Monday, 31 December 2012
Facebook stops New Year message tool
Facebook has temporarily
disabled its New Year's Eve
messaging tool after a university
student was able to read and
delete private messages intended
for other users.
Jack Jenkins, a business IT student
at Aberystwyth university, alerted
Facebook to the privacy flaw after
finding that a small tweak to a
web address allowed him to view
messages and photos sent by
strangers using the new tool.
Facebook launched its Midnight
Message Delivery app as a way for
users to send New Year's Eve
messages on the stroke of
midnight on 31 December.
Jenkins wrote on his blog how he
was shocked when he was able to
view a personal New Year's
message and private family photo
sent by a stranger to another
named Facebook user.
He wrote: "I just wanted to share
this. I don't know how a site like
Facebook can continue to take
these kinds of risks. PLEASE Don't
go deleting random messages, but
try and delete one of mine that I
set up especially if you want."
Jenkins said he discovered the
vulnerabilty by tweaking the URL
of a confirmation page on the
Facebook app.
He told the Guardian: "I was very
surprised to find that this had
been overlooked by Facebook, as
it's such a simple security hole.
"I was even more surprised to find
I could see photos and delete this
New Year wish. It seems that
Facebook treated all these
messages as unique messages, but
then failed to link them to a
unique person to make them
private to them. I don't know all
the ins and outs of it, but it's a
pretty big thing for a company to
overlook."
Facebook immediately disabled
the feature after Jenkins
published his blogpost.
It is understood that no messages
sent on the Facebook website itself
were viewable as the Midnight
Message Delivery app existed on a
separate Facebook Stories site .
A Facebook spokesman said: "We
are working on a fix for this issue
now, and in the interim we have
disabled this app on the Facebook
Stories site to ensure that no
messages can be accessed."
The blunder comes at an
inopportune time for Facebook,
just days after founder Mark
Zuckerberg's sister complained
that her own privacy had been
invaded when a private family
photo was shared widely by a US
journalist.
The picture – of Randi
Zuckerberg's family's reaction to
Facebook's new Poke app –
popped up in the news feed of
Callie Schweitzer of Vox Media
who assumed it was public and
reposted it on Twitter, where it
was picked up by several
prominent technology blogs.
• To contact the MediaGuardian
news desk email
editor@mediaguardian.co.uk or
phone 020 3353 3857. For all other
inquiries please call the main
Guardian switchboard on 020 3353
2000. If you are writing a comment
for publication, please mark clearly
"for publication".
• To get the latest media news to
your desktop or mobile, follow
MediaGuardian on Twitter and
Facebook.
disabled its New Year's Eve
messaging tool after a university
student was able to read and
delete private messages intended
for other users.
Jack Jenkins, a business IT student
at Aberystwyth university, alerted
Facebook to the privacy flaw after
finding that a small tweak to a
web address allowed him to view
messages and photos sent by
strangers using the new tool.
Facebook launched its Midnight
Message Delivery app as a way for
users to send New Year's Eve
messages on the stroke of
midnight on 31 December.
Jenkins wrote on his blog how he
was shocked when he was able to
view a personal New Year's
message and private family photo
sent by a stranger to another
named Facebook user.
He wrote: "I just wanted to share
this. I don't know how a site like
Facebook can continue to take
these kinds of risks. PLEASE Don't
go deleting random messages, but
try and delete one of mine that I
set up especially if you want."
Jenkins said he discovered the
vulnerabilty by tweaking the URL
of a confirmation page on the
Facebook app.
He told the Guardian: "I was very
surprised to find that this had
been overlooked by Facebook, as
it's such a simple security hole.
"I was even more surprised to find
I could see photos and delete this
New Year wish. It seems that
Facebook treated all these
messages as unique messages, but
then failed to link them to a
unique person to make them
private to them. I don't know all
the ins and outs of it, but it's a
pretty big thing for a company to
overlook."
Facebook immediately disabled
the feature after Jenkins
published his blogpost.
It is understood that no messages
sent on the Facebook website itself
were viewable as the Midnight
Message Delivery app existed on a
separate Facebook Stories site .
A Facebook spokesman said: "We
are working on a fix for this issue
now, and in the interim we have
disabled this app on the Facebook
Stories site to ensure that no
messages can be accessed."
The blunder comes at an
inopportune time for Facebook,
just days after founder Mark
Zuckerberg's sister complained
that her own privacy had been
invaded when a private family
photo was shared widely by a US
journalist.
The picture – of Randi
Zuckerberg's family's reaction to
Facebook's new Poke app –
popped up in the news feed of
Callie Schweitzer of Vox Media
who assumed it was public and
reposted it on Twitter, where it
was picked up by several
prominent technology blogs.
• To contact the MediaGuardian
news desk email
editor@mediaguardian.co.uk or
phone 020 3353 3857. For all other
inquiries please call the main
Guardian switchboard on 020 3353
2000. If you are writing a comment
for publication, please mark clearly
"for publication".
• To get the latest media news to
your desktop or mobile, follow
MediaGuardian on Twitter and
Facebook.
Keeping US consulate in Benghazi open was 'grievous mistake'
The State Department made a
"grievous mistake" in keeping the
US mission in Benghazi open
despite inadequate security and
increasingly alarming threat
assessments in the weeks before a
deadly attack by militants, a
Senate committee said on
Monday.
A report from the Senate
homeland security committee on
the 11 September attacks on the
US consulate and a nearby CIA
annex, in which Christopher
Stevens, the US ambassador to
Libya, and three other Americans
died, said intelligence agencies
were at fault for not focusing
tightly enough on Libyan
extremists.
It also slated the State Department
for waiting for specific warnings
instead of improving security.
The committee's assessment,
Flashing Red: A Special Report on
the Terrorist Attack at Benghazi,
follows a scathing report by an
independent State Department
accountability review board that
resulted in a top security official
resigning and three others at the
department being relieved of
their duties.
Joseph Lieberman, the
independent senator who chairs
the committee, said that in
thousands of documents it
reviewed, there was no indication
that secretary of state Hillary
Clinton had personally denied a
request for extra funding or
security for the Benghazi mission.
He said key decisions were made
by "mid-level managers" who
have since been held accountable.
The attacks and the death of
Stevens put diplomatic security
practices at posts in risky areas
under scrutiny and raised
questions about whether
intelligence about militant activity
in Libya was adequate.
President Barack Obama said on
Sunday that the US had "very good
leads" about who carried out the
attacks, but did not provide
details. The FBI is investigating
who was behind the assaults.
The Senate report said the lack of
specific intelligence of an
imminent threat in Benghazi "may
reflect a failure" by intelligence
agencies to focus closely enough
on militant groups with weak or
no operational ties to al-Qaida and
its affiliates.
"With Osama bin Laden dead and
core al-Qaida weakened, a new
collection of violent Islamist
extremist organisations and cells
have emerged in the last two to
three years," the report said. That
trend has been seen in the Arab
spring countries undergoing
political transition or military
conflict, it said.
The report recommended that US
intelligence agencies "broaden
and deepen their focus in Libya
and beyond, on nascent violent
Islamist extremist groups in the
region that lack strong operational
ties to core al-Qaida or its main
affiliate groups."
The Senate committee said the
State Department should not have
waited for specific warnings
before improving security in
Benghazi.
It also said it was widely known
that the post-revolution Libyan
government was "incapable of
performing its duty to protect US
diplomatic facilities and
personnel," but the State
Department failed to fill the
security gap. "That was a grievous
mistake."
The Senate panel reviewed the
changing comments made by the
Obama administration after the
attack, which led to a political
firestorm in the runup to the
November presidential election
and resulted in Susan Rice, the US
ambassador to the United Nations,
withdrawing her name from
consideration to replace Clinton,
who is stepping down.
Rice had said her initial comments
that the attack grew out of a
spontaneous protest over an anti-
Islam film were based on
information provided by
intelligence agencies.
"grievous mistake" in keeping the
US mission in Benghazi open
despite inadequate security and
increasingly alarming threat
assessments in the weeks before a
deadly attack by militants, a
Senate committee said on
Monday.
A report from the Senate
homeland security committee on
the 11 September attacks on the
US consulate and a nearby CIA
annex, in which Christopher
Stevens, the US ambassador to
Libya, and three other Americans
died, said intelligence agencies
were at fault for not focusing
tightly enough on Libyan
extremists.
It also slated the State Department
for waiting for specific warnings
instead of improving security.
The committee's assessment,
Flashing Red: A Special Report on
the Terrorist Attack at Benghazi,
follows a scathing report by an
independent State Department
accountability review board that
resulted in a top security official
resigning and three others at the
department being relieved of
their duties.
Joseph Lieberman, the
independent senator who chairs
the committee, said that in
thousands of documents it
reviewed, there was no indication
that secretary of state Hillary
Clinton had personally denied a
request for extra funding or
security for the Benghazi mission.
He said key decisions were made
by "mid-level managers" who
have since been held accountable.
The attacks and the death of
Stevens put diplomatic security
practices at posts in risky areas
under scrutiny and raised
questions about whether
intelligence about militant activity
in Libya was adequate.
President Barack Obama said on
Sunday that the US had "very good
leads" about who carried out the
attacks, but did not provide
details. The FBI is investigating
who was behind the assaults.
The Senate report said the lack of
specific intelligence of an
imminent threat in Benghazi "may
reflect a failure" by intelligence
agencies to focus closely enough
on militant groups with weak or
no operational ties to al-Qaida and
its affiliates.
"With Osama bin Laden dead and
core al-Qaida weakened, a new
collection of violent Islamist
extremist organisations and cells
have emerged in the last two to
three years," the report said. That
trend has been seen in the Arab
spring countries undergoing
political transition or military
conflict, it said.
The report recommended that US
intelligence agencies "broaden
and deepen their focus in Libya
and beyond, on nascent violent
Islamist extremist groups in the
region that lack strong operational
ties to core al-Qaida or its main
affiliate groups."
The Senate committee said the
State Department should not have
waited for specific warnings
before improving security in
Benghazi.
It also said it was widely known
that the post-revolution Libyan
government was "incapable of
performing its duty to protect US
diplomatic facilities and
personnel," but the State
Department failed to fill the
security gap. "That was a grievous
mistake."
The Senate panel reviewed the
changing comments made by the
Obama administration after the
attack, which led to a political
firestorm in the runup to the
November presidential election
and resulted in Susan Rice, the US
ambassador to the United Nations,
withdrawing her name from
consideration to replace Clinton,
who is stepping down.
Rice had said her initial comments
that the attack grew out of a
spontaneous protest over an anti-
Islam film were based on
information provided by
intelligence agencies.
White House and Republicans agree deal to avert fiscal cliff – live updates
• Democrats and Republicans
settle on last-minute deal
• Senate rushes to prepares for
late-night vote
• Agreement reached on tax
increases for wealthiest
• Spending cuts delayed for two
more months
• House Republicans wait until
new year for vote
• Read the latest blog summary
Richard Adams in Washington DC
settle on last-minute deal
• Senate rushes to prepares for
late-night vote
• Agreement reached on tax
increases for wealthiest
• Spending cuts delayed for two
more months
• House Republicans wait until
new year for vote
• Read the latest blog summary
Richard Adams in Washington DC
Obama says fiscal cliff deal is 'within sight' as Senate prepares to vote
The White House and Congress
were close to reaching a deal
Monday to resolve the fiscal cliff
crisis that threatens the fragile US
economic recovery.
With only hours left until a
midnight deadline for automatic
tax rises and spending cuts,
Barack Obama said agreement
was within sight but discussions
were continuing.
If no deal was concluded, every
taxpayer in America would be hit
with steep rises from Tuesday.
These would be accompanied by
deep cuts in federal spending
programmes, ranging from
defence to welfare, in particular
unemployment benefits.
Obama, who flew back from
holiday in Hawaii to deal with the
crisis, told a press conference at
the White House: "Today it
appears that an agreement to
prevent this New Year's Eve hike
is within sight, but it is not done.
There are still issues left to resolve
but we are hopeful that Congress
can get it done. But it is not done."
The House broke up Monday night
without a vote, meaning that the
US would go over the fiscal cliff on
Tuesday, even if only temporarily.
A Republican aide said the
expectation was that the House
would vote on a deal on Tuesday
after the Senate produced a bill.
Going over the "cliff" makes a deal
more palatable to Republicans.
With taxes automatically going up
at midnight, Republicans,
ideologically opposed to tax rises,
would in fact be voting to bring
them down, at least for all but the
top 2% of wealthiest taxpayers.
Earlier on Monday, surrounded by
what the White House described
as ordinary Americans, Obama
said such people could not afford
the tax rises – an average of about
$2,000 for every US taxpayer –
that would result if a deal was not
reached. "The economy can't
afford it," he added.
Obama said the framework of the
deal was that tax would not go up
for most Americans.
Unemployment benefits, help with
university tuition and tax credits
for clean energy companies would
all be protected.
Tax rises would be imposed only
on those earning $450,000 a year
or more. The Democrats had been
pushing for $250,000 while the
Republicans had wanted the limit
set at those earning $1m or more.
The Democrats appear to have
secured protection for continued
payments of unemployment
benefits, which the Republicans
had wanted cut. Democrats were
pushing for the automatic cuts on
spending across the board be
postponed for at least a few
months.
John McCain, Republican senator
from Arizona, said a possible deal,
negotiated between Senate
Republican leader Mitch
McConnell and vice president Joe
Biden, would include a two-month
delay in automatic federal
spending cuts that were due to
begin this week.
According to Reuters, McCain said
the deal would include $24bn in
other spending cuts to cover the
cost of the delay, and would also
include a one-year extension of
unemployment benefits.
Obama said his preference would
have for a "grand bargain" that
would have dealt more broadly
with America's economic
problems, especially its huge
deficit. But, showing his
exasperation with Republicans
who control the House, he said this
was not possible with this
Congress.
The Democratic leader in the
Senate, Harry Reid, said
negotiations were continuing to
protect working-class families
from tax increases. Addressing
the Senate when it opened on
Monday morning, he said: "There
are a number of issues on which
the two sides are still apart but
negotiations are continuing as I
speak. We really are running out
of time. Americans are still
threatened with tax hike in just a
few hours," Reid said.
It is the first time Congress has
met on New Year's Eve since 1995
when Washington was confronted
by another Democratic-Republican
economic showdown.
Obama, in spite of having won a
second term, desperately needs
this victory over the Republicans
to prevent that second term being
destroyed by repeated stand-offs
with Republicans in Congress.
The danger for the Obama
administration in the present
showdown is that a combination of
sudden tax rises and government
spending cuts would have a
negative impact on the country's
sluggish rise out of recession.
Countries that rely on trade with
America could also potentially
suffer.
If a deal is reached, there will be a
push to have legislation rushed
through the House and the Senate
before Wall Street reopens on
Wednesday.
The Democrats should have little
problem getting a bill through the
Senate where they have a
majority but the House is much
more difficult, given the size of the
Republican majority. The Obama
administration hopes that a
combination of Democrats and
moderate Republicans will see it
pass.
The Republicans and Democrats
have been struggling since
Obama's re-election in early
November to find a compromise.
The Democrats want to see tax
rises only for the wealthiest, which
the Republicans have resisted. The
Democrats want to see the Defense
Department take the brunt of the
spending cuts while the
Republicans have pressed for the
onus to be shifted to welfare
spending.
Obama and the Republican leader
in the House, John Boehner, came
close to reaching a "grand
bargain" in the run-up to
Christmas but the talks collapsed.
The Democrats blamed Boehner
for being unable to secure the
support of Tea Party-backed
Republicans in the House, while
Boehner blamed Obama for failing
to give him enough concessions on
tax and spending.
The baton after Christmas was
passed to Reid in the Senate, and
his Republican counterpart Mitch
McConnell. But talks between
them broke down over the
weekend.
Next up were talks between
McConnell and vice-president Joe
Biden who negotiated throughout
Sunday and into the early hours of
Monday morning, resuming again
at dawn.
Reid, speaking in the Senate, said:
"Whether or not we reach an
agreement in the short time we
have left will need co-operation
on both sides to protect taxes
going up tomorrow for every
family in America. I repeat there
are still some issues that need to
be resolve before we can bring
legislation to the floor."
If no deal is in place on January 1,
a single person earning $100,000 a
year will face a $5,314 rise in
taxes, and draconian spending
cuts will be imposed across the
board, in particular military
spending and welfare benefits.
With the war in Iraq over and US
combat involvement in
Afghanistan winding down, the
Pentagon is vulnerable to
spending cuts, in particular
expensive equipment
programmes. If no deal is in place
on January 1, the Pentagon, as a
first step, will have to inform its
800,000 civilian employees to
prepare to take mandatory leave
to save money.
were close to reaching a deal
Monday to resolve the fiscal cliff
crisis that threatens the fragile US
economic recovery.
With only hours left until a
midnight deadline for automatic
tax rises and spending cuts,
Barack Obama said agreement
was within sight but discussions
were continuing.
If no deal was concluded, every
taxpayer in America would be hit
with steep rises from Tuesday.
These would be accompanied by
deep cuts in federal spending
programmes, ranging from
defence to welfare, in particular
unemployment benefits.
Obama, who flew back from
holiday in Hawaii to deal with the
crisis, told a press conference at
the White House: "Today it
appears that an agreement to
prevent this New Year's Eve hike
is within sight, but it is not done.
There are still issues left to resolve
but we are hopeful that Congress
can get it done. But it is not done."
The House broke up Monday night
without a vote, meaning that the
US would go over the fiscal cliff on
Tuesday, even if only temporarily.
A Republican aide said the
expectation was that the House
would vote on a deal on Tuesday
after the Senate produced a bill.
Going over the "cliff" makes a deal
more palatable to Republicans.
With taxes automatically going up
at midnight, Republicans,
ideologically opposed to tax rises,
would in fact be voting to bring
them down, at least for all but the
top 2% of wealthiest taxpayers.
Earlier on Monday, surrounded by
what the White House described
as ordinary Americans, Obama
said such people could not afford
the tax rises – an average of about
$2,000 for every US taxpayer –
that would result if a deal was not
reached. "The economy can't
afford it," he added.
Obama said the framework of the
deal was that tax would not go up
for most Americans.
Unemployment benefits, help with
university tuition and tax credits
for clean energy companies would
all be protected.
