SBI sees rates rising in six months

KOLKATA (Reuters) - State Bank of India, the country's top lender, sees interest rates rising by up to 100 basis points in six months if cash conditions tighten, its chairman said on Monday. Banks are now flush with cash but this could come under pressure after the government last week announced record borrowings of 4.5 trillion rupees ($92 billion) in 2009/10 and as economic activity picks up in the coming months. "There is a possibility of interest rates going up by 25 to 100 basis points, if liquidity is not managed well when the busy season picks up," O.P. Bhatt told reporters on the sidelines of a banking seminar.

He was referring to the second half of the fiscal year that began in April.

Commercial bank lending rates have fallen by about 200 basis points since last October after the central bank slashed its main lending rate by 425 basis points to lift a slowing economy. "I don't see interest rate going down further," Bhatt said. "Inflation is going up, government borrowing will increase and liquidity in the system would come down, so in the next 3-6 months we could see interest rate firming up again." Indian bank loan growth slowed to around 15 percent in June from about 30 percent in 2007/08, but is expected to pick up in the coming months as economic activity revives. State Bank, which along with its associates controls a quarter of Indian bank loans and deposits, has not yet seen demand for loans picking up despite low interest rates.

The bank, which offers home loans for as low as 8 percent and clutch of other advances for small and medium firms and auto loans well below its benchmark rate, has seen only marginal loan growth in the June quarter from January-March, Bhatt said. State Bank aims to improve its net interest margin, a key measure of efficiency, to 2.5 percent from 2.3 percent in March quarter as declining interest rates hurt, he said. Shares in State Bank, which has a market value of $20.2 billion, ended 0.2 percent higher at 1,546.10 rupees in a weak Mumbai market. The stock has risen a fifth so far in 2009, compared with 39 percent gain for the main index. ($1 = 49.2 rupees)

source : http://in.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idINIndia40996420090713pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0

Use same force against terrorists: Krishna

ON BOARD SPECIAL AIRCRAFT: India has asked Pakistan to “go after” terrorists directing their activities against India with the “same force”, as it has against the Taliban on its border with Afghanistan.
External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna made this observation when asked about the perceived dichotomy in Pakistan’s approach in battling terrorists on its eastern and western borders.
Mr. Krishna said India also expected Pakistan to take action against Hafiz Saeed, chief of the Jamaat-ud-Dawa, whom India believes is behind the Mumbai attacks. He pointed out that Pakistan had indicated its intention to appeal against his release, and said India would prefer to wait and see what action was actually taken against him. However, he felt that Pakistan should take action against “any terrorist” heading an organisation that “takes a position aimed against India.”

source : http://www.hindu.com/2009/07/24/stories/2009072458180100.htm

Bin Laden's son 'probably killed' by U.S. strike

One of Osama bin Laden's sons was probably killed by a U.S. missile strike in Pakistan earlier this year, U.S. National Public Radio reported, citing U.S. intelligence sources.
source : http://in.news.yahoo.com/137/20090723/738/tnl-bin-laden-s-son-probably-killed-by-u.html

Tamils' resettlement within six months, Sri Lanka tells India

Phuket (Thailand), July 22 (IANS) Sri Lanka Wednesday assured India that it has begun resettling over 300,000 civilians displaced by the military conflict and hoped it would be able to complete the process within six months.
As Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna held talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart Rohitha Bogollagama here, Colombo also assured New Delhi that it was committed to finding a political solution to address aspirations of the Tamil minority through devolution of powers.
source : http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20090722/876/twl-tamils-resettlement-within-six-month.html

India may provide more relief to exporters - trade min

Tue, Jul 21 06:48 PMIndia may consider more relief measures for exporters at the trade policy review in August as the global slump continues to plague the sector, trade minister Anand Sharma said on Tuesday.
"We will see what best we can do to make Indian exports competitive globally," Sharma told reporters. "We are working on that."
source : http://in.news.yahoo.com/137/20090721/738/tnl-india-may-provide-more-relief-to-exp.html

Pakistan asks U.S. envoy for help to fight Taliban

Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday renewed calls for the United States to provide his country with advanced military technology and weapons to help in the battle against Taliban militants in the northwest.
During discussions with visiting U.S. special envoy Richard Holbrooke, Gilani said the United States should share "real-time,
source : http://in.news.yahoo.com/137/20090722/738/tnl-pakistan-asks-u-s-envoy-for-help-to.html

Continental Airlines issues apology to Kalam

Continental Airlines, whose officials frisked APJ Abdul Kalam, issued an apology on Wednesday to the former Indian President.
The airlines sent a formal apology to Kalam saying, "We apologise to Dr Kalam for any inconvenience caused. Our intention was never to offend the sentiments of Dr Kalam".
source : http://in.news.yahoo.com/242/20090722/1334/tnl-continental-airlines-issues-apology.html

