Washington - The United States has given Pakistan time till July to capture Al Qaeda leader Ilyas Kashmiri and Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Omar.
It has also warned of a military offensive in North Waziristan if they are not captured.
The July deadline coincides with NATO and allied forces withdrawing from Afghanistan. Last week, the US had handed over to Pakistan a list of five terrorists, seeking immediate intelligence information on them. It reportedly also wanted Pakistan to possibly target these terrorists in joint operations, claimed NDTV.
Besides Ilyas Kashmiri and Mullah Omar, the list included Al Qaeda's second-in-command Ayman al Zawahiri, the operating chief of Haqqani network Sirajuddin Haqqani and the Libyan operations chief of Al Qaeda Atiya Abdel Rahman. Abdel Rahman had emerged as a key intermediary between Osama bin Laden and Qaeda's affiliate networks across the world.The list was discussed during two meetings between Pakistani and US officials in the past two weeks, and also during US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's talks with Pakistani leaders in Islamabad on Friday, ABC News quoted a US official as saying.
The US views the list as a test of whether Pakistan is "serious about fighting terrorists who have long enjoyed safe havens within its borders", the ABC report said.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Waqas Younes and Shahid Afridi
Pakistan’s cricket coach Waqar Younis has denied any rift with former captain Shahid Afridi and pointed out that he works within his limits.
Talking to journalists here at the Gaddafi Stadium after meeting the PCB chairman, he said that he never interfered with the captain’s affairs and he works within his own drawn boundaries. He said that he was disappointed with Afridi’s conditional retirement from international cricket.
“Afridi’s remarks that I intervened in his job is something surprising and its beyond understanding why Afridi said so,” he added.
Waqar said: “I have told what the chairman asked him and the meeting was held in a very healthy atmosphere and the next course of action would be decided by the board,” he maintained.
He also refused to compare Afridi and Misbahul Haq as captains. However, he said that Misbah has proved his worth as captain both in the West Indies and Ireland.
Earlier, on his arrival in Islamabad, Waqar said: “I am disappointed at his decision to retire. I don’t want to make too many comments before meeting PCB officials. There are no personal differences; we all play for Pakistan and I have only come to know about my differences with Afridi through the media and will not comment on them until I know what Afridi has said.”
Afridi’s outburst on Waqar’s interference on the team selection led to the sacking of Afridi from captaincy. But Waqar said that he had nothing to do with removal of Afridi from the captaincy.
“It’s not in my hand to appoint captains. The PCB chairman appoints the captain so you better ask him why the change was made,” Waqar said.
Afridi has faced disciplinary action for violating PCB’s code of conduct and they have terminated his central contract.
Waqar Younis, along with four other players, returned after completing West Indies and Ireland tour. The other four players who accompanied him include Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Umer Akmal and Wahab Riaz.
The national coach said that he has no information about the on-going battle between Afridi and the PCB as he was concentrating on the Ireland series and he cannot give his comments before meeting the board.
When was asked about the team’s performance in the recent Ireland series, Younis said that he is proud of the player’s performance and termed it as satisfactory.
Afridi quit international cricket on Monday, saying he was dejected after being replaced as one-day captain following a fiery clash with Waqar. Last month the PCB replaced Afridi as captain with Misbah-ul-Haq.
Talking to journalists here at the Gaddafi Stadium after meeting the PCB chairman, he said that he never interfered with the captain’s affairs and he works within his own drawn boundaries. He said that he was disappointed with Afridi’s conditional retirement from international cricket.
“Afridi’s remarks that I intervened in his job is something surprising and its beyond understanding why Afridi said so,” he added.
Waqar said: “I have told what the chairman asked him and the meeting was held in a very healthy atmosphere and the next course of action would be decided by the board,” he maintained.
He also refused to compare Afridi and Misbahul Haq as captains. However, he said that Misbah has proved his worth as captain both in the West Indies and Ireland.
Earlier, on his arrival in Islamabad, Waqar said: “I am disappointed at his decision to retire. I don’t want to make too many comments before meeting PCB officials. There are no personal differences; we all play for Pakistan and I have only come to know about my differences with Afridi through the media and will not comment on them until I know what Afridi has said.”
Afridi’s outburst on Waqar’s interference on the team selection led to the sacking of Afridi from captaincy. But Waqar said that he had nothing to do with removal of Afridi from the captaincy.
“It’s not in my hand to appoint captains. The PCB chairman appoints the captain so you better ask him why the change was made,” Waqar said.
Afridi has faced disciplinary action for violating PCB’s code of conduct and they have terminated his central contract.
Waqar Younis, along with four other players, returned after completing West Indies and Ireland tour. The other four players who accompanied him include Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Umer Akmal and Wahab Riaz.
The national coach said that he has no information about the on-going battle between Afridi and the PCB as he was concentrating on the Ireland series and he cannot give his comments before meeting the board.
