2007'02.01.Thu
Sunrise Real Estate Development Group, Inc. Reports Significant Increase in Net Income
April 04, 2006
SHANGHAI, China, April 4 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Sunrise
Real Estate Development Group, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board:
SRRE) reported net income of $2.1 million in 2005, up
significantly from $63,944 in 2004. The Company's earnings
per share for 2005 were $0.10 per share.
Net revenue increased 41% to $10.9 Million in 2005 from
$7.7 Million in 2004. The Company attributes most of the
increase in revenue to its co-investment strategy.
Co-investing in real estate projects with developers gives
Sunrise exclusive marketing rights and share of sales
proceeds above a fixed agreed price.
Sunrise Real Estate Development Group, Inc. is a
publicly traded real estate marketing and investment
company that operates exclusively in China.
Forward Looking Statements
The common stock of Sunrise Real Estate Development
Group, Inc. is listed on the OTC Bulletin Board under the
trading symbol "SRRE". This press release
contains forward-looking information within the meaning of
Section 29A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forwarding-looking
statements include statements concerning plans, objectives,
goals, strategies, future events or performances and
underlying assumption and other statements, which are other
than statements of historical facts. Certain statements
contained herein are forward-looking statements and,
accordingly, involve risks and uncertainties, which could
cause actual results, or outcomes to differ materially from
those expressed in the forward-looking statements. The
Company's expectations, beliefs and projections are
expressed in good faith and are believed by the Company to
have a reasonable basis, including without limitations,
management's examination of historical operating trends,
data contained in the Company's records and other data
available from third parties, but there can be no assurance
that management's expectations, beliefs or projections will
result, or be achieved, or accomplished.
For more information, please contact:
Vivian Zhang,
Sunrise Real Estate Development Group, Inc.
Tel: +86-21-6422-0505 x840
Email: ir@sunrise-sh.net
Web: http://www.sunrise.sh
SOURCE Sunrise Real Estate Development Group, Inc.
PR
2007'02.01.Thu
China's Role in Tackling Avian Influenza Discussed With Senior UN Officials
April 04, 2006
BEIJING, April 4 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- UN System
Coordinator for Influenza Dr. David Nabarro visited Beijing
to discuss China's role in the international control of
avian influenza and preparation for dealing with any
possible influenza pandemic. Dr. David Nabarro commends
the Chinese Government for what it has done domestically to
contain the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and
also China's significant contribution to the world campaign
against HPAI.
During his two days visit, Dr. Nabarro, Dr. Khalid
Malik, UN Resident Coordinator in China and representatives
from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World
Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, met with the Vice
Premier Hui Liangyu, who leads China's Avian Influenza
Command Centre. The meeting with the Vice Premier focused
on the important role that China is playing in the global
battle against avian influenza and on ways to strengthen
further China's participation in regional and international
technical and political partnerships.
Dr. Nabarro also met with senior leaders in the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health and the
Ministry of Agriculture to discuss China's involvement in
the International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic
Influenza (IPAPI) and the upcoming meeting of IPAPI to be
held in Vienna in June 2006. China's willingness to assist
other affected countries in the fight against avian
influenza and preparedness for possible human pandemic were
also discussed.
Dr. David Nabarro recognized that the Chinese
Government attaches great importance to the prevention and
control of HPAI. China has adopted national strategies and
taken a series of measures. Great progress was achieved in
preventing and containing HPAI. In this way, China has
contributed to the international effort against HPAI as
well.
The UN in China has been actively engaged in assisting
China since the country first officially reported influenza
A H5N1 in 2004. Coordination between UN agencies has
recently been strengthened under the leadership of UN
Resident Coordinator through the appointment of a UN Avian
and Pandemic Influenza Coordinator and the development of a
number of joint working groups. A joint UN/Government of PR
China Avian and Pandemic Influenza Programme is currently
being discussed with the government. Such a programme is
likely to involve a large number of UN agencies as well as
a range of government ministries and agencies.
Since early 2004, the Food and Agriculture Organization
and World Health Organization have provided technical
assistance in the prevention, detection and control of
avian and human influenza A (H5N1) and are working closely
with Ministries of Agriculture and Health in China. UNICEF
is leading a cross UN team effort to develop public
education materials to raise awareness about avian
influenza and reduce risks of animal to human transmission
of the virus. A number of different agencies, including
WHO and UNDP, are providing support to the government to
strengthen pandemic preparedness as well as to develop long
term strategies to reduce the risk of animal related
diseases such of avian influenza in the future.
Many challenges remain particularly at grassroots
level, at the same time, much have been achieved in
responding to the influenza threat. The government
expressed appreciation to the UN for its assistance and
collaboration in the prevention and control of avian and
human influenza (H5N1) and preparation for any possible
influenza pandemic. The Government of China and the UN
look forward to continued collaboration and cooperation in
the future -- in China and in the international arena.
For more information, please contact:
Zhang Wei
Communications Officer
Tel: +86-10-6532-3731
Fax: +86-10-6532-2567
SOURCE United Nations Development Programme
2007'02.01.Thu
Abbott Files for Registration of Innovative Formulation for the Treatment of HIV In South Africa
April 04, 2006
- Abbott to Maintain Current Lopinavir/Ritonavir Pricing for New Non-Refrigerated Formulation Throughout Africa and the Least Developed Countries -
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, April 4 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/
-- Abbott today announced that it has filed for registration
of the new tablet formulation of its HIV medicine,
lopinavir/ritonavir, in South Africa. The Government of
South Africa has granted fast track review of the new
tablet formulation. This filing marks a key milestone in
Abbott's ongoing efforts to expand availability of the new
formulation for patients with HIV in developing countries.
Abbott plans to maintain its current
lopinavir/ritonavir price of $500 per patient, per year in
Africa and the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) for the new
formulation. By maintaining this price, lopinavir/ritonavir
will continue to be one of the lowest-priced protease
inhibitors (branded and generic) in Africa and the LDCs.
Investing in Meeting the Needs of HIV Patients in
Developing Countries
Abbott has made a significant investment in advanced
technologies to bring the new formulation to HIV patients,
including expanding manufacturing capacity to meet the
growing demand for second-line HIV treatment when
first-line treatment has failed in developing countries,
and developing the innovative and complex Meltrex
technology for the new tablet formulation. With this novel,
breakthrough technology, the more convenient
lopinavir/ritonavir tablet formulation will allow adult
patients to take fewer pills with or without food as part
of their treatment regimen, and do not require
refrigeration -- an important advance for patients in
developing countries. Efforts are underway to register
this new formulation in developing and developed countries
around the world.
Abbott has taken extensive steps to make the capsule
formulations of its HIV medicines, lopinavir/ritonavir and
ritonavir, available throughout the world, including in
developing countries. This includes the liquid
formulations of both medicines that have demonstrated
safety and efficacy in pediatric HIV treatment. All current
formulations of Abbott's HIV medicines are available in
Africa and the LDCs at $500 per patient, per year.
Developing New Formulations
Abbott is applying the Meltrex technology to develop
additional new formulations of its HIV medicines to benefit
patients around the world. Initiatives include a new
lower-dose pediatric tablet being developed with the goals
of eliminating the need for refrigeration and providing
dosing option flexibility. Abbott also is developing a
tablet formulation of its protease inhibitor ritonavir that
does not require refrigeration.
Delivering Results in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS
Through Philanthropy
Abbott and the Abbott Fund are investing $100 million
to address fundamental barriers to testing, treatment and
support services for people living with HIV in developing
countries; results to date include:
* Pioneering a new pediatric treatment model -- The
Abbott Fund supported
Baylor College of Medicine in establishing a
treatment program in
Constanta, Romania, that reduced the death rate for
children with HIV
by more than 90 percent in three years. This model
program is now
being replicated by Baylor across Africa, providing
treatment for more
than 4,000 children with HIV. In partnership with
Baylor and the
Government of Malawi, the Abbott Fund is supporting
the opening of the
first pediatric treatment center in Malawi in
mid-2006.
* Supporting orphans and vulnerable children impacted
by HIV/AIDS -- The
Abbott Fund provides care and support for children
through innovative
model programs that address specific community needs,
including HIV
testing, legal assistance for women and children,
child-focused
counseling and support groups, and vocational
training. Since 2001 more
than 500,000 children and families have received
services in Burkina
Faso, India, Malawi, Romania and Tanzania.
* Helping prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV
-- The transmission
of HIV from mother to child has been virtually
eliminated in the U.S.,
but remains a significant problem in developing
countries. Testing is
the first step toward achieving prevention, and
Abbott is donating rapid
HIV tests to programs for the prevention of
mother-to-child transmission
of HIV in Africa and the LDCs. To date, Abbott has
provided more than
3.4 million free HIV tests through the program.
* Expanding access to HIV testing -- Abbott has
provided more than 42
million rapid HIV tests at no profit in Africa and
the LDCs to expand
access to testing services.
* Training health care workers -- Abbott has trained
more than 15,000
health care staff in developing countries in HIV
care, including
testing, counseling and treatment. These efforts
include a partnership
between Baylor and the Abbott Fund to establish the
Baylor Children's
Clinical Centers of Excellence Network and the
International Pediatric
HIV/AIDS Fellowship program to train health
professionals and share best
practices in HIV care.
* Strengthening health care systems -- Abbott has
partnered with the
Government of Tanzania to implement a nationwide
program to scale-up HIV
testing and treatment in Tanzania. Key results to
date include the
dedication of a new outpatient center and modern
clinical laboratories
at Muhimbili National Hospital serving up to 1,000
patients a day, and
the expansion of testing and treatment services at 82
hospitals and
health centers across the country.
Lopinavir/Ritonavir Safety Information
Lopinavir/ritonavir is always used in combination with
other anti-HIV medicines to treat people with HIV
infection. Lopinavir/ritonavir should not be taken by
patients who have had an allergic reaction to any of its
ingredients, including lopinavir or ritonavir.
Taking certain medications with lopinavir/ritonavir
could create the potential for serious side effects that
could be life threatening. Lopinavir/ritonavir should not
be taken with astemizole, cisapride, dihydroergotamine,
ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine, midazolam,
pimozide, terfenadine or triazolam.
In addition, lopinavir/ritonavir should not be taken
with fluticasone propionate, lovastatin, rifampin,
simvastatin, or products containing St. John's Wort
(Hypericum perforatum). Particular caution should be used
when taking lopinavir/ritonavir with sildenafil, tadalafil,
or vardenafil. Please consult your local prescribing
information for country specific recommendations. Discuss
all medicines, including those without a prescription and
herbal preparations you are taking or plan to take, with
your doctor or pharmacist.
Pancreatitis and liver problems, which can be fatal,
have been reported. Patients should tell their doctor if
they have had liver disease such as hepatitis. In patients
taking protease inhibitors, increased bleeding (in patients
with hemophilia) and diabetes/high blood sugar have
occurred. Changes in body fat have been seen in some
patients receiving antiretroviral therapy.
Some patients receiving lopinavir/ritonavir have had
large increases in triglycerides and cholesterol. Varying
degrees of cross-resistance among protease inhibitors have
been observed.
In lopinavir/ritonavir clinical trials, the most
commonly reported side effects of moderate-to-severe
intensity were abdominal pain, abnormal bowel movements,
diarrhea, feeling weak or tired, headache, nausea and
vomiting. Children taking lopinavir/ritonavir may
sometimes get a skin rash. This is not a complete list of
reported side effects. Lopinavir/ritonavir oral solution
contains alcohol.
