среда, 29 февраля 2012 г.
NSW:Man arrested in US over fake bomb case
AAP General News (Australia)
08-16-2011
NSW:Man arrested in US over fake bomb case
EDS: Updates age of arrested man on police advice
SYDNEY, Aug 16 AAP - Police will on Tuesday morning reveal details about the arrest
of an Australian man in the United States in connection with the collar bomb threat on
Sydney schoolgirl Madeleine Pulver.
Police have confirmed that detectives from the Robbery and Serious Crime Squads Strike
Force Haddon arrested a 51-year-old man at Louisville in Kentucky at about 5.45am (AEST)
on Tuesday.
They were assisted by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The man, who is an Australian citizen, remains in custody and it is expected that detectives
will apply for his extradition to Australia when he faces court, police said.
MORE lcf/wjf/jlw
KEYWORD: BOMB UPDATE
� 2011 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
Fed: Fast food companies under pressure on deadly fats
AAP General News (Australia)
02-18-2007
Fed: Fast food companies under pressure on deadly fats
Fast-food companies are being warned to commit to reducing dangerous trans fats in
their cooking .. or the government will force their hand.
Assistant Health Minister CHRISTOPHER PYNE has summoned major fast-food companies to
a meeting in Sydney next month to pressure them over the health issue.
Mr PYNE says companies including McDonalds .. KFC .. Krispy Kreme .. Pizza Hut and
Hungry Jack's have been invited to the March 12 summit.
He says he'll raise the possibility at the meeting of forcing companies to list trans
fat content on labelling.
AAP RTV jb/els/
KEYWORD: FATS (CANBERRA)
2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
NSW:NSW government launches new holiday App
AAP General News (Australia)
04-19-2011
NSW:NSW government launches new holiday App
New South Wales Parents can now plan their children's Easter holiday activities with
the click of a button.
A Go Play iPhone app and website has been launched by the state government showcasing
hundreds of arts .. cultural .. sport and recreational activities on offer during the
school holidays.
Minister for Citizenship and Communities VICTOR DOMINELLO says it aims to take the
stress out of planning fun and affordable holiday activities.
AAP RTV dmg/tr/nap
KEYWORD: EASTER APP (SYDNEY)
� 2011 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
DrayTek Reports Taiwan Excellence Wins
Wireless News
01-17-2011
DrayTek Reports Taiwan Excellence Wins
Type: News
The DrayTek's VigorIPPBX 2820 and VigorFly 200 won the 19th Taiwan Excellence, which is instructed by Ministry of Economic Affairs, organized by Bureau of Foreign Trade and executed by Taiwan External Trade Development Council, according to a release from the Company.
VigorIPPBX 2820 is a platform for converging voice and data communications as well as supporting xDSL/SIP/ISDN/PSTN network.
"SOHO/Small business users can utilize advanced IPPBX features, CSM and robust firewall/VPN embedded in VigorIPPBX solution including VigorIPPBX 2820, VigorIPPBX 2820n and VigorIPPBX 3510 in order to move to all IP-based communication along with fast broadband network. The launch of VigorIPPBX solution can be viewed as the key milestone of DrayTek's Unified Communications development," said Calvin Ma, CEO of DrayTek Corporation.
The VigorFly 200 router is compatible with most 3G and 4G USB adapter network.
In the business segment, DrayTek has also launched Vigor2920 series for Dual-WAN security solution and Vigor3200 series for Multi- WAN security solution. Both of them offer the VPN, and firewall/ CSM.
In addition, home users can choose Vigor2130 series, a high speed gigabit solution with IPv6 ready certified for home media (triple play) which can combine with high speed Internet access, HDTV and VoIP services.
((Comments on this story may be sent to newsdesk@closeupmedia.com))
Copyright 2011 Close-Up Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
n/a
FED:Polls closed in eastern states
AAP General News (Australia)
08-21-2010
FED:Polls closed in eastern states
Polls have closed in the eastern states and Tasmania .. and counting is about to begin
in the federal election.
Voters in South Australia and the Northern Territory still have half an hour and West
Australians two hours .. to have their say in a contest that's set to go down to the wire.
Labor's bracing for large losses in the battleground states of Queensland and New South
Wales .. but is hoping a pick-up in Victoria and South Australia .. and Greens' preferences
.. will get them over the line.
The coalition needs 17 seats ... telling voters Labor doesn't deserve a second term.
More than 14 million people were enrolled to vote in today's election .. with polls
predicting one of the closest elections in recent history.
Prime Minister JULIA GILLARD and Opposition Leader TONY ABBOTT maintained a hectic
schedule today .. visiting marginal electorates in Sydney.
Polling stations .. set up at seven-thousand-700 locations around Australia .. have
stockpiled 43 million ballot papers .. under the supervision of some 70 thousand temporary
electoral staff.
AAP RTV /jmt/ajw/
KEYWORD: POLL10 VOTE (SYDNEY)
� 2010 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
Fed: Rudd to Brumby: hospitals need money and reform
AAP General News (Australia)
04-14-2010
Fed: Rudd to Brumby: hospitals need money and reform
Prime Minister KEVIN RUDD says hospitals will have the same old problems .. if the
premiers don't agree to his health reforms.
Victorian Premier JOHN BRUMBY is resisting the federal government's plan .. and is
expected to outline his reasons at the National Press Club later today.
Mr RUDD's told central Queensland radio station 4RO .. Mr BRUMBY should know money
alone won't fix the health system .. and without reforms .. it'll be business as usual.
The prime minister will visit Gosford Hospital on the New South Wales Central Coast today.
AAP RTV gd/jmt
KEYWORD: HOSPITALS RUDD (CANBERRA)
2010 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
Fed: Dig deep for Legacy, urges veterans affairs minister
AAP General News (Australia)
08-31-2009
Fed: Dig deep for Legacy, urges veterans affairs minister
Eds: Clarifies in 4th par that the governor-general launched Legacy Week on Monday,
not Tuesday as sent
CANBERRA, Aug 31 AAP - Veterans Affairs Minister Alan Griffin has urged Australians
to dig deep for Legacy this week.
Mr Griffin said Legacy's annual national fundraising week, which runs from August 30
to September 5, was an opportunity for Australians to support a worthy cause which had
helped defence families cope with life after the loss of a loved one since 1923.
"I encourage Australians to buy a badge during Legacy Week and support an organisation
providing invaluable support to the families of Australian Defence Force personnel who
have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country," he said in a statement.
Legacy Week was launched in Sydney on Monday with a Remembrance Ceremony attended by
the Governor-General Quentin Bryce, Defence head Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston plus
representatives of Legacy, widows and their families.
Mr Griffin said Legacy was a non-profit organisation established by the ex-service
community in 1923 to support and care for the families of those lost in war.
He said Legacy supported more than 115,000 war widows from both World Wars, Korea and
Vietnam as well as the families of those who have lost a parent or partner in more recent
deployments.
"Legacy representatives are often among the first people to approach grieving families
after the loss of a loved one and their support and guidance are vital during these difficult
times," he said.
Kicking off Legacy week, Telstra announced longterm national sponsorship through provision
of financial assistance and telecommunications services for families of fallen Australian
Defence Force members.
Telstra chief executive David Thodey said this reflected the company's commitment to
providing practical support for Australians in times of need.
"This Telstra sponsorship is our way of keeping the promise to do what we can to help
support families that have sacrificed so much for our great country," he said in a statement.
Legacy chairman David Kelly said this would enable Legacy to provide support services
to help overcome social isolation for many elderly widows as well as to connect our young
people.
