. Won't it be a headache accommodating talent like this into the side given the four foreign players' cap?

I will not term it as a headache. It is good to be able to have options to draw from the likes of Mahela Jayawardene, Kevin Pietersen, David Warner and Ross Taylor. The cap of four overseas players in the XI is equal for all teams.
It is good that there are some former international captains among these foreign players as well. I can call upon them for their help and guidance on the field.

With so many different attacking openers at your disposal, can we expect Sehwag to come lower down the order to strengthen the Daredevils middle-order in IPL?

I will never change the way I bat, because that is the way I have played throughout my career. I have already said that I will continue to open the innings this season as well. Someone like a Mahela (Jayawardene) can be given the responsibility of batting through the innings at the other end.

The spin bowling department looks a bit weak, which was one of the concerns last season. How do you intend to deal with this problem?

I think we have a good fast bowling unit in the first place. Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron are going to be our primary weapons in the tournament. As for the spinners, Roelof ven der Merwe is a wily left-arm spinner. Shahbaz Nadeem is a good option too. We also have others like off-spinner Sunny Gupta and left-arm spinner Pawan Negi. Besides, I will also bowl. If we can restrict the opposition to about 160, I believe with our batting line-up we can be in a good position.

How are you feeling fitness wise? Can we expect a bigger role for Sehwag the off-spinner this year?

I am feeling rested and refreshed. I did not bowl last year because of a shoulder problem but I have recovered from that and have bowled in Tests and ODIs for Team India. I was happy with the way the ball was coming out during the Commonwealth Bank series in Australia. Of course, I will bowl this season. There is hardly any time for pre-season IPL camps.

Barack Obama says threat of nuclear weapons remains

SEOUL: President Barack Obama said on Tuesday the threat of nuclear weapons remains a potent challenge for the globe to confront, telling foreign leaders that "the security of the world depends on the actions that we take."

Obama, speaking at a nuclear security summit in South Korea, said the international community had made progress in removing nuclear materials and improving security at nuclear facilities around the globe. As a result, he said, more of the world's nuclear materials won't fall into the hands of terrorists.

But the president warned "there are still too many bad actors in search of these dangerous materials and these dangerous materials are still vulnerable in too many places."

"It would not take much, just a handful or so of these materials, to kill hundreds of thousands of innocent people and that's not an exaggeration, that's the reality that we face," Obama said.

Obama was seeking to build upon a goal of ridding the world of nuclear weapons despite disagreements with Russia over the next phase of a disarmament program he views as a central part of his foreign policy agenda.

Underscoring the sensitivity of the discussions, Obama told Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that he would have more flexibility after the November election to deal with the contentious issue of missile defense, a candid assessment of political reality that was picked up by a microphone without either leader apparently knowing.

Obama's Republican opponents pounced on the comment, saying the president has a hidden agenda that could include concessions to the Russians if he wins re-election.

On Tuesday, at the start of a session at the summit, Obama was about to sit down when he saw Medvedev two seats away. Obama said: 'Wait, wait, wait, wait,' and then moved to cover up his microphone in jest.

He then enjoyed a hearty laugh with the Russian leader as the two shook hands, a moment captured by photographers and reporters.

Cameron admits to hosting rich donors

LONDON: Britain PM David Cameron admitted on Monday to hosting donors of his Conservative party at his official residence, the day his aide quit for trying to sell access to the PM. In an abrupt U-turn Cameron published details of three dinners with wealthy supporters since taking office in 2010.

Tory treasurer Peter Cruddas was forced to resign on Sunday after being filmed offering potential donors private dinners with Cameron for £250,000. Opposition Labour leader Ed Miliband demanded a full independent investigation into the "very disturbing revelations" and full disclosure of all meetings with donors. Hours later a senior Tory minister said such a disclosure was "unreasonable" and just minutes after a Downing Street spokeswoman said they were private meetings, the PM changed tack.

