Ronaldo to Real for 80 million pounds

Manchester United have accepted a world record bid of 80 million pounds ($131.7 million) from Real Madrid for Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo, the English champions said on Thursday.

United, who fended off the Spanish club’s interest in the World and European Player of the Year 12 months ago, have given the nine-time European champions the go-ahead.

“Manchester United have received a world-record, unconditional offer of 80 million pounds for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid,” the club said. “At Cristiano’s request who has again expressed his desire to leaveand after discussion with the player’s representatives, United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player. “Matters are expected to be concluded by June 30.”

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First tender out for attack helicopters, US giants can now bid too

He new UPA government has issued its first defence tender to procure attack helicopters for the IAF. The tender, estimated at $600 million, was issued to five vendors on Monday, hours after A K Antony assumed charge as Defence Minister for the second consecutive term.

The IAF is looking for 22 twin-engine attack helicopters to replace its ageing fleet of Russian-origin Mi-35s. The Request for Proposals (RFP) have been sent to five vendors — Italian AgustaWestland, US companies Boeing and Bell, the Russian Khazan and the European consortium Eurocopter.

While the tenders were first issued in May 2008, the procurement process had been cancelled earlier this year after the two US companies opted out as they did not get adequate time to seek permission from Washington to take part in the contract.

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Maharashtra Minister' s words of wisdom: ' How can mothers, daughters watch this?'

A Day after they forced the state government to put on hold its decision to introduce sex education in schools, Maharashtra's moral police brigade struck again on Thursday, raising not just the red flag against cheerleaders at IPL matches in the state but also the prospect of a ban against them.

Foreign cheerleaders as well as dancers from local troupes performed at the first IPL match in the state at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium last Sunday and they are set to perform again at the second match to be played at the D Y Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on April 27.

But if Minister of State for Home Siddharam Mhetre has his way, IPL organisers are expected to only get conditional permission to hold the match and restrictions could be imposed on cheerleaders. Mhetre said he would consult the Central government before granting permission.

The issue was first raised in the state legislative council on Wednesday by BJP leader Nitin Gadkari. The Congress NCP government, he said, should ban semi-naked women dancing in stadiums just like it had banned dance bars in 2005.

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