NEWSLINE JULY 16th, 2009

  National News

New-12 Additional Solicitors- General for SC and HC

The Centre has appointed 12 Additional Solicitors-General (ASG), seven for Supreme Court and five for High Courts.

The seven ASGs for the SC include senior advocate Indira Jaising, the first woman to be in the panel of Centre's elite law officers. The team which will work with Attorney General G E Vahanvati and Solicitor General Gopal Subramaniam includes Mohan Parasaran, Parag Tripathi, P P Malhotra, Haren P Raval, Mohan Jain and Gourab Banerji.

The ASGs for High Courts are: Amarjit Singh Chandiok (Delhi High Court), Darius J Khambatta (Bombay High Court), Farook M. Razack for Calcutta High Court with additional charge of Orissa, Bihar and North-east, M Ravindran for the Madras High Court with additional charge of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh and Ashok Nigam for Allahabad High Court.

Homosexuality not a Crime: Delhi HC

Delhi High Court delivered a historic judgment to amend a 149 year old colonial-era Law, Section 377 of the IPC to decriminalize private consensual sex between adults of the same sex. India becomes the 127 th country to take the guilt out of homosexuality. A Bench comprising Chief Justice A P Shah and Justice S Muralidhar clarified that the provisions of Section 377, enacted in 1860 to deal with an unspecified range of "unnatural offences" would hereafter be restricted to "non-consensual penile non-vaginal sex" (rape by a homosexual) and " penile non-vaginal sex involving minors" .

Managing Director can be prosecuted if Cheque bounces: SC

The Supreme Court has ruled that in case a cheque issued by a company is dishonoured, then its Managing Director, being incharge of the day-to-day affairs, could be liable for prosecution.

A Bench comprising Justices R. V. Raveendran and Mukundakam Sharma said "A Managing Director is prima facie in charge of and responsible for the Company's business and affairs and can be prosecuted for offences by the company."

Those who burn brides should be hanged : SC

"Those who burn brides should be hanged", this was the reaction of the Supreme Court which noted that crime against women in matrimonial homes over dowry and other reasons was spiraling.

Wrong blood transfusion is Medical Negligence

"When wrong blood transfusion takes place in a hospital endangering the life of a patient, the doctor cannot escape being charged under medical negligence," the Supreme Court ruled.

A Bench comprising Justices D K Jain and R M Lodha asked the prestigious Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGINER), Chandigarh to pay compensation of Rs. 2 lakh with a litigation cost of Rs. 20,000 to the kin of the victim, who died after being administered B+ blood even though her blood group was A+.

Government offices will soon be connected through a Cyber Network

14,000 Police Stations and more than 6,200 important Government offices across the country will soon be connected through a cyber network. The aim of the Rs. 2,000 crore three year project is to improve connectivity and to increase the crime fighting abilities of the police and other officials. The project, called the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems, was approved by the Planning Commission.

India , Russia Finalise Gorshkov Deal

India and Russia finally put an end to the long drawn negotiation over refitting of aircraft carrier 'Admiral Gorshkov' after India agreed to pay around $2.2 billon down from $ 2.9 billon Russia had demanded. The 44,570 tonne Gorshkov's year-long sea trials in Barents Sea are slated for 2011-12. The aircraft carrier will be renamed INS Vikramaditya.

ID Card Project

A mammoth project to provide 1.2 billon Indians a Unique ID Card is being launched in the country. Nandan Nilekani of Infosys heads the Unique Identification Authority of India as its Chairman. The card will serve many purposes, as it would help to tackle security concerns, provide proper identification of beneficiaries of government social sector initiatives.

International Indian Film Academy Awards

International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awardees:

• Best Film : Jodhaa Akbar
• Best Actor : Hrithik Roshan (Jodhaa Akbar)
• Best Director : Ashutosh Gowarikar ( Jodhaa Akbar)
• Best Actress : Priyanka Chopra (Fashion)
• Best Music Director : A.R. Rahman ( Jodhaa Akbar)
• Best Lyricist : Javed Akhtar for Jashn-e- Bahara song from the movie Jodhaa Akbar
• Best Play Back Singer : Javed Ali for Jashn-e- Bahara song from the movie Jodhaa Akbar
• Best Costume Design : Neeta Lulla
• Best Supporting Actor : Arjun Rampal (Rock On)
• Best Supporting Actress : Kangana Ranaut (Fashion)

Agni - V Project

India 's missile woman Tessy Thomas has been appointed the Project Director ( Mission ) of India 's most ambitious missile Agni-V programme. Agni-V will have a range of 5000 km and stated to be tested for the first time next year.

