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Showing posts from June 24, 2012
Mursi sworn in as first elected president of Egypt Egypt, has its fateful day, its elected  president by the people, Mohammed Mursi has been sworn in as the first freely elected President of the country. The swearing in ceremony took place before the Supreme Constitutional Court in Cairo on Saturday. He will be addressing the nation for the first time as the President of Egypt before Cairo University shortly. The oath taking ceremony took place before 19 member Supreme Constitutional Court in Cairo a short while ago.  Mohammed Mursi is a US educated Engineer from Nile delta who rose from a humble background to the highest ranks of the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood. The first civilian President of Egypt will have to contend with the military which has assumed sweeping powers. Mohamed Mursi to be sworn in Saturday before the Constitutional Court, the presidency announced after differences with the army over the transfer of power. Mursi “will go

World heritage status to Church of the Nativity

UN cultural body UNESCO ignored Israeli objections on Friday to grant world heritage status to the birthplace of Jesus Christ in the Palestinian city of Bethlehem.UNESCO's 13-6 secret vote to add the Church of the Nativity and its pilgrimage route to the prestigious list was received with a round of rousing applause and a celebratory fist pump by the beaming head of the Palestinian delegation. "These sites are threatened with total destruction through the Israeli occupation, through the building of the separation wall, because of all the Israeli sanctions and the measures that have been taken to stifle the Palestinian identity," the Palestinian delegate said after the vote. "This global recognition of the rights of the Palestinian people is a victory for our cause and for justice," Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas's spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina said.
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Mercosur Suspends Paraguay By sagarmedia on June 30, 2012 |  South American trading bloc Mercosur has suspended Paraguay’s membership in the organization while approving Venezuela as a new member, Mexican media reported. Presidents of Mercosur member-countries gathered on Friday in Mendoza, Argentina, for an emergency summit following the recent impeachment of Paraguay’s President Fernando Lugo by the country’s parliament. Mercosur leaders voted to suspend Paraguay’s membership until presidential elections in the country in April 2013, but decided against imposing economic sanctions on one of Latin America’s poorest nations as Paraguay’s economy heavily depends on trade with other Mercosur members. Mercosur, which comprises Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay as full members, and Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru as associate members, earlier condemned Lugo’s ouster and barred Paraguay’s interim president Feder
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Annan calls to end the bloodshed in Syria By sagarmedia on June 30, 2012 |    Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov believes that the international community has a good chance in Geneva of finding a path forward to stimulate the implementation of Kofi Annan’s Plan on the Syrian conflict. “We have a very good chance tomorrow in Geneva to find a common denominator and find a path forward in order to stimulate the implementation of of Annan’s Plan from both sides of the Syrian [conflict],” Lavrov said during a briefing after a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in St. Petersburg. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said the Syrian government is ready to withdraw its armed forces from the country’s cities in parallel with the forces of the Syrian opposition. Russia has said the Geneva conference should include all the permanent members of the UN Security Council, Syria’s neighbors (Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, Le
Mongolian Democratic Party to form coalition govt By sagarmedia on June 30, 2012 | Leave a Comment | Edit 2012-06-30 08:22:33 – ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA .Sagar Media Inc; The main opposition Mongolian Democratic Party, or MDP, is expected to become the largest force in the country’s parliament. It took the most votes but failed to gain a majority in Thursday’s general election.The pro-free market party is expected to soon begin talks with other parties to form a coalition government. The election commission said that with 97 percent of the votes counted on Friday afternoon, the MDP had won about 32 percent, followed by the ruling Mongolian People’s Party, or MPP, with 28 percent. The breakaway party from the MPP, the Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party, or MPRP, led by former president Nambaryn Enkhbayar, garnered about 20 percent of total vote. MDP has secured 20 seats . The MPP has 15, and the MPRP 4. The final results
