President focuses on Ayodhya, Pak in his address to Parliament Govt proposes to set up University Development Commission India Seeks Israeli Help to Suppress Islamic Militancy Indian Export to Australia increases Scroll down fore More News
21 dead, several injured in Chicago night club stampede
New York,Monday, February 17, 2003: In one of the deadliest stampedes in the United States, at least 21 people were trampled to death and many more injured today as hundreds of people inside a Chicago night club rushed to the only exit.
"Twenty one people were confirmed dead," reports quoted Chicago Police spokesman as saying. Reports said the stampede started when someone used pepper spray to break up a fight in the club packed with more than 1,500 people. "It appears to be a disturbance from within led to a mass chaos where people headed for the door. Most of the fatalities appear to have been crushed or had injuries due to suffocation," police officials were quoted as saying.They said the total number of injuries was unclear as many of those with minor injuries were been taken to hospitals by family members.
One of the exit of the two-storey Epitome Night Club on the city's South Side was chained shut and firefighters had to cut through to reach the victims. Witnesses said "people were stacking on top of each other ... people were crying, they couldn't breath... the door got blocked because there were too many people stacked up against it." Police are investigating the incident.
President focuses on Ayodhya, Pak in his address to Parliament
New Delhi,Monday, February 17, 2003: Focussing on Ayodhya and Pakistan in his first address to Parliament, President A P J Abdul Kalam today said judiciary should expedite its work and give an early verdict on the temple issue and castigated Islamabad for its continued support to terrorist groups in India. With the tension on Indo-Bangla border drawing the nation's attention, the President made it clear that the problem of illegal immigration from Bangladesh has assumed serious proportions and affected many states with reports of Bangladesh territory being used by insurgent groups operating in the North East.
"The ISI is also active in Bangladesh. This makes the issue of infiltration even more ominous. The government is determined to take all necessary steps to check this problem," Kalam told members of both the houses of Parliament at a joint stting on the commecement of the Budget Session. Seeing a "method in the madness" of Pakistan-supported terrorist violence, he said "...we must continue to be vigilant against an adversary which is unwilling to give up its anti-India stand." Unfolding the government's agenda for the coming year, he took satisfaction in the performance of the economy in the past year and described the 10th five year plan as not merely a Resources Plan but a Reforms Plan.
With Ayodhya set to take centrestage during the session, the President said the government has repeatedly made it clear that the dispute could be resolved either through negotiations between the two communities or through a judicial verdict which has to be accepted by all concerned.
ERITREA: Gov't imports grain, Isayas says aid should not be ''political tool''
NAIROBI, 17 February (IRIN) - Eritrean President Isayas Afewerki has said the government is diverting funds for food purchases to help combat the effects of drought, but condemned those who were using humanitarian assistance as a "political tool". In a recent speech to mark the anniversary of the liberation of Massawa port, he thanked international agencies which were "sincerely and generously rendering their relief aid".
"Nevertheless, I would like to mention in passing that it is sad to witness that there are those who are using humanitarian assistance as a political tool in continuation of their futile pressures, and are, towards that end, causing delays in the delivery of food relief," he said, according to the ruling party's Shaebia website.
"We are at a time when we have to combat a natural crisis and other hostilities, whether they are immediate short-term or long-term," he said. "Thus it is imperative that we understand our challenges objectively and redouble our efforts, and not relax our resolve." Meanwhile, the Eritrean government announced it was importing 80,000 mt of grain to help offset the effects of drought. The head of the Eritrean Relief and Refugee Commission (ERREC), Hiwot Zemikael, said 60,000 mt had already arrived in the country and the remaining 20,000 mt would follow soon.
According to Eritrean radio, she hailed contributions by Eritreans inside and outside the country, but urged wealthy Eritreans to increase their donations. Over two million Eritreans - about two-thirds of the population - are at risk of severe food shortages because of the drought. The government, which has appealed for some 476,000 mt of emergency relief food, has called for a greater contribution from the international community.
