2007'04.07.Sat
TopCoder Appoints Jiazhi Wu VP of Technology for China
April 04, 2007
-- TopCoder Notable `WishingBone' Brings Competitive and
Technical Expertise to Company's China Operations
GLASTONBURY, Conn., April 4 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
TopCoder(R), Inc., the leader in online programming
competition, skills assessment and competitive software
development, today announced it has hired Jiazhi Wu as Vice
President of Technology for the company's operations in
China. Wu, known throughout the TopCoder Community by his
handle "WishingBone", will oversee the
development of systems and application development for all
competitions and technologies and will be responsible for
introducing and training new members in China to the
TopCoder software process. A past champion of TopCoder and
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) ICPC events, Wu
studied at the College of Computer Science and Technology
and the Chu Kechen Honors College (Zhejiang University). He
brings a distinguished track record of achievements in
global programming competitions and component development
expertise to TopCoder's China office.
(Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070403/NYF043 )
"TopCoder is extremely pleased to have Mr. Wu join
our management team in China," said Rob Hughes,
President and COO of TopCoder, Inc. "The TopCoder
Community is widely recognized as one of the world's
preeminent programming talent pools, and Jiazhi is
certainly among the elite in that group."
Wu joined TopCoder as a member in May 2002. During the
next two and a half years he earned a record 39 out of 45
component competition wins. He has also served as a
TopCoder architect, assembler, review board member for more
than 300 component projects as well as a Primary Reviewer
and Chief Judge for TopCoder and ACM/ICPC Asia regionals.
In December of 2004 Wu joined TopCoder as an assembly
contractor, where he has remained until his current
appointment.
Partial list of Jiazhi Wu's Achievements
-- TopCoder Collegiate Challenge, International
Regional Champion, 2003;
-- ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest
(ACM/ICPC), Champion
2003, Aizu; 2003, Runner-up, Xi'an; 2002, 4th place,
Beijing; 2003,
13th place in World Finals;
-- International Collegiate Mathematical Contest in
Modeling, 2nd Prize,
2002;
-- Founder and first president of ZJU Google Camp in
2006. Held technical
internship with Google that same year;
-- Coached and created new training regimen for
Zhejiang University
ACM/ICPC teams which made the 2005 World Finals;
-- TopCoder record and reputation - one of the most
prolific and
successful members of all time.
To access Jiazhi Wu's online TopCoder profile, please
visit:
http://www.topcoder.com/tc?module=MemberProfile&cr=286907
. Current TopCoder membership in China now totals nearly
10,000 students and professionals. The TopCoder China
website is available at: http://www.topcoderchina.com/ .
About TopCoder, Inc.
TopCoder is the recognized leader in identifying,
evaluating and mobilizing effective software development
resources in the global community. Through its proprietary
programming competitions and rating system, TopCoder
recognizes and promotes the abilities of the best
programmers around the world. TopCoder software harnesses
the talent of these developers to design, develop and
deploy software through its revolutionary competitive
development methodology. TopCoder's methodology emphasizes
thorough specification and design, distributed development
using reusable components, and a rigorous quality assurance
review process that results in higher quality, lower cost
software solutions than traditional software development
methodologies. For more information about sponsoring
TopCoder events, recruiting TopCoder members and utilizing
TopCoder's software services, visit
http://www.topcoder.com/ .
TopCoder is a registered trademark of TopCoder, Inc. in
the United States and other countries. All other product and
company names herein may be trademarks of their respective
owners.
For more information, please contact:
Jim McKeown
TopCoder, Inc.
Tel: +1-860-633-5540
Email: jmckeown@topcoder.com
PR
2007'04.07.Sat
MGM MIRAGE Signs Agreement With Diaoyutai State Guesthouse for Joint Projects in China
April 03, 2007
LAS VEGAS, April 3 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- MGM MIRAGE
(NYSE: MGM) announced today that it has signed a definitive
agreement with the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing,
People's Republic of China aimed at creating a strategic
relationship to pursue non-gaming business opportunities.
