The Bancorp Bank Announces Strategic Alliance with Franchise America Finance to Create a National SBA Guaranteed Lending Program for Franchisees

April 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

WILMINGTON, Del.–(Business Wire)–
The Bancorp Bank (“Bancorp”), a wholly owned subsidiary of The Bancorp, Inc.
(NASDAQ: TBBK), today announced a strategic alliance with Franchise America
Finance to create and implement a national SBA guaranteed lending program for
start-up and expanding franchise businesses. Bancorp will make funding available
to new and existing franchisees who meet predetermined standards set by Bancorp.
The program will be limited to approximately 30 franchise systems with measured
performance and experience within their operations. Bancorp expects to create a
significant SBA lending program through this strategic alliance.

Diane Gallion, Senior Vice President of The Bancorp Bank, who recently joined
the Bancorp to establish Bancorp`s Government Guaranteed Lending Program said,
“The Bancorp Bank is very excited to enter the national franchise lending arena.
We are focused on lending to only the best of the best in franchising, while
helping the economy by stimulating job creation through a proven business
model.” Diane brings more than 30 years of SBA and Banking expertise to Bancorp
and actively participates in The National Association for Government Guaranteed
Lenders (NAGGL) as a National Instructor.

“This program is the first of its kind, providing a collaborative effort between
lender and franchisor to set up a predictable model for franchise financing,”
said Ronald Feldman, CEO of Franchise America Finance. “Franchise America
Finance has been designed with the best practices in franchise development, SBA
lending, and franchisee selection.”

Matthew Shay, President and CEO of the International Franchise Association (IFA)
said, “It is lending programs like this that can help move the country towards
economic recovery. The IFA study on capital access shows that for every $1
million of lending into the franchise business model, 34 sustainable jobs are
created. Innovative ventures such as Franchise America Finance will help
franchise businesses grow and create millions of jobs and greatly contribute to
the country`s economic health.”

Darrell Johnson, President of FRANdata said, “Capital access has become the
number one issue in franchising, impacting new unit growth, ownership transfers,
and even unit renovations. FRANdata has identified a recent trend in loan
decision-making where franchisor and franchise system performance matter more.
Bancorp`s disciplined approach that considers details about brand performance is
further evidence that better performing brands are being rewarded.”

For further information regarding The Bancorp Bank`s national franchise lending
program please contact Diane Gallion at dgallion@thebancorp.com.

About Franchise America Finance

Franchise America Finance (“FAF”) was formed by a group of franchising
professionals to address the void in the capital markets for franchising. FAF`s
services are in addition to the core franchise finance services that are
performed by Siegel Financial Group. FAF can provide senior and subordinated
debt, mezzanine financing and place equity for franchisors and franchisees.

About Bancorp

The Bancorp Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: TBBK)
is an FDIC-insured commercial bank that delivers a full array of financial
services and products both directly and through private-label affinity programs
nationwide. The Bancorp Bank’s regional community bank division serves the needs
of small and mid-size businesses and their principals in the
Philadelphia-Wilmington region.

Franchise America Finance
Ronald Feldman or Nate Greenberg, 610-668-9780
or
The Bancorp Bank
Andres Viroslav, 215-861-7990
andres.viroslav@thebancorp.com

Copyright Business Wire 2010

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , ,

Seagate Wins 2010 CRN Channel Champions Award for Hard Drive Technical and Support Satisfaction

April 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif.–(Business Wire)–
Seagate Technology (NASDAQ:STX), the world`s number one hard drive maker, has
won the 2010 CRN Channel Champion award for Technical Satisfaction and Support
Satisfaction in the SATA Hard Drives category. The CRN award is based on a
survey that measures overall solution provider perceptions of vendor products
and services. The survey is the largest and broadest-based technology integrator
market study in the industry.

“Receiving the CRN Channel Champion award is a great signal that we are focusing
our efforts in the right places,” said John Vossoughi, Seagate vice president,
America`s Sales, Marketing and Global Channels. “Our consistent focus is on
providing system integrators and resellers with the products, programs and
technical support they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive
marketplace. This is great news that the North American system builders have
recognized Seagate for delivering the highest level of technical and support
satisfaction in the industry.”

The high marks Seagate earned in technical satisfaction were in areas including
price for performance, product quality and reliability, and serviceability. The
support satisfaction categories include pre- and post-sales support; quality of
technical, marketing and sales training; availability of demonstration units;
and quality and availability of vendor technical training.

