S.M. Krishna attends cultural programme in Beijing

April 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Beijing, April 6 (ANI): Visiting External Affairs Minister S.M.Krishna participated in a cultural event, organized to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-India bilateral relations, here on Tuesday evening.

The special function was also attended by high-level Chinese officials, who appreciated the captivating show put up by half a dozen Chinese students by performing Indian classical dances and singing various popular Bollywood songs here this evening.

The children won everyone’s heart here with their splendid performance and said that they like Indian art and culture and have developed a passion for it.

Local Chinese here believe that exchange of art and culture is the strongest medium to bring the Indian and Chinese societies together. By Lokendra Singh (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , ,

Chesapeake Energy Corporation Announces 2010 First Quarter Operational Update and Financial Results Release Dates and Conference Call Information

April 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

OKLAHOMA CITY–(Business Wire)–
Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK) has scheduled its 2010 first quarter
operational update to be released after the close of trading on the New York
Stock Exchange on Monday, May 3, 2010. Additionally, the company has scheduled
its 2010 first quarter financial results to be released after the close of
trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday, May 4, 2010.

The company has also scheduled a conference call to discuss both releases for
Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at 10:00 am EDT. The telephone number to access the
conference call is 913-312-0677 or toll-free 888-812-8589. The passcode for the
call is 4406803. We encourage those who would like to participate in the call to
place calls between 9:50 and 10:00 am EDT.

For those unable to participate in the conference call, a replay will be
available for audio playback at 2:00 pm EDT on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 and will
run through midnight Wednesday, May 19, 2010. The number to access the
conference call replay is 719-457-0820 or toll-free 888-203-1112. The passcode
for the replay is 4406803.

The conference call will also be webcast live on Chesapeake`s website at
www.chk.com in the “Events” subsection of the “Investors” section of our
website. The webcast of the conference will be available on Chesapeake`s website
for one year.

Chesapeake Energy Corporation is the second-largest producer of natural gas in
the U.S.Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the company’s operations are focused on
the development of onshore unconventional and conventional natural gas in the
U.S. in the Barnett Shale, Haynesville and Bossier Shales, Fayetteville Shale,
Marcellus Shale, Eagle Ford Shale, Anadarko Basin, Arkoma Basin, Appalachian
Basin, Permian Basin, Delaware Basin, South Texas, Texas Gulf Coast and East
Texas regions of the United States.Further information is available at
www.chk.comwww.chk.com.

Chesapeake Energy Corporation
INVESTOR CONTACTS:
Jeffrey L. Mobley, CFA, 405-767-4763
jeff.mobley@chk.com
or
John J. Kilgallon, 405-935-4441
john.kilgallon@chk.com
or
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jim Gipson, 405-935-1310
jim.gipson@chk.com

Copyright Business Wire 2010

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

Invitel Holdings A/S Announces SEC Filing to Deregister and Cease Reporting Obligations

April 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment

NEW YORK–(Business Wire)–
Invitel Holdings A/S (Pink Sheets:INVHY) announced that it has filed a Form 15
today with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The filing of
the Form 15 by Invitel Holdings will enable Invitel Holdings to deregister from
the SEC and to cease reporting under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. Upon the filing of the Form 15, the obligation of Invitel Holdings to
file periodic reports with the SEC under the Exchange Act was suspended
immediately. Invitel Holdings still, however, has an obligation to file its 2009
Annual Report on Form 20-F, which it intends to file by the June 30, 2010
deadline. The deregistration will be effective 90 days after the filing (July 2,
2010), unless the Form 15 is earlier withdrawn by Invitel Holdings or denied by
the SEC. Invitel Holdings reserves the right to withdraw the filing of the Form
15 for any reason prior to its effectiveness.

COMPULSORY ACQUISITION PROCEDURE BY MID EUROPA

As previously announced, the decision by Invitel Holdings to delist its American
Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) from the NYSE Amex and to deregister from the SEC
follows the completion by Mid Europa Partners of its tender offer to purchase
any and all of the outstanding ordinary shares of Invitel Holdings and any and
all of the ADSs representing such ordinary shares. Following the completion of
the tender offer, Mid Europa now owns approximately 91.8% of the outstanding
ordinary shares of Invitel Holdings. Mid Europa has begun the process to acquire
the remaining Invitel Holdings ordinary shares in a compulsory acquisition
procedure under Danish law (the “Compulsory Acquisition”). The Compulsory
Acquisition is expected to be completed by July 8, 2010, at which point Mid
Europa is expected to own all of the outstanding ordinary shares of Invitel
Holdings. As a result of the initiation of the Compulsory Acquisition, Invitel
Holdings has commenced the process of terminating the Deposit Agreement dated
February 27, 2009 with Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, which governs the
ADSs. The termination is expected to be effective following the completion of
the Compulsory Acquisition.

