Anil Ambani forms equal joint venture with CBS for small-screen debut

"Anil Ambani’s Reliance Media World will form an equal joint venture with iconic American media company CBS Corporation to launch a potentially disruptive network of television channels under the brand BIG CBS, a person familiar with the development said. The companies have reached an agreement on the JV and an announcement is expected to be made this week."

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Buses that never hit Bihar road

"Thanks to the lethargic style of functioning of the Bihar government the Centre has recently withdrawn the financial assistance it had extended to tone up the urban transport system in Patna and Gaya-Bodh Gaya, the two cities selected under the Jawaharlal Urban Renewal Mission, for this purpose."

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Israeli gunships head to sea to block flotilla

"The activists, among them a Nobel peace laureate, are trying to draw attention to a 3-year-old Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip — imposed after Hamas militants violently seized control of the territory. They say they are carrying tons of desperately needed humanitarian aid."

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France chosen as hosts of UEFA EURO 2016

"France has been selected to host UEFA EURO 2016, which will be the first UEFA European Football Championship final round to feature 24 teams, after a decision by the UEFA Executive Committee in Geneva."

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The mystery of kindness: Selflessness of strangers

"WHEN George Price died in January 1975, his funeral in London was attended by five homeless men: dishevelled, smelly and cold. Alongside them were Bill Hamilton and John Maynard Smith, both distinguished British evolutionary biologists. All seven men had come to mourn an American scientist who helped to unpick the riddle of why people should ever be kind to one another, who had chosen to give away his clothes, his possessions and his home, and who, when his generosity was exhausted, slashed his own throat with a pair of scissors, aged 52."

Read further...The mystery of kindness: Selflessness of strangers - The Economist

Indian-origin Kamla is Trinidad and Tobago’s first woman PM

"Indian-origin Kamla Persad-Bissessar has been elected the first woman Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago after the political coalition led by her won a thumping majority and ended the ruling party’s 43 years in power."

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'Will you marry within gotra?'

"'Would you yourself marry within the same gotra?' asked Naveen Jindal, the two-time Congress MP and icon of young India. It was an interview with TOI where the tables had suddenly been turned. 'Yes,' said the perplexed reporter. Jindal persisted, 'Will your parents also not have any problem?'

When he received 'no' for an answer, Jindal insisted that the reporter call up her mother. 'Let me speak to your mom and ask her,' he said."

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Blockade of a north-eastern Indian state: Isolation ward

"A GRIM prospect looms for Dr Mohen Singh, superintendent of the biggest hospital in Imphal, capital of Manipur, in India’s remote north-east. Since early April, when protesters blocked the two highways linking Manipur to the rest of India, supplies of medicine have dwindled. On May 10th Dr Singh directed his staff to halt all but emergency operations. A day later the government airlifted in emergency supplies of rice and medicine. But oxygen canisters cannot be transported by air. In a fortnight, even life-saving surgery will be impossible."

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Volvo going to China

"The sticker price is $1.8 billion, a fraction of the $6.45 billion that Ford paid for Volvo in 1999. The cost to Ford is worse even than those figures suggest: it has had to support the Swedish carmaker through years of losses and even now it faces further expenses associated with the sale to Geely that will eat up much of the meagre sum it is getting for Volvo."

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One charger for all mobile phones soon to hit the market

"An energy efficient standard charger for all mobile phones will soon be introduced in the global market, said International Telecommunication Union (ITU)"

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Ten teams for 2010 Champions League | Cricket News | Champions League Twenty20 2010

"Nine of the ten teams for the tournament in South Africa, scheduled between September 10 and 26, are confirmed. The West Indian representative will be known once their domestic Twenty20 competition ends in July.
The teams that have already qualified for the 2010 CLT20 are:

Chennai Super Kings (India)

Mumbai Indians (India)

Royal Challengers Bangalore (India)

Victorian Bushrangers (Australia)

South Australian Redbacks (Australia)

Warriors (South Africa)

Highveld Lions (South Africa)

Central Stags (New Zealand)

Wayamba Elevens (Sri Lanka)"

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Pakistan all-time XI

"As many as four players were unanimous picks: Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis would in all likelihood be among the top contenders on any such global list. Two more batting greats, Hanif Mohammad and Inzamam-ul-Haq, were near-unanimous selections, with nine votes each. And with Abdul Qadir picking up eight votes as the sole spinner, it means as many as seven of an all-time Pakistan XI pick themselves."

