Monday, December 27, 2004
World Briefing | Asia: Japan: Concern Over Coastal Fault
The New York Times: Premium Archive: "An earthquake along a newly discovered fault off the southeastern coast of Japan could generate devastating waves, scientists report in the journal Science. The fault, a few dozen miles from land, lies near the boundary where the Philippine sea plate is pushed beneath the Eurasian plate. If the fault slipped, the resulting earthquake could give the seafloor a sudden shove, producing a tsunami that would hit shore within minutes. The scientists believe the fault may have played a role in a magnitude-8.1 earthquake in 1944. Kenneth Chang (NYT) "
World Briefing | Asia: Japan: Concern Over Coastal Fault
The New York Times: Premium Archive: "An earthquake along a newly discovered fault off the southeastern coast of Japan could generate devastating waves, scientists report in the journal Science. The fault, a few dozen miles from land, lies near the boundary where the Philippine sea plate is pushed beneath the Eurasian plate. If the fault slipped, the resulting earthquake could give the seafloor a sudden shove, producing a tsunami that would hit shore within minutes. The scientists believe the fault may have played a role in a magnitude-8.1 earthquake in 1944. Kenneth Chang (NYT) "
Untold Numbers Are Missing in 6 Countries
The New York Times > International > Asia Pacific: "The world's most powerful earthquake in 40 years erupted underwater off the Indonesian island of Sumatra on Sunday and sent walls of water barreling thousands of miles, killing more than 19,000 people in half a dozen countries across South and Southeast Asia, with thousands more missing or unreachable.
The earthquake, which measured 9.0 in magnitude, set off tsunamis that built up speeds of as much as 500 miles per hour, then crashed into coastal areas of Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Indonesia, the Maldives and Malaysia as 40-foot-high walls of water, devouring everything and everyone in their paths.
Its force was felt more than 3,000 miles away in Somalia on the eastern coast of Africa, where nine people were reported killed. Aid agencies were rushing staff and equipment to the region, warning that rotting bodies were threatening health and water supplies.
A tsunami - the term is Japanese - is a series of waves generated by underwater seismic disturbances, in this case the interface of the India and Burma tectonic plates. Seismologists with the United States Geological Survey said the ocean west of Sumatra and the island chains to its north was a hot zone for earthquakes because of a nonstop collision occurring there between the India plate, beneath the Indian Ocean seabed, and the Burma plate under the islands and that part of the continent.
The India plate is moving at about two inches a year to the northeast, creating pressure that releases, sporadically, in seismic activity. But this was an especially devastating earthquake, the fourth most powerful in 100 years.
Television images showed bodies floating in muddied waters. Cars went out to sea; boats came onto land. Snorkelers were dragged onto the beach, and sunbathers out to sea, Simon Clark, a photographer who was vacationing on Ngai Island in Thailand, told The Associated Press.
Indonesia reported nearly 4,500 dead, most in the Banda Aceh area of Sumatra, a region that has been the site of a continuing civil war. In Sri Lanka, at least 6,000 were dead. In India, an estimated 2,300 died, with at least 1,700 confirmed dead in Tamil Nadu, the southern state that is home to this coastal city of Madras, officially known as Chennai.
At least three Americans were reported killed, two in Sri Lanka and one in Thailand, according to Noel Clay, a State Department spokesman. Many areas from the atolls of the Maldives to the Nicobar Islands of India were simply out of reach, with communication lines snapped. Thousands more people in those places are feared marooned or dead. India's home minister, Shivraj Patil, said there was no communication with 45,000 residents of the Nicobar Islands.
On Marina Beach here in Madras, women selling fish and children playing cricket, morning walkers and tourists savoring the salt-scented air all died as the sea suddenly turned enemy. The water came with no warning, said S. Muttukumar, a fisherman.
Whole fishing villages were washed away along coastlines, and thousands of fisherman who unknowingly put out to sea in the morning are missing. An Indian Air Force base on Car Nicobar Island was virtually washed away, according to television reports, and late reports suggested that at least 1,000 could be dead on the Nicobar Islands.
The airport in Male, the capital of the Maldives, was closed, stranding foreign tourists overnight at the airport in Colombo, Sri Lanka's capital, after much of Male was submerged. The casualties spread across southern India: at least 200 dead in Andhra Pradesh state, 80 in Kerala, and 280 in Pondicherry.
Sri Lanka, the island nation to India's south, was battered on both its east and west coasts. The Sri Lankan government declared a national disaster, and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, the rebel group that controls swaths of northern and eastern Sri Lanka, said it would declare its own national emergency.
The Tamilnet Web site cited reports from the Tamil Relief Organization that 1,000 bodies had been brought to hospitals in the north and east, with the toll expected to rise. Reuters reported looting in Sri Lanka, and officials said that at least 200 prisoners had escaped from a prison in Matara, about 100 miles south of Colombo, after it was damaged by the tsunami."
The earthquake, which measured 9.0 in magnitude, set off tsunamis that built up speeds of as much as 500 miles per hour, then crashed into coastal areas of Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Indonesia, the Maldives and Malaysia as 40-foot-high walls of water, devouring everything and everyone in their paths.
Its force was felt more than 3,000 miles away in Somalia on the eastern coast of Africa, where nine people were reported killed. Aid agencies were rushing staff and equipment to the region, warning that rotting bodies were threatening health and water supplies.
A tsunami - the term is Japanese - is a series of waves generated by underwater seismic disturbances, in this case the interface of the India and Burma tectonic plates. Seismologists with the United States Geological Survey said the ocean west of Sumatra and the island chains to its north was a hot zone for earthquakes because of a nonstop collision occurring there between the India plate, beneath the Indian Ocean seabed, and the Burma plate under the islands and that part of the continent.
The India plate is moving at about two inches a year to the northeast, creating pressure that releases, sporadically, in seismic activity. But this was an especially devastating earthquake, the fourth most powerful in 100 years.
Television images showed bodies floating in muddied waters. Cars went out to sea; boats came onto land. Snorkelers were dragged onto the beach, and sunbathers out to sea, Simon Clark, a photographer who was vacationing on Ngai Island in Thailand, told The Associated Press.
Indonesia reported nearly 4,500 dead, most in the Banda Aceh area of Sumatra, a region that has been the site of a continuing civil war. In Sri Lanka, at least 6,000 were dead. In India, an estimated 2,300 died, with at least 1,700 confirmed dead in Tamil Nadu, the southern state that is home to this coastal city of Madras, officially known as Chennai.
At least three Americans were reported killed, two in Sri Lanka and one in Thailand, according to Noel Clay, a State Department spokesman. Many areas from the atolls of the Maldives to the Nicobar Islands of India were simply out of reach, with communication lines snapped. Thousands more people in those places are feared marooned or dead. India's home minister, Shivraj Patil, said there was no communication with 45,000 residents of the Nicobar Islands.
On Marina Beach here in Madras, women selling fish and children playing cricket, morning walkers and tourists savoring the salt-scented air all died as the sea suddenly turned enemy. The water came with no warning, said S. Muttukumar, a fisherman.
Whole fishing villages were washed away along coastlines, and thousands of fisherman who unknowingly put out to sea in the morning are missing. An Indian Air Force base on Car Nicobar Island was virtually washed away, according to television reports, and late reports suggested that at least 1,000 could be dead on the Nicobar Islands.
The airport in Male, the capital of the Maldives, was closed, stranding foreign tourists overnight at the airport in Colombo, Sri Lanka's capital, after much of Male was submerged. The casualties spread across southern India: at least 200 dead in Andhra Pradesh state, 80 in Kerala, and 280 in Pondicherry.
Sri Lanka, the island nation to India's south, was battered on both its east and west coasts. The Sri Lankan government declared a national disaster, and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, the rebel group that controls swaths of northern and eastern Sri Lanka, said it would declare its own national emergency.
The Tamilnet Web site cited reports from the Tamil Relief Organization that 1,000 bodies had been brought to hospitals in the north and east, with the toll expected to rise. Reuters reported looting in Sri Lanka, and officials said that at least 200 prisoners had escaped from a prison in Matara, about 100 miles south of Colombo, after it was damaged by the tsunami."
The Best of 2004
The New York Times > Arts > Culture: "Critics' and editors' selections of the year's best in art, books, dance, music, television, theater and movies.
ART & DESIGN
The Memories - http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/26/arts/design/26kimm.html
By MICHAEL KIMMELMAN
The moving retrospective of the Japanese photographer Shomei Tomatsu at the Japan Society was among the highlights of the year.
BOOKS - http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/12/books/review/12TENBEST.html
The 10 Best Books of 2004
This year's list, chosen by the Book Review, consists of five novels, a short-story collection, a memoir, two biographies and a historical study.
DANCE - http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/26/arts/dance/26kiss.html
A Year to Celebrate Balanchine's and Ashton's Hundredths
By ANNA KISSELGOFF
Highlights of the year in dance include: the centennial celebrations of George Balanchine and Frederick Ashton, the rescue of the Dance Theater of Harlem and more.
MUSIC - http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/12/arts/music/12reco.html
The Best Classical Albums of 2004
The classical music critics of The New York Times list their favorite recordings of the year. Includes audio samples and links to related reviews.
The Best Jazz Albums of 2004 - http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/26/arts/music/26ratl.html
By BEN RATLIFF
Joe Lovano's graceful ballads, Elvin Jones's last session with his brother and Soweto Kinch's debut album were among the highlights of the year.
TELEVISION - http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/26/arts/television/26stan.html
The Year of the Parasitic Posse
By ALESSANDRA STANLEY
HBO's series "Entourage," the sex-crimes spinoff "Law & Order SVU" and the presidential debates were among the year's highlights.
THEATER - http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/26/theater/newsandfeatures/26bran.html
Murder, Suicide and Pestilence. Bravo!
By BEN BRANTLEY
The chief theater critic for The Times shares his favorite moments in theater in 2004. "
ART & DESIGN
The Memories - http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/26/arts/design/26kimm.html
By MICHAEL KIMMELMAN
The moving retrospective of the Japanese photographer Shomei Tomatsu at the Japan Society was among the highlights of the year.
BOOKS - http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/12/books/review/12TENBEST.html
The 10 Best Books of 2004
This year's list, chosen by the Book Review, consists of five novels, a short-story collection, a memoir, two biographies and a historical study.
DANCE - http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/26/arts/dance/26kiss.html
A Year to Celebrate Balanchine's and Ashton's Hundredths
By ANNA KISSELGOFF
Highlights of the year in dance include: the centennial celebrations of George Balanchine and Frederick Ashton, the rescue of the Dance Theater of Harlem and more.
MUSIC - http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/12/arts/music/12reco.html
The Best Classical Albums of 2004
The classical music critics of The New York Times list their favorite recordings of the year. Includes audio samples and links to related reviews.
The Best Jazz Albums of 2004 - http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/26/arts/music/26ratl.html
By BEN RATLIFF
Joe Lovano's graceful ballads, Elvin Jones's last session with his brother and Soweto Kinch's debut album were among the highlights of the year.
TELEVISION - http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/26/arts/television/26stan.html
The Year of the Parasitic Posse
By ALESSANDRA STANLEY
HBO's series "Entourage," the sex-crimes spinoff "Law & Order SVU" and the presidential debates were among the year's highlights.
THEATER - http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/26/theater/newsandfeatures/26bran.html
Murder, Suicide and Pestilence. Bravo!
By BEN BRANTLEY
The chief theater critic for The Times shares his favorite moments in theater in 2004. "
The Best of 2004
The New York Times > Arts > Culture: "Critics' and editors' selections of the year's best in art, books, dance, music, television, theater and movies.
ART & DESIGN
The Memories - http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/26/arts/design/26kimm.html
By MICHAEL KIMMELMAN
The moving retrospective of the Japanese photographer Shomei Tomatsu at the Japan Society was among the highlights of the year.
BOOKS - http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/12/books/review/12TENBEST.html
The 10 Best Books of 2004
This year's list, chosen by the Book Review, consists of five novels, a short-story collection, a memoir, two biographies and a historical study.
DANCE - http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/26/arts/dance/26kiss.html
A Year to Celebrate Balanchine's and Ashton's Hundredths
By ANNA KISSELGOFF
Highlights of the year in dance include: the centennial celebrations of Georg3الهن حتى انزعج ابي بعد أن راى الإبتسامة العريضة على وجهي.
بس
ART & DESIGN
The Memories - http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/26/arts/design/26kimm.html
By MICHAEL KIMMELMAN
The moving retrospective of the Japanese photographer Shomei Tomatsu at the Japan Society was among the highlights of the year.
BOOKS - http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/12/books/review/12TENBEST.html
The 10 Best Books of 2004
This year's list, chosen by the Book Review, consists of five novels, a short-story collection, a memoir, two biographies and a historical study.
DANCE - http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/26/arts/dance/26kiss.html
A Year to Celebrate Balanchine's and Ashton's Hundredths
By ANNA KISSELGOFF
Highlights of the year in dance include: the centennial celebrations of Georg3الهن حتى انزعج ابي بعد أن راى الإبتسامة العريضة على وجهي.
بس
Christmas
Red and green are the traditional colours of Christmas:
Green represents the continuance of life through the winter and the Christian belief in eternal life through Jesus. Red symbolizes the blood that Jesus shed at His Crucifixion.
The Christmas tree became popular in England in 1841:
When Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, brought a Christmas tree over from Germany and put it in Windsor Castle. The Royal couple were illustrated in a newspaper standing around the Christmas tree with their children, and the tradition of decorating a tree became fashionable.
The most Famous Christmas Tree in Britain:
In London, near the statue of Lord Nelson in Trafalgar Square, a giant Christmas tree is set up and decorated with great ceremony each year.
White Christmas in England:
England had only known seven white Christmases in the entire twentieth century. According to the records of the Meteorological Office in London, snow fell on Christmas Day only in 1938 and 1976. (The definition of a white Christmas in England is when one snowflake falls on the roof of the London Weather Centre.)
Christmas pudding:
It originates from an old, Celtic dish known as 'frumenty' & was first made as a kind of soup with raisins and wine in it.
Christmas Card:
1843, the first Christmas card was created on the instructions of an Englishman, Sir Henry Cole. J.C. Horsley designed the card and sold 1000 copies in London. In the nineteenth century, the British Post Office used to deliver cards on Christmas morning.
Postmen in Victorian England were popularly called "robins". This was because their uniforms were red. Victorian Xmas cards often showed a robin delivering Xmas mail.
Jingle Bells:
The popular Christmas song "Jingle Bells" was composed in 1857 by James Pierpont, and was originally called "One-Horse Open Sleigh." It was actually written for Thanksgiving, not Xmas.
Food:
It was a custom to eat goose at Christmas until Henry VIII decided to tuck into a turkey. Also, 93 per cent of the population in the UK eats turkey on Christmas Day; this means 11 million turkeys being cooked!!
Green represents the continuance of life through the winter and the Christian belief in eternal life through Jesus. Red symbolizes the blood that Jesus shed at His Crucifixion.
The Christmas tree became popular in England in 1841:
When Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, brought a Christmas tree over from Germany and put it in Windsor Castle. The Royal couple were illustrated in a newspaper standing around the Christmas tree with their children, and the tradition of decorating a tree became fashionable.
The most Famous Christmas Tree in Britain:
In London, near the statue of Lord Nelson in Trafalgar Square, a giant Christmas tree is set up and decorated with great ceremony each year.
White Christmas in England:
England had only known seven white Christmases in the entire twentieth century. According to the records of the Meteorological Office in London, snow fell on Christmas Day only in 1938 and 1976. (The definition of a white Christmas in England is when one snowflake falls on the roof of the London Weather Centre.)
Christmas pudding:
It originates from an old, Celtic dish known as 'frumenty' & was first made as a kind of soup with raisins and wine in it.
Christmas Card:
1843, the first Christmas card was created on the instructions of an Englishman, Sir Henry Cole. J.C. Horsley designed the card and sold 1000 copies in London. In the nineteenth century, the British Post Office used to deliver cards on Christmas morning.
Postmen in Victorian England were popularly called "robins". This was because their uniforms were red. Victorian Xmas cards often showed a robin delivering Xmas mail.
Jingle Bells:
The popular Christmas song "Jingle Bells" was composed in 1857 by James Pierpont, and was originally called "One-Horse Open Sleigh." It was actually written for Thanksgiving, not Xmas.
Food:
It was a custom to eat goose at Christmas until Henry VIII decided to tuck into a turkey. Also, 93 per cent of the population in the UK eats turkey on Christmas Day; this means 11 million turkeys being cooked!!
Keychain-sized tokens fight online identity fraud
IHT - NY Times: "Financial institutions once just offered kitchen appliances to new customers. Now a growing number of banks and brokerage firms want to fight Internet fraud by providing devices that help customers prove their identities when logging on to online banking, brokerage and bill-payment programs.
The devices, which are hand-held and small enough to attach to a keychain, are expected to cost customers roughly $10. They display a six-digit number that changes once a minute; customers trying to gain access to their accounts would type in that number as well as the user name and password that they use now. The devices are freestanding; they do not plug into a computer.
