Cameroon’s Equinoxe TV Uses BGAN from Stratos to Broadcast World Cup Coverage of National Soccer Team

July 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment

BETHESDA, MD, July 13 /PRNewswire/ – Stratos Global, the leading global provider of advanced mobile and fixed-site remote communications solutions, today announced that Cameroon’s Equinoxe Télévision successfully deployed Inmarsat’s BGAN X-Stream mobile satellite service to broadcast news and match results of the Cameroon national team from the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Equinoxe is one of only two private television stations in Cameroon, a country in western Africa with a population of more than 19 million.

The Cameroon national soccer team is Africa’s most successful soccer team, having qualified for more World Cup tournaments than any other African nation. The team played in World Cup 2010 matches against Japan, Denmark and The Netherlands.

Equinoxe used a prepaid BGAN X-Stream solution from Stratos Channel Partner E-SAT (Levallois-Perret, France; www.e-sat.fr) for live broadcast and store-and-forward video clips to provide World Cup coverage to its home audience. Equinoxe aired 30-minute broadcasts every two days, while the national team was in contention from June 14-24.

Stratos prepaid airtime on BGAN offers a convenient solution for media and other organizations to control costs and plan monthly spending. Equinoxe also makes full use of Stratos’ value-added services known as The Stratos Advantage, which enable customers to monitor airtime, restrict unauthorized usage, and manage costs. Most important, Equinoxe used Stratos Dashboard to carefully monitor end-user access and adhere to its prepaid traffic commitment.

“Our deployment of BGAN X-Stream for World Cup coverage exceeded our expectations,” said Théophile Biamou, Chief Executive Officer of Equinoxe Radio and Chief Operating Officer of Equinoxe Télévision. “The Stratos prepaid BGAN solution does not require monthly fees, which makes it very affordable to deploy. We effectively used a free Mac-based encoding application. Also, our engineers found the system very easy to use.”

Biamou added, “Before deciding to deploy BGAN X-Stream, we checked with our associates at Al Jazeera English and they highly recommended it. The system will help us achieve independence from other news networks.”

BGAN from Stratos enables media organizations to perform at optimal levels at any remote location imaginable. Journalists can effectively use BGAN services with minimal training.

“After a long tradition of success, Cameroon soccer fans have become very passionate about their team. It is gratifying to help bring coverage of their team’s World Cup matches to those fans in a manner that is both reliable and expedient,” said Stratos President and CEO Jim Parm. “We also enjoyed learning how The Stratos Advantage services helped to ensure Equinoxe’s efficient, affordable operation of the BGAN X-Stream service.”

Stratos is one of the world’s largest distributors of Inmarsat’s BGAN (Broadband Global Area Network) service, a mobile satellite offering that uses portable, lightweight terminals to provide video (guaranteed up to 384 kbps streaming), high-speed data (up to 492 kbps) and voice connectivity anywhere in the world. The premium BGAN X-Stream service allows a guaranteed minimum video streaming rate of 384 kbps, with streaming up to 450 kbps expected under optimal conditions.

Stratos recently finalized joint-marketing agreements enabling close cooperation between leading codec developers and Stratos technical-support teams. In the coming months, Stratos intends to pursue the integration of these solutions into StratosNexus and The Stratos Advantage.

Major Broadcasters Continue Successful BGAN Deployments

The BBC, Fox News, Al Jazeera English and other major global broadcasters have continued their successful use of BGAN and BGAN X-Stream from Stratos to cover breaking news and natural disasters from remote regions. These and other broadcasters use BGAN from Stratos for live broadcast and store-and-forward video clips from remote locations, or areas where communications infrastructure has been badly damaged. BGAN from Stratos also is used in situations where a VSAT truck is not available or cannot be physically deployed.

About BGAN from Stratos

Since its introduction in late 2005, BGAN from Stratos has been widely adopted by media organizations, military agencies, first responders and professionals in many other industries worldwide. Stratos now boasts more than 12,500 BGAN activations in 185 countries. Many customers deploying BGAN from Stratos also achieve guaranteed, end-to-end bandwidth for their time-critical data with a Stratos GuaranteedAccess solution custom designed by Stratos engineers. Stratos GuaranteedAccess extends guaranteed bandwidth from the BGAN terminal through to the terrestrial infrastructure to broadcast centers. Stratos GuaranteedAccess is enabled by StratosNexus, a Stratos-managed Global Core network for traditional and IP-based services. StratosNexus is a redundant and highly resilient network, designed and optimized to carry time-sensitive satellite traffic.

