06 Nov 2009
A US army officer called Major Nidal Malik Hasan has been named as the man responsible for killing 13 people and injuring 30
more in a mass shooting at a Texas military base.
Major Hasan, a military psychiatrist who had allegedly called for Muslims to attack Americans over the Iraq war, is critically ill and under guard in hospital.
CCTV images unearthed by US news broadcaster CNN appear to show Hasan in traditional Muslim clothing, including a prayer cap, in a shop on the base in the hours before the killings.
Fort Hood shooting: how the massacre unfolded
Nidal Malik Hasan 'wrote about suicide bombings' The authorities initially believed he had been killed in the ensuing gun battle with police but it later emerged he was still alive despite being shot four times in the incident at Fort Hood base, the largest American military installation in the world.
The serviceman was about to be posted to either Iraq or Afghanistan and argued regularly against the wars, it has been claimed.
Hasan, armed with two handguns, walked into a training centre and opened fire on fellow soldiers who were having last-minute medical check-ups before being deployed to Afghanistan. Thirteen were killed and 30 injured.
However, there were suggestions that some of the dead might have been shot by the authorities in their attempt to stop the gunman.
Hasan is now under guard in hospital where he is unconscious and on a ventilator.
A Muslim by birth, Hasan was born in Virginia, and his family is believed to have come from Jordan.
A former colleague, Col Terry Lee, said Hasan had fallen out with other soldiers on the base. He claimed that Hasan said he was “happy” when a US soldier was killed in an attack on a military recruitment centre in Arkansas in June.
However, Hasan’s cousin said that he had been the victim of harassment but had never expressed violent sentiments.
“He never went to Iraq. He was dealing with people coming back, trying to help them with their trauma,” Nader Hasan said. “He was just normal, loved sports, never got into trouble.” He said his family was “shocked and baffled” by the incident.
Ten of the victims were soldiers and one was a civilian police officer. The identities of the other two are not known.
One of the victims was Amber Bahr, 19, who was shot in the stomach but was later in a stable condition in hospital.
Her mother Lisa Pfund of Wisconsin said: "We know nothing, just that she was shot in the belly."
Earlier, gunfire erupted around the base as two men, thought to have been accomplices, were captured. Police feared there may have been more than one gunman but the two soldiers were later released.
More than 500 soldiers were deployed to lock down Fort Hood as helicopters hovered overhead. Lt Gen Bob Cone, the base’s commander, said: “It has been a terrible tragedy, it’s stunning.
“Soldiers, family members and the civilians that work here are absolutely devastated.
“The shooter was killed. He was a soldier. There were eyewitness accounts that there may have been more than one shooter.”
The shootings took place in the 'soldier readiness center', a former sports dome, where soldiers are sent for final checks before being sent overseas. As well as soldiers about to be deployed, those returning and undergoing medical screening would have been there.
The attack happened shortly before a graduation ceremony for soldiers was due to start at the base.
President Barack Obama, speaking from Washington, described the attack as a “horrific outburst of violence.”
He said: “These are men and women who have made the selfless and courageous decision to risk, and at times, give their lives to protect us. It’s difficult enough when we lose these brave men and women overseas. It is horrifying when we lose them on American soil.”
Officials are examining the possibility that some casualties may have been victims of "friendly fire" according to a senior US official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Hasan had transferred to Fort Hood in July from Walter Reed Medical Center, where he received a poor performance evaluation, according to an official who also spoke on condition of anonymity.
Republican Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison said generals at Fort Hood told her that Hasan was about to deploy overseas. Retired Col Terry Lee, who said he had worked with Hasan, told Fox News he was being sent to Afghanistan.
Fort Hood is one of America’s most important bases for training its forces and tens of thousands of soldiers go through every year.
It covers an area of 340 sq miles near Killeen, some 50 miles from Waco, Texas. There are up to 65,000 people, including military families, on the site at any one time.
Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison said: “Our dedicated military personnel have sacrificed so much in service to our country and it sickens me that the men and women of Fort Hood have been subjected to this senseless, random violence.”
John Carter, a local Republican congressman, said: “I had a man on the scene, who is the former chaplain at Fort Hood. He was waiting to go to a graduation ceremony when a soldier came running up to him saying somebody was shooting. He heard small arms and rifle fire.”
Fort Hood has also been working to rehabilitate many soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome, Mr Carter said.
Base commanders and the Pentagon said they had no early indication of a motive for the shootings.
The base has seen other violence in recent years. In September last year a 21-year-old 1st Cavalry Division soldier shot dead his lieutenant and then killed himself.
Five American soldiers also died in Baghdad earlier this year in a shooting by one of their comrades at a combat stress clinic. It had been set up following criticism that the US military had not done enough to treat soldiers who had undergone repeated tours of duty.
