Gender row runner Semenya shattered by her predicament

Johannesburg, Sep.16 (ANI): Sex test runner Caster Semenya is “completely shattered” by claims she is half male, her spokeswoman said.

The 800m world champion has shut herself away at her university amid claims that International Association of Athletics Federations gender tests proved she had internal testes and no womb, reports The Mirror.

Athletics South Africa official Phiwe Mlangeni-Tsholetsane said she was struggling to come to terms with being humiliated on a global scale and has been placed on suicide watch.

She said: “Caster is completely shattered by all that has been said about her.

“She gets all the newspapers and reads them thoroughly. She has cable TV in her bedroom so there is no escape from all of this.”

The saga began four weeks ago at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin when the South African’s masculine looks and superb performances sparked talk that she might be male. (ANI)

Engineers design buildings that can stand plumb after violent quakes

Washington, September 3 (ANI): A team of engineers from the Stanford University has designed a new earthquake-resistant structural system for buildings, which will not only help a multi-story building hold itself together during a violent quake, but also return it to standing up straight on its foundation afterward, true and plumb, with damage confined to a few easily replaceable parts.

Professor Greg Deierlein, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, used the world’s largest shake table to test a new structural design that lets buildings rock during earthquakes, then pull themselves into plumb when the shaking stops, confining damage to replaceable steel “fuses.”

During testing on a massive shake table, the system survived simulated earthquakes in excess of magnitude 7, bigger than either the 1994 Northridge earthquake or the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake in California.

“This new structural system has the potential to make buildings far more damage resistant and easier to repair, so people could reoccupy buildings a lot faster after a major earthquake than they can now,” said Greg Deierlein, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford, who led the team that designed the new system.

The system dissipates energy through the movement of steel frames that are situated around the building’s core or along exterior walls.

The frames can be part of a building’s initial design or could be incorporated into an existing building undergoing seismic retrofitting.

They are economically feasible to build, as all the materials employed are commonly used in construction today and all the parts can be made using existing fabrication methods.

“What is unique about these frames is that, unlike conventional systems, they actually rock off their foundation under large earthquakes,” Deierlein said.

The rocking frames are steel braced-frames, the columns of which are free to rock up and down within steel “shoes” secured at their base.

To control the rocking and return the frame to vertical when the shaking stops, steel tendons run down the center of the frame from top to bottom.

These tendons are made of high-strength steel cable strands twisted together and designed to remain elastic during shaking.

When shaking is over, they rebound to their normal length, pulling the building back into proper alignment.

At the bottom of the frame sit steel “fuses” designed keep the rest of the building from sustaining damage.

“The idea of this structural system is that we concentrate the damage in replaceable fuses,” Deierlein said.

The fuses are built to flex and dissipate the shaking energy induced by the earthquake, thereby confining the damage. (ANI)

Blind people may soon be using their tongues to ‘see’

Melbourne, Sep 2 (ANI): In a groundbreaking innovation, scientists have created an electronic device that may allow blind people to “see” using their tongues.

The extraordinary technology works by taking pictures filmed by a tiny camera, and turns the information into electrical pulses, which can be felt on the tongue.

Tests have shown that the nerves send messages to the brain, which turn these tingles back into pictures.

The tool, called the BrainPort vision device, resembles a pair of sunglasses attached by cable to a plastic lollipop.

Its users have revealed that they can make out shapes, and even read signs with fewer than 20 hours training only.

The scientists behind this innovation say that learning to picture images felt on the tongue is similar to learning to ride a bike.

The device, which collects visual data through a small digital video camera about 2.5cm in diameter, which sits in the middle of a pair of sunglasses worn by the user, could be available for sale later this year.

The information is then transmitted to a hand-held control unit, which is about the size of a mobile phone.

The unit converts the digital signal into electrical pulses and sends this to the tongue via the lollipop that sits on the tongue.

The lollipop contains a grid of 600 electrodes, which pulsate according to how much light is in that area of the picture.

The control unit allows users to zoom in and out and control light settings and electric shock intensity.

