Wednesday, March 4, 2009

New version of Brahmos Cruise Missile test-fired successfully - National News Updates

India has successfully test launched a new version of the 290 kilometer range supersonic BrahMos cruise missile at a firing range in Pokhran in Rajasthan on Wednesday.
Officials of Defence Research and Development Organisation, DRDO told AIR that the Block II BrahMos missile was launched at 10.30 Wednesday morning.
The missile took two-and-a half-minutes to strike its target in the Pokhran firing range in Rajasthan.
The test launch was witnessed by Deputy Army Chief Lieutenant General M S Dadwal among others.
The latest land attack version of the missile has been developed for the Army and the weapon was fired in a vertical-launch configuration.
Speaking exclusively to AIR from Pokhran, the CEO and Managing Director of BrahMos Aerospace Dr. A.S.Pillai said, all mission requirements were met.
The earlier test of the Indo-Russian joint venture missile was carried out on 20th of January, when after a successful take off, it deviated from its course mid-way and failed to hit the target.
The officials said that a defect in the software of the homing device of the missile had been rectified leading to its successful test on Wednesday.

PM back to work after bypass surgery; holds talks with President of Benin - National News Updates

India and the West African nation, Benin have signed five agreements in the field of small-scale industries, cultural and scientific cooperation and diplomatic exchange on Wednesday.
The agreements were signed after the delegation level talks headed by the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and the visiting President of Benin Mr Boni Yayi in New Delhi Wednesday afternoon.
New Delhi also offered Benin liberalised line of credit for its developmental needs. This is the first official engagement of Prime Minister, after he underwent a by pass surgery five weeks ago.
Earlier, the President of the West African nation was accorded a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan on Wednesday morning.
Talking to media, Mr Yayi extended his country's support to India in the fight against terrorism. He also favoured New Delhi's inclusion in the reformed United Nations Security Council to have a democratic world order.
Mr Yayi will also meet the President Mrs Pratibha Devi Singh Patil , the Vice President Mohd Hamid Ansari and the leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Mr L K Advani.
The President of Benin will visit Agra, Mumbai and Banglore as well during his five day stay in the country.

India’s efforts on to stop auction of Gandhi's personal items - National News Updates

Indian diplomats in New York are making all out efforts to stop the auction of Mahatma Gandhi's personal items on Thursday. Community leaders and groups are also working out strategies to buy them if the auction goes ahead.
After a high-level meeting with the top diplomats of the Indian Consulate today, the Antiquorum Auctioneers promised to convey their final decision tonight just before Mahatma's item are due to go on auction on Thursday.
India has said it is approaching the US to prevent Gandhi's personal items from going under the hammer after Delhi High Court passed an interim injunction order to prevent the prized articles from being put on auction.
Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni had said that the Ministry of External Affairs is going to take up with the US State Department the issue with an aim of stalling the auction at Antiquoroum Auctioneeer in New York.
Among the items being auctioned are Gandhiji's ionic pocket watch, glasses, a plate, bowl and a pair sandals.
Antiquorum Auctioneers have started displaying on their website items, including Gandhiji's, they are planning to sell.

Sri Lanka cricket team relieved to return home

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Attack on Sri Lankan Cricketers

Gunmen attack S Lanka cricketers - National News Updates

At least five members of the Sri Lankan cricket team have been injured in a shooting incident in the Pakistani city of Lahore, a Sri Lankan minister says.
The incident happened when unidentified gunmen fired on a convoy carrying Sri Lankan and Pakistani cricketers.
Pakistani officials said about 12 gunmen were involved and grenades and rocket launchers were recovered from the scene.
At least five policemen have been killed in the attack, police say.
Sri Lanka Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge told the BBC that early reports indicated that the injuries to five players and a coach were minor.
Sri Lankan media reports said two of the players including Thilan Samaraweera, who scored a double century in the ongoing Test match, have been taken to hospital.
"Five [of our] cricketers have injuries, but they are OK. But the players are shocked. They have never gone through anything like this before," former Sri Lankan player Sanath Jayasuriya told an Indian news channel on the phone from Colombo.
The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says the gunmen opened fire on the Sri Lankan team bus which was on its way to the Gaddafi stadium, venue for a Test match between the two sides.
The third day of play in the Second Test was scheduled to begin, but officials said the match has now been cancelled.
"It appears that our team bus was targeted on the way to the match. It appears that four of our cricketers have been injured and taken to the hospital," a Sri Lankan cricket official told an Indian TV channel from Colombo.
TV pictures showed two gunmen with backpacks on the road where the incident happened.
The police said grenades and rocket launchers had been found at the site of the incident.
An eyewitness told Reuters news agency that three policemen and a traffic warden had been killed in the incident.
Shop owner Ahmed Ali said two policemen had been driving behind the team bus when the attack happened.
"It was a very heavy firing and I heard at least two explosions at the time," an eyewitness told Reuters.
Pakistani invited Sri Lanka to tour after India's cricket team pulled out of a scheduled cricket tour following the deadly November attacks in the western Indian city of Mumbai.
Our correspondent says the incident will come as a big blow to Pakistan cricket. India and Australia have pulled out of cricket tours to the country in the recent past citing security concerns.

Firing at cricket stadium at lahore, 7 players injured - National News Updates

In an incident which could have turned many fears to reality, the convoy of Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked by unidentified gunmen at Gaddafi stadium in Lahore. At least 12 gunmen have been reported to be involved in the attack.
Seven players of the Sri Lankan cricket team have been injured. Five policemen who were trying to shield the van carrying the cricketers have been killed in the encounter.
Four of the cricket players are seriously injured - Thilan Samaraweera, Kumar Sangakara, Ajanta Mendis and Tharanga Paranavithana.
The gunfire is reported to have continued for 25 minutes. Two bombs were also thrown at the convoy.
The police surrounded the van carrying the cricketers. The gunmen had heavy ammunition including rocket launchers also.