In a dramatic twist to the ‘spot-fixing’ scandal that has rocked world cricket, three tainted Pakistan players — Test captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif — were on Tuesday barred from practice at Taunton and asked to return to London for a meeting with top Pakistan officials.
The development came amid intense increasing pressure on the Pakistan Cricket Board from their English counterparts to take strict action against the cricketers.
Meanwhile, sources in the team are now saying that Test captain Butt was responsible for the clout that bookie and player agent Mazhar Majeed enjoyed in the team.
Asif had also reportedly told the investigators that it was Butt who had introduced Majeed to the players.
Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed said that the three players did not have nets with the rest of the team because they were preparing for a meeting at the Pakistan high commission in London on Wednesday.
“The three are not practising and they have to go to London to attend the meeting at the High Commission in connection with the ongoing investigations into spot-fixing,” Yawar said.
Although Yawar did not specify whether the three players would be subjected to another round of interrogation by the Scotland Yard, there was speculation that the players could be questioned again. However, there was no official confirmation yet.
Pakistan has retained all the three players named in the scandal in their one-day squad for the series against England and the team play a practice match at Taunton on Thursday.
Yawar said that the three players had been called to the High Commission where the high commissioner has invited a leading British legal expert to be present along with PCB chairman Ejaz Butt.
“In all probability, the PCB chief and the High Commissioner will talk to the players in front of the legal expert and take a decision on future course of action in the investigations,” a team source said.
He said the decision to not allow the three players to practice with the team came after a meeting held between one-day captain Shahid Afridi, Yawar, coach Waqar Younis and the PCB chairman.
“The idea apparently is that the players accused of fixing should be kept away from media glare and have been told to remain indoors in the hotel to avoid more controversies,” the source added.
The players have been accused by a 35-year-old Pakistan bookie Mazhar Majeed of taking bribes to do spot fixing during the fourth Test at Lord’s against England.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Mother tries to murder leprosy affected daughter
A mother on Monday tried to kill her 17-year-old daughter in Seetha-ramapuram forest because the girl is suffering from leprosy and had become an obstacle for the marriage of her other two children.
The victim, Shaik Hasina, is the daughter of a fruit vendor, Mr Dastagiri of Kadapa town and a
Class VII student in a madrasa. On Monday, her mother, Parveen, and her mother’s friend, Mabu Peera, asked Hasina to accompany them to hospital for treatment and took her into the forest between Seetharamapuram and Porumamilla in YSR Kadapa district.
They strangled her using a chunni and also banged her face against a boulder after she lost conscious in a bid to disfigure her to prevent identification. They left the forest assuming that Hasina was dead.
Hasina, however, regained conscious on Tuesday morning when it started to rain and managed to reach the nearby ghat road. A passenger travelling in a bus saw her and alerted the 108 ambulance service and they in turn, informed the Seetharamapuram police.
The police rushed to the spot and shifted her to the government hospital in Udayagiri for treatment. Quoting the victim, the Duttalur sub-inspector,
Mr Shaik Ibrahim said that her mother and her friend wanted to eliminate her because marriage proposals were not coming for her brother and her sister because of her disease.
“The girl has also told us that her mother and Mabu wanted to eliminate her because she objected to their affair. We are not sure about this version because her speech is not clear due to the multiple injures she has suffered,” the SI said.
The victim, Shaik Hasina, is the daughter of a fruit vendor, Mr Dastagiri of Kadapa town and a
Class VII student in a madrasa. On Monday, her mother, Parveen, and her mother’s friend, Mabu Peera, asked Hasina to accompany them to hospital for treatment and took her into the forest between Seetharamapuram and Porumamilla in YSR Kadapa district.
They strangled her using a chunni and also banged her face against a boulder after she lost conscious in a bid to disfigure her to prevent identification. They left the forest assuming that Hasina was dead.
Hasina, however, regained conscious on Tuesday morning when it started to rain and managed to reach the nearby ghat road. A passenger travelling in a bus saw her and alerted the 108 ambulance service and they in turn, informed the Seetharamapuram police.
The police rushed to the spot and shifted her to the government hospital in Udayagiri for treatment. Quoting the victim, the Duttalur sub-inspector,
Mr Shaik Ibrahim said that her mother and her friend wanted to eliminate her because marriage proposals were not coming for her brother and her sister because of her disease.
“The girl has also told us that her mother and Mabu wanted to eliminate her because she objected to their affair. We are not sure about this version because her speech is not clear due to the multiple injures she has suffered,” the SI said.
Charminar project fails to take off
The Charminar Pedestrianisation Project (CPP) to save the heritage edifice from pollution by decongesting the area around it is nowhere near completion even 12 years after the project was launched. Work on several components of the CPP such as beautification, conservation and restoration of Pathergatti, the four kamaans, Laad Bazaar, Night Bazaar and the creation of a buffer zone, among other components, have not even begun on a full scale.
It is the lack of coordination between various departments that is responsible for the slow progress of the project. The urgency for completing the project was highlighted on Sunday when pieces of the stucco floral decoration from the minaret of the Charminar peeled off.
The cost of the project, estimated at less than `140 crore at the start, is now expected to cross `300 crore as a result of the delays. More appalling is the fact that the officials are not sure when the project will be completed! Nearly 50 of the 250 properties slated for demolition in order to widen the inner ring road around the monument are yet to be demolished. Also nearly 60 more properties are yet to be acquired for widening the eight kilometre outer ring road. The ORR stretch is as follows: Mir Alam Mandi road from Azakhana Zehra to Daira Mir Momin, Hari Bowli road from Himmatpura junction to Khilwath to Motigalli, Chowk road to Shaad Cafe, City College to Naya Pul, Salar Jung Road to Aza Khana Zehra and up to Panch Mohalla.
The GHMC’s senior architect planner, Mr K. Srinivasa Rao, admitted the delay in the execution of the project, due mainly to the number of court cases the corporation had to fight over the properties to be acquired for road widening.
It is the lack of coordination between various departments that is responsible for the slow progress of the project. The urgency for completing the project was highlighted on Sunday when pieces of the stucco floral decoration from the minaret of the Charminar peeled off.
The cost of the project, estimated at less than `140 crore at the start, is now expected to cross `300 crore as a result of the delays. More appalling is the fact that the officials are not sure when the project will be completed! Nearly 50 of the 250 properties slated for demolition in order to widen the inner ring road around the monument are yet to be demolished. Also nearly 60 more properties are yet to be acquired for widening the eight kilometre outer ring road. The ORR stretch is as follows: Mir Alam Mandi road from Azakhana Zehra to Daira Mir Momin, Hari Bowli road from Himmatpura junction to Khilwath to Motigalli, Chowk road to Shaad Cafe, City College to Naya Pul, Salar Jung Road to Aza Khana Zehra and up to Panch Mohalla.
The GHMC’s senior architect planner, Mr K. Srinivasa Rao, admitted the delay in the execution of the project, due mainly to the number of court cases the corporation had to fight over the properties to be acquired for road widening.
Word from MHA, Guv lands Aravinda top job
Ending days of suspense, the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, on Tuesday appointed Mr K. Aravinda Rao as the new director general of police.
A positive endorsement from the ministry of home affairs and a word of support from the Governor, Mr E.S.L. Narasimhan, helped Mr Aravinda Rao edge out another top contender, Mr Umesh Kumar, and get the coveted post.
It was his track record in handling crisis situations that worked things in Mr Aravinda Rao’s favour. The 1977 batch IPS official would have to summon this skill soon enough with the Sri Krishna panel getting ready to submit its report on Telangana in December.
After waiting till the eleventh hour, the Chief Minister posted Mr Umesh Kumar as director general of Anti Corruption Bureau.
Another contender for the DGP’s post, Mr A. Sivashankar, was posted in the AP Road Safety Authority.
Mr Umesh Kumar was holding the post of director -general (provisions and logistics) and Mr Sivashankar was chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State Level Recruitment Board.
Mr Aravinda Rao, who has handled many key posts including that of ADGP (intelligence), will be DGP of the State for ten months. Mr Aravinda Rao also has rich experience in tackling Maoists and factionists in various districts. Further, he is adept at gathering political intelligence.
The new DGP said that maintaining law and order was his top priority. “There is a general feeling that this is turbulent time,” he said.
A positive endorsement from the ministry of home affairs and a word of support from the Governor, Mr E.S.L. Narasimhan, helped Mr Aravinda Rao edge out another top contender, Mr Umesh Kumar, and get the coveted post.
It was his track record in handling crisis situations that worked things in Mr Aravinda Rao’s favour. The 1977 batch IPS official would have to summon this skill soon enough with the Sri Krishna panel getting ready to submit its report on Telangana in December.
After waiting till the eleventh hour, the Chief Minister posted Mr Umesh Kumar as director general of Anti Corruption Bureau.
Another contender for the DGP’s post, Mr A. Sivashankar, was posted in the AP Road Safety Authority.
Mr Umesh Kumar was holding the post of director -general (provisions and logistics) and Mr Sivashankar was chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State Level Recruitment Board.
Mr Aravinda Rao, who has handled many key posts including that of ADGP (intelligence), will be DGP of the State for ten months. Mr Aravinda Rao also has rich experience in tackling Maoists and factionists in various districts. Further, he is adept at gathering political intelligence.