“At first, I was amazed at what the device could do. One guy started to cry when he saw his first letter,” News.com.au quoted William Seiple, research director at Lighthouse International, which has been testing it, as saying.

Robert Beckman, president of US-based Wicab which is developing the BrainPort, said: “It enables blind people to gain perception of their surroundings, displayed on their tongue. They cannot necessarily read a book but they can read a sign.”

Beckman is hoping that the device would be used to improve people’s mobility and safety. (ANI)

Faithful elephant guards electrocuted mahout in Gujarat village

Vankal Village (Gujarat), Sep 1 (ANI): An elephant stood guard near the body of its electrocuted mahout for hours in Vankal village in Gujarat.

The incident took place at Vankal village of Navsari district, when the mahout, Lachhu Kevat, was electrocuted to death while sitting on his elephant, Madhumati.

The rare display of affection and devotion moved the villagers who tried hard to calm the elephant and lower the body down its back.

“The elephant was entering the village but its mahout died of electric shock from a cable. The elephant then entered the village quickly and the villagers saw that its mahout had died and stopped the elephant by giving it food. They then called the officials,” said Bhupendra Nayak, Forest Official.

The villagers could bring down Lachhu Kevat’s body from the elephant’s back only late evening. (ANI)

Narus continues to build leadership position in India

Bangalore, Aug 26 (ANI/Business Wire India): Narus, the global leader in real-time traffic intelligence for the protection and management of large IP networks, has continued its strong momentum in India this year.

An expanded office with new hires, new partnerships, customer implementations and the INFOCOM CMAI National Telecom Award have already characterized 2009 as a banner year for Narus in India.

With two quarters left in the year and the company moving full-steam ahead, Narus is poised to continue its 200 percent plus revenue growth well into 2010.

Narus’ India operation has seen a 50 percent increase in staff, and the company plans another 30 percent increase in headcount in the coming year to keep up with its growing backlog of business in this region.

With an eye cast toward 2010, Narus will hold a job fair in Bangalore on September 5 and 6, 2009.

Positions available include GUI development engineers, network development engineers, software design engineers, and quality assurance engineers and managers.

In late 2008, Narus announced the opening of its New Delhi office and the appointment of two key members to its Indian executive team. Avinash Agrawal was appointed to lead Narus’ India operation as managing director, and DLN Shastri was appointed vice president of sales and business development.

Agrawal and Shastri bring a combined 50 years of experience to the company. The New Delhi office is Narus’ Asia Pacific regional headquarters, with sales, support and professional services represented.

Yogi Mistry, senior vice president, Narus, said, “Since the opening of our first office in India, Narus has committed to an investment in India by providing jobs in our engineering, support and sales organizations. Narus’ continued growth in the region ensures additional opportunities for our employees to work on cutting-edge technologies with leading partners and luminary customers.”

Narus continued its 2009 momentum with recognition for excellence in R andD in security services for the telecom industry with an INFOCOM CMAI National Telecom Award. his prestigious award salutes industry leaders that contribute to the growth of the telecom industry in India with groundbreaking services and solutions.

The Indian telecommunications industry is continuing to enjoy tremendous growth and is consequently providing great opportunities for sales and business development.

In May, Narus formed a strategic partnership with HCL Infosystems, Ltd., India’s premier information-enabling ICT system integration company, to assist the Indian government in the protection of its people and infrastructure.

Narus also implemented systems at India’s foremost integrated telecom service providers like Reliance, Sify, and Cable and Wireless. Narus is also proud to have implemented NarusInsight in the world’s third-largest telecommunications carrier as they launch their service offerings in India this year. (ANI)

Teens exposed to too much alcohol advertising on cable TV

Washington, Aug 21 (ANI): A new US study has revealed that ads for beer, spirits and ‘alcopop’ are frequently aired when more teens were watching television.

This is the first study to demonstrate an association between ad placement and teen cable TV viewership.

“Alcohol advertisers have pledged to avoid audiences made up of more than 30 percent underage viewers – such as children’s programming,” said David H. Jernigan, director of the Centre on Alcohol Marketing and Youth and an associate professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

“However, many other shows have adolescent appeal. This research suggests that ads are aimed at groups that include a disproportionate number of teens and that the alcohol industry’s voluntary self-monitoring is not working to reduce adolescent exposure to ads,” he added.