When was asked about the team’s performance in the recent Ireland series, Younis said that he is proud of the player’s performance and termed it as satisfactory.
Afridi quit international cricket on Monday, saying he was dejected after being replaced as one-day captain following a fiery clash with Waqar. Last month the PCB replaced Afridi as captain with Misbah-ul-Haq.
Murder Of Saleem Shahzad
LAHORE - The news of murder of Syed Saleem Shahzad, a well-known journalist from Islamabad and Bureau Chief of Asia Times, was a fresh shock for the journalist community all over the country. When Shahzad published his two-part report saying that the Pakistan Navy had Al Qaeda infiltration, everyone believed him. It was not the garbage published by someone, who only worked for sensational publication, following the leads of yellow journalism. This man was an expert on Al Qaeda, having seen it operate closely and having covered them during several integral points of time during the past. Therefore, it was no surprise that he went missing a couple of days after on Sunday May 29, 2011. But the hope against hope of his family, friends, and colleagues of him turning up soon, was battered after his brutally tortured body was found on Tuesday (two days later) along with his missing car.
In October, Shahzad had sent an email to the group Human Rights Watch, "in case something happens to me or my family in future," detailing how he was called into the offices of the ISI after publishing a story saying that Pakistan had quietly freed Mullah Bahadar, the deputy leader of the Afghan Taliban who was arrested in February 2010. It has been recorded by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) that during the past eight to nine years, over 45 journalists have been killed, some in terrorist attacks, others picked up by unidentified men, after which they went missing only to turn up dead later. Until now, there has certainly been no bias from the side of the perpetrators in the killing of these journalists, because no one media group or news agency has been targeted. From Sindh to Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, and especially in Baluchistan, journalists have been reported tortured, missing and murdered belonging from almost every organization including PPI, Dawn TV, Daily Baluchistan Express, Waqt TV, The News International, Geo, Jang, etc.
Many of the journalists did not belong to the national media. They were part of the regional press and were associated with news they had published which could threaten the security and intelligence agencies of the country, while in several other cases, they were reportedly picked up by militants themselves and killed afterwards. Some have been murdered in mysterious circumstances. For example On May 21, 2009, Ibrahim, 45, from Express TV was returning home after a high profile interview of Maulvi Omar, the chief of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), when unidentified gunmen killed him. The PFUJ strongly condemned the incident, but not much action was taken to investigate the incident. In another incident, Hayatullah Khan who was a reporter of the AFP in the area of FATA was abducted. He had written extensively about Al Qaeda, Taliban and the heavy fighting in Waziristan. After being abducted in October, 2005 his body was found six month later in July 2006. Later, his wife and brother were also killed.
CR Shamsi, elected member and former secretary general of the PFUJ, claims that mercilessness and indifference has reached a level where no one is moved by such incidents. “This crisis that has hit the Pakistani journalist community seems to be growing worse and worse each year. Still I don’t see any noise being made by the lawyers, the civil society, the government officials. If one journalist is murdered an entire society is murdered – this should be remembered,” he says. Shamsi says that journalists were never so blatantly treated, not even during the martial law era. “This is terrifying: to be abducted and then turn up tortured or murdered with horrendous marks over your body. Who are these people and what signals are they trying to give?” According to a statement by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), this was an action to muzzle the media. While expressing grief, HRCP condemned the murder and said that this was a depraved attempt to silence the media. The identity of the perpetrators may only be established through a transparent probe but the quick disposal of his body and burial strengthens doubts of the involvement of state actors.
HRCP Chairperson Zohra Yousuf says, “All media organizations should collaborate over this issue and the government should flex its authority,” she says. “Leaving the defense and intelligence forces and giving them absolute power to act on their own whims is wrong. This is why human rights defenders and journalists are in worst circumstances. This is also why Reporters Sans Frontiers (RFS) have declared Pakistan the most dangerous country in the world for journalists, even though countries like Afghanistan have a militant war going on in them too.” Zohra opines that for the past 10 years, the role of the intelligence agencies has changed and they have become stronger because of the war against militancy, and these killings have increased because sensitive matters have been exposed. Last year 12 of them were murdered, she said.
PROTESTS: Various media and human rights organizations held protests on Wednesday to condemn Shehzad’s murder. Lahore Press Club and South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA) held a joint protest. They asked the authorities to take action against the killers of Shahzad. SAFMA secretary general and other notables were present at the protest. PFUJ has also announced two-day mourning. Several human rights organizations also demanded immediate justice for Shahzad’s family. HRCP demands a professional and scientific investigation to apprehend the killers. If it must, the government should seek help from other countries in this regard. HRCP statement reads, “The government must give compensation to the bereaved family and consult media organizations with a view to allay journalists’ apprehensions about their safety and security.”
