Doodle 4 Google — tell us what you wish for the world

Today, we're announcing our second annual Doodle 4 Google contest in the U.S. Google doodles are the special "dressed-up" logos we run on our homepage for holidays and other events, and Doodle 4 Google is an opportunity for one child to have his/her artwork displayed on our homepage as a doodle for hundreds of millions of people to see. This year's theme is "What I Wish for the World," as we really want to tap into not only children's creativity but also what they want their future to look like.

We're very excited this year to be partnering with the Smithsonian's, Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum. Since Cooper-Hewitt is focused on design and education and fostering the brightest design minds of tomorrow, they were a natural partner for Doodle 4 Google. Their partnership also means that this year's prizes not only include having your artwork on the Google homepage for a day, a college scholarship, and a technology grant for your school, but also having your work (and that of all 40 finalists) exhibited at a Smithsonian museum!

Most of this year's contest remains the same as last year's. (For inspiration, you can see Grace Moon's beautiful winning doodle "Up In the Clouds" in our Doodle Gallery). However, there are a few changes. First, we've increased the college scholarship prize for the national winner to $15,000. We've also added a $10,000 prize for the school district that submits the most high-quality entries. Finally, in partnership with Cooper-Hewitt, we'll be celebrating the 40 finalists and announcing the national winner in New York City, to coincide with the opening of the exhibit. Please visit the official competition website for a full listing of all contest rules and requirements.

Only students from registered schools can enter, so teachers, if you want to participate please register your school by March 17, 2009. All doodles must be submitted by March 31, 2009

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Mumbai attacks destroyed gains of peace talks: Antony

NEW DELHI, Feb 3: The recent terror attacks in Mumbai have destroyed all the gains of years of peace talks between India and Pakistan, India’s Defence Minister A.K. Antony said on Tuesday, warning that unbridled violence threatened the very survival of Pakistan and wider stability in the region.

His comments came as Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee yet again complained that Pakistan had not yet officially told India anything about the progress on New Delhi’s dossier on the Mumbai attacks.

Mr Mukherjee seemed to contradict remarks by National Security Adviser M. K. Narayanan that Pakistan had twice reverted to New Delhi for clarifications on the Indian dossier.

“That the major attacks of large magnitude can be planned and executed by elements in Pakistan totally undermines the solemn commitments to us made by its leadership that territory in its control would not be permitted to be used for terrorism,” Mr Antony told a two-day conference on Asian security he inaugurated here.

“The positive gains of the past years have been destroyed by the dastardly attack on Mumbai. The onus now is on the government of Pakistan to act with sincerity and decisiveness against the perpetrators and controllers of such attacks. It is in the interest of this region and the rest of the world that such perpetrators of wanton violence are brought to justice and the infrastructure of terror is eliminated.”

Mr Antony said the onus was equally on the international community to act, a comment that sounded like advice for a stepped up military campaign against the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

“This Frankenstein is now a threat to democracy, stability and peace in Afghanistan and to Pakistan itself. The international community needs to act decisively and in concert to get rid of this scourge. We sincerely hope that this approach would be the way ahead. As a victim of terrorism, we must remain committed to safeguarding the lives of our nationals and to taking all the necessary steps to enhance and safeguard our security.”

The Mumbai attacks signified the systematic use of terrorism and irregular warfare as state policy aimed at India. “It is becoming increasingly clear that the nature of war and conflict is changing.

All-out wars are no longer the norm for settling political disputes among states. In fact, despite the military modernisation under way in Asian countries, few wars have taken place. Afghanistan and Iraq are exceptions, since they are not typical inter-state wars. More Asian states today are not inclined to engage in large-scale conventional warfare, as they are no longer seen as the most effective way to securing political, economic and diplomatic gains,” Mr Antony said.

He believed that conflicts might occur only if regimes facing internal economic and political problems unleashed nationalism and war against an external ‘enemy’ to rally popular support. “Asia, unfortunately, does have a number of unsettled territorial and sovereignty disputes.

And these can be manipulated by irresponsible states to ensure regime stability. Both internal and external checks and balances, against such possible abuses of power are, therefore, necessary.”