FACTBOX - Solar eclipses, history and science

Wed, Jul 22 07:12 AMREUTERS - The longest eclipse of this century was passing through the world's two most populous nations, India and China, on Wednesday.
The total eclipse was crossing straight through India and northern Bangladesh, then along the Yangtze River in China from Chongqing to Shanghai. NASA said it would last a maximum of 6 minutes, 39 seconds.
source : http://in.news.yahoo.com/137/20090722/778/tod-factbox-solar-eclipses-history-and-s.html

Ranbaxy gets Canada''s nod to market cholesterol drug

New Delhi, July 21 (PTI) Drug maker Ranbaxy Laboratories today said it has received final approval from the Canadian drug regulator Therapeutic Products Directorate (TPD) to manufacture and market its drug for lowering cholesterol in the North American country. The company''s Canadian subsidiary Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals -Canada Inc (RPCI) has received final approval from TPD to manufacture and market Ran-Simvastatin tablets, the Gurgaon- headquartered pharma major said in a statement. The approval for Ran-Simvastatin tablets, which are used as a lipid metabolism regulator, is in the strength of 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 mg. "We look forward to marketing this organically developed product in all strengths that will be commercialised at an affordable price . ," RPCI President Paul Drake said. "We plan to launch Ran-Simvastatin in (September)," Drake added. According to the company, the total generic market size of Simvastatin in Canada is 153 million Canadian dollars (about Rs 666 crore). Yesterday, Ranbaxy said it has received final approval of the TPD to manufacture and market ''Ran-Amlodipine tablets'', used in treating hypertension. Shares of Ranbaxy were trading at Rs 265.60, down 1.25 per cent in afternoon trade on the Bombay Stock Exchange. PTI SKR.

Source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/20/20090721/372/tbs-ranbaxy-gets-canada-s-nod-to-market.html

Babies can follow dogspeak - literally

Washington, July 21

Babies can follow dogspeak, with little or no exposure to dogs, says a new study.

Infants just six months old can match the sounds of an angry snarl and a friendly yap to

photos of dogs displaying threatening and welcoming body language.

The new findings come on the heels of a study from the same Brigham Young University lab

(BYU) showing that infants can detect mood swings in Beethoven's music.

Though the mix of dogs and babies sounds silly, experiments of this kind help us

understand how babies learn so rapidly.

Source : http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20090721/890/twl-babies-can-follow-dogspeak-literally.html

Kalam issue: Continental Airlines served show cause notice

New Delhi : Taking a serious note of the "unpardonable" act of frisking of former

President A P J Abdul Kalam at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here, government has

slapped a show cause notice to the US-based Continental Airlines for violating guidelines.

"Not only the preliminary inquiry has been ordered but we also have a preliminary report on

the basis of which the Continental Airlines has been issued a show cause notice why action

for wilful violation should not be taken," Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said the Rajya

Sabha on Tuesday.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200907211321.htm

India becomes R&D hot spot as high-tech firms cut costs

Tue, Jul 21

At Microsoft's research centre in a leafy lane in India's tech capital, a new generation of

researchers are being groomed half a world away from the software giant's sprawling

headquarters in Seattle.

Complete with beanbags and coffee served in steel tumblers, the centre is helping change theperception that India is no place for top-end research and development.

source : http://in.news.yahoo.com/137/20090721/736/tnl-feature-india-becomes-r-d-hot-spot-a.html

India gold futures stay flat after 3 days of gains

Tue, Jul 21 11:31 AM

India gold futures were flat on Tuesday after gaining about 1 percent in three sessions, when a weak dollar and rising crude oil spurred buying, analysts said. The most-active August contract was up 0.10 percent at 14,865 rupees per 10 grams at 11:17 a.m.. "Gold seems to be stressed out now and we are now seeing tired bull liquidation, which will relieve itself of the overbought conditions, but the underlying trend continues to be bullish," said Pradeep Unni, a senior research analyst with Richcomm Global Services. "Any dips must be utilized as buying oppurtunities," said Unni. High crude and a weak dollar, which drives gold prices higher suggest that the underlying strength in the yellow metal may sustain for a few days, analysts said. "There might be a slight correction initially, but gold might bounce back on inflationary pressures overseas," said Gnanasekar Thiagarajan, director, Commtrendz Research. "14,760-14,770 rupees should hold on the downside," added Thiagarajan. Open interest for August gold on MCX was at 13,341 lots, down from 13,408 a day earlier. Volume on Monday was 30.74 kg.

