Will iPhone multitasking wishes be granted?

SEATTLE - Topping the instruct list for the iPhone and the iPad: broader capability to run some-more than one module at a time.

On Thursday, Apple Inc. will refurbish the module that powers both devices. IPhone owners and computer programmers who write applications for the renouned intelligent phone have grumbled over boundary to such multitasking. The have a difference might expand as people with iPads, that have incomparable screens, try to have use of them in place of some-more absolute computers.

The iPhone already allows for a little multitasking, but thats mostly singular to Apples own programs. One of Apples new commercials shows an iPhone user receiving value of time spenthold profitable bills, checking e-mail, personification games and afterwards switching behind to calling.

Story continues subsequent ↓advertisement your ad here

But Apple has nonetheless to give users ways to seamlessly switch between all the module "apps" accessible from outward module companies, the approach phones from rivals Palm Inc. and Google Inc. already do.

So an iPhone user wouldnt be means to attend to song utilizing the Pandora module and check a bank comment online simultaneously, for example. In majority cases, users contingency lapse to Apples home screen, effectively quitting the open program, prior to starting a new task.

Thats unsuitable to majority users and module developers, and full multitasking stays highmany peoples instruct lists. Because Apples new iPad runs the same module as the iPhone, changes would request to that incomparable tool as well. Some people have hold off shopping one given of the incapacity to run some-more than one module at a time.

But the reasons Apple is believed to be resistant to broader multitasking — worries about battery life, opening and security — remain.

Ross Rubin, an researcher from NPD Group, pronounced he believes those are still big issues for Apple, and he doesnt hold full multitasking will be between the changes in the iPhone handling complement to be voiced at Apples Cupertino, Calif., domicile Thursday. Apple did not rught away answer requests for some-more report about the plans.

Apple has given module developers singular ways to work around the multitasking restrictions, such as permitting them to send really simple notifications nudging iPhone users to open an app for updated information.

Some people goal that if Apple doesnt supplement multitasking, it would at slightest have the notifications less intrusive. Now, if a presentation comes through, users contingency understanding with it or boot it prior to returning to what they were doing.

The last time Apple done a vital rider to the iPhone handling software, in Mar 2009, it combined facilities that majority iPhone users had been clamoring for given the device launched dual years earlier. Those facilities enclosed the capability to copy, cut and paste, and a poke duty that worked opposite all programs.

But this time, over multitasking, there seemed to be fewer big-ticket requests from bland iPhone owners.

The new version of the iPhone system, expected to be well known as OS 4.0, probably wouldnt be accessible for a couple of months. Most of the changes would have evident interest to module developers, not unchanging users, pronounced Charles Golvin, an researcher for Gartner Inc.

Golvin believes Apple is expected to launch a complement for delivering ads to iPhone and iPad apps, reflecting the Jan merger of mobile promotion association Quattro Wireless.

Although majority of the changes Apple creates to the iPhone module will take awhile to interpret in to benefits for the normal iPhone user, the majority committed Apple watchers and bloggers have been honing their iPhone instruct lists.

They want, between alternative things, a one inbox for all e-mail accounts, await for some-more e-mail folders, wireless synching with a computer and a approach to bond an iPhone with a unchanging keyboard, by plugging one in or utilizing Bluetooth wireless technology.

Click for associated contentApple to preview new iPhone software10 necessary iPad tips and tricks thirteen vivid iPad shortcomingsApple sells over 300,000 iPadsday of debut

But as is regularly the case, presaging the subsequent move by secrecy-obsessed Apple is subsequent to impossible.

"Its Apple," Golvin said, "so who ... knows what essentially could come out."

,,.

Expert wants coal-burning plants close

RALEIGH -- Global warming theorists have been severe from allegations of unsure scholarship in new months, but warming advocates in this state have not cooled their ardor.

N.C. Waste Awareness and Reduction Network, a Durham organisation that opposes chief appetite and coal-burning appetite plants, warned Monday that the world could turn uninhabitable for humans if we dont put a lid on hothouse gas emissions.

NC WARNs matter is an opening storm for hearings currently prior to the N.C. Utilities Commission on appetite direct projections by the states dual greatest appetite companies, Progress Energy and Duke Energy.

