Bonn  - For years now retailers have been selling more notebooks than PCs and thanks to the success of ultra-portable net books, more people than ever before are carrying their computers - and their valuable data - around with them the whole time.

Needless to say, this increases the risk of data being skimmed, stolen or of it simply falling into the wrong hands. Fortunately, confidential information on portable computers can be reliably secured using state-of-the-art encryption techniques or biometric authentication.

Seamec Ltd, a subsidiary of Cof lexip Stena Offshore (Mauritius) Ltd., has signed a contract with a Dubai firm, Dulam International, to deploy one of its vessels for twelve months for $16.12 million.

The contract will commence around mid-June 2009.

Apart from the latest order, the company has also bagged a $4.47 million contract for deployment of vessel in Persian Gulf.

The Charter will commence effective from May 16, 2009.

Seamec Ltd. primarily provides support services, including marine, construction, and diving services to offshore oilfields in India and internationally. It operates three vessels: SEAMEC 1, SEAMEC 2, and SEAMEC 3.

Port of Spain  - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday praised improving ties between the United States and communist Cuba, which have been troubled for close to half a century.

"We have noted with interest the change of direction by the new US administration," Ban said at the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago.

"It is a sign of changing times, of fresh winds blowing, in ways large and small," he said.

Madrid  - Real Madrid kept up the pressure on Spanish leaders Barcelona on Saturday, with a 1-0 win away to lowly Recreativo Huelva.

The tight win leaves in-form Real six points behind Barca, who earlier on Saturday won 1-0 in Getafe.

"We had to win tonight, in order to prevent them (Barcelona) from escaping," said Real goal scorer Marcelo.

Real have won 15 of their last 16 league games thanks to the defensive solidity given to them by coach Juande Ramos, who took over from Bernd Schuster in December.

Port of Spain  - The first meeting between US President Barack Obama and Hugo Chavez was a "good start," the Venezuelan president said Saturday.

"We have started to talk with Obama, and in itself that is a start, a good start. I believe we have started with positive steps," Chavez told reporters at the Summit of the Americas underway in Trinidad and Tobago.

"It is time we have the true start of a new history, that there is a balance, that domination mechanisms end," Chavez said.

Port of Spain  - President Hugo Chavez on Saturday said he was considering restoring Venezuela's diplomatic ties with the United States, in light of the change in policy under new US President Barack Obama.

"We are considering it with great attention and I think there could soon start to be work meetings," Chavez said on the sidelines of the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago.

He said there had already been some exchanges with US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.