Beijing braces up for Greatest Show on Earth
NE TV Bureau
Aug 7
With less than 24 hours left for the opening of the greatest show on earth, the countdown is on to the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing. Workers around the city are busy putting on the final touches to make. Athletes and tourists from around the globe feel welcome. Let’s have a look at the preparations for the greatest show on earth.
The excitement is mounting in China as that nation prepares for the official start of the 2008 Olympic Games. Thousands of excited Chinese on Wednesday celebrated the arrival of the Olympic torch in Beijing. The vice president of China's Olympic Committee, Li Furong, was the last one to carry the torch as it arrived at a lighting ceremony in the historic Forbidden City. The opening ceremony will be held on Friday in Beijing's "Bird Nest" national stadium. The games are set to open at 6.38 p.m. Indian time. The event will be broadcast to an estimated one billion television viewers around the world. On Wednesday, China revoked the visa of U.S. Olympic gold medalist and Darfur anti-violence campaigner Joey Cheek. White House spokeswoman, Dana Perino said the U.S. was disturbed to learn about the refusal. The International Olympic Committee's decision to have China host the Summer Olympics has been controversial because of the country's poor human rights record. The Beijing government's harsh crackdown on Tibetan protesters last March triggered demonstrations around the world in the run-up to the Olympics. But Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, repeated his support Wednesday for the Beijing Olympics and offered his good wishes for the games. Athletes and official delegations from around the world as well as media personnel have arrived in the Chinese Capital for the three-week events. Most of the venues are centralized in Beijing and surrendered with trees and flowers, giving the environment the naked name “Olympic Green”. The theme for this year’s Olympics is “One World One Dream”. Meanwhile, in view of the spectacular opening ceremonies of the 2000 Sidney and 2004 Athens Olympic events, many observers stretching their imagination as to whether the Beijing Olympics would be more spectacular then the previous two. After seven years and billions of dollars the communist government has attempted to overhaul the country to turn it into a modern marvel. Marked by protests, China has gone to great lengths to give the appearance of a clean and friendly city in hopes of gaining the world's respect.

World leaders quash qualms, go to Olympic opening
NE TV Bureau
Aug 7
Congress president and United Progressive Alliance Chairperson Sonia Gandhi along with her son and the party’s General Secretary Rahul Gandhi arrived in Beijing on Thursday to attend the inaugural ceremony of the Olympics 2008 on Friday. The Congress and the Communist Party of China are set to institutionalise their relationship during her three-day visit to Beijing. However, it will be Sports Minister M.S. Gill who will be rubbing shoulders with Chinese President Hu Jintao and other world leaders like US President George Bush, French President Nicholas Sarkozy and Australian Premier Kevin Rudd.
Sonia and her family members have been invited by the CPC leadership to attend the inaugural ceremony of Beijing Olympics, a gesture that demonstrates the significance that China accords to her. About 1.6 lakh people are expected to attend the gala opening ceremony, which is billed as one of the greatest shows on the Earth. However, it will be Sports Minister M.S. Gill who will be rubbing shoulders with Chinese President Hu Jintao and other world leaders like US President George Bush. Sonia Gandhi and her family, as guests of the Chinese government, will sit in an important enclosure for the opening ceremony along with other celebrities. Sports Minister M.S. Gill, who is likely to head the Indian government delegation, will have the privilege of getting a seat in the VIP enclosure along with Bush and other world leaders. The US President George W Bush is going to Beijing to attend the ceremony as is Australia's premier Kevin Rudd. The leaders of Britain, Germany and Canada are skipping the show. Probably to the relief of Chinese authorities, so too are the authoritarian chiefs of Sudan, Zimbabwe and Iran, as is North Korea's dictator Kim Jong Il. A total of 104 "national government dignitaries" from around the world will attend the games. Deadly riots and a crackdown on protests in Tibet in March turned the opening ceremony invitation into a hot potato for leaders of major democracies. The president of the European Parliament is among the few who has announced a formal boycott. No major German leader is attending the Games. Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva plans to lobby for Rio de Janeiro's bid for the 2016 Olympics. Vladimir Putin, prime minister of growing Chinese trading partner Russia, is also going, as is Wu Poh-hsiung, chairman of Taiwan's ruling Nationalist Party.

