Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Sakshat Laptop for USD 20
According to the Financial Times, India is planning to produce a laptop for about USD20. The "Sakshat" laptop is intended to boost distance learning to help India fulfil its overwhelming educational needs. It forms part of a broader plan to improve e-learning at more than 18,000 colleges and 400 universities. However, some analysts are sceptical that a USD20 laptop would be commercially sustainable and the project has yet to attract a commercial partner.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
No US Mediation in Kashmir Issue
The Obama administration has made it clear that it is not in the mandate of U S Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke to deal with the Kashmir issue, thus allaying India's fears of a third party intervention in its ongoing tension with Pakistan.
''His (Holbrooke's) mandate is to go out and try to help bring stability to Afghanistan, working closely with Pakistan to try to deal with the situation in the FATA region,'' acting State Department spokesman Robert Wood said on Tuesday.
The spokesman said, ''With regard to Kashmir, I think our policy is well-known. I think India has some very clear views as to what it wants to do vis-àvis, dealing with the Kashmir issue, as well as the Pakistanis. But with regard to Ambassador Holbrooke's mission, as I said, is to deal strictly with the Pakistan-Afghanistan situation,'' Wood said.
When asked whether Holbrooke would play any role ''if there are heightened tensions again over, the Mumbai incident,'' the spokesman said, ''I don't want to speculate in terms of what he may or may not do, but his brief is focused solely on Afghanistan.'' This statement made it clear that the new US administration has no intention to mediate in the Kashmir issue, virtually accepting India's longstanding position to settle the issue bilaterally with Islamabad without any third party intervention.
Certain utterances of President Barack Obama during an election campaign led to the impression that his administration might try to mediate between New Delhi and Islamabad on the Kashmir issue.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
FOR GALLANTRY - Ashok Chakra for Karkare, Kamte, Salaskar & Omble Mumbai:
PREZ TO CONFER MEDALS President Pratibha Patil will present the medals to the next of kin of these of- ficers and personnel during the Republic Day parade
The country's highest peacetime gallantry medal, the Ashok Chakra, would be conferred on nine security personnel including Anti Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare, Additional Commissioner of Police Ashok Kamte, encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar, Assistant Sub-Inspector Tukaram Omble and three others who were killed in 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.
National Security Guards (NSG) commando, Gajender Singh who was also killed fighting the terrorists would receive the prestigious award, conferred for the most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice.
Meanwhile, Kirti Chakra, an Indian military decoration awarded for valor, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the field of battle has been conferred on Senior Police Inspector (Railways) Shashank Shinde who was killed by the bullets of the lone Pakistani terrorist captured, Mohammed Ajmal Amir alas Kasab.
Apart from Shinde, Police Constable (Security Branch) Ambadas Ramchandra Pawar and Mukesh Bhikaji Jadhav, Home Guard, would also receive the Kriti Chakra posthumously. Pawar and Yadav were both killed in the attack at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST).
The country's highest peacetime gallantry medal, the Ashok Chakra, would be conferred on nine security personnel including Anti Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare, Additional Commissioner of Police Ashok Kamte, encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar, Assistant Sub-Inspector Tukaram Omble and three others who were killed in 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.
National Security Guards (NSG) commando, Gajender Singh who was also killed fighting the terrorists would receive the prestigious award, conferred for the most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice.
Meanwhile, Kirti Chakra, an Indian military decoration awarded for valor, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the field of battle has been conferred on Senior Police Inspector (Railways) Shashank Shinde who was killed by the bullets of the lone Pakistani terrorist captured, Mohammed Ajmal Amir alas Kasab.
Apart from Shinde, Police Constable (Security Branch) Ambadas Ramchandra Pawar and Mukesh Bhikaji Jadhav, Home Guard, would also receive the Kriti Chakra posthumously. Pawar and Yadav were both killed in the attack at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST).
THE NATION SALUTES THEM - 133 personalities conferred Padma awards
The country's high est civilian award -- Bharat Ratna -- has been conferred on noted 86-year-old vocalist Pandit Bhimsen Joshi.
Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission Anil Kakodkar, noted environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna, first Olympic Gold medalist Abhinav Bindra, cricket captain M S Dhoni and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan are among 133 personailties honoured with Padma awards this year. PADMA VIBHUSHAN Kakodkar, who was actively involved in bringing the IndoUS civil nuclear deal to fruition and 82-year-old Bahuguna, popular for his Chipko movement to save trees, were among the 10 distinguished persons to get Padma Vibhushan, the nation's second highest civilian award. The other recipients included ISRO Chief G Madhavan Nair, the man behind the historic unmanned Moon mission 'Chandrayaan', Sister Nirmala of Kolkata-based Missionaries of Charities and First Chancellor of Sweden-based World Maritime University Chandrika Prasad Srivastava. Historian D P Chattopadhyaya, Jasbir Singh Bajaj (Punjab) and Purushotam Lal (UP, both medicine), former Governor and noted civil servant Govind Narain and industrialist A S Ganguly(Maharashtra) were the other Padma Vibhushan awardees. PADMA BHUSHAN Shooter Abhinav Bindra, Information Technology and National Knowledge Commission Chairman Sam Pitroda, economist Isher Judge Ahulwalia and Editor-in-Chief of Indian Express Shekhar Gupta were among the 30 eminent personalities awarded Padma Bhushan. PADMA SHRI Among the 93 persons chosen for Padma Shri were Team India captain M S Dhoni, spinner Harbhajan Singh, singer Udit Narayan Bollywood actors Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Akshay Kumar, world billiards champion Pankaj Advani, R K Krishna Kumar of the Taj Group of Hotels and veteran broadcaster Ameen Sayani . PTI
MUMBAI ATTACK - Pak serious about India's dossier
Pakistan is taking India's dossier on the Mumbai terror attacks "extremely seriously" and will "have to act fast" to complete its probe, Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani has said.
"The dossier passed on to the government of Pakistan, we are taking it extremely seriously, and we have already started (an) investigation and the results will come soon," he told the 'Financial Times' daily in an interview.
Gilani also hinted that Pakistan could consider the option of extraditing terror suspects to India if relations between the two countries were normalised.
Replying to a question on whether he would ever agree to extradition of terror suspects to India, he said: "So far there is no such thing. But that depends on our normalisation of relations."
Asked how quickly the Pakistani investigation into the Mumbai attacks will proceed, Gilani replied, "I don't want to step into the domain of the Interior Ministry but at the same time we have to act fast."
The Premier said he had also spoken to his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh about extending full cooperation for further intelligence sharing. "And even for getting to the culprits, we'll be needing their assistance," he said.
If any culprits are detected during the Pakistani investigation, the government will "proceed according to the law and we will ensure...that justice will be done", he said.
The Indo-Pak ties nose-dived in the wake of the Mumbai attacks that killed over 180 people. India blamed Pakistan- based elements for masterminding and coordinating the attacks.
After weeks of denial, Pakistan recently acknowledged that Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone terrorist arrested in India during the attacks, is a Pakistani national.
Asked if it was his understanding that the attacks were launched from Pakistan, Gilani said: "No, this is not the issue because the Government of India doesn't blame the government (of Pakistan), they don't even blame the organisations, institutions.
"They were only pointing out to the individuals, those people, are from every part of the world." Gilani described the New Year's greetings and peace message he had recently received from Prime Minister Singh as "a good sign".
Noting that Uzbek, Chechen, Arab and Afghan terrorists are operating in Pakistan, Gilani contended that such persons should be countered but an attack could not be launched on their country of origin.
"The dossier passed on to the government of Pakistan, we are taking it extremely seriously, and we have already started (an) investigation and the results will come soon," he told the 'Financial Times' daily in an interview.
Gilani also hinted that Pakistan could consider the option of extraditing terror suspects to India if relations between the two countries were normalised.
Replying to a question on whether he would ever agree to extradition of terror suspects to India, he said: "So far there is no such thing. But that depends on our normalisation of relations."
Asked how quickly the Pakistani investigation into the Mumbai attacks will proceed, Gilani replied, "I don't want to step into the domain of the Interior Ministry but at the same time we have to act fast."
The Premier said he had also spoken to his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh about extending full cooperation for further intelligence sharing. "And even for getting to the culprits, we'll be needing their assistance," he said.
If any culprits are detected during the Pakistani investigation, the government will "proceed according to the law and we will ensure...that justice will be done", he said.
The Indo-Pak ties nose-dived in the wake of the Mumbai attacks that killed over 180 people. India blamed Pakistan- based elements for masterminding and coordinating the attacks.
After weeks of denial, Pakistan recently acknowledged that Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone terrorist arrested in India during the attacks, is a Pakistani national.
Asked if it was his understanding that the attacks were launched from Pakistan, Gilani said: "No, this is not the issue because the Government of India doesn't blame the government (of Pakistan), they don't even blame the organisations, institutions.
"They were only pointing out to the individuals, those people, are from every part of the world." Gilani described the New Year's greetings and peace message he had recently received from Prime Minister Singh as "a good sign".
Noting that Uzbek, Chechen, Arab and Afghan terrorists are operating in Pakistan, Gilani contended that such persons should be countered but an attack could not be launched on their country of origin.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Tales of crisis, courage and comedy
‘Sainik Samachar’ celebrates its centenary with a vivid collection of news and images from a century of military history
Few times in the recent past have the Indian Armed Forces been held in as high regard as they are right now. The special force operations during the Mumbai terror strike, the anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia and the brouhaha over pay increases have kept the men in uniform continuously in the public consciousness. One cannot ask for a better time, therefore, to launch Soldiering On, a well-produced coffee table book to commemorate 100 years of Sainik Samachar, the Armed Forces’ news journal.
The book carefully and painstakingly chronicles the evolution of the Sainik Samachar from its launch in 1909 as the Fauji Akhbar—through various wars, a partition and a change in India’s status from domain to republic to, finally, its current avatar: A fortnightly published in 14 languages and read by thousands of soldiers and ex-servicemen.
Although positioned as a history of the Sainik Samachar, Soldiering On cannot help but become a visual history of the Indian soldier. This means that the book is illustrated with superb pictures infrequently seen outside military circles. The Armed Forces, in the sense of a national unified entity, may only be a few decades old. But as Soldiering On testifies, they have seen their fair share of trials and tribulations. The images in the book, even the ones blurred by age and poor preservation, do justice to these tales.
Two things stand out about the book. One is its balanced view of protagonists: The soldier, the politician and the passage of time are given adequate importance. So, for every few pictures of an Indian unit marching through pouring rain in World War I France, there is one of Indira Gandhi speeding up a ramp into a warship, officers trailing behind, and yet another of milling crowds around the Parliament building in New Delhi on 15 August 1947.
Second, the compilers of the book throw open the archives of the Sainik Samachar to readers and let them draw their own historical conclusions. This, from the Armed Forces, no less, shows a candour rare in popular Indian historiography. Without resorting to petty revisionism to show the evils of colonialism and the “British yoke”, Soldiering On sets the tone for its stance early on in its preface: “We leave it to our discerning readers to form their own opinion.”
Images of Jallianwala Bagh and old Sainik Samachar excerpts denouncing Mahatma Gandhi are left without interpretations or embellishments.
History buffs will enjoy how the book depicts the transient nature of our relationships with neighbours. A poignant picture shows Indian armymen bidding farewell to Pakistani counterparts shortly before the partition of both countries. Later ones show both war and friendship attempts between the countries. One of the final few images is that of armed black-helmeted commandos at Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Palace and Tower hotel.
All this might leave you thinking the book is all grim reportage and gritty soldier profiles. But the Sainik Samachar also carried delightful features by popular writers—Khushwant Singh, Ruskin Bond and Mulk Raj Anand (on Indian classical dancing)—and extremely funny cartoons. If the samples in Soldiering Onare anything to go by, the archives of Sainik Samachar should easily have enough material for a compilation of excellent humour in uniform.