Lopinavir/ritonavir does not cure HIV infection or AIDS
and does not reduce the risk of passing HIV to others.
Ritonavir Safety Information
Ritonavir is indicated in combination with other
antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV infection.
Ritonavir should not be taken if you have had a serious
allergic reaction to ritonavir or any of its ingredients.
Taking ritonavir with certain drugs could create
potential for serious and/or life-threatening side effects.
Do not use ritonavir with Cafergot(R), Cordaron(R), D.H.E.
45(R), Halcion(R), Hismanal(R), Mevacor(R), Migranal(R),
Orap(R), Propulsid(R), Quinidine(R), Rythmol(R),
Seldane(R), Tambocor(TM), Vascor(R), Versed(R), Zocor(R) or
products containing St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum).
Discuss all medicines, including those without a
prescription and herbal preparations you are taking or plan
to take, with your doctor or pharmacist.
Pancreatitis and liver problems, which may cause death,
have been reported in patients receiving ritonavir. Tell
your doctor if you have or have had liver disease such as
hepatitis. In patients taking protease inhibitors,
increased bleeding (in patients with hemophilia) and
diabetes/high blood sugar have occurred. Some patients have
reported allergic reactions ranging from mild to severe.
Changes in body fat have been seen in some patients
receiving antiretroviral therapy. Some patients receiving
ritonavir have had large increases in triglycerides and
cholesterol.
The most commonly reported side effects of moderate
severity are: feeling weak or tired, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, changes in
taste, tingling, feeling or numbness in hands or feet or
around the lips, headache, and dizziness.
Ritonavir does not cure HIV infection or AIDS and dose
not reduce the risk of passing HIV to others.
About Abbott
Abbott (NYSE: ABT) is a global, broad-based health care
company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture
and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products,
including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The
company employs 60,000 people and markets its products in
more than 130 countries.
Abbott's news releases and other information are
available on the company's Web site at
http://www.abbott.com .
For more information, please contact:
Media Outside the U.S.
Tracy Sorrentino,
Abbott Laboratories
Tel: +1-847-937-8712,
U.S. Media
Melissa Brotz,
Abbott Laboratories
Tel: +1-847-935-3456
SOURCE Abbott Laboratories
2007'02.01.Thu
Applied Materials Joins Semiconductor Research Corporation Consortium
April 04, 2006
Global University Research Consortium Pursues Advanced Chip Materials and Processes
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., April 4
/Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Semiconductor Research Corporation
(SRC), a leading university-research consortium for
semiconductors and related technologies, announced today
that Applied Materials, Inc. has joined the consortium's
community of 23 companies and partners plus 100
universities worldwide.
"As the leading chip equipment company, Applied
Materials is one of the semiconductor industry's major
technology innovators and a key contributor to the
continuing advance of Moore's Law," said Larry Sumney,
CEO and president of the SRC. "The addition of Applied
provides a strategic expansion of SRC's ecosystem and
enhances the industry's ability to continue to move
university research toward commercial application.
Applied's presence means a strengthening of each of SRC's
areas of vision for the industry."
Working with SRC members, Applied Materials will take a
lead role in collaborating on enhancements to the research
agenda for materials and processes associated with
semiconductor manufacturing. Applied joined other SRC
members last week in planning the next five years of
research by consortium members for the advancement of the
chip industry.
"The industry's ability to sustain Moore's Law
through its technology roadmap depends on extensive
collaboration in selecting and supporting the most
promising research directions," noted Mark Pinto,
chief technology officer of Applied Materials. "The
SRC has a uniquely valuable and proven model for research
and collaboration between industry and academia that will
help ensure continued innovation in an era requiring many
new materials and technologies. This involvement in SRC is
an outstanding complement to Applied's university support
programs around the world."
The SRC's mission is to manage a strategic range of
worldwide, consortial, academic-based research and
education programs, each matching the needs of their
sponsoring entities.
About the SRC
As the pioneer of collaborative research for the
semiconductor industry, SRC's goal is to define common
industry needs, invest in and manage the research that
would expand the industry knowledge base and attract
premier students to help innovate and transfer
semiconductor technology to the commercial industry.
Established in 1982, SRC is based in Research Triangle
Park, NC, and drives long-term semiconductor research
contracts on behalf of its participating members: Advanced
Micro Devices, Inc., Applied Materials, Inc., Axcelis
Technologies, Inc., Cadence Design Systems, Freescale
Semiconductor, Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co., IBM Corp., Intel
Corp., LSI Logic Corp., Mentor Graphics Corp., The Mitre
Corp., Novellus Systems, Inc., Rohm and Haas Electronic
Materials and Texas Instruments Corp. Strategic partners
are SEMATECH, Semiconductor Equipment and Materials
International and Semiconductor Industry Association. SRC
also seeks to leverage funding from global government
agencies. For more information, visit http://www.src.org
.
About Applied Materials
Applied Materials (Nasdaq: AMAT) is the global leader
in nanomanufacturing technology(TM) solutions for the
electronics industry with a broad portfolio of innovative
equipment, service and software products. At Applied
Materials, nanomanufacturing technology is applied to
improve the way people live. Learn more at
http://www.appliedmaterials.com .
For more information, please contact:
Scott Stevens of SRC
Tel: +1-512-413-9540
Email: Scottstevens12@hotmail.com
Betty Newboe of Applied Materials
Tel: +1-408-563-0647
Email: Betty_x_Newboe@amat.com
SOURCE Semiconductor Research Corporation
2007'02.01.Thu
Die & Mould China 2006 Communication Meetings Held in Chongqing, Guangzhou and Dongguan
April 03, 2006
SHANGHAI, China, April 4 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Shanghai International Exhibition Co., Ltd. announced that
as the International Exhibition on Die & Mould
Technology and Equipment (Die & Mould China 2006)
approaches a number of meetings were held to enable people
to learn more about the present status of China's Die &
Mould industry and facilitate their access to exhibition
related information and expand the influence of Die &
Mould China 2006. The media communication meetings were
launched in Chongqing, Guangzhou and Dongguan from March 9
to 14, 2006. Die & Mould China 2006 is scheduled to
run from May 8 to 12 in Shanghai.
At the communication meetings, Cao Yanan,
Secretary-General of China's Die & Mould Industry
Association, gave speeches on topics covering areas like
"China's Rapidly Developed Die & Mould
Industry" and "the Die & Mould Takes Lead in
Modern Industry" to introduce the rapid development of
China's Die & Mould Industry over recent years, to
illustrate the supporting role of Die & Mould in
manufacturing, and its positive and far-reaching impact on
the growth of the regional economy. He also raised some
issues existing in the development of China's Die &
Mould industry, as well as explaining the related tasks and
goals set in the eleventh five-year plan. Cao also briefed
the participants on information about Die & Mould China
2006.
The exhibition will be the largest ever, covering an
area of 60,000 square meters, a growth of 60% on the
previous one. Some 1,100 exhibitors from 16 countries and
regions will join, as it remains Asia's largest, and the
world's second largest, among similar exhibitions.
During the exhibition, many world famous die and mould
companies will present their newest and best products.
Major domestic enterprises engaged in auto covering parts,
mould pressing and plastic moulds will join hands to
showcase the comprehensive strength of the die and mould
manufacturing in China. During the exhibition, some
activities such as a "Workshop on Advanced Die and
Mould Technologies," a "Workshop on Auto Die and
Mould Manufacturing Technologies," and a
"Sino-German Die & Mould Forum," as well as
appraisals on products exhibited and suppliers will be
launched.
Tang Guifa, President of Shanghai International
Exhibition Co., Ltd. made a presentation from the
perspectives of the role of Shanghai in the manufacturing
industry, the driving function of the Shanghai auto
industry, and the advantages of Shanghai in carrying out
trade and economic activities to rationalize the role of
Shanghai as an ideal host for the Die & Mould
exhibition. Qing Ke, the Vice Secretary-General of China
Die & Mould Industry Association made a presentation on
information related to the Die & Mould industry and
products to be exhibited.
These meetings facilitates the die and mould
entrepreneurs, technicians and media friends to understand
more on the present status of the die and mould industry in
China as well as Die & Mould China 2006.
About Shanghai International Exhibition Co., Ltd.
(SIEC)
Shanghai International Exhibition Co., Ltd. (SIEC) is
jointly invested by Shanghai World Expo (Group) Co., Ltd.
and the Council for the Promotion of International Trade,
Shanghai. The SIEC was founded on July 1st, 1984 with the
approval of the Ministry of Foreign Trade & Economic
Cooperation and the People's Government of Shanghai
Municipality.
The SIEC is a full member of Union des Foires
Internationales (UFI). The SIEC has held 500 international
exhibitions of various themes and sizes. It also has
successfully held a number of solo exhibitions at national
level.
"AUTO SHANGHAI," "SHANGHAITEX,"
"CHINA CYCLE," "FASHION SHANGHAI,"
"ELE/PT COMM CHINA" are among the first eight
exhibitions approved excellent by THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE
OF SHANGHAI CONVENTIONAL & EXHIBITION INDUSTRIES.
For more information, please contact:
Cheng Laiping, Executive Show Director
Add: 8/F, OOCL Plaza, 841 Yan An Zhong Road,
Shanghai 200040, China
Tel: +86-21-6279-2828
Fax: +86-21-6545-5124
Email: info@siec-ccpit.com
Web: http://www.siec-ccpit.com
SOURCE Shanghai International Exhibition Co., Ltd.
2007'02.01.Thu
W.P. Stewart & Co., Ltd. Declares Quarterly Dividend
April 03, 2006
HAMILTON, Bermuda, April 3 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- W.P.
Stewart & Co., Ltd. announced today that it has
declared a regular quarterly dividend of US$0.30 per common
share. The dividend is payable on 28th April, 2006 to
shareholders of record as of 13th April, 2006.
W.P. Stewart & Co., Ltd. is an asset management
company that has provided research-intensive equity
management services to clients throughout the world since
1975. The Company is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda and
has additional operations or affiliates in the United
States, Europe and Asia.
The Company's shares are listed for trading on the New
York Stock Exchange (NYSE: WPL) and on the Bermuda Stock
Exchange (BSX: WPS).
For more information, please visit the Company's
website at http://www.wpstewart.com , or call W.P. Stewart
Investor Relations (Fred M. Ryan) at +1-888-695-4092
(toll-free within the United States) or +441-295-8585
(outside the United States) or e-mail to
IRINFO@wpstewart.com .
For more information, please contact:
Fred Ryan,
W.P. Stewart & Co., Ltd.
Tel: +1-441-295-8585
Web: http://www.wpstewart.com
SOURCE W.P. Stewart & Co., Ltd.
2007'02.01.Thu
Johnson Controls Wins Contract with the BBC
April 03, 2006
Johnson Controls to Provide Facilities Management Services to the BBC's Property Portfolio in London and Scotland
MILWAUKEE, April 4 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Johnson
Controls, Inc. (JCI) -- Johnson Controls has won a new
contract to provide facilities management services to the
BBC's property portfolio in London and Scotland. The
five-year contract, with an option to extend for a further
three years, will cover 129 premises and 700,000 square
metres of workspace. Johnson Controls will also provide
specialist services across the BBC's wider UK property
portfolio.