In October, Shahzad had sent an email to the group Human Rights Watch, "in case something happens to me or my family in future," detailing how he was called into the offices of the ISI after publishing a story saying that Pakistan had quietly freed Mullah Bahadar, the deputy leader of the Afghan Taliban who was arrested in February 2010. It has been recorded by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) that during the past eight to nine years, over 45 journalists have been killed, some in terrorist attacks, others picked up by unidentified men, after which they went missing only to turn up dead later. Until now, there has certainly been no bias from the side of the perpetrators in the killing of these journalists, because no one media group or news agency has been targeted. From Sindh to Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, and especially in Baluchistan, journalists have been reported tortured, missing and murdered belonging from almost every organization including PPI, Dawn TV, Daily Baluchistan Express, Waqt TV, The News International, Geo, Jang, etc.
Many of the journalists did not belong to the national media. They were part of the regional press and were associated with news they had published which could threaten the security and intelligence agencies of the country, while in several other cases, they were reportedly picked up by militants themselves and killed afterwards. Some have been murdered in mysterious circumstances. For example On May 21, 2009, Ibrahim, 45, from Express TV was returning home after a high profile interview of Maulvi Omar, the chief of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), when unidentified gunmen killed him. The PFUJ strongly condemned the incident, but not much action was taken to investigate the incident. In another incident, Hayatullah Khan who was a reporter of the AFP in the area of FATA was abducted. He had written extensively about Al Qaeda, Taliban and the heavy fighting in Waziristan. After being abducted in October, 2005 his body was found six month later in July 2006. Later, his wife and brother were also killed.
CR Shamsi, elected member and former secretary general of the PFUJ, claims that mercilessness and indifference has reached a level where no one is moved by such incidents. “This crisis that has hit the Pakistani journalist community seems to be growing worse and worse each year. Still I don’t see any noise being made by the lawyers, the civil society, the government officials. If one journalist is murdered an entire society is murdered – this should be remembered,” he says. Shamsi says that journalists were never so blatantly treated, not even during the martial law era. “This is terrifying: to be abducted and then turn up tortured or murdered with horrendous marks over your body. Who are these people and what signals are they trying to give?” According to a statement by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), this was an action to muzzle the media. While expressing grief, HRCP condemned the murder and said that this was a depraved attempt to silence the media. The identity of the perpetrators may only be established through a transparent probe but the quick disposal of his body and burial strengthens doubts of the involvement of state actors.
HRCP Chairperson Zohra Yousuf says, “All media organizations should collaborate over this issue and the government should flex its authority,” she says. “Leaving the defense and intelligence forces and giving them absolute power to act on their own whims is wrong. This is why human rights defenders and journalists are in worst circumstances. This is also why Reporters Sans Frontiers (RFS) have declared Pakistan the most dangerous country in the world for journalists, even though countries like Afghanistan have a militant war going on in them too.” Zohra opines that for the past 10 years, the role of the intelligence agencies has changed and they have become stronger because of the war against militancy, and these killings have increased because sensitive matters have been exposed. Last year 12 of them were murdered, she said.
PROTESTS: Various media and human rights organizations held protests on Wednesday to condemn Shehzad’s murder. Lahore Press Club and South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA) held a joint protest. They asked the authorities to take action against the killers of Shahzad. SAFMA secretary general and other notables were present at the protest. PFUJ has also announced two-day mourning. Several human rights organizations also demanded immediate justice for Shahzad’s family. HRCP demands a professional and scientific investigation to apprehend the killers. If it must, the government should seek help from other countries in this regard. HRCP statement reads, “The government must give compensation to the bereaved family and consult media organizations with a view to allay journalists’ apprehensions about their safety and security.”
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
crossfit
CrossFit is a strength and conditioning brand. CrossFit combines weightlifting, sprinting, and gymnastics.[1] CrossFit says that proficiency is required in each of ten fitness domains: cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, agility, balance, coordination, and accuracy. It defines fitness as increased work capacity across all these domains and says its program achieves this by provoking neurologic and hormonal adaptations across all metabolic pathways.[2][3][4] [5]
CrossFit athletes run, row, jump rope, climb rope and carry odd objects. They frequently move large loads quickly over long distances, and use powerlifting and Olympic weightlifting techniques. CrossFit athletes also use dumbbells, gymnastics rings, pull-up bars, kettlebells, and many bodyweight exercises.[6] CrossFit is used in nearly 2,000 gyms worldwide and by many fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and military organizations including the Canadian Forces, and the Royal Danish Life Guards.
CrossFit athletes run, row, jump rope, climb rope and carry odd objects. They frequently move large loads quickly over long distances, and use powerlifting and Olympic weightlifting techniques. CrossFit athletes also use dumbbells, gymnastics rings, pull-up bars, kettlebells, and many bodyweight exercises.[6] CrossFit is used in nearly 2,000 gyms worldwide and by many fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and military organizations including the Canadian Forces, and the Royal Danish Life Guards.
california lottery
The California State Lottery, also known as the California Lottery, began on November 6, 1984, after California voters passed Proposition 37, the California State Lottery Act of 1984, authorizing the creation of a lottery. The first tickets were purchased on October 3, 1985.