India Seeks Israeli Help to Suppress Islamic Militancy
Mumbai,Monday, February 17, 2003: In an apparent attempt to devise a strategy to combat the scourge of terrorism, the top brass of Maharashtra's Home ministry deliberated on the issue with an Israeli security expert here today. Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, along with the state DGP Subhash Malhotra, city police chief R S Sharma and top officials of the Home department, held a closed door meeting with Israeli security expert Jonathan Fighel. Fighel, a retired Colonel, however, said "they deliberated on academic aspects of general phenomenon of terrorism". Fighel is expert on security and counter-terrorism and is head of educational project and a researcher of the international policy institute for counter terrorism at the interdisciplinary center, Herzilya in Israel. The meeting, that lasted for over half-an-hour, took place at Ramtek, the official residence of the Deputy Chief Minister.
The Isreali expert was in India to deliver a lecture at an international seminar on terrorism organised by the youth wing of BJP in the national capital. Asked whether he would suggest any ways to the Indian government to tackle terrorism, he said "the Indian government knows what to do and is capable of doing it". Fighel, however, clarified that terrorism in India was not his subject. Bhujbal said Fighel is an expert in creating public awareness against terrorism and if necessary, "we may avail of his experience in future".
Dubai -February 17, 2003
McAfee Security, the market leader in anti-virus and privacy protection software and the world's first application service provider (ASP), has recently launched a new range of managed application services that alleviate security concerns and offers round-the-clock protection from virus attacks in the Middle East. This was announced at a press conference held in Dubai today (Monday, 17th February 2003). McAfee is a division of Network Associates, Inc., which has a regional office at the Dubai Internet City.
The new solution is designed to take control of the entire management of anti-virus protection by covering virus protection, firewall protection and vulnerability assessment, backed by McAfee AVERT (Anti Virus Emergency Response Team), the largest virus research group in the world. "The McAfee ASaP managed services have been designed specifically for businesses as the only service of its kind providing continuously updated anti-virus, firewall protection and vulnerability assessment for desktops and laptop PCs," said Javier Perea, SMEA Channel Manager, Network Associates, Inc. "Using bandwidth-friendly Rumor technology, ASaP provides updates across the entire desktop infrastructure, eliminating the huge costs of managing and updating anti-virus software on one's own. Our managed anti-virus services cover every possible point of virus entry, protecting important data from malicious attacks."
McAfee has appointed the Application Service Provider (ASP), SecureSynergy, a company that specializes in security-enhanced dependability, as its channel partner to provide the ASaP service to customers in the Middle East and other regions. "McAfee has created a comprehensive partner initiative called McAfee ASaP Corps to resell McAfee ASaP security services, with tangible benefits for our partners," said Perea. "SecureSynergy's experience in the region will enable it to devise a cost-effective strategy to allow businesses to acquire this revolutionary online anti-virus firewall protection and vulnerability assessment from McAfee. The rapid growth of Information Technology in the Middle East has created a huge demand for mainly anti-virus protection. McAfee is seriously committed to providing leading edge solutions for the region's businesses and governments, and ASaP is the latest and most effective anti-virus service, among other products we have launched."
"One of the several winning features of VirusScan ASaP is that it checks for a new anti-virus update at the point of every dial-up connection to a network, improving network security. This is important where mobile employees often connect to the network throughout the day, posing a high risk as well as major problems for the management to keep their virus protection current," added Perea.The McAfee ASaP offers complete online managed services covering Virus Protection, Firewall Protection and Vulnerability Assessment. It takes charge of the entire management of anti-virus protection, leaving the end-user to focus on its core business strategies. McAfee ASaP offers round-the-clock firewall protection by monitoring network activity at home and in the office, with the added facility of customizing individual firewall needs by offering onsite support from an experienced team of professionals. Finally, McAfee ASaP offers security via the Internet using industry-leading technologies that protect companies from known vulnerabilities and keep hackers out of the networks and away from important data.