About The Stratos Advantage

Companies utilizing BGAN from Stratos make full use of value-added services known as The Stratos Advantage. These value-added services, including Stratos Dashboard, provide users with cost control, firewall management, full traffic information, pre-paid facilities, high security options, easy VPN access, messaging services and a full range of IP options. More information on BGAN from Stratos is available at www.thepowerofbgan.com.

About Stratos

Stratos is the world’s trusted leader for vital communications. Stratos offers the most powerful and extensive portfolio of remote communications solutions including mobile and fixed satellite and microwave services. More than 20,000 customers use Stratos products and industry-leading value-added services to optimize communications performance. Stratos serves U.S. and international government, military, first responder, NGO, oil and gas, industrial, maritime, aeronautical, enterprise, and media users on seven continents and across the world’s oceans. Stratos is a wholly owned subsidiary of Inmarsat plc. For more information, visit www.stratosglobal.com.

SOURCE Stratos Global Corporation

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Former Pak captain Mohammed Yousuf’s family members embrace Islam

May 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, May 20 (ANI): Family members of former Pakistan cricket captain Mohammed Yousuf have embraced Islam, almost five years after he turned to the religion from Christianity.

The Nation quoted a private television channel as reporting that Yousuf’s three brothers along with their family members have embraced Islam.

Yousuf, who was known as Yousuf Youhana prior to his change of religion, had accepted Islam in 2005 much to the discomfort of his family members, particularly his mother.

“I don”t want to give Yousuf my name after what he has done. We came to know about his decision when he offered Friday Prayers at a local mosque. It was a shock,” Yousuf’s mother had said when the news about his son changing his religion was first made public.

Yousuf was effectively banned from playing international cricket for an indefinite period by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in March following an inquiry into the team”s defeat during the tour of Australia, which held him responsible for the team’s shoddy performance during the tour.

He later announced his retirement from all formats of the game in protest against the PCB’s decision. (ANI)

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Pak serves legal notice to India over Kishanganga dam construction issue

May 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, May 20 (ANI): Pakistan has served a legal notice to India concerning the long pending issue of construction of the Kishaganga dam over the river Indus.

The Nation reported a private television channel, as saying that the notice has been sent by the Water and Power Ministry in consultation with the Indus Water commission with an aim to bring the issue before the World Bank’s court of arbitration.

It is worth mentioning here that the notice has been served at a time when Pakistan’s Indus Water Commissioner Jamaat Ali Shah is scheduled to visit India on May 29th to participate in the annual Indus Water Commission meeting.

The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), inked between India and Pakistan in 1960, provides appointment of a neutral expert by the World Bank as a last option to resolve water related issues between both the countries.

Pakistan has been blaming India for an unsporting attitude during bilateral talks, which were initiated to resolve the impending water dispute.

Pakistan has been opposing the construction of the Kishanganga hydropower project on the Ganga River in Kashmir, which is called Neelum upon entering Pakistan. Pakistan has said that the diversion of the waters of the Neelum is not allowed under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, and it will face a 27 per cent water deficit, when the project gets completed.

It also claims that India has almost completed a 22-kilometre long tunnel to divert Kishanganga waters to Wullar Lake in Jammu and Kashmir. (ANI)

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Pak govt. mulling 100-billion rupee increase in defence budget

May 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, May 11 (ANI): The Pakistan government is likely to increase the country’s defence budget by a whopping 100 billion rupees in the next financial year.

According to a private television channel, the government has decided to enhance defence allocations in the budget, as it has expended a heavy amount on the ‘war on terror’.

Last year, Pakistan had allocated 343 billion rupees for defence spending, but in order to cope up with the demands of the war against extremism, the budget was increased further to 378 billion rupees.

