Russia no to extending Kyoto Protocol

Russia said it won’t join the second commitment to extend the Kyoto Protocol. The Russian vice Prime Minister confirmed that his country will not sign on to the Second Commitment Period of the Kyoto Protocol. He told that Russia will announce its emissions reduction targets next week but they will not be attributed to the Second Commitment Period which Russia strongly opposes. It implies that Russia will lose the chance to take part in Joint Implementation projects on Climate Change in the future.

The move will have a negative effect on both the economy and low-carbon development in Russia. At the UN Climate change Conference in Durban two years ago, a group of 40 odd rich nations had agreed to cut by 5.2 percent their emissions below 1990 levels by the end of 2012 and to set up a $100 billion Green climate Fund to help the developing nations in climate change issues.

Neither of the two have fructified yet.
Japan has already stated that it won’t join the Second commitment and wants a fair, effective and transparent deal in which the emerging economies should also share the emission reduction cuts.

US has said that it won’t increase earlier commitments to cut emissions by 17 per cent below 2005 levels by 2020. New Zealand has also said that it won’t be a party to second commitment but would like to be involved in climate change talks.

It leaves only European Union, Australia and several smaller countries which account for less than 15 per cent of global emissions as the only parties ready for second commitment.

The BASIC countries led by Brazil, South Africa, India and China have said that the responsibility for the outcome of Climate Change talks depends on developed nations.

Day four at the ongoing UN Climate Change Conference in Doha was dedicated to the role of youth in the issues related to climate change. Experts and delegates from participating nations underlined the importance of involving and motivating them to prepare the world for a safe and secure environment.

The President of the Conference of Parties, COP-18, Qatar’s former energy minister Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Attiyah appreciated the contribution of the youth towards making world a cleaner and greener place to live in and said if UN doesn’t support them, whom will they support.

UNGA votes to recognize Palestine as non-member observer state

November 30, 2012

UN General Assembly has voted in favour of granting the upgraded status of Observer state to Palestine on the lines of Vatican.
India was among the 138 countries which voted in favour of the resolution while there were nine votes against the move led by US and Israel. 41 countries abstained from the voting.
The change in status from Observer entity to Observer State means Palestinians can now co sponsor the resolutions at UN. They can access membership of additional UN bodies like the International Criminal Court where they can try to put Israel on war crime charges.
The Palestinians believe that the upgraded status would also help their claims for an independent state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem which was captured by Israel in the 1967.Our correspondent reports that the voting and the reactions on the Palestinian resolution for an upgraded Observer State status was on expected lines.
Palestine Authority President Mahmoud Abbas warned this was the last chance to save the two state solution He said that there is an urgent and pressing need to end Israeli aggression and Palestine won’t forego its inalienable right.
The Israeli Ambassador to UN Ron Prosor said the resolution was one sided and undermines the peace process. He told that peace can not be imposed through UN and the only way out is the direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine.
The US Ambassador Susan Rice told that the resolution was unfortunate, counter productive and would create further obstacles in the path of peace.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki Mooon urged the two sides to work for a lasting peace through negotiations while living side by side peacefully.Atul K Tiwary, AIR Nrews, Dubai.
The United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has slammed a UN vote granting observer state status to the Palestinians as unfortunate and counterproductive.
She said the resolution just passed at the United Nations places further obstacles in the path to peace, reiterating that the only way to Palestinian statehood was through direct talks with Israel.

Egypt parliament passes draft of new constitution

November 30, 2012

 Egypt, the parliament passed the draft of the new constitution defining the roles and responsibilities of the executive, judiciary and legislature. A marathon session of parliament which lasted for sixteen hours each of the 230 articles of the new constitution were read and voted upon by the Islamist and Salafist MPs.
The liberal ,secular and leftist opposition along with minority Coptic Christians boycotted the proceedings of the house.
Under the Egyptian law, the draft has to be ratified now by President Morsey and put up for a nationwide referendum within 30 days.
In a televised interview, President Morsey said that it would be expedited in time since Egypt needs a constitution to have a properly elected parliament, an independent judiciary, and a President who executes the law. He defended his decisions as a step to save the revolution that toppled Mubarak regime.
The newly formed National Salvation Front ,an umbrella of liberal,secular and leftist opposition and youth revolutionary movements has criticized the move as hasty and ill conceived.
In a statement it alleged that the regime is trying to impose a constitution monopolized by one trend and is the farthest from national consensus, produced in a farcical way.
The parliament decision is being seen as an attempt to pre-empt a court ruling that could dissolve the constitution drafting body.
The Supreme Constitutional Court was due to give its ruling on the dissolution of the constitution assembly and the upper house of parliament on Sunday.
Analysts say it may further aggravate the tensions between the Government and the opposition which has been demanding scrapping of the Presidential decree which granted sweeping powers to President Morse