The McAfee ASaP takes only a few minutes to install and it can be easily distributed via email. Once the ASaP agent is installed, the end-user starts receiving continuous round-the-clock virus protection that is backed by McAfee AVERT. "Because the service is available through the Net, the user is assured of detailed reports providing company wide information on protection coverage status summary, viruses cleaned, deleted or quarantined as well as desktops updated," said Abdulrahman Gorashi, Channel & Distribution Manager Middle East, Network Associates. "It is accessible anywhere anytime, which means IT manager can operate from home whenever they hear about the outbreak of a new virus. The McAfee ASaP works behind the scenes without impacting end-users or network resources."
Captain Felix Mohan, Chief Executive Officer, SecureSynergy, said: "SecureSynergy's involvement in McAfee's ASaP managed solutions is in line with our corporate philosophy of providing assurance across information infrastructures through continuous proactive security and focused management control. ASaP supports our focus on management and operations control as against conventional focus on technical controls. We fully endorse ASaP and plan to promote this as the ideal solution for round-the-clock protection against cyber attacks. Our 24/7 Data center, NOC and Help Desk combine with ASaP technology to provide pro-active and continuous security to end-users and is uniquely positioned to extend and enhance businesses".
Call to reject WTO proposal on drugs
NAIROBI, 17 February (IRIN) - Recent gains made in making HIV/AIDS treatment accessible and affordable to Kenyans are being threatened by a deal currently under discussion at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which would severely restrict access to such drugs, a group of local NGOs has warned.
ActionAid Kenya, EcoNews and Medecins Sans Frontieres on 14 February said the WTO meeting, convened in Tokyo, Japan, was negotiating a proposal to restrict use of compulsory licensing for many developing countries only to extreme national emergencies.
If adopted, this proposal would reverse the public health policy gains made under the Doha Declaration on TRIPS [trade related aspects of intellectual property rights] and Public Health in 2001 and could severely limit Kenya's access to affordable medicines, they said.
"Here in Kenya we have made great progress in decreasing the cost of drugs for many diseases - not just for HIV/AIDS, but for other major public health problems like pneumonia and diarrhoeal diseases that kill thousands of Kenyans every year," ActionAid Kenya's Dr Christopher Ouma told journalists in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. "The cost of some life-saving drugs has been decreased by as much as half, but if this current proposal goes through at the WTO, all these gains will be lost," Ouma added.
Under the Doha Declaration, countries were authorised to issue compulsory licences to companies to manufacture affordable generic drugs needed for tackling public health problems such as HIV/AIDS. Countries which have no capacity to make such drugs were allowed to issue a compulsory licence system under which they could import drugs from elsewhere.
However, at the current discussions, certain members of the WTO, having bowed to pressure from industry, are trying to restrict the terms of the agreement and limit the use of
compulsory licensing to "national emergencies or other circumstances of extreme urgency", according to the statement. This would mean that countries like Kenya with limited capacity to produce their own drugs would have to wait for public health problems to spin out of control before seeking solutions, the NGOs said.They urged Kenyan negotiators to "strongly" reject the proposal. "Wealthy countries do not have to declare national emergencies to make use of TRIPS safeguards, so why should Kenya and other developing countries have to do so," Oduor Ong'wen, who runs EcoNews Africa, said. "Will African countries have to declare tuberculosis or malaria a national emergency in order to get affordable drugs?" he asked.
