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50 percent turnout in first phase of polls in Karna
Bangalore, May 10 (PTI) An estimated 50 per cent of the 1.73 crore electorate cast their votes today in the first phase of polls held in 89 assembly constituencies spread over 11 districts in Karnataka which ended by and large peacefully today.
Of the 224 assembly segments in the state, 66 will go to polls in the second phase on May 16 and the remaining 69 in the third phase on May 22.
Police resorted to lathicharge to disperse a group of persons who apparently were trying to cast bogus votes at Chickpet.
In several areas, voters protested deletion of their names.
A 58,000-strong security personnel kept a close watch on the polling which passed off peacefully, official sources said.
The poll prospects of 953 candidates including former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, his brother H D Revanna, union minister Ambarish, former ministers Katta Subramanya Naidu, G T Devegowda, R Ashok, Dr G Parameshwara, former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, N Cheluvarayaswamy, actor Jaggesh and D K Shivakumar were sealed in the EVMs.
The voters' response in Bangalore City, which has 28 assembly segments was poor, was about 50 per cent, according to initial reports from electoral authorities.
Polling was brisk in Bangalore Rural, Kolar, Hassan, Ramanagar and Chamarajnagar.
Technical snags delaying and disurpting poll process for brief spells has been reported from several places.
Karnatataka is the first state to go to election under the delimitation of constituencies in the country. PTI
Mukherjee tells Rice about difficulties on N-deal
New Delhi, May 10 (PTI) Facing stiff opposition from the Left parties on implementation of the Indo-US nuclear deal, government has conveyed its difficulties to Washington as External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee held telephonic conversation with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Mukherjee is understood to have apprised Rice about the confabulations of the last meeting of UPA-Left committee on nuclear issue when the two leaders discussed the issue last night, sources said.
With the US being keen on concluding the nuclear deal at the earliest, Rice wanted to know how much progress had been made on implementation of the agreement, the sources said.
She is understood to have impressed upon the need for concluding the deal at the earliest.
Noting that the government was making efforts to complete the process, Mukherjee explained the difficulties being encountered because of the stiff opposition by the Left parties, the sources said.
The US has set May-end deadline for the agreement to come back to its Congress for the final vote, failing which the prospects of deal getting through would be very low.
Before the deal goes back to the Congress for the final vote, India has to finalise a safeguards agreement with IAEA and seek an exemption from 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group.
These steps are on hold due to opposition from the Left parties, which provide crucial outside support to the UPA government.
India has concluded negotiations with IAEA for Safeguards Agreement but its signing is on hold pending a nod from Left parties which continue to have reservations. PTI
I want Sachin to play next match against us: McGrath
New Delhi, May 10 (PTI) Missing his long time on-field rival Sachin Tendulkar, retired Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath hopes to bowl at the master batsman when Delhi Daredevils and Mumbai Indians face off again in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
"Hopefully, Sachin will be fit in the next match. I wish him best of luck," the legendary pacer told PTI.
Talking on the sidelines of a fashion event in the capital last night, McGrath said the Mumbai team was dearly missing Tendulkar.
"If Sachin comes to the Mumbai side, it will add extra pressure on the rival team as the little champion has the capability to win matches on any given day, he said.
The Australian said the Delhi Daredevils was a balanced side and was one of the strong contenders for the title.
"We have a good combination of youth and experience. Losing the last match against Chennai felt bad but we played some good cricket," said McGrath.
Delhi Daredevils captain Virender Sehwag exuded confidence that his side would lift the IPL title.
"We have performed very well till now and the boys are enjoying the IPL format. We are sure that we will win the IPL," he said. PTI
Deccan Chargers face Knight Riders in must-win tie tomorrow
S Janakiram
Hyderabad, May 10 (PTI) Low on morale and languishing at the bottom of table, Deccan Chargers will have to reverse their losing streak when they take on Kolkata Knight Riders in a must-win match here tomorrow to remain in the reckoning.
The badly-bruised Hyderabad team which has won only two of the eight matches it has played so far are sharing the bottom spot with Bangalore Royal Challengers on four points and would have to post a few victories to remain in contention for a semi-final berth.
Moreover, the VVS Laxman-led side will have to overcome the jinx of losing at home having failed to post a single win from three matches so far at the Rajiv Gandhi international stadium with its two wins coming away from home -- in Mumbai and Chennai.