Fort Hood is close to the site of one of the worst mass shootings in American history. On October 16, 1991, George Hennard smashed his pickup truck through a window of Luby's Cafeteria window in Killeen, Texas, and fired on the lunchtime crowd with a high-powered pistol, killing 22 people and wounding at least 20 others
Friday, November 6, 2009
Rupee strengthens to over one-week high
6 November 2009
MUMBAI: The rupee strengthened to its highest in more than a week on Friday as traders sold dollars on expectations of gains in the local sharemarket and watched the US unit's moves versus majors for direction.
At 9:30 am, the partially convertible rupee was at 46.78/79 per dollar, off an early high of 46.7650, its strongest since October 27 and half a per cent above its previous close of 47.0150/0250.
"Stocks are up globally, which is supporting sentiment for the rupee as well," a senior dealer at a private bank said, predicting a range of 46.70-46.90 for the day.
At 0400 GMT, the MSCI index of Asian stocks ex-Japan was 1.7% higher, while the Nifty India stock futures traded in Singapore were up 0.9%.
Local shares are set to open higher, mirroring the rise in world equities after better-than-expected US jobs data bolstered investor confidence in the global economy.
Foreign funds have so far this year purchased a net $14.2 billion worth of Indian shares, helping the rupee recover from a record low of 52.2 in early March.
Last year, they had sold more than a net $13 billion, pushing the rupee down by a fifth. The dollar held steady on Friday with investors consolidating positions ahead of October non-farm payrolls data due later in the session, a report that would highlight the durability of an economic recovery.
One-month offshore non-deliverable forward rupee contracts were quoting at 46.74/84, marginally stronger than the onshore spot rate, suggesting a bullish outlook in the near term.
MUMBAI: The rupee strengthened to its highest in more than a week on Friday as traders sold dollars on expectations of gains in the local sharemarket and watched the US unit's moves versus majors for direction.
At 9:30 am, the partially convertible rupee was at 46.78/79 per dollar, off an early high of 46.7650, its strongest since October 27 and half a per cent above its previous close of 47.0150/0250.
"Stocks are up globally, which is supporting sentiment for the rupee as well," a senior dealer at a private bank said, predicting a range of 46.70-46.90 for the day.
At 0400 GMT, the MSCI index of Asian stocks ex-Japan was 1.7% higher, while the Nifty India stock futures traded in Singapore were up 0.9%.
Local shares are set to open higher, mirroring the rise in world equities after better-than-expected US jobs data bolstered investor confidence in the global economy.
Foreign funds have so far this year purchased a net $14.2 billion worth of Indian shares, helping the rupee recover from a record low of 52.2 in early March.
Last year, they had sold more than a net $13 billion, pushing the rupee down by a fifth. The dollar held steady on Friday with investors consolidating positions ahead of October non-farm payrolls data due later in the session, a report that would highlight the durability of an economic recovery.
One-month offshore non-deliverable forward rupee contracts were quoting at 46.74/84, marginally stronger than the onshore spot rate, suggesting a bullish outlook in the near term.
US Army Major kills 13 at military base shooting rampage
Houston, Nov 6 (PTI) A US Army psychiatrist, apparently angry over being deployed to Iraq, today went on a "horrific" shooting spree at America's largest military base near here killing 13 persons, including 10 soldiers, and injuring 30 before being shot and injured by a woman police officer.
The lone gunman responsible for the worst mass killing ever at a US defence post was identified as 39-year-old Major Nidal Malik Hasan, an American national of Jordanian descent, who was about to be deployed to Iraq, officials at sprawling Fort Hood military base in St Antonio in central Texas said.
Clad in a military uniform, Hasan fired a pair of pistols, one of them semi-automatic, at a military processing centre, where soldiers go for a last-minute medical check up before being sent on deployment.
Hasan and a policewoman also exchanged fire. Both were hit but survived, authorities said.
The lone gunman responsible for the worst mass killing ever at a US defence post was identified as 39-year-old Major Nidal Malik Hasan, an American national of Jordanian descent, who was about to be deployed to Iraq, officials at sprawling Fort Hood military base in St Antonio in central Texas said.
Clad in a military uniform, Hasan fired a pair of pistols, one of them semi-automatic, at a military processing centre, where soldiers go for a last-minute medical check up before being sent on deployment.
Hasan and a policewoman also exchanged fire. Both were hit but survived, authorities said.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Sensex spurts 507 pts, RIL up 5 pc
4 November 2009
Mumbai: Markets Wednesday notched up over 500- point gain, the biggest in more than five months, to snap six days of straight losses, helped by the government's assertion that stimulus packages would continue and there would not be any curbs on capital inflow.