Source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/137/20090721/748/tbs-india-gold-futures-stay-flat-after-3.html

Cardamom futures fall on profit-taking

New Delhi, July 21 (PTI) Snapping a week-long rising streak, cardamom futures price fell by 0.48 per cent on the Multi Commodity Exchange today as speculators turned sellers at higher levels following subdued demand in the spot markets. On the MCX counter, cardamom for the most-active August contract declined by 0.48 per cent to Rs 831 per kg with an open interest of 232 lots. It gained 0.15 per cent in the previous day''s trading. Similarly, cardamom for delivery in September month contract traded 0.43 per cent lower at Rs 801.75 per kg with an open interest of 53 lots. Analysts said apart from profit-booking by traders at higher prices, sluggish demand in spot markets also put pressure on the spice prices at futures market here. PTI SUN RS KPS SUM.

Source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/20/20090721/372/tbs-cardamom-futures-fall-on-profit-taki.html

Nickel futures down as profit-booking emerges

New Delhi, July 21 (PTI) After witnessing a week-long winning streak, nickel futures today turned weak and lost up to 1.18 per cent on the Multi Commodity Exchange as traders took profits at current higher prices amid overnight weakness on the London Metal Exchange. At the MCX platform, nickel for delivery in July month contract fell by 1.18 per cent at Rs 782.30 per kg with an open interest of 5,827 lots. The metal for delivery in August month contract also showed weakness and traded 1.17 per cent down at RS 782.30, having an open interest of 1,315 lots. Market analysts said besides profit-booking by traders, weak global cues also weighed on the metal prices in the futures trade. At the LME, nickel dipped 1.08 per cent at USD 16,050 a tonne in the yesterday''s trade.

source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/20/20090721/372/tbs-nickel-futures-down-as-profit-bookin.html

Obama honours first men to land on moon

Tue, Jul 21
Lalit K Jha Washington, Jul 21 (PTI) Describing Apollo 11 astronauts as the "three genuine
American heroes", US President Barack Obama, honouring them at the White House, said
their exploration sparked innovation and creativity back on earth. In an impressive
ceremony, commemorating the 40 years of Moon mission, Obama honoured Apollo 11
Mission Commander Neil Armstrong, Command Module Pilot Michael Collins and Lunar
Module Pilot Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin and hailed them as "three iconic figures".
Source:
http://in.news.yahoo.com/20/20090721/365/twl-obama-honours-first-men-to-land-on-m.html

India, U.S. say agree nuclear sites, defence pact

The United States and India said on Monday they had agreed on a defence pact that takes a major step towards allowing the sale of sophisticated U.S. arms to the South Asian nation as it modernises its milita
source : http://in.news.yahoo.com/137/20090720/738/tnl-india-u-s-say-agree-nuclear-sites-de.html

FEATURE - India becomes R&D hot spot as high-tech firms cut costs

At Microsoft's research centre in a leafy lane in India's tech capital, a new generation of researchers are being groomed half a world away from the software giant's sprawling headquarters in Seattle.
Complete with beanbags and coffee served in steel tumblers, the centre is helping change the perception that India is no place for top-end research and development
source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/137/20090721/736/tnl-feature-india-becomes-r-d-hot-spot-a.html

Akshardham attack accused in police remand

Shaukatullah Ghauri, an alleged key conspirator in the 2002 terror attack on the Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar, was on Monday remanded to 15 days in police custody by a designated POTA court in Ahmedabad
source : http://in.news.yahoo.com/48/20090721/814/tnl-akshardham-attack-accused-in-police.html

India sees climate change 'pressure,' U.S. upbeat

An Indian official on Sunday complained about U.S. pressure on India to curb its greenhouse gas emissions, but U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton emerged from their talks upbeat about a solution
source : http://in.news.yahoo.com/137/20090719/738/tnl-india-sees-climate-change-pressure-u.html

Journalists convicted for filming Namibia seal hunt

Johannesburg/Amsterdam, July 17 (DPA) A court in Namibia Friday found
two journalists guilty of illegally filming the country's controversial annual
seal hunt.
source : http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20090717/902/twl-journalists-convicted-for-filming-na.html

Hillary Clinton in Mumbai on 5-day visit to India

Fri, Jul 17 10:59 PMMumbai, July 17 (PTI) US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived here tonight on a five-day visit to India during which the two countries will launch a new chapter in their strategic partnership and deepen their engagement. The former US first lady, Clinton, on her first visit to India as US''s chief diplomat will be spending the night at the Tower Wing of the Taj Hotel in an act of solidarity with the victims of the Mumbai terror attack on November 26 last.
source : http://in.news.yahoo.com/20/20090717/1416/tnl-hillary-clinton-in-mumbai-on-5-day-v.html

Obama, Ban condemn Indonesian terror attack

Fri, Jul 17 11:06 PMLalit K Jha Washington, Jul 17 (PTI) US President Barack Obama and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon led the international community in condemning the ghastly terrorist attack in Jakarta, the Indonesian capital, killing nine people. Strongly condemning the terrorist attack, Obama, who lived in Indonesia for few years during his childhood, said these attacks make it clear that extremists remain committed to murdering innocent men, women and children of any faith in all countries.
source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/20/20090717/365/twl-obama-ban-condemn-indonesian-terror.html

