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India's Sachin Tendulkar became only the third batsman in history to score 11,000 Test runs on the second day of the second Test against England at Trent Bridge here on Saturday.
The 34-year-old Tendulkar, playing his 139th Test only needed 25 runs to reach the landmark at the start of his innings.
He got there when, on 23, a cover-drive off left-arm spinner Monty Panesar went for four after a misfield on the boundary by James Anderson.
Tendulkar joined an exclusive club whose only other members are Test runs world record-holder Brian Lara (11,953) and former Australia captain Allan Border (11,174), both of whom have retired.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
No racial discrimination against Dr Haneef: Australia
Australian High Commissioner John McCarthy today dismissed all charges of racial discrimination against former terror suspect Dr Mohammed Haneef, and defended the action of his Government, saying it was based on the information given by the UK.
''We did not botch up the case. Our action was based on the information given by the UK. There is no racial or any kind of discrimination. The popular support Haneef got in Australia should lay all these doubts to rest,'' Mr McCarthy said in an interview to CNN IBN news channel.
Dr Haneef, 27, was yesterday freed of all charges in the failed Glasgow attack case. He was arrested on July 2 on charges of recklessly supporting terrorism by providing a relative in Britain with his mobile phone SIM card.
Mr McCarthy maintained that the Australian judiciary and the federal police were independent and commanded the respect of all.
''The due judicial process was followed right through. The incident shows that our judiciary remains independent,'' he said.
He did not give any direct answers to repeated questions on the possibility of Australia tendering an apology for the trauma Dr Haneef underwent.
''That is not for me to answer,'' he said.
Dr Haneef's wife, Firdous Ashriya, who also joined the live debate from Bangalore, felt there was no need for an apology.
''I don't want anybody to say sorry or feel bad in public. It can happen in any country. I thank the Australian High Commission for the help extended by them. But the same incident shouldn't be repeated,'' she said.
The High Commissioner also declined to comment on whether he was going to meet Dr Haneef's family in the coming days to express remorse over the unfortunate incident.
But he said he had great respect for the manner in which Dr Haneef and his family had handled the ordeal of being labelled a terrorist.
''I appreciate the dignity with which Dr Haneef and his family have handled the entire matter. It could not have been easy for them, but I do appreciate their attitude.''
''We did not botch up the case. Our action was based on the information given by the UK. There is no racial or any kind of discrimination. The popular support Haneef got in Australia should lay all these doubts to rest,'' Mr McCarthy said in an interview to CNN IBN news channel.
Dr Haneef, 27, was yesterday freed of all charges in the failed Glasgow attack case. He was arrested on July 2 on charges of recklessly supporting terrorism by providing a relative in Britain with his mobile phone SIM card.
Mr McCarthy maintained that the Australian judiciary and the federal police were independent and commanded the respect of all.
''The due judicial process was followed right through. The incident shows that our judiciary remains independent,'' he said.
He did not give any direct answers to repeated questions on the possibility of Australia tendering an apology for the trauma Dr Haneef underwent.
''That is not for me to answer,'' he said.
Dr Haneef's wife, Firdous Ashriya, who also joined the live debate from Bangalore, felt there was no need for an apology.
''I don't want anybody to say sorry or feel bad in public. It can happen in any country. I thank the Australian High Commission for the help extended by them. But the same incident shouldn't be repeated,'' she said.
The High Commissioner also declined to comment on whether he was going to meet Dr Haneef's family in the coming days to express remorse over the unfortunate incident.
But he said he had great respect for the manner in which Dr Haneef and his family had handled the ordeal of being labelled a terrorist.
''I appreciate the dignity with which Dr Haneef and his family have handled the entire matter. It could not have been easy for them, but I do appreciate their attitude.''
Blood Sukers(Police of Andhra Pradesh) takes 8 Lifes
Eight people, including a woman, were killed and eight others injured, three of them critically, when police fired to quell a stone-pelting mob at Mudigonda village in Khammam district as the Left-sponsored state-wide bandh in Andhra Pradesh turned violent today.
Health Minister S Chandrasekar, who represents Palair constituency in the Assembly in which Mudigonda village is located, told reporters that eight persons were killed in the firing.
He said that the police action was consequent to the Left parties' blocking the road for more than three hours and not heeding to the request to allow free movement of vehicles.
