Aakash, the "$35" computer launched last year in India as the world's cheapest tablet, has run into problems and companies will be invited to bid again to make the device after complaints of poor performance and hiccups rolling out a pilot model. The government has hailed the Aakash tablet as an achievement of Indian frugal engineering that would end the digital divide in a country where only one in every 10 of its 1.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) asked Kingfisher Airlines(KING.NS) to explain why it has cancelled a large number of flights since Saturday, while the government again ruled out providing any aid to the loss-making carrier. Kingfisher has cancelled 32 out of the 240 flights that it operates each day, the airlines said on Saturday, adding that it expected to return to full service within days.
Pope Benedict, putting his mark on his Church's future, on Saturday inducted 22 men including India's George Alencherry into the exclusive group of cardinals who will one day elect one of their own to succeed him as leader of the world's 1.3 billion Roman Catholics.
Hindu nationalists retained power in Mumbai on Friday, defeating the Congress party despite growing criticism of shoddy and increasingly overburdened infrastructure. The hardline Shiv Sena party, headed by 86-year-old Bal Thackeray, has led a governing coalition for 16 years in a city as famous for its sprawling slums, clogged roads and rusting railways as for its business suits and skyscraper skyline. "Thanks to all who supported us.
British Indian origin MP Keith Vaz said he will speak to the parents of student J. Praveen Reddy, who was critically injured in a brawl at a party in London, but stressed there was nothing to fear for Indian students in his country.
No Indian government will ever censor social media, Information Technology Minister Kapil Sibal said, seeking to calm fears of a China-style crackdown on companies like Google and Facebook. A court last year ordered 21 companies including Google and Facebook to block material from their websites that could offend religious groups, arousing concerns about freedom of speech in the world's biggest democracy.
Cycling great Lance Armstrong has sent a message to Yuvraj Singh, wishing him a speedy recovery and offering help in the Indian cricketer's battle against cancer. Yuvraj, player of the tournament in India's 2011 World Cup victory, is undergoing chemotherapy in the United States after being diagnosed with a golf ball-sized tumour last year. Yuvraj posted a photograph of Armstrong's message on his Twitter account.