According to documents relating to the defence budget increase, about 70 billion rupees increase in the defence budget was necessitated by increase in the salaries and allowances of the armed forces’ personnel, The Daily Times reports. (ANI)

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Failed Times Square bombing has ‘adversely’ affected ties with US: Qureshi

May 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, May 11 (ANI): Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi for the first time has admitted that the failed Times Square bombing plot, purportedly planned by a Pakistan origin man, has adversely affected the relationship between Islamabad and Washington.

A private television channel quoted Qureshi as saying that Pakistan’s relations with the US has been ‘damaged’ to an extent following Faisal Shahzad’s bungled bombing plot.

He, however, stressed that Pakistan would provide all help to the US concerning the probe into the incident, The Daily Times reports.

Speaking during a consultative meeting with the Chief of Army Staff General Parvez Kayani and other top diplomats, Qureshi said Islamabad and Washington shared multifaceted ties, which had been developed through mutual interest and trust over the years.

Talking about the recent deliberations between India and Pakistan on the sidelines of the XVIth South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit in Thimpu, Qureshi said both the countries have agreed to return to the negotiating table to discuss all pending issues.

He said Pakistan wants a cordial relationship with India on the basis of equality and respect, and reiterated that it would not accept any pre-conditions for resuming the stalled bilateral talks. (ANI)

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Shahzad’s ex-PAF chief father taken into custody for interrogation

May 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, May 7 (ANI): Former Pakistan Air Force Chief Air Vice Marshal Baharul Haq, the father of Faisal Shahzad, who has been accused of plotting the failed Times Square bombing, has been taken into custody for interrogation.

According to The Daily Times, Pakistani intelligence agencies have arrested Haq for questioning his son’s involvement in last week’s bungled bombing attempt at New York’s Times Square.

It may be noted that Haq along with his other family members had vacated their Hayatabad house and left for an undisclosed location just hours after news regarding Shahzad’s involvement in the bombing plot was flashed.

Haq was seen vacating his house situated in a posh locality of Hayatabad town as soon as media started converging outside his residence to learn more about Shahzad, a private television channel said.

Eyewitnesses said Haq along with other male and female members of the family left for some unknown destination in a car to avoid the media glare.

None of Shahzad’s family members have spoken to the media about his arrest in New York over alleged involvement in terror activities.

Air Vice Marshal Haq had retired from the Pakistan Air Force few years ago. His brother Major General (retired) Tajul Haq reportedly served as the Inspector General of Frontier Corps (IGFC).

Shahzad, 30, was arrested on Tuesday while he was trying to board a plane to Dubai. Soon after his arrest media reports said that eight to ten people had also been arrested in Pakistan in connection with the failed bombing plot.

Earlier, US officials said Shahzad has admitted to his role in the Times Square bombing plot, saying he had received bomb-making training in Pakistan.

During interrogation, Shahzad, who had returned from Pakistan in February, said that he received training in the restive tribal region in Pakistan along the Afghanistan border, a stronghold of the Tehreeke-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), adding that he was alone in the bombing plot and didn’t receive any help from banned terror groups operating from that region. (ANI)

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Pak assures US of full cooperation in Times Square bombing plot investigations

May 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, May 5 (ANI): Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has assured the Unites States of full cooperation in investigations regarding the failed Times Square bombing plot.

During an interview to a private television channel, Qureshi said during his meeting with US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne Patterson, he has assured her that Islamabad would play its due role investigations concerning the arrest of Faisal Shahzad, an American civilian of Pakistani origin accused of plotting the failed bomb attack.

Earlier, Interior Minister Rehman Malik also vowed to cooperate with Washington in the case.

“We will cooperate with the US in identifying this individual and bringing him to justice,” The Daily Times quoted Malik, as saying.

Shahzad, 30, was arrested on Tuesday while he was trying to board a plane to Dubai. Soon after his arrest media reports said that eight to ten people had also been arrested in Pakistan in connection with the failed bombing plot.

Earlier, US officials said Shahzad has admitted to his role in the Times Square bombing plot, saying he had received bomb-making training in Pakistan. (ANI)

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Kasab’s case verdict would complicate Indo-Pak ties: AML chief

May 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, May 4 (ANI): Awami Muslim League (AML) chairperson Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has said the verdict against Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone surviving Mumbai attacker, would further complicate the already strained Indo-Pak ties.