The bad news for the team was that Laxman, who is recovering from a hand injury, is still doubtful for the crucial match and responsibility of steering the team would once again fall on stand-in-captain Adam Gilchrist.
Gilchrist, who has rediscovered his form after initial failures, would have to repeat his fine form with the bat against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur though his side lost the match.
The Australian, who has made 284 runs in eight matches, is the highest run-getter for the team, followed by Rohit Sharma who has been consistent so far and has worn the Orange cap for highest run getter though he is now in the fourth place with 263 from eight matches behind Gautam Gambhir, Gilchrist and Virender Sehwag. PTI
Ponting hits out at Harbhajan, says he has been unmasked
Melbourne, May 10 (PTI) Australian captain Ricky Ponting today hit out at Harbhajan Singh, saying that the Indian off-spinner has been unmasked by his attack on teammate S Sreesanth.
Ponting said people can now make their own judgment on Harbhajan after the slapping row since it involved his own teammate.
"The (slapping) incident was him dealing with a guy that he has probably played 20 Tests with," Ponting, who had a brief stint with Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League during which the slap-gate took place, said.
"After this latest issue in India, I think people should be making their own judgments about Harbhajan. He has again done something wrong," Ponting told 'Herald Sun'.
The Sydney fiasco involving Harbhajan and Andrew Symonds is more than three months old but Ponting remained incredulous at how Harbhajan got off with a slap on the wrist after being charged with racially abusing Andrew Symonds.
Harbhajan was initially suspended for three Tests but after an appeal received a 50 per cent match-fee fine on a lesser charge.
"It certainly wasn't the outcome that we expected. He ended up being fined 50 per cent of his match fee. As it is, I will cop a 20 or 30 per cent match-fee fine most one-day games because I am behind in the over rates," Ponting said. PTI
India, US agrees to resolve their divisive issues
New York, May 10 (PTI) India and the United States have agreed to resolve the divisive issues for an early conclusion of the Doha round of trade negotiations.
It would send a "strong message" of global unity and resolve in the face of increasing uncertainties in world economy due to rising food and energy prices and turmoil in financial markets in several countries, an official statement issued yesterday on the talks between Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath with United States Trade Representative Susan Schwab said.
In the meeting, which was held on Thursday, they have decided to begin technical work to bring about consensus on the divisive issues among the members of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the statement said.
During the talks, Nath told Schwab that India would not accept any constraints or restrictions on its ability to provide assistance to its poor fishermen as it is a question of their livelihood.
The Agriculture negotiation, they agreed, pose the greatest challenges as they involve complex issues of subsidies and sensitivities on market access, especially in developing countries, in relation to food security and livelihood concerns of poor farmers. PTI
Indian wines to challenge supremacy of top global producers
Prasun Sonwalkar
London, May 10 (PTI) In next 50 years, India's growing wine industry is likely to challenge the supremacy of traditional wine-making countries, a report has said.
The Indian wine industry was currently in its infancy, but technology exchange in winemaking and viticulture from Europe and Australasia meant India was likely to challenge the supremacy of traditional wine-making countries, a report on the state of the industry in 50 years titled "The Future of Wine" said.
"India has the potential to embrace wine in a big way and the economic muscle to dictate to producers what style of wine they should be making," Alun Griffiths, a contributor to the report, said.
In the report, an analysis of the state of the industry in 50 years, the leading wine merchants Berry Brothers and Rudd said that ambitious Indians turning to fine wine as a mark of social standing will drive India's wine industry to new heights.
It said that the market for wine in India was growing at over 25 per cent per year. If the increasing number of vineyards planted in parts of western and southern India were any indication, India will soon be taken seriously as a fine wine-growing nation, the report said.
"By 2058 it will be quicker to count those countries that don't make wine than to count those that do. India will have embraced the grape, foreign know-how having identified the best sites for both bulk and single estate wines," Jonathan Ray, Wine Editor of the Daily Telegraph said.
France has led the way (in both performance and price) when it comes to high-end, premium vintages, but the report said that stiff competition from around the world could soon see the fine wine league table turned on its head. PTI
Hard decisions needed on price front, says Oil Secretary
Mumbai, May 9 (PTI) Petroleum Secretary M S Srinivasan today said it was time for the government to take "hard decisions" to rein in inflation, since it was running out of soft options in the face of rising global crude oil prices.
"Oil prices are very high. Soft options are running out. Hard decisions need to be taken," he told reporters here.