"There have been three occasions on which significant donors have come to dinner in my flat," Cameron said. He said none of the dinners had been fundraising events and they had largely involved old friends, adding: "Peter Cruddas has never asked anyone to come to dinner in my flat, nor has he been to there himself."

Italy changes tone over naval guards row

SEOUL: In a change of stance, Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti on Monday said it respects the jurisdiction of Indian court over its two detained marines, accused of killing two fishermen off the Kerala coast. Monti, however, in his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed concern over their "nature of imprisonment".

Highly placed sources said Monti also conveyed to Singh the "strong public interest" in his country to have "some solution" to the row.

The Italian prime minister raised the issue of the marines during a meeting with Singh on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul. Singh explained that a judicial process is under way, sources said, adding that the Italians told him that they respected it.

The Italian PM reportedly made no specific request on the issue and conveyed to Singh that he respected India's judicial process.

Monti wanted to know whether anything could be done within the framework, what law is allowed and what could be done in the future to take forward their concerns.

Italy and India's relations have been under stress since last month when Indian authorities arrested two Italian navy personnel over the killing of two fishermen by marines aboard an Italian vessel 'Enrica Lexie'.AAs


Norway custody battle

Besides the crisis over Italian nationals, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also met his Norwegian counterpart Jens Stoltenberg at a pull-aside meeting and expressed hope for an "amicable and good" solution to the custody row involving two Indian children.

"The welfare of the children and the interests of the parents should be taken care of," Singh added.

Pointing to the deep family ties that are part of the Indian tradition, "the Prime Minister hoped for an outcome that would be positive, taking into account the interest of the law, the children and their parents," foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai told journalists accompanying the PM.

Manmohan Singh's response came after Stoltenberg informed him that the Stavanger municipality was planning to take the next step in the case in full consultation with the parties concerned.

Obama hugs Singh

PM Manmohan Singh got a big hug from US President Barack Obama, who greeted him with "Nice to meet you prime minister" ahead of dinner for the world leaders attending the Nuclear Safety Summit. Singh also shook hands with his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Speaking of the Obama-Manmohan meeting, an Indian government source said: "There was no pull-aside; there was a pull-in. Obama gave the prime minister a big hug."


'India to stress on N-safety'

On Tuesday at the summit, Singh will stress on the interface between nuclear safety and security to address threats by "insiders", Indian officials said. "The issue of safety has to be taken care of at the planning stage. Guns, gates and guards are not adequate. There is the question of access controls, and whenever needed, to address threats by insiders," R B Grover, principal adviser to the department of atomic energy, said.

Asked if India's atomic energy programme faced any specific insider threats, he said the question of plant safety and the safety of material being transported were two different things.

Gilani committed to enhancing Pakistan's nuclear security

Beijing, Mar 25 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is committed to enhancing the nation's nuclear security, the country's envoy to China, Masood Khan, has said.

Khan further revealed that Gilani would be present at Monday's Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) in Seoul, South Korea.

This is the second time Gilani will be representing Pakistan at this forum. The first NSS meeting was held in Washington in 2010.

"Prime Minister Gilani's personal attendance illustrates continuity in Pakistan's commitment with the NSS process, Pakistan's commitments to enhance nuclear security in our country, and our support to the international community to work for a common cause", The Nation quoted Khan, as saying.

Khan, who is also chief negotiator on Nuclear Security Summit (NSS), said Pakistan had successfully carried out stress tests on its civil nuclear power plants immediately after the Fukushima reactor incident.

Pakistan has a long experience of using civil nuclear technology for generating electricity, Masood Khan said, adding: "For the last 37 years we have successfully operated civil nuclear power plants. In 2000, we established a strong National Command Authority to keep close watch on all dimensions of nuclear safety and security."

Khan said Pakistan has a sterling record with regards to nuclear security and safety and has been regularly submitting its report to the UN Security Council Resolution 1540 Committee. (ANI)