NC WARNs star declare is John Blackburn, a former authority of Duke Universitys economics dialect who was additionally the universitys provost and chancellor in the 1970s. He has additionally created dual books on renewable energy.

Blackburn will attest that the state can close down all of the coal-burning appetite plants in fifteen years and encounter all the appetite needs by a multiple of solar energy, breeze power, cogeneration and appetite efficiency. Cogeneration is the use of recycling rubbish feverishness to beget physical phenomenon or heat.

Blackburns is the boldest explain nonetheless done by environmental advocates in a open conference prior to the utilities commission. Half the states stream physical phenomenon needs are met by coal. Blackburns explain that it can all be transposed with immature appetite resources vastly exceeds the state idea of 12.5 percent by 2021.

Duke Energy calls Blackburns estimates reckless, impractical and "so injured as to be utterly unreliable," in a filing with the commission.

Blackburns display will take place as piece of an annual examination of application direct projections. Both companies have posted disappearing physical phenomenon sales during the recession, but Progress projects a twenty-four percent enlarge in direct by 2024, and Duke, 43 percent by 2029.

john.murawski or 919-829-8932

3D TV to face tellurian exam in soccer World Cup

LONDON Thu April 8, 2010 5:26pm EDT Related Video Taking a punt on 3D World Cup Thu, April 8 2010

Is the climb in National Insurance unequivocally a taxation on jobs?

& ,}

Why is National Insurance such a big choosing issue?

Last Dec Alistair Darling, the chancellor, voiced in his pre-budget inform that he would lift National Insurance (NI) by an one some-more 0.5% for both employers and employees from Apr 2011. In his Apr 2009 bill he had already voiced plans to enlarge it by 0.5%. The total 1% climb would move in about 8 billion of additional tax.

What do the Tories say?

They introduce cancelling majority of the programmed NI rise, at a cost of 5.6 billion. People earning in in between 7,100 and 45,000 would gain, majority by about 150 a year, as would the firms who occupy them.

Focus: Election 2010 Brightons so far left, the roughly HastingsMeet the kingmakers the Motorway MenIs the climb in NI unequivocally a taxation on jobs?Brown: "Just see at my achievementsElection 2010: Be tanned, tailored and witty Election specialMarginal"s electorate wish details, not slogansThe outcome on Labour from the streetTory women MPs spoiling for a fightGove vows to get each kid readingCameron faces rare pitch odds

What has been the reaction?

More than 100 commercial operation leaders, and majority commercial operation organisations, have come out in await of the plan in a array of letters mutual by the Tories observant Labours taxation on jobs will fall short the recovery.

Why do they call it a taxation on jobs?

Because NI is a payroll taxation it is mostly thought of as a taxation on jobs. Most economists say, however, that it is no some-more a taxation on jobs than, for example, income tax.

Martin Weale, of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, forked to the last time NI rose, in 2003. Rather than cut jobs, employers responded by paring behind the expansion in wages. The Treasury predicts that stagnation will dump by 250,000 subsequent year notwithstanding the climb in NI.

The Tory offer is renouned with businesses but how will it be funded?

The Conservatives contend they can cut 12 billion out of supervision spending in the stream year, 2010-11, and have use of half of that to compensate for not augmenting NI as much.

How will they do that?

They have not set out accurate details, but on Friday Sir Peter Gershon, Labours former potency guru who is right away operative for the Tories, pronounced controls on open zone recruitment could save in in between 1 billion and 2 billion and cuts in IT spending at slightest 2 billion.

What do alternative experts say?

Gerry Grimstone, the City office worker advising Labour on potency savings, pronounced the Tory plan was only not credible. Professor Colin Talbot at Manchester University, Britains inaugural educational consultant on open zone efficiency, says slicing spending by 6 billion would outcome in 120,000 lost jobs in the open and in isolation sectors this year. Part of the due Tory clampdown would strike in isolation IT firms.

What about the bill deficit?

With open borrowing attack a jot down 167 billion in 2009-10, according to Treasury estimates, the choosing conflict was ostensible to be about who had the majority convincing plan to cut it. By abandoning one of Labours due deficit-cutting taxation rises, and observant they will have up the disproportion with potency savings, the Conservatives have paid in instalments difficult speak until after the election.

