Tuesday, April 3, 2012
To:
nksagar_1@yahoo.com
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Meeting with Pakistan Business Delegation
10th April 2012, Federation House, New Delhi
Dear Sir / Madam,
We are
delighted to inform you that a business delegation from Pakistan is visiting India in April 2012. On this
occasion FICCI is organizing business to business meetings with the visiting delegation
as per the following schedule:
Date: April 10, 2012
Time: 14:45 p.m. to 16:30 p.m.
Venue: Federation House, New Delhi
The Business Delegation is drawn
from the Sectors like: Textiles, Yarn, Garments, Grey Cloth, Textiles Made-ups, Textiles Packages,
Chemical & Dyes, Pharmaceuticals, Energy, General Store Items, Gems
& Jewellery, Fitness & Gymnasium Machinery, Agriculture Equipment &
Machinery, Architecture & Interior Designing, PVC Pipes trading etc.
Kindly log on to http://www.ficci-b2b.com/forthcoming.asp
and register your name ONLINE. The composition of the Business Delegation can
be accessed using the above-mentioned link.
There is a registration fee of Rs.500/- to attend the
meeting. There is no registration fee for FICCI B2B Portal subscribers.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
DIGVIJAY SINGH ENDS 12-YEAR ASIAN TOUR TITLE WAIT AT PANASONIC OPEN
New
Delhi, April 1, 2012: Digvijay Singh of India closed with a flawless
six-under-par 66 to end an agonising 12-year wait for his maiden Asian
Tour title at the Panasonic Open India on Sunday.
Singh
produced a grandstand finish with a 12-foot birdie putt on the last to
defeat Asian Tour winners Siddikur of Bangladesh and Gaganjeet Bhullar
of India by two shots at the US$300,000 event sanctioned by the Asian
Tour and PGTI.
Thai
veteran Boonchu Ruangkit rolled back the years with a 67 to finish in
fourth place while overnight leader Ashok Kumar was in contention before
dropping four shots in the last six holes at the Delhi Golf Club. He
ended his campaign in tied eighth place.
“This
is very special for me. There’s no feeling better than winning an Asian
Tour title in India at the Delhi Golf Club. I’ve won on the local
circuit before but this takes the cake,” said Digvijay, who totalled
11-under-par 277 to win US$47,500 and two return business Turkish
Airlines tickets to any destination in Europe.
Singh,
who was three shots back at the start of the day, came charging home
with a superb back nine highlighted by birdies on holes 13, 14, 16 and
18 to the delight of the home crowd.
“The
13th hole was the turning point that got me going. I made my second
birdie of the day on hole seven and couldn’t convert anything until the
birdie on 13. From then on, the birdies starting flowing in,” he smiled.
“I
wasn’t disheartened when I lost my Asian Tour card last year. I told
myself, this is where I’m and I should make the most of it. It was
frustrating that everybody has won it except me but I’m glad I’ve done
it,” added the 40-year-old, who was hugged by his brother-in-law Jyoti
Randhawa after sinking his winning putt.
Bhullar,
a two-time Asian Tour winner, was in contention for most of the round
but had to settle for second as he tipped his hat to Singh, who he said
was the deserving winner.
“Digvijay
played incredibly. He deserved this long awaited victory. It is all
part of the game but I felt I could have done a little better. I’ll
accept this finish and go with the flow because I’m playing well again
after a long time,” said Bhullar, who mixed his card with three birdies
against one bogey for a 70.
Siddikur,
the first Bangladeshi to play and win on the Asian Tour, rued another
missed opportunity of winning his second title as he claimed his 12th top-10 finish on the Asian Tour.
