EU carbon nudges down in quiet market open

June 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

(Reuters) – European carbon emissions futures were down 3 cents or 0.2 percent in early trade on Wednesday, following strong gains on Tuesday.

Gulf Oil Spill

EU Allowances for December delivery in 2011 were trading at 16.03 euros ($21.51) a tonne at 0705 GMT.

Dec-10 certified emissions reductions (CERs) were unchanged at 13 euros a tonne, setting the EUA-CER spread at 3.03 euros.

Traders said strong gains on Tuesday had prompted a more cautious opening across power, gas and carbon on Wednesday.

“All the markets are a bit slack, taking a breather,” one trader said. “It’s a very quiet open.”

“Carbon had a rally on Tuesday, gas and power too.”

A UK auction of 4.4 million EUAs on Thursday would bring more volume to the market, possibly delaying a new upward trend, he added.

“I think there’s essentially some bullish signals on carbon. But it’s a little premature given we have a lot of volume coming in. It’s likely we’ll retrace a little before we gain a new direction.”

German Calendar 2011 baseload power on the EEX was down 9 cents at 54.45 euros per megawatt hour.

Oil rose for a third day on Wednesday, nearing $73, after an industry report showed a larger-than-expected decline in U.S. crude stocks, bolstering the view that a glut will dwindle as demand resurges.

(Reporting by Gerard Wynn; editing by James Jukwey)

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Zealous, Inc. Is Now CoreStream Energy, Inc.

June 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA, Jun 04 (MARKET WIRE) —
Zealous, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: ZLUS) announced that it has begun operating as
of today as CoreStream Energy, Inc., an oil, gas and energy holding
company, and has a new management team along with a newly appointed Board
of Directors that will provide the expertise to lead the Company in its
new direction. All non-energy related assets and holdings will be
divested into a new publicly-traded company to be ultimately named Health
and Wellness Partners, Inc. The stock of the new publicly-traded entity
will be used to settle the debt with creditors of Zealous, Inc. and its
subsidiaries. “After very careful and timely consideration, we believe
this is the best solution for our shareholders and quickly eliminates the
Company’s legacy debt. We have so far over 60% of our creditors approving
the deal,” said Milton “Todd” Ault, III, the outgoing President, CEO and
Chairman of Zealous, Inc.

CoreStream Energy, Inc. starting today will be led by Chris Rainbolt, the
newly installed CEO and Chairman. Mr. Rainbolt, 44, is an Oklahoma native
and comes from a family deeply rooted in the oil, gas and energy industry
for over a hundred years. “CoreStream Energy is perfectly positioned to
take full advantage of opportunities left behind by larger,
over-leveraged exploration and production companies left in the wake of
the recent market volatility. His depth of contacts and knowledge of the
industry makes him the ideal choice to lead this new energy company,” Mr.
Ault explained. CoreStream Energy, Inc. will be headquartered in Dallas,
Texas.

More details will be provided in the near future including information
about new lease positions, production purchases, drilling schedules, and
oil & gas wells being brought on-line in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, and
Mississippi. “Today we find the need for more oil and gas production
within the United States paramount as the country tries to reduce its
dependence on foreign sources. Alternative energy sources are believed to
be decades away from economic viability, and certain new government
restrictions may be placed on the development of significant new fields.
Today’s world needs, combined with declining sources and fluctuating
world conditions, suggests a continued climb in the value of quality oil
and therefore a great opportunity for CoreStream Energy both near and
long term,” said Mr. Rainbolt.

The investor and creditor conference call scheduled for today has been
postponed to Monday, June 14th 1:30pm EDT. The call has been delayed to
allow the new CEO and Chairman to prepare remarks and issue an update of
CoreStream Energy’s operations and opportunities. Those that have
requested to participate in the conference call today will still
participate as will any investor or creditor that sends an email to
ir@zealousinc.net.