Technology
Sony Ericsson unveils its first commercial 3G phone
Today, at the 3GSM World Congress in Cannes, France, Sony Ericsson
unveiled the Z1010 dual mode UMTS/GSM-GPRS phone. The clamshell Z1010
is designed to give consumers the best possible experience of
imaging, messaging and connectivity applications using 3G. Optimised
for video conferencing and video applications, it features two
inbuilt cameras, two displays, video support and a host of other
features.This fully featured dual mode UMTS/GSM-GPRS mobile phone will be Sony
Ericsson's first in a line of 3G-products made available for the
consumer market. It is demonstrated featuring video calls and
streaming video applications, in a live 3G network in Cannes. The
Z1010 focuses on easy-to-use multimedia messaging, taking advantage
of the capacity and capability of 3G networks. For this, the
clamshell Z1010 features two displays and two cameras. The main
display is a full graphic 65K colour display and a grey scale status
display is located on the front panel of the phone, for easy access
to information when the phone is closed.The integrated camera is easy to use for capturing still images and
video, which can then be sent as MMS or e- mail. There is also a
dedicated video call camera placed below the main display, so while
the camera is filming the user, he or she can watch the other party
in the display. To be able to easily move information between the
Z1010 and other devices, as well as for memory extension, the phone
features Sony Memory Stick Duo(TM) technology which makes it easy to
transfer images, video clips and music files to and from the phone."We are showing this product now to support operators' commercial 3G
launch programmes and to inspire users and application developers
with full 3G functionality support. 2003 will be the year when the
industry will have to focus heavily on interoperability and
standardisation in order to launch attractive 3G services and
applications," says Jan Wäreby, Corporate Executive VP, Head of Sales
and Marketing at Sony Ericsson. "Supporting this process is
definitely one of Sony Ericsson's strengths thanks to our Ericsson
heritage, closeness to the operators and the fact that we were the
first ones to carry out hand-over between GSM and 3G in September
2002," says Mr Wäreby.Upon completion of interoperability testing (IOT) during Q2, there
will be full commercial availability to support operator launch
programmes during the second half of 2003. Sony Ericsson has been
shipping UMTS network test phones to selected operator customers
since the middle of 2002 and in September announced, together with
Ericsson, the first live, dual mode UMTS/GSM calls with seamless
handover between the two modes. The demonstration, which included
high data rate in live UMTS/GSM networks, was done on Sony Ericsson
test units based on a commercial platform developed by Ericsson
Mobile Platforms and it is also on this platform that the Z1010 is
based.Z1010 product features:
Imaging
Video Call, TwinCam, VGA for still, QCIF for video
UMTS 64kbits uplink
GPRS 4+2
Dual displays: 176x220 pixels / 65 536 colors and 101x80 pixels /
4-level grey scaleEntertainment
Audio and video: MPEG 4, H.263, MP3, ACC, AMR
UMTS 384kbit downlink
Polyphonic Sound 24 voices
WAP2.0
Java MIDP 1.0Messaging
SMS/EMS/MMS/MMS video
Wireless villageConnectivity
Bluetooth long range
Sony Memory stick Duo(TM), 16MB included
USB true connector - 12Mbit
IrDASony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB offers mobile communications
products for people who appreciate the possibilities of powerful
technology. Established in 2001 by Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
and Sony Corporation, the joint venture continues to build on the
success of its two innovative parent companies. Sony Ericsson creates
value for its operator customers by bringing new ways of using
multimedia communications while mobile. The company's management is
based in London, and has 4,000 employees across the globe working on
research, development, design, sales, marketing, distribution and
support.
Govt proposes to set up University Development Commission
New Delhi,Monday, February 17, 2003: Government proposes to set up a University Development Commission by bringing in necessary amendments to the UGC Act, President A P J Abdul Kalam said here today. "The University Grants Commission, which has completed fifty years, is proposed to be restructured into the University Development Commission," Kalam said in his address to the joint sitting of Parliament on the opening day of the budget session.
An idea to this effect was mooted by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee sometime ago while addressing a function on UGC completing its 50 years. Lauding the IIT system for having completed 50 years of distinguished service to the nation, the President said it has earned global acclaim for the quality of its graduates. While 14 Regional Engineering Colleges have been upgraded as National Institutes of Technology, the President said special thrust has been provided to address educational needs of minorities.
He said the country's commitment to the universalisation of elementary education was reflected in its move to make free and compulsory education for all children in the age group of 6-14 years a Fundamental Right. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, a national programme to discharge this Constitutional obligation, has been successfully launched with an outlay of nearly Rs 55 billion, Kalam said.
Rudy inaugurates Indian Trade Exhibition in Moscow
Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, today inaugurated "Indian Trade Exhibition 2003", which is being organised by India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), in Moscow. Shri Rudy said that this Exhibition would offer a unique opportunity for the trading communities from not only Russia but also other CIS countries to enter into business agreements with their Indian counterparts. The 5-day exhibition (February 17-21, 2003), being held after a gap of eight years is focussing on Karnataka, as partner State and Gujarat.