Have Camerons Cuties unequivocally got what it takes to renovate politics?

As a investigate of womanlike aspiration it"s estimable of a Vanity Fair design spread: the Tories proudly parading their ultimate purchase of womanlike possibilities in a silken photoshoot.

These are Dave"s Dolls, the genuine women he"s promoted and, in a little cases, selected, to quarrel and win protected Conservative seats in the General Election. And what a erotically appealing garland they are. No identical tiwn sets and pearls here.

Some blue blood, but not a blue wash in sight, they are his new fighting force; the tip arms with that he believes he will win the war.

Enlarge

PR girl: Priti Patel

THE PR GIRL

Priti Patel, 38, Witham, Essex

Rising star, on Cameron"s "A-list" - a preference of elite impending possibilities - set to be the Conservative party"s initial Asian womanlike MP.

Daughter of Ugandan immigrants diminished by tyrant Idi Amin, Priti was innate in London.

Parents ran a post bureau in farming Norfolk and afterwards a successful small emporium in the South-East.

Priti was prepared at a Watford extensive and complicated economics at Keele University.

Tory celebration piece of given the age of 18, landed a pursuit at Conservative Central Office in 1994 and became William Hague"s Press officer.

Also worked for drinks hulk Diageo, and until not long ago was join forces with executive at Weber Shandwick, one of world"s greatest open family firms, with clients together with Barclays.

Has a one-year-old-son with her husband, Alex Sawyer.

"I"ve regularly thought the day the Conservatives get inaugurated again will be the day they have people that see and receptive to advice similar to me," she says.

Enlarge

The Brownie leader: Keely Huxtable

THE BROWNIE LEADER

Keely Huxtable, 28, Birmingham Northfield

Full-time mother, innate and brought up in constituency.

Attended extensive propagandize prior to study governing body at Cadbury College.

Joined Tory Party in 2003 and stood in legislature elections.

Married to Birmingham Tory councillor Tim Huxtable. Daughter Katie is scarcely two.

Worked in the polite use and internal government, whilst completing Open University grade on amicable policy.

Long-serving Guider in the Brownies, propagandize administrator and proffer song teacher.

Practising devout Christian. "I"m from an average, industrious family," she says. "I similar to to think I know what is indispensable at grassroots level."

Enlarge

The football coach: Deborah Dunleavy

THE FOOTBALL COACH

Deborah Dunleavy, 46, Bolton North East

Born and lifted in constituency, she stood in the last General Election, for Bolton South East, reception twenty per cent of votes to Labour 57 per cent.

Daughter of house painter and decorator, attended all-girls" abbreviation propagandize prior to operative in sales and insurance. Now executive of organisation of eccentric monetary advisers.

Proud of her roots, still lives in Bolton with partner Mark and 3 young kids Olly, Isabella, Scarlett. Parents and sister live in same street.

When son was at school, she took FA obligation and coached youth football team. Passionate Bolton Wanderers supporter.

"Candidates similar to me are not veteran politicians," she says. "We"re standard people with standard hold up experiences."

Enlarge

The author: Louise Bagshawe

THE CHICK-LIT AUTHOR

Louise Bagshawe, 38, Corby and East Northants

Fiercely ambitious, piece of Cameron"s middle circle, featured on A-list and sloping for early graduation to ministerial ranks.

Raised in Sussex, attended encampment initial and Woldingham Catholic girls" boarding school. Father a stockbroker, mom court and former head teacher. Read Anglo-Saxon and Norse at Oxford.

Worked for EMI Records and Sony Music, furloughed Europe with complicated steel bands such as Guns N" Roses.

Best-selling chick-lit writer - books embody Passion, Glitz and Glamour.

She and skill swindler father not long ago divorced. Three children.

In 1996, tender by Blair, she assimilated Labour Party. Switch to Tories came, since "party seems ready to change".

"I longed for to do something some-more than lay in a pub, angry about the state of Britain," she says.

Enlarge

The Labour convert: Helen Grant

THE LABOUR CONVERT

Helen Grant, 48, Maidstone and the Weald, chair hold by Ann Widdecombe

Tipped to turn Tory"s initial black womanlike MP. Started hold up on a difficult Carlisle legislature estate - daughter of white British mom and Nigerian father, who separate up when she was a child.