The study showed that audiences with a higher percentage of youth between the ages of 12 and 20 were exposed to a higher frequency of alcohol ads, even after accounting for other factors that might explain ad placement decisions.

Each 1-percentage-point increase in adolescent viewership was associated with a 7-percent increase in beer ads, a 15-percent increase in spirits ads and a 22-percent increase in ads for low-alcohol refreshers/alcopops – flavored alcoholic beverages that taste similar to juice or soda.

However, wine ads decreased by 8 percent with each 1-percentage-point increase in adolescent viewership.

This finding suggests that alcohol advertisers can, in fact, successfully avoid adolescent audiences.

“This study did not examine whether alcohol advertisers are intentionally overexposing adolescents,” said lead study author Dr. Paul J. Chung, assistant professor of pediatrics at Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA and a senior natural scientist at the RAND Corp.

“The alcohol industry has consistently denied actively targeting teens, and our study isn’t designed to test that claim. However, the ultimate effect of their advertising strategies, intentional or not, appears to be greater exposure than might be expected if adults were the sole targets of ads,” he added.

The study appears online in American Journal of Public Health. (ANI)

Ryan Seacrest to become richest reality TV host with CKX deal

Washington, July 14 (ANI): American television and radio host Ryan Seacrest is all set to become the richest reality TV host after signing a three-year deal with CKX, worth 15 million dollars per year.

According to Hollywood Reporter, as per the deal, Seacrest, 34, will be exclusive to CKX, parent of Idol producer 19 Entertainment, in broadcast TV primetime to host Idol or any CKX-produced show that might succeed it.

Negotiations had been in the works for the past several weeks, and with the new deal, Seacrest’s salary has now tripled from his previous salary of slightly less than 5 million dollars per season, reports Us magazine.

Seacrest will still maintain a cable agreement with Comcast and his gig as E! Entertainment’s main anchor.

He will also continue producing ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ for E!, and an upcoming Jamie Oliver ABC reality show. (ANI)

N. Korea test fires two short-range missiles

Seoul, July 2 (ANI): North Korea has test-fired two short-range missiles from its eastern coast, the Yonhap news agency reported Thursday.

“One was fired at 5:20 p.m. and the other at 6:00 p.m. from Sinsang-ni” near the eastern coastal city of Wonsan, South Korean defense ministry spokesman Won Tae-jae told Yonhap.

The report gave no further details.

News cable channel YTN carried a similar report.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff could not immediately confirm the reports.

North Korea had earlier issued a no-sail zone in waters off its east coast through July 10, viewed as a prelude to such missile tests. (ANI)

Sonia Gandhi inaugurates Bandra Worli sea link in Mumbai

Mumbai, June 30 (ANI): Congress president Sonia Gandhi inaugurated the much-awaited Bandra Worli sea link on Tuesday.

The 5.6 kilometers long cable-stayed bridge has been designed to allow for speedy road travel between Bandra and Worli in and traffic-clogged city of Mumbai.

The eight-lane bridge will reduce the travel time between the two points from 60-90 minutes to 6-8 minutes.

It costs Rs. 50 to take a trip on the link, and will cost Rs. 75 for a round trip- it would be nothing compared to the Rs 100 crore per year that the link will save in the vehicle operating cost alone.

The project, which was conceived in the 1990s was plagued by a series of Public Interest Litigations (PILs) from fishermen and environmentalists, the work was finally started in October 2004.

The agitations forced The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) to make around 80 per cent changes in the design of the bridge, which increased the cost of the project from Rs 1,306 to Rs 1,650 crore.

The link is equipped with state-of-the-art systems for traffic monitoring, emergency support and an automated toll system.

Two cable stayed bridges, a 600-meter long at Bandra channel and the other twin-tower supported 350 meter long at the Worli channel. It rests on two towers, each 126 metres tall or equivalent to a 43-storeyed building.

People said that the new bridge would save a lot of commuting time.

