Saturday, November 6, 2010
Black box of crashed plane found in Cuba
Sat, Nov 6 11:16 AM
Havana, Nov 6 (IANS/EFE) The black box and cockpit voice recorder of a plane that crashed in Cuba, killing all 68 people on board, have been recovered, a media report said.
Aero Caribbean Flight 883, en route to Havana from the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba, crashed late Thursday in the central province of Sancti Spiritus shortly after the crew reported an emergency and contact was lost.
Provincial chief prosecutor Rolando Diaz said authorities hope the contents of the recorders will shed light on the cause of the crash, the official AIN news agency reported Friday.
The plane, a twin-engine ATR-72, is used for regional and short-duration flights and has a maximum seating capacity of 74 people.
Cuban television and the government website Cubadebate released a list of the victims including 28 foreigners from 10 different countries who were aboard the plane.
The travellers from other countries included nine Argentines, seven Mexicans, three Dutch citizens, two Germans, two Austrians, a Spaniard, a French citizen, an Italian, a Japanese and a Venezuelan.
Cuba's deadliest plane crash of the past three decades occurred in September 1989, when an Il-62 travelling to Milan went down in Havana shortly after take-off and killed all 115 on board and 40 people on the ground.
--IANS/EFE
Obama calls Mahatma Gandhi a hero
Sat, Nov 6 03:51 PM
Mumbai, Nov 6 (IANS) Mahatma Gandhi is a 'hero not just to India but to the world', US President Barack Obama said Saturday after visiting the Mani Bhavan where the apostle of non-violence used to stay.
In remarks in the Visitors book after a 30-minute tour, Obama wrote: 'I am filled with hope and inspiration as I have the privilege to view this testament to Gandhi's life. He is a hero, not just to India but to the world.'
Obama's wife Michelle, who was with him, wrote underneath: 'This visit will be one that I will always treasure. The life and teachings of Gandhi must be shared with our children around the world.'
The Obamas were greeted at the Mani Bhavan, the second halt at the start of their India tour, by its trustees.
The president also read the remarks written by American civil rights leader Martin Luther King, who visited Mani Bhavan in 1959
Obama in India: Business Top on Agenda
Obama pays homage to Mumbai terror victims
“Mumbai is an incredible city which is symbol of energy and optimism of India, ” said President Obama saluting the spirit of Mumbai as he addressed the press at Taj while kick-starting the historic tour to India. Obama mentioned that his visit to Taj is a clear message to terrorists while reiterating that India and US are working closely than ever in the battle against terror.
Obama said his decision to stay in Taj Hotel is a powerful message against terrorism and demanded that the perpetrators of the horrific Mumbai attacks should be brought to justice.
Accompanied by his wife Michelle, he signed the visitors’ book, looked at the plaque on which the names of 26/11 victims are engraved and delivered a six-minute speech in which he paid tributes to people of Mumbai and India hailing their resolve and resilience.
Excerpts of his speech
“We will never forget the awful images of the 26/11 attacks, the flames from Taj Hotel that lit up the skies on those four days of November, 2008.”“We today, US and India are working together, more closely than ever to deepening counter-terrorism (cooperation), to keep our people safe.”“Here in Mumbai, the diversity that is India’s strength was in full display… Those who attacked Mumbai wanted to demoralise this city and this country but they failed.”“The very next day, Mumbaikars came back to work… Within weeks, this hotel was welcoming guests from around the world.”“The Taj is a symbol of strength and resolve.”“Just as Indians lost their lives on 9/11, Americans lost their lives on 26/11.”
He arrived at Taj in Presidential limousine ‘Beast’ from the INS Shikra air station at Colaba. He has signed the guest book at Taj and will be meeting the victims of 26/11 terror attack before joining the memorial service for the victims. Obama is accompanied by his wife Michelle and top officials in what would be the president’s longest foreign trip since he assumed office two years ago.
President Obama landed in Mumbai airport around 1 pm kicking-off his much anticipated four-day visit to India where Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and Protocol Minister Suresh Shetty received him as the representatives of the state along with Union Minister Salman Khurshid.
