Setting up of New Training Camps by Lashkar-e-Taiba

(PIB NEWS) July,29,Government has seen reports that the Lashkar-e-Taiba has expanded its operations in Afghanistan and set up training camps. Government continuously monitors the existence and operations of terrorist groups that target India and Indian interests. Government has consistently raised with its international partners, including the Government of Afghanistan, the issue of existence of terrorist sanctuaries in the region which target India and other countries. The Communiqué issued after the Kabul Conference, co-hosted by the Government of Afghanistan and the United Nations, also referred to combating terrorism by ending support, sustenance and sanctuaries for terrorists. Government of India has comprehensively reviewed and enhanced security measures for the safety and security of our personnel and other Indians working in Afghanistan. It is also in regular touch with the Government of Afghanistan, which has assured necessary security for Indians in that country. Government is committed to taking all necessary steps to safeguard the nation’s security. This information was given by the Minister of External Affairs Shri S. M. Krishna in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.
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PM’s statement at the Joint Press Conference with his British counterpart

(PIB NEWS) July,29, It is my great privilege to welcome the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom His Excellency David Cameron on his first visit to India. Prime Minister Cameron has a distinguished political career. He brings with him the finest qualities of leadership and a bold vision for Britain and a better and safer world. His presence here, so soon after his election victory in May this year, indicates the strength of the bonds that tie India and the United Kingdom. It also demonstrates the Prime Minister’s strong personal commitment to take our partnership to an even higher level of understanding and purpose. Our discussions were wide ranging, warm and extremely productive. We share the same vision for a renewed and enhanced partnership between our countries. To this end we have agreed on specific initiatives in the areas of economy and trade, science and technology, energy, education, defence, culture and people to people contacts. We have decided to constitute an India-UK CEOs Forum and an India-UK Infrastructure Group. We will work towards doubling our trade in five years. Building upon past experience, we have also agreed to launch a new phase of the UK-India Education and Research Initiative. We will intensify bilateral exchanges at all levels. India and the United Kingdom are natural partners to shape a better world. If we join hands together, we can make a meaningful contribution to addressing the challenges of poverty and development, reform of global institutions, terrorism and climate change. We also reviewed the regional security situation and developments in Afghanistan. There was agreement between us that today terrorism constitutes the single biggest threat to the region and to open and pluralistic societies like ours. We have agreed to further intensify our cooperation in the area of counter-terrorism. Finally, I conveyed to the Prime Minister that the people of India look forward to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi which we hope will further strengthen the spirit of the Commonwealth. With Prime Minister Cameron’s visit we have set in place a new momentum to drive our partnership forward. I have no doubt that this will be good for both our countries, and responds to the wishes and aspiration of both our peoples.
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PM calls Andhra, Maharashtra chief ministers on Babhali row

New Delhi, July 29: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called a meeting of chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra Aug 2 to discuss the row over the Babhali dam project between the riverine states, official sources said.

The sources said Thursday that the meeting was aimed at addressing apprehensions among political parties in Andhra Pradesh on Maharashtra not sticking to its commitment about the project following Supreme Court directions. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K.Rosaiah had Monday led an all-party delegation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and urged him to direct the Maharashtra government to dismantle the gates installed at the Babhali barrage and take necessary action to put an end to the dispute. The delegation, which had representatives from all registered political parties in Andhra Pradesh, also urged the prime minister to call a meeting of the chief ministers of the two states to resolve the issue of Babhali barrage and 13 other barrages built on Godavari river, which flows through both states. Political parties in Andhra Pradesh have accused Maharashtra of carrying out illegal construction on the Babhali barrage against a Supreme Court order, but Maharashtra denies it. Andhra Pradesh's opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu, along with some supporters had earlier this month entered the Maharashtra border district of Nanded in a bid to go to the site of the Babhali barrage.
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Andhra High Court dismisses petition against power project

