Judith Ann Braun fingers are magical

Judith Ann Braun fingers are magical

With a career spanning over three decades, Judith Ann Braun has tested the limits of their artistic muscles. It began as a self-styled "realistic figure painter", and worked through the common fight anyone who tries on an artistic quest, that of finding one's voice in the chosen medium.

Fast forward to the 21st century, where the evolution of Braun's work has led to the fingering series, a collection of coal dust landscapes and abstracts "painted" with brushes, but not his fingers. Braun has a specific interest in symmetry, as evidenced by patterns over a number of parts and labor Fingering in symmetric Procedures collection. His fingerprints are evident closely at some of the paintings, but a step back and grandeur of imagination extends Braun in a landscape of rolling hills, overhanging trees, delicate flowers, and a thoughtful navigation.

Kareena Kapoor already married with Saif

Our encounter with Kareena Kapoor arrived with a request: No more questions about her marriage to Saif Ali Khan, please. But when we met in the apartment she shares with Saif, filled as it is with paintings, sketches of Hollywood classics, caricatures and cartoons, books, family portraits and framed photos of Saif and Kareena, the couple and their son Ibrahim and Sara daughter, etc, we can not help it.

We have to ask about their relationship. Because if the floor radiates nawab flavor, it also has a touch bohemian heroin. Ecstatic at being praised for his performance in the heroine, Kareena let us into her heart.

Everyone is praising his performance in heroin. What Saif's take on it?

Saif not see that many Hindi films. Jab We Met (2007) was the last movie you watched me, and Dabangg (2010) Hindi movie was the last he saw! As for the heroine, is least bothered about the fuss around him.

The film industry is cruel to married actresses. Are you ready for this?

I am surprised by this thought cynical and tired! I would never jeopardize my career for my love, or vice versa. These are two separate ways in my life. Look at my mother-in-law. His best works were after her marriage. She is a great inspiration for me to figure. She supports my decision to work and so does Saif. He is free to work with whomever he chooses and I can work with anyone I want. Who knows! Maybe it's the change in the game!

As Kareena Kapoor Khan?

Why not? Saif and I have been living together for five years. We bought this place together and they did it together. I've been several times Pataudi. Everyone knows it. But we also have our own lives. We do our respective films and go home to the other. Being together has not changed our employment status, so how will it change now?

But it will not be Saif Ali Khan Mrs. marks a new chapter in your life?

Seriously, what's wrong with everyone! Saif and I just I can not understand the hype around the wedding. Hey, I'm married! We just need to legalize it in the paper and we are doing very soon!

What are your honeymoon plans?

None, already! We're going on vacation like there's no tomorrow. The other day my friend Arjun Kapoor (Boney Kapoor's son) told me that if Saif and I go to another party again, it will be our honeymoon 250th! But in December we're taking it back.

What is your relationship with Saif's kids?

Great touch wood! I love them and get the same love and respect from them. They are growing by leaps and bounds. Sarah looks so lovely!

Madhur had approached you for your previous films Page 3 (2005) and Fashion (2008). What was it that appealed to you Heroin?

On page 3, and fashion, so I picked up. The characters that I made were also lighter and bubbling. But when the movie came out, I was done with light paper. Heroin is about a rising superstar and imbalanced - a very brave and bold. I wanted to try if he could take a role like this. I gave 200 percent for this role. It is a very complex, very aggressive, manipulative and bold, but it is very fragile. And the only similarity between Mahi (Kareena's character in heroin) and I is that I'm too emotional like her. Otherwise, I am very calm, composed and tidy girl.

Have you ever gone through what passes through Mahi?

Hello, I'm a superstar in decline! I'm here now. Anyway, I was born and raised in this industry and I've seen everything. I take seriously the success and failure. All I do is seriously move forward. If I fall, I get up and go again.

His cousin Ranbir said he was born into luxury. Can you say the same?