"It will also enable this geographically diverse organisation which is run by volunteers,
to engage with each other and share information in a more meaningful and regular way using
telecommunications," he said.
AAP mb/maur/apm
KEYWORD: LEGACY (REISSUING)
2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
Qld: Minister's staffer sacked for drink driving
AAP General News (Australia)
04-22-2009
Qld: Minister's staffer sacked for drink driving
A Queensland government minister's senior adviser has been sacked for drink driving
in a government vehicle.
Community Services Minister KAREN STRUTHERS' principle adviser LEE NORRIS was allegedly
stopped by police about 11 thirty last night .. with a blood alcohol content of 0.14 per
cent.
It comes after .. Ms STRUTHERS was fined in 2007 after being caught with a blood alcohol
level of 0.169 while driving a government vehicle.
Premier ANNA BLIGH says she expects a high standards of behaviour from ministerial
advisers and Mr NORRIS' was sacked immediately.
AAP RTV pjo/ka
KEYWORD: STRUTHERS (BRISBANE)
2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
Fed: Faulkner proposes end to political funding "arms race"
AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-2008
Fed: Faulkner proposes end to political funding "arms race"
CANBERRA, Dec 17 AAP - Proposals to ban political donations from unions and businesses
and a cap on campaign spending by political parties, form part of a new federal government
green paper.
Special Minister of State John Faulkner said there was an urgent need to reform campaign
funding laws in a bid to end the spending "arms race" among the major political parties.
"I've been concerned for many years that campaign fund-raising practices have the potential
to degrade the public's trust in the political process," he told reporters on Wednesday.
"There's a public perception of undue influence that needs to be addressed."
The electoral reform green paper proposes greater disclosure, tighter reporting timeframes
and a broader definition of the types of donations disclosed as well as a limit on spending
by political parties and third parties.
The paper invites public submissions until February 23 and Senator Faulkner said he
wanted changes to the laws introduced before the next federal election.
The opposition used its numbers in the Senate before July to delay for a year a bill
requiring public disclosure of the origin of donations over $1,000, from its current level
of $10,900.
AAP keh/rl/maur/bwl
KEYWORD: FUNDING
2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
NSW: Man who died in City2Surf was 'a regular runner': friend
AAP General News (Australia)
08-12-2008
NSW: Man who died in City2Surf was 'a regular runner': friend
By Carrie Berdon
SYDNEY, Aug 12 AAP - A young British man who died in Sydney's City2Surf marathon was
a regular runner who had planned to move in with his Sydney girlfriend, a childhood friend
says.
Lee Marriage, 26, collapsed just 200m from the finish line of the 14km run at Bondi
Beach on Sunday.
Post-mortem examination results are expected from the coroner within a few days, and
Keir McCarthy said Mr Marriage's family hoped to have his body flown home to the UK to
be buried,
Mr McCarthy, 26, who had been good friends with Mr Marriage since they were 10, said
the family was "shocked" and struggling to find closure.
"His family have a very strong support unit but all of them are just incredibly shocked,"
he said by phone from the UK.
"And just really, really looking to find out more so that way we can begin planning
to celebrate Lee's life in the correct way.
"They're having a memorial in Sydney but we're hoping to get Lee's body flown to the
UK to bury him here," he said.
Mr McCarthy said friends and family were perplexed by the incident because Mr Marriage
was a regular runner "without an ounce of fat on him".
"He was a great footballer and extremely fit man," he said.
"He ran regularly, it was part of his training for football.
"It was a huge shock."
Onsite emergency crews had worked to revive Mr Marriage after he collapsed, but were
unsuccessful.
Mr McCarthy said Mr Marriage's girlfriend Michelle, from Sydney, was also struggling
to come to terms with what had happened.
The couple, who had been together for a number of years, were planning their future
together, he said.
"She's got a good family and friends supporting her but obviously she's very much in
shock," he said.
"I believe they were just about to move in together."
Mr McCarthy said it was likely that Mr Marriage had had a quiet night in with Michelle,
whose surname is not known, the night before the race.
"He would have a drink occasionally at a party ... but I should imagine that if he
was doing something like (a run) he would have stayed in with Michelle the night before."
He said Mr Marriage had decided to settle in Sydney in 2005 after stopping in the city
as part of a world tour.
"It's just a terrible shame he was a wonderful individual who is going to be greatly
missed," he added.
"It just doesn't seem right."
Emma Wild, another childhood friend who met Mr Marriage at Rodborough School in Surrey,
England, when they were both 13, said in a Facebook message that she could not believe
her friend was gone.
"He was such a fantastic, amazing, caring, fun, loving person," she said.
"He made everyone laugh and lived his life to the full. He was living his dream in
Oz and seemed so in love with his girlfriend ... it's devastating that he has been taken
from us.
"I think Lee should be an example to the rest of us in the world ... to go for what
you want and do as much as you possibly can, as you just don't know what is around the
corner," she said.
"Life is way too short."
AAP cjb/wjf/srp/bwl
KEYWORD: CITY2SURF DEATH DAYLEAD
2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
Vic: Sir Rod's grand plan gets mixed reception
AAP General News (Australia)
04-02-2008
Vic: Sir Rod's grand plan gets mixed reception
By Jeff Turnbull
MELBOURNE, April 2 AAP - Sir Rod Eddington's grand blueprint for Melbourne's congested
rail and road transport was largely welcomed by infrastructure, transport, environmental,
employer and tourism groups today.
But not everyone was happy with the $18 billion plan - especially those in the city's
eastern suburbs who will be denied a new rail network by getting an upgraded bus service
instead.
The centrepiece of Sir Rod's recommendations are a 17km rail tunnel linking the city's
west and south-east and an 18km cross-city road tunnel running from east to west under
the inner northern suburbs.
Victoria's peak motor group RACV said Sir Rod's report was "visionary" and called on
the state government to flesh out the details and "get on with implementing initiatives".
"We're calling on the government to immediately start development of a comprehensive
transport plan for Melbourne, arguably something we haven't had for many decades," RACV
public policy general manager Brian Negus said.
"Inaction by the government is simply not an option."
Premier John Brumby said he was "ruling nothing in and ruling nothing out" of the recommendations.
The premier has set aside a period of 15 weeks for public comment on the proposals
and will make a formal response later in the year.
Infrastructure Partnerships Australia (IPA) says the Eddington report spells out the
need for bold investment to fix overcrowding on trains, relieve congestion on the road
network and remove heavy vehicle freight from suburban streets.
Rail operator Metlink said the two proposed train projects will greatly assist in servicing
the rapidly expanding western and north-western suburbs.
It said Sir Rod's recommendations had the potential to offer customers significantly
enhanced services "after decades of under investment in infrastructure".
But the group representing stakeholders in Melbourne's east - the Eastern Transport
Coalition - said Sir Rod's report failed to provide a long term vision for public transport
in the outer eastern suburbs.
"The report represents a real lost opportunity to help families reduce travel costs,
reduce congestion and reduce greenhouse emissions," the coalitions's chairman Councillor
Mick Va De Vreede said.
He said the coalition would now campaign for rail links to Doncaster and Rowville.
"The report seems to give up on the east, suggesting that as residents already prefer
to use cars rather than existing rail services there is no point in expanding rail," Mr
Van De Vreede said.
And Victoria's peak environment group said said the cross-city road tunnel should be rejected.
Environment Victoria campaign director Mark Wakeham said decades of freeway expansion
had proven that more roads did not solve congestion.