Home Minister K Jana Reddy told newspersons that Inspector General of Police Poornachandra Rao had rushed from Hyderabad to assess the law and order situation.
The government has ordered an inquiry into the police firing, Mr Reddy said, adding that action would be taken against erring policemen, if any.
The CPI and CPI(M) activists had pitched camps and were staging dharna on the road since this morning to protest against the lathicharge on party activists demanding land for the landless.
Police, who tried to evict them, were allegedly attacked with stones, resulting in serious injuries to a Circle Inspector and a Sub-Inspector.
State CPI(M) Secretary B V Raghavulu, recuperating at the Gandhi Government Hospital after the police broke his six-day fast-to-death this morning and shifted him for treatement, demanded an ex gratia of Rs five lakh each to the kin of the victims in the police firing.
He demanded action against the 'erring' policemen and cautioned that any laxity on the part of the Government could force his party to review its support.
CPI(M) Politburo member Sitaram Yechuri would reach Hyderabad tomorrow and visit Mudigonda to study the situation.
The State CPI(M) has called for a bandh in Khammam district tomorrow.
Health Minister S Chandrasekar, who represents Palair constituency in the Assembly in which Mudigonda village is located, told reporters that eight persons were killed in the firing.
He said that the police action was consequent to the Left parties' blocking the road for more than three hours and not heeding to the request to allow free movement of vehicles.
Home Minister K Jana Reddy told newspersons that Inspector General of Police Poornachandra Rao had rushed from Hyderabad to assess the law and order situation.
The government has ordered an inquiry into the police firing, Mr Reddy said, adding that action would be taken against erring policemen, if any.
The CPI and CPI(M) activists had pitched camps and were staging dharna on the road since this morning to protest against the lathicharge on party activists demanding land for the landless.
Police, who tried to evict them, were allegedly attacked with stones, resulting in serious injuries to a Circle Inspector and a Sub-Inspector.
State CPI(M) Secretary B V Raghavulu, recuperating at the Gandhi Government Hospital after the police broke his six-day fast-to-death this morning and shifted him for treatement, demanded an ex gratia of Rs five lakh each to the kin of the victims in the police firing.
He demanded action against the 'erring' policemen and cautioned that any laxity on the part of the Government could force his party to review its support.
CPI(M) Politburo member Sitaram Yechuri would reach Hyderabad tomorrow and visit Mudigonda to study the situation.
The State CPI(M) has called for a bandh in Khammam district tomorrow.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Seafood exports from India increase
Seafood exports from the country increased by 19.62 percent in terms of quantity and 15.43 percent in value in 2006-07 over the previous year.
The Marine Products Exports Developments Authority (MPEDA) said here Friday that in terms of quantity, the total exports rose from 512,164 tonnes in 2005-06 to 612,641 tonnes and in value terms it shot up from Rs.72.45 billion to Rs.83.63 billion.
On account of imposition of fresh duty structures in the USA, seafood exports to that country dropped from 55,817 tonnes to 43,758 tonnes and in value terms also the fall was considerable. It came down from Rs.16.39 billion to Rs.13.47 billion, the MPEDA said in press release.
But exports to China went up drastically from 137,076 tonnes to 203,513 tonnes and grew in value terms from Rs.13.70 billion to Rs.20.35 billion.
Exports to European Union also grew from 136,842 tonnes to 149,760 tonnes and growth was also recorded in value terms from Rs.21.34 billion to Rs.27.59 billion.
The Marine Products Exports Developments Authority (MPEDA) said here Friday that in terms of quantity, the total exports rose from 512,164 tonnes in 2005-06 to 612,641 tonnes and in value terms it shot up from Rs.72.45 billion to Rs.83.63 billion.
On account of imposition of fresh duty structures in the USA, seafood exports to that country dropped from 55,817 tonnes to 43,758 tonnes and in value terms also the fall was considerable. It came down from Rs.16.39 billion to Rs.13.47 billion, the MPEDA said in press release.
But exports to China went up drastically from 137,076 tonnes to 203,513 tonnes and grew in value terms from Rs.13.70 billion to Rs.20.35 billion.
Exports to European Union also grew from 136,842 tonnes to 149,760 tonnes and growth was also recorded in value terms from Rs.21.34 billion to Rs.27.59 billion.