Having excelled academically and in competition at extensive school, complicated law at University of Hull. Set up Grants Solicitors in Croydon. Husband Simon is a partner. They have dual teenage sons. Family law use has 12,000 clients and twenty employees.

One of Cameron"s A-list candidates, before long after being comparison it was suggested she"d assimilated the Labour celebration in 2004. Now says upheld them usually briefly.

"I listened one of David Cameron"s speeches when he pronounced he recognized there was a total era of people who worked hard, who longed for good things themselves, but who additionally believed in amicable justice," she says. "I thought: "That"s me." "

Enlarge

Turkish inherent reforms ready by end-March: Erdogan

ISTANBUL Sun Feb 28, 2010 5:44pm EST Related News Turkey"s difference deepens with ultimate troops arrestsSun, Feb twenty-eight 2010

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan addresses the media in Ankara Feb 9, 2010.

Credit: Reuters/Umit Bektas

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey"s supervision will benefaction due reforms of the constitution to council by the finish of March, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan pronounced on Sunday, according to Turkish media reports.

World&&&&Turkey

The Islamist-rooted supervision says the inherent remodel package is indispensable to quell the energy of judges and prosecutors, and has in jeopardy to call a referendum on reforms.

The proposals come in the surrounded by of renewed tensions with the troops following the arrests of some-more than thirty officers, together with dual late generals, charged with plotting to overpower the government.

"We are not articulate about an A to Z shift in the constitution," Erdogan said, adding that the changes would concentration on areas such as the law and articles relating to domestic parties.

Turkey adopted a military-drafted constitution in 1982, dual years after a manoeuvre by the armed forces. It enables Turkey"s Constitutional Court to anathema parties that it deems a hazard to Turkey"s physical identity.

Erdogan"s AK celebration narrowly survived an try to anathema it in 2008, whilst the constitution was used majority not long ago to close down the usually pro-Kurdish celebration in council last December.

Previous supervision attempts to shift Turkey"s constitution, a key order for the country"s EU membership bid, have been shut off by the opposition, that suspects Erdogan of looking to levy Islamist order by secrecy and overturn the despotic subdivision of sacrament and state.

(Reporting by Alexandra Hudson; modifying by Noah Barkin)

World Turkey for acne doctors to help adolescents to treat their acne

FDA row boosts Salix

Salix Pharmaceuticals shares jumped as most as eighteen percent in after-hours trade Tuesday after the companys focus to marketplace the best-selling drug Xifaxan for a critical liver disease got a thumbs up from a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel.

The Raleigh companys arch monetary officer, Adam Derbyshire, pronounced the panels auspicious letter of reference is a game-changer for the association and for patients.

Xifaxan, an antibiotic now authorized for travelers" diarrhea, is Salixs top-selling drug. It generated $93 million in sales during the initial 9 months of last year. But the association anticipates that prescriptions for the liver disease hepatic encephalopathy in conclusion could beget climb annual sales of $1 billion.

The disease, that affects 200,000 U.S. patients, impairs brain functions and can put patients in a coma.

Xifaxan can assistance patients "stay in remission, that is really critical since these are very, really ill patients," Derbyshire said.

The FDA isnt compulsory to follow the recommendations of the outward advisors but typically does so. The group is approaching to action on the focus by Mar 24.

Trading in Salix shares was halted by Nasdaq all day Tuesday whilst the FDA row deliberated and even after the row done the recommendation. The check was meant to safeguard that the result was at large disseminated to investors, pronounced researcher James Molloy of Caris & Co.

"Todays row opinion is a outrageous and for Salix," Molloy said.

In after-hours trading, Salix shares fetched as most as $28.50. On Monday, shares sealed at $24.25, far on top of the 52-week low of $6.15. Salix shares have been on the climb in expectation of excavation days forward for Xifaxan.

Whether the row would suggest stretched selling of Xifaxan became pale last week when the FDA staff posted a inform that questioned the reserve and efficiency of the drug for liver disease patients. That inform triggered a 9 percent decrease in Salix shares, nonetheless a little analysts remained assured that Xifaxan would get a thumbs up.