Shri Rudy urged the business community of both the countries to use this event as a platform to not only develop and promote bilateral trade relations but also long term investment. The bilateral trade in the year 2001-02 was of the order of US $ 1330.66 million of which Indian exports to Russia were US $ 794.13 million. More than 200 leading Indian firms are participating in the Show with its focus on value-added manufactured products and services apart from the traditional merchandise. Shri Rudy congratulated ITPO for mounting a Fair of such magnitude and hoped that it would provide an appropriate environment for intensive commercial interactions.
The display profile at the Exhibition covers a wide range of items from engineering, IT and bio-technology, plastic, ceramic and allied products, rubber, agriculture, dyes and intermediates, chemicals and pharmaceuticals sectors to gems and jewellery, processed foods & beverages, textiles, jute, coir, silks, woolens, herbals and ayurvedic products. Educational, banking, power and financial services besides tourism will be among the services sector to be highlighted at the Exhibition. The event is significant at a time when both the countries have accorded the highest priority to enhancement of bilateral trade relations particularly in the context of the visit of the Prime Minister of India to Russia and more recently by the President of Russia to India in early December 2002.
AAHAR International Exhibition 2003
The 18th Aahar International Exhibition for food, food processing, Hotel and Restaurant Equipment and supplies will be held in Delhi by India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) in March 2003. The fair is being organised with the support of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Association of Resource Companies for the Hospitality Industry (ARCHI), Confederation of Indian Food Trade and Industry (CIFTI) and All India Food Processors Association. The Aahar exposition has been recognised as Asia’s leading event on food technology.
The demand for processed food in the country is on the rise with the average Indian spending about 50 per cent of his household expenditure on food items. Government of India is also keen to upgrade domestic technology and enhance its international competitiveness. Several policy initiatives have been taken to provide fresh impetus into the food-processing sector including financial assistance for infrastructure development, setting up of food processing units etc. The Government has formulated a draft national food processing policy for creation of enabling environments, infrastructural development and promotion of linkages at farm levels.
In order to attract overseas initiatives and investments in the sector, the food processing sector has been deregulated and provision of licensing has been dispensed with barring alcoholic beverages. With the exception of a few cases automatic approval for foreign investment upto 100 per cent has been allowed. From July 1991 when liberalisation process started to December 2001, a total of 1162 approvals involving an investment of US $ 4.03 billion has been granted out of which foreign investment accounts for over US $ 2.04 billion.
The Aahar fair will offer a platform for facilitating growth and modernisation in the processed food and hospitality sectors. Its aim is in tune with government efforts and objectives to promote these vital areas of national economy. The fair has over the years evolved into an ideal forum for initiation of joint venture agreements and technology transfer processes which assures considerable returns.
Dr. Ambedkar national Scholarship Scheme for Meritorious SC ST Students
The Deputy Prime Minister, Shri L. K. Advani inaugurated the Dr. Ambedkar National Scholarship Scheme by giving away scholarships to a number of awardees at a function at Vigyan Bhawan here this evening. The awardees are among the four hundred fifty eight meritorious students belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes who have been awarded scholarships this year to assist them in pursuing higher and technical education. Dr. Ambedkar Foundation of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has initiated the Scheme from this year.
Felicitating the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry for starting the scholarship scheme, the Deputy Prime Minister said that it demonstrates Government of India’s commitment towards social, economic and educational empowerment of weaker and marginalised sections of society. Shri Advani said Dr. Ambedkar believed that education is everybody’s birth right and should be available to the poorest of the poor. He said that paying less attention towards education and health sectors in the past is mainly responsible for the country not having achieved desired economic progress.