Players violated code of conduct - WICB

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has said the players who refused to
join the Test squad last week, and the official ticket launch for the 2010
World Twenty20 on July 4, violated the board's code of conduct and, in some
cases, retainer contracts. In its first formal communication with the players
on this issue, it has written individually to each of them citing breaches of
contract and seeking a reply within ten days.
source : http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/current/story/414823.html

Lockerbie outlines plans for US-style IPL

There was a certain irony that on the day plans for a major Twenty20
tournament in the USA were announced, the USA Cricket Association's chief
executive, Don Lockerbie, was at Lord's watching an Ashes Test, a format
many seem to think is growing less relevant by the year.
Lockerbie was in town to meet with leading administrators to advance his
plan to make the USA a major cricketing destination. While he wants to build
the USA into a leading cricketing power, he also believes Twenty20 cricket is
a format made for the American audience.
source : http://www.cricinfo.com/usa/content/current/story/414840.html

Nervy Bhullar cards 71 in major debut

July 16 Gaganjeet Bhullar overcame a nervy start to his Major debut before
matching Tiger Woods with an identical one-over 71 in the opening round of
the British Open golf tournament here today.
Lone Indian in the fray after compatriot Jeev Milkha Singh pulled out with a
lingering rib injury, Bhullar was in for some early jitters at the picturesque
Ailsa course but the youngster showed remarkable resilience to clamber of
the out hole.
source :
http://www.indopia.in/India-usa-uk-news/latest-news/625542/Sports/5/20/5

Oxygen 'may help diabetics heal foot wounds'

Washington, July 17 (PTI) Scientists have claimed that oxygen treatment can help diabetics heal foot wounds and avoid lower limb amputation. Every 30 seconds a person somewhere in the world loses a lower limb to amputation due to diabetic foot disease. Now, an international team has found in their study that oxygen can heal the debilitating wounds that plague people with diabetes. In their study, the scientists have modelled the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), which is the intermittent exposure of the body to pure oxygen under pressure, to heal the chronic wounds that lead to the need for amputation. Jennifer Flegg of Queensland University of Technology, who led the team, said a small cut on the foot of a diabetic could have catastrophic effects because their wounds did not heal the same way as normal wounds. .

source : http://ptinews.com/news/178491_Oxygen--may-help-diabetics-heal-foot-wounds-

WHO stops giving global swine flu tally

GENEVA — Swine flu is moving around the globe at "unprecedented speed," the World Health Organisation said Friday, as it stopped giving figures on the numbers affected worldwide. he WHO said in an information note on its website Friday that it would focus on regular updates from newly affected countries, in order to keep track of the global progress of the new influenza A(H1N1) pandemic. The influenza pandemic had "spread internationally with unprecedented speed," according to the Geneva-based UN public health agency. "In past pandemics, influenza viruses have needed more than six months to spread as widely as the new H1N1 virus has spread in less than six weeks."

"The virus passes from human to human very efficiently, even without symptoms" for a carrier, added WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl.= More widespread air travel and international business and tourism since the last flu pandemic some 40 years ago was also a factor, he said. The WHO has avoided recommending travel restrictions since A(H1N1) first appeared in April. The agency said the counting of all individual cases was no longer essential to assess the risk from swine flu, so it was best to watch the virus's appearance in new territories. "WHO will continue to request that these countries report the first confirmed cases and, as far as feasible, provide weekly aggregated case numbers and descriptive epidemiology of the early cases," it added. While it eased its overall reporting requirement, the WHO called on all countries to "closely monitor unusual events," such as possible clusters of severe or fatal infections, or unusual patterns that might be associated with worsening disease. The policy shift was partly motivated by the "mildness of symptoms in the overwhelming majority of patients, who usually recover, even without medical treatment, within a week of the onset of symptoms."

"Moreover, the counting of individual cases is now no longer essential in such countries for monitoring either the level or nature of the risk posed by the pandemic virus" or to guide the best response, the UN health agency added. In some countries, the investigation and laboratory testing of all cases had absorbed huge resources, leaving health systems with little capacity to monitor severe cases or exceptional events that might mark an increase in the virulence of swine flu. "For all of these reasons, WHO will no longer issue the global tables showing the numbers of confirmed cases for all countries." The global tally given by the WHO three times a week until recently was based on laboratory confirmed cases from each country. In the last table on July 6, the health agency had recorded 94,512 cases in 136 countries and territories since April, including 429 deaths. However, several countries had already stopped lab testing of cases, while the health officials in the United States and Britain have underlined that many more people had probably been infected than the confirmed caseload. The United States has the highest death toll from swine flu of any country in the world, with 211 dead and more than 37,000 confirmed cases, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, the CDC estimated last month that one million Americans could have been affected by swine flu since it first appeared. Some 250,000 to 500,000 people around the world die of regular seasonal flu every year, according to the WHO.

