World Cup Soccer:Spain, Paraguay qualifies;Japan Out Of Quarter-Finals

World Cup Soccer:Spain, Paraguay qualifies;Japan Out Of Quarter-Finals

  June 30, 2010    Pradeep Padma

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Spain got victory over Portugal at the Green Point stadium and booked their place in the quarter-finals. In the first half of the match was full of missed opportunities. But when DavidVilla made his fourth goal of the World Cup on 63 minutes, Spain entered the Quarter Finals. Spain made a 1-0 victory over Portugal.

Portugal's problem was that Cristiano Ronaldo was yet again off form. He again failed to make a mark on the World Cup. As the Portuguese were compelled to go back home, without entering even the Quarter Finals Christiano Ronaldo, the captain of Portugal, may consider this as one of his personal failures.

In the second match between Paraguay and Japan , the match progress without any goal at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. Japan crashed out of the tournament when Paraguay scored 2 more goals in the penalty shoot out phase .Both teams tried to avoid into penalties, but in vain. The Asian participation in the tournament came to a sad end with the exit of Japan.  For Paraguay, the match is unforgettable as it is for the the first time they entering the Quarter Finals of World Cup.

There will be no matches until 2nd July 2010.Spain will now face Paraguay Saturday at Ellis Park in Johannesburg in the World Cup's fourth, and final, quarter-final.

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World's cheapest Volkswagen car for US$600

World's cheapest Volkswagen car for US$600

  June 29, 2010    Pradeep Padma

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The Most economical Car in the World will be available for US$600(INR: 27965 Rs). The single seated car made by China will be on sale next year. The car is developed by Volkswagen (VW) automobile manufacturer based in Wolfsburg - Germany.

It is capable of 0.91 litres per 100km (258mpg) and can manage a top speed of 123km/h. The body is 3.47 meters long and just 1.25 meters wide, and a little over a meter high. The prototype was made completely of carbon fiber and is not painted to save weight. it will be better than Electric Car  giving 258 miles/gallon. It has a Gas tank capacity of 1.7 gallons and a Speed of 62 – 74.6 Miles/hour.
The new car will beat all the low fuel consumption cars in the world, even for TATA Nano which has a fuel efficiency 26 km/liters on highway.

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FIFA World Cup 2010 Quarterfinals: Germany In; England out

FIFA World Cup 2010 Quarterfinals: Germany In; England out

  June 27, 2010    Pradeep Padma

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Germany reach the quarterfinals of FIFA World Cup 2010  beating England 4-1 at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.The Germans completely dominated the match ending the dreams of England for the World Cup.


In the first half, Germany lead the match with two goals , Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski  scored one goal each,Matthew Upson made one goal for England .Germany 's Thomas Muller scored the third goal  in the 67th minute and the fourth goal in the 70th minute. 
Klose scored his 12th World Cup goal in this match -the 50th goal for Germany .


Uruguay and Ghana also qualified for quarterfinals other than Germany .Ghana is the only African team left at  World Cup, and it will meet Uruguay on July 2 .England and Germany faced each other in World Cup 2002 qualifier in which England defeated Germany by 5-1. Germany will face either Argentina or Mexico in the quarterfinal.

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Tribute to the King of Pop; First Death Anniversary of Michael Jackson

Tribute to the King of Pop; First Death Anniversary of Michael Jackson

  June 25, 2010    Pradeep Padma

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One year after death, popularity of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson and his songs never seems to decline or diminish. Jackson continues to live in the hearts of his fans. They are paying tributes to him in various parts of the world on his first death anniversary.


Michael Jackson died at the age of 50, due to cardiac arrest at Los Angeles mansion on June 25 last year. It’s emerged that he had been given a cocktail of powerful prescription drugs which causes the death. Jackson's doctor Conrad Murray has been charged in connection with the case and is expected to stand trial next year. Jackson's death sent shockwaves rippling around the world last year.


Various programs, concerts, and events would be held in his honor in many places. A plaque in the memory of Jackson will be erected at the West End theatre in London. Laser Spectacular’s The Spirit of Michael Jackson" will light up the Memorial Auditorium today. Bollywood playback singer Sonu Niigam, who is a huge fan of Jackson, said that he was working on a tribute for Jackson with his brother Jermaine Jackson. The Jackson Family Foundation has decided to conduct a memorial event at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles to pay homage to this musical legend.

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Bhopal Tragedy: India to seek the extradition of Anderson

Bhopal Tragedy: India to seek the extradition of Anderson

  June 25, 2010    Pradeep Padma

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Indian Government has approved the Bhopal GoM’s recommendations to push the United States to extradite the former Chief of US chemical group Union Carbide for the Bhopal gas tragedy.


On the Dec. 3, 1984, Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal leaked about 40 tons of deadly methyl isocyanate gas into the air killing more than 15,000 people. According to estimates, in all, at least 500,000 people were affected. Anderson was the chief executive of Union Carbide when the tragedy occurred.