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IBM to buy Sterling Commerce from AT&T for $1.4 bn

"International Business Machines Corp said on Monday it has agreed to buy business software integration services company Sterling Commerce from AT&T Inc for about $1.4 billion in cash."

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Australia expels Israeli diplomat

"Australia on Monday said it would expel an official from the Israeli embassy, after finding the Jewish state was behind fake Australian passports linked to the killing of a Hamas operative."

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Illegal movie downloaders to feel the ‘Hurt’

"The film’s producer, Voltage Pictures, has announced it will sue individuals who downloaded the movie on file-sharing services for copyright infringement.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Voltage and its agent in the matter, U.S. Copyright Group, will use IP address data culled from file-sharing service BitTorrent to subpoena the identities of suspected downloaders."

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Great Indian Beamer

"Indian cricket is under siege from a conflict of ideologies, one that threatens to drive a stake into the heart of the game in the country. To understand it, rewind to the 50-over World Cup in the West Indies three years ago. India was knocked out in the league stage itself then, prompting no less than seven ex-Indian captains to come out suggesting a cut in endorsements by the players. The argument then—that commercial interests were distracting the Indian cricketers, impeding their performance on the field."

Continue reading...Great Indian Beamer

India to host Badminton Super Series

India to host Super Series: "India will host its first-ever Super Series badminton championship next year at Delhi's Siri Fort Auditorium with Hyderabad and Mumbai as the stand-by venues, according to K.Ch. Punnaiah Choudhary, in-charge secretary of the Badminton Association of India."

Somdev makes main draw of French Open

Somdev makes main draw of French Open: "Somdev Devvarman on Friday became the first Indian to make the men's singles main draw at the French Open in 13 years as he breezed past Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 6-4, 6-1 here."

A special report on water: For want of a drink

A special report on water: For want of a drink: "As it is, wars are about to break out between countries squabbling over dams and rivers. If the apocalypse is still a little way off, it is only because the four horsemen and their steeds have stopped to search for something to drink."

Govt sets new power addition goals; misses old targets

Govt sets new power addition goals; misses old targets: "Data released by Ahluwalia showed India added only 9,585 megawatt of power capacity in the year to end-March 2010, down a third from its target of 14,507 MW for the year.

The Planning Commission charts the Five-Year-Plans for the economy and is headed by the prime minister.

The country plans to add 20,359 megawatt of power capacity during the 2010/11 fiscal year to its existing 160,000 MW capacity, the data showed. In comparison, China adds about 100,000 MW of power every year."

Key facts about India's gold industry

Key facts about India's gold industry: "India's centuries-old gold industry is the world's biggest market for the metal, with imports meeting almost all the country's requirements for jewellery and investment.

While some aspects of the industry remain unchanged, some shifts in consumption patterns are striking."

U.N. picks Costa Rican Figueres as new climate chief

U.N. picks Costa Rican Figueres as new climate chief: "The United Nations appointed Christiana Figueres of Costa Rica on Monday to be its climate chief to head stalled international talks on how to contain the world's greenhouse gas emissions."

Reva promoters look for an exit

Reva promoters look for an exit: "Bangalore-based Reva Electric Car Company (RECC), one of the world's most recognised electric car manufacturing companies, may see a change of ownership, with its current promoters holding talks with an international automotive investor for a sell-out."

Female touch can influence decisions, behaviour

Female touch can influence decisions, behaviour: "Just a pat on the back or a reassuring touch on the arm can be a powerful tool to influence behaviour, according to new research."

Bihar's Super 30 in Time magazine best list

Bihar's Super 30 in Time magazine best list: "Super 30, Bihar's free coaching centre which helps economically backward students crack the Indian Institute of Technology-Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE), has been selected by The Time Magazine in the list of The Best of Asia 2010."

Time magazine's article:

IITs slip in Asian university rankings

IITs slip in Asian university rankings: "Among the 200 best Asian universities, the University of Hong Kong retains the top slot this year too, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology is ranked 2nd against 4th position last year and National University of Singapore is ranked 3rd against 10 th last year."

Dhoni may go as T20, ODI captain

Dhoni may go as T20, ODI captain: "With India failing to win a single Super 8 match in two straight T20 World Cups, there is talk of replacing Dhoni with Virender Sehwag as captain in both one-dayers and T20."