The benchmark Sensex shot up by more than 200 points in the opening trade and avoided any major fall during the day before ending the day at 15,912.13, an impressive gain of 507.19 points or 3.29 per cent over its previous close.
The last time Sensex had gained over 500 points was on May 27 this year when it closed higher 520.41 points. The all-around buying support came as a big solace to the markets after yesterday's fall of close to 500 points, in tune with global trends, on concerns that governments worldwide may begin exiting from stimulus packages given last year in the wake of deepening of financial downturn. The market had fallen by steep 1,406 points or 8.36 per cent in the past six days.
What sparked across-the-board buying was Finance Minister Pranab Mukhejee ruling out withdrawal of fiscal stimulus packages till economy recovers fully. His remarks that there are no plans to place curbs on the capital inflows into the country further augmented enthusiastic buying.
Marketmen said strong global cues and a weakening dollar against a basket of currencies also enlivened the sentiment. India's largest private sector firm Reliance Industries rebounded by 5.49 per cent.
The spurt in RIL followed its hammering Tuesday which saw shares plunging 5.73 per cent
Mumbai: Markets Wednesday notched up over 500- point gain, the biggest in more than five months, to snap six days of straight losses, helped by the government's assertion that stimulus packages would continue and there would not be any curbs on capital inflow.
The benchmark Sensex shot up by more than 200 points in the opening trade and avoided any major fall during the day before ending the day at 15,912.13, an impressive gain of 507.19 points or 3.29 per cent over its previous close.
The last time Sensex had gained over 500 points was on May 27 this year when it closed higher 520.41 points. The all-around buying support came as a big solace to the markets after yesterday's fall of close to 500 points, in tune with global trends, on concerns that governments worldwide may begin exiting from stimulus packages given last year in the wake of deepening of financial downturn. The market had fallen by steep 1,406 points or 8.36 per cent in the past six days.
What sparked across-the-board buying was Finance Minister Pranab Mukhejee ruling out withdrawal of fiscal stimulus packages till economy recovers fully. His remarks that there are no plans to place curbs on the capital inflows into the country further augmented enthusiastic buying.
Marketmen said strong global cues and a weakening dollar against a basket of currencies also enlivened the sentiment. India's largest private sector firm Reliance Industries rebounded by 5.49 per cent.
The spurt in RIL followed its hammering Tuesday which saw shares plunging 5.73 per cent
Gold price tops $1,090 an ounce for first time
4 Nov 2009
LONDON: The price of gold leapt to a record peak of $1,093.10 an ounce in trading here on Wednesday, a day after the International Monetary Fund announced a massive sale of the metal to India.
In India, gold futures struck a fresh record high of Rs 16,664 per 10 grams on Wednesday afternoon. At 2:16, gold futures on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) traded 0.17 percent higher at Rs 16,646 per 10 grams, off its record high.
Analysts said a weaker dollar could push prices to $1,100 an ounce. "The recent run on gold was extremely strong," Eugen Weinberg, a commodity analyst at Commerzbank said. "Most of the action will probably be this afternoon ... today the gold price should also get some support from the weaker dollar."
Gold swept to a record high at $1,087.45 an ounce on Tuesday as the IMF's 200-tonne sale of gold to India underscored gold's increasing status as an official reserve and fuelled speculation that other governments may be ready to diversify their reserves.
The recent surge was also reflected in investment flows. The world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, SPDR Gold Trust, said its holdings rose to 1,108.399 tonnes as of Nov. 3, up 4.88 tonnes or 0.4 percent from the previous business day.
"It's not surprising that the gold price is holding at the high levels where it is trading now," said Weinberg.
On the economic calendar, markets expects the two-day US Federal Reserve meeting to leave rates unchanged but will look for clues on future rate and monetary policies.
LONDON: The price of gold leapt to a record peak of $1,093.10 an ounce in trading here on Wednesday, a day after the International Monetary Fund announced a massive sale of the metal to India.
In India, gold futures struck a fresh record high of Rs 16,664 per 10 grams on Wednesday afternoon. At 2:16, gold futures on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) traded 0.17 percent higher at Rs 16,646 per 10 grams, off its record high.
Analysts said a weaker dollar could push prices to $1,100 an ounce. "The recent run on gold was extremely strong," Eugen Weinberg, a commodity analyst at Commerzbank said. "Most of the action will probably be this afternoon ... today the gold price should also get some support from the weaker dollar."
Gold swept to a record high at $1,087.45 an ounce on Tuesday as the IMF's 200-tonne sale of gold to India underscored gold's increasing status as an official reserve and fuelled speculation that other governments may be ready to diversify their reserves.
The recent surge was also reflected in investment flows. The world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, SPDR Gold Trust, said its holdings rose to 1,108.399 tonnes as of Nov. 3, up 4.88 tonnes or 0.4 percent from the previous business day.
