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Super jumbo A-380 lands in Delhi
New Delhi, May 6 (PTI) The world's largest passenger aircraft A-380 touched down for the first time in India today to mark the second anniversary celebrations of Kingfisher Airlines.
This fully double decker aircraft, which landed at 10.50 A.M., has a passenger capacity of 850 seats in all economy configurations but in three classes it has the capacity to carry about 550 passengers.
Kingfisher Airlines has ordered five A-380 planes which has a list price of over 300 million dollars per aircraft.
Super jumbo aircraft is powered by four Trent engine manufactured by Rolls Royce and can fly 15,000 kilometres non-stop.
During its India visit, it would be taking some VIPs on a flight of fancy over Delhi and on Tuesday it will fly off to Mumbai.
Airports Authority of India and advance teams of Airbus Industrie had been on the job in Delhi to prepare for various facilities including navigation of the super jumbo plane in the country which takes three Boeing 737 or Airbus 320 space.
This 80 feet tall aircraft will be flying off from Mumbai on May 9. PTI
Janata Party to back Kalam for second term
Madurai, May 6 (PTI) The Janata Party would back A P J Abdul Kalam for a second term as President of India, party president Subramaniam Swamy said today.
Speaking to reporters here, he said Kalam had inspired students and the youth and was fit to be President of India once again.
He said according to a senior Union Minister, Prime Minister had directed the Union Shipping Minister T R Baalu not to damage or touch Ramar Sethu while dredging for the Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project(SSCP) as National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA) of the US had confirmed the existence of a 'bridge-like formation'.
The Earth Science Department attached to India's National Institute of Ocean Technology also had given the opinion that Ramar Sethu was man-made.
He hoped that the government would go for another alignment without damaging the Ramar Sethu, as it would cost Rs.600 crore less.
In this regard he also referred to the statement of Union Minister Priyaranjandas Munshi that the UPA government "would not destroy historical and religious places like BJP which destroyed Babri Masjid".
He also demanded a White Paper on various facts about Ramar Sethu.PTI
Four Andhra Pradesh Congress MLAs suspended
Hyderabad, May 6 (PTI) The Congress in Andhra Pradesh today suspended four party MLAs for anti-party activities and causing defeat of its candidates in the recently held Legislative Council elections in the state.
"The legislators - Naresh Agarwal, Chandrasekhar Reddy, A Prabhakar and K Lakshmaiah Naidu - were suspended for violating party's directives in the council elections," Andhra Pradesh Congress President K Keshav Rao told reporters here.
Another Congress leader and Srikakulam Zilla Parishad Vice-Chairman D Srinivas was also suspended from the party, he said.
Rao said AP Congress Committee has issued a show cause notice to P Shankar Rao, MLA from Shadnagar, for his comments against Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy after he was not inducted in the state Cabinet, which was recently expanded.
Agarwal represents Ichapuram constituency, Chandrasekhar Reddy is MLA from Udayagiri, while Prabhakar and Lakshmaiah Naidu are legislators from Surgvepalli and Atmakur Assembly seats respectively. PTI
Campaigning ends for final phase of UP polls
Lucknow, May 6 (PTI) Political heavyweights criss- crossed eastern Uttar Pradesh to woo voters in 59 seats going to the polls on Tuesday in the seventh and final phase of the assembly elections, campaigning for which ended today.
Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, senior BJP leaders L K Advani, Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj and Yogi Adityanath and actor-turned-Congress MP Govinda hit the road, addressing meetings and seeking votes for candidates of their parties.
Campaigning for this phase reached a crescendo with political bigwigs taking to the skies in helicopters. At a number of rallies, pilots at times failed to locate the right location and almost took VIP passengers to the wrong venue.
While Yadav addressed an election rally at Kauri Ram in Gorakpur district, Advani, Rajnath, Swaraj and Adityanath campaigned in various areas of the district. Govinda wooed voters for his party in Chillupar.
Prominent among those whose fate will be decided in the polls on Tuesday are state Ministers Ambika Chaudhary, Sitaram Nishad, Shardanand Anchal and Balram Yadav and several senior leaders of the ruling Samajwadi Party.