The parties intend to create a joint venture to develop
luxury non-gaming hotels and resorts globally, initially
targeting locations in the People's Republic of China.
The expectation is that the joint venture will develop
its own distinctive brand identity, associating "MGM
Grand" with "Diaoyutai" to create unique
luxury hotel resorts and related facilities.
Feng, Shusen, Director General of the China Diaoyutai
State Guesthouse, said: "The signing of our agreement
with MGM MIRAGE marks the beginning of a strong
partnership. Together, we will develop luxury non-gaming
hotels and resorts, using the strength of our brands and
our dedication to providing the finest in hospitality and
service."
Terry Lanni, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
MGM MIRAGE, said: "We are pleased to have reached a
definitive agreement with the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse,
an institution which has a unique role in the People's
Republic of China. The `Diaoyutai' brand is
world-renowned. We believe that the association of `MGM
Grand' and `Diaoyutai' will provide significant
opportunities to build on the strengths of our two
organizations and to expand our brand identity in rapidly
growing international markets. We and our partners at
Diaoyutai State Guesthouse are actively reviewing possible
initial projects."
MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGM), one of the world's leading and
most respected hotel and gaming companies, owns and
operates 22 properties located in Nevada, Mississippi and
Michigan, and has investments in three other properties in
Nevada, New Jersey and Illinois. The Company has entered
into agreements to sell its three Primm Valley Resort
properties located in Primm, Nevada and its Colorado Belle
and Edgewater properties located in Laughlin, Nevada. In
addition, the Company has major new developments under
construction in Nevada, Michigan and Macau S.A.R.
CityCenter is a multi-billion dollar mixed-use urban
development in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip; a new MGM
Grand hotel and casino complex is being built in downtown
Detroit; and the Company has a 50% interest in MGM Grand
Macau, a hotel-casino resort currently under construction
in Macau S.A.R. MGM MIRAGE supports responsible gaming and
has implemented the American Gaming Association's Code of
Conduct for Responsible Gaming at its properties. MGM
MIRAGE also has been the recipient of numerous awards and
recognitions for its industry-leading Diversity Initiative
and its community philanthropy programs. For more
information about MGM MIRAGE, please visit the company's
website at http://www.mgmmirage.com .
China Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, located in the
ancient Fishing Terrace complex in Beijing, is a venue for
important diplomatic activities of the leaders of China.
As the state guesthouse accommodating visiting Heads of
State and government, senior government officials and
celebrities, it has received more than 1000 Heads of State
and government since its inauguration nearly 50 years ago.
Diaoyutai is an important site of major intergovernmental
conferences, and is world recognized for its facilities and
service.
Statements in this release which are not historical
facts are "forward looking" statements and
"safe harbor statements" under the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks
and/or uncertainties, including risks and/or uncertainties
as described in the company's public filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
For more information, please contact:
Investors
James J. Murren, President
Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer
Tel: +1-702-693-8877
Media
Alan M. Feldman, Senior Vice President,
Public Affairs
Tel: +1-702-891-7147
2007'04.07.Sat
BSM Consulting Announces the 'Leasing in China Forum' to be Held April 19-20 in Beijing
April 03, 2007
BEIJING, April 3 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- BSM Consulting
announced today the Leasing in China Forum, a new
international event organized by BSM Conferences and
partnered by the Alta Group, will be held April 19-20 in
Beijing. The forum hopes to help foreign-based lessors
understand the risks and opportunities of entering the
Chinese leasing market, and will gather industry leaders
with outstanding backgrounds and world leading companies
like De Lage Landen, Deutsche Leasing, GE, SIMENS, BMW and
HP.
Foreign lessors will develop a greater understanding of
China's new leasing law and regulations by hearing directly
from Chinese authorities. They will learn strategies for
launching and expanding Chinese leasing operations from
companies that are navigating the market successfully.
Just as importantly, they will also learn of the personal
experiences of the practitioners in the market.