The company was selected as preferred supplier from a
field of 48 companies following a rigorous procurement
process involving a nine-month assessment period. Johnson
Controls leveraged its technology innovation and knowledge
of technical and business support services to create a
custom-made solution for the BBC, which addresses its
critical broadcast continuity and customer service
requirements.
Johnson Controls will take over from the current
facilities management provider, Land Securities Trillium,
on 1 July 2006, subject to contract signature.
Chris Kane, head of corporate real estate, BBC, said:
"Johnson Controls was chosen from a strong field of
tenders for their expertise and their ability to deliver
the range of services necessary to support the BBC's
operations across London and Scotland. I am delighted to
welcome them to the BBC and am confident they can take
forward the work done by Land Securities Trillium."
Johnson Controls will deliver building engineering
services, building fabric maintenance, cable management,
car parking, caretaking, catering and hospitality, cleaning
and housekeeping, conference room management and customer
service centre for BBC properties in London and Scotland.
The company will also manage health and safety issues,
landscaping and planting services, management of office
'hubs' (kitchen/meeting/reprographics areas), office
reorganisation, pest control, porterage, post room and in
Scotland only, printing services.
Specialist facilities management services for all BBC
properties across the UK will include asbestos management,
lift maintenance, statutory inspections, and holding and
maintaining CAD (Computer Aided Design) drawings.
"The BBC is an iconic and high profile
organisation and we are proud to be named as its preferred
supplier of facilities services," said Guy Holden,
vice president and general manager, global real estate and
facility management solutions, Johnson Controls. "The
selection process saw us bring together our experts from
across many business disciplines, from business continuity
to front of house services. Our ability to listen, and
respond creatively to the brief, uniquely positioned us to
design a compelling solution for delivering facilities
services across the BBC portfolio, and the account will
benefit from some of the best minds in the business."
Issued on behalf of Johnson Controls
For further information, please contact John Warren or
Jo Court on
+44 (0) 1242 577 277
E: jwarren@camarguepr.com or jcourt@camarguepr.com
Camargue House, Wellington Road, Cheltenham, Glos GL52
2AG
Johnson Controls is a global leader in interior
experience, building efficiency and power solutions. The
company provides innovative automotive interiors that help
make driving more comfortable, safe and enjoyable. For
buildings, it offers products and services that optimize
energy use and improve comfort and security. Johnson
Controls also provides batteries for automobiles and hybrid
electric vehicles, along with systems engineering and
service expertise. Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) has 136,000
employees in more than 1,000 locations serving customers in
125 countries. Founded in 1885, the company is
headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For additional
information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com .
For more information, please contact:
Tania Chaplin,
Johnson Controls
Tel: +44-0-1252-451035
Email: tania.d.chaplin@jci.com
John Warren,
Camargue House
Tel: +44-0-1242-577277
Email: jwarren@Camarguepr.com
SOURCE Johnson Controls, Inc.
2007'02.01.Thu
Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation: High-Level Commission Calls For Action to Ensure Developing Country Access to Existing and New Medicines and Vaccines
April 03, 2006
Commission Report Points Way Forward
GENEVA, April 3 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Today, an
independent Commission on Intellectual Property Rights,
Innovation and Public Health presents its report to the
World Health Organization. The report recommends key
actions needed to ensure that poor people in developing
countries have access to existing and new products to
diagnose, treat and prevent the diseases which affect them
most.
(Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040610/CNTH001LOGO )
Over half of the people in the poorest parts of Africa
and Asia lack regular access to existing essential
medicines because they cannot afford them, or because the
health system in their country is too weak. Apart from
access to existing medicines, some health products
specifically for diseases which disproportionately affect
developing countries are simply not developed at all due to
the lack of a sustainable market. The relationship between
intellectual property rights, innovation and public health
has been at the heart of debate on these issues.
The report of the Commission: "Public Health,
Innovation and Intellectual Property Rights" is the
result of two years' analysis of how governments, industry,
scientists, international law and financing mechanisms can
work best to overcome the challenges.
"There is now global momentum to address these
issues, and we have a unique opportunity to build on this.
There is more awareness, more money potentially available,
more utilization of scientific capacity in developing
countries and new institutions such as public-private
partnerships. The Commission report is clear that we must
build on all of these to ensure that poor people in
developing countries have sustainable access to the
medicines, vaccines and diagnostics they need now, and
critically, in the future. The report maps out the ways
this can be done," said Mme Ruth Dreifuss, the Chair
of the Commission.
The report was commissioned by the World Health
Assembly, WHO's governing body of 192 Member States. WHO's
Director-General, Dr LEE Jong-wook, established the
Commission on Intellectual Property Rights, Innovation and
Public Health in February 2004. The Commission included
ten members, and represented the perspectives of
government, industry, public-private partnerships, science,
medicine, law and economics.*
The Commission formally handed its report to the
Director-General today. It contains more than 50
recommendations which serve as a road map for tackling the
issues in different country settings.
"We are grateful to the Commissioners for
undertaking this difficult task. With this report, the
Commission has built a solid foundation from which
countries can move forward. I encourage all countries to
give serious consideration to their role in addressing
these critical issues," said Dr LEE Jong-wook, today
as Mme Dreifuss presented the report.
An intergovernmental working group of WHO's Executive
Board will consider the Report at a meeting on 28 April.
The World Health Assembly will then examine and debate the
Report during its annual meeting from 22 - 27 May 2006. The
Assembly will ultimately decide how the Report findings will
be applied.
The report is available in six languages at
http://www.who.int/intellectualproperty . A question and
answer document is available at the same address.
* The Commission was led by Ruth Dreifuss, former
President of the Swiss
Confederation. The vice-chairperson was Dr
Raghunath Mashelkar,
Director-General of India's Council of Scientific
and Industrial
Research. Other members were Professor Carlos
Correa (Argentina),
Professor Mahmoud Fathalla (Egypt), Dr Maria Freire
(USA), Professor
Trevor Jones (UK), Mr Tshediso Matona (South
Africa), Professor Fabio
Pammolli (Italy), Professor Pakdee Pothisiri
(Thailand) and Professor
Hiroko Yamane (Japan).
For more information please contact:
Charles Clift, Secretariat,
Commission on Intellectual Property Rights,
Innovation and Public Health, WHO
Tel: +41-22-791-3168
Mobile: +41-79-467-3415
Email: cliftc@who.int
Neslihan Grasser, Secretariat,
Commission on Intellectual Property Rights,
Innovation and Public Health, WHO
Tel: +41-22-791-3632
Email: grassern@who.int
Christine McNab, Communications Officer,
Director General's Office, WHO
Tel: +41-22-791-4688
Mobile: +41-79-254-6815
Email: mcnabc@who.int
All press releases, fact sheets and other WHO media
material may be found at http://www.who.int .
SOURCE World Health Organization
2007'02.01.Thu
Total Investment of Foreign-Funded Enterprises in TEDA Exceeds USD30 Billion
April 03, 2006
TIANJIN, China, April 3 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Tianjin
Economic-Technological Development Area (TEDA) announced
today that the newly incorporated enterprise, Kang Chif
(Tianjing) Beverage Co., Ltd., became the 4,108th foreign
funded enterprise to be approved to establish a base in
TEDA; this new arrival means the total investment of
foreign funded enterprises in TEDA has exceeded USD30
billion.
In April 2003, TEDA attracted a foreign investment of
USD 20 billion. Thereafter, in less than 3 years, the
total foreign investment in TEDA has grown from USD20
billion to USD30 billion.
The comprehensive investment environment of TEDA that
takes lead nationwide is the key to TEDA being favored by
foreign investors. An appraisal on the investment
environment of nation-level development areas by the
Department of Commerce indicates that TEDA's comprehensive
index of the investment environment has been ranking the
first for 8 consecutive years. The sound investment
environment has reciprocated the investors with abundant
profits. In 2005, the sales profits of the above-scale
industrial enterprises in TEDA reached 7.4%, (especially
for the electronics industry, which was as high as 8.4%),
ranking the first nationwide. In the main structure of
local production, enterprises' operating surplus accounted
for 34%, which was significantly higher than the national
average of 24%.
The increasingly improved investment environment and
expectable return on investment not only attracts many
enterprises to land here, but also leads the companies that
have invested in TEDA to supplement their investments in an
assured manner and unceasingly introduce new technologies
and new products to enhance the added value of products,
which in turn promotes the upgrading of the product mix and
the industry structure.
In 2005, the total newly added investments in TEDA
reached USD4.26 billion. There were 244 enterprises that
increased their capital, totaling USD1.71 billion and
accounted for 40% of the total newly added investment that
year. The data indicates that significant growth has been
achieved in terms of both the number of capital-increase
enterprises and the capital-increase amount of enterprises,
and the percentage it takes up in the annual total capital
increase.
About Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area
(TEDA)
Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area (TEDA)
was established in 1984 with the approval of the State
Council of the People's Republic of China. It is one of
the first state-class economic-technological development
areas in the country.
TEDA is located in the center of a larger area
bordering Bohai Sea and the east of the Asia-Europe Land
Bridge, thus serving as the gate to the two super cities of
Beijing and Tianjin, and the throat connecting the northeast
of China. By the end of 2005, 4,067 foreign companies have
landed in TEDA. Of the Fortune 500 companies, 57
multinational companies, from 10 countries and regions,
including such well-established multinational giants as
Motorola, Samsung and Toyota, invested in 123 enterprises
in TEDA. In 2000, "Fortune" listed TEDA as one
of the most highly recommended economic areas in China. In
2002 UNIDO listed TEDA as one of the most dynamic areas of
China together with Shenzhen, Suzhou, Wenzhou, Shanghai
Pudong and Xi'an High-tech Park.
For more information, please visit
http://www.investteda.org .
For more information, please contact:
Ding Lei,
Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area
Tel: +86-22-2520-1616
Xu Hui,
Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area
Tel: +86-22-2520-1118
SOURCE Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area
2007'02.01.Thu
Business Committed to Fight HIV/AIDS in China
April 03, 2006
BEIJING, April 3 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- More than 100
business, civil society and government health
representatives from China and abroad, gathered at the
Kerry Center in Beijing on March 30, for an HIV/AIDS
workshop to exchange ideas about the role of business in
dealing with HIV/AIDS in China.
They participated in a workshop organized by the World
Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), the
China Business Council for Sustainable Development (CBCSD),
the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in China and
the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS in China (GBC
China).
Participants included representatives from Chinese and
foreign businesses, the Chinese government, local and
international NGOs, and United Nations organizations.
Participants discussed the role of the private sector
in dealing with the deadly epidemic, designing appropriate
personnel and workplace policies, including educating
employees on discrimination of workers living with the
disease. The executives presented and shared best
practical experiences of ways in which companies are doing
their part to stop the epidemic, and hoping to inspire
other companies to join the national campaign on HIV/AIDS
prevention and control. This workshop is an effort to
bring that work down to a very practical level, and provide
businesses with resources they will need to address the
problem in the workplace and local communities where they
operate.
In introducing the conference, Howard Klee from WBCSD
remarked, "This conference on HIV/AIDS is an important
part of the WBCSD's larger program on health systems and the
role of business in society. Business does have a role to
play in addressing a number of social issues, but business
alone cannot solve these problems. In the case of
HIV/AIDS, the connections between this deadly disease and
having a productive workforce and vibrant local market are
quite clear. Business has the ability to influence their
employees' behavior through education, as well as through
the design of benefit, insurance, safety and wellness
programs."