ABOUT INVITEL HOLDINGS A/S

Invitel Holdings A/S is the number one alternative and the second-largest fixed
line telecommunications and broadband Internet Services Provider in the Republic
of Hungary. In addition to delivering voice, data and Internet services in
Hungary, it is also a leading player in the Central and Eastern European
wholesale telecommunications market.

Forward-Looking Statements and Legal Information

The information above includes forward-looking statements about Invitel Holdings
A/S and its subsidiaries. These and all forward-looking statements are only
predictions of current plans that are constantly under review by Invitel
Holdings. Such statements are qualified by important factors that may cause
actual results to differ from those contemplated, including those risk factors
detailed from time to time in Invitel Holdings` U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”) filings, which may not be exhaustive. For a discussion of
such risk factors, see Invitel Holdings` filings with the SEC including, but not
limited to, its 2008 Annual Report on Form 20-F. Invitel Holdings operates in a
continually changing business environment, and new risk factors emerge from time
to time. Invitel Holdings cannot predict such new risk factors, nor can it
assess the impact, if any, of such new risk factors on its business or events
described in any forward-looking statements. Invitel Holdings has no obligation
to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect the
occurrence of future events or circumstances.

Invitel Holdings A/S
Chief Financial Officer
Robert Bowker
Hungary: (011) 361-801-1374

Copyright Business Wire 2010

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Merge Healthcare Announces Private Placement of Preferred and Common Stock

April 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment

MILWAUKEE–(Business Wire)–
Merge Healthcare (NASDAQ: MRGE) (“Merge”), a health IT solutions provider,
announced today that it has completed a private placement of preferred and
common stock totaling $41.75 million, which is specified for use in funding a
portion of the proposed acquisition of AMICAS, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMCS) (“AMICAS”), a
provider of medical imaging software and services. Pursuant to the
previously-announced definitive merger agreement between Merge and AMICAS, a
subsidiary of Merge commenced a tender offer on March 19, 2010 to purchase all
of the outstanding shares of common stock of AMICAS for $6.05 per share of
common stock validly tendered in the tender offer and not withdrawn. The merger
agreement contains a commitment from Merge to provide $40 million in preferred
equity to the acquisition. This private placement will satisfy that commitment
and is scheduled to close prior to the close of the tender offer to AMICAS
shareholders.

Merge entered this securities purchase agreement with fourteen institutional and
other accredited investors, pursuant to which Merge will issue an aggregate of
41,750 shares of Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock and 7,515,000 shares of
common stock for a total purchase price of $41.75 million, before fees and
expenses. The securities to be issued in the private placement have not been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)
or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States
absent registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or an
applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
Merge has agreed to file a registration statement with the SEC covering the
resale of the common stock issued in the private placement, provided however,
that pursuant to the terms of the securities purchase agreement the investors
shall be restricted from transferring the shares acquired in the private
placement without the prior consent of Merge (other than to an affiliate) until
the earlier of the first anniversary of their issuance or the occurrence of a
“change of control” as defined in the securities purchase agreement.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of
an offer to buy any security. The terms and conditions of the tender offer are
described in the tender offer documents, which have been mailed to AMICAS
stockholders and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In
particular, Merge has filed with the SEC a tender offer statement on Schedule TO
setting forth in detail the terms of the tender offer and AMICAS has filed with
the SEC a solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 setting forth
in detail, among other things, the recommendation of the AMICAS board of
directors that AMICAS stockholders tender their shares pursuant to the tender
offer. These documents contain important information about the transaction, and
investors and security holders are urged to read them carefully before making
any decision with respect to the tender offer. Investors and security holders
can obtain free copies of the Schedule TO, Schedule 14D-9 and other filings
containing information about Merge and AMICAS, without charge, at the SEC`s
website (http://www.sec.gov). A free copy of the tender offer materials may also
be obtained from Merge`s website at http://www.merge.com and from the AMICAS
website at http://www.amicas.com. In addition, investors and security holders
will be able to obtain free copies of these documents by contacting Laurel Hill
Advisory Group, the Information Agent for the tender offer, at 100 Wall Street,
22nd Floor, New York, New York 10005, Telephone: (888) 742-1305.