"The timing of the conference couldn't be
better," notes Jon Fales, an Alta principal based in
the US. "There are an estimated 50-plus foreign-based
companies involved in the Chinese leasing market today, but
these numbers could grow significantly in the coming year.
China's new leasing law is encouraging even greater interest
from foreign lessors."
The conference has attracted the endorsement of leasing
associations including AELA (Australia), BDL (Germany),
ASSILEA (Italy), ELFA (US), and BAL (Bulgaria), plus the
European Union Chamber of Commerce.
The conference will be held at the Peninsula Hotel in
Beijing.
Visit:
http://www.bsmconferences.com/events/financeleasing/index.htm
For more information, please contact:
Wayne Yau,
BSM Consulting
Tel: +86-21-6219-8230
Mobile: +86-138-1879-7592
Email: wayneyau@bsmconferences.com
2007'04.07.Sat
Achievo Expands Shanghai Facilities to Meet Burgeoning Japanese Offshore Business
April 03, 2007
San Ramon, Calif. April 3 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Achievo(R) Corporation, the leading global software and
information technology outsourcing provider with a local
front-end and China back-end service model, today announced
that the Achievo Japan Business Group has expanded its
offices in Shanghai, China. The new facility offers 50 %
more space to accommodate the company's rapidly expanding
Japanese offshoring business. Sixty employees have joined
the Shanghai team recently to meet the demand.
(Logo: http://www.xprn.com.cn/xprn/sa/200611291032.jpg
)
"More and more Japanese companies are taking
advantage of offshoring to the China back-end," said
James Li, general manager of the Achievo Japan Business
Group. "Achievo has done exceptionally well at
attracting, recruiting and retaining engineering talent to
meet the growing demand. Our joint training programs with
Chinese universities are providing us with additional staff
specifically trained to do business with Japan-based
customers. As we obtain clients and hire people, it becomes
imperative for us to provide appropriate work space that is
scalable for our future needs."
"2006 was a year focused on integrating and
transitioning three Achievo divisions focused on Japanese
business," said Ye Jun, general manager of Achievo
Shanghai, one of the divisions that make up the Japan
Business Group. "The new facility is the visible
reflection of our successful integration of personnel,
business processes and HR structure necessitated by organic
and M&A growth."
The Japan Business Group in Shanghai provides services
to Japanese companies that include Mitsubishi Electric
Corporation and Group, Ryoden Trading Company, Chori Joho
System Co., Ltd., NEC SI (China), EXA Corporation, Fujitsu,
Nomura, Toyota, Toshiba and Hitachi.
FOR DISTRIBUTION IN JAPAN AND CHINA ONLY
In addition to more space, the new Shanghai office
provides a more modern workplace with world-class amenities
and full security features. A gala Chinese New Year
celebration at the new facility included such special
guests as Kazuhisa Higuchi, Shirotori Yoshihisa and Miura
Tsunekiko of Mitsubishi Electric Business Systems Co.,
Ltd.; Hutta Masato of TOA China Limited Co., Ltd.; Yasuharu
Mori of Hitachi Information Systems (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.;
Suga Yoshio of Orizon Network Technology For Tomorrow Co.,
Ltd.; and Chihara Katsushi of Toyota Communication Systems
Co., Ltd.
The new address for the Achievo Shanghai office is:
4F, Summit Center, No.1088
YanAn West Road
Shanghai, 200052, China
Tel: 86.21.5238.6770
Fax: 86.21.5238.6780
About Achievo
Achievo is a global offshore software and information
technology outsourcing provider with a local front-end and
China back-end service model. With expertise in diverse
technologies including Java/J2EE, .NET and embedded
platforms, the CMM- and ISO- certified company offers
improved efficiencies, scale, diversification, and a
combined talent pool to deliver cost-effective,
quality-centric, and scalable IT outsourcing services to
customers and partners worldwide. Customers include Accela,
Audi, BMO Bank of Montreal, CA, China Mobile,
DaimlerChrysler, Hitachi, Honda, Mitsubishi, Nomura,
Siemens, Toyota and Vidient. Headquartered in the Silicon
Valley, Achievo has offices in the United States, Canada,
Germany, Greater China and Japan. For information on the
company and its services, visit http://www.achievo.com .