Several large banks in Europe and Australia - including Credit Suisse, ABN AMRO and Rabobank - already issue these tokens to customers, sometimes making them bear the cost of the device.
In the United States, Time Warner in September introduced a program, AOL Passcode, that lets American Online subscribers buy the keychain device for $9.95 and use it for authentication purposes, at a subscriber fee of $1.95 to $4.95 a month, depending on the number of screen names linked to it.
E*Trade Financial intends to introduce such a product in the first few months of 2005. And U.S. Bancorp says it will test a system, though it has not given a timetable.
There is growing pressure from bank regulators to add safeguards of this type to online financial services. In a report this month, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., which insures bank deposits, said that existing authentication systems were not secure enough and that an extra layer of security, like a hardware token or a biometric identification feature, should be added to the sign-in process."
The devices, which are hand-held and small enough to attach to a keychain, are expected to cost customers roughly $10. They display a six-digit number that changes once a minute; customers trying to gain access to their accounts would type in that number as well as the user name and password that they use now. The devices are freestanding; they do not plug into a computer.
Several large banks in Europe and Australia - including Credit Suisse, ABN AMRO and Rabobank - already issue these tokens to customers, sometimes making them bear the cost of the device.
In the United States, Time Warner in September introduced a program, AOL Passcode, that lets American Online subscribers buy the keychain device for $9.95 and use it for authentication purposes, at a subscriber fee of $1.95 to $4.95 a month, depending on the number of screen names linked to it.
E*Trade Financial intends to introduce such a product in the first few months of 2005. And U.S. Bancorp says it will test a system, though it has not given a timetable.
There is growing pressure from bank regulators to add safeguards of this type to online financial services. In a report this month, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., which insures bank deposits, said that existing authentication systems were not secure enough and that an extra layer of security, like a hardware token or a biometric identification feature, should be added to the sign-in process."
My work with waste things
My work with waste things: "Find here creative ways to recycle your waste CD, Floppy disk, empty cigar box, Gramaphone records, Audi jewel case, CD cover, and lots..."
Oxfam - Make a donation by credit or debit card
Oxfam - Make a donation by credit or debit card: "Please donate now to support people affected by the earthquake and floods in Asia "
Sunday, December 26, 2004
Chequered year for Bollywood
Chequered year for Bollywood - NDTV.com: "The cine-world witnessed some old wines packaged in new NRI bottles, the blurring of hate lines between India and Pakistan through cinematic bonding, and sex stepping out of night into the limelight. While the Yash Chopra romance, Veer Zaara, sought to reflect the thawing of hate lines between both countries through the format of cross-border romance, films like Khamosh Pani starring Kiron Kher gave a stark account of the partition and its impact on women.
Ashutosh Gowarikar's Swades in a sophisticated package tried to tug at the emotional chords of Indian Diaspora scattered across the world. Cross-over films like Bride and Prejudice, Raghu Romeo also tried to blur the dividing lines but failed to garner a white-man audience. The year saw the topic of extra marital affairs coming with a bang, but this time with a feminist touch.
Films like Aitraz and Tum chose to tackle the subject of bedroom politics. There was a lot of 'skin show' this year and grabbing viewer's attention by their unabashed display in films like Julie, Hawas, Murder, Tauba Tauba and Ab Bas, which saw the blurring of lines in the question of 'to be' or 'not to be' dressed. Heroines like Mallika Sherawat with their un-apologetic statements on the right to display skin, made headlines, drawing out new contours on the map of cinema.
The year also proved that clean comedy was still a crowd puller. Stories of men-on-the-street dreaming tall, weaving tales of hitting the jackpot and meandering through life's journey sometime through a pack of white lies and sometime on a belief in the almighty, drew crowds. Films like Munnabhai MBBS and Mujshe Shaadi Karoge fetched good revenue both in the domestic market and in the international market. Movies like Hulchul and Main Hoon Na made their mark as they tickled the funny bones of cinegoers.
Saif, this year managed to shrug off the allegation of giving hits only when teamed with other stars, by ensuring a solo hit through the film Hum Tum. Abhishek Bachchan, managed his maiden bonafide hit in the film Dhoom and wowed critics with his performance in Yuva. The year saw both Bachchans trying to test their selling power on the Indian film marquee. The senior Bachchan was seen in at around eight films this year, including Khakhee, Dev, Deewar, Lakshya, Veer Zaara while the Junior Bachchan saw him starring in films like Naach, Phir Milenge, Yuva and Dhoom. While Khakee and Veer Zara fared well, films like Lakshya, Deewar did not make the mark.
Actress Kareena Kapoor proved to be the blue-eyed girl this year with her films like Aitraz, Musafir, Fida, Chameli getting the audience to notice her. However, the film industry's earlier blue-eyed-girl, Aishwarya Rai, did not fare well on the domestic front. Her films like Kyon.. Ho Gaya Na were bidden adieu without much ado. The 'B factor' failed to work this year with `Big Budgets', Big film directors' failing to ensure `Box-office' collection. The presence of the Big B also failed to garner collections in films like Lakshya. Mani Ratnam's Yuva, Farhan's Lakshya and J P Dutta's LOC failed to sell the directors' dreams on the celluloid to cinegoers.
Multistarrers like Mahesh Manjrekar's Rakht, Rajiv Rai's Asambhav also proved that cinegoers wanted something more than just an impressive star cast. Small budget films and 'popcorn entertainment' found more takers.
2004 did not reap luck for debutant directors like Kabir Sadanand (Popcorn Khao--Mast Ho Jao), Ashwin Chaudhary (Dhoop), Samir Karnik (Kyo Ho Gaya Na), Sanjay Upadhyay (Satya Bol). The limelight also did not shine on new faces like Vatsal Seth (Tarzan, the Wonder Car), Shawar Ali (Hawas) and Samin Dattarani (Uf Kya Jado ..)
The on-screen drama spilt to the streets this year as Shiv Sainiks staged demonstration over the screening of the film Girlfriend. The theme of a lesbian relationship did not go down well with the party workers who termed the film of damaging the Indian mindset and cultural fabric.
Another film to ignite the wrath was M F Hussain's Meenaxi. Hussain's latest muse actress Tabu had to bid a hasty goodbye as members of a community threatened agitation over the use of certain verses from the Holy Book. (PTI)
Ashutosh Gowarikar's Swades in a sophisticated package tried to tug at the emotional chords of Indian Diaspora scattered across the world. Cross-over films like Bride and Prejudice, Raghu Romeo also tried to blur the dividing lines but failed to garner a white-man audience. The year saw the topic of extra marital affairs coming with a bang, but this time with a feminist touch.
Films like Aitraz and Tum chose to tackle the subject of bedroom politics. There was a lot of 'skin show' this year and grabbing viewer's attention by their unabashed display in films like Julie, Hawas, Murder, Tauba Tauba and Ab Bas, which saw the blurring of lines in the question of 'to be' or 'not to be' dressed. Heroines like Mallika Sherawat with their un-apologetic statements on the right to display skin, made headlines, drawing out new contours on the map of cinema.
The year also proved that clean comedy was still a crowd puller. Stories of men-on-the-street dreaming tall, weaving tales of hitting the jackpot and meandering through life's journey sometime through a pack of white lies and sometime on a belief in the almighty, drew crowds. Films like Munnabhai MBBS and Mujshe Shaadi Karoge fetched good revenue both in the domestic market and in the international market. Movies like Hulchul and Main Hoon Na made their mark as they tickled the funny bones of cinegoers.
Saif, this year managed to shrug off the allegation of giving hits only when teamed with other stars, by ensuring a solo hit through the film Hum Tum. Abhishek Bachchan, managed his maiden bonafide hit in the film Dhoom and wowed critics with his performance in Yuva. The year saw both Bachchans trying to test their selling power on the Indian film marquee. The senior Bachchan was seen in at around eight films this year, including Khakhee, Dev, Deewar, Lakshya, Veer Zaara while the Junior Bachchan saw him starring in films like Naach, Phir Milenge, Yuva and Dhoom. While Khakee and Veer Zara fared well, films like Lakshya, Deewar did not make the mark.
Actress Kareena Kapoor proved to be the blue-eyed girl this year with her films like Aitraz, Musafir, Fida, Chameli getting the audience to notice her. However, the film industry's earlier blue-eyed-girl, Aishwarya Rai, did not fare well on the domestic front. Her films like Kyon.. Ho Gaya Na were bidden adieu without much ado. The 'B factor' failed to work this year with `Big Budgets', Big film directors' failing to ensure `Box-office' collection. The presence of the Big B also failed to garner collections in films like Lakshya. Mani Ratnam's Yuva, Farhan's Lakshya and J P Dutta's LOC failed to sell the directors' dreams on the celluloid to cinegoers.
Multistarrers like Mahesh Manjrekar's Rakht, Rajiv Rai's Asambhav also proved that cinegoers wanted something more than just an impressive star cast. Small budget films and 'popcorn entertainment' found more takers.
2004 did not reap luck for debutant directors like Kabir Sadanand (Popcorn Khao--Mast Ho Jao), Ashwin Chaudhary (Dhoop), Samir Karnik (Kyo Ho Gaya Na), Sanjay Upadhyay (Satya Bol). The limelight also did not shine on new faces like Vatsal Seth (Tarzan, the Wonder Car), Shawar Ali (Hawas) and Samin Dattarani (Uf Kya Jado ..)
The on-screen drama spilt to the streets this year as Shiv Sainiks staged demonstration over the screening of the film Girlfriend. The theme of a lesbian relationship did not go down well with the party workers who termed the film of damaging the Indian mindset and cultural fabric.
Another film to ignite the wrath was M F Hussain's Meenaxi. Hussain's latest muse actress Tabu had to bid a hasty goodbye as members of a community threatened agitation over the use of certain verses from the Holy Book. (PTI)
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Tech Briefs - IHT.com
HMV Group, the British operator of HMV music stores, said it would join forces
with Microsoft to open an online music store that would challenge Apple
Computer's iTunes downloading service and iPod music players.
HMV, based in Maidenhead, England, will invest £10 million, or $19.2 million,
in the digital downloading service, which will start in the second half of
2005, Paul Barker, head of corporate communications, said Wednesday. The retailer
may stop selling Apple's iPod, he added.
HMV said the hardware and software needed to download music on line will be
available at its 200 British stores and from its Web site. Downloads will use
Microsoft's Windows Media Audio format and will be compatible with more than 75
portable music players, Barker said, but not iPods.
BLOCKBUSTER CUTS RATE: Blockbuster, the largest U.S. video store chain, cut the
price of its online rental service to $14.99 a month to try to fend off
competition from Netflix.
The price, $2.50 lower than the old rate, is guaranteed through January 2006
to those who subscribe now, Blockbuster said. Netflix charges $17.99 a month.
T-MOBILE LINKS WITH LG: T-Mobile International, the wireless unit of Deutsche
Telekom, will sell some phones made by LG Electronics exclusively in Germany as
it seeks to regain market share lost to rivals including Vodafone Group.
T-Mobile Germany agreed on a two-year partnership with the Seoul-based LG
Electronics to cooperate in developing cellphones that allow faster data downloads
from the Internet, T-Mobile said. (Bloomberg)
with Microsoft to open an online music store that would challenge Apple
Computer's iTunes downloading service and iPod music players.
HMV, based in Maidenhead, England, will invest £10 million, or $19.2 million,
in the digital downloading service, which will start in the second half of
2005, Paul Barker, head of corporate communications, said Wednesday. The retailer
may stop selling Apple's iPod, he added.
HMV said the hardware and software needed to download music on line will be
available at its 200 British stores and from its Web site. Downloads will use
Microsoft's Windows Media Audio format and will be compatible with more than 75
portable music players, Barker said, but not iPods.
BLOCKBUSTER CUTS RATE: Blockbuster, the largest U.S. video store chain, cut the
price of its online rental service to $14.99 a month to try to fend off
competition from Netflix.
The price, $2.50 lower than the old rate, is guaranteed through January 2006
to those who subscribe now, Blockbuster said. Netflix charges $17.99 a month.
T-MOBILE LINKS WITH LG: T-Mobile International, the wireless unit of Deutsche
Telekom, will sell some phones made by LG Electronics exclusively in Germany as
it seeks to regain market share lost to rivals including Vodafone Group.
T-Mobile Germany agreed on a two-year partnership with the Seoul-based LG
Electronics to cooperate in developing cellphones that allow faster data downloads
from the Internet, T-Mobile said. (Bloomberg)
India win by 11 runs
NDTV.com: "India have won the first one-day international against Bangladesh by 11 runs at Chittagong today. Chasing a victory target of 246, the hosts managed to score only 234 runs in their allotted 50 overs.
The hosts lost eight wickets in the process. Indian batsman Mohammad Kaif was adjudged the Man of the Match for his significant innings of 80. Debutante wicket keeper M S Dhoni was run out first ball for 0, while Sridharan Sriram was stumped on the previous delivery for 3."
The hosts lost eight wickets in the process. Indian batsman Mohammad Kaif was adjudged the Man of the Match for his significant innings of 80. Debutante wicket keeper M S Dhoni was run out first ball for 0, while Sridharan Sriram was stumped on the previous delivery for 3."
Narasimha Rao passes away
NDTV.com: "Former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao who changed the face of India's economic map passed away in New Delhi today. Rao who was 83 years old, had been critically ill for the last two weeks.
He died of cardiac arrest at 2:40 pm (IST) at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). A widower, he is survived by three sons and five daughters. Rao had been admitted to AIIMS on December 9 and had undergone surgery to install a pacemaker.
The state funeral and cremation of the former Prime Minister will take place in Hyderabad on December 25. The cremation will take place at noon, reports said. The mortal remains of Rao will be kept at the AICC headquarters at 24, Akbar Road tomorrow to enable party leaders and workers to pay their last respects to the late leader.
Rao was the Prime Minister from 1991-96, a turbulent period in Indian politics that witnessed the demolition of the Babri Masjid on one hand and the birth of liberalisation at the other end of the spectrum. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha case in which MPs were bribed to switch over in a no-confidence vote led to Rao becoming the first Prime Minister to be convicted in a criminal case.
But Rao's very survival instincts which saw him rise from local politics in Andhra Pradesh to the chief ministership of the State and to every important cabinet position would let him down on December 6, 1992. The demolition of the Babri Masjid on that day would become symbolic of the politics of indecision. Rao was even accused of not being firm enough in handling Hindu fundamentalists."
He died of cardiac arrest at 2:40 pm (IST) at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). A widower, he is survived by three sons and five daughters. Rao had been admitted to AIIMS on December 9 and had undergone surgery to install a pacemaker.
The state funeral and cremation of the former Prime Minister will take place in Hyderabad on December 25. The cremation will take place at noon, reports said. The mortal remains of Rao will be kept at the AICC headquarters at 24, Akbar Road tomorrow to enable party leaders and workers to pay their last respects to the late leader.
Rao was the Prime Minister from 1991-96, a turbulent period in Indian politics that witnessed the demolition of the Babri Masjid on one hand and the birth of liberalisation at the other end of the spectrum. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha case in which MPs were bribed to switch over in a no-confidence vote led to Rao becoming the first Prime Minister to be convicted in a criminal case.
But Rao's very survival instincts which saw him rise from local politics in Andhra Pradesh to the chief ministership of the State and to every important cabinet position would let him down on December 6, 1992. The demolition of the Babri Masjid on that day would become symbolic of the politics of indecision. Rao was even accused of not being firm enough in handling Hindu fundamentalists."
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Scapegoat in Chief
By David Ignatius -- washingtonpost.com: ""I think Rumsfeld may be not too long for this world. . . . Let's dump him." The date was April 7, 1971; the speaker was President Richard M. Nixon. And despite Nixon's muttering about "the Rumsfeld problem" -- which in this instance was that Rummy was too critical of the Vietnam War -- the ambitious young White House aide kept his job.
The anecdote, recounted in journalist James Mann's history of the Bush national security team, "Rise of the Vulcans," illustrates several telling facts about this month's leading Washington villain. Rumsfeld is a contrarian whose arrogant manner has made him powerful enemies over the years; he's also a survivor whose political obituary has often been written prematurely.
Rumsfeld's situation recalls that of an earlier defense secretary -- Robert S. McNamara -- who struggled with a war that proved far more complicated and painful than expected. The two men share several traits that are at once strengths and weaknesses: a brilliant, intimidating intellect that comes across to many people as arrogance; a skepticism about the Pentagon's encrusted layers of power and past practice, which angers the military brass; a reluctance to play the usual Pentagon game of log-rolling and mutual back-scratching on Capitol Hill, which leaves few political defenders; and, most of all, a bold gambler's decision to go to war without fully understanding the complexities of the battlefield.
McNamara is hated by a generation of military officers who blame him for plunging the Army into a failed ground war; it's too early to know whether Rumsfeld's war will turn out as badly as Vietnam did, or whether he'll have the permanent enmity of the military, but he's certainly on his way. Similarly, McNamara and Rummy have a knack for attracting congressional criticism within their own party. Last week's parade of Republican senators calling for Rumsfeld's resignation -- John McCain, Chuck Hagel, Susan Collins, Trent Lott -- was reminiscent of the pressure from conservative Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee who were lobbying LBJ to dump McNamara in 1967.