About Merge Healthcare

Merge Healthcare Incorporated develops solutions that automate healthcare data
and diagnostic workflow to enable a better electronic record of the patient
experience, and to enhance product development for health IT, device and
pharmaceutical companies. Merge products, ranging from standards-based
development toolkits to sophisticated clinical applications, have been used by
healthcare providers, vendors and researchers worldwide for over 20 years.
Additional information can be found at www.merge.com.

About AMICAS

AMICAS, Inc. (www.amicas.com) is a leading independent provider of imaging IT
solutions. AMICAS offers the industry`s most comprehensive suite of image and
information management solutions – from radiology PACS to cardiology PACS, from
radiology information systems to cardiovascular information systems, from
revenue cycle management solutions to enterprise content management tools
designed to power the imaging component of the electronic medical record (EMR).
AMICAS provides a complete, end-to-end solution for radiology practices, imaging
centers, and ambulatory care facilities. Hospitals and integrated delivery
networks are provided with a comprehensive image management solution for
cardiology and radiology that supports EMR strategies to enhance clinical,
operational, and administrative functions.

Merge Healthcare Incorporated – cautionary statement regarding forward-looking
statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements,” including
forward-looking statements regarding Merge`s offer to acquire AMICAS. Merge has
used words such as “believes,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “expects” and similar
expressions to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based
on information currently available to Merge and are subject to a number of risks
and uncertainties that may cause Merge`s actual results of operations, financial
condition, cash flows, performance, business prospects and opportunities and the
timing of certain events to differ materially from those expressed in, or
implied by, these statements. Such statements may also include, but are not
limited to, statements about the benefits of the proposed transaction, expected
future earnings, revenues, cost savings, operations, business trends and other
such statements that are not historical facts, which are or may be based on
Merge`s plans, estimates and projections. Such forward-looking statements
involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of Merge,
that could cause Merge`s actual results to differ materially from those
indicated in any such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are
not limited to, integration activities, increased competition, Merge`s ability
to integrate its software products with those of AMICAS, unanticipated expenses
in connection with litigation, settlement of legal disputes, regulatory
investigations or enforcement actions, Merge`s indebtedness and ability to pay
its indebtedness, tax law changes, failure to obtain necessary regulatory
approvals or required financing or to satisfy any of the other conditions of the
transaction, adverse effects on the market price of Merge`s common stock and on
Merge`s operating results because of a failure to complete the proposed
acquisition, failure to realize the expected benefits of the proposed
acquisition, significant transaction costs and/or unknown liabilities and
general economic and business conditions that affect the combined company
following the completion of the proposed acquisition. These risks, uncertainties
and other factors include, without limitation, those matters discussed in Item
1A of Part I of Merge`s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2008, and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September
30, 2009. Except as expressly required by the federal securities laws, Merge
undertakes no obligation to update such factors or to publicly announce the
results of any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect
future events, developments, or changed circumstances, or for any other reason.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with Merge`s consolidated
financial statements and notes thereto appearing in its Annual Report on Form
10-K, and Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in both its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2008 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 2009.

AMICAS, Inc.- cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the expected
benefits of the proposed transaction, future performance, and the completion of
the transaction. These statements are based on the current expectations of
management of AMICAS, involve certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that
are difficult to predict, and are based upon assumptions as to future events
that may not prove accurate. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ
materially from what is expressed herein. There are a number of risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the
forward-looking statements included in this press release, many of which are
beyond AMICAS` ability to control or predict. For example, among other things,
the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise
to the termination of the Merge Acquisition Agreement; the outcome of any legal
proceedings that have been or may be instituted against AMICAS and others
relating to the transaction; or the failure to satisfy other conditions to
consummation of the transaction; the failure of the transaction to close for any
other reason; the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the
transaction and the actual terms of certain financings that will be obtained for
the transaction; and other risks detailed in AMICAS` current filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including its most recent filings on
Forms 10-Q and 10-K, which are available at www.sec.gov. All forward-looking
statements in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements
and are made only as of the date of this release. AMICAS is under no obligation
(and expressly disclaims any such obligation) to update or alter its
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events, or otherwise.