The new DGP said that maintaining law and order was his top priority. “There is a general feeling that this is turbulent time,” he said.
It’s an order, SC tells Pawar, give food free
The Supreme Court on Tuesday reminded the Union agriculture minister, Mr Sharad Pawar, that the apex court’s earlier order to distribute food grains to the poor instead of letting it rot, which the minister had taken to be a “suggestion” not binding on the government, was indeed an order, and not a suggestion.
Bringing up this issue in the Lok Sabha, the Opposition cornered the government, forcing it to give an assurance that it would implement the SC order. Initiating an impromptu debate over the issue, the Leader of the Opposition, Ms Sushma Swaraj, asked why Mr Pawar had taken the apex court’s order as a suggestion.
Responding, Mr Pawar said, This government will honour the decision of the Supreme Court. The sentiment of the House will also be taken into account.
Earlier, while referring to media reports attributed to Mr Pawar wherein he said the apex court had only made a suggestion to the Centre on August 12, a bench comprising Justices Dalveer Bhandari and Justice Deepak Verma told additional solicitor general (ASG), Mr Mohan Parasaran, “Tell your minister not to make any such comment. What we have said is an order and not a suggestion. Let him not misunderstand our order.”
Bringing up this issue in the Lok Sabha, the Opposition cornered the government, forcing it to give an assurance that it would implement the SC order. Initiating an impromptu debate over the issue, the Leader of the Opposition, Ms Sushma Swaraj, asked why Mr Pawar had taken the apex court’s order as a suggestion.
Responding, Mr Pawar said, This government will honour the decision of the Supreme Court. The sentiment of the House will also be taken into account.
Earlier, while referring to media reports attributed to Mr Pawar wherein he said the apex court had only made a suggestion to the Centre on August 12, a bench comprising Justices Dalveer Bhandari and Justice Deepak Verma told additional solicitor general (ASG), Mr Mohan Parasaran, “Tell your minister not to make any such comment. What we have said is an order and not a suggestion. Let him not misunderstand our order.”
3 quizzed on Big Fix
The investigation into the spot-fixing allegations against the Pakistan cricket team took an interesting turn on Tuesday as Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs revealed that it had arrested three persons for questioning in a money-laundering investigation.
HMRC said the three persons had been arrested, questioned as part of an investigation into money laundering and released on bail. Three individuals were arrested on Sunday as part of an ongoing investigation into money laundering. This includes two 35-year-olds — a male and a female — from the Croydon area, and a 49-year-old male from the Wembley area. These individuals were arrested, questioned and have been bailed pending further investigation, HMRC said without identifying them.
Thirty-five-year-old London businessman Mazhar Majeed is also out on police bail over the investigation into spot-fixing allegations involving Pakistan fast bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif, who have been accused of deliberately bowling three no-balls during the fourth England-Pakistan Test at Lord’s last Thursday and Friday.
Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed, who is in Taunton, Somerset, with the cricket team said on Tuesday afternoon that three cricketers had been summoned to meet the PCB top officials.
HMRC said the three persons had been arrested, questioned as part of an investigation into money laundering and released on bail. Three individuals were arrested on Sunday as part of an ongoing investigation into money laundering. This includes two 35-year-olds — a male and a female — from the Croydon area, and a 49-year-old male from the Wembley area. These individuals were arrested, questioned and have been bailed pending further investigation, HMRC said without identifying them.
Thirty-five-year-old London businessman Mazhar Majeed is also out on police bail over the investigation into spot-fixing allegations involving Pakistan fast bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif, who have been accused of deliberately bowling three no-balls during the fourth England-Pakistan Test at Lord’s last Thursday and Friday.
Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed, who is in Taunton, Somerset, with the cricket team said on Tuesday afternoon that three cricketers had been summoned to meet the PCB top officials.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Sania crosses first hurdle, Somdev crashes out
Sania Mirza won her fourth match on the trot to cruise to the second round of US Open but it was an early exit for Somdev Devvarman, who lost his opening round in the men’s singles event.
Sania, who entered the women’s singles as a qualifier, scored an easy 6-3, 6-2 win over fellow qualifier Michelle Larcher de Brito of Portugal in the first-round match.
Somdev, who earned a direct entry into a Grand Slam for the first time, went down fighting against the South Africa’s Kevin Anderson 3-6 4-6 3-6 in his first round in the men’s singles event.
The defeat means that Somdev has not gone beyond the first round in Grand Slams this season.
He had failed to qualify for the Australian Open and the Wimbledon and lost in the first round of the French Open.
A second round appearance at the U.S. Open last year remains his best performance in the Slams.
It took Sania one hour and 17 minutes to dispatch her rival and set up a second round clash with Russian 20th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
“For me, the fact that I am still capable of going on court and winning four matches in a row gives me a lot of confidence that I still have the ability,” the number one female Indian player said after her win.
“I am just going to enjoy it. I was happy when I won the first round of the qualifiers and I am happy again today. I love playing here on the hard courts in New York and always seem to do well here,” she added.
Sania was forced to go through the qualifiers of Grand Slam for the first time since 2005 due to low ranking.
Poor form and wrist injury dented her ranking heavily as she is languishing at 159 in world.
Sania, who entered the women’s singles as a qualifier, scored an easy 6-3, 6-2 win over fellow qualifier Michelle Larcher de Brito of Portugal in the first-round match.
Somdev, who earned a direct entry into a Grand Slam for the first time, went down fighting against the South Africa’s Kevin Anderson 3-6 4-6 3-6 in his first round in the men’s singles event.
The defeat means that Somdev has not gone beyond the first round in Grand Slams this season.
He had failed to qualify for the Australian Open and the Wimbledon and lost in the first round of the French Open.
A second round appearance at the U.S. Open last year remains his best performance in the Slams.
It took Sania one hour and 17 minutes to dispatch her rival and set up a second round clash with Russian 20th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
“For me, the fact that I am still capable of going on court and winning four matches in a row gives me a lot of confidence that I still have the ability,” the number one female Indian player said after her win.
“I am just going to enjoy it. I was happy when I won the first round of the qualifiers and I am happy again today. I love playing here on the hard courts in New York and always seem to do well here,” she added.
Sania was forced to go through the qualifiers of Grand Slam for the first time since 2005 due to low ranking.
Poor form and wrist injury dented her ranking heavily as she is languishing at 159 in world.
Anantapur turns into a hub for porn material
Anantapur district has turned into a hub where pornographic CDs and DVDs are easily available.
District police, who recen-tly launched a crackdown on internet centres after receiving orders from police top brass, failed to raid nerve centres where largescale obscene CDs are piled up in several CDs shops.
Anyone can purchase pornographic movies with utmost ease at the busy Kamalanagar area and Srikantam circle in Anantapur city. Youth and middle aged persons are addicted to these as CDs are easily available for Rs 30. The illegal trade is also flourishing in Kadiri, Tadipatri, Puttaparthi and Hindupur.
City two town police raided Excellent internet centre at the municipal complex and seized more than 1,000 pornographic movies stored in a computer a week ago.
They registered a case under IPC sections 292, 294 against the shop owner and sent him to police remand. However, the accused is a small fish in this racket.
The trade is unabated in the district as is evident with a bank field officer, who shot pornographic videos of Self Help Group women in his cellphone when they approached him for bank loans, shared those videos with a CD shop owner for making business in Vajrakaroor. However, police busted the racket and registered a case against him.
According to sources, traders are secretly shooting college girls and prostitutes’ pornographic videos and putting these up for sale in Kadiri.
People allege that police are not paying attention on this illegal trade due to bribes.
Two town circle inspector Mr A. Srinivasulu, said that raids would be conducted on CD shops if higher officials ordered him to do so.
District police, who recen-tly launched a crackdown on internet centres after receiving orders from police top brass, failed to raid nerve centres where largescale obscene CDs are piled up in several CDs shops.
Anyone can purchase pornographic movies with utmost ease at the busy Kamalanagar area and Srikantam circle in Anantapur city. Youth and middle aged persons are addicted to these as CDs are easily available for Rs 30. The illegal trade is also flourishing in Kadiri, Tadipatri, Puttaparthi and Hindupur.
City two town police raided Excellent internet centre at the municipal complex and seized more than 1,000 pornographic movies stored in a computer a week ago.
They registered a case under IPC sections 292, 294 against the shop owner and sent him to police remand. However, the accused is a small fish in this racket.
The trade is unabated in the district as is evident with a bank field officer, who shot pornographic videos of Self Help Group women in his cellphone when they approached him for bank loans, shared those videos with a CD shop owner for making business in Vajrakaroor. However, police busted the racket and registered a case against him.
According to sources, traders are secretly shooting college girls and prostitutes’ pornographic videos and putting these up for sale in Kadiri.
People allege that police are not paying attention on this illegal trade due to bribes.
Two town circle inspector Mr A. Srinivasulu, said that raids would be conducted on CD shops if higher officials ordered him to do so.
Flood threats rise after severe rains
Parts of the state are in imminent danger of floods as rain continued to lash the districts on Monday. Thousands had to be evacuated to safer places in the West Godavari district due to the incessant rains.
In Khammam district, a couple were killed when their house collapsed due to heavy rains early on Monday morning while they were asleep. The victims were identified as N. Jagan, 34, and his wife N. Jayasudha, 30.