Economic growth declines to 5.3% in Jul-Sep quarter

Indian economy grew by 5.3 per cent in the July-September period of the current financial year (2012-13), pulled down by poor performance of manufacturing and agriculture sectors, showing persistent signs of slowdown.
The gross domestic product had expanded by 6.7 per cent in the same period of last fiscal.It had grown by 5.5 per cent in the first quarter (April-June) of 2012-13.  During the three-month period ended September 30, the manufacturing sector grew marginally by 0.8 per cent, against 2.9 per cent growth in the same period of 2011-12, according to data released by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) today.

Farm sector output expanded by just 1.2 per cent in the July-September period this fiscal against 3.1 per cent in the same period last year.  The economic growth in the first six month of this fiscal (April-September) is 5.4 per cent, lower than 7.3 per cent growth clocked in the year-ago period.  In the July-September quarter, trade, hotels, transport and communications segment also witnessed lower pace of growth at 5.5 per cent compared to 9.5 per cent expansion in the same quarter in year ago

Nov

30

ON FDI IN RETAIL NATIONWIDE DEMONSTRATION ON 4 DECEMBER

TRADERS ADOPT STRONG PROTEST STRATEGY ON FDI IN RETAIL

NATIONWIDE DEMONSTRATION ON 4 DECEMBER AGAINST JUGAAD RAJNEETI

In the wake of Loksabha Speaker's mandate to hold debate and voting under Rule 184 on FDI in Retail in Lok Sabha, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) while cautioning the political parties particularly those who were earlier opposing and now supporting FDI by way of a couplet " Raat Ki Baat Sitaron Ne Gagan Bech Diya-Chand "o" Chandni Ki Lasho Ka Kafan Bech Diya. Aaj Adhikar Tumhe Phool Chuno Ya Kaante- Phir Na Kehna Ki Baharon Ne Chaman Bech Diya" and asked the political parties to give away their suspensive role and while clearing their positions, they should announce their opposition to FDI in Retail.

In the above couplet the "Sitare" is used for Govt and "Gagan" is used for economy while Chand -Chandni is signifying the vibrant retail trade of the Country. The Couplet also caution the people that they should execersie their right in the way which leaves no scope of regret. The CAIT said that by bringing FDI in Retail the Govt has put on stake the future and livelihood of crores and crores of people invloved in farming, trading, hawking, earning through small industry or transporting goods.Undoubtdly, the issue has now linked with the Votes and it will be of much importance to see the choice of Politicians whether it devolves on Multinational Companies or on domestic people. The outcome of such choice will certainly have major impact on future of the Country and that of political parties.

On the other hand, the stance of DMK to support the Govt has evoked a sharp response amongst the trading and other sectors which leads to a major rally of Traders held yesterday at Coimbatore and led by Tamilnadu Traders Association Federation President Mr. Vikram Raja who while criticising the DMK has demanded that DMK should withdraw its support from UPA Govt and demostrate its strong stand of opposing FDI in Retail. An environment of back biting is being emerged across the Tamilnadu and traders are planning to hold protest demonstartions against DMK all over the State in next days.

The CAIT while continuing its nationwide SMS campaign against FDI on second day today take the political parties like DMK to the task. The sms says " Pehle Virodh aur Ab Samarthan Ye Kaisi Manmani Hai-FDI Se Hoga Hamare Vote Ka Nirnay Humne Ab Ye Thani Hai". This sms has been sent in thousands to organisations of trade,farmers,hawkers, small industries,transporters etc. with a advise to further forward to their members and general public with a request to send it further. Accordingly several lakhs of sms have been exchanged during the day all over the Country. The sms is proving to be an effective tool for expressing dissent and in making public opinion.

The CAIT further said that to expose the dirty picture of "Jugaad Rajneeti" (manipulative politics), the traders will hold protest march, Dharna and will burn effigy of "Jugaad Rajneeti) on forthcoming 4th December all over the Country. Consultations are going with leaders of all other sectors of retail trade to transform a protest environment in the Country by 4th December.

