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| Wednesday, January 31, 2007 |
| Daniel Radcliffe goes nude in play Equus soon, semi nude photos enrage parents |
Well well. Our favourite little actor boy Daniel Radcliffe has all grown up, and to celebrate the fact, he has decided to do a nude scene in the remake of the play Equus. This is not a rumour.
In fact, what Harry Potter is going to do is to simulate a sex act while rising a horse! That is what we have come to hear. The original is a Tony award winning play, and it had full frontal nudity. So I guess this is great news for all the Daniel Radcliffe fans among the girls and gays around. There is no confirmation yet that the new version of the play Equus will be that faithful to the original.
Anyway, the immediate news is that the man / boy has gone ahead and done what some would say a tastefully done nude photo shoot. Starring opposite him in the said photoshoot is a white horse, and the pictures show a shirt-less Daniel Radcliffe, and the photos have been shot to look like he is wearing nothing below either.
At least one of the photographs show him with an apparently topless girl (who is shot from the back) and in that picture, he wears his trousers alright. In the next photo, the girl is holding him (she looks older than him by the way) from behind.
Radcliffe's spokesperson Vanessa Davies told Britain's the Daily Mail, "Daniel does not want to step away from 'Harry Potter' but he does want to show he is a rounded actor capable of very different roles. He has tremendous support from 'Harry Potter' fans." I think Daniel's spokesperson meant well-rounded, and not rounded. Anyway does not matter.
The play opens in London on February 27, at Gielgud Theatre. The play's producer, David Pugh, told the Daily Mail that Radcliffe had been rehearsing the nude scenes with co-star Joanne Christie for more than a week and had overcome his initial shyness. Well. I am not suer if the woman in the photographs is the said co-star, but again, it does not matter. I come from a place where people don't normally act or walk around nude, and I don't know how actors and actresses think either, so I have no idea what is the kind of shyness that is there today, and tomorrow vanishes and allows one to act nude on stage.
What I am waiting for the reaction of JK Rowling to this. It is not every day that the boy who started acting in your famous book when he was 11 grows up, and wants to do a nude role in a play. This is going to cause serious problems for parents who are worried about the impact of one of the kids' heroes deciding to go nude.
News sites are already reporting that parents of kids are emailing and posting messages in Harry Potter fan sites expressing their outrage at the semi-nude photographs that were printed, and the fact that a pop culture hero like a Harry Potter actor can suddenly go act nude.
More about Equus:
"Equus" opened in the West End in 1973 to controversy. It transferred to Broadway in 1974 with Peter Firth recreating his London role as stable boy Alan Strang and replacing Alec McCowen with Anthony Hopkins as the psychiatrist Martin Dysart. It won the 1975 Tony for Best Play and Firth was nominated as Best Actor in a play. (courtesy app.com) Click here to view the semi nude photos of Daniel Radcliffe
Labels: movies |
posted by a correspondent @ 11:58 AM   |
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| Fernando Alonso fastest at Valencia, Kimi Raikkonen improves |
Testing at Valencia in Spain is going on now. On the second day of testing, Fernando Alonso in the McLaren MP4-22 was still the fastest man on the track. A tad slower than day 1, but still the fastest. F1 rookie and teammate Lewis Hamilton was nowhere around.
Okay, Alonso managed to clout Ferrari's test driver Luca Badoer from behind and push him in to the grass. No serious harm done to anyone. Alonso's car developed some problems, but whatever they were, they were minor.
If you think we are being pretty vague about everything, that is because there is no real interesting bits of info coming from Valencia right now. On top of that, it has been raining, and testing has been a stop and start affair for the F1 teams at Valencia.
Other interesting bits are from the Renault R27 drivers. Giancarlo Fisichella and his rookie teammate Heikki Kovalainen. The Renault R27 did not perform badly, despite suspicions in the paddock and hype around Fernando, Lewis and Kimi. Fisichella managed to bang in a quick second fastest time in the R27 F1 car right behind Alonso's McLaren MP$-22. And Heikki Kovalainen followed with a decent third fastest time right behind him.
Fourth fastest time was recorded by 'the fastest F1 driver' Kimi Raikkonen in his Ferrari F2007, in his second ever outing. That is decent enough, we think, and Kimi Raikkonen himself was totally not bothered about the faster times set by Fernando Alonso and the Renault drivers. He said that the weather was not bad, he has not managed to put in as many as laps as he wanted, and that he is still getting used to the F2007. Fair enough.
Do click or bookmark the Formula One link below to read more news reports. Right now the reports are sparse, but that is because these initial testing numbers are pretty much of no real use. Do come back!Labels: Formula One |
| posted by a correspondent @ 11:20 AM |
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| Air India's aircraft shopping plans move ahead |
National carrier Air India’s plans to buy Boeing aircraft has received another boost with a team from the company all set to fly to Washington to formalise the documentation for availing itself of a $6-billion loan from the US Exim Bank.
A report said that the delegation will work on preparing all operative documents for Air India and Air India Express including the master lease agreement that would see the aircraft being leased to a Special Purpose Vehicle from which they would join the respective airlines.
The report added that the loan constitutes about 85 per cent of the cost of the aircraft with the airline tying up the rest of finances from commercial banks. The formalisation of the documentation would help Air India get the first tranche of $1.4 billion loan for acquiring 17 aircraft including 10 Boeing 737-800 and seven Boeing 777 air.
It may be recalled that in year 2005, the airline board approved a proposal to acquire 68 Boeing aircraft including 27 Boeing 787, 8 B 777-200 Long Range and 15 B777-300 extended range aircraft and 18 Boeing 737-800 aircraft for its arm Air India Express.
Significantly, Air India is purchasing aircraft after a gap of more than 10 years. While the Boeing 737-800 aircraft will be used by Air India Express, the low-cost subsidiary, the other aircraft being purchased will be operated on existing and new routes.Labels: Business |
| posted by a correspondent @ 10:31 AM |
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| YouTube among the most influential brands |
It's just 18 months old, but has grown in prominence to be the world's third most influential brand in a very short period. We are talking of the YouTube, the online video portal that is on a high offering some consumer-generated content.