We have not been brought up in luxury, as people think about the Kapoor clan. My mother (Babita) and sister (Karisma) really struggled to give me a better life. Especially my mother, because she was a single mother. Everything was very limited for us. Lolo went to college in suburban trains, but I ran away because I did not go to college here. But I took the bus to school like everyone else. We had a car and not having enough money for a pilot. It is only because mom raised us as we value everything you have today. The bad days we have seen we have made very strong and fragile at the same time. And those experiences have made me a very strong person. You know, a lot of actors call from within (themselves) to improve their craft.

Like what?

Never try a shot. If it is an emotional, it's easier for me. I draw from my bank emotions.

What has contributed to your life Saif?

Many. But most important is the realization that there is a life beyond films. He delivered me as a person. I learned to appreciate the finer things in life. Often we go on vacations worldwide. There are plenty of other things we do together. It's nice to go skiing and fishing. I developed a great interest in art and painting, so let's exhibitions and museums. Little by little, I am developing an interest in reading as well. I also learned to appreciate and be with nature. As for holidays, I'm curious by nature, so I love to travel.

Make a copy of his films. After you marry, will be cautious when choosing roles?

Of course not! I will be the same Kareena, Kareena excellence doing the kind of happy and bubbly roles. That said I also do roles that challenge me as an actress. As heroin. The actors are greedy. They can never be satisfied. I praise and box office returns. I am part of three major films that went on to create the Rs. 100 crore club.

With heroin that has touched the top of the action. Now what?

Hmm. I do not mind playing the bubbly Geet type of character again. Maybe Imtiaz Ali should come with a Jab We Met 2. It's going to be fun. Before you ask me who the cast should be, well ... I am the lead actor in the film, which should be the choice of Imtiaz and I will be working along with anyone.

What do you like about Saif?

Saif is very English, very desi. Look at it as Langda Tyagi in Omkara (2006). So real! But the best part about him is his detachment and least intrusive approach to competition in the industry. He really does not care. He has his own space, own idea and that's what he loves following. Do not take all this very seriously, but he is too good at his job.

Will you miss being in Ram Leela Bhansali Sanjay Leela?

Of course. It seems that my relationship with Sanjay is jinxed. Somehow I just do not go to work together. First was Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) and now Ram Leela. However, there is always a next time. He will write something big again, and this time I'll make sure definitely work together ... regardless.

In his last memory of his late father-in-law Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi

He was very smart and kind, sweet in nature and enjoyable to be around. I looked up at him. Every time I met him was short and sweet. I wish I had more time with him. That's the biggest regret I will always have.

On how to get along with her mother-in-law Tagore Sharmila

She is a warm, friendly and very liberal that has inspired me in every way. Praise my performance and compliments me. She thinks I'm very sensitive. I am very happy to have her as my mother-in-law!

Rantes Heroine: Kareena assume two powerful dialogues of the film.

"Mumbai newspaper editor ke ho. Stars Tumse nahin ki dosti hai tumahri kursi yes."

Declaration exceptionally honest and real. Do not be fooled. We use the other and both sides benefit from it. Niranjan Iyenger, who was a former journalist who has written the dialogues, has seen it all. However, my personal position on it is different. I have some very dear friends of the media and go beyond work. I have some friends journalists from the moment they were coming to interview my sister, and I was only nine years old then. And there are others whose careers have grown with mine, we are very good friends.

That's what it is! It is a political and manipulative industry. The actors vying for the same roles, the films were seized. Have I ever been manipulated? Yes, but I have not manipulated anyone because if you think with your heart, can not be calculated. I've spent nights crying.

Libyans tried to save US envoy'

LIBYA: Libyans tried to save US Ambassador Chris Stevens after finding him in a locked, smoke-filled room following last week's attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, according to amateur video footage obtained on Tuesday by AFP.

"Is there a doctor around? Does anyone know a doctor," a young man, among a crowd of people gathered around a body believed to be Stevens, is heard saying in the video footage. Another person is seen checking the pulse of the victim.

In another scene, protesters are shown dragging a body out of a window and then placing it on the ground outside a building that has been burned by flames. AFP

Russia pulls plug on USAID programmes

Russia has booted the US aid agency out of the country, closing down its decades-old support for pro-democracy and rights projects, US officials said Tuesday, in a new sign of tense ties with Moscow.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has spent $2.7 billion in Russia on projects aimed at promoting a wide range of human rights and civil society programmes.