Important additional information will be filed with the SEC.

Merge Healthcare
Media Contact:
Julie Pekarek
Chief Marketing Officer
414.977.4254
jpekarek@merge.com

Copyright Business Wire 2010

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South African officials withhold findings of Caster Semenya’s gender test

September 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Sep. 19 (ANI): Even before South African star athlete Caster Semenya’s gender was questioned at the World Championships in Berlin, Athletics South Africa (ASA) had found out and withheld the fact that she had internal testes, an e-mail exchange has revealed.

According to the e-mail exchanges published in the Mail and Guardian newspaper, ASA officials were aware of the findings of a Pretoria clinic that Semenya had internal testes and produced abnormal amounts of testosterone for a woman, Times Online reports.

It was ASA’s chief medical officer and team doctor, Harold Adams, who had suggested the need carrying out the tests on Semenya, 18, because of her deep voice, muscular body and facial hair, which later became a subject of controversy in Berlin.

Another email exchange shows that Adams later suggested that the results to be kept confidential while the South African team was in Berlin.

“Thinking about the current confidential matter, I would suggest we make the following decisions. 1. We get a gynae opinion and take it to Berlin. 2. We do nothing and I will handle these issues if they come up in Berlin,” the report quoted from Dr Adams’ email to ASA President Leonard Chuene and General Manager Molatelo Malehopo, as saying.

Following the IAAF establishing that Semenya was a hermaphrodite, South African officials not only angrily denounced it, but also denied carrying out their own tests.

Taking matters a step further, South African Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile lost his temper at a press conference and threatened to start a “third world war” if Semenya was banned from international competition because of her gender.

Earlier, Semenya’s ex-coach Wilfred Daniels had said the ASA had duped Semenya into thinking the gender test carried out on her were routine drug tests. (ANI)

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Catalyst simulations for fuel cells may make clean cars a reality

September 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Washington, Sep 18 (ANI): University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers are working towards developing better catalyst for fuel cells in a bid to make clean cars a reality.

If successful, the researchers could make a car that runs on hydrogen from solar power, and produces water instead of carbon emissions.

Materials science and engineering assistant professor Dane Morgan and Ph.D. student Edward (Ted) Holby have developed a computational model that could optimise an important component of fuel cells, making it possible for the technology to have a more widespread use.

The researchers investigated how particle size is related to the overall stability of a material, and showed with their model that increasing the particle size of a fuel cell catalyst decreases degradation and therefore increases the useful lifetime of a fuel cell.

Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that facilitate a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, producing electrical power and forming water.

In the type of fuel cells Morgan is researching, called proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), hydrogen is split into a proton and electron at one side of the fuel cell (the anode).

The proton moves through the device while the electron is forced to travel in an external circuit, where it can perform useful work, while at the other side of the fuel cell (the cathode), the protons, electrons and oxygen combine to form water, which is the only waste product.

One of the many hurdles to producing efficient fuel cells for widespread use is the catalyst added to aid the reaction between protons, electrons and oxygen at the cathode.

Current fuel cells use platinum and platinum alloys as a catalyst. While platinum can withstand the corrosive fuel cell environment, it is expensive and not very abundant.

Thus, to maximize platinum use, researchers use catalysts made with platinum particles as small as two nanometers, which are approximately 10 atoms across.

These tiny structures have a large surface area on which the fuel cell reaction occurs.

However, platinum catalysts this small degrade very quickly, which means that the fuel cell doesn’t last long.

The researchers have found a possible solution to the rapid degradation problem-when it comes to catalyst particle size, sometimes smaller isn’t better.

In their modelling work, they showed that if the particle size of a platinum catalyst is increased to four or five nanometers, which is approximately 20 atoms across, the level of degradation significantly decreases.

This means the catalyst and the fuel cell as a whole can continue to function for much longer than if the particle size was only two or three nanometers.