Mafia don Mukhtar Ansari, Amar Mani Tripathi, the main accused in the murder of poetess Madhumita Shukla, and don- turned-minister Harishankar Tewari are also in the fray. PTI
Fake encounter: IPS officers Vanzara, Pandian suspended
Ahmedabad, May 6 (PTI) Gujarat cadre IPS officers D G Vanzara Rajkumar Pandian, arrested in connection with the killing of Soharabbudin Sheikh in a fake encounter, have been suspended from service, official sources said today.
The orders suspending DIG (Border Range) Vanzara and Superintendent of Police Rajkumar Pandian of the state intelligence wing were issued yesterday, sources in the state home department said here. PTI
Dhaka awaiting the arrival of Prince of Kolkata
By Sirshendu Panth
Dhaka, May 6 (PTI) Disappointed at Sourav Ganguly being kept out of the coming ODI series, Bangladesh cricket fans are now eagerly looking forward to see the former Indian captain in action in the two Test matches during the latter half of the tour.
Ganguly, who has a huge fan following in Bangladesh, was dropped along with another senior pro Sachin Tendulkar by the Indian selectors for the three One-Day Internationals, but has included in the Test squad.
"We love and adore Ganguly. He is a born fighter. People in our country did not like the way he was dropped from the Indian team. But we liked every bit of the great comeback that he made. He also did well in the World Cup. So, we had expected to see him in both the ODIs and Tests," said Ali Noor Islam Khan, who owns a food and confectionery shop in Ghaus-e-Pak Bhawan market complex.
Insan Ali, a youth in his early 20s, was effusive in his praise for Ganguly. "He is a great captain. I have a feeling that India would have done well if had he been at the helm of affairs. I will definitely go to the Mirpur stadium (here) for the first Test and see him bat." PTI
Kapil wants India to be collective in facing Bangladesh
Srinagar, May 6 (PTI) Legendary cricketer Kapil Dev today asked the Indian team to be collective in standing up to Bangladesh's challenge rather than relying on the heroics of any one player in the upcoming away series.
"There are some individual players whose performance is matchless but they are not bigger than the game. We are hopeful that the whole team will stand up again and face the challange collectively," Kapil said on the sidelines of a golf tournament here.
"We are glorify one player when the team wins. It should not be like that as the whole team contributes in the win. Likewise, whole team should be held responsible for the defeat," said the 1983 World Cup Kapil winning captain.
Kapil said he was hopeful that the team would perform well in the coming tournament and return victorous.
He said the whole team was responsible for their early exit from the World Cup in the Caribbean but now was the time to make amends.
"Mistakes have been committed but the time demands to rectify the mistakes, make amends and march ahead instead of looking back. Let us forget about the past... What happened in the World Cup and who is responsible. Instead, we should concentrate on the the betterment of the cricket in the country." About the appointment of new coach, he said "the issue has been blown out of proportion. For me, it is not a big issue... Coaches and managers are meant to manage the things but finally it is the players who have to play in the field. They have to perform well and play to their potential to make the country proud." PTI
Fan breaches security, hugs Dhoni
Kolkata, May 6 (PTI) An over-enthusiastic woman caused a flutter by managing to hug Mahendra Singh Dhoni while the Indian cricket team was boarding a bus back to the hotel after the conclusion of a conditioning camp for Bangladesh tour here today.
The woman, who had been seen in the stands during the team's training session for the past three days flashing Dhoni's poster, suddenly lunged towards the dashing cricketer as he was approaching the team bus outside the Eden Gardens.
Stunned security personnel immediately swung into action and freed a bewildered Dhoni, who had reportedly come down to meet her after noticing her during the camp.
When contacted later, Deputy Commissioner (headquarters) P K Chatterjee told PTI the woman was probably known to Dhoni and no action would be taken against her. PTI
Indian cricketers slog out for 2 hrs at camp
Kolkata, May 6 (PTI) Indian cricketers today slogged it out for over two hours on the last day of the conditioning camp ahead of their Bangladesh tour even as youngster Dinesh Karthik joined his team mates.