On Monday, the anti-terrorism court set-up in Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail found Kasab guilty of 83 of 86 charges filed against him in connection with the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

Talking to a private television channel, Ahmed said tensions between India and Pakistan would continue to adversely effect the relationship between the two countries as core issues such as Kashmir and river water sharing still remain unresolved.

He said the Pakistan government should provide legal assistance to Kasab, as he is a Pakistani citizen.

“The world is watching the Mumbai case and Pakistan”s Foreign Office should present its point of view after the verdict in Kasab case,” The Nation quoted Ahmed, as saying.

The charges against Kasab include waging war against India, murder, abetting to murder, attempt to murder, violation of the Arms Act, Explosives Act, the Unlawful Activity Prevention Act (UAPA) and others.

The special court is likely to announce its final verdict in the case today (Tuesday,May 4). (ANI)

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Manmohan-Gilani meeting delayed by an hour

April 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Thimphu (Bhutan), Apr.29 (ANI): The much awaited meeting between the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan to be held here on the sidelines of the XVIth SAARC Summit, has been delayed by an hour.

Sources told a private television channel here that no reason has been forthcoming as to why the meeting between the leaders of the two countries has been delayed.

Earlier in the day, Indian External Affairs MInister S M Krishna had said that New Delhi wants good relations with Pakistan.

Speaking ahead of the bilateral talks between Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani, Krishna said there was no point reacting to remarks made by the Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit or anyone else representing Islamabad.

“We are not going to react on the remarks made by anybody and everybody,” the minister said.

Basit had last night said that India and Pakistan should follow-up from the talks held at the Egyptian resort of Sharm-el-Sheikh in July in 2009 and it should be the foundation of any talks between India and Pakistan.

“Our expectation is that the meeting would result in a meaningful and irreversible engagement between the two countries,” Basit told mediapersons here on Wednesday on the sidelines of the XVIth SAARC Summit.

“We want both countries to come to an agreement,” he added.

While Pakistan is insisting that the Sharm-al-Sheikh document, which delinks terrorism from composite dialogue, should be the basis for talks, India is sticking to its position that there can be no composite dialogue, but only a channel of communication open till Pakistan takes credible action against the perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks in Mumbai.

“Dialogue is the only way forward. And secondly, the peace process should not be overshadowed by issues of terrorism,” Basit said.

According to the reliable sources, it is going to be a brief affair in terms of bilateral talks between India and Pakistan before the concluding session of SAARC Summit. (ANI)

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DUTA demands probe into radioactive element misplaced from Chemistry Department

April 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Apr 29 (ANI): Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) members are protesting outside the office of the Vice Chancellor here on Thursday demanding a probe as the university is under scanner for the radioactive Cobalt-60 that was found in West Delhi”s scrap market has been traced to its Chemistry Department.

Delhi University Vice Chancellor Dr Deepak Pental on Wednesday night admitted there had been ”negligence” as the radioactive substance found its way out of the university”s Chemistry Department to a scrap market in Mayapuri industrial area.

“We have to go into it and inquire into this–in a very systematic method to find out where was the negligence, when the source (of radioactive substance) brought, with whose permission the source was bought and who was using it,” said Dr Pental.

“The police came to the university but they didn”t come to see me, to inform me about what has happened. I am not fully in picture of what exactly happened,” he added.

Dr Deepak Pental, however, told a leading private television channel that an in-depth investigation would be carried out on the matter.

” If the waste came from our university, then we should be responsible about what we are doing and how we are disposing our material. I have spoken to the Head of the Chemistry Department,” said Dr Pental.

“We will conduct in depth investigation from our side about how this negligence has occurred,” he added.

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board has taken the matter very seriously and has said the university can be penalised for violating the rules and for carelessly discarding radioactive material.

Shocked at DU”s act, the board said it was careless attitude on the part of the prestigious university and that it violated specific rules for handling Cobalt 60.

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board has asked DU to explain the reason for not declaring the source of this Cobalt 60.

Reportedly over 11 people were hospitalized due to the radiation leak in Mayapuri”s scrap market and one of them died.

Thirty-five year old Rajender, a worker in the Mayapuri scrap market, who was admitted at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here on April 13, died of multiple organ failure on April 26.