Crude oil prices today touched a record high at USD 126.20 per barrel. India imports 73 per cent of its crude oil needs and the cost of imports would spiral as crude inched higher, while rupee touched its 13-month low.
Srinivasan suggested a slew of measures, including imposing discipline in the consumption price.
"Price rise should be considered seriously," Srinivasan said, adding that "under-recovery (of oil companies) is expected to be at USD 42-billion by the year-end. It is not sustainable in the long run." Denying reports about the diesel shortage in the country, the petroleum secretary said, "all the 34,000 public sector outlets supply diesel. There is no shortage." "The diesel consumption during March-April of 2008 has gone up by 25 per cent, year-to-year, which is a disturbing sign." ONGC Chairman, R S Sharma said.
"Shortage of rigs is a major challenge in ultra-deep water discovery as there is no rig available for the next two years," Sharma said. PTI
Take comment on calorie intake in positive way: US to India
Washington, May 10 (PTI) United States has asked India to take the comments made by President George W Bush and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice that calorie intake of Indians is contributing to higher food prices, in a positive manner.
"I've seen the press reports about this particular reaction. And certainly nobody in the US is trying to single out government or is expressing the sentiment that it is not a good thing that there's greater calorie intake among more people around the world than ever before. That is a positive thing," McCormack said in his briefing.
The senior Bush administration said that the statement indicates that the world and the international system is changing.
"And the fact that you have greater economic prosperity around the world, whether it's in India or China or elsewhere around the world, and as a result there are different standards of living, in a positive sense, that is good for the international system," he added.
The comments of Condoleezza Rice which were followed by President George W Bush were not viewed favourably in many sections in India including in the political establishment.
"That really speaks to some of the goals that were expressed at the inception of the current international, financial, economic and political system, when you look back to the immediate post-war period in '46, '47, '48. It is a positive thing.
"I am not sure what prism people are viewing the remarks through. But I would encourage them to not look at them in a way that is intended to single out in a negative fashion the people of India or anybody else around the world," McCormack said. PTI
Rice, Mukherjee discusses Myanmar, Indo-US deal
Washington, May 10 (PTI) US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee discussed the current situation in Myanmar and the civil nuclear deal.
"On Burma, she yesterday spoke with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang. I mentioned Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. And she also spoke with Indian Foreign Minister Mukherjee. Of course, part of their discussion also was about the Indian civil nuclear deal, but they focused quite a bit on the issue of Burma," spokesman at Foggy Bottom Sean McCormack said.
However, the spokesman was reluctant to give details of the conversation on the civilian nuclear initiative.
McCormack's refusal to provide details on the Rice- Mukherjee conversation pertaining to the civilian nuclear deal has is being seen against the backdrop of a perception here that the Bush administration does not want the finer details of the deal to be discussed publicly in an apprehension that this could make a volatile issue even more complicated.
The Bush administration is quite aware of the political compulsions in India and according to a media report is disinclined to have members of Congress discussing the responses to queries out in the open.
"The US-India civilian nuclear deal is in 'such desperate' straits that the State Department has imposed unusually strict conditions on the answers it has provided to law makers, that it be kept secret even if the materials are not classified," a report in The Washington Post said.
Officials at Foggy Bottom, according to the media report have made the request to Congress because of a fear that public disclosure would torpedo the deal, unnamed sources have been cited in report said. PTI
Pak to consider if Sarabjit could be pardoned: hints Gilani
Islamabad, May 10 (PTI) Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani personally believes that Indian national Sarabjit Singh, sentenced to death by a local court for alleged involvement in bomb attacks, should be pardoned and has asked President Pervez Musharraf to review his case.
He said his personal beliefs in the matter were the reason why he had recently written to Musharraf to stop Sarabjit's execution, which was scheduled for May 1. Pakistani authorities last week put off Sarabjit's hanging indefinitely.
"I have advised the President that he should stop (Sarabjit's) execution and it should be reviewed by the ministries of interior, foreign affairs, law and justice and human rights," Gilani told interviewer Karan Thapar on Devil's Advocate programme of CNN-IBN channel.
The prime minister added this was the reason why Sarabjit's execution was put off recently.