The military never presented McNamara with a coherent strategy for victory against an elusive guerrilla enemy, as Gen. Bruce Palmer acknowledged in his superb history of the war. "
The anecdote, recounted in journalist James Mann's history of the Bush national security team, "Rise of the Vulcans," illustrates several telling facts about this month's leading Washington villain. Rumsfeld is a contrarian whose arrogant manner has made him powerful enemies over the years; he's also a survivor whose political obituary has often been written prematurely.
Rumsfeld's situation recalls that of an earlier defense secretary -- Robert S. McNamara -- who struggled with a war that proved far more complicated and painful than expected. The two men share several traits that are at once strengths and weaknesses: a brilliant, intimidating intellect that comes across to many people as arrogance; a skepticism about the Pentagon's encrusted layers of power and past practice, which angers the military brass; a reluctance to play the usual Pentagon game of log-rolling and mutual back-scratching on Capitol Hill, which leaves few political defenders; and, most of all, a bold gambler's decision to go to war without fully understanding the complexities of the battlefield.
McNamara is hated by a generation of military officers who blame him for plunging the Army into a failed ground war; it's too early to know whether Rumsfeld's war will turn out as badly as Vietnam did, or whether he'll have the permanent enmity of the military, but he's certainly on his way. Similarly, McNamara and Rummy have a knack for attracting congressional criticism within their own party. Last week's parade of Republican senators calling for Rumsfeld's resignation -- John McCain, Chuck Hagel, Susan Collins, Trent Lott -- was reminiscent of the pressure from conservative Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee who were lobbying LBJ to dump McNamara in 1967.
The military never presented McNamara with a coherent strategy for victory against an elusive guerrilla enemy, as Gen. Bruce Palmer acknowledged in his superb history of the war. "
Neocons setting up Rumsfeld as Iraq fall guy
MercuryNews.com | 12/22/2004: "Last year, Midge Decter published a mash note titled ``Rumsfeld: A Personal Portrait.'' The University of Houston's James D. Fairbanks began his review thus: ``Neoconservative writer Midge Decter sets out to explain just what it is about Donald Rumsfeld that has well-educated, sophisticated women swooning over him.
Ever since he signed on with their Committee on the Present Danger in the 1980s, Rumsfeld had been a hero to neocons. In 1998, he signed Kristol's open letter to Clinton calling for war on Iraq, three years before Sept. 11. Named defense secretary, Rumsfeld brought in neocons Paul Wolfowitz and Douglas Feith as his No. 2 and No. 3, and let them fill the building with friends from Neocon Central, the American Enterprise Institute.
Richard Perle was given the chair of the Defense Policy Review Board, which was turned into a neocon nest at the Pentagon. In the hours after Sept. 11, Rumsfeld made the case to Bush for immediate war on Iraq. When Baghdad fell in three weeks, he was the toast of the cakewalk crowd and the centerfold of Midge and the neocon girls.
Now many are snaking on him. What is going on? Simple.
Rumsfeld is being set up to take the fall for what could become a debacle in Iraq. As the plotters, planners and propagandists of this war, the neocons know that if Iraq goes the way of Vietnam, there will be a search conducted for those who misled us and, yes, lied us into war, and why they did it. Rumsfeld has become designated scapegoat.
President Bush had best recognize what Kristol is telling him. The neocon agenda means escalation: enlarging the Army, more U.S. troops in Iraq, widening the war to Syria and Iran, and indefinite occupation of the Middle East, as we forcibly alter the mindset of the Islamic world to embrace democracy and Israel.
If that entails endless expenditures of Americans tax dollars and the blood of U.S. soldiers, the neocons are more than willing to make the sacrifice. But if Bush himself fails to deliver, rely upon it. He, too, will get the Rumsfeld treatment from this crowd, parasitical and opportunistic as it is, as it seeks another host to ride, perhaps John McCain."
PATRICK J. BUCHANAN is a syndicated columnist.
Ever since he signed on with their Committee on the Present Danger in the 1980s, Rumsfeld had been a hero to neocons. In 1998, he signed Kristol's open letter to Clinton calling for war on Iraq, three years before Sept. 11. Named defense secretary, Rumsfeld brought in neocons Paul Wolfowitz and Douglas Feith as his No. 2 and No. 3, and let them fill the building with friends from Neocon Central, the American Enterprise Institute.
Richard Perle was given the chair of the Defense Policy Review Board, which was turned into a neocon nest at the Pentagon. In the hours after Sept. 11, Rumsfeld made the case to Bush for immediate war on Iraq. When Baghdad fell in three weeks, he was the toast of the cakewalk crowd and the centerfold of Midge and the neocon girls.
Now many are snaking on him. What is going on? Simple.
Rumsfeld is being set up to take the fall for what could become a debacle in Iraq. As the plotters, planners and propagandists of this war, the neocons know that if Iraq goes the way of Vietnam, there will be a search conducted for those who misled us and, yes, lied us into war, and why they did it. Rumsfeld has become designated scapegoat.
President Bush had best recognize what Kristol is telling him. The neocon agenda means escalation: enlarging the Army, more U.S. troops in Iraq, widening the war to Syria and Iran, and indefinite occupation of the Middle East, as we forcibly alter the mindset of the Islamic world to embrace democracy and Israel.
If that entails endless expenditures of Americans tax dollars and the blood of U.S. soldiers, the neocons are more than willing to make the sacrifice. But if Bush himself fails to deliver, rely upon it. He, too, will get the Rumsfeld treatment from this crowd, parasitical and opportunistic as it is, as it seeks another host to ride, perhaps John McCain."
PATRICK J. BUCHANAN is a syndicated columnist.
Rumsfeld critics: He won't last 4 years
Jerusalem Post | Breaking News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World: "After what was deemed an insensitive comment to a soldier and a series of other verbal miscues, US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has faced a smattering of criticism this past week, including from hawks who advocated the war in Iraq and have now called for the Pentagon chief to step aside in hopes that his removal could help spur a positive change in Iraq.
Despite US President George W. Bush's declaration of confidence in Rumsfeld on Monday – Bush told reporters he had asked the defense chief to stay on and declared, "I believe he's doing a really fine job" – few believe that the Pentagon chief will last the entire second Bush administration, or even until the end of next year.
Republican senators, including John McCain (Arizona), Trent Lott (Mississippi), and Chuck Hagel (Nebraska) publicly expressed a lack of confidence in Rumsfeld. But perhaps the most significant criticism came from William Kristol, editor of the Weekly Standard and a chief advocate of the war in Iraq.
Washington Post columnist David Ignatius wrote Tuesday that, while Rumsfeld's obituary "has often been written prematurely... my guess is that Rumsfeld may finally be near the end of his nine lives."
Despite US President George W. Bush's declaration of confidence in Rumsfeld on Monday – Bush told reporters he had asked the defense chief to stay on and declared, "I believe he's doing a really fine job" – few believe that the Pentagon chief will last the entire second Bush administration, or even until the end of next year.
Republican senators, including John McCain (Arizona), Trent Lott (Mississippi), and Chuck Hagel (Nebraska) publicly expressed a lack of confidence in Rumsfeld. But perhaps the most significant criticism came from William Kristol, editor of the Weekly Standard and a chief advocate of the war in Iraq.
Washington Post columnist David Ignatius wrote Tuesday that, while Rumsfeld's obituary "has often been written prematurely... my guess is that Rumsfeld may finally be near the end of his nine lives."
THIRD DEGREE - LALITHA SUHASINI - Kamal Interview
Lust is Dopamine Happiness: "How do you rate yourself as an actor?
I’m good. In a land where mediocrity is the standard, trash becomes acceptable, acceptable becomes very good, very good is excellent and excellent translates to genius. So whatever grade I receive from the audience, I rate myself two rungs below. If you think I’m a genius, I’ll tell you why I’m not—it’s because I’m only excellent.
Name one great South Indian actor.
I’ve always maintained it’s Sivaji Ganesan.
Name someone who’s alive.
Me and comedian Nagesh.
And contemporaries?
There’s Nasser.
What’s the most erotic scene from a film?
It’s not about flesh, a butt or breast show. But it still hits you because you understand the animal which lives inside you. In The Postman Always Rings Twice, there’s a kitchen sequence where Jack Nicholson grabs Jessica Lange; as she’s fighting him, he slams into her and buries his face in her crotch. Both are fully clothed. Then he lifts her and places her across a table, which has bread and utensils on it. She tries to hit him and says, ‘‘Wait, wait’’. Then she pushes everything off the table and slides up further, facilitating what he wanted.
Who’s the current love of your life?
Naturally, my daughters Shruthi and Akshara.
I’m good. In a land where mediocrity is the standard, trash becomes acceptable, acceptable becomes very good, very good is excellent and excellent translates to genius. So whatever grade I receive from the audience, I rate myself two rungs below. If you think I’m a genius, I’ll tell you why I’m not—it’s because I’m only excellent.
Name one great South Indian actor.
I’ve always maintained it’s Sivaji Ganesan.
Name someone who’s alive.
Me and comedian Nagesh.
And contemporaries?
There’s Nasser.
What’s the most erotic scene from a film?
It’s not about flesh, a butt or breast show. But it still hits you because you understand the animal which lives inside you. In The Postman Always Rings Twice, there’s a kitchen sequence where Jack Nicholson grabs Jessica Lange; as she’s fighting him, he slams into her and buries his face in her crotch. Both are fully clothed. Then he lifts her and places her across a table, which has bread and utensils on it. She tries to hit him and says, ‘‘Wait, wait’’. Then she pushes everything off the table and slides up further, facilitating what he wanted.
Who’s the current love of your life?
Naturally, my daughters Shruthi and Akshara.
Some Words that Show Up a Lot in Bollywood Songs
Bollywood for the Skeptical: "Hindi has a somewhat complicated grammar, but without trying to teach sentence structure or anything (except to note that prepositions in Hindi are actually postpositions, so "Dil Se" means "From the Heart," not "Heart From"), these words might be useful in understanding the gist of Bollywood songs. Most of them are love songs, which right away makes things easier. If a word ends in "a," it can often also end in "on" (one of those nasal vowels), "i" or "e." Like I said, it's hard to transliterate, and a lot of the spellings below are the common ones rather than the consistent ones ("suraj" sounds like "soo-ruhj," but "sub" sounds like "sub," not "soob"). But anyway, I've listed them by the English alphabetical order of the Hindi words. I'm not sure if that makes sense, but it was a lot of work, so I'm not changing it. Actually, it hasn't been a lot of work yet, because right now, as I'm writing this, I haven't done most of it yet, but I can't think of a better way. "
U.S. cellphone operators shun racy downloads
IHT: "With new functions to send e-mail, take pictures and listen to music, the mobile phone has turned into a portable minicomputer. But U.S. phone network operators are resisting two kinds of new services that were highly popular on the old personal computer: pornography and violent video games.
Cingular Wireless, the largest U.S. carrier, said this month that it would stop offering customers the option of downloading images of pornography-film stars, a service that had been offered by AT&T Wireless, which Cingular, owned by SBC Communications and BellSouth, bought in October. The images - of clothed women, at $5.99 a download - first became available to Cingular consumers in mid-November.
Along with ring tones and screen savers, racy pictures and violent games are now part of that commercial equation. In Europe and Asia, users of mobile phones can readily download erotic images and even explicit videos to be watched on the tiny screens. In a study published this year, one major Nordic carrier reported that 40 percent of Internet searches were for sex-oriented content, according to Charles Golvin, a telecommunications industry analyst with Forrester Research."
Cingular Wireless, the largest U.S. carrier, said this month that it would stop offering customers the option of downloading images of pornography-film stars, a service that had been offered by AT&T Wireless, which Cingular, owned by SBC Communications and BellSouth, bought in October. The images - of clothed women, at $5.99 a download - first became available to Cingular consumers in mid-November.
Along with ring tones and screen savers, racy pictures and violent games are now part of that commercial equation. In Europe and Asia, users of mobile phones can readily download erotic images and even explicit videos to be watched on the tiny screens. In a study published this year, one major Nordic carrier reported that 40 percent of Internet searches were for sex-oriented content, according to Charles Golvin, a telecommunications industry analyst with Forrester Research."
Video searches on Web don't always click yet
IHT: "Last month's basketball riot in suburban Detroit was a disgrace, a shameful moment in the history of American sports - and the most entertaining TV show of the year.
Something bizarre, shocking or hilarious was happening all over the screen. Thank heaven for Internet video. A host of Web sites captured the spectacle, allowing us to replay it on our desktops whenever we like.
There is a vast amount of video stored online, footage of just about anything from congressional hearings to chimpanzees performing karate. But unlike the text content of the Web, or even still photographs, a video cannot be retrieved by typing a few words into an Internet search engine like Google.
Try Yahoo instead: video.search. yahoo.com, to be exact. That is where Yahoo is testing a new video search tool. It is actually an upgrade to a video search service that has been running for some time at alltheweb.com.
Yahoo video search is based on the same principle as the Yahoo image search. A "spider" program scours the Web, looking for files with names and file extensions like .mov., .mpg or .qt, which indicate they contain video data. These files and the Web pages that house them are then added to an index.
On a company blog, an engineer, Jeremy Zawodny, said that Yahoo was putting together a system called Media RSS, for adding more thorough identification tags to online media. If video publishers embrace Media RSS, every item they post will include a bunch of computer-readable information that will make it easy to index the file.
One of them is slap-your-forehead obvious: closed captioning. Most TV shows feature a captioning track for the benefit of the hearing-impaired. It is easy to capture and index this data.
Still, there is a lot of video that is not captioned. How can you index it? By listening.
That is the approach taken by a little company called Blinkx, in London and San Francisco. Its new video search, at www.blinkx.tv, could become the company's first hit. It is a visually enticing search tool that does a nice job of locating recent videos of major news events.
Unlike Yahoo's video search, Blinkx does not even try to find all the video on the Web. It focuses on video from 20 major news and entertainment producers, including CNN, the BBC, the Discovery Channel and MSNBC. Blinkx has a distribution agreement with Fox News. For the others, Blinkx uses its own software to locate and index video snippets, some by reading the closed captions.
The rest is done with voice-recognition software that listens to the narrator and translates his words into digital text. This text is indexed, providing a set of words that describe the video. Now, just punch a few likely words into the Blinkx engine - each search requires a minimum of three words. "
Something bizarre, shocking or hilarious was happening all over the screen. Thank heaven for Internet video. A host of Web sites captured the spectacle, allowing us to replay it on our desktops whenever we like.
There is a vast amount of video stored online, footage of just about anything from congressional hearings to chimpanzees performing karate. But unlike the text content of the Web, or even still photographs, a video cannot be retrieved by typing a few words into an Internet search engine like Google.
Try Yahoo instead: video.search. yahoo.com, to be exact. That is where Yahoo is testing a new video search tool. It is actually an upgrade to a video search service that has been running for some time at alltheweb.com.
Yahoo video search is based on the same principle as the Yahoo image search. A "spider" program scours the Web, looking for files with names and file extensions like .mov., .mpg or .qt, which indicate they contain video data. These files and the Web pages that house them are then added to an index.
On a company blog, an engineer, Jeremy Zawodny, said that Yahoo was putting together a system called Media RSS, for adding more thorough identification tags to online media. If video publishers embrace Media RSS, every item they post will include a bunch of computer-readable information that will make it easy to index the file.
One of them is slap-your-forehead obvious: closed captioning. Most TV shows feature a captioning track for the benefit of the hearing-impaired. It is easy to capture and index this data.
Still, there is a lot of video that is not captioned. How can you index it? By listening.
That is the approach taken by a little company called Blinkx, in London and San Francisco. Its new video search, at www.blinkx.tv, could become the company's first hit. It is a visually enticing search tool that does a nice job of locating recent videos of major news events.
Unlike Yahoo's video search, Blinkx does not even try to find all the video on the Web. It focuses on video from 20 major news and entertainment producers, including CNN, the BBC, the Discovery Channel and MSNBC. Blinkx has a distribution agreement with Fox News. For the others, Blinkx uses its own software to locate and index video snippets, some by reading the closed captions.
The rest is done with voice-recognition software that listens to the narrator and translates his words into digital text. This text is indexed, providing a set of words that describe the video. Now, just punch a few likely words into the Blinkx engine - each search requires a minimum of three words. "
Vote for South Asia's greatest ever leader
BBC NEWS | South Asia:
"Who is South Asia's greatest-ever leader?
Ahmed Shah Masood
Atal Behari Vajpayee
BP Koirala
Chandrika Kumaratunga
Indira Gandhi
Jawaharlal Nehru
JR Jayawardene
Mahatma Gandhi
Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Sirimavo Bandaranaike
Subhash Chandra Bose
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Ziaur Rahman
Zahir Shah
Zia ul Haq"
"Who is South Asia's greatest-ever leader?