About CoreStream Energy, Inc. formerly Zealous, Inc.
Zealous, Inc., a
Nevada Corporation, is now called CoreStream Energy, Inc. and is an oil
and gas energy holding company based in Dallas, TX. CoreStream conducts
its existing business through its wholly owned subsidiaries: Zealous
Interactive, Inc., Health and Wellness Partners, Inc., and Zealous
Capital Group, Inc. It trades on the OTC Markets as ZLUS.PK and will be
formally changing its trading symbol soon.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can
generally be identified as such because the context of the statement will
include words such as Zealous, Inc. “plans,” “expects,” “should,”
“believes,” “anticipates” or words of similar importance. Stockholders,
potential investors and other readers are cautioned that these
forward-looking statements are predictions based only on current
information and expectations that are inherently subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause future events or results to differ
materially from those set forth or implied by the forward-looking
statements. Certain of those risks and uncertainties are discussed in our
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our annual
report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. These
forward-looking statements are only made as of the date of this press
release and Zealous, Inc. does not undertake any obligation to publicly
update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or
circumstances.

Contact:
Gary Patterson
Phone: (714) 369-2933 direct
Email: ir@zealousinc.net

Copyright 2010, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

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Critics, ex-players want to axe Smith, Kallis and Boucher from Proteas 20-20 squad

May 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Cape Town (South Africa), May 13 (ANI): Critics have said that it is time for South African cricketing stalwarts Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher to make way for better performers in the Tweny20 format.

Former South African convenor of selectors Omar Henry is demanding the heads of the trio in the country’s Twenty20 side.

“I would axe Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher and even Graeme Smith from the T20 team. I believe we need to build a new side and head in a new direction,” Sports24 quoted Henry, as saying.

Even though he was very critical of Smith’s captaincy in the tournament, he would keep the captain and Kallis in the squad until next year’s World Cup on the subcontinent.

“Kallis is worth a lot as an all-rounder in 50-over cricket. I would retain Smith as captain, but he would have to agree to a number of changes in how he goes about his job,” added Henry.

Henry was unimpressed with the decision to let Kallis open the batting.

Kallis managed an impressive 171 runs in the tournament, but his strike rate was only 116.32, Some of the other opening batsmen that performed well scored their runs at a faster rate.

Majola said it would be dangerous to jump to conclusions in the heat of the moment.

“I don’t recognise the South African team that played there. We weren’t even close to being in the picture in this tournament. It was a shock to see those performances. I’m looking for answers,” he said.

Former South African coach Ray Jennings said that the question needed to be asked who was calling the shots in the team. (ANI)

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Cup a financial boost, but sweeping changes on cards – NZ

April 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Striding around in the hot autumnal sun at North Harbour Stadium in a metallic grey shirt without a tie, shaking hands, amiably chatting with all and sundry, Michael Glading looks at ease.

The New Zealand Football (NZF) chief executive should be.

The organisation posted a significant, in a symbolic sense, NZ$1.35 million ($976,800) surplus for the last financial year, which it announced at its board meeting on Thursday.

The significance was that it was not only almost a NZ$1 million increase on the previous year, which had itself reversed four years of deficits, but an indication he believes the sport may be well positioned for a new direction.

“There is something happening around football in New Zealand,” a smiling and effusive Glading told Reuters at the All Whites pre-World Cup camp on Friday. “Anyone who doesn’t see that has got their head in the sand.”

The sport is indeed riding the crest of a popular wave at present in the rugby-mad country.

The All Whites are in Auckland for a camp ahead of the June 11-July 11 tournament in South Africa — their first trip to the finals since their only other appearance 28 years ago in Spain.

The Wellington Phoenix were within a game of making the A-League final, while amateur side Auckland City confounded pundits to finish fifth at the Club World Cup last December.

Last year’s financial success had been achieved through New Zealand’s participation at the Confederations Cup, a sell-out for the Asia/Oceania World Cup qualifier against Bahrain in Wellington, and greater organisational efficiency.

Strong foreign exchange earnings had also paid dividends.

To capitalise on that success, Glading said the board had signed off on a new strategic direction for the sport, that would be made public towards the end of May.

The former Sony Music (NZ) managing director was reticent to give away specifics, but hinted it would concentrate on the development at the youth level, talent identification and standardisation of coaching and other practices.

NZF had visited six countries — Australia, Britain, Japan, Switzerland, Netherlands and Germany — to ascertain what development pathways the respective soccer bodies had in place to provide them with their own strategic framework.

CUP BOOST

Glading said, despite the on-field success, the strategy had been developed without the financial boost that will stem from the World Cup being factored in.

