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*BJP Attack on PM despicable:Sonia

Delhi:Congress chief Sonia Gandhi once again came out strongly in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's support, calling him an "embodiment of sobriety, dignity and integrity" and dismissed BJP's attack on him as "despicable".

Speaking on the issue of corruption where she attacked the Opposition for not acting against those facing charges, Sonia said, "In this context, I want to say something about our prime minister. He is the embodiment of sobriety, dignity and integrity. The BJP's personal attack on him is downright despicable."

She praised the PM for his "unwavering devotion to the progress and prosperity of the nation", as she stressed, "The party stands solidly with him."

This marks the third time since the Opposition began its campaign for JPC that the Congress chief has launched into a full-throated defence of the PM.

The first show of solidarity came on November 24 with Sonia coming down hard on the BJP for asking for an explanation from Singh after the Supreme Court's comment on the failure of the "sanctioning authority" -- widely interpreted as a reference to the PM -- to allow prosecution of former telecom minister A Raja.

BJP's stand that the PM owed an explanation in the light of SC's comment led many in Congress to fear that Singh might get an attack of nerves because of the pressure building on him. At the time, the PM was also under pressure over the appointment of P J Thomas as chief vigilance commissioner despite having been chargesheeted.

Singh is crucial to Congress leadership's plans for Rahul Gandhi. He scores heavily on trust quotient over all other aspirants for the top job, and the leadership, it is believed, will like him to hang on till the Congress general secretary is ready to take over the coveted slot.

The PM appeared to have overcome whatever anxieties he may have had by December 11 when, while on his way home from Berlin, he broke his silence to turn down Opposition's demand for a JPC probe.

Two days later, Sonia, while addressing the meeting of Congress MPs, complimented him for not blinking, "for remaining calm amidst the storm" as she put it.

She used the very same expression to praise the PM for weathering the turbulence over JPC.

One of the reasons why Congress has hardened its position, after having indicated that it had an open mind, is its fear that Opposition will use the forum to summon Singh. Party doubts that Singh will be able to cope with the pressure he will be thus exposed to.


*UK varsities are training Islamic terrorists?(Over three in ten)

 
 Chiefs of the British intelligence service M15 have already warned 39 universities in the country that they have a serious problem with Islamic "violent extremism".

They have expressed alarm over the fact that 14 out of these 39 institutions have chosen not to seek government grants to help them deal with the issue.

Their hopes of getting tough and positive action now lie with Professor Malcolm Grant, the Provost of University College London, who, with a small team of academics, has been commissioned by UK Universities to address the troubling situation.

Professor Grant's report for UK Universities, the advisory body for the country's 133 universities, will be published early in the New Year, the Daily Express reports.

Grant is seen as the ideal person to write new guidelines on dealing with student radicalisation not just because of his academic brilliance but because one of his former students, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, tried to blow up a jet over Detroit last Christmas Day.

Inquiries however suggest that his report may not deliver the much-needed wake-up call to chancellors and vice chancellors.

Sources fear it is likely to be a wordy academic ­discourse which tries to balance the need for freedom of speech and ­academic freedom while also tackling extremism, a stance which some argue is a recipe for fence-sitting.

Cynics say the report will not suggest a foolproof system of spotting the dark side of students, and that graduates of terror will be not be easier to spot, and that the system will remain largely as it is without the reform desperately needed.

Professor Anthony Glees, director of security studies at Buckinghamshire University, said: "It is a very serious issue which could require new laws and definitely tougher procedures so this committee would be ideal for the job." (ANI)

*China's future leader"leader than reds"(incorruptible)

China's presumed future president Xi Jinping is an "extremely ambitious" person who is incorruptible and has chosen to survive by becoming "redder than reds", a US diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks said.

According to the cable published by German magazine Der Spiegel, a source close to Xi has provided US diplomats with a detailed portrait of the up-and-coming functionary and says he is neither corrupt nor a fan of democracy.

He isn't corrupt, and money seems unimportant to him. He apparently has enough. He likes the United States, and was at one time fascinated by the mysteries of Buddhism and Asian martial arts.

Xi is "extremely ambitious," and a good man, according to the US source. He also comes from a good home. On Oct 18, the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party appointed 57-year-old Xi Jinping vice-president of the powerful Central Military Commission. This makes it all but certain that he will succeed Hu Jintao as Communist Party leader and Chinese president in 2012, Der Spiegel said.

Xi is the son of former guerilla fighter and later Deputy Prime Minister Xi Zhongxun -- a "princeling," one of an influential class of sons and daughters of loyal functionaries that steadily rise up the Communist Party hierarchy under their parents' protective umbrella. But, the Chinese people are more familiar with Xi's wife who is a famous folk singer.

Xi grew up in the sheltered environment of the nomenklatura. He spent his childhood in the Beijing [ Images ] district reserved for high-ranking officials. In 1966, during Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution to remove opponents from the ranks of the Chinese Communist Party.

Xi's father landed in prison, and he was sent into the countryside to work in the fields. In the early 1970s Xi and many princelings were permitted to return to Beijing. But while many of his young contemporaries set about enjoying their newfound freedom, Xi chose a different path. "He chose to survive by becoming redder than red," the US embassy's source says. He realized he could only become a career politician if he temporarily removed himself from Beijing's power clique and gathered experience in rural areas. He slowly worked his way up the ladder in Heibei, Fujian and Zhejiang provinces.

Because Fujian faces the breakaway island of Taiwan, US dispatches say, Xi has had an understanding for the plight of the Taiwanese people ever since. In 2007 the leadership made him the Party leader in Shanghai. At the time, the Communist Party was embroiled in a corruption scandal and desperately needed a clean pair of hands that could polish up its reputation. He was seen as incorruptible and as having sufficient authority to clean up the Party's ranks.

Xi spent just seven months in China's financial center before the leadership brought him to Beijing and anointed him vice-president. Xi's career strategy had paid off. "Xi had promotion to the Center in mind from day one," the US Embassy dispatch says. He is said to be a realist and a pragmatist, one who keeps his cards close to his chest before coldly playing his ace when the time is right.

He appears uninterested in leisure pursuits preferred by many high-ranking officials. Women consider him boring, a trait he shares with his stern superior, Hu Jintao.  

Sachin Tendulkar's 50th century test in south africa.

ICC president Sharad Pawar today congratulated Sachin Tendulkar for becoming the first cricketer to score 50 Test tons and said the iconic batsman''s innings is a lesson for youngsters around the world.

Chasing South Africa''s first innings total of 620/4 declared, Tendulkar today slammed an unbeaten 107 in the second innings of the first cricket Test in Centurion to keep India''s hopes alive of saving the match.

"Every Indian was playing under tremendous pressure and in that situation Sachin''s century is not just a century but he has shown to the global community and all young cricketers in all over the world as how to play in such difficult times," Pawar said.

"In ICC office, nowadays, whenever Sachin goes to play and even if he scored one run that is a global record because 14,000 was the highest run any cricketer has scored in his lifetime. So 50th century itself is a record," he added.

Pawar said Tendulkar deserves special congratulation and his achievement will fill the heart of every cricket lover around the world with joy and happiness.

"Surely he deserves special congratulations but this situation is altogether different. You have to accept India has practically proved they are number one in cricket all over world.

"I am absolutely confident, the global cricket loving people must be extremely happy and will very much be jumping and eagar to congratulate this historic performance of Sachin," he said.

Tendulkar and S Sreesanth were at the crease when stumps were drawn on the fourth day with India still trailing by 30 runs with two wickets in hand.

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