Bihar has forever had a minister for industry.

Bihar has forever had a minister for industry.: "“We used to laugh amongst ourselves that we even had something called a Bihar Industry Association (BIA),” says .P. Shah, a former chairman. “It was just a platform for getting together and whiling our time, nothing happened here, nothing was allowed to. Post-Independence, we were among the top industrial states, soon enough we were nothing, there was politics, politics, politics.”"

In India, Sometimes News Is Just a Product Placement

In India, Sometimes News Is Just a Product Placement: "Rumors about shady practices — unethical, possibly illegal — in the Indian media have circulated for years. Over the past year or so, and especially since the 2009 parliamentary elections, when the sale of media space was reported to have reached new heights, the issue has drawn more attention."

Ronaldinho, Adriano out of Brazil Cup squad

Ronaldinho, Adriano out of Brazil Cup squad: "Forward Adriano and former World Player of the Year Ronaldinho were left out of Brazil's World Cup squad."

Mac Mohan, salt-and-pepper haired lovable villain, dies

Mac Mohan, salt-and-pepper haired lovable villain, dies: "Mac Mohan, the lovable salt-and-pepper haired character actor best known for his role as Sambha in the super-hit Sholay, passed away Monday after a prolonged battle with cancer, a family member said."

Cry for Naga unity grows louder Hoho dubs border artificial

Cry for Naga unity grows louder
Hoho dubs border artificial: "The Naga Hoho, the apex Naga organisation, in an emergency meeting last night has “derecognised” boundaries drawn between Nagaland and Manipur."

Brazil top poll as World Cup favourites

Brazil top poll as World Cup favourites: "Five-time winners Brazil are favourites to lift the World Cup trophy in South Africa this July, according to a poll of international sports journalists."

Dempo beat Lajong 1-0, win I-League title

Dempo beat Lajong 1-0, win I-League title: "Dempo Sports Club on Sunday clinched the I-League football title after defeating relegation threatened Lajong FC 1-0."

New inflation basket to have 676 items; likely from June-Indicators

New inflation basket to have 676 items; likely from June-Indicators: "The new wholesale price-based inflation basket will have as many as 676 products, including LCD TVs, mobile phones, and packaged drinking water among others, and is likely to be rolled out in June or July."

Billions pour in for India's insulated superclass

Billions pour in for India's insulated superclass: "More than three-quarters of the country's 1.2 billion people have to get by on less than $1.30 a day, double the level of poverty seen in China."

The language divide at the heart of a split that is tearing Belgium apart

The language divide at the heart of a split that is tearing Belgium apart: "Following the last election in 2007, Belgium went without a government for six months because of the divisions and squabbling between Dutch-speaking Flanders to the north and French-speaking Wallonia in the south. Three years later, the same conflict has brought down the government again.

In most countries of western Europe, the third prime ministerial resignation in three years would be cause for alarm. In Belgium, the latest resignation – of Yves Leterme, the Christian Democrat prime minister – after only five months has instead been greeted with shrugs of indifference and expressions of relief."

Why do we make sacrifices?

Interesting article - Why do we make sacrifices?

"We’re all familiar with our tendency to invoke divine intervention whenever we are faced with uncertainty. An important exam, a job interview, the illness of a loved one, is often the reason we rush to places of worship."

Facebook for Grownups: Can Microsoft, Apple or Google build one?

Facebook for Grownups: Can Microsoft, Apple or Google build one?: "Can Microsoft, Apple and Google build the Web 2.0 infrastructure that would allow us to enjoy Social Networking in a private and secure manner?"

Tata Tea is now Tata Global Beverages

Tata Tea is now Tata Global Beverages: "The company, now earns more than 70% of its revenue outside India. The Tata Tea board approved the change in name which will now bring popular global brands such as Tetley, Eight O’ Clock Coffee and other brands under Tata Global Beverages"

Huawei part of Chinese spy network, says R&AW

Huawei part of Chinese spy network, says R&AW: "According to security assessments of Huawei Technologies put together by R&AW, the Chinese firm not only shares ties with the Chinese security establishment but is also suspected to be a part of its intelligence set-up."

Nigeria swears in new president after death of Umaru Yar'Adua

Nigeria swears in new president after death of Umaru Yar'Adua: "Goodluck Jonathan, the acting president of Nigeria, was formally sworn in today, several hours after president Umaru Yar'Adua died."