Soldiering Onis a classic coffee-table book: Excellent eye candy for a quick flip-through, and plenty of insightful reading when you kick up your heels.
Few times in the recent past have the Indian Armed Forces been held in as high regard as they are right now. The special force operations during the Mumbai terror strike, the anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia and the brouhaha over pay increases have kept the men in uniform continuously in the public consciousness. One cannot ask for a better time, therefore, to launch Soldiering On, a well-produced coffee table book to commemorate 100 years of Sainik Samachar, the Armed Forces’ news journal.
The book carefully and painstakingly chronicles the evolution of the Sainik Samachar from its launch in 1909 as the Fauji Akhbar—through various wars, a partition and a change in India’s status from domain to republic to, finally, its current avatar: A fortnightly published in 14 languages and read by thousands of soldiers and ex-servicemen.
Although positioned as a history of the Sainik Samachar, Soldiering On cannot help but become a visual history of the Indian soldier. This means that the book is illustrated with superb pictures infrequently seen outside military circles. The Armed Forces, in the sense of a national unified entity, may only be a few decades old. But as Soldiering On testifies, they have seen their fair share of trials and tribulations. The images in the book, even the ones blurred by age and poor preservation, do justice to these tales.
Two things stand out about the book. One is its balanced view of protagonists: The soldier, the politician and the passage of time are given adequate importance. So, for every few pictures of an Indian unit marching through pouring rain in World War I France, there is one of Indira Gandhi speeding up a ramp into a warship, officers trailing behind, and yet another of milling crowds around the Parliament building in New Delhi on 15 August 1947.
Second, the compilers of the book throw open the archives of the Sainik Samachar to readers and let them draw their own historical conclusions. This, from the Armed Forces, no less, shows a candour rare in popular Indian historiography. Without resorting to petty revisionism to show the evils of colonialism and the “British yoke”, Soldiering On sets the tone for its stance early on in its preface: “We leave it to our discerning readers to form their own opinion.”
Images of Jallianwala Bagh and old Sainik Samachar excerpts denouncing Mahatma Gandhi are left without interpretations or embellishments.
History buffs will enjoy how the book depicts the transient nature of our relationships with neighbours. A poignant picture shows Indian armymen bidding farewell to Pakistani counterparts shortly before the partition of both countries. Later ones show both war and friendship attempts between the countries. One of the final few images is that of armed black-helmeted commandos at Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Palace and Tower hotel.
All this might leave you thinking the book is all grim reportage and gritty soldier profiles. But the Sainik Samachar also carried delightful features by popular writers—Khushwant Singh, Ruskin Bond and Mulk Raj Anand (on Indian classical dancing)—and extremely funny cartoons. If the samples in Soldiering Onare anything to go by, the archives of Sainik Samachar should easily have enough material for a compilation of excellent humour in uniform.
Soldiering Onis a classic coffee-table book: Excellent eye candy for a quick flip-through, and plenty of insightful reading when you kick up your heels.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
BARACK OBAMA KEEPS HIS DATE WITH DESTINY Sworn in as 44th President, first black to lead US
In a defin ing moment in US history, Barack Hussein Obama was Tuesday sworn in as the country's 44th and the first black President at a 150 million dollar extravaganza watched by some two million people with a blunt message to terrorists all over the world - "we will defeat you.'' Obama began his inauguration speech with: "My fellow citizens: I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors…'' Climaxing the unlikeliest of journeys to the White House, the 47-year-old African-American who has raised unprecedented expectations worldwide was administered the oath of office by Chief Justice John G Roberts Jr on a chilly morning at 12:06 PM (22.36 IST ), 12 minutes behind schedule, on the steps of the West Front of the Capitol Hill where the US Congress sits.
"...For those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us and we will defeat you,'' Obama told citizens of his country hungry for change after George W Bush's divisive wars in two distant lands and the economic troubles that shook the country and the rest of the world.
The huge crowd from across America and many from outside lapped up every idea that the charismatic Democrat propounded in his tryst with history during his 20-minute address after he took oath.
In an apparent reference to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Obama said, "our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred''. Conscious of the anti-American sentiments in some parts of the world, he reached out to the Muslim world saying the US seeks a new way forward based on 'mutual interest and mutual respect'. The country's fourth youngest president referred to the mix of nationalities living in the US saying, ''We know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus and non believers.'' Having come to power with a message of hope and promise of change, Obama said the nation is in the 'midst of a crisis' and urged people to usher in an 'era of responsibility'. ''Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America-they will be met,'' Obama said. Shattering racial barriers as the first Afro-American head of America, Obama, the son of a black Kenyan and white mother from Kansas, took his oath placing hands on the same Bible used at the 1861 inauguration of Abraham Lincoln, whose Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery.
Obama assumed office nearly 11 weeks after winning the November 4 Presidential elections defeating the Republican candidate John McCain. Significantly before Obama, a president had never been sworn in by a chief justice he voted against. Indian ambassador to the US Ronen Sen was among those present at the costliest inaugurals estimated to have cost 170 million dollars.
Obama told the world community that, ''America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.'' George W Bush, who attended the swearing-in ceremony with his wife Laura, was thanked by his successor for his service to the nation as well as the generosity and cooperation he had shown throughout his transition. Inheriting the economic troubles, the worst since the depression in the 1930s, Obama called for bold and swift action to revive the economy.
Bush, who leaves Washington as one of the nation's most unpopular and divisive presidents after a eight-year rule, watched the first change of guard since 2001 along with his wife Laura. Former presidents Jimmy Carter, George H Bush and Bill Clinton were also present. The incoming First Lady Michelle Obama carried to the platform the Bible on which the country's fourth youngest president placed his left hand, and repeated the 35-word oath of office with right hand raised promising to 'preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States', adding 'so help me God' at the end. Obama decided to use his full name-Barack Hussein Obama--for the swearing-in. TRYST WITH HISTORY MUSLIM CONNECT "To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect,'' Obama said in his inaugural speech MANDELA HAILS OBAMA Anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela compared Barack's inauguration as US president to SA's historic transition to democracy I am thankful, grateful, and joyful and will now take pride in being known as Citizen Bush, said the outgoing president BUSH GREETS OBAMA Outgoing US President George W Bush and wife Laura greeted his successor Barack Obama and wife Michelle at the White House
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Sunday, January 18, 2009
MUSH TALKS TOUGH - 'Punish Mumbai attackers'
Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has said that anyone involved in November's terrorist attacks in Mumbai must be punished, but warned that "hysteria" in India over the deadly siege threatens stability on the Indian subcontinent.
"If there is proof, there must be action," Musharraf said during a speaking event at Stanford University on Friday. But he added, "Let us not get hyper about it and whip up hysteria in the country so that the process of peace gets totally disrupted." Musharraf offered his thoughts on combating terrorism, the roots of Islamic extremism, the state of Indian-Pakistani relations and other issues at Stanford University, where he gave a speech and answered questions from students.
The former military ruler is on his first speaking tour in the United States since he resigned as Pakistan's president in August to avoid impeachment. Musharraf said while it was important to bring extremist groups under control, it was even more important to resolve the Kashmir problem, an issue he says has inflamed tensions between the two neighbors and given rise to militant groups.
Musharraf said that poverty, illiteracy and political alienation - as well as political disputes over Palestine, Kashmir and other territories - were among the root causes of terrorism, and those issues had to be addressed in order to rid the world of terrorists.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's Army Chief General Ashfaque Kayansaid Pakistan wanted to defuse tensions with India following the Mumbai attacks but without any compromise or under pressure. Agencies
"If there is proof, there must be action," Musharraf said during a speaking event at Stanford University on Friday. But he added, "Let us not get hyper about it and whip up hysteria in the country so that the process of peace gets totally disrupted." Musharraf offered his thoughts on combating terrorism, the roots of Islamic extremism, the state of Indian-Pakistani relations and other issues at Stanford University, where he gave a speech and answered questions from students.
The former military ruler is on his first speaking tour in the United States since he resigned as Pakistan's president in August to avoid impeachment. Musharraf said while it was important to bring extremist groups under control, it was even more important to resolve the Kashmir problem, an issue he says has inflamed tensions between the two neighbors and given rise to militant groups.
Musharraf said that poverty, illiteracy and political alienation - as well as political disputes over Palestine, Kashmir and other territories - were among the root causes of terrorism, and those issues had to be addressed in order to rid the world of terrorists.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's Army Chief General Ashfaque Kayansaid Pakistan wanted to defuse tensions with India following the Mumbai attacks but without any compromise or under pressure. Agencies
Saturday, January 17, 2009
JONBEEL FAIR - Royal allowance for Kings of Assam
At last the nineteen traditional customary kings under the ancient Kingdom of Gobha have got something to cheer for.
The government of Assam on Saturday announced 'annual royal allowance' for the nineteen customary kings of various communities. Assam education minister Goutam Bora on Saturday distributed the bank cheques among the customary kings at the Jonbeel Mela (fair).
There are nineteen customary community kings under the Gobha Kingdom, which includes parts of three districts of present Assam - Morigaon, Nagaon and Kamrup. Jonbeel (a wetland) Mela was first organised by the Ahom kings several centuries back to discuss the prevailing political situation.
The Assam education minister said that this is for the first time that the government has announced the royal allowance and added that the kings would receive monetary allowance of something between Rs 3000 and Rs 10,000 depending on the population count under them.
Expressing his happiness over the development, King of Gobha Deep Singh said, "It is a welcome move by the government of Assam. We have been demanding this for a long time as the economic condition of all these customary kings is going down. If we do not receive any assistance from the government, it would be difficult to maintain even the tradition of hosting the annual Jonbeel Mela, which has become an important tourist destination."
Echoing similar sentiments Ahom King Susenfa Pratap Singha said that the amount would help the kings in many ways. " The Mela was initiated by our predecessors to maintain cordial relations among all communities," he said while adding that the government assistance would help the kings to fulfil the predecessors' dreams.
Economic crisis result of greed: Dalai Lama
I am not an economist, but it is difficult for a common man to understand how market forces can be beyond human control, because markets are the creation of human beings themselves," Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, said at a press conference. In his view, the economic crisis was the result of unlimited greed, a lack of transparency and lies. The Dalai Lama opined that spirituality has the power to teach containment, truthfulness, honesty and morality.
Stressing that media has a very important role to play in the given situation, he said, "We write as if there is no future but it is also important to show that 'yes', there is a future". Media must play a more positive role in making and shaping the world.
MUMBAI ATTACK - PM tells Pakistan to come clean
Mounting pressure on Pakistan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday asked the neighbouring country to come out with a "full and complete disclosure" of all the facts surrounding the November 26-29 ghastly Mumbai terror attack - and made it clear that it should supplement its words with action.
"I urge the Pakistani authorities to come out with a full and complete disclosure of all the facts surrounding the case, without attempts at denial, diversion or obfuscation," Dr Singh said, addressing corporate leaders at a function at the Oberoi-Trident Hotel, which too was one of the targets of the Lashkar-e-Toiba-sponsored attack.
The 60-hour-long attack carried out by a group of 10 fidayeens had left more than 170 dead and over 300 injured.
He said Pakistan should act against the LeT and other ter rorist groups and their sponsors - in its own interest. "It should ensure that nothing like Mumbai, or the attack on our embassy in Kabul ever happens again," he said in a blunt message. He said that apart from hundreds of innocent Indians, civilians from 21 countries were either killed or injured in the attacks.
Dr Singh said that India has shared the evidence that it gathered so far on the incidents with Pakistan and others.
"Pakistan has admitted that the arrested terrorist is their national. We expect Pakistan to take all the consequent next steps against all those who have planned, organised and executed these horrific crimes," he said.
In its first formal response to India with regard to the Mumbai attacks, Pakistan had on Friday said it had initiated a "series" of actions in connection with the probe into the terror strikes and claimed to have shut down five training camps . Prime Minister Man mohan Singh on Saturday said India's woes due to the global meltdown will continue in the next fiscal, and predicted a lower growth of 6.5-7 per cent this year.