He then headed to INS Shikra air station at Colaba naval base in a Black Hawk while his dignitaries accompanied him in Chinook helicopters.
Today’s programme includes:
- Memorial of 26/11 victims at Taj/meeting with terror attack survivors
- Visit to Mahatma Gandhi museum Mani Bhavan.
- Meeting with Indian and American entrepreneurs and CEOs at Trident, Nariman Point.
- Address to US-India Business Council Summit at Trident.
In a gesture loaded with symbolism, his first stop will be the iconic Taj Hotel, where he will attend a memorial service in tribute to the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. He will also meet the survivors during the same. President Obama and his wife Michelle will be the most high-profile guests to stay at the Taj since the attacks two years ago. Barack Obama’s India trip itinerary
The choice of Taj Hotel, the epicentre of the Mumbai massacre by terrorists, for his two-day stay has been described by Obama as a “tribute to the resilience of the Indian people” and to underscore the shared commitment of the two countries to counter terrorism.
“By staying at the Taj (hotel), I am pleased to pay tribute to the resilience of the Indian people, while also underscoring our shared commitment to counter terrorism,” Obama said.
After attending the memorial service, Obama will address a business summit organised by the US-India Business Council at Trident with entrepreneurs. More than two hundred US CEOs will be attending the summit which focuses on producing jobs for the U.S. economy by clinching big commercial deals for U.S. companies and promoting greater access to Indian markets – particularly in financial and retail sectors. The Obama administration had set a goal of doubling US exports over the next five years to create more jobs back home. Read more
In the mean time the Left parties will be holding a nationwide protest on the wake of Obama’s visit in protest of US pressure on India to open its agriculture, retail trade, education, and other services to MNCs.
Meanwhile nuclear scientist Kota Subbarao Buddhi, the father of Vikram Buddhi who is languishing in a US jail for the last four years after allegedly posting hate messages against former President George Bush on the Internet in 2006 has sought a “legal review” of the case by US President Barack Obama. He has requested President of India Pratibha Patil to arrange for a three-minute audience with US President to explain about the case. Read more
Another person who is looking forward to meet President Obama is Railway announcer Vishnu Zende, whose presence of mind during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks saved hundreds of lives at the CST station. Zende is among those invited to attend a function at the Taj Mahal Hotel today
Sanitising Mumbai for Obama no small task
Sat, Nov 6 12:33 PM
The pot-holed streets of Mumbai are being spruced up, shabby buildings are being given a paint job, school children are diligently rehearsing their dance moves and the security establishment is putting every man on the job: the city of Gold is getting ready to host the president of the United States.
In the early hours of November 6, when President Barack Obama lands in Mumbai, he may not get a huge welcome at the airport or on the way to his hotel. For one thing, it is the Diwali weekend, the biggest holiday in India. It is a bit like a foreign dignitary arriving in New York on Christmas; the locals are busy with their celebrations and will mind their already traffic-clogged roads being blockaded by the American president's motorcade. One newspaper suggests Obama skirt the notorious Mumbai traffic by flying straight to his South Mumbai hotel by helicopter.
The other thing that could keep the ordinary citizen away from him is the security. All kinds of speculation has been doing the rounds, including claims that scores of U.S. secret service agents have been in Mumbai for weeks looking closely at each and every nook and corner of the potential spots Obama could visit. Mumbai police are reported to have deployed sharp shooters at different points in the city.
A trip to the Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus, the scene of horrific killings by terrorists on the night of November 26, 2008, was apparently scheduled but was called off when the local police could not guarantee a sanitized security environment at the main train station. Michelle Obama's plans to see for herself the notorious red light area of Kamathipura was also nixed by the Maharashtra government.
There is no official confirmation on the Obamas one-day schedule in Mumbai, but some details have trickled out.