In East Godavari, over 332 families were stranded as water from Seethapalli, Maderu and Vattigadda streams entered Tamarapalli, Nunepalli and Marripalem villages. The water level at the Musurumilli reservoir was at 113.40 metre in the evening, forcing irrigation authorities to release nearly 7,000 cusecs through the spillway. The water level at the Surampalem reservoir touched 104.6 metres against the FRL of 105 metres. Here too irrigation authorities had to release water. In West Godavari, Tammileru, Yerrakaluva and Kovvada canals are almost overflowing. As Tammileru is in spate, it affected the Ponangi village and YSR Colony.
“Nearly 2,000 families live on either side of the Tammileru river bunds. People in these areas have to be shifted as there is an expected inflow of around 40,000 cusecs to the river. We have sought helicopters to rescue the people,” said Mrs Vani Prasad, collector of West Godavari.
In Khammam district, a couple were killed when their house collapsed due to heavy rains early on Monday morning while they were asleep. The victims were identified as N. Jagan, 34, and his wife N. Jayasudha, 30.
In East Godavari, over 332 families were stranded as water from Seethapalli, Maderu and Vattigadda streams entered Tamarapalli, Nunepalli and Marripalem villages. The water level at the Musurumilli reservoir was at 113.40 metre in the evening, forcing irrigation authorities to release nearly 7,000 cusecs through the spillway. The water level at the Surampalem reservoir touched 104.6 metres against the FRL of 105 metres. Here too irrigation authorities had to release water. In West Godavari, Tammileru, Yerrakaluva and Kovvada canals are almost overflowing. As Tammileru is in spate, it affected the Ponangi village and YSR Colony.
“Nearly 2,000 families live on either side of the Tammileru river bunds. People in these areas have to be shifted as there is an expected inflow of around 40,000 cusecs to the river. We have sought helicopters to rescue the people,” said Mrs Vani Prasad, collector of West Godavari.
Mining mafia looting AP, alleges Naidu
The Telugu Desam president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Monday said that the mining mafia was looting the state’s natural resources and using the ill-gotten wealth in politics.
Mr Naidu also said that Mr Rahul Gandhi should do a “Vedanta” in AP and ensure that the mining agreements in Bayyaram, Obulapuram and Visakhapatnam were cancelled.
The TD leader’s second foray into the Telangana region to expose irregularities in the Bayyaram mines was aimed at keeping the party flock together as his cadres are making a beeline for the TRS after the party’s dual stand on statehood. After Babli, Mr Naidu has now taken up the Bayyaram issue and plans to take up the issue of the allotment of bauxite mining lease to Jindal Industries in Visakhapatnam district and other such issues, party sources said.
“Mr Gandhi went to Orissa to take up the Girijans’ cause and ensured cancellation of the mining lease to Vedanta. But it’s unfortunate no such action was taken against the Jindals in Vizag, Obulapuram Mining Corporation in Anantapur and Rakshana Steels in Bayyaram,” he said.
He said Mr Gandhi should take similar steps in the State since the natural resources are being looted by few individuals with political patronage. Referring to the Central government’s action on Byyaram, he said the government is yet to cancel the lease completely.
“We will fight till the lease is cancelled. We will also take up similar agitations in other questionable mining leases. Byyaram is a case study where the Girijan lifeline is destroyed by some individuals and organisations with tacit support of the government. In some cases, innocent Girijans are being used to acquire the lease,’’ he said before leaving for Byyaram.
He also alleged that late chief minister Y. S. Rajasekhar Reddy had given the Byyaram mining lease on a platter to his son-in-law, Mr Anil Kumar which was a gross misuse of power. “The lease did not benefit local Girijans, government and the district,” he added.
He stated that the Telugu Desam would take up a series of agitations against illegal mining in the state in a phase manner, especially in Girijan areas and would enlighten Girijans about their rights.
Mr Naidu also said that Mr Rahul Gandhi should do a “Vedanta” in AP and ensure that the mining agreements in Bayyaram, Obulapuram and Visakhapatnam were cancelled.
The TD leader’s second foray into the Telangana region to expose irregularities in the Bayyaram mines was aimed at keeping the party flock together as his cadres are making a beeline for the TRS after the party’s dual stand on statehood. After Babli, Mr Naidu has now taken up the Bayyaram issue and plans to take up the issue of the allotment of bauxite mining lease to Jindal Industries in Visakhapatnam district and other such issues, party sources said.
“Mr Gandhi went to Orissa to take up the Girijans’ cause and ensured cancellation of the mining lease to Vedanta. But it’s unfortunate no such action was taken against the Jindals in Vizag, Obulapuram Mining Corporation in Anantapur and Rakshana Steels in Bayyaram,” he said.
He said Mr Gandhi should take similar steps in the State since the natural resources are being looted by few individuals with political patronage. Referring to the Central government’s action on Byyaram, he said the government is yet to cancel the lease completely.
“We will fight till the lease is cancelled. We will also take up similar agitations in other questionable mining leases. Byyaram is a case study where the Girijan lifeline is destroyed by some individuals and organisations with tacit support of the government. In some cases, innocent Girijans are being used to acquire the lease,’’ he said before leaving for Byyaram.
He also alleged that late chief minister Y. S. Rajasekhar Reddy had given the Byyaram mining lease on a platter to his son-in-law, Mr Anil Kumar which was a gross misuse of power. “The lease did not benefit local Girijans, government and the district,” he added.
He stated that the Telugu Desam would take up a series of agitations against illegal mining in the state in a phase manner, especially in Girijan areas and would enlighten Girijans about their rights.
Pak cricket fix probe may cover 82 games
The ICC’s Dubai-based anti-corruption and security unit, which is investigating the spot-fixing allegations revealed on Sunday, could extend the scope to include more than 80 international Tests and one-day matches involving Pakistan.
The anti-corruption cell will study all 82 Tests and one-day matches played by Pakistan in the period Mazhar Majeed reportedly told the News of the World that he had rigged matches.
It has also been claimed that the first Test match between England and Pakistan at Trent Bridge in Nottingham in July was subject to largescale spot-fixing by Pakistani cricketers.
The Sun said Monday that Scotland Yard had been tipped off a month ago that a middle-man had corrupted at least one key Pakistani player for a largescale betting sting involving Asian syndicates.
The International Cricket Council and Pakistan Cricket Board officials met at Lord’s on Monday morning, but no details about their discussions were released.
Pakistan is due to play a one-day warm-up match against Somerset on Thursday. The team will play two Twenty20 matches against England and a five-match ODI series.
Majeed was released on police bail. Majeed, 35, will have to appear before the police later.
Police and tax officials also searched Majeed’s house in Croydon and will investigate accounts of his now-defunct firm Bluesky and Croydon Athletic football club to check his claims that he laundered money.
The anti-corruption cell will study all 82 Tests and one-day matches played by Pakistan in the period Mazhar Majeed reportedly told the News of the World that he had rigged matches.
It has also been claimed that the first Test match between England and Pakistan at Trent Bridge in Nottingham in July was subject to largescale spot-fixing by Pakistani cricketers.
The Sun said Monday that Scotland Yard had been tipped off a month ago that a middle-man had corrupted at least one key Pakistani player for a largescale betting sting involving Asian syndicates.
The International Cricket Council and Pakistan Cricket Board officials met at Lord’s on Monday morning, but no details about their discussions were released.
Pakistan is due to play a one-day warm-up match against Somerset on Thursday. The team will play two Twenty20 matches against England and a five-match ODI series.
Majeed was released on police bail. Majeed, 35, will have to appear before the police later.
Police and tax officials also searched Majeed’s house in Croydon and will investigate accounts of his now-defunct firm Bluesky and Croydon Athletic football club to check his claims that he laundered money.
State dumps Dharma, sidelines Acharya
The state government on Monday shunted out Mr A.V.Dharma Reddy, the controversial special officer in the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, and took off a key portfolio from the industries principal secretary, Mr B.P. Acharya, as part of a damage control exercise.
At the same time, the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, kept everyone guessing on who the state’s next director-general of police would be by postponing the decision to Tuesday. It was widely expected that he would anoint Mr K. Aravinda Rao as the new DGP.
Mr Dharma Reddy, an officer with with Indian Defence Estate Service, was shifted to the insignificant post of secretary, AP Information Commission. He had created controversy recently over his alleged involvement in the illegal sale of arjita seva tickets.
Mr Dharma Reddy was a blue-eyed boy of the late Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, who initially brought him in as joint executive officer of TTD. The JEO has the power to issue the most sought-after tickets to various sevas and handle VVIP visits besides controlling the overall administration of Tirumala.
With rules coming in the way of continuing Mr Dharma Reddy as JEO, the YSR government moved him out of TTD in 2008 but brought him back again as TTD special officer.
With his name being dragged into the arjita seva scam, Mr Rosaiah, took a decision to shunt him out on Saturday itself.
The government also acted on the Emaar scam and relieved Mr Acharya of the responsibility of the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation since he had approved the deal with Emaar MGF while serving as APIIC managing director.
The Chief Minister directed the chief secretary, Mr S.V. Prasad, to strip Mr Acharya of APIIC and give it to infrastructure and investment department, now headed by Mr Ajay Mishra.
