Police probe threat to India’s richest man

 

Mukesh Ambani at the India Economic Summit 2007 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

Indian police are probing a threatening letter sent by militant Islamists to India’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, for supporting a nationalist politician, police and reports said on Thursday.

 

The Mumbai Mirror said Indian Mujahideen had threatened to harm the head of the Reliance Industries group for backing Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi who is expected to make a bid to become premier in polls next year.

 

Reliance is a major investor in Gujarat and Ambani hailed Modi as a leader with a “grand vision” as well as calling him a “brother” at a major business conference in Gujarat in December.

 

The letter, delivered to a Reliance office in Mumbai, also accused Ambani of grabbing land belonging to a state-run statutory body to build his 27-storey residence in the city, believed to be the world’s most expensive private home, according to the newspaper.

 

Police confirmed they were investigating the letter, without giving details of its contents.

 

“We got the letter yesterday and we’re verifying all the facts and an inquiry is going on,” Mumbai police spokesman Satyanarayan Choudhary told AFP.

 

Indian Mujahideen has been blamed for several recent deadly attacks in India, including the recent twin attacks in southern city of Hyderabad, which killed 16 people.

 

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• Mukesh Ambani’s security cover not a dole (thehindu.com)
• India assigns commando squad to protect its richest man (with gallery) (vancouverdesi.com)

 

Boston bomb suspects are brothers of Chechen origin

Police tell residents to stay indoors and ‘stay away from windows’

This combo shows handout images taken from a video released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and acquired by AFP on April 19, 2013 shows the two suspects together (L) in the crowd before the blast at the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013 and “suspect 2″ (R) standing behind a lady in the crowd. (AFP)

Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis confirmed early Friday that one of the suspected Boston marathon bombers is dead and the hunt for the “armed and dangerous” second bomber is still on.

“One suspect dead. One at large,” Davis said on his official Twitter account. “Armed and dangerous. White hat suspect at large,” Davis added.

Prosecutor said one Boston suspect died at hospital after shootout and he threw explosives in chase.

Boston bomb suspects are brothers of Chechen origin, said NBC News. Dead Boston bomb suspect identified as 26-year-old Tamerlan Tsarnaev, it said.

Police have told residents of the town of Watertown near Boston to stay indoors and “stay away from windows” as they hunt a second suspect wanted for the attacks in which three people died and about 180 were injured.

Police captured one of the Boston marathon bombing suspects and were chasing a second in a wild, deadly manhunt near the US city early Friday, local media reported.

One police officer was shot dead and a second wounded in the dramatic nighttime operation, authorities said.

One suspect was caught in Watertown near Boston after a chase in which explosives and gunfire were heard, the Boston Globe reported.

Special police forces sealed off much of the town as they hunted the second man, the newspaper and other media said.

The authorities made no comment on whether there was a link between the manhunt and Monday’s bombing in which three people were killed and about 180 injured.

But the operation came only hours after the Federal Bureau of Investigation released photos of the suspects they believe planted the bombs.

A robbery at a gas station was followed by the killing of a police officer on the campus of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a car chase to Watertown, media reports said.

A second police officer was wounded in a gunfight in the town, they added.

U.S. Immigration Bill to Increase H1B Visa, May Hit Indian Firms

The sweeping U.S. immigration bill, likely to be unveiled, may propose a substantial increase in the much sought after H-1B visa, but the conditions imposed therein, if approved by the Congress, would prove to be a death knell for Indian-American companies.

The bill moved after months of closed-door meetings by a group of eight bipartisan lawmakers, known as the Gang of Eight, aimed at striking a balance between enforcement provisions sought by Republicans as well as Democrats, including making citizenship widely accessible to those illegally in America.

Given that India has a large pool of such IT professionals, analysts say any increase in the H-1B visas finally end up benefiting the Indian IT professionals, but unlike in the present scenario when they are hired mostly by Indian companies, it would benefit the US companies the most and prove to be a big disadvantage to companies like TCS, Wipro and Infosys.

A Stranger Behind the Afghan School – #AngelinaJolie

At a school in a bombed-out Afghan village near Kabul, Angelina Jolie is known as an aid worker or engineer — never as one of the world’s most famous film stars. Jolie, a special envoy of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, built the school in Qala-i-Gudar last year and is planning to open more in Afghanistan with profits from a newly-launched jewellery line that she has designed.

The Hollywood star visited Qala-i-Gudar in 2011, and she retains an avid fanbase among residents who have never seen any of her films and have no idea about her global fame as an actress. Acting is controversial in the country, with many conservative Afghans associating it with un-Islamic behaviour and even prostitution. Homaira, aged 13, is one of 250 pupils at the all-girls school who has benefited from the new facilities, which opened for their first full academic year last month.