Tax rises would be imposed only
on those earning $450,000 a year
or more. The Democrats had been
pushing for $250,000 while the
Republicans had wanted the limit
set at those earning $1m or more.
The Democrats appear to have
secured protection for continued
payments of unemployment
benefits, which the Republicans
had wanted cut. Democrats were
pushing for the automatic cuts on
spending across the board be
postponed for at least a few
months.
John McCain, Republican senator
from Arizona, said a possible deal,
negotiated between Senate
Republican leader Mitch
McConnell and vice president Joe
Biden, would include a two-month
delay in automatic federal
spending cuts that were due to
begin this week.
According to Reuters, McCain said
the deal would include $24bn in
other spending cuts to cover the
cost of the delay, and would also
include a one-year extension of
unemployment benefits.
Obama said his preference would
have for a "grand bargain" that
would have dealt more broadly
with America's economic
problems, especially its huge
deficit. But, showing his
exasperation with Republicans
who control the House, he said this
was not possible with this
Congress.
The Democratic leader in the
Senate, Harry Reid, said
negotiations were continuing to
protect working-class families
from tax increases. Addressing
the Senate when it opened on
Monday morning, he said: "There
are a number of issues on which
the two sides are still apart but
negotiations are continuing as I
speak. We really are running out
of time. Americans are still
threatened with tax hike in just a
few hours," Reid said.
It is the first time Congress has
met on New Year's Eve since 1995
when Washington was confronted
by another Democratic-Republican
economic showdown.
Obama, in spite of having won a
second term, desperately needs
this victory over the Republicans
to prevent that second term being
destroyed by repeated stand-offs
with Republicans in Congress.
The danger for the Obama
administration in the present
showdown is that a combination of
sudden tax rises and government
spending cuts would have a
negative impact on the country's
sluggish rise out of recession.
Countries that rely on trade with
America could also potentially
suffer.
If a deal is reached, there will be a
push to have legislation rushed
through the House and the Senate
before Wall Street reopens on
Wednesday.
The Democrats should have little
problem getting a bill through the
Senate where they have a
majority but the House is much
more difficult, given the size of the
Republican majority. The Obama
administration hopes that a
combination of Democrats and
moderate Republicans will see it
pass.
The Republicans and Democrats
have been struggling since
Obama's re-election in early
November to find a compromise.
The Democrats want to see tax
rises only for the wealthiest, which
the Republicans have resisted. The
Democrats want to see the Defense
Department take the brunt of the
spending cuts while the
Republicans have pressed for the
onus to be shifted to welfare
spending.
Obama and the Republican leader
in the House, John Boehner, came
close to reaching a "grand
bargain" in the run-up to
Christmas but the talks collapsed.
The Democrats blamed Boehner
for being unable to secure the
support of Tea Party-backed
Republicans in the House, while
Boehner blamed Obama for failing
to give him enough concessions on
tax and spending.
The baton after Christmas was
passed to Reid in the Senate, and
his Republican counterpart Mitch
McConnell. But talks between
them broke down over the
weekend.
Next up were talks between
McConnell and vice-president Joe
Biden who negotiated throughout
Sunday and into the early hours of
Monday morning, resuming again
at dawn.
Reid, speaking in the Senate, said:
"Whether or not we reach an
agreement in the short time we
have left will need co-operation
on both sides to protect taxes
going up tomorrow for every
family in America. I repeat there
are still some issues that need to
be resolve before we can bring
legislation to the floor."
If no deal is in place on January 1,
a single person earning $100,000 a
year will face a $5,314 rise in
taxes, and draconian spending
cuts will be imposed across the
board, in particular military
spending and welfare benefits.
With the war in Iraq over and US
combat involvement in
Afghanistan winding down, the
Pentagon is vulnerable to
spending cuts, in particular
expensive equipment
programmes. If no deal is in place
on January 1, the Pentagon, as a
first step, will have to inform its
800,000 civilian employees to
prepare to take mandatory leave
to save money.
Phil Taylor apologises to Raymond van Barneveld after on-stage spat
Phil Taylor has apologised to
Raymond van Barneveld after
responding to him angrily at the
end of their World Darts
Championship semi-final.
Following Taylor's 6-4 victory, the
pair appeared to exchange words
at the same time as the customary
handshake.
Speaking to the PDC website ,
Taylor explained the
misunderstanding: "Raymond's a
big lad and he has a strong
handshake, and when he pulled
me, it hurt me," he said. "I
reacted wrongly and I'm ashamed
of that because I really like
Raymond I'm gutted about what
happened.
"It's upset a lot of people and it's
also upset me. I've contacted
Raymond to apologise to him and
hopefully we can put it behind us
now.
"I'm very close to Raymond, he's a
great competitor and it was
something that happened in the
heat of the moment."
Taylor will play Michael van
Gerwen in Tuesday's final.
Raymond van Barneveld after
responding to him angrily at the
end of their World Darts
Championship semi-final.
Following Taylor's 6-4 victory, the
pair appeared to exchange words
at the same time as the customary
handshake.
Speaking to the PDC website ,
Taylor explained the
misunderstanding: "Raymond's a
big lad and he has a strong
handshake, and when he pulled
me, it hurt me," he said. "I
reacted wrongly and I'm ashamed
of that because I really like
Raymond I'm gutted about what
happened.
"It's upset a lot of people and it's
also upset me. I've contacted
Raymond to apologise to him and
hopefully we can put it behind us
now.
"I'm very close to Raymond, he's a
great competitor and it was
something that happened in the
heat of the moment."
Taylor will play Michael van
Gerwen in Tuesday's final.
Shaun Edwards gives up London Irish role to concentrate on Wales
London Irish, who go into the new
year only one point above the
Premiership's bottom place, lost
their defence coach on Monday
when Shaun Edwards announced
he would be committing fully to
Wales until the next World Cup.
After talks with the Welsh Rugby
Union's chief executive, Roger
Lewis, Edwards issued a brief
statement which seemed to end
any speculation that he might
walk away from his successful
partnership with Warren Gatland
after failing to make the New
Zealander's coaching team for this
summer's Lions tour of Australia.
"After consultation with Roger
Lewis, CEO of the WRU, I am to
concentrate solely on Welsh rugby
in the build-up to Rugby World
Cup 2015," Edwards said in his
statement. "Thus my consultancy
work will cease with immediate
effect."
Edwards's and Gatland's
partnership as defence coach and
head coach with Wales has
brought two grand slams since
2008 and a World Cup semi-final
in New Zealand. It was after that
tournament that Edwards, then
also head coach of Wasps,
extended his deal with Wales,
negotiating a contract which
allowed him to work one day a
week with a Premiership club on
top of his scheduled time off.
This season he has been working
with London Irish but it is
understood that even early on in
the arrangement Edwards was
worried about the impact he could
have in such a limited time,
especially with his commitments
to the Wales squad and
international age group rugby.
He was with Wales for the autumn
Tests, is currently on holiday and
will be back on international duty
at least a fortnight before the start
of the Six Nations, which for Wales
begins in Cardiff against Ireland
on 2 February and ends with
England visiting the Millennium
Stadium on 16 March.
After 12 league matches London
Irish have conceded 31 tries and
are only a point above Sale whom
they meet, in what could prove to
be the match which settles the
relegation issue, only a fortnight
after that game against England.
The WRU has for the last month
been working with its four regions
on a new body, the Professional
Regional Game Board, to find a
way of bringing some vibrancy
and financial stability to the level
below the senior team. The board,
which is made up of four
representatives from the WRU and
four from the regions with an
independent chairman presiding,
has yet to get beyond the talking
stage.
But Lewis, in an interview in
December, floated a number of
options. They included the WRU
having a more hands-on role in
the regions which, in Edwards's
case, would allow the governing
body to use him in a trouble-
shooting capacity. Ever since he
joined Gatland's Wales
management team at the
beginning of 2008, there has been
some disquiet about his working in
England.
The regions have not responded to
the threat that some of their
independence may be taken from
them. The WRU would like to
reach the point where it appointed
the directors of rugby at each of
the regions but such a move would
meet with fierce resistance.
year only one point above the
Premiership's bottom place, lost
their defence coach on Monday
when Shaun Edwards announced
he would be committing fully to
Wales until the next World Cup.
After talks with the Welsh Rugby
Union's chief executive, Roger
Lewis, Edwards issued a brief
statement which seemed to end
any speculation that he might
walk away from his successful
partnership with Warren Gatland
after failing to make the New
Zealander's coaching team for this
summer's Lions tour of Australia.
"After consultation with Roger
Lewis, CEO of the WRU, I am to
concentrate solely on Welsh rugby
in the build-up to Rugby World
Cup 2015," Edwards said in his
statement. "Thus my consultancy
work will cease with immediate
effect."
Edwards's and Gatland's
partnership as defence coach and
head coach with Wales has
brought two grand slams since
2008 and a World Cup semi-final
in New Zealand. It was after that
tournament that Edwards, then
also head coach of Wasps,
extended his deal with Wales,
negotiating a contract which
allowed him to work one day a
week with a Premiership club on
top of his scheduled time off.
This season he has been working
with London Irish but it is
understood that even early on in
the arrangement Edwards was
worried about the impact he could
have in such a limited time,
especially with his commitments
to the Wales squad and
international age group rugby.
He was with Wales for the autumn
Tests, is currently on holiday and
will be back on international duty
at least a fortnight before the start
of the Six Nations, which for Wales
begins in Cardiff against Ireland
on 2 February and ends with
England visiting the Millennium
Stadium on 16 March.
After 12 league matches London
Irish have conceded 31 tries and
are only a point above Sale whom
they meet, in what could prove to
be the match which settles the
relegation issue, only a fortnight
after that game against England.
The WRU has for the last month
been working with its four regions
on a new body, the Professional
Regional Game Board, to find a
way of bringing some vibrancy
and financial stability to the level
below the senior team. The board,
which is made up of four
representatives from the WRU and
four from the regions with an
independent chairman presiding,
has yet to get beyond the talking
stage.
But Lewis, in an interview in
December, floated a number of
options. They included the WRU
having a more hands-on role in
the regions which, in Edwards's
case, would allow the governing
body to use him in a trouble-
shooting capacity. Ever since he
joined Gatland's Wales
management team at the
beginning of 2008, there has been
some disquiet about his working in
England.
The regions have not responded to
the threat that some of their
independence may be taken from
them. The WRU would like to
reach the point where it appointed
the directors of rugby at each of
the regions but such a move would
meet with fierce resistance.
Newcastle manager calls on Demba Ba to show his loyalty
Alan Pardew has challenged
Demba Ba to commit himself to
Newcastle United by signing a
contract extension or admit that
he wants to leave the club.
Chelsea have held initial
negotiations aimed at signing the
Senegal international and they are
determined to recruit Ba as a
replacement for the Liverpool-
bound Daniel Sturridge as they
have only one other established
striker on their books in Fernando
Torres.
Although the £7m release clause
in Ba's contract initially appears a
bargain, Chelsea are unwilling to
pay the £2m in agents' fees his
representatives are demanding or
offer a striker with a suspect knee
the four-year contract on around
£80,000 a week he has set his
heart on.
Aware that Ba will not pass a
conventional medical and that he
is on a pay-as-you-appear deal at
Newcastle, Stamford Bridge
officials are prepared to play
hardball in their pursuit of a
proven striker who is also
admired by, among others,
Arsenal and Liverpool.
"I still think it's even whether
Demba will stay or go," said
Pardew. "I'd like to think he'll
stay but that's up to him. I do
think he's slightly becoming a
victim of a few sharks around him
but, having said that, our fans
want loyalty. This is a big club and
I think perhaps he needs to make
a statement at some point. I do
feel that for our fans he needs to
give a message of some
description."
Newcastle's manager is hoping Ba
will sign the improved deal his
board have offered enhancing the
striker's current £40,000-a-week
contract while removing the
escape clause but hinted that it
could soon be withdrawn. "There's
a deal on the table for Demba,"
said Pardew, who believes Ba will
still be a Newcastle player when
Everton visit St James' Park on
Wednesday night. "The offer is
still there but the situation is that
it's getting close to the point
where we say 'no more'."
Pardew prefers to blame the
uncertainty on agents. "In some
respects I feel a little bit sorry for
Demba because I think people are
representing him who are not
actually representing him," he
said.
"There are people out there who
are fuelling this who are not
actually involved. People are
getting involved who perhaps
have no right to be involved. I
think Demba's at a loss as to who
some of the representatives are.
They don't represent him and I
think he's a bit upset about that."
Ba is not alone. "I can't remember
a situation like this, quite with this
level of speculation and
information about a player being
put about," said Pardew. "That's a
massive frustration for us as a
club. I can't put it any milder than
that."
When asked if Ba had requested to
leave, Newcastle's manager said
"No," but Pardew acknowledges Ba
has not made any declarations of
loyalty either. "I think, for
everyone's sake, Demba needs, in
this window, to make a decision
fairly early," he said. "Especially
for our fans – they need to know
he's going to be with us to the
summer or not. We need to know
as well, we need to make sure that
we have a replacement ready if he
leaves."
While Ba makes up his mind
Pardew – who will welcome
Mathieu Debuchy, the France
right-back, to Tyneside from Lille
in a £5.5m transfer on Thursday
and remains keen on recruiting
the Marseille striker Loïc Rémy –
has no fears about playing him.
"That's one thing I don't have to
worry about because I think
Demba is as mentally strong a
player as I have come across,"
said the manager, who is hoping
he will not lose another striker,
Shola Ameobi, to involvement with
Nigeria in the impending Africa
Cup of Nations.
"Demba's had to cope with his
injury earlier in his career and
disappointments with the way
some clubs have treated him. But
he can't be disappointed with the
way we've treated him. We've
been brilliant for him and
therefore I hope he rewards us by
staying with us for the next couple
of years."
After conceding 11 goals in their
last two games injury hit
Newcastle – beaten 7-3 at Arsenal
on Saturday and too close to the
relegation zone for comfort – are
hoping for a restorative win
against Everton but have been
boosted by Debuchy's imminent
signing as well as the news that
Yohan Cabaye and Steven Taylor
are set to return to action at
Norwich on Saturday week.
Chelsea will be without the
goalkeeper Petr Cech for the visit
of Queens Park Rangers on
Wednesday night. He was forced
off at half-time of the victory at
Everton on Sunday, when he felt
pain in his groin and scans have
shown that he will be unfit for the
west London derby. Ross Turnbull
stands by to deputise.
Demba Ba to commit himself to
Newcastle United by signing a
contract extension or admit that
he wants to leave the club.
Chelsea have held initial
negotiations aimed at signing the
Senegal international and they are
determined to recruit Ba as a
replacement for the Liverpool-
bound Daniel Sturridge as they
have only one other established
striker on their books in Fernando
Torres.
Although the £7m release clause
in Ba's contract initially appears a
bargain, Chelsea are unwilling to
pay the £2m in agents' fees his
representatives are demanding or
offer a striker with a suspect knee
the four-year contract on around
£80,000 a week he has set his
heart on.
Aware that Ba will not pass a
conventional medical and that he
is on a pay-as-you-appear deal at
Newcastle, Stamford Bridge
officials are prepared to play
hardball in their pursuit of a
proven striker who is also
admired by, among others,
Arsenal and Liverpool.
"I still think it's even whether
Demba will stay or go," said
Pardew. "I'd like to think he'll
stay but that's up to him. I do
think he's slightly becoming a
victim of a few sharks around him
but, having said that, our fans
want loyalty. This is a big club and
I think perhaps he needs to make
a statement at some point. I do
feel that for our fans he needs to
give a message of some
description."
Newcastle's manager is hoping Ba
will sign the improved deal his
board have offered enhancing the
striker's current £40,000-a-week
contract while removing the
escape clause but hinted that it
could soon be withdrawn. "There's
a deal on the table for Demba,"
said Pardew, who believes Ba will
still be a Newcastle player when
Everton visit St James' Park on
Wednesday night. "The offer is
still there but the situation is that
it's getting close to the point
where we say 'no more'."
Pardew prefers to blame the
uncertainty on agents. "In some
respects I feel a little bit sorry for
Demba because I think people are
representing him who are not
actually representing him," he
said.
"There are people out there who
are fuelling this who are not
actually involved. People are
getting involved who perhaps
have no right to be involved. I
think Demba's at a loss as to who
some of the representatives are.
They don't represent him and I
think he's a bit upset about that."
Ba is not alone. "I can't remember
a situation like this, quite with this
level of speculation and
information about a player being
put about," said Pardew. "That's a
massive frustration for us as a
club. I can't put it any milder than
that."
When asked if Ba had requested to
leave, Newcastle's manager said
"No," but Pardew acknowledges Ba
has not made any declarations of
loyalty either. "I think, for
everyone's sake, Demba needs, in
this window, to make a decision
fairly early," he said. "Especially
for our fans – they need to know
he's going to be with us to the
summer or not. We need to know
as well, we need to make sure that
we have a replacement ready if he
leaves."
While Ba makes up his mind
Pardew – who will welcome
Mathieu Debuchy, the France
right-back, to Tyneside from Lille
in a £5.5m transfer on Thursday
and remains keen on recruiting
the Marseille striker Loïc Rémy –
has no fears about playing him.
"That's one thing I don't have to
worry about because I think
Demba is as mentally strong a
player as I have come across,"
said the manager, who is hoping
he will not lose another striker,
Shola Ameobi, to involvement with
Nigeria in the impending Africa
Cup of Nations.
"Demba's had to cope with his
injury earlier in his career and
disappointments with the way
some clubs have treated him. But
he can't be disappointed with the
way we've treated him. We've
been brilliant for him and
therefore I hope he rewards us by
staying with us for the next couple
of years."
After conceding 11 goals in their
last two games injury hit
Newcastle – beaten 7-3 at Arsenal
on Saturday and too close to the
relegation zone for comfort – are
hoping for a restorative win
against Everton but have been
boosted by Debuchy's imminent
signing as well as the news that
Yohan Cabaye and Steven Taylor
are set to return to action at
Norwich on Saturday week.
Chelsea will be without the
goalkeeper Petr Cech for the visit
of Queens Park Rangers on
Wednesday night. He was forced
off at half-time of the victory at
Everton on Sunday, when he felt
pain in his groin and scans have
shown that he will be unfit for the
west London derby. Ross Turnbull
stands by to deputise.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Spurs monitoring Wilfried Zaha
Wilfried Zaha could be the subject
of an auction among Manchester
United, Arsenal, Chelsea and
Tottenham Hotspur, with all four
clubs monitoring the Crystal
Palace winger, whose price would
be around £10m.