रामदेव के अनशन में शामिल होंगे अन्ना
योग गुरु ने कहा कि आज से भ्रष्टाचार के खिलाफ आंदोलन शुरू हो गया है। इसमें लाखों नहीं करोड़ों लोगों की भीड़ देखने को मिलेगी। इसकी एक झलक सरकार को तीन जून को देखने को मिलेगी। रामदेव ने कहा कि 3 जून को ही अगस्त में किस दिन से बड़ा आंदोलन शुरू होगा। इसका ऐलान किया जाएगा ।
बाबा ने कहा कि अगर प्रशासन से अनशन की अनुमति नहीं मिली तो वे कोर्ट का दरवाजा खटखटाएंगे। रामदेव ने कहा कि कालाधान राष्ट्रीय संपत्ति घोषित होनी चाहिए। उन्होंने सोने पर टैक्स लगाने का विरोध किया है। बाबा ने कहा कि सोने पर टैक्स लगाने से कालेधन पर लगाम नहीं लगेगी।
मालूम हो कि तीन जून पिछले साल रामलीला मैदान में किए गए अनशन की वर्षगांठ है। पिछले साल 4 जून को रामदेव रामलीला मैदान में अनशन पर कर रहे थे और उसी रात पुलिस ने आंदोलनकारियों पर लाठियां बरसाई थीं। इस घटना के एक साल होने पर बाबा जंतर मंतर पर अनशन करेंगे। अनशन के दौरान बाबा काले धन की देश में वापसी और भ्रष्टाचार के खिलाफ सख्त कानून की मांग करेंगे।
CBI probes Tatra truck deal;
CBI probes Tatra truck deal; conducts search at four places
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After registering a case against unnamed officials of the Defence Ministry, Army, BEML and Vectra for alleged criminal conspiracy to cheat and indulge in corrupt practices, CBI officials carried out searches at four places in Delhi, Noida and Bangalore.
The
FIR also names Vectra group Chairman Ravi Rishi, who is a majority
stake holder in Tatra, and the agency is looking into purchases from
1997 onwards.
CBI
sources said British national Rishi, who is in the national capital for
the Defence Expo, was called for questioning in connection with the
alleged irregularities in the deal.
As
CBI teams began with the searches, the Defence Minsitry came out with a
statement saying the Defence Minister accorded his sanction for a CBI
investigation on February 21, 2012, much before the case hit the
headlines in the media.
A
day after receiving a letter from Ghulam Nabi Azad, on October five,
2009, forwarding the complaints of D Hanumanthappa, addressed to
Congress President Sonia Gandhi on BEML, Defence Minister A K Antony had
asked the Secretary (Defence Production) to look into the various
issues raised in the complaint.
"Records
show that the vigilance wings of MoD and BEML are examining the matter
and there are also correspondence between CBI and Chief Vigilance
Officer of BEML on these allegations," the Defence Ministry statement
said.
The
deal came to limelight again as the Army chief alleged he was offered a
Rs 14 crore bribe to clear a file related to purchase of trucks.
Reacting
to alleged involvement of agents and lobbyists in placement of orders
for the Tatra trucks, state-owned BEML chief V R S Natarajan has said
"in the last 26 years, from 1986 onwards, BEML assembled manufactured,
supplied 7,000 Tatra trucks. All of them have been done on single
nomination basis, single inquiry basis.
"This
type of equipment nobody in the world makes, because of its superior
technological features. When I am the single vendor and there is no
competition, there is no influence required," he said.
The
names of Tatra and Bharat Earth Movers Limited were taken by the Army
in a press release issued by it on March 5, alleging that retired Lt Gen
Tejinder Singh had offered a bribe on behalf of Tatra and Vectra
Limited.Explosion in the town of Marl Germany
One person was killed on Saturday in a chemical plant
explosion in the western part of Germany. Earlier it had been reported
that several people were injured.The incident occurred in the town of
Marl in the western part of Germany.Police believe that a tank of
flammable substances exploded.
The facility is engulfed in flames and more than 100 firefighters are struggling to contain the fire.
Rescue helicopters and ambulances are at the scene.It
is unknown whether there was a release of hazardous substances into the
environment but as a precaution local residents were advised to close
all windows and doors.
Marl police confirmed a pressure vessel in the park blasted at
13:36 local time.
Three staff members were missing, police spokesman Michael Franz told media. He said one was injured, another spokesman said two had been confirmed injured.The firefighters were "fully engaged" and the flame was "locally limited," the police said.Accident in the park in the Ruhr industrial region sent up a giant gas cloud, moved southward,spreading over a major east-west highway, the police said.