Meanwhile, Mr Rosaiah postponed the naming of the successor to the DGP, Mr R.R. Girish Kumar, who retires on Tuesday. The Chief Minister informed the officials that he would reveal the name and sign the file related to the appointment only on Tuesday before leaving for New Delhi.
Sources said Mr Aravinda Rao was the top contender for the post unless the Chief Minister decides to give it to another senior cop, Mr Umesh Kumar.
After the news channels went to town saying that Mr Aravinda Rao will be the new DGP, sections close to the Chief Minister stepped up their lobbying for Mr Umesh Kumar, sources said.
"He (Mr Rosaiah) was under tremendous pressure from different sections to appoint Mr Aravinda Rao as the new DGP," said a source. "He was also suggested to consider Mr P. Gautam Kumar to avoid pressures from both sides."
The process of selecting the new DGP started with the three-member committee headed by the chief secretary recommending a panel of six names — two belonging to 1975 batch and four to 1977 — leaving the final decision to the Chief Minister.
The names included Mr K.R. Nandan, Mr P. Gautham Kumar, Mr A. Sivasankar, Mr Umesh Kumar, Mr K. Aravinda Rao and Mr V. Dinesh Reddy.
In another development, the mines department ordered an inquiry against assistant director of mines and geology, Mr Sai Ram Singh, who is facing charges of issuing permits for dispatch of ore mined from six iron ore mines the licences of which the government had suspended last year.
Mr Singh was suspended for not following procedure and issuing permit to companies including Obulapuram Mining Corporation of the Karnataka minister, Mr Gali Janardhan Reddy, without informing the government.
At the same time, the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, kept everyone guessing on who the state’s next director-general of police would be by postponing the decision to Tuesday. It was widely expected that he would anoint Mr K. Aravinda Rao as the new DGP.
Mr Dharma Reddy, an officer with with Indian Defence Estate Service, was shifted to the insignificant post of secretary, AP Information Commission. He had created controversy recently over his alleged involvement in the illegal sale of arjita seva tickets.
Mr Dharma Reddy was a blue-eyed boy of the late Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, who initially brought him in as joint executive officer of TTD. The JEO has the power to issue the most sought-after tickets to various sevas and handle VVIP visits besides controlling the overall administration of Tirumala.
With rules coming in the way of continuing Mr Dharma Reddy as JEO, the YSR government moved him out of TTD in 2008 but brought him back again as TTD special officer.
With his name being dragged into the arjita seva scam, Mr Rosaiah, took a decision to shunt him out on Saturday itself.
The government also acted on the Emaar scam and relieved Mr Acharya of the responsibility of the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation since he had approved the deal with Emaar MGF while serving as APIIC managing director.
The Chief Minister directed the chief secretary, Mr S.V. Prasad, to strip Mr Acharya of APIIC and give it to infrastructure and investment department, now headed by Mr Ajay Mishra.
Meanwhile, Mr Rosaiah postponed the naming of the successor to the DGP, Mr R.R. Girish Kumar, who retires on Tuesday. The Chief Minister informed the officials that he would reveal the name and sign the file related to the appointment only on Tuesday before leaving for New Delhi.
Sources said Mr Aravinda Rao was the top contender for the post unless the Chief Minister decides to give it to another senior cop, Mr Umesh Kumar.
After the news channels went to town saying that Mr Aravinda Rao will be the new DGP, sections close to the Chief Minister stepped up their lobbying for Mr Umesh Kumar, sources said.
"He (Mr Rosaiah) was under tremendous pressure from different sections to appoint Mr Aravinda Rao as the new DGP," said a source. "He was also suggested to consider Mr P. Gautam Kumar to avoid pressures from both sides."
The process of selecting the new DGP started with the three-member committee headed by the chief secretary recommending a panel of six names — two belonging to 1975 batch and four to 1977 — leaving the final decision to the Chief Minister.
The names included Mr K.R. Nandan, Mr P. Gautham Kumar, Mr A. Sivasankar, Mr Umesh Kumar, Mr K. Aravinda Rao and Mr V. Dinesh Reddy.
In another development, the mines department ordered an inquiry against assistant director of mines and geology, Mr Sai Ram Singh, who is facing charges of issuing permits for dispatch of ore mined from six iron ore mines the licences of which the government had suspended last year.
Mr Singh was suspended for not following procedure and issuing permit to companies including Obulapuram Mining Corporation of the Karnataka minister, Mr Gali Janardhan Reddy, without informing the government.
Congress plans Odarpu, offers Rs 1 lakh
In an attempt to checkmate the Kadapa MP, Mr Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, the Congress on Monday announced its own "Odarpu Yatra" and declared an aid of Rs 1 lakh to the families of those who committed suicide or died in the wake of the death of the former Chief Minister, Dr Y. S. Rajasekhar Reddy.
The announcement was made by Mr Veerappa Moily, the AICC leader in charge of Andhra Pradesh, even as Mr Jagan is all set to start the next round of his Odarpu yatra (condolence tour) from September 3 in Prakasam district in defiance of the party high command writ.
"The Congress president has directed the AICC to pay a sum of Rs 1 lakh each to the bereaved families," said Mr Moily, who showered praises on the late YSR. "The disbursement of money will be undertaken by the concerned Congress MPs and DCC presidents."
Though belated, the AICC move is seen as an attempt to stymie the rebellion by Mr Jagan. The Congress high command is expected to issue another statement on Tuesday or the day after, asking party workers to participate in the official yatra, and not Mr Jagan’s tour.
"Our statement is not to please Mr Jagan," said an AICC functionary. "It is meant to keep party cadres away from him."
The AICC is hoping that its announcement would lead to a situation in which Mr Jagan would be isolated in the party.
However, sources in Mr Jagan’s camp said the Kadapa MP was in no mood to reconsider his plans. "It is not about money," said a leader close to Mr Jagan. "It is the emotional bonding he has with those families of the victims. In fact Mr Jagan himself had sought the party’s involvement to provide aid and help to those families."
Mr Jagan is learnt to be planning to release an open letter before starting his tour, responding to the AICC move.
The Kadapa MP has already completed two spells of the yatra in several parts of the state despite the party chief, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, advising against it. He will address a rally in the temple town of Tirupati on September 2, the first death anniversary of his father.
The announcement was made by Mr Veerappa Moily, the AICC leader in charge of Andhra Pradesh, even as Mr Jagan is all set to start the next round of his Odarpu yatra (condolence tour) from September 3 in Prakasam district in defiance of the party high command writ.
"The Congress president has directed the AICC to pay a sum of Rs 1 lakh each to the bereaved families," said Mr Moily, who showered praises on the late YSR. "The disbursement of money will be undertaken by the concerned Congress MPs and DCC presidents."
Though belated, the AICC move is seen as an attempt to stymie the rebellion by Mr Jagan. The Congress high command is expected to issue another statement on Tuesday or the day after, asking party workers to participate in the official yatra, and not Mr Jagan’s tour.
"Our statement is not to please Mr Jagan," said an AICC functionary. "It is meant to keep party cadres away from him."
The AICC is hoping that its announcement would lead to a situation in which Mr Jagan would be isolated in the party.
However, sources in Mr Jagan’s camp said the Kadapa MP was in no mood to reconsider his plans. "It is not about money," said a leader close to Mr Jagan. "It is the emotional bonding he has with those families of the victims. In fact Mr Jagan himself had sought the party’s involvement to provide aid and help to those families."
Mr Jagan is learnt to be planning to release an open letter before starting his tour, responding to the AICC move.
The Kadapa MP has already completed two spells of the yatra in several parts of the state despite the party chief, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, advising against it. He will address a rally in the temple town of Tirupati on September 2, the first death anniversary of his father.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Obul Reddy’s kin claim RGV did not verify facts
The family members of Obul Reddy complained that filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma didn’t bother to contact them or take their version before making the movie Raktha Charitra.
“We got to know through the media that the movie has scenes that are not acceptable to my clients. We contacted him several times but there was no response and hence we sent the legal notice,” said Mr N.R.K. Mohan, advocate of Obul Reddy’s family.
The legal notice was sent to Mr Varma by Mrs Uma Rani and Mrs Usha Rani, sisters of Obul Reddy.
The filmmaker also received death threats over phone on Sunday from unidentified people who claimed to be supporters of Obul Reddy’s family.
Informing that he will lodge a police complaint in Mumbai soon, RGV, in true filmi style, said, “There is no way one gets to know what I am going to portray in the movie. They are threatening to kill me without even watching the movie. For those who are threatening to kill me, I want to give a counter warning. Forget supporters of Obul Reddy’s family, even if Mr Reddy comes back as a ghost to haunt me, I will not be scared.”
The movie stars Vivek Oberoi as Paritala Ravi, Suriya as Madhelacheruvu Suri and Shatrughan Sinha as NTR in the lead roles and is slated to hit the screens in September.
“We got to know through the media that the movie has scenes that are not acceptable to my clients. We contacted him several times but there was no response and hence we sent the legal notice,” said Mr N.R.K. Mohan, advocate of Obul Reddy’s family.
The legal notice was sent to Mr Varma by Mrs Uma Rani and Mrs Usha Rani, sisters of Obul Reddy.
The filmmaker also received death threats over phone on Sunday from unidentified people who claimed to be supporters of Obul Reddy’s family.