source : http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gRLKfYcP-FPkGvTBTbLuSN0s_imA

Bowel cancer risk factor found

MELBOURNE: A common gene mutation, previously thought of as harmless, can increase a person's risk of bowel cancer, a new study has revealed. Researchers in Australia have found that people with the defect and who had a cancer predisposing abnormality were three times more likely to develop bowel cancer, the latest edition of the 'International Journal of Cancer' reported. "What we discovered is that people who carry two copies of the gene mutation known as H63D, and who also have the gene mutations linked to bowel cancer, are three times more likely to develop bowel cancer. "As well, in those people, the cancer develops on average six years earlier," lead researcher Professor John Olynyk of the Western Australian Institute forMedical Research said. The study looked at more than 350 people from Australia and Poland who carried a specific gene mutation associated with a type of bowel cancer known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer.

source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS-Health-Science-Health-Bowel-cancer-risk-factor-found/articleshow/4786332.cms

Class IX student tests positive for H1N1 virus

A week after schools reopened in Delhi, a student of a South Delhi school tested positive for the H1N1 virus, forcing the school authorities to ask students of her class to stay at home. The driver, students and teachers accompanying her in the school bus were also asked to “rest” at home. In the first case of swine flu in schools, the Class IX student of Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, Lodhi Estate, tested positive for the virus after she showed flu-like symptoms. “The girl had gone to Malaysia with her family. She reached India on July 8. We came to know about her situation only on Tuesday,” Anuradha Joshi, SPV principal, said. The girl was reportedly infected while on vacation. “Her family has been placed under precautionary quarantine at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. I think it was very responsible of the father to inform us otherwise the situation might have been worse,” Joshi told Newsline.

source : http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Class-IX-student-tests-positive-for-H1N1-virus/490481/

Iceland's parliament votes in favor of EU membership

STOCKHOLM, July 16 (Xinhua) -- The majority of the Icelandic parliament
voted in favor of launching membership talks with the European Union (EU)
on Thursday afternoon, according to reports reaching here from Reykjavik.
Thirty-three members of the parliament voted for the EU membership
talks, 28 against and two abstained. Parliamentarians from all five political
parties voted in favor of the resolution, said a statement from the Icelandic
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
source :
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-07/17/content_11721342.html

Mexico to pour troops into drug war state

MORELIA, Mexico, July 16 (Reuters) - Mexico is sending 5,500 troops,
police and naval officers to a western state where a flare-up in drug gang
violence is posing a new challenge to President Felipe Calderon in his home state.
The surge, one of the biggest in the three-year drug war, will add to an
existing anti-drug force of several hundred troops and federal cops in
marijuana-producing Michoacan state, where heavily armed traffickers have
unleashed a wave of attacks on security forces in recent days.
source : http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN16447288

U.S. wants to boost Japan nuclear umbrella: paper

TOKYO (Reuters) - The United States plans discuss with Japan how to boost
the nuclear deterrent it provides for its Asian ally, a senior U.S. official was
quoted as saying on Friday amid regional tensions over North Korea's
nuclear and missile tests.
Kurt Campbell, the assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific
Affairs, said Washington and Tokyo planned to hold regular talks on
boosting what is dubbed the "nuclear umbrella," starting on Saturday, the
Nikkei newspaper said.
source :
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE56G0RX20090717

Aso Survives Rebel LDP Bid to Oust Him Before Japan Election

July 17 (Bloomberg) -- Japan’s Prime Minister Taro Aso survived an attempt
by rebel lawmakers within his Liberal Democratic Party to oust him before a
general election next month that polls suggest it will lose.
Legislators led by former LDP Secretary-General Hidenao Nakagawa failed
to get the required number of signatures from colleagues in both houses of
parliament needed to call a meeting for a vote on Aso’s leadership, senior
party lawmaker Masatoshi Wakabayash said..
source :
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=aIwnbz3HVzu
E

NAM strives for bigger role but challenges remain

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, July 16 (Xinhua) -- As the 15th summit of the
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) wrapped up here Thursday, NAM countries
have demonstrated again their determination to play a bigger role in the
world arena.
During the two-day summit, the grouping of pan-developing countries
called for closer solidarity among member states to address global threats and
challenges and promote world peace and development.
source :
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-07/17/content_11721118.html

