New Delhi, March 23:

The decks have been cleared for the dismantling of Specified Undertaking of the Unit Trust of India (SUUTI) and transfer of its equity holdings in various companies to a new special purpose vehicle (SPV).

It is likely to be named National Assets Management Company.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Friday approved dismantling of SUUTI, created in 2002 after the erstwhile Unit Trust of India (UTI) was wound up. The specified undertaking was tasked to oversee the assured-return plans of UTI.

The undertaking has significant stake in three listed blue-chip companies ITC (11.54 per cent), Axis Bank (23.6 per cent) and Larsen & Toubro (8.3 per cent) together valued at about Rs 38,000 crore at current market prices.

It also holds over one per cent stake in 16 companies. Its significant holdings in unlisted firms include the 16.96 per cent stake in Stock Holding Corporation of India.

The Economic Affairs Secretary, Mr R. Gopalan, said that the new special vehicle would help the Government's disinvestment programme, as it can buy shares of the divesting companies even when the market conditions are not conducive for public offers.

The special vehicle can take loans from banks backed by its key holdings to buy the Government stake being divested. The funds could be borrowed through negative lien under which shares cannot be sold without permission of lenders and the Government.

However, certain quarters feel that banks may not be too willing to lend money to the special vehicle against pledging of such shares.

The Cabinet committee nod is only for transfer of SUUTI's holdings to a special vehicle. No decision has been taken on pledging the shares with banks, official sources said. The decision on pledging is likely to be left to the board of the proposed vehicle.

Continued here:
Cabinet nod for winding up UTI's specified undertaking

Stroll the boardwalk like a Norwegian? You bet! Launching in April 2013, Norwegian Breakaway will feature The Waterfront and 678 Ocean Place two unique places for guests to relax and enjoy their experience at sea. These new spaces will include an oceanfront boardwalk lined with shops, restaurants and bars along with three flowing decks filled with dining, bars, entertainment areas, gaming, and more. The Waterfront is a large boardwalk at sea lined with a variety of seaside venues offering stunning ocean views. 678 Ocean Place fits in seamlessly, interconnecting three decks of entertainment and dining areas. These two new locations will include a total of 17 dining venues and 12 bars and lounges.

In addition to all of these exciting dining and entertainment areas, Norwegian Breakaway will have the biggest youth and teen facilities in the fleet. For the first time on any Norwegian Cruise Line ship, the new Splash Academy youth area will span across two decks located close to the ships family staterooms. The youth area will feature sections designed specifically for three age groups: Turtles for ages 3-5; Seals for ages 6-9; and Dolphins for ages 10-12. Splash Academy will also offer activities for Guppies tiny cruisers under the age of 3. Parents with young children under 3 can enjoy fun events with their child, including sensory play classes and Motion in the Ocean, a parent and tot mini workout session.

Splash Academy is located on Norwegian Breakaways Decks 12 and 13. On Deck 12, parents and kids will enter the reception area and register their children using Norwegians e-Youth tablet-based electronic registration system. Once inside, the 3-5 year olds will find their own colorful space willed with wall-mounted activities and child-sized furniture. In a separate area nearby, 6-9 year olds will find their place to play filled with building block activity centers, a dedicated space with popular video game stations, an interactive dance area, and much more.

Upstairs on Deck 13, 10-12 year olds have their own place to hang out complete with dedicated gaming stations, a cool lounge area, multipurpose visual dance space with a touch screen jukebox, and an activity zone with tons of supplies for arts and crafts. Comfortable seating and vibrant colors will make this the in space for tweens to chill on their cruise.

Located separately on Deck 16, Entourage is designed to be a high energy zone exclusively for teens ages 13-17. This hot spot includes air hockey; foosball, and an arcade center with five separate areas equipped with large screens for playing the latest video games. At night, Entourage turns into a teens-only nightclub with a dance floor, video jukebox, and large screen television. Entourage is conveniently located near the video arcade and an outdoor eatery and refreshment area, perfect for teens who just want to stay and play.

Norwegian Breakaway will be based year-round in New York City. The ship will sail to Bermuda during the summer months and to The Bahamas & Florida and the Caribbean during the rest of the year. For more information, visit http://www.breakaway.ncl.com, contact your favorite travel agent, or call Norwegian Cruise Line at 1-800-327-7030.