“The construction of the sea link would save people’s time,” said Leen Montri, another resident. (ANI)

Minor fire at Taj Mahal hotel of Mumbai

Mumbai, June 27 (ANI): Six fire tenders and eight water tankers were rushed to the Taj Mahal hotel on Saturday after a minor fire broke out in the basement area of the hotel.

The incident, which took place due to short-circuit, however, did not involve any casualty and the fire was soon brought under control.

“Fire down at the basement near the main locker room, has been put out under control, there was lot of smoke nobody injured, nobody hurt. We are just clearing out the whole thing. By evening we should be back in operations,” Krishnakant, vice chairman, Taj Hotel told media.

Fire officials said the fire was because of the short circuit detected near the staff locker room.

“The fire was there in the basement, mainly in the cable shaft, the cable caught fire so there was lot of smoke. We went inside and the fire is now totally under control,” said Uday Tatkare, deputy chief officer of Fire Brigade department.

The same hotel bore the brunt of the militant attack on November 26, 2008. (ANI)

‘Cyclone Aila’ claims 35 lives in West Bengal, Kolkata limps back to normal

Kolkata, May 26 (ANI): West Bengal capital Kolkata is limping back to normal a day after ‘Cyclone Aila’ brushed past it at a distance of 50 km.

The size of the cyclonic system was so large – with a maximum diameter of 250-350 km – that when the core crossed the coast, the city was already reeling from its impact with wind speeds of 120 kmph.

At least 35 people have been killed across the state, 15 of them in Kolkata and Howrah and 20 others in South Bengal districts. Over 1500 trees lie uprooted across the main thoroughfares in the city, several electric poles have keeled over, electricity, water supply and cable connections have been disrupted in several pockets across the metropolis.

Office goers, however, are making efforts to go to work even as the public transport system is crawling back to normalcy.

The main problem is the blocked roads. Uprooted trees are being cut and cleared at a snail’s pace by corporation staff who have not responded adequately to the crisis. Only about 75 civic personnel have been at work since yesterday evening with just 26 axes, 30 machetes and just one gas cutter, trying to clear away the over 1000 uprooted trees.

The storm which started around 1.30 p.m. Monday and lasted till 8.30 p.m., with a couple of hours lull around 3 p.m., rendered Kolkata immobile. Roads were blocked, public transport collapsed, all to and fro flights were cancelled and even the dependable metro crashed.

The last cyclone, the Great Calcutta Cyclone, wrecked the city on October 5, 1864. About 60,000 people were killed then. By Ajitha Menon (ANI)

Here is what Obama reads before he sleeps

Washington, May 18 (ANI): U.S. President Barack Obama has revealed that he is presently reading a book by Joseph O’Neill, titled ‘Netherland’.

He has revealed that reading the book for a half hour forms part of his daily schedule-which includes morning workouts, office work, and spending time with his family.

“I’m a night owl. My usual day (is): I work out in the morning; I get to the office around 9, 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.; work till about 6:30 p.m.; have dinner with the family, hang out with the kids and put them to bed about 8:30 p.m. And then I’ll probably read briefing papers or do paperwork or write stuff until about 11:30 p.m., and then I usually have about a half hour to read before I go to bed … about midnight, 12:30 a.m.-sometimes a little later,” News Week quoted the President as saying.

As to what the book is about, Obama revealed: “It’s about after 9/11, a guy-his family leaves him and he takes up cricket in New York. And it’s fascinating. It’s a wonderful book, although I know nothing about cricket.”

Obama also revealed that he did not watch cable news at all.

He said that the only thing he watched on TV was sports.

However, the President does enjoy films, with the latest seen by him being Star Trek.

“Now, movies I’ve been doing OK [with] because it turns out we got this nice theatre on the ground floor of my house … So Star Trek, we saw this weekend, which I thought was good,” he said.

When asked whether he watched Star Trek when he was growing up, he said: “I used to love Star Trek. You know, Star Trek was ahead of its time. There was a whole-the special effects weren’t real good, but the storylines were always evocative, you know, there was a little commentary and a little pop philosophy for a 10-year-old to absorb.” (ANI)

Massive fire engulfs optical fibre cable factory in UP

Allahabad, May 10 (ANI): A massive fire engulfed an optical fibre cable factory in Naini area of Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday.