There has not been a formal bid
for the 20-year-old but Palace are
expecting official interest to be
lodged once the winter transfer
window opens on 1 January.
Although Palace are reluctant to
sell, they realise it is impossible to
hold on to Zaha, despite him being
protected by a five-year contract.
Zaha has also expressed a desire
to play in the Premier League.
If he is to be sold Palace are keen
to do business in the first week of
the transfer window so as to use
the fee on two or three players to
reinforce their squad. Palace are
fourth in the Championship, four
points behind Hull in the second of
the automatic promotion places.
Once United, Chelsea, Spurs or
Arsenal confirm their interest
Palace will try to secure a price in
the region of £15m to £20m but in
reality Zaha is expected to fetch
£10m. Zaha has never played in
the Premier League but has made
more than 100 appearances in the
Championship and has scored 12
times since making his debut in
March 2010 as a substitute against
Cardiff City.
Born in Ivory Coast, he came to
prominence with a dazzling
performance against United in
Palace's 2-1 win at Old Trafford in
the Carling Cup quarter-finals in
2011. Fábio da Silva was booked
during the United full-back's
attempts to stop Zaha's powerful
runs from his favoured wide-left
position. Zaha won the free-kick
eight minutes into extra time from
which Glenn Murray headed
Palace's winner. He made his
senior England debut this season
as a substitute in the 4-2 defeat to
Sweden in November.
Zaha is from the same Palace
production line as Victor Moses,
who was sold for £2.5m to Wigan
Athletic two years ago before
Chelsea bought him last summer
for £9m.
Crystal Palace will attempt to
deflect an anticipated bid of £3m
from Norwich City by offering the
Championship's leading scorer,
Glenn Murray, a new contract at
Selhurst Park.
Murray has registered 22 goals
this season for Palace, who have
risen to fourth in the division
having scored in all but one of
their matches this term. The
forward, a free transfer signing
from Brighton in the summer of
2011, earns around £13,000-a-
week at Palace but will be offered
improved terms to extend his stay
at the south London club. "He's
still got a lot to learn, I imagine he
would say that, but there's enough
of a basis to say he could do very
well. He's grown from a young
man's body into a man's body.
He's more muscular."
of an auction among Manchester
United, Arsenal, Chelsea and
Tottenham Hotspur, with all four
clubs monitoring the Crystal
Palace winger, whose price would
be around £10m.
There has not been a formal bid
for the 20-year-old but Palace are
expecting official interest to be
lodged once the winter transfer
window opens on 1 January.
Although Palace are reluctant to
sell, they realise it is impossible to
hold on to Zaha, despite him being
protected by a five-year contract.
Zaha has also expressed a desire
to play in the Premier League.
If he is to be sold Palace are keen
to do business in the first week of
the transfer window so as to use
the fee on two or three players to
reinforce their squad. Palace are
fourth in the Championship, four
points behind Hull in the second of
the automatic promotion places.
Once United, Chelsea, Spurs or
Arsenal confirm their interest
Palace will try to secure a price in
the region of £15m to £20m but in
reality Zaha is expected to fetch
£10m. Zaha has never played in
the Premier League but has made
more than 100 appearances in the
Championship and has scored 12
times since making his debut in
March 2010 as a substitute against
Cardiff City.
Born in Ivory Coast, he came to
prominence with a dazzling
performance against United in
Palace's 2-1 win at Old Trafford in
the Carling Cup quarter-finals in
2011. Fábio da Silva was booked
during the United full-back's
attempts to stop Zaha's powerful
runs from his favoured wide-left
position. Zaha won the free-kick
eight minutes into extra time from
which Glenn Murray headed
Palace's winner. He made his
senior England debut this season
as a substitute in the 4-2 defeat to
Sweden in November.
Zaha is from the same Palace
production line as Victor Moses,
who was sold for £2.5m to Wigan
Athletic two years ago before
Chelsea bought him last summer
for £9m.
Crystal Palace will attempt to
deflect an anticipated bid of £3m
from Norwich City by offering the
Championship's leading scorer,
Glenn Murray, a new contract at
Selhurst Park.
Murray has registered 22 goals
this season for Palace, who have
risen to fourth in the division
having scored in all but one of
their matches this term. The
forward, a free transfer signing
from Brighton in the summer of
2011, earns around £13,000-a-
week at Palace but will be offered
improved terms to extend his stay
at the south London club. "He's
still got a lot to learn, I imagine he
would say that, but there's enough
of a basis to say he could do very
well. He's grown from a young
man's body into a man's body.
He's more muscular."
Michael Gove faces rebellion over no-curves schools plan
The education secretary, Michael
Gove, is facing a growing rebellion
from teachers and architects over
plans to simplify new school
buildings after a study claimed
well-designed classrooms could
improve pupils' progress in
lessons by as much as 25%.
Lord Rogers, the architect of
buildings ranging from the
Pompidou Centre in Paris to
Mossbourne academy in Hackney,
east London, has urged the
government to rethink its policy
for the procurement of £2.5bn
worth of new schools and "for the
sake of the next generation" heed
evidence that school
environments affect pupil
performance.
Deborah Saunt, an award-winning
school designer, has also
announced that her firm is
boycotting the government's plan
to build 261 replacement primary
and secondary schools, describing
simplified design guidelines as the
architectural equivalent of
feeding children McDonald's every
day.
This autumn Gove ordered a ban
on curves in a new generation of
no-frills school buildings ,in
response to what he calls a decade
of wasteful extravagance in
educational architecture.
The first contracts will be awarded
in April in a programme of new
schools that will be 15% smaller
than those built under the
previous government's over-
budgeted and delayed Building
Schools for the Future
programme. Gove's decision to
squeeze space for corridors,
assembly halls and canteens
means building costs could be
slashed by 30%, saving up to £6m
a school.
Folding internal partitions to
subdivide classrooms, roof
terraces that can be used as play
areas, glazed walls and translucent
plastic roofs are banned. The first
schools designed to the new rules
are due to open in September
2014.
However, the initial findings of a
study by academics at Salford
University showed a strong
correlation between the built
environment where teaching takes
place and test results in reading,
writing and maths. Lighting,
circulation, acoustics, individuality
and colour were revealed to affect
pupils' progress in the year-long
study of achievement by 751
children in seven primary schools
in Blackpool. It found eight out of
10 environmental factors
displayed significant correlations
with the pupils' performance and
the report's authors concluded:
"This clear evidence of the
significant impact of the built
environment on pupils' learning
progression highlights the
importance of this aspect for
policymakers, designers and
users."
Gove has dismissed the
significance of the findings. A
spokesman for the Department for
Education said: "There is no
convincing evidence that spending
enormous sums of money on
school buildings leads to increased
attainment. An excellent
curriculum, great leadership and
inspirational teaching are the keys
to driving up standards."
"This study confirms what our
practice has long believed,"
Rogers said. "Good design has the
potential to have a truly positive
effect on the way children learn.
Mossbourne is a striking piece of
evidence: high in the league tables
and with staff and pupils
commenting enthusiastically about
the impact of the school's careful
design. We proved it is possible to
produce a well-designed school
collaboratively with the senior
teaching staff which adheres to a
tight budget. Gove is making it
unneccessarily difficult to design
good schools."
The Royal Institute of British
Architects has said it is seriously
concerned the government's
proposed "flat-pack" approach
"will place a straitjacket on future
generations of teaching
professionals and quickly render
these schools redundant".
It added: "The designs for
secondary schools include narrow
corridors and concealed stairs that
are difficult to supervise. In many
schools this is likely to result in the
need for additional staff
supervision to maintain good
behaviour and avoid bullying."
The Salford academics
hypothesised that three principles
of environmental design would
most affect brain function among
pupils: how "natural" it felt to be
in the room, the extent to which
the room felt individual to its
occupants, and whether it
stimulated them.
Testing the theory against
academic results, they found the
most significant design factor
appeared to be how well the
school allowed pupils to flow
through it. Good design of
"connections" – wide and
uncluttered corridors with easy
orientation and landmarks, rooms
that are quickly accessible from
the main entrance, and proximity
of classrooms to places such as the
library, music room and cafe –
accounted for a quarter of the
positive impact on learning
progression that the built
environment can have.
Colour was the next most
important factor, followed by
complexity of design, where less
was more, and flexibility, where
more was better. Light levels and
the degree to which a classroom
and its furniture was designed to
foster a sense of "this is our
classroom" ownership and
familiarity in the pupils were the
fifth and sixth most effective
factors affecting educational
performance. The desire for
natural light was combined with a
dislike of glare and a desire for
good artificial light.
Among the other positive factors
were even underfloor heating and
windows and doors that opened
wide to allow the buildup of
soporific carbon dioxide to escape.
The results were not always as
expected. The results of Sats tests
suggested less rather than more
colour and complexity in
classroom design was better for
pupil performance.
"Young children may like exciting
spaces, but to learn it would seem
they need relatively ordered
spaces, but with a reasonable
degree of interest," the authors
said.
The British Council for School
Environments, a charity whose
backers include teachers,
governors and architects, has
described the Salford study as
"very significant". Chief executive
Sharon Wright said it was
"lobbying for schools to have a
real say in the design and to be
listened to, to ensure the designs
are right for them."
A DfE spokesman defended the
standard school designs, insisting
they "will provide light, bright and
airy learning environments for
pupils and were drawn up jointly
with architects and teaching
experts to make the very best use
of space".
Gove, is facing a growing rebellion
from teachers and architects over
plans to simplify new school
buildings after a study claimed
well-designed classrooms could
improve pupils' progress in
lessons by as much as 25%.
Lord Rogers, the architect of
buildings ranging from the
Pompidou Centre in Paris to
Mossbourne academy in Hackney,
east London, has urged the
government to rethink its policy
for the procurement of £2.5bn
worth of new schools and "for the
sake of the next generation" heed
evidence that school
environments affect pupil
performance.
Deborah Saunt, an award-winning
school designer, has also
announced that her firm is
boycotting the government's plan
to build 261 replacement primary
and secondary schools, describing
simplified design guidelines as the
architectural equivalent of
feeding children McDonald's every
day.
This autumn Gove ordered a ban
on curves in a new generation of
no-frills school buildings ,in
response to what he calls a decade
of wasteful extravagance in
educational architecture.
The first contracts will be awarded
in April in a programme of new
schools that will be 15% smaller
than those built under the
previous government's over-
budgeted and delayed Building
Schools for the Future
programme. Gove's decision to
squeeze space for corridors,
assembly halls and canteens
means building costs could be
slashed by 30%, saving up to £6m
a school.
Folding internal partitions to
subdivide classrooms, roof
terraces that can be used as play
areas, glazed walls and translucent
plastic roofs are banned. The first
schools designed to the new rules
are due to open in September
2014.
However, the initial findings of a
study by academics at Salford
University showed a strong
correlation between the built
environment where teaching takes
place and test results in reading,
writing and maths. Lighting,
circulation, acoustics, individuality
and colour were revealed to affect
pupils' progress in the year-long
study of achievement by 751
children in seven primary schools
in Blackpool. It found eight out of
10 environmental factors
displayed significant correlations
with the pupils' performance and
the report's authors concluded:
"This clear evidence of the
significant impact of the built
environment on pupils' learning
progression highlights the
importance of this aspect for
policymakers, designers and
users."
Gove has dismissed the
significance of the findings. A
spokesman for the Department for
Education said: "There is no
convincing evidence that spending
enormous sums of money on
school buildings leads to increased
attainment. An excellent
curriculum, great leadership and
inspirational teaching are the keys
to driving up standards."
"This study confirms what our
practice has long believed,"
Rogers said. "Good design has the
potential to have a truly positive
effect on the way children learn.
Mossbourne is a striking piece of
evidence: high in the league tables
and with staff and pupils
commenting enthusiastically about
the impact of the school's careful
design. We proved it is possible to
produce a well-designed school
collaboratively with the senior
teaching staff which adheres to a
tight budget. Gove is making it
unneccessarily difficult to design
good schools."
The Royal Institute of British
Architects has said it is seriously
concerned the government's
proposed "flat-pack" approach
"will place a straitjacket on future
generations of teaching
professionals and quickly render
these schools redundant".
It added: "The designs for
secondary schools include narrow
corridors and concealed stairs that
are difficult to supervise. In many
schools this is likely to result in the
need for additional staff
supervision to maintain good
behaviour and avoid bullying."
The Salford academics
hypothesised that three principles
of environmental design would
most affect brain function among
pupils: how "natural" it felt to be
in the room, the extent to which
the room felt individual to its
occupants, and whether it
stimulated them.
Testing the theory against
academic results, they found the
most significant design factor
appeared to be how well the
school allowed pupils to flow
through it. Good design of
"connections" – wide and
uncluttered corridors with easy
orientation and landmarks, rooms
that are quickly accessible from
the main entrance, and proximity
of classrooms to places such as the
library, music room and cafe –
accounted for a quarter of the
positive impact on learning
progression that the built
environment can have.
Colour was the next most
important factor, followed by
complexity of design, where less
was more, and flexibility, where
more was better. Light levels and
the degree to which a classroom
and its furniture was designed to
foster a sense of "this is our
classroom" ownership and
familiarity in the pupils were the
fifth and sixth most effective
factors affecting educational
performance. The desire for
natural light was combined with a
dislike of glare and a desire for
good artificial light.
Among the other positive factors
were even underfloor heating and
windows and doors that opened
wide to allow the buildup of
soporific carbon dioxide to escape.
The results were not always as
expected. The results of Sats tests
suggested less rather than more
colour and complexity in
classroom design was better for
pupil performance.
"Young children may like exciting
spaces, but to learn it would seem
they need relatively ordered
spaces, but with a reasonable
degree of interest," the authors
said.
The British Council for School
Environments, a charity whose
backers include teachers,
governors and architects, has
described the Salford study as
"very significant". Chief executive
Sharon Wright said it was
"lobbying for schools to have a
real say in the design and to be
listened to, to ensure the designs
are right for them."
A DfE spokesman defended the
standard school designs, insisting
they "will provide light, bright and
airy learning environments for
pupils and were drawn up jointly
with architects and teaching
experts to make the very best use
of space".
Farmers urge minister to provide extreme weather insurance
Last year's record rainfall has cost
British farmers £1.3bn, prompting
calls for government to provide
insurance against extreme
weather if it wants to preserve
national food security.
The National Farmers Union (NFU)
estimates the extreme levels of
rainfall in 2012 has cost the
industry £600m in lost output,
especially from poor wheat and
potato harvests, and another
£700m in extra costs such as feed
for cattle, which could not graze in
water-logged fields.
The figures are being published
on Tuesday, ahead of the first
major speech to the industry by
Owen Paterson, environment
secretary, on Thursday at the
Oxford Farming Conference. The
NFU president, Peter Kendall, said
they would be used to press
Paterson to soften his expressed
desire to axe European "Pillar 1"
subsidies, which pay farmers a set
amount for owning land in
production. The UK gets about
€3.65bn (£2.97bn) a year under
the EU scheme.
The NFU supported ending the
subsidy, but only if it was done
across Europe and ideally
elsewhere in the world, so
farmers in other countries did not
have an advantage. It needed to
be replaced by a form of extreme
weather payment or insurance to
protect farmers from going out of
business during the most difficult
years, said Kendall.
"All we seem to get out of the
Treasury and Defra [the
Department for Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs] these days
is 'Pillar 1 is worthless'," Kendall
said. "If they are determined to
move away from Pillar 1, we need
a debate about income insurance
or protection when we have got
years like 2012. It's not the same
as producing nuts and bolts in a
factory – we can't farm under
water or when we don't get any
rain."
The EU is locked in negotiations
over dramatic cuts to farm
subsidies but they are expected to
take years because of strong
resistance, especially from France.
Farmers are likely to face
scepticism about calls for financial
support after decades of headlines
about fat subsidy payments, and –
before they were replaced by the
acreage payments – food
"mountains" and milk "lakes"
caused by paying farmers to
produce food regardless of
demand.
The global decline in production of
wheat, maize, dairy products and
many other foodstuffs in 2012
caused steep rises in prices, with
the UN warning in October that
wheat prices had already risen by
25%, with the prospect of more to
come.
In the longer term, analysts
expect farming to enjoy a global
boom as expanding populations
and rising wealth and
consumption continue to outpace
supply.
The investment guru Jim Rogers,
who co-founded the Quantum
Fund with George Soros, urged
business students to learn to drive
a tractor instead. "There are many
things happening in agriculture,
which mean agriculture is going to
be fabulous for another 10 to 30
years," Rogers said in a video
blog .
Paterson, who was moved to Defra
in the September reshuffle, will
try to capitalise on that optimism
to launch the Future Farming
Group on Thursday, a campaign to
attract more people to consider
farming as a career.
The NFU says the 2012 "black hole"
in farmers' finances is the worst
situation for 10-15 years, not part
of the normal ups and downs of
the industry.
Kendall argues that governments
have been supporting agriculture
for centuries, and today most, if
not all, countries have some form
of insurance, even states which
are proudly subsidy-free.
He said the renewed focus on
national food security – as climate
change is prediccted to bring
more extreme weather and
disrupt agriculture and transport
around the world – made the issue
more urgent.
"In years like 2012 it is very clear
to see that the support farming
receives from the CAP [EU
common agricultural policy] is an
absolute lifeline to many farmers,"
said Kendall in a statement
accompanying the new financial
estimate.
"Recently, we have heard
government representatives refer
to these support payments as
'worthless', arguing that payments
should only go to environmental
goals. With the possible exception
of Sweden, the UK government is
the only one out of 27 member-
state countries in the EU arguing
in this way.
"I firmly believe the only likely
outcome of this strategy is further
discrimination against English
farmers. What is more, this
ideologically driven approach is
outdated given the increasing
volatility in global prices and the
challenging global climate," he
said.
Defra told the Guardian that it had
responded to the tough conditions
by relaxing regulations such as
restrictions on when slurry can be
spread on fields and deadlines for
applications for funds.
"We recognise the impact the wet
weather has had on farmers and
that is why we have relaxed some
of our restrictions to help them,"
said an official.
"We have also made it clear that
direct payments under CAP should
not be phased out in the next
financial period, but that
businesses should have time to
adjust."