“They have had good plans and good ideas in the past but they have petered out through lack of money (and) … I guess we have more certainty around the strategy,” he said about the expected NZ$11m windfall they would receive from participating in Group F with champions Italy, Paraguay and Slovakia in South Africa.

“It’s effectively a 10-year plan and that will roll out next year. That was always part of the plan. What the World Cup has done is that it has brought some income and we can plan with a bit more certainty.

“Now we can say that we can make some sweeping changes, in bite size (chunks) and do it over a 10-year period. That’s the difference. I think it’s really exciting.”

The World Cup had also allowed NZF to approach more sponsors with the idea of establishing long-term agreements, while they had recently agreed with pay television broadcaster Sky Television to cover the All Whites World Cup warmup matches.

While the World Cup may be a catalyst to provide a legacy for the sport, Glading was adamant his organisation would not be relying on it in the future.

” We can’t be writing a business plan based on World Cups. … It’s all about sustainability.

“The organisation in the past has had a succession of booms and busts and this board is hell bent on avoiding that.

“We are very confident that we will be able to achieve that.”

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Labor’s door open on Greens deal

April 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Tasmania’s returned Premier has left the way open for a power-sharing deal with the Greens.

The Governor, Peter Underwood, ended a dramatic chapter in Tasmanian politics yesterday when he told the caretaker Premier, David Bartlett, he had an obligation to test the strength of his government on the floor of the house.

The Greens announced yesterday they would not initiate or support no-confidence motions against a minority Labor Government in a new Parliament, unless a new deal was negotiated by Labor or the Liberals.

The Governor then asked Mr Bartlett to test support on the floor of the next Parliament, dashing the Liberal’s expectations of minority Government.

The Premier-in-waiting says his mission is to restore trust in Tasmania’s political system.

“I intend to make the government work in the interests of all Tasmanians for the next four years,” he said.

Mr Bartlett has not ruled out a ministerial post for the Greens in a new cabinet but he said this morning he would be taking a “step-by-step” approach to achieve a stable parliament.

He believes Greens leader Nick McKim is also committed to making the new parliament work.

Mr McKim says part of the reason he decided to back Labor was because Greens voters favoured Labor in preferences.

He told ABC2′s News Breakfast his party backed Labor in the interests of stability and the fact they were the incumbent Government, but also because of Greens voters.

“There are various democratic ways you can assess the electoral intent of Tasmanian voters including if you want to have a look at preference flows from Greens voters,” he said.

“Significantly more, although less than normal, but significantly more Greens voters still preferenced Labor over Liberal in the last election.”

Mr McKim has welcomed an apparent new direction from Mr Bartlett.

Mr Bartlett has said his new Labor government needed to move away from the old way of doing things.

Mr McKim says that is what people voted for.

“I was encouraged to hear him say that we need to move away from some of the old paradigms because I think that’s an accurate reflection of the way the Tasmanian voted,” he said.

“The Tasmanian people chose, quite deliberatley, to elect a parliament with no one party in absolute power and I have absolute confidence that this parliament can work.”

No confidence move

Liberal Leader Will Hodgman has already flagged a no-confidence motion against Labor but the Greens will not support it.

He has accused the Greens of being dishonourable by pledging their support for a minority Labor Goverment.

“In their lust for power they’ve sold out to the Labor Party. [They were] soundly beaten at the election and have offered unconditional support,” he said.

“So when I said a vote for the Greens is a vote for Labor I was right.”

Mr McKim has urged Mr Hodgman to cooperate.

“He needs to put that disappointment behind him and not be a destabiliser or wrecker in the new parliament,” he said.

Labor and the Liberals hold 10 seats each in the new parliament and the Greens five.

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Immigration Place to replace bridge

March 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The group behind Canberra’s Immigration Bridge project will hold an international competition to design an alternative monument.

It has scrapped the original plan to build a commemorative bridge over Lake Burley Griffin and now wants to create a memorial to Australia’s migrants on land instead.

The 400 metre footbridge would have spanned the lake from Acton Peninsula to the Parliamentary Triangle.

But the proposal was criticised on aesthetic grounds and by boating clubs that say the bridge would have obstructed their activities on the lake.

Immigration Bridge chairman Laurie O’Donnell says the group changed its plans because of community opposition to the bridge idea.

“We want the monument to be something that all Australians can support and feel proud of,” he said.