The minimum age to purchase or redeem California Lottery tickets is 18
The minimum age to purchase or redeem California Lottery tickets is 18
illinois lottery
The Illinois Lottery is run by the government of Illinois. The Lottery was founded in 1974, when U.S. lotteries were confined to the Northeast and Midwestern states. Televised drawings are based at the West Bradley Place studios of Chicago's CW affiliate WGN-TV (channel 9), and occur twice daily, with the midday drawing occurring at 12:40 p.m. CT during that station's noon newscast Monday-Fridays and on weekend afternoons during syndicated programming, and the evening drawing occurring at 9:20 p.m. CT during the 9 p.m. newscast seven nights a week. The drawings are supervised by the accounting firm of E.C. Ortiz & Co., LLP and verified by the auditing firm of Mayer Hoffman McCann, P.C. Illinois' is the only lottery to have their non multi-jurisdictional drawings televised nationwide (via WGN-TV's national superstation feed WGN America).
The Illinois Lottery is one of 42 members of Mega Millions, and among 44 members of Powerball (whose drawings are also broadcast by WGN-TV in the Chicago area and nationally on WGN America). It also runs Illinois Lotto (players pick 6 of 52 numbers) with a smaller jackpot on a Monday-Wednesday-Saturday night drawing schedule. Pick 3 and Pick 4 numbers are drawn twice daily; the same numbers apply to those playing the same games in neighboring Iowa. Little Lotto (5/39), with a minimum jackpot of $100,000, is drawn nightly
The Illinois Lottery is one of 42 members of Mega Millions, and among 44 members of Powerball (whose drawings are also broadcast by WGN-TV in the Chicago area and nationally on WGN America). It also runs Illinois Lotto (players pick 6 of 52 numbers) with a smaller jackpot on a Monday-Wednesday-Saturday night drawing schedule. Pick 3 and Pick 4 numbers are drawn twice daily; the same numbers apply to those playing the same games in neighboring Iowa. Little Lotto (5/39), with a minimum jackpot of $100,000, is drawn nightly
texas lotto
Lotto Texas was the first Texas in-house drawing game offered, with sales beginning on November 7, 1992; its first drawing on November 14, 1992, and the first jackpot won on November 28, 1992. By its first anniversary, the Texas Lottery sold over $1 billion in tickets.[13]
Initially sold as an annuity game with no cash option, and the purchaser having to pick numbers, and the drawings held only on Saturdays, Lotto Texas later added the "Quick Pick" option (random selection of numbers, added on May 29, 1993, the Lottery's first anniversary),[14] the "Cash Value" option,[15] and changed the drawings to twice weekly, adding Wednesdays.
Among notable winners was Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson, the former Dallas Cowboys linebacker, who claimed a winning jackpot in excess of $14 million in 2000.[16]
The current format utilizes 54 balls; players choose 6 numbers. The jackpot is paid either in 25 annual payments, or in lump sum (discussed further below). Non-jackpot payments are in lump sum. Each game costs $1, the minimum jackpot is $4 million, and drawings are held at 10:12 PM Central time on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Initially sold as an annuity game with no cash option, and the purchaser having to pick numbers, and the drawings held only on Saturdays, Lotto Texas later added the "Quick Pick" option (random selection of numbers, added on May 29, 1993, the Lottery's first anniversary),[14] the "Cash Value" option,[15] and changed the drawings to twice weekly, adding Wednesdays.
Among notable winners was Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson, the former Dallas Cowboys linebacker, who claimed a winning jackpot in excess of $14 million in 2000.[16]
The current format utilizes 54 balls; players choose 6 numbers. The jackpot is paid either in 25 annual payments, or in lump sum (discussed further below). Non-jackpot payments are in lump sum. Each game costs $1, the minimum jackpot is $4 million, and drawings are held at 10:12 PM Central time on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
ga lottery
The Georgia Lottery is overseen by the government of Georgia, United States. Headquartered in Atlanta and run by the Georgia Lottery Corporation, the lottery takes in over US$1 billion yearly. By law, half of the money goes to prizes, one-third to education, and the remainder to operating and marketing the lottery. The education money funds the HOPE Scholarship, and has become a successful model for other lotteries, including the South Carolina Education Lottery.
washington state lottery
Washington's Lottery is run by the government of Washington. Its games include Mega Millions, Powerball, Keno, Hit 5, and scratch games.
sugar bowl
The Sugar Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Sugar Bowl has been played annually since January 1, 1935, and celebrated its 75th anniversary on January 2, 2009. The Sugar Bowl, along with the Orange Bowl and Sun Bowl, are the second-oldest bowl games in the country, behind the Rose Bowl (first played 1902, played annually since 1916).[2] The Sugar Bowl is also a member of the Bowl Championship Series. Presently, its official title is the Allstate Sugar Bowl after its current sponsor.