Naresh --

More than 1 million supporters took our survey last week, sharing feedback on their 2012 campaign experience and how they'd like to see us move forward. While we're still sorting through all of the responses, I wanted to share some initial results:

-- An overwhelming majority of survey respondents reported feeling welcomed and included, that their time was used effectively, and that there was a clear understanding of how their work directly helped re-elect President Obama.

-- Among those of you who volunteered at least a few hours, a majority went into a field office, though many of you got involved instead through the campaign's online tools such as Dashboard and the call tool.

-- About 1 in 10 survey respondents are interested in running for office at some point, using their organizing skills to continue fighting for real and lasting change. That level of political engagement is inspiring.

-- Almost half of all survey respondents forwarded campaign emails, and more than one-third communicated with friends on Facebook -- both great ways to pass along information about the President's positions and plans, as well as opportunities to get involved.

-- Nearly 80 percent of survey takers want to keep volunteering, primarily around the President's legislative agenda.

Many of you shared comments and personal anecdotes. Here are just a few that made me smile:

"When our field office opened, my husband, 12-year-old daughter, and I were there almost every day. My daughter and I even took a leadership role -- she was our tally captain! This is the kind of experience that changes your life. My children not only have a better understanding of the political system but also have a firsthand experience of how community engagement can make a difference. On Election Night, they felt that difference. They were so excited for the President because they had a sense of ownership -- they had personally helped him achieve the win. On Election Night, I truly believed we were all winners." -- Kerry, California

"It made me feel good to see the enthusiasm of volunteers at the local level (who become friends) ... great to see teens through seniors, men and women, any race and faith all working together for something we believed in (even if we weren't there for the same issues) ... it assured me I was doing the right thing..." -- William, Virginia

I feel more confident as an individual -- I can make a difference in election results! I was talking about this with my son today, he's a public school teacher, and he has new faith in our electoral system also! Let's keep doing it -- this is democracy as it should be!" -- Andrea, California

There's a lot more to be proud of -- check out this blog post for some other incredible numbers on the work you all did in the field.

And here are a few comments from supporters like you about the road ahead. We fought for the chance to continue moving our country forward for the next four years, and it's up to each one of us to follow through on this remarkable opportunity:

"This organization has tapped into the enthusiasm of Americans that were previously on the sidelines of the political process. These Americans are now fully engaged and aware of the policies that are being advanced that will impact their lives and the lives of future generations. They are excited, ready, and willing to do whatever is within their power to influence policy makers to pass legislation that reflects and responds to the issues of our times." -- Rita, Virginia

"Create an engaged community of people that keeps the momentum alive and ensures that progressive policy is implemented at local, state, and national levels. Community here is the operative word! Build and enhance local organizing groups. Would be happy to be included in a local group and lead such a group." -- Merida, Illinois

"Don't let the energy of the re-election slip through your fingers. This is a very powerful network of people." -- Joel, Texas

We're going to put your survey responses to good use. Over the next month or two, a team of campaign staff from across the country is working on a project to document and analyze the work we did over the past 19 months, identifying both strengths and areas for improvement. Our goal is to pass along what we've learned from the 2012 campaign.

You're the reason President Barack Obama was re-elected in 2012, and your input from surveys and calls is crucial to this project. So please stay tuned. We're putting together a final report that will be available to the public, so that your voices continue to shape the future.

Our work is far from done -- you helped make sure of that. President Obama, as always, is counting on us to help pass his agenda and continue to make this country a better place for every American.

There's more to come. Thanks for all you've done and will do.