On behalf of the United Nations Theme Group on HIV/AIDS
in China, Constance Thomas, Director of the International
Labour Organization for China and Mongolia, illustrated a
number of ways in which employers could contribute to
HIV/AIDS prevention and control in China.
"The workplace is an important and ideal setting
where reliable information on HIV/AIDS prevention can be
disseminated to the working people, especially to those who
may be engaging in behavior that puts them at risk of
becoming infected by HIV," Thomas said.
"Increasingly, companies in China have taken
actions by putting HIV/AIDS workplace policy in place,
launching education programmes in their workplaces and
beyond. Taking action on HIVAIDS can be considered part of
carrying out corporate social responsibility, which is
increasingly being seen in China as synonymous with good
business practice and harmonious growth."
"This workshop is a testament to GBC's work and
progress in China," said Michael Shiu, Director of GBC
China. "Last March in Beijing at our Joint Summit with
the Chinese Ministry of Health, we witnessed Vice Premier
Wu Yi call on Chinese businesses to get involved in the
fight against HIV/AIDS. In the past year GBC has attempted
to galvanize the business response to the Premier's call and
today's workshop is a critical step in that direction. By
helping participants design and execute a company HIV/AIDS
workplace policy, we are paving the way for future private
sector HIV/AIDS program development."
HIV/AIDS is not only a public health issue but also a
social and development issue as China already has over half
a million estimated HIV/AIDS cases according to the latest
estimation by the Ministry of Health, UNAIDS and WHO.
Based on experience in other countries, it is now
recognized as best practice to make a proactive attack on
the epidemic in its early stages, rather than waiting until
a later stage when control becomes more difficult and
costly.
Giving an example of using the workplace to reach rural
migrant workers and local communities where the companies
are located, Edmund Settle, Programme Specialist on
HIV/AIDS for the United Nations Development Programme,
added, "There is an urgent need to strengthen the
general population's knowledge and understanding of
HIV/AIDS, and the private sector is in a perfect position
to facilitate efficient and sustained distribution of
HIV/AIDS education and awareness messages among employees
and their families."
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), a
co-sponsor of UNAIDS and member of the Theme Group on
HIV/AIDS in China, works with the private sector to develop
partnerships, mobilize resources and use their individual
market advantage to become fully engaged with HIV/AIDS in
the workplace and support prevention and awareness
activities in communities.
For more information, please contact:
Howard Klee,
Program Director for Sustainable Health Systems,
World Business Council for Sustainable Development
Email: klee@wbcsd.org
Edmund Settle,
Programme Specialist on HIV/AIDS,
United Nations Development Programme
Tel: +86-10-6532-3731 ext.296
Email: edmund.settle@undp.org
Michael Shiu,
Director, Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, China
office
Email: mjshiu@gmail.com
SOURCE United Nations Development Programme
2007'02.01.Thu
TI Turns Up the Music in Mobile Phones with Integrated FM Audio and Stereo Single-Chip Bluetooth Solution
April 03, 2006
Turn-key Hardware and Software Platform Provides Best Performance Bluetooth(R) Wireless Technology with High Fidelity FM
DALLAS, April 3 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Texas
Instruments Incorporated (TI) {NYSE: TXN} today announced
its next generation BlueLink(TM) 6.0 platform that combines
the industry's best performance Bluetooth(R) wireless
technology with high fidelity FM stereo and mono
performance on a single chip. The BlueLink 6.0 platform
provides complete hardware and software support, enabling
ease of design and speeding time to market for mobile
device manufacturers. In addition, TI's solution supports
streaming FM stereo music from the handset to a
Bluetooth-enabled headset. (See
http://www.ti.com/bluelink_6 for more information .)
Turn-key Software and Hardware Support
Since both Bluetooth and FM functions are integrated on
the same silicon, the solution ensures optimal RF
co-existence between the two functions, and also provides
significant power savings in the most commonly used modes
of operation, such as page and inquiry scan. The BlueLink
6.0 single chip also incorporates TI's Bluetooth/WLAN
co-existence hardware and software solution, providing a
collaborative interface with TI's WiLink(TM) mobile WLAN
solution for optimal bandwidth and resource sharing.
The BlueLink 6.0 platform includes TI's BlueLink
Bluetooth and FM Protocol Stacks and all software required
to work with TI's OMAP(TM) platforms and OMAP-Vox(TM)
chipsets for GSM, GPRS, EDGE, WCDMA and UMTS. The solution
offers designers the flexibility to work with Symbian,
Linux, or Microsoft Windows Mobile operating systems.
"Microsoft is excited that Texas Instruments is
expanding their product line with the release of BlueLink
6.0," said Jonas Hasselberg, Group Product Manager at
Microsoft. "The strong integration between Texas
Instruments and Windows Mobile will help device makers sell
more smartphones by offering customers a wider range of
services and functionality."
"With 60 million Symbian OS-based phones having
shipped worldwide, Symbian OS is the world's leading mobile
phone platform for Bluetooth," said Jorgen Behrens, VP,
Product Management and Strategy, Symbian. "Bringing
BlueLink 6.0 to Symbian OS will not only allow for mass
market adoption but by re-using Bluetooth software from
TI's previous solution, the integration experience will be
much easier for handset designers, reducing time to
market."
Small and Cost-Effective Solution
The BlueLink 6.0 platform (BRF6350) is the industry's
smallest Bluetooth and FM single-chip solution providing
the lowest total system cost, and is manufactured in TI's
innovative DRP(TM) technology at 90 nanometer. The
integration of Bluetooth and FM allows customers to realize
significant cost and size savings due to shared resources,
reduction of external components and shrinkage of the total
die size. The solution cuts board space by 25 percent
compared to discrete solutions.
"Analysts are forecasting that around 400 million
FM-enabled handsets will ship by the end of the decade. TI
is delivering a solution that provides the latest Bluetooth
functionality, as well as high fidelity FM, all enabled by
our innovative DRP technology," said Marc Cetto,
general manager of TI's Mobile Connectivity Solutions,
Wireless Terminals Business.
TI has a long history of digital radio design, and has
shipped millions of units of digital radio devices,
enabling TI to leverage its experience to provide
integrated, high fidelity FM stereo and mono performance
for the handset market. Clean audio quality signal, audio
reception without interference, true muting capabilities
and stereo separation enable the best stereo user
experience for consumers. BRF6350 also provides RDS (Radio
Data Systems) functionality, letting users tune to radio
stations immediately without spending time searching. RDS
also enables interactive services that provide visual
information on the song and artist currently playing on the
radio and lets users vote via their phones, as well as
purchase concert tickets and ring tones.
Availability
BlueLink 6.0 WSP (wafer scale package) and modules are
currently sampling. The WSP option reduces board footprint
by 50 percent compared to a traditional BGA package. Mobile
devices using TI's BlueLink 6.0 solution are expected to be
on the market by the end of 2006.
Texas Instruments - Making Wireless
TI is the leading manufacturer of wireless
semiconductors, delivering the heart of today's wireless
technology and building solutions for tomorrow. TI
provides a breadth of silicon and software and 16 years of
wireless systems expertise that spans handsets and base
stations for all communications standards, wireless LAN,
GPS, Digital TV, Bluetooth(R) and Ultra Wideband. TI
offers custom to turn-key solutions, including complete
chipsets and reference designs, OMAP(TM) application
processors, as well as core digital signal processor and
analog technologies built on advanced semiconductor
processes. Please visit
http://www.ti.com/wirelesspressroom for additional
information.
About Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP
and analog technologies to meet our customers' real world
signal processing requirements. In addition to
Semiconductor, the company's businesses include Sensors
& Controls, and Educational & Productivity
Solutions. TI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and has
manufacturing, design or sales operations in more than 25
countries.
Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol TXN. More information is located
on the World Wide Web at http://www.ti.com .
Trademarks
WiLink, OMAP, OMAP-Vox and DRP are trademarks of Texas
Instruments. All other trademarks and registered
trademarks are property of their respective owners.
For more information, please contact:
Tracy Wright
Tel: +1-214-480-7487
Email: t-wright@ti.com
Michelle Rudolph
Tel: +1-972-341-2543
Email: mrudolph@golinharris.com
SOURCE Texas Instruments Incorporated
2007'02.01.Thu
Message of the UN Secretary General on International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action (4 April 2006)
April 03, 2006
BEIJING, April 3 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Kofi A. Annan,
UN Secretary-General, recently made a speech highlighting
the dangers of landmines in preperation for the
International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine
Action on 4 April 2006.
"Landmines are cruel instruments of war. Decades
after conflicts have receded, these invisible killers lie
silently in the ground, waiting to murder and maim. Through
them, 20th century battles claim 21st century victims, with
new casualties added every hour."
"A single landmine -- or even the fear of its
presence -- can hold an entire community hostage. It can
prevent farmers from growing crops, refugees from returning
home, even children from playing. It blocks the delivery of
humanitarian relief and impedes the deployment of
peacekeepers. In post-conflict societies landmines remain
one of the greatest impediments to rebuilding and renewal.
"
"Yet this scourge of the past century has the
potential to become an early success story of the present
one. The swift entry into force of the 1997 convention
banning anti-personnel landmines underscored the broad
moral condemnation of these weapons. The treaty, which has
150 State Parties, is already producing tangible results.
Governments, donors, nongovernmental organizations and the
United Nations are collaborating on an unprecedented scale
to address this problem, in more than 30 countries. Both
the production and the laying of mines are in decline.
Global trade in mines has virtually halted."
"Stockpiles have been destroyed. Clearance
operations have accelerated. Mine-risk education has
spread."
"The message is clear and must be heard: landmines
have no place in any civilized society."
"The goal of a world without landmines and
explosive remnants of war appears achievable in years --
not decades as we used to think. But to realize this ideal,
every one of us -- donors, the general public and
mine-affected countries -- must focus our energies, and our
imaginations, on the cause of mine clearance. Having been so
effective in laying mines, we must now become even better at
clearing them. Each mine cleared may mean a life saved.
Each mine cleared brings us one step closer to building the
conditions for lasting and productive peace."
"On this International Day for Mine Awareness and
Assistance in Mine Action, I call on governments to ratify
the anti-personnel mine ban treaty as well as the new
Protocol V -- on the explosive remnants of war -- to the
Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. I ask donors to
renew their financial commitments. I urge the international
community to address the humanitarian and developmental
impact of cluster-munitions. And I look to affected
countries to ensure the rehabilitation and reintegration of
landmine survivors, and to increase resources for mine
action. Together, we must fight the evil of landmines as a
high and moral calling."
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Zhang Wei
UNDP China, Communications Officer
Tel: +86-10-6532-3731 x228
Email: wei.zhang@undp.org
SOURCE UNDP China
2007'02.01.Thu
McAfee, Inc. Reinvents the Way Companies Manage Security With McAfee Total Protection
April 03, 2006
McAfee Reduces the Complexity of Managing Security so Companies Can Focus More on Adding Business Value, Less on Operational Inefficiencies
INFOSEC WORLD 2006, ORLANDO, Fla., April 3
/Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- McAfee, Inc. (NYSE: MFE), the global
leader in Intrusion Prevention and Security Risk Management,
today unveiled McAfee(R) Total Protection. Designed to
redefine the way in which companies manage security
solutions, McAfee Total Protection is the industry's first
and only offering to combine and manage all the elements of
a comprehensive system security solution through a single
console and agent platform. With McAfee Total Protection,
McAfee SecurityAlliance(TM) partners can help companies of
all sizes improve security while reducing the complexity of
managing security -- without compromise, freeing up valuable
financial and human resources for other vital corporate
needs.