Karthik, who could not participate in the camp so far due to his marriage, had batting and fielding practice with other players.
Sachin Tendulkar, who injured his ankle while tackling a bouncer on the opening day, also had batting practice at the net. He, however, did not take part in fielding.
Skipper Rahul Dravid, who was injured on nose by a R P Singh delivery yesterday, did not appear at the Eden session as he was advised rest by attending doctor.
The day's session mostly confined to batting and fielding, as the players negotiated bounce on a grassy wicket and focussed on high catches and fine-tuning their throws from the deep.
After the conclusion of the camp at Eden Gardens, the players will have swimming at the hotel pool and attend yoga classes thereafter.
Team manager Ravi Shastri said the facilities at Eden were good and the support staff did a commendable job. PTI
Shastri stands by senior cricketers
Kolkata, May 6 (PTI) Cricket lovers should be a little more patient towards senior players like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag, Indian cricket team Manager Ravi Shastri said here today.
"Don't forget they are there for 15-16 years and know what to do. Just be patient, give them a little bit of time and then see how they perform," Shastri told reporters on the last day of the conditioning camp for the Bangladesh tour here.
"They are not finished yet. I have respect for what they have achieved so far," Shastri said.
On whether he would miss Tendulkar and Ganguly in the one-dayers in Bangladesh, Shastri remained non-commital and said "I have been given a team. We will go there and play. But we have got a good team in both forms (of the game)." PTI
Yahoo-Microsoft talks no longer active
SILICON VALLEY, May 6 (PTI) Talks between Microsoft and Yahoo on a merger are no longer active even as possiblities of mutal cooperation still remain between the two.
Though merger talks were no longer active, the door was still open for them to cooperate, potentially as part of a partnership or joint venture in which Microsoft would spin off some of its online properties to Yahoo, a report in the Wall Street Journal said.
The report said both the companies discussed a "possible merger or other match-up that would pair their respective strengths." Yahoo stock price jumped by 10 per cent on the Nasdaq Stock Market on Friday, following reports the company was exploring a merger with Microsoft, as the two IT giants struggle to gain market share from mutual rival Google Inc.
Shares of Yahoo gained USD 2.80, or 10 per cent, to reach USD 30.98 on the Nasdaq Stock Market. According to media reports Microsoft has held talks in recent months to either buy Yahoo for up to USD 50 billion or forge a partnership.
The negotiations were aimed at allying two of the biggest players on the Internet, whose combined strengths in search, e-mail and instant messaging could provide a counterweight to Google's online dominance, reported the San Francisco Chronicle.
Analysts and investors supported the idea of them both combining forces, calling their products complementary. However, they were mixed on whether acquisition was a wise solution, with some saying there were a number of potential pitfalls involving control, culture and cost.
Both Microsoft and Yahoo declined to comment. PTI
DSP Merrill Lynch to launch USD 100 mn gold fund next month
New Delhi, May 6 (PTI) DSP Merrill Lynch Mutual Fund will launch an open-ended gold-linked fund next month to raise about 100 million dollars (over Rs 400 crore) to invest in the group's world gold fund programme.
"We have already got approval from market regulator SEBI for the gold fund that will invest in Merrill Lynch's World Gold Fund," DSP Merrill Lynch Mutual Fund Senior Vice President S N Lahiri told PTI.
The World Gold Fund, launched in 1994 by the United States-based Merrill Lynch, invests predominantly in global conglomerates engaged in mining of gold and other precious metals.
It has a fund size of over six billion dollars and the money raised in India will be invested in the global scheme, he said.
RBI recently raised the limit of overseas investments by domestic mutual funds to four billion dollars from three billion dollars, in a bid to manage over 200 billion dollars of forex reserves.
Lahiri said DSP Merrill Lynch is also planning to launch a Focus 25 fund during this year.
The fund would invest the money in select 25 stocks across different sectors with high growth potential.