(C) 2007 Achievo Corporation. All rights reserved.
Achievo is a registered trademark of Achievo Corporation in
the United States and in other countries. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
For more information, please contact:
Jayme Curtis, Public Relations
Achievo Corporation
Tel: +1-408-892-8661
Email: jayme.curtis@achievo.com
2007'04.07.Sat
Atmel Introduces the World's Lowest Power 32-bit Flash MCU With Ethernet and USB On-the-Go
April 03, 2007
AVR32 UC3A Delivers 80 Dhrystone MIPS and Draws Only 40 mA
at 66 MHz
SAN JOSE, Calif., April 3 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) announced today the
industry's lowest power 32-bit Flash microcontrollers.
Based on Atmel's AVR(R)32 UC core, the UC3A Series has 512K
bytes Flash and feature an embedded 10/100 Ethernet MAC, a
full-speed (12 Mbps) USB 2.0 with on-the-go (OTG)
capability and an SRAM/SDRAM external bus interface. The
AT32UC3A0512 and AT32UC3A1512, the first devices available,
deliver 80 Dhrystone MIPS (DMIPS) at 66 MHz and consume only
40 mA at 3.3V. The power consumption, as low as 1.65
mW/DMIPS, outperforms other architectures with similar
features by a ratio of up to 4X. The new MCUs target
networking and PC-centric embedded applications and are
especially suited for portable devices.
The AVR32 UC core uses a three-stage pipeline Harvard
architecture specially designed to optimize instruction
fetches from on-chip Flash memory. It is the first core in
the industry to integrate single-cycle read/write SRAM with
a direct interface to the CPU that bypasses the system bus
to achieve faster execution, cycle determinism and lower
power consumption. The AVR32 UC core shares the same
instruction set architecture (ISA) as its AVR32 AP parent,
with over 220 modeless instructions available as 16-bit
compact and 32-bit extended instructions. The ISA features
atomic bit manipulation to control on-chip peripherals and
general purpose IOs and fixed point DSP arithmetic such as
single cycle fractional saturated multiply-and-accumulate.
An event handling system supports events such as
prioritized interrupts, non-maskable interrupt and internal
exceptions with a maximum interrupt latency of 16 clock
cycles.
The AVR32 UC3A Series incorporates many of the same
peripherals as Atmel's ARM(R)-based MCUs including the
peripheral DMA controller, multi-layer high speed bus
architecture, 10-bit ADC, two SPIs, SSC, two-wire interface
(I2C compatible), four UARTs, three general purpose timers,
seven pulse width modulators and a full set of supervisory
functions.
The 10/100-Mbps IEEE(R) 802.3-compliant Ethernet (MAC)
allows designing networked embedded systems that
communicate over internet protocol stacks. The USB 2.0 full
speed (12Mbps) interface provides a means to communicate
with today's PC architecture through various USB classes
such as HID for serial data communication or Mass-Storage
for larger bulked data transfers. The On-The-Go (OTG)
capability of the UC3A USB peripheral gives further
integration opportunity in a PC-centric environment with
the support of standard USB devices such as USB Flash disk,
pointing devices or printers.
The external bus interface (EBI) extends the
addressable physical memory to 16M bytes. Its
non-multiplexed 16-bit data bus can interface to high
density external SRAM, SDRAM, ROM, Flash devices and
memory-mapped devices such as LCDs or FPGAs.
UC3A Series MCUs have a six-layer high speed bus matrix
that enables bus masters peripherals to concurrently access
any bus slave at a maximum speed of 264M bytes per second
at 66 MHz. The bus masters are the AVR32 UC core data and
instruction interfaces, 15-channel peripheral DMA
controller, and several high speed peripherals such as the
Ethernet MAC and USB. The bus slaves are the on-chip SRAM
and Flash memories, USB, the two peripheral bus bridges,
and the external bus interface (EBI).