Though the brand has climbed up the popularity ladder, the revolution is not yet powerful enough to unseat major players like Google as yet.
YouTube's current position has been revealed by a survey by online magazine brandchannel.com. Significantly, YouTube had failed to rate a mention in a similar survey conducted last year. However, this year, it has been rated by as many as 3,625 branding professionals and students as more influential than Starbucks, Nokia, Coca-Cola, Toyota and Microsoft.
Meanwhile, Google, which bought out YouTube for $1.65 billion last year, continued its reign on top of the list. Apple finished second. Google has now been the numero uno brand in four out of the past five years . Online encyclopaedia Wikipedia came fourth.
The others prominent names in the top 10 included Starbucks, Nokia, Skype, IKEA, Coca-Cola and Toyota. Meanwhile, online auction shop eBay, which came in at number nine in the listing last year, saw a dramatic drop to the 28th slot. The NewsCorp owned community website MySpace debuted on the list at 72, just ahead of American Express, said reports.Labels: Tech |
| posted by a correspondent @ 10:29 AM |
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| Hyundai launches Free Car Care Clinics in India |
After making a splash in the Indian auto mart with a bevy of beauties, Hyundai Motor India, the country's second largest automobile manufacturer and leading automobile exporter, has unveiled its second Nationwide Free Car Care Clinic campaign.
The campaign aims at extending the advantage of its services and free check-up to a larger number of its customers. The Free Car Care Clinic, which debuted in 2006, this year will be a two-week long campaign, running from January 29 to February 11tat over 310 Hyundai dealer workshops across the country.
According to the company, the Free Car Care Clinics will offer a comprehensive 80-point check-up and a thorough examination of the Engine Compartment, Under-body, AC, Body, Interior and Exterior. Hyundai customers can avail this Free Check-up at any of its 310 dealer workshops across India. Customers can also avail of free car wash and attractive discounts ranging between five percent and ten percent on various parts. Twenty percent discounts will also be given on labour and a special discount on the Emblem. Special discounts are offered on service merchandising like engine flush, anti-rust coating, engine de-carbonisation and car polish, it added.
During the campaign, Hyundai customers will also have the option to test drive any car from the Hyundai stable. The campaign also offers customers a chance to win attractive prizes through a Lucky Draw.
The initiative is aimed at reinforcing the bond with the customers by offering them a comprehensive service package at value-for-cost prices as a mark of our appreciation of our relationship.Labels: Auto Industry |
| posted by a correspondent @ 10:26 AM |
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| Kingfisher Airlines opens City Ticketing Office in Kolkata |
Fastest growing Indian airline Kingfisher Airlines has unveiled its City Ticketing Office at the West Bengal capital of Kolkata. With the opening of this office, Kingfisher guests can now enjoy the convenience of ticketing while ensconced in the lap of luxury, said a report.
The office offers personalized attention, warm and friendly service and fast responses will form the key features of this new initiative, it added.
The airline major can take pride in the fact that it has redefined the experience of flying and has been at the forefront of product and service innovation designed to make flying a delightful experience. The inauguration of a ticketing office at Wallace House in the heart of Kolkata is Kingfisher Airlines' way of making it more convenient for passengers to plan their trips.
The airline at present connects 29 Indian cities and operates 156 flights a day. Kingfisher Airlines currently operates 9 flights out of Kolkata and connects Kolkata with 8 destinations. Being the first and only private airline in India to receive the prestigious, 'Best New Airline of the Year' award in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East region from Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA), Kingfisher Airlines has come a long way since its first flight.
It has also been voted as the third Most Successful Brand Launch of the Year 2005, in the annual Brand Derby Survey conducted by India's leading business daily-Business Standard. In another Survey conducted by agencyfaqs.com and Brand Reporter, Kingfisher was voted as the 7th Buzziest Brand of 2005 amongst 2000 leading national and international brands.Labels: Business |
| posted by a correspondent @ 10:24 AM |
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| India's Automotive Mission Plan (AMP) 2006-2016 unveiled |
India's 10-year Automotive Mission Plan (AMP) 2006-2016 is out. Envisaging auto sector investments of $40 billion, the plan aims at enabling the country as a global automobile player in the next decade.
Accordingly, it would chart out a road map for the government and auto industry to achieve a turnover for the sector to increase to $145 billion by 2016, up from the current $35 billion, accounting for 10 per cent of GDP, said reports.
With India's auto sector exports seeking a raise of at least $35 billion if the nation is to be a substantial player in the global market, the auto sector needs around $40 billion investment. This would ensure employment to about 25 million people by 2016, it has been forecast.
The 25-point plan AMP aims at making India a global manufacturing and export hub for small cars, multi-utility vehicles, two and three-wheelers, tractors and components. Now with the plan being unveiled, the Indian automobile industry too has welcomed the status of a "mission" being accorded to the industry. However, the players have also pointed out the need for consistency in framing policies as the industry required time to follow any changes in norms.
Small car makers like Hyundai Motor have been seeking clarity over the definition of small car, which according to the auto mission plan policy is 3,800 mm in length. It may be recalled that the finance minister had accorded excise reductions to 'small cars' with a length 4,000 mm in his budget last year.
The plan has proposed the creation of a monitoring committee under the chairmanship of the secretary, ministry of heavy industries and public enterprises with representatives from representatives from various ministries, including finance, road transport, environment, commerce, shipping, railways, petroleum and natural gas and human resource development.Labels: Auto Industry |
| posted by a correspondent @ 10:21 AM |
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| Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin in July 2007 |
Come July, Mercedes Benz will don the role of a fashion giant at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin. The event is to be held for the first time from 12th to 15th July.