British farmers £1.3bn, prompting
calls for government to provide
insurance against extreme
weather if it wants to preserve
national food security.
The National Farmers Union (NFU)
estimates the extreme levels of
rainfall in 2012 has cost the
industry £600m in lost output,
especially from poor wheat and
potato harvests, and another
£700m in extra costs such as feed
for cattle, which could not graze in
water-logged fields.
The figures are being published
on Tuesday, ahead of the first
major speech to the industry by
Owen Paterson, environment
secretary, on Thursday at the
Oxford Farming Conference. The
NFU president, Peter Kendall, said
they would be used to press
Paterson to soften his expressed
desire to axe European "Pillar 1"
subsidies, which pay farmers a set
amount for owning land in
production. The UK gets about
€3.65bn (£2.97bn) a year under
the EU scheme.
The NFU supported ending the
subsidy, but only if it was done
across Europe and ideally
elsewhere in the world, so
farmers in other countries did not
have an advantage. It needed to
be replaced by a form of extreme
weather payment or insurance to
protect farmers from going out of
business during the most difficult
years, said Kendall.
"All we seem to get out of the
Treasury and Defra [the
Department for Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs] these days
is 'Pillar 1 is worthless'," Kendall
said. "If they are determined to
move away from Pillar 1, we need
a debate about income insurance
or protection when we have got
years like 2012. It's not the same
as producing nuts and bolts in a
factory – we can't farm under
water or when we don't get any
rain."
The EU is locked in negotiations
over dramatic cuts to farm
subsidies but they are expected to
take years because of strong
resistance, especially from France.
Farmers are likely to face
scepticism about calls for financial
support after decades of headlines
about fat subsidy payments, and –
before they were replaced by the
acreage payments – food
"mountains" and milk "lakes"
caused by paying farmers to
produce food regardless of
demand.
The global decline in production of
wheat, maize, dairy products and
many other foodstuffs in 2012
caused steep rises in prices, with
the UN warning in October that
wheat prices had already risen by
25%, with the prospect of more to
come.
In the longer term, analysts
expect farming to enjoy a global
boom as expanding populations
and rising wealth and
consumption continue to outpace
supply.
The investment guru Jim Rogers,
who co-founded the Quantum
Fund with George Soros, urged
business students to learn to drive
a tractor instead. "There are many
things happening in agriculture,
which mean agriculture is going to
be fabulous for another 10 to 30
years," Rogers said in a video
blog .
Paterson, who was moved to Defra
in the September reshuffle, will
try to capitalise on that optimism
to launch the Future Farming
Group on Thursday, a campaign to
attract more people to consider
farming as a career.
The NFU says the 2012 "black hole"
in farmers' finances is the worst
situation for 10-15 years, not part
of the normal ups and downs of
the industry.
Kendall argues that governments
have been supporting agriculture
for centuries, and today most, if
not all, countries have some form
of insurance, even states which
are proudly subsidy-free.
He said the renewed focus on
national food security – as climate
change is prediccted to bring
more extreme weather and
disrupt agriculture and transport
around the world – made the issue
more urgent.
"In years like 2012 it is very clear
to see that the support farming
receives from the CAP [EU
common agricultural policy] is an
absolute lifeline to many farmers,"
said Kendall in a statement
accompanying the new financial
estimate.
"Recently, we have heard
government representatives refer
to these support payments as
'worthless', arguing that payments
should only go to environmental
goals. With the possible exception
of Sweden, the UK government is
the only one out of 27 member-
state countries in the EU arguing
in this way.
"I firmly believe the only likely
outcome of this strategy is further
discrimination against English
farmers. What is more, this
ideologically driven approach is
outdated given the increasing
volatility in global prices and the
challenging global climate," he
said.
Defra told the Guardian that it had
responded to the tough conditions
by relaxing regulations such as
restrictions on when slurry can be
spread on fields and deadlines for
applications for funds.
"We recognise the impact the wet
weather has had on farmers and
that is why we have relaxed some
of our restrictions to help them,"
said an official.
"We have also made it clear that
direct payments under CAP should
not be phased out in the next
financial period, but that
businesses should have time to
adjust."
UK urged to spend Afghan withdrawal savings on defence
US ambassador to Nato says
Europe is relying too heavily on
America and must use cash to re-
equip their military
David Cameron talks with Nato
pilots and ground crew at an airbase
in southern Italy during the Libyan
conflict. There are warnings that
Nato would be unable to wage a
similar campaign in a decade unless
defence spending cuts are reversed.
Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA
Nick Hopkins
The UK and other European
countries must use the money
saved by withdrawing from
Afghanistan to re-equip their
military and help reverse
worrying cuts in defence
spending, the American
ambassador to Nato will warn on
Tuesday.
Ivo Daalder said if Europe did not
invest in new capabilities, its over-
reliance on America would
continue at a time when
Washington had made the far east
and China its new strategic
priority.
"If we don't start soon in investing
in those capabilities then the gap
between the US and the rest is
going to grow. And if it is bad now,
then it will be worse. If we have
problems, they will be
even worse."
The ambassador's remarks come
as the UK and the US prepare to
withdraw thousands of troops
from Afghanistan in 2013 in
advance of the deadline to end all
combat operations by the end of
2014.
Two weeks ago, David Cameron
announced that 3,800 British
personnel would withdraw from
Helmand province in the next 12
months, and later hinted that the
total could be higher.
The Ministry of Defence budget
has been under huge strain over
the past two years and Treasury
officials have been privately
urging the prime minister to
speed up the withdrawal to cut
costs.
But Daalder believes Nato allies
should plough these savings back
into military equipment that is
urgently needed to maintain the
organisation's strength.
He said last year's Libya campaign
had shown Nato was capable of
reacting quickly and effectively to
a crisis, but warned it had also
exposed "worrisome trends" in
Europe's ability to act without
relying heavily on US help.
If this is not addressed, he said,
Nato would not be able to
undertake a Libya-style campaign
again in 10 years' time.
His remarks offer a stark warning
to European governments about
cuts in defence spending at a time
of turmoil in Syria and across the
Middle East.
He revealed the US had sold some
advanced munitions to Nato
during the Libya campaign
because European stockpiles were
running out, and there were a
"number of other critical
capabilities that the US provided
in spades".
"In the end we had enough and we
were able to resupply and sell
equipment," said Daalder. "But it
did demonstrate that stocks of
equipment had run out and that
people were not investing
sufficiently to have these
capabilities."
For this reason, he said, countries
withdrawing troops from
Afghanistan should not use the
peace dividend to spend on other
parts of their budgets.
"That investment, that cost of the
operations in Afghanistan [should]
be retained and be reinvested in
re-equipping the force, investing
in new capabilities down the line.
What we don't want to see is, as
the troops come home because the
job is done, we take those savings
and pump them into other parts of
the budget. We would like those
savings to be reinvested in real
capabilities because, in part, the
expenditure on Afghanistan has
come at the cost of procuring new
capabilities."
Daalder's remarks reflect concern
in the US that Europe cannot wean
itself off American military help.
The White House wants Europe to
shoulder more of the burden to
keep Nato robust.
Daalder said the lack of munitions
for the air campaign over Libya
was "a signal that there is a lack of
investment in critical core
capabilities by the alliance, and
that the continuing cuts in defence
spending raise, over time, serious
questions about sustainability.
"Not whether we can start a
conflict, but whether we can
sustain a large-scale conflict over
time. Those are the kinds of issues
we focused on in the aftermath of
the Libya war and are now on the
agenda."
Daalder added: "We can squeeze a
lot from better co-operation,
working together and smart
defence. But at some point output
is determined by input, and here
the trend is, frankly, not good.
"The amount of resources and
investment in defences is
declining and has declined. If
current trends continue, in 10
years from now this alliance would
not have been able to mount the
kind of campaign it did in Libya.
The real question for the alliance
is, when are the spending patterns
going to be reversed, so that you
can build that sustainable force
that is capable of fighting wars
and conducting operations without
having to rely solely on the US for
its core capability?
"That is the challenge for the
remainder of this decade."
Nato countries are supposed to
commit 2% of their GDP to
defence spending, but Daalder
said only three – the UK, Greece
and Macedonia – were at this
level. The US, he said, accounted
for 75% of Nato's budget and spent
4% of its GDP on defence.
This month, Philip Hammond, the
defence secretary, said Germany
needed to do more for Nato, but
Daalder said no one country could
solve the problem.
"The issue is not just Germany
doing more, it is everyone doing
more. There isn't a single country
in this alliance that spends more
than 2% [on its military]. In fact,
only three countries right now
spend 2%. Far more countries are
closer to 1%.
"That is really where the rub is.
Yes, Germany needs to do more,
but it is not just Germany. I don't
think the solution is to point the
finger at one country and say: 'If
only they did more the alliance
would be in better shape.'
"I do think frankly the issue is that
all of us – that includes the UK and
France – are looking at savings by
cutting defence at a time when the
balance between European and US
investment has shifted
dramatically in favour of the US.
Not just because the US is
spending more, but because
Europe is spending less."
Daalder said he expected defence
spending to return to previous
levels once economies start to
grow again.
"We recognise that we are all
going through tough financial
times. Under those circumstances
the ability to spend more on
defence is constrained. We do
expect that once growth resumes
that the level of spending on
defence will go back to levels that
we have seen before.
"The current ceilings should not
become the new ceilings, but
floors from which we will build
up. We can live where we are
today, not comfortably. But
looking to the future, when growth
picks up, so should defence
spending. As the cost of the
Afghan war goes down, those
savings are to be reinvested in
real capability."
According to MoD figures, the UK
spent £4.1bn on its military effort
in Afghanistan in 2011-12. This will
fall to £3.6bn in 2013. The
Treasury has been pushing for an
early withdrawal from
Afghanistan to save money and
has no plans to increase spending
on defence.
Europe is relying too heavily on
America and must use cash to re-
equip their military
David Cameron talks with Nato
pilots and ground crew at an airbase
in southern Italy during the Libyan
conflict. There are warnings that
Nato would be unable to wage a
similar campaign in a decade unless
defence spending cuts are reversed.
Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA
Nick Hopkins
The UK and other European
countries must use the money
saved by withdrawing from
Afghanistan to re-equip their
military and help reverse
worrying cuts in defence
spending, the American
ambassador to Nato will warn on
Tuesday.
Ivo Daalder said if Europe did not
invest in new capabilities, its over-
reliance on America would
continue at a time when
Washington had made the far east
and China its new strategic
priority.
"If we don't start soon in investing
in those capabilities then the gap
between the US and the rest is
going to grow. And if it is bad now,
then it will be worse. If we have
problems, they will be
even worse."
The ambassador's remarks come
as the UK and the US prepare to
withdraw thousands of troops
from Afghanistan in 2013 in
advance of the deadline to end all
combat operations by the end of
2014.
Two weeks ago, David Cameron
announced that 3,800 British
personnel would withdraw from
Helmand province in the next 12
months, and later hinted that the
total could be higher.
The Ministry of Defence budget
has been under huge strain over
the past two years and Treasury
officials have been privately
urging the prime minister to
speed up the withdrawal to cut
costs.
But Daalder believes Nato allies
should plough these savings back
into military equipment that is
urgently needed to maintain the
organisation's strength.
He said last year's Libya campaign
had shown Nato was capable of
reacting quickly and effectively to
a crisis, but warned it had also
exposed "worrisome trends" in
Europe's ability to act without
relying heavily on US help.
If this is not addressed, he said,
Nato would not be able to
undertake a Libya-style campaign
again in 10 years' time.
His remarks offer a stark warning
to European governments about
cuts in defence spending at a time
of turmoil in Syria and across the
Middle East.
He revealed the US had sold some
advanced munitions to Nato
during the Libya campaign
because European stockpiles were
running out, and there were a
"number of other critical
capabilities that the US provided
in spades".
"In the end we had enough and we
were able to resupply and sell
equipment," said Daalder. "But it
did demonstrate that stocks of
equipment had run out and that
people were not investing
sufficiently to have these
capabilities."
For this reason, he said, countries
withdrawing troops from
Afghanistan should not use the
peace dividend to spend on other
parts of their budgets.
"That investment, that cost of the
operations in Afghanistan [should]
be retained and be reinvested in
re-equipping the force, investing
in new capabilities down the line.
What we don't want to see is, as
the troops come home because the
job is done, we take those savings
and pump them into other parts of
the budget. We would like those
savings to be reinvested in real
capabilities because, in part, the
expenditure on Afghanistan has
come at the cost of procuring new
capabilities."
Daalder's remarks reflect concern
in the US that Europe cannot wean
itself off American military help.
The White House wants Europe to
shoulder more of the burden to
keep Nato robust.
Daalder said the lack of munitions
for the air campaign over Libya
was "a signal that there is a lack of
investment in critical core
capabilities by the alliance, and
that the continuing cuts in defence
spending raise, over time, serious
questions about sustainability.
"Not whether we can start a
conflict, but whether we can
sustain a large-scale conflict over
time. Those are the kinds of issues
we focused on in the aftermath of
the Libya war and are now on the
agenda."
Daalder added: "We can squeeze a
lot from better co-operation,
working together and smart
defence. But at some point output
is determined by input, and here
the trend is, frankly, not good.
"The amount of resources and
investment in defences is
declining and has declined. If
current trends continue, in 10
years from now this alliance would
not have been able to mount the
kind of campaign it did in Libya.
The real question for the alliance
is, when are the spending patterns
going to be reversed, so that you
can build that sustainable force
that is capable of fighting wars
and conducting operations without
having to rely solely on the US for
its core capability?
"That is the challenge for the
remainder of this decade."
Nato countries are supposed to
commit 2% of their GDP to
defence spending, but Daalder
said only three – the UK, Greece
and Macedonia – were at this
level. The US, he said, accounted
for 75% of Nato's budget and spent
4% of its GDP on defence.
This month, Philip Hammond, the
defence secretary, said Germany
needed to do more for Nato, but
Daalder said no one country could
solve the problem.
"The issue is not just Germany
doing more, it is everyone doing
more. There isn't a single country
in this alliance that spends more
than 2% [on its military]. In fact,
only three countries right now
spend 2%. Far more countries are
closer to 1%.
"That is really where the rub is.
Yes, Germany needs to do more,
but it is not just Germany. I don't
think the solution is to point the
finger at one country and say: 'If
only they did more the alliance
would be in better shape.'
"I do think frankly the issue is that
all of us – that includes the UK and
France – are looking at savings by
cutting defence at a time when the
balance between European and US
investment has shifted
dramatically in favour of the US.
Not just because the US is
spending more, but because
Europe is spending less."
Daalder said he expected defence
spending to return to previous
levels once economies start to
grow again.
"We recognise that we are all
going through tough financial
times. Under those circumstances
the ability to spend more on
defence is constrained. We do
expect that once growth resumes
that the level of spending on
defence will go back to levels that
we have seen before.
"The current ceilings should not
become the new ceilings, but
floors from which we will build
up. We can live where we are
today, not comfortably. But
looking to the future, when growth
picks up, so should defence
spending. As the cost of the
Afghan war goes down, those
savings are to be reinvested in
real capability."
According to MoD figures, the UK
spent £4.1bn on its military effort
in Afghanistan in 2011-12. This will
fall to £3.6bn in 2013. The
Treasury has been pushing for an
early withdrawal from
Afghanistan to save money and
has no plans to increase spending
on defence.
Delhi gang-rape case: Post-mortem report of 'Amanat' expected today
The crucial post-mortem report of the 23-
year-old medical student, whose brutal
gang-rape has shocked and shamed an
entire nation, is expected today. Amanat
(NOT her real name) died on Saturday
morning at a hospital in Singapore.
Today's report will supplement the case
by the Delhi Police which has readied a
1000-page chargesheet, which it plans to
submit in a Delhi court on Thursday.
Sources said that the police has cited 30
witnesses, including the doctors who
treated the student, first in Delhi, and
then at the Singapore hospital.
Key testimony lies in the statement of
the software engineer who was
accompanying Amanat on the bus and
was assaulted with an iron rod by the six
drunk men on board when he tried to
protect her. The couple was planning to
get married soon, said Amanat's
neighbours.
While in critical condition in hospital,
Amanat shared her testimony with two
different judges. Her account was not
video-taped, but will be the most
important evidence in the trial. Daily
hearings have been promised by the
Delhi High Court and the government, to
ensure that a verdict is reached quickly.
Senior police sources say that the
chargesheet has been vetted by legal
experts, and that the police will ask for
the death penalty for the six men who
have been charged with Amanat's rape
and murder. One of them is a minor and
cannot be tried in court. A report will be
sent to the Juvenile Justice Board, which
will handle his case.
The unabated monstrosity of the attack
on Amanat has walloped India, stirring
anger and protests, with thousands
pledging to fight in her memory for better
safety for women and tougher laws for
those convicted of rape. Activists also
point out the need for fast-track trials for
rape cases to counter the perception that
the notoriously slow legal system allows
those accused of sexual and other crimes
to escape punishment.
year-old medical student, whose brutal
gang-rape has shocked and shamed an
entire nation, is expected today. Amanat
(NOT her real name) died on Saturday
morning at a hospital in Singapore.
Today's report will supplement the case
by the Delhi Police which has readied a
1000-page chargesheet, which it plans to
submit in a Delhi court on Thursday.
Sources said that the police has cited 30
witnesses, including the doctors who
treated the student, first in Delhi, and
then at the Singapore hospital.
Key testimony lies in the statement of
the software engineer who was
accompanying Amanat on the bus and
was assaulted with an iron rod by the six
drunk men on board when he tried to
protect her. The couple was planning to
get married soon, said Amanat's
neighbours.
While in critical condition in hospital,
Amanat shared her testimony with two
different judges. Her account was not
video-taped, but will be the most
important evidence in the trial. Daily
hearings have been promised by the
Delhi High Court and the government, to
ensure that a verdict is reached quickly.
Senior police sources say that the
chargesheet has been vetted by legal
experts, and that the police will ask for
the death penalty for the six men who
have been charged with Amanat's rape
and murder. One of them is a minor and
cannot be tried in court. A report will be
sent to the Juvenile Justice Board, which
will handle his case.
The unabated monstrosity of the attack
on Amanat has walloped India, stirring
anger and protests, with thousands
pledging to fight in her memory for better
safety for women and tougher laws for
those convicted of rape. Activists also
point out the need for fast-track trials for
rape cases to counter the perception that
the notoriously slow legal system allows
those accused of sexual and other crimes
to escape punishment.