The fire broke out at 7.30 a.m. in the Hindustan Cable Limited factory and soon spread causing panic amongst the people.

Around seven fire engines were called in to control the raging fire.

“Fire broke out at around 7.30 in the morning at the Hindustan Cable factory. Fire engines are deployed in dousing the fire,” said Ram Avataar Verma, stationfficer, Naini.

Scrap optical fibre worth thousands of rupees was destroyed in the fire. The cause of the fire is still not known.
Last year also, a similar fire broke out at Hindustan Cable factory.(ANI)

Newspapers, Cable TV services shut down in Swat

Peshawar May 7 (ANI): The prevailing precarious security conditions in the Swat Valley have forced media houses to suspend publication and distribution of news papers in the valley.

Due to the curfew imposed by the security authorities following their offensive against the extremists, distribution of newspapers being published elsewhere in the country have also been stopped in the region, the Daily Times reports.

“All Swat-based newspapers have suspended operation as the security situation is extremely dangerous. There is a curfew and free movement of our staff is impossible,” editor of a local daily, Ghulam Farooq said.

Cable television services have also been hampered due to irregular electricity supply.

Residents said, in the absence of newspaper and television, they are unable to know what was going on in the region.

“We have no access to any newspaper or TV channel and have no idea of what is happening around us,” the newspaper quoted a Swat lawyer, as saying. (ANI)

MSI unveils feature-rich GX403 gaming notebook

The Micro-Star International (MSI) has unveiled its latest feature-rich GX403 gaming notebook. According to MSI, the GX403 notebook is loaded with a slew of features for smooth and fast computing.

The GX403 notebook is ultra portable, with 2.2kg weight including battery. The notebook is sized 303 (l) x 231-255 (w) x 24-30 (h) mm. Offering ultra clear and bright vision, the notebook features a 14.1 inch LCD display screen with a 1280 x 800 high resolution and 16:10 ratio. The screen lets users enjoy games or movies with ultimate realism.

The GX403 laptop is based on the Intel Centrino 2 Processor Technology, using Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel PM45 Express chipset. The technology delivers superb processor performance, terrific mobile solutions, remarkable HD capabilities, and excellent wireless connectivity. The notebook offers longer battery life good enough for full blu-ray movie playback viewing. The notebook is capable of bluetooth wireless transmission and 802.11 b/g/n wireless networking.

The GX403 notebook comes with the latest Nvidia GeForce GT 130M 3D graphic card (built-in DDR3 512 MB VRAM) and exclusive MSI vivid image enhancement technology, which helps delivering realistic and sharper audio and visual effects. The notebook also features the Dolby Surround Sound that delivers home theater experience while watching movies or listening music, or playing games. It delivers richness in bass and excellent sound quality.

The GX403 laptop also features Turbo Drive Engine Technology that helps to increase speed and facilitates smooth running of CPU. The notebook features turbo button located above the keyboard to activate the technology. The keyboard features specially colored W, A, S, D buttons highlighting directional controls for gamers.

The GX403 notebook comes with new ECO Engine that helps in saving power, and extending the battery running time. The notebook allows users to choose between five different modes namely Gaming mode, Movie mode, Presentation mode, Office mode and Turbo Battery mode. The users can choose any of the modes according to the need of the hour, by simply touching the Eco quick launch sensor repeatedly, and by lightly tapping on the Eco Off button, the users can return to the original setting.

The GX403 laptop is a multimedia powerhouse including new E- SATA support (Serial ATA (SATA) 3GB/s storage), high-definition multimedia interface, 1.3 MP web cam and DTV receiver (optional). It features HDMI output connector enabling 5GBps data transfers through one single cable. It also allows transmission of high-definition digital video and digital audio up to 1080p resolution. The notebook can be easily connected to HD monitors, HD TV or HD projector. The 1.3 megapixel camera allows users to shoot pictures, videos and instantly chat with friends and family anywhere in the world.