Diggy finds fault with YSR!
The Congress high command is apparently not happy with Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy's foul mouthing of Opposition Leader N Chandrababu Naidu, which the national media projected in big way showing the Congress party in bad light.
This was evident from the words of AICC general secretary in-charge of Andhra Pradesh affairs Digvijay Singh. Diggy found fault with YSR saying it was not proper on the part of the Chief Minister to utter those words and then apologise. He sounded that AICC president Sonia Gandhi was not happy with the aggressive behaviour of YSR.
The AICC president is also not happy with the handling of Left parties' land struggle issue by the YSR government. She tried to influence CPI-M national secretary Prakash Karat, but the situation has already gone out of hands, as the YSR government tried to suppress the agitation using force.
Another issue that displeased Sonia was the PJR issue. Though he is cooled down a bit, thanks to the intervention of V Hanumantha Rao and Iqbal Singh, there is evey possibility that he might lead the anti-YSR gang within the Congrss. PJR is meeting Diggy on Saturday and hopefully, he migh get an appointment with Sonia, too, sources say.
This was evident from the words of AICC general secretary in-charge of Andhra Pradesh affairs Digvijay Singh. Diggy found fault with YSR saying it was not proper on the part of the Chief Minister to utter those words and then apologise. He sounded that AICC president Sonia Gandhi was not happy with the aggressive behaviour of YSR.
The AICC president is also not happy with the handling of Left parties' land struggle issue by the YSR government. She tried to influence CPI-M national secretary Prakash Karat, but the situation has already gone out of hands, as the YSR government tried to suppress the agitation using force.
Another issue that displeased Sonia was the PJR issue. Though he is cooled down a bit, thanks to the intervention of V Hanumantha Rao and Iqbal Singh, there is evey possibility that he might lead the anti-YSR gang within the Congrss. PJR is meeting Diggy on Saturday and hopefully, he migh get an appointment with Sonia, too, sources say.
ITC posts 20 percent rise in Q1 net profit
Tobacco and hospitality industries major ITC Ltd Friday reported a 20.2 percent rise in net profits for the first quarter of 2007-08 driven by higher cigarette prices and continuing growth in the consumer, hotels and agri-businesses.
ITC's net profit rose to Rs.7.83 billion ($193 million) for the quarter ended June 30, from Rs.6.52 billion in the like period of the previous year.
The gross turnover of the year grew by 20.2 percent to Rs.195.05 billion while the net turnover was Rs.123.69 billion, the Kolkata-headquartered company's chairman Y.C. Deveswar told the 96th annual general meeting here.
A value-added tax of 12.5 percent imposed on cigarettes from April pushed up prices. Accordingly, ITC, whose 31.7-percent stake is owned by British American Tobacco Plc, raised cigarette prices by about 20 percent.
In the past years, ITC had diversified into products such as garments, greeting cards and incense to reduce its dependence on tobacco. It also entered areas like personal care, apparel, retail and snack food sectors.
The non-cigarette portfolio of ITC grew by 37.6 percent during the year and now accounts for 52.3 percent of the company's net turnover.
Pre-tax profit jumped 20.1 percent to Rs.39.27 billion while post-tax profit at Rs.27 billion, registered a growth of 20.8 percent.
Earnings per share for the year stands at Rs.7.19 while the cash flows from operations stood at Rs.34.02 billion during the year.
ITC shares, valued at $15.6 billion, gained 3 percent in the quarter, trailing a 12 percent rise in the main index and a 5 percent rise in the sector index.
'The ITC Group's contribution to foreign exchange earnings over the last 10 years amounted to nearly $2.8 billion, of which agri exports constituted nearly 65 percent,' Deveswar said.
'Earnings from agri exports is an indicator of the company's contribution to the rural economy by effectively linking small farmers with international markets,'
ITC's net profit rose to Rs.7.83 billion ($193 million) for the quarter ended June 30, from Rs.6.52 billion in the like period of the previous year.
The gross turnover of the year grew by 20.2 percent to Rs.195.05 billion while the net turnover was Rs.123.69 billion, the Kolkata-headquartered company's chairman Y.C. Deveswar told the 96th annual general meeting here.
A value-added tax of 12.5 percent imposed on cigarettes from April pushed up prices. Accordingly, ITC, whose 31.7-percent stake is owned by British American Tobacco Plc, raised cigarette prices by about 20 percent.