Jeremy

Jeremy Bird
National Field Director
Obama for America

Media Advisory       Worldwatch Institute Travels to Doha, Qatar for COP18         The Worldwatch Institute's Alexander Ochs sits on  panels and roundtables which will address the state of global climate negotiations and the development of renewable energies; solutions to increase global energy access; creating low-emission economies; and sustainable energy roadmaps in small island nations   Contact: Supriya Kumar, skumar@worldwatch.org, (+1) 202-745-8092, ext. 510.  Government provided incentives for transitioning to a low-carbon economy- trade implications When:          Saturday, December 1 - 9.00-11.30 a.m. Where:         Retral Al Rayyan Hotel, Dafna, Diplomatic District, Doha, Qatar Who:            Alexander Ochs, Climate and Energy Director, Worldwatch Institute Organizers: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (RSVP required) *** Developing Building Blocks of a Global Mitigation Architecture When:            Saturday, December 1- 14:00 - 18:30 Where:           Hotel InterContinental Doha (room "Al-Diwan") on Al Istiqlal Street, Doha, Qatar Who:              Alexander Ochs, Climate and Energy Director, Worldwatch Institute Organizer:      International Climate Initiative of the German Ministry of the Environment (RSVP required) *** What: Sustainable Energy for Island Economies - A High Impact Opportunity When:              Wednesday, December 5 - 11:30 - 13:00 Where:             Side Event Room 8, Qatar National Convention Center, Doha, Qatar Who:                Alexander Ochs, Climate and Energy Director, Worldwatch Institute Organizers:      Vision 20/30, in partnership with Sustainable Energy For All (SE4ALL), United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank, the Worldwatch Institute, and others.       ***  The Conference of Parties At the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, informally known as the Earth Summit, 154 countries signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). By ratifying this treaty, these signatories demonstrated their commitment to stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. As of May 2011, the treaty had an additional 194 parties.  Since 1995, the parties to the convention have met annually in Conferences of the Parties (COP) to evaluate their progress in combating climate change. This year's event, COP18, will bring government representatives, international organizations, and civil society leaders to Doha, Qatar. Here, attendees will work to advance the mandates of the original Convention, the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, the 2011 Durban Platform, and further develop various COP action plans implemented in previous years.  Worldwatch Climate and Energy Director Alexander Ochs and members of his team will participate in several events at the conference. They will offer insights from their experiences advising governments around the world in their transitions to sustainable economies. Their upcoming work will take them to countries throughout Africa, the Caribbean, Central America, China, Europe, India and North America where they will help key policymakers identify feasible low-emissions development strategies.  On Saturday, December 1, the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development will host a Roundtable Discussion addressing government policies which provide incentives for a shift towards a low-carbon economy, and the possible trade- and trade policy implications thereof. Panelists will discuss whether the current rules provide the flexibility countries need so as to design effective policies for climate change action. Worldwatch's Alexander Ochs will draw upon the recent REN21 Renewables Global Status Report 2012 and share insights from policy assessment work that Worldwatch has conducted with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) as well as individual countries when working with them on their energy strategies. Also on Saturday, December 1, the International Climate Initiative (ICI) will host a networking and knowledge sharing workshop bringing together representatives of projects financed by ICI that supports climate mitigation around the world. Participants will share experiences among the ICI project community, discuss ideas, approaches and open questions, reflect on challenges and technical developments as well as identify good practices and recommendations. Ochs will share lessons learned from Worldwatch's Sustainable Energy Roadmap projects in the Caribbean. On Wednesday, December 5, the Climate Institute, along with other partner organizations including the UN Foundation, the Sustainable Energy for All initiative, the World Bank, and the Worldwatch Institute, will host a panel to showcase some of the leadership initiatives by island nations, and programs by the international and regional organizations in support of these island economies. Ochs will share insights from Worldwatch's Sustainable Energy Roadmap work in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica, as well as for Caribbean Community and Common Market. Ochs will also be taking part in meetings hosted by the International Climate Initiative where he is a member of the International Advisory Committee, the Low Emissions Development Global Partnership (LEDS-GP) where chairs the Energy Platform, as well as the Climate Knowledge Development Network and the International Council for Sustainable Energy.  Visit the  Worldwatch website for more information about its Climate and Energy Program.  ***  Note to Journalists: For more information on these events or any other interviews relating to COP18, please contact Supriya Kumar at skumar@worldwatch.org or at +1 (202)745-8092, ext. 510. Or you can contact Alexander Ochs directly in Doha (UTC+3) at +1 (646) 812 6252. About the Worldwatch Institute: Worldwatch is an independent research organization based in Washington, D.C., that works on energy, resource, and environmental issues. The Institute's State of the World report is published annually in more than 18 languages. For more information, visit www.worldwatch.org. Worldwatch's Climate and Energy Program aims to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy based on sustainable use of renewable energy sources in concert with major energy-efficiency gains, sustainable agricultural practices, and low-emissions transportation. The group reports regularly on its work on the Institute's Re|Volt blog at www.blogs.worldwatch.org/revolt.

Phatlum gunning for a third Hero Women’s Indian Open title

Gurgaon, November 29, 2012: Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum may be dressed up by Loudmouth Golf – the manufacturer endorsed by John Daly – but she is anything but that. On Thursday, the shy and soft-spoken Phatlum makes her sixth straight appearance in the Hero Women’s Indian Open, which she considers as her favourite event. There is good reason for that.