Franz said emergency crew had tested the cloud at the site and found no harmful content. Police have warned local residents to close windows and doors and stay inside buildings.There is no death report yet and the cause of the explosion is under investigation.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
High Trans fat cause of concern
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31.03.2012 20:01:13 - by sagarmedia on March 31, 2012
A little knowledge is very dangerous so is High Trans fat cause of concern a report generated from Center for Science and Environment (CSE) is shocking facts.CSE lab offered its report to selective media could be cause of concern but the manner in which it explains the cause is too is concerned for media those who understands science with respect to chemistry and physics the former is material science and later is more or less experiential and more mathematical plus operation science. Trans fat is the common name for unsaturated fat with trans-isomer E-isome fatty acids. Term refers to the configuration of a double carbon-carbon bond, hydrogen-hydrogen bonds.Trans fats are sometimes monounsaturated or polyunsaturated, but never saturated. Trans fats are rare in living nature, but can occur in food production processes.Consumption of trans fats increases the risk of coronary heart disease by raising levels of LDL cholesterol and lowering levels of "good" HDL cholesterol.
(live-PR.com)
- When any lab claims to put the facts before the media it needs to
adhere to some important norms of the fact it is producing.One
experiments each of the sample and to conclude with some ideation of
hypothesis to law can never be formulated in science. The experiments
are ought to be conducted under the observation of neutral media persons
in complete know of the two sciences and test being
conducted not in solo or mono test but be conducted simultaneous with
multiple formats like simple titration and computerized or in mechanized
along with more labs tech taking up the cause and the results are to
be compared and the operational,comparative study is made with
consultation of not in a day but consultative days are fixed to come to
a conclusions with practical study.WHO and national norms may or may
not be the same as are different in category of palatable water.
Food poisoning is cause of concern not only with adulteration but because of people in business with ignorance and poor quality of chemicals,preservatives used without adding its supplement or complement to the food.The preparation and the consumption of the food too has its own vital role to play.
Report by CSE on trans fat on fast food needs more explanation and ought to be consumed with care as the snacks but not in daily routine as even the normal food of one dish daily too spoils health food needs to be consumed in variety with season and not sticking to one category of dish.We need more labs,NGO and other people coming forward along with CSE to make it comprehensive and holistic study rather than of one's own affirmative and but produce more voluble tenable prepositions.In spite of study shortcomings it needs to ne complimented for their solo effort.
Our body has millions of minute particles in form of cells,molecules,other chemicals and ions which are allotted various functions to keep our body toned up with process of converting the food into simpler physical particles to chemical particles with electrolysis,chemically, oxidization,hydration,to a gaseous state and then in atomic and inoic formation and the even to some the sunshine is cause of concern with ozone too playing its adverse role on the body with natural radioactive particles in the environment along with modern man made communication gadgets we are using contain all types of infra and ultra rays which needs to be studied in details.
Contact information:Food poisoning is cause of concern not only with adulteration but because of people in business with ignorance and poor quality of chemicals,preservatives used without adding its supplement or complement to the food.The preparation and the consumption of the food too has its own vital role to play.
Report by CSE on trans fat on fast food needs more explanation and ought to be consumed with care as the snacks but not in daily routine as even the normal food of one dish daily too spoils health food needs to be consumed in variety with season and not sticking to one category of dish.We need more labs,NGO and other people coming forward along with CSE to make it comprehensive and holistic study rather than of one's own affirmative and but produce more voluble tenable prepositions.In spite of study shortcomings it needs to ne complimented for their solo effort.
Our body has millions of minute particles in form of cells,molecules,other chemicals and ions which are allotted various functions to keep our body toned up with process of converting the food into simpler physical particles to chemical particles with electrolysis,chemically, oxidization,hydration,to a gaseous state and then in atomic and inoic formation and the even to some the sunshine is cause of concern with ozone too playing its adverse role on the body with natural radioactive particles in the environment along with modern man made communication gadgets we are using contain all types of infra and ultra rays which needs to be studied in details.