EU leaders &German parliament approves EU bailout fund By sagarmedia   Germany’s Parliament finally approves a permanent euro zone bailout scheme. A new budget rules drawn up by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Both the bills were ratified by Germany’s lower house Bundestag and upper house Bundesrat with the required two third majority.With the ratification of the European Stability Mechanism and “fiscal pact” also called fiscal compact for budget discipline, Germany clarified its intentions to stand by the euro.The 500 billion euro fund ESM will be used to bailout the faltering economies of Italy and Spain. European leaders have agreed to allow the use of rescue funds to recapitalize ailing banks directly. European Council President Herman Van Rompuy told reporters about the agreement on Friday following overnight meetings at the EU summit in Brussels.The agreement states that by the end of this year bailout funds will be
Bashar al-Assad rejects foreign mediation Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has rejected international intervention in his country, saying Syria's problems will be resolved by Syrians.Assad made the remark during a one-hour interview broadcast on Iran's state-run television on Thursday. The interview was reportedly recorded one week ago. Syrian president condemned the United States and European countries for supporting anti-government forces behind the scenes. He added that Arab countries were also involved and that Syrians will not accept any solution proposed by other countries. Assad said opposition extremists in Syria are colluding with international terrorists to attack civilians. He said his government will continue using force to crack down on opposition forces. He said eliminating just one terrorist can save many lives. Fighting between government troops and opposition forces has been escalating across Syria. The opposi
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EDINBURGH NAPIER UNIVERSITY Indian orphanage students win Scottish scholarships 29 June 2012: Two students from one of India ’s most deprived areas have been awarded scholarships to study at a Scottish University .   Cain Gomes (21), who was brought up by his great uncle after the deaths of both his parents and Asif Ahmed (21), who helps on his father’s street stall, will leave their homes in Kolkata in January to start BA Hospitality Management courses at Edinburgh Napier University thanks to generous sponsorship schemes.   Businesswoman and honorary Edinburgh Napier graduate Vin Murria, whose family left India when she was three to start a new life in Britain, has pledged £10,000 to pay for one of the student’s education.   A second paid place is being donated by Professor George Stonehouse, Dean of the University’s Business School .   The young men were both supported through school by St. Mary’s Day School and Orphanage, a centre which has
Paes agrees to Olympic participation Veteran Leander Paes has finally agreed to take part in the London Olympics, ending days of suspense over his participation after he threatened to pull out due to a selection row that engulfed Indian tennis ahead of the mega-event. After days of maintaining a stoic silence on his Olympic participation, Paes confirmed his participation at the post-match press conference of the ongoing Wimbledon Championships in London, a statement which is likely to put a lid on the selection controversy. "I am looking forward to representing my country with the teams that the All India Tennis Association have selected," Paes said after winning his first-round men's doubles match with regular Czech partner Radek Stepanek. "I am here to play sport and not politics," he asserted. The 39-year-old had threatened to withdraw from the Olympics d
Nadal suffers shock Wimbledon defeat Rafael Nadal crashed to his worst Grand Slam defeat in seven years on Thursday when Czech journeyman Lukas Rosol, the world number 100, pulled off one of the greatest upsets in Wimbledon history. Rosol, whose previous five visits to Wimbledon had ended in first round losses in qualifying, stunned the 2008 and 2010 champion, and 11-time Grand Slam title winner Nadal, 6-7 (9/11), 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in the second round. It was a stunning upset as Nadal slumped to his earliest exit at a major since the same stage of the 2005 Wimbledon championship when he was beaten by Luxembourg's Gilles Muller. It was also eerily similar to Nadal's stunning 2009 French Open fourth round loss to Robin Soderling when the Swede unleashed a barrage of destructive free-swinging tennis to destroy the Spanish star. A dramatic evening of Centre Co