Development Tools. Atmel provides the GNU gcc C
compiler, GNU gdb debugger, FreeRTOS.org real-time kernel
and lwIP TCP/IP protocol stack for the UC3A Series family,
free of charge. Commercial licenses from IAR(R) (Embedded
Workbench), ExpressLogic (ThreadX(R)) and Micrium (uCOS/II)
are also available. Atmel's AVR32 Studio and AVR JTAGICE
mkII, provide the AVR32 UC with a multiplatform integrated
development environment (IDE) already configured for the
GNU tool chain, including support for more advanced
debugging such as real-time trace. The EVK1100 evaluation
kit provides Ethernet and USB interfaces, along with many
other serial communications ports such as SPI, TWI and
USARTS. A 20x4 character LCD and the expansion connector
allow advanced product evaluation and prototyping
activities.
Availability and Pricing. The AT32UC3A0512, with EBI,
is available in a 144-pin QFP package and the AT32UC3A1512,
without EBI, is available in a 100-pin QFP package. Pricing
starts at US $8.16 and US $7.43 for 10,000 unit quantities,
respectively.
About Atmel
Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and
manufacture of microcontrollers, advanced logic,
mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and radio frequency (RF)
components. Leveraging one of the industry's broadest
intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is
able to provide the electronics industry with complete
system solutions. Focused on consumer, industrial,
security, communications, computing and automotive markets,
Atmel ICs can be found Everywhere You Are(R).
NOTE: Atmel(R), logo and combinations thereof,
Everywhere You Are(R), AVR(R) and others, are registered
trademarks, or trademarks of Atmel Corporation or its
subsidiaries. ARM(R) is a registered trademark of ARM Ltd.
Other terms and product names may be trademarks of others.
Information:
Atmel's AVR32 product information is available at
http://www.atmel.com/products/AVR32 .
IAR: http://www.iar.com
FreeRTOS: http://www.freertos.org/
ThreadX: http://www.expresslogic.com
Micrium: http://www.micrium.com
lwIP: http://www.sics.se/~adam/lwip/
For more information, please contact:
Philippe Faure
Marketing Communications Director - Microcontrollers
Phone: +33-2-40-18-18-87
Email: philippe.faure@nto.atmel.com
Helen Perlegos
Public Relations - USA and Asia Pacific Rim
Phone: +1-408-487-2963
Email: hperlegos@atmel.com
Veronique Sablereau
Corporate Communications Manager - Europe
Phone: +33-1-30-60-70-68
Fax: +49-71-31-67-24-23
Email: veronique.sablereau@atmel.com
2007'04.07.Sat
Dynasty and NextMart to Create Powerful Brand for Targeting China's Young Urban Males & Females
April 03, 2007
MONTREAL and BEIJING, April 3 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Dynasty Gaming Inc. (TSXV: DNY; OTC Bulletin Board: DYNFF)
today announced the signing of a joint venture agreement
with China's NextMart Inc. for the creation of a powerful
new brand, in the form of a highly profiled e-commerce
website, that will focus primarily on China's approximately
200 million young urban males and females aged 18 to 25.
Dynasty chief executive Albert Barbusci stated,
"This universe of young urban adults represents our
ideal demographic. It comprises people who are currently
spending over $7 billion annually on entertainment and
non-essentials, and who represent 90 percent of China's
total broadband subscribers. By jointly creating this
powerful brand, we will participate in the benefits
associated with a tightly controlled website, the
management of user data, and the marketing and promotion of
our online Mahjong and other Asian games. This audience,
often acknowledged as potentially the most powerful
universe of consumers in the world, will provide enormous
traction for our online Mahjong and other gaming
products."
Many of China's young urban males and females have
adopted for themselves the American nickname
"Bobos", a derivative of bourgeois bohemian.