Informing that he will lodge a police complaint in Mumbai soon, RGV, in true filmi style, said, “There is no way one gets to know what I am going to portray in the movie. They are threatening to kill me without even watching the movie. For those who are threatening to kill me, I want to give a counter warning. Forget supporters of Obul Reddy’s family, even if Mr Reddy comes back as a ghost to haunt me, I will not be scared.”
The movie stars Vivek Oberoi as Paritala Ravi, Suriya as Madhelacheruvu Suri and Shatrughan Sinha as NTR in the lead roles and is slated to hit the screens in September.
Ministers to fete CM to keep Cabinet post
In a clever move, ministers in the Rosaiah Cabinet have decided to felicitate the Chief Minister on September 3 at a public function to mark his completion of one year in office.
Ministers whose continuation in the Cabinet is doubtful when the much talked about Cabinet reshuffle takes place, probably in September, as part of a total revamp of the party and government, are behind the move in order to stay in the good books of Mr Rosaiah.
Initially, the Chief Minister rejected the idea of any felicitation, saying it doesn’t look nice to celebrate such an event immediately after the first death anniversary of his predecessor, Dr Rajasekhar Reddy. The health minister, Mr Danam Nagender, then suggested that the celebration be converted to ‘Re-dedication Day’ - a day when the government re-dedicates itself to the people of the state. Mr Rosaiah found this acceptable.
It may be recalled that the annual re-dedication day of the Congress government could not be held on May 14 this year due to the flood situation in the state.
The felicitation event will also serve to refute allegations by YSR and Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy loyalists that the programmes launched by YSR are being ignored. Besides heaping praises on Mr Rosaiah, ministers will also take a pledge to implement the pro-poor agenda of YSR.
Ministers whose continuation in the Cabinet is doubtful when the much talked about Cabinet reshuffle takes place, probably in September, as part of a total revamp of the party and government, are behind the move in order to stay in the good books of Mr Rosaiah.
Initially, the Chief Minister rejected the idea of any felicitation, saying it doesn’t look nice to celebrate such an event immediately after the first death anniversary of his predecessor, Dr Rajasekhar Reddy. The health minister, Mr Danam Nagender, then suggested that the celebration be converted to ‘Re-dedication Day’ - a day when the government re-dedicates itself to the people of the state. Mr Rosaiah found this acceptable.
It may be recalled that the annual re-dedication day of the Congress government could not be held on May 14 this year due to the flood situation in the state.
The felicitation event will also serve to refute allegations by YSR and Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy loyalists that the programmes launched by YSR are being ignored. Besides heaping praises on Mr Rosaiah, ministers will also take a pledge to implement the pro-poor agenda of YSR.
Babus told to follow biz rules
After serving for more than two decades in the administrative service, the senior babus are to be taught on business rules and preparation of the crucial memoranda for the cabinet meetings.
With complaints from the ministers on errors in cabinet memoranda and violation of business rules in obtaining the cabinet approvals on rise, the government has recently circulated a note asking the senior bureaucrats to toe the line.
The General Administration Department asked the special chief secretaries, principal secretaries and secretaries of various departments in the secretariat to “bestow personal attention while preparing the memoranda for cabinet” and “duly follow business rules and secretariat instructions.”
Official sources told this newspaper that Chief Secretary Mr S.V. Prasad raised the issue during a recent meeting with all the Special CS, principal secretaries and secretaries and directed the GAD to issue the instructions based on the minutes of the meeting. “In a particular case, the principal secretary did not circulate memoranda to cabinet regarding recruitment drive in respective department and remained incommunicado for two days before the meeting,” sources said.
The Chief Secretary gave clear instructions that the departmental heads should invariably make the memorandum available to the GAD at least 48 hours before the cabinet meeting.
He also pointed out that in some cases the memorandum also contained observations of deputy secretaries and joint secretaries also which he said is not envisaged in business rules.
Sources said the special chief secretary (finance), Mr G. Sudhir, complained to the Chief Secretary that files were being sent to his department after obtaining the approval of the cabinet. As per business rules, the proposals involving financial implications should first be vetted by the finance department before sent for cabinet approval. The Chief Secretary agreed with Mr Sudhir that circulating file directly to the cabinet was violation of business rules.
With complaints from the ministers on errors in cabinet memoranda and violation of business rules in obtaining the cabinet approvals on rise, the government has recently circulated a note asking the senior bureaucrats to toe the line.
The General Administration Department asked the special chief secretaries, principal secretaries and secretaries of various departments in the secretariat to “bestow personal attention while preparing the memoranda for cabinet” and “duly follow business rules and secretariat instructions.”
Official sources told this newspaper that Chief Secretary Mr S.V. Prasad raised the issue during a recent meeting with all the Special CS, principal secretaries and secretaries and directed the GAD to issue the instructions based on the minutes of the meeting. “In a particular case, the principal secretary did not circulate memoranda to cabinet regarding recruitment drive in respective department and remained incommunicado for two days before the meeting,” sources said.
The Chief Secretary gave clear instructions that the departmental heads should invariably make the memorandum available to the GAD at least 48 hours before the cabinet meeting.
He also pointed out that in some cases the memorandum also contained observations of deputy secretaries and joint secretaries also which he said is not envisaged in business rules.
Sources said the special chief secretary (finance), Mr G. Sudhir, complained to the Chief Secretary that files were being sent to his department after obtaining the approval of the cabinet. As per business rules, the proposals involving financial implications should first be vetted by the finance department before sent for cabinet approval. The Chief Secretary agreed with Mr Sudhir that circulating file directly to the cabinet was violation of business rules.
Encounter between Naxals, security forces ends in Bihar, six killed
A fierce encounter that was raging between security forces and Naxals for around 14 hours in Poonadih village of Bihar''s Lakhisarai district has ended on Monday.
The combing operations, however, are still on.
According to reports, at least six security personnel were killed and seven others were injured in the encounter.
The encounter began on Sunday evening when over 150 armed Maoists attacked search teams of the Bihar police that were combing the area after intelligence reports of Maoists'' presence in the forest.
Several Maoists are also reported to have been injured in the encounter.
The combing operations, however, are still on.
According to reports, at least six security personnel were killed and seven others were injured in the encounter.
The encounter began on Sunday evening when over 150 armed Maoists attacked search teams of the Bihar police that were combing the area after intelligence reports of Maoists'' presence in the forest.
Several Maoists are also reported to have been injured in the encounter.
Suspect bailed in Pakistan 'betting scam' scandal
The man at the centre of an alleged betting scam involving the Pakistan cricket team was out on bail on Monday as police, governments and authorities probed the scandal rocking the sport.
Mazhar Majeed, 35, was released from custody having been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers, following a newspaper's claim that he took money in return for exact details on no-balls in the Lord's Test match between England and Pakistan.
The allegations have caused uproar in Pakistan and shaken a sport that prides itself on being considered synonymous with fair play.
British police bailed Majeed without charge late on Sunday.
"A 35-year-old man has been bailed until a date in the future," a Scotland Yard spokesman told AFP.
He said the police would not be discussing the date or his bail conditions.
Scotland Yard detectives have also grilled Pakistan captain Salman Butt and two of their star strike bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif in their investigation.
Pakistani Prime Minister, Mr Yousuf Raza Gilani, said the claims "have bowed our heads in shame", as he launched an investigation.
The News of the World newspaper said it paid Majeed £150,000 ($230,000, 185,000 euros) in return for advance details about the timing of three no-balls in the fourth and final Test, which England won on Sunday to take the series 3-1.
The report said Aamer and Asif delivered blatant no-balls at the exact points in the match indicated by the alleged middleman.
Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed said detectives had on Saturday visited the team's hotel, where Butt and the bowlers had been interviewed about the allegations.
All three gave statements to the police, who took away their mobile phones.
Scotland Yard said they could not discuss persons interviewed as part of an inquiry.
The News of the World published a photograph, video and audio of its encounters with Majeed. He was pictured counting wads of banknotes given to him by a reporter posing as a front man for a betting syndicate.
The Lord's Test was played to a finish Sunday, but unusually, the post-match presentation ceremony did not take place on the outfield but was moved inside the pavilion.
During the ceremony, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Giles Clarke refused to shake Aamer's hand when presenting the player with the Pakistan Man of the Series award and a cheque for £4,000.
Despite the allegations, Saeed denied that Pakistani cricket was "institutionally corrupt".
"I would not like to say that," he said. "Yes, one has heard and one has read (allegations), but I would not like to go that far."
A defiant Butt insisted he would not resign the Test team captaincy over the claims.
"Anybody can stand out and say anything about you, that doesn't make them true," he said.
In Pakistan, Mr Gilani said a probe was under way.
"The latest fixing allegations have bowed our heads in shame," the prime minister told reporters in his home town of Multan.
"I have ordered a thorough inquiry into these allegations so that action could be taken against those who are proven guilty."
President, Mr Asif Ali Zardari, has expressed his disappointment at the claims and is being informed of developments.
The country's federal sports minister, Mr Ijaz Jakhrani, promised that any players found guilty would be severely punished.
If wrongdoing was proven, "all the players involved must forget to play for Pakistan in future," he said.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said they had requested access to the ongoing investigation.
The no-balls at the centre of the claims were bowled on Thursday and Friday.
Pakistan's players now face an awkward time as they must remain in England for a series of one-day matches.
"As far as I am concerned the one-day series is on," Saeed said.
Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan said cricket in Pakistan must not be allowed to be dragged down by corrupt players.
"Why should Pakistan cricket suffer if some players have indulged in a crime?" he told Britain's ITV television.
"The people who are found guilty should be removed from the team and replaced and should be punished as an example."
Ramiz Raja, the former Pakistan captain and later PCB chief executive, wrote in The Daily Telegraph newspaper Monday: "It is a disaster for cricket... those players must now be dealt with severely.
"For them to do it at Lord's, the Mecca of cricket, brings extreme shame and sadness."
The latest allegations are a further blow to cricket in Pakistan, already at a low ebb with home matches ruled out due to terrorism fears.
The team has been dogged by "fixing" allegations since the 1990s and also embroiled in ball-tampering.
Mazhar Majeed, 35, was released from custody having been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers, following a newspaper's claim that he took money in return for exact details on no-balls in the Lord's Test match between England and Pakistan.
The allegations have caused uproar in Pakistan and shaken a sport that prides itself on being considered synonymous with fair play.
British police bailed Majeed without charge late on Sunday.
"A 35-year-old man has been bailed until a date in the future," a Scotland Yard spokesman told AFP.
He said the police would not be discussing the date or his bail conditions.
Scotland Yard detectives have also grilled Pakistan captain Salman Butt and two of their star strike bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif in their investigation.
Pakistani Prime Minister, Mr Yousuf Raza Gilani, said the claims "have bowed our heads in shame", as he launched an investigation.
The News of the World newspaper said it paid Majeed £150,000 ($230,000, 185,000 euros) in return for advance details about the timing of three no-balls in the fourth and final Test, which England won on Sunday to take the series 3-1.
The report said Aamer and Asif delivered blatant no-balls at the exact points in the match indicated by the alleged middleman.
Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed said detectives had on Saturday visited the team's hotel, where Butt and the bowlers had been interviewed about the allegations.
All three gave statements to the police, who took away their mobile phones.
Scotland Yard said they could not discuss persons interviewed as part of an inquiry.
The News of the World published a photograph, video and audio of its encounters with Majeed. He was pictured counting wads of banknotes given to him by a reporter posing as a front man for a betting syndicate.
The Lord's Test was played to a finish Sunday, but unusually, the post-match presentation ceremony did not take place on the outfield but was moved inside the pavilion.
During the ceremony, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Giles Clarke refused to shake Aamer's hand when presenting the player with the Pakistan Man of the Series award and a cheque for £4,000.
Despite the allegations, Saeed denied that Pakistani cricket was "institutionally corrupt".
"I would not like to say that," he said. "Yes, one has heard and one has read (allegations), but I would not like to go that far."
A defiant Butt insisted he would not resign the Test team captaincy over the claims.
"Anybody can stand out and say anything about you, that doesn't make them true," he said.
In Pakistan, Mr Gilani said a probe was under way.
"The latest fixing allegations have bowed our heads in shame," the prime minister told reporters in his home town of Multan.
"I have ordered a thorough inquiry into these allegations so that action could be taken against those who are proven guilty."
President, Mr Asif Ali Zardari, has expressed his disappointment at the claims and is being informed of developments.
The country's federal sports minister, Mr Ijaz Jakhrani, promised that any players found guilty would be severely punished.
If wrongdoing was proven, "all the players involved must forget to play for Pakistan in future," he said.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said they had requested access to the ongoing investigation.
The no-balls at the centre of the claims were bowled on Thursday and Friday.
Pakistan's players now face an awkward time as they must remain in England for a series of one-day matches.
"As far as I am concerned the one-day series is on," Saeed said.
Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan said cricket in Pakistan must not be allowed to be dragged down by corrupt players.
"Why should Pakistan cricket suffer if some players have indulged in a crime?" he told Britain's ITV television.
"The people who are found guilty should be removed from the team and replaced and should be punished as an example."
Ramiz Raja, the former Pakistan captain and later PCB chief executive, wrote in The Daily Telegraph newspaper Monday: "It is a disaster for cricket... those players must now be dealt with severely.
"For them to do it at Lord's, the Mecca of cricket, brings extreme shame and sadness."
The latest allegations are a further blow to cricket in Pakistan, already at a low ebb with home matches ruled out due to terrorism fears.
The team has been dogged by "fixing" allegations since the 1990s and also embroiled in ball-tampering.
India holds crunch BlackBerry meeting ahead of deadline
Top Indian telecom and security officials were set to meet on Monday to discuss a security standoff with the maker of BlackBerry handsets which could see the phone service banned this week.
Mr G.K. Pillai, the top bureaucrat in the home ministry, was due to hold a meeting with colleagues from the telecom ministry and security experts to make a call on India's next step.
The government warned earlier this month it would start blocking emails and instant messages sent on BlackBerry smartphones unless the company came up with a way for security agencies to decode the encrypted traffic by August 31.
India, which struggles with a host of home-grown insurgencies and threats from terror groups based in neighbouring Pakistan, is worried that if left unmonitored BlackBerry phones could be used by militants.
There were indications late last week that the deadline might be pushed back beyond Tuesday's cut-off date as BlackBerry's Canadian makers, Research in Motion (RIM), scrambled to satisfy the authorities.
"Everything is possible. If they say we have a solution and ask for time, then we will see," one unnamed official told reporters late last week.
Analysts have noted other security-conscious nations such as China and Russia appear to be satisfied over their intelligence agencies' level of access to BlackBerry communications.
For RIM, whose shares closed at a 52-week low on Friday of $45.99 in New York, striking a deal with India is crucial and would help ensure the company is not shut out of the world's fastest-growing cellular market.
India, which has 1.1 million BlackBerry users, would be the first country to curb its services. But RIM is also facing a threatened ban by the United Arab Emirates and is negotiating with Saudi Arabia on security issues.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Bayyaram lease cancelled
The Union ministry of mines has revoked exploration rights for the Bayyaram Iron Ore Mines which was earlier given to the AP Mineral Development Corporation. The development will now make the APMDC’s agreement with Rakshana Steels null and void.
Official sources said the Union ministry of mines has decided to revoke an earlier order reserving the mines for APMDC, which has exclusive rights to explore and mine ore in the area.
“The state government had asked the Centre to keep in abeyance the order reserving the mine for APMDC but the latter went a step ahead and cancelled the order itself,” a senior mines official said. The Union ministry sent a communication in this regard to the state.
The deal with Rakshana Steels had turned highly controversial as Opposition parties had alleged that the YSR government had favoured the company as the Kadapa MP, Mr Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s brother-in-law, Mr Anil Kumar, had a stake in it.
Official sources said the Union ministry of mines has decided to revoke an earlier order reserving the mines for APMDC, which has exclusive rights to explore and mine ore in the area.
“The state government had asked the Centre to keep in abeyance the order reserving the mine for APMDC but the latter went a step ahead and cancelled the order itself,” a senior mines official said. The Union ministry sent a communication in this regard to the state.
The deal with Rakshana Steels had turned highly controversial as Opposition parties had alleged that the YSR government had favoured the company as the Kadapa MP, Mr Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s brother-in-law, Mr Anil Kumar, had a stake in it.
Direct tax code has more money for you
The government plans to leave a little more money in the hands of the taxpayer, but not too much. On Thursday, the Union Cabinet cleared the new Direct Tax Code (DTC) Bill, which seeks to exempt income of up to Rs 2 lakh per year from income-tax against the current limit of Rs 1.6 lakh annually. For senior citizens, the limit will now be Rs 2.5 lakh.
There has been one other change in the tax slabs — the peak rate of 30 per cent will now kick in from a level of Rs 10 lakh a year against the earlier Rs 8 lakh a year. The Bill will be placed before Parliament on Monday after being cleared by a parliamentary standing committee.
Once passed, the DTC will replace the current Income-Tax Act. If it is passed, the new code should come into effect from April 2011. “The whole objective is that a plethora of exemptions will be limited. (Income) tax slabs will be three. Rate of taxes will be taken in the schedule so that they need not be changed every year,” said the finance minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, after the Cabinet meeting. Corporate tax has been kept at 30 per cent, but there will be no surcharges or cess on it.
There has been one other change in the tax slabs — the peak rate of 30 per cent will now kick in from a level of Rs 10 lakh a year against the earlier Rs 8 lakh a year. The Bill will be placed before Parliament on Monday after being cleared by a parliamentary standing committee.
Once passed, the DTC will replace the current Income-Tax Act. If it is passed, the new code should come into effect from April 2011. “The whole objective is that a plethora of exemptions will be limited. (Income) tax slabs will be three. Rate of taxes will be taken in the schedule so that they need not be changed every year,” said the finance minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, after the Cabinet meeting. Corporate tax has been kept at 30 per cent, but there will be no surcharges or cess on it.
Threat of flood looms as rains wreak havoc
Two persons reportedly lost their lives in floods as heavy rains continued to lash the state for the third day, filling up reservoirs and irrigation tanks, submerging agricultural fields and inundating low-lying areas.
Mahbula, an agricultural labourer of Dachepalli of Guntur, was washed away by swirling waters of Vattulavagu. Her brother, Shaik Saida, went missing. They were returning home from fields when Mahbula fell into the stream and her brother tried to rescue her.
In Vizag, rains brought down the 60-ft statue of YSR. The base supporting a huge statue of Lord Ganesha also caved in. Standing at 81 ft, the idol of Ganesha is said to be the tallest in the world.