An annual budget of around $50 million also went towards funding the fight against AIDS and tuberculosis, as well as protecting wildlife and combating people trafficking.

Announcing Moscow’s decision to pull the plug on USAID activities, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the US was “extremely proud of what USAID has accomplished in Russia over the last 20 years.” “While USAID’s physical presence in Russia will come to an end, we remain committed to supporting democracy, human rights, and the development of a more robust civil society in Russia,” she said.

A senior US official, who asked not to be named, said: “We regret this decision by the Russian government... But that does not mean we have changed our policy of supporting the kind of activities USAID has been supporting.” Russia told the United States on September 12 it was ending the programs. While Nuland would not be drawn on the reasons for Moscow’s decision, she said it was more “their sense that they don’t need this any more.”

AFP

US in 'aggressive steps' to protect missions - Clinton

US: The United States is taking "aggressive steps" to protect its embassies around the world, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Tuesday, denying the US had been warned of an attack in Libya.

"We had no actionable intelligence that an attack on our post in Benghazi was planned or imminent," Clinton told a press conference after State Department talks with Mexican Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa.

"We are taking aggressive steps to protect our staffs in embassies and consulates worldwide," Clinton said, amid a wave of anti-US protests around the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia.

Washington is also "reviewing our security posture at every post and augmenting it where necessary," she said, adding that the US was also working with host governments "to make sure they know what our security needs are."

A suicide bombing in Kabul on Tuesday brought the number of people whose killings have been linked to a week-long violent backlash over a trailer for a film mocking Islam to more than 30.

Among the dead are four diplomatic staff in Libya, including ambassador Chris Stevens, killed when militants besieged the US mission in Benghazi a week ago on September 11 in a four-hour sustained attack with heavy arms. "We will not rest until the people who orchestrated this attack are found and punished," Clinton said. The FBI has launched an investigation inside Libya, and Clinton said the US was working with the Libyan government, which is leading its own inquiry, "so we can be assured that we have found who murdered our four colleagues and under what circumstances." She said people also had to look at the events strategically. "In a lot of places where protests have turned violent, we are seeing the hand of extremists who trying to exploit people's inflamed passions for their own agendas."

But she said most people in the Arab Spring nations were seeking to build a better future.

"This is part of a larger debate that is going on inside of these societies," she said, highlighting how moderates had won the elections in Libya after the fall of Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi.

And Clinton reminded that "our diplomats engage in dangerous work, and it's the nature of diplomacy in fragile societies and conflict zones to be aware of the necessity for security, but also continue the important diplomatic work that has to go on." AFP

Syria turns into kidnappers’ paradise

LEBANON: Every time violence intensifies in Syria, so do abductions of civilians, for political reasons and more often for financial gain, activists and families of hostages say.

The plight of hundreds of people abducted over the past 18 months of conflict has prompted a group of activists to set up a Facebook page entitled “Missing” where pictures of men, women and children are posted by anxious relatives. “Our sister, Taghrid Arnus, is missing, please call this number,” reads one of the messages posted on the Internet site.

“If you have any information on any of the missing, please send a message to this page,” says another message.

According to the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights between 2,000 and 3,000 people have been kidnapped across Syria since March 2011. “Everyone is kidnapping everybody else,” Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP in a telephone interview.

“Pro and anti-regime forces kidnap each other, to exchange prisoners or demand money, while there’s also bands of criminals who just want to extort the families of the victims for ransom,” he says.

“Life has become very cheap in Syria.” Abu Ahmad, 66, was kidnapped one night in mid-August while he was on his way home from work in Damascus.

“He has a good job,” his son Ahmad told AFP. “That’s why they went after him.

“We received a phone call. A man from the Popular Committees demanded $75,000 for baba,” said Ahmad, referring to pro-regime militias that have been created to defen

Yahoo’s $7.6 Billion Deal with Alibaba Group

Yahoo announced that it has closed a $7.6 billion deal that includes selling half its stake in the rapidly growing Chinese company Alibaba Group and with this deal, Yahoo is expected to gain at least $4.2 billion, after taxes. Most of this may be distributed to shareholders.