"I must emphasise that our problems will not be over in the current year," the Prime Minister said at The Economic Times Awards function at the sea-facing Trident Hotel. The function was attended by the who's who of corporate world.
"The difficult period will continue into 2009-10. The government will plan on continuing its efforts for a supporting environment next year also. Both the monetary and fiscal policies will have to be tailored to that objective." He said in no uncertain terms that growth in the current year will be lower than last year, as the country's gross domestic product had expanded just 7.7 per cent in the first half of 2008-09, against 9.1 per cent the previous year.
"The latest estimates for the final outcome in 2008-09 vary between 6.5 and 7 per cent. The exact figure is not critical. The important point is that although growth is lower, it is still much higher than most other countries." "Furthermore our agricultural sector is doing well. The brunt of the recession is being felt in the areas that had seen rapid growth earlier. This imposes pain but hopefully these sectors are more able to cope with temporary difficul ties." The Prime Minister said the Indian economy was fortunate that the inflation rate had eased considerably to around 5 per cent and was expected to decline further, giving ample flexibility for monetary policy.
"But on the fiscal side, our space is limited. The fiscal deficit in the current fiscal year will be much higher than originally planned. This is not something to be tolerated indefinitely."
The Prime Minister said business leaders in the corporate sector would have to cope with difficult and changing market circumstances, while responding to the challenges that lie ahead. "Crises are also opportunities to reposition oneself, overcome weaknesses and be ready to resume growth as the world turns upward."
According to Manmohan Singh, the governments of the industrialised world were well aware of the gravity of the crisis and were taking a series of unprecedented and proactive steps to counter the recession.
He said his government, too, has taken a number of measures to counter the global downturn, while asking the corporate sector to realise that the domestic policy action cannot completely negate the effect of a global downturn. "There will be a full recovery to our normal economic potential, but this will take place when global econo my reaches normalcy."
EMAIL
bureaus@sakaaltimes.com
"I urge the Pakistani authorities to come out with a full and complete disclosure of all the facts surrounding the case, without attempts at denial, diversion or obfuscation," Dr Singh said, addressing corporate leaders at a function at the Oberoi-Trident Hotel, which too was one of the targets of the Lashkar-e-Toiba-sponsored attack.
The 60-hour-long attack carried out by a group of 10 fidayeens had left more than 170 dead and over 300 injured.
He said Pakistan should act against the LeT and other ter rorist groups and their sponsors - in its own interest. "It should ensure that nothing like Mumbai, or the attack on our embassy in Kabul ever happens again," he said in a blunt message. He said that apart from hundreds of innocent Indians, civilians from 21 countries were either killed or injured in the attacks.
Dr Singh said that India has shared the evidence that it gathered so far on the incidents with Pakistan and others.
"Pakistan has admitted that the arrested terrorist is their national. We expect Pakistan to take all the consequent next steps against all those who have planned, organised and executed these horrific crimes," he said.
In its first formal response to India with regard to the Mumbai attacks, Pakistan had on Friday said it had initiated a "series" of actions in connection with the probe into the terror strikes and claimed to have shut down five training camps . Prime Minister Man mohan Singh on Saturday said India's woes due to the global meltdown will continue in the next fiscal, and predicted a lower growth of 6.5-7 per cent this year.
"I must emphasise that our problems will not be over in the current year," the Prime Minister said at The Economic Times Awards function at the sea-facing Trident Hotel. The function was attended by the who's who of corporate world.
"The difficult period will continue into 2009-10. The government will plan on continuing its efforts for a supporting environment next year also. Both the monetary and fiscal policies will have to be tailored to that objective." He said in no uncertain terms that growth in the current year will be lower than last year, as the country's gross domestic product had expanded just 7.7 per cent in the first half of 2008-09, against 9.1 per cent the previous year.
"The latest estimates for the final outcome in 2008-09 vary between 6.5 and 7 per cent. The exact figure is not critical. The important point is that although growth is lower, it is still much higher than most other countries." "Furthermore our agricultural sector is doing well. The brunt of the recession is being felt in the areas that had seen rapid growth earlier. This imposes pain but hopefully these sectors are more able to cope with temporary difficul ties." The Prime Minister said the Indian economy was fortunate that the inflation rate had eased considerably to around 5 per cent and was expected to decline further, giving ample flexibility for monetary policy.
"But on the fiscal side, our space is limited. The fiscal deficit in the current fiscal year will be much higher than originally planned. This is not something to be tolerated indefinitely."
The Prime Minister said business leaders in the corporate sector would have to cope with difficult and changing market circumstances, while responding to the challenges that lie ahead. "Crises are also opportunities to reposition oneself, overcome weaknesses and be ready to resume growth as the world turns upward."
According to Manmohan Singh, the governments of the industrialised world were well aware of the gravity of the crisis and were taking a series of unprecedented and proactive steps to counter the recession.
He said his government, too, has taken a number of measures to counter the global downturn, while asking the corporate sector to realise that the domestic policy action cannot completely negate the effect of a global downturn. "There will be a full recovery to our normal economic potential, but this will take place when global econo my reaches normalcy."
bureaus@sakaaltimes.com
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Pakistan Government has taken stiff action against all LET operatives
JuD publications banned, 6 websites closed
Pakistan said on Thursday that its security forces had closed have training camps run by Lashkar-e-Toiba, the group blamed for the Mumbai attack, and arrested 124 of its leaders and those of a related charity, and added that Azhar Masood, chief of banned terror out?t Jaish-e-Mohammed, was not in the country.
Prime Minister’s adviser on interior affairs Rehman Malik told a press conference that the government launched a probe into the Mumbai attacks soon after the incident and as part ‘of our efforts we banned Jamaatud-Daawa (JuD) publications and shut down six websites and arrested 124 people for their involvement in militancy’.
Malik said that the law enforcing agencies throughout the country had arrested 124 people belonging to JuD including its chief Ha?z Saeed, Colonel (retired) Nazir Ahmed, Amir Hamza, the editor of Ghazwa, Mufti Abdul Rehman and Zakiur-Rehman Lakhvi.
He said that their publications - monthly Al-Dawa, Zarb-e-Taiba, weekly Ghazwa, Nane-Mujahid and Al-Rabita magazine - have also been banned.
The government has also closed down all websites of JuD including their main website www.jamatdawah.org that used to carry messages by the organisation’s leadership.
Malik said that 22 offices, two libraries, 87 schools, seven ma drasas and ?ve camps suspected to be used for training have been dismantled in Punjab. He said that Pakistan was taking action on information provided by India but ‘we should not be in a hurry’.
‘’Masood Azhar is not in Pakistan and we are also trying to locate him,’’ Malik said. He said that his government was committed to act against the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks. He said that both Pakistan and India are nuclear states and need to act ‘with responsibility’.
The adviser with minister rank, who is considered a close con?dante of President Asif Ali Zardari, said that the government understands that the Indian government is under tremendous public pressure. Malik said Pakistan had assured India at every level of its ‘unconditional support to India in the Mumbai probe’. Agencies
Pakistan said on Thursday that its security forces had closed have training camps run by Lashkar-e-Toiba, the group blamed for the Mumbai attack, and arrested 124 of its leaders and those of a related charity, and added that Azhar Masood, chief of banned terror out?t Jaish-e-Mohammed, was not in the country.
Prime Minister’s adviser on interior affairs Rehman Malik told a press conference that the government launched a probe into the Mumbai attacks soon after the incident and as part ‘of our efforts we banned Jamaatud-Daawa (JuD) publications and shut down six websites and arrested 124 people for their involvement in militancy’.
Malik said that the law enforcing agencies throughout the country had arrested 124 people belonging to JuD including its chief Ha?z Saeed, Colonel (retired) Nazir Ahmed, Amir Hamza, the editor of Ghazwa, Mufti Abdul Rehman and Zakiur-Rehman Lakhvi.
He said that their publications - monthly Al-Dawa, Zarb-e-Taiba, weekly Ghazwa, Nane-Mujahid and Al-Rabita magazine - have also been banned.
The government has also closed down all websites of JuD including their main website www.jamatdawah.org that used to carry messages by the organisation’s leadership.
Malik said that 22 offices, two libraries, 87 schools, seven ma drasas and ?ve camps suspected to be used for training have been dismantled in Punjab. He said that Pakistan was taking action on information provided by India but ‘we should not be in a hurry’.
‘’Masood Azhar is not in Pakistan and we are also trying to locate him,’’ Malik said. He said that his government was committed to act against the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks. He said that both Pakistan and India are nuclear states and need to act ‘with responsibility’.
The adviser with minister rank, who is considered a close con?dante of President Asif Ali Zardari, said that the government understands that the Indian government is under tremendous public pressure. Malik said Pakistan had assured India at every level of its ‘unconditional support to India in the Mumbai probe’. Agencies
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
'Slumdog Millionaire'
Music Maestro Allah Rakha Rahman, known as the Mozart of Chennai, becomes the first Indian to win a Golden Globe for providing the Best Original Music in a film He scored the music for British director Danny Boyle's movie 'Slumdog Millionaire'. Rahman dedicated the award to his musicians and the 'billion people of India' The movie also won the Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Motion Picture Drama awards. The cast includes Anil Kapoor, Irrfan Khan, Dev Patel and Freida Pinto M usic maestro A R Rahman, who became the first Indian to win the prestigious Golden Globe Award, dedicated it to the 'billion people of India', as British director Danny Boyle's Mumbaibased saga 'Slumdog Millionaire,' bagged four prizes at the ceremony on Monday.
Rahman made history by becoming the first Indian to win the Golden Globe for the Best Original Music Score for 'Slumdog Millionaire', which also won the best film and two other awards.
Directed by British filmmaker Danny Boyle, the rags-to-riches story of a Mumbai slumdweller swept awards in all the four categories it was nominated for, brightening its prospects at the Oscars next month. The film won the Best Director award for Boyle, the Best Music Score for Rahman, Best Screenplay for Simon Beaufoy and also the Best Motion Picture Drama prize. Rahman (43), who won the prestigious award for his music score 'Jai Ho' in the film, thanked the director and fellow musicians in Mumbai and Chennai, besides the 'billion people from India'. ''Unbelievable..! I thought, I would not win, so anyway thanks to the almighty God for bringing me here... Danny Boyle, Fox pictures, all my musicians in Chennai, Mumbai,.. and the billion people from India,'' the Chennai-based musician said while accepting the award at a star-studded ceremony in Beverly Hills in California.
Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan, who was at the ceremony to represent India, introduced the film to the foreign audience with 'Slumdog' actress Frieda Pinto. Boyle's film depicts the heart-warming story of an orphan Jamaal, who goes on to win the Indian version of popular game show 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' to get his love back. It also stars Bollywood actors Irrfan Khan and Anil Kapoor, who played the host of the game show in the film.
The ceremony also saw Australian actor Heath Ledger being honoured posthumously for his portrayal of the villainous Joker in Batman sequel 'The Dark Knight'. Ledger became the second actor to win the award posthumous after Peter Finch, who had won the Best Actor award for his film 'Network' in 1976.
British actress Kate Winslet romped home with both the best actress and the best supporting actress awards for her performances in 'Revolutionary Road' and 'The Reader' respectively. She pipped aside the likes of Meryl Streep - 'Doubt', Anne Hathaway 'Rachael Getting Married,' Angelina Jolie - 'The Changeling' and Kristin Scott -Thomas in best actress category.
Actor Colin Farrell won the Best Actor award for his performance in the film 'In Bruges'.