Italy's 2-1 semi-final win over Germany

Striker Mario Balotelli struck twice to seal Italy's 2-1 semi-final win over Germany on Thursday to leave the Germans' Euro 2012 ambitions in tatters while the Azzurri march on to the final. The 21-year-old Manchester City star broke German hearts with a first-half header and sublime strike as Joachim Loew's inexperienced team -- the youngest of the 16 at Euro 2012 -- failed to cope with Cesare Prandelli's street-wise Italians. A late penalty from Mesut Ozil proved no more than a consolation scores for the Germans whose 16-year wait for a major title continues. Italy is now into Sunday's final in Kiev to face defending champions Spain with the Italians bidding to win their first European crown since 1968. Victory at Warsaw's National Stadium means Italy maintain their impressive record of having never lost to Germany at a World Cup or European Champions
KERALA QUESTIONED STATEMENT OF ANAND SHARMA ON FDI IN RETAIL CAIT SENT MEMORANDUMS TO CHIEF MINISTERS In the matter of allowing FDI in Retail, repeated statements have been issued by the Government recently.One such statement of Union Commerce Minister Shri Anand Sharma wherein he claimed the support of Kearala Government for allowing FDI has been contradicted by Kerala Chief Minister Shri Oomen Chandy who has said that State Government had not written to the Centre supporting the FDI as claimed by Mr. Sharma. Such a misleading statement of Shri Sharma has questioned the creditability of the Government. Why the Union Government is in great haste to allow FDI in Retail by overlooking the ground realties of Indian Retail Trade is a matter needs a probe-said the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) which is spearheading a national movement against FDI in Retail Trade. The Government must clarify the pressures which are forcing for making such statements. The CAIT has str
17th Voice&Data 100 annual survey FY12 reveals Telecom equipment industry posts revenues of Rs 1,13,188 crore  Nokia, Samsung, Cisco Top 3 players                      New Delhi, June 29, 2012: T he Indian telecom equipment industry posted marginally lower revenues of Rs 1,13,188 crore in 2011-12 compared to Rs 1,14,133 crore in FY2010-11, according to the 2012 annual survey of the Indian Telecom industry by CyberMedia group’s flagship journal for the telecom industry, Voice&Data. The17 th  annual survey, Voice&Data 100, covered over 500 telecom companies in India spanning carrier equipment, enterprise communication equipment, and user device manufacturers. According to the Voice&Data 100 survey, nearly half of the telecom equipment revenue came from carrier equipment manufacturers, which saw a dip of 5.06% to touch Rs 55,333 crore during the year. In the previous year, FY10-11, the segment had registered Rs 58,285 c
Parasaran and Mrinal Miri Appointed as Members of Rajya Sabha By sagarmedia on June 29, 2012 |  The President of India has approved the nomination of Shri. K Parasaran and Prof. Mrinal Miri as Members of Rajya Sabha. The eminent personalities have been nominated under Article 80 of the Constitution of India. Shri. K Parasaran has been appointed for a term of six years from the date of notification to be issued by the Government. Shri Parasaran was Advocate General of Tamil Nadu and subsequently the Solicitor General of India. He was also the Attorney General of India between 1983-1989. Shri Parasaran was awarded Padma Vibhushan in the year 2011. Prof. Mrinal Miri has been appointed to the vacancy caused due to the premature demise of Dr. Ram Dayal Munda and his tenure will be upto March 21, 2016. Prof. Miri is a noted philosopher and educationist and has been the Director of the Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla and later Vice
Western countries is affecting daily life in Iran:Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Ayatollah Ali Khamenei  criticized the US and the EU for implementing severe sanctions against the country.Khamenei said on Wednesday that western sanctions are intended to create a rift between the Iranian people and their government. He added that such a conspiracy will ultimately fail. Western countries are stepping up economic sanctions against Iran because of its nuclear development program.A new US law designed to increase pressure on Iran is set to take effect on Thursday. The EU will also begin an oil embargo against Iran July 1st. The International Energy Agency said sanctions cut Iran's oil exports by 40 percent last year, from 2.5 million barrels a day to 1.5 million.The hard-line stance of western countries is affecting daily life in Iran. Residents in Teheran say they hope their government takes some measures to reduce the high cost of living.