Ahmed Shah Masood
Atal Behari Vajpayee
BP Koirala
Chandrika Kumaratunga
Indira Gandhi
Jawaharlal Nehru
JR Jayawardene
Mahatma Gandhi
Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Sirimavo Bandaranaike
Subhash Chandra Bose
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Ziaur Rahman
Zahir Shah
Zia ul Haq"
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Baalu imposing Hindi on TN people: Jaya
Chennai Online News Service - View News: "Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today charged Union Road Transport Minister T R Baalu with imposing Hindi on people of the state by permitting installation of kilometre stones along National Highways with Hindi inscriptions and requested the Prime Minister to instruct the Highways Ministry to stop it.
In a strongly worded statement, she said Baalu, a staunch follower of DMK president M Karunanidhi, who claimed to be the embodiment of Dravidian principles, had allowed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), functioning under him, to install such stones.
In her letter to the Prime Minister, she urged him to take into account the 'extreme sensitivity' of the issue and the views of the state government and instruct that the practice of having inscriptions on kilometre stones only in Tamil and English, be restored immediately. Jayalalithaa said it was with "great pain and anguish" that she wished to bring to the notice of the Prime Minister, the recent practice resorted to by NHAI of inscribing place names in Hindi on kilometre stones on the National Highways being laid in the state.
Of about 3,850 km of National Highways, 1,629 km have been handed over to the NHAI for implementing the National Highways development programme and port connectivity programmes. Out of the 1,629 km, work has been completed on 215 km and is in progress on 340 km. Work on the remaining 1,074 km was yet to be taken up, she said. "
In a strongly worded statement, she said Baalu, a staunch follower of DMK president M Karunanidhi, who claimed to be the embodiment of Dravidian principles, had allowed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), functioning under him, to install such stones.
In her letter to the Prime Minister, she urged him to take into account the 'extreme sensitivity' of the issue and the views of the state government and instruct that the practice of having inscriptions on kilometre stones only in Tamil and English, be restored immediately. Jayalalithaa said it was with "great pain and anguish" that she wished to bring to the notice of the Prime Minister, the recent practice resorted to by NHAI of inscribing place names in Hindi on kilometre stones on the National Highways being laid in the state.
Of about 3,850 km of National Highways, 1,629 km have been handed over to the NHAI for implementing the National Highways development programme and port connectivity programmes. Out of the 1,629 km, work has been completed on 215 km and is in progress on 340 km. Work on the remaining 1,074 km was yet to be taken up, she said. "
Google fixes security flaw in desktop search
www.pocket-lint.co.uk: "Google has said that the software flaw found in its Desktop Search utility has been fixed. The flaw allowed hackers to view information contained on a PC running the search software. 'We were made aware of this vulnerability with the Google Desktop Search software and have since fixed the problem so that all current and future users are secure,' a Google spokesperson said.
The software allows users to search their hard drive for files, emails and other information by sending back a search request to the Google website, however the flaw allowed hackers to change the website address of where the information was sent and therefore be able to read the information retrieved.
Desktop search is likely to be the next big thing in the computing world next year with Microsoft, Ask Jeeves, Yahoo and Google all vying against each other to dominate the space on your PC. "
The software allows users to search their hard drive for files, emails and other information by sending back a search request to the Google website, however the flaw allowed hackers to change the website address of where the information was sent and therefore be able to read the information retrieved.
Desktop search is likely to be the next big thing in the computing world next year with Microsoft, Ask Jeeves, Yahoo and Google all vying against each other to dominate the space on your PC. "
Surveillance is daunting in the Net's dark alleys
FILE-SHARING SITE CLOSES:One of the Web's most popular file-sharing sites has shut down less than a week after Hollywood announced a flurry of lawsuits against operators of such Internet servers. A note posted on Suprnova.org, which facilitated sharing among users of the BitTorrent program, said that the site was "closing down for good." Last week, movie studios sued more than 100 operators of U.S. and European sites that host BitTorrent links but did not name the defendants. (AP)
GOOGLE GOOFS: A university computer scientist and two of his students have discovered a potentially serious security flaw in the desktop search tool for personal computers that was recently distributed by Google. The glitch, which could permit an attacker to secretly search the contents of a personal computer via the Internet, is what computer scientists call a "composition flaw" - a security weakness that emerges when separate components interact. (NYT)
GOOGLE GOOFS: A university computer scientist and two of his students have discovered a potentially serious security flaw in the desktop search tool for personal computers that was recently distributed by Google. The glitch, which could permit an attacker to secretly search the contents of a personal computer via the Internet, is what computer scientists call a "composition flaw" - a security weakness that emerges when separate components interact. (NYT)
Monday, December 20, 2004
Book Review - Black Mass
LokVani-Rajiv Ramaratnam : "Two brothers, one a powerful government official and another a merciless gangster. This is not the plot of a cheesy Bollywood flick, but a true story of one of New England’s most enigmatic and well-known families, the Bulgers. As William Bulger rose to become President of the Massachusetts Senate, his brother Whitey rose up the ranks to head the mob in Southern Boston."
Indian Wants The Bronx - A Powerful Presentation
LokVani - Ranjani Saigal: "
Alarm Clock Theater Company’s presentation of Israel Horovitz’s famous off-Broadway play “The Indian Wants the Bronx” took its audience on an emotional rollercoaster. The powerful presentation of this classic on urban violence – a play that helped launch Al Pacino in the intimate setting of the Black Box Theater at the Boston Center for the Arts promises to shake the audience and provide much food for thought.
Set in Bronx at, it is the tale of two tough guys (Murph played by Adam Reed and Joey played by Bil Gaines) who come across an elderly Indian gentleman (Gupta played by Bharat Bhushan) who has lost his way. All of them are waiting at a bus stop for a bus taht never comes. The tale opens with the establishment of the two characters Murph and Joey as two angry teenagers growing up under unfortunate circumstances. They use violence as a means to hide their insecurities. As they wait at the bus stop with really no place to go, they play games which are perhaps the only thing in their lives that they can plan and control.
They see the Indian gentleman who does not speak any English sitting at the bus stop and violently abuse him. Much of the play revolves around a phone booth, which almost functions as a fourth character, a would-be lifeline for the abused Indian man. "
For more information go to our website: www.alarmclocktheatre.org.
Alarm Clock Theater Company’s presentation of Israel Horovitz’s famous off-Broadway play “The Indian Wants the Bronx” took its audience on an emotional rollercoaster. The powerful presentation of this classic on urban violence – a play that helped launch Al Pacino in the intimate setting of the Black Box Theater at the Boston Center for the Arts promises to shake the audience and provide much food for thought.
Set in Bronx at, it is the tale of two tough guys (Murph played by Adam Reed and Joey played by Bil Gaines) who come across an elderly Indian gentleman (Gupta played by Bharat Bhushan) who has lost his way. All of them are waiting at a bus stop for a bus taht never comes. The tale opens with the establishment of the two characters Murph and Joey as two angry teenagers growing up under unfortunate circumstances. They use violence as a means to hide their insecurities. As they wait at the bus stop with really no place to go, they play games which are perhaps the only thing in their lives that they can plan and control.
They see the Indian gentleman who does not speak any English sitting at the bus stop and violently abuse him. Much of the play revolves around a phone booth, which almost functions as a fourth character, a would-be lifeline for the abused Indian man. "
For more information go to our website: www.alarmclocktheatre.org.
You, too, can direct films: Just point and shoot
IHT: "In many ways, Alexandra Pelosi is the classic maker of home movies. She does not like to carry a lot of weight and she hates to fiddle with camera settings. 'I am basically a point-and-shoot person,' she said. 'I never set a level. Never.'
Nonetheless, Pelosi's first home movie was nominated for six Emmy Awards and won one, for outstanding picture editing for nonfiction programming (Aaron Lubarsky was the editor). Granted, her success was partly because the movie, 'Journeys With George,' chronicled her life as an NBC News producer covering George W. Bush's first campaign for the presidency and starred Bush.
But technology deserves some of the credit. Her hand-held camcorder, a Sony CCD-TRV900, was made with three of the light-sensing chips that digital cameras use to capture images, whereas more common camcorders have only one. The three charge-coupled devices, or CCDs, gave it the ability to produce broadcast-quality images that are unattainable with a single-CCD camera.
Since Pelosi bought her camera five years ago, three-chip video cameras have fallen in price and grown more sophisticated even as they have become easier to use. Although the best professional-grade cameras can cost $50,000, three-chip digital video cameras that can be bought in stores for less than $5,000 are being used to shoot theatrical-release movies, including the suspenseful shark tale "Open Water" and the sci-fi film "28 Days Later." A camera comparable to the one Pelosi used for "Journeys" now goes for less than $600.
What makes a three-CCD camera superior seems obvious: It has three light sensors where other cameras have one. The three sensors allow the cameras to record colors more accurately, to work better in low light and to record images in greater detail.
In still and video cameras, light is captured by a CCD, which functions as digital film. The CCD is covered with millions of tiny sensors, called pixels. Each pixel converts light into data points, which collectively make up a picture.
The sensors on the CCDs, however, are colorblind. On a single-CCD camera, a filter over the chip allows light of different colors to reach the sensor. Software reconstitutes this information into a color picture.
The most basic three-chip camcorders, like the Panasonic PV-GS120 (panasonic.com; $700 list price), have all of the features of standard consumer cameras. About the size of two large paperbacks side by side, the PV-GS120 is set up with point-and-shoot photographers in mind. With three 4.2-millimeter, or one-sixth-inch, 460,000-pixel CCDs, it features presets for filming sports action or for tricky lighting situations like surf, snow or theater spotlights.
It also has some of the consumer camcorder features that are best ignored, like the 700X digital zoom, which can blur images. (You are better off sticking with the 10X optical zoom). The PV-GS120 has button controls under the liquid-crystal display door, which I find easier to use than touch-screen controls. And the camera is so lightweight that a tripod is often needed to steady it.
More expensive point-and-shoot camcorders add higher-end technology. The Sony MiniDV Handycam DCR-HC1000 ($1,700 list price; www.sonystyle.com) has many automatic features, but it also has optical image stabilization, which means that the lens reacts to motion to keep your subject centered and your images shake-free.
Larger than the PV-GS120, the DCR-HC1000 accommodates a 12X zoom lens, and three one-megapixel CCDs, which means it is a step up in picture quality from the Panasonic.
The HC1000 is still compact. To save space, the camera controls are on an LCD touch screen, which can be a challenge for people who are awkward with their fingers. Another way the designers made the HC1000 less bulky was by placing its built-in microphone on top of the camera rather than in front. As a result, it captures sound from the cameraman better than from the subjects. If you are like me, you will want to buy an auxiliary microphone.
More expensive camcorders have more customizable settings and features, but taking advantage of these requires more knowledge.
Although a camera like the Panasonic AG-DVX100A (list price $4,000) can operate as a point-and-shoot, its principal charms are that it can be extensively configured using manual settings and that it shoots in a format that can be easily transferred to film.
The DVX100A's CCDs are a further step up from the Sony, this time to 410,000-pixel chips. With this camera you can set shutter speed and exposure and alter color tint in the camera to create a blue-tinged, shadowy feel, like the look of "C.S.I.: N.Y.," which you couldn't get with automatic settings. The camera can record in the standard 30-frames-per-second format for video to be viewed on a television, or it can record at 24 frames per second, which is the speed of movie film. If plans call for transferring your homemade epic to film for a theatrical release, that would be especially important.
One mini-DV camera that has been used to film movies for theatrical release is the Canon XL1s, which has been replaced by the similar XL2 (list price $6,500, canonusa.com).
In addition to being able to make numerous manual adjustments and to shoot at variable frame rates, the XL2 has a changeable lens. The Canon XL2 Kit comes with a 20X zoom lens, but the camera also accepts a 3X wide-angle lens. A weighty piece of gear, it may not be the right camera for unobtrusively filming future presidents, but it is useful for a filmmaker on a budget.
Danny Boyle, director of the futuristic zombie film "28 Days Later," has said in several published interviews that he was able to create a convincingly abandoned London, reportedly on a $15 million budget, because his crew could set up numerous digital video cameras and shoot scenes relatively quickly."
Nonetheless, Pelosi's first home movie was nominated for six Emmy Awards and won one, for outstanding picture editing for nonfiction programming (Aaron Lubarsky was the editor). Granted, her success was partly because the movie, 'Journeys With George,' chronicled her life as an NBC News producer covering George W. Bush's first campaign for the presidency and starred Bush.
But technology deserves some of the credit. Her hand-held camcorder, a Sony CCD-TRV900, was made with three of the light-sensing chips that digital cameras use to capture images, whereas more common camcorders have only one. The three charge-coupled devices, or CCDs, gave it the ability to produce broadcast-quality images that are unattainable with a single-CCD camera.
Since Pelosi bought her camera five years ago, three-chip video cameras have fallen in price and grown more sophisticated even as they have become easier to use. Although the best professional-grade cameras can cost $50,000, three-chip digital video cameras that can be bought in stores for less than $5,000 are being used to shoot theatrical-release movies, including the suspenseful shark tale "Open Water" and the sci-fi film "28 Days Later." A camera comparable to the one Pelosi used for "Journeys" now goes for less than $600.
What makes a three-CCD camera superior seems obvious: It has three light sensors where other cameras have one. The three sensors allow the cameras to record colors more accurately, to work better in low light and to record images in greater detail.
In still and video cameras, light is captured by a CCD, which functions as digital film. The CCD is covered with millions of tiny sensors, called pixels. Each pixel converts light into data points, which collectively make up a picture.
The sensors on the CCDs, however, are colorblind. On a single-CCD camera, a filter over the chip allows light of different colors to reach the sensor. Software reconstitutes this information into a color picture.
The most basic three-chip camcorders, like the Panasonic PV-GS120 (panasonic.com; $700 list price), have all of the features of standard consumer cameras. About the size of two large paperbacks side by side, the PV-GS120 is set up with point-and-shoot photographers in mind. With three 4.2-millimeter, or one-sixth-inch, 460,000-pixel CCDs, it features presets for filming sports action or for tricky lighting situations like surf, snow or theater spotlights.
It also has some of the consumer camcorder features that are best ignored, like the 700X digital zoom, which can blur images. (You are better off sticking with the 10X optical zoom). The PV-GS120 has button controls under the liquid-crystal display door, which I find easier to use than touch-screen controls. And the camera is so lightweight that a tripod is often needed to steady it.
More expensive point-and-shoot camcorders add higher-end technology. The Sony MiniDV Handycam DCR-HC1000 ($1,700 list price; www.sonystyle.com) has many automatic features, but it also has optical image stabilization, which means that the lens reacts to motion to keep your subject centered and your images shake-free.
Larger than the PV-GS120, the DCR-HC1000 accommodates a 12X zoom lens, and three one-megapixel CCDs, which means it is a step up in picture quality from the Panasonic.
The HC1000 is still compact. To save space, the camera controls are on an LCD touch screen, which can be a challenge for people who are awkward with their fingers. Another way the designers made the HC1000 less bulky was by placing its built-in microphone on top of the camera rather than in front. As a result, it captures sound from the cameraman better than from the subjects. If you are like me, you will want to buy an auxiliary microphone.
More expensive camcorders have more customizable settings and features, but taking advantage of these requires more knowledge.
Although a camera like the Panasonic AG-DVX100A (list price $4,000) can operate as a point-and-shoot, its principal charms are that it can be extensively configured using manual settings and that it shoots in a format that can be easily transferred to film.
The DVX100A's CCDs are a further step up from the Sony, this time to 410,000-pixel chips. With this camera you can set shutter speed and exposure and alter color tint in the camera to create a blue-tinged, shadowy feel, like the look of "C.S.I.: N.Y.," which you couldn't get with automatic settings. The camera can record in the standard 30-frames-per-second format for video to be viewed on a television, or it can record at 24 frames per second, which is the speed of movie film. If plans call for transferring your homemade epic to film for a theatrical release, that would be especially important.
One mini-DV camera that has been used to film movies for theatrical release is the Canon XL1s, which has been replaced by the similar XL2 (list price $6,500, canonusa.com).
In addition to being able to make numerous manual adjustments and to shoot at variable frame rates, the XL2 has a changeable lens. The Canon XL2 Kit comes with a 20X zoom lens, but the camera also accepts a 3X wide-angle lens. A weighty piece of gear, it may not be the right camera for unobtrusively filming future presidents, but it is useful for a filmmaker on a budget.
Danny Boyle, director of the futuristic zombie film "28 Days Later," has said in several published interviews that he was able to create a convincingly abandoned London, reportedly on a $15 million budget, because his crew could set up numerous digital video cameras and shoot scenes relatively quickly."
The Fox Is in Microsoft's Henhouse (and Salivating)
The New York Times > Business > Your Money > Digital Domain: "Published by the Mozilla Foundation, a nonprofit group supporting open-source software that draws upon the skills of hundreds of volunteer programmers, Firefox is a Web browser that is fast and filled with features that Microsoft's stodgy Internet Explorer lacks. Firefox installs in a snap, and it's free.
Firefox 1.0 was released on Nov. 9. Just over a month later, the foundation celebrated a remarkable milestone: 10 million downloads. Donations from Firefox's appreciative fans paid for a two-page advertisement in The New York Times on Thursday.