The award for Best Animated Film went to 'Wall-E' and Israeli film 'Waltz With Bashir' was adjudged the Best Foreign film. Director Steven Spielberg was presented with the Cecil B DeMille award for lifetime achievement. Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt's drama 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button', 'Frost/Nixon' and 'Doubt' failed to get any awards despite being nominated in five categories. The event saw the A-listers of Hollywood - Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Meryl Streep, Kate Winslet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Clint Eastwood, Robert Downey Jr, Sally Hawkins, Tom Cruise, and Steven Spielberg among others. PTI
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Pakistani spy chief says no war with India
“We may be crazy in Pakistan, but not completely out of our minds. We know full well that terror is our enemy, not India, ” ISI chief Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shujaa Pasha told the German magazine, Der Spiegel
Reuters
Islamabad: The chief of Pakistan’s powerful Inter-Services Intelligence agency, or ISI, has said there will not be a war with India over November’s militant attacks on Mumbai, Der Spiegel reported. Lieutenant-General Ahmed Shujaa Pasha told the German magazine in an interview terrorism, not India, was Pakistan’s enemy, and he said he took orders from the civilian president.
“There will not be a war,” Pasha said. “We are distancing ourselves from conflict with India, both now and in general.”
India blames Pakistan militants for the attack on Mumbai by 10 gunmen who killed 179 people. It has revived tension between the nuclear-armed neighbours who have fought three wars since 1947.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stepped up a war of words on Tuesday, saying for the first time the assault “must have had the support of some official agencies in Pakistan”.
Pakistan has denied any involvement by state agencies and rejected Singh’s accusation, saying India was ratcheting up tension and risked destroying all prospects of a serious and objective investigation.
Pasha said that soon after the Mumbai attack, Pakistan had anticipated an India military response.
“At first we thought there would be a military reaction. The Indians, after the attacks, were deeply offended and furious, but they are also clever,” he said.
“We may be crazy in Pakistan, but not completely out of our minds. We know full well that terror is our enemy, not India.”
The Pakistani government had initially offered to send Pasha to India to help with the investigation but withdrew the offer, apparently after objections from the top brass.
Pasha told Der Spiegel he had been willing to go to India.
“Many people here are simply not ready,” he said in the interview, published on Spiegel Onlne.
India sent evidence on Monday to Pakistan that it said linked Pakistani militants to the attacks, including data from satellite phones and what it describes as the confession of a surviving attacker
Pakistan said it had got a dossier and was examining it.
Pasha, a former chief of military operations, was appointed director-general of the military’s main security agency in September, two months after the government that came to power after February elections tried to bring it under the ambit of the Interior Ministry.
The government dropped the attempt in the face of objections from the military.
But Pasha said he and the military fully supported the government, led by the party of assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. Her widower, Asif Ali Zardari, replaced former army chief Pervez Musharraf as president in September.
“It is completely clear to the army chief and I that this government must succeed. Otherwise we will have a lot of problems in this country,” Pasha said.
“The result would be problems in the west and east, political destabilisation and trouble with America . Anyone who does not support this democratic government today simply does not understand the current situation.”
The dissolution of an ISI section responsible for spying on Pakistani politicians in November was seen as a military concession to the civilian government, Der Spiegel said.
“I report regularly to the president and take orders from him,” Pasha said.
Pasha said ISI officers were allowed to hold different opinions: “But no one can dare to disobey a command or even do something that was not ordered.”
Pasha also dismissed speculation of a secret agreement allowing the US to attack militants in Pakistan with missile-firing drone aircraft.
“But to be honest, what can we do against the drone attacks? Should we fight the Americans or attack an Afghan post, because that’s where the drones are coming from? Can we win this? Does it benefit Pakistan?”
Reuters
Islamabad: The chief of Pakistan’s powerful Inter-Services Intelligence agency, or ISI, has said there will not be a war with India over November’s militant attacks on Mumbai, Der Spiegel reported. Lieutenant-General Ahmed Shujaa Pasha told the German magazine in an interview terrorism, not India, was Pakistan’s enemy, and he said he took orders from the civilian president.
“There will not be a war,” Pasha said. “We are distancing ourselves from conflict with India, both now and in general.”
India blames Pakistan militants for the attack on Mumbai by 10 gunmen who killed 179 people. It has revived tension between the nuclear-armed neighbours who have fought three wars since 1947.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stepped up a war of words on Tuesday, saying for the first time the assault “must have had the support of some official agencies in Pakistan”.
Pakistan has denied any involvement by state agencies and rejected Singh’s accusation, saying India was ratcheting up tension and risked destroying all prospects of a serious and objective investigation.
Pasha said that soon after the Mumbai attack, Pakistan had anticipated an India military response.
“At first we thought there would be a military reaction. The Indians, after the attacks, were deeply offended and furious, but they are also clever,” he said.
“We may be crazy in Pakistan, but not completely out of our minds. We know full well that terror is our enemy, not India.”
The Pakistani government had initially offered to send Pasha to India to help with the investigation but withdrew the offer, apparently after objections from the top brass.
Pasha told Der Spiegel he had been willing to go to India.
“Many people here are simply not ready,” he said in the interview, published on Spiegel Onlne.
India sent evidence on Monday to Pakistan that it said linked Pakistani militants to the attacks, including data from satellite phones and what it describes as the confession of a surviving attacker
Pakistan said it had got a dossier and was examining it.
Pasha, a former chief of military operations, was appointed director-general of the military’s main security agency in September, two months after the government that came to power after February elections tried to bring it under the ambit of the Interior Ministry.
The government dropped the attempt in the face of objections from the military.
But Pasha said he and the military fully supported the government, led by the party of assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. Her widower, Asif Ali Zardari, replaced former army chief Pervez Musharraf as president in September.
“It is completely clear to the army chief and I that this government must succeed. Otherwise we will have a lot of problems in this country,” Pasha said.
“The result would be problems in the west and east, political destabilisation and trouble with America . Anyone who does not support this democratic government today simply does not understand the current situation.”
The dissolution of an ISI section responsible for spying on Pakistani politicians in November was seen as a military concession to the civilian government, Der Spiegel said.
“I report regularly to the president and take orders from him,” Pasha said.
Pasha said ISI officers were allowed to hold different opinions: “But no one can dare to disobey a command or even do something that was not ordered.”
Pasha also dismissed speculation of a secret agreement allowing the US to attack militants in Pakistan with missile-firing drone aircraft.
“But to be honest, what can we do against the drone attacks? Should we fight the Americans or attack an Afghan post, because that’s where the drones are coming from? Can we win this? Does it benefit Pakistan?”
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Middle East & Africa Current Situation in Gaza is Appalling
WFP
A Palestinian family who fled from their house rest in a United Nations aid center in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip January 3, 2009. (Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters)
The current situation in Gaza is appalling and many basic food items are no longer available on the market," said Christine van Nieuwenhuyse, Representative of The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in the occupied Palestinian territory.
"Palestinian families living in Gaza are facing a variety of shortages of essential items and services," she added in a press release on Jan.3,2009.
WFP has said it urgently requires US$ 9 million to meet foreseen additional food needs caused by the upsurge in fighting.
The uninterrupted Israeli airstrikes on Gaza Strip have so far killed 442 Palestinians and injured over 2200.
WFP said is responding to growing humanitarian needs in Gaza by distributing bread to families in areas that have been badly hit by the recent upsurge in conflict.
As an emergency response to alleviate the suffering of families living close to areas affected by conflict, on Thursday WFP started an emergency distribution of bread in Beit Hanoun for 3,000 poor families - some 15,000 people who have not previously received WFP food assistance. This area in northern Gaza is one of the poorest and most heavily affected by the recent conflict.
Since the intermittent opening of the crossing points in November 2008, Palestinian families in Gaza have experienced a drastic deterioration in living conditions, with reduced quantities of food available on the market, shortages of cooking gas and fuel, and frequent power cuts.
The recent attacks in the Gaza Strip have prevented WFP and its partners from operating at full capacity and have delayed the normal distribution of food to 265,000 non-refugees and vulnerable individuals.
The difficulty of guaranteeing humanitarian access into Gaza over the last two months have reduced the availability of WFP food stocks, which would have helped address the new needs. WFP has 3,300 tons of food in warehouses which will be drawn down as food distributions resume, security permitting, over the next month. More food convoys are planned to replenish stocks for current and new food needs.
The scarcity of wheat has meant that the majority of mills and bakeries have stopped working in Gaza, and there is an acute shortage of bread, the staple food for Palestinian people.
"We are responding to the immediate food emergency needs as much as we can, but the destruction of local infrastructure, and the shortages of basic utilities such as fuel and gas mean that more people will fall into poverty, and have no other option than to be assisted by the international community," Nieuwenhuyse said. (Emirates News Agency, WAM)
A Palestinian family who fled from their house rest in a United Nations aid center in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip January 3, 2009. (Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters)
The current situation in Gaza is appalling and many basic food items are no longer available on the market," said Christine van Nieuwenhuyse, Representative of The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in the occupied Palestinian territory.
"Palestinian families living in Gaza are facing a variety of shortages of essential items and services," she added in a press release on Jan.3,2009.
WFP has said it urgently requires US$ 9 million to meet foreseen additional food needs caused by the upsurge in fighting.
The uninterrupted Israeli airstrikes on Gaza Strip have so far killed 442 Palestinians and injured over 2200.
WFP said is responding to growing humanitarian needs in Gaza by distributing bread to families in areas that have been badly hit by the recent upsurge in conflict.
As an emergency response to alleviate the suffering of families living close to areas affected by conflict, on Thursday WFP started an emergency distribution of bread in Beit Hanoun for 3,000 poor families - some 15,000 people who have not previously received WFP food assistance. This area in northern Gaza is one of the poorest and most heavily affected by the recent conflict.
Since the intermittent opening of the crossing points in November 2008, Palestinian families in Gaza have experienced a drastic deterioration in living conditions, with reduced quantities of food available on the market, shortages of cooking gas and fuel, and frequent power cuts.
The recent attacks in the Gaza Strip have prevented WFP and its partners from operating at full capacity and have delayed the normal distribution of food to 265,000 non-refugees and vulnerable individuals.
The difficulty of guaranteeing humanitarian access into Gaza over the last two months have reduced the availability of WFP food stocks, which would have helped address the new needs. WFP has 3,300 tons of food in warehouses which will be drawn down as food distributions resume, security permitting, over the next month. More food convoys are planned to replenish stocks for current and new food needs.
The scarcity of wheat has meant that the majority of mills and bakeries have stopped working in Gaza, and there is an acute shortage of bread, the staple food for Palestinian people.
"We are responding to the immediate food emergency needs as much as we can, but the destruction of local infrastructure, and the shortages of basic utilities such as fuel and gas mean that more people will fall into poverty, and have no other option than to be assisted by the international community," Nieuwenhuyse said. (Emirates News Agency, WAM)
Gaza school strike forces Barack Obama to break his silence
The death of forty-two people in an Israeli attack at a UN-run school in Gaza today finally forced Barack Obama to break his silence over the conflict.
"The loss of civilian life in Gaza and Israel is a source of deep concern for me," the US President-elect said.
But he would not be drawn further, promising to abide by his principle that only George W. Bush would speak for American foreign policy while he was still president. Mr Obama added that would have plenty more to say after his January 20 inauguration.
Gordon Brown said the recent fighting marked the "the darkest moment yet for the Middle East".
Related Links
* Anti-Semitic attacks rise in Europe
* Sealing Egypt border 'key to Gaza ceasefire'
* ‘We’re wading in death, blood and amputees'
The attack, which appeared to come from an air strike from two Israeli F16s, happened at the al-Fakhora school in Jabaliya refugee camp, causing carnage inside and outside the building, where hundreds of Palestinians had sought refuge from fighting between Israeli soldiers and Hamas militants. Initial reports had said the devastation was caused by a tank shell exploding.
Bodies lay scattered on the ground in pools of blood amid shredded clothing and shoes after the attack, in which several dozen people were also wounded.
As the death toll in the conflict rose, the United States administration appeared to be split on its stance towards the conflict. The US State department today made its first call for an end to the violence but a spokeswoman for the White House said she was confident Israel was taking care to avoid civilian casualties in Gaza.