The fashion event will see top international and German designers showing off their latest designs. The Stuttgart premium brand is already title sponsor of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York, which is regarded as one of the four most important international fashion events, said reports.
According to Merc, it is part of a continued commitment to the most important, trend-setting fashion events. As partner of this fashion event, together with the City of Berlin, Mercedes-Benz is supporting the organiser IMG in their efforts to establish the new four-day series of fashion shows which will be taking place for the first time next July at the Brandenburger Tor exhibition grounds.
Besides, the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin is expected to provide young designers with an important platform to attract attention to their creations.
This isn’t the first time that Mercedes-Benz is part of a fashion event. It had been active at important fashion events across the globe, like the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York. It also supports fashion events in Los Angeles, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, Mexico, Venezuela and Canada. Mercedes-Benz was also involved in a strategic cooperation with the designer legend Giorgio Armani, during which the fashion designer from Milan created the Mercedes-Benz CLK designo by Giorgio Armani, it may be recalled.
Industry watchers see the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin as creating a new platform combining emotion and experience and will arouse enthusiasm for new ideas about stylish, visionary design among its visitors. Reports from Berlin say that Mercedes-Benz decided to become involved with the world of fashion as design and style also play a central role in creating new automobiles and are among the most important factors contributing to the success of the brand.Labels: Society |
| posted by a correspondent @ 10:17 AM |
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| Vista enabled PCs from Dell |
Windows Vista is here. But even before Microsoft launched the new software, computer maker Dell already began taking orders, and shipping desktop and notebook PCs pre-loaded with Vista.
According to the company, Dell systems equipped with Vista are designed to deliver a rich digital lifestyle experience, combined with secure operations, and ease-of-use.
Dell's new offering allows customers to record and watch HD video, organize digital photo and music libraries, quickly search data and multimedia files, and browse the Internet with excellent protection from spyware and phishing scams.
According to reports Dell has worked closely with Microsoft to make the computing experience faster, easier, and better in areas such as sales and technical support to make sure that customers purchase the right system to take full advantage of Vista.
These apart, Dell has also spent more than 100,000 engineer-hours testing and validating Vista on its hardware. Dell has told its customers that they can consider systems configured with dual-core or quad-core processors, more memory (2GB memory for optimal performance), a dedicated graphics card with 256 MB of memory or more, and large hard drives.Labels: Tech |
| posted by a correspondent @ 10:15 AM |
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| UK crackdown to hit TV quiz channels hard |
Television channels in the United Kingdom, which have been for long raking in millions from unsuspecting viewers through phone-in quizzes, are being bridled.
Phone-in quiz TV companies are set to lose a fortune in the crackdown.
UK's gaming regulators will force some shows to change the ways in which they operate or they will have to give at least one-fifth of their revenue to good causes.
The quiz channels have been criticised for charging about 75 pence for a call - and more if the call is from a mobile phone - whether or not the callers even get through.
The Gambling Commission of the UK is considering how new laws, coming into force in September 2007, will affect lotteries, prize competitions and free draws.
The commission, which regulates gaming in Britain, will publish its findings in the spring.
Some of the quiz shows have been asked to effect changes in their style of operation such as making it easier for people to play for free, which could result in a channel losing its revenue significantly, or being classed as a "complex lottery."
Said a government official: "They will have to be registered as a lottery. Lotteries are for good causes. They will have to get a complex lottery licence, and a part of that will be that a minimum of 20% has to go to good causes."
TV companies, which have been using the channels to make up for lost revenue as advertising continues to fall, may move court against the Gambling Commission's decision.
TV quiz shows have mushroomed in recent years in the UK and are now said to be making up to £180 million a year. People taking part in the games can pay between 60 pence and £1.50 a call.
ITV Play, which made over £9 million in profits in the first half of last year, is the best-known since it airs the quiz programme on ITV1 after midnight.
British Members of Parliament (MPs) had last week called for TV quiz to be classed as gambling.
A report by the MPs warned that viewers risk being "ripped off" by call TV shows, where the odds of getting through to the studio can be as long as 8,500-1.
The report, by the all-party Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, had called for tighter regulation of the shows and warned that players are generally not told that the chances of getting through to the studio are very slim.Labels: media |
| posted by a correspondent @ 10:02 AM |
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| Incredible India campaign works: foreign tourist arrival in India grow at 13% in 2006 |
In India, 2006 witnessed an ascent in domestic as well as foreign tourism, generally thanks to the economic boom in the country and the availability of better and cheaper travel options coupled with attractive package deals for new destinations.
The star packaging of the country under the ‘Incredible India' campaign attracted millions of foreign tourists - about 4 million of them in 2006.
The ‘Incredible India' campaign was built around the brand proposition of "India as a path to ananda"(wellness, bliss and contentment - in Sanskrit).
When the advertising campaign was launched in 2002, and in the years since, India has hardly been the peaceful haven that the tourism campaign promised, yet it worked wonders.
The campaign used captivating visuals of India, showcasing its exciting diversity in terms of geography, heritage, culture and cuisine. The ‘Incredible India' campaign went beyond ‘marketing' India as the land of the Taj Mahal to showing a country that offers tourists sights ranging from spectacular sunsets to ski slopes and adventure sports to a stress-free lifestyle.
The ‘Incredible India' campaign certainly clicked with foreign tourists - over the past two years, tourist arrivals in India grew at a steady 13% annually. In 2005, India was ranked fifth on the Conde Nast Travelers Readers Travel Awards 2005 list - up from the 11th slot three years earlier.
The increase in arrivals resulted in India's foreign exchange earnings from tourism touching US $5.7 billion in 2005 - a 20.2% rise over 2004.
Till a few years ago, it was the ‘shoestring budget' tourists who mainly visited India. This has changed - foreign tourists in India spent an average of $1,470 per person in 2005, nearly double the global average of $844.