Until now, the Linux operating system was the best-known success among the hundreds of open-source projects that challenge Microsoft with technically strong, free software that improves as the population of bug-reporting and bug-fixing users grows. But unless you oversee purchases for a corporate data center, it's unlikely that you've felt the need to try Linux yourself.
How fitting that Microsoft finds itself in this predicament. In late 1995, at a time when Netscape Navigator was synonymous with the Web and Internet Explorer had yet to attract many adopters, Microsoft made a risky but strategically wise decision to redesign the Internet Explorer code from the bottom up - re-architecting, in industry jargon. As Michael A. Cusumano of M.I.T. and David B. Yoffie of Harvard chronicled in their 1998 book, "Competing on Internet Time: Lessons From Netscape and Its Battle With Microsoft," that decision meant delaying the release of Internet Explorer 3.0, but the resulting product was technically far superior to Netscape's Navigator. In Browser Wars I, the better browser won. "
Firefox 1.0 was released on Nov. 9. Just over a month later, the foundation celebrated a remarkable milestone: 10 million downloads. Donations from Firefox's appreciative fans paid for a two-page advertisement in The New York Times on Thursday.
Until now, the Linux operating system was the best-known success among the hundreds of open-source projects that challenge Microsoft with technically strong, free software that improves as the population of bug-reporting and bug-fixing users grows. But unless you oversee purchases for a corporate data center, it's unlikely that you've felt the need to try Linux yourself.
How fitting that Microsoft finds itself in this predicament. In late 1995, at a time when Netscape Navigator was synonymous with the Web and Internet Explorer had yet to attract many adopters, Microsoft made a risky but strategically wise decision to redesign the Internet Explorer code from the bottom up - re-architecting, in industry jargon. As Michael A. Cusumano of M.I.T. and David B. Yoffie of Harvard chronicled in their 1998 book, "Competing on Internet Time: Lessons From Netscape and Its Battle With Microsoft," that decision meant delaying the release of Internet Explorer 3.0, but the resulting product was technically far superior to Netscape's Navigator. In Browser Wars I, the better browser won. "
Building a Nation of Savers
The New York Times > Business > Your Money > Economic View: "In October, the nation's households saved just 0.2 percent of their income. And despite the tax advantages conferred by 401(k)'s, individual retirement accounts and other savings vehicles, most people simply refuse to stash much money in them. As of 2001, the most recent data available, only 8.4 percent of 401(k) investors made the maximum contributions, according to Alicia H. Munnell, director of the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.
The scholars examined what happened at four companies that switched the way they pitched 401(k)'s to employees. When employees were offered the option of signing up for a 401(k) upon hiring, participation rates after six months ranged from 25 percent to 43 percent. Not bad. But when the same companies instituted default enrollment - people were automatically enrolled in the plan when hired but could opt out - participation rates after six months were 86 to 90 percent. In other words, changing the position of the on-off switch essentially doubled the rate.
At a different company, when employees were simply asked to make a decision about whether to participate - yes or no - within 30 days, the rate of enrollment rose to 70 percent from 30 percent.
At root, then, the researchers found, the choice of whether to save comes down more to psychology than to economics. Their approach is squarely in the growing field of behavioral economics, which is gingerly stepping away from the economists' orthodoxy that humans are eternally rational, relentlessly profit-seeking machines. In this schema, our consuming selves are constantly at war with our saving selves. "
Appu remanded to police custody
Appu remanded to police custody: "Appu, the key accused in the Sankararaman murder case, was today produced in the Kanchipuram court and has been remanded to police custody for three days. Appu, who the police claim organised the killing allegedly at the behest of the Kanchi Shankaracharya, surrendered at the Balakrishnapuram police station near Chitoor on Sunday.
The police say Appu's hitmen Kathiravan and Chinna, who are now in jail for allegedly executing the crime, had given statements implicating their boss as well as the seer in the murder case. The special investigation team is also in possession of bank transactions, mobile phone records between the seer and Appu and threatening letters written by the murdered temple accountant to Sri Jayendra Saraswati.
In police files, Appu alias Krishnaswamy figures as an A plus category criminal with cases ranging from extortion to murder pending in seven police stations in Chennai. Even three detentions under the Goondas Act did not prevent him from running a network of hitmen. Appu is also known to be well connected politically and was said to operate in star hotels where he had a permanent room.
But he was more of a behind-the-scenes operator and shot into the limelight only with the Sankarraman murder. With Appu now in the police net, the Kanchipuram police will be desperate to track down the other accused in the murder - building contractor Ravi Subramaniam - before the Supreme Court hears the arrested seer's bail plea on January 6."
The police say Appu's hitmen Kathiravan and Chinna, who are now in jail for allegedly executing the crime, had given statements implicating their boss as well as the seer in the murder case. The special investigation team is also in possession of bank transactions, mobile phone records between the seer and Appu and threatening letters written by the murdered temple accountant to Sri Jayendra Saraswati.
In police files, Appu alias Krishnaswamy figures as an A plus category criminal with cases ranging from extortion to murder pending in seven police stations in Chennai. Even three detentions under the Goondas Act did not prevent him from running a network of hitmen. Appu is also known to be well connected politically and was said to operate in star hotels where he had a permanent room.
But he was more of a behind-the-scenes operator and shot into the limelight only with the Sankarraman murder. With Appu now in the police net, the Kanchipuram police will be desperate to track down the other accused in the murder - building contractor Ravi Subramaniam - before the Supreme Court hears the arrested seer's bail plea on January 6."
EC orders FIR against Lalu Yadav
NDTV.com: "The Election Commission (EC) today filed an FIR against RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, for allegedly violating the Model Code and distributing money to people. The case was filed under section 171 (b) of the Indian Penal Code, relating to bribery as an electoral offence and other legal provisions.
"They say a television channel showed me distributing money in the Harijan Mohalla. I may have given one poor person money to buy sweets. That does not mean I was violating the code of conduct," he said."
"They say a television channel showed me distributing money in the Harijan Mohalla. I may have given one poor person money to buy sweets. That does not mean I was violating the code of conduct," he said."
Friday, December 17, 2004
Madrid bombing records erased
Herald.com | 12/14/2004 | Leader: "Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero contended Monday that the government of his predecessor erased all the presidential records related to the March 11 train bombings before leaving office in April. ''There was not a single paper, not a single piece of data in computer form or on paper, absolutely nothing in the executive offices of the presidency because there was a massive erasing,'' he said during more than 14 hours of testimony before the parliamentary commission investigating the attacks.
Rodríguez Zapatero appeared to be referring only to files created after the train attacks. But another Spanish official said every file from the previous government's eight years in office had been erased from the hundreds of computers at the presidential complex, known as the Moncloa Palace.
It was not clear whether the previous government, led by José María Aznar of the Popular Party, was under any obligation to pass the records on to its successors. But an aide to Rodríguez Zapatero said government officials were worried that the destruction of the files might have eliminated evidence relevant to the investigation of the bombings.
Rodríguez Zapatero won power in elections held three days after the train attacks, which killed 191 people. The prime minister has accused Aznar's party of manipulating evidence about the attacks for political gain."
Rodríguez Zapatero appeared to be referring only to files created after the train attacks. But another Spanish official said every file from the previous government's eight years in office had been erased from the hundreds of computers at the presidential complex, known as the Moncloa Palace.
It was not clear whether the previous government, led by José María Aznar of the Popular Party, was under any obligation to pass the records on to its successors. But an aide to Rodríguez Zapatero said government officials were worried that the destruction of the files might have eliminated evidence relevant to the investigation of the bombings.
Rodríguez Zapatero won power in elections held three days after the train attacks, which killed 191 people. The prime minister has accused Aznar's party of manipulating evidence about the attacks for political gain."
2004 And Beyond: The Year’s Most Dramatic Stories -- In Quotes
RADIO FREE EUROPE/ RADIO LIBERTY: "The year began where it had left off in late 2003 -- with a massive earthquake in Iran that killed more than 25,000 people.
Also in early January, a U.S. spacecraft successfully landed on Mars for the first time since 1997. NASA’s Administrator Sean O’Keefe joined in the celebrations: "This is a big night for NASA. We are back. I am very, very proud of this team and we're on Mars. It is absolutely an incredible accomplishment."
In February, Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski was killed in a plane crash. The government plane, carrying six other officials, went down in bad weather over Bosnia. A spokesman for the Bosnian Interior Ministry announced the news: "Unfortunately, we have to confirm the news that the airplane carrying the Macedonian delegation to the international conference in Bosnia, in Mostar, has crashed. The SFOR teams have found the wreckage of the airplane and confirm all on board were dead."
In late March, Uzbekistan was hit with a wave of bombings and shootings in Tashkent and Bukhara. At least 19 people were killed and many others wounded.
Uzbek President Islam Karimov blamed Hezb ut-Tahrir, a banned radical Islamic group: "If we look back at the events one by one and try to draw a lesson, I would say that all these attacks were very well planned in advance and the preparation, in all aspects, was from outside. The support came from extremist centers which have large funds and opportunities."
Less than a week later, a tense political standoff ended in Georgia’s autonomous republic of Adjara. Its leader, Aslan Abashidze, had long refused to submit to Tbilisi’s authority. But his confrontation with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili failed to escalate into civil war, as many had feared.
Faced with a popular uprising, Abashidze fled into exile. Saakashvili announced the news on Georgian television: "Georgians: Aslan has fled! Adjara is free! I congratulate everyone on this victory. Georgia has to be united and rise up. Georgia will be united."
On 9 May, Chechen separatists assassinated the Moscow-backed leader of Chechnya. Akhmed-hadji Kadyrov was killed after a bomb exploded beneath the stands where he and others were watching a World War II memorial parade.
In October, the chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Ole Danbolt Mjoes, announced the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo: "The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2004 to Wangari Maathai for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy, and peace."
Maathai is the first African woman to receive the honor. The 64-year-old biologist founded the Green Belt Movement, which has helped to plant more than 30 million trees across Africa. She is also praised for efforts to protect the rights of women and children.
On 17 October, Belarus held a referendum on changing the constitution to allow President Alyaksandr Lukashenka to run for a third five-year term. "
Also in early January, a U.S. spacecraft successfully landed on Mars for the first time since 1997. NASA’s Administrator Sean O’Keefe joined in the celebrations: "This is a big night for NASA. We are back. I am very, very proud of this team and we're on Mars. It is absolutely an incredible accomplishment."
In February, Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski was killed in a plane crash. The government plane, carrying six other officials, went down in bad weather over Bosnia. A spokesman for the Bosnian Interior Ministry announced the news: "Unfortunately, we have to confirm the news that the airplane carrying the Macedonian delegation to the international conference in Bosnia, in Mostar, has crashed. The SFOR teams have found the wreckage of the airplane and confirm all on board were dead."
In late March, Uzbekistan was hit with a wave of bombings and shootings in Tashkent and Bukhara. At least 19 people were killed and many others wounded.
Uzbek President Islam Karimov blamed Hezb ut-Tahrir, a banned radical Islamic group: "If we look back at the events one by one and try to draw a lesson, I would say that all these attacks were very well planned in advance and the preparation, in all aspects, was from outside. The support came from extremist centers which have large funds and opportunities."
Less than a week later, a tense political standoff ended in Georgia’s autonomous republic of Adjara. Its leader, Aslan Abashidze, had long refused to submit to Tbilisi’s authority. But his confrontation with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili failed to escalate into civil war, as many had feared.
Faced with a popular uprising, Abashidze fled into exile. Saakashvili announced the news on Georgian television: "Georgians: Aslan has fled! Adjara is free! I congratulate everyone on this victory. Georgia has to be united and rise up. Georgia will be united."
On 9 May, Chechen separatists assassinated the Moscow-backed leader of Chechnya. Akhmed-hadji Kadyrov was killed after a bomb exploded beneath the stands where he and others were watching a World War II memorial parade.
In October, the chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Ole Danbolt Mjoes, announced the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo: "The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2004 to Wangari Maathai for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy, and peace."
Maathai is the first African woman to receive the honor. The 64-year-old biologist founded the Green Belt Movement, which has helped to plant more than 30 million trees across Africa. She is also praised for efforts to protect the rights of women and children.
On 17 October, Belarus held a referendum on changing the constitution to allow President Alyaksandr Lukashenka to run for a third five-year term. "
2004 And Beyond: The Top 10 News Stories Of The Year
RADIO FREE EUROPE/ RADIO LIBERTY: "At Number 10, the Olympic Games, which in August returned to Athens, the site of the first modern games in 1896. Greece defied the pessimists who'd predicted venues wouldn't be finished on time. The Athens games were the biggest and most expensive ever -- more than 10,000 athletes took part, including Afghanistan's first women Olympic athletes, and cost 7.2 billion euros ($9.5 billion) to stage.
At Number 9, the tragedy that the UN called the world's worst humanitarian crisis Darfur, in western Sudan. There, Arab militias killed tens of thousands -- most of them black Africans -- and drove nearly 2 million people from their homes.
In the last few years, the U.S. dollar has lost around one-third of its value against the euro. The dollar's decline is our story at Number 8. The dollar hit a record low in December, with one euro buying nearly 1.35 dollars. Experts blamed the huge U.S. trade and budget deficits, and Europe fretted that the strong euro would harm economic growth.
To Spain, for the seventh most significant news story of 2004. On 11 March, bombs ripped through commuter trains at Madrid's Atocha station. The attacks, blamed on Islamic militants, killed more than 190 people, and swayed the outcome of Spain's general election just days later.
On 1 May, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern led European Union leaders -- and millions of citizens across Europe -- in celebrating the EU's historic expansion. The enlargement took in eight formerly communist countries -- the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia -- along with Cyprus and Malta. The enlargement -- our story Number 6 -- united most of Europe, 15 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
To Iraq, for the year's fifth biggest news story of the year: In September, three months after the U.S. handed sovereignty back to Iraqis, interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi addressed the U.S. Congress: "Thank you, America."
November gives us our story at Number 4 -- the death of Yasser Arafat. Palestinians revered Arafat as their leader in the struggle for an independent state -- but others reviled him as a terrorist. His death was seen as giving a fresh chance to the stalled Middle East peace process.
Within weeks, Arafat's likely successor, Mahmud Abbas (aka Abu Mazen), called the Palestinians' armed uprising against Israel a mistake that must end.
And now for the top three news events of 2004.
It was billed as the most important U.S. presidential election in nearly half a century. Democratic challenger John Kerry attacked incumbent President George W. Bush on the economy and what he called the "mistake" of the Iraq war. But American voters were reluctant to change their president in a time of war. Moral issues -- like abortion and gay marriage -- also were credited for turning out the Republican vote. Bush's reelection is our story at Number 3.
At Number 2, a massacre of innocents that shocked the world: Beslan, North Ossetia.
In September, gunmen seized the town's main school, taking hundreds of schoolchildren, teachers and parents hostage. Their demand: that Russian troops withdraw from Chechnya. The siege ended in gunfire and explosions, with Russian troops storming the building as children ran screaming for safety. Nearly 340 people died, roughly half of them children. The Chechen separatist militant Shamil Basaev later claimed responsibility.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said new measures were needed to fight terrorism. But his plans -- including an end to the direct election of regional governors -- sparked concern they could undermine democracy.
And now, the Number 1 news story of the year, as judged by RFE/RL broadcasters, correspondents, editors, and analysts: Ukraine's "Orange Revolution."
Election observer Bruce George of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said it diplomatically -- Ukraine's 21 November presidential runoff was marred by fraud: "The second round of the Ukrainian presidential elections did not meet a considerable number of OSCE commitments, Council of Europe and other European standards for democratic elections."
At Number 9, the tragedy that the UN called the world's worst humanitarian crisis Darfur, in western Sudan. There, Arab militias killed tens of thousands -- most of them black Africans -- and drove nearly 2 million people from their homes.
In the last few years, the U.S. dollar has lost around one-third of its value against the euro. The dollar's decline is our story at Number 8. The dollar hit a record low in December, with one euro buying nearly 1.35 dollars. Experts blamed the huge U.S. trade and budget deficits, and Europe fretted that the strong euro would harm economic growth.
To Spain, for the seventh most significant news story of 2004. On 11 March, bombs ripped through commuter trains at Madrid's Atocha station. The attacks, blamed on Islamic militants, killed more than 190 people, and swayed the outcome of Spain's general election just days later.
On 1 May, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern led European Union leaders -- and millions of citizens across Europe -- in celebrating the EU's historic expansion. The enlargement took in eight formerly communist countries -- the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia -- along with Cyprus and Malta. The enlargement -- our story Number 6 -- united most of Europe, 15 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
To Iraq, for the year's fifth biggest news story of the year: In September, three months after the U.S. handed sovereignty back to Iraqis, interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi addressed the U.S. Congress: "Thank you, America."
November gives us our story at Number 4 -- the death of Yasser Arafat. Palestinians revered Arafat as their leader in the struggle for an independent state -- but others reviled him as a terrorist. His death was seen as giving a fresh chance to the stalled Middle East peace process.
Within weeks, Arafat's likely successor, Mahmud Abbas (aka Abu Mazen), called the Palestinians' armed uprising against Israel a mistake that must end.