Asked if he believed that Sarabjit should be pardoned, Gilani, who spent several years in jail after being arrested on charges of illegally giving jobs to people during his tenure as Speaker of the National Assembly, said: "That is the reason I have advised the President. Now it's up to the ministries to take a decision." Replying to a question on whether he had sought a review for giving him pardon, he said: "They (the ministries) will think on those lines. They will consider whether the case is fit or whether the case is not fit and they will take a decision." Sarabjit was originally set to be hanged on April 1, and his execution was initially deferred for 30 days by Musharraf. This was done so that Pakistan's new government led by Gilani could review his case following an appeal for clemency from the Indian government. PTI
Blind Arunachalee singer to bring out fourth album
Itanagar, May 9 (PTI) A young visually challenged Arunachalee singer, who cut his first album just two years ago, will be launching his fourth one shortly.
The 25-year-old Bamon Doro, from Sangram circle in Kurumkumey district, who lost his sight to chicken pox when he was hardly three will be bringing out audio album 'Challing dito Donyi' (the light may not have any meaning to me, but let the sun shine for others).
Speaking about his days of struggle, Doro says, he took up singing at weddings and get-togethers and was applauded by villagers for his efforts.
Enthused he came down to the state capital in 1998 hoping to get a sponsor, "but it proved to be difficult in a place like Arunachal. I saw a long struggle ahead of me." During a major tribal festival 'Nyokum' here his performance won the hearts of the people and a person agreed to sponsor him and his first album was released in 2006. It was an instant hit.
He says his career took off with the release of the audio album containing a song 'Challing Yoka Donyi'(The light of the sun has no meaning for me). PTI
Digest of domestic stories for the week May 3-9, 2008
Saturday Imphal: The Manipur Government will provide arms to people in two villages and give them training to protect themselves from attacks by militants , a move akin to the controversial 'Salwa Judum' in Chattisgarh.
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, cricket star Sachin Tendulkar and melody queen Asha Bhosle are among celebrity recipients of the Padma Vibhushan from President Pratibha Patil for their outstanding contribution in their respective fields.
Sunday Chennai: The BJP says US President George W Bush's comments that global food shortage was due to increasing demand from India's middle class for quality food, is aimed at mounting pressure on India to accept the agricultural practices propounded by the country.
Dharamsala: Talks between envoys of the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and the Chinese authorities to seek a solution to the vexed Tibetan issue begins in Shenzhen in China.
Monday New Delhi: Despite sharp division in the ruling UPA and opposition NDA on it, Government approves the much-delayed Women's Reservation Bill for introduction in the Rajya Sabha.
New Delhi: India sends two naval ships with relief and medical supplies to cyclone-ravaged Myanmar and is considering airlifting of aid material.
Panaji/Bhubaneswar: The main accused in the the murder of Biranchi Das, coach of child marathon runner Budhia, is arrested in Panaji in a joint operation by the police of Orissa and Goa, ending more than a month long search for him. Tuesday Madurai/Chennai: A small section of a wall that kept apart caste Hindus and Dalits for two decades in a Madurai village is demolished by authorities under a compromise that will allow the Scheduled Castes to pass through areas dominated by the other community.
New Delhi: The controversial Women's Reservation Bill is introduced in Rajya Sabha and the fresh legislative attempt of the government is marked by high voltage drama and unruly scenes involving scuffles between Ministers and opposition Samajwadi Party members.
Wednesday Balasore: India successfully test-fires its 3000 km range surface-to-surface nuclear capable Agni-III missile for the second time giving the country a capability to hit targets as far as deep inside China.
New Delhi: In a major decision to boost tourism in the scenic north eastern region, the Centre relaxes Leave Travel Concession (LTC) Rules for its employees permitting them to travel by air.
Thursday New Delhi: The Supreme Court strikes down a law used to ease out noted cardio-surgeon P Venugopal as Director of the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences(AIIMS) here after a bitter row with Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court quashes criminal proceedings against artist M F Husain for allegedly hurting public sentiments by painting obscene pictures of Hindu goddesses. Friday Bhubaneswar: Orissa may soon be spelt as 'Odisha' with the government's decision to correct the "mistake" in the spellings of the state's name and language getting the nod of all opposition parties.
Jammu: A major infiltration bid by militants from across the border is foiled in Samba sector of Jammu and Kashmir by the Border Security Force, which came under heavy fire from the intruders.
New Delhi: In a bid to arrest dropouts among poor but meritorious students in the secondary stage, Government approves a scholarship scheme at an expense of over Rs 3,000 crore. PTI
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