“We used to study in the backyard of the mosque, it was hard,” Homaira said. “Now we are so happy to have a school. It’s a beautiful place.” Asked who built her school, Homaira smiled and answered, “the beautiful American lady.” The two-storey building, 30 kilometres (20 miles) north of Kabul, has large windows and neat rows of desks. On the outside, which is painted light blue, is a plaque proudly boasting of its founder.“Through the generous contribution of Angelina Jolie UNHCR Special Envoy,” it reads.

Even headmaster Gul Rahmman Ayaz appeared ignorant of Jolie’s superstar celebrity, apparently believing she was a senior UNHCR official. “Is she?” Ayaz asked doubtfully after learning Jolie was an actress. “Well whatever, she is a great woman, very kind woman,” he added with a smile.
“She was very humble. She sat on dust. She didn’t behave like a movie star,” Ayaz said, remembering Jolie arrived in a UN-marked vehicle and wore a modest black outfit and brown headscarf.

Leonhard Euler honoured by Google doodle

The mathematician introduced most modern terminology and was renowned for his work in mechanics, optics and astronomy

Leonhard Euler, the influential Swiss mathematician, has had the 306th anniversary of his birth honoured by a Google doodle. Photograph: Google

The birth of the Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler has been celebrated by Google with the publishing of an interactive Google doodle.

Euler was arguably the most important mathematician of the 18th century and one of the greatest of all time. He introduced most modern mathematical terminology and notation and was also renowned for his work in mechanics, fluid dynamics, optics, and astronomy.

Euler was born in Basel on 15 April 1707. He was tutored by Johann Bernoulli, a family friend who was also Europe’s leading mathematician. When Euler’s father tried to make him become a pastor, Bernoulli persuaded him that his son had the potential to be a great mathematician.

He travelled to Russia, where he prospered until foreign intellectuals became unpopular and he moved to Berlin. When Catherine the Great succeeded to the throne, Euler returned to Russia, where he died in 1783.

Rajiv Gandhi, ‘Middleman’ For Swedish Jet Deal: WikiLeaks

Leaked diplomatic cables from the U.S. Embassy on the WikiLeaks website have reportedly named the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi as a middleman during the 1970s when he was an Indian Airlines pilot. The Hindu has published findings of the ‘Kissinger cables’, which claim that Rajiv Gandhi may have been middleman for Swedish Company Saab-Scania when it was trying to sell its Viggen fighter aircraft to India in the 1970s.

The October 21, 1975 cable from the New Delhi U.S. embassy says “Swedish emboff has informed us that main Indian negotiator with Swedes on Viggen at New Delhi end has been Mrs. Gandhi’s older (sic) son, Rajiv Gandhi. Latter’s only association with aircraft industry (to our knowledge) has been as pilot for Indian Airlines and this is first time we have heard his name as entrepreneur.”

It also states that the U.S. officials have “no additional information to either refute or confirm the above information.”

Later, Saab-Scania lost out on the deal and was forced to withdraw from the “fighter sweepstakes” by the U.S. as the deal was ultimately secured the British SEPECAT Jaguar.

Gandhi later became embroiled in scandal relating to another Swedish arms manufacturer in the Bofors howtizer gun deal.

While, as of now the BJP has said that the Congress should “come clean” on the “WikiLeaks revelations” that the late Rajiv Gandhi had been a middleman for a Swedish company looking to sell fighter jets to India in the 1970s.

“The WikiLeaks revelations are serious. This is absolutely shocking revelation, let us not forget that the revelations are making two specific charges, about two of their late prime ministers Indiraji and Rajivji,” BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said.

“They are connected to the first family of Congress. All defence deals have some relation with the Congress’ first family. They should come clean on this, all the documents should be made public. We want the government, Congress and the family to come clean on it,” Javadekar told a news channel.

Congress has always misused CBI: Hazare

Social activist Anna Hazare on Saturday said it was wrong to presume that the CBI acts of its own volition and alleged that Congress had always “misused” the central investigating agency.

Asked about the CBI raid on DMK leader M K Stalin’s residence immediately after the party withdrew its support to the UPA government,
Mr Hazare told reporters, “Everybody knows that the CBI is under government’s control. If it is brought under the Lokpal’s control, it would help in curbing corruption.”

Mr. Hazare alleged that Congress had always “misused” the agency, even though it has some good officers in its fold.

“It is not that all people with the CBI are bad. But they are subjected to pressure as they have their jobs to protect.

Congress has always misused it,” he alleged.

When asked to comment on the UPA allies leaving Congress, Mr. Hazare said the party was losing the sympathy of the people because of the corruption associated with it.

“Congress is taking wrong steps. People have lost their sympathy for the party as responsible ministers in the government too are involved in scams,” he added.

Referring to the support of Samajwadi Party (SP) to the Congress-led government, Mr. Hazare said, “Regional parties pose a threat to the country as they bring pressure (on the government).”