While tourism in the strife-torn parts such as Jammu and Kashmir continued to be hit, the tourism potential of the north-eastern states remained untapped owing to the decades-long insurgency there.
Goa, a favorite with foreign tourists, especially those from Israel, was reportedly on al-Qaeda's hit list during Christmas 2006, which prompted the Israeli Government to issue a travel advisory to its citizens travelling to Goa. Interestingly, Israeli tourists, who also constituted the largest group visiting Kashmir, have often said that they are used to worse violence in their own country and are not scared by the situation in India.
Tourism, India's third largest foreign-exchange earner, is also among the sectors that provides the most employment. The tourism sector in India directly and indirectly employs about 42 million people, which is 8.78% of the total employment in the country.Labels: Business |
| posted by a correspondent @ 9:55 AM |
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| World tourism achieves another record in 2006, says UNWTO's Tourism Barometer |
The year 2006 was a year of yet another record for world tourism, with 842 million arrivals - higher than the expected growth rate of 4.5% - despite adverse factors such as the Israeli-Hizbollah war in Lebanon and the terrorist threats to trans-Atlantic air travel from London.
Latest figures released by the United Nations show that, despite risks facing global tourism 12 months ago - in particular terrorism, health scares due to avian flu and rising oil prices - 2006 was another year of good growth.
The upswing was backed up by one of the longest periods of sustained economic expansion.
UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Secretary-General Francesco Frangialli said that, three years ago, world tourism, which can play a key role in fighting poverty and become a primary tool for sustainable development, began a historically new phase of growth, as it broke the barrier of 800 million international arrivals. It has grown more than 20% since then.
The rise in international tourist arrivals is projected to be around 4% for 2007, much in tune with the predicted long-term annual growth rate of 4.1% through 2020, according to UNWTO's Tourism Barometer.
Growth is expected to be more solid in 2007 as businesses, consumers, governments and international institutions are now better able to anticipate shocks and respond more effectively to crises.
Africa outpaced all other regions - with almost twice the rate of global growth - registering an 8.1% rise in 2006 after an already strong 2005. Africa's upsurge was led by sub-Saharan Africa (up by 9.4%) and North Africa (up by 5.8%). Major destinations such as South Africa, Kenya and Morocco continued to do well.
Asia and the Pacific (up by 7.6%) was able to retain its exceptional growth level, both on account of the recovery of Thailand and the Maldives from the impact of the 2004 tsunami and outstanding performances from emerging destinations.
International tourist arrivals in South Asia rose by 10% - boosted by India, the destination responsible for half the arrivals to the sub-region.
Europe achieved the target (up by 4%). Germany took advantage of the Football World Cup 2006, while Italy made a strong comeback. Spain's solid results also contributed to the European success.
In the Middle East, international tourist arrivals went up by 4%, after the bumper years of 2004 and 2005. This happened notwithstanding the overall, volatile geopolitical situation, especially the Israel-Lebanon conflict.
Though the 2% overall growth in the Americas might seem disappointing, regional results varied considerably. The United States fared well, but not so Canada and Mexico.
However, results from Central America (up by 6.1%) and South America (up by 7.2%) show how Latin America is consolidating its gains in recent years. Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Paraguay and Peru achieved double-digit growth.
As a whole, the global economy is expected to keep the growth level of 2006.
However, increasing interest rates in some countries and regions could cut available income. A weaker US dollar might hit foreign travel demand by the Americans. On the contrary, stronger euro could stimulate international travel by the Europeans.Labels: Business |
| posted by a correspondent @ 9:52 AM |
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| Cinema Today 2007 expo in Chennai from Feb 16 |
Cinema Today 2007, Asia's first exhibition on the cinema and television industry, will be held in the southern Indian city of Chennai from February 16 to 18, 2007.
The show, which will have international participation, commemorates an important milestone in the history of Indian cinema - 75 years since the release of the first Indian talkie Alam Ara, (produced by Ardeshir Irani in 1931) and the first Tamil talkie Kalidas (produced by H M Reddy in 1931).
Talkie 75, a discussion on topics related to cinema, and paper submissions by eminent research scholars and people connected with the industry is also on the agenda.
A Film Panorama, jointly organised by the National Film Development Corporation and Mayajaal, is to be held on February 13 to 15 at the Mayajaal complex on East Coast Road, Chennai.
A workshop on cinematography, organised by the South Indian Cinematographers Association, would be held on February 17.
On the concluding day of the show, tributes will be paid to the legends of the film industry,
Except the screening of the films, all other programmes are to be held at the Chennai Trade Centre, Nandambakkam. For details, contact: 42177899/28353739.Labels: movies |
| posted by a correspondent @ 9:50 AM |
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| HT Media launches business daily Mint in alliance with WSJ : priced at Rs 2 |
HT Media Limited, publisher of Hindustan Times and Hindustan, has launched Mint, its business newspaper in collaboration with The Wall Street Journal.
The brand and logo of Mint was unveiled by HT Media's vice-chairperson Shobhana Bhartia and The Wall Street Journal's Asian managing director Christine Brendle at an event in New Delhi.
Mint, scheduled to hit the newsstands on February 1, 2007, will initially be available in New Delhi and Mumbai from Monday to Saturday.
Mint is priced at Rs 2.
As a part of the pre-launch campaign, there is a yearly subscription package of Rs 299.
Every weekday, four pages of news will be sourced from The Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones. These will be articles selected by the editors of Mint with the Indian reader in mind, says a company release.
Shobhana Bhartia says, "Mint is the product of a unique collaboration between HT Media and The Wall Street Journal, which will bring life to the world of business and participate in the business of life. Further, Mint is constructed around Indian business and economy and the way it is impacting the world and captures the trends of the world for India to leverage."Labels: media |
| posted by a correspondent @ 9:44 AM |
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| Sidney Sheldon, best-selling author, dies at 89 |
Sidney Sheldon, 89, world-renowned writer and film-television producer, is no more.