New Year Facebook Status
this age of technological advancements
and social networking that is on full swing,
it is difficult not to be caught up in the
New Year Madness, and as the year draws
to an end, the fight to update your
Facebook status has already begun.
If on the lookout for Facebook statuses
that you can update on the occasion of
New Year you should not have to look any
further, for we have for you a list of New
Year Facebook status that you can choose
from, so start updating your statuses.
1. New Year’s is the time to forget all your
fears, drink a few beers, leave behind all
your tears… so be merry and have happy
New Year.
2. New Year is the time when, all your hopes
are new, so are your aspiration, new are
your resolutions and new are your
spirits… so here’s wishing everyone a
very promising, fulfilling and a very happy
New Year.
3. Hope you have a year that is happy,
cheerful, joyful, energetic, prosperous,
bright, glowing, perfect and filled with all
the joys of the world that can be
imagined… Happy New Year 2013 to all…
4. As the New year begins let us hope that
this year will bring with it, a year of
peace, a year of joy, a year of plenty, a
year full of fun with friends, and full of
blessings… here’s wishing everyone a
happy and a prosperous New Year 2013.
5. With the blossoming of this New Year I
pray that there are great times lined for
you ahead. May you achieve all that you
ever dreamed and hoped for, wishing you
all a very Happy New Year 2013…
6. May the five F’s that are very important
in everyone’s life fill your New Year, May
you have the support of you Friends, your
Family, Fun, enjoy Fame and Food… Big
cheers and hugs and kisses to all, Happy
New Year 2013… Have a blast on this
New Year’s…
7. May the New Year bring mornings that
are vibrant, and multitudes of reasons
that are worth celebrating, so wishing you
and loved ones a Happy New Year 2013…
8. May you take a leap forward this New
Year, take on New Adventures, Step on
new roads that you can explore, achieve
new heights … have a Happy New Year…
9. May this New Year bring with golden
opportunities that pave your way with
success and happiness, help you explore
every avenue of live, and may your
resolutions all reach competition as you
stay firm and resolute… Have a Happy
New Year 2013…
10. Let us welcome another New Year and
cherish every new moment that is offered
to us… let us celebrate our time
blissfully; let us enjoy the New Year…
11. New Year’s the time when we look back
on the past, learn from our mistakes,
face our fears, and try to move on to
happier times… so on this New Year, let
us vow to leave the past behind and
celebrate the future… Happy New Year
2013…
and social networking that is on full swing,
it is difficult not to be caught up in the
New Year Madness, and as the year draws
to an end, the fight to update your
Facebook status has already begun.
If on the lookout for Facebook statuses
that you can update on the occasion of
New Year you should not have to look any
further, for we have for you a list of New
Year Facebook status that you can choose
from, so start updating your statuses.
1. New Year’s is the time to forget all your
fears, drink a few beers, leave behind all
your tears… so be merry and have happy
New Year.
2. New Year is the time when, all your hopes
are new, so are your aspiration, new are
your resolutions and new are your
spirits… so here’s wishing everyone a
very promising, fulfilling and a very happy
New Year.
3. Hope you have a year that is happy,
cheerful, joyful, energetic, prosperous,
bright, glowing, perfect and filled with all
the joys of the world that can be
imagined… Happy New Year 2013 to all…
4. As the New year begins let us hope that
this year will bring with it, a year of
peace, a year of joy, a year of plenty, a
year full of fun with friends, and full of
blessings… here’s wishing everyone a
happy and a prosperous New Year 2013.
5. With the blossoming of this New Year I
pray that there are great times lined for
you ahead. May you achieve all that you
ever dreamed and hoped for, wishing you
all a very Happy New Year 2013…
6. May the five F’s that are very important
in everyone’s life fill your New Year, May
you have the support of you Friends, your
Family, Fun, enjoy Fame and Food… Big
cheers and hugs and kisses to all, Happy
New Year 2013… Have a blast on this
New Year’s…
7. May the New Year bring mornings that
are vibrant, and multitudes of reasons
that are worth celebrating, so wishing you
and loved ones a Happy New Year 2013…
8. May you take a leap forward this New
Year, take on New Adventures, Step on
new roads that you can explore, achieve
new heights … have a Happy New Year…
9. May this New Year bring with golden
opportunities that pave your way with
success and happiness, help you explore
every avenue of live, and may your
resolutions all reach competition as you
stay firm and resolute… Have a Happy
New Year 2013…
10. Let us welcome another New Year and
cherish every new moment that is offered
to us… let us celebrate our time
blissfully; let us enjoy the New Year…
11. New Year’s the time when we look back
on the past, learn from our mistakes,
face our fears, and try to move on to
happier times… so on this New Year, let
us vow to leave the past behind and
celebrate the future… Happy New Year
2013…
new year wishes to boyfriend
Year is one of the many occasions when
you can express your heart’s feeling to
your most special man.
Let your boyfriend know how much
difference he has made in the years gone
by and how you expect to be treated by
him in the coming year.
Send some cute and touching New Year
wishes for boyfriend to cheer up the
mood of the man of your dreams and to
make him feel special and loved.
Show your boyfriend how much you care
for him by choosing from the finest
collection of text messages. Your man is
sure to fall in love with you again once he
receives your love-filled words.
New Year Greetings for
Boyfriend
1. You have given me everything in 2012 to
see me happy and smiling and I know
2013 will become more beautiful and
joyous with you on my side.
2. When I will look back at 2012, I will
always cherish the sweet memories that
we have shared, the weird things that we
have indulged in together, the
mischievous acts we have performed and
the love you have given me. Hope you
will continue being the essential part of
my life in 2013 and the rest of my
lifetime.
3. As we step into another year, my love has
become much stronger for you and it is
this passion that has given new meaning
to my life. Thanks for making wonderful
memories in 2012 and being there by my
side in 2013.
4. You filled up the chapters of life in 2012
with pages of love and hope you continue
doing the same in 2013.
5. I love you more today than I did in the
years gone by, but not as much as I will
in the years ahead. Happy New Year
2013!
6. Your love has given me the courage to
walk the less-traveled paths and to be
the person I have always wanted to
become.
7. Love can act in strange ways. It made me
laugh, it made me cry, it gave me
happiness and sometimes brought tears
to my eyes but I know it will last till the
end of time. Happy New Year!
8. There have quite a few times in 2012
when I gave you pain and made you sad
because of my attitude. But I promise I
will fill up 2013 with moments of
happiness and pleasure.
9. Disillusioned, gloomy, distressed or
angry…no matter how the situation has
been in 2012, your cheerfulness has
always managed to pull me out of
despair…and I know 2013 will see your
love grow. Be there always to help me
stay grounded….make me alive always.
10. 2012 has been one of the most eventful,
exciting and memorable years of my
lifetime because of your presence in my
life and I know the years to come will
become all the more special with your
love shining upon me.
11. A wonderful start of another beautiful
year would not have been possible with
out your love and support. Thanks for
always showering your care on me, my
sweetheart. Happy New year.
you can express your heart’s feeling to
your most special man.
Let your boyfriend know how much
difference he has made in the years gone
by and how you expect to be treated by
him in the coming year.
Send some cute and touching New Year
wishes for boyfriend to cheer up the
mood of the man of your dreams and to
make him feel special and loved.
Show your boyfriend how much you care
for him by choosing from the finest
collection of text messages. Your man is
sure to fall in love with you again once he
receives your love-filled words.
New Year Greetings for
Boyfriend
1. You have given me everything in 2012 to
see me happy and smiling and I know
2013 will become more beautiful and
joyous with you on my side.
2. When I will look back at 2012, I will
always cherish the sweet memories that
we have shared, the weird things that we
have indulged in together, the
mischievous acts we have performed and
the love you have given me. Hope you
will continue being the essential part of
my life in 2013 and the rest of my
lifetime.
3. As we step into another year, my love has
become much stronger for you and it is
this passion that has given new meaning
to my life. Thanks for making wonderful
memories in 2012 and being there by my
side in 2013.
4. You filled up the chapters of life in 2012
with pages of love and hope you continue
doing the same in 2013.
5. I love you more today than I did in the
years gone by, but not as much as I will
in the years ahead. Happy New Year
2013!
6. Your love has given me the courage to
walk the less-traveled paths and to be
the person I have always wanted to
become.
7. Love can act in strange ways. It made me
laugh, it made me cry, it gave me
happiness and sometimes brought tears
to my eyes but I know it will last till the
end of time. Happy New Year!
8. There have quite a few times in 2012
when I gave you pain and made you sad
because of my attitude. But I promise I
will fill up 2013 with moments of
happiness and pleasure.
9. Disillusioned, gloomy, distressed or
angry…no matter how the situation has
been in 2012, your cheerfulness has
always managed to pull me out of
despair…and I know 2013 will see your
love grow. Be there always to help me
stay grounded….make me alive always.
10. 2012 has been one of the most eventful,
exciting and memorable years of my
lifetime because of your presence in my
life and I know the years to come will
become all the more special with your
love shining upon me.
11. A wonderful start of another beautiful
year would not have been possible with
out your love and support. Thanks for
always showering your care on me, my
sweetheart. Happy New year.
New Year Wishes for Girlfriend
can do many things to win the heart of
your girlfriend and impress the lady.
However, a nice way to make her feel
good about your feelings is sending her
your heartfelt wishes on the New Year
eve.
You can resort to conventional greetings
cards. A custom designed card can
impress her greatly. However, if she is
more tech savvy, you can also send
wishes online.
A lot of people use social media sites for
this purpose and they can be useful for
your needs too. Be original and
innovative with your wishes and that will
do the needful.
New Year Greetings for
Girlfriend
1. I wish you all the very best for your new
year.
2. My deepest wishes for you to succeed in
your exams this year.
3. May the god bless you with good health
and prosperity this year.
4. I sincerely wish we can strengthen our
relation and lead it to a meaningful path
this year.
5. I wish you and all your family members
joy and success this new year.
6. I wish you pass out of university with
flying colors this year.
7. I wish your career dreams come true this
year.
8. I wish you can excel in your studies and
resolve your educational woes this year.
9. I sincerely wish your beloved poodle stays
in top shape this year.
10. I wish you find a better job that gives you
a sense of fulfillment this year.
11. I wish you can learn to cook some yummy
dishes this year.
12. I sincerely wish you implement your
dream of becoming a dancer this year.
13. I wish you can enjoy the excursion of
college this year to the hilt.
14. I wish we have a great time together this
year on the Valentine’s Day.
15. I sincerely wish you shift to a better
neighborhood this year.
16. I wish we have less conflicts and ego
clashes this year.
17. I genuinely wish your parents think
positively about our future and give
blessings this year.
18. I wish you agree to my plan for a
weekend trip this year.
19. I wish you and your family gets spared
from natural disasters this year.
20. I wish you can stop fighting with your
brother over every issue this year.
21. I wish you master anger management and
deal with stress better this year.
22. I wish you gain confidence to crack
interviews this year.
23. I wish you get a promotion in your job
this year.
24. I wish you finally learn driving without
running into any mishaps this year.
25. I sincerely wish you can find a diet plan
that you can adhere to this New Year.
26. May god bless you with will power to cut
down on boozing this year.
27. I wish you succeed in reducing smoking
this year.
28. I wish you become more health conscious
and limit fast food eating this year.
29. I wish you grow lustrous tresses that turn
heads this year.
30. I wish you can spend more weekends
with me this year.
31. I sincerely wish you start wearing the ring
I gave you this year.
32. I wish you decide the time we shall tie
the knot this year.
your girlfriend and impress the lady.
However, a nice way to make her feel
good about your feelings is sending her
your heartfelt wishes on the New Year
eve.
You can resort to conventional greetings
cards. A custom designed card can
impress her greatly. However, if she is
more tech savvy, you can also send
wishes online.
A lot of people use social media sites for
this purpose and they can be useful for
your needs too. Be original and
innovative with your wishes and that will
do the needful.
New Year Greetings for
Girlfriend
1. I wish you all the very best for your new
year.
2. My deepest wishes for you to succeed in
your exams this year.
3. May the god bless you with good health
and prosperity this year.
4. I sincerely wish we can strengthen our
relation and lead it to a meaningful path
this year.
5. I wish you and all your family members
joy and success this new year.
6. I wish you pass out of university with
flying colors this year.
7. I wish your career dreams come true this
year.
8. I wish you can excel in your studies and
resolve your educational woes this year.
9. I sincerely wish your beloved poodle stays
in top shape this year.
10. I wish you find a better job that gives you
a sense of fulfillment this year.
11. I wish you can learn to cook some yummy
dishes this year.
12. I sincerely wish you implement your
dream of becoming a dancer this year.
13. I wish you can enjoy the excursion of
college this year to the hilt.
14. I wish we have a great time together this
year on the Valentine’s Day.
15. I sincerely wish you shift to a better
neighborhood this year.
16. I wish we have less conflicts and ego
clashes this year.
17. I genuinely wish your parents think
positively about our future and give
blessings this year.
18. I wish you agree to my plan for a
weekend trip this year.
19. I wish you and your family gets spared
from natural disasters this year.
20. I wish you can stop fighting with your
brother over every issue this year.
21. I wish you master anger management and
deal with stress better this year.
22. I wish you gain confidence to crack
interviews this year.
23. I wish you get a promotion in your job
this year.
24. I wish you finally learn driving without
running into any mishaps this year.
25. I sincerely wish you can find a diet plan
that you can adhere to this New Year.
26. May god bless you with will power to cut
down on boozing this year.
27. I wish you succeed in reducing smoking
this year.
28. I wish you become more health conscious
and limit fast food eating this year.
29. I wish you grow lustrous tresses that turn
heads this year.
30. I wish you can spend more weekends
with me this year.
31. I sincerely wish you start wearing the ring
I gave you this year.
32. I wish you decide the time we shall tie
the knot this year.
Top 10 New Year Wishes
1. Let this New Year be the one, where all
your dreams come true, so with a joyful
heart, put a start to this year anew.
Wishing you a happy and prosperous New
Year 2013.
2. Let's give a warm welcome to the year
that starts a new, cherish each moment
that the year shall behold, so let's come
together and celebrate a blissful start to
the New Year. Happy New Year.
3. As the New Year approaches us with
hopes anew, here is wishing you and your
family a wonderful year ahead. Happy
New Year
4. The New Year is the time of unfolding
horizons and the realization of dreams,
may you rediscover new strength and
garner faith with you, and be able to
rejoice in the simple pleasures that life
has to offer and put a brave front for all
the challenges that may come your way.
Wishing you a lovely New Year.
5. Wishing you a year that is filled with all
the fragrance of roses, illuminated with
all the lights of the world and be blessed
with all the smiles on the planet. Hope
this year will be the year when all your
dreams come true. Happy New Year
2013.
6. Even if our talks may lessen, and so might
our hellos, our stories might shorten
along with our greetings, but remember
that no matter what happens, my prayers
and wishes for you will never fall short.
May this year be the best year by far, and
may this year bring with it endless joy
and happiness.
7. On this New Year I wish that you have a
wonderful January, a lovely February, a
Peaceful March, a stress-free April, a fun-
filled May, and Joy that lasts from June to
November, and finally a happy December.
May my wishes come true and may you
have a charming and lucky New Year
2013.
8. On this New Year, may you change your
direction and not dates, change your
commitments and not the Calendar,
change your attitude and not the actions,
and bring about a change in your faith,
your force and your focus and not the
fruit. May you live up to the promises you
have made and may you create for you
and your loved ones the most Happy New
Year ever.
9. Time is like a flowing river, no water
passes beneath your feet twice, much like
the river, moments never pass you by
again, so cherish every moment that life
gives you and have a wonderful New
Year.
10. There are things that are sometimes left
undone and there are things that can be
left sometimes unsaid. There are things
that can be sometimes left unsaid, but
wishing someone like you can't ever be
left, so I take this moment to wish you
and your loved ones a joyous and
wonderful New Year.
your dreams come true, so with a joyful
heart, put a start to this year anew.
Wishing you a happy and prosperous New
Year 2013.
2. Let's give a warm welcome to the year
that starts a new, cherish each moment
that the year shall behold, so let's come
together and celebrate a blissful start to
the New Year. Happy New Year.
3. As the New Year approaches us with
hopes anew, here is wishing you and your
family a wonderful year ahead. Happy
New Year
4. The New Year is the time of unfolding
horizons and the realization of dreams,
may you rediscover new strength and
garner faith with you, and be able to
rejoice in the simple pleasures that life
has to offer and put a brave front for all
the challenges that may come your way.
Wishing you a lovely New Year.
5. Wishing you a year that is filled with all
the fragrance of roses, illuminated with
all the lights of the world and be blessed
with all the smiles on the planet. Hope
this year will be the year when all your
dreams come true. Happy New Year
2013.
6. Even if our talks may lessen, and so might
our hellos, our stories might shorten
along with our greetings, but remember
that no matter what happens, my prayers
and wishes for you will never fall short.
May this year be the best year by far, and
may this year bring with it endless joy
and happiness.
7. On this New Year I wish that you have a
wonderful January, a lovely February, a
Peaceful March, a stress-free April, a fun-
filled May, and Joy that lasts from June to
November, and finally a happy December.
May my wishes come true and may you
have a charming and lucky New Year
2013.
8. On this New Year, may you change your
direction and not dates, change your
commitments and not the Calendar,
change your attitude and not the actions,
and bring about a change in your faith,
your force and your focus and not the
fruit. May you live up to the promises you
have made and may you create for you
and your loved ones the most Happy New
Year ever.
9. Time is like a flowing river, no water
passes beneath your feet twice, much like
the river, moments never pass you by
again, so cherish every moment that life
gives you and have a wonderful New
Year.
10. There are things that are sometimes left
undone and there are things that can be
left sometimes unsaid. There are things
that can be sometimes left unsaid, but
wishing someone like you can't ever be
left, so I take this moment to wish you
and your loved ones a joyous and
wonderful New Year.
New year wishes
Let this New Year be the one, where all
your dreams come true, so with a joyful
heart, put a start to this year anew.
Wishing you a happy and prosperous New
Year 2013.
your dreams come true, so with a joyful
heart, put a start to this year anew.
Wishing you a happy and prosperous New
Year 2013.