“Fuel cells are just one of many energy technologies – solar, battery, etc. – with enormous potential to reduce our dependence on oil and our carbon emissions. Computer simulation offers a powerful tool to understand and develop new materials at the heart of these energy technologies,” said Morgan. (ANI)

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Study on sheep shows link between personality, survival, and reproductive success

September 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Washington, September 16 (ANI): Canadian researchers have established a link between personality, survival, and reproductive success by carrying out a study on male bighorn sheep.

Denis Reale, a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at UQAM and Canada Research Chair in Behavioural Ecology, says that the new study offers insight into personality differences in animals and humans, from an evolutionary perspective.

Since 1969, several teams of researchers have been studying this population of bighorn sheep in Alberta, Canada. They have collected considerable data over the years.

Working in collaboration with researchers from the University of Sherbrooke and the University of Alberta, Reale identified the rams in terms of boldness and docility.

The researchers then conducted paternity tests to determine which rams were reproducing.

They point out that in a system like that of bighorn sheep where there is strong competition among the males for impregnating females, large size and high dominance status are normally key factors in a male’s success.

Males usually attain these conditions in the prime of life, between 6 and 12 years, the researchers say.

However, the paternity tests showed that some young males manage to fertilize females.

The researchers also concentrated on the risk associated with participation in the rut-males can be injured or fall from a cliff in fighting.

Reale and his colleagues hypothesized that the young males that manage to reproduce would be the boldest and most combative, and analysis of the data confirmed it.

However, in exchange for sexual precocity and risk-taking, these rams often die younger than their more docile peers. The latter, instead, invest in the long term, breed later and reach an older age.

Based on their observations, the researchers came to the conclusion that their findings indicate a variation in the personalities and life histories of the population, with two extreme types: one that could be characterised as “live fast and die” and the other as “slow and steady wins the race”.

Depending on their personality, the males managed to breed and to transmit their genes, but in different ways.

The study demonstrates that personality has a direct influence on the lifestyle of individuals.

A research article describing the study has been published in the Journal of Evolutionary Biology. (ANI)

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Aussie police command wobbled by sexual harassment claims

September 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Sydney, Sep. 15 (ANI): Female police officers at an Australian police command have alleged that they were sexually harassed and intimidated by their male counterparts apart from being told that their place was in the home.

According to a complaint filed by a senior female constable at the Goulburn Local Area Command, five of her male colleagues sent sexually explicit emails to her and asked her to join a threesome.

Another three officers at the same command’s Bowral station have told their local MP they were “demeaned” due to pregnancy or because they were mothers, the Daily Telegraph reports.

The alleged harassment of the senior constable and sergeant began two years ago.

During one sleazy exchange in the police station, a senior colleague told the female constable that a threesome was “every man’s dream” and then suggested she “have a go” with the girlfriend of another officer.

The policewomen have also alleged that a local man was assaulted during an arrest in the middle of 2007 and that it was never investigated, despite his family attempting to make a complaint.

The senior constable said the arresting officer told her: “That guy’s a piece of s…, he was carrying on like a f…..t and mouthing off, he got what he deserved, we flogged him, he got pile-driven into the ground head first.”

A police spokesman said the women were the subject of a 181D action and faced a loss of confidence of the Commissioner.

“Their reward for a combined 37 years of dedicated front-line service is to be subjected to systematic bullying by male officers because of their gender and because they had the courage to stand up and complain about their treatment,” Hodgkinson said.
The two women have paid dearly for their service, with the senior constable needing surgery to fuse her spine last year and the sergeant suffering a broken back on duty. (ANI)

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Chidambaram says Maoists seeking alliance with north-east insurgent groups

September 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep 14 (ANI): Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Monday said that Maoists are seeking an alliance with northeast insurgent groups.

Addressing the inaugural session of a two-day conference on internal security threats, Chidambaram said the Maoists have been sought alliances with secessionists and insurgentse also said that terrorist groups, including the LeT and the JeM, are persisting with their endeavours to launch terror attacks.

“The Communist Party of India-Maoist besides targeting inimical forces was laying a greater emphasis on targeting infrastructure like roads, bridges,” he added

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will address the conference on Tuesday. He will also present police medals for meritorious services.

The conference provides an interactive platform for senior police professionals and security administrators to freely discuss and debate diverse national security related issues, as also the various operational, infrastructural and welfare related problems faced by them.

Its deliberations would also include formulation and sharing of professional practices and processes in tackling challenges relating to crime control and law and order management.

