National Muslim and Arab American Organizations Urge President Obama to Uphold Goals of Cairo Speech on One-Year Anniversary, in response to Gaza Flotilla Incident

(Deccan Samachar Service)June 3, 2010, The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and the Arab American Institute (AAI) sent a letter to White House yesterday requesting that President Barack Obama meet with Muslim and Arab American leaders to discuss the recent incident of violence against the humanitarian convoy traveling to Gaza. The incident occurred only days before the one-year anniversary of President Obama's address to the Muslim and Arab worlds in Cairo on June 6, 2009 and could compromise progress-at home and abroad-on goals laid out in the speech. "One year after Obama's Cairo speech, this tragic incident threatens to undermine both the president's efforts to broker peace between the Israelis and Palestinians and the confidence he sought to inspire in his address to the Muslim world," said Dr. Ingrid Mattson, President of the Islamic Society of North America. The letter asked that President Obama: "...demand an independent investigation into this violent attack and to ensure protections and rights for U.S. citizens who were a part of this humanitarian effort ... [and] to address this crisis in a manner consistent with the vision you advanced in Cairo and to exercise American leadership by calling for an end to the blockade of Gaza." ===================================================

Road map set for global development of telecom and ICT

Hyderabad,Jun 4: The Hyderabad Action Plan adopted today by the ITU World Telecommunication Development Conference outlined a road map to foster the global development of information and communication technology (ICT) networks and services over the next four-year cycle.The roll out of next-generation networks (NGN) and increased access to broadband services, wireless technologies and the Internet were recognized as catalysts to achieve the broader development goals.The Hyderabad Declaration states: ''Broad access to telecommunications and ICTs is essential for the world's collective economic, social and cultural development, and the building of a global Information Society. This access brings new opportunities for interaction amongst people, for sharing of the world's knowledge resources and expertise, for transforming people's lives, and for contributing to the global development agenda.'' The fifth World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-10), which concluded today, attracted 924 participants ''The increasing role of ICT in the life of the common man cannot be overemphasised. Keeping in view the latest technological developments in ICT, the Hyderabad declaration adopted by WTDC-10 will play a decisive role in the development of the ICT sector across the world, especially in developing countries,'' Mr P J Thomas, Secretary in the Department of Telecommunications of the Government of India, who was elected Chairman of the Conference, said. (photo by RSJ Thomas)
===============================================

World telecom meet lays roadmap for growth

Hyderabad, June 4 : The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Friday adopted the Hyderabad Action Plan, outlining a road map to foster the global development of information and communication technology (ICT) networks and services over the next four years.The roll-out of next-generation networks and increased access to broadband services, wireless technologies and the Internet were recognised by the UN agency's fifth World Telecommunication Development Conference as catalysts to achieve the broader development goals. "Broad access to telecommunications and ICTs is essential for the world's collective economic, social and cultural development, and the building of a global information society," the Hyderabad declaration said. The fifth World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-10), May 24-June 4, was attended by 924 participants, including 758 government delegates from 138 countries. Policy-makers and regulators pledged to promote affordable access to telecommunications and ICTs aimed at fostering sustainable development worldwide, with attention given to least developed countries (LDCs) and countries with special needs. New opportunities arising from the widespread use of ICTs were also cited in improving e-government services such as healthcare and education and to step up the drive to alleviate poverty and create jobs, especially among poor and marginalised populations, including women, children, indigenous peoples and people with disabilities. "Mobile telephony has grown phenomenally, and as we approach the five billion-mark for mobile subscriptions later this year, it is considered to be the most rapidly adopted technology in history," ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun Toure while addressing the closing session of WTDC-10. "Yet, the digital divide remains, particularly where accessibility to broadband services and the Internet is concerned. This broadband divide must be addressed by governments and industry as a priority if we are to fully utilise the capacity of ICTs to meet the Millennium Development Goals," he said. The conference noted that digital divide is compounded by disparities in broadband access and infrastructure between and within countries, in particular between urban and rural areas. Public and private partnerships need to be strengthened, in order to explore and further develop new and innovative ways of financing development projects, in close collaboration with international, regional and national financing and investment institutions, the declaration said. (Photo by RSJ Thomas)
================================================

Seven held for hacking online passport software

Hyderabad, June 4 : Seven people were arrested here for hacking the online passport application software of the Hyderabad regional passport office, police said Friday.Police Commissioner A.K. Khan told reporters that seven people, who included passport agents, were arrested and search was on for two others involved in the racket.The accused, who hacked the online software a week ago, were using it to book slots for registration of passport applications. The passport officials, who grew suspicious at some agents managing to get many slots, informed the police. The police commissioner's Task Force took up the inquiry. Police arrested main accused Latadhar Rao in Guntur. Several computers and hard disks have been seized from the accused. The police chief said they were on the lookout for two other accused. The gang was busted a day after the police commissioner announced setting up of a special police station to deal with cyber crimes. Over 100,000 applications are pending in the passport office here. There have been allegations of corruption with alleged collusion between employees and agents leading to inordinate delays in getting the passports. Last month, the passport office authorised 96 agents to receive applications for police clearance certificate and other miscellaneous services offered by it. Each agent was allowed to receive four applications for police clearance certificate and miscellaneous services and five applications for fresh passports and renewals every day.(photo by RSJ Thomas) 

================================================