Marine Harvest ASA: Thomas Farstad leaves Marine Harvest

June 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Acting CEO and Director Group Operations Canada, Scotland & Others, Thomas Farstad, has
decided to leave Marine Harvest ASA to join Aker Seafoods ASA as CEO.

Farstad has been working with Marine Harvest since 2003. He has been part of the
management team of the former Fjord Seafood (now integrated in the group) and Marine
Harvest. During his career with the company, he has been vital in turning around Fjord
Seafood and has successfully managed improvement programs in several operating units,
including Fjord Seafood Norway and Marine Harvest’s operations in Canada, Scotland and
Ireland.

“We are grateful for Farstad’s important contributions to Marine Harvest during these
years”, says Chairman Ole-Eirik Lerøy. “He has delivered strong results and a
willingness to take on increased responsibility and challenges. We wish him the best of
luck when he takes up his new position in Aker Seafoods ASA”.

Farstad will continue as Acting CEO of Marine Harvest ASA until July 19th when the new
CEO, Alf-Helge Aarskog takes up his position. Mr. Aarskog was appointed CEO on 30th of
March 2009, and joins Marine Harvest from the position as CEO at Lerøy Seafood Group.

Farstad will leave Marine Harvest later this year.

This information is subject of the disclosure requirements acc. to §5-12 vphl (Norwegian
Securities Trading Act)

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

Scenarios: What will happen after Belgium’s election?

June 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment

(Reuters) – The Flemish separatist N-VA party was on course to emerge as the biggest single party in the lower house of Belgium’s parliament after an election on Sunday.

World

The following is a look at what is likely to happen now.

SEARCH FOR A COALITION

Belgian governments typically comprise a group of parties representing a majority in Dutch-speaking Flanders and a separate group of parties from the French-speaking part of the country. The last ruling coalition was made up of five parties.

Forming a government can take some time — the present caretaker prime minister, Yves Leterme, took nine months to cobble together an administration after the 2007 vote.

About 60 percent of Belgium’s 10.6 million people speak Dutch, the rest French. A small number also speak German.

Within a few days of the election, King Albert typically appoints an “informateur.” The person, normally an elder statesman not expected to feature in the next government, holds talks with the parties and advises the king on which coalition is likely to be most stable and who should lead it.

The king then appoints a “formateur” to form and potentially lead a government.

N-VA IN GOVERNMENT, WITH FRENCH-SPEAKING PM

N-VA (Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie or New Flemish Alliance) has pledged to deliver more powers to richer Dutch-speaking Flanders and would ideally create a confederation, with Belgium retaining control over relatively few matters, such as foreign policy and the military.

All French-speaking party leaders have expressed a willingness to reform the state, but argued that the De Wever’s “confederal” system goes too far and is simply a step toward the dissolution of Belgium.

An important question is whether De Wever will toe the hard line of his campaign or show a willingness to compromise after his election victory.

De Wever has said he has no great desire to become prime minister as Flemish leaders who became premier have usually toned down their pro-Flemish rhetoric. He has suggested instead allowing a French speaker to become prime minister, for the first time since 1974, in return for a devolution deal [ID:nLDE64T02K].

The most likely candidate is francophone Socialist leader Elio Di Rupo because the socialists as a whole have the most seats.

Other Flemish parties also seek powers for their region, but most stop short of advocating the end of Belgium. Some analysts say there could be two rounds of coalition formation: one within the linguistic regions and one for a federal coalition.

MONTHS OF WRANGLING? Acting Prime Minister Yves Leterme took a record nine months to form a government in 2007. The delay increased the risk premium investors demanded for holding Belgian debt.

Economists say Belgium cannot afford another round of tortuous talks, with its debt-to-GDP ratio set to rise above 100 percent this year or next.

Analysts believe economic pressures and the fact that Belgium takes on the six-month presidency of the European Union at the start of July could focus minds.

De Wever has said there is no point in having talks that go on for six or seven months.