"We would like an immediate ceasefire, absolutely,” said Sean McCormack, a State Department spokesman. “An immediate ceasefire that is durable, sustainable and not time-limited."
Israel has continued to defy international calls for a ceasefire and earlier moved its troops deeper into southern Gaza to intensify its ground offensive.
But Dana Perino, spokeswoman for the White House, said: “I saw the reports about the school. I don’t have any information about that. I think that we should not jump to conclusions and we should wait to find out what the evidence says.
“What we do know is that Hamas often hides amongst innocents and uses innocent people, including children, as human shields."
Those who died in the attack today were people sheltering in the school and local residents, medical officials at two local hospitals said. “I saw a lot of women and children wheeled in,” said Fares Ghanem, an official at Kamal Radwan Hospital. “A lot of the wounded were missing limbs and a lot of the dead were in pieces.”
The number of children killed in Gaza has now reached 100, according to Save the Children. The figure does not include those killed today.
Ken Caldwell, the charity's Director of International Operations, said: “Young children are suffering the worst of this crisis. They are under immense stress, often unable to sleep, some in such a state of shock that they are unable to cry.
“The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is worsening hour by hour. Thousands of young lives are now in acute danger. Every world leader must urgently push again for a ceasefire and immediate humanitarian access, otherwise children will continue to die."
Related Links
* Anti-Semitic attacks rise in Europe
* Sealing Egypt border 'key to Gaza ceasefire'
* ‘We’re wading in death, blood and amputees'
Schools run by the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) have opened their doors to provide shelters for thousands of Palestinians who have fled their homes. At least 17 schools are sheltering more than 5,000 people. Nine of the schools in the Jabaliya refugee camp are in the front line of fighting.
Three people were also killed at another UN-run school in the southern city of Khan Younis when Israeli tank fire showered the building where they were sheltering from the conflict. More than 600 Palestinians have lost their lives during the battle between Israeli forces and Hamas militants, which is now in its 11th day. A quarter of those are civilians, according to the UN. Three people also died in an air strike on a school in the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, medics said.
Max Gaylard, the UN humanitarian co-ordinator for the Palestinian territories, said that Israel had the GPS co-ordinates of all UN buildings in Gaza – including its schools. “Neither homes nor UN shelters are safe” for civilians, he said in a statement that reaffirmed UN ceasefire calls.
“These tragic incidents need to be investigated, and if international humanitarian law has been contravened, those responsible must be held accountable."
John Ging, the top UN official in Gaza, said: "There's nowhere safe in Gaza. Everyone here is terrorised and traumatised."
Speaking from the largest hospital in the region, he said: "I am appealing to political leaders here and in the region and the world to get their act together and stop this. "They are responsible for these deaths."
Twenty-four Hamas rockets were fired into Israel today; one wounding an Israeli infant.
Five Israeli soldiers have been killed in the past 24 hours. One died in an attack by Hamas militants in the north of Gaza city this morning. Four soldiers were killed and 30 wounded in two separate “friendly fire” incidents overnight. Three of them were killed when the building in which they were taking cover was hit by one of their own tanks. The fourth soldier was also killed by an errant tank shell. Israel has lost six soldiers since the start of ground incursions into Gaza on Saturday.
The Israelis today moved troops into Khan Younis in southern Gaza widening the ground assault that it began four days ago after a week of air strikes failed to stamp out cross-border rocket fire.
President Sarkozy of France has travelled to Syria and Lebanon to seek a deal for a cessation of violence amid international efforts to broker a ceasefire.
Ehud Olmert, the Israeli Prime Minister, said that a ceasefire could be put in place only if Hamas were prevented from rearming and ended rocket attacks into Israel. "I have dedicated the past two years to reach a peace agreement with Syria and the Palestinians. I am not a man of war; I am a man of compromise. I am a man of peace, whose conditions of compromise may be painful, but will bring peace to the people of Israel," he said.
Related Links
* Anti-Semitic attacks rise in Europe
* Sealing Egypt border 'key to Gaza ceasefire'
* ‘We’re wading in death, blood and amputees'
Tony Blair, the Middle East envoy for the Quartet of the EU, the United States, the UN and Russia, said that a ceasefire was achievable if the supply of arms to Hamas was blocked through the border between Egypt and Gaza.
Gordon Brown said he was hopeful of a ceasefire in the region and that the international community had to work hard to achieve a sustainable and immediate solution to the fighting. "This is a humanitarian crisis," he said. "This is the darkest moment yet for the Middle East and it affects the rest of the world." The Prime Minister said he was in talks with world leaders and supported the reinstatement of European Union monitors on the border between Gaza and Egypt.
Israeli forces said that they had struck the home of one of the founders of the Hamas rocket division this morning. They said Iman Siam was in his house at the time of the air strike in Jabalya, in northern Gaza.
The British Government has announced that it will send £4 million for humanitarian aid to the region, the first tranche of the £6.8 million it recently agreed to send to Gaza to help to meet basic needs such as food, water and fuel.
"The loss of civilian life in Gaza and Israel is a source of deep concern for me," the US President-elect said.
But he would not be drawn further, promising to abide by his principle that only George W. Bush would speak for American foreign policy while he was still president. Mr Obama added that would have plenty more to say after his January 20 inauguration.
Gordon Brown said the recent fighting marked the "the darkest moment yet for the Middle East".
Related Links
* Anti-Semitic attacks rise in Europe
* Sealing Egypt border 'key to Gaza ceasefire'
* ‘We’re wading in death, blood and amputees'
The attack, which appeared to come from an air strike from two Israeli F16s, happened at the al-Fakhora school in Jabaliya refugee camp, causing carnage inside and outside the building, where hundreds of Palestinians had sought refuge from fighting between Israeli soldiers and Hamas militants. Initial reports had said the devastation was caused by a tank shell exploding.
Bodies lay scattered on the ground in pools of blood amid shredded clothing and shoes after the attack, in which several dozen people were also wounded.
As the death toll in the conflict rose, the United States administration appeared to be split on its stance towards the conflict. The US State department today made its first call for an end to the violence but a spokeswoman for the White House said she was confident Israel was taking care to avoid civilian casualties in Gaza.
"We would like an immediate ceasefire, absolutely,” said Sean McCormack, a State Department spokesman. “An immediate ceasefire that is durable, sustainable and not time-limited."
Israel has continued to defy international calls for a ceasefire and earlier moved its troops deeper into southern Gaza to intensify its ground offensive.
But Dana Perino, spokeswoman for the White House, said: “I saw the reports about the school. I don’t have any information about that. I think that we should not jump to conclusions and we should wait to find out what the evidence says.
“What we do know is that Hamas often hides amongst innocents and uses innocent people, including children, as human shields."
Those who died in the attack today were people sheltering in the school and local residents, medical officials at two local hospitals said. “I saw a lot of women and children wheeled in,” said Fares Ghanem, an official at Kamal Radwan Hospital. “A lot of the wounded were missing limbs and a lot of the dead were in pieces.”
The number of children killed in Gaza has now reached 100, according to Save the Children. The figure does not include those killed today.
Ken Caldwell, the charity's Director of International Operations, said: “Young children are suffering the worst of this crisis. They are under immense stress, often unable to sleep, some in such a state of shock that they are unable to cry.
“The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is worsening hour by hour. Thousands of young lives are now in acute danger. Every world leader must urgently push again for a ceasefire and immediate humanitarian access, otherwise children will continue to die."
Related Links
* Anti-Semitic attacks rise in Europe
* Sealing Egypt border 'key to Gaza ceasefire'
* ‘We’re wading in death, blood and amputees'
Schools run by the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) have opened their doors to provide shelters for thousands of Palestinians who have fled their homes. At least 17 schools are sheltering more than 5,000 people. Nine of the schools in the Jabaliya refugee camp are in the front line of fighting.
Three people were also killed at another UN-run school in the southern city of Khan Younis when Israeli tank fire showered the building where they were sheltering from the conflict. More than 600 Palestinians have lost their lives during the battle between Israeli forces and Hamas militants, which is now in its 11th day. A quarter of those are civilians, according to the UN. Three people also died in an air strike on a school in the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, medics said.
Max Gaylard, the UN humanitarian co-ordinator for the Palestinian territories, said that Israel had the GPS co-ordinates of all UN buildings in Gaza – including its schools. “Neither homes nor UN shelters are safe” for civilians, he said in a statement that reaffirmed UN ceasefire calls.
“These tragic incidents need to be investigated, and if international humanitarian law has been contravened, those responsible must be held accountable."
John Ging, the top UN official in Gaza, said: "There's nowhere safe in Gaza. Everyone here is terrorised and traumatised."
Speaking from the largest hospital in the region, he said: "I am appealing to political leaders here and in the region and the world to get their act together and stop this. "They are responsible for these deaths."
Twenty-four Hamas rockets were fired into Israel today; one wounding an Israeli infant.
Five Israeli soldiers have been killed in the past 24 hours. One died in an attack by Hamas militants in the north of Gaza city this morning. Four soldiers were killed and 30 wounded in two separate “friendly fire” incidents overnight. Three of them were killed when the building in which they were taking cover was hit by one of their own tanks. The fourth soldier was also killed by an errant tank shell. Israel has lost six soldiers since the start of ground incursions into Gaza on Saturday.
The Israelis today moved troops into Khan Younis in southern Gaza widening the ground assault that it began four days ago after a week of air strikes failed to stamp out cross-border rocket fire.
President Sarkozy of France has travelled to Syria and Lebanon to seek a deal for a cessation of violence amid international efforts to broker a ceasefire.
Ehud Olmert, the Israeli Prime Minister, said that a ceasefire could be put in place only if Hamas were prevented from rearming and ended rocket attacks into Israel. "I have dedicated the past two years to reach a peace agreement with Syria and the Palestinians. I am not a man of war; I am a man of compromise. I am a man of peace, whose conditions of compromise may be painful, but will bring peace to the people of Israel," he said.
Related Links
* Anti-Semitic attacks rise in Europe
* Sealing Egypt border 'key to Gaza ceasefire'
* ‘We’re wading in death, blood and amputees'
Tony Blair, the Middle East envoy for the Quartet of the EU, the United States, the UN and Russia, said that a ceasefire was achievable if the supply of arms to Hamas was blocked through the border between Egypt and Gaza.
Gordon Brown said he was hopeful of a ceasefire in the region and that the international community had to work hard to achieve a sustainable and immediate solution to the fighting. "This is a humanitarian crisis," he said. "This is the darkest moment yet for the Middle East and it affects the rest of the world." The Prime Minister said he was in talks with world leaders and supported the reinstatement of European Union monitors on the border between Gaza and Egypt.
Israeli forces said that they had struck the home of one of the founders of the Hamas rocket division this morning. They said Iman Siam was in his house at the time of the air strike in Jabalya, in northern Gaza.
The British Government has announced that it will send £4 million for humanitarian aid to the region, the first tranche of the £6.8 million it recently agreed to send to Gaza to help to meet basic needs such as food, water and fuel.
Monday, January 05, 2009
DIPLOMATIC OFFENSIVE - India gives 26/11 evidence to Pak
Special briefing held for envoys of over a dozen countries
Stepping up its diplomatic offensive, India today handed over to Pakistan evidence linking that country to the Mumbai attacks and prepared to share the proof with the world community with an expectation that Islamabad would cooperate in punishing the culprits.
Earlier, Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon held a special briefing for the Ambassadors and High Commissioners of over a dozen countries, including the US, UK, Israel, France, Japan, Germany, Turkey and Canada here to apprise them about the details of investigation into the Mumbai attacks.
