World / State & Community
Sarah Kurtz Principal Scientist at NREL Discusses the Key to High Efficiency of Multijunction Concentrator Cells
22.11.2008 10:17
prweb.com
Interview with Sarah Kurtz principal scientist at NREL, discussing the key to achieving high efficiencies in concentrated photovoltaics cells for CPV modules, providing an exclusive insight into an exciting talk she will give at the upcoming Concentrated Photvoltaics summit USA in February 2009. (PRWeb Nov 22, 2008) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1646084.htm
World
Ecology & Environment
Two Dead, Dozen Hurt As Winter Arrives in Germany
22.11.2008 08:13
dw-world.de
Snow and ice played havoc on German roads Friday and Saturday, causing numerous accidents that left two dead and more than a dozen injured, police said Saturday.
Germany
Social Life
Yuschenko Urges Ukrainians To Continue Restore Truth About Holodomor Of 1932-1933
22.11.2008 08:12
ukranews.com
Yuschenko said this in his address to the Ukrainian nation.
Ukraine
Politics
Obama says drafting bold economic stimulus
22.11.2008 08:00
reuters.com
CHICAGO (Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama said on Saturday that he was crafting an aggressive two-year stimulus plan to revive the troubled economy, warning that swift action was needed to prevent a deep slump and a spiral of falling prices.
World
State & Community
German Ban on Hezbollah TV Doesn't Surprise Broadcaster
22.11.2008 06:14
dw-world.de
The pro-Iranian Hezbollah militant movement said it was not surprised by Germany's decision to ban its al-Manar satellite television. Officials said the station violates the German constitution.
Germany
Social Life
Three German Spies Agents Arrested in Kosovo, Reports Say
22.11.2008 06:14
dw-world.de
Three Germans arrested in Kosovo on this week are allegedly spies working for a German intelligence agency, German media reported Saturday, Nov. 22. Lawmakers are demanding details of the arrests.
Germany
Social Life
Scientists produce first crude map of aurorae on Mars
22.11.2008 06:13
b4uindia.com
Scientists have used the European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) Mars Express to produce the first crude map of aurorae on Mars, which are a powerful tool with which scientists can investigate the composition and structure of the Red Planet’s atmosphere. The aurorae on Mars were discovered in 2004 using the SPICAM ultraviolet and infrared atmospheric spectrometer on board Mars Express. These displays of ultraviolet light appear to be located close to the residual magnetic fields generated by crustal rocks on Mars. They highlight a number of mysteries about the way Mars interacts with electrically charged particles originating from the Sun. Now, Francois Leblanc, from the Service d’Aeronomie, IPSL/CNRS, France and colleagues have announced the results of coordinated observation campaigns using SPICAM, the MARSIS sub-surface sounding radar altimeter’s radar, and the energetic neutral atoms analyser, ASPERA’s electron spectrometer on Mars Express. They have observed nine new auroral emission events, which have allowed them to make the first crude map of auroral activity on Mars. According to the researchers, the aurorae seem to be located near regions where the martian magnetic field is the strongest. This suggests, although it does not prove, that the magnetic fields help to create the aurorae. On Earth, aurorae are more commonly known as the northern and southern lights. They are confined to the polar regions and shine brightly at visible as well as ultraviolet wavelengths. The existence of similar aurorae is well known on the giant planets of the Solar System. They occur wherever a planet’s magnetic field channels electrically charged particles into the atmosphere. The aurorae are caused by charged particles, in this case most probably electrons, colliding with molecules in the atmosphere. The electrons almost certainly come from the Sun, which constantly blows out electrically charged particles into space. Known as the solar wind, this constant stream of particles provides the source of electrons to generate the aurorae, as suggested by MARSIS and ASPERA. But how the electrons are accelerated to sufficiently high energies to spark aurorae on Mars remains a mystery. “It may be that magnetic fields on Mars connect with the solar wind, providing a road for the electrons to travel along,” said Leblanc. “There’s now a large domain of physics that we have to explore in order to understand the aurorae on Mars. Thanks to Mars Express we have a lot of very good measurements to work with,” he added. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Indian Army Chief General Kapoor to visit South Africa and Botswana
22.11.2008 06:13
b4uindia.com