The conference offers opportunities for generation and exchange of new ideas on capacity building for the police in respect of manpower, training, logistics and advanced technology.

The Intelligence Bureau organised the first ever conference of IGPs in India in 1920 and since then, these conferences have been held regularly at New Delhi in the post-independence period. The first conference was organised in 1950.

To begin with, it was a biennial event, but after 1973, it became an annual meeting for the Heads of Police Organisations in the States/Union Territories and of the Central Police Organisations. Director, Intelligence Bureau, is the ex-officio Chairman of the conference. (ANI)

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DGPS/IGPs conference to deliberate on major internal security issues

September 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep 14 (ANI): Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram will inaugurate the DGPs/IGPs Confernce-2009 here today.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will address the conference on the second day and also present police medals for meritorious services.

The conference is expected to deliberate on major internal security threats, including left wing extremism, terrorism, coastal security, insurgency in the north-east and circulation of fake currency notes in the country.

The agenda also includes presentations on important policing issues such as the National Police Mission, corporate fraud and security arrangements being planned for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in 2010.

The conference provides an interactive platform for senior police professionals and security administrators to freely discuss and debate diverse national security related issues, as also the various operational, infrastructural and welfare related problems faced by them.

Its deliberations would also include formulation and sharing of professional practices and processes in tackling challenges relating to crime control and law and order management.

The conference offers opportunities for generation and exchange of new ideas on capacity building for the police in respect of manpower, training, logistics and advanced technology.

The intelligence Bureau organised the first ever conference of IGPs in India in 1920 and since then, these conferences have been held regularly at New Delhi in the post-independence period. The first conference was organised in 1950.

To begin with, it was a biennial event, but after 1973, it became an annual meeting for the Heads of Police Organisations in the States/Union Territories and of the Central Police Organisations. Director, Intelligence Bureau, is the ex-officio Chairman of the conference. (ANI)

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DGPS/IGPs conference to deliberate on major internal security issues

September 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep 11 (ANI): Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram will inaugurate the DGPs/IGPs Confernce-2009 on September 14.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will address the conference on the second day and also present police medals for meritorious services.

The conference is expected to deliberate on major internal security threats, including left wing extremism , terrorism, coastal security, insurgency in the north-east and circulation of fake currency notes in the country.

The agenda also includes presentations on important policing issues such as the National Police Mission, corporate fraud and security arrangements being planned for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in 2010.

The conference provides an interactive platform for senior police professionals and security administrators to freely discuss and debate diverse national security related issues, as also the various operational, infrastructural and welfare related problems faced by them.

Its deliberations would also include formulation and sharing of professional practices and processes in tackling challenges relating to crime control and law and order management.

The conference offers opportunities for generation and exchange of new ideas on capacity building for the police in respect of manpower, training, logistics and advanced technology.

The intelligence Bureau organised the first ever conference of IGPs in India in 1920 and since then, these conferences have been held regularly at New Delhi in the post-independence period. The first conference was organised in 1950.

To begin with, it was a biennial event, but after 1973, it became an annual meeting for the Heads of Police Organisations in the States/Union Territories and of the Central Police Organisations. Director, Intelligence Bureau, is the ex-officio Chairman of the conference. (ANI)

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Killer whales have to raise their voices to be heard over ship noise

September 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Washington, September 11 (ANI): A new research has determined that killer whales have to raise their voices to be heard over ship noise, and the effort may be wearing the whales out as they try to find food amid dwindling numbers of salmon.

According to a report in National Geographic News, scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) carried out the research.

The research indicates that the killer whales of Puget Sound, a complex of inland marine waterways in the northwestern part of Washington, US, make more calls and clicks while foraging than while traveling, suggesting that such mealtime conservations are key to coordinating hunts.

“(The killer whales’) call exchange is incredibly important, and vessel noises have the potential to mask these calls,” said research leader Marla Holt of Seattle’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center, which is run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Holt and colleagues’ previous research had shown that some killer whales make louder calls to be heard over vessel rumblings-just as people raise their voices to talk over the din of a cocktail party.

Now, the researchers think the cacophony could be causing the region’s killer whales to use up more energy during hunts, even as their preferred prey, chinook salmon, are on the decline.