Sagar Media Inc
Contact Person:
Naresh Kumar Sagar
Chairman
Phone: 9810974027
Smriti wins seventh title:Hero Women’s Pro Tour
on March 31, 2012
Mumbai, March 30: Smriti Mehra could afford to drop a lot of shots and still win by a big three-shot margin to win the 15th
and final leg of the Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour on Friday. The
veteran star shot 79, including a two bogeys and a double bogey in the
last three holes, to finish the week at six-over 216.
Smriti was three clear of Nalini Singh Siwach (74), who overhauled a fast-approaching Neha Tripathi to finish second. Nalini totaled 219, while Neha (71) was third at 220.
Shraddhanjali Singh (75) and Saaniya Sharma (77) were tied for fourth at 221. Nikki Ponappa (76) was sixth at 228 and was one of the two players to land an eagle on the final day. The other one was Neha, also on the par-5 fourth hole.
Smriti, who began the day seven shots ahead of Saaniya, opened with six pars before finding a double bogey. She then had a triply on the par-4 ninth. On the back nine, she birdied the 10th, but bogeyed the 11th. Then followed four pars and a bogey on 16th, a double on 17th and another bogey on 18th.
This was Smriti’s seventh title of the season from among 15 events and it also saw her finish the season on top of the Money List. Nalini Singh won three events and was second on the merit list.
Smriti was three clear of Nalini Singh Siwach (74), who overhauled a fast-approaching Neha Tripathi to finish second. Nalini totaled 219, while Neha (71) was third at 220.
Shraddhanjali Singh (75) and Saaniya Sharma (77) were tied for fourth at 221. Nikki Ponappa (76) was sixth at 228 and was one of the two players to land an eagle on the final day. The other one was Neha, also on the par-5 fourth hole.
Smriti, who began the day seven shots ahead of Saaniya, opened with six pars before finding a double bogey. She then had a triply on the par-4 ninth. On the back nine, she birdied the 10th, but bogeyed the 11th. Then followed four pars and a bogey on 16th, a double on 17th and another bogey on 18th.
This was Smriti’s seventh title of the season from among 15 events and it also saw her finish the season on top of the Money List. Nalini Singh won three events and was second on the merit list.
POSCO Judgment of National Green Tribunal
on March 31, 2012
On March 30, 2012, the National Green Tribunal held in Prafulla Samantra and Anr. vs Union of India and Ors. that
the 31.1.2011 final order of the Environment Ministry – permitting the
POSCO project to go ahead with certain conditions – should be suspended
until a full review of the project can be undertaken (by specialists
with fresh terms of reference). The NGT Bench consisted of Justice C.V. Ramulu, Judicial Member, and Dr. Devendra Kumar Agarwal, Expert Member.
The tribunal has observed that, “A close scrutiny of the entire scheme … reveals that a
project of this magnitude particularly in partnership with a foreign
country has been dealt with casually, without there being any
comprehensive scientific data regarding the possible environmental
impacts. No meticulous scientific study was made on each and every
aspect of the matter leaving lingering and threatening environmental and
ecological doubts un-answered.” (para 7, page 22)
It
has also seriously questioned the appointment of Ms. Meena Gupta as the
chairperson of the review committee which was set up by the MoEF in
2010. The judgement states that Ms. Gupta’s appointment was “definitely
hit by personal / official / departmental bias, in other words, she
supported the decision made by her earlier. This is in gross violation
of principles of natural justice.” (para 6.9 page 22)
Key Directions of the Green Tribunal
The Tribunal has
directed a “fresh review of the Project” (para 8.1) that has to look at
the problems noted in this judgment as well as the majority and
minority reports of the earlier Enquiry Committee (see list of dates),
etc. In particular it has to look at:
Land and infrastructure:
The clearance was given for a 4 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) steel
plant, but the land, water etc. were allocated for a 12 MTPA project
(which has been POSCO’s stated plan). The judgment directs MoEF to
“consider optimizing the total land requirement for 4 MTPA steel plant
proportionately.”(para 8.5) Moreover, the impacts of other
infrastructure for the plant have not been assessed at all, even though
they were planned for a 12 MTPA plant.