"A new freeway would add millions of tonnes of greenhouse pollution every year for
decades to come and would not be contemplated by any government seriously committed to
tackling climate change," he said.
The Tourism and Transport Forum said the East-West report was a recipe for less urban
congestion, fewer greenhouse gas emissions and more transport options for people in the
western suburbs.
AAP jxt/mh/imc/de
KEYWORD: TRANSPORT VIC REAX NIGHTLEAD
2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
Qld: Noosa anti-merger rally targets Rudd
AAP General News (Australia)
08-31-2007
Qld: Noosa anti-merger rally targets Rudd
By Evan Schwarten
NOOSA, Qld Aug 31 AAP - Angry Sunshine Coast residents have targeted federal Labor
leader Kevin Rudd in a colourful protest against the Queensland government's forced council
amalgamations.
Hundreds gathered on Noosa's main beach today for the "Dump Labor" rally.
The protesters wore anti-amalgamation T-shirts and waved placards attacking Mr Rudd
and Queensland Premier Peter Beattie.
From March next year, the state government plans to cut the number of councils from 157 to 73.
The protesters fear the amalgamation of Noosa Shire with nearby Maroochy and Caloundra
councils will lead to unwelcome development in the environmentally-aware community.
Protest leaders dumped human sized cutouts of Mr Beattie and Mr Rudd and Queensland
Local Government Minister Andrew Fraser into wheelie bins to cheers and applause from
the crowd.
Friends of Noosa spokesman Bob Ansett called on Mr Rudd to intervene to stop the amalgamation
or face an electoral backlash.
"He is the head of the Labor Party, he's got to tell Peter Beattie what he's doing
could cost Labor government," Mr Ansett said.
"Peter Beattie has to be responsive to the head of the Labor Party."
A passer-by briefly disrupted the protest during a speech by deputy Nationals leader
Warren Truss by attempting to shout down the speaker with questions about the political
motivations of the protest.
Mr Ansett also announced plans to join forces with other communities to form an "anti-amalgamation
army" ahead of the federal election expected by the end of the year.
He promised a statewide advertising campaign including TV and radio advertising and
mobile billboards in marginal electorates.
A "Save Noose - Dump Labor" billboard would also follow Mr Beattie around on a daily basis.
"We are becoming increasingly active with other councils to win this fight and let
me assure you we will win," Mr Ansett told the crowd.
AAP ews/ac/pjo/cjh/bwl
KEYWORD: COUNCILS NOOSA LEAD (PIX AVAILABLE)
2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
Vic: Clifford Possum work expected to set record
AAP General News (Australia)
04-17-2007
Vic: Clifford Possum work expected to set record
MELBOURNE, April 17 AAP - Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri's majestic Warlugulong is expected
to make art history as the most expensive Aboriginal painting sold when it goes to auction
later this year.
Sotheby's is hoping the epic canvas will fetch between $1.8 to $2.5 million in July.
That amount would far exceed the current record of almost $780,000 set by a Rover Thomas
painting in 2001.
The previous record for Clifford Possum work is just under $412,000.
The massive work, two metres high and more than three metres wide, is considered one
of the most significant Western Desert "dot" paintings held in a private collection.
Sotheby's director of Aboriginal Art Tim Klingender said Clifford Possum broke new
ground in the work by blending indigenous and European visual conventions.
"He basically mapped his country from an aerial perspective using traditional motifs
and concepts but also informed by western maps," Mr Klingender said.
"It allows non-indigenous people to see the way that indigenous people see the landscape."
The painting's main subject is the Fire Dreaming, an ancestral story that recurs in
Clifford Possum's work.
It tells the story of two brothers who spear a kangaroo and eat all of it themselves
instead of sharing it with their father.
Angered by their selfishness, their father, who is the ancestor of the blue-tongued
lizard, creates a massive bushfire that engulfs and destroys his sons.
But the masterpiece contains up to nine other ancestral narratives and also plots key
features in Clifford Possum's traditional country.
The work will tour New York, London and Sydney before it goes to auction on July 24.
But even if it goes to an international buyer it would need federal government approval
before it could leave Australia.
AAP nl/dk/cjh/bwl
KEYWORD: POSSUM (PIX AVAILABLE)
2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
Fed: Extra $800,000 to help bushfire-hit families, businesses
AAP General News (Australia)
12-16-2006
Fed: Extra $800,000 to help bushfire-hit families, businesses
The Victorian and federal governments have agreed to provide an extra 800 thousand
dollars .. to help those hit by the current bushfire emergency in the state.
JOHN HOWARD says the agreement establishes a 700 thousand dollar community recovery
fund .. with equal contributions from the state and commonwealth.
Mr HOWARD says both the Commonwealth and Victoria are also contributing 50 thousand
dollars each to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal.
He says the community recovery fund will support grants of up to 15 thousand dollars
for charities .. small business and primary producers .. to help with costs not covered
by insurance.
AAP RTV dep/cp/wf
KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES HOWARD (CANBERRA)
2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
WA: Perth man pleads guilty to putting toddler in dryer
AAP General News (Australia)
08-09-2006
WA: Perth man pleads guilty to putting toddler in dryer
A Perth man has pleaded guilty to putting a 14-month-old girl into a clothes dryer
and turning it on .. seriously injuring her.
SAMUEL MARC BARNES SIDDALL .. from Beldon .. was charged with causing grievous bodily
harm .. after the incident on May 25.
The child's mother was in a relationship with SIDDALL at the time .. and left her in
his care while she visited a gym.
SIDDALL put the girl in the dryer and turned it on for about two minutes .. after she
spilt some medicine on her top.
She received burns to her hands and feet .. and bruising to her face .. body and spine.
SIDDALL pleaded guilty to the charge in Joondalup Magistrates Court today.
Magistrate RICHARD BAYLY has renewed his conditional bail .. and indicated SIDDALL
is looking at a possible prison term when he's sentenced on August 30.
AAP RTV ag/bd/tm/jmt
KEYWORD: SIDDALL (PERTH)
) 2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
WA: world trial may lead to vaccine for child asthma
AAP General News (Australia)
04-03-2006
WA: world trial may lead to vaccine for child asthma
By Jo Prichard
PERTH, April 3 AAP - A world first trial to create a vaccine for childhood asthma has
been launched in Perth.
The trial, involving 200 children in Perth, Melbourne and New York, is based on a daily
dose of drops under the tongue, made up of house dust, grass and cat allergens.
It is the same method currently being used in "desensitization" programs for children
and adults, where small doses of an asthma-causing allergen are administered to try and
prevent further disease.
But the new trial will administer the vaccine to children who do not already have asthma,
but might have a genetic risk of developing it.
"There's a 12-month treatment period and then we're following the children through
until the age of five, so there is a four- to five-year period before we will be absolutely
certain that this works," said Professor Peter Sly from the Telethon Institute for Child
Health Research in Perth.
"If it's successful it will change the way that people look at preventing asthma in the future."
He said a similar kind of trial had already been done on animals, but not on humans.
"This is the first `in-man' trial. And ... if this trial is successful, it won't be
the last trial."
One family whose 21-month-old child Xavier will take part in the trial, is cautious
about being involved, but wants to help future asthma sufferers.
"You don't necessary want to dope your child up for the sake of doping them up," said
Perth mother Juliann Mackay.
"(But) my husband, you know, suffered with childhood asthma as did his siblings and
(it was) not pleasant for him so, you know, if we can try and minimise that for our son...."
Prof Sly said in the decade and a half the allergen had been used in desensitisation
programs, there had never been a serious systemic reaction.