Ban Ki-moon condemns killing of UN staffer in Pakistan

NEW YORK: United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon today
condemned the killing of a UN staffer and his bodyguard by unidentified
gunmen
during a failed kidnapping bid in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar.
"The Secretary-General strongly condemns this brutal attack on humanitarian
personnel who are working for the well-being of the Pakistani people," his
spokesperson Marie Okabe told reporters at the UN headquarters here.
source :
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS-World-US-Ban-Ki-moon-condem
ns-killing-of-UN-staffer-in-Pakistan/articleshow/4787885.cms

U.S. video game sales post largest decline since 2000

U.S. sales of video game equipment and software fell 31 percent to $1.17 billion in June, research group NPD said on Thursday, the largest decline since 2000. Sales of game software fell 29 percent to $625.8 million, while hardware sales dropped 38 percent to $382.6 million. Sales of accessories declined 22 percent. Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter blamed the decline in part on the high cost of video game consoles. "The consumer is just not buying hardware at these prices ... clearly the consumer is just waiting for price cuts," said Pachter, who expects industry sales to pick up in September with the release of new high-profile titles. Overall video game sales are down 12 percent year-to-date, NPD said. Nintendo's Wii was once again the top-selling home console in June with 362,000 units, although sales were down about 45 percent from the same month last year. The Wii has been the top home console in the United States for 21 consecutive months, Nintendo said. NPD analyst Anita Frazier said the economy is definitely hurting the gaming industry, which was once thought to be relatively insulated from the downturn. "This is one of the first months where I think the impact of the economy is clearly reflected in the sales numbers," Frazier said in a statement. "The size of the decline could also point to consumers deferring limited discretionary spending until a big event (must-have new title, hardware price cut) compels them to spend," the statement added. Microsoft's XBox 360 was the No. 2 home console in the month -- and the only one to see a year-over-year unit increase -- followed by Sony Corp's PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2.Sales of the Nintendo DS family of handheld consoles totaled 767,000, NPD said, well above the 164,000 recorded by the Sony PSP. Denise Kaigler, vice president of corporate affairs for Nintendo of America, said she had higher expectations for the second half, given the company's release schedule. "Last year the focus was on the first half when you look at the strong launches ... this year our strong titles are coming out in the second half of the year." The top-selling game title in June was Activision Blizzard's "Prototype," which sold about 600,000 units across two platforms.

Source : http://in.news.yahoo.com/137/20090717/752/ttc-u-s-video-game-sales-post-largest-de.html

Senate Likely to Vote on Sotomayor in August

WASHINGTON — Judge Sonia Sotomayor completed her testimony before
the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, acknowledging regret for
having said that a “wise Latina” judge could decide a case better than a white
man while defending her role in a case involving New Haven firefighters in
which she was reversed by the Supreme Court.
source :
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/17/us/politics/17confirm.html?hpw

Google sees YouTube profitable in near future

Fri, Jul 17 11:58 AM

Web video site YouTube will be profitable for Google Inc in the near future, the Internet search leader said on Thursday. Google acquired YouTube for $1.65 billion in 2006, but has lost money on the site that lets people post and share videos free. Analysts have raised concerns about the huge costs involved in streaming millions of videos with only a tiny swathe of them being supported by advertising. "YouTube is now on a trajectory that we're very pleased with," Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt said during an earnings call on Thursday.He added that Google is helping marketers and advertising agencies create "great ads easily" for YouTube. Google executives have recently made bullish remarks on YouTube's revenue growth. Schmidt told reporters at the Sun Valley technology and media conference this month that new advertising formats, such as pre-roll ads that appear before a Web video program, will draw in more revenue. On Thursday, Google's head of product management and marketing, Jonathan Rosenberg, said "monetized views" -- people viewing videos that are supported by advertising -- more than tripled in the past year.

"We're now monetizing billions of views of partner videos every month," he said. In response to an analyst question, Google Chief Financial Officer Patrick Pichette said recent efforts to introduce new ad formats and promote videos have helped to establish YouTube's home page among advertisers as relevant and "desirable for customers." "We're really pleased both in terms of (YouTube's) revenue growth, which is really material to YouTube, and... in the not long, too-long-distant future, we actually see a very profitable and good business for us," Pichette said. Google reported a quarterly profit on Thursday that beat Wall Street expectations, but its revenue growth was not as stellar as some investors had hoped, sending its shares down nearly 3 percent.