“Each year we survey the Solution Provider community to learn their satisfaction
with the technology vendors they work closely with to deliver solutions to their
customers. This survey is an essential resource for the Channel community,” said
Kelley Damore, VP, editorial director, Everything Channel. “We congratulate
these leading technology vendors on this recognition.”

Channel Champions award winners and related study will be published in the April
26, 2010 issue and online at www.channelweb.com.

http://seagate.com/twitter

http://seagate.com/facebook

http://media.seagate.com

About Seagate

Seagate is the worldwide leader in hard disk drives and storage solutions. Learn
more at http://www.seagate.com.

Copyright 2010 Seagate Technology LLC. All rights reserved. Printed in USA.
Seagate, Seagate Technology and the Wave logo are registered trademarks of
Seagate Technology LLC in the United States and/or other countries.

Seagate Technology
Michael Hall, 831-439-2731
michael.l.hall@seagate.com

Copyright Business Wire 2010

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“Letters To God” World Premiere at The Villages/Florida Poised As Pivotal Moment For Family Film Industry

April 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

NEW YORK–(Business Wire)–
Hollywood insiders have set their sights on Central Florida for one of the most
pivotal world premiere events in family entertainment history. Preparations
continue for the expansive gala red carpet celebration scheduled for Monday,
April 5th outside Orlando, Florida at The Villages/Sumter Landing. A myriad of
cast, crew and special guests are scheduled to appear as the inspirational film
market celebrates a milestone achievement with crowds now estimated to exceed
15,000.

The event, hosted and produced by DreamVision Motion Pictures and Animation
Studios, marks the singular most important moment in recent history for the
entire family entertainment market worldwide as the new Possibility Pictures
film “LETTERS TO GOD” from acclaimed producer/director David Nixon (one of the
producers of Fireproof, Facing The Giants) hits the big screen with the largest
nationwide release slate (900 screens) for an inspirational film since Mel
Gibson’s “Passion of The Christ.”

A heartfelt tale of inspiration, hope and redemption, Letters to God is the
story of what happens when one boy`s walk of faith crosses paths with one man`s
search for meaning as the boy faces a battle with cancer with bravery and
grace-the resulting transformational journey touches the lives of everyone
around them.

Inspired by a true story, Letters to God is an intimate, moving and often funny
story about the galvanizing effect one child`s belief can have on his family,
friends and community.

The celebrated cast includes:
Robyn Lively (30 Rock, Saving Grace)
Jeffrey S.S. Johnson (Burn Notice, CSI)
Maree Cheatham (Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Days of Our Lives)
Tanner Maguire (House M.D., Without a Trace)
Michael Christopher Bolten (Saving Grace)
with Bailee Madison as Samantha (Brothers, Just Go With It, Don`t Be Afraid of
The Dark, Bridge to Terebithia)
and Ralph Waite as Cornelius Perryfield (The Waltons)

“Letters to God” opens nationwide on Friday, April 9, 2010.

For Possibility Pictures
Seanna Hore, 818-286-4523

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , ,

Karzai: No op without locals’ consent

April 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

President Hamid Karzai, under fire for anti-Western remarks, distanced himself from his foreign backers in a speech on Sunday, telling tribal elders Afghans need to see their leaders are not puppets.

Speaking in front of some 1,500 elders at a shura or traditional council meeting in the southern city of Kandahar, Karzai said he would block an upcoming major NATO offensive in the area if it did not have the support of local people.

The commander of US and NATO forces General Stanley McChrystal, who flew down to Kandahar with Karzai, sat on the stage behind the Afghan President but did not speak.

“Afghanistan will be fixed when its people trust their President is independent … when the people trust the government is independent and not a puppet,” Karzai said, adding that government officials should not let foreigners meddle in their work.

“The other day, I told (Barack) Obama: ‘I can’t fix this nation through war,’” he said. “It has been eight years since this situation is going on, we want peace and security… I’m engaged with all my force to bring peace in this country.”

In his speech, Karzai promised to consult tribes before the operation and block it if they do not support it.

US Major General William Mayville, in charge of operations for NATO troops, played down those comments, saying the President was on board for the operation and was only trying to win support for it from the community.

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Apollo Medical Holdings, Inc. Announces Strategic Partnership with Benchmark Hospitalists to Provide Hospitalist Services at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center

April 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment

GLENDALE, Calif.–(Business Wire)–
Apollo Medical Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB:AMEH), a leading provider of hospitalist
services to the healthcare community, today announced that ApolloMed
Hospitalists, one of its affiliated medical groups, has entered into a strategic
partnership with Benchmark Hospitalists, a division of Emergent Medical
Associates, to provide hospitalist services at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical
Center, a 434-bed acute care hospital.

