B4U India

Ericsson to build and operate network for Saudi Arabia’s smart city

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 06:47:00 -0400

Ericsson, which is the worlds leading provider of services and technology to telecom operations, has been awarded a contract worth 85 million dollar to supply, build, integrate, operate and manage multi-play communications infrastructure for Saudi Arabia’s high-tech flagship city, the King Abdullah Economic city (KAEC).

When the project is completed, King Abdullah Economic City, near Jeddah, will be the world’s truly smart city.

An Ericsson press release says the turnkey agreement award “breaks new ground in Saudi Arabia as Ericsson’s first GPON-enabled IPTV contract, the first fiber optic contract and the first fixed-network IMS contract, where Ericsson provides systems integration and network rollout services. The network will provide innovative services using latest GPON fiber-to-the home technology, enabling advanced multimedia services for TV, PC and telephones. Services such as IP telephony, movies-on-demand, personalized TV, super fast internet and data services are being provided at competitive prices for King Abdullah Economic City’s 2 million residents.”

Bjorn Hemstad, Ericsson’s Chairman Central Europe, Middle East and Africa, said that Saudi Arabia is one of the key markets in the company’s expansion across the region.

“The partnership with King Abdullah Economic city, a pioneering development project, will help us to showcase our capabilities in smart city design, management and operation. With the agreement, Ericsson will bring residents and tenants of the city the world’s breakthrough innovations in ICT,” Hemstad said.

KAEC is being built on a privileged location on the Red Sea near Jeddah and will house some two million Saudis. It have a sea port, an industrial district, educational zone, central business district with commercial, mixed-use, retail outlets and financial island, resorts and residential area. (ANI)

McCain names Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as running mate

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 06:46:00 -0400

Republican presidential candidate John McCain has named Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his vice-presidential running mate.

Fox and CNN said campaign sources confirmed the surprise choice of Palin, 44, just minutes away from the start of a rally here where the Republican will make the official announcement.

Sarah Palin, John McCain’s vice presidential pick and the first female governor of Alaska, is seen as a rising star within the Republican Party.

She became the youngest person to assume the top office of the 49th State in 2006. Her anti-abortion stance is certain to appeal to evangelicals, while her views on the threats of climate change mirror those of Senator McCain.

Born in Sandpoint, Idaho, on Feb. 11, 1964, Palin moved with her family at the age of three months to Wasilla, Alaska, though she returned to her birth state to attend the University of Idaho, where she studied journalism and graduated in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree.

Palin is the mother of five children — Bristol, Willow, Piper, Track and Trig, who was born in April with Down syndrome.

She grew up in Wasilla, just outside of Anchorage, played on Wasilla’s state champion girls’ basketball team in 1982, wore the crown of Miss Wasilla in 1984 and competed in the Miss Alaska contest.

She began her professional career as a television sports reporter, but after she married her husband, Todd, she helped run his family’s commercial fishing business. Other professional endeavors included the ownership of a snow machine, watercraft and all-terrain-vehicle business.

She ran for Wasilla City Council in 1992, winning her seat by opposing tax increases. Four years later, she was elected mayor of Wasilla at age 32 by knocking off a three-term incumbent.

At the end of her second term, party leaders encouraged her to enter the 2002 race for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor. Against veteran legislators with far more experience, Palin finished second by fewer than 2,000 votes, making a name for herself in statewide politics. (ANI)

Two killed, 32 hurt in Kohat suicide attacks

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:45:00 -0400

Two people were killed and 32, including 25 security men were injured in three suicide attacks in Kohat on Friday.

The News quoted sources, as saying that the suicide bombers attempted to ram three explosive-laden vehicles at security forces camp in a building near Kohat tunnel in Darra Adamkhel.

The first suicide bomber drove his double cab towards the building housing security forces, but security personnel opened fire on the vehicle before he could reach the structure.

As the bullets struck the car, it exploded at the gate of the complex. Second car was blasted after hitting the wall whereas third suicide bomber left the car at the gate of the camp and managed to flee. Two persons were killed in the blast

Inspector of tunnel security forces William Johnson and 32 others including 25 security men wounded in the blast. The injured were shifted to CMH Kohat. Security forces have cordoned off the area. (ANI)

PML (Q)’s Mushahid asks Zardari to quit presidential race

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:44:00 -0400

The presidential candidate of Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Mushahid Hussain Syed has urged Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman, Asif Ali Zardari, to quit the race for the post of Pakistan president.

Talking to media persons outside parliament house, Mushahid Hussain said that president should be identified with the reference of Pakistan. I am ready to debate Asif Zardari.

He appealed to Zardari to withdraw his candidature from president polls in national interest, to strengthen democracy and for Peoples Party’s future. (ANI)

Nepal Vice President accuses India for grim flood situation

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:44:00 -0400

Nepal Vice President Parmananda Jha on Friday held Indian Government responsible for the breaches in the embankments of the Kosi river while visiting the flood-ravaged areas of Nepal recently.

The flooding caused by torrential rains, which officials say is the worst in five decades, was caused after the Kosi river breached a dam in Nepal where it originates, unleashing huge waves of water that smashed mud embankments downstream reaching as far as Bihar in India.

The flooded Kosi River flowing above the danger level in Nepal has damaged the Sirha dam at three places, posing a major threat to the dam and the nearby Kosi barrage.

Jha visited the Koshi barrage and camps at Bhardaha, Prartaha and other flood-hit areas and enquired about the victims'' condition.

He said the catastrophe took place in the country owing to indifference of the Indian government despite the attention drawn by the Nepalese government towards the situation from time to time in the past.

“This is a very sorrowful incident. At present we believe that India is responsible for the current situation. India might say that Nepal is responsible for it but this would be assessed later. India was responsible for maintenance of the dam. After seeing the breach of the dam you yourself can figure out that who''s responsible for it,” said Jha.

Relief and rescue operations continue slowly in Nepal- with the swirling floodwaters making it difficult for rescue teams to airlift flood victims.

“Our house and four animals were drowned in water. We could not take anything from our house we lost everything. Somehow we managed to save our lives,” said Janki Devi, a flood victim.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has declared floods in Bihar a national calamity and offered assistance worth billions of rupees to the flood affected regions of the State.

More than two million people have been forced from their homes in Bihar in what officials say are the worst floods in half a century to hit the region. (ANI)