Manipur protests Monica’s dropping
NE TV Correspondent
Imphal, Aug 7
The doping charges leveled against Manipuri weight lifter Laishram Monika by the Sports Authority of India has sparked widespread protest in Manipur. The sports fraternity of the state took to the streets on Thursday to protest over the issue. However, they were dispersed by the police. On the other hand, the United Committee Manipur has called a 21-hour bandh in this regard on Thursday. Meanwhile, the sport minister of Manipur Biren singh along with top government officials, has left for Delhi in connection with the matter.
The doping charges leveled against Manipuri weight lifter Laishram Monika evoked sharp reactions in Manipur. Strongly reacting against the doping charges against Monika, various civil organizations including All Manipur Anti Drug and Alcohol Association and sports fraternity of the state marched towards the chief minister’s bungalow to submit a memorandum. The protestors, carrying playcards, were dispersed by the police. The plice personnel on duty even resorted to firing of tear gas shells. Some of the protestors were also injured in the scuffle. Later, memorandum was submitted to the Chief Minister by few representatives of the protestors.
It may be mentioned that a team of high officials led by sports minister of Manipur N Biren Singh has left for Delhi to discuss the matter with the Centre.

CRPF men killed in Manipur
NE TV Correspondent
Imphal, Aug 7
Two CRPF men were killed and another was injured when militants ambushed a CRPF patrolling party on Thursday morning. In a major ambush, unidentified militants gunned down two CRPF men at the National Highway 53 near Kotlien.
This is the National Highway 53 Imphal-Giri road near Kotlien village where the ambush took place Thursday morning at around 7.30 AM. The personnel of 109 battalion of the CRPF were ambushed when they were on normal patrolling duty, killing two on the spot and seriously injuring one. However, the CRPF officials present at the site prevented the media persons from videographing the spot. The blood stains on the road side by the victims were visible whereas the injured personnel was given medical aid by CRPF doctors at the site in an ambulance. Meanwhile, the villagers nearby the site of the incident said that they heard the sound of gun battle ensuing for around half an hour.
Till now none of the militant outfit operating in the state has claim for the attack. And the attack to CRPF personnel by any militant outfits came after long spell

Security beefed up ahead of I-Day
NE TV Correspondent
Guwahati, Aug 7
A mammoth security arrangement is on the cards across the state to deal with the possible strikes by ULFA and Islamic terrorists forces during the Independence day celebrations. Police forces are also well prepared to rein in any eventualities that could mar the celebrations.
With the loss of two vital companies of its crack unit, ULFA is ready to capitalize its anger against the government on the Independence Day. ULFA central leadership, therefore, is in a mood to take revenge the division of its leaders with strike in the form of more powerful blasts. Police forces are also not remaining idle. According to information, police is also gearing up to deal with the situation firmly. Talking to NETV, inspector general of police and spokesman Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta, police forces are being kept on alert in view of possible strikes by terrorist forces.
According to intelligence reports now ULFA is targeting central and lower Assam. The inputs suggest that the proscribed outfit is set to carry out joint strikes by four battalions. The entire subversive operation will be led by Hira Sarania’s 709th battalion. The others in the pipeline are the B company of the dreaded crack unit 28th battalion with three hardcore extremists. Next to be mentioned is the 27th battalion led by Nayan Medhi while the last one is the 109th battalion under the leadership of the dangerous Gulit Das. Disclosing police strategies to rein these possible string of strikes, Mahanta said all police superintendents and others in the special branch have been put on alert.

BJP MPs allege tape tampering
NE TV Bureau
Aug 7
The special Lok Sabha committee probing the cash-for-vote scam is likely to summon Samajwadi Party member Reoti Raman Singh and Sanjeev Saxena, a supposed aide of SP general secretary and Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh. Meanwhile, two of the three BJP MPs, who shocked the Lok Sabha on the confidence vote day by displaying bundles of currency notes, have alleged that the tapes regarding the sting operation have been tampered with.
Ashok Argal and Fagan Singh Kulaste, who appeared before the seven-member Parliamentary Committee examining the 'cash-for-vote', interestingly made the charge to reporters but did not make it before the panel. The two MPs, who deposed before the committee together, contended that their version was not recorded in the tapes. During the two-and-half deposition, the Committee asked the two MPs to substantiate their charge that money was given to them as bribes to abstain from the trust vote. The two MPs demanded that all those connected with the scam should be called and inquired into so that truth could be brought out. Meanwhile, the committee chairman V Kishore Chandra Deo hinted that the men in question, Reoti Raman Singh and Sanjiv Saxena may be summoned before the panel. The BJP has claimed that Saxena delivered Rs 1 crore, part of the bribe offered to three BJP MPs — Ashok Argal, Faggan Singh Kulaste and Mahavir Bhagora — to influence their voting on the confidence motion on July 22. Deo, who was mandated by Speaker Somnath Chatterjee to submit his report by August 11, is understood to have sought an extension till the end of this month. The seven-member body watched and heard the five visual CDs and two audio CDs at their last sitting on August 4.