The Sugar Bowl hosted the BCS National Championship Game in 2000 and 2004. However, since the 2006 season, the BCS National Championship Game has been a stand-alone event one week following the New Year's Day bowl games (including the Sugar Bowl). Under the current BCS format, the Sugar Bowl itself will not host the BCS National Championship Game, but the Superdome will be one of the four rotating stadiums used to host the BCS National Championship Game.
The Sugar Bowl hosts the Southeastern Conference (SEC) champion unless (under the current BCS alignment) the team is selected to play in the national championship game; in that case the Sugar Bowl can select a team at-large from any conference as the host team. The SEC champion has participated in every standalone BCS National Championship Game since 2006; the Sugar Bowl has used its replacement selection on an SEC at-large team. As such, an SEC team has played in the Sugar Bowl every year since the 2000–01 game.
The payout for the 2006 game was $14–17 million per participating team. According to Sports Illustrated, the 2007 salary for Sugar Bowl CEO Paul Hoolahan was $607,500
The Sugar Bowl hosted the BCS National Championship Game in 2000 and 2004. However, since the 2006 season, the BCS National Championship Game has been a stand-alone event one week following the New Year's Day bowl games (including the Sugar Bowl). Under the current BCS format, the Sugar Bowl itself will not host the BCS National Championship Game, but the Superdome will be one of the four rotating stadiums used to host the BCS National Championship Game.
The Sugar Bowl hosts the Southeastern Conference (SEC) champion unless (under the current BCS alignment) the team is selected to play in the national championship game; in that case the Sugar Bowl can select a team at-large from any conference as the host team. The SEC champion has participated in every standalone BCS National Championship Game since 2006; the Sugar Bowl has used its replacement selection on an SEC at-large team. As such, an SEC team has played in the Sugar Bowl every year since the 2000–01 game.
The payout for the 2006 game was $14–17 million per participating team. According to Sports Illustrated, the 2007 salary for Sugar Bowl CEO Paul Hoolahan was $607,500
texas lottery
The voters of Texas approved an amendment to the Texas Constitution in November 1991 authorizing lottery sales in Texas.[2]
The Texas Lottery Commission created an unusual contest for the Lottery logo – designs from a contracted ad agency were pitted against designs from the general public. One logo from each source was placed in head to head competition, and the winning logo – a cowboy hat thrown high in celebration (still in current use) – was the public design (the winner was Susan Holten, from Carrollton).[3]
The Lottery's first game was the scratch-off ticket Lone Star Millions, with the first ticket sold to Gov. Ann Richards at Polk's Feed Store in Oak Hill. First-day sales of 23.2 million tickets set a then-world record, with first-week sales (ending June 5, 1992) also setting a world record.[4]
Lotto Texas began sales on November 7, 1992, with the first drawing on November 14, 1992 and the first jackpot (from Schulenburg) won on November 28, 1992.[5] By November 1993, Texas Lottery sales would exceed $1 billion, breaking the Florida Lottery's record set in 1989.[6]
The Texas Lottery Commission was formed via legislation in 1993 to take over management of the Lottery from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts; the legislation also gives the Commission oversight of charitable bingo games (moving that duty from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission).[7]
Texas joined the Mega Millions consortium in 2003, with sales beginning December 3 and the first drawing to include Texas was two days later. Though no Texas ticket won the jackpot, one ticket matched the first five numbers for $175,000.[8] The first Texas jackpot winner of Mega Millions was not until the drawing of October 4, 2004; a Carrollton player took home the $101 million prize.
As part of the cross-selling arrangement between the operators of Mega Millions and Powerball, the Texas Lottery Commission agreed to begin selling Powerball tickets on January 31, 2010; the first drawing including Texas was three days later.
In 1997 a major scandal rocked the Texas Lottery. Accusations of fixed contracts with the company that manages the lottery surfaced. The scandal went away when the director simply appointed the previously accused management company as the winning bid after a different company had already been chosen. [9]
[edit] General rulesAll lottery players must be at least age 18.
Winning tickets must be claimed within 180 days or be forfeited. For scratch-off tickets, the time limit begins when a game is officially closed by the Commission; for drawings the time limit begins the date of the drawing.