Liberhan Commission Report submitted

The Liberhan Commission, set up to probe the Babri Masjid demolition in December 1992, finally gave its report after 48 extensions. Justice M.S. Liberhan, erstwhile Judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court, submitted the report to PM Manmohan Singh indicting BJP leaders and the Sangh Parivar for conspiring to demolish the Mughal-era Mosque.

Government bans import of Chinese Mobiles, Toys

The Government slapped quality restrictions on mobile phones, dairy products and toys in a measure aimed mainly to block their imports from China . The move may trigger another round of wrangling at the WTO between the two Asian economic giants. The Directorate-General of Foreign Trade banned import of mobile handsets without the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number also.

Inflation negative for 1st time in 30 Years

The rate of inflation, as measured by the wholesale price index, has turned negative for the first time in over three decades. The widely watched WPI fell 1.61% in the 12 months to June 6, sharply below the previous week's rise of 0.13%. This makes India possibly the only country with a negative inflation rate, though a number of European countries are nearing zero levels.

But unlike in Europe, where demand has been contracting, India isn't facing a deflation as industrial output remains positive and the inflation rate measured by the consumer price index (CPI) still stands at around 8% and shows no signs of a let-up.

 International News

G-8 Summit

G- 8 summit in Aquila in Italy in mid July focused on global financial crises and climate change with a call to address systematic failures and a coordinate response to stimulate the real economy. However a deadlock remains with India , China and other developing nations thwarting a move by US led developed industrialized nations to force only long term commitments regarding emission reduction. India also launched a renewed campaign for a seat in the UN Security Council.

A joint declaration was adopted by leaders of G-8 countries and those of developing economies of India , China , Brazil , South Africa and Mexico in which a cautious approach was stressed upon to explore the options to reduce fiscal deficits and inflation.

'King of Pop' Michael Jackson is no more

Michael Jackson, the 'King of Pop', who moon walked to the hearts of millions with his mesmerizing music and signature break dance in 1980s, died of a suspected cardiac arrest just week before his much awaited come back concert 'This Is It'. The memorial service was held in Staples Center in Los Angeles .

Google's new system to take on Microsoft

Google is working on a new operating system for inexpensive computers in a daring attempt to wrest away Microsoft's dominance. The new operating system will be based on company's web browser 'Chrome' and is designed primarily for net books.

New Acropolis Museum is Open now

The new Acropolis Museum in Athens opened its gates to hundreds of visitors eager to explore its vast collection of sculptures and artefacts from ancient Greece . The museum holds more than 4000 ancient works including some of the best surviving classical sculptures that once adorned the Acropolis.

Ahmadinejad sweeps Iran polls

Riding a wave of popular support in rural areas and the urban working-class, hardline Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won re-election with nearly 63% of the votes cast in Iran 's 10 th Presidential election.

Like all his predecessors, Ahmadinejad, 52, who defeated President Mohammed Khatami in the 2005 election, manged to win a second consecutive term.

Auto Giant GM Files for Bankruptcy

America 's largest carmaker General Motors filed for bankruptcy, making it US's fourth biggest-ever bankruptcy and the biggest in the industrial sector.

Solar Aircraft HB-SIB

Swiss based solar impulse is taking on a very 21 st century challenge preparing to fly a plane around the globe powered solely by the sun. The HB-SIA plans flight tests later this year while a larger successor, HB-SIB is due to be built in 2011. In 2012 HB-SIB will attempt to circle globe, stopping five times to allow single pilot to take rest.

 Sports

Wimbledon Championships -2009

The 2009 Wimbledon Championships took place at England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London from 22 nd June to 5 th July, 2009.

Men's Singles : Roger Federer defeated Andy Roddick. Roger Federer has now won a record 15 Grand Slam Titles in a short span of six years to overtake Pete Sampras' record of 14 Titles earned in 12 years. Federer won the longest Wimbledon final in term of games (77) to win the title. With this win Federer reclaimed the number one ranking which he lost to Rafael Nadal.