“So we are moving in a new direction that we hope all sections of the community can unite behind.”

Immigration Place

A site for the new monument has not been formally approved but Mr O’Donnell says it will probably be located near the National Archives in the Parliamentary Triangle.

“The new vision is for an interactive space called Immigration Place,” he said.

“This will not be a static monument in the traditional sense but instead be a living space where people can see, hear and experience stories from the immigrant community.”

Mr O’Donnell says it could also be used to hold citizenship ceremonies.

Once a site is selected the design competition will be launched. It is hoped the monument will be completed in time for Canberra’s centenary celebrations in 2013.

Refund policy

Mr O’Donnell says people who paid to have their names inscribed on the bridge will not lose out.

“We want them to continue to support us because they have paid their money for their names,” he said.

“They will be recorded and displayed in the new Immigration Place and that will be part of the design brief requirement.

“If they don’t wish to proceed we’re making a refund policy which will be on the website and they can approach us for that.”

‘Sensible decision’

Peter Dowling from the ACT National Trust says he is pleased the bridge will no longer go ahead.

But he supports the idea of a monument to immigrants.

The trust believes the bridge would have been detrimental to the view across the lake and would have clashed with Walter Burley Griffin’s plan for Canberra.

Mr Dowling says common sense has prevailed.

“It is a very sensible decision,” he said.

“It would have been an awful thing to have a monument to immigrants to Australia but a monument that wasn’t appreciated.”

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Prachanda develops affinity with yoga guru Ramdev

March 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Kathmandu, Mar 29 (ANI): Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ”Prachanda” seems to have developed an affinity with Indian yoga guru Ramdev.

Yoga enthusiasts attending Ramdev”s camp in Kathmandu were surprised to find Prachanda in their midst on Monday morning.

“This is a happy coincidence, as Maoism and spiritualism have come together. It will strengthen nationalism,” said Ramdev.

Ramdev”s camp also attracted President Ram Baran Yadav and the Chairman of the ruling Communist Party of Nepal (UML), Jhalanath Khanal.

On Sunday, addressing the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) here, Ramdev said: “Yoga enhances creativity and productivity and gives your life a new direction.”

He said yoga prevents diseases, provides mental relief and ensures self-restraint.

“If you don”t suffer from any diseases, it is a saving of money,” he added

He highlighted the need for the business community to be more responsible to the people and society, as they are key sources of earning.

“It is the social, moral and religious responsibility of the business community to do something for people who help them earn money.” (ANI)

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Nitish expresses confidence in BJP’s capability to handle its crisis

August 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Patna, Aug.30 (ANI): Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday expressed confidence that Bharatiya Janata Party, which is presently faced with an internal crisis, is capable of solving its crisis.

“Leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party is capable of finding a solution to its crisis. There is nothing for us to say in the matter. Besides, this is an internal matter and they (BJP leaders) should solve it patiently. The newspapers are publishing more than the crisis in the Bharatiya Janata Party,” Kumar told reporters in Patna.

Nitish Kumar’s Jandal Dal (United) party is a member of BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.

Meanwhile in New Delhi, Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat met Lal Krishna Advani on Sunday morning.

The developments came even as RSS Chief Mohan Bhawat met Advani at breakfast on Sunday morning to discuss current and emerging issues in the BJP.

After the meeting, senior RSS leader Madan Das Devi told a press conference on Sunday morning that he was confident about the BJP resolving its problems.

“We (RSS) are hopeful that the crisis in the BJP will be resolved. The RSS is assured that the BJP will overcome all problems,” Devi said.

“We all think that a large party such as the BJP has the capability of being given new direction and end its problems. Important BJP leaders met leaders of the RSS. Shri L.K.Advani and other senior BJP leaders met us. We discussed issues of national importance, party issues etc. They have assured us that the problems of the party will be resolved,” Devi added. (ANI)

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Advani may step down before next Parliament session

August 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Aug.30 (ANI: Leader of Opposition L.K.Advani is likely to step down from his post before the next session of Parliament as part of the BJP succession plan formula, sources said.

As per the plan, reportedly devised by the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), there is also a move to put in place an advisory body of senior BJP leaders, which will include the names of Advani, former Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and senior leader Murli Manohar Joshi.