After finishing tied 30^th in her first appearance as a 17-year-old in the first Indian Open in 2007, she emerged triumphant in 2008 and 2009. In 2010 she was tied sixth and in 2011 she was second to Caroline Hedwall.

Phatlum, who turns 23 two days after the end of the 2012 Hero Women’s Indian Open, now wants an early birthday present and become the first woman to win the title three times – in fact she is the only to win the Indian Open more than once.

Phatlum, 23,  hails from Chaiyaphun, a satellite town near Chiangmai in north Thailand. She said, “There’s no pressure on me. My game is on song and I like playing in India. There is a chance for me to go for my third win, this explains why I’m here – to make it happen.”

Having played 27 events on the US LPGA this season, Phatlum only missed the cut six times. “Playing in the US LPGA has made me a better player. The courses are tough, the greens are sleek and tough and there are good players,” said Phatlum, who won the HSBC LPGA Brasil Cup 2012 and recorded top-15 finishes in two other events.

She added, “Don’t forget, there are strong players taking part in this event too. The Hero Women’s India Open always holds a special place in my heart. I hope my form and my mental strength will help me win once more to put my name on the record books.”

Phatlum, 55^th on the LPGA Tour, wants to get into top10 in a year or two. “I want to be part of that force from Asia. So, winning a joint-sanctioned event by Ladies Asian Golf Tour and Ladies European Tour will justify my actions,” said Phatlum.

A tribute to 100 years of Bollywood with the ቮdia China Music Festival 2012⠥xclusively on UTV STARS!

Delhi, 27^th November: 2012 has been declared as the ᆲiendship year⠢y the Prime Ministers of both, India and China in order to improve bilateral ties between both countries. With a view to propagate this agenda and to pay an iconic tribute to the 100 years of glorious Cinema, UTV STARS the official channel of Bollywood and Carnival Media have come together to create a unique property; The India China Music Festival 2012!

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The India China Music Festival is a first of its kind initiative that will witness the confluence of Chinese Sound and Indian Music. For the first time, in the history of India, 100 Chinese Musicians along with some Bollywood singers will perform together to the tunes of BollywoodⳠgreatest chartbusters, culminating into an illustrious Musical Jugalbandi!

The Chinese Musicians belong to none other than the renowned China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra and the Indian singers include none other than BollywoodⳊdistinguished singer, Kavita Krishnamurthy along with her husband, ace violinist, Dr. L. Subramaniam and son, Ambi Subramaniam. This event will, in fact, mark AmbiⳠdebut performance as vocalist/singer.

Commenting on the prestigious property, Nikhil Gandhi, Business Head, UTV STARS, said: 㔨e India China Music Festival 2012 marks a musical tribute to the 100 glorious years of Bollywood. UTV STARS is proud to be associated with this festival as it marks the friendship between both the countries.伯span>

Commenting on the visit of the China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra, Zhang Zihong, Cultural Counselor, Embassy of China, said: "I believe that the visit of the China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra will be a unique opportunity for Indian people to have a deeper understanding of Chinese culture through the appreciation of the traditional Chinese music, which will facilitate more frequent cultural exchange between China and India. I wish the China Broadcasting Chinese OrchestraⳠtour to India and the India-China Music Festival a complete success."

India China Music Festival 2012 was held in Delhi on 27^th November at the Sirifort auditorium and will go on air on 10^th December 2012 exclusively on UTV STARS.

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About the შina Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra⺼/span>

China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra was founded in 1949. It took the lead in establishing the Chinese orchestra pattern and consists of all traditional Chinese instruments and the most renowned musicians of china.

They have performed in America, Canada, Australia, South America and many other countries throughout the world. They will be performing in India for the first time.

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About UTV STARS:

UTV STARS the official channel of Bollywood, is a mass specialty entertainment channel launched in August 2011 with a view to provide the average viewer with exceptional Bollywood content that has never been seen or experienced before and bring Bollywood closer to its audiences, thereby becoming the intimate insider of Bollywood. Right from Original Programming formats that boast of path breaking shows such as Live My Life, Up, Close and Personal with PZ , Superstar Santa, Lux The Chosen One to taking the brand on-ground via prestigious associations with the ᐥopleⳠBest Dressed Show⬠the Lap Buddh Circuit After Parties , Cosmopolitan Fun and Fearless Awards, IIFA Awards 2012, to owning its very own on ground IP, the ᗡlk of the Stars⠠an iconic tribute to Indian Cinema; the Brand has left no stone unturned in establishing UTV STARS as a premier and ultimate destination for Bollywood.