Rumour Mill: Apple To Launch iWatch
Hardly have the next generation of
iPhones and iPods released that rumour
mills are agog with products Apple will be
developing and launching in 2013. If
reports are to be believed, Apple is in the
process of designing a Bluetooth watch.
The iPhone maker is apparently in talks
with Intel for development of the watch.
The watch, expected to be launched early
next year will come with a 1.5-inch OLED
screen and as all Apple products go, it will
be an iOS based watch. Reportedly, the
watch will be linked to the iPhone and will
alert the wearer in case of any calls.
Apple is designing the watch in a manner
that it will facilitate even answering calls,
according to news report.
iPhones and iPods released that rumour
mills are agog with products Apple will be
developing and launching in 2013. If
reports are to be believed, Apple is in the
process of designing a Bluetooth watch.
The iPhone maker is apparently in talks
with Intel for development of the watch.
The watch, expected to be launched early
next year will come with a 1.5-inch OLED
screen and as all Apple products go, it will
be an iOS based watch. Reportedly, the
watch will be linked to the iPhone and will
alert the wearer in case of any calls.
Apple is designing the watch in a manner
that it will facilitate even answering calls,
according to news report.
Samsung Sells 10 Million Galaxy Devices in India
NEW DELHI: South Korean company
Samsung Electronics today said it has sold
more than 10 million Galaxy devices in
the Indian market since the launch of the
first Galaxy device, 'Galaxy S', in June
2010.
"Innovative devices like the Samsung
Galaxy S, Galaxy SII and SIII, Galaxy Note,
Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy Y have caught
the imagination of customers and helped
us democratise the smartphone
experience in the Indian market,"
Samsung VP (Mobile) Asim Warsi told PTI.
This has helped Samsung sell more than
10 million Galaxy devices in the Indian
market since June 2010, when the first
Galaxy device was launched, he added.
The Galaxy series comprises a portfolio of
devices like Galaxy Y (launched in October
2011), Galaxy SII (May 2011), Galaxy Tab
(November 2011), Galaxy Tab 2 310 (May
2012) and Galaxy SIII.
Though the company declined to
comment on individual contribution of a
particular device, Galaxy Y series, Note
series and SIII together contributed more
than 50 per cent of the sales.
"Through our series of consistent
Smartphone launches, Samsung has
fuelled the growth of the smartphone
market in India and has been a category
leader since last year. Samsung's portfolio
of 13 Galaxy devices in the Indian market
are priced between Rs 6,790 to Rs
39,990," Warsi said.
According to CyberMedia Research (CMR)
India Mobile Handsets Market Review,
India shipments of mobile handsets was
recorded at 102.43 million units during
January-June 2012.
Of the smartphones market of 5.50
million units, Samsung had a 41.6 per
cent share, while Nokia and Research in
Motion had 19.2 per cent and 12.1 per
cent share, respectively.
Samsung Electronics today said it has sold
more than 10 million Galaxy devices in
the Indian market since the launch of the
first Galaxy device, 'Galaxy S', in June
2010.
"Innovative devices like the Samsung
Galaxy S, Galaxy SII and SIII, Galaxy Note,
Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy Y have caught
the imagination of customers and helped
us democratise the smartphone
experience in the Indian market,"
Samsung VP (Mobile) Asim Warsi told PTI.
This has helped Samsung sell more than
10 million Galaxy devices in the Indian
market since June 2010, when the first
Galaxy device was launched, he added.
The Galaxy series comprises a portfolio of
devices like Galaxy Y (launched in October
2011), Galaxy SII (May 2011), Galaxy Tab
(November 2011), Galaxy Tab 2 310 (May
2012) and Galaxy SIII.
Though the company declined to
comment on individual contribution of a
particular device, Galaxy Y series, Note
series and SIII together contributed more
than 50 per cent of the sales.
"Through our series of consistent
Smartphone launches, Samsung has
fuelled the growth of the smartphone
market in India and has been a category
leader since last year. Samsung's portfolio
of 13 Galaxy devices in the Indian market
are priced between Rs 6,790 to Rs
39,990," Warsi said.
According to CyberMedia Research (CMR)
India Mobile Handsets Market Review,
India shipments of mobile handsets was
recorded at 102.43 million units during
January-June 2012.
Of the smartphones market of 5.50
million units, Samsung had a 41.6 per
cent share, while Nokia and Research in
Motion had 19.2 per cent and 12.1 per
cent share, respectively.
Google India Lights a Candle to Honour Delhi Gang Rape Victim
Google India joined hundreds in India and
across the world to honour the Delhi gang
rape victim. The search giant's India
home page featured a candle along with
the words "In the Memory of the Delhi
Braveheart."
A simple and poignant message. This is
the second time this month that Google
lit a candle on its home page. The last
time was 2 weeks ago to honour the 23
victimes of the Sandy Hook school
shooting in Newton, USA.
The Delhi girl's death was announced
early Saturday morning and she was
cremated amidst tight security early
Sunday morning.
across the world to honour the Delhi gang
rape victim. The search giant's India
home page featured a candle along with
the words "In the Memory of the Delhi
Braveheart."
A simple and poignant message. This is
the second time this month that Google
lit a candle on its home page. The last
time was 2 weeks ago to honour the 23
victimes of the Sandy Hook school
shooting in Newton, USA.
The Delhi girl's death was announced
early Saturday morning and she was
cremated amidst tight security early
Sunday morning.
Top 5: Apple Gadgets Discontinued in 2012
5. Apple White MacBook: The budget
version popular among students and
people looking for low-end Apple
products was finally discontinued in
2012.
4. iPhone 3GS: With each passing year
as Apple launches new iPhones, it
either gives discounts on orevious
versions or completely discontinues
them. And this year, iPhone 3GS
breathed its last with the launch of
iPhone 5.
3. iPad 3: This must have been one of
the newest Apple products to get the
axe this quickly. The latest version of
the iPad was released barely 6 months
after launching the iPad 3 with much
fanfare.
2. Apple 17-Inch MacBook Pro: The 17-
inch Macbook Pro was discontinued in
2012. However, the 15-inch and 13-
inch versions are still available.
1. iPod Touch 4th Generation 8GB and
64GB models: With the launch of the
5th Generation iPod Touch, the 8GB
and 64 GB 4th generation variants
were discontinued. The 32 GB model is
still available at a discounted price.
version popular among students and
people looking for low-end Apple
products was finally discontinued in
2012.
4. iPhone 3GS: With each passing year
as Apple launches new iPhones, it
either gives discounts on orevious
versions or completely discontinues
them. And this year, iPhone 3GS
breathed its last with the launch of
iPhone 5.
3. iPad 3: This must have been one of
the newest Apple products to get the
axe this quickly. The latest version of
the iPad was released barely 6 months
after launching the iPad 3 with much
fanfare.
2. Apple 17-Inch MacBook Pro: The 17-
inch Macbook Pro was discontinued in
2012. However, the 15-inch and 13-
inch versions are still available.
1. iPod Touch 4th Generation 8GB and
64GB models: With the launch of the
5th Generation iPod Touch, the 8GB
and 64 GB 4th generation variants
were discontinued. The 32 GB model is
still available at a discounted price.
Worst of Bollywood in 2012
I apologize to those who thought they
deserved to win under the following
categories. I assure you the winners were
better than you at it – making me sick,
that is!
WORST FEMALE BODY – SONAKSHI
SINHA
Yes, curves are more in demand than the
bones, but I would prefer bones to what
Sonakshi goes with everywhere! I wonder
who trains her! Vidya Balan? And I just
hope she stops shaking a leg (and the
earth) with her earth-shattering jumps.
WORST MALE BODY – SONAKSHI SINHA
No, you are not mistaken – that's the
right name under the right category you
just read! Please watch her dance, walk or
simply stand – and you'll agree with me.
WORST 'TOP GROSSING FILM' – JAB TAK
HAI JAAN
Though Jab Tak Hai Jaan and Housefull 2
were neck and neck in this competition,
the former one won out! I'm not
surprised at the cash-bags the film filled
at the Box Office (it was bound to happen
– given its immediate connection with a
certain Khan and the Chopras). But I must
let you know – the moment I came out of
the movie hall, mujhe Saans ayi… mujhe
Saans ayi. Apart from Housefull 2, the
other close contenders were Ek Tha Tiger,
Rowdy Rathore and Son of Sardaar.
WORST DEBUT FACE – PAOLI DAM (HATE
STORY)
I would have happily given this honour to
Tusshar Kapoor, had he been debuting
this year. Nevertheless, Paoli Dam and
only Paoli Dam deserves the title now.
She may have given her best to win the
most sleaze-ilicious BTown babe's label,
but that couldn't save her from lapping
this 'credit'!
WORST ACTOR – TUSSHAR KAPOOR
Need I justify this one?
WORST ACTRESS – SONAM KAPOOR
Zooming past her rivals Bipasha Basu,
Asin, Jacqueline Fernandez, Zarine Khan,
Shazahn Padamsee, Paoli Dam and Sunny
Leone, Sonam effortlessly grabbed the
top slot here. After bearing her for
endless hours in Mausam last year, I
seriously hoped to miss out on her in
2012. But as luck would have it, Players
happened! Had Sonam concentrated
more on her expressions and acting than
her outfits and hairstyles, Paoli Dam
would have walked away with this title as
well!
deserved to win under the following
categories. I assure you the winners were
better than you at it – making me sick,
that is!
WORST FEMALE BODY – SONAKSHI
SINHA
Yes, curves are more in demand than the
bones, but I would prefer bones to what
Sonakshi goes with everywhere! I wonder
who trains her! Vidya Balan? And I just
hope she stops shaking a leg (and the
earth) with her earth-shattering jumps.
WORST MALE BODY – SONAKSHI SINHA
No, you are not mistaken – that's the
right name under the right category you
just read! Please watch her dance, walk or
simply stand – and you'll agree with me.
WORST 'TOP GROSSING FILM' – JAB TAK
HAI JAAN
Though Jab Tak Hai Jaan and Housefull 2
were neck and neck in this competition,
the former one won out! I'm not
surprised at the cash-bags the film filled
at the Box Office (it was bound to happen
– given its immediate connection with a
certain Khan and the Chopras). But I must
let you know – the moment I came out of
the movie hall, mujhe Saans ayi… mujhe
Saans ayi. Apart from Housefull 2, the
other close contenders were Ek Tha Tiger,
Rowdy Rathore and Son of Sardaar.
WORST DEBUT FACE – PAOLI DAM (HATE
STORY)
I would have happily given this honour to
Tusshar Kapoor, had he been debuting
this year. Nevertheless, Paoli Dam and
only Paoli Dam deserves the title now.
She may have given her best to win the
most sleaze-ilicious BTown babe's label,
but that couldn't save her from lapping
this 'credit'!
WORST ACTOR – TUSSHAR KAPOOR
Need I justify this one?
WORST ACTRESS – SONAM KAPOOR
Zooming past her rivals Bipasha Basu,
Asin, Jacqueline Fernandez, Zarine Khan,
Shazahn Padamsee, Paoli Dam and Sunny
Leone, Sonam effortlessly grabbed the
top slot here. After bearing her for
endless hours in Mausam last year, I
seriously hoped to miss out on her in
2012. But as luck would have it, Players
happened! Had Sonam concentrated
more on her expressions and acting than
her outfits and hairstyles, Paoli Dam
would have walked away with this title as
well!
gang rape : A Determined Girl Who Wanted to Live Life to Fullest
Nirbhaya. Amanat. Damini. The media
may have given names to the gang-rape
victim over the course her fight for
survival. But the very fact she should be
left un-named is because it makes a small
fact rather clear-she could have been any
girl, daughter, mother, sister of India.So
who was she? A very regular girl with
dreams and ambitions of a life she wanted
to live to the fullest. It was very clear
from the testimonials of the doctors
treating her-that her bravery and fighting
spirit -that she had a zest for life. That is
exactly what she told her family," "Mujhe
bacha lo...main jeena chahti hoon".
Hailing from a lower middle class family of
Delhi, she was a very bright girl who was
a top scorer both in school and
college.Her excellence in studies had
given hope to her family that she will
support the family's income with a good
job after her education.Her her father is a
loader at the airport and had sold a plot
of land nearby as well as land in their
village in Ballia district of eastern Uttar
Pradesh to fund his daughter's education.
She went on to complete a professional
course in physiotherapy from a Dehradun
institute. "She had returned to Delhi just
a little over a month ago and was waiting
for her final results. She was hoping to
get a good job in a government hospital
after her internship. Bahut saral ladki thi.
Padhne ka shauk tha (She was very
simple and enjoyed her studies a lot)," a
close family friend told TOI .
She was a mentor to her two brothers-
the younger in Class Xth and the elder a
student of engineering-a pillar of support
to her father and life of the family. A hard
working girl, she gave tuitions to the
children in the neighbourhood to
supplement her family's income. Bright,
intelligent and determined to make a
good life for herself and her family, she
passed away too soon. And she had hopes
for her future.She was to marry the
friend, a software engineer, who was
beaten up in the bus with her.. “They had
made all the wedding preparations and
had planned a wedding party in Delhi,”
said a close friend.
Was she any different from the lakhs of
women who have ambitious dreams of a
good happy life? She also had simple
aspirations and was willing to work hard
to make her family proud. But just
because some brazen men wanted to
have some fun with her, just becasue
they were drunk and wanted an object for
pleasure, her life was snatched away from
her. How many more? India has to
answer this time.
may have given names to the gang-rape
victim over the course her fight for
survival. But the very fact she should be
left un-named is because it makes a small
fact rather clear-she could have been any
girl, daughter, mother, sister of India.So
who was she? A very regular girl with
dreams and ambitions of a life she wanted
to live to the fullest. It was very clear
from the testimonials of the doctors
treating her-that her bravery and fighting
spirit -that she had a zest for life. That is
exactly what she told her family," "Mujhe
bacha lo...main jeena chahti hoon".
Hailing from a lower middle class family of
Delhi, she was a very bright girl who was
a top scorer both in school and
college.Her excellence in studies had
given hope to her family that she will
support the family's income with a good
job after her education.Her her father is a
loader at the airport and had sold a plot
of land nearby as well as land in their
village in Ballia district of eastern Uttar
Pradesh to fund his daughter's education.
She went on to complete a professional
course in physiotherapy from a Dehradun
institute. "She had returned to Delhi just
a little over a month ago and was waiting
for her final results. She was hoping to
get a good job in a government hospital
after her internship. Bahut saral ladki thi.
Padhne ka shauk tha (She was very
simple and enjoyed her studies a lot)," a
close family friend told TOI .
She was a mentor to her two brothers-
the younger in Class Xth and the elder a
student of engineering-a pillar of support
to her father and life of the family. A hard
working girl, she gave tuitions to the
children in the neighbourhood to
supplement her family's income. Bright,
intelligent and determined to make a
good life for herself and her family, she
passed away too soon. And she had hopes
for her future.She was to marry the
friend, a software engineer, who was
beaten up in the bus with her.. “They had
made all the wedding preparations and
had planned a wedding party in Delhi,”
said a close friend.
Was she any different from the lakhs of
women who have ambitious dreams of a
good happy life? She also had simple
aspirations and was willing to work hard
to make her family proud. But just
because some brazen men wanted to
have some fun with her, just becasue
they were drunk and wanted an object for
pleasure, her life was snatched away from
her. How many more? India has to
answer this time.
'Settai' Audio release date is out
Tamil remake of Aamir Khan's 'Delhi
Belly', is taking fast shape in the hands of
director Kannan of 'Jayamkondan' and
'Kanden Kadhalai' fame. The movie has
been titled "Settai." The film stars Arya
who reprises the role of Imran Khan and
Premji for Vir Das and Santhanam reprises
the role of Kunal Roy Kapur in the original
version. Hansika Motwani and Anjali are
playing the heroines, while veteran
Nasser is doing a role with negative
shades. Settai is gearing up for its audio
release on the 30th of January 2013.
Earlier the film's teaser, which showcased
the behidn the scene events had a warm
welcome among the fans. The
controversial song from the original 'DK
Bose' has been retrieved in the remake
as well but changed to JK Boss Nakki
which is also heard in the trailer.
According to sources, Arya, who had
earlier worked with UTV for 'Vettai', took
personal interest to remake 'Delhi Belly'
in Tamil. UTV Motion Pictures producing
Settai has Thaman composing music and
BGM. PG Muthaiah's is handling
cinematography and editing is by Leo John
Paul.
According to sources, the movie is most
likely to his screens by February 2013.
Belly', is taking fast shape in the hands of
director Kannan of 'Jayamkondan' and
'Kanden Kadhalai' fame. The movie has
been titled "Settai." The film stars Arya
who reprises the role of Imran Khan and
Premji for Vir Das and Santhanam reprises
the role of Kunal Roy Kapur in the original
version. Hansika Motwani and Anjali are
playing the heroines, while veteran
Nasser is doing a role with negative
shades. Settai is gearing up for its audio
release on the 30th of January 2013.
Earlier the film's teaser, which showcased
the behidn the scene events had a warm
welcome among the fans. The
controversial song from the original 'DK
Bose' has been retrieved in the remake
as well but changed to JK Boss Nakki
which is also heard in the trailer.
According to sources, Arya, who had
earlier worked with UTV for 'Vettai', took
personal interest to remake 'Delhi Belly'
in Tamil. UTV Motion Pictures producing
Settai has Thaman composing music and
BGM. PG Muthaiah's is handling
cinematography and editing is by Leo John
Paul.
According to sources, the movie is most
likely to his screens by February 2013.
Lawrence-Tapsee's 'Muni 3' on floors from January
Choreographer turned actor turned
director Raghava Lawrence’s "Muni 3" film
has been launched with a formal pooja.
Tapsee Pannu has been roped into play
female lead opposite Lawrence. Lawrence
will play the lead role besides wielding
megaphone for third installment in the
series.
Tentatively titled 'Muni 3' is horror genre
film which will be packed with comedy
elements. While in the earlier versions of
this horror cum comedy series turned
success at the Box-Office, Lawrence is
sure that the Muni 3 will also be
successful. Muni had actor Rajkiran in
prominent role and the second version
had Sarath Kumar.
The regular shooting will commence from
January and the musical scores for the
film are by Vijay Anthony.
Cinematography is by V Krishnaswamy.
director Raghava Lawrence’s "Muni 3" film
has been launched with a formal pooja.
Tapsee Pannu has been roped into play
female lead opposite Lawrence. Lawrence
will play the lead role besides wielding
megaphone for third installment in the
series.