“We are excited about the opportunity to work with Benchmark to expand our
service offering to Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center. We look forward to
working with Benchmark on this and future collaborative projects,” stated Warren
Hosseinion, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Apollo Medical Holdings, Inc.

“Our partnership with Apollo allowed us to put in place a comprehensive
hospitalist solution for Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center,” stated Mark
Bell, M.D., President of Benchmark Hospitalists. “Benchmark is known for its
superior quality, efficiently run programs and we are pleased to be partnering
with ApolloMed who shares our tradition of excellence.”

ApolloMed named Kevin Berger, M.D. as the Hospitalist Medical Director for
Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center.

About Apollo Medical Holdings, Inc.

Apollo is a leading provider of hospitalist services to the healthcare community
in the Greater Los Angeles area. The company intends to capitalize on the
growing market for hospital-based physicians, such as hospitalists, or
physicians with expertise in hospital medicine. There are 4900 acute care
hospitals in the U.S., with over 35 million annual admissions. Total U.S.
spending on hospital care is over $650 billion, and is expected to increase to
$1.3 trillion by 2016. There are tremendous inefficiencies in the delivery of
inpatient care and a high rate of hospital errors. Both of these are drivers for
the growth of hospital-based medicine. Apollo and its affiliated medical groups
have proven expertise in providing excellent and efficient care to hospitalized
patients.

To learn more about ApolloMed, please visit our website: www.apollomed.net

About Benchmark Hospitalists

Headquartered in Manhattan Beach, CA, Benchmark is a premier provider of
hospitalist services in Southern California. Benchmark`s proprietary approach,
focus on clinical excellence and patient satisfaction, as well as its deep
experience in all aspects of hospital management, combine to allow the creation
of unique hospitalist solutions for each client and achieve superior results.
Benchmark has a proven track record of improving key performance and
satisfaction indicators and demonstrating a significant ROI on its hospitalist
programs.

To learn more about Benchmark, please visit our website: www.benchmark.md

ApolloMed PR Contact:
Kyle Francis
818-507-4617
or
Benchmark PR Contact:
Alecia Waisanen
424-241-1595
awaisanen@benchmark.md

Copyright Business Wire 2010

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Bon Jovi Announces Opening Act Contest for “The Circle Tour” Stadium Concerts in May & July

April 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment

U.S. & Canadian Groups Battle to Become “A SuperBAND Tonight”
LOS ANGELES–(Business Wire)–
Bon Jovi, who previously paved the way for opening act competitions with their
2006 “Have A Nice Gig” promotions, is raising the bar this year with a new
international opening act contest, “Bon Jovi`s Wanted: A SuperBAND Tonight!” In
partnership with OurStage, the online community-powered, new music discovery
site, “Bon Jovi`s Wanted: A SuperBAND Tonight!” is a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity for new acts to make their dreams come true — opening for Bon Jovi
in front of tens of thousands of cheering fans. Emerging artists will be invited
to open for Bon Jovi on each one of the selected AEG Live-promoted “The Circle
Tour” dates listed below.

While on their current tour, the GRAMMY Award-winning band hasregularly invited
fans inside their circle with numerous online initiatives. With “Bon Jovi`s
Wanted: A SuperBAND Tonight!” that tradition continues, asfans in each market
will also be eligible to win tickets just by judging (voting) in the
competition.

Richie Sambora says,”If you want to open a stadium show for us and think you`ve
got the chops to win – upload a track to `Bon Jovi`s Wanted: A SuperBAND
Tonight!`and we`ll be seeing you on tour!”

Bon Jovi is looking for Rock, Pop and Country groups to submit tracks for fan
voting – entries are accepted on Bon Jovi`s website and Facebook pages
(www.BonJovi.com/ourstage& www.facebook.com/BonJovi) and OurStage`s website
(www.OurStage.com). A blue ribbon panel from Bon Jovi management, OurStage and
AEG Live will pick the ultimate winners from the top 20 fan-ranked artists on
OurStage in each local competition. One local unsigned band in each market will
win an opening slot to perform approximately 20 minutes of original music.
Travel and expenses (if applicable) will be awarded to the winners as well.