UTV STARS was the only Indian channel to be launched simultaneously in India and the Middle East.The channel was launched in the UK market in June 2012. UTV STARS is today, amongst the top Bollywood Entertainment channels in the country!

The Environment in India and China: Histories and Innovations When: November 30-December 1, 2012 Where: Theresa Lang Center, 55 W 13th St, 2 Fl., New York, NY For more information visit www.indiachinainstitute.org Co-sponsored with Environmental Studies Program, Global Studies Program, GPIA and The Starr Foundation.

Friday, Nov. 30, 2012 3:00 – 4:00pm | Opening Registration 4:00 – 4:15pm | Welcome Ashok Gurung, Senior Director, India China Institute Ron Kassimir, Associate Provost For Research And Special Projects 4:15 – 6:45pm | Session I – Ecology Chair: Mark Frazier, ICI Academic Director Panelists: Kamaljit Bawa – University of Massachusetts – “India, China and the Environment” Steward Pickett – Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies – “Meaning, Model, and Metaphor in Ecological Science as Tools for Interacting with Innovators” Lu Zhi – Peking University – “Integrating Science and Traditional Culture into Conservation Policies on the Tibetan Plateau” Discussants: Jayanta Bandyopadhyay, Timon McPhearson Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012 9:30 – 10:00am | Continental Breakfast 10:00 – 12:30pm | Session II – History Chair: Sanjay Reddy, ICI Academic Director Panelists: Ranjan Chakrabarti – Vidyasagar University – “Writing Environmental History of Asia: Climate, Water and the Issue of Sustainability” Judith Shapiro – American University – “Nature-Conquest in Revolutionary China: Lessons for China’s Search for Sustainability” Donald Hughes – University of Denver -“Environmental History in China and India” Discussants: David Ludden, Li Bo 12:30 – 2:00pm | Lunch Break 2:00 – 4:30pm | Session III – Innovations Chair: Brian McGrath – The New School Panelists: Sanjay Chaturvedi – “Struggles for Innovation: The Chipko Movement in Retrospect” Shikui Dong – “Adaptive Management for Sustainable Resource Use” Victoria Marshall – “Designing Urban Environmental Activism” Nidhi Srinivas – “Politics of Innovation: Cases from India and China” Discussants: Michele Kahane, Guobin Yang 4:30 – 5:00 PM | Closing Remarks Ashok Gurung, Senior Director, India China Institute Michael Cohen, Director, Graduate Program in International Affairs (GPIA)

Mass Protests in Egypt againstc Prez Mursi

Egypt, renewed nationwide protests erupted across the nation as the President Muhammed Mursi stuck to his controversial decree granting him sweeping powers with protesters alleging that the radical leader was fast turning into a dictator.In the capital Cairo, tens of thousands of people staged a protest against Mursi. Journalists, lawyers and opposition figures including Nobel Peace prize laureate Mohammed ElBaradei joined Tuesday's rally. >Protests also spread to outlying provinces including Alexandria, second-biggest city and central parts of the country.The new demonstrations came a day after Mursi held a meeting with the nation's top judges to defuse the crisis over the controversial decree, but the meeting failed to break the impasse as thousands of people poured onto the streets in a massive show of defiance.