The developments came even as RSS Chief Mohan Bhawat met Advani at breakfast on Sunday morning to discuss current and emerging issues in the BJP.

After the meeting, senior RSS leader Madan Das Devi told a press conference on Sunday morning that he was confident about the BJP resolving its problems.

“We (RSS) are hopeful that the crisis in the BJP will be resolved. The RSS is assured that the BJP will overcome all problems,” Devi said.

“We all think that a large party such as the BJP has the capability of being given new direction and end its problems. Important BJP leaders met leaders of the RSS. Shri L.K.Advani and other senior BJP leaders met us. We discussed issues of national importance, party issues etc. They have assured us that the problems of the party will be resolved,” Devi added.

Sunday’s breakfast meeting between Advani and Bhagwat was the second between the two. They had earlier met on Saturday afternoon for about two hours at the RSS headquarters in Delhi – Keshavkunj to discuss various issues.

Saturday’s meeting took place amid reports that the RSS has readied a succession plan for the BJP. However, BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar told reporters at a press conference that no succession plan was discussed.

The RSS is believed to have told the BJP leadership to set its house in order. In a sign that this is being given serious thought, top brass of the BJP met at Advani’s residence yesterday morning for about two hours and briefed him about their discussions with Bhagwat on Friday.

The Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh (RSS) reportedly asked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership this morning to work on a blue print that it has handed over to ensure a smooth succession.

According to sources, Leader of Opposition L K Advani has been asked to preside over the exercise.

Sources also said that Advani had been told to step down after ensuring speedy implementation of the plan, but the RSS has left the timing of Advani’s exit to him. (ANI)

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BJP will solve its problems, soon, says key RSS leader

August 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Aug. 30 (ANI): Senior Rashtriya Swayam Sewak (RSS) leader Madan Das Devi on Sunday said he was confident about the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) taking appropriate steps to resolve all of its problems, including the issue of the party succession plan.

Addressing a press conference in the capital this morning after between RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and LK Advani, Devi said: “We (RSS) are hopeful that the crisis in the BJP will be resolved. The RSS is assured that the BJP will overcome all problems.”

“We all think that a large party such as the BJP has the capability of being given new direction and end its problems. Important BJP leaders met leaders of the RSS. Shri L.K.Advani and other senior BJP leaders met us. We discussed issues of national importance, party issues etc. They have assured us that the problems of the party will be resolved,” he added.

Efforts to resolve the growing crisis within the BJP continued on Sunday, with Bhagwat travelling to Advani’s residence here to hold a breakfast meeting.

Bhagwat, who was accompanied by senior RSS leader Madandas Devi, is expected to continue discussions on a new roadmap for the BJP, including a possible change of leadership.

Sources said the BJP will most likely announce a succession plan on Sunday. It is indicated that individual responsibilities in the party would be finalised in the coming weeks.

On Saturday, Bhagwat stepped up efforts to mediate an end to the BJP crisis. He held hectic parleys with L K Advani and top leaders including Murli Manohar Joshi.

There were indications that BJP could come out with some statement tomorrow but Sangh Parivar sources said nothing spectacular could be expected.

Advani is reportedly under pressure from rebels to step down as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha.

Various names are under consideration, including Arun Jaitely, Sushma Swaraj and Bal Apte. However, both the RSS and the BJP have maintained that they were not discussing any succession plan. (ANI)

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Gwyneth ‘wants to create an empire’

August 29, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Washington, Aug 29 (ANI): Actress Gwyneth Paltrow is considering launching her own line of lifestyle brands, according to sources.

The mom-of-two apparently wants to set an example for women and prove that it is possible to juggle motherhood with business.

“She has become a power multi-tasker, so she’ll take meetings while she’s sitting around her movie sets. Gwyneth wants to create an empire, but her first priority is always to her family,” Contactmusic quoted a source as telling FOX411 blog.

The insider said: “She is finding ways to merge the two so that other women and mothers will be able to do the same.”

The ‘Emma’ star is reportedly modelling herself on US entrepreneur Martha Stewart.

In fact, her singer husband Chris Martin seems to refer to her as Martha, who was a successful TV host, author and magazine publisher, until she was sentenced to five months in prison for certain charges.

A source said: “Chris has even dubbed her meetings about her new direction as her ‘Martha Stewart meetings’. Her plan is to stay visible in the occasional film, but to create products for real women.