Describing the Mumbai attacks as an "unpardonable crime", India asked Pakistan to promptly follow up on the evidence by holding further probe there and share the results with New Delhi so that the guilty are brought to justice. External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said he had also written to his counterparts around the globe, giving details of the Mumbai attacks, and hoped that the "world will unite" in ensuring an end to cross-border terrorism faced by India. "We have today handed over to Pakistan evidence of the links with elements in Pakistan of the terrorists who attacked Mumbai on November 26, 2008," Mukherjee told reporters here. His statement came soon after Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon summoned Pakistan High Commissioner Shahid Malik to hand over the dossier, which includes confession of Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone Pakistani terrorist held during the Mumbai attacks, and other material. "What happened in Mumbai was an unpardonable crime," Mukherjee said and asked Pakistan to implement the bilateral commitments it has made at the highest levels to India and "practice its international obligations". The External Affairs Ministry said "this material is linked to elements in Pakistan" and "it is our expectation that the government of Pakistan will promptly undertake further investigations in Pakistan and share the results with us so as to bring the perpetrators to justice."
The evidence includes confession of Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone Pakistani terrorist held during Mumbai terror strikes, records of GPS and satellite phones used by the attackers and transcript of conversations between the attackers and their handlers in Pakistan. Pak examining evidence Islamabad: Hours after India handed over evidence linking elements in Pakistan to the Mumbai terror strikes, Islamabad on Monday assured the US that it was examining the "information" and would frame a formal response soon. PTI
Stepping up its diplomatic offensive, India today handed over to Pakistan evidence linking that country to the Mumbai attacks and prepared to share the proof with the world community with an expectation that Islamabad would cooperate in punishing the culprits.
Earlier, Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon held a special briefing for the Ambassadors and High Commissioners of over a dozen countries, including the US, UK, Israel, France, Japan, Germany, Turkey and Canada here to apprise them about the details of investigation into the Mumbai attacks.
Describing the Mumbai attacks as an "unpardonable crime", India asked Pakistan to promptly follow up on the evidence by holding further probe there and share the results with New Delhi so that the guilty are brought to justice. External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said he had also written to his counterparts around the globe, giving details of the Mumbai attacks, and hoped that the "world will unite" in ensuring an end to cross-border terrorism faced by India. "We have today handed over to Pakistan evidence of the links with elements in Pakistan of the terrorists who attacked Mumbai on November 26, 2008," Mukherjee told reporters here. His statement came soon after Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon summoned Pakistan High Commissioner Shahid Malik to hand over the dossier, which includes confession of Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone Pakistani terrorist held during the Mumbai attacks, and other material. "What happened in Mumbai was an unpardonable crime," Mukherjee said and asked Pakistan to implement the bilateral commitments it has made at the highest levels to India and "practice its international obligations". The External Affairs Ministry said "this material is linked to elements in Pakistan" and "it is our expectation that the government of Pakistan will promptly undertake further investigations in Pakistan and share the results with us so as to bring the perpetrators to justice."
The evidence includes confession of Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone Pakistani terrorist held during Mumbai terror strikes, records of GPS and satellite phones used by the attackers and transcript of conversations between the attackers and their handlers in Pakistan. Pak examining evidence Islamabad: Hours after India handed over evidence linking elements in Pakistan to the Mumbai terror strikes, Islamabad on Monday assured the US that it was examining the "information" and would frame a formal response soon. PTI
109-YEAR-OLD EX-C0P REVEALS SECRET OF LONGEVITY
The secret of longevity sounds simple. "To gain sound health, eat less than your full appetite and do not worry over petty issues," 109-year-old Bhiku Khandu Narute said here on Sunday.
Narute, who turned 109 on January 1, was felicitated by Federation of Senior Citizens Organisation Maharashtra (FESCOM), Pune zone, here on Sunday. Commissioner of Police Dr Satyapal Singh felicitated Narute calling him his 'ex-veteran colleague'. Narute had worked with the city police till his retirement in June 1968. Narute is hailed as the oldest surviving ex-policeman in the city.
"I don't have diseases that people commonly have, like diabetes and blood pressure. I can still hear, see and talk well," Narute told Sakaal Times after the felicitation function.
The grand old man said his crossing the century-mark was a bit unique, but he did not consider it as anything special.
Narute, who hails from Phaltan taluka in Satara district, retired as an assistant sub-in spector from the city police. He is presently living with his family in Gokhale Nagar. He married in 1937 and had three daughters and a son. His son, however, passed away after a brief illness.
Three generations of Narute's family are serving with the police.
"One of my three daughters is in the police force. My sonin-law is also a cop and recently my grandson joined the police force. It is a proud feeling for me to serve the nation," said Narute.
Recalling his special memories, he said, "I was on security duty of Mahatma Gandhi, when he was kept at Aga Khan Palace during the movement for freedom."
He also recalled the nabbing of dacoit Kondhya Navale in the hilly area of Junnar taluka in Pune district, which he said, occurred five to six decades ago.
Except for the wrinkles on his face, he does not show any major sign of ageing in his overall appearance.
Narute came by himself to attend the function. His wife, in her 90s, was slated to attend the function, but could not come.
FESCOM Pune zone president N V Kodolikar, secretary Arvind Kulkarni, president of Virangula Kendra Ramanbhai Shah were present on the occasion.
Narute, responding to the felicitation, made a brief speech. Referring to the recent terror attack in Mumbai, he said, "A handful of foreigners come to our land and do the damage they want. It is our duty as citizens to remain alert and avoid such tragedies in the future." Seeing the fervour and dutifulness of this veteran ex-policeman, Commissioner of Police Dr Satyapal Singh saluted Narute. Dr Singh later affectionately shook hands with him.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
FBI hands over Mumbai evidence over to Pak: Report, Qureshi rejects India's demand.
London/Islamabad, Jan 4 (PTI) The FBI has reportedly given to Pakistan evidence amassed on involvement of elements based in that country in the Mumbai carnage even as Islamabad today rejected India's fresh demand to turn over terror suspects linked to the strikes.
The evidence included the Laskhar-e-Toiba handlers' warning to the attackers about the arrival of Indian commandos while watching the mayhem live on TV and a "Aag lagao" (Light the fire) order, the British newspaper 'Sunday Times' reported. The report said Pakistan has rejected the alleged FBI evidence Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi ruled out handing over the suspects insisting that there was no extradition treaty between the two neighbouring countries.
There can be no comparison between Pakistan's extradition of terror suspects to the US and India's demand for the handing over of persons linked to the Mumbai attacks, Qureshi told reporters in his home-town in Multan, a day after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanded that Pakistan hand over terror suspects linked to the Mumbai attacks.
"We have a treaty with the US, we do not have an extradition treaty with India. Please do not compare, every situation is not identical," Qureshi said on the eve of arrival of a top US diplomat Richard Boucher visiting Islamabad to push Pakistan to act against the Mumbai attack perpetrators.
Another media report in a Pak daily quoting a senior unnamed Pakistani official said Pakistan may allow Indian investigators to "grill" the suspects after being provided with "sufficient evidence" of their involvement but will not hand them over to New Delhi. PTI
The evidence included the Laskhar-e-Toiba handlers' warning to the attackers about the arrival of Indian commandos while watching the mayhem live on TV and a "Aag lagao" (Light the fire) order, the British newspaper 'Sunday Times' reported. The report said Pakistan has rejected the alleged FBI evidence Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi ruled out handing over the suspects insisting that there was no extradition treaty between the two neighbouring countries.
There can be no comparison between Pakistan's extradition of terror suspects to the US and India's demand for the handing over of persons linked to the Mumbai attacks, Qureshi told reporters in his home-town in Multan, a day after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanded that Pakistan hand over terror suspects linked to the Mumbai attacks.
"We have a treaty with the US, we do not have an extradition treaty with India. Please do not compare, every situation is not identical," Qureshi said on the eve of arrival of a top US diplomat Richard Boucher visiting Islamabad to push Pakistan to act against the Mumbai attack perpetrators.
Another media report in a Pak daily quoting a senior unnamed Pakistani official said Pakistan may allow Indian investigators to "grill" the suspects after being provided with "sufficient evidence" of their involvement but will not hand them over to New Delhi. PTI
Mika
Mika - Grace Kelly (live)
Love Today - Mika - Live
Mika - Lollipop
Michael Holbrook Penniman [1][2][3](born 18 August 1983), known as Mika (pronounced /ˈmiːkə/), is a London-based, Grammy-nominated and BRIT Award-winning singer-songwriter, who has a recording contract with Casablanca Records and Universal Music. He rose to fame around the end of 2006 and the start of 2007.
Contents
[hide]
* 1 Early Life
* 2 Musical career
* 3 Personal life
* 4 Discography
* 5 Video Releases
o 5.1 2007
o 5.2 2008
* 6 Awards
o 6.1 2007
o 6.2 2008
* 7 References
* 8 External links
[edit] Early Life
Mika was born in Beirut, Lebanon, the third of five children born to a Lebanese mother and an American father. When he was a year old his family was forced to leave war-torn Lebanon and moved to Paris. After listening to Nirvana's "Heart-Shaped Box," he wrote his first song, which he describes as an "awful" piano instrumental called "Angry". The family moved to London when he was nine years old. There, he attended the Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle, where he experienced severe bullying. He also had problems with dyslexia. He experienced a break-down at age 11, and was home-schooled by his mother for six to eight months.[3]. He then attended St Philips School in Kensington. Later he attended Westminster School and the Royal College of Music, which he left to record his first album at Casablanca Records.[4] He has also slightly altered his given name, Mica, changing the "c" to a "k," because he was frustrated by how often people would mispronounce it.[5]
[edit] Musical career
Mika playing keyboard at V Festival 2007
Mika was trained by Alla Ardakov (Ablaberdyeva), a Russian opera professional. His public performances and jobs have varied from classical performances in the Royal Opera House to writing in-flight music for British Airways and creating an Orbit chewing gum jingle. His debut radio appearance was on Dermot O'Leary's BBC Radio 2 show in September 2006, Later with Jools Holland and on The Friday Night Project on 19 January 2007.[citation needed] While he is rumoured to have a vocal range of five octaves,[4] he claims that it is actually closer to three and a half octaves. [6]
In January 2007, Mika was at the top of the BBC News website's Sound of 2007 poll.[7]
Mika live in concert
His first single was a limited 7"/download release called "Relax, Take It Easy" (2006). It was play listed by BBC Radio 1 in the United Kingdom, and was also made Record of the Week by DJ Scott Mills. The Dodgy Holiday EP is also available for download. His song "Billy Brown" was available for free download for a week from the iTunes Store.
Universal Music released his single "Grace Kelly" by digital download on 8 January 2007, and it reached number one on the UK Singles Chart on 21 January 2007. The CD, 12", and limited-edition 7" versions were released on 29 January 2007. The release features remixes by Tom Neville, Bimbo Jones, Linus Loves, and Pull Tiger Tail.
Produced and mixed by Greg Wells in Los Angeles, with three songs co-produced by Jodi Marr and John Merchant, who produced the orginal songs which garnered him his deal with Universal. Mika's début album Life in Cartoon Motion was released on 5 February 2007, and has brought comparison with artists such as Freddie Mercury,[8][9] Scissor Sisters,[10] Elton John,[11] Prince,[12] Robbie Williams[13] and David Bowie.[13]
He was the musical act for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on 26 March 2007[14] and 14 February 2008 and for Jimmy Kimmel Live on 27 March 2007.[15] He also performed live on So You Think You Can Dance on 26 July 2007.
Mika toured the United States and Canada in June 2007, with support from Sara Bareilles and Natalia Lesz.
In 2007, Mika won three awards, the most of any artist, at the World Music Awards, the annual ceremony, held since 1989, at which awards are given for the highest selling recording artists internationally. He is the first artist to have won three World Music Awards in just one year.
In September 2007, Mika began his Dodgy Holiday Tour, playing at venues across Europe. On November 17, 2007, Mika started the UK leg of his tour with support from Palladium. The North American leg of his tour began in January 2008 with support from The Midway State and continued through February with a stop in Los Angeles for the 50th Grammy Awards.