Entries & judging begins: April 2, 2010
Entry period ends: April 21 at 11:59 pm EDT
Quarter-Finals/Top 20: April 24 at 12:00 am EDT
Semi-Finals/Top 10: April 28 at 12:00 am EDT
Final ranking/contest ends: April 30 at 12:01 am EDT
Winners announced: May 6 at 12:00 noon EDT

“Bon Jovi`s Wanted: A SuperBAND Tonight!” will be supported in the U.S. with
on-air mentions during the VH1 “Top 20 Video Countdown,” as well as with
graphics on Bon Jovi videos that air on VH1 and VH1 Classic, plus promotional
home page placement on VH1 and VH1 Classic Web sites. The contestwill be
supported in Canada with an on-air campaign on MuchMore`s THE DAILY FIX. There
will be home page placement and a dedicated entry page on MuchMore.ca. Both U.S.
and Canadian contests will be featured on OurStage.com, which receives more than
4.5 million visitors monthly.

In addition to being able to win tickets for judging, Bon Jovi fans who are not
musicians are still invited inside the circle with additional contests. They can
simply upload video of themselves performing (singing, lip-synching, etc.) the
band`s worldwide #1 song “Livin’ On A Prayer” to http://prayer.bonjovi.com, and
they could find their video being played on the tour`s mega-screens while the
band is on stage. Or, by clicking on http://twitter.bonjovi.com/, fans can
receive a chance to win two tickets to see Bon Jovi live in concert at New
Meadowlands Stadium-including $1,000 to get there and more.

The band’s 11th studio album, The Circle, debuted at #1 in numerous countries
including the U.S., Canada, Germany and Japan, with Top 5 debuts throughout
Europe and the UK. Globally, the band has sold more than 120 million albums, and
performed more than 2,600 concerts in over 50 countries for more than 34 million
fans. Bon Jovi’s previous run, the hugely successful 2008 “Lost Highway Tour,”
was Billboard’s top-grossing tour of the year.

Bon Jovi has also announced the addition of three special guests for their
series of inaugural concerts at the soon-to-be-opened New Meadowlands Stadium.
The three home state shows will feature GRAMMY Award-winning rockers Train on
Wednesday, May 26th; platinum-selling singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw on
Thursday, May 27th; and pop-rock hit-makers OneRepublic on Saturday, May 29th.

2010 “Bon Jovi`s Wanted: A SuperBAND Tonight!” North American Concerts
May 19 Hershey, PA Hersheypark Stadium
May 26, 27 & 29 East Rutherford, NJ New Meadowlands Stadium
July 15 Edmonton, AB Commonwealth Stadium
July 17 Winnipeg, MB Canad Inns Stadium
July 20 Toronto, ON Rogers Centre
July 24 Foxboro, MA Gillette Stadium
July 28 Regina, SK Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field
July 30 Chicago, IL Soldier Field

Additional “SuperBAND Tonight” dates will be announced shortly.

For more information on BON JOVI`s tour, visit BonJovi.com.

About AEG Live

AEG Live, the live-entertainment division of Los Angeles-based AEG, is dedicated
to all aspects of live contemporary music performance. AEG Live is comprised of
touring, festival, exhibition, broadcast, merchandise and special event
divisions, fifteen regional offices, and thirty state-of-the-art venues. The
company is currently producing tours and productions including Cher at The
Colosseum at Caesars Palace and Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through the Hits at
The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The concert tour roster
includes artists such as Taylor Swift, The Black Eyed Peas, Bon Jovi, Leonard
Cohen, Celine Dion, Miley Cyrus, Kelly Clarkson, Wisin & Yandel, Britney Spears,
Kenny Chesney, P!nk, Paul McCartney, KISS and American Idols Live. AEG Live is
the largest producer of music festivals in North America from the critically
acclaimed Coachella Music & Arts Festival to Stagecoach and New Orleans Jazz &
Heritage Festival. For more information, go to
www.aeglive.comhttp://www.aeglive.com/.

About OurStage

OurStage is an online music destination unlike any other. It`s a meeting space
for music lovers, and the place where tomorrow`s stars get discovered. Artists,
fans and the entire industry come together here to celebrate and influence new
music. Undiscovered artists submit their tracks to monthly music channels, fans
rank their material, and industry professionals keep tabs on who`s rising
through the charts, rewarding the best of the best with priceless opportunities.
Fans and artists are eligible for monthly prizes and life-altering prospects for
success, made possible through OurStage`s partnerships with media giants such as
MTV; key radio conglomerates like Citadel Media and Radio-One; leading Web
outlets like AOL Music; and major music festivals such as Bonnaroo, Bumbershoot,
Noise Pop and CMJ. Founded in 2007, OurStage delivers music and editorial
coverage to over 4 million monthly visitors from more than 170 countries, as
well as development tools to more than 120,000 artists. For more information on
the world`s most authentic online music community, visit www.ourstage.com.