More:
Norwegian Breakaway Debuts Innovative New Features

The majority of the 1,500 people who died when the RMS Titanic sank were 3rd class passengers and members of the crew. Many researchers attribute the disproportionate loss of life to the liners design, which imposed some restrictions on 3rd class passengers. However, further investigation showed that the causes were much more prosaic.

Some passengers were neglected

Third-class and crew cabins were located in the hold, while promenade areas were on lower decks and in the quarter. They were separated from the promenade decks for wealthier passengers by special partitions staircases leading to upper decks had metal gates, the keys to which were kept by stewards. Some sources claim that these partitions were required by American immigration laws at the time.

Some 3rd class cabins were located at or below the waterline. This is why 3rd class passengers were the first to feel the collision with the iceberg.

Water started flooding many cabins right after the crash. People rushed to the corridor, trying to get to higher ground, but the majority of them never made it.

After the collision the crew was busy saving 1st and 2nd class passengers, leaving people in the lower decks to their own devices.

This approach reflected the spirit of the times in the early 20th century it was considered inappropriate to conceal the differing attitudes to rich and poor. Considering that most 3rd class passengers were immigrants seeking jobs in America, it wouldnt have even occurred to the crew to act otherwise.

Locked or not?

The first inquiry into the cause of the Titanic crash was opened in Washington in the days after the tragedy. Investigators paid much attention to the fate of 3rd class passengers. The main question was whether exits from lower decks were locked or not.

All interrogated crew members insisted unanimously that there were no restrictions for 3rd class passengers, and that they were not barred from the boat-handling deck. However, some passengers contradicted this claim in their testimony.

Read the original post:
Majority of Titanic Dead Were 3rd Class: Ill Fate or Ill Will?

Thu, Mar 29, 2012

Garmin will begin offering AC-U-KWIK Airport Directory data for its glass flight decks, the company announced Tuesday. Pilots around the world depend on the AC-U-KWIK directories for up-to-date information on unfamiliar airports," said Carl Wolf, Garmins vice president of aviation sales and marketing. "The electronic extension of this data integrated right into Garmin flight decks adds a valuable resource that will take operators another step closer to a paperless cockpit.

The AC-U-KWIK data contains a directory of more than 7,800 airports globally, and contains hard-to-find information for pre-flight planning in North America, Europe, Asia, Central America, the Caribbean, South America, Africa and Australia. Users have detailed information at their fingertips information like FBOs and handlers, fuel providers, customs information, ground transportation, charter companies, catering services and more.

AC-U-KWIK is available as an option for the G500, G600, G500H, G950, G900x, G3X and G300 flight display systems, as well as the G1000, G1000H, G2000, G3000 and G5000 integrated flight decks. Regional AC-U-KWIK data is available from flyGarmin.com for $49.95 for a single update and $195 for an annual subscription. Worldwide coverage is available for $74.95 for a single update and $299 for an annual subscription.

Read more:
Garmin Offers AC-U-KWIK Data For Glass Flight Decks

The East County Water Control District's (ECWCD) board of commissioners is expected to update a policy concerning unlawful construction of docks and other structures along the right-of- ways of Lehigh Acres canals and lakes.

David Lindsay, ECWCD manager, suggested that members of the public could also be named to a board to come up with what he called "remedies" to what is becoming a serious problem for the District.

And policies that dictate the removal of piers and decks through demolition are likely to cause some to object and others to cause problems that could endanger workers who will have to demolish structures on ECWCD's property along the canals and lakes, Lindsay said.

ECWCD staffers believe tempers may flare up when the public is told to tear down docks and decks built illegally on canals and lakes in Lehigh, Lindsay said.

The water control district, which has nothing to do with providing drinking water which is the responsibility of the utility, FGUA, is responsible for the stormwater drainage of Lehigh and to operate water control structures to prevent flooding during heavy rains and tropical storms and hurricanes through maintenance of the many canals.

Lindsay told board members last week that there are 45 docks, in all types of conditions , which have been built on the District's right-of-ways. On Able Canal, he said five docks and/or structures have been built. And on Lake Camille, there are 10 such docks and structures. He said there are structures that have been built by people who live on the canals at 35 other locations. A slide show was shown to the board and members of the public of some of the structures.