Women's Singles : Serena Williams defeated sister Venus Williams to win the Women's Singles Title. She now holds 3 out of 4 Major Grand Slam Titles. Serena has now won three Wimbledon and a total of 11 Grand Slam titles.

Men's Doubles : Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic defeated Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan.

Women's Doubles : Venus Williams and Serena Williams defeat Samantha Stosur and Rennae Stubbs.

Mixed Doubles : Mark Knowles and Anna-Lena Gronofled defeat Leander Paes ( India ) and Cara Black ( Zimbabwe ).

Delhi on World Boxing Map

Delhi has been chosen as a franchisee city for the lucrative World Series Boxing which will be launched in September next year after the Commonwealth Games. Four teams each from Asia, America and Europe will compete against each other during the regular season. Five weight categories would be Bantam, Light, Middle, Light and Heavy.

ICC World Twenty 20 Championship

Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka to win the 2 nd Edition of ICC World Twenty-20 competition. Shahid Afridi of Pakistan was named as the Man of the Final.

Yelena Won Second Laureus World Sportswoman Award

Russian pole vaulter and Olympic gold medalist Yelena Isinbayeva won her second Laureus World Sportswoman of the year award. She set a world record of 5.05 metres at the Beijing Olympics and has improved the world record 24 times.

Santosh Trophy for Goa

Goalkeeper Felix D'Souza was the Hero as Goa registered a 4-2 win over Bengal via tie break in the final and lifted the Santosh Trophy in the 63 rd Edition of the National Football Championship at the floodlit Nehru Stadium.

Saina Wins Indonesian Open

India 's ace shuttler Saina Nehwal won the Indonesian Open to win her maiden Super Series Badminton Title. She, thus, became the first Indian to achieve the feat.

  News and Views

• Air Chief Marshal Pradeep Vasant Naik took charge as the 19 th Chief of the Indian Air Force from Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major who demitted office.
• Ramesh Pokhriyal, Uttrakhand Health Minister is to be new Chief Minister of the Uttrakhand State replacing B.C. Khanduri.
• Karia Munda is New Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
• Brazil defeated USA to win the finals of the Confederations Cup 2009 played at Johannesburg .
• Nirupama Rao , India 's Ambassador to China will take over as the new Foreign Secretary on 1 st August, 2009.
• Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has joined hands with Microsoft to launch 'BSNL Managed Saas' (Software as a Service) in India . The BSNL Chairman and Managing Director Kuldeep Goel said that this partnership will enable BSNL to offer hosted solutions on core productivity, collaboration and live business applications to business customers.
• The historic Gaiety Theatre in Shimla is back in business after major restoration and renovation work over the past six years.
• Millvina Dean, the last survivor of Titanic, dies at the age of 97.
• Bangalore Bio-2009 event organized by the Karnataka Development of Information Technology, Bio-Technology, Science and Technology and the vision group on Biotechnology was held from June 18 to 20. 700 delegates from 10 countries participated.
• The United Nations Inter-Governmental Renewable Energy Organization (IREO) has selected Sulabh International for this year's prestigious Renewable Energy Award. Sulabh International's founder Bindeshwar Pathak received the award at the UN headquarters in New York on June 11, 2009.
• The former Shahi Imam of Delhi 's Jama Masjid, Syed Abdullah Bukhari died at the age of 87.
• Well- known Indian writer Kamala Das Suraiya died on 31 st May, 2009. She was 75 and she enjoyed the status of being one of the first poets writing in English from Kerala to be recognised nationally and internationally.
• Surgeon Vice Admiral Vinod Kumar Saxena, will take over as Director General of Medical Services (Navy).
• Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) declared open the Bandra- Worli sea link. Bandra-Worli sea link is to be named after Rajiv Gandhi.
• Former Union Law Minister Hans Raj Bhardwaj was appointed Governor of Karnataka. Mr. Bhardwaj replaces Rameshwar Thakur, who has been appointed as M.P. of Governor for his remaining tenure.
• Chritiano Ronaldo shifted from Manchester United Portugese Footballer club to Spain's Real Madrid on a six year deal worth 94 million euros (131 million dollars) making him the most expensive player in the world.
• The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Government to appoint special teachers in each school to cater to the needs of differently- abled students.