For “Bon Jovi`s Wanted: A SuperBAND Tonight”:
Scoop Marketing, 213-639-6162
Erik Stein, estein@solters.com
or
For AEG Live:
Scoop Marketing, 213-639-6166
Eve Samuels, esamuels@solters.com
or
For BON JOVI:
Sunshine, Sachs & Assoc., 212-691-2800
Ken Sunshine / Tiffany Shipp, shipp@sunshinesachs.com

Copyright Business Wire 2010

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Shia Muslims to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on Monday

September 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Lucknow, Sept 20 (ANI): A senior official of Shia Muslim community has said that Eid-ul-Fitr would be celebrated on Monday.

Kalbe Sadiq, Shia cleric and senior vice president of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, said here that the Ramadan moon would be sighted on Sunday.

“I can say without any doubt that in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and in India, the moon will be sighted on Sunday. Sunni, Shia and all other sects of Islam will celebrate the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr on Monday,” Sadiq said.

However, Sunni Muslims disagreed, saying they would wait for the sighting of moon before declaring Eid.

“If the moon is sighted on September 20, or if the sighting in reported form anywhere, then Eid will be celebrated on the 21st. And if it is not sighted on the 20th and there are no reports either, in that case it will be celebrated on the 22nd,” said Maulana Khalid Rasheed, head of Lucknow’s Firangi Mahal.

During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims observe a daylong fast and open it in the evening.

At the end of Ramadan, Muslims throughout the world observe a joyous three-day celebration called Eid-ul-Fitr.

Eid-ul-Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal, the month, which follows Ramadan in the Islamic calendar. It is a time to give in charity to those in need, and celebrate with family and friends the completion of a month of blessings and joy. (ANI)

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405th installation anniversary of Sri Guru Granth Sahib

September 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Agra, Sep 19(ANI): People of all religions and communities gathered to celebrate the 405th anniversary of the installation of the Sikh holy scriptures, Sri Guru Granth Sahib, at Gurudwara Maithan in Agra.

This was a significant landmark for the Sikhs, as the 275-year-old handwritten scripture, whose front pages are written with gold, was put on display for the devotees.

“The Guru Granth Sahib has the preaching or ‘bani’ of famous poets like Kabir ji, Guru Ravidas ji and Baba Farid ji. It is symbol of humanity and so people of all the religions have gathered here to celebrate the ‘Prakash Parv’, the installation ceremony together,” said Kanwldeep Singh, President of Sri Gursikh Sabha.

Also on display was a miniature scripture of Guru Granth Sahib, which has been preserved at the Gurudwara Maithan for the past 15 years.

“We have Guru Granth sahib of 1 X 1 inches long. The British for the convenience of Sikh soldiers especially designed the holy book during the First World War, as they could not carry a normal sized book in the battlefield. The miniature Guru Granth Sahib was printed in Germany. It was kept in a silver box,” said Gyani Kashmir Singh, head Granthi of Gurudwara Maithan.

To mark the anniversary of the installation of Guru Granth Sahib, special prayers were also held in the Gurudwara premises, which once the house of Mai jassi that was visited by Guru Sri Tegh Bahadur.he gurudwara is currently undergoing renovation and will be expanded to facilitate the large number of devotees visiting the shrine.

A total of 20 million dollars will be spent on renovation and construction of new Gurudwara, a 100-bed hospital and a community hall.

Gurudwara Maithan also upheld the tradition of Langar, which has been followed over the centuries. Guru Arjan Dev and Mata Ganga set the precedent of preparing and serving food to the hungry, in the langar hall, where all social, economic and religious barriers collapse and all – the laborer, the lord, the peasant and the prince, are treated alike and served the same food in the same manner.

This is a practice of great social significance, and it is the key to the understanding of Sikhism. By Brijesh Sharma (ANI)

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Pak’s ambivalence in cracking down on Saeed clear : NYT

September 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New York, Sep.19 (ANI) : Pakistani authorities may have filed cases against Lashkar -e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafeez Mohammad Saeed, the alleged mastermind of the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, but Islamabad’s actions are being considered as a mere ‘hogwash’.