And now for the top three news events of 2004.
It was billed as the most important U.S. presidential election in nearly half a century. Democratic challenger John Kerry attacked incumbent President George W. Bush on the economy and what he called the "mistake" of the Iraq war. But American voters were reluctant to change their president in a time of war. Moral issues -- like abortion and gay marriage -- also were credited for turning out the Republican vote. Bush's reelection is our story at Number 3.
At Number 2, a massacre of innocents that shocked the world: Beslan, North Ossetia.
In September, gunmen seized the town's main school, taking hundreds of schoolchildren, teachers and parents hostage. Their demand: that Russian troops withdraw from Chechnya. The siege ended in gunfire and explosions, with Russian troops storming the building as children ran screaming for safety. Nearly 340 people died, roughly half of them children. The Chechen separatist militant Shamil Basaev later claimed responsibility.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said new measures were needed to fight terrorism. But his plans -- including an end to the direct election of regional governors -- sparked concern they could undermine democracy.
And now, the Number 1 news story of the year, as judged by RFE/RL broadcasters, correspondents, editors, and analysts: Ukraine's "Orange Revolution."
Election observer Bruce George of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said it diplomatically -- Ukraine's 21 November presidential runoff was marred by fraud: "The second round of the Ukrainian presidential elections did not meet a considerable number of OSCE commitments, Council of Europe and other European standards for democratic elections."
12 sided calendar
12 sided calendar: "Download a dodecahedral calendar after your own specifiation. Choose PDF format if you can't print PostScript files. Choose PostScript format if you want to modify the calendar. The PostScript file explains how to mark holidays and birthdays. "
CEO held over student sex video
BBC NEWS | South Asia | CEO held over student sex video: "The head of an Indian auction website has been arrested over the sale of video clips of two Delhi school students engaged in a sexual act. Police arrested Avnish Bajaj, chief executive officer of Baazee.com, after the sale of video CDs showing the act.
Both the boy, 17, and girl, 16, have been expelled from the school - a leading Delhi institution. Police say the two minute, 37 second, clip was copied on to video CDs and sold. Authorities have also arrested a student at India's premier technological institute, the Indian Institute of Technology, on charges of selling the clip on the auction site for 125 rupees ($2.85). "
Both the boy, 17, and girl, 16, have been expelled from the school - a leading Delhi institution. Police say the two minute, 37 second, clip was copied on to video CDs and sold. Authorities have also arrested a student at India's premier technological institute, the Indian Institute of Technology, on charges of selling the clip on the auction site for 125 rupees ($2.85). "
Swades premiered in Mumbai
NDTV.com: "Mohan Bhargav is a typical urban Indian who travels to the United States for better work opportunities. He begins working with NASA as an engineer working on a rainfall monitoring satellite.
But then he decides to take a break. And it is his roots that he visits - he comes back to the village of his childhood sweetheart. That's the storyline that director Ashuthosh Gowarikar has chosen for his latest film Swades."
But then he decides to take a break. And it is his roots that he visits - he comes back to the village of his childhood sweetheart. That's the storyline that director Ashuthosh Gowarikar has chosen for his latest film Swades."
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Aiming for a happy medium
What is America's neutral interest rate? - Economist.com | Economics focus: "THE decision by America's Federal Reserve to raise the federal funds rate by a quarter of a percentage point, to 2.25%, on December 14th should have surprised no one. The Fed has nudged rates up in quarter-point steps at each of its last five meetings, and makes no secret of its intention to carry on doing so for a while yet. Its chairman, Alan Greenspan, said recently that anyone who has not prepared for higher interest rates is "obviously desirous of losing money."
The Fed's favourite gauge of inflation, the rate of increase of the core personal consumption expenditure deflator, was 1.5% in the year to October, implying a real interest rate of only 0.75%. According to another measure, the University of Michigan's estimate of expected inflation over the next year, now 3%, the real fed funds rate is still negative.
So how high might the fed funds rate go? It is commonly agreed both on Wall Street and in Washington that rates are heading back towards a “neutral” level. The notion of a neutral (or “natural”) rate of interest was developed by Knut Wicksell, a Swedish economist writing about a century ago. Wicksell saw this rate as one that was consistent with stable prices and that balanced the supply of and demand for capital.
In its modern incarnation, the neutral rate is the real, short-term interest rate consistent with stable inflation and an economy that is growing just in line with its potential: it keeps the pot cooking, without either boiling over or losing heat. If the real interest rate is below neutral level, monetary policy is loose: if above, policy is contractionary. Several monetary-policy rules of thumb (notably the Taylor rule, named after John Taylor, an economist who is now an official in America's Treasury Department) rely heavily on the idea. The neutral rate is also implicit in the Fed's explanation of its strategy. When it speaks of removing “accommodation” it is, in effect, saying that real rates are below their neutral level.
So much for the theory. What, in practice, is the neutral rate? Unfortunately, the real rate that would keep the economy growing in line with potential and inflation stable cannot be measured directly. It has to be inferred from the actual, nominal rate, the current level of output, estimates of the trend rate of growth and measures of expected inflation. Some economists like to estimate the real federal funds rate over long periods of time and use that as a proxy for the neutral rate. "
The Fed's favourite gauge of inflation, the rate of increase of the core personal consumption expenditure deflator, was 1.5% in the year to October, implying a real interest rate of only 0.75%. According to another measure, the University of Michigan's estimate of expected inflation over the next year, now 3%, the real fed funds rate is still negative.
So how high might the fed funds rate go? It is commonly agreed both on Wall Street and in Washington that rates are heading back towards a “neutral” level. The notion of a neutral (or “natural”) rate of interest was developed by Knut Wicksell, a Swedish economist writing about a century ago. Wicksell saw this rate as one that was consistent with stable prices and that balanced the supply of and demand for capital.
In its modern incarnation, the neutral rate is the real, short-term interest rate consistent with stable inflation and an economy that is growing just in line with its potential: it keeps the pot cooking, without either boiling over or losing heat. If the real interest rate is below neutral level, monetary policy is loose: if above, policy is contractionary. Several monetary-policy rules of thumb (notably the Taylor rule, named after John Taylor, an economist who is now an official in America's Treasury Department) rely heavily on the idea. The neutral rate is also implicit in the Fed's explanation of its strategy. When it speaks of removing “accommodation” it is, in effect, saying that real rates are below their neutral level.
So much for the theory. What, in practice, is the neutral rate? Unfortunately, the real rate that would keep the economy growing in line with potential and inflation stable cannot be measured directly. It has to be inferred from the actual, nominal rate, the current level of output, estimates of the trend rate of growth and measures of expected inflation. Some economists like to estimate the real federal funds rate over long periods of time and use that as a proxy for the neutral rate. "
Japan and North Korea
Economist.com: "Japan warned North Korea that it might impose sanctions after human remains provided by North Korea turned out not to be those of two kidnapped Japanese women. North Korea said that sanctions would amount to a declaration of war.
A MACABRE cock-up or a calculated insult? Japan's discovery that two sets of remains handed over by North Korean officials were not, as claimed, those of Megumi Yokota and Kaoru Matsuki, two of 13 Japanese citizens that North Korea's boss, Kim Jong Il, has admitted were abducted in the 1970s and 1980s, says a lot about Mr Kim's brutal regime.
Mr Kim knows well Japan's sensitivity over the abductees. His readiness to apologise publicly for their kidnapping brought Mr Koizumi to North Korea for a first visit in 2002. Five of the abductees were brought back to Japan. But efforts to prise more information out of the North about eight others who Mr Kim said had died (plus two others not on his list) were getting nowhere. So in May, Mr Koizumi visited Mr Kim a second time. The price for further and better particulars turned out to be 250,000 tonnes of food aid and $10m-worth of medical supplies. Half the food and about a third of the medical aid has yet to be disbursed and is now frozen. Japan's parliament is demanding sanctions.
Why provoke Japan like this? North Korea is notorious in its disregard for human life: perhaps 2m died of famine and related diseases in the 1990s (out of a population of some 22m), and up to 200,000 political prisoners and their families are confined in harsh labour camps.
Mr Kim may have hoped the apology would end the matter. It didn't (and anyway Japan has scores of other cases it has not yet even raised with North Korea). "
A MACABRE cock-up or a calculated insult? Japan's discovery that two sets of remains handed over by North Korean officials were not, as claimed, those of Megumi Yokota and Kaoru Matsuki, two of 13 Japanese citizens that North Korea's boss, Kim Jong Il, has admitted were abducted in the 1970s and 1980s, says a lot about Mr Kim's brutal regime.
Mr Kim knows well Japan's sensitivity over the abductees. His readiness to apologise publicly for their kidnapping brought Mr Koizumi to North Korea for a first visit in 2002. Five of the abductees were brought back to Japan. But efforts to prise more information out of the North about eight others who Mr Kim said had died (plus two others not on his list) were getting nowhere. So in May, Mr Koizumi visited Mr Kim a second time. The price for further and better particulars turned out to be 250,000 tonnes of food aid and $10m-worth of medical supplies. Half the food and about a third of the medical aid has yet to be disbursed and is now frozen. Japan's parliament is demanding sanctions.
Why provoke Japan like this? North Korea is notorious in its disregard for human life: perhaps 2m died of famine and related diseases in the 1990s (out of a population of some 22m), and up to 200,000 political prisoners and their families are confined in harsh labour camps.
Mr Kim may have hoped the apology would end the matter. It didn't (and anyway Japan has scores of other cases it has not yet even raised with North Korea). "
Will China dominate the textile market?
Its apparel exports have already increased five times since 1980 and has been No. 1 under MFA -- RICHARD P APPELBAUM: "In the post-quota regime from January 1, global apparel production and distribution will become increasingly concentrated in a small number of giant retail multinationals such as Wal-Mart, and a handful of large, East Asian contracting multinationals. There will likely be consolidation of production into larger factories in a smaller number of locations.
Large retailers characteristically have large volume requirements, leading them to consider only large producers (1,000+ workers) as potential suppliers. Industry sources claim that large US retailers and manufacturers such as Gap, JC Penney, Liz Claiborne and Wal-Mart, that once sourced from 50 or more countries, now source from 30-40. When quotas are eliminated, it is predicted that the number will fall to 10-15. This will greatly increase competition among garment-producing countries, contributing to increased pressure to lower wages and weaken labour standards
Numerous studies have attempted to predict what will happen after January 1. Almost all agree: China, India, and possibly a handful of other countries such as Pakistan and Mexico are expected to be winners; most other countries losers. There are seven countries in which apparel exports constitute half or more of total merchandise exports: Cambodia (82%), Macao (70%), Bangladesh (68%), El Salvador (62%), Mauritius (54%), and Sri Lanka (50%). These countries may literally have the rug pulled out from under them on January 1. Sub-Saharan African countries face a similar situation: thanks to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) of 2000 they are beginning to export to the US. These exports are now jeopardised.
China is also taking steps to modernise its textile industry (fibres, yarns, and fabrics), suggesting that even in this more capital-intensive sector, China may well increase its share of global production. China’s apparel exports had already reached $41 billion in 2002, approximately a fifth of the world’s total — nearly a five-fold increase since 1980. Some experts predict that China will account for as much as half of the world market after 2005. Moreover, China’s internal market for clothing is predicted to double from roughly $50 billion in 2000 to around $100 billion in 2010, providing additional impetus to its textile and apparel industries.
Countries close to the major markets, particularly when favoured by trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta) and the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA), may therefore remain somewhat insulated from China’s threat. There are also some possible protections against China’s growing dominance—at least in the short run. China’s accession agreement to the WTO (Section D 16-17) includes a temporary “transitional product-specific safeguard mechanism,” and China has recently indicated it plans to impose tariffs on some textiles to stem the anticipated flow of production to China after January 1, which could result in a trade war with the US and EU. "
The writer is professor of sociology and global & international studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara
Large retailers characteristically have large volume requirements, leading them to consider only large producers (1,000+ workers) as potential suppliers. Industry sources claim that large US retailers and manufacturers such as Gap, JC Penney, Liz Claiborne and Wal-Mart, that once sourced from 50 or more countries, now source from 30-40. When quotas are eliminated, it is predicted that the number will fall to 10-15. This will greatly increase competition among garment-producing countries, contributing to increased pressure to lower wages and weaken labour standards
Numerous studies have attempted to predict what will happen after January 1. Almost all agree: China, India, and possibly a handful of other countries such as Pakistan and Mexico are expected to be winners; most other countries losers. There are seven countries in which apparel exports constitute half or more of total merchandise exports: Cambodia (82%), Macao (70%), Bangladesh (68%), El Salvador (62%), Mauritius (54%), and Sri Lanka (50%). These countries may literally have the rug pulled out from under them on January 1. Sub-Saharan African countries face a similar situation: thanks to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) of 2000 they are beginning to export to the US. These exports are now jeopardised.
China is also taking steps to modernise its textile industry (fibres, yarns, and fabrics), suggesting that even in this more capital-intensive sector, China may well increase its share of global production. China’s apparel exports had already reached $41 billion in 2002, approximately a fifth of the world’s total — nearly a five-fold increase since 1980. Some experts predict that China will account for as much as half of the world market after 2005. Moreover, China’s internal market for clothing is predicted to double from roughly $50 billion in 2000 to around $100 billion in 2010, providing additional impetus to its textile and apparel industries.
Countries close to the major markets, particularly when favoured by trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta) and the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA), may therefore remain somewhat insulated from China’s threat. There are also some possible protections against China’s growing dominance—at least in the short run. China’s accession agreement to the WTO (Section D 16-17) includes a temporary “transitional product-specific safeguard mechanism,” and China has recently indicated it plans to impose tariffs on some textiles to stem the anticipated flow of production to China after January 1, which could result in a trade war with the US and EU. "
The writer is professor of sociology and global & international studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara
7G ரெயின்போ காலனி - கனாக் காணும் காலங்கள் (1)
NDTV Biz: "India has targeted to increase textile exports to about 30 billion dollars in the next two years following the lifting of quota regime from January 1, 2005.
Textiles Minister Shankarsinh Vaghela informed about the numbers to the Rajya Sabha today. He said India will try to more than double textile exports from the present level of $13 billion annually to between $26-30 billion annually in the next two years.
In reply to a query, Vaghela said India will be able to overcome the threat from China in the sector as Beijing will have to wait for three more years to avail of the quota free regime as it had joined the WTO late. Among various measures, Vaghela said the banks which were not providing credit for the textile sector have now disbursed about Rs 20,000 crore of loans to the sector. "
Textiles Minister Shankarsinh Vaghela informed about the numbers to the Rajya Sabha today. He said India will try to more than double textile exports from the present level of $13 billion annually to between $26-30 billion annually in the next two years.
In reply to a query, Vaghela said India will be able to overcome the threat from China in the sector as Beijing will have to wait for three more years to avail of the quota free regime as it had joined the WTO late. Among various measures, Vaghela said the banks which were not providing credit for the textile sector have now disbursed about Rs 20,000 crore of loans to the sector. "
Battle Of The Atoms
OutLookIndia.com: "Their gritty stories repose some faith in this unjust world. Here, we salute six women who fought against the system, and won.
Courage is an uncommon virtue, they say. But for many Indian women, it's as commonplace as life itself. We bring you here a few ordinary women with extraordinary lives, women who refused to be victims. Who had enough grit and doggedness to triumph over phases of trouble and tragedy that are their constant companions: sexual harassment and abuse, domestic violence, riots, gender bias....But for each voice that finds a place here, there are ten that chose to keep silent, fearing further harassment, societal frown or plain embarrassment. Some had gone to court and feared prejudice; some were willing to tell their story but not expose their face. Some developed cold feet. It shows how far our women have still to travel to take courage in their own hands and give it the shape they want. But it also makes it clear that step after step, we're getting there. "
Premalata Das
Headmistress, Nalini Vidyamandir Rayagada, Orissa
Sconi D'Souza
Utan, near Mumbai
Veena Devi
Mukhiya, Loharpura panchayat, Nawada, Bihar
Prakriti Srivastava
Indian Forest Service officer, Kozhikode
K.K. Rema
Advocate's clerk, Kochi High Court
Rasheda Kausar
Businesswoman, Bhagalpur, Bihar
Courage is an uncommon virtue, they say. But for many Indian women, it's as commonplace as life itself. We bring you here a few ordinary women with extraordinary lives, women who refused to be victims. Who had enough grit and doggedness to triumph over phases of trouble and tragedy that are their constant companions: sexual harassment and abuse, domestic violence, riots, gender bias....But for each voice that finds a place here, there are ten that chose to keep silent, fearing further harassment, societal frown or plain embarrassment. Some had gone to court and feared prejudice; some were willing to tell their story but not expose their face. Some developed cold feet. It shows how far our women have still to travel to take courage in their own hands and give it the shape they want. But it also makes it clear that step after step, we're getting there. "
Premalata Das
Headmistress, Nalini Vidyamandir Rayagada, Orissa
Sconi D'Souza
Utan, near Mumbai
Veena Devi
Mukhiya, Loharpura panchayat, Nawada, Bihar
Prakriti Srivastava
Indian Forest Service officer, Kozhikode
K.K. Rema
Advocate's clerk, Kochi High Court
Rasheda Kausar
Businesswoman, Bhagalpur, Bihar
Vets mark 60 years after Bulge
BostonHerald.com - Local/ Regional News:
" Battle by the numbers
More than 1 million men, 600,000 American, 500,000 German, and 55,000 British, fought in the six-week battle in Belgium and Luxembourg.