Mahbula, an agricultural labourer of Dachepalli of Guntur, was washed away by swirling waters of Vattulavagu. Her brother, Shaik Saida, went missing. They were returning home from fields when Mahbula fell into the stream and her brother tried to rescue her.
In Vizag, rains brought down the 60-ft statue of YSR. The base supporting a huge statue of Lord Ganesha also caved in. Standing at 81 ft, the idol of Ganesha is said to be the tallest in the world.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Overuse of devices may lead to brain fatigue
When people keep their brains busy with digital input, they are forfeiting down time that could allow them to better learn and remember information.
It is 1 p.m. on a Thursday and Dianne Bates (40) juggles three screens. She listens to a few songs on her iPod, then taps out a quick e-mail on her iPhone and turns her attention to the high-definition television.
Just another day at the gym.
As Ms Bates multitasks, she is also churning her legs in fast loops on an elliptical machine in a downtown fitness centre. She is in good company. In gyms and elsewhere, people use phones and other electronic devices to get work done — and as a reliable antidote to boredom.
Cell phones, which in the past few years have become full-fledged computers with high-speed Internet connections, let people relieve the tedium of exercising, the grocery store line, stoplights or lulls in the dinner conversation.
The technology makes the tiniest windows of time entertaining, and potentially productive. But scientists point to an unanticipated side effect: When people keep their brains busy with digital input, they are forfeiting down time that could allow them to better learn and remember information, or come up with new ideas.
Ms Bates, for example, might be clearer-headed if she went for a run outside, away from her devices, research suggests.
At the University of California, San Francisco, scientists have found that when rats have a new experience, like exploring an unfamiliar area, their brains show new patterns of activity. But only when the rats take a break from their exploration do they process those patterns in a way that seems to create a persistent memory of the experience.
The researchers suspect that the findings also apply to how humans learn.
“Almost certainly, down time lets the brain go over experiences it's had, solidify them and turn them into permanent long-term memories,” said Loren Frank, assistant professor in the department of physiology at the university, where he specialises in learning and memory. He said he believed that when the brain was constantly stimulated, “you prevent this learning process”.
At the University of Michigan, a study found that people learned significantly better after a walk in nature than after a walk in a dense urban environment, suggesting that processing a barrage of information leaves people fatigued.
Even though people feel entertained, even relaxed, when they multitask while exercising, or pass a moment at the bus stop by catching a quick video clip, they might be taxing their brains, scientists say.
“People think they're refreshing themselves, but they're fatiguing themselves,” said Marc Berman, a University of Michigan neuroscientist.
Regardless, there is now a whole industry of mobile software developers competing to help people scratch the entertainment itch. Flurry, a company that tracks the use of apps, has found that mobile games are typically played for 6.3 minutes, but that many are played for much shorter intervals. One popular game that involves stacking blocks gets played for 2.2 minutes on average.
Today's game makers are trying to fill small bits of free time, said Sebastien de Halleux, a co-founder of PlayFish, a game company owned by the industry giant Electronic Arts. “Instead of having long relaxing breaks, like taking two hours for lunch, we have a lot of these micro-moments,” he said. Game makers like Electronic Arts, he added, “have reinvented the game experience to fit into micro-moments.”
Crossing the street from a grocery store to his car, David Alvarado pushed his two-year-old daughter in a cart filled with shopping bags, his phone pressed to his ear.
He was talking to a colleague about work scheduling, noting that he wanted to steal a moment to make the call between paying for the groceries and driving.
“I wanted to take advantage of the little gap,” said Mr. Alvarado (30), a facilities manager at a community centre.
For many such people, the little digital asides come on top of heavy use of computers during the day. Take Ms Bates, the exercising multitasker at the expansive Bakar Fitness and Recreation Centre. She wakes up and peeks at her iPhone before she gets out of bed. At her job in advertising, she spends all day in front of her laptop.
But, far from wanting a break from screens when she exercises, she says she couldn't possibly spend 55 minutes on the elliptical machine without “lots of things to do”. This includes relentless channel surfing. “I switch constantly,” she said. “I can't stand commercials. I have to flip around unless I'm watching Project Runway or something I'm really into.”
Some researchers say that whatever downside there is to not resting the brain, it pales in comparison to the benefits technology can bring in motivating people to sweat. “Exercise needs to be part of our lives in the sedentary world we're immersed in. Anything that helps us move is beneficial,” said John J. Ratey, associate clinical professor of psychiatry at the Harvard Medical School and author of Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain.
But all things being equal, Mr. Ratey said, he would prefer to see people do their workouts away from their devices: “There is more bang for your buck doing it outside, for your mood and working memory.” — New York Times News Service
It is 1 p.m. on a Thursday and Dianne Bates (40) juggles three screens. She listens to a few songs on her iPod, then taps out a quick e-mail on her iPhone and turns her attention to the high-definition television.
Just another day at the gym.
As Ms Bates multitasks, she is also churning her legs in fast loops on an elliptical machine in a downtown fitness centre. She is in good company. In gyms and elsewhere, people use phones and other electronic devices to get work done — and as a reliable antidote to boredom.
Cell phones, which in the past few years have become full-fledged computers with high-speed Internet connections, let people relieve the tedium of exercising, the grocery store line, stoplights or lulls in the dinner conversation.
The technology makes the tiniest windows of time entertaining, and potentially productive. But scientists point to an unanticipated side effect: When people keep their brains busy with digital input, they are forfeiting down time that could allow them to better learn and remember information, or come up with new ideas.
Ms Bates, for example, might be clearer-headed if she went for a run outside, away from her devices, research suggests.
At the University of California, San Francisco, scientists have found that when rats have a new experience, like exploring an unfamiliar area, their brains show new patterns of activity. But only when the rats take a break from their exploration do they process those patterns in a way that seems to create a persistent memory of the experience.
The researchers suspect that the findings also apply to how humans learn.
“Almost certainly, down time lets the brain go over experiences it's had, solidify them and turn them into permanent long-term memories,” said Loren Frank, assistant professor in the department of physiology at the university, where he specialises in learning and memory. He said he believed that when the brain was constantly stimulated, “you prevent this learning process”.
At the University of Michigan, a study found that people learned significantly better after a walk in nature than after a walk in a dense urban environment, suggesting that processing a barrage of information leaves people fatigued.
Even though people feel entertained, even relaxed, when they multitask while exercising, or pass a moment at the bus stop by catching a quick video clip, they might be taxing their brains, scientists say.
“People think they're refreshing themselves, but they're fatiguing themselves,” said Marc Berman, a University of Michigan neuroscientist.
Regardless, there is now a whole industry of mobile software developers competing to help people scratch the entertainment itch. Flurry, a company that tracks the use of apps, has found that mobile games are typically played for 6.3 minutes, but that many are played for much shorter intervals. One popular game that involves stacking blocks gets played for 2.2 minutes on average.
Today's game makers are trying to fill small bits of free time, said Sebastien de Halleux, a co-founder of PlayFish, a game company owned by the industry giant Electronic Arts. “Instead of having long relaxing breaks, like taking two hours for lunch, we have a lot of these micro-moments,” he said. Game makers like Electronic Arts, he added, “have reinvented the game experience to fit into micro-moments.”
Crossing the street from a grocery store to his car, David Alvarado pushed his two-year-old daughter in a cart filled with shopping bags, his phone pressed to his ear.
He was talking to a colleague about work scheduling, noting that he wanted to steal a moment to make the call between paying for the groceries and driving.
“I wanted to take advantage of the little gap,” said Mr. Alvarado (30), a facilities manager at a community centre.
For many such people, the little digital asides come on top of heavy use of computers during the day. Take Ms Bates, the exercising multitasker at the expansive Bakar Fitness and Recreation Centre. She wakes up and peeks at her iPhone before she gets out of bed. At her job in advertising, she spends all day in front of her laptop.
But, far from wanting a break from screens when she exercises, she says she couldn't possibly spend 55 minutes on the elliptical machine without “lots of things to do”. This includes relentless channel surfing. “I switch constantly,” she said. “I can't stand commercials. I have to flip around unless I'm watching Project Runway or something I'm really into.”
Some researchers say that whatever downside there is to not resting the brain, it pales in comparison to the benefits technology can bring in motivating people to sweat. “Exercise needs to be part of our lives in the sedentary world we're immersed in. Anything that helps us move is beneficial,” said John J. Ratey, associate clinical professor of psychiatry at the Harvard Medical School and author of Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain.
But all things being equal, Mr. Ratey said, he would prefer to see people do their workouts away from their devices: “There is more bang for your buck doing it outside, for your mood and working memory.” — New York Times News Service
Species of Writhing Skink rediscovered
Team came across species while studying human impact on herpatofauna in Andhra Pradesh
Zoologists from Osmania University have rediscovered a species belonging to the lizard family, which was last seen way back in 1839 in the then Bengal province. The species, thought to be extinct till now, has been identified as Lygosoma Vosmaerii and is also known as Vosmer's Writhing Skink. It was found by the research team at Jaggayyapet, Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh.