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Weekly Watchdog November 28, 2012
Secrecy for Sale: Inside the Global Offshore Money Maze The Center's global network of reporters, The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, this week launched the first part of a multi-year project aimed at stripping away the biggest mystery associated with tax havens - the owners of anonymous companies. Secrecy For Sale: Inside The Global Offshore Money Maze is one of the most ambitious and complex pieces of journalism the ICIJ has ever undertaken. This first part of the project was done in collaboration with The Guardian and the BBC's flagship investigative program, Panorama, and focused on Britain - one of the centers of the offshore industry. The first day of our series identified more than 21,500 companies around the world who use a group of some 28 so-called nominee directors. The nominees play a key role in keeping hundreds of thousands of commercial transactions secret. They do so by selling their names for use on official company documents, while giving addresses in obscure locations all over the world. Hiding behind nominee fronts are the real owners. They are of widely varying types, ranging from Russian oligarchs to perfectly legal but discreet speculators in the British property market. Their only common factor: the wish for secrecy. Read More Share Revealed: the Real Identities Behind Britain's Secret Property Deals The real identities behind British property deals previously cloaked in secrecy were revealed in the second part of our investigation. By then, the revelations had prompted the British government to promise that it would investigate any abuses revealed involving sham nominee directors. The second story showed how previously secret owners were identified in a sample of almost 60 UK homes and offices, ranging from multimillion-pound commercial premises in the heart of London to a small hotel in Essex. They typified the 100,000 such purchasers who have set up offshore companies, largely registered in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), since 1999. The owners of BVI entities use them to hide their dealings in UK property and to take advantage of tax loopholes. Read More Share Post Soviet Billionaires Invade UK, Via British Virgin Islands Britain's friendly regime of offshore secrecy has tempted an extraordinary array of post-Soviet billionaires to descend on London, sometimes to the sound of gunfire. They include a magnate who once tried to take over the SAAB motor company. These billionaires on the run tend to offer similar justifications for their use of British-controlled secrecy jurisdictions. They say they must protect themselves from corporate predators and political enemies in their home countries. The final day of the series will concentrate on military and intelligence figures using offshore entities. You can watch our video on this series as well. Read More Share	Secrecy for Sale: Hidden Off-Shore Money This week, The Center for Public Integrity's global investigative arm, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists or ICIJ, has launched the first part of a multi-year project on tax havens, such as those based in the British Virgin Islands. Secrecy for Sale: Inside The Global Offshore Money Maze is the most ambitious and complex journalism project we have ever been involved with. The first part of our project is being done in collaboration with The Guardian and the BBC's flagship investigative program, Panorama. The initial reporting focuses on Britain - one of the centers of the offshore industry. All week, the front page of The Guardian has been dominated by this project, providing the names behind the existence of a global network of sham company directors, most of them British. The UK government claims such abuses were stamped out long ago, but our worldwide joint investigation has uncovered a booming offshore industry that can lead to tax avoidance and hidden assets. Our project has already had an impact - the British government has promised to investigate the abuses we have uncovered. This type of cross-border investigative work has been the purpose of ICIJ since it was founded in 1997 as a project of the Center for Public Integrity. And this complex investigation is the brain-child of the Center's Irish ICIJ Director, Gerard Ryle, who came to the Center from a distinguished journalism career in Australia. Working closely with Gerard is ICIJ Deputy Director and Argentina native Marina Walker Guevara, a distinguished international investigative reporter. Three cheers, Gerard, Marina and ICIJ, and congratulations on this important work and excellent launch with much more to come. Until next week, Bill Buzenberg Executive Director
Connect with us: The Center for Public Integrity ® 910 17th Street NW, Suite 700 | Washington, DC 20006 | (202) 466-1300
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	Energy & Renewables E-Zine December 2012

This Month´s Featured Articles, Papers & Reports

	What stops banks from lending to energy efficiency projects? Four years after the US credit market crashed, energy efficiency projects continue to struggle to secure financing. What’s the problem? A slow economy, of course. But when it comes to energy efficiency – and on-site renewable energy – the problem runs deeper. It’s not lack of interest in green energy. To the contrary, says Angela Ferrante, director of alternative energy solutions at Energi, a Massachusetts reinsurance company that provides  insurance and risk management ...
	Using biogas for combined heat and power An integral part of the majority of anaerobic digestion facilities across the world is the CHP combined heat and power (CHP) engine. For the first time builder of a biogas plant, it is often neglected as the focus is on reducing the capital costs of the installation. However, the engine is integral to the plant, and is the key component in the production of renewable electricity, hence the realisation of revenues for the plant. There are a number of technical factors that must be considered when ...
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McLeod Russel Tour Championship Prize purse of Rs. 1.25 Cr

McLeod Russel Tour Championship - Race to Royal Calcutta Golf Club to tee-off on November 28^th 

·         PGTI’s Year Ending Championship:      Prize purse of Rs. 1.25 Cr, highest-ever in India

·         Only top 60 players on the Rolex Rankings to be eligible

·         Top names in the field include Jyoti Randhawa, SSP Chowrasia, Anirban Lahiri, Chiragh Kumar, Rahil Gangjee, Digvijay Singh, Shamim Khan, Mukesh Kumar, Ashok Kumar

Kolkata, November 26, 2012: McLeod Russel, the world’s largest tea producer, and the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), will stage the McLeod Russel Tour Championship, the PGTI’s Year Ending Championship, from November 28^th to December 1^st, 2012. The tournament will be staged at the esteemed Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC). The tournament’s prize purse of Rs. 1.25 crore is the highest-ever in India.