The Germans suffered 100,000 casualties and the Americans 81,000 killed, wounded or captured.
It was the coldest, snowiest weather anyone could remember in the Ardennes.
Called the Battle of the Bulge because the German advance formed a 60-mile bulge in the Allied lines but did not result in a breakthrough.
The German offensive failed because they could not capture the pivotal crossroads town of Bastogne from the surrounded 101st Airborne Division.
When urged to surrender by the Germans, 101st Airborne Gen. Anthony McAuliffe, in one of the most famous quotes of the war, replied, ``Nuts,'' on Dec. 22, 1944.
The German massacre of 86 American prisoners at Malmedy on Dec. 17, 1944, was the worst atrocity against American troops in Europe. Word of the massacre quickly spread and many U.S. soldiers decided to fight rather than surrender. "
" Battle by the numbers
More than 1 million men, 600,000 American, 500,000 German, and 55,000 British, fought in the six-week battle in Belgium and Luxembourg.
The Germans suffered 100,000 casualties and the Americans 81,000 killed, wounded or captured.
It was the coldest, snowiest weather anyone could remember in the Ardennes.
Called the Battle of the Bulge because the German advance formed a 60-mile bulge in the Allied lines but did not result in a breakthrough.
The German offensive failed because they could not capture the pivotal crossroads town of Bastogne from the surrounded 101st Airborne Division.
When urged to surrender by the Germans, 101st Airborne Gen. Anthony McAuliffe, in one of the most famous quotes of the war, replied, ``Nuts,'' on Dec. 22, 1944.
The German massacre of 86 American prisoners at Malmedy on Dec. 17, 1944, was the worst atrocity against American troops in Europe. Word of the massacre quickly spread and many U.S. soldiers decided to fight rather than surrender. "
Listening to Sufi music as thousands are murdered
Indian Express: "Islamic fundamentalism and its ally Left-wing extremism are responsible for grave threats to India. The State remains in denial
• Kashmir is a dispute between India and Pakistan.
• It is the key dispute. In fact, so central is it that if it is ‘‘solved’’ no other dispute would survive, and if it is not solved no other dispute can be solved.
• And the only solution to the Kashmir dispute is that India give up its ‘‘rigid’’ stand and accept Pakistan’s position. "
• Kashmir is a dispute between India and Pakistan.
• It is the key dispute. In fact, so central is it that if it is ‘‘solved’’ no other dispute would survive, and if it is not solved no other dispute can be solved.
• And the only solution to the Kashmir dispute is that India give up its ‘‘rigid’’ stand and accept Pakistan’s position. "
U.S. poised to settle with Time
Deal would resolve AOL sales questions: The New York Times: "The U.S. Justice Department was set to announce Wednesday that it had reached a settlement with Time Warner in an investigation of advertising deals between America Online and smaller Internet companies that may have allowed America Online to exaggerate its growth, an official close to the case said.
Time Warner is also expected to reach a separate agreement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which has been looking into accounting irregularities, the official said. The company will pay a total of $510 million to settle all civil and criminal accusations arising from the both the Justice Department and SEC investigations.
Last month, Time Warner set aside $500 million to cover the cost of settling the SEC and Justice Department investigations. News agencies said the portion devoted to settling with the Justice Department would be $210 million.
Time Warner has been pushing to conclude the two investigations before the end of the year, in part to help put the last issues from the widely criticized America Online merger behind it and in part because it wants to join with Comcast to bid for part or all of Adelphia Communications, the bankrupt cable television company.
For two years, the Justice Department and SEC cases have restricted the company's ability to finance deals. Time Warner has disclosed in its SEC filings that it is unable to issue new stock or borrow money through the debt markets while the SEC is questioning the reliability of its audited financial statements. "
Time Warner is also expected to reach a separate agreement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which has been looking into accounting irregularities, the official said. The company will pay a total of $510 million to settle all civil and criminal accusations arising from the both the Justice Department and SEC investigations.
Last month, Time Warner set aside $500 million to cover the cost of settling the SEC and Justice Department investigations. News agencies said the portion devoted to settling with the Justice Department would be $210 million.
Time Warner has been pushing to conclude the two investigations before the end of the year, in part to help put the last issues from the widely criticized America Online merger behind it and in part because it wants to join with Comcast to bid for part or all of Adelphia Communications, the bankrupt cable television company.
For two years, the Justice Department and SEC cases have restricted the company's ability to finance deals. Time Warner has disclosed in its SEC filings that it is unable to issue new stock or borrow money through the debt markets while the SEC is questioning the reliability of its audited financial statements. "
Kareena-Shahid: Shades Of Grey
Bollywood Gossip - Kareena-Shahid: "It seems in Ken Ghosh�s Fida the character that Kareena plays has negative shades to it. This is for the first time that Kareena will play a negative role. What�s interesting is that Shahid�s character too has shades of gray. So it is also Shahid�s first negative character. Looks like Shahid is religiously following his girlfriend�s footsteps whether it be reel or real. The only actor playing a positive role in the film is Fardeen Khan. The film appears to have an interesting storyline. "
Joel on Software - Camels and Rubber Duckies
Joel on Software - Camels and Rubber Duckies: "The reason I bring this up is because software is priced three ways: free, cheap, and dear.
* Free. Open source, etc. Not relevant to the current discussion. Nothing to see here. Move along.
* Cheap. $10 - $1000, sold to a very large number of people at a low price without a salesforce. Most shrinkwrapped consumer and small business software falls into this category.
* Dear. $75,000 - $1,000,000, sold to a handful of rich big companies using a team of slick salespeople that do six months of intense PowerPoint just to get one goddamn sale. The Oracle model."
* Free. Open source, etc. Not relevant to the current discussion. Nothing to see here. Move along.
* Cheap. $10 - $1000, sold to a very large number of people at a low price without a salesforce. Most shrinkwrapped consumer and small business software falls into this category.
* Dear. $75,000 - $1,000,000, sold to a handful of rich big companies using a team of slick salespeople that do six months of intense PowerPoint just to get one goddamn sale. The Oracle model."
Kareena threatens to sue Mid-Day
Mid-Day : HindustanTimes.com: "Upset over smooching photographs appearing in a Mumbai eveninger, Bollywood actors Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor on Wednesday slapped legal notices on Mid-Day demanding an unconditional apology or else face a defamation suit. The eveninger carried photographs of the two stars in kissing scenes claiming they were clicked at a party in a restaurant recently.
Kareena slapped a notice on the eveninger asking an apology and claiming Rs 20 crore in damages for loss of reputation. Kapoor has also sent a notice although he has not specified the amount of damages. The actress told a news channel that she belonged to the respectable Raj Kapoor's family and she could never have done this in public."
Kareena slapped a notice on the eveninger asking an apology and claiming Rs 20 crore in damages for loss of reputation. Kapoor has also sent a notice although he has not specified the amount of damages. The actress told a news channel that she belonged to the respectable Raj Kapoor's family and she could never have done this in public."
Kareena, Shahid slap legal notice for smooching photographs
HindustanTimes.com: "He also denied having gone to "Rain" restaurant in the last three months and said the last time he and Kareena had gone there was on September 21 which happened to be her birthday. The Editor of Midday Aakar Patel, however, told the television channel that the photographs were those of Kareena and Shahid and that his newspaper would fight the legal battle while justifying that celebrities were public figures and there was nothing wrong in focussing on their private lives."
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Rail tragedy in TN: 4 pilgrims killed
LEAD STORY: "Close on the heels of a rail mishap that claimed 38 lives in Punjab yesterday, a collision between a train and a van at an unmanned level crossing between Mundiambakkam and Vikravandi near Villupuram, today snuffed out the lives of four besides injuring 10 others who were travelling in the van.
According to police, those killed were Sabarimala pilgrims who were returning after visiting the hill shrine. The mishap occurred when the van was proceeding to Mundiambakkam village to drop a few Ayyappa devotees at around 5.30 a.m today. "
According to police, those killed were Sabarimala pilgrims who were returning after visiting the hill shrine. The mishap occurred when the van was proceeding to Mundiambakkam village to drop a few Ayyappa devotees at around 5.30 a.m today. "
Rail tragedy in TN: 4 pilgrims killed
LEAD STORY: "Close on the heels of a rail mishap that claimed 38 lives in Punjab yesterday, a collision between a train and a van at an unmanned level crossing between Mundiambakkam and Vikravandi near Villupuram, today snuffed out the lives of four besides injuring 10 others who were travelling in the van.
According to police, those killed were Sabarimala pilgrims who were returning after visiting the hill shrine. The mishap occurred when the van was proceeding to Mundiambakkam village to drop a few Ayyappa devotees at around 5.30 a.m today. "
According to police, those killed were Sabarimala pilgrims who were returning after visiting the hill shrine. The mishap occurred when the van was proceeding to Mundiambakkam village to drop a few Ayyappa devotees at around 5.30 a.m today. "
Seer bears the Cross
LEAD STORY: "It is a new response to the arrest of the Kanchi Acharya. A sculpture of the Seer depicting him with a cross on the shoulders was unveiled by Hussaini, a well-known karate exponent and teacher, who is also an artist an sculptor.
The bronze coated metal reinforced fibre statue depicts the Acharya bearing a cross which also resembles a trishul, a picturisation of the Hindu belief. Looking skywards, the Acharya's right hand is stretched heavenwards, as if looking for answers from above to the entire issue. Entitled 'Curse or Cross?', 'the statue is a refelction of Shankaracharya's state of mind', claims Hussaini.
Speaking more on the sculpture, Hussaini said that personally he strongly endorsed the stand of the state government and the Chief Minister that 'no one is above the law', but as a creative artist he could not hide his reactions to the issue.
Hussaini said that only the Seer knew the truth about the issue and it is not clear whether he was carrying the curse of the multitude of his followers, as depicted by the 'trishul', or has been made a scapegoat for the mistakes of others, as depicted by the cross.
Also, an inscription of Satyameva 'Jay'te is in place. Made at a cost of Rs five-lakh, the statue has been priced at Rs one crore by the artist. 'However, I am prepared to donate the sculpture to the Kanchi Mutt free of cost if there is a request', said Hussaini."
The bronze coated metal reinforced fibre statue depicts the Acharya bearing a cross which also resembles a trishul, a picturisation of the Hindu belief. Looking skywards, the Acharya's right hand is stretched heavenwards, as if looking for answers from above to the entire issue. Entitled 'Curse or Cross?', 'the statue is a refelction of Shankaracharya's state of mind', claims Hussaini.
Speaking more on the sculpture, Hussaini said that personally he strongly endorsed the stand of the state government and the Chief Minister that 'no one is above the law', but as a creative artist he could not hide his reactions to the issue.
Hussaini said that only the Seer knew the truth about the issue and it is not clear whether he was carrying the curse of the multitude of his followers, as depicted by the 'trishul', or has been made a scapegoat for the mistakes of others, as depicted by the cross.
Also, an inscription of Satyameva 'Jay'te is in place. Made at a cost of Rs five-lakh, the statue has been priced at Rs one crore by the artist. 'However, I am prepared to donate the sculpture to the Kanchi Mutt free of cost if there is a request', said Hussaini."
Ash on 60 Minutes
HindustanTimes.com: "The interview that is to be telecast Jan 2 on CBS "will mark the first time that 60 Minutes will feature an in depth profile of a Bollywood star", says Neeraj Khemlani who has produced the segment. TV host Sheeraz Hasan has been selected by Aishwarya's international manager to broadcast a promotional clip from the 60 Minutes interview because of his grasp of Hollywood and Bollywood"
iobi
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*To enjoy these features, you must be a Verizon Home Voice Mail customer. If you aren't, we recommend that you order this product too to experience everything iobi Home has to offer. Verizon iobi Home offers three convenient access points to manage your communications - on the Web, on your desktop and over the phone."
*To enjoy these features, you must be a Verizon Home Voice Mail customer. If you aren't, we recommend that you order this product too to experience everything iobi Home has to offer. Verizon iobi Home offers three convenient access points to manage your communications - on the Web, on your desktop and over the phone."
Google turns a new page in library project
IHT - NY Times: "Google, the operator of the world's most popular Internet search service, announced an agreement Tuesday with Oxford University and some of the leading U.S. research libraries to begin converting their holdings into digital files that would be freely searchable over the Web. It may be only a step on a long road toward the long-predicted global virtual library. But the collaboration of Google and research institutions that also include Harvard, the University of Michigan, Stanford and the New York Public Library is a major stride in an ambitious Internet effort by various parties.
The goal is to expand the Web beyond its current valuable, if eclectic, body of material and create a digital card catalog and searchable library for the world's books, scholarly papers and special collections. Because the Google agreements are not exclusive, the agreements are almost certain to touch off a race with other major Internet search providers like Amazon, Microsoft and Yahoo. Like Google, they may seek the right to offer online access to library materials in return for selling advertising, while libraries would receive corporate help in digitizing their collections for their own institutional uses.
On Monday night, the Library of Congress and a group of international libraries from the United States, Canada, Egypt, China and the Netherlands announced a new plan to create a publicly available digital archive of one million books on the Internet. The group said it planned to have 70,000 volumes online by next April.
Each agreement with a library is slightly different. Google plans to digitize nearly all the eight million books in Stanford's collection and the seven million at Michigan. The Harvard project will initially be limited to only about 40,000 volumes. The scanning at Oxford, at the Bodleian Library, will be limited to an unspecified number of books published before 1900, while the New York Public Library project will involve fragile material not under copyright that library officials said would be of interest primarily to scholars.
Google's two founders, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, have long vowed to make all of the world's information accessible to anyone with a Web browser. Tuesday's agreements will put them a few steps closer to that goal, at least in terms of the English-language portion of the world's information. "
The goal is to expand the Web beyond its current valuable, if eclectic, body of material and create a digital card catalog and searchable library for the world's books, scholarly papers and special collections. Because the Google agreements are not exclusive, the agreements are almost certain to touch off a race with other major Internet search providers like Amazon, Microsoft and Yahoo. Like Google, they may seek the right to offer online access to library materials in return for selling advertising, while libraries would receive corporate help in digitizing their collections for their own institutional uses.
On Monday night, the Library of Congress and a group of international libraries from the United States, Canada, Egypt, China and the Netherlands announced a new plan to create a publicly available digital archive of one million books on the Internet. The group said it planned to have 70,000 volumes online by next April.
Each agreement with a library is slightly different. Google plans to digitize nearly all the eight million books in Stanford's collection and the seven million at Michigan. The Harvard project will initially be limited to only about 40,000 volumes. The scanning at Oxford, at the Bodleian Library, will be limited to an unspecified number of books published before 1900, while the New York Public Library project will involve fragile material not under copyright that library officials said would be of interest primarily to scholars.
Google's two founders, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, have long vowed to make all of the world's information accessible to anyone with a Web browser. Tuesday's agreements will put them a few steps closer to that goal, at least in terms of the English-language portion of the world's information. "
Train collision dominates LS proceedings
NDTV.com: "Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav came in for some strong criticism from the Opposition for not being present in Parliament. A day after the Punjab train disaster, the Railways Minister was away in Patna attending a political rally instead of being in Parliament answering questions on just what went wrong.
The Minister of State for Railways said he was ready with facts and figures on the accident but nobody wanted to listen. "I went to the site myself and got full details, but they were not interested in listening to me," said R Velu, Minister of State for Railways. With an eye on the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar, the Opposition clearly is trying to get political mileage out of the Punjab tragedy by cornering Lalu Yadav."
The Minister of State for Railways said he was ready with facts and figures on the accident but nobody wanted to listen. "I went to the site myself and got full details, but they were not interested in listening to me," said R Velu, Minister of State for Railways. With an eye on the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar, the Opposition clearly is trying to get political mileage out of the Punjab tragedy by cornering Lalu Yadav."
