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China on Sunday alleged it was open to talks with the Dalai Lama in spite of Tibetans endeavour to disrupt the Olympic flame handover ceremony in Greece.

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao stated that “The channel for discourse is always open. Only if the Dalai Lama gives up his stand on the autonomy of Tibet, chiefly exerts his influence to end the recent violent outbreaks in Tibet, and declares that Tibet and Taiwan are inseparable parts of China.”

In the meantime, a group of pro-Tibet activists strived to stop the Olympic flame from reaching the Panathenian Stadium in Athens, but were quickly controlled by Greek police.

Protesters holding Tibet flags and shouting “Free Tibet” and “China out of Tibet” made an effort but failed to rupture through the police cordon and get to the last torch bearer entering the venue.

Human rights activists also interrupted last Monday’s flame lighting ceremony in ancient Olympia, broadcasted live around the world, unfolding banners accusing China’s rights record.

Greek authorities posted hundreds of police along the route and scores of security vehicles pursued the torch bearers as helicopters hovered overhead - the strictest security measures from the time when the torch relay begun in 1936.

“In 130 days the 2008 Beijing Olympics start on. We and the other countries of the world look forward to this moment,” said Beijing Games organising Chief Liu Qi, adding “welcome to Beijing” in English prior to receive the flame from Minos Kyriakou, President of the Greek Olympic Committee.

Liu then lit a protection lamp, which will keep the flame aflame on the flight to Beijing; where it is scheduled to arrive on Monday.

Also more than one hundred Tibetans have been detained in Kathmandu while trying to storm the Chinese Embassy there. As a reply to what happened in Delhi on March 21, the pro-independence protestors tried to scale the Embassy walls, but were controlled by policemen.

Several protestors and policemen were wounded in the clash. Nepal recognises Tibet as an inseparable part of China.

Tags: autonomy of Tibet, Beijing Olympics, Protest in china

US forces treaded deeper into the Iraqi government’s fight to damage Shiite militias, launching airstrikes in the southern city of Basra and sacking a missile into the main Shiite stronghold in Baghdad.

The American support happened on Friday as Iraqi troops fought against strong resistance in Basra and vengeance elsewhere in Shiite areas - counting more salvos of rockets or mortars into the US-protected Green Zone, Baghdad.

It was the first time American jets have been called to hit militia positions ever since Iraqi ground forces initiated an operation to clear Basra of the armed groups that have ruled for long.

One militia barrage banged into the headquarters of the Basra police command late on Friday, as per the police officials.

On Friday, US jets struck a building with militia fighters and flamed a mortar team that was firing on Iraqi forces, said British Military spokesman Maj. Tim Holloway.

Most of groups are alleged to receive money, weapons and training from nearby Iran, the world’s most crowded Shiite nation.

The attack in Basra has aggravated a violent reaction – particularly from the Mahdi Army. His followers accuse rival Shiite parties of trying to defeat their movement before local elections.

Their fury has led to a sharp increase in attacks against American troops in Shiite areas subsequent to months of calm after cease-fire, declared by al Sadr declared a unilateral.

On Friday, a US aircraft fired a Hellfire missile in the Sadr City district - the Baghdad after gunmen there started fire on an American patrol.

The US military reported that four militants were killed, but Iraqi officials told nine civilians were killed and nine others wounded.

Another US airstrike targeted a rocket-propelled grenade mounted vehicle in the mostly Sunni neighbourhood of Azamiyah, murdering two militants, said the military.

US military officials, speaking on state of anonymity said commanders are cautious of bringing major firepower into Shiite areas could bring more counterattack through Baghdad.

At least two rounds Friday struck the Green Zone offices of Sunni Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi, murdering two guards and wounding four, said the executive secretary Lubna al-Hashemi.

China will not penalize a group of Tibetan monks for disturbing a government-organised foreign media tour of Lhasa and expressing support for the Dalai Lama, a senior official said in a bid to calm fears of repercussion.

Baema Chilain, vice-chairman of the Chinese-controlled Tibet Autonomous Region, also said “separatists” intend to disrupt the Olympic torch relay, but he vowed to ensure the flame`s security, as per the official Xinhua news agency.

About 30 monks at the Jokhang Temple, one of the holiest in Tibet, thrust their way into a meeting and explained to reporters the government was lying about recent conflict. They completely discarded Chinese claims that Tibet`s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, was responsible for protests.

Over two weeks of instability in Tibet and western China, with a day of violence in Lhasa, and China’s response ahead of the Beijing Olympics in August have instigated international controversy.

China wishes the Olympics will exhibit the achievements of fourth-largest economy of the world.

The Chinese government charges the Dalai Lama for the violence and asserts overall religious freedom, harmony and security.

The London-based Free Tibet Campaign held it had got unconfirmed reports from several Tibetan sources that three main monasteries in Sera, Lhasa — Ganden and Drepung — have been cut off since March 11 without any access to basic amenities.

“The monks are being starved. As per the reports, Tibetan populations have attempted to bring food to the monasteries but have been refused access,” it said.