The event will see the top 60 players from the Rolex Rankings 2012 compete for top honours. The tournament will be a 72-hole stroke-play championship and there will be no cut applied after 36 holes. All players will be guaranteed prize money.

The biggest names in Indian professional golf will be teeing it up at the RCGC including the likes of three-time Indian Open champion Jyoti Randhawa, local favourite and a two-time winner on the European Tour SSP Chowrasia, Asian Tour regulars Anirban Lahiri, Sujjan Singh, Digvijay Singh, reigning Rolex Rankings champion Chiragh Kumar and current Rolex Rankings leader Shamim Khan. The other established names from the PGTI include Mukesh Kumar, Ashok Kumar, Gaurav Ghei, Rashid Khan, Harendra Gupta, Om Prakash Chouhan, Vinod Kumar, Sri Lankans Mithun Perera and Anura Rohana and Bangladesh’s Md Zamal Hossain Mollah.

The local challenge will be led by SSP Chowrasia, Rahil Gangjee, former Indian Open champion Feroz Ali Mollah, Shankar Das, Raju Ali Mollah, Rafick Ali Mollah, Ranjit Singh Rathore, Md Sanju, Divyanshu Bajaj and Karan Singh.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Aditya Khaitan, Managing Director, McLeod Russel, said, “McLeod Russel’s heritage is based on values, culture and commitments. We have always strongly believed in supporting and backing the right talent and moving forward. This association will hopefully give a boost to Indian Golf and take it from strength to strength on a global scale. The city of Kolkata and The Royal Calcutta Golf Club are etched in tradition and culture, and it is our small way of giving back. We thank the PGTI for giving us this opportunity and we are committed to the McLeod Russel Tour Championship for the next three years.”

Announcing the event, Mr. Padamjit Sandhu, Director, PGTI, said, “The McLeod Russel Tour Championship provides the ideal setting for the culmination of a successful PGTI season. The top names in Indian professional golf will be vying for the highest prize purse on Indian soil at one of the most prestigious golfing venues in India, the RCGC.

I would like to thank McLeod Russel for their strong support to Indian professional golf, and we look forward to building on the event year on year. We are confident, the McLeod Russel - PGTI partnership will give a strong boost to the growth of the sport in the region, and help create new champions in the coming years.”

Mr. Gaurav Ghosh, Committee Member (In-Charge of professional golf), RCGC, said, “It’s a matter of pride and privilege to host the McLeod Russel Tour Championship at the RCGC. It’s the return of big ticket golf to RCGC and we would like to thank McLeod Russel and PGTI for bringing the tournament to RCGC. This tournament has been possible due to the support of the committee members and all other members of the RCGC.”

About McLeod Russel:

McLeod Russel India Limited (McLeod Russel) is the largest tea plantation company in the world. McLeod Russel, along with its subsidiaries, currently produces about 100 million kilograms of tea over a cultivable area of 38,000 hectares, employing nearly 1,00,000 in personnel. The geographical spread of tea estates of McLeod Russel and its subsidiaries are situated in Asia (India & Vietnam) and Africa (Uganda & Rwanda). McLeod Russel also has operations in the Middle East, through its subsidiary in Dubai, engaged in tea blending and trading activities. India, as a single geography, has the largest share of its produce – with the estates located in the states of Assam and West Bengal (Dooars).

About Royal Calcutta Golf Club:

The world-renowned Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC), affectionately known as the ‘Royal’, is steeped in history, as it is the oldest golf club outside of the British Isles, having been established in 1829. It is widely regarded as the founder of the game in the country and has staged some of the most prestigious tournaments on Indian soil, including the Indian Open and the All India Amateur Championship. The 7014-yard course favours long hitters and inaccurate shots are punished severely. The large number of water hazards makes this course a real challenge to master.

About PGTI:

Formed in 2006, Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) is the recognized official body of professional golf in India. PGTI’s objective is to promote professional golf in the country, as well as to give players an opportunity to be involved in the decision making on all aspects of the game. Headed by Mr. Gautam Thapar (President), PGTI’s governing body comprises leading Indian golf professionals. PGTI currently has over 300 members.

For information regarding PGTI please contact:

Nikhil Kalaan, Asst. Manager - Media, PGTI
M – 09910974846, E - media@pgtofindia.com