The details of the complex deal include that Alibaba is paying $7.1 billion to buy back Yahoo’s 20% stake in the company and an additional $550 million to cover revised technology and licensing agreement. Yahoo will retain about 20% stake in Alibaba.

This is the first deal closed by Yahoo, after Google Inc. executive Marissa Mayer took over as CEO of the company.

Source : Alibaba Group 

Detainee dies at Guantanamo

‘At the time of his death, no charges had been filed against him for any crimes’:

CUBA: A detainee died over the weekend at the US prison for “war on terror” suspects at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the ninth since the detention center opened in 2002, the US military said Monday.

The detainee, who was not identified, pending notification of his country's government and his next of kin, was found “unconscious and unresponsive” by guards in the prison's Camp Five on Saturday during a routine check, the US Southern Command said.

“After extensive lifesaving measures had been performed, the detainee was pronounced dead by a physician,” it said in a statement.

Camp Five is a facility that “houses those detainees deemed to be the highest threat to themselves, other detainees or guards,” said Jose Ruiz, a spokesman for the Miami-based Southern Command.

Eight other detainees have died at Guantanamo since 2002, including six suicides, Ruiz said.

“At the time of his death, no charges have been filed for a crime for war and he has not been designated for a prosecution by the office of the military commission,” said another Southern Command spokesman, Ray Sarracino. He was on disciplinary status for splashing a “cocktail of urine and other body fluids” at a guard at least once, Sarracino said.

Prisoners at Guantanamo have staged periodic hunger strikes to protest their confinement, but Ruiz said the detainee who died over weekend was not engaged in a hunger strike.

Among the inmates in Camp Five is Omar Khadr, a young Canadian who pleaded guilty in 2010 to killing a US soldier in Afghanistan in a grenade attack and has been seeking transfer to prison in Canada.

Most of the 167 prisoners currently at Guantanamo are housed in Camp Six, a facility that allows communal living arrangements among the inmates and is designed for less intensive monitoring by guards.

The command, which gave no other details on the circumstances surrounding the death, said an investigation into its cause and manner had been opened by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

The detainee's remains “are being treated with respect for Islamic culture and traditions,” it said.

“The remains will be autopsied by a medical examination team from the office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner. Upon completion of the autopsy, the remains will be prepared for repatriation,” it said. The Center for Constitutional Rights condemned the new death and said there is only party to blame. “Whatever the cause turns out to be, it is clear that the United States government is ultimately responsible for his death.” it said in a statement.

“Military investigations into several of the deaths at the base remain under a cloud of suspicion; and the Center's clients, families of two men who died there in 2006, never got their day in court or the chance to know the truth about what happened to their sons,” it added.

AFP

Russia proposes Syria conflict conference

FRANCE: Russia is proposing the organisation of a conference bringing together “all the players” of the deadly Syria conflict, including opposition groups, citizens and the ruling regime, a top official told a French newspaper.

“We are proposing to our Western partners the organisation of a 'Taif conference' between all the players of the conflict,” Russian deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bogdanov told Le Figaro in an article to appear Wednesday.

He was referring to an agreement signed in the Saudi city that brought the end of the Lebanon civil war in 1990.

“This conference should bring together opposition and regime figures as well as Christian, Alawite and Druze community members,” Bogdanov added.

“Given the opposition divisions and the weapons reaching the rebels, the risk of a Somalia-isation of Syria is real, if the regime were to suddenly collapse tomorrow. According to Le Figaro, the Russian official was in Paris over the weekend, where he met French diplomats and Syrian opposition figures.

The Taif agreement was signed October 22, 1989 by Muslim lawmakers and Lebanese Christians to end the 15-year civil war.

Bombardments by troops saw fighting ground to a standstill on Tuesday in Syria's second city Aleppo, a watchdog said, amid reports a civilian refuge was targeted in the same province.

Water supplies were largely restored in the northern city three days after a main pipeline was ruptured during clashes between government forces and rebel fighters, witnesses and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The Britain-based Observatory reported shelling attacks on the Aleppo neighbourhoods of Haidariyeh, Hanano, Meyseer and Shaar overnight, and that one rebel had been killed in the fighting.