"It's not surprising that the gold price is holding at the high levels where it is trading now," said Weinberg.
On the economic calendar, markets expects the two-day US Federal Reserve meeting to leave rates unchanged but will look for clues on future rate and monetary policies.
India now a gold power: RBI buys 200 tonnes from IMF
In 1991, India flew out a planeload of gold to borrow foreign exchange. History changed colours on Tuesday when the Reserve Bank of India said it had bought 200 tonnes from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) – from which it borrowed that year to tide over a severe balance of payments crisis.
The RBI now has the tenth largest gold reserves in the world after spending $6.7 billion (about Rs 32,000 crore) after buying nearly half of the 403.3 tonnes put on sale by IMF, which shed one-tenth of its yellow metal reserves to help lending to poor countries.
The proportion of gold as part of India’s foreign reserves of $285.5 billion had fallen over the past decades to a mere $10.3 billion. The latest purchase will lift its share of gold holdings from near 4 per cent to about 6 per cent, much less than most of the developed world but four times China’s share.
As Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee prepared to leave for a G-20 conference of elite economies, he said the gold purchase was “normal”.
“My advice to the governor of RBI would be…if you are in a position to buy gold buy it but do not put too much emphasis on it (buying),” he said.
RBI said in a statement that the deal was an off-market transaction executed between October 19 and 30 at market prices. Analysts say India could also gain more voting power in the IMF.
“Purchase of gold is RBI’s move at stabilising the currency. It is trying to shore up rupee basket with gold, similar to what China was trying to do with purchase of 400 tonnes of gold recently,” said Vijay Bhambwani, CEO of market analysis site BSPLIndia.com.
India’s purchase was among factors that boosted gold in the world market on Tuesday.
The RBI now has the tenth largest gold reserves in the world after spending $6.7 billion (about Rs 32,000 crore) after buying nearly half of the 403.3 tonnes put on sale by IMF, which shed one-tenth of its yellow metal reserves to help lending to poor countries.
The proportion of gold as part of India’s foreign reserves of $285.5 billion had fallen over the past decades to a mere $10.3 billion. The latest purchase will lift its share of gold holdings from near 4 per cent to about 6 per cent, much less than most of the developed world but four times China’s share.
As Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee prepared to leave for a G-20 conference of elite economies, he said the gold purchase was “normal”.
“My advice to the governor of RBI would be…if you are in a position to buy gold buy it but do not put too much emphasis on it (buying),” he said.
RBI said in a statement that the deal was an off-market transaction executed between October 19 and 30 at market prices. Analysts say India could also gain more voting power in the IMF.
“Purchase of gold is RBI’s move at stabilising the currency. It is trying to shore up rupee basket with gold, similar to what China was trying to do with purchase of 400 tonnes of gold recently,” said Vijay Bhambwani, CEO of market analysis site BSPLIndia.com.
India’s purchase was among factors that boosted gold in the world market on Tuesday.
'Unaware of resolution against Vande Matram'
4 November 2009
New Delhi, Nov 4: Home Minister P. Chidambaram Wednesday clarified that he was not aware that a resolution had been passed against the national song 'Vande Mataram' by Muslim clerics at a gathering at Deoband attended by him.
"The minister was at the Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Hind conference at Deoband Nov 3 between 10 a.m. and 12 noon. No resolution was passed during that period. When he spoke, he was not aware of any resolution relating to Vande Mataram or women's reservation or cinema and television," Chidambaram's personal secretary M.A. Siddique said in a statement.
"Besides, Chidambaram was reading from a prepared text and there was no occasion to depart from that text," Siddique added.
The minister's comments followed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi's criticism of Chidambaram for not speaking against the 'Vande Mataram' resolution.
Among the 25 resolutions passed at the convention was one reiterating the clerics' opposition to reciting 'Vande Mataram' due to its religious overtones.
New Delhi, Nov 4: Home Minister P. Chidambaram Wednesday clarified that he was not aware that a resolution had been passed against the national song 'Vande Mataram' by Muslim clerics at a gathering at Deoband attended by him.
"The minister was at the Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Hind conference at Deoband Nov 3 between 10 a.m. and 12 noon. No resolution was passed during that period. When he spoke, he was not aware of any resolution relating to Vande Mataram or women's reservation or cinema and television," Chidambaram's personal secretary M.A. Siddique said in a statement.
"Besides, Chidambaram was reading from a prepared text and there was no occasion to depart from that text," Siddique added.
The minister's comments followed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi's criticism of Chidambaram for not speaking against the 'Vande Mataram' resolution.
Among the 25 resolutions passed at the convention was one reiterating the clerics' opposition to reciting 'Vande Mataram' due to its religious overtones.
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