Tentatively titled 'Muni 3' is horror genre
film which will be packed with comedy
elements. While in the earlier versions of
this horror cum comedy series turned
success at the Box-Office, Lawrence is
sure that the Muni 3 will also be
successful. Muni had actor Rajkiran in
prominent role and the second version
had Sarath Kumar.
The regular shooting will commence from
January and the musical scores for the
film are by Vijay Anthony.
Cinematography is by V Krishnaswamy.
Dhanush's 'Raanjhnaa' to hit theatres on June 28th
It is well aware that, National Award
winning actor Dhanush is making his
bollywood debut with Anand L Rai's
"Raanjhnaa". Sonam Kapoor is playing
female opposite Dhanush in this film. The
shooting of the movie is at brisk pace.
Now the news is that Dhanush has
announced the release date of his
Bollywood debut film ‘Raanjhnaa’ that is
to hit the screens on 28 June 2013.
Wishing his fans on Christmas Dhanush
tweeted, “Merry Christmas guys.
Mariyaan is done. only 10 days patch work
left. Raanjhanaa release date is officially
decided on June 28th.”
Dhanush, who has a single release 3
during 2012, is busy shooting for his
upcoming movies Mariyaan and Raanjhnaa
back to back and also started his maiden
production house ‘Wunderbar Films’.
Taking the opportunity Dhanush also
thanked his fans for making Anirudh
Ravichander composed Ethir Neechal
audio a grand success.
winning actor Dhanush is making his
bollywood debut with Anand L Rai's
"Raanjhnaa". Sonam Kapoor is playing
female opposite Dhanush in this film. The
shooting of the movie is at brisk pace.
Now the news is that Dhanush has
announced the release date of his
Bollywood debut film ‘Raanjhnaa’ that is
to hit the screens on 28 June 2013.
Wishing his fans on Christmas Dhanush
tweeted, “Merry Christmas guys.
Mariyaan is done. only 10 days patch work
left. Raanjhanaa release date is officially
decided on June 28th.”
Dhanush, who has a single release 3
during 2012, is busy shooting for his
upcoming movies Mariyaan and Raanjhnaa
back to back and also started his maiden
production house ‘Wunderbar Films’.
Taking the opportunity Dhanush also
thanked his fans for making Anirudh
Ravichander composed Ethir Neechal
audio a grand success.
Vikram-Jeeva's 'David' audio release on 3rd January
'David', is an upcoming Tamil-Hindi
bilingual, which is being directed by Bejoy
Nambiar of Shaitan fame.Vikram and
Jeeva are playing lead roles in this movie.
Vikram is playing a 35-year-old fisherman
in 'David'. Sarika ex-wife of Kamal Haasan
is doing a cameo in the film,as a kawali
dancer,while Jeeva will be seen as painist.
Interestingly, the name of the characters
played by both Vikram and Jiiva is David.
Makers of 'David' have recently revealed
the Tamil audio release date as January
3rd.
Confirming the news Anirudh tweeted,”
Not slept in 3 days..Completing my single
for David both in Hindi and Tamil..Audio
releases on Jan 3rd.”
Tabu is playing the female lead for Vikram
in David, which also casts Lara Dutta, Isha
Sharvani and Nassar in key roles and
Sarika is back to set screens on fire by
sizzling for a kawali song in David. Anirudh
Ravichander composing David music
album will be unveiled on 3rd January and
the movie is slated for February 1
release.
Stick to the space for more updates on
Vikram, Jeeva and their David.
bilingual, which is being directed by Bejoy
Nambiar of Shaitan fame.Vikram and
Jeeva are playing lead roles in this movie.
Vikram is playing a 35-year-old fisherman
in 'David'. Sarika ex-wife of Kamal Haasan
is doing a cameo in the film,as a kawali
dancer,while Jeeva will be seen as painist.
Interestingly, the name of the characters
played by both Vikram and Jiiva is David.
Makers of 'David' have recently revealed
the Tamil audio release date as January
3rd.
Confirming the news Anirudh tweeted,”
Not slept in 3 days..Completing my single
for David both in Hindi and Tamil..Audio
releases on Jan 3rd.”
Tabu is playing the female lead for Vikram
in David, which also casts Lara Dutta, Isha
Sharvani and Nassar in key roles and
Sarika is back to set screens on fire by
sizzling for a kawali song in David. Anirudh
Ravichander composing David music
album will be unveiled on 3rd January and
the movie is slated for February 1
release.
Stick to the space for more updates on
Vikram, Jeeva and their David.
Tamil Nadu cinemas threaten not to release any Kamal Haasan movies
Tamil Nadu Cinema Theatres Association
on Wednesday threatened that none of
actor Kamal Haasan's movies will be
released, old or new, in any theatres in
the state, if he goes ahead with his plan
to release his Vishwaroopam on DTH
format, before screening in theatres.
In view of Haasan deciding to release
Vishwaroopam in DTH on January 10 and
in threatres the next day, Theatre owners
and their representatives across the State
met here to decide their future course of
action.
Briefing reporters on the deliberations of
the meeting, association general
secretary, Paneerselvam said theatre
owners have already asked Haasan not to
release the film on DTH, which would set
a precedent, leading to closure of
theatres.
The pirated CD and new films shown in
television has taken a toll on audience
attendance in theatres in Tamil Nadu,
number of which has gone down from
3,000 to 1,200 now and once a step like
DTH becomes precedent, there would not
be any theatres in future, he said.
"For one's profit and benefit, it is not fair
to bring down the entire film theatre
industry," Paneerselvam said.
"In case, he goes ahead with the move to
release it on DTH before releasing it in
theatres, we will not screen his movies,
old or new, in any theatres in the state,"
he added.
The association claimed that the actor has
decided to release the film in theatres in
other States, including Kerala and said it
would request him not to mete out such
"step-motherly" treatment to Tamil Nadu
theatres.
on Wednesday threatened that none of
actor Kamal Haasan's movies will be
released, old or new, in any theatres in
the state, if he goes ahead with his plan
to release his Vishwaroopam on DTH
format, before screening in theatres.
In view of Haasan deciding to release
Vishwaroopam in DTH on January 10 and
in threatres the next day, Theatre owners
and their representatives across the State
met here to decide their future course of
action.
Briefing reporters on the deliberations of
the meeting, association general
secretary, Paneerselvam said theatre
owners have already asked Haasan not to
release the film on DTH, which would set
a precedent, leading to closure of
theatres.
The pirated CD and new films shown in
television has taken a toll on audience
attendance in theatres in Tamil Nadu,
number of which has gone down from
3,000 to 1,200 now and once a step like
DTH becomes precedent, there would not
be any theatres in future, he said.
"For one's profit and benefit, it is not fair
to bring down the entire film theatre
industry," Paneerselvam said.
"In case, he goes ahead with the move to
release it on DTH before releasing it in
theatres, we will not screen his movies,
old or new, in any theatres in the state,"
he added.
The association claimed that the actor has
decided to release the film in theatres in
other States, including Kerala and said it
would request him not to mete out such
"step-motherly" treatment to Tamil Nadu
theatres.
Kamal Hassan justifies decision to release Vishwaroopam on DTH
Unfazed by opposition from theatre-
owners against his decision to release his
Tamil film Vishwaroopam on Direct-To-
Home (DTH) platform also, veteran actor
Kamal Hassan today said the effort was an
"evolutionary growth" and insisted it was
the "way to go forward."
Seeking to assuage any apprehension, he
said the effort of monetising his film has
been done in a way without disturbing
the "ecosystem of the cinema business."
Announcing a tie-up with Airtel DTH, one
of the firms that will telecast his film on
January 10, next year, he said the film
would be released in 390-odd theatres
but the aim was to take it to 450 in the
state.
"Like satellite television this (effort of
releasing the movie on DTH) is an
evolutionary growth...the monetisation is
very well-planned and we debated it with
DTH companies without disturbing the
ecosystem of the (cinema) business. This
is the way to go forward," the 'Sadma'
star said.
The opposition came from those who
were not screening the movie, he said.
He claimed this was a 'first-of-its-kind'
initiative across the globe and said it was
in no way an experiment as "we are
making use of the technology and money
which is already there."
In such a case the content developer will
also benefit monetarily and enough anti-
piracy technology has been incorporated,
he said. There would be no advertisement
and the movie will be shown by five DTH
providers on January 10, a day ahead of
the film's release in theatre, he added.
Theatre owners are up in arms against
the national award winning actor's
decision to release the film on DTH, and
have been threatening to boycott his
movies. The film stars among others actor
Rahul Bose, filmmaker Shekhar Kapoor
and Andrea Jeremiah.
owners against his decision to release his
Tamil film Vishwaroopam on Direct-To-
Home (DTH) platform also, veteran actor
Kamal Hassan today said the effort was an
"evolutionary growth" and insisted it was
the "way to go forward."
Seeking to assuage any apprehension, he
said the effort of monetising his film has
been done in a way without disturbing
the "ecosystem of the cinema business."
Announcing a tie-up with Airtel DTH, one
of the firms that will telecast his film on
January 10, next year, he said the film
would be released in 390-odd theatres
but the aim was to take it to 450 in the
state.
"Like satellite television this (effort of
releasing the movie on DTH) is an
evolutionary growth...the monetisation is
very well-planned and we debated it with
DTH companies without disturbing the
ecosystem of the (cinema) business. This
is the way to go forward," the 'Sadma'
star said.
The opposition came from those who
were not screening the movie, he said.
He claimed this was a 'first-of-its-kind'
initiative across the globe and said it was
in no way an experiment as "we are
making use of the technology and money
which is already there."
In such a case the content developer will
also benefit monetarily and enough anti-
piracy technology has been incorporated,
he said. There would be no advertisement
and the movie will be shown by five DTH
providers on January 10, a day ahead of
the film's release in theatre, he added.
Theatre owners are up in arms against
the national award winning actor's
decision to release the film on DTH, and
have been threatening to boycott his
movies. The film stars among others actor
Rahul Bose, filmmaker Shekhar Kapoor
and Andrea Jeremiah.
Kamal Haasan speaks on theatre owners' protest
Kamal Haasan is embroiled in protests by
theatre owners ever since he decided to
release his forthcoming film
Vishwaroopam on DTH (direct-to-home)
platform ahead of its release in theatres.
The actor-filmmaker has urged the
exhibitors to help him bring about a
revolution.
"You can't ask a farmer to stop farming
just because he said 'no' to traditional
ploughing and 'yes' to tractor. I consider
myself a farmer in this case, because DTH
is my tractor and since I've adapted to
change, I request not to be stopped from
farming," Mr Kamal Haasan told reporters
here on Saturday.
Vishwaroopam will be premiered at 9.30
p.m. on six DTH platforms on January 10,
a day before its release in theatres on
January 11. It will be available on Airtel,
Sun Direct, Dish TV, Videocon, Big TV and
Tata Sky.
"The film will be screened Jan 10 in all six
DTH platforms. The digital video recorder
(DVR) will be disabled by all DTH
providers to ensure there is no piracy," Mr
Kamal Haasan said.
Vishwaroopam is written, directed and
produced by Kamal Haasan -- he also plays
the lead role. The film also features
Andrea Jeremiah, Pooja Kumar, Rahul
Bose and Shekhar Kapur in prominent
roles.
theatre owners ever since he decided to
release his forthcoming film
Vishwaroopam on DTH (direct-to-home)
platform ahead of its release in theatres.
The actor-filmmaker has urged the
exhibitors to help him bring about a
revolution.
"You can't ask a farmer to stop farming
just because he said 'no' to traditional
ploughing and 'yes' to tractor. I consider
myself a farmer in this case, because DTH
is my tractor and since I've adapted to
change, I request not to be stopped from
farming," Mr Kamal Haasan told reporters
here on Saturday.
Vishwaroopam will be premiered at 9.30
p.m. on six DTH platforms on January 10,
a day before its release in theatres on
January 11. It will be available on Airtel,
Sun Direct, Dish TV, Videocon, Big TV and
Tata Sky.
"The film will be screened Jan 10 in all six
DTH platforms. The digital video recorder
(DVR) will be disabled by all DTH
providers to ensure there is no piracy," Mr
Kamal Haasan said.
Vishwaroopam is written, directed and
produced by Kamal Haasan -- he also plays
the lead role. The film also features
Andrea Jeremiah, Pooja Kumar, Rahul
Bose and Shekhar Kapur in prominent
roles.
Hillary Clinton hospitalised with blood clot
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has
been hospitalised after suffering a blood
clot following an accident several weeks
ago, her senior State Department aide
Philippe Reines said on Sunday.
Clinton fell ill earlier this month with a
stomach bug that led to her fainting and
suffering a concussion, but her office had
insisted that she was recovering and the
top US diplomat was expected back at her
desk on Monday.
"In the course of a follow-up exam today,
Secretary Clinton's doctors discovered a
blood clot had formed, stemming from
the concussion she sustained several
weeks ago," Reines said in a statement.
"She is being treated with anti-coagulants
and is at New York Presbyterian Hospital
so that they can monitor the medication
over the next 48 hours," he added,
referring to a major hospital in Clinton's
home state.
"Her doctors will continue to assess her
condition, including other issues
associated with her concussion. They will
determine if any further action is
required."
Reines did not elaborate further on her
condition.
Clinton, 65, has been off work since her
return from her last foreign trip on
December 7, although her staff has said
she has been working from home.
Her lengthy absence from public life had
sparked claims from some of her fiercer
critics that she is trying to avoid testifying
in a congressional investigation into a
deadly attack on a US mission in Libya.
Earlier this month, the State Department
said Clinton had contracted a bad stomach
virus during her five-day stay in Europe.
She had to cancel a planned trip to North
Africa and Abu Dhabi due to the illness.
A week later, Clinton's doctors said she
had become severely dehydrated due to
the effects of the stomach bug and had
fainted, suffering a concussion.
They recommended she rest at home and
avoid, through mid-January, the high-
intensity travel she had been accustomed
to taking as secretary of state.
Clinton has flown almost a million miles
since taking office four years ago, visited
112 countries and spent some 400 days
in a plane.
Her health kept her from testifying on
December 20 to US lawmakers about the
attack on the US diplomatic post in the
eastern Libyan city of Benghazi on
September 11.
The assault, in which the US ambassador
and three other American officials were
killed, sparked a political firestorm in the
United States, and Republicans criticised
Clinton's absence from the hearings,
calling on her to testify in January.
Clinton, who is due to step down from
her post in early 2013, also stayed away
from the White House last week when
President Barack Obama nominated her
replacement, veteran Senator John Kerry.
She issued a statement paying tribute to
her successor.
been hospitalised after suffering a blood
clot following an accident several weeks
ago, her senior State Department aide
Philippe Reines said on Sunday.
Clinton fell ill earlier this month with a
stomach bug that led to her fainting and
suffering a concussion, but her office had
insisted that she was recovering and the
top US diplomat was expected back at her
desk on Monday.
"In the course of a follow-up exam today,
Secretary Clinton's doctors discovered a
blood clot had formed, stemming from
the concussion she sustained several
weeks ago," Reines said in a statement.
"She is being treated with anti-coagulants
and is at New York Presbyterian Hospital
so that they can monitor the medication
over the next 48 hours," he added,
referring to a major hospital in Clinton's
home state.
"Her doctors will continue to assess her
condition, including other issues
associated with her concussion. They will
determine if any further action is
required."
Reines did not elaborate further on her
condition.
Clinton, 65, has been off work since her
return from her last foreign trip on
December 7, although her staff has said
she has been working from home.
Her lengthy absence from public life had
sparked claims from some of her fiercer
critics that she is trying to avoid testifying
in a congressional investigation into a
deadly attack on a US mission in Libya.
Earlier this month, the State Department
said Clinton had contracted a bad stomach
virus during her five-day stay in Europe.
She had to cancel a planned trip to North
Africa and Abu Dhabi due to the illness.
A week later, Clinton's doctors said she
had become severely dehydrated due to
the effects of the stomach bug and had
fainted, suffering a concussion.
They recommended she rest at home and
avoid, through mid-January, the high-
intensity travel she had been accustomed
to taking as secretary of state.
Clinton has flown almost a million miles
since taking office four years ago, visited
112 countries and spent some 400 days
in a plane.
Her health kept her from testifying on
December 20 to US lawmakers about the
attack on the US diplomatic post in the
eastern Libyan city of Benghazi on
September 11.
The assault, in which the US ambassador
and three other American officials were
killed, sparked a political firestorm in the
United States, and Republicans criticised
Clinton's absence from the hearings,
calling on her to testify in January.
Clinton, who is due to step down from
her post in early 2013, also stayed away
from the White House last week when
President Barack Obama nominated her
replacement, veteran Senator John Kerry.
She issued a statement paying tribute to
her successor.
Helpline 181 for women in Delhi fails to launch, despite ads and hype
Delhi woke up to a slew ads announcing
that the Chief Minister's Helpline for
women in distress is now functional.
It isn't.
The much-promoted '181' toll-free
helpline has run into what sources
describe as technical glitches. It's now
expected to launch at 6 pm.
Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit looked grim
as she left the office where the helpline
number will be operated out of at the
Central Secretariat. She did not speak to
reporters.
The death of a student who was gang-
raped on a moving bus in Delhi engulfed
India in anger, sorrow, and shame. After
a 13-day fight for her life, she died in a
hospital in Singapore on Saturday.
Thousands of protestors have been lining
the streets in Delhi and other cities
vowed that her death will not be in vain.
They have promised to keep the pressure
on the government by campaigning
extensively for better policing, and
stricter and more effective anti-rape
laws.
The helpline was announced a few days
ago as the government faced the wrath of
a country that unsubscribed forcefully
from accepting that its women will be
groped in public places, harassed on
buses, and sexually assaulted while an
apathetic police force and administration
fail to course-correct.
The delayed launch of the helpline is
totemic of the turgid and lympathic
approach of the government in making
even the smallest changes.
The number '181', when it is operational,
can be dialled from landline and mobile
phones. The helpline will operate from
the Chief Minister's office and will be
connected with all the 185 police stations
across the city.
Ms Dikshit had requested Telecom
Minister Kapil Sibal to allot a three-digit
helpline number for helping women. The
Ministry had earlier allotted '167' as the
helpline but following a request for a
number that would be easier to recollect,
it was changed to '181'.