The New York Times, while reporting the actions taken against Saeed, said the ambivalence of Pakistani authorities in cracking down on the LeT’s fouder leader was clear.

The newspaper highlighted that the Pakistan government has never been serious regarding putting a check on Saeed and his covert terror activities being run under the LeT’s charity organization Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD).

“Even after he was placed under house arrest in December, the government took steps to soften the blow, allowing him, for instance, to hold a defiant news conference before his confinement began,” it said.

While the Pakistan government has been maintaining that it is seriously carrying out the probe regarding the 26/11 massacre, and tried to show the same to the international community especially the US by booking Saeed under the anti-terrorism act, its ‘bluff’ was laid bare when Saeed’s lawyer disclosed that the case registered against his client were ‘very weak’.

“I have gone through both the FIRs against Saeed thoroughly. The charges against my client are very weak. He has expressed his views like any other Pakistani,” Saeed’s lawyer AK Dongar told a private television channel.

Pakistani authorities also revealed that they have not received any instructions for arresting Saeed despite the registration of two cases against him. (ANI)

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‘Dirty Dancing’ town planning memorial for Patrick Swayze

September 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Sep 19 (ANI): Locals of a North Carolina community, where Patrick Swayze’s film ‘Dirty Dancing’ was shot, are planning a memorial service for the late star.

The ‘Ghost’ star died on Monday evening after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

The town of Lake Lure will pay homage to the 57-year-old during a memorial service on Saturday evening at Firefly Cove, a housing development that was Camp Chimney Rock when ‘Dirty Dancing’ was filmed.

Many outdoor scenes in the film were filmed there, as was the cabin of Johnny Castle, Swayze’s character.

While the memorial service is free, visitors will be asked to donate to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Rev Everette Chapman, who will be speaking at the memorial service, said that the town’s residents remember Swayze as a kind family man.

Chapman, who lived at Lake Lure when the movie was filmed but did not meet the actors, said he would talk about Swayze’s determination to live each day to the fullest.

“I’ll ask people their memory of him and just talk about him as every woman’s heart-throb and every man’s envy,” said Chapman.

Although organisers have no idea how many people to expect, they have still arranged for police officers to help with parking. (ANI)

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Rihanna does a poppet on string in see-through net dress

September 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, September 19 (ANI): Singer Rihanna did a poppet on a string while sporting a see-through black net dress.

The R-B lady was seen maintaining her balance on a trapeze with ease as she hung in mid-air.

Meanwhile, the 21-year-old’s former beau Chris Brown has been juggling life after starting community service for assaulting her, reports the Sun.

Brown assaulted Rihanna after getting into an argument as they left a pre-Grammy party in Los Angeles this February.

The shamed star was ordered 180 days community labor for the brutal attack, a year of domestic violence counselling and put on probation for the next five years. (ANI)

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Braless Rihanna shows off pierced nipples in New York

September 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Melbourne, Sept 18 (ANI): Rihanna has flaunted her pierced nipple whilst out and about in the Big Apple.

Hitting the streets yesterday in denim shorts, hooded cardigan and a see through black top- showing off a silver nipple ring, the singer seemed embracing the Janet Jackson Super Bowl look, reports The Daily Telegraph.

Meanwhile, her ex-beau Chris Brown has started community service for assaulting her.

He was snapped picking up rubbish.

Brown has to complete 180 days community service for the attack and will also be on probation for the next five years. (ANI)

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Missing Hindu nurse’s parents’ pleas in Pak falling on deaf ears

September 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Karachi, Sep.18 (ANI): Family members of the Hindu nurse, Bano, who disappeared from Karachi last month under mysterious circumstances, have urged the government to step into the issue and direct the concerned authorities to pursue the matter seriously to find out her whereabouts.

Bano’s uncle and the head of the Hindu Maheshwari community, Narain Das feared that her niece could have been killed or forced to convert her religion.

“The incidents of kidnapping our community girls’ have recently increased alarmingly and despite our repeated protests and approaches to the higher authorities, nothing has so far been done to protect the community members. Kidnappers have recently kidnapped several girls as young as thirteen and fourteen years old,” Das said.

The police has arrested Gulzar, who worked with Bano in the hospital, but failed to gather any substantial report regarding her whereabouts.

Gulzar has told officials that Bano has accepted Islam and married her boyfriend Jaffer, but Bano’s parents fear she has been murdered.

When enquired about the issue, Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs Dr Mohan Lal said he would look into matter and issue guidelines to concerned authorities.