Issues that should have been done now, but which MoEF left for future studies:
On several points highlighted by the review committee, the MoEF just
said future studies should be done and ignored the issue. The Tribunal
finds this deeply unsatisfactory, and notes the following among other
issues:
Water:
The Tribunal said that “We are all aware that … the drinking water is
becoming scarce commodity and at every level precaution needs to be
taken for protecting the drinking water supply to human habitation and
preventing from utilizing such water for industrial use … alternative
water source for the present project, like creating/ constructing a
small barrage or augmenting any other existing source at the cost of
project proponent to avoid the utilizing the water meant for Cuttack
city… could be examined.” (para 7.4, page 29)
Pollution:
The plant’s discharge was also left for future study by MoEF. The
Tribunal says this is a “serious environmental concern.” (para 7.4, page
30)
Impact on surrounding wetlands and mangroves, as well as cyclone risk: This was left for vague future studies without any time frame or modus operandi. In addition, the Ministry has
to frame a policy to ensure large projects are assessed in full for a
single clearance (rather than being allowed to get piecemeal clearances
for each component, as in this case) and for their full
capacity at the start (paras 8.7,8.9). It also has to do a strategic
assessment of the ports in Orissa. (para 8.8)
POSCO
and the government sought to argue that the case cannot be filed as the
original clearances were given in 2007 (and, incidentally, will expire
in May/July this year). The Tribunal held that the 2011 order can still
be looked at even if the 2007 ones cannot be; it therefore directed
review and suspension of the 2011 order.
POSCO
and/or the government can appeal this decision in the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, MoEF has to constitute a review committee of subject
specialists (para 8.3), define timelines for compliance with conditions
(para 8.4), establish a committee for monitoring compliance with these
conditions (para 8.4). No work can start on the project until the review process is over.
The case was argued by Sr. Adv. Raj Punjwani, Adv. Ritwick Dutta and Adv. Rahul Choudhary for the petitioners.
Key Events
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June 2005: POSCO, Orissa government sign MoU for 12 million tonne steel plant, private port and captive iron ore mines. Protests begin in steel plant area and area is cordoned off by peaceful protesters.
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May 2007: Environmental clearance for port granted by Environment Ministry, then under A. Raja.
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July 2007: Environmental clearance for plant granted by Environment Ministry, then under PM. Secretary is Meena Gupta. Protests continue in the face of violent attacks and numerous arrests.
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December 2009: Forest clearance granted for taking over forest land by Environment Ministry, then under Jairam Ramesh.
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August 2010: Forest clearance suspended following complaints of violations of law, and Enquiry Committee constituted under Meena Gupta.
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October 2010: Three member majority of enquiry committee gives report saying environmental and forest clearances illegal. Meena Gupta dissents, holds clearances legal but recommends additional study and time to ensure compliance.
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January 31, 2011: Environment Ministry disregards both majority and minority reports, upholds environment and forest clearances, while prescribing some additional conditions (mostly consisting of additional studies to be done in future).
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June 2011: Prafulla Samantray challenges final order in National Green Tribunal.
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March 31, 2012: Green Tribunal judgment.
For further information:
Prafulla Samantray, activist and petitioner in this case, 09437259005
Prashant Paikray, POSCO Pratirodh Sangram Samiti, 09437571547
Kanchi Kohli, activist, 9811903112, kanchikohli@gmail.com
Shankar Gopalakrishnan, Campaign for Survival and Dignity, 9873657844, shankargopal@myfastmail.com
Friday, March 30, 2012
80,000MW, 50Maf Storage Indus
Basin Joint
Development(C)
March30, 2012
I am campaign on water
issues since 1978, recent weeks are special yesterday former Secretary Water
Resources admitted to my campaign that ‘Indus Water Treaty is the Worst In The
World’ and ‘Columbia Water Treaty is ideal for Joint River Basins Development
and Regulation of Dams’, honorable Minister Shri Anand Sharma in Pakistan
advocated development of $300b South Asia Grid with 200,000MW of Hydro Power
and over 500 BCM Dam Storages.