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
MSNBC - Kanye West nets 10 Grammy nominations
MSNBC - Kanye West nets 10 Grammy nominations:
Record of the year
“Let’s Get It Started,” The Black Eyed Peas; “Here We Go Again,” Ray Charles and Norah Jones; “American Idiot,” Green Day; “Heaven,” Los Lonely Boys; “Yeah!” Usher featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris
Album of the year
“Genius Loves Company,” Ray Charles and Various Artists; “American Idiot,” Green Day; “The Diary of Alicia Keys,” Alicia Keys; “Confessions,” Usher; “The College Dropout,” Kanye West
Song of the year
“Daughters,” John Mayer (John Mayer); “If I Ain’t Got You,” Alicia Keys (Alicia Keys); “Jesus Walks,” C. Smith and Kanye West (Kanye West); “Live Like You Were Dying,” Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman (Tim McGraw); “The Reason,” Daniel Estrin and Douglas Robb (Hoobastank)
New artist
Los Lonely Boys; Maroon 5; Joss Stone; Kanye West; Gretchen Wilson
Pop vocal album
“Genius Loves Company,” Ray Charles and Various Artists; “Feels Like Home,” Norah Jones; “Afterglow,” Sarah McLachlan; “Mind, Body and Soul,” Joss Stone; “Brian Wilson Presents Smile,” Brian Wilson
Rock album
“The Delivery Man,” Elvis Costello and the Imposters; “American Idiot,” Green Day; “The Reason,” Hoobastank; “Hot Fuss,” the Killers; “Contraband,” Velvet Revolver
R&B album
“My Everything,” Anita Baker; “I Can’t Stop,” Al Green; “The Diary of Alicia Keys,” Alicia Keys; “Musicology,” Prince; “Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2,” Jill Scott
Rap album
“To the 5 Boroughs,” Beastie Boys; “The Black Album,” Jay-Z; “The DEFinition,” LL Cool J; “Suit,” Nelly; “The College Dropout,” Kanye West
Country album
“Van Lear Rose,” Loretta Lynn; “Live Like You Were Dying,” Tim McGraw; “Tambourine,” Tift Merritt; “Be Here,” Keith Urban; “Here for the Party,” Gretchen Wilson
Latin pop album
“Amar Sin Mentiras,” Marc Anthony; “SinVerguenza,” Bacilos; “Pau-latina,” Paulina Rubio; “Diego Torres: MTV Unplugged,” Diego Torres; “El Rock De Mi Pueblo,” Carlos Vives
Record of the year
“Let’s Get It Started,” The Black Eyed Peas; “Here We Go Again,” Ray Charles and Norah Jones; “American Idiot,” Green Day; “Heaven,” Los Lonely Boys; “Yeah!” Usher featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris
Album of the year
“Genius Loves Company,” Ray Charles and Various Artists; “American Idiot,” Green Day; “The Diary of Alicia Keys,” Alicia Keys; “Confessions,” Usher; “The College Dropout,” Kanye West
Song of the year
“Daughters,” John Mayer (John Mayer); “If I Ain’t Got You,” Alicia Keys (Alicia Keys); “Jesus Walks,” C. Smith and Kanye West (Kanye West); “Live Like You Were Dying,” Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman (Tim McGraw); “The Reason,” Daniel Estrin and Douglas Robb (Hoobastank)
New artist
Los Lonely Boys; Maroon 5; Joss Stone; Kanye West; Gretchen Wilson
Pop vocal album
“Genius Loves Company,” Ray Charles and Various Artists; “Feels Like Home,” Norah Jones; “Afterglow,” Sarah McLachlan; “Mind, Body and Soul,” Joss Stone; “Brian Wilson Presents Smile,” Brian Wilson
Rock album
“The Delivery Man,” Elvis Costello and the Imposters; “American Idiot,” Green Day; “The Reason,” Hoobastank; “Hot Fuss,” the Killers; “Contraband,” Velvet Revolver
R&B album
“My Everything,” Anita Baker; “I Can’t Stop,” Al Green; “The Diary of Alicia Keys,” Alicia Keys; “Musicology,” Prince; “Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2,” Jill Scott
Rap album
“To the 5 Boroughs,” Beastie Boys; “The Black Album,” Jay-Z; “The DEFinition,” LL Cool J; “Suit,” Nelly; “The College Dropout,” Kanye West
Country album
“Van Lear Rose,” Loretta Lynn; “Live Like You Were Dying,” Tim McGraw; “Tambourine,” Tift Merritt; “Be Here,” Keith Urban; “Here for the Party,” Gretchen Wilson
Latin pop album
“Amar Sin Mentiras,” Marc Anthony; “SinVerguenza,” Bacilos; “Pau-latina,” Paulina Rubio; “Diego Torres: MTV Unplugged,” Diego Torres; “El Rock De Mi Pueblo,” Carlos Vives
Golden Globe movie nominees
MSNBC:
Picture, Drama
“The Aviator,” “Closer,” “Finding Neverland,” “Hotel Rwanda,” “Kinsey,” “Million Dollar Baby.”
Actress, Drama
Scarlett Johansson, “A Love Song for Bobby Long”; Nicole Kidman, “Birth,” Imelda Staunton, “Vera Drake”; Hilary Swank, “Million Dollar Baby”; Uma Thurman, “Kill Bill: Vol. 2.”
Actor, Drama
Javier Bardem, “The Sea Inside”; Don Cheadle, “Hotel Rwanda”; Johnny Depp, “Finding Neverland”; Leonardo DiCaprio, “The Aviator”; Liam Neeson, “Kinsey.”
Picture, Musical or Comedy
“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” “The Incredibles,” “Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera,” “Ray,” “Sideways.”
Actress, Musical or Comedy
Annette Bening, “Being Julia”; Ashley Judd, “De-Lovely”; Emmy Rossum, “Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera,” Kate Winslet, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” Renee Zellweger, “Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.”
Actor, Musical or Comedy
Jim Carrey, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”; Jamie Foxx, “Ray”; Paul Giamatti, “Sideways”; Kevin Kline, “De-Lovely”; Kevin Spacey, “Beyond the Sea.”
Foreign Language
“The Chorus,” France; “House of Flying Daggers,” China; “The Motorcycle Diaries,” Brazil; “The Sea Inside,” Spain; “A Very Long Engagement,” France
Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett, “The Aviator”; Laura Linney, “Kinsey”; Virginia Madsen, “Sideways”; Natalie Portman, “Closer”; Meryl Streep, “The Manchurian Candidate.”
Supporting Actor
David Carradine, “Kill Bill: Vol. 2”; Thomas Haden Church, “Sideways”; Jamie Foxx, “Collateral”; Morgan Freeman, “Million Dollar Baby”; Clive Owen, “Closer.”
Director:
Clint Eastwood, “Million Dollar Baby”; Marc Forster, “Finding Neverland”; Mike Nichols, “Closer”; Alexander Payne, “Sideways”; Martin Scorsese, “The Aviator.”
Screenplay
Charlie Kaufman, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”; John Logan, “The Aviator”; David Magee, “Finding Neverland”; Patrick Marber, “Closer”; Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor, “Sideways.”
Original Score
Clint Eastwood, “Million Dollar Baby”; Jan A.P. Kaczmarek, “Finding Neverland”; Rolfe Kent, “Sideways”; Howard Shore, “The Aviator”; Hans Zimmer, “Spanglish.”
Original Song
“Accidentally in Love” from “Shrek 2”; “Believe” from “The Polar Express”; “Learn to be Lonely” from “Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera”; “Million Voices” from “Hotel Rwanda”; “Old Habits Die Hard” from “Alfie.”
Picture, Drama
“The Aviator,” “Closer,” “Finding Neverland,” “Hotel Rwanda,” “Kinsey,” “Million Dollar Baby.”
Actress, Drama
Scarlett Johansson, “A Love Song for Bobby Long”; Nicole Kidman, “Birth,” Imelda Staunton, “Vera Drake”; Hilary Swank, “Million Dollar Baby”; Uma Thurman, “Kill Bill: Vol. 2.”
Actor, Drama
Javier Bardem, “The Sea Inside”; Don Cheadle, “Hotel Rwanda”; Johnny Depp, “Finding Neverland”; Leonardo DiCaprio, “The Aviator”; Liam Neeson, “Kinsey.”
Picture, Musical or Comedy
“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” “The Incredibles,” “Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera,” “Ray,” “Sideways.”
Actress, Musical or Comedy
Annette Bening, “Being Julia”; Ashley Judd, “De-Lovely”; Emmy Rossum, “Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera,” Kate Winslet, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” Renee Zellweger, “Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.”
Actor, Musical or Comedy
Jim Carrey, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”; Jamie Foxx, “Ray”; Paul Giamatti, “Sideways”; Kevin Kline, “De-Lovely”; Kevin Spacey, “Beyond the Sea.”
Foreign Language
“The Chorus,” France; “House of Flying Daggers,” China; “The Motorcycle Diaries,” Brazil; “The Sea Inside,” Spain; “A Very Long Engagement,” France
Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett, “The Aviator”; Laura Linney, “Kinsey”; Virginia Madsen, “Sideways”; Natalie Portman, “Closer”; Meryl Streep, “The Manchurian Candidate.”
Supporting Actor
David Carradine, “Kill Bill: Vol. 2”; Thomas Haden Church, “Sideways”; Jamie Foxx, “Collateral”; Morgan Freeman, “Million Dollar Baby”; Clive Owen, “Closer.”
Director:
Clint Eastwood, “Million Dollar Baby”; Marc Forster, “Finding Neverland”; Mike Nichols, “Closer”; Alexander Payne, “Sideways”; Martin Scorsese, “The Aviator.”
Screenplay
Charlie Kaufman, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”; John Logan, “The Aviator”; David Magee, “Finding Neverland”; Patrick Marber, “Closer”; Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor, “Sideways.”
Original Score
Clint Eastwood, “Million Dollar Baby”; Jan A.P. Kaczmarek, “Finding Neverland”; Rolfe Kent, “Sideways”; Howard Shore, “The Aviator”; Hans Zimmer, “Spanglish.”
Original Song
“Accidentally in Love” from “Shrek 2”; “Believe” from “The Polar Express”; “Learn to be Lonely” from “Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera”; “Million Voices” from “Hotel Rwanda”; “Old Habits Die Hard” from “Alfie.”
'Sideways' leads Golden Globe nominations
CNN.com - Dec 13, 2004: ""Desperate Housewives" is the show to beat, having been nominated for five awards, including three out of the five slots in the best actress category -- Marcia Cross, Felicity Huffman and Teri Hatcher. It's also up for best TV comedy, along with "Arrested Development" (which won the Emmy in this category), "Sex and the City," "Will & Grace" and "Entourage."
The nominees for best TV drama are "24," "Deadwood," "Lost," "Nip/Tuck" and "The Sopranos."
The nominees for best TV drama are "24," "Deadwood," "Lost," "Nip/Tuck" and "The Sopranos."
Who else? Red Sox are our Sportsmen of the Year
SI.com - Monday November 29, 2004 1:31AM: "Hard to believe, but a few weeks ago, our Sportsman of the Year selection hung in the balance. Oh, there were deserving candidates. A wealth of them. And that was the problem.
Would you bestow the honor on the human parable that is Lance Armstrong, winner of a sixth consecutive Tour de France? Or Roger Federer, who played peerless, lights-out tennis, all the while comporting himself like the consummate gentleman? What about Ichiro Suzuki, who used his bat with surgical precision as he set the all-time record for hits in a season? But was he really more deserving than Diana Taurasi, who became the standard bearer for basketball excellence (gender be damned)? Then there were Olympians such as Michael Phelps and Carly Patterson who prospected so much gold in Athens."
Would you bestow the honor on the human parable that is Lance Armstrong, winner of a sixth consecutive Tour de France? Or Roger Federer, who played peerless, lights-out tennis, all the while comporting himself like the consummate gentleman? What about Ichiro Suzuki, who used his bat with surgical precision as he set the all-time record for hits in a season? But was he really more deserving than Diana Taurasi, who became the standard bearer for basketball excellence (gender be damned)? Then there were Olympians such as Michael Phelps and Carly Patterson who prospected so much gold in Athens."
Blockbuster dropping late fees as of Jan. 1 - Dec. 14, 2004
CNN/Money: "Blockbuster Inc. announced Tuesday it is abolishing late fees on all its video tapes, DVDs and video games as of Jan. 1. The world's largest video rental company will still have due dates for their rental products -- one week for games and two days or one week for movies, depending on whether it's a new release.
But customers will be given a one-week grace period after that to return the product. After that grace period ends, the chain will automatically sell them the product, less the rental fee. If the customers don't want to purchase the movie or game, they can return the product within 30 days for a credit, less a restocking fee.
It estimated that late fees would have contributed about $250 million to $300 million to revenue next year.
The company said it also plans to lower its ongoing marketing, operating and promotional costs after implementing the change.
The company said as a result of the move it expects operating income in 2005 to be flat compared with 2004 results after an estimated $50 million it will spend to market and implement the change to a no late fee system.
Analysts surveyed by earnings tracker First Call had forecast that the company would earn 73 cents a share in 2004 and 67 cents a share in 2005. That works out to about a $6.5 million drop in forecasted earnings between the two years.
Blockbuster, which was spun off earlier this year by media conglomerate Viacom, is in the process of bidding for competitior Hollywood Entertainment, the No. 2 video rental chain. Hollywood Entertainment has entered into a merger agreement with buyout firm Leonard Green & Partners as well as Hollywood's top management to take the company private.
Blockbuster is offering $11.50 a share for Hollywood, or about $700 million, and it has said it would be willing to raise its bid subject to a review of company financial information. "
But customers will be given a one-week grace period after that to return the product. After that grace period ends, the chain will automatically sell them the product, less the rental fee. If the customers don't want to purchase the movie or game, they can return the product within 30 days for a credit, less a restocking fee.
It estimated that late fees would have contributed about $250 million to $300 million to revenue next year.
The company said it also plans to lower its ongoing marketing, operating and promotional costs after implementing the change.
The company said as a result of the move it expects operating income in 2005 to be flat compared with 2004 results after an estimated $50 million it will spend to market and implement the change to a no late fee system.
Analysts surveyed by earnings tracker First Call had forecast that the company would earn 73 cents a share in 2004 and 67 cents a share in 2005. That works out to about a $6.5 million drop in forecasted earnings between the two years.
Blockbuster, which was spun off earlier this year by media conglomerate Viacom, is in the process of bidding for competitior Hollywood Entertainment, the No. 2 video rental chain. Hollywood Entertainment has entered into a merger agreement with buyout firm Leonard Green & Partners as well as Hollywood's top management to take the company private.
Blockbuster is offering $11.50 a share for Hollywood, or about $700 million, and it has said it would be willing to raise its bid subject to a review of company financial information. "
Trains collide in Punjab, 28 killed
NDTV.com: "At least 29 people have been killed and 43 others injured in a collision between two passenger trains in Hoshiarpur district. The Jammu-Ahmedabad Express and Jalandhar Pathankot Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) collided near Mansar village in Mukerian at around 11.40 am (IST).
Mansar village is between Chak-Kalan and Bangar railway stations in the Jalandhar-Pathankot railway section. At the time of the collision, the express was travelling from Jammu to Ahmedabad while the local train was going from Jalandhar to Pathankot. According to initial reports, the Jalandhar-Pathankot train was traveling on the wrong track.
Punjab Chief Minister who visited the accident site earlier in the day has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs one lakh each to the next of kin of those killed in the train mishap. Those injured in the accident would be given Rs 25,000 each and the cost of treatment would be borne by the Government.
This is not the first time that there has been a head on collision between two trains traveling on the same track. In 1999 in one of the worst train disasters in Indian history, 285 people had died and 312 injured when Brahmaputra Mail train en route to New Delhi slammed into the Awadh-Assam Express traveling from New Delhi at Gaisal in West Bengal.
A committee was set up under Justice G N Ray to probe into what had led to the accident. In its report, the committee blamed the railway staff including the Divisional Railway Manager of Katihar, Divisional Signals Engineer and Senior Divisional Safety Officer for the mishap. However, no action was taken against the erring officials.
The Railways has Rs 17000 crore in its safety fund but its safety reports are never made public. But for Lalu Yadav, the accident could not have come at a worse time. In the last two days, questions have been raised on why the ministry is trying to shield the Railway Board Chairman, R K Singh.
It has been alleged that under Singh's tenure, maximum relaxations were given by the procurement directorate to manufacturers like the Bhillai Steel plant, which could have resulted in faulty tracks being laid."
Mansar village is between Chak-Kalan and Bangar railway stations in the Jalandhar-Pathankot railway section. At the time of the collision, the express was travelling from Jammu to Ahmedabad while the local train was going from Jalandhar to Pathankot. According to initial reports, the Jalandhar-Pathankot train was traveling on the wrong track.
Punjab Chief Minister who visited the accident site earlier in the day has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs one lakh each to the next of kin of those killed in the train mishap. Those injured in the accident would be given Rs 25,000 each and the cost of treatment would be borne by the Government.
This is not the first time that there has been a head on collision between two trains traveling on the same track. In 1999 in one of the worst train disasters in Indian history, 285 people had died and 312 injured when Brahmaputra Mail train en route to New Delhi slammed into the Awadh-Assam Express traveling from New Delhi at Gaisal in West Bengal.
A committee was set up under Justice G N Ray to probe into what had led to the accident. In its report, the committee blamed the railway staff including the Divisional Railway Manager of Katihar, Divisional Signals Engineer and Senior Divisional Safety Officer for the mishap. However, no action was taken against the erring officials.
The Railways has Rs 17000 crore in its safety fund but its safety reports are never made public. But for Lalu Yadav, the accident could not have come at a worse time. In the last two days, questions have been raised on why the ministry is trying to shield the Railway Board Chairman, R K Singh.
It has been alleged that under Singh's tenure, maximum relaxations were given by the procurement directorate to manufacturers like the Bhillai Steel plant, which could have resulted in faulty tracks being laid."
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