Hyderabad, July 29 : The Andhra Pradesh High Court Thursday dismissed a writ petition against the environmental clearance granted to East Coast Energy Pvt. Limited (ECEPL) for developing a thermal power project in Srikakulam district.A division bench headed by Chief Justice Nisar Ahmed Kakru dismissed the petition filed by an NGO, which challenged the environmental clearance on the ground that the project site is a wetland. The court, however, allowed the petitioner to avail the statutory remedy within 30 days. ECEPL is developing a 2640 MW coal-based thermal power plant at Kakarapalli village of Santhabommali mandal in Srikakulam district. ECEPL, an SPV incorporated for setting up the project, has already achieved financial closure for Rs.12,000 crore project and so far invested Rs.600 crore, said a company statement. Forum for Sustainable Development, in its petition, claimed that the project site is wetland and part of Naupada swamp besides being ecologically sensitive. Some environment groups are opposing ECEPL project and a similar one proposed by Nagarjuna Construction Company (NCC) at Sompeta in the same district on the ground that they were coming up on wetlands. The groups fear that the thermal power projects would destroy the ecology and endanger traditional livelihood of local communities. The National Environment Appellate Authority (NEAA) had last month quashed the environmental clearance given by the ministry of environment for NCC project on the ground that information on existence of three irrigation projects and wetlands was suppressed. The NEEA judgement came a day after two persons were killed and several others were injured at Sompeta on July 14 when police opened fire on people protesting against the NCC project. Both the projects are to generate 2640 MW and involves an investment of Rs.12,000 crore each.
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All set for vote counting in Telangana by-polls

Hyderabad, July 29 : Counting of votes in the by-elections to 12 assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh's Telangana region will be taken up Friday.The state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) I.V. Subba Rao said all arrangements were made for counting of votes, which will start 8 a.m. The first result is expected by 11 am. Since polling in five of the 12 constituencies were held through ballot papers, the last result is expected by 6 p.m. The results from seven constituencies, where electronic voting machines (EVMs) were used, are likely to be announced in the initial two to three hours. According to the CEO, 66.67 percent of 23.60 lakh voters cast their votes in the elections held on Tuesday. Since the Election Commission received no complaint of rigging or other electoral malpractices from any of the constituencies, no re-polling was required in any polling station. The by-elections were necessitated by the resignations of all 10 legislators of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and one each of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on the issue of separate Telangana state early this year. As many as 435 candidates are in the fray for the by-elections, seen as a referendum on the issue of separate Telangana state. The election authorities have made elaborate arrangements for counting of votes at seven counting centres spread over five districts. No mobile phones would be allowed inside the centres. Arrangements have been made for recording the entire counting process. The CEO said tight security arrangements were made at strong rooms where EVMs and ballot boxes were kept after the polling. Officials have installed CCTVs in the strong rooms with monitors kept outside for the polling agents to keep a watch.
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Low pressure persists, brings rains in AP

Hyderabad, Jul 29 : Yesterday's low pressure area over Northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Westcentral Bay, South Orissa and North Andhra coast persisted today and was likely to move in a Westnorth-westerly direction.

Southwest monsoon was vigorous over Rayalaseema while it was active over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana with rain occurring at most places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema and at many places over Telangana, Met department said.Bhadrachalam received very heavy rainfall of16 cm, Koyyalagudem (West Godavari district) and Kunavaram (Khammam district) 14 each and heavy rainfall in Dowlaiswaram (East Godavari district) 12 cm, Rajahmundry (East Godavari district) 10 cm, Koida (Khammam district) eight and Parvathipuram (Vizianagaram district) seven cm.Chief amounts of rainfall were also recorded in Dummagudem (Khammam district) six, Anantapur, Jammalamadugu (Cuddapah district), Mahabubabad (Warangal district) and Yellandu (Khammam districts) five each, Achampet, Kodangal and Kollapur (all Mahabubnagar districts), Allagadda (Kurnool districts), Badvel, Kamalapuram and Proddatur (all Cuddapah districts). Eturnagaram (Warangal district), Ichapuram (Srikakulam district), Paleru Bridge (Krishna district) and Tandur (Rangareddy district) received four cm of rainfall each, while Mahabubnagar, Nandyal, Tuni, Chintalapudi and Tadepalligudem (both West Godavari district), Golkonda (Hyderabad district), Kalwakurthy (Mahabubnagar district), Koilkuntla and Srisailam (both Kurnool district), Lakkireddipalli, Muddanur, Porumamilla and Rayachoty (all Cuddapah district), Macherla (Guntur district), Madhira and Venkatapuram (both Khammam district), Pargi (Rangareddy district), Patapatnam, Ranasthalam and Sompeta (all Srikakulam district), Tiruvuru (Krishna district) and Udayagiri (Nellore district) received three each.Moderate to rather heavy rain/thundershowers would occur at most places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and may occur over Rayalaseema.Sky condition would be cloudy with intermittent rain or thundershowers. Maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 26 and 22 degrees respectively.
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Huawei enters India open market with new mobile devices