In the past years, ITC had diversified into products such as garments, greeting cards and incense to reduce its dependence on tobacco. It also entered areas like personal care, apparel, retail and snack food sectors.
The non-cigarette portfolio of ITC grew by 37.6 percent during the year and now accounts for 52.3 percent of the company's net turnover.
Pre-tax profit jumped 20.1 percent to Rs.39.27 billion while post-tax profit at Rs.27 billion, registered a growth of 20.8 percent.
Earnings per share for the year stands at Rs.7.19 while the cash flows from operations stood at Rs.34.02 billion during the year.
ITC shares, valued at $15.6 billion, gained 3 percent in the quarter, trailing a 12 percent rise in the main index and a 5 percent rise in the sector index.
'The ITC Group's contribution to foreign exchange earnings over the last 10 years amounted to nearly $2.8 billion, of which agri exports constituted nearly 65 percent,' Deveswar said.
'Earnings from agri exports is an indicator of the company's contribution to the rural economy by effectively linking small farmers with international markets,'
YSR accused Naidu for wasting Assembly time
Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy on Friday lashed out at Telugu Desam president N. Chandrababu Naidu for wasting the Assembly’s time over the Obulapuram issue.
"Frustration is glaring in the Telugu Desam camp. Mr Naidu tried his best to deliberately mislead the House on the Obulapuram mining issue. When that did not work, the TD MLAs got themselves suspended, wasting precious time of the House," he alleged.
"A discussion on Obulapuram would have put the Telugu Desam in a tight spot. We provided a CD of the Obulapuram incident to Speaker K.R. Suresh Reddy which clearly showed TD MLA E. Dayakar Rao assaulting a policeman. Fearing they would be caught on the wrong foot, the TD disturbed proceedings in the House," he added.
Speaking to mediapersons after the Assembly was adjourned abruptly, Dr Reddy said, "Nowhere in the State or country is there an Opposition leader like Mr Naidu. He has time and again tried to project an untruth as a truth. Though I did not refer to his mother or any other mother while speaking on the Obulapuram issue, Mr Naidu tried to blame me for doing so."
Dr Reddy said the TD leaders did not show any respect for the Speaker during their recent protests in the House. Alleging that the TD was frustrated over the government’s development programmes, including 56 irrigation projects, eight of which have been completed, he pointed out that 32 of the party’s activists had died in Vizag in a protest to demand the setting up of a steel plant.
"The TD is worried that it will be wiped out if development takes place in the State. The government will not bow to its pressure tactics but will do everything for the welfare of the people," he said.
"We are setting up a much bigger steel plant in backward Anantapur district and it will provide employment to 10,000 people besides earning revenue for the State. The Opposition does not want this to happen," Dr Reddy said.
"Frustration is glaring in the Telugu Desam camp. Mr Naidu tried his best to deliberately mislead the House on the Obulapuram mining issue. When that did not work, the TD MLAs got themselves suspended, wasting precious time of the House," he alleged.
"A discussion on Obulapuram would have put the Telugu Desam in a tight spot. We provided a CD of the Obulapuram incident to Speaker K.R. Suresh Reddy which clearly showed TD MLA E. Dayakar Rao assaulting a policeman. Fearing they would be caught on the wrong foot, the TD disturbed proceedings in the House," he added.
Speaking to mediapersons after the Assembly was adjourned abruptly, Dr Reddy said, "Nowhere in the State or country is there an Opposition leader like Mr Naidu. He has time and again tried to project an untruth as a truth. Though I did not refer to his mother or any other mother while speaking on the Obulapuram issue, Mr Naidu tried to blame me for doing so."
Dr Reddy said the TD leaders did not show any respect for the Speaker during their recent protests in the House. Alleging that the TD was frustrated over the government’s development programmes, including 56 irrigation projects, eight of which have been completed, he pointed out that 32 of the party’s activists had died in Vizag in a protest to demand the setting up of a steel plant.
"The TD is worried that it will be wiped out if development takes place in the State. The government will not bow to its pressure tactics but will do everything for the welfare of the people," he said.
"We are setting up a much bigger steel plant in backward Anantapur district and it will provide employment to 10,000 people besides earning revenue for the State. The Opposition does not want this to happen," Dr Reddy said.
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