"Nothing in life is absolutely safe. We can give the best reassurances we can, but
in the end we have to do this trial to show that it's both effective and safe," he said.
The institute is calling for parents whose children have not been diagnosed with asthma,
but have a family history of it, to come forward.
They need 50 children in Perth and 150 in Melbourne and New York.
The trial will later be expanded to Sweden and Germany.
AAP jp/it/nf
KEYWORD: ASTHMA
2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
понедельник, 27 февраля 2012 г.
Ahad Ha-Am
means test
homes4u embarks on aggressive affiliates programme; Carphone Warehouse, Heal's, Waterstone's and Amazon join first wave of partners.
M2 PRESSWIRE-26 March 2001-homes4u: homes4u embarks on aggressive affiliates programme; Carphone Warehouse, Heal's, Waterstone's and Amazon join first wave of partners (C)1994-2001 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD
RDATE:26032001
homes4u plc - www.homes4u.co.uk - the Manchester-based ISR (Internet Services Retailer) has to date signed up over 70 affiliates on its website with leading brands Carphone Warehouse, Heal's, Waterstone's and Amazon among the first group of household names to join its service. Homes4u aims to have more than 150 affiliates on site by Easter 2001.
Having launched its initial online presence in February 2001, homes4u has developed a new multi channel approach to the domestic property market, with customers able to access a one-stop shop covering a wide and diverse range of property and lifestyle related products and services via the internet, retail property lifestyle cafes and a phone-based call centre.
Wayne A Mellor, CEO of homes4u, commented: " homes4u is committed to providing its customers with an ever-increasing and ever-improving portfolio of valued merchant services. To this end we are aggressively seeking new and appropriate affiliate partners to augment and complement our online and offline offerings."
Affiliate-based services available via homes4u include lifestyle items like home entertainment, food, drink and music; advice on home improvement; personal finance products pertaining to the home; and all the services related to buying/selling a home.
Homes4u's web site is live and the company plans to open its first internet-enabled property lifestyle cafe in Manchester this summer.
About homes4u
-- homes4u is an independent multi channel property lifestyle business. It combines the Internet with retail lifestyle cafes and a call centre to provide information in a comprehensive and relaxed manner.
-- homes4u plc was born out of the successful estate agency, Mellor Andrews Residential, based in Manchester. Its CEO and Founder is Wayne A Mellor who, prior to forming Mellor Andrews, was a highly respected professional in the retail, banking and credit industry. Key figures in the homes4u plc team include retail professional Carolyn Mellor, Mike Mattocks, who previously controlled over 30 branches for a corporate estate agency/building society group before joining homes4u plc, and Peter Flaherty a financial services business development specialist formerly with NatWest plc.
-- homes4u currently has over 70 online affiliates. These include: Money Supermarket, ihavemoved.com, Improveline, HomePro.com, Pricerunner.com, Virgin Mobile, tool-tribe, Norwich Union Direct, e-moves, LifePoliciesDirect, Greenfingers, AOL Anywhere, BTinternet, Genie, clara.net, Littlewoods, ShopSmart, Appliance-Direct, Home Electrical Direct, euroffice, WHSmith, B&Q, WineSmart.com, drinkstuff.com, Space 2, ChocExpress, Music Books Online, Beyond HiFi, CD WOW, Musicroom.com, gameswire.com, SoftJam, Earth Tones, workthing.com, Sport4cast.
CONTACT: Stewart Ross, GTH Media Relations Tel: +44 (0)20 7467 0607 e-mail: stewartr@gth.co.uk Peter Flaherty, homes4u Tel: +44 (0)7880 700 222 e-mail: peter@homes4u.co.uk
((M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data prepared by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com)).
Massachusetts-Based Optical-Networking Firm to Buy Connecticut Company.(Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News)
Jun. 7--Following the playbook of larger rivals including Lucent Technologies and Cisco Systems, Chelmsford-based optical networking start-up Sycamore Networks Inc. moved yesterday to use some of its richly appreciated stock to take over a smaller company to bolster its product lines and engineering talent.
Sycamore announced plans to buy Sirocco Systems Inc. of Wallingford, Conn., for Sycamore stock valued at $2.86 billion. Sixteen-month-old Sirocco is developing devices that bring high-capacity fiber-optic connections to cities and neighborhoods, but has yet to record a sale.
While an eye-popping sum - measured one way it values each of Sirocco's 90 engineers at nearly $32 million a head - many industry analysts now look at deals like this according to how much of its market capitalization the acquiring company is spending, given the huge run-up in telecom stocks.
By that standard, Sycamore is giving away about one-ninth of its $24.9 billion market value to add some valuable products to its arsenal, which is now aimed more at long-haul optical networking and systems to manage big networks than in bringing vast optical capacity close to customers.
Bolstered by the soaring value Wall Street has attached to their stocks, telecom giants such as Lucent, Cisco, Nortel Networks Inc., Redback Networks Inc., and Ciena Corp. have spent more than $18 billion in the last 18 months grabbing start-ups, almost always in stock swaps.
"In this day and age, money is relatively easy to get access to, but intellectual capital is not," said Sycamore president and chief executive Dan Smith.
Sycamore's stock value has increased eightfold since it went public last fall, giving it a huge war chest for stock-swap acquisitions. After announcing the deal, Sycamore stock dropped only 93.75 cents to $102 in Nasdaq trading.
Sirocco's devices and human talent will add to "Sycamore's product line and vision and help us develop the most formidable offerings in the business for metropolitan access," Smith said.
With Sirocco products in its line, Sycamore can offer "an economical, high-performance `on ramp"' to the optical core network, Smith said, with features allowing telecom carriers to offer profitable services to customers.
Analysts applauded the deal. "You have a very smart management team at Sycamore buying one of the best start-ups," said Paul Johnson, an analyst at Robertson Stephens & Co. "It's a very smart combination."
Brian Blair, an analyst with Credit Suisse First Boston, called the deal a good move for Sycamore because "it expands Sycamore's offering is complementary to Sycamore's product family."
In the last year, Greater Boston has emerged as a hotbed for companies working to vastly increase the carrying capacity of fiber-optic networks to handle explosively growing Internet traffic and to help businesses - and someday homeowners - tap directly into the "fat pipes" of optical networks.
Many of the area's optical start-ups, such as Astral Point in Chelmsford, Equipe Communications and Tenor Networks in Acton, and Quantum Bridge Communications in North Andover, have been seen as ripe for a takeover by larger players.
Already, Nortel has spent $1.3 billion snapping up Coretek in Wilmington, and Corning Inc. has emerged as a major Massachusetts optical player with its acquisitions of NetOptix in Natick and Oak Industries/Lasertron in Waltham and Bedford.
Smith would not comment on whether Sycamore has its eyes on any local companies. But he said it is interested in broadening its optical product line to serve wireless carriers and upgraded cable franchises as well as submarine fiber lines and Internet protocol switching and routing.
Pioneer Consulting LLC of Cambridge has estimated that sales of optical devices for the so-called metropolitan market, the focus of Sirocco as well as Astral Point, Equipe, and Tenor, will grow from $1.5 billion this year to $17.3 billion in 2004.
Sycamore will account for the acquisition as a pooling of interests. It said it will dilute earnings in 2001 but increase profits in 2002. Sycamore will acquire all outstanding Sirocco stock and options with 28 million shares of its stock, with no "collar" setting a floor or ceiling on the deal's value.
Sycamore said it is confident it can easily integrate Sirocco because its cofounders, Smith and Gururaj (Desh) Deshpande, have already bought a company from Sirocco president Jonathan Reeves.