“She is working on new products for her own beauty line under Estee Lauder and looking at different products for moms at home that she can tie to her website, GOOP.” (ANI)

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EU calls on Iran to respond to US overtures

May 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Luxembourg – European Union foreign ministers Monday called on Iran to respond positively to the United States’ recent diplomatic overtures and help find a negotiated solution to the nuclear standoff. “The EU warmly supports the new direction of US policy towards Iran, which opens a window of opportunity for negotiations on all aspects of Iran’s nuclear programme,” ministers said in a joint statement issued during talks in Luxembourg.

“The EU calls upon Iran to seize this opportunity to engage seriously with the international community in a spirit of mutual respect,” ministers said.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has so far offered only tepid responses to US President Barack Obama’s calls for dialogue, and the EU’s top diplomats warned Monday that relations between Iran and their 27-member bloc would depend on Tehran engaging “seriously with the international community.”

Iran is suspected of trying to equip itself with nuclear weapons through a uranium enrichment programme which Ahmadinejad insists is only for civilian use.

Mirek Topolanek, the outgoing prime minister of the Czech Republic, recently accused the EU of “underestimating” Iran’s nuclear threat.

EU foreign ministers responded to Topolanek indirectly on Monday by insisting that “Iran’s nuclear programme remains a matter of grave concern for the international community.”

The Czech Republic currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency, but Topolanek’s government was toppled by a no-confidence vote last month, and a caretaker government is now due to take office in early May. (dpa)

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Punjab’s honey train beats recession

May 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Ludhiana, April 30 (ANI): Punjab is predominantly an agricultural state and offers various opportunities to agro-based industries.

The leader among honey producers in the country is Doraha-based Kashmir apiaries exports.

The Kashmir apiaries are sending consignments of processed honey to 15 countries.t is a major achievement by Kashmir Apiaries Exports, which is targeting 100 per cent growth in the current fiscal through export of honey to Europe and Africa.
It is already exporting processed honey to 45 countries and is confident about raising its turnover from 43.6 million dollars in last fiscal to 80 million dollars in 2009-10.

India’s exports have been affected by the economic downturn but the ‘honey train’ comes as a morale booster.

“It was our dream project to send a train, which carries honey from Punjab to Europe, America and the Middle East. About 90 containers of honey have been loaded in the train, which will be sent to around 15 countries across the world. So, we have named it the ‘Honey Train’ and given it a slogan ‘Honey Train Beats Recession’. At this time of recession, when India’s exports have dipped by 35 percent, we are planning to provide a new direction to India’s agriculture and horticulture by sending out the honey train,” said Shahzada Singh, Director of the Kashmir Apiaries Exports.

India produces a total of 70,000 tons of honey every year, of which 25,000 tons is exported the world over.

Punjab’s contribution to Honey export is 5,500 tons, of which 3,000 tons worth three million dollars are exported to the U.S., UK, Europe and West Asia.

And Punjab-based Kashmir Apiaries Exports has made a significant contribution to overseas sales. At present we have about 25,000 colonies and in the coming years we are planning to increase them to 100,000-200,000 to boost our production. We are also training beekeepers, so that they can produce better quality of honey. We have laboratories, where experts test honey before exporting it abroad. Europe’s specifications are very strict and we have to send honey, which meets those specifications and matches their quality parameters. We are supplying antibiotic free honey to them,” said Jagjit Singh, Managing Direcetor, Kashmir Apiaries Exports.

“According to me, there is huge potential in agro-based industries and I believe that we have only tapped one to two per cent. The industry has immense prospects. Till now, India has been exporting raw material but I think the time has come when we should start processing and packaging our products to sell it directly in global market. India offers good raw material, which it can export after processing and packaging,” said Shahzada Singh, Director of the Kashmir Apiaries Exports.

The company’s backbone comprises a nationwide network involving thousands of small honey producers.

It sells honey sells under four brand names and 140-odd private labels, placing it among the world’s top five honey processors.

Kashmir Apiaries has been able to boost its exports by importing technology to improve quality. And, it plans to export its products to 100 countries by 2010 and market high-value byproducts like royal jelly and bee venom. By Karan Kapoor (ANI)

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Obama says he has no interest in running General Motors

April 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Washington, Mar. 31 (ANI): US President Barack Obama has clarified that his administration has “no intention” of running General Motors, even as the White House forced the automaker’s CEO to resign, and demanded it to come out with a “better business plan” so that the government can think of rescuing the company.