GOVERNMENT WITHOUT N-VA

Should the N-VA abandon efforts to form a government, other parties could rally round to create a coalition.

This might prevent financial speculators, looking for a next victim in the euro zone’s sovereign debt crisis, from targeting Belgium.

However, Flemish parties realize that voters have called for a reform of the state and might consider it political suicide to disobey the demands of voters for change.

NEW ELECTIONS

If French- and Dutch-speaking leaders cannot agree and talks drag on for months, a new elections may become inevitable, although it is not clear that the electorate would vote in any new way.

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

10 romance tips for men, by Miranda Kerr

May 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Sydney, May 21 (ANI): Australian model Miranda Kerr has offered men ten tips on how they can have romantic harmony with their partners and continue doing so.

Kerr, 27, told men’s lifestyle website AskMen.com that usually it is the little things that count, and that no matter what, they should at all times be themselves and pay attention to their partner’s needs.

She also said that staying healthy, showing affection and a willingness to pamper are also attractive qualities in the eyes of the fairer sex.

“In my experience, it is the random small gestures that I find the most romantic,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted her as telling the website.

“It could be something as simple as making me a cup of tea or being given a foot massage while we are watching a movie at home after a long day at work.

“If more men made an effort to do these little things for their partner throughout their everyday life they would be guaranteed to have a more romantic relationship,” she added.

Kerr’s 10 romance tips:

1. Treat her like a goddess

2. Pamper her

3. Be healthy

4. Get a baby sitter

5. Tell her she is beautiful and romance her

6. Don’t be afraid to show her love

7. Know what you want

8. Connect with her

9. Listen to her

10. Buy the right size (ANI)

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

US not fighting Afghan people: Clinton reassures

May 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Washington, May 14 (ANI): US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has rubbished reports of the ambitious Kandahar reclamation operation having a devastating effect on the city and its people.

Clinton maintained that Washington has learnt its lessons after the counter-insurgency operations in Iraq.

“They want to have a successful counter-insurgency operation that doesn”t destroy Kandahar in the effort to save Kandahar,” BBC News quoted Clinton as saying with reference to US commanders in Afghanistan.

“We”re not fighting the Afghan people,” she added during a visit to the US Institute of Peace with President Karzai.

The goal was “to help the people of Kandahar to recover the entire city to be able to put it to the use and the benefit of the people of Kandahar,” she said.

Meanwhile the Obama administration has expressed its willingness to accept the surrender of militants who have cut ties with Al-Qaeda, as long as they renounce their obsolete views regarding women and display respect for women’s rights.

It was “essential that women”s rights and women”s opportunities are not sacrificed or trampled on in the reconciliation process,” said Clinton, earlier on Thursday to three senior female Afghan officials travelling with Mr Karzai, the report said. (ANI)

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

Four issues key to improving US-Afghan ties: Ex-envoy

May 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Washington, May 12 (ANI): Former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, has said restoring fractured ties between the United States and Afghanistan is dependent on four big issues.

In an article for the Washington Post, Khalilzad said that the first step would be to restore confidence, as there is a substantial trust deficit between Washington and Kabul.

It is well known that the Obama administration has serious doubts about Karzai”s reliability and effectiveness as a partner.

Therefore, according to Khalilzad, President Obama would have to as a second step not only facilitate Karzai with a “red carpet” welcome, but also produce credible agreement on specific issues when they meet at the White House today.

“It would be good for both sides to begin negotiating a new framework for bilateral relations, perhaps by updating the five-year-old Strategic Partnership Agreement,” the former envoy opines.

“This discussion needs to be pragmatic and realistic, not driven by pride or slogans. Our administration needs to show a willingness to review and improve the U.S. government contracting process, which is undeniably part of the problem. This could prove to be an area of constructive collaboration, given mutual goodwill,” he adds.

The third issue that could dominate talks is how Karzai plans to deal with the Taliban.

According to Khalilzad, Washington still thinks Karzai”s goals and strategy on this sensitive matter are unclear.