Sheldon, one of the most prolific writers of the 20th century, has written hits for the theatre, film, television and most recently, his best-selling novels.
He died at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, Florida, the United States, after suffering complications from pneumonia.
Sidney Sheldon leaves his wife Alexandra, daughter Mary Sheldon and two grandchildren.
"I've lost a long-time and dear friend," said Sheldon's publicist Warren Cowan. "In all my years in this business, I've never heard an unkind word said about him," Cowan reminisced.
Sidney Sheldon, who started his career as a script reader for major production houses in Hollywood, soon went on to writing and producing his own works.
He career saw him write 25 films and many hit shows, including the popular I Dream of Jeannie.
Sheldon's best-selling novels made their mark after he reached his 50th birthday.
His books, including the bestseller, The Other Side of Midnight, and Rage of Angels, sold over 300 million copies and saw many of his titles turned into TV mini-series.
Sheldon's novels were often based on women who triumphed in the world of men, making them a popular read with both sexes.
Analysing why so many women bought his books, Sheldon commented: "I like to write about women who are talented and capable, but most important, they retain their femininity. Women have tremendous power - their femininity, because men can't do without it."
Sheldon's books were cleverly plotted with a high degree of suspense and sensuality and a device to keep the reader turning pages.
"I try to write my books so the reader can't put them down," Sheldon had explained in a 1982 interview. "I try to construct them so when the reader gets to the end of a chapter, he or she has to read just one more chapter. It's the technique of the old Saturday afternoon serial: leave the guy hanging on the edge of the cliff at the end of the chapter."
Sheldon was obviously not aiming at highbrow critics, whose reviews of his books were generally disparaging. He remained undeterred, promoting the novels and himself with genial fervour.
A big, cheerful man, Sheldon bragged about his work habits.
Unlike other novelists who toiled over typewriters or computers, he dictated 50 pages a day to a secretary or a tape-machine. He corrected the pages on the following day, continuing the routine until he had 1,200 to 1,500 pages.Labels: media |
| posted by a correspondent @ 9:41 AM |
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| Tuesday, January 30, 2007 |
| Buying knitwear in Ontario: Will winterwear like cardigans, pullovers and legwarmers sell online in Ontario Canada? |
This is a new idea I am exploring right now. There are people in the city of Ontario, Canada who are wondering if their hobby - knitting - can be translated into a viable online business. It just might work, I think.
There is not too much of technology involved. Just photos of knitwear - that may include cardigans, legwarmers, mufflers, gloves, socks and caps - and detailed descriptions of them; who to call to buy them in Ontario, and then either it can be delivered after a phone call or maybe the buyers can go and pick them up later. Perhaps an eBay store can be created later at some point. Buying online can be explored, but initially it is better to just go over and deliver it after an order to buy is placed.
Anyway let me know what you think. Ontario, here we come!Labels: Society |
| posted by a correspondent @ 8:53 PM |
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| China goes 4G mobile |
4G has debuted. And, guess where? China has launched the world's first fourth-generation (4G) mobile communication system in Shanghai.
According to industry reports, the fully home-grown 4G system provides speeds of up to 100 MBPS in wireless transmission of data and images many times faster than that of current mobile technology.
The trial version had been rolled at a cost of USD 19.2 million. The venture is being dubbed by the Chinese media as a milestone in the development of China's 4G technologies. The technology trial testifies that the technology developed is feasible and brings China one step closer to put it into commercial use.
Earlier, China had initiated the B3G (Beyond 3G)/4G research project way back in year 2001 under the label future technology for universal radio environment, it may be recalled. It has now set a goal of conducting field tests of the 4G system and putting it into trial commercial use between 2006 and 2010.
The 4G system that debuted in Shanghai clearly provides hints that China has entered the final phase of the 4G system project. The future project involves about 10 leading domestic institutions.
The technology, according to reports, has got more than 200 patents and some of its core technologies have been adopted by international standards organizations.Labels: Tech |
| posted by a correspondent @ 8:36 PM |
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| MySpace sex offenders, watch out |
Sex offenders beware. MySpace, the social networking website owned by News Corp has provided database technology to help the US authorities collect information on convicted sex offenders, said a report.
Sentinel Safe, a database that has been developed by MySpace and Sentinel Technologies, based in Downers Grove, Ill helps law enforcement to search more quickly for criminals who prey on victims in online communities. MySpace has given the database to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which helps investigate crimes against young people.
According to reports, about 600,000 registered sex offenders are listed in more than 50 databases in the US. Sentinel Safe works in such a way that it uses information to help websites and third parties identify, remove and block convicted sex offenders over the Internet.
This according to NewsCorp top brass, would help in keeping the Internet safer by tracking down those who commit crimes against children. MySpace has more than 140 million registered users worldwide.Labels: Tech |
| posted by a correspondent @ 8:35 PM |
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| Six nation talks on North Korea's nuke plans to resume on Feb 8 |
The six-nation talks on dismantling North Korea's nuclear weapons programme will resume in Beijing, capital of China, on February 8, 2007.
The negotiations had broken down in December 2006 over the United States' allegations of money-laundering by North Korean companies.
"We believe that the six-party talks is a gradual and complicated process, but it is the best mechanism for arriving at the goal of de-nuclearising the Korean peninsula," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said on Tuesday at a briefing in Beijing after announcing the date of the talks.
North Korea had abandoned the talks in November 2005 after the US Treasury Department described a China-based bank that did business with North Korea as a money-laundering threat.
China, the US, North Korea, South Korea, Japan and Russia met again in December 2006, but no progress was made.
The US Treasury Department had alleged that Banco Delta Asia SARL laundered money from North Korea and worked with front companies trafficking drugs for the regime of Kim Jong Il. Chinese officials responded by seizing the bank and freezing its assets, and other international banks severed their relationships with North Korea.
North Korea said it would not take part in discussions until the issue was settled.