In Puget Sound, a small group of killer whales known as the Southern Residents has been found to be particularly well-suited to eating salmon-even down to the whales’ tooth size.

These animals don’t eat seals or other mammals, as do the transient killer whales that migrate through the sound.

In the mid- to late 1990s, the Southern Resident population mysteriously shrank by nearly 20 percent, from 97 to 88 animals. Today, there are 85 individuals.

In 2005, the federal government listed the population as endangered under the US Endangered Species Act.

No one knows for sure, but the cause was likely a combination of fewer salmon, exposure to toxic contaminants, and vessel noise, according to Lynne Barre of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service Northwest Regional Office.

Holt’s work adds to existing data that have already prompted NOAA to propose a new killer whale protection law that would make all boats keep at least 600 feet (200 yards) away from the animals around Washington State.

The existing law allows boats to approach as close as 300 feet (100 yards), and some research has shown this influences the whales’ behavior.

“A lot of people would argue, Why focus on these vessel regulations?” Holt said. “But it’s one thing we can do immediately,” he added. (ANI)

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Ex-Mossad head says ‘Netanyahu agreed to Golan pullout’

September 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Jerusalem, Sep.10 (ANI): Former Mossad head Danny Yatom has claimed that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu agreed to withdraw Israeli troops from the entire Golan Heights during his first term in exchange for a peace deal with Syria and the normalization of ties between Jerusalem and Damascus. Yatom told Israel Radio that the proof for his claim was a document that appears in his new book, in which Ron Lauder, Netanyahu’s special envoy for talks with Syria at the time, reported the prime minister’s agreement to then-US president Bill Clinton.

The former Mossad chief said that although Netanyahu’s agreement didn’t bind him now, 11 years later, “he has to admit” that he did agree to withdraw from the territory.

Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan (Likud), however, told the radio station that the prime minister had not agreed to such a pullout and had repeated it on numerous occasions.

According to the Jerusalem Post, Yatom also told Army Radio on Wednesday night that only a military strike would stop Iran from attaining nuclear arms status. (ANI)

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Seven terrorists killed by Pak security forces in Malakand

September 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Rawalpindi, Sep 9 (ANI): The Pakistani security forces continued on Wednesday the search and clearance operations in Swat and Malakand during in which seven terrorists were killed.

According to a press release issued by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the security forces conducted search operation in Charai near Malam Jabba and during exchange of fire with terrorists a soldier died and two others were injured. Also, seven terrorists were killed.

At least 11 terrorists voluntarily surrendered to security forces in Sarsanai, shadhand Banda and Bar Shaur, The News reported.

Local Jirga handed over a terrorist to security forces in Bar Kabulgram near Martung.

In Bajaur Agency, the security forces conducted search operation in Nawaga Bazaar and apprehended local terrorists commander along with five accomplices.

A wanted terrorist Kalam Khan voluntarily surrendered in Khar.

The security forces continued the relief activities, as at least 10 trucks of mix rations have been distributed amongst the IDPs of Bajaur. Also, as many as 294,841 cash cards have been distributed amongst the IDPs of Malakand. (ANI)

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Pak intelligence’s severe ‘torture’ saved Rauf from being extradited to UK

September 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Sep.9 (ANI): The Pakistani intelligence had tortured Rashid Rauf, the alleged mastermind of the airliner bombing plot, so badly that Britain had to abandon its plan to prosecute him.

According to the Guardian, Rauf was treated so badly that he could not be extradited.

Rauf, who was born in Pakistan in January 1981 and raised in Birmingham, is described as a key figure in Al-Qaida’s most ambitious conspiracy against the western world since the 9/11 carnage.

Rauf has also been named as a possible ‘facilitator’ of the July 7, 2005 London terror attacks by MI5 and MI6.

Rauf, wanted in London for murder, was arrested in Pakistan in August 2006, but he later escaped from police custody in Rawalpindi in broad daylight just two weeks before the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

His escape also aborted an alleged plan said to be mutually agreed between Islamabad and London to exchange Rauf for two high-profile Baloch leaders wanted for allegedly waging war against the Pakistan army.

The Baloch leaders seeking sanctuary in the UK were arrested for the exchange purpose but after Rauf’s escape the court apparently released them for want of evidence. (ANI)

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Sensex breaches 16,000 mark

September 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Mumbai, Sep 7 (ANI): The Sensex of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) gained 325 points to reach 16,014 on Monday.