“A mutual understanding of an acceptable end state on how to deal with the Taliban is critical, as are the steps that would be necessary to get there,” he says.

Coordinating regional strategy would be the fourth and final issue that the leaderships of these two countries would have to discuss.

Khalilzad said that success in Afghanistan depends heavily on relations among key regional players, several of whom are being unhelpful.

“For example, Iran would like to see the United States abandon Afghanistan. Pakistan would prefer that Washington “subcontract” Afghanistan to it. Both are telling Karzai that the United States will abandon Afghanistan. These points must be clarified during his visit,” he says.

According to another report appearing in the Politico, State Department AFPAK hands believe their efforts to give a positive tone Karzai’s visit has been successful.

The team of Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard “Holbrooke and State people were very happy” with how it went at State Tuesday, one Afghan expert who dropped by the meetings told POLITICO.

“They did their job,” the Afghan expert judged of the State Department on-message reception for Karzai, adding: “it’s up to the White House not to mess it up tomorrow (Wednesday).”

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hosted Afghan President Hamid Karzai and a dozen accompanying cabinet ministers at a dinner at Blair House Monday night and for all day ministerial meetings Tuesday, including at least three Clinton-Karzai joint public appearances at which Clinton and Karzai extolled the friendship between their countries.

Karzai also visited wounded U.S. soldiers at Walter Reed hospital Tuesday, and will visit Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday, demonstrating the investment in American lives the United States is making in trying to stabilize Afghanistan – a sacrifice Karzai said he recognized and appreciated.

According to Politico, Karzai heads to the White House Wednesday for meetings with President Barack Obama, a joint news conference, and lunch with Obama.

Vice President Joseph Biden is due to host Karzai for a dinner Wednesday night, and Senator John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has invited Karzai to lunch on Thursday.

The Obama administration has decided that Karzai is the elected president and they have to work with him, an Afghan expert said. (ANI)

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

China signals willingness to peacefully resolve border-disputes with India

May 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 12 (ANI): China has expressed its willingness to work toward maintaining peace and stability on the border until differences with India are finally resolved.

In response to media reports documenting several transgressions from the Chinese side into the Indian territory, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Jian Yu said, “China”s position on the Sino-Indian border issue is consistent and clear,” Xinhua reports.

She reiterated that Chinese border patrols have always abided by the rules and regulations of the consensus agreed to by the two sides.

According to the paper, China and India have reached a consensus to work together to maintain peace and stability in border areas until the disputes are finally settled. (ANI)

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

Malaysian Indian Congress seeks to reinvent itself

May 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Kuala Lumpur, May 7 (ANI): The resurgence of Malay-Indian support in favour of the ruling coalition Barison Nasional has brought the subject of succession within the Malaysian Indian Congress into the limelight.

The tide of Malay-Indian support of MIC is being attributed to the fielding of a young, more proactive candidate.

Long-time MIC President S. Samy Vellu president is facing pressure to retire sooner than the expiration of his term in May 2012.

According to the Star, the Barisan’s top leadership is confident it can sway Indian voters but only with a new man at the helm of the MIC.

“A new leadership and a new era would bring hope to the voters. The Barisan is also changing rapidly and we can’t talk change with the political veterans clinging on. A new era requires a new leadership MIC,” said a senior Barisan leader.

MIC deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel, who gave up his seat in favour of the younger P. Kamalanathan, was made a senator on Monday and has said he is ready to helm the party.

“I am ready to take charge,” Palanivel said recently but added, “Samy Vellu has to give way.”

His appointment as senator, and possibly a minister later, gives his political career a major lift and prepares him to take over from Samy Vellu.

According to former vice-president Tan Sri K.S. Nijhar, one of Samy Vellu’s closest allies Samy Vellu has expressed his willingness to give up the presidential post in to make way for younger candidates time and again.

“I am confident the MIC leadership will make the transition smooth and soon,” he said.