After 25 years, Bhopal gas victims have sought Warren Anderson's extradition from the US as they believed that, he knew the plant stocked toxic gas within city limits and it could cause huge damage in case of an accident. As a key decisions maker, he made so many decision including a cost-cutting measure that compromised safety at the gas plant Also he was aware of the inadequate security precautions.


Anderson was arrested and then released on bail in 1984. He left India immediately after signing a bond of 25,000 rupees. He never appeared in the court or in India ever since.Hhe was declared absconding since then and India has made formal request to US government for the extradition of Anderson. But the US government rejected the request saying that request did not meet requirements of certain provisions of the bilateral extradition treaty.

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Indo Pak Talks: Bridging the Truth Deficit

Indo Pak Talks: Bridging the Truth Deficit

  June 25, 2010    Pradeep Padma

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India and Pakistan discussed all bilateral issues at the foreign secretary level talks and described they have accepted the modalities for restoring trust and confidence for comprehensive sustained and meaningful dialogue.


Foreign secretary Nirupama Rao conveyed India's concerns on terror and the trial of the 26/11 offenders to her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir yesterday. The main agenda of the meeting is to bridge the trust deficit between the two countries. The talks will also prepare the agenda for the foreign minister level talks in July.


As a part of reconciliation process, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has invited his Indian counterpart S.M. Krishna to Islamabad.The meeting will be held on July 15 at Islamabad. India also conveyed the concern about the rise in infiltration,ceasefire violations and asked to stop Lashkar from making public statements against India.Pakistan asked for a joint initiative to counter terrorism. The two sides also discussed and exchanged proposals on humanitarian issues and cross LoC trade.


Both the Foreign secretaries addressed a joint press conference in Islamabad after their talks. All are looking forward to the meeting of the home ministers where the core issue of terror will be discussed in detail.“I don’t think any progress has been made. We must wait until Mr Chidambaram’s meeting that will prove if Pakistan is willing to do anything on 26/11 investigation. They would wait for final meeting (between the foreign ministers of the two countries on July 15), where if there is any progress it will be announced. ’’ Said former foreign secretary Lalit Mansingh.

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Nissan's Micra ready to launch in July

Nissan's Micra ready to launch in July

  June 24, 2010    Pradeep Padma

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Japanese car major Nissan will launch its much-anticipated small car Micra in India in July. The new Nissan Micra will be launched nationwide on July 14, 2010.Nissan Motor India has recently inaugurated its new facility at Oragada near Chennai and the debut Micra will be produced from here only.


The new Micra have to compete with Tata Nano, Chervy Spark, Maruthi Swift etc in the segment.The likely price of the base version  is expected below Rs 4 lakh. Micra would be available in four variants, XE, XE+, XL, and XV. The new Micra come with a 1.2 litre petrol engine capable of producing 75 bhp.The interiors are spacious and the top-end variant will also feature keyless entry and start, a feature found on luxury cars where you can keep the key fob in your pocket and press a button to start the car.


Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor is the brand ambassador of Nissan Micra. Nissan Micra booking has crossed 1000 mark, within four weeks. "We are delighted with this encouraging initial response. With the launch of the new Nissan Micra next month, Nissan will begin an exciting journey in India aiming to provide Indian customers with a full range of products and services," Nissan Motor India Managing Director and CEO Kiminobu Tokuyama said.


The company expects to produce 80,000 units of the new Micra, for both domestic and export markets, in its first year. Nissan will export Micra to over 100 countries, including Europe, Middle-East and Africa, by later half of 2010. Also will launch nine model in next 2 years and are targeting to sell 1, 00,000 vehicles in India by 2013.

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Sachin Tendulkar , Now Group Captain of Indian Air Force

Sachin Tendulkar , Now Group Captain of Indian Air Force

  June 24, 2010    Pradeep Padma

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The cricket maestro, Sachin Tendulkar will be conferred  with the honorary rank of Group Captain in the Indian Air Force. IAF had mooted the proposal in recognition of his glorious achievements as a cricketer under a provision in the armed forces to grant such ranks to eminent personalities. IAF feels his association with the IAF will motivate the younger generation to join the Air Force to serve the country.


Sachin, who is presently not in the country said: "It is indeed a great honour that I have been considered for the honorary rank of Group Captain in the Indian Air Force. As an Indian, I am very proud to be associated with this dynamic force and I shall do my very best to be a brand ambassador".


IAF is conferring the honor after an interval of 20 years. Also Tendulkar is the first sports man to receive the honorary rank. Twenty one persons have been granted the honorary ranks from Flight Lieutenant to Air Marshal. J.R.D. Tata was first made an honorary Group Captain in 1948, promoted as Air Commodore in October 1966 and finally Air Vice Marshal in 1974. Vijaypat Singhania was the last to be granted the honorary rank in October 1990.


Tedulkar has been honoured with the Padma Vibhushan award, India's second highest civilian award, and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, India's highest sporting honour. India's World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev had received the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel of the Territorial Army in 2008.