The president and first lady are staying at the domed Taj Mahal Palace heritage hotel, where two years ago guests and staff were held hostage for four days while commandos fought the armed terrorists inside during the attack. The Taj, as it is called, and the area around it have been turned into an armed fortress and the U.S. president's entourage has reportedly booked the entire 600-room hotel.
Again, these are not details given out officially, though even a casual visit to the vicinity of the hotel, next to Mumbai's famed Gateway of India monument, will show the extent of the security blanket in the neighborhood.
President Obama will also address a group of Indian businessmen, visit St Xaiver’s college, one of the most prestigious institutions in the city, go to Mani Bhavan, the Mumbai home of Mahatma Gandhi and visit the Holy Name school in Colaba to celebrate Diwali, where the excited kids are practicing their steps but are in the dark about when exactly in the day the president will arrive.
All of which has led to some mixed feelings among citizens.
Though President Obama is much admired in Mumbai and the sites he will visit are all agog in anticipation, the security and the timing of the trip have left many people underwhelmed. The fact that he is travelling with a 200-plus contingent of U.S. businessmen emphasizes the economic angle to his trip, which strikes a chord in this, the commercial capital of India.
But the President, coming to India immediately after fighting the high-pressure mid-term elections in his country, should not feel too aggrieved if citizens do not turn out in large numbers to greet him.
Reproduced From CNNGo.com
Ton-up Ryder, Williamson thwart India
Ahmedabad: Jesse Ryder struck a remarkable 103 and shared a 194-run stand with debutant Kane Williamson to defy world number one India on the third day of the first Test against New Zealand on Saturday.
Ryder struck 10 fours and a six in his 205-ball knock while Williamson was equally impressive in making 87 not out as New Zealand reached 331-5 at stumps at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad. That left the visitors 156 runs adrift of India's first-innings 487.
Ryder completed his third century - all of which have come against India - with a delightful four in the covers but was trapped lbw by Shanthakumaran Sreesanth one ball later in the day's last over.
New Zealand batsman Brendon McCullum said the team was delighted by the efforts of the fifth-wicket pair. "We have not seen a number five and six bat like this in a very long time," he said.
"Ryder has had disciplinary problems but we'd rather not talk about that. He says he has put that behind and moved on. Each time he steps out to bat, the team has massive faith in him. As for Williamson, in New Zealand you don't see kids come through by the age of 20. So, for him to come out and bat the way he did, it is just incredible."
India's bowlers struggled in unhelpful conditions, with a dodgy caught behind decision involving Williamson and a dropped catch of Ryder adding to their woes. Williamson, who scored his maiden One-day century during New Zealand's recent tour of Bangladesh, however showed remarkable application in his nearly five-hour stay at the wicket.
He even dealt calmly with a chest-high beamer from Sreesanth, which prompted Australian umpire Steve Davis to have a quiet word with the fast bowler.
"It (beamer) was not intentional," said Sreesanth. "I used to lose temper earlier but now I am smarter. It was frustrating to bowl on a wicket which had nothing for the bowlers. Given the conditions, I think all our bowlers bowled very well. We now need to get rid of the remaining New Zealand batsmen as early as possible."
Ryder was dropped on 11 in the slips by Rahul Dravid, who failed to latch on to the catch on his right despite getting his fingers to the ball, the unlucky bowler being Sreesanth.
Injury-prone Ryder, playing his first Test in 15 months, was troubled by a strain in the calf and took the help of a runner in the latter part of his knock.
India's spin duo Pragyan Ojha and Harbhajan Singh earlier removed McCullum (65) and Ross Taylor (56) shortly before lunch after they had put on 104 runs for the third wicket.
McCullum, opening for the first time in Tests, completed his 17th Test half-century with a single in the covers after driving Sreesanth twice for fours.
Taylor provided good support to his partner, reaching his 10th Test fifty with a boundary off Harbhajan, but he fell soon after to the off-spinner, offering a simple catch at short mid-wicket to Venkatsai Laxman.
McCullum missed the chance to make a big score after being stumped by an alert Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who whipped off the bails with the batsman's back foot on the line. His 122-ball innings contained 11 boundaries.
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