Cascade Communications Corp., then led by Smith and Deshpande, bought Reeves's Sahara Networks Inc. for $216.5 million in 1997. Cascade is now part of Lucent. After the deal's expected close this summer, Reeves will become vice president and general manager of Sycamore's new optical access division.
Sirocco will begin testing its products with potential customers this summer and expects to record sales by Christmas.
Material from Globe wire services was used in this report.
To see more of The Boston Globe, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.boston.com/globe
(c) 2000, The Boston Globe. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.
воскресенье, 26 февраля 2012 г.
Digital Lightwave Names Gerry Chastelet, Telecommunications Industry Veteran, President and CEO.
CLEARWATER, Fla., Jan. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital Lightwave(TM), Inc. (Nasdaq: DIGL), a provider of optical network test and management products, today announced the appointment of Gerry Chastelet as president and chief executive officer. Chastelet is a 30-year telecommunications industry veteran with extensive senior management experience, most recently as president and chief executive officer of Wandel & Goltermann Technologies, Inc., a $60-million global supplier of communications test and measurement equipment. Chastelet will report to Digital Lightwave founder Dr. Bryan J. Zwan, who continues as chairman of the board.
"I am pleased to bring a senior executive of Gerry's caliber on board to guide Digital Lightwave through the next phase of its growth in the burgeoning worldwide optical communications industry," said Zwan. "His proven operating experience, with direct responsibility for R&D and manufacturing, plus his background in growing sales organizations and building international sales channels, will be key to our success going forward. In addition, Gerry's industry experience at Wandel & Goltermann with major customers such as AT&T, Cisco Systems, Deutsche Telekom, GTE, IBM, MCI, NCR, Nortel, QUALCOMM, and Telecom Italia will help us form lasting industry partnerships as we expand our global business in the coming years."
During his tenure at Wandel & Goltermann, Chastelet executed a turnaround that resulted in significantly improved revenue and profitability. Wandel & Goltermann Technologies was acquired and privatized by Wandel & Goltermann Holdings GmbH in September 1998.
Chastelet has held senior management positions with Paradyne Corporation and Gandalf Systems Corporation. Before joining Wandel & Goltermann, Chastelet was vice president of sales and service of Network Systems Corporation, a $175-million supplier to Fortune 500 companies of channel-attached communications solutions for large mainframe computers.
Chastelet began his career as an electrical engineer at IBM Corporation, where he spent over 15 years in various sales, service, marketing and management positions. He has served on the board of directors of ATE Systems and Mercury Technology Services, Inc. and is a graduate of the University of Toronto Executive MBA Program.
About Digital Lightwave
Digital Lightwave serves the growing optical communications market -- high-speed telecommunications networks based on fiber optic technology. The company's products include portable Network Information Computers, which provide flexible, easy-to-use installation and maintenance testing solutions for fiber-optic-based networks and transmission equipment, and Network Access Agents(TM), which are unattended, software-controlled performance monitoring and diagnostic equipment installed within optical networks for management from a centralized location. Digital Lightwave customers include leading telecommunications service providers and equipment manufacturers. The company is headquartered in Clearwater, Fla., and can be located on the Internet at http://www.lightwave.com
Except for the historical statements made herein, this news release contains certain forward-looking statements that may involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include: market acceptance of the company's products; delays in product development and delivery schedules; interoperability of the company's products; continued market growth; rapid technological changes; competitive factors; general business conditions; and other factors described in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the Annual Report on Form 10-K dated April 15, 1998. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The company assumes no obligation to update information contained in this release.
NOTE: Digital Lightwave, Network Information Computer and Remote Access Agent are trademarks of Digital Lightwave, Inc., for which application has been made.
Preferred Voice Signs Fifth ILEC Agreement.
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 16, 1999--
Citizens Telephone Company of Kecksburg, Pa., to Offer
Subscribers Newest Speech-Recognition Technology
Preferred Voice Inc. (OTCBB:PFVI) announces a 10-year revenue sharing voice program (R.S.V.P) to install their Voice Integrated Platform System (VIPS) at the Citizens Telephone Company of Kecksburg based in Mammoth, Pa.
Citizens is an incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) which provides quality digital telecommunications service to more than 5,500 access lines.
Richard Cutrell, President of Citizens Telephone Company of Kecksburg, said, "The installation of our digital switch enabled us to offer our subscribers a growing list of exciting new services such as Internet access, voice mail, caller ID, etc. We feel that the addition of voice-activated enhanced services from Preferred Voice strategically fits into our commitment to our subscribers of providing the highest-quality services."
Rick Stone, VP of Sales and Marketing of Preferred Voice Inc., stated, "In our 10-year revenue-sharing agreement Preferred Voice provides the hardware and software and Citizens provides the central office switch and marketing to its customer base. It's a win-win situation for everyone including the end users."
The following list of services will be made immediately available to Citizens customers. Additional services will be introduced, as they become available:
-- Emma the Perfect Receptionist(sm). This service enables a business to have their phone answered full- or part-time. The caller is asked to speak the name of the person they're calling and the caller will be connected to that person wherever they are located. -- The Smart Line(sm). Small or home businesses can convert their existing business line to a Smart Line. With The Smart Line locate feature, clients and loved ones can find the subscriber at any time, anywhere in the USA. When call screening is turned on, the subscriber will be told the name of the caller and has the option to take the call or send it to voice mail. -- SecureCard(sm). From any phone in the USA, a caller dials their 800 number and then simply speaks a name from their voice-dialing directory (or a number) and the long distance call will be placed. -- (star) (star) TALK(sm). By simply pressing (star) (star) the subscriber will be connected to their own personal voice directory. They just speak the name (or a number) of the person they're calling and the call is placed. -- My One Special Number(sm). Children today have to remember a list of multiple area codes and phone numbers in order to contact their parents. With 1SN, children -- or their schools -- simply call one number to quickly reach parents any time, anywhere.
About Citizens Telephone Company of Kecksburg, Pa.
One of the original telephone companies in Pa., Citizens of Kecksburg was founded in 1906 by the farmers and merchants of Kecksburg. During this time the Bell Telephone companies were not providing services in rural areas. The company started with one telephone located in the general store; the citizens of the area traveled to the store to make and receive calls. Today the company has grown to over 5,581 access lines which are serviced by the newest state-of-the-art digital switch technology.
About Preferred Voice
Preferred Voice Inc. has developed its Voice Integrated Platform System on an industrial-grade, fault-tolerant, Windows NT-based server, which combines the company's proprietary software with the natural dialogue speech recognition technology of Philips Speech Processing, a division of Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE:PHG) -- one of the global market leaders in speech recognition.
The Company has recently signed 10-year revenue-sharing agreements with four additional carriers, including Rural Cellular Corporation, Midwest Wireless Communications, Southwest Texas Telephone and both the wireline and wireless subsidiaries of Kaplan Telephone Company. In addition, the Company has signed test agreements with two carriers, Sleepy Eye Telephone and the North-Eastern Pennsylvania Telephone Company. Collectively, carriers have a total of 2.9 million POPS and thirty-six thousand access lines.
In addition to the RSVP agreements that are mentioned above, the Company also recently announced a comprehensive, long-term host-royalty agreement with KMC Telecom Holdings Inc., a privately held Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC).
For more information, please visit our Web site: www.preferredvoice.com
NOTE TO EDITORS: In the product name "(star) (star) TALK(sm)," the word "star" replaces a star symbol. It was replaced for transmission purposes only.