This is the first three-digit number to
have been allotted by the Telecom
Ministry in two years.
that the Chief Minister's Helpline for
women in distress is now functional.
It isn't.
The much-promoted '181' toll-free
helpline has run into what sources
describe as technical glitches. It's now
expected to launch at 6 pm.
Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit looked grim
as she left the office where the helpline
number will be operated out of at the
Central Secretariat. She did not speak to
reporters.
The death of a student who was gang-
raped on a moving bus in Delhi engulfed
India in anger, sorrow, and shame. After
a 13-day fight for her life, she died in a
hospital in Singapore on Saturday.
Thousands of protestors have been lining
the streets in Delhi and other cities
vowed that her death will not be in vain.
They have promised to keep the pressure
on the government by campaigning
extensively for better policing, and
stricter and more effective anti-rape
laws.
The helpline was announced a few days
ago as the government faced the wrath of
a country that unsubscribed forcefully
from accepting that its women will be
groped in public places, harassed on
buses, and sexually assaulted while an
apathetic police force and administration
fail to course-correct.
The delayed launch of the helpline is
totemic of the turgid and lympathic
approach of the government in making
even the smallest changes.
The number '181', when it is operational,
can be dialled from landline and mobile
phones. The helpline will operate from
the Chief Minister's office and will be
connected with all the 185 police stations
across the city.
Ms Dikshit had requested Telecom
Minister Kapil Sibal to allot a three-digit
helpline number for helping women. The
Ministry had earlier allotted '167' as the
helpline but following a request for a
number that would be easier to recollect,
it was changed to '181'.
This is the first three-digit number to
have been allotted by the Telecom
Ministry in two years.
'Amanat's' mother collapsed after cremation
After her 23-year-old daughter was
cremated, her mother collapsed and was
rushed to hospital.
The story of the young woman who
fought so courageously for her life for two
weeks after she was raped by six men on
a bus in Delhi has stung, hurt and shamed
the country, with thousands vowing that
the young woman's death will not be in
vain, a pledge echoed by the Prime
Minister and other government officials.
'Amanat' (not her real name) died in
Singapore on Saturday morning, three
days after her parents flew with her on
an air ambulance to a hospital, leaving
behind a country praying for a miracle.
Her mother, 45, was reportedly who
Amanat communicated with most in the
past 13 days that she spent in hospital.
Three days after her savage attack, she
told her mother that she wanted to live.
Doctors who attended to her mother
today say she needs counselling for her
trauma. She did not eat anything in the
hours she spent at the hospital, sipping
some milk instead.
Doctors said she appeared to have not
eaten properly for nearly two weeks.
Amanat was a remarkably committed and
good student, determined to study
medicine. She coached many children in
her neighbourhood. She helped bring up
her two younger brothers. She was
hoping to get married in February,
neighbours said.
They knew of her relationship with a
young software engineer, who watched
The Life of Pi with her at a South Delhi
mall on Sunday night.
They decided to take a bus home. When
six drunk men on board including the
driver began harassing her, he tried to
intervene. They hit first him and then her
with an iron rod. Then they took turns
raping her before throwing the couple
onto the road.
The barbarous contours of the crime
incensed India, and students and others
held near-daily protests demanding
better safety for women and a faster and
more effective process of trials for rape
cases. Some have been petitioning for
the death penalty for extreme cases of
sexual assault.
The six men have been arrested, charged
with murder and their trial is likely to
begin on January 3
Over 2000 policemen were on guard
outside the cremation ground for
Amanat.
The Prime Minister and congress
president Sonia Gandhi had received her
family at the airport.
cremated, her mother collapsed and was
rushed to hospital.
The story of the young woman who
fought so courageously for her life for two
weeks after she was raped by six men on
a bus in Delhi has stung, hurt and shamed
the country, with thousands vowing that
the young woman's death will not be in
vain, a pledge echoed by the Prime
Minister and other government officials.
'Amanat' (not her real name) died in
Singapore on Saturday morning, three
days after her parents flew with her on
an air ambulance to a hospital, leaving
behind a country praying for a miracle.
Her mother, 45, was reportedly who
Amanat communicated with most in the
past 13 days that she spent in hospital.
Three days after her savage attack, she
told her mother that she wanted to live.
Doctors who attended to her mother
today say she needs counselling for her
trauma. She did not eat anything in the
hours she spent at the hospital, sipping
some milk instead.
Doctors said she appeared to have not
eaten properly for nearly two weeks.
Amanat was a remarkably committed and
good student, determined to study
medicine. She coached many children in
her neighbourhood. She helped bring up
her two younger brothers. She was
hoping to get married in February,
neighbours said.
They knew of her relationship with a
young software engineer, who watched
The Life of Pi with her at a South Delhi
mall on Sunday night.
They decided to take a bus home. When
six drunk men on board including the
driver began harassing her, he tried to
intervene. They hit first him and then her
with an iron rod. Then they took turns
raping her before throwing the couple
onto the road.
The barbarous contours of the crime
incensed India, and students and others
held near-daily protests demanding
better safety for women and a faster and
more effective process of trials for rape
cases. Some have been petitioning for
the death penalty for extreme cases of
sexual assault.
The six men have been arrested, charged
with murder and their trial is likely to
begin on January 3
Over 2000 policemen were on guard
outside the cremation ground for
Amanat.
The Prime Minister and congress
president Sonia Gandhi had received her
family at the airport.
Engineering student alleges rape in Haryana, accused arrested
An engineering student has been accused
of raping a Dalit girl, also an engineering
student, and recording an MMS of the
incident in Kurukshetra, Haryana. The
accused has been arrested.
News of this incident comes even as the
chorus of protests - demanding speedy
justice for the accused in the Delhi gang-
rape incident and stricter anti-rape laws -
grows across the country.
The victim has alleged that the man
attacked her while she was on her way
for tuition classes. The accused reportedly
forced her into his car and took her to an
isolated spot where he raped her before
dumping her nearby. The girl managed to
get back home and narrated the incident
to her family.
A case has been filed with the local police
and medical examination of the girl has
confirmed that she was assaulted.
Narinder Singh, the local Station Incharge,
said that the incident occurred on
December 28 and the complaint was
lodged a day later.
of raping a Dalit girl, also an engineering
student, and recording an MMS of the
incident in Kurukshetra, Haryana. The
accused has been arrested.
News of this incident comes even as the
chorus of protests - demanding speedy
justice for the accused in the Delhi gang-
rape incident and stricter anti-rape laws -
grows across the country.
The victim has alleged that the man
attacked her while she was on her way
for tuition classes. The accused reportedly
forced her into his car and took her to an
isolated spot where he raped her before
dumping her nearby. The girl managed to
get back home and narrated the incident
to her family.
A case has been filed with the local police
and medical examination of the girl has
confirmed that she was assaulted.
Narinder Singh, the local Station Incharge,
said that the incident occurred on
December 28 and the complaint was
lodged a day later.
'Amanat' case: Forensic, DNA report likely today
The Delhi Police is expected to receive
the forensic and DNA reports today in the
gang-rape case of the 23-year-old medical
student, who died in Singapore on
Saturday. The results will establish the
presence of the six accused on the bus,
on which the young woman was gang-
raped and assaulted on December 16.
The Delhi Police has said it will file a
chargesheet by Wednesday. The
chargesheet is expected to be of 1000
pages.
After the young woman's death on
Saturday, the police added the charge of
murder under Section 302 of the Indian
Penal Code against the six accused men.
They had already been charged with gang-
rape, kidnapping, unnatural offences,
hurting in committing robbery and
common intention under the Indian Penal
Code.
On the evening of December 16, a
Sunday, the young woman boarded a
private bus on her way back home with a
male friend. The six men on the bus first
taunted the couple for being out late
together and then, after an altercation,
beat the friend with an iron rod and then
took turns to rape the woman, also
beating and assaulting her with the iron
rod. They then threw the couple out of
the bus on a flyover, where they were
found by a passer-by who called the
police.
The woman suffered injuries so severe
that her intestines had to be removed.
She also had injuries to her brain and
abdomen and underwent three major
surgeries and a cardiac arrest in her 10
days in the intensive care unit of the
Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, before she
was taken to Singapore in an air
ambulance on Wednesday night. She died
of severe organ failure on Saturday and
was created in Delhi on Sunday.
the forensic and DNA reports today in the
gang-rape case of the 23-year-old medical
student, who died in Singapore on
Saturday. The results will establish the
presence of the six accused on the bus,
on which the young woman was gang-
raped and assaulted on December 16.
The Delhi Police has said it will file a
chargesheet by Wednesday. The
chargesheet is expected to be of 1000
pages.
After the young woman's death on
Saturday, the police added the charge of
murder under Section 302 of the Indian
Penal Code against the six accused men.
They had already been charged with gang-
rape, kidnapping, unnatural offences,
hurting in committing robbery and
common intention under the Indian Penal
Code.
On the evening of December 16, a
Sunday, the young woman boarded a
private bus on her way back home with a
male friend. The six men on the bus first
taunted the couple for being out late
together and then, after an altercation,
beat the friend with an iron rod and then
took turns to rape the woman, also
beating and assaulting her with the iron
rod. They then threw the couple out of
the bus on a flyover, where they were
found by a passer-by who called the
police.
The woman suffered injuries so severe
that her intestines had to be removed.
She also had injuries to her brain and
abdomen and underwent three major
surgeries and a cardiac arrest in her 10
days in the intensive care unit of the
Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, before she
was taken to Singapore in an air
ambulance on Wednesday night. She died
of severe organ failure on Saturday and
was created in Delhi on Sunday.
Joint New Year bash for India-Pakistan players cancelled
With the Indian cricket board allowing its
players a day off on the New Year's eve,
the proposed joint New Year celebration
by the India and Pakistan cricket teams
ahead of their game at the Eden Gardens
here has been cancelled, a cricket official
said on Sunday.
"Though we had planned the joint
celebrations, the same has been
cancelled as team India players will be
enjoying a much-deserved day off with
their families in their respective homes
on the New Year's eve," said Cricket
Association of Bengal (CAB) treasurer
Biswarup Dey.
Both the squads were slated to arrive in
the city on Monday for the second One-
Day International to be played Jan 3, but
now the hosts would arrive in batches
Tuesday.
The Pakistan team would arrive as slated.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh, who was expected to be present at
the match, is also likely to give it a miss in
the wake of the gang-rape and death of a
Delhi girl.
"The prime minister would be in the city
to inaugurate the Centenary Session of
the Indian Science Congress Jan 3, and we
had plans to invite him for the match. But
in the wake of the tragedy, he is unlikely
to be present for the game," a CAB
official said.
The CAB, however, has invited several
former India players and captains,
including Kapil Dev and Dilip Vengsarkar,
for the second game of the three-match
ODI series.
players a day off on the New Year's eve,
the proposed joint New Year celebration
by the India and Pakistan cricket teams
ahead of their game at the Eden Gardens
here has been cancelled, a cricket official
said on Sunday.
"Though we had planned the joint
celebrations, the same has been
cancelled as team India players will be
enjoying a much-deserved day off with
their families in their respective homes
on the New Year's eve," said Cricket
Association of Bengal (CAB) treasurer
Biswarup Dey.
Both the squads were slated to arrive in
the city on Monday for the second One-
Day International to be played Jan 3, but
now the hosts would arrive in batches
Tuesday.
The Pakistan team would arrive as slated.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh, who was expected to be present at
the match, is also likely to give it a miss in
the wake of the gang-rape and death of a
Delhi girl.
"The prime minister would be in the city
to inaugurate the Centenary Session of
the Indian Science Congress Jan 3, and we
had plans to invite him for the match. But
in the wake of the tragedy, he is unlikely
to be present for the game," a CAB
official said.
The CAB, however, has invited several
former India players and captains,
including Kapil Dev and Dilip Vengsarkar,
for the second game of the three-match
ODI series.
MS Dhoni rues absence of fifth bowler
Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni
rued the absence of a fifth bowler and
said his part-timers struggled on a
sheepish wicket. India lost by six wickets
to Pakistan in the first ODI at the
Chepauk here on Sunday.
Dhoni, who was adjudged Man of the
Match for his unbeaten 113, said it was
difficult to make a comeback into the
game after India lost their first five
wickets for just 29 runs.
"It was a bad toss to lose, but I am happy
with my batting. There was something for
the fast bowlers, but they also pitched it
in the right areas. Once we lost five
wickets, it was difficult to come back,"
Dhoni said.
"We delayed the slog to get to a
respectable score - 227 was a good score
from where we were, but not enough in
the end. The wicket got better later and
our part-timers struggled."
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq was all
praise for his left-arm pacer, Junaid Khan,
who ended the match with figures of four
for 43.
Junaid accounted for four of the top five
batsmen, castling Virender Sehwag, Virat
Kohli and Yuvraj Singh.
"It was really good toss to win and the
spell by Junaid Khan was very good. He
has done it before in a Test match in Sri
Lanka. Good to see that the bowlers
pitched in the right areas in helping
conditions. There was a change in the
nature of the pitch. It was more difficult
to play in the first half, very well played
by Dhoni," said Misbah.
Misbah also took the opportunity to
praise his opener, Nasir Kamshed, who
smashed an unbeaten 101, taking
Pakistan to victory with 11 balls to spare.
"Nasir played an extremely good knock
and showed the way by finishing the
game. Humidity was a factor as both
teams found it hard. Credit must be given
to both teams' fast bowlers for bowling in
such conditions."
rued the absence of a fifth bowler and
said his part-timers struggled on a
sheepish wicket. India lost by six wickets
to Pakistan in the first ODI at the
Chepauk here on Sunday.
Dhoni, who was adjudged Man of the
Match for his unbeaten 113, said it was
difficult to make a comeback into the
game after India lost their first five
wickets for just 29 runs.
"It was a bad toss to lose, but I am happy
with my batting. There was something for
the fast bowlers, but they also pitched it
in the right areas. Once we lost five
wickets, it was difficult to come back,"
Dhoni said.
"We delayed the slog to get to a
respectable score - 227 was a good score
from where we were, but not enough in
the end. The wicket got better later and
our part-timers struggled."
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq was all
praise for his left-arm pacer, Junaid Khan,
who ended the match with figures of four
for 43.
Junaid accounted for four of the top five
batsmen, castling Virender Sehwag, Virat
Kohli and Yuvraj Singh.
"It was really good toss to win and the
spell by Junaid Khan was very good. He
has done it before in a Test match in Sri
Lanka. Good to see that the bowlers
pitched in the right areas in helping
conditions. There was a change in the
nature of the pitch. It was more difficult
to play in the first half, very well played
by Dhoni," said Misbah.
Misbah also took the opportunity to
praise his opener, Nasir Kamshed, who
smashed an unbeaten 101, taking
Pakistan to victory with 11 balls to spare.
"Nasir played an extremely good knock
and showed the way by finishing the
game. Humidity was a factor as both
teams found it hard. Credit must be given
to both teams' fast bowlers for bowling in
such conditions."
1st ODI: Pakistan beat India by 6 wickets
Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's
heroic unbeaten century under pressure
went in vain as arch rivals Pakistan held
their nerve to clinch the first one day
international with a comfortable six-
wicket victory in a low-scoring contest
here on Sunday.
India posted 227 for six after recovering
from a precarious 29 for five one stage
but that turned out to be insufficient for
the Pakistanis who rode on Nasir
Jamshed's unbeaten century to overhaul
the target with 11 balls to spare and take
a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Dhoni played a captain's knock with an
unbeaten 113, his 8th ODI century, to
script a brilliant Indian recovery after left-
arm pacer Junaid Khan (4 for 43) exploited
the overcast conditions to rip through the
top-order and leave the hosts gasping for
breath within the first 10 overs.
The Indian captain found an able ally in
Suresh Raina (43) first and then
Ravichandran Ashwin (31 not out) to take
the score beyond the 200-run mark
which looked doubtful at one stage
following the top-order collapse.
Dhoni and Ashwin put on a record
seventh wicket partnership of 121 runs
but the Indian captain's superlative knock
off 125 balls lost much of its value as the
Pakistani batsmen went about the task of
chasing down the target without taking
too many risks.
Younis Khan (58) and Shoaib Malik (34 not
out) were the other notable performers
for Pakistan.
The Pakistani innings started on a
disastrous note as ODI debutant
Bhuvneshwar Kumar produced a beauty to
get rid of Mohammed Hafeez with the
very first delivery of the Pakistan innings.
The ball came back sharply after pitching
as Hafeez didn't offer a stroke only to
find his off-stump knocked back.
The youngster got rid of Azhar Ali a few
overs later to reduce the visitors to 21 for
two. But the experienced Younis Khan
and Nashir steadied the Pakistan innings
with a solid 112-run third wicket
partnership.
heroic unbeaten century under pressure
went in vain as arch rivals Pakistan held
their nerve to clinch the first one day
international with a comfortable six-
wicket victory in a low-scoring contest
here on Sunday.
India posted 227 for six after recovering
from a precarious 29 for five one stage
but that turned out to be insufficient for
the Pakistanis who rode on Nasir
Jamshed's unbeaten century to overhaul
the target with 11 balls to spare and take
a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Dhoni played a captain's knock with an
unbeaten 113, his 8th ODI century, to
script a brilliant Indian recovery after left-
arm pacer Junaid Khan (4 for 43) exploited
the overcast conditions to rip through the
top-order and leave the hosts gasping for
breath within the first 10 overs.
The Indian captain found an able ally in
Suresh Raina (43) first and then
Ravichandran Ashwin (31 not out) to take
the score beyond the 200-run mark
which looked doubtful at one stage
following the top-order collapse.
Dhoni and Ashwin put on a record
seventh wicket partnership of 121 runs
but the Indian captain's superlative knock
off 125 balls lost much of its value as the
Pakistani batsmen went about the task of
chasing down the target without taking
too many risks.
Younis Khan (58) and Shoaib Malik (34 not
out) were the other notable performers
for Pakistan.
The Pakistani innings started on a
disastrous note as ODI debutant
Bhuvneshwar Kumar produced a beauty to
get rid of Mohammed Hafeez with the
very first delivery of the Pakistan innings.
The ball came back sharply after pitching
as Hafeez didn't offer a stroke only to
find his off-stump knocked back.
The youngster got rid of Azhar Ali a few
overs later to reduce the visitors to 21 for
two. But the experienced Younis Khan
and Nashir steadied the Pakistan innings
with a solid 112-run third wicket
partnership.
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