India storm into AFC Cup football
NE TV Bureau
Aug 7
India rode on a late goal by Sunil Chhetri to beat Myanmar 1-0 under unplayable ground conditions and enter the final of the AFC Challenge Cup football tournament in Hyderabad on Thursday. Striker Chhetri scored the all-important goal in the 82nd minute of the semifinal match with a fine header after being set up by captain Baichung Bhutia. Playing on a ground which was not suitable for an international match, the game depended more on factors not connected with football. In the first half, which failed to produce any goal, the pitch was better despite the top surface crumbling due to lots of rain in the past few days. But after heavy downpour during the breather, the Gachibowli Stadium ground turned into a muddy field with pools of water in the middle and the ball stopping once it fell on the water. Myanmar had more of the attacks initially but the hosts pressed hard towards the close of first half and should have taken the lead but for Chhetri. India had the first look at the rival goal in the second minute itself with captain Baichung shooting straight to Myanmar custodian Aung Aung Oo.

Fresh violence in Nandigram, 1 killed
NE TV Bureau
Aug 7
The situation in Nandigram does not seems to be returning to normalcy, as fresh tension sparked in the area after a man was killed during fierce clashes between Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee (BUPC) and CPI(M) workers on Thursday morning. Skirmish have been reported from Bhangaberia, Kalicharanpur and Chanderpul area. According to reports, hundreds of locals have taken to streets as panic spread in the areas with a section of villagers digging up roads and breaking up bridges. Meanwhile, day long strike has been called by the ruling Left party paralysing normal life in already troubled southern part of Nandigram in West Bengal. The strike has been called to protest against the murder of CPM’s leader Mandal.

Musharraf impeachment motion on Aug 11
NE TV Bureau
Aug 7
Pakistan's ruling coalition is expected to move an impeachment motion against President Pervez Musharraf in Parliament on August 11. Pakistan People's Party and the PML(N) have finalised a draft declaration on the impeachment of the President. The declaration, finalised following talks held in the chamber of PPP leader Raza Rabbani, the leader of the House in the Senate or Upper House of Parliament, also included modalities for reinstating judges deposed during last year's emergency by Musharraf. The cabinet member said an impeachment motion would be moved against the President in parliament on August 11. Special sessions of the National Assembly and four provincial assemblies would be convened the same day.

Ishant rested, Harbhajan Dhoni back for ODIs
NE TV Bureau
Aug 7
Paceman Ishant Sharma was on Thursday rested from the 16-member Indian squad while skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was brought back into the team for the one-day cricket series against Sri Lanka. National selectors also dropped middle order batsman Robin Uthappa while giving chance to Delhi's Virat Kohli to make his international debut in the five-ODI series starting 18th August. Ishant, under BCCI's the rotation policy, has been replaced by Munaf Patel but the lanky fast bowler would return to the 15-member side, also announced for next month's Champions Trophy in Pakistan. The teams announced for the two events are otherwise the same except for Parthiv Patel being left out of the squad for Champions Trophy. Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh also make their ODI comebacks after being out of the team for different reasons. A fit again S Sreesanth after recuperating from a shoulder injury, however, failed to make the cut.

Fire breaks out in West Bengal state secretariat
NE TV Bureau
Aug 7
A fire broke out at West Bengal state secretariat, Writers' Buildings, on Thursday causing damage to the departments of Refugee Rehabilitation, Fire and Municipal Affairs. Fire brigade officials said the blaze broke out at block E on the third floor of the century-old heritage building at around 6.45 am. Twelve fire engines extinguished the fire in two hours. Nobody was injured and the extent of damage was likely be limited to burnt heaps of paper, documents and furniture of the three departments. The cause of the fire has not been ascertained yet and the affected block has been cordoned off. Writers' Buildings, built by the British, houses Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's office and other key departments.