New Delhi,(Deccan Samachar Service DSS)    July 29,2010: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd., a leader in providing next-generation telecommunications network solutions for operators around the world, today announced its entry into the Indian open market with the launch of its new series of handset devices - “Hangout” and “Android”. These devices were launched utilizing Qualcomm’s advanced chipset solutions. Qualcomm is a world leader and innovator of 3G and other advanced mobile technologies. Huawei’s new high-quality, innovatively designed, easy-to-use, and affordable devices embody the company’s “Smart Device, Simple World” philosophy. These devices will be made directly available to consumers in India, starting on August 1,2010. The Hangout series includes a full range of stylish & feature rich devices on GSM/CDMA/UMTS technologies that cater to Entry Mid & Mid High type of consumers, whether they seek an entry level phone or a more high-end device. The Android series is based on the open source smart phone platform developed by Google. This range includes series of smart phone right from affordable to high-end devices on Android Platform with loads of applications catering to mid & high end consumers. Huawei is currently working with India’s leading operators, including TATA Indicom, Reliance Bharti Airtel & all the major operators, in the areas of Handsets, Mobile Broadband and Home Convergence, to bring its innovative, user-friendly devices to consumers. Mr. Victor Xu, Chief Marketing Officer, Huawei Device said, “Huawei believes that intelligent technology should come from a human perspective. Smart Device, Simple World is a concept designed to achieve this. Huawei’s offerings are based on partnership, customization and value. Through the launch of these products, we hope to enrich lives of Indian consumers.”Mr. Xu further added, “With the Indian telecom industry growing at the rate of 20M subs each month, and poised to reach 1 billion by 2015, Huawei sees traction in the Indian telecom device segment. With our entry into the open market, we will continue to look at all the possible growth opportunities.”Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kanwalinder Singh, president of Qualcomm India and South Asia and Senior Vice President of Qualcomm said, “Qualcomm welcomes Huawei’s entry into the open market in India with the launch of a compelling range of handsets and smartphones based on 3G and CDMA/EVDO technologies. We believe millions of Indians will soon have their first mobile Internet experience on such devices. Huawei’s expertise to deliver innovative 3G devices based on our chipset solutions will expand the mobile Internet experience to a large base of Indian consumers.” Huawei unveiled its four devices at the conference: Hangout Series U9130 Aimed at Young Adults and professionals, it incorporates email solution and popular social networking sites like Facebook, twitter etc. and is ergonomically designed to ensure that hours of chatting online can be done in comfort with cool QWERTY keypad. With 3G enabled in this phone, you can download multiple files in splash; also can do the video calling on 3G networks.C5600 Aimed at youth; this CDMA phone is on the OMH platform which allows consumers to change the CDMA networks seamlessly unlike other CDMA phones. Music is the great experience in this ultra slim phone along with, it incorporates popular social networking tools such as Facebook and Twitter.Android Series:U8300 Aimed at the young adults and professionals, it incorporates popular social networking tools such as Facebook and Twitter. Supports multiple emailing solutions including office emails and is ergonomically designed to ensure that hours of chatting online can be done in comfort. With awesome Android OS you can feel better experience in the touch screen of this phone along with the cool QWERTY keypad. With 3G enabled in this phone, you can download multiple files in splash; also can do the video calling on 3G networks. Google market is a great download machine in this phone using which you can download multiple applications.U8500 Aimed at the youth, it incorporates popular social networking tools such as Facebook and Twitter. Supports multiple emailing solutions and is ergonomically designed to ensure that hours of chatting online can be done in comfort. With Android OS in this feel awesome dual touch experience with large 3.2” touch screen and optical track pad. With 3G enabled in this phone, you can download multiple files in splash; also can do the video calling on 3G networks. Google market is a great download machine in this phone using which you can download multiple applications.Today, Huawei is perceived as a strategic partner to all leading telecom carriers given the paradigm shift in the handsets and telecom space where end users are now treating handsets as lifestyle products depicting one’s personality. Huawei stands ahead in flexible customization and offering quality, affordable and range of productsHuawei saw a remarkable growth and products acceptance with over 5 millions devices shipped to India in the year 2009. In terms of sales, Huawei Terminals recorded around 160 million for 2009. Huawei has delivered over 25 million devices till date with handsets contributing 60% of the same.About Huawei:Huawei is a leader in providing next generation telecommunications networks, and now serves 45 of the world’s top 50 operators, along with over one billion users worldwide. The company is committed to providing innovative and customized products, services and solutions to create long-term value and growth potential for its customers ================================================