According to the Texas Lottery Commission, the allocation of lottery sales is as follows:[10]
62 percent is paid out in prizes
27 percent is paid to the Foundation School Fund, which is used to support state public education
5 percent is paid to retailer commissions
5 percent is retained to cover lottery administration costs
Approximately 1 percent (specifically, the value of unclaimed prizes) is transferred to the Texas Legislature for allocation to other state programs
The Texas Lottery Commission created an unusual contest for the Lottery logo – designs from a contracted ad agency were pitted against designs from the general public. One logo from each source was placed in head to head competition, and the winning logo – a cowboy hat thrown high in celebration (still in current use) – was the public design (the winner was Susan Holten, from Carrollton).[3]
The Lottery's first game was the scratch-off ticket Lone Star Millions, with the first ticket sold to Gov. Ann Richards at Polk's Feed Store in Oak Hill. First-day sales of 23.2 million tickets set a then-world record, with first-week sales (ending June 5, 1992) also setting a world record.[4]
Lotto Texas began sales on November 7, 1992, with the first drawing on November 14, 1992 and the first jackpot (from Schulenburg) won on November 28, 1992.[5] By November 1993, Texas Lottery sales would exceed $1 billion, breaking the Florida Lottery's record set in 1989.[6]
The Texas Lottery Commission was formed via legislation in 1993 to take over management of the Lottery from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts; the legislation also gives the Commission oversight of charitable bingo games (moving that duty from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission).[7]
Texas joined the Mega Millions consortium in 2003, with sales beginning December 3 and the first drawing to include Texas was two days later. Though no Texas ticket won the jackpot, one ticket matched the first five numbers for $175,000.[8] The first Texas jackpot winner of Mega Millions was not until the drawing of October 4, 2004; a Carrollton player took home the $101 million prize.
As part of the cross-selling arrangement between the operators of Mega Millions and Powerball, the Texas Lottery Commission agreed to begin selling Powerball tickets on January 31, 2010; the first drawing including Texas was three days later.
In 1997 a major scandal rocked the Texas Lottery. Accusations of fixed contracts with the company that manages the lottery surfaced. The scandal went away when the director simply appointed the previously accused management company as the winning bid after a different company had already been chosen. [9]
[edit] General rulesAll lottery players must be at least age 18.
Winning tickets must be claimed within 180 days or be forfeited. For scratch-off tickets, the time limit begins when a game is officially closed by the Commission; for drawings the time limit begins the date of the drawing.
According to the Texas Lottery Commission, the allocation of lottery sales is as follows:[10]
62 percent is paid out in prizes
27 percent is paid to the Foundation School Fund, which is used to support state public education
5 percent is paid to retailer commissions
5 percent is retained to cover lottery administration costs
Approximately 1 percent (specifically, the value of unclaimed prizes) is transferred to the Texas Legislature for allocation to other state programs
mega millions
Mega Millions is a US multi-jurisdictional $1 lottery game. Since it replaced The Big Game in May 2002 (see below), Mega Millions' advertised jackpots have started at $12 million, paid in 26 yearly installments (unless the cash option is chosen), increasing when there is no jackpot winner.[1] Reflecting common practice among American lotteries, the jackpot is advertised as a nominal value of annual installments. A cash value option, when chosen by a jackpot winner (see below), pays the approximate present value of the installments. Mega Millions currently uses a 5/56 (white balls) + 1/46 (the Mega Ball) double matrix to select its winning numbers. Each game costs players $1; in most of the 42 Mega Millions jurisdictions, players may opt to pay an extra $1 per game to multiply their non-jackpot prizes by 2x, 3x, or 4x with the Megaplier. (The Megaplier will be available to all Mega Millions players in January 2011.) Mega Millions is drawn at 11 PM Eastern time Tuesdays and Fridays, including holidays. The drawings usually are held in Atlanta, Georgia.[2]
Mega Millions holds the record for the largest US lottery jackpot, set on March 6, 2007, when two tickets, one each from Georgia and New Jersey, split a prize of $390 million (annuity). Both sets of winners chose the cash option.
Mega Millions holds the record for the largest US lottery jackpot, set on March 6, 2007, when two tickets, one each from Georgia and New Jersey, split a prize of $390 million (annuity). Both sets of winners chose the cash option.
bank of baroda
Bank of Baroda (BoB) (BSE: 532134) (Hindi: बैंक ऑफ़ बड़ौदा) is the third largest bank in India, after the State Bank of India and the Punjab National Bank and ahead of ICICI Bank.[1] BoB has total assets in excess of Rs. 2.27 lakh crores, or Rs. 2,274 billion, a network of over 3,000 branches and offices, and about 1,100 ATMs. IT plans to open 400 new branches in the coming year. It offers a wide range of banking products and financial services to corporate and retail customers through a variety of delivery channels and through its specialised subsidiaries and affiliates in the areas of investment banking, credit cards and asset management. Its total business was Rs. 4,402 billion as of June 30.[2]
As of August 2010, the bank has 78 branches abroad and by the end of FY11 this number should climb to 90. In 2010, BOB opened a branch in Auckland, New Zealand, and its tenth branch in the United Kingdom. The bank also plans to open five branches in Africa. Besides branches, BoB plans to open three outlets in the Persian Gulf region that will consist of ATMs with a couple of people.
The Maharajah of Baroda, Sir Sayajirao Gaekwad III, founded the bank on 20 July 1908 in the princely state of Baroda, in Gujarat. The bank, along with 13 other major commercial banks of India, was nationalised on 19 July 1969, by the government of India.