“The rebels have been trying for three days to enter Midan (in central Aleppo). Last night the army launched an operation and pushed them north, back toward Bustan al-Basha,” a resident told AFP on the phone. In the town of As-Safira, “mortar fire from an air defence battalion targeted residential buildings and a school, where many refugees from disaster-stricken areas sought refuge.

AFP

Pakistan bans Salman Khan’s Ek Tha Tiger

MUMBAI: Salman Khan's 'Ek Tha Tiger' (ETT) has been banned by the Pakistan censor board. Though there is no official announcement from the board, but Pakistani distributor Atif Rashid told TOI, "I was just told the film cannot be released in Pakistan and there will be further discussion on it." ETT was to release with 35 prints in Pakistan on Eid.

Filmmaker Kabir Khan said, "It is sad a film that promotes peace and friendship between countries has fallen victim to politics." Trade pundits feel ETT had potential of doing a business of Rs 10 cr. Khan said, "It is not about the money loss but a film with good intention failed to release in Pakistan though places like Dubai and London which has a mixed

population of Indians and Pakistanis have reacted positively to the film."

Nearly half a dozen films in the last five years have been banned in Pakistan. The last film to be banned in Pakistan was Saif Ali Khan's 'Agent Vinod' which also had mentions of Pakistan's intelliegence agency ISI. A Pakistani filmmaker said, "Any Indian film with mention of ISI will not get a release in Pakistan so filmmakers need to keep that in mind if they want to help that territory grow."   

Source : Bharti Dubey, TNN

New US ambassador discusses bilateral ties with GL

Ambassador-designate of the United States of America Michele J. Sison, who arrived in Sri Lanka at the week-end, called on External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris at the Ministry on Monday.

Minister Peiris discussed with Ambassador Sison political and economic developments in Sri Lanka since the end of the conflict, and the way ahead. He told the Ambassador that, wherever she travels in the country, she would find ample evidence of the new mood of confidence among Sri Lankans, who are looking forward to a secure and prosperous future after the eradication of terrorism.

Ambassador Sison, with the advantage of extensive experience in South Asia, expressed her pleasure at the opportunity of serving in Sri Lanka.

The External Affairs Minister and the American Ambassador discussed co-operation between the two countries in a variety of fields, including trade, investment, defence and the environment.

Minister Peiris will be attending an event over the week-end to mark the 20th anniversary of the American Chamber of Commerce.

Source : Dailynews – Srilanka

SEC to strengthen regulatory process of Colombo Stock Exchange

 The capital market watch dog, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is now in the process of revamping all its activities to attract the Colombo Stock Exchange locally, as well as internationally. For this, the SEC is looking to regulate and to develop the CSE, its Chairman Dr Nalaka Godahewa said.

“At present our key focuses are to strengthen the regulatory process of the Colombo Stock Market and to develop the market in consultation with all stakeholders, which is now slowly, but steadily happening,” Dr Godahewa told Daily News Business.

“My main focus is also to implement four objectives in the SEC Act accordingly which was one of the priorities, “Dr Godahewa said. The SEC Act, stipulates objectives i.e. creating and maintaining the market in which securities could be issued in order to create a fair market, protecting the interest of investors, regulate the securities market to ensure that professionalism standards are maintained and operation and compensation of funds.

He said that the commission was right now hoping to consult all stakeholders, including the broker community; unit trust holders and other stakeholders, get their feedback without rushing for a decision to develop the market.

Dr Godahewa said that they were employing well experienced persons to run the SEC and for that purpose, they had appointed top business personality Dammika Perera as the new Deputy Director General, who would instrumentally be in charge of surveillance, supervision and investigations of the market.

Further, the SEC Act also could be amended in the future and the new amended Act would be a comprehensive one which would be addressing most of the crucial issues pertaining to the market.

This would also help promote the market not only among local investors, but also with overseas investors to create a strong and credible market in the region, Dr Godahewa said.

Dr Godahewa also said that not a single pending investigation of any company, but the commission was only investigating individuals who were involved in questionable dealings in the market, which had to be completed in three months.