McAfee Total Protection is a single concept with four
distinct offerings for customers of all sizes and needs.
For the first time, these customers can purchase a single
solution with proven award-winning technology that is
tightly integrated into a single console. The end result
is increased security, policy compliance and significant
ongoing cost savings.
McAfee Total Protection for enterprise users leverages
a single agent platform already deployed in more than 40
million endpoints to provide everything a business needs
for complete endpoint security and network access control,
today and into the future. McAfee Total Protection for
enterprise includes anti-virus for all tiers of the
network, anti-spyware, anti-spam, desktop firewall, host
intrusion prevention and a complete network access control
system -- all managed by a single console. McAfee Total
Protection for small business builds upon McAfee's heritage
of delivering security and software-as-a-service, ensuring
an "always on, always up-to-date," security
environment. McAfee, which pioneered software as-a-service
seven years ago, now has more than two million customers
protected under this model.
Many companies and industry analysts point to a growing
need for a tightly integrated, single solution managed
through one console.
"Attacks on corporate networks, corporate PCs and
consumers will continue to increase in sophistication,
frequency and severity; defending against this onslaught
requires a comprehensive and integrated security
solution," according to Chris Christiansen, IDC VP of
Security Products and Services. "These attacks will
drive the demand for more proactive security products and
services. As the complexity of managing security increases,
customers are demanding more integrated solutions. IT
security is increasingly moving away from a focus on a
single type of protection, such as anti-virus, toward a
focus on broad protection from a wide range of emerging
threats to enterprise security."
"Information Security has clearly become a
boardroom issue. Organizations must look upon information
security as an investment, and like any business function
search for every pound of efficiency," said Bryan
Palma, founder of Ponic, an information risk consulting
company, and former CISO with PepsiCo. "Security is
no exception -- senior business leaders expect cost
savings, tangible performance metrics, and clear returns
for their information security investments. Therefore,
integration, consolidation and maximization of existing
investments are the primary drivers for results."
McAfee Total Protection is also designed to offer
McAfee SecurityAlliance partners tremendous business value,
providing new opportunities for highly profitable sustained
business with their customers. The integrated security
solution helps partners deliver comprehensive protection
against newly emerging threats coupled with a service
component that drives value and creates a trusted advisor
relationship.
"McAfee continues to demonstrate its commitment to
its value-added reseller channel, and the launch of Total
Protection is a welcome addition to the product
portfolio," said Casper Zublin, Jr., chief executive
officer at DynTek. "McAfee has made the effort to
understand our business and by providing integrated
security solutions that we can wrap our services around,
they have acknowledged one of the most profitable areas of
our business."
"This is about helping businesses reduce the
complexity of managing security by providing comprehensive
protection," said Kevin Weiss, president, McAfee, Inc.
"Our core focus is to protect and mitigate risk for
customers and their valuable data in an increasingly
complex and regulated world. Now, for the first time ever,
businesses can choose a security solution that is completely
integrated from a management perspective and that
significantly reduces costs, eliminates redundancy and
offers better protection."
Availability
McAfee Total Protection is available starting April 17
for enterprise customers and April 25 for small business
users through McAfee and its channel partners. For more
information please visit http://www.mcafee.com .
About McAfee, Inc.
McAfee Inc., headquartered in Santa Clara, California
and the global leader in Intrusion Prevention and Security
Risk Management, delivers proactive and proven solutions
and services that secure systems and networks around the
world. With its unmatched security expertise and
commitment to innovation, McAfee empowers home users,
businesses, the public sector, and service providers with
the ability to block attacks, prevent disruptions, and
continuously track and improve their security.
http://www.mcafee.com .
NOTE: McAfee and SecurityAlliance are registered
trademark or trademarks of McAfee, Inc. and/or its
affiliates in the US and/or other countries. McAfee Red in
connection with security is distinctive of McAfee brand
products. All other registered and unregistered trademarks
herein are the sole property of their respective owners.
For more information, please contact:
Tracy Ross
McAfee, Inc.
Tel: +1-650-245-8466
Email: Tracy_Ross@mcafee.com
Michael Azzano
Red Consultancy
Tel: +1-415-596-1978
Email: Michael.azzano@redconsultancy.com
SOURCE McAfee, Inc.
2007'02.01.Thu
MEDIA INVITATION: UN System Senior Coordinator for Avian and Human Influenza, Dr. David Nabarro, Addresses Members of the Media
April 03, 2006
To mark the conclusion of his visit to Beijing to
discuss China's role in the international control of avian
influenza and preparation for dealing with a possible
influenza pandemic, the UN System Senior Coordinator for
Avian and Human Influenza, Dr. David Nabarro will be
addressing members of the media on 4 April, Tuesday, from
5.30 to 6.00pm in the large conference room at the UN
Compound, 2 LiangMaHe Nanlu, Beijing.
During the press conference, Dr. Nabarro will speak
about his visit and respond to questions from
correspondents.
WHAT: Press Conference on the UN Coordinator for Avian
Influenza, Dr. David Nabarro's visit to China
WHO: The following UN officials will be on the panel
and available for interviews during the press conference:
* Dr. David Nabarro, UN Coordinator for Avian
Influenza
* Dr. Khalid Malik, UN Resident Coordinator in
China
* Dr. Henk Bekedam, WHO Representative in China
* Dr. Julie Hall, UN Coordinator for Avian
Influenza, China
* Dr. Guo Fusheng, Avian Influenza Consultant,
FAO, China
WHERE: Large conference room, the UN Compound, 2
LiangMaHe Nanlu, Beijing
WHEN: 4 April 2006 (Tuesday), 5.30pm - 6.30pm
Correspondents are kindly requested to contact UNDP
China to confirm their participation with Ms. Zhang Wei,
Communications Officer, at
+86 10 65323731-228, or through e-mail: wei.zhang@undp.org
SOURCE United Union Development Program
2007'02.01.Thu
Red Bull X-Fighters: 'The best day of my life!'
April 03, 2006
Mat Rebeaud wins the Red Bull X-Fighters in Mexico City
MEXICO CITY, April 3 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- 42,000
enthusiastic fans in the world's largest bull fighting
arena, Live-TV transmissions in Mexico, Guatemala and
Venezuela: Mexico City celebrated at the Red Bull
X-Fighters an exhilarating Freestyle Motocross night. The
end of the evening came shortly before midnight, when the
jury passed their final judgment after three rounds and
altogether 18 fantastic rides: The 23-year-old Swiss rider,
Mat Rebeaud, is the winner of the Red Bull X-Fighters 2006
in the Mexican 20-million-metropolis.
The first surprise that the fans experienced in the
Monumental Plaza de Toros, which had already been sold-out
for weeks, was at the start: Not as previously announced,
there were not nine but rather ten riders at the start -
Andre Villa, the Norwegian, who was originally planned as
the substitute rider, rode so convincingly in the final
days of training that he was hastily called up as a
permanent starter.
How correct the decision was, the 23-year-old, who
lives in Spain, was already able to prove in round one: He
crammed breath-taking difficulties into his first ride;
only Travis Pastrana was awarded more points from the
five-member jury, which included Mexico's most popular bull
fighter, Eulalio Lopez Zotoluco. This was the matador's jury
debut at an FMX event, where he was given the responsibility
of rating the "Voice of spectators", that is, the
enthusiasm of the public, by scoring this into points. The
later winner Rebeaud had just barely slid his way into
round two, by the way: With 70 points, he had placed fifth
-- the sixth-place Australian, Robbie Maddison, was
eliminated with 69 points.
In the semi-finals with the five best riders, Travis
Pastrana also made his mark in the opening run: The
American "Wunderkind" inspired the crowd and jury
with a great ride accompanied by Jerry Lee Lewis'
"Great Balls Fire". Andre Villa had bad luck: The
Norwegian who was promoted as Pastrana's big challenger fell
in his last jump and thereby missed the seemingly secured
entry into the finals. For him, the workday ended just as
it did for the Spaniard, Dani Torres, who remained 1.5
points behind Ronnie Renner with 74.5 points.
In the third and final round, the crowd cheered as the
Freestyle Motocross show got unleashed -- first by public
favorite and last year's winner, Renner, then by Rebeaud.
The Swiss KTM pilot laid down a brilliant and unbelievably
precise run, riddled with tall-order difficulties. He thus
forced Pastrana to take greater risks - and the best FMX
rider of the world then risked too much this time. Just
after halfway through his 120-second run, he had a heavy
crash, but thankfully was able to leave the arena however
on his own two legs.
"That is what our sport is all about", said
Rebeaud after the victory which he celebrated with a
Mexican Sombrero on his head. "I risked it and won.
This is an unbelievable victory. It is probably the best
day of my life."
RESULTS
Red Bull X-Fighters Mexico City 2006
1. Mat Rebeaud (SUI)
2. Ronnie Renner (USA)
3. Travis Pastrana (USA)
4. Dani Torres (ESP)
5. Andre Villa (NOR)
6. Robbie Maddison (AUS)
7. Nate Adams (USA)
8. Eigo Sato (JPN)
9. Sebastian Mejia (COL)
10. Johan Nungaray (MEX)
More Information: http://www.redbullxfighters.com
http://www.redbull-photofiles.com
For more information, please contact:
Red Bull Office USA
Tel: +1-310-393-4647
Email: info@redbullxfighters.com
SOURCE Red Bull X-Fighters
2007'02.01.Thu
Spirit AeroSystems Completes Purchase of BAE Systems Aerostructures Unit
April 03, 2006
WICHITA, Kan., April 3 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Spirit
AeroSystems, Inc., today announced that it has completed
the purchase of BAE Systems Aerostructures business unit
located in Prestwick, Scotland, and Samlesbury, England.
Spirit paid pounds sterling 80 million for the business,
which has been renamed Spirit AeroSystems (Europe) Limited.
The sale was announced in January.
"We are delighted to officially welcome the newest
members of the Spirit AeroSystems team," said Executive
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Ron Brunton.
"We look forward to building on the excellent
foundation for quality and the reputation of delivering
unique solutions to customers that our newest
aerostructures business unit has established in the
industry."
Spirit AeroSystems (Europe) Limited produces structural
components, chiefly on wings, similar to that in Spirit's
business unit in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but on different airplane
programs. More than 80 percent of the European unit's
revenue is earned on Airbus airplanes, including the A320
family, the A330 and A340, and the A380. The remainder is
from the Boeing 767 and 777, and from the Raytheon Hawker
800XP.
"Joining the Spirit AeroSystems team marks a new
and exciting phase in the development of our
business," said Neil McManus, Vice President and
Managing Director, Spirit AeroSystems (Europe) Limited.
"We must capitalize on the opportunities this presents
for our business, the employees and our local
communities."
Spirit's European business unit employs over 800 people
in the United Kingdom, and has a history dating back to the
early days of large scale airplane production in Scotland
in the 1930s.
"Acquiring the aerostructures unit fits our
long-range strategy of growing our business and becoming
the top tier one supplier/partner of aircraft components in
the aerospace industry," said Chief Executive Officer
Jeff Turner. "Our new Spirit AeroSystems (Europe)
employees bring great capability plus valuable knowledge
and insights required to work with our new customers."