He said although he had parted ways with his erstwhile colleague Arvind Kejarwal, there was no conflict between them and he wished him well for their cause through political means.

Mr. Hazare said he had not instituted any core committee of his own after breaking away from IAC. “It is difficult to get selfless workers for a cause. I am at present associated with ’Janatantra Morcha’ along with former Army Chief V K Singh, which is a non-political organisation,” he added.

Later, addressing a gathering, the activist said he was confident that the Lokpal would be a reality. “We have seen part one of the Lokpal bill,” he added.

He also noted with satisfaction that the provision of a fine for civil servants, who delayed their work beyond the stipulated period under Citizens’ Charter.

“When the elections are declared, I would be once again be at the Ramlila maidan to press for the demand for Right to Reject as part of electoral reforms to keep anti-social elements out of Parliament and the state legislatures,” Mr. Hazare asserted.

Gujrat CM #Modi to address India Today Conclave 2013 on 16th March 2013

Shri Modi to address India Today Conclave 2013 on 16th March 2013 at 8 PM

At 8 PM on the evening of Saturday 16^th March 2013 Shri Narendra Modi will address the India Today Conclave 2013. Shri Modi will speak on ‘The NaMo Mantra’ and the talk will be followed by an interactive question and answer session with the audience.

Shri Modi is one of the most anticipated speakers at the Conclave. Both mainstream and social media are eagerly awaiting Shri Modi’s talk at the campaign.

You can watch Shri Modi’s speech LIVE on the website. You can also follow @narendramodi_in for real time Tweets of  Shri Modi’s speech.

#Modi’s 3D speeches in Guinness Book of World Records

The 3D broadcasts of the speeches of Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi during the 2012 Assembly elections have entered the Guinness Book of World Records, he stated on Friday. ‘Gujarat election campaign 2012 becomes even more memorable with the 3D interaction creating a Guinness World,’ Modi said on Twitter.

The Guinness World Record for most simultaneous shows of ‘the Pepper’s Ghost Illusion’ (a technology) is now held by Raj Kasu Reddy and Mani Shankar of NChant 3D, which telecast, live, a 55-minute speech by Modi to 53 locations across Gujarat on 10 December, 2012, Modi said on his blog.

NChant 3d used 3D ‘holographic projection technology’ for this purpose. This technology is popular in Europe.

Related articles

• ‘India first’ is my definition of secularism, Narendra Modi tells NRIs (ktrmurali.wordpress.com)

Oprah named most influential celebrity for second year

Oprah Winfrey was crowned America’s most influential celebrity for a second straight year on Friday, despite having dropped off daily television in 2011.

Forbes magazine ranked Winfrey, 59, ahead of Hollywood titans Steven Spielberg and Clint Eastwood and towering over other TV figures such as journalist Barbara Walters and financial guru Suze Orman. Forbes said that 48% of people surveyed rated Winfrey as influential, down just one point from last year.

The list was drawn from polls of Americans conducted by E-Poll Market Research, which ranks more than 7,500 celebrities based on 46 different personality attributes. Winfrey ended her daily The Oprah Winfrey Show in May 2011 after 25 years to launch the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), which features lifestyle programming aimed at women.

After struggling in the ratings since its launch, OWN has seen audiences rise recently, thanks to Winfrey’s January world exclusive with cyclist Lance Armstrong admitting to years of doping, and her wide-ranging interview with R&B singer Beyonce.

Forbes noted that Winfrey’s magic had rubbed off as well, with one of her protégées, TV physician Dr. Mehmet Oz, ranking sixth on the list. Film directing, however, seems to be the profession most associated with influence, as four directors, including Ron Howard and Martin Scorsese, crowded into the Top 10.

E-Poll Chief Executive Gerry Philpott said that while influence could mean different things to different people, most often it reflects someone’s impact on the culture. Reflecting on Spielberg’s runner-up ranking, Philpott said “To this day, ask anyone what they think about before going in the ocean,” referring to the filmmaker’s 1975 blockbuster Jaws.

Dropping out of the Top 10 entirely was last year’s No 2 finisher, actor Michael J. Fox, who has been out of the public eye of late. Eastwood, who made headlines by addressing an empty chair at the 2012 Republican National Convention, rounded out the Top 10.

The Top 10 Most Influential Celebrities of 2013, according to Forbes are; 1. Oprah Winfrey 2. Steven Spielberg 3. Martin Scorsese 4. Ron Howard 5. George Lucas 6. Dr. Mehmet Oz 7. Barbara Walters 8. U2 frontman Bono 9. Suze Orman 10. Clint Eastwood The full list can be seen at http://www.forbes.com/sites/dorothypomerantz/2013/03/14/oprah-winfrey-tops-our-list-of-the-most-influential-celebrities/