Sold over the counter in UK.. illegal 'miracle' tanning spray that could stop your heart and damage your brain; A INVESTIGATION.(News)
Byline: GARY ANDERSON; ELISSA CORRIGAN
A TANNING spray that is SNORTED up the nose contains a chemical with potentially dangerous side-effects
Thousands of Brits have been snapping up bottles of Ubertan - a product that promises an even, golden tan with just a few sniffs.
But a Sunday Mirror investigation has revealed that side-effects include a risk of low blood pressure and an elevated heart rate - conditions which in extreme circumstances can lead to heart failure and permanent brain damage.
The "miracle" product - of which Ubertan boast they have sold more than 250,000 units - has not undergone tests or been licensed in the UK.
It is therefore illegal to sell it for profit or promote it - although it is lawful to buy it for your own use.
The spray, which costs pounds 40 a bottle, can be bought over the internet and is also stocked in tanning shops, beauty salons and gyms.
The Sunday Mirror commissioned a report into its contents by Dr Dominic Williams, of the Medical Research Council's Centre for Drug Safety Science, after learning that girls as young as 15 were using it.
Dr Williams warned: "If my daughter came home with a bottle of this I would tell her not to take it.
"It doesn't match up to UK regulations so you simply don't know what it is - it's not worth the risk."
After putting the spray through extensive tests, he identified the possible sideeffects, due to one of the chemical ingredients - forskolin, which is derived from the coleus plant.
Forskolin can have some medical benefits, according to experts, but only if properly tested and regulated.
But Dr Williams said: "Taking forskolin-containing products may elevate the normal heart rate.
"When the heart rate increases significantly, this will lead to lightheadedness, shortness of breath, chest pain, heart palpitation, rapid pulse or loss of consciousness.
"Dangerous complications associated with tachycardia include heart failure, blood clots, frequent fainting or sudden death."
Ubertan claim its only downsides are suppressed hunger and an enhanced libido.
We bought Ubertan from a tanning shop in Lancashire. A shop assistant told us: "It's all amino acids and leaf extracts and things, so it's safe."
A spokesman for the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency said they had launched an investigation.
He said: "We are preparing a report and a decision will be taken on enforcement action." Ubertan's internet domain name is registered to a Caribbean lawyer. He did not reply to messages left by the Sunday Mirror.
UBERTAN'S CLAIMS
UBERTAN bills itself as a "revolutionary new nasal spray tanning product" on its website.
It claims it "stimulates an increase in natural melanin production". Melanin is a natural substance which determines skin colour.
The website adds: "The unique ingredients in our product work by entering the body's system safely through the nasal cavities and in turn heighten the natural melanin in your skin."
CAPTION(S):
"It's safe"... what assistant in Lancs shop said Big seller... the popular Ubertan is taken up the nose
Poynt and WiLAN Report Licensing Partnership.
Wi-LAN Inc. announced that Poynt Corp. and WiLAN have entered into a partnership that will see WiLAN assist Poynt in the licensing of Poynt's portfolio of patents related to Internet advertising.
"With over 250 companies licensed and signed agreements worth hundreds of millions of dollars, all in just five years, WiLAN's licensing capabilities are second to none," said Andrew Osis, President and CEO, Poynt. "WiLAN's proven track record and strong financial position made WiLAN the licensing partner of choice for Poynt."
"Like WiLAN, Poynt developed technologies that have helped make multi-billion dollar markets a reality," said Jim Skippen, Chairman & CEO, WiLAN. "We are very excited to have the opportunity to do for Poynt's shareholders what we have done for WiLAN's - generate a significant return on their past investment in research and development."
Skippen said, "More companies are looking to monetize their patents but lack the resources and expertise to be truly successful. Seeing the strength of the programs that we have built, many companies are looking to leverage WiLAN's expertise through licensing partnerships."
Under the terms of the partnership agreement, WiLAN's subsidiary Gladios IP will have day-to-day responsibility for developing programs aimed at licensing Poynt's patent portfolio.
Poynt Corp. is a provider of mobile local advertising space.
More Information:
www.wilan.com
www.poynt.com
((Comments on this story may be sent to newsdesk@closeupmedia.com))
ISTART BUSINESS IDEA COMPETITION SITE COLLECTS MORE THAN 1,200 BUSINESS IDEAS WORLDWIDE.
KANSAS CITY, MO -- The following information was released by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation:
iStart, a customizable Web-based platform that simplifies how organizations market and administer business competitions worldwide, is picking up speed as students access the site to fulfill their dreams of becoming successful entrepreneurs.
iStart.org is a single resource that allows student entrepreneurs to share ideas and gain access to an international network of competitions and mentors. For administrators, the platform helps with complex tasks, including managing and monitoring applicant entries, establishing judging criteria and conducting online judging.
Since its launch in 2010, the website, hosted by the Kauffman Foundation, has gathered more than 1,200 businesses ideas from 44 countries, including Albania, Kenya, Afghanistan, Israel and Ukraine. Business idea categories include Internet (websites), Information Technology, Life Sciences, Social Entrepreneurship, Services, Green, Materials, Consumer Goods and Energy.
"We believe experiential opportunities are important for entrepreneurs to network and learn - especially for students and others in the idea phase. iStart creates a network of opportunities for student and aspiring entrepreneurs to get global exposure, make connections and learn through competitions," said Lesa Mitchell, vice president of Advancing Innovation at the Kauffman Foundation. "With their ideas accessible to mentors and investors and potential teaming partners, entrepreneurs can more quickly gain momentum in their business planning process."
Some 40 different competitions hosted by businesses and universities globally are currently using iStart. Rice University utilizes the platform for its annual intercollegiate business plan competition, which has the largest judging panel and distributes the most prize money of any such competition in the world. Other competitions include the Harvard College Innovation Challenge, Emerging Postdoctoral Entrepreneur Award and Kellogg Cup.
"Business plan, pitch and idea competitions play a key role in entrepreneurial education and often kick-start an idea for an aspiring entrepreneur. That's why we want to make these competitions more accessible to students and easier for administrators," said Katie Petersen, who manages the iStart program for the Kauffman Foundation. "Our customizable platform is one-of-a-kind, and we hope becomes the go-to site for entering business plan competitions around the world, browsing abstracts and networking with innovative, energized entrepreneurs. We want to help make dreams a reality."
To learn more, visit: www.iStart.org.
суббота, 25 февраля 2012 г.
Advanced 3G Services to Boost Indian Mobile Gaming Industry.
M2 PRESSWIRE-April 29, 2011-RNCOS E Services Private Limited: Advanced 3G Services to Boost Indian Mobile Gaming Industry(C)1994-2011 M2 COMMUNICATIONS
RDATE:29042011
According to our latest research report "India Mobile Gaming Analysis", the mobile gaming market has emerged as the most vibrant and transforming division of the overall Indian gaming industry. The economic slowdown had no effects on the industry's growth and the market performed remarkably well compared to the other major mobile gaming markets including the US, Japan, and the UK. With increasing penetration of the Internet & broadband services, and rising mobile user base, the market for mobile gaming in India is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of around 74% during 2010-2013.
As per our research, introduction of 3G mobile services will propel the growth of mobile gaming industry in the country. With the operations of 3G mobile business, mobile games services are expected to be the next goldmine after PC games. As per our team of experts, the number of 3G mobile handsets will cross the mark of 16 Million in 2011 and are anticipated to grow rapidly, which will lay a good foundation for the development of online games.