Spirit AeroSystems is the world's largest independent
supplier of structures for commercial aircraft. Formed by
Onex Corporation in June 2005, Spirit continues its work on
designing and building part of every Boeing commercial
aircraft currently in production. Spirit also designs and
builds aircraft production tooling, has composite
capabilities, and provides spares and aftermarket support
to airlines.
On the Net: http://www.spiritaero.com
For more information, please contact:
Fred Solis of Spirit AeroSystems
Tel: +1-316-526-3153
Mobile: +1-316-304-6623
Conrad King of Spirit AeroSystems (Europe) Limited
Tel: +44-129-267-2323
Mobile: +44-779-342-2408
SOURCE Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
2007'02.01.Thu
Element Six Acquires Manufacturing Plant in Ukraine
April 03, 2006
SHANNON, Ireland, April 3 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Element Six Abrasives announced today the acquisition of a
majority of the shareholding of OJSC "Poltava Diamond
Plant", a Ukrainian diamond synthesis plant which
produces resin bond synthetic diamond. This plant
complements the other major diamond synthesis locations of
Element Six Abrasives in Sweden and South Africa, each of
which has specialised in specific synthesis technology and
product manufacture. A further specialised synthesis plant
will be opened in China later this year.
The output from the Ukrainian plant will be supplied to
the global processing and added value centre of Element Six
Abrasives in Shannon, Ireland where the product will be
adapted mainly for internal use in the processing of
polycrystalline products. Output from all of the other
Element Six synthesis plants follow a similar routing
before they are supplied to global markets through the
Element Six distribution network of companies.
Mr Christian Hultner, CEO of Element Six says:
"This acquisition provides a strategic addition to the
Element Six Abrasives' capability in synthetic diamond grit
in a low cost environment and further illustrates our
commitment to the industrial diamond industry. We look
forward with enthusiasm to working closely with our new
Ukrainian colleagues who have demonstrated such commitment
and competence to the development of their business in the
past."
About Element Six Abrasives
Element Six is the world's leading supplier of high
quality industrial diamond and the complementary cubic
boron nitride (cBN) abrasive materials. These materials are
available both in their single crystal and polycrystalline
forms, for abrasive and non-abrasive industrial uses. The
Element Six Abrasives group of companies operates
internationally with processing and manufacturing
facilities in Ireland, Sweden, South Africa and Wales.
About OJSC "Poltava Diamond Plant"
Poltava Diamond Plant was established in 1966 as the
largest and most important enterprise for industrial
diamond in the USSR. In 1996 the company was privatised by
the Ukrainian State Property Fund and reorganised as an open
joint stock company. Today it is the largest producer of
synthetic industrial diamond in the Ukraine and the whole
of the CIS.
For further information, please contact:
Andreas Anker,
Senior Manager Group Communications,
Element Six Ltd, Shannon,
Co Clare, IRELAND
Tel: +353-61-471655
SOURCE Element Six
2007'02.01.Thu
Aplix Opens Platforms Development Center
April 03, 2006
300 Employees to Develop Middleware Frameworks
TOKYO, April 3 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Aplix Corporation
(TSE: 3727) established a Platforms Development Center in
Tokyo's Shinjuku-ku, focusing on development of middleware
frameworks to help enhance the efficiency of developing
mobile phone software.
The new Center is expected to have 200 developers by
this summer and total 300 eventually, dedicated on a
variety of mobile phone platforms, including hardware
integration with Linux and other operating systems. The
Center will also develop middleware frameworks for other
consumer electronics devices as well in the future.
Middleware used in today's multi-functional mobile
phones often takes up a lot of memory space. Moreover, the
process for mobile phone manufacturers to develop and
integrate different software components with their own
middleware tends to get too long and expensive.
To solve this problem, Aplix's Platforms Development
Center aims at creating frameworks to standardize many of
the modules involved in middleware to assure significant
improvement of the software development process of mobile
phones. With such framework in place, phone manufacturers
can further expand their software functions easily while
optimizing both durability and flexibility.
Aplix currently works with over 90 partners, including
chipset manufacturers, operating systems, and content
providers, for the greater integration of their products
with Aplix's middleware frameworks. Through close
collaborations with these partners, the Platforms
Development Center will take the lead to facilitate and
accelerate advanced development of middleware frameworks in
the future.
Aplix's Platforms Development Center:
1. Location: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
2. Estimated Developers: 300 people
3. Beginning operation: April 1, 2006
About Aplix Corporation
Aplix Corporation is the global leader in deploying
Java technology in mobile phones. Aplix was first
established in 1986 and has been a Sun Java licensee since
1996. Aplix was publicly listed on the Tokyo Stock
Exchange (Mothers) in 2003. On August 24, 2004 Aplix and
the Taiwan based company iaSolution finalized the
integration of the corporations.
Headquarters: Tokyo
Regional offices: San Francisco, Munich, Taipei,
Shanghai, Beijing,
and Korea (in progress)
For more information, please visit:
http://www.aplixcorp.com and http://www.iasolution.net .
About the JBlend Platform
The JBlend platform is the de facto solution for
running Java applications and services in consumer
electronics devices, including mobile phones. The platform
has been licensed by over 50 companies as of December 2005.
JBlend technology:
-- Sets the pace by maintaining market leadership
through innovation.
-- Has proven results, enabling first-to-market
deliveries for our
customers.
-- Over 170 million mobile phones and consumer
electronics devices
have been shipped with JBlend as of December 2005.
-- JBlend and all related trademarks thereto are
trademarks or
registered trademarks of Aplix Corporation in Japan
and other
countries.
-- Java and all other Java-based marks are trademarks
or registered
trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United
States and other
countries.
-- All other product or service names are the property
of their
respective owners.
For more information, please contact:
Akiko Sharp Doi,
Aplix Corporation
Tel: +1-415-558-8800
Email: pr@aplixcorp.com
Web: http://www.aplixcorp.com
SOURCE Aplix Corporation
2007'02.01.Thu
GL Communications Inc. Announces Portable and Automated Wireless Voice Quality Testing Solutions
March 31, 2006
GAITHERSBURG, Md., March 31 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- GL Communications Inc. today announced a "drive testing enhancement" to their Wireless Voice Quality Testing (VQT) Solutions ( http://www.gl.com/drivetesting.html ). Users of this new product can automatically analyze voice quality of their wireless network as they drive through their geographic region of interest. Features include: a complete portable solution, automated call control for most mobile phone models, support for Bluetooth(TM), and mapping software with voice quality results and mean opinion scores stamped with GPS time and location coordinates. Rob Bichefsky, Senior Manager at GL explained, "This tool is conveniently packaged, just plug it into the cigarette lighter, connect to a PC Notebook using USB connections, and start the test. Calls are automatically and continuously placed and voice quality statistics are gathered and mapped." Other quality measures include round trip delay (RTD) measurements, noise and signal levels, jitter, and clipping occurrences. Along with automated wireless network testing, GL's VQT Solutions can also support standard PSTN, VoIP, and T1 E1 networks. About GL Communications Inc. Founded in 1986, GL Communications Inc. is a leading supplier of test, monitoring, and analysis equipment for TDM, Wireless, and VoIP networks. Unlike conventional test equipment, GL's test platforms provide visualization, capture, storage, and convenient features like portability, remotability, and scripting. GL's TDM Analysis & Emulation line of products includes T1, E1, T3, OC-3, STM-1, analog four-wire, and analog two-wire interface cards and solutions. Capabilities include voiceband traffic analysis and emulation across all traffic types (voice, digits, tones, fax, modem), all protocols (HDLC, ISDN, SS7, CAS, GSM, GPRS, CDMA), and with capacities up to thousands of channels. GL's Wireless Products perform protocol analysis and voice quality assessment on GSM, CDMA, UMTS, and CDMA 2000 networks. Connections can be made to any wireless phone with automated call control, GPS, mapping software, and real-time signal measurements. GL's VoIP products generate / analyze thousands of calls simultaneously with traffic types such as voice files, digits, tones, noise, and fax using G.711, G.729, AMR, EVRC, and GSM codecs. Additional features include visual analysis, real-time listening, recording, and voice quality assessment using ITU algorithm PESQ. GL's Network Surveillance and Monitoring products include Probes for TDM, VoIP, ATM, and Wireless networks. An open standards based approach provides scalable, feature rich, real-time access to network intelligence. For more information, please contact: Shelley Sharma GL Communications Inc Phone: +301-670-4784 ext. 114 E-mail: info@gl.com SOURCE GL Communications Inc.
2007'02.01.Thu
Xinhua Far East Confirms Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., Ltd.'s BBB Issuer Rating; Rating Outlook Changed from Stable to Negative
March 31, 2006
HONG KONG, March 31 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Xinhua Far
East China Ratings today confirmed the BBB domestic
currency issuer credit rating of Chongqing Changan
Automobile Co., Ltd. ("Changan Auto" or "the
Company," SZ A 000625, B 200625); its rating outlook,
however, was changed from stable to negative.
The outlook change incorporates Xinhua Far East's
negative view on the toughening Chinese automotive market,
concerns about the Company's pricing power in the
mini-vehicle submarket, doubts about the sustainability of
growth of its self-branded products, as well as
expectations that its capital expenditure will rise in the
near term.
Competition in China auto market is getting fierce due
to lower than expected demand growth and overcapacity.
Changan Auto will not resume its monopolistic position in
mini-vehicle submarket over the foreseeable future as its
immediate follower, SGM Wuling, has occupied a 30% share of
the submarket.
Price competition has intensified in the mini-vehicle
category and, even though it enjoys rapid sales growth,
this growth has been unable to offset the negative effect
on earnings by widespread price cutting. Changan Auto's
profit margin fell significantly in 2004 and Q305 following
the Company's decision to cut prices to maintain its
position in the market. The contributions from its sedan
business failed to offset downward pressures in the
mini-vehicle category.
Furthermore, Xinhua Far East is concerned about whether
Changan Auto's self-branded products can compete with giant
players and achieve sustainable growth. Changan Auto
Group's ("Changan Group," the Company's
controlling shareholder) ambitious strategic plan may also
lead to higher capital expenditure and stretch its
financial flexibility in the short term.
But despite the challenges faced by its mini-vehicle
business, the Company's position in the sedan segment has
been given a boost with the release of more competitive
models as a result of its cooperation with global giants.
Xinhua Far East also believes the Company has the ability
to cushion further profit margin drops in the OEM sedan
market by releasing readily marketable models and
increasing the localization rate of parts and components.
Falls in profit margins are expected to be smaller in the
mini-vehicle segment, with far less aggressive price
cutting anticipated in the future.
These factors, along with the Company's adequate debt
repayment ability (as evidenced by its cash reserves,
sufficient financial flexibility and liquidity), prompted
the confirmation of the Company's BBB rating.
It should also be noted that on 9 February 2006, the
Company announced that Changan Group would transfer its
52.47% stake in Changan Auto to China Southern Industrial
Auto Limited (the controlling shareholder of Changan
Group). However, Xinhua Far East expects this transaction
will not have a significant impact on Changan Auto's
operations and credit profile.
Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., Ltd. is currently a
controlled subsidiary of Changan Auto Group, the fourth
largest auto group in China. By the end June 2005, Changan
Auto Group held a 52.47% stake in the Company. The
Company's turnover was RMB18.5 billion and RMB13.4 billion
in 2004 and 3Q05 respectively. The Company is the
strategic co-partner of Ford Motor Company and Suzuki Motor
Corporation in China. It produces sedan models, including
the Mondeo, Fiesta, Focus and Swift, as well as
self-branded mini-vehicles.