Source : Dailynews – Srilanka

President opens Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference

The 58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) was inaugurated yesterday morning by Vice Patron of the conference President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre.

Delegates and invitees arrived around 9 am. About 20 minutes later, office bearers and Executive Committee Members assembled at the Nelum Pokuna Lobby.

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association President Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa arrived followed by Vice Patron of the CPA President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

President Rajapaksa was received by president of the CPA and Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, Secretary General of CPA Dr William F. Sija, Executive Committee chairman Sir Alan Haselhurst, CPA Vice President Mninwa Johanes Mahlangu, Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody and Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dassanayake at the entrance to the theatre. After lighting of the traditional oil lamp, President Rajapaksa was introduced to the Executive Committee by the CPA Executive Committee chairman.

The official party entered the theatre from the left side entrance and the second procession led by flag bearers entered from the right side entrance and took their seats while the delegates and invitees remained standing.

The Navy performed the fanfare. President Mahinda Rajapaksa, CPA president Chamal Rajapaksa and other dignitaries took their seats on the podium and the choir on the stage sang the national anthem.

After reading the message from the Patron of the CPA, Britain’s queen Elizabeth, the Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa delivered the welcome speech.

President Rajapaksa declared that the 58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference was opened and CPA executive Committee chairman Sir Alan Haselhurst addressed the meeting followed by a musical interlude.

The President addressed the gathering next.

It was observed that the invitees applauded in between his address. They clapped when the President said Sri Lanka showed the world that terrorism could be defeated and democracy could be restored.

They started applauding when the President stated “we are also aware of how Human Rights can be made a slogan by the worst violators of such rights, to threaten traditional democracies”. President Rajapaksa’s address was followed by the vote of thanks by CPA Vice President Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu.

Thereafter, the President was accompanied by the official party to the theatre lobby to witness the release of the commemorative stamp at 10.55 a.m.

The delegates assembled at the steps leading to the Nelum Pokuna Theatre and posed a group photograph. After refreshments, President Rajapaksa left the Nelum Pokuna followed by delegates and the ceremony came to an end.

Source : Dailynews- Srilanka

SriLankan Cargo turns BIA into regional hub

SriLankan Cargo has taken a firm step towards positioning Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) as a regional hub for air freight, by handling the highest ever volumes of both total cargo and transhipment cargo in a single month.

Janaka Munasinghe, Senior Manager Worldwide Cargo Operations at SriLankan, said: “The BIA Cargo Centre is on course for a record breaking year, if volumes continue as we expect them to.

Our projections are that we will handle over 180,000, metric tonnes in 2012, which would surpass the existing record.”

The National Carrier is closely supporting the vision of the government to transform Sri Lanka into a hub for both shipping and air freight.

Remarkably, the SriLankan Cargo Centre has in almost every month this year surpassed the previous records for those months.

Total tonnage handled in the first seven months of 2012 recorded a 12.5 % increase, while total transshipment cargo registered an 11 % increase. July 2012 witnessed a single-month record of 16,136 metric tonnes, surpassing the 16,033 tonnes set in March 2006.

The total transhipment of 3,387 metric tonnes in July 2012 was also a single-month record.

Total transhipment cargo over the first seven months of this year was the highest ever as well at 19,909 tonnes.

SriLankan Cargo is the sole handling agent for cargo of all airlines that operate through BIA. SriLankan Cargo operates on the model of a ‘hub in the Ocean,’utilising the island's geographic positioning to link Europe and the Middle East in the West, Southeast Asia and the Far East in the East,and the Subcontinent.

Source : Dailynews - Srilanka

US sours on global role, looks to Asia - poll

Younger Americans are ‘comfortable’ with the Islamic world and China:

US: Eleven years after the September 11 attacks a record number in the United States want a less active global role -- and Americans for the first time see Asia as more important than Europe.

The poll by the Chicago Council on Foreign Affairs found strong differences by age range, with younger Americans the most comfortable with the Islamic world and China and the least enthusiastic about the use of US force abroad.

The poll, released on the eve of the anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks, said 67 percent of Americans did not consider the Iraq war worth fighting and only 30 percent said that the Afghanistan intervention made the United States safer. Sixty-one percent of Americans said that the United States should take an active role in world affairs, but the 38 percent who disagreed marked the highest level taken by the Chicago Council or comparable polls since 1947.