Further, our study indicates that the domestic companies account for majority of the Indian mobile gaming market. These homegrown companies have been witnessing rapid growth in their overall revenue compared to their foreign counterparts. However, it has been anticipated that, during the forecast period, the entry of international majors will somewhat balance the market dynamics and will result in competitive product pricing and overall improved quality. These proceedings will benefit the consumer most and will help propel industry's future growth.
Our report "India Mobile Gaming Analysis", provides extensive research and conceptual analysis of the Indian mobile gaming market potentials. The report provides statistics and information on the overall industry developments along with current and future market projections. It also facilitates deep market understanding on industry segments and various games categories including role playing, social games, and locations based games. Additionally, all important industry drivers and restraints have been included to provide a balance research outlook of the concerned industry.
For FREE SAMPLE of this report visit: http://rncos.com/Report/IM288.htm
Check DISCOUNTED REPORTS on: http://www.rncos.com/promotion.htm
About RNCOS:
RNCOS specializes in Industry intelligence and creative solutions for contemporary business segments. Our professionals study and analyze the industry and its various components, with a comprehensive study of the changing market behavior. Our accuracy and data precision proves beneficial in terms of pricing and time management that assist the consultants in meeting their objectives in a cost-effective and timely manner.
((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com)).
WARDEN MESSAGE NO. 137: POTENTIAL FOR MORE ELECTIONS-RELATED CIVIL UNREST.
PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti -- The following information was released by the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Princem, Haiti:
U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince issued the following Warden Message on December 17, 2010:
The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince is issuing this Warden Message to remind U.S. citizens of the potential for additional elections-related civil unrest in Port-au-Prince and throughout Haiti, particularly in connection with major announcements. Demonstrations (including violent protests) have resulted in barricades and road closures, making travel hazardous and even impossible. They have also caused the shut-down of airports and roads to the Dominican Republic, making it impossible for Americans wishing to depart Haiti to do so.
U.S. citizens in Haiti should consider stocking up on essential provisions - drinking water, food, fuel for generators, etc. - to be well prepared should civil unrest require them to shelter in place. They should also ensure they have all necessary medicines. U.S. citizens planning travel are advised to contact their airline directly for up-to-date flight status and availability and consider travelling earlier in the event airports are closed.
In the event of civil unrest, U.S. citizens in affected areas are advised to remain indoors and to seek safe havens in their current areas. They should not attempt to "run" roadblocks or work their way through areas of unrest; doing so may put their lives at immediate risk. The Embassy urges U.S. citizens to exercise special caution and avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place or crowds are forming and to maintain a low profile. The Embassy does not have the capacity or infrastructure to evacuate U.S. citizens and relies on the Haitian National Police to provide assistance. They, with support from UN Police, are responsible for keeping peace in Haiti and rendering assistance during times of civil unrest. The local equivalent to the "911" emergency line in Haiti is 114.
U.S. citizens are advised to maintain an increased level of vigilance when traveling in and around Port-au-Prince. They should be aware of their surroundings at all times and are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy. They can do so at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/.
Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Embassy's website the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs' website www.travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information can be found. The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review "A Safe Trip Abroad," found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html, which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.
For emergencies involving American citizens, please contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit of the U.S. Embassy's Consular Section, located at Boulevard du 15 Octobre, Tabarre 41, Tabarre, Haiti; telephone (509) 2-229-8000; after hours emergency telephone (509) 2-229-8000; ACS Unit fax (509) 2-229-8027; and e-mail at acspap@state.gov.
American Citizen Services Unit (ACS)
U.S. Embassy, Port-au-Prince
Blvd 15 Octobre, Tabarre 41
Tabarre, Haiti
CommandAware[R] Incident Management System Used for Emergency Response in Great California ShakeOut Earthquake Drill.
Concerro, Inc., the market leader in enterprise-wide hospital shift and emergency workforce management software, is pleased to announce the successful use of its CommandAware[R] hospital incident management system during the Great California ShakeOut - the largest earthquake drill in U.S. history - held October 15th to help improve disaster preparedness. More than 6.8 million people throughout California took part in the first statewide earthquake drill, organized by The Earthquake Country Alliance.
Over 400 individuals from 26 hospitals, including Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, City of Hope National Medical Center, Glendale Memorial Hospital, Torrance Memorial Medical Center, UCSD Medical Center, and USC University Hospital, activated the CommandAware web-based incident management system to ensure effective emergency response and collaborative networking for the drill.
"During the Great ShakeOut earthquake disaster exercise, our plan was to attempt to utilize the CommandAware program hospital-wide," said Linda Dobie, incident commander and administrator of risk management at Torrance Memorial Medical Center. "We were pleased that 68 medical departments logged in and accessed CommandAware and 21 incident command system positions fulfilled their assigned roles. CommandAware is a substantial program in that the tasks, documentation, tracking and communications that can be done with it appear to be limitless."
CommandAware made it possible for participating hospitals to access a common communications framework to manage their response capabilities, quickly coordinate emergency response and facilitate post-emergency after action reports.
"Using CommandAware greatly exceeded our expectations," added Judy Retter, RN, director of emergency management at Torrance Memorial Medical Center. "Users were able to log on and navigate the system with very little training, sending their reports, messages and requests in a much more efficient manner than in the past." Graham Barnes, CEO of Concerro, said, "Being able to effectively communicate and have as much situational awareness as possible is crucial to surviving a major disaster. We are pleased that CommandAware's communications platform enabled hundreds of hospital users to collaborate and respond in real-time throughout the ShakeOut exercise drill."
CommandAware is the most comprehensive and widely adopted hospital-centric incident management system available to hospitals today. Currently adopted in over 250 facilities and government entities across twelve states, CommandAware addresses all phases of disaster response including preparation, mitigation, response and recovery. For additional information, visit www.commandaware.com.
ShakeOut exercises are now being planned as annual events in California to occur on the third Thursday in October. The next exercise is scheduled for Oct. 21, 2010. About Concerro Concerro is a healthcare Cloud Computing (Software-as-a-Service) company that provides workforce and emergency management programs that facilitate collaboration, ease of use and real-time information access to improve the cost, efficiency and safety of patient care in over 400 hospitals nationwide. The company has won numerous awards and recognition, including being named to the prestigious Inc. 5000 in 2008 and 2009 as one of the most rapidly growing privately-held companies and Top 100 Software Companies, and receiving Red Herring's 100 most promising private technology ventures in North America and Best of SaaS Showplace (BoSS) awards. To learn more, visit www.concerro.com, or follow us on Twitter.
Keywords: Concerro, Inc., Concerro, Inc., Technology, Data Management, Internet, Software, Health, Hospitals, Software, Technology, AT&T, Concerro Inc., Data Management, Health, Hospitals, Internet, Software, Technology, Telecommunications
This article was prepared by Computer Weekly News editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Computer Weekly News via VerticalNews.com.
First Computerworld National Customer Satisfaction Survey finds AT&T leads competitors in WAN Transmission Services.
FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 3, 1997--AT&T is the top-rated provider of wide-area network transmission services, according to Computerworld's first National Customer Satisfaction Survey. A wide-area network or WAN is a set of geographically separated computers connected together for a single organization. The survey also ranked vendors of computer networking hardware and software.
Within the WAN transmission section of the survey AT&T scored the highest in overall customer satisfaction, while also garnering top scores in 17 out of 19 product and services criteria. This performance is particularly remarkable since AT&T is also the clear market share leader, said David Moschella, senior vice president research, Computerworld, Inc.