The row voted 14-4 to suggest approval, anticipating that the benefits outweighed the intensity risks of infections and strange heart rhythm, Bloomberg News reported.

Molloy pronounced that if the advisory row hadnt endorsed Xifaxan for hepatic encephalopathy, afterwards Salixs plans to find capitulation to surveillance the drug as a diagnosis for irked bowel set of symptoms would have been passed in the water. Salix will find such capitulation in the subsequent couple of months and projects that the regulatory go-ahead could meant one more annual climb sales of $2.5 billion.

Although the Triangle is a hotbed for immature curative companies, Salix is one of the couple of that has successfully run the prolonged and strenuous regulatory gantlet and put drug on pharmacy and sanatorium shelves. Its initial clinical trials of Xifaxan for treating hepatic encephalopathy were instituted about five years ago.

david.ranii or 919-829-4877

Widening the poke for supernatural intelligence

Writing exclusively in MarchPhysics World (http://physicsworld.com), Davies, director of BEYOND: Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science at Arizona State University in the US, explains why the search for radio signals is limited and how we might progress.

As Davies writes, speculation about SETI is bedevilled by the trap of anthropocentrism -- a tendency to use 21st-century human civilisation as a model for what an extraterrestrial civilisation would be like... After 50 years of traditional SETI, the time has come to widen the search from radio signals.

Questioning the idea of an alien civilisation beaming radio signals towards Earth, Davies explains that even if the aliens were, say, 500 light years away (close by SETI standards), the aliens would be communicating with Earth in 1510 -- long before we were equipped to pick up radio signals.

While SETI activity has been concentrated in radio astronomy, from Frank Drakeearly telescope to the more recent Allen Telescope Array, astronomers have only ever been met with an (almost) eerie silence.

Davies suggests that there may be more convincing signs of intelligent alien life, either here on Earth in the form of bizarre microorganisms that somehow found their way to Earth, or in space, through spotting the anomalous absence of, for example, energy-generating particles that an alien life form might have harvested.

Using the full array of scientific methods from genomics to neutrino astrophysics, Davies writes, we should begin to scrutinise the solar system and our region of the galaxy for any hint of past or present cosmic company.

As Video Games Become Ubiquitous So Do Hand Health Problems

In gaming, a couple of seconds of undeviating rest or the coexisting focus of the complete essence of a initial assist pack can heal majority injuries.� However, the ever-increasing numbers of gamers, their channel of both age and gender boundaries, and the hours they put in to their namesake wake up can lead to a little genuine universe consequences to their health that cant be marinated with a bottled fairy.

Recent surveys have shown that online gaming, together with gaming on PCsand consoles, has grown in the past year to eight hours per week on average, eccentric of offline or handheld options.� So most time spenton a singular activity, even those as clearly soft as "Farmville" oras active as "ModernWarfare 2", can have a critical outcome on the customarily concept gaminginterface, human hands.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: What is it?

The scandal of Human Resources departments worldwide is a condition well well well known as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.� The carpal hovel itself is an open space inside the wrist surrounded by bone and vinculum by that themedian haughtiness runs.� The median haughtiness branches off from the shoulder down the length of each arm and to some extent controls the motions and sensations of the ride and fingers.

Most people primarily protest of insensibility and rawness in their hands, customarily in their radial 3 digits: thumb, index finger and prolonged finger, reports Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Dana Tarandy of Woodstock, IL.� Sometimes it includes the ring finger due to twin innervation with an additional haughtiness called the ulnar nerve. Later on, they get serious pain, blazing pain, flesh debility and flesh wasting in a prolonged station Carpal Tunnel Syndrome case.

How does it happen?

One of the heading causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the flourishing of the surrounding tendons constructed by steady make use of too much or bad ergonomics of the wrist.� This includes, but is not singular to, extreme mousing, Wii-moteuse or a quite parsimonious or radical hold of a customary gaming controller that puts the wrist in an peculiar on all sides for any lengthof time. If you are retaining or holding your palm at an ungainly angle, you should give your hands a mangle for ten mins each hour tolet that haughtiness relax, recommends Dr. Tarandy.