The GX403 notebook features the Color Film Print technology that enhances texture and brightness of the outer surface of the notebook; gives elegant finish to the notebook and provides superb protection; keeps the cover free from scratches and even fingerprints. MSI has disclosed the features of the GX403 notebook, but hasn’t yet disclosed any info about price and availability of the notebook.

Ukraine threatens Russian TV station over daytime vodka ads

Kiev – Ukraine on Thursday threatened to pull the plug on Russia’s biggest TV station unless it agrees to stop transmitting ads for vodka during daytime programming.

Under Ukrainian law, advertising alcohol on TV is only allowed in the evening after prime time, and then only as long as actual drunkness is not depicted.

Kiev claims that Russia’s state-run Perviy Kanal (First Channel) is breaking written undertakings not to broadcast vodka ads and has given it until June to clean up its act.

“At issue is whether or not Ukrainian law is being followed,” said Andry Mirnoshnichenko, vice-chairman of Ukraine’s National Council of Television and Radio (UNCTR).

If the law is not applied, he added, First Channel would have its distribution licence revoked.

The UNCTR on Thursday agreed to find First Channel in violation of contract, because the station routinely airs ads selling vodka during daytime hours, despite a written contract with the UNCTR not to do so, Miroshnichenko added.

“At present they are breaking signed agreements,” he said, according to an Intefax news agency report.

The vodka ads would have to disappear by the end of June, or the Russian channel would lose its license, Miroshnichenko said.

First Channel has already proved controversial in Ukraine for its pro-Kremlin programming, at times harshly critical of Ukraine’s pro-Western government.

The Russian station is available on cable, satellite and its conventional broadcasts can be picked up in Ukraine’s eastern provinces.

The UNCTR decision to threaten to block the Moscow-headquarted First Channel from broadcasting to Ukrainian cable TV customers – thought by advertisers to be among Ukraine’s wealthiest and so most desirable television audience – was not an act of xenophobia, but rather a simple case of enforcing the law, he added.

“We absolutely support the appearance of (foreign) channels, but they have to obey the law,” he said.

Ukrainian politicians supporting closer relations between Kiev and the Kremlin have accused Ukraine’s generally pro-European government, and the UNCTR in particular, of attempting to push Russian broadcasts and language out of Ukrainian media, in an attempt to give the Russian language a second-class status in Ukraine.

Russian currently is dominant in Ukrainian entertainment media, and is a readily available but a minority language in Ukrainian news media. Most Ukrainians speak both languages with varying degrees of fluency.(dpa)

Cable and Broadcast Companies Save Millions of Dollars Per Year With Revolutionary…

Cable and Broadcast Companies Save Millions of Dollars Per Year With
Revolutionary MPEG-4 HDTV Solution Over Satellite by ATCi

FCC DTV Mandate Drives DMA Satellite Requirements

Emergency Alert, Amber Alert, Must Carry

PHOENIX, April 16 /PRNewswire/ — Antenna Technology Communications Inc.
(ATCi), a provider of commercial satellite communications services,
successfully designed and implemented a revolutionary digital broadcast system
designed for a local channel and/or DMA extension system that ultimately saves
cable and broadcast companies millions of dollars per year.

Historically cable companies and broadcasters have transmitted local channels
via traditional microwave tower to tower technology, however through the
advent of MPEG-4/DVB-S2 and H.264 technology, ATCi was able to design and
implement a custom system enabling cable operators who commonly provide cable
television, telephone and high-speed Internet services to designated market
areas (DMA’s) the ability to transmit HD programming via MPEG-4 over
satellite. They can then trans-code the signal through their legacy MPEG-2
format thus allowing them to ultimately deliver the signal to their existing
set top boxes. By compressing the signal to MPEG-4, cable operators are now
able to economically offer HD channels to all of their extended DMA’s by
utilizing this leading edge construct. By utilizing this next generation
MPEG-4 technology coupled with DVB-S2 uses approximately half the bandwidth
while providing double the data throughput which translates into a tremendous
cost savings.

“We love this technology,” said Gary Hatch, ATCi’s CEO. “Instead of using the
traditional two transponder solution to distribute (10) HDTV local channels
throughout a traditional DMA, we have been able to provide services direct to
translators and headends. This cost savings really allows all communities to
receive equal services,” Hatch concluded.