Nonetheless, 70 percent of Americans described their country as the greatest in the world.

“There's a strong sense of specialness that Americans have and this is across generational and partisan lines,” said Marshall Bouton, president of the Chicago Council.

The dwindling support for foreign wars is “not a discouragement about the character of their nation. It's an assessment in their minds that... the United States has got to trim its sails in certain respects,” he said.

The study showed public backing for diplomacy and aid, particularly to Africa, and support for cutting military spending.

Age groups differed on key issues. Only 23 percent of Americans between 18 and 29 years old said Islamic fundamentalism would pose a critical threat over the next 10 years, far down from the 50 percent over age 60 who said so.

AFP

Commonwealth Parliament Conference boost for tourism

The 58th Commonwealth Parliament Conference which is currently underway in Colombo has presented many opportunities to different sectors especially for the country’s tourism industry.

The large number of foreign delegates in the country will be an opportunity for image building and promoting tourism on the sideline of the conference.

We are confident that first hand experience gained by the participants will go a long way in promoting the country and developing the tourism sector, Jetwing Group Chairman Hiran Cooray told Daily News Business.

“The presence of significant number of influential people from all over the world in the country will have a positive impact. They will be able to witness the on going development activities in the country and measures taken to facilitate growth in sectors such as tourism, infrastructure and agriculture.

The positive comments and opinions of these world leaders will augur well for the country’s economic progress, " he said.

“The tourism industry is progressing well and we are confident that it will continue to do well. The current product development and aggressive marketing initiatives supported by the promotional efforts will further fuel the industry growth,” Cooray said.

Converging with the purpose to make a difference, to reinforce change across all nations, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conducted its annual conference for the third time in Colombo under the theme “ensuring a relevant Commonwealth for the future”.

There were 850 participants representing 179 Commonwealth Parliamentary Associations from 54 countries while showcasing the values of the Commonwealth, a series of workshops were lined up to address the issues of global importance.

Nearly 150 illegal migrants nabbed in three days

The Navy arrested 151 persons illegally heading for Australia during the past three days. The total number of asylum seekers apprehended by the Navy during this year now is 1,848, sources said.

The Navy arrested 146 persons on September 8. They were arrested with two multi - day trawlers named Theres Nilusha and Mangala, illegally heading for Australia, 20 nautical miles east of Trincomalee.

The trawlers were brought to the Trincomalee Harbour with 146 persons including 132 Tamils, 10 Sinhalese and four Muslims on board.

Among the arrested included 107 males, 16 women and 23 children. They are residents of Jaffna, Mullaithivu, Vavuniya, Batticaloa, Arachchikattuwa, Chilaw, Kilinochchi, Trincomalee and Mannar.

Another 45 were apprehended by the Navy, 20 nautical miles off Negombo on September 10. The trawler named Shaini Baba was also intercepted along with the asylum seekers. Among the arrested were 35 Tamils, nine Sinhalese and a Muslim. They are residents of Negombo, Mullaithivu, Vavuniya, Mannar, Jaffna, Kalmunai, Hatton, Trincomalee and Wennappuwa.

The 151 asylum seekers who attempted to leave for Australia illegally were handed over the Criminal Investigation Department for further investigations.

Source : Dailynews – Srilanka

A Dog Bottle-Feeding A Baby Lamb

They live on a farm in Devon, England.

Shaun and his siblings were not fed by their mother, so Jess took over.

Thank you, Jess!

Photo: Richard Austin/Rex/Rex USA

Serena Dating Her Tennis Coach Frenchman Patrick Mouratoglou

Tennis brightest star Serena Williams has been spotted getting close to her coach, Frenchman Patrick Mouratoglou, while on a day out in Valbonne, southern France. Williams and her ne man have been long friends according to source he’s not only her coach but her new man. The couple enjoyed lunch at a French restaurant, as Mouratoglou could be seen affectionately touching Williams’ shoulder as they converse over meals.

