Russia a ‘special partner': Manmohan NEW DELHI: Belying predictions of diplomatic fatigue, the last visit to India by the head of a P-5 country in 2010 turned out to be one of the most significant, with 30 agreements and a meeting of minds on key political issues emerging from talks here on Tuesday between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
After 90 minutes of restricted talks between the two leaders and 40 minutes among the delegations, Dr. Singh emerged to tell journalists that India's relationship with Russia was “special and privileged” and would develop independent of its ties with other countries.
The highlight of the 30 agreements was the consolidation and extension of strategic cooperation in the civil nuclear, hydrocarbons and space sectors.
Russia joined the U.S. and France in speaking of India and itself as “states possessing nuclear weapons” and promised to quarterback India's bid for full membership at the Nuclear Suppliers Group and other multilateral export control clubs. Russia reiterated its support to India for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, but the formulation used was the same as at the previous two summit meetings. There was also public acknowledgement of India's imminent membership of the Russia-China-led Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
In the civil nuclear sector, a firm agreement on setting up two more reactors at Kudankulam, beyond the four already in the pipeline, was postponed pending the ong
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Europe weather: EU brands snow-hit airports 'weak link'"The effect of the great European freeze is now being felt in airports from New York to Hong Kong"
Continue reading the main story Related storiesHeathrow's reputation hit?In pictures: European icy weatherTravelling hopefully: Your snow stories The EU has heavily criticised European airports for failing to deal with recent freezing weather, which has left thousands of travellers stranded.
Around 1,000 flights were cancelled across the continent on Tuesday.
European transport commissioner Siim Kallas urged airports to "get serious" about planning, and labelled them a "weak link" in the infrastructure.
But Europe's airport operators hit back at claims they had not done enough to prepare for the severe weather.
Airports Council International (ACI), the professional association of European airport operators, said 88% of flights to and from European airports had been operating.
Weary passengers struggling to reach Christmas destinations are spending a fourth day at airports, where patience with a shortage of both information and basic supplies has been wearing thin.
Mass cancellations
Mr Kallas said in a statement that airports in western Europe needed to learn from their counterparts in northern Europe.
"In recent days, I have become increasingly concerned about the problems relating to the infrastructure available to airlines - airports and ground handling - during this severe period of snow," he said.
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Vince Cable to stay on as Business Secretary
Cable: "I have declared war on Mr Murdoch"
Continue reading the main story Related storiesCable comments: Your reactionAs it happened: Cable rowProfile: Vince Cable Business Secretary Vince Cable will stay in cabinet despite "declaring war" on Rupert Murdoch, says Downing Street.
But he will be stripped of his powers to rule on Mr Murdoch's bid to take control of BSkyB, which will be handed to Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt.
Downing Street said David Cameron believed Mr Cable's comments about Mr Murdoch were "totally unacceptable and inappropriate".
Labour leader Ed Miliband said he would have sacked Mr Cable.
BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson said Downing Street's statement was a "humiliating slap in the face" for Mr Cable and although he had kept his job he was still in a "very awkward" position, with questions over his judgement after telling "complete strangers" highly sensitive political information.
Nick Robinson said some Tory MPs would be questioning whether Mr Cable - who is seen as a key figure in holding the coalition together - would have been "out on his ear" if he had been a member of their party. In a statement, a Downing Street spokesman said: "Following comments made by Vince Cable to the Daily Telegraph, the prime minister has decided that he will play no further part in the decision over News Corporation's proposed takeover of BSkyB.
Continue reading the main story “Start QuoteHis whole empire is n
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Tier 1 (General) to close overseas and new interim limit set for Tier 2 (General)The UK Border Agency has announced that it will stop accepting Tier 1 (General) applications made overseas from 00:01 on 23 December 2010. This is to ensure that we do not exceed the limit set by the government for issued Tier 1 (General) applications between 19 July 2010 and April 2011.
Tier 1 (General) overseas will not reopen for applications. Tier 1 (General) in the UK will remain open until 5 April 2011. There will be transitional arrangements beyond 6 April 2011 for some applicants who are already in the UK, and we will announce details of these in due course.
Following a court judgement on Friday, the government has also set a limit until 5 April 2011 on the number of certificates of sponsorship that are available to licensed Tier 2 sponsors under Tier 2 (General). The level of the limit will be 10,832, and the changes will take place immediately.
Immigration Minister Damian Green said:
'This ruling is about process, not policy - the policy of having a limit has not been found to be unlawful. The court's ruling rests on a technicality, which we have set right today to ensure that from now on the interim limit is back up and running.
'This judgment does not affect the annual cap in any way. The interim limit was a temporary measure introduced specifically to tackle a rush of applications ahead of the introduction of the annual limit.
'As a result of the volume of applications received since the interim limit was in
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ഇന്ത്യയുടെ ഔദ്യോഗിക കമ്പ്യൂട്ടര് ശൃംഖല തകര്ക്കാന് ചൈനീസ് ശ്രമമെന്ന് നാരായണന്ലണ്ടന്: ഇന്ത്യയുടെ ദേശരക്ഷ ഉപദേഷ്ടാവ് എം.കെ. നാരായണന്റെ ഓഫീസിലെയും മറ്റു ചില സര്ക്കാര് വകുപ്പുകളിലെയും കമ്പ്യൂട്ടര് ശൃംഖലയില് അതിക്രമിച്ചുകടക്കാന് ചൈനീസ് 'ഹാക്കര്'മാര് കഴിഞ്ഞ മാസം ശ്രമിച്ചെന്ന് വെളിപ്പെടുത്തല് .
ബ്രിട്ടീഷ് പ
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ആളെ കൊല്ലാനുള്ള കത്തിക്ക് ഒരു ഇനീഷ്യല് പതിച്ചുകിട്ടിയ കൊല്ലമാണ് കഴിഞŔ
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നവവത്സര നൃത്തത്തിന് ബിപാഷയ്ക്ക് രണ്ടുകോടി ബോളിവുഡിന്റെ ഗ്ലാമര്താരം ബിപാഷാ ബസുവിന് ഒരു നവവത്സരപരിപാടിയില് പങ്കെടുക്കുന്നതിന് രണ്ടുകോടിരൂപ പ്രതിഫലം. മുംബൈയിലെ സഹാറാ സ്റ്റാര്ഹോട്ടലില് നവവത്സരത്തലേന്നത്തെ നൃത്തരാവിന് ഗ്ലാമര് പകരുന്നതിനാണ് ബിപാഷയ്ക്ക് വന്പ്രതിഫലം വാഗ്ദാന!
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വി.എസിന്റെ പ്രസ്താവന ഗുരുതരമായ അച്ചടക്ക
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Goa holidays