U.S.Government Announces New Fee Structure,

Hyderabad(DECCAN SAMACHAR SERVICE)  As of June 4,2010, all U.S. Consular Sections worldwide will introduce a two-tiered fee structure for non-immigrant visas. This structured system coincides with a small, global application fee increase designed to balance the costs of recent enhancements to the visa application process. All applications for business or tourism (B-1/B-2), crew member (C-1/D), student (F or M), or exchange (J) categories will now cost $140 and a white receipt will be issued. Applications for petition-based work visa categories (H, L, O, P, Q, and R) will now cost $150 and a green receipt will be issued. These two receipts will still be purchased at approved HDFC Bank branches. Applications for treaty trader (E) visas will now cost $390 that will continue to be paid at the Consulate General.Applicants who purchased their receipts before June 4 will pay the balance between the old and new fees at the time of the interview. The previous application fee was $131 for all visas. The Department of State adopted the tiered system because petition-based applications require significantly more processing than other visa applications. The rate increase is for improvements in the manner and speed with which visa applications are processed, and in particular for fraud-detection efforts. The total fee covers the cost of accepting, adjudicating, and issuing nonimmigrant visa applications. In India alone, the U.S. government has increased consulate staffing by 40% over the last four years, and has invested over $100 million updating and expanding consular facilities. This includes a new Consulate General opened in Hyderabad, renovations to New Delhi consular facilities and a new Consulate General building in Mumbai. Applicants can read more about these and other changes at                                                                               http:// hyderabad. usconsulate. gov /visa _services.html.                            Send inquiries to HydNIV@state.gov.  
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Shri Kapil Sibal addresses the India-UAE Forum: calls for Collaboration to conquer new frontiers of knowledge

(PIB NEWS) Developing countries would emerge as the providers of solutions for the global community, which would be cost effective, and thus, effective for the entire world, in contrast to high cost solutions emerging from the developed world. This was stated by Shri Kapil Sibal, Union Minister for Human Resource Development while speaking at the India-UAE Forum, in Abu Dhabi last evening, on the subject, ‘Leveraging The Knowledge Economy Paradigm’. The forum was also addressed by Sheikh Nahayan Mubarak Al Nahayan, the Minister of Scientific Research and Higher Development for the UAE. Shri Sibal underlined that expansion in Higher Education is required in the developing world, in order to raise the Gross Enrolment Ratio(GER) to a robust level to generate the creativity and wealth that comes through intangible assets. He opined that the nature of wealth is shifting from acquisition of labour and capital to acquisition of intangible assets. Stating that expansion must be accompanied by quality, he said that in India initiatives are being taken to ensure this. The globalization of higher education has added newer challenges in terms of quality assurance system, issues of mutual recognition and equivalence of degrees and transparency in the regulatory structures of national systems of higher education. These challenges can be largely addressed by increased regional and international collaboration, the minister pointed out. Shri Sibal stated that the time has come to start a dialogue across countries as new frontiers of knowledge cannot be conquered without collaboration. All of us, in this globalised world, have a stake in each other’s future. (photo by PIB No:CNR.31755)
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Prime suspect behind German Bakery blast apprehended ,

The Union Home Minister, Shri P.Chidambaram has complimented ATS Maharashta, Pune Police and Central agencies for apprehending Abdul Samad, prime suspect behind the German Bakery blast. Following is the text of his statement issued here today.“The bomb blast in the German bakery, Pune occurred on February 13, 2010. The ATS Maharashtra, with the assistance of the Pune police, were able to identify the prime suspect behind the bomb blast. The Central Agencies were able to trace the suspect. He was apprehended yesterday (24.5.2010). He has been identified as Abdul Samad S/o Mohammed Zarar Siddibapa. He hails from Bhatkal, district Uttar Kannada, Karnataka. ATS Maharashtra has taken Abdul Samad into custody and will produce him before the Magistrate today. I compliment ATS Maharashtra, the Pune police and the Central Agencies for apprehending the prime suspect within 100 days of the incident.”
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Black Box Recovered ,