Baema Chilain, the Tibet official, said the monks at the three monasteries along with the Jokhang temple were being “temporarily restricted to the premises as the authorities were examining allegations”.

Arrest warrants are issued for 30 people concerning the Lhasa violence, Baema Chilain said, for “endangering national security and committing severe criminal offenses”.

Subsidised loans would be offered to help businesses damaged in the Lhasa violence, by the government, Xinhua reported.

China stated 19 people were killed by Tibetan mobs, but the Tibet government-in-exile in Dharamsala, India, anticipated there had been 140 deaths in the unrest.

Tags: Dalai Lama, Tibetan monks

Belgian world number one Justine Henin bagged yet another reward for her outstanding performance 2007 season on Thursday as she was bestowed with the title of the WTA player of the year.

Henin, who also got the honor in 2003, succeeded 10 of the 14 tournaments that she started last year. She was triumphant in 25 straight matches after surrendering to France’s Marion Bartoli in the semi-finals at Wimbledon.

In spite of that All-England discontent, Henin took her total of Grand Slam singles titles to seven in 2007, with triumphs at Roland Garros and the US Open. Henin became the first woman in history, who has earned more than five million dollars in prize money in a single year.

Serbian Ana Ivanovic, who bagged the prestigious WTA tier one title at Indian Wells on Sunday, was referred to as the most-improved player.

The 20-year-old inserted three more titles to her resume in 2007 to take her titles to five. She is the first Serbian to make it to a Grand Slam final when she was done with runner-up to Henin at the French Open.

American Lindsay Davenport was conferred with the title of comeback player of the year, after returning to the courts in September, three months after the birth of her first child, son Jagger.

She became victorious in 13 matches with just one fall, capturing titles at Quebec City and Bali and coming back to the top 100 (73) for the 15th year in a row.

Hungarian Agnes Szavay, 19, got the best newcomer award after acquiring her first two career titles at Beijing and Palermo. She leaped from 185th place in the world rankings to right 20th.

Tags: Justine Henin, WTA player of the year

The Dalai Lama has said the Olympics were an opportunity for the world to remind China of its human rights record and further added that he supported Beijing’s hosting of the games.

“In order to be a good host to the Olympic Games, China must improve its record in the field of human rights and religious freedom,” the Tibetan leader told in an interview.

Violent protests across Tibet have clouded China’s preparation of the Olympic games .Leaders in France, Taiwan and elsewhere have murmured about a boycott of China’s first Games because of Tibet.

The Tibetan government-in-exile based in india(Dharamsala) estimated 140 deaths in the violence.
Beijing blamed for two weeks of violence on the Dalai Lama and said he was trying to sabotage the games. But the Dalai Lama has denied the charge and threatened to resign as the leader of the Tibetan government if violence went out of control.

The first leg of the Olympic Torch relay, which started this week from Greece, has already been marred by pro-Tibet protests and also India has seen huge protests.

“We will provide all possible arrangement to ensure that the Olympic Torch travels through India peacefully,” MK Narayanan, the national security adviser, told reporters on Wednesday.

Tags: olympic games, Olympic Torch travel, violence in china

The six Gulf states, currently rolling under the assault of mounting prices although oil earnings going up stridently, will be disturbed by inflation in 2008.

Largely inflationary pressures this year are likely to boost by seven percent on an average, said Gene Leone, a senior official of the International Monetary Funds (IMFs).

Leone says, “Domestic demand was expected to remain strong over the medium term, fuelled by high oil prices and flow of substantial investments in the region.”

Inflation was expected to ease to approximately12 percent and eight percent in 2007 in Qatar and the UAE. However, figures offered by Leon reveals that inflation in Qatar surged to around 14 percent while prices in the UAE had risen by 11 percent.

With near four percent inflation in Bahrain, lowest among GCC countries, owing to government subsidies, the IMF said.

In his presentation, Leon mentioned that in Qatar inflation has surged to around 14 percent in 2007 while consumer prices in the UAE were estimated to have risen to around 11 percent.

About the policy options, Leon said that given the pegged exchange rate regimes in most GCC countries, the effectiveness of monetary policy is limited in controlling inflation. However, fiscal policy is the only effective instrument to tackle this issue.

He added that revaluation of the exchange rate could have a limited impact, but we should bear in mind that inflation has been stimulated mainly by supply-side factors and choosing effective regime should be motivated by more than just the need to lessen inflation, he said.

The IMF figures also explain inflation rising over 4.1 per cent in the low economy of Saudi Arabia, which is the largest in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, Bahrain has proposed an agreement to import foodstuff and supplies to fight with the impact of rising inflation.

Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) chairman Esam Fakhro says, “the policy would help give the region`s countries more control over the cost of consumer goods and greater power to prevent harmful price hikes”.

Tags: IMF on GCC countries, IMF report on Gulf states, inflation in Gulf countries

Mobily, leading GSM operator in Saudi Arabia announced on Tuesday to invest Rs 70 crore in the next three years, Mobily Infotech India Private Limited (MIT).