Anti-corruption cartoonist arrested for sedition in Mumbai

INDIA: Kanpur-based cartoonist Aseem Trivedi (25), who surrendered to the BKC police on Saturday, was remanded in seven days’ police custody by the Bandra holiday court on Sunday. Charged with sedition for insulting national symbols through his cartoons, he refused to engage a lawyer in protest. The cartoons in question are on the theme Cartoons Against Corruption and one of them depicts the national emblem as comprising wolves in place of lions and the slogan Bhrashtameva Jayate in place of Satyameva Jayate.

The complaint against Trivedi was filed by a Mumbai-based lawyer at the Bandra Kurla Complex police station last December under the Indian Penal Code's section 124 (sedition), the Information Technology Act's section 66-A (sending offensive messages through communication services) and the Prevention of Insults to Nation Honour (PINH) Act's section 2 (imprisonment for disrespect to the national flag or the constitution or any part thereof).

Trivedi's friends said the police action was politically motivated.

“Aseem told us the government targeted him because he supported Anna Hazare in his fight against corruption,” said a friend.

The police were treating Aseem like a criminal, said a friend, activist Alok Dixit. “He decided not to engage an advocate and wants to let the court decide. He maintains he is not wrong. That is why he does not see a need to defend himself.” The Time of

Former judges, lawyers and civil rights activists criticized the police for the development, in particular the custodial duration. “This is a very rare instance where such a thing has happened,” said activist and advocate Mihir Desai. Observing that the case was not maintainable, high court Justice (retd) H Suresh said, “The charge of sedition is patently misused. In this case, what is sedition? Moreover, custody of seven days is fundamentally wrong (in this case).

What further investigations will be conducted while keeping him in custody? The cartoons, which speak for themselves, are investigation enough.” The Times of India

Kelani Cables to increase exports by 15 %

Kelani Cables is looking at a record revenue in the excess of Rs. 5 billion at the end of the financial year. This would be an increase of more than 25 % from the last financial year. CEO Kelani Cables, Mahinda Saranapala said that they would increase foreign exports by over 15 % and this is the main reason for the increase of revenue.

 Mahinda Saranapala      

The first shipment received

in Australia Pictures by Saliya Rupasinghe

He said that Kelani Cables became the first Sri Lanka company to export wires to the Australian domestic market and now they plan to explore the New Zealand market as well. “We received a Special Quality Certificate from Australia which would also allow us to export to New Zealand,” he said. Saranapala said that the first container was exported to Australia last week to their Australian agent, Custom Electricals. He said that the factory had to adapt to several ‘new styles’ to meet the Australian standed which included a flat wire and special plastic coating. “The factory had to do only a marginal investment for this.”

The Australian market was penetrated through a local engineer domiciled in Australia. Kelani Cables products are already being exported to Japan, South Africa, India, Maldives, and Bangladesh which is the largest market for them. “The revenue from these markets was 15 % of the total turn over of Rs. 4.34 billion last year.” “Our company profit before tax meanwhile, increased by 80 % during the year, to Rs. 402 million. With this strong growth, the group secured an impressive bottom line growth of 113 % of Rs. 284.8 million during the financial year.

“We strengthened our presence in the North and East of the country by increasing the number of our agents in these areas and by adding 500 new outlets in Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Kilinochchi, Jaffa and Pudukuduirippu.”

“We have built a new state-of-the-art warehouse in our premises at Kelaniya. During the day we use skylight to reduce and save energy. Invested in a new boom truck to improve cable drum handling and to handling reduce costs.”

 Mahinda Saranapala      

The first shipment received 

He said that due to low quality exports by some manufactures the high reputation Sri Lanka has earned is now in jeopardy. “These low quality cables and wires are also a health and safety hazard for end users due to their poor insulation capacity. We are deeply concerned to note that such low quality, dangerous goods are gaining market share on the basis of significantly lower prices, endangering life and property in the country.

Therefore, we urge the relevant authorities to enforce the SLSI quality standards within the local cable and wire manufacturing industry, as a matter of priority and public safety.”

He also said that last year over 89 people died due to burn injuries in a Calcutta hospital and investigations had revealed that it was due to a fire originated by low quality wire.

Source : Dailynews