As part of enhance engagement of the Indian Armed Forces with the militaries of the Indian Ocean region and other prominent military powers, Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor will leave for a week-long visit to South Africa and Botswana on Sunday morning. India and South Africa have seen enhanced military cooperation especially during the past decade including the fields of military training and procurement of military hardware. The two countries have seen frequent exchanges of army delegations in the recent past. On his first leg of the visit, the Army Chief is scheduled to visit the South Africa Army Headquarters, army engineer formation, army war collage in Pretoria; air force base, a parachute regiment and the school of armour at Bloems Pruit; and the naval base in Cape Town. General Kapoor will lay wreath at the South Africa War Memorial at Fort Klapper Kop. He is scheduled to hold wide-ranging discussions with the Chief of South Africa National Defence Forces (SANDF), General Godfrey Ngwenya. On the next leg of visit, the Army Chief will be visiting various military establishments including the Indian Army''''s Training Team (IATT) in Botswana. General Kapoor is to hold discussions with Lieutenant General THC Masire, the Commander of Botswana Defence Forces (BDF). He is also expected to meet the Botswana Minister of Defence and the President. Botswana and India have had a sustained history of military cooperation especially in the field of army training assistance, of which IATT is an example. A large numbers of senior Botswana military personnel including its leadership have been trained in various Indian military training institutions including the National Defence Academy (NDA) at Pune. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Manipur journalists on strike, newspapers suspend publication
22.11.2008 06:13
b4uindia.com
Journalists in Manipur have gone on strike following the killing of one of their colleagues, who is the sixth journalist to be killed in Manipur since 2000. Agitated newspapers editors and journalists have suspended publication of newspapers seeking protection for newspapers and journalists, and also a vigorous and impartial investigation to find the killers of Rishikant Singh. The Editors’ Guild also sought protection for journalists from Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. The Guild said the work would discontinue until the killers were brought to justice. Journalistic organisations have raised concerns about the involvement of the security forces in the murder of Singh, and have sought a judicial inquiry. The Guild also requested the PM to order a CBI investigation into the murder of journalists. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Mufti addresses rally at Kotranka Rajouri
22.11.2008 06:13
b4uindia.com
Campaigning came to an end this evening for four Assembly segments in the border district of Rajouri, which goes to polls in second phase on November 23. A total of 3.53 lakh electorates will be eligible to exercise their franchise for four constituencies including 1.82 lakh male and 1.70 lakh female. Rajouri, Kalakote, Nowshera and Darhal voters will vote their representatives in November 23 voting. With mikes down, the candidates can hold door to door canvassing in their last minute attempt to woo the electorates. In first phase of polling on November 17, three segments of Poonch district in Jammu region had gone to polls. Addressing a rally at Kotranka in Darhal segment, PDP patron and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed regretted that his successor Ghulam Nabi Azad has miserably failed to implement visionary policies which were formulated during his regime to mitigate miseries of the masses.. Sayeed said his Government had formulated comprehensive plans for over-all development of these neglected areas but his successor failed to continue the process of upliftment of far-flung areas.
India
Social Life
Former Princess of Bikaner lends a royal touch to Rajasthan Assembly polls
22.11.2008 06:13
b4uindia.com
Erstwhile Princess of Bikaner Siddhi Kumari, who is in the electoral fray as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate, brings about a royal touch to the state polls. Rajasthan boasts of royal legacies and now these royal families are all set to make a mark in the state polls as well. Such is the attraction to power that the former princess has made a foray into the land of the common man from her royal palace and is walking on foot to get to know the locals and garner votes. “There are many issues and this region is very developed. The BJP government has worked for the development of the region and I want to take the development process to the next level,” said Siddhi. Siddhi (35) is contesting from Bikaner East and is keeping alive the legacy of her family. Maharaja Karni Singh, her grandfather had won the Bikaner Lok Sabha seat five times. Even the locals are happy to see the former Princess mingle with them and understand their woes. “She has come out of her palace and is among us. She wanted to help the people and do good for them and even the locals are happy and she is getting all the love,” said Sunita Devi, a resident. All the 200 constituencies in Rajasthan will go to polls on December 04 to elect a new state Assembly and counting of votes will take place on December 08. The main battle in the state is between the ruling BJP and the Central-ruling Congress party. The BJP''s image has been damaged after violent protests over the issue of jobs and college quotas for the Gujjar community. Rajasthan is one of the six states going to polls, which experts say could prove a dress rehearsal for a general election in early 2009, between the ruling Congress-led coalition and the main opposition alliance led by the BJP. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Shivraj Patil asks states to raise special forces to counter terror
22.11.2008 06:13
b4uindia.com
Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today asked the states to raise special forces to counter terrorism which is fast spreading its tentacles across the country. Inaugurating a two-day annual Directors General and Inspectors General of Police Conference, Patil said: "Terrorist activities are perpetrated in the areas, which are close to international borders, covered with thick forests and which do not have good transport facilities and in cities. It is necessary to have plans and schemes to deal with them in these areas. "The speedy means of transport should be provided for this purpose. Helicopters and planes can be made available to the forces to reach the places where they are needed in time," he added. "In big cities, different methods need be used. In mega cites larger number of CCTV cameras should be used. The big cities should have control rooms, mobile police stations and the cooperation of the unions and associations to get the necessary information and other help in time. The cities are being attacked. So plans to provide special kind of security arrangements for cities should be made and used," Patil said. "Each state can have a nodal officer, who can deal with his counterparts in other states. If laws are needed to be amended for facilitating cooperation between the states, that should be done. The neighbouring states can prepare plans to control terrorism in cooperation with one another," he added. Patil said: "It is seen that terrorists live in one State, perpetrate terror in another and hide themselves in other State. They can be prevented from perpetrating terror or investigating crimes committed by them without delays and in an effective manner, if a Central agency for this purpose is created and allowed to act, by amending laws, if necessary." "Such a Central agency need not be allowed to take charge of ordinary criminal cases," he added. Patil also said that the best weapon, which can be used to counter terrorism, is intelligence. The Union Intelligence agencies are stronger and better equipped. But they also need to be strengthened further. Ruling out the possibility of enacting a law like POTA, Patil said that if required, some provisions can be added to the existing laws to facilitate investigation of terrorism-related cases, but such provisions must not go against the basic principles of criminal justice system and human rights. Patil gave away the Police Medals for meritorious service to officers and men of the Intelligence Bureau on the occasion. Organised by the Intelligence Bureau, the conference is being attended by police chiefs from all states and Union Territories, chiefs of para-military forces and security agencies. Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh will address the conference on Sunday. The alleged conspiracy by a saffron outfit in the Malegaon blast and the findings of the investigations are also likely to figure prominently at the conference. Attacks on Christians and their religious places in Orissa, Karnataka and Kerala will also be discussed during the deliberations. Strengthening of security cover for airports, rail, metro and bus networks, various aspects of financial terrorism, cyber crime and VVIP security would come up for discussions. Present at the inaugural session of the conference were Ministers of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal, Dr.Shakeel Ahmad and Radhika Selvi, National Security Advisor, M.K.Narayanan, Cabinet Secretary K.M. Chandrasekhar, Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta, Director, Intelligence Bureau, P. C. Haldar and Chiefs of Central Police Forces. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Indian biotech industry expected to grow despite global meltdown
22.11.2008 06:13
b4uindia.com
India''s biotechnology industry is confident of excellent augmentation in the coming years despite global meltdown. Experts feel that the Indian biotechnology industry, which currently holds only two percent share of the global market, has the potential to grow and emerge as global player in coming years. Expressing confidence at the prospect of biotech industry attaining the target of five billion dollars by 2010, Kiran Majumdar Shaw, Chairman and Managing Director of Biocon Limited, said agri biotech products and services will contribute a lot towards achieving this target. "The five billion dollar target that the Biotech industry has is definitely something that is going to be attained in that time frame of 2010. And this five billion dollar market that is forecast is going to comprise largely of pharmaceutical products like vaccines and other therapeutic products. It is going to comprise of agri biotech products, whichwill almost comprise a billion dollars. Then we are also going to form a billion dollar component of that particular business," said Shaw. According to a survey by Ernst and Young, India is projected as one of the emerging leaders in biotechnology, and is ranked third in the Asia-Pacific region, based on the number of biotech companies in the country. According to another survey conducted by Association of Biotech Led Enterprises (ABLE), Indian biotech industry has reported a growth of 20 per cent during the year 2007-08. The industry earned revenue worth 2.56 billion dollars, as against the last fiscal, which was 2.1 billion dollars. Out of this, the research services notched up growth of 500 million dollars. 250 dollars million growth was reported by bio informatics sector. India is emerging as an important destination for biotech development requirement of global companies. The industry is also grappling with global meltdown, where it has paved way for a lot of joint ventures and collaboration in the sector. The collaborations are being looked upon as means to bring down the cost of developing products to make the entire process quite affordable. The scenario looks favorable for the Indian biotech firms as industry experts say, they should focus on acquiring biotechnology units in foreign countries like the US, where global meltdown has led to fall in their valuations. (ANI)