Under the banner of Bobo Media, the new brand will be
promoted through YUMales, an e-commerce site that will be
promoted as `the Internet for young men'. It will feature
XSTV, a popular and highly successful extreme sports brand
and television program that has won numerous industry
awards, including Emmy nominations, as well as having
achieved some of the highest U.S. audience ratings for an
extreme sports show. In addition to its already large
following of young males, many young urban females are
expected to be attracted as a result of the keenness of
females to chat with extreme sports enthusiasts who post
their video clips on the YUM site. Dynasty's Mahjong and
other electronic games, together with a loyalty program
through which points can be earned, will be a major feature
of the YUM site.
Barbusci added, "Creating a specialized and
controlled vertical that showcases our online games is a
very significant first step but there are others that will
follow, such as the sale of advertising. The opportunities
available to us for gaining market dominance and financial
returns through the creation of this brand are almost
unlimited."
Dr. Bruno Wu, chief executive of NextMart's parent
company, Sun Media Investment Holdings Ltd., stated,
"This agreement allows us to do what we do best:
develop very sizeable online communities for targeted
audiences as a means of providing in-demand products and
services from which revenues will be generated. The
creation of a powerful and dynamic e-commerce site,
targeting China's population of 18 to 25 year old urban
males and females, will provide our respective
organizations with a platform for reaching a universe of
people keen to make their own decisions and to follow their
own ideas. This demographic represents the new China; it is
made up of many people who embrace the late Deng Xiaoping's
proclamation that "to get rich is glorious".
Through a combination of our brand building skills and
Dynasty's marketing and gaming expertise, we can play a
role in the realization of that proclamation."
The TSX Venture Exchange has in no way passed upon the
merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved
nor disapproved of the contents of this news release.
Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking
statements with respect to the Corporation. These
forward-looking statements, by their nature, involve risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those contemplated. We consider the
assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are
based to be reasonable, but caution the reader that these
assumptions regarding future events, many of which are
beyond our control, may ultimately prove to be incorrect.
About Dynasty Gaming Inc.
In cooperation with Beijing-based 95Joy, Dynasty
Gaming, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, is
aggressively pursuing agreements with major companies in
the People's Republic of China for the development,
marketing and distribution of government-approved online
applications for its proprietary Mahjong software. Success
to date includes the establishment of a relationship with
Beijing Junnet Online E-Commerce Limited (
http://www.junnet.cn ), one of the largest prepaid card
distributors in China, for the marketing and distribution
of prepaid cards for accessing a play-for-points version of
Mahjong on sites in China. Dynasty has also entered into a
partnership with Sohu.com Inc. ( http://www.sohu.com ), one
of China's most widely used interactive online sources for
information, entertainment and communications incorporating
a leading portal with more than 100 million registered
users.
Dynasty's relationship with Sun Media Investment
Holdings Ltd. ( http://www.chinasunmedia.com ), China's
largest privately owned multi-media provider, represents a
powerful channel through which to create enhanced awareness
of an online version of Mahjong, a national sport in China.
Agreements also exist with Betex (
http://www.betexgroup.plc.uk ) covering sports lotteries
and SSI ( http://www.sino.com ) covering welfare lotteries,
which further expand the range of distribution channels
through which Dynasty-sourced content will be marketed and
managed in China. An agreement with Las Vegas From
Home.com Entertainment Inc. ( http://www.lvfh.com ) allows
Dynasty to provide all of its marketing channel partners
with its own Mahjong game together with LVFH's full suite
of popular Asian-style specialty games. Commencement of
multi-site online play of Mahjong in China is expected to
begin in April 2007. Competition for seats at a World Cup
of Mahjong event, scheduled for June 2007 in Macau, PRC,
will serve as an incentive for a large universe of players.
Dynasty Gaming's 92.1 million common shares, issued and
outstanding, are widely held by Canadian and U.S. investors.
Full information on Dynasty Gaming can be found at
http://www.dynastygaming.com and on SEDAR (
http://www.sedar.com ) under Dynasty Gaming Inc.