US Treasury officials are meeting a North Korea delegation in Beijing on Tuesday to resume talks on the freezing of $24 million in North Korean accounts at the bank.
China is not involved in the separate financial discussions, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu Jiang said.
"We are prepared to go through these talks as long as it takes for us to get through our agenda," US Deputy Assistant Secretary Daniel Glaser was quoted as saying on Tuesday in Beijing before the start of the discussions.
North Korea must take "concrete" steps toward abandoning its nuclear weapons programme at the next round of talks, Japan's Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiji Suzuki said. "We will strongly seek from North Korea concrete action to give up its nuclear weapons," Suzuki told a news conference in Tokyo on Tuesday.
The Japanese Government will raise, during the negotiations, the issue of North Korea's kidnapping of Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s, Suzuki said. North Korea has admitted abducting 13 Japanese, and it allowed five to return home in 2002. Japan says 17 citizens were kidnapped.
South Korea has called for "proactive and sincere" participation from the parties involved in the talks.Labels: International Politics |
| posted by a correspondent @ 8:34 PM |
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| Hamas-Fatah ceasefire comes into force in Gaza |
A ceasefire started taking effect in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, after five days of intense fighting between Palestine's Hamas and Fatah factions that left 34 people dead.
However, previous truce agreements agreed upon in recent weeks of factional clashes had quickly collapsed. So it appeared unlikely that the two sides would comply with all the terms of the current agreement, such as handing over all those involved in the killings and abductions.
In the past, Hamas and Fatah gunmen had used lull periods to prepare for the next round of fighting.
The shaky truce deal, struck by Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas, and Rauhi Fattouh, an envoy of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, came as a two-month ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians was shattered by a Palestinian suicide bomber in the Israeli resort town of Eilat on Monday, killing three bystanders and himself.
Israeli leaders have hinted that a military response was being considered.
Early on Tuesday, Israeli aircraft bombed a tunnel dug by the Palestinians near the Gaza-Israel border. The Israeli military said the tunnel was meant to be used by militants to attack Israel.
In the past, militants had dug such tunnels to attack Israeli army outposts and other installations.
Israel has been observing a truce with the Palestinians in Gaza since November 2006, and the air strike appeared to signal that the suicide bombing at Eilat has put that ceasefire in danger.
In Gaza City, gunfire and explosions were heard throughout the night, but the shooting stopped at about 5 a.m. local time – many hours after the ceasefire deal was struck.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahar of Hamas said the agreement stipulates that all security forces return to their bases, that suspects in the killings are to be handed over, and that all hostages still being held are to be released. Also, all roadblocks set up by the two factions are to be removed.
Fatah spokesman Maher Mekdad said his group would stand by the truce. "Despite all the bitterness and sadness that we are feeling, we will work to make it succeed," he said.
However, the underlying cause of the fighting – the fierce power struggle between Hamas and Fatah – has not been resolved.
Coalition talks have broken down and appear unlikely to resume soon.
Menwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is determined to go ahead with calling early elections, a plan denounced by Hamas as a coup attempt.Labels: International Politics |
| posted by a correspondent @ 8:32 PM |
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| Palestinian suicide bomber kills 3 in Israel |
A Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up in a bakery in the southern Israeli resort town of Eilat, killing three bystanders.
This was the first such incident in Israel in nine months.
According to eyewitnesses, the suicide bomber looked conspicuous as he was wearing a long winter coat on a warm, sunny day.
Benny Mazgini, 45, told Israel Radio: "It was very hot, very hot. He had a coat on and it didn't look right to me. I thought to myself: What's that man dressed like that for? A couple of seconds later, I heard a massive explosion."
The explosion sent shattered glass and pieces of flesh flying, Mazgini said.
The suicide bombing marks the first attack in Israel in nine months and the first to ever hit Eilat, Israel's southernmost city.
The attack is the second bombing in Israel since Hamas took over power in Palestine in January 2006.
"This really has rattled Eilat," a television reporter said in Jerusalem. "Eilat has been somewhat insulated from a lot of the violence, especially the suicide bombings, that have hit other parts of the country over the last four years," he added.
Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert asserted that Israel would continue to fight against Palestinian militants. However, he stopped short of threatening a direct retaliation.
"We shall draw the conclusions and learn the lessons and instruct our security people to continue their ongoing and never-ending struggle against terrorists and those who send them," Olmert declared.
The White House, in a statement, condemned "Palestinian terrorist groups, including Hamas, which condone these barbaric actions."
"The burden of responsibility for preventing terrorist attacks rests with the Palestinian Authority government. Failure to act against terror will inevitably affect relations between that government and the international community," the statement said.
Meanwhile, two Palestinian militant groups – Islamic Jihad and the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades – have claimed joint responsibility for the suicide bombing. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades is linked to Fatah.
However, Fatah spokesman Ahmad Abdul Rahman denounced the violence, saying his party, led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, was "against any operation that targets civilians, Israelis or Palestinians."
However, the bombing was praised by Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum, who described the attack as "a natural response to Israeli policy." "So long as there is occupation, resistance is legitimate," he argued.
Hamas, the radical Islamic group, controls the Palestinian parliament and Cabinet.
Eilat, located on the Red Sea near the Jordan-Egypt border, is a four-hour drive from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. As a massive barrier separates Israel from Gaza, it is unclear as to how the suicide bomber entered Israel.
At their peak four years ago, suicide bombings had killed hundreds of Israelis in numerous attacks.Labels: International Politics |
| posted by a correspondent @ 8:30 PM |
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| What's in store for Shilpa Shetty after Big Brother? |
It is generally believed that, after winning the British Channel 4 reality television show Celebrity Big Brother, after a great deal of international controversy over alleged racist remarks against her, Shilpa Shetty's career is set to ascend.
However, filmmakers of Bollywood are divided over her future as they feel it is difficult to predict what course her career would take now.
Some of the filmmakers feel that Shilpa's popularity will certainly rise, while others think that it will benefit her more in terms of products endorsement and Hollywood assignments rather than films in India.