(PIB NEWS) The investigation team of DGCA has recovered Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) commonly known as Black Box, the most vital source of information, from the crash site of Air India Express aircraft at Mangalore today. The DFDR has been handed over to the air safety team of DGCA and is being brought back to the DGCA Headquarters. The DFDR though apparently impacted by the crash will be subjected to further tests for decoding and made available to the investigators. The DGCA investigation team, continuing with its investigations for search for vital components required for investigation, did an intense combing of the wider area at Mangalore crash site with the assistance of State Government officials and other specialized technical services today. As a result of the investigations today, the team recovered the Black Box. It has already recovered the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Digital Flight Data Acquisition Unit (DFDAU) on Sunday.
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Prime suspect of German Bakery blast held: Chidambaram

Abdul Samad, the prime suspect in the Feb 13 German Bakery blast in Pune, has been apprehended by the investigative agencies, Home Minister P. Chidambaram said Tuesday.“The Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS)Maharashtra,with the assistance of the Pune police, were able to identify the prime suspect behind the bomb blast. He has been identified as Abdul Samad, a resident of Bhatkal district of Karnataka. He was apprehended yesterday (Monday),”an official statement quoted Chidambaram as saying.“ATS Maharashtra has taken Abdul Samad into custody and will produce him before the magistrate today (Tuesday),” it added.Chidambaram complimented the investigative agencies for apprehending the prime suspect within 100 days of the incident.The bomb blast in the German Bakery killed 17 people.Following a tip-off, Samad (23) was nabbed by the Maharashtra ATS shortly after he arrived at the Mangalore airport on a flight from Dubai.He is said to be a close associate of Indian Mujahideen founders Riyaz Bhatkal and Iqbal Bhatkal, police sources here said.
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India, US discuss agenda for first strategic dialogue

Ahead of the first India-US strategic dialogue in Washington next week, US Under Ssecretary for Political Affairs William Burns Monday held discussions with Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao to firm up the agenda for the talks.Rao and Burns discussed issues related to expanding cooperation in the five focus areas of strategic cooperation, including energy and climate change, education and development, economic trade and agriculture, which have been identified for the strategic dialogue.“The substantive issues relating to the forthcoming visit of the external affairs minister to the US June 2-3, 2010, for the inaugural meeting of the India-US Strategic Dialogue in Washington were at the core of their discussions,” the external affairs ministry said in a statement Monday night.Besides bilateral issues, they also exchanged views on regional and global issues of shared interest and common concern, the ministry said.Issues relating to the stability of Afghanistan-Pakistan region also figured in the discussions, official sources said.Burns also called on Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Minister of State for Science and Technology Prithviraj Chavan and National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon.External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna will leave for Washington June 1 for the three-day visit which will be co-chaired by his counterpart, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal and Ahluwalia will be accompanying Krishna. Rao will join the Indian delegation in Washington from Beijing.This will be the first ministerial-level strategic dialogue between the two countries which are expanding their global partnership across a wide swathe of areas. Clinton had announced the dialogue during her visit to India in July last year.The talks between Krishna and Clinton are also expected to lay the groundwork for US President Barack Obama’s visit to India later this year.
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US hikes non-immigrant visa fees from June 4

The US has hiked the fees and introduced a two-tiered fee structure for all non-immigrant visas which will come into effect from June 4, a US consulate statement said here Tuesday.