Source : http://in.news.yahoo.com/137/20090717/371/tbs-google-sees-youtube-profitable-in-ne.html

Court in Pakistan acquits Sharif

Pakistan's Supreme Court has acquitted opposition head Nawaz Sharif of
hijacking charges, removing the final ban on him running for public office.
He was banned after being found guilty of hijacking then army chief General
Pervez Musharraf's plane in 1999.
source : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8155133.stm

A subdued Beckham returns, hatchets buried

Maybe it was the heat, or the global commute or the rust from weeks without the intense effort of European soccer, but it turned out to be a quiet return for the marquee player of U.S. soccer, David Beckham.
The England international was booed by the crowd with every touch of the ball but said,after playing a minor role in the L.A. Galaxy's convincing win over Major League Soccer's worst team, he was pleased to be back with his team mates.
Source : http://in.news.yahoo.com/137/20090717/375/tsp-a-subdued-beckham-returns-hatchets-b.html

Govt introduces bill to regulate fees in pvt schools

CHENNAI: Cracking the whip on private schools collecting exorbitant fees,
the state government on Thursday introduced a Bill to regulate fee
structure and arm itself with penal powers against erring schools.
The Tamil Nadu Schools (Regulation of Collection of Fee) Bill, 2009,
introduced by school education minister Thangam Thennarasu in the
assembly, seeks to constitute...
source :
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS-City-Chennai-Govt-introduces-bil
l-to-regulate-fees-in-pvt-schools/articleshow/4787077.cms

Tiger targets Turnberry turnaround

Tiger Woods, a heavy favourite to win this week's British Open, has plenty of ground to make up in Friday's second round after
opening with a one-over-par 71.
The American world number one, in pursuit of his 15th major title, failed to take advantage of ideal scoring conditions on Thursday,
ending the first round seven strokes behind leader Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain.
Source : http://in.news.yahoo.com/137/20090717/375/tsp-tiger-targets-turnberry-turnaround.html

Key accused in Gujarat hooch case arrested

Ahmedabad: The main accused in the Gujarat hooch tragedy, Vinod Dagri,
was arrested by the Crime Branch in Ahmedabad on Friday.
Two of his associates, Ajay Thakkar and Sunil were also arrested along with
him.
Gujarat police have also held massive raids across the state and booked more
than 6,000 people so far for violating prohibition.
source :
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/key-accused-in-gujarat-hooch-case-arrested/9732
2-3.html

Jakarta hotel bombs "terrorist" act - president's spokesman

Fri, Jul 17
Bomb blasts at the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels in Jakarta's central business district on Friday morning were "terrorist bombs," presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal was quoted as saying on Metro TV.
"It's clear this is not a gas explosion but terrorist bombs," Djalal said.
Source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/137/20090717/760/twl-jakarta-hotel-bombs-terrorist-act-pr.html

Security cover for MCOCA court judge after threat call

MUMBAI: Special judge Y D Shinde, who is handling cases of the Indian
Mujahideen and the Abhinav Bharat's terror suspects, on Thursday
complained
that he had received a threat call from an unknown person. Following the
threat, the city police have provided security cover to the judge. No FIR was
registered till late evening.
Source :
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS-City-Mumbai-Security-cover-for-
MCOCA-court-judge-after-threat-call/articleshow/4786933.cms

BSE Sensex rises 2.1 pct; ICICI, Infosys gain

MUMBAI (Reuters) The BSE Sensex rose 2.1 percent on Friday, as upbeat earnings reports from key U.S. firms fuelled a Wall Street rally overnight and lifted sentiment across Asia. Private-sector lender ICICI Bank, outsourcer Infosys Technologies and top telecoms firm Bharti Airtel led the gains, putting the market on course for a weekly gain after it dropped 9.4 percent last week. "We are seeing overseas markets going up, while in India, first-quarter results have been good so far," said Amitabh Chakraborty, president of equities at Religare Securities.

"Fund flows coming into the market have been quite positive." Last week, the benchmark posted its biggest weekly fall in eight months, after the government's budget offered little in terms of bold economic and financial reforms, but set a huge deficit of 6.8 percent of GDP, the highest in 16 years. There are still concerns about rich valuations and uncertainty surrounding the domestic economy and corporate earnings growth, but the momentum in overseas markets is spurring the benchmark higher, traders said.

Equities worldwide have rallied this week as strong U.S. corporate earnings, and encouraging economic data from China and Singapore signalled the turmoil in the global economy was abating. But on Thursday, Indian shares retreated from gains of as much as 1.7 percent after a poor start for European peers sparked profit-booking on a 6.4 percent jump in the market over the previous two sessions. "One should not be too bullish about the market now," Chakraborty said. "It's time to be a little cautious." ICICI Bank rose 3.5 percent to 719.35 rupees, while No. 2 outsourcer Infosys climbed 3.1 percent to 1,850.50 rupees. Bharti, which is in exclusive merger talks with South Africa's MTN, advanced 4.9 percent to 824 rupees. In the broader market, gainers led losers by more than 2.5 to 1 on relatively light volume of 104.6 million shares. The 50-share NSE index was up 2 percent at 4,316. Asian shares were higher on Friday, with Japan's Nikkei up 0.5 percent, while MSCI's measure of other Asian markets rose 0.7 percent.