According to Komal Nahta, a film industry analyst, "Shilpa will get more Hollywood films than Bollywood films. She will also get more endorsements in India."
Shilpa Shetty's career hit had an all-time low in the last six years as none of her films made it at the box office. Her biggest hit was Dhadkan. Lately, she has been seen doing only `item numbers.'
Shilpa had said before the 2004 release of Phir Milenge: "Box-office success is immaterial to me. I do films only for creative satisfaction."
Though Abhishek Bachchan's career picked up after Phir Milenge, Shilpa was not in demand despite winning critical acclaim for her acting in the film.
Shilpa acted in Dus, where her role was lost among the presence of heroes like Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek and Zayed Khan. Then came Fareb, her last film, which failed miserably at the box office.
Shilpa Shetty made her debut at the age of 17 in Baazigar, opposite Shah Rukh Khan, but never got an opportunity to prove her acting.
At 31, and with over three dozen films to her credit, Shilpa is perhaps best remembered for her role in Dhadkan, with Suniel Shetty and Akshay Kumar, than any other film.
"There have been many times that people have written me off. Five years ago, I was completely written off. Then there was Dhadkan and I came back," she said.
Her career is so thin now that she has only two films – Metro and Apne.
"Shilpa's height is one disadvantage which limits her to select heroes," said another film industry analyst.
According to Anurag Basu, director of Metro, "I am hopeful for Shilpa because people will now take her seriously in India. She thought she would come out in the first round and told me to be ready for shoot by January 15, but she hung on and won. My film will get a good market in the United Kingdom when it is released in April. Shilpa is already in demand in the UK and I am hopeful the film will work for all of us because of her new popularity," said a confident Basu.Labels: celebrity |
| posted by a correspondent @ 8:29 PM |
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| Nithari killings: Pandher, Koli undergo another round of lie-detector tests |
Moninder Singh Pandher and Surender Koli, the main accused in the gruesome killings of children in Nithari village, were put through another round of polygraph tests at the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) headquarters in New Delhi.
The CBI reportedly found that the results of the first round of the lie-detector tests were not very conclusive.
Pandher and his servant Koli had been taken to various places in Noida on Monday for corroboration of the revelations made by them. Later, when Pandher was being questioned at the CBI headquarters, his relatives came to meet him, but they were not allowed to do so.
Though he has not been forthcoming during interrogation, it is learnt that the CBI has gathered evidence of Pandher's involvement in the ghastly serial killings.
In another development, some residents of Nithari and the parents of missing children from the nearby areas blocked traffic for about three hours on the road passing by the Noida residence of Pandher, demanding that the investigation be expedited. They expressed dissatisfaction at the manner in which the case was being handled.
NO HEADWAY IN PROBE: Even one month after the macabre killings in Nithari started unfolding, the investigators have gained little or no insight into the minds of the two key accused, Pandher and Koli.
It was after the glaring lapses in the investigation by the Noida police came to light that the case was handed over to the CBI.
But the CBI is reportedly not satisfied with the interrogation the two accused. Neither have they much faith in the narco-analysis report already released.
Not only the CBI but also the forensic experts from Gujarat also suggested that the tests were not done properly.
The two main accused are still hiding the facts. Pandher, the owner of Noida's house of horror, has remained a tough nut to crack.
However, the CBI has now discovered that Pandher had regularly paid money to the Noida police officials to avoid being arrested in the last two years – a crime that can put a few police officers behind bars.Labels: nithari |
| posted by a correspondent @ 8:27 PM |
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| ULFA ultimatum to TV channel: Prove charges or leave Assam |
The outlawed United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) on Tuesday asked a television channel to leave Assam or face action if it fails to prove its allegations that the outfit is being bribed by the Assam Government to lie low during the coming National Games.
North East Television (NETV), a Guwahati-based television channel, had last week reported that the Assam Government had paid money to buy peace with the ULFA for the smooth conduct of the National Games in Guwahati from February 9 to 18, 2007.
"Let NETV prove to the public about the ULFA taking money from the Assam Government. If it fails to prove the allegation within a month, it will have to leave Assam or else face dire consequences," ULFA `commander-in-chief' Paresh Baruah said in a statement.
The National Games has come under a cloud with ULFA blamed for a wave of violence beginning January 5, 2007, in which 90 people were killed. But the Assam Government has vowed to hold the Games as scheduled.
Meanwhile, over 10 Myanmarese soldiers and three militants were killed in fresh fighting when Myanmar launched a massive military crackdown to evict anti-India guerrillas from its soil.
According to a spokesman of the SS Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K), Myanmar's military junta had burnt down the outfit's general headquarters and two other camps in Myanmar's northern Sagaing Division.
The NSCN-K, which is fighting for an independent homeland for the Nagas in Nagaland, has at least 50 camps with 5,000 guerrilla fighters entrenched in fortified bunkers in the Sagaing Division.
Myanmar's offensive comes a week after India's External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee visited Yangon, capital of Myanmar, and sought the country's help in cracking down on the rebels from India's troubled North-East, who are seeking refuge across the border.
Pranab Mukherjee's visit came after reports from Indian security officials that hundreds of rebels from Assam have fled to Myanmar since New Delhi launched a military operation against the guerrillas earlier in January, 2007.
At least four other militant groups from the North-East, including the ULFA, have training camps in northern Myanmar's thick jungles.
The NSCN's Khaplang faction has been observing a ceasefire with New Delhi since 2001, though peace talks are yet to begin.
Myanmar had earlier pledged that the junta would not let Indian rebels operate from its soil. In 2006, Myanmar had launched a military operation against the NSCN-K and overran several of their bases.