ATCi, originator of world-renowned Simulsat(TM) Multibeam antenna, expanded
its broadcast services division in 2000 to include a platform focused solely
on providing cost-effective digital broadcast uplink solutions which include
local channel offerings. In addition to broadcasting local channels for cable
operators, ATCi also specializes in broadcasting thematic channels and
Webcasting.

With these broadcast applications, ATCi provides all the RF equipment and
installation services for the uplinked channels from a network of uplink
facilities. ATCi handles the daily engineering, origination, playout,
ad-insertion, automation, customer service and monitoring support to ensure
the channels are successfully received by the extended DMA locations.

ATCi will be exhibiting its products and solutions at NAB, April 20-23 in Las
Vegas, Booth #C5343.

SOURCE Antenna Technology Communications Inc.

Kristen Love of Antenna Technology Communications Inc., +1-303-484-1733,
klove@atci.net

GBP/USD Daily Commentary for 4.14.09

The Cable is making vast strides to the upside, positioning itself for a breakout opportunity as it continues to bask in the glory of this month’s all-around positive economic data from Britain. The GBP/USD is battling with our 2nd tier uptrend line as we speak.

If the currency pair can climb above April and February highs we could witness some large near-term gains as it looks to tackle the highly psychological 1.50 level.

The relative strength of the Pound is reflected in the freefall of the EUR/GBP. However, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the EUR/GBP find some solid near-term support, meaning that if the GBP/USD does break out, the rally could experience some profit-taking relatively quickly.

That being said, Britain only has two medium-weight economic releases on slate for this week, meaning that Cable should have little news to deflect its rise.

The only development fundamentally reversing the Cable’s rally in the near-term would be a sharp downturn in U. S. equities, so keep a close eye on the S and P futures.

Fundamentally, we maintain resistance of 1.4946 with additional resistances hanging at 1.4988, 1.5028, 1.5080 and 1.5121. The 1.50 level serves as a key psychological barrier while the 1.45 area acts as a psychological cushion. To the downside, we find supports of 1.4883, 1.4834, 1.4770, 1.4730 and 1.4676. The GBP/USD is currently exchanging at 1.4902.

GBP/USD Daily Commentary for 4.14.09

Copyright 2009 FastBrokers, Latest Forex News and Analysis for Forex, Bullion and Commodity Traders.

Disclaimer: For information purposes only. FastBrokers assumes no responsibility or liability from gains or losses incurred by the information herein contained. There is a substantial risk of loss in trading futures and foreign exchange.

Pirates attack US-flagged ship, fail to board-CNN

WASHINGTON, April 14 (Reuters) – Pirates attacked a U.S.-flagged merchant ship off the coast of Somalia, but failed to board the craft, CNN reported on Tuesday, citing an unidentified NATO source.

The cable news network said the ship was now under military escort.

Microsoft rolls out India-specific gaming console – Xbox 360 Arcade

Rolling out its new entry-level gaming console Xbox 360 Arcade in India, Microsoft intends substituting it with the Xbox 360 Core model. The new console offers five interesting Zbox LIVE Arcade games – Uno, Luxor 2, Boom Boom Rocket, Feeding Frenzy, and Pac-man Championship Edition.

According to a statement released by the company, the new console will change the entire gaming spectrum, with its HDMI output to enable users experience the games in the highest-possible definition – up to 1080p, with the HDMI cable and network cable to be sold separately. The console also comes packed with a wireless controller.

Microsoft’s Xbox 360 Arcade is apparently an endeavor to bring forth a reasonably-priced version of the popular console for India. An upgraded model of the Xbox 360 version, the new console – which is largely designed for first-time users of gaming consoles – comes fitted with IBM PowerPC 3 core 3.2GHz processor and 512MB GDDR3 video memory.

The newly-launched India-specific Xbox console also comes with a number of entertainment features, including viewing photos, movies and music – it augments photos, video, music and TV; facilitating sharing of digital pictures and streaming of digital media. Furthermore, it provides its users with other online console gaming pitch such as downloadable high-definition and standard-definition content!