ISNA and All Dulles Area Muslim Society Co-Sponsor Islamic Scouting and Inter-faith Events at Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree

USA,(Deccan Samachar Service DSS) July 28,2010, The Islamic Society of North America, in partnership with the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) and the National Council on Islamic Scouting (NCIS) will join fellow Scouts and leaders at the 18th National Scout Jamboree which will be held from July 26 through August 4, 2010, at Fort A. P. Hill, Virginia, located near Fredericksburg and Washington D.C. in celebration of the first century of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA)."Every Scout should have religion. Religion seems a very simple thing: First: Love and serve God. Second: Love and serve your neighbor," said BSA founder Robert Baden-Powell.ISNA and ADAMS will be co-sponsoring interfaith events which will be held during the jamboree. Imam Izak-EL Mu'eed Pasha, Resident Imam of Masjid Malcolm Shabazz, NICS member, will deliver the sermon and lead prayers at the Islamic congregational services on Friday, July 30th at 1pm. Interfaith prayer services will be led by Rizwan Jaka, ADAMS/ISNA/IFCMW Board Member and ADAMS Scouts Chartered Organization Representative, on Sunday, August 1st, at 10:30am. Participants include Muslim, Christian, Jewish, and various other faith leaders and Scouts. Reverend Clark Lobenstine, Executive Director of the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington (IFCMW) will be the special guest during the service. The IFCMW, which was created in 1978, brings together the Baha'i, Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, Jain, Jewish, Latter-day Saints, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Sikh and Zoroastrian faith communities to promote dialogue, understanding and a sense of community among persons of different faiths in metropolitan Washington. ADAMS Scouting leaders assisted NCIS in setting up an Islamic Scouting exhibit, which was also co-sponsored by ISNA, and constructing the 40 x 40 foot Gillwell Park Mosque complete with green rugs, a dome, and a minaret. Visitors to the mosque will be able to meet over 250 Muslim Scouts and leaders and share in the camaraderie of duty to God, honor to country, and service to others, thereby deepening mutual interfaith understanding. This is also the first time in Jamboree history that halal meals are being provided to Muslim Jamboree attendees.For more information about the events, contact NCIS Membership Chair Abdul Rashid Abdullah (ADAMS Troop 786 Scoutmaster) at 808-689-6092, rashid@ADAMSScouting.org or Rizwan Jaka, ADAMS/ISNA/IFCMW Board Member at 703-624-6352, rojpm@yahoo.com.For directions to the Jamboree visit http://www.bsajamboree.org/Visitor.aspx.
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