Accordingly, all applicants for business or tourist (B-1/B-2), crew member (C-1/D), student (F or M), or exchange (J) categories will now have to pay $140 and receive a white coloured receipt.Petition-based work visas (H,L,O,P,Q and R categories) will now pay $150 and receive a green coloured receipt.These two coloured receipts will continue to be available at branches of HDFC Bank approved by the US Consulate here.Fiance (K category) visas will now pay $350 and continue to pay their fees at the consular section.For those who have purchased their receipts before June 4,will have to pay the balance between the old and new fees at the time of interview.Earlier, the application fees were a standard $131 for all visas. The new structured system coincides with a small global hike in application fees designed to offset the costs of recent ehnacements to the visa application process, the consulate statement added.It said that the US Department of State adopted the tiered system since petition-based applications required significantly more processing than other visa applications.“The rate increase is for improvements in the manner and speed with which visa applications are processed and in particular, for fraud-detection efforts,” the statement pointed out.The total fee would cover the cost of accepting, adjudicating and issuing non-immigrant visa applications.In India alone, the US government has increased consulate staff by 40 percent in the past four years with an investment of more than US $100 million towards updating and expanding consular facilities.This includes a new consulate opened in Hyderabad, renovations to the New Delhi consular facilities and a new consulate building in suburban Mumbai.Further details on the new charges are available at: http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov/non-immigrant_visas.html.Applicants can send inquiries about the revised fee structures to: MumbaiNIV@state.gov.
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Leonia launches Flowrider

Hyderabad, May 25 : Leading luxury resort Leonia Holistic Destination launched India's first surfing ridge 'Flowrider', claimed a company release on Tuesday.'The FlowRider' at Leonia provides a complete Entertainment transforming location for a Water Sport destination offering the fusion between Surf, Food, Music, Beverages and luxury resort amenities. It is a perfect place to hang out, a place to ride and a multifaceted lifestyle venue for families, group parties and corporate parties, said a company spokesperson.Raghu G, Director, Business Development, Leonia Holistic Destination, said, "Leonia enjoys a successful history of pioneering first of its kind facilities and amenities in the hospitality and leisure industry in India. Flowrider is a step towards our ambition to provide world class entertainment options to the people in India."Research has proved that 'FlowRider' is not only a calorie burner but also a great stress buster and acts as a anti-depressant.
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Isolated rain in AP, maximum temperature rises

Hyderabad, May 25: Isolated rain occurred over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Rayalaseema regions even as the maximum temperature rose significantly at one or two places over the state.The chief amounts of rainfall were reorded at Nandyal, Sompeta and Veeraghattam one each, Met department said today.The maximum temperature was significantly above normal at one or two places over Telangana and normal over Rayalaseema, but significantly below normal at one or two places over Coastal Andhra Pradesh. The highest maximum temperature of 45 degrees Celsius was recorded at Nizamabad. Isolated rain/thundershowers may occur over Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Rayalaseema. A spell of rain/thundershowers may occur in parts of the city towards night. Maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 41 and 27 degrees respectively.
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Singapore's Sembcorp to invest in Andhra power plant

Hyderabad, May 25: Singapore-based energy and water company Sembcorp Industries Tuesday signed an agreement with an Indian firm for a joint venture to set up a 1,320 MW power plant in Andhra Pradesh.Sembcorp Utilities, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sembcorp, will hold 49 percent in the venture, Thermal Powertech Corporation India Limited. The remaining 51 percent will be held by Gayatri Energy Ventures Private Limited, a subsidiary of Gayatri Projects Limited. Sembcorp will invest Rs.1,100 crore in the Rs.6,869 crore supercritical technology-based plant at Krishnapatnam in coastal Nellore district. The two companies signed the agreement in the presence of Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K.Rosaiah. Gayatri Projects Managing Director T.V. Sandeep Reddy said the first phase of 1,320 MW would be completed in 40 months while the work for the second phase of another 1,320 MW would begin in one year. He said the financial closure for the project was expected to be completed by mid-June. While Rs.5,151 crore of the project cost would be raised through debts, the remaining Rs.1718 crore will be in the form of equity. Reddy said no decision had been taken to have Sembcorp as the partner for the second phase. The boards of the two companies will take a decision. The entire project of 2,640 MW is expected to be completed in five years.
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