DSPML's equity assets under management and non-binding advisory services, including domestic, PMS and offshore advisory mandates, as of March 2007 stood at Rs 16,200 crore.
Global fund house Merrill Lynch owns about 90 per cent in DSP Merrill Lynch, while India's Hemendra Kothari, HMK Investment Pvt Ltd and Adiko Investment together have a 10 per cent stake. PTI
India Inc suffering from low business confidence: FICCI
New Delhi, May 6 (PTI) The feel-good fabric worn by India Inc for the last two years appears to be fading, as rising credit costs begin to hit the overall business confidence of the industry, a FICCI survey revealed.
The chamber's Business Confidence Survey (BCS), based on responses from 418 companies, showed that the assessment made by corporate India with regard to economic industry and firm level performance has moderated.
"The overall Business Confidence Index has taken a beating compared with the index in the third quarter of 2006-07, down from 75 to 69.
"However, at the enterprise level, a larger percentage of firms expect to export and invest more and generate additional employment in the next six months, while fewer firms anticipate higher profits and sales," a FICCI statement said.
The three confidence indices -- the Current Conditions Index, the Expectations Index and the Overall Business Confidence Index -- computed by the chamber have dipped, showing reduced confidence level among the Indian corporates.
These indices have dropped from Significantly Optimistic zone in the last quarter to the Moderately Optimistic zone in this quarter.
A high 42 per cent of the companies surveyed complained of rising cost of credit as an impediment for their businesses. Of this, 80 per cent of the companies belong to the Small and Medium Enterprises sector.
Of the respondents, 68 per cent expect higher sales against 78 per cent in last quarter, 30 per cent foresee an increase in selling prices against 20 per cent of the respondents last quarter and 50 per cent expect the profits to go higher in the next sixth months. PTI
No tax exemptions in non-processing zones of SEZs: states
New Delhi, May 6 (PTI) In a major move that will have revenue implications for Special Economic Zones, states today said they are not going to exempt non-processing areas in these zones from state taxes.
"Empowered Committee of state finance ministers on VAT unanimously feel that in non-processing zones of SEZs, no one should impose on states anything relating to states tax exemptions," VAT panel Chairman Asim Dasgupta told reporters.
"In other words, we are against any state tax exemption in any non-processing part of SEZs," he said after the VAT panel meeting.
When asked that many states have come out with SEZ policy giving exemptions on overall SEZs, he said, "What happened has happened. We are now of view that non-processing zones of SEZs, no one should impose on states that they have to give tax exemptions," he said.
The Union Commerce Ministry has written to states to provide tax exemptions to SEZs, officials in the VAT meeting said.
When asked whether the view of states are in conformity with the Centre's SEZ Act, Dasgupta said," Yes, it is, but if it is not, we are communicating our views to the Centre because it is unanimous views of all states." A union finance ministry official also said the views of states are in line with the SEZ Act. PTI
ICICI becomes first Indian bank to open office in Qatar
Dubai, May 5 (PTI) ICICI bank has inaugurated its branch in Doha, the first by an Indian bank in Qatar.
India's second largest bank and the country biggest private money lender opened its office at the Qatar Financial Centre yesterday.
The bank has a strong presence in the region. It had set up the Dubai representative office in October 2003. The bank enhanced its presence in Dubai by setting up a wealth management branch in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in December 2005.
Operations at the Bahrain offshore banking unit commenced in October 2004 following the granting of license from the Bahrain Monetary Agency with a special permission to provide NRI banking services.
K V Kamath, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, told reporters that the Doha branch is the 18th outside India.
"This is a part of our focus to build up our international presence," he was quoted as saying in Peninsula newspaper.
The bank is targeting non-resident Indians (NRIs) and Indian businesses. The licence given by the QFC is a Category 4 one but allows for credit facilities and investments.
The bank's overseas operations now account for 18 per cent of its global balance sheet, a figure that should go up to 25 per cent over the next few years.