Vietnam,China row on Oil exploration

Vietnam protests China's  on Oil exploration bid in disputed sea.Vietnam  called on China to stop developing offshore oil and gas fields in the disputed South China Sea. Vietnam's strong protest came after China National Offshore Oil Corporation began international bidding for joint development projects. The contracts are for mining sites in the approximately 160,000-square-kilometer area near Vietnam. President of Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group Do Van Hau said on Wednesday that China's actions are illegal. He said the mining lots lie within his country's exclusive economic zone. A Vietnamese foreign ministry spokesperson said the lots are even closer to his country than areas which have been disputed with China for many years.He also stressed that Vietnam has already begun to conduct surveys in the area for joint projects with oversea firms. A Chinese foreign ministry official said it is natural for China National Offshore Oil Corporation to seek b
Mongolia's go to polls for General election Mongolians go to polls to elect a new parliament on Thursday, with the main issue to make important choices about how to use the country's vast mineral resources.The voting began at 7AM for the general election held every 4 years to choose members of the 76-seat legislature. Mongolian People's Party is  main ruling and Democratic Party is opposition parties campaigned with differing visions for developing coal and mineral reserves.The ruling Mongolian People's Party is open to foreign investment, while the opposition Democratic Party is cautious about foreign control. Among the candidates is a former professional sumo wrestler known in Japan by the name of Kyokushuzan. He is vying for re-election from the Democratic Party.   Former Yokozuna grand champion Asasyoryu's elder brother is a candidate for the Mongolian People's Party. The former Yokozuna has expressed support for
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Instituto Cervantes Nueva Delhi                          Domingo 1 de julio 2012 / Sunday 1st of July 2012                                           Proyección: Muestra de cortometrajes vascos 2010-2011 Domingo 1 de julio, a las 4.30pm en el Auditorio. En español con subtítulos en inglés. Entrada libre. Sinposis: 11 cortometrajes que van de la comedia al thriller, pasando por el documental, la reflexión cinematográfica o el cine de animación, nos ofrecen una variada e interesante muestra de la creación cinematográfica vasca de los últimos

Clashes continue in Syria

An attack on a pro-government television near Damascus killed seven staff on Wednesday, state media said, while a rights group said 17 people died in other violence on the heels of the "bloodiest week" of the 15-month uprising. Live footage broadcast by state television showed extensive damage to the studios of Al-Ikhbariya satellite channel outside the capital with several small fires still burning. "The terrorist groups stormed the offices of Al-Ikhbariya, planted explosives in the studios and blew up them with up along with the equipment," Information Minister Omran al-Zohbi told state television in a live interview. "They carried out the worst massacre against the media, executing journalists and security staff," Zohbi said, adding that a number of staff were kidnapped. Those killed comprised three journalists and four security guards, state media said. Press watchdog Reporters Without Borders called for members of a UN observer mission, whic
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Pranab Mukherjee and P A Sangma will file their nominations on Thursday setting off the Presidential race between UPA and the BJP-backed opposition candidate in which the ruling alliance is set for a runaway victory. As Pranab Mukherjee resigned to contest the Presidential poll, PM Manmohan Singh took charge of the Finance Ministry portfolio. Unfazed by Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee's revolt, UPA will utilise the occasion of filing of nomination of Mukherjee to project a united picture and its penetration into NDA. Mukherjee will file papers at 1100 hrs in the presence of the top brass of UPA including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and alliance Chairperson and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. Barring Trinamool Congress, leaders of all UPA constituents are expected to be present on the occasion including Sharad Pawar (NCP), T R Baalu (DMK), Farooq Abdullah (NC) and E Ahmed (IUML), in a move to project a united face of the ruling alliance. NDA allies JD(U) and S
IIT exam row resolved new format from next year IIT exam row resolved; new format from next year After months of wrangling, government and IITs have resolved their differences on the entrance exam row by agreeing on a compromise agreement over holding the common exams from next year. As per the agreement, admission to the IITs from 2013 would be based only on rank achieved in the advance test subject to the condition that selected candidates are in the top 20 percentile of successful candidates of their Boards. This formula replaces the proposed format of giving weightage to the class XII board results, which was vehemently opposed by the IITs. The compromise was reached at a meeting of IIT Council in New Delhi on Wednesday, the highest decision-making body having representatives from government and Directors of all the 16 of these institutes. HRD Minister Kapil Sibal, who is the head of the Council, skipped the crucial meeting which was then chaired by M N Sharma, Chairman of th
Prize money zooms, International starcast for Hero Women’s Indian Tour ·       Eight internationals to play on Hero Indian Women’s Tour ·       66 % rise in Prize Money; Up from Rs 42 lakhs to Rs. 70 lakhs ·       12 events with two Majors on the schedule New Delhi, June 26 : Women’s golf in India is poised for a major leap this season. The fledgling Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour in a major step forward has taken the prize money up by 66 per cent and the competition in the domestic is also being thrown open to international golfers. The WGAI season will from this season align itself to international calendars. So, the 2012 season, which begins in August will conclude in December, but within this period it will have 12 events. The opening event of the season will be treated like a ‘Major’ on the domestic circuit and the event scheduled to be held at the KGA Bengaluru will carry a purse of Rs. 10 lakhs. This will be followed by nine events with purses of Rs. F