Structures, such as decks, observation decks and other types of structures have been built on a dozen canals in Lehigh.

Lindsay said the District has "issues with numerous docks and decks within our boundaries."

Even though property owners along canals and lakes can apply for a permit, for a majority of the structures, there have been no permits drawn and Lindsay offered that is time to evaluate its position on existing policies.

"Some people seem to think that if they are on a canal or lake, that they build on another's property," Lindsay said.

Link:
Docks, decks along canals may be demolished

The Headwaters Fund board approved a grant for a project aimed at convincing California residents to choose redwood over wood-plastic composite lumber when building decks.

Six members of the fund board awarded a three-year $750,000 grant -- $250,000 a year -- to the Humboldt Economic Development Division, which is working with the California Redwood Company and the Humboldt Redwood Company on the Forest Products Initiative marketing project. Board member Jackie Deuschle-Miller, a former Green Diamond Resource Company employee, recused herself.

The economic development division is sponsoring the grant and managing the project, said Jacqueline Debets, economic development coordinator and project manager. Under the grant's conditions, the board will review the project in two years and will have the option to withdraw funds.

The board overseeing the Headwaters Fund -- created by the county to utilize $22 million in state and federal funds given to offset the sale of the Headwaters Forest Reserve -- also required the economic development division and the two companies to give annual budget reports.

The California Redwood Company -- a subsidiary of Green Diamond Resource Company -- and the Humboldt Redwood Company will match the Headwaters grant by contributing another $750,000 toward the project cost, Debets said. The total project cost is estimated to be $1.5 million.

The goal is to increase the volume of redwood sales and thereby stop

The Forest Product Initiative will focus on redwood's durability and strength over composite lumber for use in decks, according to Carter Welch, vice president in marketing for the Humboldt Redwood Company. The marketing will be done primarily via 30-second television commercials. Welch said his company and the California Redwood Company plan to target men -- primarily ages 35 to 55 -- and will air the commercials during sports programs.

Both companies and the economics development division plan to gauge consumer response by doing a quantitative study after next year's building season, Welch said. He added that both companies conducted a study using 1,000 California residents on who would use composite lumber versus redwood lumber. After viewing the companies' video, more residents said they would use redwood lumber versus composite.

We'll constantly evaluate it and tweak it, he said, referring to the project.

California is the primary market for redwood, Debets said. Over the last 10 years, the composite lumber industry has grown and has waged an aggressive and successful marketing campaign against redwood. Up until now, redwood lumber manufacturers haven't responded, she said.

More:
Headwaters awards $750,000 for lumber marketing project; Forest Product Initiative seeks to promote redwood for decks

Monday, 26 March 2012 19:48

Another dimension for watching baseball games at South Alabama has been added to Stanky Field.

During spring break, South Alabama unveiled three new party decks in Right Field of Stanky Field, known as Jaguar Alley. These decks are free to students, and allow for several new things to do during game that were not previously available.

The decks are located in the outfield of Stanky Field, directly behind the Right Fielder, and provide a perfect view of the game from above the outfield fence. Fans can choose to watch the game from one of two levels on each deck, or from the ground and watch the game through the fence. Combined, the decks can hold 75 to 100 people.

Students are allowed to bring food, drinks, grills, chairs, tables, or whatever they want to the decks. They are also allowed to bring alcohol to games, as long as they are kept in a cup.

Fans may drive their vehicle carrying their supplies into the area behind Jaguar Alley and drop off their things before being asked to park in the Gamma parking lot behind the stadium. There will be shuttles that will bring you to the only gate that accesses Jaguar Alley, which is located behind the center field wall.

Athletic Director Dr. Joel Erdmann said that the decks were made with the students in mind, hoping the students will come out and bring a home-field advantage to Stanky Field that has lacked in previous years. Dr. Erdmann also talked of the possibility of adding additional parking to the Gamma cut-through.

The decks are in popular demand by different student associates, as they are available to be reserved for games. However, there will always be at least one deck open to the public. Space on the deck is on a first come, first serve basis. The decks are open rain or shine, and re-entry is allowed if you keep your ticket stub.

View post:
Deck addition equals home advantage

By Nancy McCleary Staff writer

By Nancy McCleary

The Fayetteville Cumberland County Crimestoppers, in an effort to solve cold-case homicides, has a few cards up its sleeve

Make that 260,000 cards, to be exact.