“I would personally talk to the police authorities and will ensure her release as soon as possible,” The Daily Times quoted Lal, as saying. (ANI)

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Kerala church in hosts iftar party

September 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Kottayam (Kerala), Sep 18 (ANI): An ancient church in Kerala became the perfect setting for communal harmony, hosting an iftar party on Thursday.

The iftar was organised in St. Mary’s Forane church Athirampuzha.

People from all faiths took part in the iftar that aimed to spread the message of love.

“The world is witnessing communal divide. Everyone should live as the children of the same parents. Communal strife will lead to destruction of the world order,” said Kunju Mohammad, Muslim cleric at nearby Athirampusha mosque.

Father Mani Puthyidam, parish priest at Athirampuzha church said, “It’s easy to divide but difficult to unite. The aim of this community iftar is to spread the message of love and brotherhood in this,” said Puthyidam.

T. S Gopinanthan Nair, secretary of Nair Service Society, a Hindu outfit, termed the iftar as a good example of communal harmony.

“We want to spread the message of love and unity in this place, Athirampuzha is a classic example of communal harmony,” Nair added. (ANI)

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Zardari being unnecessarily targeted for his overture to India: Editorial

September 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Sep.17 (ANI): An editorial in one of the leading English dailies of Pakistan has highlighted that President Asif Ali Zardari is being unnecessarily targeted and criticized by certain quarters in the country even if he attempts to address the long pending issues with India in his bid to de-escalate tension between the two neighbour countries.

The Daily Times editorial said while Zardari is condemned for his overture to India, similar actions taken by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif goes unnoticed in the country.

“President Zardari is pilloried if he makes a friendly overture to India; a similar overture made by Mr Nawaz Sharif is either ignored or actually praised,” the editorial said.

It also brought to light how several retired army officials and bureaucrats have suddenly jumped out of their retirement to denounce Zardari’s every action.

“Retired generals and retired bureaucrats whose ‘stand-still’ strategy with India in the past has brought Pakistan to its present crisis point, have crept out of their retirement to express their shock at how President Zardari is harming Pakistan through his diplomacy with China, the United States and the European Union,” the editorial stated.

The editorial went on to add that Zardari is right in his part to woo the international community, especially China and the US.

“Pakistan needs a lot of placatory diplomacy, not hostile ‘action’, given its past failed strategies,” it concluded. (ANI)

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Tibetans living-in-exile surprised over China’s opposition to Dalai Lama’s visit

September 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Gangtok, Sep 17 (ANI): Members of the exiled Tibetan community living at Gangtok said China’s opposition to the Dalai Lama’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh is “surprising”.

The Dalai Lama plans to visit Arunachal Pradesh soon. China has claimed part of Arunachal as its territory.

The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader’s aide said the Dalai Lama would be in Arunachal Pradesh state in the second week of November.

The intended visit has already sparked off controversy. China claims about 90,000 sq km of Arunachal Pradesh as part of its territory.

The Dalai Lama’s travel plan was announced a week after the completion of his visit to Taiwan, a self-ruled island claimed by Beijing. China denounced the trip.

“This time round when they (Chinese Authorities) are making some kind of pressure or some kind of opposition to the upcoming visit of his holiness to Arunachal Pradesh it is really very surprising.

Why would they complain when the government of India has no problem in his holiness visiting Arunachal Pradesh? So why should people of republic of china have some problem?” said Zimba Bhutia, Tibetan youth committee member.

“Chinese authorities have always been against the trip of Dalai Lama. So I think that they should know why Dalai Lama has been there. Dalai Lama has been welcomed by the people of Arunachal Pradesh as the spiritual and a Buddhist monk,” said Dhondup Dorjee, Tibetan welfare officer of Sikkim.

A visit to Arunachal Pradesh could now draw further attention to China’s treatment of Tibetan activists and the Dalai Lama’s calls for cultural and religious freedoms and autonomy. (ANI)

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Now, ‘Australian Fritzl’ who raped daughter, fathered four kids emerges

September 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Melbourne, September 17 (ANI): Lisa Neville, Australian Community Services Minister, has come under fire after huge number of bungling in the child protection services emerged, including a sex horror case of a man accused of fathering four children with his daughter.

Neville is expected to be faced with calls to resign after revelations of failed attempts by Victoria’s Department of Human Services (DHS) to conduct proper background checks on a known sexual predator before letting a child into his care.

The accused is said to have caged his daughter as a virtual prisoner, raping her almost daily from when she was 11 years old, reports the Herald Sun.