His debut album, Life in Cartoon Motion, has a coming of age theme and deals with his transition from childhood to the present, though he has stated that not all of the songs are autobiographical. His songs often deal with difficult topics. For instance, in "Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)" the theme of larger women suffering from discrimination is explored. Mika has said that the fact that his mother was a big woman, and that he had seen the prejudices against her, helped him to write the song.[citation needed] In another example of dealing with more difficult subject matter, in the song "Billy Brown", Mika writes about a married man who has a homosexual affair.
On 20 February 2008, Mika opened the 2008 BRIT Awards with a live performance of "Love Today," "Grace Kelly," and a duet, "Standing in the Way of Control," with Beth Ditto. He was later awarded the BRIT Award for Best British Breakthrough Artist.
[edit] Personal life
Mika at the 2007 Glastonbury Festival
Mika comes from a family of three girls and two boys. He has one younger brother and one younger sister along with two older sisters. His sister Yasmine, who works as an artist under the nom de plume Dawack, painted the cartoon art for his album "Life in Cartoon Motion." Because of his flamboyant stage persona, there have been rumours that Mika might be gay. In response to media speculation on this theme he has been quoted as saying "I never talk about anything to do with my sexuality. I just don't think I need to. People ask me all the time. But I just don't see the point." He added that "in order to survive I've kind of shut up different parts of my life, and that's one of them, especially this early in my career."[16]
He denied allegations that he is steering clear of sexual taboos in order to appeal to the US market, pointing to the song "Billy Brown", which is about a man who has a homosexual affair. He is quoted as saying, "If I was worried about sexual taboos I certainly wouldn't have made the record I made. It has nothing to do with that. It has more to do with self-respect."[17] In an interview in the US gay magazine Out he stated that there "is a way of discussing sexuality without using labels."[18]
[edit] Discography
Main article: Mika discography
Life in Cartoon Motion
[edit] Video Releases
Main article: Mika discography
[edit] 2007
* Live in Cartoon Motion
[edit] 2008
* Live Parc Des Princes Paris
[edit] Awards
[edit] 2007
* World Music Awards
o Best-Selling New Artist -- Won
o Best-Selling Male Pop/Rock Artist -- Won
o Best-Selling British Artist -- Won
* MTV Europe Music Awards 2007
o Best Solo Artist -- Nominated
o Best Track - "Grace Kelly" -- Nominated
* Q Awards
o Best Breakthrough Artist -- Nominated
o Best Hair on an Artist -- Won
* Vodafone Live Awards
o Best Male Artist -- Won
* UK Festival Awards
o Best Festival Pop Act -- Nominated
* BT Digital Music Awards
o Best Pop Act -- Nominated
* Premios Principales
o Best International Non-Spanish Language Artist -- Nominated
o Best International Non-Spanish Language Song - "Grace Kelly" -- Nominated
* The Record of the Year (UK) 2007
o "Grace Kelly" -- Nominated
* Virgin Media Awards
o Best Track -- "Grace Kelly" -- Nominated
o Best British Act -- Nominated
o Best Male Artist -- Nominated
[edit] 2008
* The 50th Grammy Awards
o Best Dance Recording - "Love Today" -- Nominated
* 2008 BRIT Awards
o British Male Solo Artist -- Nominated
o British Album - "Life in Cartoon Motion" -- Nominated
o British Single - "Grace Kelly" -- Nominated
o British Breakthrough Act -- Won
* NRJ Music Awards
o International Revelation of the Year -- Won
o International Song of the Year - "Relax, Take It Easy" -- Nominated
o International Album of the Year -- Nominated
o Music Video of the Year - "Relax, Take It Easy" -- Nominated
* Swiss Music Awards
o Best International Newcomer -- Nominated
* ECHO Awards
o Best International Male Artist -- Nominated
o Best International Newcomer -- Won
* Capital Awards
o Best British Male Artist -- Won
o Best British Album - "Life in Cartoon Motion" -- Won
* Amadeus Awards (Austrian Music Awards)
o Best International Single - "Grace Kelly" -- Nominated
* MTV Video Music Awards Japan
o Best New Artist Video - "Grace Kelly" -- Nominated
* MTV Australia Video Music Awards
o Video of the Year - "Happy Ending" -- Nominated
* TRL Awards (Italy)
o Man of the Year -- Nominated
* Ivor Novello Awards
o Best Selling British Song - "Grace Kelly" -- Nominated
o Songwriter of the Year -- Won
* Nickelodeon UK Kids' Choice Awards
o Best Male Singer -- Nominated
* MTV Asia Awards
o Favorite Breakthrough Artist -- Nominated
* TMF Awards
o Best International Pop -- Won
o Best International Male Artist -- Nominated
[edit] References
1. ^ Pareles, Jon (2007-03-31). "A rising British pop star revives a Mercurial style", The New York Times. Retrieved on 22 June 2007.
2. ^ "Artist of the day: Mika", Spin (2007-03-27). Retrieved on 22 June 2007.
3. ^ a b Mccaffrey, Julie; and Adam Luck (2007-01-29). "Mika, Teenage prodigy of the Royal Opera", The Daily Mirror. Retrieved on 22 June 2007.
4. ^ a b Paphides, Pete (2007-01-05). "Triumph of a tortured soul", The Times. Retrieved on 22 June 2007.
5. ^ http://www.product-reviews.net/2007/09/19/mika-aka-mica-penniman-facing-a-lawsuit-over-name/
6. ^ "Live interview with Mika". Rove. Channel Ten, Australia. 2007-03-06.
7. ^ Youngs, Ian (2007-01-04). "Singer Mika tops BBC talent", BBC News. Retrieved on 22 June 2007.
8. ^ "Mika uses Freddie's piano?", Metro (2007-01-24). Retrieved on 22 June 2007.
9. ^ Jones, Emma (2007-01-05). "Sound of 2007: Mika", BBC News. Retrieved on 22 June 2007.
10. ^ Sullivan, Caroline (2006-12-07). "Mika", The Guardian. Retrieved on 22 June 2007.
11. ^ Bray, Elisa (2007-03-01). "V is for victory - and for virtuoso", The Independent. Retrieved on 22 June 2007.
12. ^ Phares, Heather (N/A). "Mika", AllMusic. Retrieved on 12 May 2008.
13. ^ a b "Introducing the sound of 2007: Mika", The Belfast Telegraph (2007-01-23). Retrieved on 20 March 2007.
14. ^ "Episode 16.142". The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. NBC. 2007-03-26. No. 142, season 16.
15. ^ "Episode 5.111". Jimmy Kimmel Live. ABC. 2007-03-27. No. 111, season 5.
16. ^ Grew, Tony (2007-01-24). "Brit pop star won't say which way he swings", Pink News. Retrieved on 22 June 2007.
17. ^ Adams, Cameron (2007-03-15). "Cartoon hero", Herald Sun. Retrieved on 6 April 2007.
18. ^ Krochmal, Shana Naomi (2008-01-28). "Mika's Second Verse (Same As The First?)", Out (magazine). Retrieved on 15 February 2008.
[edit] External links
Sister project Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Mika
* Mika's official website
* Mika at MySpace
* Mika Music Videos
* Pop’s New Queen July 2007 Out magazine story on Mika
* Audio interview recorded on March 2007 in Toronto, Canada
* Upcoming Tour Dates
* Soundfires.com Review of Grace Kelly
* Mika discography at MusicBrainz
[hide]
v • d • e
Mika
Albums
Life in Cartoon Motion
Singles
"Relax, Take It Easy" • "Grace Kelly" • "Lollipop" (airplay release) • "Love Today" • "Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)" • "Happy Ending" • "Relax, Take It Easy" (re-release) / "Lollipop"
DVDs
Live in Cartoon Motion • Live Parc Des Princes Paris
Other articles
Mika discography
ON AFGHANISTAN - Pentagon gives bleak view on Afghanistan
BY YOCHI J . D REAZEN ·························
WASHINGTON
Top Pentagon officials gave Congress pessimistic assessments of the war in Afghanistan, with the nation’s highest-ranking military officer warning that the U.S. is “running out of time” to stabilize the country.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testified one day after President George W. Bush announced a plan to gradually withdraw some 8,000 U.S.
troops from Iraq while sending an additional 4,500 troops to Afghanistan. The Pentagon believes the Iraq war has begun winding down while the Afghanistan conflict is intensifying.
Speaking to the House Armed Services Committee Wednesday, Mr. Gates said the U.S. had entered the “endgame” in Iraq. “We are reducing our commitments in Iraq and we are increasing our commitments in Afghanistan,” he told the lawmakers.
The administration’s handling of the two wars has reemerged as a key issue in the presidential campaign. Democratic candidate Barack Obama, who has long called for deploying at least 10,000 more troops to Afghanistan, criticized Mr. Bush’s redeployment plan as inadequate. Republican rival John McCain said Senator Obama’s call for large-scale troop withdrawals from Iraq would endanger recent gains there.
Wednesday, Mr. Gates called for a cautious withdrawal from Iraq, noting that commanders didn’t yet believe the country’s security improvements were “necessarily enduring.” He also said some U.S. forces likely would remain in Iraq for “many years to come.” The testimony came during a bloody period in Afghanistan. Seven years into the war, the resurgent Taliban have launched a wave of attacks on U.S. and North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces. Suicide bombings, once a rarity in Afghanistan, are now a common occurrence, and more U.S.
troops are being killed in Afghanistan than in Iraq.
“I’m not convinced we’re winning in Afghanistan,” Adm.
Mullen said, adding that he was “convinced we can.” Mr. Gates and Adm. Mullen detailed an array of worrisome dynamics in Afghanistan, from persistent shortages of Western military personnel to what they described as the corruption and ineffectiveness of the fragile Afghan government.
The two leaders also blamed much of Afghanistan’s instability on neighboring Pakistan, with Adm. Mullen asserting that insurgents were crossing into Afghanistan from “safe havens” in Pakistan’s lawless border regions.
Adm. Mullen told lawmakers that he was planning to develop a new strategy for the war that would focus on the situation in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. “These two nations are inextricably linked in a common insurgency that crosses the border between them,” he said.
The two men faced skeptical questioning from Democratic lawmakers, who accused the Bush administration of shortchanging Afghanistan by lavishing American military and financial resources on Iraq. There are 146,000 U.S.
troops in Iraq and 34,000 in Afghanistan.
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (Democrat, Missouri) said top U.S. commanders in Iraq were given “every resource needed” while senior American officials in Afghanistan had “to plead publicly” for additional troops.
“No one has been able to explain to me why Iraq is our first priority based on national-security interests,” Rep. Skelton said. “How can it be when those most likely to attack us are in Afghanistan?” Gen. David McKiernan, the top American commander in Afghanistan, has repeatedly called for three additional combat brigades, or about 10,500 to 12,000 more troops.
Adm. Mullen acknowledged that the 4,500 troops slated to deploy to Afghanistan in coming months wouldn’t “adequately meet” Gen. McKiernan’s request but described them as a “good start.” —wsj@livemint.com
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Israeli tanks roll into Gaza to crush Hamas
From Times Online
January 3, 2009
COLUMNS of Israeli tanks and ground forces roared across the border into northern Gaza under cover of darkness in the first step of a full-scale land invasion last night.
Their mission was to destroy rocket launch facilities and capture or kill the Hamas leadership, the militant Islamists who gained control of the territory 18 months ago.
The incursion, on day eight of the war in Gaza, followed hours of artillery barrages aimed at clearing the way for the 10,000 Israeli troops who had massed on the border.
In a three-pronged attack three brigades entered Gaza. Tracer fire could be seen and Israeli television reported fierce clashes. Residents in Gaza City reported heavy bombing.
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The troops, supported by helicopter gunships, advanced on the heavily armed refugee camp at Jabaliya, a Hamas stronghold.
In early clashes Palestinian sources claimed that several Israelis had been killed along with a Palestinian child. The Israelis claimed “dozens” of Hamas fighters had died.
Israel announced a call-up of tens of thousands more reservists. Tzipi Livni, foreign minister and candidate for prime minister, threatened further escalation if Hamas hit back.