A stable and intelligent power transition is necessary in the MIC to ensure that the Barisan capitalises on the momentum generated by the Hulu Selangor by-election. (ANI)

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

Pink cricket ball for MCC-Durham curtain raiser

March 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, Mar 29 (ANI): The annual curtain raiser match between the MCC and Durham, the Champion County, will be played under floodlights with a pink ball which is likely to change the future of Test cricket

The annual curtain-raiser has shifted to Abu Dhabi where Durham will meet an MCC side boasting experience in the form of Mark Ramprakash and promise in the diminutive shape of James Taylor, Leicestershire’s talented 20-year-old batsman.

Keith Bradshaw, the chief executive of the MCC, said today’s match will be played under floodlights with a pink ball, an innovative way to make longer version of the game interesting.

“If the ball stacks up here, performs well, holds its shine and shape and the players have good visibility, then that’s as good a test as any,” The Independent quoted him, as saying.

“I would like to think that if the tests go well and the ball stacks up that we could implement this fairly quickly,” he said.

“The research we undertook showed there was a willingness among fans to attend day-night Test cricket.

“I would encourage the ICC and other boards that if the trial goes well, let’s implement it as soon as we can. If it stacks up and we get good reports, then why not?” (ANI)

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

Pak-US strategic talks going to be meaningless: Sources

March 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Mar. 22 (ANI): The much-anticipated Pak-US strategic dialogue, scheduled to be held in Washington on March 24, would end without any major breakthrough from Pakistan’s perspective, as the US is unlikely to address Islamabad’s “national security concerns” regarding India, diplomatic sources have warned.

“The strategic dialogue process would be of no meaning, as the US authorities failed to address Pakistan’s national security concerns relating to India,” The Nation quoted military sources, as saying.

They added that the future of bilateral co-operation between Pakistan and the US would largely depend on Washington’s willingness to address Pakistan’s security concerns.

“The US has ostensibly taken position that it would not address Pakistan’s concerns relating to India, which shows the level sincerity being exhibited by the US officials in addressing Pakistan’s national security concerns”, a source said.

The source added that American lollypops like the Kerry Lugar Bill would not be enough to satisfy Pakistan and the US would have to recognise the country as a legitimate nuclear-armed state.

“If US can recognise India as a legitimate nuclear armed state, what stops the US authorities in according Pakistan the same concessions,” the source said.

The other issues Islamabad is likely to raise during the crucial dialogues are: the Indo-Afghan propaganda against Pakistan army and its intelligence agencies, India’s involvement in Balochsitan and its constant efforts to destabilise Pakistan through the Afghan border and Pak-Afghan border management. (ANI)

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

Being true to yourself guarantees a healthy romantic relationship

March 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Washington, Mar 16 (ANI): For better romantic relationships, be true to yourself, that’s the suggestion of a new study.

The study examined how dating relationships were affected by the ability of people to see themselves clearly and objectively, act in ways consistent with their beliefs, and interact honestly and truthfully with others.

In other words, the ability to follow the words of William Shakespeare: “to thine own self be true,” said Amy Brunell, lead author of the study and assistant professor of psychology at Ohio State University’s Newark campus.

Findings showed that college students who reported being more true to themselves also reported more positive dating relationships.

“If you’re true to yourself, it is easier to act in ways that build intimacy in relationships, and that’s going to make your relationship more fulfilling,” Brunell said.

The study appears online in the journal Personality and Individual Differences and will be published in an upcoming print edition.

Participating in the study were 62 heterosexual couples, all of whom were college students. The participants completed a long list of questionnaires in three separate sessions that took place about two weeks apart.

The first set of questionnaires probed how true participants were to themselves, a characteristic that psychologists call “dispositional authenticity.” This was measured through the answers to questions like “For better or for worse, I am aware of who I truly am.”

Overall, the study found that both men and women who reported being more true to themselves also behaved in more intimate and less destructive ways with their partner, and that led to them feeling their relationship was more positive. In addition, they also reported greater personal well-being.

In the second phase, participants answered questions examining various aspects of their relationship functioning, including their willingness to discuss their emotions with their partner, and whether they kept secrets.