Presiding over the function the Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment Dr. Satyanarayan Jatiya described the Scheme as a historic initiative to help meritorious SC/ST students. He said that education is an important tool in empowering the Scheduled Caste & Scheduled Tribe communities. Dr. Jatiya said it is for this reason that the Social Justice & Empowerment Ministry is already giving post matric scholarships to over 15 lakh students belonging to Scheduled Castes.
Under the Ambedkar National Scholarship three students each belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes having scored highest marks in regular class X level examination conducted by the Education Board / Council are to be awarded scholarships each year. A special award has been instituted for the girl student securing highest marks in case no girl is among the three meritorious students. The student securing highest marks in each Board will receive Rs.60,000 as scholarship while the student securing second highest marks would receive Rs.50,000 and the student with third highest marks would get Rs.40,000.
In order to benefit more students in view the large SC & ST population, the Foundation has also instituted 250 special merit scholarships for students securing next higher marks after 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions. Of these 167 have been earmarked for SC students and 83 for ST students in 35 States and Union Territories. Ten thousand rupees will be given for each of these special awards. There are 26 Education Boards/ Councils in the country and the total financial implication under the Scheme would be Rs.125.88 lakhs per annum.
Indian Export to Australia increases
Indian exports to Australia have registered an impressive growth of 19.37% during April-October 2002-03 as compared to the same period last year. The bilateral trade has also increased by 4.24 per cent at US $ 1003.96 million during the same period. This was indicated by Shri Vinay Bansal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, in his welcome address at the 8th India-Australia Joint Ministerial Commission, here today. Ms. Penny Wensley AO, Australian High Commissioner to India, was present in the meeting along with senior officials from both the countries. The 3-day (17-19 February) Meeting will be addressed by Shri Arun Jaitley, Minister of Commerce & Industry and Law & Justice and Mr. Mark Vaile, Australian Trade Minister, tomorrow.
Shri Bansal said that though considerable progress had been made in enhancing the bilateral trade, it does not reflect the true potential that exists between the two countries. "We should endeavour to lay down the road map for further expansion and diversification of the economic cooperation", he said. The meeting would review the Report of the Joint Working Group on Energy & Minerals as well as on Natural Fibres & Textiles. It would also discuss enhancing cooperation in Tourism and Education. Raising the pending issue of India’s import access for mangoes into Australian market, Shri Bansal requested Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) officials to visit India as soon as possible. It may be recalled that an MOU had been signed between the Export Inspection Council of India (EIC) and AQIS for recognition of equivalence of food inspection and certification system in December 2002. During the meeting, enhancing the scope of this MOU to cover other food products would also be discussed.
Shri Bansal apprised Australian delegation about India’s liberal investment regime and said that there was great potential for investment in the areas of mining, metallurgy, information technology and food processing. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from Australia has increased from US $ 1.1 million in 1991 to US $ 1.8 billion till October 2002. Australia ranks 8th in the list of countries in terms of cumulative FDI approved from 1991 to October 2002. The President Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam being led to the Central Hall of Parliament by the Vice President Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and the Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee to address the Joint Session of the Parliament at a Ceremonial Procession in New Delhi on February 17, 2003 (Monday).
Cold wave deaths: SC issues notice to Centre and 13 states
New Delhi,Monday, February 17, 2003: Taking note of the 700 deaths due to the intense cold wave that swept the entire north India, the Supreme Court today issued notice to the Centre and 13 States in a public interest litigation alleging that lives were lost due to failure of governments to provide shelter and relief.
A Bench comprising Justice S Rajendra Babu and Justice Ashok Bhan issued notices on a petition filed by two persons, who requested that their names be not mentioned in the list of cases or in the court orders so that they do not get any media publicity. The States to which notices were issued are - Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, National Capital Territory of Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jaharkhand and Uttaranchal.The petitioners sought a direction from the Court to the Centre and the States to take immediate steps to provide shelter, food and warm clothes to the homeless who spend the nights on the pavements. It alleged that so many deaths due to cold wave were on account of the failure on the part of the State Governments to honour the fundamental right of the citizens under Article 21 which guaranteed right to life. The petitioners said the object of the filing of the petition was to make the States come out with a plan of action to prevent deaths due to cold wave in future