Changan Auto is a large-cap company constituting the
Xinhua/FTSE China 200 and B35 Indices. As of March 30,
2006, its total A-share market cap equaled RMB6.2 billion,
with investable market cap of RMB1.9 billion. Its B-share
market value was USD205million, of which all is
investable.
For the rating report summary, please visit
http://www.xinhuafinance.com/creditrating .
Note to Editors:
About Xinhua FTSE China 200 and B35 Indices
Xinhua FTSE China 200 Index is the large cap index in
the Xinhua FTSE China A Share Index Series and includes the
top 200 companies in China by market cap. It is designed as
a tradable index and is calculated in real-time every 15
seconds. Xinhua FTSE China B 35 Index is the large cap
tradable index in the FTSE Xinhua China B Index Series,
covering `B' shares listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen
stock exchanges. It provides international investors with
exposure to the mainland Chinese market. For daily data
and further information, see http://www.xinhuaftse.com .
About Xinhua Far East China Ratings
Xinhua Far East China Ratings (Xinhua Far East) is a
pioneering venture in China that aims to rank credit risks
among corporations in China. It is a strategic alliance
between Xinhua Finance (TSE Mothers: 9399), and Shanghai
Far East Credit Rating Co., Ltd. Shanghai Far East became a
Xinhua Finance partner company in 2003 and the first China
member of The Association of Credit Rating Agencies in Asia
in December 2003.
Capitalizing on the synergy between Xinhua Finance and
Shanghai Far East, Xinhua Far East's rating methodology and
process blend unique local market knowledge with
international rating standards. Xinhua Far East is
committed to provide investors with independent, objective,
timely and forward-looking credit opinions on Chinese
companies. It aims to help investors differentiate the
credit risks among the corporations in China, thereby,
cultivating their awareness and promoting information
disclosures and transparency in China market. For more
information, see http://www.xfn.com/creditrating .
About Xinhua Finance Limited
Xinhua Finance Limited is China's unchallenged leader
in financial information and media, and is listed on the
Mothers board of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (symbol: 9399)
(OTC ADRs: XHFNY). Bridging China's financial markets and
the world, Xinhua Finance serves financial institutions,
corporations and re-distributors through four focused and
complementary service lines: Indices, Ratings, Financial
News and Investor Relations. Founded in November 1999, the
Company is headquartered in Shanghai with 21 news bureaus
and offices in 18 locations across Asia, Australia, North
America and Europe. For more information, please visit
http://www.xinhuafinance.com .
About Shanghai Far East Credit Rating Co., Ltd
Shanghai Far East Credit Rating Co., Ltd. is the first
and leading professional credit rating company with
comprehensive business coverage in China. It is an
independent agency established by the Shanghai Academy of
Social Sciences with the mission to develop internationally
accepted standards for capital market in China. The company
is a pioneer in conducting bond-rating business in China.
For years, it has been authorized by the Shanghai branch of
the PBOC to undertake loan certificate credit rating.
Since establishment, it has rated over 1,000 corporate
long-term bonds and commercial papers, based on the
principles of objectivity, fairness and independence. The
company has also maintained over 50% market share in the
loan certificate-rating sector in Shanghai for three
consecutive years. With its strong local presence and
knowledge, it provides investors with unique and the most
insightful credit opinion. For more information, see
http://www.fareast-cr.com .
For more information, please contact:
Hong Kong
Joy Tsang,
Corporate & Investor Communications Director,
Xinhua Finance
Tel: +852-3196-3983, +8621-6113-5999 or
+852-9486-4364
Email: joy.tsang@xinhuafinance.com
US
David Leeney,
Taylor Rafferty (IR/PR Contact in US)
Tel: +1-212-889-4350
Email: david.Leeney@taylor-rafferty.com
SOURCE Xinhua Far East China Ratings
2007'02.01.Thu
Xinhua Far East Confirms FAW Car Co., Ltd. BBB+ Issuer Rating, Rating Outlook Changed from Stable to Negative
March 31, 2006
HONG KONG, March 31 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Xinhua Far
East China Ratings today confirmed the BBB+ domestic
currency issuer credit rating of FAW Car Co., Ltd.
("FAW Car" or "the Company", SZ A
000800); its rating outlook, however, was changed from
stable to negative.
The outlook change reflects Xinhua Far East's view
about the diminishing attractiveness of China's sedan
market, which is currently characterized by overcapacity
and lower-than-expected growth in demand. The rating
action also incorporates Xinhua Far East's concerns about
the Company's heavy reliance on sales of the Mazda 6 series
and its business concentration on China's medium- to
high-end sedan market.
With supply increasingly diverging from demand, China's
sedan sector faces long-term downward pricing pressures.
Xinhua Far East also expects the Company's target market
may face greater price cut pressures, with more and more
new models expected to be launched and compete in this
niche as a result of its relatively high profit margins.
Moreover, the Company's less diversified product lines
and its increasing reliance on sales of the Mazda 6 magnify
its business risks, even though Mazda 6 sales are picking
up. Nearly 85% of the Company's unit sales in 2005 came
from Mazda 6 models, which are targeted at the competitive
medium- to high- end of the domestic sedan market. By
contrast, another of the Company's product lines, the
Hongqi series, saw unit sales fall by 44.3% and 40% YoY in
2004 and 2005 respectively. It will take some time for the
Company to boost sales of the Hongqi series.
Despite these factors, the Company is able to maintain
its BBB+ rating as a result of its relatively strong debt
repayment ability -- a result of a conservative financial
policy. This is evidenced by its very low debt burden, its
adequate cash reserves and sufficient financial flexibility.
Although FAW Car's profit margin dwindled significantly in
2004 and the first three quarters of 2005, the Company's
cash flow was not impaired to the same degree, thanks to
Mazda 6 unit sales and the Company's ability to shift
working capital pressures upstream. The Company also has
the potential to cushion further profit margin drops
through its marketable models, the higher localization rate
of parts and components and the possibility of RMB
appreciation.
FAW Car Co., Ltd. is a controlled subsidiary of China
FAW Group Corporation ("FAW Group", China's
largest auto group). By the end June 2005, FAW Group held
a 63.63% stake in the Company. The Company reported
turnover of RMB9.64 billion and RMB6.93 billion in 2004 and
the first three quarters of 2005 respectively. The Company
produces models including Mazda 6, Hongqi Mingshi and
Hongqi Shijixing.
FAW Car is a large cap company constituting the
Xinhua/FTSE China 200. As of March 30, 2006, its total
A-share market cap equaled RMB 5.5 billion, with investable
market cap of RMB 2.2 billion.
For the rating report summary, please visit
http://www.xinhuafinance.com/creditrating .
Note to Editors:
About Xinhua FTSE China 200 Index
Xinhua FTSE China 200 Index is the large cap index in
the Xinhua FTSE China A Share Index Series and includes the
top 200 companies in China by market cap. It is designed as
a tradable index and is calculated in real-time every 15
seconds. For daily data and further information, see
http://www.xinhuaftse.com .
About Xinhua Far East China Ratings
Xinhua Far East China Ratings (Xinhua Far East) is a
pioneering venture in China that aims to rank credit risks
among corporations in China. It is a strategic alliance
between Xinhua Finance (TSE Mothers: 9399), and Shanghai
Far East Credit Rating Co., Ltd. Shanghai Far East became a
Xinhua Finance partner company in 2003 and the first China
member of The Association of Credit Rating Agencies in Asia
in December 2003.
Capitalizing on the synergy between Xinhua Finance and
Shanghai Far East, Xinhua Far East's rating methodology and
process blend unique local market knowledge with
international rating standards. Xinhua Far East is
committed to provide investors with independent, objective,
timely and forward-looking credit opinions on Chinese
companies. It aims to help investors differentiate the
credit risks among the corporations in China, thereby,
cultivating their awareness and promoting information
disclosures and transparency in China market. For more
information, see http://www.xfn.com/creditrating .
About Xinhua Finance Limited
Xinhua Finance Limited is China's unchallenged leader
in financial information and media, and is listed on the
Mothers board of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (symbol: 9399)
(OTC ADRs: XHFNY). Bridging China's financial markets and
the world, Xinhua Finance serves financial institutions,
corporations and re-distributors through four focused and
complementary service lines: Indices, Ratings, Financial
News and Investor Relations. Founded in November 1999, the
Company is headquartered in Shanghai with 21 news bureaus
and offices in 18 locations across Asia, Australia, North
America and Europe. For more information, please visit
http://www.xinhuafinance.com .
About Shanghai Far East Credit Rating Co., Ltd
Shanghai Far East Credit Rating Co., Ltd. is the first
and leading professional credit rating company with
comprehensive business coverage in China. It is an
independent agency established by the Shanghai Academy of
Social Sciences with the mission to develop internationally
accepted standards for capital market in China. The company
is a pioneer in conducting bond-rating business in China.
For years, it has been authorized by the Shanghai branch of
the PBOC to undertake loan certificate credit rating.
Since establishment, it has rated over 1,000 corporate
long-term bonds and commercial papers, based on the
principles of objectivity, fairness and independence. The
company has also maintained over 50% market share in the
loan certificate-rating sector in Shanghai for three
consecutive years. With its strong local presence and
knowledge, it provides investors with unique and the most
insightful credit opinion. For more information, see
http://www.fareast-cr.com .