About NextMart Inc.
NextMart is an online trade media and merchant company
that builds direct-buyer communities and services them with
digital media offerings, online exhibitions and customer
loyalty programs. NextMart also builds e-enabled
distribution systems, transaction platforms and business
communities in fast-growing Chinese vertical markets,
connecting buyers and sellers with a suite of turnkey
digital media, e-commerce and information management
solutions. Companies leverage NextMart's web-based business
media communities to access vital industrial intelligence
and forge trading relationships with suppliers and buyers
that promote cost efficiencies and increased distribution
reach. To learn more, please visit
http://www.sunnewmedia.net .
For more information, please contact:
Dynasty Gaming Inc.
Albert Barbusci
Tel: +1-514-288-0900 x224
Alliance Advisors, LLC
Thomas Walsh
Tel: +1-646-415-8321
Sun Media Investment Hldg.
Frederic Thenault
Email: frederic@chinasunmedia.com
2007'04.07.Sat
W.P. Stewart & Co., Ltd. April Dividend Dates Revised
April 03, 2007
HAMILTON, Bermuda, April 3 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- W.P.
Stewart & Co., Ltd. today issued a correction to the
release dated 29 March, 2007 regarding the April dividend
payment date and record date of its common shares. The
common share dividend of US$0.15 per common share will be
paid on 27 April, 2007 to shareholders of record on 13
April 2007.
The original release incorrectly said the dividend is
payable on 28 April, 2007 to shareholders of record as of
14 April, 2007.
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
2007'04.07.Sat
AltaBlue(TM) Adhesive Melters Maximize Productivity with Key-To-Line and Programmable Controls
April 03, 2007
DAWSONVILLE, Ga., April 3 /Xinhua-PRNewswire / --
AltaBlue Series adhesive melters from Nordson Corporation
(Nasdaq: NDSN) offer a choice of 15-, 30- and 50-liter
melter tanks and key-to-line functionality. The
cost-efficient design serves a wide range of high-volume
manufacturing requirements for packaging, product assembly,
paper and paper converting, and nonwovens products.
"AltaBlue melters support Nordson's commitment to
innovation, service and choice with high-precision
equipment that helps improve productivity, yet provides
easier operation and service. An appropriate selection of
configurable options supports specific application
requirements and production interfaces," states
Michael Fornes, nonwovens global marketing manager.
Melters accept up to four single-stream or two
dual-stream pumps with variable-speed AC motors. Metering
spur-gear pumps provide consistent throughput for
dependable operation that maximizes uptime and
productivity. AltaBlue melters handle up to six hoses and
guns as a standard configuration.
Users also have the choice to tailor interface to
production line control with programmable discrete
input/output or optional field-installed choices of
communication protocols. The intuitive graphical operator
interface provides easy day-to-day operation with separate
sections for temperature and motor control for easy
reference. Status-at-a-glance indicators display status of
the tank, hose(s) and guns(s). Service indicators simplify
maintenance scheduling.
Quick-disconnect hoses/gun power and input/output
connectors speed installation and setup. Open access to
electrical and hydraulic sections provides easier
servicing.
For more information about AltaBlue adhesive melters,
call Nordson Corporation toll-free 800-727-7224, fax
706-216-2981, or view http://www.nordson.com .
Nordson Corporation is the world's leading producer of
precision dispensing equipment used to apply adhesives,
sealants and coatings to a broad range of consumer and
industrial products during manufacturing operations,
helping customers meet quality, productivity and
environmental targets. The company also manufactures
technology-based systems for curing and surface treatment
processes. Headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, Nordson has
direct operations in 30 countries and 3,500 employees
worldwide.
For more information, please contact:
Cristina Fisher
Nordson Corporation
Email: clfmcs@earthlink.net
2007'04.07.Sat
Legends Sports Magazine Profiles a Sports Giant
April 03, 2007
Leather Basketball Shoes Were Yao Ming's First Motivation
LAS VEGAS, April 3 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The latest
issue of Legends Sports Magazine towers over the
competition with its feature story on the NBA's tallest
player, the Houston Rocket's Yao Ming.