Since 2007, the research team has been documenting the impact of human interference on the amphibian and reptilian fauna in several ‘disturbed' habitats of Andhra Pradesh. During one such study tour, in the areas adjacent to limestone quarries near Jaggayapet, the team came across the species of skink. The findings of the research team have been published in the online ‘Journal of Threatened Taxa' [www.threatenedtaxa.org] in December, 2009. The research team maintained that 15 species of skink occur in the Oriental region, of which 11 species are from India and to date four species of writhing skink have been recorded in Andhra Pradesh. This is the fifth species which has been added to the herpatofauna (reptiles and amphibians) of Andhra Pradesh.
“Because of their rarity, it's important to protect the habitat. There is a need to take up future surveys in the Eastern Ghats and forests along the Godavari river basin. Such surveys could provide us with more details on the distribution of Vosmer's Writhing Skink,” says C. Srinivasulu, Taxonomist and Bio-diversity expert, Zoology Department, Osmania University, who led the research team.
The research team has managed to preserve and deposit the adult specimen of the skink in the Natural History Museum of Osmania University, Hyderabad. “Our findings prove that the species is not extinct. The skink has very small limbs with five fingers and four toes with a red tail. It survives on termites, ants and small insects like grasshoppers etc. The specimen was found under a boulder,” Dr. Srinivasulu said.
Other members in the research team were M. Seetharamaraju, R. Sreekar, Bhargavi Srinivasulu, Harpreet Kaur and P. Venkateshwarlu.
Zoologists from Osmania University have rediscovered a species belonging to the lizard family, which was last seen way back in 1839 in the then Bengal province. The species, thought to be extinct till now, has been identified as Lygosoma Vosmaerii and is also known as Vosmer's Writhing Skink. It was found by the research team at Jaggayyapet, Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh.
Since 2007, the research team has been documenting the impact of human interference on the amphibian and reptilian fauna in several ‘disturbed' habitats of Andhra Pradesh. During one such study tour, in the areas adjacent to limestone quarries near Jaggayapet, the team came across the species of skink. The findings of the research team have been published in the online ‘Journal of Threatened Taxa' [www.threatenedtaxa.org] in December, 2009. The research team maintained that 15 species of skink occur in the Oriental region, of which 11 species are from India and to date four species of writhing skink have been recorded in Andhra Pradesh. This is the fifth species which has been added to the herpatofauna (reptiles and amphibians) of Andhra Pradesh.
“Because of their rarity, it's important to protect the habitat. There is a need to take up future surveys in the Eastern Ghats and forests along the Godavari river basin. Such surveys could provide us with more details on the distribution of Vosmer's Writhing Skink,” says C. Srinivasulu, Taxonomist and Bio-diversity expert, Zoology Department, Osmania University, who led the research team.
The research team has managed to preserve and deposit the adult specimen of the skink in the Natural History Museum of Osmania University, Hyderabad. “Our findings prove that the species is not extinct. The skink has very small limbs with five fingers and four toes with a red tail. It survives on termites, ants and small insects like grasshoppers etc. The specimen was found under a boulder,” Dr. Srinivasulu said.
Other members in the research team were M. Seetharamaraju, R. Sreekar, Bhargavi Srinivasulu, Harpreet Kaur and P. Venkateshwarlu.
WikiLeaks posts CIA documents on home grown terrorists
The CIA feels that nations across the globe would start co-operating with it less in the wake of the Headley case and growing instances of home grown terrorists and start believing that the U.S. is an exporter of terrorism, according to a secret document posted by WikiLeaks.
The CIA concluded that foreign governments would be less likely to cooperate with the U.S. on detention, intelligence-sharing, and other issues, the whistleblower site said.
“Primarily we have been concerned about Al-Qaeda infiltrating operatives into the United States to conduct terrorist attacks, but AQ may be increasingly looking for Americans to operate overseas,” said the document.
The CIA termed it as a thought provoking document. “These sorts of analytic products — clearly identified as coming from the Agency’s ‘Red Cell’ — are designed simply termed it to provoke thought and present different points of view,” CIA spokesperson, Marie Harf, told PTI.
The leaked document notes that Pakistani-American David Headley conducted surveillance in support of the LeT for the Mumbai attacks that killed 167 people.
“LeT induced him to change his name from Daood Gilani to David Headley to facilitate his movement between the US, Pakistan and India,” the CIA document said.
Headley had confessed to plotting the Mumbai attacks and LeT’s role in it.
“If the US were seen as an exporter of terrorism, foreign partners may be less willing to cooperate with the United States on extrajudicial activities, including detention, transfer, and interrogation of suspects in third party countries,” the document said.
“As a recent victim of high-profile terrorism originating from abroad, the US Government has had significant leverage to press foreign regimes to acquiesce to requests for extraditing terrorist suspects from their soil.
However, if the U.S. were seen as an “exporter of terrorism,” foreign governments could request a reciprocal arrangement that would impact US sovereignty,” the CIA said.
The CIA documents running into a few pages said contrary to common belief, the American export of terrorism or terrorists is not a recent phenomenon, nor has it been associated only with Islamic radicals or people of Middle Eastern, African or South Asian ethnic origin.
“This dynamic belies the American belief that our free, open and integrated multicultural society lessens the allure of radicalism and terrorism for US citizens. Late last year five young Muslim American men travelled from northern Virginia to Pakistan allegedly to join the Pakistani Taliban and to engage in jihad.”
The document said: “Their relatives contacted the FBI after they disappeared without telling anyone, and then Pakistani authorities arrested them as they allegedly attempted to gain access to al-Qaeda training facilities.”
It said if foreign regimes believe the U.S. position on rendition is too one-sided, favouring the U.S., but not them, they could obstruct U.S. efforts to detain terrorism suspects.
For example, in 2005 Italy issued criminal arrest warrants for U.S. agents involved in the abduction of an Egyptian cleric and his rendition to Egypt.
“The proliferation of such cases would not only challenge U.S. bilateral relations with other countries but also damage global counterterrorism efforts,” it said.
“If foreign leaders see the U.S. refusing to provide intelligence on American terrorism suspects or to allow witnesses to testify in their courts, they might respond by denying the same to the U.S.
In 2005 9/11 suspect Abdelghani Mzoudi was acquitted by a German court because the U.S. refused to allow Ramzi bin al-Shibh, a suspected ringleader of the 9/11 plot who was in U.S. custody, to testify.
“More such instances could impede actions to lock up terrorists, whether in the U.S. or abroad, or result in the release of suspects,” said the CIA document posted by WikiLeaks.
The CIA concluded that foreign governments would be less likely to cooperate with the U.S. on detention, intelligence-sharing, and other issues, the whistleblower site said.
“Primarily we have been concerned about Al-Qaeda infiltrating operatives into the United States to conduct terrorist attacks, but AQ may be increasingly looking for Americans to operate overseas,” said the document.
The CIA termed it as a thought provoking document. “These sorts of analytic products — clearly identified as coming from the Agency’s ‘Red Cell’ — are designed simply termed it to provoke thought and present different points of view,” CIA spokesperson, Marie Harf, told PTI.
The leaked document notes that Pakistani-American David Headley conducted surveillance in support of the LeT for the Mumbai attacks that killed 167 people.
“LeT induced him to change his name from Daood Gilani to David Headley to facilitate his movement between the US, Pakistan and India,” the CIA document said.
Headley had confessed to plotting the Mumbai attacks and LeT’s role in it.
“If the US were seen as an exporter of terrorism, foreign partners may be less willing to cooperate with the United States on extrajudicial activities, including detention, transfer, and interrogation of suspects in third party countries,” the document said.
“As a recent victim of high-profile terrorism originating from abroad, the US Government has had significant leverage to press foreign regimes to acquiesce to requests for extraditing terrorist suspects from their soil.
However, if the U.S. were seen as an “exporter of terrorism,” foreign governments could request a reciprocal arrangement that would impact US sovereignty,” the CIA said.
The CIA documents running into a few pages said contrary to common belief, the American export of terrorism or terrorists is not a recent phenomenon, nor has it been associated only with Islamic radicals or people of Middle Eastern, African or South Asian ethnic origin.
“This dynamic belies the American belief that our free, open and integrated multicultural society lessens the allure of radicalism and terrorism for US citizens. Late last year five young Muslim American men travelled from northern Virginia to Pakistan allegedly to join the Pakistani Taliban and to engage in jihad.”
The document said: “Their relatives contacted the FBI after they disappeared without telling anyone, and then Pakistani authorities arrested them as they allegedly attempted to gain access to al-Qaeda training facilities.”
It said if foreign regimes believe the U.S. position on rendition is too one-sided, favouring the U.S., but not them, they could obstruct U.S. efforts to detain terrorism suspects.
For example, in 2005 Italy issued criminal arrest warrants for U.S. agents involved in the abduction of an Egyptian cleric and his rendition to Egypt.
“The proliferation of such cases would not only challenge U.S. bilateral relations with other countries but also damage global counterterrorism efforts,” it said.
“If foreign leaders see the U.S. refusing to provide intelligence on American terrorism suspects or to allow witnesses to testify in their courts, they might respond by denying the same to the U.S.
In 2005 9/11 suspect Abdelghani Mzoudi was acquitted by a German court because the U.S. refused to allow Ramzi bin al-Shibh, a suspected ringleader of the 9/11 plot who was in U.S. custody, to testify.
“More such instances could impede actions to lock up terrorists, whether in the U.S. or abroad, or result in the release of suspects,” said the CIA document posted by WikiLeaks.