Wait, Kasab's execution may take years

Wait, Kasab's execution may take years: "The death sentence given to Ajmal Amir Kasab may take years to be executed as the lone captured terrorist of Mumbai attacks could be 30th in the list of prisoners who are waiting to be sent to the gallows."

Modi planned rebel T20 league in UK, says ECB

Modi planned rebel T20 league in UK, says ECB: "According to an e-mail sent by ECB chief Giles Clarke to the BCCI, Modi was in talks with the IMG and three English Test grounds for setting up a mirror image of IPL in the UK, unknown to the two cricket boards."

India held by China in Azlan Shah opener

India held by China in Azlan Shah opener: "Ravi Pal Singh's last minute equaliser saved India's blushes as the defending champions eked out a 1-1 draw with China in their first match of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament"

Match-fixing common in ICL: Former Pakistan captain

Match-fixing common in ICL: Former Pakistan captain: "Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has been told that a large number of matches in the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) were fixed."

Asia Cup 2010 to be held in Dambulla

Asia Cup 2010 to be held in Dambulla: "The 2010 Asia Cup will be held in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, between June 15 and 24"

SC holds narcoanalysis, brainmapping tests illegal

SC holds narcoanalysis, brainmapping tests illegal: "The Supreme Court on Wednesday declared as 'illegal' use of narcoanalysis, brain-mapping and polygraph tests on suspects."

Chorus for caste-based census within Cabinet

Chorus for caste-based census within Cabinet: "Tweet from sardesairajdeep -

thought for the day: we have pages of caste based matrimonials, but dont want a caste based census. hypocrisy?"

Adler's South African dream over

Adler's South African dream over: "'This was the toughest decision of my life,' said the 25-year-old Bayer Leverkusen.

Germany goalkeeper Rene Adler has been ruled out of next month's FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa as he is set to undergo an operation to repair damaged ribs."

Torres doubtful for 2010 opener

Torres doubtful for 2010 opener: "Liverpool striker Fernando Torres faces a race against time to be fit for Spain's opening match at next month's FIFA World Cup™."

Is Baluchistan more strategically significant than Afghanistan?

Is Baluchistan more strategically significant than Afghanistan?: "Whatever�the rights and wrongs of that argument, you can be fairly sure that anywhere lying on�the intersection of Indian,�Chinese and Pakistani interests�will be strategically far�more important than it might appear on the surface."

U.S. says nuclear arsenal includes 5,113 warheads

U.S. says nuclear arsenal includes 5,113 warheads: "The United States disclosed for the first time on Monday the current size of its nuclear arsenal, lifting the veil on once top-secret numbers in an effort to bolster non-proliferation efforts.

The Pentagon said it had a total of 5,113 warheads in its nuclear stockpile at the end of September, down 84 percent from a peak of 31,225 in 1967. The arsenal stood at 22,217 warheads when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989."

Financial Times to launch India edition soon

Financial Times to launch India edition soon: "Financial Times, Britain's leading business daily, plans to launch an India edition, its chief executive officer John Ridding said on Monday."

China may ‘crash’ in next 9-12 months: Marc Faber

China may ‘crash’ in next 9-12 months: Marc Faber: "nvestor Marc Faber said China’s economy will slow and possibly “crash” within a year as declines in stock and commodity prices signal the nation’s property bubble is set to burst."

India coach Houghton resigns, AIFF issues denial

India coach Houghton resigns, AIFF issues denial: "The alleged dispute over the extension of his contract with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has led chief coach Bob Houghton to officially resign from his post."

Media watchdog names 40 'predators of the press'

Media watchdog names 40 'predators of the press': "Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders named on Monday the world's 40 worst 'predators of the press' including politicians, religious leaders and militias to mark World Press Freedom Day."

MCI boss Ketan Desai arrested

MCI boss Ketan Desai arrested: "Medical Council of India president Dr Ketan Desai and two others were arrested late on Thursday for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs two crore to grant recognition to a medical college in Punjab."

Sports ministry limits tenure for Kalmadi & Co.

Sports ministry limits tenure for Kalmadi & Co.: "The ministry has modified a 1975 regulation that suggests Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi and several NSF chiefs including V K Malhotra (archery), Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa (cycling), VK Verma (badminton), captain Satish K Sharma (aero club) and BS Adityan (volleyball) cannot seek a re-election after their present term expires."