The third phase involved measures of relationship satisfaction and personal well-being.

Overall, the study found that both men and women who reported being more true to themselves also behaved in more intimate and less destructive ways with their partner, and that led to them feeling their relationship was more positive. In addition, they also reported greater personal well-being.

But the study revealed an interesting gender difference in how authenticity in men and women affected their partners, Brunell said.

Men who were more true to themselves had partners who showed more healthy relationship behaviors. However, there was no significant relationship between women being true to themselves and men’s relationship behaviors, the study found. (ANI)

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

Senators urged to visit planned waste dump site

March 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The Greens say a Senate inquiry into the Federal Government’s proposed radioactive waste management legislation will not visit the site of the proposed dump.

The only location the Government is now considering is Muckaty Station, near Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory.

Greens Senator Scott Ludlam says the Senate committee will hold hearings in Canberra and Darwin, but not in Tennant Creek.

“The Senate inquiry is going to be one rare and very important opportunity to take evidence directly from the people who are most affected by the decision that the Government has made,” Senator Ludlam said.

“I think holding it from Darwin and from Canberra is a good way of staying a long way away from where the people are genuinely the most angry and have the most to lose.”

He says it is a slap in the face for the people of Tennant Creek.

“There was very strong willingness by the community to host the Senate committee so that they could give them their views directly,” he said.

“Unfortunately the committee has gone and set down its hearing dates and times without waiting for all the submissions to come in.

“It’s a huge opportunity missed and I think it’s an example of how slapdash the Government intends to be on this bill.”

The committee’s chairwoman, Senator Trish Crossin, says a hearing in Tennant Creek is not out of the question if locals make a lot of submissions.

She says hearings are being held where the most submissions are expected to come from.

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

Liverpool swamped with calls from potential investors

March 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, Mar 15 (ANI): Liverpool has been swamped with calls from six potential investors, which would make the club go on a massive spending spree.

Ace striker Torres had warned Liverpool that he might consider his future if they did not land four or five major names this summer.

But an Anfield source confirmed the club has been swamped with calls from potential investors despite the team struggling for form.

Torres will be encouraged that the Rhone Group, an international equity firm worth around three billion pounds, has made public their willingness to pay 100 million pounds to become the club”s biggest shareholders, The Sun reports.

A highly-placed club insider confirmed the group, who have offices in London, Paris and New York, have started the ball rolling by studying the club”s accounts.

They are demanding a minimum 34 per cent stake in Liverpool in exchange for handing Royal Bank of Scotland 100 million pounds to pay off a chunk of their estimated 240 million pounds debt.

It would leave current owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks with 33 per cent each.

“The Rhone Group is not some pie-in-the-sky consortium but a well-established financial organisation headed by millionaires from Britain, France, Sweden, America and several other countries. But they are only the first group to come forward,” a source said.

“We have been talking to at least five other would-be investors and it could be this development will encourage them to break cover too. So we will take our time to weigh up all the options. This is not a takeover but an investment opportunity.

“Whichever group eventually buys into Liverpool, the money will not go to the owners but to the club to reduce the existing debt,” the source added.

Torres still has more than three years left on his contract and has said he would contemplate leaving only if the Reds failed to bring in fresh talent.(ANI)

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

Holbrooke regrets ”not Indian” comment on Kabul attack

March 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Mar 5 (ANI): United State Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard C Holbrooke has expressed regret over the misunderstanding caused by his ”not-Indian” comment on the February 26 Kabul terror attack in which at least six Indians were killed and around 10 injured.

Holbrooke said, ” I did not say Indians were not the target, but that initially it looked like the target was not an official Indian facility. Early reports on events like this are often unreliable, and I try not to jump to conclusions.”

“We all know that Indian citizens have and continue to be targeted by terrorists, including inside Afghanistan. My heart goes out to the families of all of the victims,” he added.

Holbrooke further said, “The International community and the Afghan people deeply appreciate the very substantial humanitarian and reconstruction assistance that India provides Afghanistan.”