Storage Dams Generate Power, Provides Flood Control,
Irrigation, House Boats, Shipping, Rail-Road Bridge, Water for Municipal
Supply, Mining, Industries, Aquaculture, Tourism = HUGE LIFETIME ECONOMIC
GAINS.
Indus Water Treaty is so bad
that Pakistan
business delegation led by Honorable Deputy Chairman of Pakistan Planning
Commission at FICCI 2008 concurred with my observations readily. Building Dams
cost less than Losses in 2010 Floods.
If India builds 20 maf storage dams in Indian
Kashmir, India
get only power -
- Pakistan will get 20 maf of
additional storage Free of cost,
- Flood Protection to 5
million hectares Free of Cost,
- Additional regulated
irrigation releases of 20 maf during monsoon, Free of Cost,
- Clean blue water releases
of Indus Waters to Pakistan Free of Cost,
- Double or Triple the life
of Mangla and Tarbela Dams, generate 30% to 40% more power in downstream dams
in Pakistan- Pakistan will get everything FREE.
India was building ‘High Cost Useless ROR Dams Without
Storage and any of above benefits in Kashmir.’
The following is comparison of Storage Dams (Bhakra and Tehri) vs ROR projects
(SJVNL and Chamera-I) – while storage dams continue to perform well even in
winter – there is sharp decline in power generation of ROR projects and are
least suitable for base load operations.
http://www.cea.nic.in/reports/monthly/generation_rep/actual/jan11/opm_08.pdf
, http://www.cea.nic.in/reports/monthly/generation_rep/actual/sep11/opm_08.pdf
Generation in Billion Units
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Bhakra
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Tehri
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SJVNL
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Chamera-I
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Jan2010
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357.97
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268.15
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198.45
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49.19
|
|
Sep2010
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843.60
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693.05
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1118.02
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323.50
|
Out of 7000 BCM of Dam
Storages in the world India
and Pakistan
have just about 212 BCM and 20 BCM storages or 3% and 0.3% which is too
inadequate for 17% & 3% of World’s Population respectively. India should Jointly Develop Dams in Indus,
Ganga and Brahamputra
River Basins.
Ravinder Singh,
Inventor & Consultant
INNOVATIVE TECHNONLOGIES AND
PROJECTS
Y-77, Hauz Khas,
NewDelhi-110016, India.Fonterra charted over 100 projects in S America,Africa,China,Asean,MiddleEast
With demand of milk outstripping supply among aspiring middle classes in China, Asia and Latin America, the Fonterra company has formulated a strategy to invest overseas to expand its footprint. Sharing details of its "Group Strategy Refresh", which aims to grow volumes and value by focusing more tightly on emerging markets and products that meet growing consumer demand for dairy nutrition, Spierings said.
"Strong economic and population growth in emerging markets is driving a situation where global demand for milk is forecast to grow by more than 100 billion litres by 2020, with New Zealand expected to contribute only 5 billion litres of additional supply by that date," he said.
Stressing on raising volumes to protect its position as the world's leading dairy exporter, the company has charted over 100 projects - many of which are already underway. World's largest dairy exporter Fonterra Cooperative Group Ltd. is planning overseas expansion to focus more strongly on fast growing markets in China, ASEAN, Latin America, Middle East and Africa. Fonterra already has established businesses in these regions, so it is a case of really building on these and driving growth with greater intensity, Fonterra chief executive Theo Spierings said Thursday releasing the interim results.
Spierings said global dairy prices remained relatively strong despite a recent slide as more milk production by rivals reached markets.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
SC gives time to Centre to decide on nat monument status for Ram Setu
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Appearing
before a bench headed by Justice H L Dattu on Thursday, Additional
Solicitor General (ASG) Haren Raval submitted that consultation was
needed on the issue with the competent authority and sought more time to
file an affidavit on it.
"Take
a decision whether or not to", the bench said, while granting the
government two weeks time to take a decision. The bench then posted the
matter for further hearing on 19th April.
The
bench was hearing a petition filed by Janata Party President
Subramanian Swamy seeking the court's direction to declare Ram Setu a
national monument.
Earlier, the bench had on 27th March directed the government to file an affidavit regarding its decision within two days.