India
Social Life
North-Indian sports industry feels the heat of global recession
22.11.2008 06:13
b4uindia.com
Sports industry of Jalandhar in Punjab, which has a turnover of around 20 billion rupees, is reeling under the intense heat of global recession. The industry, which is into manufacturing sports accessories of games like cricket, hockey, football and volleyball, started in late 40''s of the 20th century and has nearly 1000 units with almost 50,000 workers involved directly or indirectly. Forty per cent of the produce is exported while the rest is sold in the domestic markets. “Sports industry has been largely impacted by the recession in the international market. Australian dollar has exactly depreciated 20 per cent while pound is down by 15 per cent and euro with 10 per cent. So, all these things have largely impacted the sports industry. People are going in losses sometimes in fulfilling the in-hand orders,” said R. K. Mahajan, former vice-president of sports goods export promotion council. Market of the industry has been affected 30 per cent and unit owners fear it to rise to 40 per cent if corrective measures are not taken. “The impact of recession is nearly 30 per cent till today, this impact has started only two months back and I anticipate this to go another 10 per cent. The exports to UK, Australia are badly affected and the business from Caribbean countries USA, Canada too has been affected. It is affected about 10 per cent now,” said Surjeet Singh Jolly, owner of a unit. Traders are requesting the government to take measures to meet the crunch. “We request the government to give more and more benefits to exporters. And there should be equal laws for domestic traders in Uttar Pradesh and Jalandhar. Our customers will be attracted towards UP, if there are more benefits,” said Sanjay Kohli, owner of another unit. Indian authorities are struggling to shore up growth against the impact of the global financial crisis and have taken a host of steps including sharp rate cuts to fend off damage to the broader economy. New Delhi says the world was in a deep crisis but despite an adverse international environment India had the capacity to sustain a growth rate of about eight per cent. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Hyderabad’s Salarjung Museum facing the brunt of increasing pollution
22.11.2008 06:13
b4uindia.com
The famous Salarjung museum in Hyderabad that has an exquisite collection of priceless articles like ivory and marble sculptures is facing the brunt of increasing pollution and authorities fear that the antique pieces would soon loose their sheen. The museum authorities are now taking the help of Victoria and Albert Museum of the United Kingdom, which is the world''s greatest museum of art, to preserve these rare paintings and manuscripts. The Salarjung Museum is one of the largest museums in India housing the exquisite pieces of art from the world over. Nawab Mir Yousuf Ali Khan Salar Jung III (1889-1949), the prime minister of the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad had a passion for collecting unique pieces of art and spent a substantial amount of his income to collect a priceless collection. Former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru formally inaugurated the Salarjung Museum in 1951. The museum was shifted to its present location at Afzal Gunj in 1968. “We were having some difficulties with the pollution levels and to come out of this problem we have recently invited some people from the London- based Victoria and Albert Museum. Two experts who are experts in paintings have come and one of them is also a conservator. The expert has seen the museum’s artifacts and suggested some preventive measures,” said Virender, deputy keeper at Salarjung Museum. The process of protecting the articles is intricate and different chemicals are used in preserving different paintings. Even small measures like laying a garden in front of museum will go a long way in cutting the pollution levels drastically. “I suggested to different committees that we should add a garden in front of the museum to protect the museum''s artifacts by settling dust and the trees in the garden would prevent air pollution to some extent. All the entry points to the museum like the doors and the windows have been kept under control and some of the doors that lead towards the galleries have been closed,” said Nagender Reddy, director, Salarjung Museum. The museum is a treat for the connoisseurs of art and literature. It has a collection of over 43000 art objects and 50, 000 books and manuscripts. The collections pertain to Indian art, Middle Eastern art, Far Eastern art, European art and childrens’ art along with a founder’s gallery and a rare manuscript section. (ANI)
India
Social Life
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