Many Asian states though had set aside disputes that could not be resolved immediately, to maintain status quo.

“They have encouraged a system of dialogue and negotiations to peacefully resolve these disputes. And they are focussed on enhancing cooperation. The India–China relationship is a good example of this approach,” Mr Antony said, just ahead of a flurry of high-level diplomatic visits to the region.

Mr Antony lauded India’s “capacity building efforts” in Afghanistan.

“The goal of our efforts is to contribute to Asian peace and stability and not undermine them.”

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Mumbai slums protest against "Slumdog"

MUMBAI (Reuters) - Dozens of residents of a Mumbai slum where "Slumdog Millionaire" was partly shot protested against the Oscar-nominated film on Tuesday, hurling insults and hitting pictures of its cast and crew with slippers.

The movie's international success has been tempered by objections in India to the name, which some slum dwellers find offensive, its depiction of the lives of impoverished Indians and the treatment of the cast.

Its director, Danny Boyle, has faced accusations from some parts of the Indian media that his film was "poverty porn." Boyle has said he was trying to capture Mumbai's "lust for life."

The film, which has scooped several international awards and won 10 Oscar nominations, opened in India last month.

"They have made a mockery of us, they have hurt our sentiments," said N.R. Paul, a protest leader and resident in Dharavi, Asia's largest slum.

The protesters, who were forced by policemen to assemble a few hundred metres from Dharavi, shouted "Down, down Danny Boyle" and "Down, down Censor Board."

"Slum dwellers are human beings, not dogs," said one poster.

Protesters also slapped pictures of Boyle and the film's actors with slippers, saying their depiction of poverty was demeaning to millions.

"They should change at least the title. Why did our Censor Board allow such a title in India? It is very sad," said Kallubhai Qureshi, a resident in Dharavi.

Nicholas Almeida, a social activist and slum dweller who has filed a complaint in a local court against the title, said the filmmakers also had a responsibility towards the slums in which they shot the movie.

"It is making so many millions of dollars, why can't they spend some money here to improve our lives?" said Almeida.

Boyle and producer Christian Colson, responding to comments in the Daily Telegraph recently that slum kids in the film were paid poorly, have said they have paid for their education in a school and set up a fund to cover other expenses.

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Sonia Gandhi opens HPCL's cross-India 1,054km oil pipline

BAGRU (JAIPUR), Feb 4, 2009 (Asia In Focus via COMTEX) -- HINPF | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday commissioned HINDUSTAN PETROLEUM CORP LTD'S (HPCL) (BSE:500104) Rs 1,757 crore (US$360 million) Mundra-Delhi pipeline. The pipeline will help India's second-largest oil firm to transport petrol, diesel and kerosene to the northern part of the country.

* The 1,054 km pipeline, built in just 36 months, is one of the country's longest cross-country oil-product pipelines and has been commissioned under the common carrier principle wherein 30 per cent of the capacity can be accessed by companies other than HPCL.

* Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Union Petroleum minister Murli Deora were present at the function.
For full details for HINPF click here.

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India's HPCL to begin fuel sales in Pacific - CEO

JAIPUR, India, Feb 3 (Reuters) - India's state-run Hindustan Petroleum Corp (HPCL.BO) aims to begin fuel retailing in Fiji and some other Pacific islands by end-March, marking its entry in the overseas retail business, its chief executive told Reuters on Tuesday.

Arun Balakrishnan said HPCL has entered into an agreement for fuel retailing business with Fiji Holdings Ltd, which has operations in Fiji, Tonga, American Samoa, Vanuatu, Tuvalu and the Cook Islands.

"They (Fiji Holdings) don't have expertise in marketing fuels. So they have reached an understanding with us to manage their retail fuel business," he said.

He said their retail business included about 65 petrol pumps, 11 oil terminals and depots and about half a dozen aviation storage facilities in Fiji and the Pacific region.

Balakrishnan, also the company's chairman, did not specify the volumes to be sold in these countries.

"The volumes are very small. But it will give us an experience in selling fuel in overseas markets."

HPCL will source products from the Singapore market. (Reporting by Nidhi Verma; Editing by Mark Williams)

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