The Delhi Police on Wednesday said the Cobalt-60 was in a ”Gamma Irradiator”, which was bought in 1968 from Canada and had not been in use since 1985, adding that it was bought by scrap dealers in Mayapuri through an auction in February this year.

It is reported that the Mayapuri scrap dealers dismantled the equipment and in the process, the lead covering on it was peeled off leading to radiation exposure.

Ten sources of Cobalt-60 had been discovered in the market.
Cobalt-60 is a radioactive isotope of cobalt, which is a hard, lustrous, grey metal. It is used in cancer therapy machines and other medical equipment. (ANI)

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Delhi University under scanner for radiation leak

April 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Apr 29 (ANI): Delhi University (DU) may face action for a radiation leak, as the radioactive Cobalt-60 that was found in West Delhi”s scrap market has been traced to its Chemistry Department.

It is reported that the radioactive Cobalt-60 was lying unused for the last 25 years in the Chemistry Department.

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board has taken the matter very seriously and has said the university can be penalised for violating the rules and for carelessly discarding radioactive material.

Shocked at DU”s act, the board said it was careless attitude on the part of the prestigious university and that it violated specific rules for handling Cobalt 60.

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board has asked DU to explain the reason for not declaring the source of this Cobalt 60.

Delhi University Vice Chancellor, Dr Deepak Pental, however, told a leading private television channel that an in-depth investigation would be carried out on the matter.

” If the waste came from our university, then we should be responsible about what we are doing and how we are disposing our material. I have spoken to the Head of the Chemistry Department,” said Dr Pental.

“We will conduct in depth investigation from our side about how this negligence has occurred,” he added.

Reportedly over 11 people were hospitalized due to the radiation leak in Mayapuri”s scrap market and one of them died.

Thirty-five year old Rajender, a worker in the Mayapuri scrap market, who was admitted at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here on April 13, died of multiple organ failure on April 26.

The Delhi Police on Wednesday said the Cobalt-60 was in a ”Gamma Irradiator”, which was bought in 1968 from Canada and had not been in use since 1985, adding that it was bought by scrap dealers in Mayapuri through an auction in February this year.

It is reported that the Mayapuri scrap dealers dismantled the equipment and in the process, the lead covering on it was peeled off leading to radiation exposure.

Ten sources of Cobalt-60 had been discovered in the market.

Cobalt-60 is a radioactive isotope of cobalt, which is a hard, lustrous, grey metal. It is used in cancer therapy machines and other medical equipment. (ANI)

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India confirms probe of diplomat who leaked information to Pak

April 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Thimphu (Bhutan), Apr.27 (ANI): A spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday confirmed the news that an Indian woman diplomat is being investigated for passing on sensitive information to Pakistan intelligence agencies.

Spokesman Vishnu Prakash said in Thimphu, Bhutan:”There have been a number of inquiries and a number of questions have been asked. I wanted to share with you that we have reason to believe that an official of the Indian High Commission had been passing on information to Pakistan intelligence agencies. The matter is under investigation. The official is cooperating with the investigation.”

Madhuri Gupta, a second secretary with the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, was arrested here on Sunday after being called back by the Ministry of External Affairs for consultations related to the XVIth SAARC Summit.

Gupta was produced before a court on Monday and remanded to police custody for four days.

Earlier, the Times Now private television channel had broken the news of Gupta, 53, had been leaking sensitive and strategic Indian Government information to Pakistan for the past two years.

The news report said that Indian intelligence agencies had been monitoring the activities of Gupta, an Indian Foreign Service (IFS)-B grade officer, for the past year, and added that over the past six months, the surveillance had been raised to a higher level.

The channel said the issue was not so much about the arrest of the diplomat, as it was about Pakistan being successful in planting a mole in the Indian diplomatic mission in Islamabad.

Pakistan Government spokesman Abdul Basit said that it was upto the Indian Government to take or not to take action against the arrested official.

Gupta, who was a specialist interpreter in Urdu, was posted in the media and information wing of the high commission

As of now, Gupta is being interrogated by personnel of the Intelligence Bureau and the Research and Analysis Wing (R and AW). (ANI)

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Indian diplomat arrested for spying for Pakistan

April 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Apr.27 (ANI): An Indian woman diplomat has been arrested here after confirmation was received of her passing on sensitive information to Pakistan.