As of August 2010, the bank has 78 branches abroad and by the end of FY11 this number should climb to 90. In 2010, BOB opened a branch in Auckland, New Zealand, and its tenth branch in the United Kingdom. The bank also plans to open five branches in Africa. Besides branches, BoB plans to open three outlets in the Persian Gulf region that will consist of ATMs with a couple of people.
The Maharajah of Baroda, Sir Sayajirao Gaekwad III, founded the bank on 20 July 1908 in the princely state of Baroda, in Gujarat. The bank, along with 13 other major commercial banks of India, was nationalised on 19 July 1969, by the government of India.
wipro careers
Wipro Ltd (BSE: 507685, NYSE: WIT) is a giant information technology services corporation headquartered in Bangalore, India. According to the 2008–09 revenue, Wipro is one of the largest IT services company in India and employs more than 115,900 people worldwide as of September 2010.[3] It has interests varying from information technology, consumer care, lighting, engineering and healthcare businesses. It is 9th most valuable brand in India according to an annual survey conducted by Brand Finance and The Economic Times in 2010. [4] Azim Premji is the Chairman of the board.
hpcl
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) (BSE: 500104, NSE: HINDPETRO), a state-owned oil company of the Government of India located at Mumbai, India and is a Fortune 500 company of India listed at number 311[3] in the global 500 rankings, with an annual turnover of over 1,16,428 Crores and sales/income from operations of Rs 1,31,802 Crores (US$ 25,618 Millions) during financial year 2008-09, about 20% Marketing share in India and a strong market infrastructure. Corresponding figures for financial year 2007-08 are: Turnover- Rs 1,03,837 crores, and sales/income from Operations- 1,12,098 Crores (US$ 25,142 Million).
HPCL operates 2 major refineries[4] producing a wide variety of petroleum fuels & specialties, one in Mumbai (West Coast) of 6.5 Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MMTPA) capacity and the other in Vishakapatnam, (East Coast) with a capacity of 8.3 MMTPA.[5] HPCL holds an equity stake of 16.95% in Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL), a state-of-the-art refinery at Mangalore with a capacity of 9 MMTPA. Another Refinery of 9 MMTPA is under construction in Bathinda, Punjab by HMEL, a Joint Venture with Mittal Energy Investments Pte.Ltd.
HPCL also owns and operates the largest Lube Refinery in India producing Lube Base Oils of international standards.[6] With a capacity of 335 TMT. This Lube Refinery accounts for over 40% of the India's total Lube Base Oil production. Presently HPCL produces over 300+ grades of Lubes, Specialities and Greases.
The marketing network of HPCL consists of 13 Zonal offices in major cities and 101 Regional offices[7] facilitated by a Supply & Distribution infrastructure comprising Terminals, Aviation Service Facilities, LPG Bottling Plants, Lube filling plants, Inland Relay Depots, Retail Outlets (Petrol Pumps) and LPG & Lube Distributorships.
HPCL has, over the years, moved from strength to strength on all fronts. The refining capacity steadily increased from 5.5 million metric tonnes in 1984/85 to 13.00 million metric tonnes (MMT) now. On the financial front, the turnover grew from 2687 crores in 1984-85 to Rs 1,31,802 Crores in Financial year 2008-09.
HPCL operates 2 major refineries[4] producing a wide variety of petroleum fuels & specialties, one in Mumbai (West Coast) of 6.5 Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MMTPA) capacity and the other in Vishakapatnam, (East Coast) with a capacity of 8.3 MMTPA.[5] HPCL holds an equity stake of 16.95% in Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL), a state-of-the-art refinery at Mangalore with a capacity of 9 MMTPA. Another Refinery of 9 MMTPA is under construction in Bathinda, Punjab by HMEL, a Joint Venture with Mittal Energy Investments Pte.Ltd.
HPCL also owns and operates the largest Lube Refinery in India producing Lube Base Oils of international standards.[6] With a capacity of 335 TMT. This Lube Refinery accounts for over 40% of the India's total Lube Base Oil production. Presently HPCL produces over 300+ grades of Lubes, Specialities and Greases.
The marketing network of HPCL consists of 13 Zonal offices in major cities and 101 Regional offices[7] facilitated by a Supply & Distribution infrastructure comprising Terminals, Aviation Service Facilities, LPG Bottling Plants, Lube filling plants, Inland Relay Depots, Retail Outlets (Petrol Pumps) and LPG & Lube Distributorships.
HPCL has, over the years, moved from strength to strength on all fronts. The refining capacity steadily increased from 5.5 million metric tonnes in 1984/85 to 13.00 million metric tonnes (MMT) now. On the financial front, the turnover grew from 2687 crores in 1984-85 to Rs 1,31,802 Crores in Financial year 2008-09.
amravati
Amravati (Marathi: अमरावती) is a city in the state of Maharashtra, India and the seventh most populous metropolitan area in Maharashtra. It is also the administrative headquarters of the Amravati district. Among the historical landmarks in the city are the temples of Goddess Amba, Lord Shri Krishna and Shri Venkateshwara.