India and Myanmar share a 1,640-kilometre unfenced border, allowing militants from the North-East to use Myanmar as a springboard to carry out their hit-and-run strikes on Indian soldiers.Labels: media, Politics |
| posted by a correspondent @ 8:20 PM |
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| HT Mint or WSJ Mint new Hindustan Times Wall Street Journal business newspaper |
Okay guys. The name is Mint, HT Mint. Or WSJ Mint. Or Hindustan Times Mint. Or Wall Street Mint. The name of the new business newspaper from the alliance between Hindustan Times and Wall Street Journal, helmed by Raju Narisetti.
Why do I sound so breathless about it? Because there are a lot of journalists reading this site, and as we all know, we are major rumour mongers. The name of the new business paper has been kept a tightly guarded secret, to be revealed tonight or tomorrow night according to some bloggers like Presstalk
So the entire newspaper fraternity is waiting, chewing up their mobile phones and we would be cruel if we do not feed them what they need, even if it might be incorrect information.
Another interesting bit is that a site has been registered by HT Media (thats what the registration details say) at www.livemint.com This might be the website of the WSJ / HT Mint; and we shall keep an eye on it definitely. If this is the online version of the business paper, then the name makes sense.
But why a name like Mint? Why not Menthol? Or Pint? I have no idea. Anyway the truth will out, as the cool ones say.Labels: media |
| posted by a correspondent @ 5:39 AM |
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| Monday, January 29, 2007 |
| Little mosque on the prairie Youtube video: My reaction to a reaction! |
This is something you should watch. I order you.
You get an exception if you are on a dial up connection. Then you cannot watch this, as it is going to take you a full month to load. If you have a decent (by Indian standards) connection, I suggest you click on the link below, wait till it starts playing, click Play, then click Pause in a second, and then wait for 20-30 minutes for it to load fully.
Little Mosque on the Prairie Youtube video
Little mosque on the prairie is a canadian sitcom that makes gentle fun at the way the entire hoo-ha about Muslims in the western world work, the problems, the insecurities, and all going nuts.
After watching the video on Youtube, I scrolled down to watch this reaction by someone with a username called 'amuslimsister'
This below is what amuslimsister says about the video.
I really dont like this show because it doesnt represent what really goes on in the Muslim world. All they did was put some kaffirs in hijab and call them"Muslim", and teach them some of our rituals. The part i hate the most was when they were praying, and someone in the bacround made noise so they all got to look. Its ridiculos and an insult. And I wanted to react so badly. For some strange reason, Youtube was not posting my comments, and so here I am with them on this blog:
1. I really dont like this show because it doesnt represent what really goes on in the Muslim world.
The show is about a mosque on the prairie, not in the muslim world. I thought that was obvious.
Its about the Muslim world in Canada interacts with the world around it.
3. All they did was put some kaffirs
Yes. That is called acting. Sometimes, christians act as Hindus, Hindus act as christians, muslims act as jews (yes, that also happens. nothing new.)
5. The part i hate the most ....
It is built into the human nature by God / allah / whoever to look when startled. That quality helps humans to sense danger and avoid it. It is entirely divine.
So there.
Here is the link to Little Mosque on the Prairie again:
Little Mosque on the Prairie Youtube videoLabels: Islam and Muslims |
| posted by a correspondent @ 8:56 AM |
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| Thursday, January 25, 2007 |
| Suzuki Swift dons diesel make up in India |
The much awaited Diesel Swift is here. Maruti Udyog has unveiled the diesel variant of its premium compact Swift. And the price is a competitive Rs 4.68 lakh.
The first diesel offering by Maruti, after a long wait hs come as a welcome addition to the diesel segment in the country. Maruti had launched Esteem in a diesel variant many years ago, but it was discontinued soon after, for lack of demand.
MUL has unveiled Swift Diesel in two variants . The LDI and VDI. They are priced at Rs 4.68 lakh and Rs 4.96 lakh respectively. While both models come with standard features, only VDI will have anti-brake locking system and has been priced at Rs 4.96 lakh. It is rumoured that the prices would be revived after a while.
The new Swift will sport a 1.3 litre, five-step multi-injection, DOHC (double over head camshaft) DDiS engine, sourced by MUL from Suzuki. DDiS is a superior common rail direct injection (CRDi) technology. The Swift diesel pulls 190Nm of torque at 2000 RPM and puts out 75 BHP of power at 4000 RPM. It has the smallest four cylinder diesel engine for passenger cars in world, said expert reports.
The engines will be manufactured at MUL's plant in Manesar, which has also seen a Rs 2,500 crore investment to make diesel engines. The company has started making these engines and the plan has a capacity of producing 1 lakh engines per annum which Maruti plans to scale up to 3 lakh by 2010.
MUL also has announced plans to introduce two new cars in the country this year. One of these could be a new offering above the Baleno to take on Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, said reports. A sporty version of Swift is also on the cards this year.Labels: Maruti |
| posted by a correspondent @ 1:14 AM |
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| India's Tata Motors on the road to Belarus auto scene |
India is seriously looking beyond the boundary in the automobile front. The latest buzz is that India and Belarus are negotiating the launch of joint automobile production in that country.
The initiative is being effected by the Tatas who have shown interest in implementing such a project, said reports quoting Belarus top officials. Tata representatives had visited Belarus several times and negotiated the project.
At a time when the Indo-Belarus trade ties are booming, the Belarus government is believed to have created a sufficient legal base to advance trade and economic, scientific and technical, and military and technical relations. Many bilateral agreements can be revised to embrace new avenues of cooperation, it has been reported.
The Indian embassy is son to have a permanent trade representative and a military attache is supposed to be accredited, too. In view of the expanding cultural ties, the post of cultural attache may be introduced, reports added.Labels: Auto Industry |
| posted by a correspondent @ 1:12 AM |
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| GM, Ford in race for Daewoo Romania |
| Romania's troubled Daewoo Auto is up for grabs. Reports suggest that General Motors and Ford Motor, as well as Chery of China, apart from India's own Tata, have submitted letters of intent to buy the company. The Rom | | |