Madhuri Gupta, a second secretary with the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, was arrested here on Sunday after being called back by the Ministry of External Affairs for consultations related to the XVIth SAARC Summit.

Gupta was produced before a court on Monday and remanded to police custody for four days.

A private television channel quoted sources in the ministry as saying that Gupta, 45, had been leaking sensitive and strategic Indian Government information to Pakistan for the past two years.

They said they had been monitoring the activities of Gupta, an Indian Foreign Service (IFS)-B grade officer, for the past year, and added that over the past six months, the surveillance had been raised to a higher level.

The channel said the issue was not so much about the arrest of the diplomat, as it was about Pakistan being successful in planting a mole in the Indian diplomatic mission in Islamabad.

Gupta, who was a specialist interpreter in Urdu, was posted in the media and information wing of the high commission

The Ministry of External Affairs has said that it will brief the press here in the evening.

As of now, Gupta is being interrogated by personnel of the Intelligence Bureau and the Research and Analysis Wing (R and AW). (ANI)

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‘Hostile’ Musharraf never wanted Bhutto to return to Pak in 2007 for elections

April 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, Apr.24 (ANI): Former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf had a confrontation with slain Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto over the telephone days before she returned to the country in 2007, Bhutto’s close friend and adviser Mark Siegel has disclosed.

According to Siegel, Musharraf had called Bhutto when she was in the United States to discuss her plans to return to the country and take part in the elections.

An agitated Musharraf advised Bhutto against returning to Pakistan, however, she made it clear that she would go ahead with her plans,a private television channel said.

“It wasn’t a very good conversation. He was very confrontational. He seems to be very hostile. He didn’t want her to return. She made it clear that she was returning and the preparations were underway for her return,” The Daily Times quoted Siegel, as saying.

Siegel also sensationally revealed that after the 2002 general elections, Musharraf had offered Bhutto a deal according to which all cases against her husband, incumbent President Asif Ali Zardari, would be dropped, and he would be released from prison, and given a ministry of his choice if she agrees to alienate herself from the country’s politics for the next 10 years.

“He (Zardari) said he won’t accept the deal under any conditions and would rather spend the rest of his life in jail,” Siegel said.

Siegel said that after the suicide attack on Bhutto on October 18, 2007 in Karachi, in which she had a narrow escape, the former prime minister had sent him an e-mail asking what to do and to whom hold accountable is something happened to her in future.

“Even though I was stunned at her death, I knew I had to continue doing what she told me to. No matter how devastated I felt, I had to go forward and that’s when I released that email to CNN,” Siegel said, but refrained from disclosing details of the mail.

He, however, said that the e-mail asked him to hold Musharraf and others responsible for any untoward incidents. In her mail, Bhutto had also talked about impending threats to her life and how she was denied proper security cover by the authorities. (ANI)

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RCB owner Mallya backs beleagured IPL chief Lalit Modi

April 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Bangalore, Apr.20 (ANI): Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) owner Vijay Mallya has strongly supported IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi, saying that he is the creator and the brains behind a highly successful and lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL).

Mallya said IPL owes its success to Modi and said that he was perplexed and amused by the hue and cry raised over trans-border transactions by some IPL franchisees.

“Unfortunately, this entire issue has snowballed into an unnecessary storm. As far as I”m concerned, I”m full of appreciation for what Lalit Modi has delivered through the IPL. If he has issues with the Government of India, that”s his private matter and he needs to deal with it,” said Mallya.

“Cross-border transaction is part and parcel of the growth and development of Indian economy. Just because some investment has been routed through Mauritius doesn”t make it tainted investment,” Mallya added.

He was referring to Modi’s decision to reveal the ownership of IPL Kochi franchise, which cost Shashi Tharoor his ministerial job.

With allegations of money laundering and betting doing the rounds, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has said that all aspects, including the sources and routes of funding of IPL teams, will be thoroughly probed.

He said RCB had a clean slate and he had no doubts that other franchises also had unsullied record.

He also rejected reports of franchise owners meeting with BCCI officials on the cash row and ownership issue.