“The willingness of India to take risks and make sacrifices to help Afghanistan is testament to India”s commitment global peace and prosperity and a vital part of the international commitment to Afghanistan”s future,” he added. (ANI)

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

Manchester City not in 47-mn pounds deal for Tevez

September 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Sep 12 (ANI): No deal was struck with Manchester City to pay a British record transfer fee of 47 million pounds for Carlos Tevez to MSI, the company fronted by Kia Joorabchian which owned the player before his move to City.

A spokesman for Kia Joorabchian last night denied that Manchester City had struck a deal to pay 47 million pounds for Tevez to MSI.

A report last night alleged that City had agreed to pay 47 million pounds for the Argentine forward, as opposed to 25.5 million pounds, the figure widely reported as the fee City paid to lure him from Manchester United.

“It’s not true,” a spokesman for Joorabchain said of the 47 million pounds figure. The spokesman said that he expected Joorabchian, and possibly City, to issue a formal denial today.

Rumours have circulated for several weeks that City had agreed to pay considerably more for Tevez than the 25.5 million pounds reported at the time of his move, The Independent reports.

Last night’s reports suggested that City had agreed to an initial 15 million pounds payment for Tevez, with two 16 million pounds payments to come.

If City did agree to pay 47 million pounds for Tevez, as alleged last night, that figure would smash the British record of 32.5 million pounds that City paid in 2008 for Robinho.

It would cast fresh light on the magnitude of the ambitions of City’s Middle Eastern owners, and on their willingness to pay massive sums for players, the paper reports. (ANI)

Filed Under: Sports News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

‘Osama’s handshake was limp, like shaking a wet fish’

September 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Sep 12 (ANI): The handshake by world’s most dreaded terrorist Osama bin Laden has been described as limp, and like shaking a wet fish by a producer of CNN who met the terror mastermind.

CNN producer Peter Bergen, who wrote The Osama bin Laden I Know: An Oral History of al-Qaeda’s Leader, met the most dreaded terrorist in March 1997 when he went to film his first television interview.

Bergen narrates about the extra security around bin Laden and how they were taken to his hideout at night changing vehicles blindfolded.

The interview took place near the Tora Bora region of eastern Afghanistan where Bergen and his crew were electronically swept for tracking devices, and had to pass through three groups of guards armed with sub-machineguns.

“Bin Laden made no effort at small talk, wanting to get the interview done as soon as possible. Peter Jouvenal, our British cameraman, remembers that bin Laden’s handshake was limp, like shaking a wet fish,” The Times quoted him, as saying.

“I don’t recall shaking his hand but I do remember that he took frequent sips from a cup of tea, giving him an air that was more feline than fierce, and his blistering diatribe against the US for its policies in the Middle East was delivered in a barely audible whisper. After an hour he was gone, as suddenly as he had arrived,” he adds.

He also narrates Abdel Bari Atwan, a London-based Palestinian journalist who interviewed him in Afghanistan in 1996, as saying that Bin Laden, it seems, had prepared for life as a fugitive for years, adopting a monk-like detachment from material comforts.

Zaynab Khadr, whose family lived with the al-Qaeda leader in Afghanistan during the late 1990s, was quoted by the author as saying that he did not even allow his children to drink cold water because he wanted them to be prepared for the day when there’s no cold water.

He quotes Bin Laden as once instructing his followers: “You should learn to sacrifice everything from modern life like electricity, air-conditioning, refrigerators, gasoline. If you are living the luxury life, it’s very hard to go to the mountains to fight.”

In a tape posted to Islamist websites in February 2006, he says bin Laden confirmed his willingness to be martyred: “I have sworn to only live free. Even if I find bitter the taste of death, I don’t want to die humiliated or deceived.” (ANI)

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

Older Oz women going online to meet new sexual partners

September 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Sydney, Sept 7 (ANI): Women aged 40 and above are just as likely as younger women to meet new sexual partners on the internet, according to a new Australian survey.