All the four kids bore by the woman, who is now under the care of authorities in a safe house, had health problems when delivered in major hospitals in Melbourne. One of the kids died soon after birth.

Their birth certificates do not hold the name of their fathers, prompting alarms as to why questions were not asked at the time.

The man denied the allegations, but was charged after DNA tests allegedly proved he was the father of her children. He is due to appear in court in November.

Comparisons have been drawn between the case and that of Josef Fritzl, the Austrian man who held his daughter as a sex slave for 24 years and fathered seven children with her.

Minister Lisa Neville told ABC Radio: “I was extremely appalled to see the allegations.”

“They are only allegations and are before the courts at the moment and we need to be very careful about how much detail we go into,” Neville said.

“I became aware of this from the media today and I don’t know what, or if, (there has been) any involvement of the police, the department or other agencies … over the past 30 years.

“This will be a priority to look into,” she added. (ANI)

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Climate change will lead to less ultraviolet radiation over northern high latitudes

September 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Imphal, Sep.16 (ANI): “Move onward with the Lord within your heart and with the footprints of your ancestors in your eyes’ is the greatest moral teaching from Heigru Hidongba ceremony held every year in Manipur.

Heigru Hidongba, a socio-religious ceremony, to exhibit the firm devotion of the descendants of the Great Grand Mantri Anandashai of Lord Bejoy Govindajee was recently held in Imphal.

Devotees brought offerings of Heigru (Amla) fruit to the almighty on the 11th day of Langban Manipuri month which coincides with September to bring prosperity to the community.

During this festival a special boat race ‘Hiyang Tanaba’ is held in the sacred Thangapat Moat of Sagolband, Bejoy Govinda in Imphal amidst singing of devotional songs and a lot of clamour.

It attracted a huge number of spectators on this occasion. “We have organized the ceremony so that we can come and pray together so that the ills of the society will be removed and also for peace to be restored in our land that is filled with violence. In other places, it is celebrated anytime as a festival but we celebrate it as it is our custom,” said Boshana, organiser of the Heigru Hidongba festival.

“This is the 231st Heigru Hidongba Festival. The main theme of the festival is about preserving the age old traditional beliefs and customs of our culture,” said Magochandra, a local resident.

Devotees converged at the Bijoygobinda Moat at Sagoband to witness the ceremony symbolising the unity, which was once deeply rooted amongst the Manipuris’ ancestors and for their struggle for peace and freedom.

Devotees, today, believe that the ceremony brings prosperity to the State and overcomes ills of the society. (ANI)

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Faster visa to US under Delhi consular section

September 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep 15 (ANI): The US Ambassador to India, Timothy Roemer on Monday inaugurated the US Embassy’s new Consular (visa) section in New Delhi.

The new facility is the result of a multi-year, 10 million dollar expansion that would permit the embassy to provide faster and better consular service to the Indian community, particularly catering to northern India.

James Herman, Minister Counsellor for Consular Affairs at the United States Embassy, told reporters that new consul section doesn’t mean that more visas would be issued, but it would help clear the backlog.

“The new facilities designed here are to allow us the capability to process more visas. It doesn’t mean that we are issuing more visas. It is simply a matter of making sure that we can process all the visas applicants who want to apply for visas in India,” he added.

“Three years ago the average waiting time in India for a visa appointment was a little bit over six months, that is now down to a well under two weeks. In some place like Chennai for example it’s just a two-day wait. So the point is to give us the capability of processing as many visas as there are applicants,” Herman said.

The new facility doubles the waiting area, triples customer seating, adds a modern queuing system to guide customers through the visa process and adds many interviewing windows to ensure that visa applicants and American citizens can speak to an officer more quickly and in a convenient, modern environment.

The demand for consular services in India has surged to new levels, mirroring the deepening strategic partnership. Over the past five years, the issuance of U.S. non-immigrant visas in India have more than doubled from approximately 275,000 in 2003 to approximately 560,000 in 2008.

Speaking on the recent travel advisory issued to the Americans travelling to India, Herman said that it is routine and just meant for the safety of US citizens.

“The travel alert is for a wider audience. It’s basically says the same things as last two warden messages. So if you look at it it’s the way we communicate with Americans who travel…it’s a fair assessment,” he added.

The travel alert recently posted on US embassy website states that last years Mumbai terror attacks provides a vivid reminder that hotels and other public places being attractive targets for militant groups.

The advisory ask US citizens to maintain heightened situational awareness and a low profile. (ANI)

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