A private television channel quoted him as saying: “I”m not aware of any such meeting. But if there is a meeting of the franchise owners, I will attend as I always do. But as of now, I”m not aware of any such initiative to dislodge Modi.” (ANI)

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Mukherjee, Chidambaram and Pawar meeting on IPL cash row ends

April 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Apr.20 (ANI): Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram and Union Agriculture Minister and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) strongman Sharad Pawar met here this morning, reportedly to discuss the cash row controversy surrounding the Indian Premier League (IPL) and its impact on the future of the sport and the politics of the nation.

The meeting has just ended, and Pawar is now meeting with BCCI President Shashank Manohar at his residence to discuss what action, if any, has to be taken against Lalit Modi, the chairman of the IPL Governing Council, for his perceived role in the controversy that saw the Minister of State for External Affairs, Shashi Tharoor, resigning.

Earlier in the day, Pawar distanced himself from Modi

He told reporters that he had nothing to do with the IPL.

“I am not dealing with this subject, am not a member of IPL committee. I am not aware of any BCCI meeting or impending decision. I have not received any notice of the meeting, only read in the papers that such a meeting has been scheduled for April 25,” said Pawar.

But sources said that Manohar, who has also refused to comment in public on the issue, is in New Delhi to meet Pawar to discuss Modi”s removal.

A final decision on Modi will only be taken by the BCCI after the IPL finals on April 25. The course of action is likely to be decided today, a private television channel reported.

The Cricket Board has also rescheduled its Working Committee meeting from April 24 to May 2 as it wants the IPL Governing Council — which is expected to meet here on April 26, a day after the IPL final — to first discuss the issue.

Pawar spoke with Modi at an ICC Board meeting in Dubai last night, where the two were attending a board meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC). (ANI)

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Tharoor has an agenda, says Lalit Modi

April 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Mumbai, Apr 16 (ANI): Indian Premier League (IPL) Commissioner Lalit Modi on Friday accused Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor of having an agenda in promoting the Kochi IPL fanchise, and asserted that he won”t let that agenda succeed.

“Tharoor has an agenda. I won”t let it succeed,” said Modi.

A private television channel quoted Modi as saying that he won”t allow any hidden agenda to take over IPL.

Modi further said that Tharoor wants the team to be based in Abu Dhabi, which he wouldn”t allow.

“I can”t understand why the team needs to be in Abu Dhabi. Shashi Tharoor”s agenda will be shut down, believe me,” said Modi.

Brushing aside all media reports that said Modi may step down from the post of IPL Commissioner and that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Shashank Manohar may be appointed as the Co-Chairman of IPL, Modi said: “I am the IPL Chairman and will stay on.”

He also said neither the IPL shareholders nor the BCCI knew who Sunanda Pushkar was, and did not care who she was.

It may be recalled that the media had said that Pushkar had acquired Rs 70 crore equity in the Kochi IPL franchise.

About the reported intention to shift the Kochi IPL franchise to Abu Dhabi, Modi said that the “IPL is an Indian League and no IPL team would be allowed to establish a base outside India.”

Meanwhile, Tharoor has said that he did not misuse his official position and has no role in the Indian Premier League (IPL) bidding process.

“My ministerial position irrelevant,” said Tharoor, adding that he had no role in the Kochi IPL consortium.

A private television channel quoted Tharoor as saying that his role was that of an informal mentor, adding that an IPL team is the dream of many cricket lovers in Kerala.

“The notion of proxy for me is insulting,” said Tharoor, adding that the reference to Sunanda Pushkar has hurt him, NDTV reported.

“I was in no position to influence the bid,” said Tharoor, asserting that money was never a motivating factor for him.

Tharoor is reportedly in trouble after Modi tweeted to reveal that Sunanda Pushkar, a close associate of Tharoor, had been gifted equity worth Rs 70 crores in the new Kochi team which was sold for Rs 1530 crores last month.

Modi in his email to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief Shashank Manohar had stated it was Tharoor who called him and instructed him not to reveal the identities of the stakeholders of the Kochi IPL franchisee.

Tharoor, however, has denied pressurising Modi.

Tharoor said he had ”enough” of the controversy and went on to deny any monetary interest in the Kochi IPL team. (ANI)

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No misuse of my official position: Tharoor

April 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Apr 16 (ANI): Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor has said that he did not misuse his official position and has no role in the Indian Premier League (IPL) bidding process.