Amravati is also the headquarters of the "Amravati Division" which is one of the six divisions of the state of Maharashtra (Amravati and Nagpur divisions together form Vidarbha region). Apart from Amravati district itself, following four districts also come under Amravati Division:[1]
1. Akola, 2. Yavatmal, 3. Buldhana and 4. Washim.
Amravati is also the headquarters of the "Amravati Division" which is one of the six divisions of the state of Maharashtra (Amravati and Nagpur divisions together form Vidarbha region). Apart from Amravati district itself, following four districts also come under Amravati Division:[1]
1. Akola, 2. Yavatmal, 3. Buldhana and 4. Washim.
cibil
CIBIL is India's first credit information bureau. [4] Its a repository of information, which contains the credit history of commercial and consumer borrowers. CIBIL provides this information to its members in the form of credit information reports.[5]
As on September 2009, CIBIL has an information base on over 160 million consumer trades, and 4 million commercial trades which continues to grow at a fast pace and shares credit information with its 175 member base on the principle of reciprocity.[6] CIBIL’s members include all leading banks, financial institutions, non-banking financial companies, housing finance companies, state financial corporations and credit card companies
As on September 2009, CIBIL has an information base on over 160 million consumer trades, and 4 million commercial trades which continues to grow at a fast pace and shares credit information with its 175 member base on the principle of reciprocity.[6] CIBIL’s members include all leading banks, financial institutions, non-banking financial companies, housing finance companies, state financial corporations and credit card companies
alagiri
Muthuvel Karunanidhi Azhagiri (Tamil: முத்துவேல் கருணாநிதி அழகிரி), generally known as M. K. Alagiri, is an Indian politician and a Cabinet Minister. He is the second son of the head of Dravida Munnetra Kazagham, M. Karunanidhi. His mother, Mrs. Dayaalu Ammal, is the second wife of M. Karunanidhi. His son is the film producer, Dayanidhi Azhagiri.
Although he harbored hopes of eventual accession to the post of President, Karunanidhi always appeared to prefer his younger son, M. K. Stalin, a former mayor of Chennai and currently the Deputy Chief minister of Tamil Nadu. In fact, in 2000, orders went out that party members should 'distance' themselves from Azhagiri.[1]
Following clashes between the supporters of M. K. Stalin and M. K. Alagiri, he was sent to manage the party in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu from Madurai, while M. K. Stalin was retained in Chennai to manage the party in the northern districts. M. K. Azhagiri, was acquitted along with 12 others on Thursday, by a sessions court of Chittor, Andrapradesh, in a case relating to the murder of a former DMK minister for want of reliable evidence.[citation needed]
The succession crisis came out into the open when party members loyal to Alagiri attacked the Madurai office of Dinakaran and set it to fire, in which three staffs were burnt. Dinakaran is a part of the Sun TV group owned by Kalanidhi Maran.[2] He is also accused of conspiring in the murder of the former DMK Minister, T. Kiruttinan
Although he harbored hopes of eventual accession to the post of President, Karunanidhi always appeared to prefer his younger son, M. K. Stalin, a former mayor of Chennai and currently the Deputy Chief minister of Tamil Nadu. In fact, in 2000, orders went out that party members should 'distance' themselves from Azhagiri.[1]
Following clashes between the supporters of M. K. Stalin and M. K. Alagiri, he was sent to manage the party in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu from Madurai, while M. K. Stalin was retained in Chennai to manage the party in the northern districts. M. K. Azhagiri, was acquitted along with 12 others on Thursday, by a sessions court of Chittor, Andrapradesh, in a case relating to the murder of a former DMK minister for want of reliable evidence.[citation needed]
The succession crisis came out into the open when party members loyal to Alagiri attacked the Madurai office of Dinakaran and set it to fire, in which three staffs were burnt. Dinakaran is a part of the Sun TV group owned by Kalanidhi Maran.[2] He is also accused of conspiring in the murder of the former DMK Minister, T. Kiruttinan
mandira bedi vogue
Mandira Bedi (Punjabi: ਮੰਦਿਰਾ ਬੇਦੀ, Hindi: मन्दिरा बेदी (born 15 April, 1972) is an Indian actress, model and television presenter who gained celebrity status playing the title role in the 1994 television serial Shanti: ek ghar ki kahaani, shown on India's national channel, Doordarshan.
She continued a high profile career in the next decade with hosting duties for Cricket World Cups[1] and presentations alongside top TV personality Charu Sharma.[2
She continued a high profile career in the next decade with hosting duties for Cricket World Cups[1] and presentations alongside top TV personality Charu Sharma.[2