For more information, please contact:
Hong Kong
Joy Tsang,
Corporate & Investor Communications Director,
Xinhua Finance
Tel: +852-3196-3983, +8621-6113-5999 or
+852-9486-4364
Email: joy.tsang@xinhuafinance.com
US
David Leeney,
Taylor Rafferty (IR/PR Contact in US)
Tel: +1-212-889-4350
Email: david.Leeney@taylor-rafferty.com
SOURCE Xinhua Far East China Ratings
2007'02.01.Thu
TI Introduces High-Port-Density Gigabit Ethernet Transceiver
March 31, 2006
DALLAS, March 31 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Texas Instruments (TI) (NYSE: TXN) introduced today a six-channel Gigabit Ethernet transceiver that provides a full-featured, flexible interface in data communications and telecommunications equipment. The device combines high port-density with a small footprint and ultra-low power operation of less than 1.5 W at 1.25 gigabits per second (Gbps) to reduce overall system cost, board space and power consumption. (See http://www.ti.com/sc06071 ) The TLK2226 provides for high-speed, full-duplex, point-to-point data transmission based on the IEEE 802.3z 1000-Mbps Ethernet specification, and it is compatible with the IEEE 100Base-FX Ethernet specification. The device increases designers' flexibility, allowing them either to set each channel's data rate through management data input/output (MDIO) or to have it automatically sensed and set by the TLK2226. The TLK2226 performs the data encoding, decoding, serialization, deserialization, clock extraction and clock tolerance compensation functions for a physical layer interface device. Each of the device's six synchronizable transceivers operates at up to 1.3 Gbps, providing up to 7.5 Gbps of aggregate data bandwidth over a copper or optical media interface. The TLK2226 supports RGMII, RTBI and SGMII reduced pin-count interfaces, which simplifies designs. The TLK2226 complements other recent products introduced by TI for data communications and telecommunications applications such as the CDCLVP110 1-to-10 LVPECL clock distribution device and the SN65LVCP40 dual MUX buffer with equalization for redundant switching of signals up to 4 Gbps. Availability and Pricing The TLK2226 is available today in volume in a small footprint 15 mm x 15 mm, 196-pin, 1-mm ball-pitch ball grid array (BGA) package from TI and its authorized distributors. Suggested resale pricing in quantities of 1,000 is $19.65 each. For an overview of interface products available from TI, please see the Interface Selection Guide available at http://interface.ti.com . About Texas Instruments Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP and analog technologies to meet our customers' real world signal processing requirements. In addition to Semiconductor, the company's businesses include Sensors & Controls, and Educational & Productivity Solutions. TI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and has manufacturing, design or sales operations in more than 25 countries. Please refer all reader inquiries to: Texas Instruments Incorporated Semiconductor Group, SC-06071 Literature Response Center 14950 FAA Blvd. Fort Worth, TX 76155 1-800-477-8924 Trademarks All registered trademarks and other trademarks belong to their respective owners. For more information, please contact: Janell Mirochna Texas Instruments Tel: +1-214-480-6663 Email: j-mirochna1@ti.com Jacqi Moore GolinHarris Tel: +1-972-341-2514 Email: jmoore@golinharris.com SOURCE Texas Instruments Incorporated
2007'02.01.Thu
Owens Announces Opening of Cat Logistics Facility in China
March 31, 2006
Shanghai parts distribution facility will initially serve Caterpillar dealers in China, with Korea and Mongolia joining by the end of 2006
SHANGHAI, China, March 31 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) subsidiary Caterpillar
Logistics Services, Inc. (Cat Logistics) has opened a new
parts distribution center in the Lingang Industrial Area in
Shanghai. The distribution center is currently providing
parts for Caterpillar dealers in China, with plans to
expand parts distribution from the location to dealers in
Korea and Mongolia by the end of 2006. Caterpillar
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jim Owens was in
Shanghai today, meeting with Cat Logistics employees who
will help operate this new facility.
"Caterpillar is honored to play a role in the
tremendous progress that is taking place in China,"
said Owens. "Whenever I travel to China, I take great
pride in seeing Caterpillar machines at work building roads,
airports, schools, hospitals and homes. This new logistics
facility will play a key role in helping our Chinese
customers as they continue to take part in China's
incredible economic growth."
The new 21,000 m(2) (226,042 ft(2)) distribution center
will distribute parts to 34 dealer locations in China and
will initially employ approximately 40 logistics
professionals and carry in excess of 21,000 part numbers
for Caterpillar machine and engine products.
"The opening of the China Distribution Center is
evidence of Caterpillar's commitment to supporting our
valued local dealerships and customers in this
region," said Mary Bell, Caterpillar vice president
with responsibility for Caterpillar Logistics Services,
Inc.
The establishment of the China Distribution Center
positions Cat Logistics to manage aftermarket parts
distribution for other companies seeking a presence in the
Chinese marketplace. Cat Logistics currently provides
integrated logistics solutions for more than 60 global
companies.
"The opening of the China Distribution Center is
evidence of our ability to provide integrated logistics
services for Caterpillar and for companies conducting
business in China who are looking to improve product
support for their customers," said Gary Wan, market
segment director, Caterpillar Logistics Services China
Ltd.
Caterpillar has a long history in China. The company
sold its first products there in 1975 and opened an office
in Beijing in 1978. Beijing is home to Caterpillar's
marketing headquarters for China, and it is also the
headquarters for Cat China Financial Leasing.
In the 1980s, Caterpillar launched technology transfer
agreements with Chinese manufacturers who began building
Caterpillar licensed products. Caterpillar's expansion in
China accelerated in the early 1990s with the establishment
of a more aggressive local production strategy. Today,
Caterpillar operates 13 facilities -- both joint venture
and wholly owned businesses -- which, together with its
network of independent Caterpillar dealers, offer customers
in China the best-in-class products, services and support
that have made it a global leader.
About Caterpillar
For more than 80 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been
building the world's infrastructure and, in partnership
with Cat dealers, is driving positive and sustainable
change on every continent. With 2005 sales and revenues of
$36.339 billion, Caterpillar is the world's leading
manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel
and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines.
About Caterpillar Logistics Services, Inc.
Caterpillar Logistics Services, Inc. provides
world-class supply chain solutions and services to its
parent company, Caterpillar Inc., and more than 60 other
leading corporations throughout the world. Caterpillar
Logistics operates more than 100 offices and facilities in
25 countries on six continents.
For more information, please contact:
Jim Dugan,
Caterpillar Corporate Public Affairs
Tel: +1-309-675-5813
Email: dugan_jim@cat.com
SOURCE Caterpillar Inc.
2007'02.01.Thu
Techwell Adds Three ICs to Product Line for Growing Security Surveillance Market
March 31, 2006
4-in-1 Video Decoder With Integrated Audio ADCs Combined with MJPEG Compression Controller Creates an End-to-End DVR Solution With Improved Integration, Functionality and Image Quality
SAN JOSE, Calif., March 31 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Techwell, Inc., a designer of mixed signal video
semiconductor solutions for the consumer, security
surveillance, and automotive markets, today introduced
three additions to its line of integrated circuits for
security surveillance applications. Extending Techwell's
TW2800 family of security ICs, the pin-to-pin compatible
TW2815 and TW2816 four channel video decoders convert
analog composite video signals to digital component YCbCR
data for standalone and PC-based DVR security applications.
The TW2815 also includes audio codecs and combined with the
new TW2700 4-Channel Compression Controller provide a
scalable, end-to-end MJPEG DVR solution. Techwell will be
demonstrating these three new semiconductors for the
security surveillance market at the ISC West Show held in
Las Vegas NV April 5-7, 2006 Booth# 4127.
The TW2815 and TW2816 include four integrated analog
anti-aliasing filters, 10-bit CMOS ADCs, and
high-performance adaptive 4H comb filters for all NTSC/PAL
standards. Both ICs provide simultaneous four channel Full
D1 and CIF time-multiplexed outputs with 54MHz, and both
operate at an ultra low level of power (typically 480-500
mW). In addition, the TW2815 offers four integrated audio
ADCs, an audio DAC, multi-channel audio mixed analog
output, and support for a standard I2S interface for record
output and playback input.
The TW2700 is a real-time 4-channel video compression
controller for security applications that can compress and
decompress 4 full-size video data streams simultaneously.
As Techwell's first chip in the CODEC segment of the DVR
application, this RISC-based controller can be used with
the TW2815 to provide a complete DVR solution. Features
include four ITU-R BT.656 compatible video input ports; an
independent compression engine for each channel with a
proprietary algorithm; support for Triplex operations,
simultaneous recording, playback and network connection;
and support for up to sixteen channels through cascade
mode.
"These products represent Techwell's continued
commitment to the security surveillance market," said
David Nam, Techwell's Vice President of Sales and
Marketing.
Pricing and Availability
The pin-to-pin compatible TW2815 and TW2816 use a
100-pin TQFP package, are currently sampling, and will go
mass production in Q2 2006. The TW2700 uses a 256-pin PQFP
package, will began sampling in Q2 2006, and will go mass
production in Q3 2006. Please contact a local Techwell
sales representative for evaluation boards, samples and
pricing.
http://www.techwellinc.com/contact/sales.html
About Techwell
Techwell is a fabless semiconductor company that
designs, markets and sells mixed signal integrated circuits
for multiple video applications in the consumer, security
surveillance and automotive markets. Techwell designs both
general purpose and application specific products that
enable the conversion of analog video signals to digital
form and perform advanced digital video processing to
facilitate the display, storage and transport of video
content. Headquartered in San Jose, CA, Techwell currently
has over 70 employees in the U.S., Korea, Taiwan, China and
Japan. Please visit http://www.techwellinc.com for more
information.
For more information, please contact:
Sabrina Joseph, Morphoses,
Public Relations & Marketing Firm
Tel: +1-408-726-1577
Email: techwellpr@morphoses.com
Web: http://www.techwellinc.com
SOURCE Techwell, Inc.
2007'02.01.Thu
Techwell Adds Three ICs to Product Line for Growing Security Surveillance Market
March 31, 2006
4-in-1 Video Decoder With Integrated Audio ADCs Combined with MJPEG Compression Controller Creates an End-to-End DVR Solution With Improved Integration, Functionality and Image Quality
SAN JOSE, Calif., March 31 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Techwell, Inc., a designer of mixed signal video
semiconductor solutions for the consumer, security
surveillance, and automotive markets, today introduced
three additions to its line of integrated circuits for
security surveillance applications. Extending Techwell's
TW2800 family of security ICs, the pin-to-pin compatible
TW2815 and TW2816 four channel video decoders convert
analog composite video signals to digital component YCbCR
data for standalone and PC-based DVR security applications.
The TW2815 also includes audio codecs and combined with the
new TW2700 4-Channel Compression Controller provide a
scalable, end-to-end MJPEG DVR solution. Techwell will be
demonstrating these three new semiconductors for the
security surveillance market at the ISC West Show held in
Las Vegas NV April 5-7, 2006 Booth# 4127.
The TW2815 and TW2816 include four integrated analog
anti-aliasing filters, 10-bit CMOS ADCs, and
high-performance adaptive 4H comb filters for all NTSC/PAL
standards. Both ICs provide simultaneous four channel Full
D1 and CIF time-multiplexed outputs with 54MHz, and both
operate at an ultra low level of power (typically 480-500
mW). In addition, the TW2815 offers four integrated audio
ADCs, an audio DAC, multi-channel audio mixed analog
output, and support for a standard I2S interface for record
output and playback input.
The TW2700 is a real-time 4-channel video compression
controller for security applications that can compress and
decompress 4 full-size video data streams simultaneously.
As Techwell's first chip in the CODEC segment of the DVR
application, this RISC-based controller can be used with
the TW2815 to provide a complete DVR solution. Features
include four ITU-R BT.656 compatible video input ports; an
independent compression engine for each channel with a
proprietary algorithm; support for Triplex operations,
simultaneous recording, playback and network connection;
and support for up to sixteen channels through cascade
mode.
"These products represent Techwell's continued
commitment to the security surveillance market," said
David Nam, Techwell's Vice President of Sales and
Marketing.
Pricing and Availability
The pin-to-pin compatible TW2815 and TW2816 use a
100-pin TQFP package, are currently sampling, and will go
mass production in Q2 2006. The TW2700 uses a 256-pin PQFP
package, will began sampling in Q2 2006, and will go mass
production in Q3 2006. Please contact a local Techwell
sales representative for evaluation boards, samples and
pricing.
http://www.techwellinc.com/contact/sales.html
About Techwell
Techwell is a fabless semiconductor company that
designs, markets and sells mixed signal integrated circuits
for multiple video applications in the consumer, security
surveillance and automotive markets. Techwell designs both
general purpose and application specific products that
enable the conversion of analog video signals to digital
form and perform advanced digital video processing to
facilitate the display, storage and transport of video
content. Headquartered in San Jose, CA, Techwell currently
has over 70 employees in the U.S., Korea, Taiwan, China and
Japan. Please visit http://www.techwellinc.com for more
information.
For more information, please contact:
Sabrina Joseph, Morphoses,
Public Relations & Marketing Firm
Tel: +1-408-726-1577
Email: techwellpr@morphoses.com
Web: http://www.techwellinc.com
SOURCE Techwell, Inc.
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