The condition can be managed in a series of ways from assuage to severe.� A carpal hovel rive will enlarge the volume of the carpal hovel by holding the wrist in relaxed, neutral but a somewhat up position.� Especially at night, a lot of times at night we lend towards to go tosleep and the palm bends or flexes downward, and that deceives the volume of the carpal tunnel, putting some-more vigour on the nerve.� Anti-inflammatory drug or earthy care can additionally be prescribed.� Surgery to enhance the space for the median nerve, well well well known as carpal hovel recover surgery, as it severs the cross carpal vinculum butheals in about dual weeks, but you can make use of your palm right away, a rarely successful surgery, a ten notation outpatient surgery with a full or scarcely full liberation with roughly all symptoms going away.

Other Possible Problems

Gaming associated bone and flesh ailments are not disdainful to the wrist.� In only the past twenty years, the need for fast and correct finger and, in particular,thumb transformation has turn necessary for both amicable and practical survival.� The most appropriate e.g. is the series of controller buttons underneath the reach of a singular palm as grown from one in the emergence of the gaming age, to at slightest seven, in the stream epoch and thats not counting an analog stick.

Button associated actions are not singular to elementary presses either.� Critical gameplay maneuvers mostly need long-term vigour to be practical to one button, e.g. as a mount in for an accelerator pedal; the fast transformation from one symbol to an additional in short method in stroke games or discerning time events; or the sustained, fast hammering onto a singular symbol to tarry a cutscene or censor a loading screen.� All of these situations outcome in steady and stressed transformation on the joints ofthe fingers, a contributing (though not only causative) cause toward the growth of Osteoarthritis in the hands.

Osteoarthritis is the sweeping tenure used to cover the routine where the relapse of cartilage in between joints causes serve repairs and complications to movement.� When skeleton proceed to wear opposite each alternative they begin to heal abnormally, formulating bone spurs and alternative unpleasant complications.� A associated arthritic condition connected with the make use of too much of fingers is well well well known as Trigger Finger.� A nodule develops in the tendon that gets held underneath a ligament, explains Tarandy, when you be at home it down it gets trapped underneath a vinculum and when you try to magnify it, the fundamentally stranded and afterwards you have to manually lift it back.� It can additionally be prepared by splinting or surgery.

Overall impediment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and assorted arthritic conditions is piece of a washing list of ubiquitous wellness report consisting especially of the mediation of any potentially damaging wake up (including gamingsessions), removing unchanging practice and eating well.� Any concerns or attempts at diagnosis should initial be privileged with your physician.

Top 10 Innovations Ahead Why are Video Games So Expensive? Action Video Games Improve Vison

Marsh & McLennan offered Kroll for $1.3 billion: inform

NEW YORK Tue Mar 9, 2010 7:44am EST Related News Marsh & McLennan selling Kroll for $1.3 billion: reportMon, Mar 8 2010 Stocks & &

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Marsh McLennan Cos Inc (MMC.N), the No 2. global insurance broker, has put up its security consulting business Kroll up for sale for $1.3 billion and received offers from several major private equity firms in the first round of bidding, the Financial Times reported on its website on Monday.

Deals

Three firms, The Carlyle Group CYL.UL, Apax Partners and General Atlantic, submitted bids in late February by the deadline for first expressions of interest, the Financial Times reported, citing people familiar with the situation.

Those people also said BC Partners may also want to make an offer along with one or two trade bidders, according to the Financial Times.

Marsh"s Chief Executive Brian Duperreault has cut thousands of jobs and sold off unwanted units of Kroll since joining the company in 2008.

Marsh, Carlyle, Apax, General Atlantic and BC Partners did not immediately return calls seeking comment on the report.

Marsh bought Kroll from its founder Jules Kroll for $1.9 billion in cash in 2004.