That's the number of playing cards in the 5,000 decks that Crimestoppers hopes will crack the unsolved cases.

Each card contains information and, when possible, photos about unsolved homicides in Fayetteville and Cumberland County.

"I had this goal about five years ago to do this as a project," said Duncan Hubbard, a past Crimestoppers president and current board member.

The cards were developed by Effective Playing Cards & Publications, a Florida-based company that began producing the cards in 2007, according to the company's website.

Part of the challenge of solving crimes is the transient nature of Fayetteville's population, Hubbard said. That's why he says the cards will be successful.

The decks will be given to inmates at the Cumberland County Detention Center, Hubbard said.

More:
Crimestopper program to put cold-case cards on the table

Process to begin from May 1; now candidates can exercise their choice by using Internet from anywhere

The Supreme Court on Friday permitted the Union Health Ministry to go ahead with online counselling from May 1 for filling postgraduate medical seats under the 50 per cent all-India quota in government colleges.

A Bench of Justices Deepak Verma and K.S. Radhakrishnan gave the nod for the Ministry's proposal after senior counsel Ashok Bhan explained the schedule. The entrance examination results were expected in a couple of days and personal counselling, which should commence on March 27 under the present system, could be dispensed with if online counselling was approved. If permitted, it could begin on May 1, counsel said.

A proposal for online counselling for undergraduate courses for 2012-13 would also be submitted to the court shortly.

Under the online system of seats allotment, candidates need not come to the counselling centre. He/she can exercise his/her choice by using Internet from anywhere. Even for the second and third counselling, he/she can follow the same procedure. The National Informatics Centre is making the online counselling process.

Under the online system, the college, subject and seats will be identified for the open category, the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, the Other Backward Classes and the physically handicapped. Identification will be done by arranging seats alphabetically, State-wise, college-wise, degree subjects and then PG diploma subjects.

In its application, the Health Ministry said that since the number of seats available under the all-India quota in both PG and undergraduate courses had increased over the years, it was not possible to complete counselling by personal appearance within the prescribed time limit. Further, the online system would benefit candidates, including physically challenged persons, girl students and their parents, who were now required to undertake a long journey.

At present, there was provision for two rounds of counselling. Under online counselling, there would be three rounds, ensuring that most of the seats were filled.

The Ministry sought the following modifications: Candidates, five times the number of seats available for allotment to all qualified aspirants, will be given chance to participate in online counselling; candidates will have the right to choose from seats available in a particular category without any restriction on the number of choices of course and college; each candidate will be given 10 days' joining time; the allotment made will be final; candidates who do not register for online allotment process during the notified dates or who do not fill up their choice, online, for allotment or those who do not join the allotted course/college within the stipulated time will forfeit their claim for a seat under the all-India quota scheme.

At the end of the counselling period, the vacant seats will be surrendered to the respective States.

View post:
Supreme Court clears decks for online counselling for PG medical seats

News 12 at 6 o'clock / Monday, March 19, 2012

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- If you build it, they will come. That is the idea behind a plan to build new dorms and parking decks at Augusta State University.

"Change will come," said Dr. Ricardo Azziz. "We can't continue to do the same thing that we have done before and expect new results."

Some agree with the plan.

"I think freshman dorms are a great idea," said Professor Steven Weiss who is convinced the move would attract more students. "Another advantage of student dormitories on campus is that they create a new kind of campus environment."

Sources tell News 12 the construction would be focused on the Walton Way campus along Arsenal Avenue. School leaders want to replace the surface parking.

"Initially I would say it is kind of a scary thought," said Mayor Pro Tem Joe Bowles who lives in the surrounding Summerville neighborhood. "It [at first]sounded like a crazy idea. My concern is there are a lot of homes that surround Augusta State and the impact on the property value if you build a parking deck right in somebody's backyard."

"This is a large parking deck and as you can see it is very well landscaped," said GHSU communication director Jack Evans. "This is actually one of the greener, better-looking parts of the GHSU campus."

Evans is also president of the Summerville Neighborhood Association.

"We don't want traffic flow problems," Evans said. "We don't want eyesores."

Read more here:
First On 12: Azziz to meet with Ripken Group, wants ASU dorms, parking decks