Union Carbide not Liable for Bhopal Tragedy: US Court

In a setback to the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy, a US court ruled that neither Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) nor its former chairman Warren Anderson were liable for environmental remediation or pollution-related claims. 

The US District Judge John Keena in Manhattan dismissed a lawsuit that accused the company of causing soil and water pollution around the Bhopal plant where a gas leak had claimed thousands of lives in 1984. 

The judge ruled that the UCC and Anderson were not liable for remediation or pollution-related claims by people living around the plant. The court was hearing a lawsuit filed by Bhopal residents against UCC, which is now owned by Dow Chemicals, and its chairperson Andersen for injuries caused by toxic waste from the plant.

The court ruled that it was Union Carbide India Ltd (UCIL), and not its parent company UCC, was responsible for water pollution in the area. 

The residents near the plant reacted strongly saying they were expecting such verdict ahead of the London Olympics as the Dow Chemicals is a sponsor of the games. 

The UCC said that it has sold its stake in UCIL, which later changed it name to Eveready Industries India Ltd, ten years after the gas tragedy. The court's decision not only dismisses the lawsuit but also clarifies that UCC has no liability related to the pollution. It said that the site ownership as well the state government is responsible for the pollution. 

The petitioner Janki Bai Sahu and others had alleged “toxic substances seeped into a ground aquifer, polluting the soil and drinking water supply in residential communities surrounding the former Bhopal plant site”. They alleged that exposure to soil and drinking water polluted by hazardous waste produced UCIL caused injuries.

Vodafone to cut International Roaming Charges by 60%

Providing much benefit and relaxation to the international users, Vodafone India has announced an international roaming package offering 60 percent discount for Voice, Data and SMS.

The offer will be through one single pack costing Rs. 1499 per month which will be applicable across 40 popular international countries including Australia, France, Italy, Singapore, Switzerland, UK and US.

In these days most of the Indian international users prefer Matrix Cellular Company’s international SIM and data cards for its competitive pricing. But after this offer Vodafone will be the best preferred telecom service in international arena.

Further, this move of Vodafone is likely to encourage other India based telecom companies to decrease international roaming charges.

Vodafone said on Tuesday that the offer, which will be applicable only for its post-paid subscribers, is a promotional one and will be available till September this year. Yet, if works well, it may be extended.

Vodafone hopes that the offer will curtail straight 50 percent of the international traveler’s cost.

Analysts feel that though revenue from international roaming was too less, but this move will help Vodafone retain its roaming customers who earlier would switch to a Matrix card.

So now the Indian international subscribers who don’t want to change their numbers during travelling to abroad destinations will definitely prefer this offer.

Matric Results Leaked! Top 100 Merit List Online!

In a shocking development, 12 hours before the Matric Results (HSC/10th) in Odisha are declared, the hackers managed to publish the Top 100 Merit list on social networking sites, including Facebook last night.

The 2012 Matric Results will be published at 9 AM today. However, the merit list was published earlier, bringing a lot of embarrassment to the Board of Secondary Education (BSE) in Odisha, which confirmed the results.

At least 110 students are placed in the Top 100 Merit List. Dibyanshu Kar (588) of Oupada High School, Balasore has topped the 2012 Matric Exams in Odisha, while Ankit Mahapatra (583) of Saraswati Vidyamandir, Boudh has secured the second spot. Sthitaprajna Nath Sharma (582) of Ravenshaw Colleagiate School, Cuttack is at the third place.

Facebook appoints Sandberg as First Woman Director

Facebook announced the appointment of its Chief Operating Officer (COO) Sheryl Sandberg as a member of the Board of Directors, making her the first woman member with the Board. The appointment was announced on Monday.

"Sheryl has been my partner in running Facebook and has been central to our growth and success over the years," Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said appreciating Sheryl in a statement. "Her understanding of our mission and long-term opportunity, and her experience both at Facebook and on public company boards makes her a natural fit for our board." says Mark.

Harvard alumna Sandberg, whose profile is considered second in Facebook after Zuckerberg, played a significant role in launching Facebook's IPO and working with business partners. The 42-year-old lady joined Facebook in 2008.

At present she looks after Facebook's overseas business operations including sales, marketing, business development, legal, human resources, public policy and communications.

Sandberg said “Facebook is working to make the world more open and connected, a mission that I'm deeply passionate about, and I feel fortunate to be part of a company that is having such a profound impact in the world." on her promotion to the board.

Prior to Facebook, Sandberg was vice president of Global Online Sales and Operations at Google, and before that served as the Chief of Staff for the United States Treasury Department under President Bill Clinton and began her career as an economist with the World Bank. She also serves on the boards of The Walt Disney Company, Women for Women International and the Center for Global Development.

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