Markets have surged higher in the second half with the NSE Nifty has surging past the 4750 mark to reach a 52 weeks high and the BSE Sensex has also surged past the 16000 levels.

Accept ITC and Mahindra and Mahindra all the other companies gained from today’s transaction.

Among the major gainers were ICICI Bank, Reliance Industries, L and T, Bharti and HDFC. (ANI)

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Nifty touches 52 weeks high, telecom, ifra sectors gain

September 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Mumbai, Sep 7 (ANI): The Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) touched a 52-week high of 4743.75 on Monday following early trends of good purchasing in all Asian markets.

Earlier, during the intra-day the Nifty registered the high of 4737.20 and low of 4679.30.

Indian markets were well-poised Monday taking cues from the positive global markets as all the sectoral indices were up, led by gains in realty, metals and auto stocks.

According to the market analysers, the US markets closed up and other Asian markets are positive.

Asian stocks rose for a third day, led by finance and technology companies, as the G-20 nations agreed on steps to shore up the global financial system.

The Sensex of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) was at 15862.98, up 173.86 points the 30-share index touched a high of 15877.12 and low of 15793.27.

Amongst the sectoral indices, BSE Realty Index was up 2.13 per cent, BSE Metal Index moved up 1.60 per cent and BSE Auto Index gained 1.30 per cent.

BPCL 6.28 percent, Reliance Communications 3.36% percent, TCS 2.56 percent, Tata Motors 2.30 percent and Reliance Capital 2.20 percent were amongst the Nifty gainers. (ANI)

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Tribals attend RBI’s financial outreach camp in Tripura

September 6, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Agartala, Sep. 6 (ANI): Thousands of tribal families turned out to participate in a financial outreach camp organized by the Reserve Bank of India in Pitra village of Tripura.

The camp was organised with the objective of bringing awareness among villagers about banking norms.

“Bank wants to lend for projects which would generate economic activity will lead to development of north east.

So we have to be able to work together. The state government, the banks, the non-governmental organisations, the locals, Panchayati Raj institutions and the Reserve Bank will act like a catalyst to make people come together and work together for economic development,” said Usha Thorat, deputy governor, Reserve Bank of India.

Organised on the occasion of Platinum Year celebration of Reserve Bank, the camp witnessed hundreds of villagers gathered at the stalls of different banks for opening of new bank accounts.

The villagers were also informed and familiarized with various banking facilities, security features of currency notes, exchange their soiled and mutilated currency notes, exchange currency notes for coins and also look into their complains with regards to banking facilities.

“In the village there is no banking system and this camp will be of great benefit to us. The villagers had no means of saving but now we think we can save something for our future,” Bubantala Jamatia, a villager

Under the model, post offices, cooperatives, NGOs, financial institutions, self-help groups, retired employees of state or central government may act as an agent of the banks and provide services to people. (ANI)

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Now a model to predict when stock markets will crash

August 29, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, August 29 (ANI): A team of physicists and financiers have shown that it is possible to predict when growth in any stock exchange will become unsustainable and the market will crash, by successfully predicting a steep fall in the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Used for the purpose was a model that employed concepts from the physics of complex atomic systems, developed by Didier Sornette of the Financial Crisis Observatory in Zurich, Switzerland, and Wei-Xing Zhou of the East China University of Science and Technology in Shanghai.

Sornette, Zhou, and colleagues have revealed that their idea was that if a plot of the logarithm of the market’s value over time would deviates upwards from a straight line, it’s a clear warning that people are investing simply because the market is rising rather than paying heed to the intrinsic worth of companies.

The researchers say that projecting this trend may be helpful in predicting when growth will become unsustainable, and the market will crash.

They applied their model to the Shanghai Composite Index, which tracks the combined worth of all companies listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, the world’s second largest.

The index gained 50 per cent in just four months earlier this year.

It was in July that the team predicted that the index would start to fall sharply by August 10, and the index duly began to slide on August 4, falling almost 20 per cent in the subsequent two weeks.

The researchers, however, warn that anyone hoping to exploit the model for profit should think twice.

“If enough investors take action based on our predictions, the evolution of prices will probably be affected,” New Scientist magazine quoted Zhou as saying. (ANI)

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