Nearly 45 per cent of the middle aged women agreed to snaring at least one new lover in a year.

According to study leader Deborah Bateson, a senior medical coordinator at Family Planning NSW, the internet “seems to be a very useful place for them … It’s great that older women are out there meeting new partners.”

She conducted the research to see whether 40-pluses were able to negotiate safe sex as effectively as their younger counterparts.

“Three-quarters [of sexually transmitted infections] are detected in people aged under 29, but there’s also an increase in women aged 40 and above … entering or re-entering the dating market, perhaps after the end of a long-term relationship,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Bateson as saying.

For the survey, an online dating site RSVP, owned by the Herald’s publisher, Fairfax Media, sent an email to female participants, directing them to Bateson’s survey site.

The findings revealed that older women were more forthright in insisting on knowing a new partner’s sexual history.

Nearly 59 per cent of the over-40s would ask about previous partners, versus 43 per cent of the younger women, with a similar discrepancy in willingness to ask about intravenous drug use.

“The older women seemed to benefit from the maturity of years and asked those potentially tricky questions,” said Bateson.

However, 37 per cent of the older women were more likely to agree to sex without a condom, compared to 28 per cent of younger women.

The findings were presented at 2009 Australasian Sexual Health Conference in Brisbane. (ANI)

Filed Under: Entertainment News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Malaysian Indian Congress working committee has two Punjabis candidates

September 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Kuala Lumpur, Sep. 7 (ANI): In an unprecedented move, the Malaysian Indian Congress has kept two Punjabi hopefuls on the preferred list of candidates for the party’s central working committee (CWC).

MIC President S. Samy Vellu has endorsed J. Randhir Singh from Johor and G. Jaspal Singh from Selangor among 27 candidates, who will be part of party’s decision making body.

According to a part source, one of the two was being groomed by Samy Vellu to fill the vacancy left by former vice president K.S. Nijhar.

“But it will be an uphill task since both are newcomers and are going for the same allocation. And there are only a few north Indian delegates,” the New Strait Times quoted him, as saying.

“There are many candidates vying for the 23 CWC seats and these two are newcomers. They have so little time and the delegates want to get to know them more. They will have to work hard in whatever little time they have,” said another source.

Though popular in their own states, the two candidates are relatively unknown at the national level.

But Randhir is not letting that hamper his chances. He is leveraging on his father Jasbir Singh’s popularity, who has been the Pontian division chairman for the past 45 years.

“I am using the picture with my father because many people recognise my father for his long service to the party. I want to tell them that I am the second generation who will continue what he has been doing for the community,” Randhir said of an appeal in newspapers which shows him along with his father.

Being a non-Tamil speaking candidate in a predominantly Tamil speaking party is a non-issue, as far as he is concerned.

“My father doesn’t speak Tamil as well and he has been division chairman for 45 years. Language is not a barrier. What is important is your ability and willingness to work for the betterment of the community,” he said.

Being on Samy Vellu’s list of endorsed candidates showed that the president recognises the work of non-governmental organisations, he said. (ANI)

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

Malaysian Indian Congress working committee has two Punjabis candidates

September 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Kuala Lumpur, Sep. 7 (ANI): In an unprecedented move, the Malaysian Indian Congress has kept two Punjabi hopefuls on the preferred list of candidates for the party’s central working committee (CWC).

MIC President S. Samy Vellu has endorsed J. Randhir Singh from Johor and G. Jaspal Singh from Selangor among 27 candidates, who will be part of party’s decision making body.

According to a part source, one of the two was being groomed by Samy Vellu to fill the vacancy left by former vice president K.S. Nijhar.

“But it will be an uphill task since both are newcomers and are going for the same allocation. And there are only a few north Indian delegates,” the New Strait Times quoted him, as saying.

“There are many candidates vying for the 23 CWC seats and these two are newcomers. They have so little time and the delegates want to get to know them more. They will have to work hard in whatever little time they have,” said another source.

Though popular in their own states, the two candidates are relatively unknown at the national level.

