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Arcelor in bag soon: Mittal |
Steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal hopes to close Mittal Steel’s purchase of Arcelor “well before the end of the second quarter”, local newspapers cited him as saying.
“Everything will depend on the authorities and Arcelor’s strategy to block it,” Mittal added in an interview published in various dailies such as De Tijd and La Libre Belgique. Mittal Steel, the world’s biggest steelmaker, recently submitted a draft prospectus of its bid, which is worth about $22 billion, to the stock market authorities where Arcelor shares are listed. Arcelor and a number of European politicians have rejected the offer. Luxembourg-based Arcelor has hired a group of banks to help it develop a strategy to fend off Mittal Steel.
Mittal, majority owner of Mittal Steel, said he had yet to receive an invitation from Arcelor to talk about his bid. “We have not met them yet, and we have not received any invitation to meet them,” he said. Mittal reiterated his refusal to raise his offer for Arcelor. “Our offer is already attractive,” he said. “There is no reason to raise our offer.” |
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Time ripe for global India TV channel |
Now a television channel that will give BBC and CNN a run for their money, to cater to Indians abroad. Too optimistic? Well, the ministry of overseas Indian affairs and Prasar Bharati don’t think so. The ministry has mooted a proposal to launch a global Diaspora media channel for people of Indian origin (PIOs) world over.
The demand arose after several participants at the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD) 2006 in Hyderabad expressed the need for a channel that highlighted consciousness of “cultural heritage and India ‘s plurality”.
“While there are private channels that are available to Indians abroad, the government should also have dedicate content for the growing and influential numbers abroad,” an overseas affairs official said.
The proposal has been discussed with Prasar Bharati officials, who already have DD Abroad that has been running for some time now. “We have discussed the possibility of a new channel. Prasar Bharati is analysing the kind of content that is already available to DD Abroad and we should come to a decision in time,” S.K. Arora, information and broadcasting (I&B) secretary said. |
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Kamil Hasan gets key position in US govt |
Washington: Entrepreneur Kamil Hasan, the first Indian American to be appointed as Member-at-Large of the Democratic Party, hopes to use his position to jockey greater influence for the community in policymaking. Hasan, founder of the Silicon Valley-based Hitek Venture Partners, was appointed by Howard Dean, who heads the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
“This appointment gives us a seat at the table with top leaders of the Democratic Party,” Hasan said. “I expect to be involved in policymaking and development of the platform for the party, helping the presidential candidate.” He hoped the position would eventually lead to increased appointments of Indian Americans in policymaking if Democrats returned to power in the White House. His own appointment, Hasan said, could not have come at a better time. “This is perfect timing. India-US relations are improving, the Indian community has the intellectual power to guide the American government and it has more influence in decision-making.” |
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Anil Kapoor to be brand ambassador of South Africa |
Actor Anil Kapoor has been lauded by President Thabo Mbeki for agreeing to become a brand ambassador for South Africa.
Kapoor joined various dignitaries at the opening of the South African parliament. Mbeki said in his opening address of the joint sitting of parliament: “I am honoured to acknowledge the presence in the gallery of an outstanding human being and friend of our country and people, leading Indian actor, Anil Kapoor. “All of us are deeply moved that Anil Kapoor has agreed to serve as one of South Africa’s global brand ambassadors, committed to mobilise the peoples of the world to support our efforts to make a success of our liberation.”
Kapoor has earlier admitted to having a soft spot for South Africa after first coming here about 15 years ago to shoot for a film. Since then, he has been a frequent visitor to South Africa for business and private reasons. |
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