Computerworld's Customer Satisfaction Survey polled nearly 1,700 US IT professionals from Computerworld's large proprietary database of IT executives, with influence over their organization's choice of products and services in a specific area of networking technology. Respondents rated their satisfaction with their computer networking vendors on quality of product, cost of ownership, service and support, and comfort with vendor. The survey results provide buyers with a quantifiable means to compare individual vendor performance.
Computerworld has inaugurated a quarterly research series studying IT buyers' satisfaction with the vendors that supply their IT products and services. Future surveys will focus on systems and servers, personal computers, and the Internet/intranet.
Computerworld, the leading weekly newspaper for information technology leaders, provides timely news and analysis on all aspects of the computer industry. Recognized three times by the Computer Press Association as the Number One computer newspaper, the publication has 147,054 paid subscribers (ABC June 1996 Publisher's Statement) and a total reach to 909,300 IT buyers (IntelliQuest CIMS v3.0, September 1996). Its publisher, Computerworld, Inc., is headquartered at 500 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham, MA 01701. Computerworld is a business unit of IDG, the world's leading IT media and research company. IDG publishes more than 275 computer magazines and newspapers and 430 book titles, produces 90 expositions, and provides IT market analysis through 41 research centers worldwide. Company information and access to more than 125 IDG World Wide Web sites is available at http://www.idg.com .
CONTACT: Creamer Dickson Basford Public Relations
Marie Ruzzo, 617/467-1523
mruzzo@cdbpr.com
or
Liza Michaels 617/467-1517
lmichael@cdbpr.com
CHAT LIVE in the only dedicated CHAT ROOM for China Direct (AMEX: CDS) shareholders!
M2 PRESSWIRE-8 February 2008-Stockwire.com: CHAT LIVE in the only dedicated CHAT ROOM for China Direct (AMEX: CDS) shareholders!(C)1994-2008 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD
RDATE:08022008
AUSTIN, TX: -- STOCKWIRE.com, one of the largest investment websites on the internet, is proud to announce the official launch of the China Direct chat room!
Visit the only LIVE CHAT ROOM on the internet dedicated to (AMEX: CDS) shareholders, by visiting: http://www.stockwire.com
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DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla., Feb 07, 2008 - China Direct, Inc. to Present at the ROTH Capital Partners 20th Annual OC Growth Stock Conference on February 19th, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. PST.
China Direct, Inc. (AMEX: CDS), a US company taking controlling interests in Chinese companies and providing business consulting services to China (the "PRC"), today announced that the Company will present at the ROTH Capital Partners 20th Annual OC Growth Stock Conference on Tuesday, February 19th, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. PST. The conference will be held at the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel, California.
The presentation will be held in the Ritz Ballroom Salon 3 (Track 1 - China Track). A breakout session will immediately follow and management will participate in one-on-one meetings with analysts and investors throughout the day. Mr. David Stein, Chief Operating Officer for China Direct Inc., will present at the conference. The conference presentation will be simultaneously web cast at the following link, http://www.wsw.com/webcast/roth16/cds/.
Management will discuss the Company's portfolio of majority-controlled businesses in China, provide an update on its consulting division, and the continued growth of the PRC's Small to Medium Sized Entities (SME's) sector in which the Company specializes.
Participation is by invitation only. For more information on the conference or to book a 1-on-1 meeting, contact your Roth representative or visit www.rothcp.com.
About the ROTH Conference: Now in its 20th year, the ROTH Annual OC Conference will feature presentations from over 300 small-cap companies including over 60 U.S.-listed Chinese companies. The distinguished list of presenting companies have been identified by the firm's award-winning research team and are representative of a broad spectrum of sectors, including Technology, Healthcare, Energy and Industrial as well as Consumer Products.
About China Direct, Inc.: China Direct, Inc. (AMEX: CDS) is a U.S.-based company doing business in China through two business divisions. The Company's management division takes controlling stakes in Chinese companies, provides investment capital and active management to enable these companies to thrive as our subsidiaries in their respective industries. The consulting division assists companies in China and the U.S. in establishing and maintaining a presence in the U.S. capital markets. As a direct link to China, China Direct serves as a vehicle to allow investors to directly participate in the rapid growth of the Chinese economy in a diversified and balanced manner.
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About Stockwire: Stockwire is one of the largest communities for Micro Cap Investors. We are the only place on the internet to provide LIVE CHAT ROOMS for dedicated stocks.
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пятница, 24 февраля 2012 г.
What pill can I take for cyber insecurity? Cybersecurity boils down to vulnerabilities and bad people, says Kevin Mandia.(LastWord)
Ahhhhh, the internet. We are hooked, and we better be prepared for the consequences. Real dollars are being lost, identities are being stolen, botnets are running rampant, consumer ATM cards are being compromised, spam is jamming our inboxes, the press is reporting stories that contribute to consumer cyber fears, and mankind again finds itself waging a protracted war--this time against internet insecurity.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Currently there seems to be a swelling sentiment to enact additional legislative changes to make the internet a safer place for organizations as well as consumers. We all want to whip the complex information insecurity problems into submission. I have the gnawing premonition that something big, yet ineffective, is on the horizon.
One of the options routinely discussed is that the government should impose new regulations that would secure cyberspace faster. The question is: what would cybersecurity legislation or regulations enforce? Would they be aimed at strengthening the information security practices at organizations that might fall victim to the online threats? Would they be aimed at software vendors who create the programs and applications used by consumers? I believe neither of these options would yield the desired result of securing cyberspace faster.
I have heard people state that there needs to be an overall cybersecurity law, one that applies to all organizations, imposing minimum information security standards across all industries. Every few years, there appears to be a new law that requires two years to interpret, then another few years to determine how it impacts an organization.
There have also been public discussions of the government addressing software vendor liability. This may also be an ineffective measure to cure our security woes. Such legislation could easily cause U.S.-made software to be outpriced in the global software market. In addition to overpricing U.S. software, imagine the complexity of enacting software vendor liability. We would have to sort out the following: what is the difference between a coding flaw, configuration flaw and a security flaw? Who gets sued for flawed concepts such as the authentication schemes that are so wildly exploited today? What are the reasonable steps that a user should take to prevent misuse? What are the penalties for software that can be exploited? What if software, when performing its intended function, can be used for good as well as evil? This is just the tip of the iceberg. Consumers can already resort to tort laws and civil channels to address shoddy software, as well as elect to simply not buy it. Additional federal legislation to address software vendor liability will not resolve the cybersecurity issues.
So what can the government do to secure cyberspace faster? The government should continue programs that educate consumers on cybersecurity, secure coding and "safe" internet use via standards, seminars, conferences and publications. The government can also focus on the largest issue that contributes to the internet's lack of security--dismantling safe harbors. Nearly all the incidents we have responded to originate from these safe harbors--and corporations believe there is nothing our government can do about it. We have IP addresses and names of folks robbing American citizens, yet no capability to take the digital evidence and trace it to the bad people ruining our internet. Though there may never be world-wide cooperation in the cyber realm, the government can certainly make additional headway.
I think most of us agree that the majority of folks on the planet desire a world where there is no "buggy" software, no backdoors, no cyber intruders and no discernable security flaws in our software. It is time to salute smartly and prepare to battle on. Defending America's cyber infrastructure is going to be a lot like trying to cure a complex disease. The oldest known description of human cancer is found in Egyptian papyri written between 3000-1500 BC, and 3,500 years later we still do not have a cure. I expect similar results for cybersecurity. We can treat cyberinsecurity, we can survive it, but we must learn to live with the fact that there may not be a cure.
Kevin Mandia is president and CEO of Mandiant.






