But Randhir is not letting that hamper his chances. He is leveraging on his father Jasbir Singh’s popularity, who has been the Pontian division chairman for the past 45 years.

“I am using the picture with my father because many people recognise my father for his long service to the party. I want to tell them that I am the second generation who will continue what he has been doing for the community,” Randhir said of an appeal in newspapers which shows him along with his father.

Being a non-Tamil speaking candidate in a predominantly Tamil speaking party is a non-issue, as far as he is concerned.

“My father doesn’t speak Tamil as well and he has been division chairman for 45 years.

Language is not a barrier. What is important is your ability and willingness to work for the betterment of the community,” he said.

Being on Samy Vellu’s list of endorsed candidates showed that the president recognises the work of non-governmental organisations, he said. (ANI)

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

Gogoi sets Sept.15 surrender deadline for Black Widow terror group

September 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Guwahati, Sep.1 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Tuesday set a September 15 deadline for the Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel) a.k.a. the “Black Widow” terror group to surrender.

Talking to reporters here, Gogoi said that the state government would not extend the cease-fire deadline set earlier for the group.

“No extension of cease-fire deadline with Black Widow beyond September 15,” Gogoi tersely said.

Gogoi’s tough stand was reiterated three days fater he had undertaken a four-hour whirlwind tour to Haflong, the headquarters of North Cachar Hills district where the DHD (J) is active.

Gogoi, who reviewed the ground situation in the insurgency-hit district and held key meetings with top administration and security officials, stressed that the DHD (J) must stop all kinds of insurgent activities and extortion campaigns as a precondition to talks.

He said “the group must also hand over all the arms before coming forward for talks.” The arms will be deposited in an armoury, to be supervised by both police and the outfit.

The Calcutta Telegraph had earlier quoted Gogoi, as saying that the government had been receiving feelers from the DHD (J), expressing the outfit’s willingness to sit for a dialogue. But it would not accept any such offer unless the outfit’s leadership, and not a section of its cadres, came forward for talks.

DHD (J) chief Jewel Gorlosa, was arrested along with another leader, Partho Warisa, from Bangalore in June this year, forcing the outfit’s lower ranked cadres to declare a unilateral cease-fire.

Dispur, however, continued its operation against the outfit. The unilateral ceasefire, declared by the DHD (J) in North Cachar Hills for three months, will expire on September 7.

Gogoi also made it clear that Dispur would not agree to the demand of renaming North Cachar Hills into Dima Hajao Raji and that the district would not suffer any vivisection in future.

The chief minister expressed satisfaction over the “visible improvement” in law and order in the district in the past three months.

He assured tribal leaders that measures would be taken to usher in peace, rehabilitate violence-hit people and chalk out a special development package for the district. (ANI)

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

Buta Singh says he is ready to be questioned by CBI

September 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Aug. 31 (ANI): Former Bihar Governor Buta Singh on Monday informed the Delhi High Court that he was ready to be questioned by CBI in connection with the bribery case involving his son.

His willingness to testify comes following CBI’s clarification that the chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Castes is required to be questioned as a witness and not as an accused in the bribery case. ingh said he would be available to CBI on September 10 at 11 am at his office, and the probe agency officials can come and question him.

Justice Geeta Mittal, after recording the statement given by Singh’s counsel, disposed the matter and asked the investigating agency to question Buta Singh on the date given by him.

The High Court had on August 26 sought response from the CBI on a petition filed by Singh, who had accused the probe agency of illegally summoning him for interrogation in an alleged bribery case.

Singh had contended that he holds a post of Cabinet rank and the CBI cannot question or interrogate him without taking sanction from the Centre.

He had on August 25 approached the Delhi High Court challenging CBI’s notice to appear before it in connection with a case of alleged bribery against his son Sarobjit Singh.

Singh’s son was arrested on July 31 by CBI for allegedly demanding a bribe of one crore rupees from a Nashik- based contractor to close an atrocity case against him pending before the Scheduled Caste Commission headed by his father. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
« Older Posts