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FIFA World Cup 2010:Argentina put Greece out of World Cup

FIFA World Cup 2010:Argentina put Greece out of World Cup

  June 23, 2010    Pradeep Padma

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Argentina reach the second round of the World Cup, beating Greece .Martin Demichelis and Martin Palermo scored second-half goals to help Argentina beat Greece 2-0. Greece has been eliminated from the next round. Argentina thrashed Greece 4-0 in the World Cup 16 years ago with Maradona among the scorers.


Argentina reached the first place in Group B after a three successive wins over Nigeria, South Korea and Greece. Argentina now face Mexico in the second round. Only goalkeeper Sergio Romero, Demichelis, midfielder Maxi Rodriguez and Messi have been in on the team for all three of Argentina's games.


Lionel Messi, who turns 23 was given the captain's armband for the first time. He presented Argentina, a prize of  first place in Group B, while his team mates may give him presents on Thursday. Captain Javier Mascherano and strikers Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain were all benched.

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Kanishka Bombing: 25th Anniversary of world's deadliest aviation disaster

Kanishka Bombing: 25th Anniversary of world's deadliest aviation disaster

  June 23, 2010    Pradeep Padma

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Toronto: After twenty five years of the Kanishka air crash, families of the victims were emotionally destroyed by the tragedy, fracturing their home lives.

The Kanishka bombing occurred on June 23, 1985, while the plane was flying over the Atlantic Ocean en route New Delhi from Montreal via London.Air India Flight 182,‘ Kanishka,' named after Emperor Kanishka who ruled an Indian state in the second century ,exploded in midair by a bomb in Irish airspace and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean killing 329 people on board.

The attack was widely thought to be the revenge against Operation Blue Star- the June 1984 Indian Army operation at the Golden Temple in Punjab .Two baggage handlers were also killed in a bomb blast  meant for another Air India flight at Tokyo's Narita airport two hours earlier, the same day. Later it is found that both the bombs were loaded at Vancouver airport in two unaccompanied suitcases which were later transferred to the connecting Air India flight and Tokyo-bound flight at Toronto airport.

A special Commission found the accused were not guilty and they were released. The Canadian government launched a Commission of Inquiry headed by former Supreme Court justice John Major in 2006.The inquiry's investigations was completed and the  report will run into 3,000 pages, released on June 17, 2010. Major found that a cascading series of errors by the Government of Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service allowed the terrorist attack to take place.

Candian Prime Minister Stephen Harper met the families of Kanishka air crash victims, assured that the government would respond positively to the recommendations made by an inquiry committee and said compensation would be offered to all.

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1500 Cr Compensation Package for Bhopal Tragedy

1500 Cr Compensation Package for Bhopal Tragedy

  June 22, 2010    Pradeep Padma

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                   Image: Suat Eman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net


New Delhi: The Group of Ministers (GoM) has finalized its recommendations to the Prime Minister for a compensation package of Rs 1,500 crore for the kin of those who died and those debilitated in the Bhopal gas disaster. The package includes relief and rehabilitation of the victims, environmental clean-up.


GoM, recommended allocating a Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of the dead in the world's worst industrial disaster nearly 26 years ago. A sum of Rs 227 crore has been earmarked for upgrading seven hospitals including the Bhopal Memorial Trust hospital which was set up in the aftermath of the tragedy. Also they made recommendation for a fund of Rs 300Cr for clean-up at the site of the tragedy.


In 1989, the government accepted a settlement from Carbide that allowed 500 dollarsfor each person who died. To make up for that, the GoM suggests 10 lakhs as compensation for every person who died. Those permanently disabled or suffering from critical ailments by the gas leak are likely to get Rs five lakh while those partially debilitated will get Rs three lakh. The Central government will fund this compensation for now. But will take legal action against theDow Chemicals, which bought Carbide in 2001.

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World Cup Soccer: Portugal Thrashed North Korea

World Cup Soccer: Portugal Thrashed North Korea

  June 22, 2010    Pradeep Padma

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Portugal  devastated North Korea at Green Point Stadium and take a huge step towards a place in the Round of 16 .They grabbed  four  points in the Group G tie up .They made a crushing 7-0 victory, that  will go down as one of the biggest wins at the world cup.

Portugal improved dramatically to thrash the spirited North Koreans, after an uninspiring 0-0 draw with Ivory Coast in their opening game. At the same time, The devastating defeat of the North Koreans comes as a huge surprise as they made a quiet fight against five-time World Cup champs Brazil in their opener. The North Korean team was hailed as heroes after qualifying for football's elite tournament last year.

Midfielder Raul Meireles opened the account for Portugal in the 29th minute and the goals kept rolling in. Tiago scored twice and others completed the list. Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first goal for Portugal in two years.

Spain thrashed Honduras 2-0 in Group H ,David Villa scores twice boost their hopes of reaching the knockout stages. 

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