Mobily has already invested over Rs 20 crore in the initial year of registration and operations in MIT and plans were on to invest Rs 70 crore for infrastructure development, skilled manpower among others, said Ahmed M al-Orani, proclaiming the launch of a new facility centre at Whitefield in the city here.

MIT, the company’s first subsidiary outside Saudi Arabia, has employed 70 professional and the number is likely to grow to 800 in the next five years, he said.

“The subsidiary, specialised in providing it services, will extend the capabilities of the current information technology division. MIT will add more skilled manpower to Mobily’s it division and allow the company to handle much tighter it project deadlines needed to improve both the time to market and quality of service required in a competitive environment,” said mobily CEO and MD, Khalid Alkaf.

Till 2009, Mobily Infotech will provide it solutions and consulting services only for the parent company. From 2010, Mobily Infotech would be able to provide services to other telecom operators as well, Ahmed said.

Listing the benefits that Mobily would derive from its Indian subsidiary, Ahmed said it would help in improving both quality of products and responsiveness.

“It would help meet the tremendous growth and increase the competitive edge of Mobily”, Ahmed said.

The Indian unit would help Mobily to be in tact with the latest developments in this space and the new service in the industry. If possible, these products and services could be initiated in Saudi Arabia, he added.

Mobily, the brand name of Etihad Etisalat Co is the second GSM operator in Saudi Arabia providing GSM, 3 and 3.5 g voice, data and multimedia streaming services with high speed.

Mobily, which is the fastest growing mobile operator in the Middle East and North African region, by end of 2007, revenue of USD 368 million, Khalid said.

Tags: GSM operator, investment in GSM, Mobily Infotech India Private Limited

Armed tribesmen demanding release of prisoners in Afghanistan on Wednesday kidnapped 40 passengers of a bus coming from Kabul in Pakistan`s restive border region.

The passengers of the Pakistan-Afghanistan friendship bus were taken away to an unidentified location by the armed tribesmen. The kidnappers demand the release of some prisoners in Afghanistan in exchange for the passengers.

The political administration of Khyber agency assured a grand jirga that negotiated with the kidnappers and secured the release of the passengers.

According to Dawn news channel ,the jirga assured the abductors that Pakistani officials would hold talks with their Afghan counterparts to release the prisoners in Afghanistan.

The incident occurred even as senior officials of the NATO forces in Afghanistan were holding a talk with Pakistan Army officials in the Landi Kotal cantonment to discuss the bomb attack on tankers carrying oil for US troops in the neighbouring country two days ago.

Six bombs went off in a parking lot, killing two persons and destroying over 40 tankers. The NATO and Pakistan Army officials discussed measures to improve security in the area in concern of the attack.

Tags: crime in Afghanistan, crime in Pakistan, kidnapping in Pak-Afghan border

It isn’t only the test match but the battle to be Australia’s main challengers as the world’s top Test team.

India have proven advantages and are playing on home turf while South Africa are determined and focused lot on game to punish opponent.

The matches are won and lost by the better team on the day, so the India skipper has gone for the tried and tested formula.

Virender Sehwag and Wasim Jaffer will open, and four bowlers including two spinners will play.

“We are all geared up to ensure that we go out there and do our best. We have done that throughout the Australian series and we are really confident going into this series,” Indian captain Anil Kumble says.

South Africa have traditionally done well in India despite their lack of quality spin bowling options.

“One or two Indian batsmen have made comments that have motivated him even more. So I think, hopefully for him, he can just hit the ground running and enjoy the time with the rest of the guys. It is important that we work as an attack,” South African skipper Graeme Smith says

Since this will be the first series since the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) clampdown on sledging, any flare-ups between players will be keenly watched.But Kumble didn’t seem too concerned about the talk of sledging.

Tags: International Cricket Council, sledging in cricket

Indra Nooyi, the India-born chief executive of PepsiCo, received $14.74 million in compensation in 2007.It is her first full year as head of the world’s second-largest soft drink maker.

Her 2007 compensation value more than doubled the $6.3 million she was paid in 2006, when she served as Pepsi’s chief financial officer for most of that year before taking over the top spot in October 2006.

According to the company’s annual regulatory , Nooyi’s package makes her the highest paid executive in the company.

Her package includes $1.3 million in salary, $3.2 million of non-equity incentive plan compensation, and nearly $400,000 in compensations such as executive perks including flying on the company jet.

She was also granted stock and option awards worth $9.83 million as of the grant date in February 2007.

The Fortune magazine recently published a cover story on her, in which she said she was not averse to a position in Washington later.

PepsiCo International CEO Mike White is the company’s second-highest paid executive with a compensation package worth $7.1 million in 2007.

Pepsi’s rival Coca-Cola gave its chief executive, Neville Isdell, $21.65 million in compensation in 2007, a 3.6 per cent increase from the previous year.

Tags: CEO of PepsiCo, Indra Nooyi, PepsiCo International

 

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