“My ministerial position irrelevant,” said Tharoor, adding that he had no role in the Kochi IPL consortium.

A private television channel quoted Tharoor as saying that his role was that of an informal mentor, adding that an IPL team is the dream of many cricket lovers in Kerala.

“The notion of proxy for me is insulting,” said Tharoor, adding that the reference to Sunanda Pushkar has hurt him, NDTV reported.

“I was in no position to influence the bid,” said Tharoor, asserting that money was never a motivating factor for him.

Tharoor is reportedly in trouble after IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi tweeted to reveal that Sunanda Pushkar, a close associate of Tharoor, had been gifted equity worth 70 crores in the new Kochi team which was sold for 1530 crores last month.

Modi in his email to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief Shashank Manohar had stated it was Tharoor who called him and instructed him not to reveal the identities of the stakeholders of the Kochi IPL franchisee.

Tharoor, however, has denied pressurising Modi.

Tharoor said he had ”enough” of the controversy and went on to deny any monetary interest in the Kochi IPL team. (ANI)

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Ex-King Gyanendra”s statement on monarchy a daydream, say Nepali leaders

March 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Kathmandu, Mar 25 (ANI): Most Nepali leaders have described a recent statement by former Nepal monarch King Gyanendra that “the monarchy hasn”t completely ended” as a daydream.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said on Thursday: “It is only a day dream to say that the monarchy still exists in the country. So, the meeting did not discuss about his remarks.

Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party (TMLP) Chairman Mahantha Thakur expressed surprise over the former king”s remark and joked that the former king might have made such remarks in delusion.

Meanwhile, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha claimed that the latest statement by former King Gyanendra has made it clear that counter revolutionaries are conspiring in the country.

“The deposed king gave his recent statement with the support from counter revolutionary forces, Kantipur quoted him as saying.

He remarked that yesterday”s statement of the ex-monarch that the monarchy could resurrect is an audacious attempt to disrespect the people.

Former king in an interview with a private television channel on Wednesday aid it is hypothetical to say that the monarchy has been abolished in the country.

The former king said that he does not think that the monarchy has ended. “While turning the pages of the country”s history, there are ups and downs..,” he said, adding that people will decide considering this and (all should) take this up.

In February 2005, Gyanendra Shah sacked Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and started ruling directly.

Following the royal takeover, the seven major political parties formed a broader alliance and joined hands with the rebels Maoists signing a 12-point understanding which paved way for the 2006 April movement (Janandolan II ) that eventually pulled down monarchy and carved out Constituent Assembly polls.

The 240-years monarchy got officially abolished in the first meeting the Constituent Assembly of May 28, 2008 and the country was baptized a republic. (ANI)

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US undecided on offering India like nuclear deal to Pak

March 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Mar.23 (ANI): Amid speculations that the US might offer Pakistan a civil nuclear deal similar to India during the upcoming strategic dialogue on March 24, the US embassy in Islamabad has rejected such reports, saying there are no negotiations on between the two countries on the issue.

“The US has not entered negotiations on a civil nuclear agreement with Pakistan. The United States is committed to helping Pakistan address its real and growing energy needs, and we look forward to cooperating with Pakistan in ways that are compatible with Pakistan’s economic, environmental and security needs and with US international commitments and policies,” a US Embassy spokesman told a private television channel.

Reports regarding the Obama Administration offering a India-like nuclear deal to Islamabad gained momentum after US Ambassador to Pakistan, in a interview with a newspaper, described the March 24 talks as “working level talks”, and hinted a change of heart on part of Washington.

“We are beginning to have a discussion with the Pakistan Government on the country’s desire to tap nuclear energy,” Patterson had said.

“Earlier on, non-proliferation concerns were quite severe. I think we are beginning to pass those and this is a scenario that we are going to explore,” she added.

India has already expressed concerns over reports regarding the White House’ overtures to Pakistan.

“America needs to take a holistic view on the US-Pak nuclear deal. The US should consider Pakistan’s track record before any deal,” External Affairs Minister SM Krishna had said referring to the history of Pakistan’s nuclear proliferation. (ANI)

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