U.S. stocks rallied for a fourth day on Thursday after JPMorgan's strong results fed growing optimism about the quarterly earnings season and technology shares rose in anticipation of more good news.

MAIN TOP 3 BY VOLUME

* Satyam Computer on 8.5 million shares

* Ispat Industries on 3.7 million shares

* Anu's Labs on 3.6 million shares

STOCKS ON THE MOVE

* Opto Circuits India Ltd fell 2.9 percent to 165 rupees after the company posted a 6 percent fall in its April-June net profit from a year earlier.

* Exide Industries Ltd rose 8.6 percent to 76.70 rupees after the industrial and automotive battery maker posted a 49 percent rise in net profit in the June quarter.

* JK Tyre & Industries Ltd gained 12.1 percent to 91 rupees after the company's net profit doubled in April-June.

Source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/137/20090717/748/tbs-bse-sensex-rises-2-1-pct-icici-infos.html

Opposition takes the case to Governor

BANGALORE: A day after the government said no to its demand for a CBI
or a Lokayukta probe into the Shidlaghatta land acquisition row, the
Opposition parties on Thursday submitted a memorandum to Governor H R
Bharadwaj, asking him to consider their demand. Led by the Leaders of the
Opposition in the Assembly and Council, Siddaramaiah and V S Ugrappa,
and JD(S) floor leaders H D Revanna and M C Nanaiah, Congress and JD(S)
legislators submitted a joint memorandum seeking a CBI or Lokayukta
inquiry.

source :

http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Opposition+takes+the+case+to+Governor&artid=3S5cDqFAclI=&SectionID=7GUA38txp3s=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=zkvyRoWGpmWSxZV2TGM5XQ==&SEO=

Instanex Skindia GDR Index eases

Mumbai, July 17 (PTI) The Instanex Skindia GDR Index eased by 25.69 points or 1.30 percent to 1,948.52 on July 16 from 1,974.20 previously. The P/E Ratio also moved down to 18.28 from 18.51 previously, a Instanex Capital release said here today.Following are the GDR and ADR rates for July 16 in US dollars with differences in percentage from the previous level given in brackets. Dr Reddy''S (ADR) 15.82 (-0.69) GAIL (GDR) 40.26 (unch) Grasim Ind (GDR) 53.65 (-0.56) ICICI Bank (ADR) 29.35 (-1.51) Infosys Tech (ADR) 37.63 (+0.78) ITC (GDR) 4.45 (-0.45) L&T (GDR) 28.70 (-4.33) Mah & Mah (GDR) 14.75 (unch) Ranbaxy Labs (GDR) 4.90 (unch) Reliance (GDR) 78.98 (+2.36) Satyam Comp (ADR) 4.10 (+5.40) SBI (GDR) 66.70 (-0.04) Sterlite Ind (ADR) 11.20 (-13.45) Tata Commun (ADR) 19.54 (-1.21) Tata Motors (ADR) 8.63 (+0.47) ---- PTI pak.

Source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/20/20090717/372/tbs-instanex-skindia-gdr-index-eases.html

UT gets set to face its bullies

CHANDIGARH: UT administration has come up with a new plan to ensure
that students feel welcome when they embark on a new academic journey in
city’s colleges and aren’t haunted by the menace of ragging.
Taking a cue from a drive launched by Delhi police, UT home secretary Ram
Niwas on Thursday asked city cops and college authorities to constitute
special squads to stop ragging. He also stated that posters giving details of
anti-ragging help lines should be printed and pasted.
source :
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS-City-Chandigarh-UT-gets-set-to-f
ace-its-bullies/articleshow/4787561.cms

India: No Pakistan peace talks till Mumbai solved

India said on Thursday formal peace talks with Pakistan could not resume until those behind last year's Mumbai attacks were brought to justice.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was speaking after talks in Egypt with Pakistan premier Yousaf Raza Gilani, quashing any immediate hopes Islamabad had of reviving five-year-old "composite dialogue" on all disputes between the rival nations.
Source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/137/20090716/738/tnl-india-no-pakistan-peace-talks-till-m.html

ATS nabs stowaway, 2 sailors

AHMEDABAD: The Anti-terrorist Squad (ATS) nabbed three persons, who
had infiltrated Gujarat through the sea. Chandrakant Bachani alias Ashok
Sindhi, who lived in Dubai, was brought illegally by two sailors on a
merchant vessel.
According to ATS officials, the ship named Al-Murad, registered in Dubai in
the name of one Kasam, was handled by Yusuf Jafrabadi alias Bapado of
Mandvi-Salaya. The ship ferried merchant goods between Kutch and Dubai.
The ship's captain was Ibrahim Surani, a resident of Jam Salaya, Jamnagar.
source :
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS-City-Ahmedabad-ATS-nabs-stowa
way-2-sailors/articleshow/4786949.cms