Kamath stated Bahrain is a money-spinner for ICICI Bank as far as revenues are concerned and accounts for 22 per cent of income from international operations. ICICI bank has USD four billion to USD4.5 billion in assets in Bahrain. PTI
Chaudhury says days of dictatorship over in Pakistan
K J M Varma
Lahore, May 6 (PTI) Attacking the military regime led by President Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's suspended Chief Justice Iftikar Ahmed Chaudhury today declared that "era of dictatorship is over" in front of thousands of cheering supporters here after a massive show of support by the people.
Tens of thousands of people, who had waited overnight at different places along the 300-km route from Islamabad, greeted Chaudhury's convoy of several hundred vehicles, which took over 24 hours to cover the distance after the top judge decided to travel by road ignoring the government's warning of possible suicide attacks against him.
"Autocratic system of government and grabbing of power by a single person is now ended. All these are bitter lessons of history," Chaudhry told a convention of thousands of lawyers and judges at Lahore that passed a resolution asking the army to relinquish power and return to the barracks.
"Nations that do not learn from history and repeat the mistakes, they have to faces its consequences," he said amid chants of "Go Musharraf Go".
Chaudhury, who was suspended by Musharraf on March 9 on charges that he abused his authority, told the crowd that the "Era of dictatorship is over".
He called for the supremacy of the Constitution, rule of law and fundamental human rights in the country. "It is the responsibility of the courts to defend human rights of the people and protect the constitution." Seen as a sign of his growing public stature, 16 serving Lahore High Court judges attended his meeting despite fears of government backlash. PTI
Chinese President figures among 100 influential people
Anil K Joseph Beijing, May 6 (PTI) Chinese President Hu Jintao figured in Time magazine's coveted list of 100 most influential people which also included Zeng Jinyan, a rights activist and blogger whose writings have been blocked by the Communist regime.
Heading the "Fourth Generation" of Chinese leaders, Hu, 64, also General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), is faced with tough challenges, writes Robert Zoellick, former US Trade Representative and Deputy Secretary of State.
Though Zoellick has only met Hu briefly, the Vice Chairman at Goldman Sachs recalls that the Chinese president impressed him. "Although our meeting was brief, I was impressed by Hu's knowledge and intelligence, which he conveyed with confidence. I also noticed his disciplined caution, a restraint forged over years of careful preparation and promotion." Hu's vision has been to build a "harmonious society." He aims to overcome the great internal economic and social tensions that have been brought on in part by China's extraordinary growth, says Zoellick.
"Given this domestic challenge, Hu has sought a benign external environment. It is an irony, then, that China's economic success has created an external challenge that competes for Hu's attention," he writes.
"Hu's greatest legacy may turn out to be selecting the leadership that will continue his domestic strategy while moving more quickly to position China constructively in the world. The unanswered question is whether the approach to reforms will go beyond the material and social." The Time magazine's list of 100 most influential people also includes Liu Qi, 64, the Communist Party Secretary of Beijing city. PTI
Bangla parliament building turned into makeshift court
Dhaka, May 6 (PTI) The Bangladesh parliament building, reputed for its aesthetic and architectural value, has been refurbished to house makeshift courts to try high-profile corruption suspects, including dozens of former ministers, officials said today.
A senior official of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) said the courts were expected to start proceedings in five cases against three former state ministers and their family members.
Authorities in Bangladesh earlier turned the Parliament building into makeshift court with minor internal restructuring to instal judges' tables, docks for accused and seating arrangements for lawyers and others concerned.
The law ministry last month appointed five judges to try corruption suspects in Dhaka and neighbouring districts.
Police said they had deployed additional security to guard the building.
The military-backed interim administration has so far grilled more than 60 influential politicians and businessmen including ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's elder son Tarique Rahman, who is the senior joint secretary general of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
ACC officials have so far chargesheeted five political bigwigs while police and ACC investigations were underway to collect evidence against others as part of the massive countrywide anti-graft campaign launched by the interim government since it was installed on January 11.
Former Planning Minister in Awami League government, Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, the former BNP government's state minister for aviation Mir Nasiruddin and former state labour minister Amanullah Khan are likely to face trial first. PTI
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