(Reporting by Phil Wahba; Editing by Phil Berlowitz)

Deals

US bullion edges up in churned traffic on prosaic CPI interpretation

Thu Mar 18, 2010 10:26am EDT

NEW YORK, March 18 (Reuters) - Gold futures rose slightlyin mixed trade on Thursday after a U.S. government reportshowed few signs of inflation, as the metal whipsawed between astronger dollar and buying driven by sovereign debt worries. * For the latest detailed report, click on [GOL/]. GOLD * COMEX April GCJ0 up $2 at $1,126.20 an ounce at 10:05a.m. EDT (1405 GMT). * Range $1,118.40 to $1,127.80. * U.S. consumer prices unchanged in February, failing todrive gold in a definite direction - traders. [ID:nN18215395] * The metal holds firm despite a weaker euro against dollaramid renewed Greece worries. [USD/] * Disagreement between United States and China over trade,currency issues provides underlying support to gold - HSBC. * Higher global stocks trading amid economic optimismsupporting gold. Dow Jones .DJI posted a seventh straightwinning session. * COMEX 10 a.m. volume 58,402 lots. * Spot gold XAU= at $1,125 an ounce, versus $1,124.05late in New York in the previous session. * London gold morning fix XAUFIX= at $1,122.75. SILVER * May SIK0 down 3.3 cents at $17.490 an ounce. * Range from $17.375 to $17.560. * COMEX 9 a.m. volume 9,154 lots. * Spot silver XAG= at $17.45, against $17.46 an ounce inthe previous session late quote in New York. * London silver XAGFIX= fixed at $17.49 an ounce. PLATINUM * April PLJ0 down $1 at $1,634.60 an ounce onprofit-taking after Wednesday"s gains. * Underlying support amid supply worries after SouthAfrican utility Eskom saw power supply as a serious concernfrom 2011 onward until new power stations come onstream.[ID:nLDE62F0IS] * Spot platinum XPT= at $1,631.50 an ounce. PALLADIUM * June palladium PAM0 down $1.05 at $477.80 an ounce onplatinum weakness. * Spot palladium XPD= at $472.50 an ounce.Prices at 9:50 a.m. EDT (1350 GMT) Last Change Pct 2009 YTD Chg Close % ChgUS gold GCJ0 1124.80 0.60 0.1 1096.20 2.6US silver SIK0 17.490 -0.033 -0.2 16.845 3.8US platinum PLJ0 1633.00 -2.60 -0.2 1471 11.0US palladium PAM0 477.25 -1.60 -0.3 408.85 16.7Gold XAU= 1124.45 0.40 0.0 1096.35 2.6Silver XAG= 17.46 0.00 0.0 16.84 3.7Platinum XPT= 1629.00 0.00 0.0 1465.50 11.2Palladium XPD= 472.50 -3.50 -0.7 405.50 16.5Gold Fix XAUFIX= 1122.75 1.00 0.1 1104 1.7Silver Fix XAGFIX= 17.49 -5.00 -0.3 16.99 2.9Platinum Fix XPTFIX= 1629.00 7.00 0.4 1466 11.1Palladium Fix XPDFIX= 474.00 2.00 0.4 402 17.9 (Reporting by Frank Tang; editing by Julie Ingwersen)

Currencies

Currencies

Number of haven seekers nearing in Britain falls by 30%

Passports were given to foreigners at the rate of two a minute last year.

Officials approved a record 203,865 citizenship applications, 58 per cent more than in 2008.

Another 190,000 immigrants were given the right to settle in the UK in 2009 a rise of 30 per cent on the year before.

Citizenship pledge: The number of foreign nationals applying to be British jumped by 30 per cent in the final quarter of last year

Home Office figures show that 1.5million foreigners have become UK citizens since Labour came to power.

In 1997, just 37,010 were granted the status.

Officials claim the massive rises during the past year may have beencaused by migrants rushing to beat the supposedly tougher system ofearned citizenship due to start next year.

From then, obtaining a passport will usually take between six andeight years from a migrants arrival in the UK rather than thecurrent five. More...Immigration minister admits his children have "suffered" because of migrationSix MORE British passports used in "Mossad" assassination of Hamas commander in DubaiTwo hundred people arrested on suspicion of terrorism last year, according to Home Office

The figures also reflect the huge influx into Britain in the early part of the last decade.

These arrivals are now reaching the stage where they can apply for passports.

Damian Green, Tory immigration spokesman, said: ;It is now clearthat immigration has been running out of control throughout thelifetime of this Government.

A raft of statistics released yesterday showed that huge numbers ofstudents continue to pour into the UK despite concerns about boguscolleges and visas.

In the final three months of 2009, 61,715 student visas were issued an astonishing rise of 92 per cent on the same period in 2008.