“Let me be clear. The United States Government has no interest in running GM. We have no intention of running GM. These companies and this industry must ultimately stand on their own, not as wards of the state,” Fox News quoted Obama, as saying.

Obama spoke after the White House forced GM CEO and Chairman Rick Wagoner to step down.

The move was not a “condemnation” of the chairman rather “recognition that it will take a new vision and new direction to create the GM of the future,” he said.

Obama said he was seeking “painful concessions” from GM and Chrysler, but neither company has submitted an acceptable restructuring plan, so he’s giving them additional time to come back with new proposals.

“We cannot, and must not, and we will not let our auto industry simply vanish. This industry is like no other, it’s an emblem of the American spirit. And we cannot continue to excuse poor decisions. And we cannot make the survival of our auto industry dependent on an unending flow of taxpayer dollars,” Obama said at White House.

Obama, however, warned that these plans wouldn’t prevent layoffs.

“There are jobs that won’t be saved, there are plants that may not reopen,” he said.

The companies may consider using US bankruptcy code for restructuring more efficiently, and Obama administration has vowed to support any such steps.

However, no automaker would be required to immediately repay government loan money they previously received, since that would force both companies into Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

In progress reports filed with the government in February, GM asked for 16.6 billion dollars more, while and Chrysler wanted 5 billion dollars more. (ANI)

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New York University closes down for U2 gig

March 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Mar 07 (ANI): Rock band U2 recently had a New York University closed down in a bid to entertain the pupils and the staff with a thrilling gig.

Fordham University in the Bronx was closed down for a confidential U2 concert, which was aired on American TV show ‘Good Morning America’.

The band then dedicated their set to the college kids, urging them to get the education they unfortunately opted out of.

“We’re a little combo from the north side of Dublin called U2. Hope you like our new direction. We formed a rock ‘n’ roll band so we could get out of college. Maybe if it looked like this, or felt like this, things could’ve been different,” the Daily Express quoted frontman Bono as saying.

“That’s where we came from, 17, 18 years old we started, even before we got to college so I hope we haven’t forgotten that this is exactly where we come from and we wanna pay respect to the great life we’ve been given,” Bono added.

U2′s drummer Larry Mullen Jr. revealed that the campus gig fulfilled a lifetime ambition for his father, who always had a regret that his son could not pursue his education.

“I’m so excited to be here but I’m just so pleased for my dad, because he’s gonna see this sometime soon and he’s gonna say, ‘My son Larry finally made it to college’, so I wanna thank GMA (Good Morning America) and you guys for making it real for Lawrence Mullen Senior,” Mullen said. (ANI)

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Iran ready to talk with America: Ahmadinejad

February 11, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Tehran, Feb.10 (ANI): Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said that his government is ready to hold talks with the Barack Obama administration, but added that they must be based on mutual respect and in a fair atmosphere.

Ahmadinejad spoke Tuesday at celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of the Iranian Revolution.

Fox News quoted Ahmadinejad as saying the Obama administration was willing to “bring about a number of changes.”

The hardline Iranian leader, however, said that he hoped the changes are “fundamental and not just tactical.”

On Monday, while addressing his first press conference after assuming charge as America’s 44th President,Barrack Obama said he was ready to explore every opportunity to engage with the Iranian leadership, and not see it as a rogue state with whom business could not be done.

On future relations with Iran, Obama said: “We should take an approach with Iran that employs all of the resources at the United States disposal, and that includes diplomacy, and so my national security team is currently reviewing our existing Iran policy, looking at areas where we can have constructive dialogue, where we can directly engage with them.”

“And my expectation is in the coming months we will be looking for openings that can be created where we can start sitting across the table face to face – diplomatic overtures that will allow us to move our policy in a new direction,” he added.

“There’s been a lot of mistrust built up over the years, so it’s not going to happen overnight, and it’s important that even as we engage in this direct diplomacy, we are very clear about certain deep concerns that we have as a country. That Iran understands that we find the funding of terrorist organizations unacceptable. That we’re clear about the fact that,” Obama said. (ANI)

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