“The moment they fire we will respond with great force,” she said. “It could be that several operations will be needed.”
Ehud Barak, the defence minister, said: “We are not war hungry but we shall not allow a situation in which our villages, towns and civilians are constantly targeted by Hamas.
“We restrained ourselves for a long time but now is the time to do what needs to be done.” The operation, he said, “won’t be easy and it won’t be short”. In a veiled warning to Hezbollah, the Islamist militia in Lebanon, he said: “We hope the northern front will remain calm, but we are prepared for any possibility.”
Israeli military officials said their mission was to eliminate the Hamas rocket launch units.
“The objective at this stage is to destroy the terrorist infrastructure of Hamas in . . . order to greatly reduce the quantity of rockets fired at Israel,” said Major Avital Leibovich.
Inside Gaza, Israeli special forces of the Shaldag (kingfisher) and Duvdevan (cherry) units were tracking down leading figures in the military leadership of Hamas. Israeli military planners would like to “behead” the organisation without becoming entangled in a prolonged occupation.
Leaflets dropped earlier in the day over Gaza City and the border areas urged Palestinians to flee their homes. “For your own safety, you are required to leave the area immediately,” stated the warning from the Israel Defence Forces.
An Israeli airstrike yesterday killed Abu Zakaria al-Jamal, a senior Hamas military commander.
Later, in one of at least 30 airstrikes on Gaza, 13 Palestinians, including children, died when an Israeli jet bombed a mosque in Beit Lahiya. Hamas yesterday launched more than two dozen rockets.
Israel launched its ground offensive because despite more than 750 air attacks last week, it had failed to stop the rockets. Inside Gaza there were desperate scenes with no bomb shelters and few places to flee. Food, water and medical supplies were all running short for the strip’s 1.5m residents.
David Miliband, the foreign secretary, issued a statement saying: “Unfolding events show the urgent need for the immediate ceasefire that we have called for . . . We are determined to work as quickly as possible for a durable ceasefire which must include an end to the smuggling of arms into Gaza and the opening of the Gaza crossings.”
Thousands of protesters converged on Whitehall yesterday and other protests were held throughout the Middle East, Asia and Europe.
The United Nations secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, called for an immediate end to Israel’s ground operations. The UN security council was due to meet early today to consider the situation while Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, is due to visit Tel Aviv early this week with a ceasefire proposal.
During the Israeli army’s Operation Cast Lead, over 460 Palestinians have been killed. More than 2,100 have also been wounded. Hamas has launched more than 400 rockets, killing four Israelis.
Israeli tanks expected in Gaza Strip as foreigners are allowed to flee
From The Times
January 3, 2009
Hundreds of Israeli troops and tanks could enter the Gaza Strip this morning
IMAGE :1 of 3
James Hider on the Gaza border and Sheera Frenkel in Jerusalem
Israel is poised for a big ground offensive in the Gaza Strip after allowing hundreds of foreigners to leave the devastated territory.
The Times understands that Israeli troops and tanks will imminently be operating inside the area as part of large-scale operation to prevent Hamas from firing rockets into southern Israel.
One of the main thrusts of the attack could be the so-called Philadelphi Road that runs along Gaza’s border with Egypt, under which Hamas has smuggled arms, missiles and men through a network of tunnels. Israel controlled the border until its army withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005.
A week of airstrikes has killed at least 430 Palestinians and left scores of buildings as rubble, despite diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire. Hamas rocket attacks have killed four Israelis since the fighting began.
TIMES ARCHIVE
1951: Homeless in Gaza - plight of Arab refugees in Palestine
1956: Gaza escape route choked with Arab refugees
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Despite the looming onslaught, the rocket squads fired yet more projectiles into southern Israel yesterday. Hamas vowed that its barrage, which has lasted for years and which finally provoked the Israeli campaign, would not stop. “I call on the resistance to continue pounding Jewish settlements and cities,” said Sheikh Abdelrahman al-Jamal at the funeral of Nizar Rayyan, a Hamas political leader killed, together with his four wives and 11 children, in an Israeli airstrike on his home. “We will remain on the path of jihad until the end of days.”
The funeral was held outdoors because an earlier air raid had smashed the mosque where the service had been due to take place. Israel said that the building had been used to stockpile weapons.
Among the mounting Palestinian death toll yesterday were three young brothers, aged 7 to 10, who were killed in one of the 30 or so strikes carried out by Israeli warplanes. All along the border, Israeli tanks and troops have turned fields into muddy, makeshift camps from which to launch their offensive. The Government has already mobilised more than 6,000 reserve troops and has given the green light to call up almost 3,000 more. Artillery barrages were also fired into the strip, while aircraft bombed the open ground that the hundreds of troops will need to cross, and where Hamas has placed mines and dug tunnels to outflank the invaders.
Support for Operation Cast Lead remains high in Israel, with polls showing that almost 85 per cent of the public back the campaign.
Hamas has an estimated 15,000 fighters who have used the 18 months that they have controlled the Gaza Strip to hone their skills in anticipation of open combat with Israel.
The onslaught has provoked large antiIsraeli demonstrations around the world, with protests yesterday in India, Indonesia, Turkey and Australia. But Hamas’s calls for a “day of wrath” in the Palestinian territories produced only a lukewarm response in the face of clampdowns by Israeli security forces. Several thousand protesters marched through the West Bank city of Ramallah and youths in east Jerusalem threw stones at Israeli security forces and 50 women demonstrated outside the Friday prayers at the al-Aqsa mosque. The protesters directed their anger at their own Palestinian leaders, and heads of Arab countries whom they felt had not done enough to stop Israel’s incursion. “[President] Abbas is with the Jews, not with the Arabs. If he really was supporting and working in favour of our Arab brothers in Gaza, this would not have happened,” Um-Mahr, a 66-year-old resident of east Jerusalem said. Akram Jwaeibis, 58, said that Arab leaders were afraid to do more than voice criticism of the Israeli Government. “That is why we are waiting for [the Hezbollah leader Hassan] Nasrallah. Or [the Hamas leader Ismail] Haniya to do something more.”
Diplomatic efforts to contain the crisis were growing after Israel’s surprise offensive. “We are working towards a ceasefire that would not allow a reestablishment of the status quo ante where Hamas can continue to launch rockets,” Condoleezza Rice, the outgoing US Secretary of State, said.
A high-level European delegation is due in the region this weekend, as are President Sarkozy of France and Tony Blair, the international community’s envoy to the Middle East.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
2009, Year of Ox
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
The New Year has finally set in, with much anticipation that it will be a year filled with blessings.
The year 2009 is the Year of the Ox, according to Chinese astrology. The ox is the second animal in the zodiac and often associated with honesty, faithfulness, strength and gentleness.
But it also sometimes represents stupidity and stubbornness. The animal was an indispensable asset for Korean agriculture, as it was used to plow the soil here day after day. As such, ox people are believed to labor through their daily responsibilities either at work or at home without complaint.
The basic character of oxen is success through hard work and sustained effort, finding no benefit in concocting get-rich-quick schemes.
Ox as Time, Space and Zodiac Sign
According to the National Folk Museum of Korea, the Chinese zodiac marks time and space based on the movement of heavenly bodies and seasonal change. The lunar calendar is structured over a 60-year cycle that consists of two separate interacting cycles ― the ten ``heavenly stems'' and the 12 zodiac animal signs.
The ox is the second animal in the zodiac and the five ox years within the 60-year cycle are called ``eulchuk,'' ``jeongchuk,'' ``gichuk,'' ``sinchuk,'' and ``gyechuk'' in that order. The ox year comes every 12 years.
The ox also symbolizes north-northeast, as seen by the markings on star maps and sundials. This unique concept of time and space was used extensively for fortune telling and is frequently expressed in charms, divination books, gravestones and guardian god figures.
Close Companion
As Korea has traditionally been an agricultural society, oxen meant much more to farming families than just livestock.
The ox was indispensable for its role in plowing fields and as a means of transportation for its owner. It was also considered a ``walking safe'' that could be sold when its owner was in urgent need a large sum of money, the museum said.
The importance of the ox in Korean agricultural communities is reflected well in traditional ancestral rituals. Ox horns, skins and fat were widely used in daily life, not to mention the meat that was regarded as a premium food ingredient.
There is an old Korean expression that ``there is nothing to waste from an ox except for the yawns.''
Traits and SymbolismM
The ox is often described as dependable, patient, hardworking, strong and gentle. These positive attributes became symbolism reflected in religion, philosophy, literature and many other aspects of daily life.
The folktale of an ox saving its owner from a tiger is regarded as an example of the Confucian ideal of loyalty. The image of a shepherd boy riding its back is straight out of a Taoist handbook.
In Buddhism, the ox symbolizes the essential goodness of human nature. The shape of a lying ox or the shape of its stomach was a feng shui technique to determine ideal housing sites, according to the museum.
Honesty and integrity are often the themes in proverbs about oxen, and such symbolism is evident in everyday items.
Oxen in Folk Customs
The importance of draft animals is reflected in shamanistic rites of ancient times.
The ``sonoreum gut,'' or ox worship rite, is a shamanistic ceremony performed for good harvests, good luck and prosperity for the family and local community. It is performed around the first full moon of the new year of the lunar calendar.
Through singing and dancing, the shaman dramatically attempts to tame cattle to make plows, showing the ritual's nature as an agricultural rite.
The most distinctive part of the performance comes at the end, when the shaman hops on a swing made of two blades and swings forward to exorcise evil spirits. Although there are different types of ``sonoreum gut'' around the Korean Peninsula, the double-blade swing appears only in Pyeongsan, Hwanghae Province, now part of North Korea.
Exhibitions Featuring the Year of the Ox
The National Folk Museum of Korea is presenting an exhibition focusing on the images and symbolism of the ox in Korean traditional culture and its roles in everyday life over the course of time.
The items, on display until March 2, reveal how closely images of the ox are connected with various aspects of daily life.
The exhibition displays an ox-horn inlaid box, spool, cloth holder, paintings of farming scenes, glasses made of ox horns, cardiac stimulant made from bezoars and paintings of birds and flowers.
The Jeonju Historical Museum is also holding an exhibition featuring ox-related items through Feb. 22.
Consisting of 12 parts, the exhibition displays ``dangsajudo,'' a fortune-telling book from the late Joseon period, a feng shui book, a replica of ``Jeongjo Sillok'' including a letter forbidding the butchery of cattle, folk paintings, fans with spokes made of double slips of bamboo decorated with pictures of cows, plows and yokes.
The museum said that it also has panels introducing interesting stories from and characters born in the Year of the Ox.
The Debec Plaza Gallery in Daegu is presenting ``The Friendly Cow 2009'' through Jan. 7. The exhibition displays about 50 artworks with cow themes by 16 artists, varying from oil paintings, engraving prints, folk paintings, sculptures and ceramics.
Featured artists include the late Park Su-geun, Yang Dak-seok, Kim Ki-chang and Hwang Yu-yeop.
Famous Ox People
Celebrities who were born in the Year of the Ox are set to take a great leap this year.
Jeon Do-yeon, Kim Yun-jin, Jung Woo-sung, and Lee Jung-jae were born in 1973, the year of the ox.
Highly-acclaimed actress Jeon, who has won many accolades including the best actress at the Cannes Film Festival for her role in ``Secret Sunshine'' in 2007, will give birth to a baby this month while taking a rest after filming ``My Dear Enemy.''
Kim, who recently received rave reviews for her work in the Korean film ``Seven Days,'' will begin shooting ``Lost: Season 5'' from this year. Kim is well known in the U.S. for her role as Kwon Sun-hwa on the ABC television series.
Jung has become a businessman after launching his cosmetic line targeting the 20-30 demographic in association with Lee Jung-jae. He also achieved great success with the Korean blockbuster movie ``The Good, The Bad, The Weird'' last year.
Lee has extended his career range from gentle and soft to his profligate character in the film ``1724 Hero.'' He's also involved in the fashion business with Jung
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