"If you say you don't want to file counter affidavit, we can go ahead with the arguments in the case," the bench had said.
The
case relating to Ram Setu came under judicial scrutiny after a batch of
petitions were filed in the apex court challenging the ambitious
Sethusamudram project, which was alleged to cause damage to the
mythological bridge.
Sethusamudram project is aimed at constructing a shorter navigational route around India's
southern tip by breaching the mythological Ram Setu, said to have been
built by Lord Rama's army of monkeys and bears to the demon king
Ravana's kingdom Lanka.
India for avoiding political disruptions that hit trade flow
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Chilean President Sebastian Pinera calls on Japan to join TPP
Pinera said Japan’s participation not only has great significance for itself, but also for all countries involved in the TPP. The President said it is better for Japan to get involved before members agree on a framework because it can discuss and negotiate the outline of the trade deal’s structure.
Pinera also said it’s uncertain whether the 9 countries currently in the negotiations can reach a broad agreement to strike a deal this year.He said that differences remain in areas such as intellectual property and service trade.
Arab league summit to open in Baghdad
First Arab League Summit in Iraq in for more than 2 decades opens in Baghdad on Thursday.The summit gives the nation, devastated by two wars, the chance to show it is stable and rebuilding, following the full withdrawal of US forces in December.But that stability does not come easily. Some 100,000 security troops are deployed in Baghdad, effectively blockading the capital to protect it against extremists.
Iraq has seen a string of terrorist incidents ahead of its first league summit in 22 years. More than 40 people died in a series of car bombs last week alone.
Violent crackdowns on civilians and rebel forces by the Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad is expected to dominate the summit’s agenda.
The Arab League foreign ministers meeting in Baghdad on Wednesday has also highlighted differences within the group.
Libya, which toppled the government of late leader Muammar Qadhafi last year, is demanding that the league harshly deal with the Assad regime.
But Syria’s neighbor Iraq has refused further intervention.
All eyes will be on the Arab league leaders to see if they can pull together and overcome their differences.
Syria accepts Annan's six-point proposal
Syria accepts Annan's six-point proposal to end violence
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"The Syrian government has written to the Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan accepting his six point plan, endorsed by the United Nations Security Council," Annan's spokesman Ahmad Fawzi said in a statement.
Annan in turn has written to President Bashar Al-Assad urging the Syrian government to put its commitments into immediate effect.
Annan "views this as an important initial step that could bring an end to the violence and the bloodshed, provide aid to the suffering, and create an environment conducive to a political dialogue that would fulfil the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people," his spokesman added.
Last week, the UN Security Council had supported Annan's six-point proposal, which he had submitted during his visit to Damascus earlier this month, and had called on both Syria's government and opposition to immediately implement it.
The proposal seeks to stop the violence and the killing, give access to humanitarian agencies, release detainees, and start an inclusive political dialogue to address the legitimate aspirations and concerns of the Syrian people.
Annan has stressed that implementation of the proposal will be key, not only for the Syrian people who are caught in the middle of the crisis, but also for the region and the international community.
"As the Syrian government acts on its commitments, Annan will move urgently to work with all parties to secure implementation of the plan at all levels," the spokesman said
Posted just now by Nksagar
H-1B visa applications to be accepted from April 2: US
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The congressionally mandated numerical limitation on H-1B petitions for the fiscal year 2012-13 is 65,000, as has been in the previous years.
Additionally, the first 20,000 H-1B petitions filed on behalf of individuals who have earned a US masters degree or higher are exempt from the fiscal year cap.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said H1B applications will be considered accepted on the date it takes possession of a properly filed petition with correct fee and not the date on which it was sent.
"If the number of applications received exceeds the numerical cap, USCIS will randomly select the number of petitions required to reach the numerical limit from the pool of petitions received on the final receipt date," USCIS said in a statement, adding that it will reject cap-subject petitions that are not selected, as well as those received after the final receipt date.
Petitions for new H-1B employment are exempt from the annual cap if the beneficiaries will work at institutions of higher education or related or affiliated non-profit entities, non-profit research organisations or governmental research organisations, USCIS said
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