Standing 7 feet 6 inches tall, Yao has become a star in
the United States on the basketball court with a consistent
scoring record and off, thanks to his good humor and
personality. Legends Sports' profile touches on these and
other aspects of his fascinating life, tracing his path
from his humble origins in China when all he desired was a
good pair of shoes through his move to the U.S. and his
current success.
Award-winning Legends Sports is equally successful,
offering fans and collectors ultra-high quality,
limited-edition magazines with inserts of sports cards
bordered with 24-karat gold foil. As well as the highly
prized cards, each issue includes in-depth profiles, lively
features, and some of the best sports artwork around.
Ed Shin, the magazine's new owner, has been a fan of
Legends Sports since its start in 1988. "I loved
reading Legends Sports as a kid," says Ed. "I'd
look forward to each new issue, both as a sports fan and as
a card collector. I never thought I'd be in a position to
buy my favorite publication, and now I can't wait to help
take it to the next level."
Packed with great articles on classic sports moments,
legendary pictures and photos of the world's top athletes,
and information on back issues, Legend Sports is every
collector's dream. Each magazine is a limited-edition
issue, with no back issues ever reproduced, and some copies
have escalated 200% in value.
Issues purchased directly from Hall of Fame Publishing
ensure that none of the original cover artwork is marred by
newsstand or UPC markings, arriving wrapped in polybags to
keep them in mint condition. Each issue contains the
legendary 24-karat gold-foiled insert of nine cards of
famous sports stars and celebrated moments in sports
history.
To order copies of Legend Sports Magazine, call
888.586.6263, fax 702.987.1621 or visit
http://www.LSMsubscriptions.com. Canadian orders, add $20,
foreign orders add $40. All orders must be in U.S. funds.
For more information, call 949.412.0778 or contact Hall of
Fame Publishing at 33860 Summit View Place, Temecula, CA
92592.
For more information, please contact:
Martin Stein or Jessica Martin
Wicked Creative
Tel: +1-702-868-4545
2007'04.07.Sat
Publicis Groupe to Expand Further in China: Acquires Majority Stake in Yong Yang, Leading Marketing Services Group
April 03, 2007
PARIS, April 3 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Publicis Groupe
announced today the acquisition of a majority stake in
Chengdu-based Yong Yang, a leader in field force logistics
and retail and promotional marketing. The transaction,
subject to Chinese regulatory approval, illustrates
Publicis Groupe's strategic commitment to expand and deepen
its marketing services operations in the fast-growing
Chinese market and across Asia. Last year, the Groupe
acquired control of Shanghai-based Betterway Marketing
Solutions, one of China's largest and most innovative
full-range marketing services agencies. Publicis Groupe
currently has over 2,500 employees across China, at 79
offices in 33 cities.
Yong Yang, founded in 1995, has in-depth knowledge of
China's regional urban markets, particularly those deep in
the Chinese heartland. With 29 offices across China, Yong
Yang is the only marketing services company with a
substantial presence in Chengdu, the rapidly-growing
capital of Sichuan province. The agency's key clients
include Budweiser, Wliansheng Liquor, Marlboro and Sony
Ericsson.
When the transaction is completed, Yong Yang will be
aligned with Arc, part of Leo Burnett Greater China. Leo
Burnett Greater China has five main offices in Taipei, Hong
Kong, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing with close to 700
employees. Arc's key Greater China clients include global
brand owners P&G, Wrigley and McDonalds.
"China continues to be of absolutely critical
importance to Publicis Groupe," said Maurice Levy,
Chairman and CEO of Publicis Groupe. "We are already
meeting the increasing demands of advertisers with an
incredibly strong grass-roots offering across China. I am
delighted to welcome the Yong Yang teams, who will make
that offer even stronger."
Michael Wood, CEO, Leo Burnett and Arc Greater China,
said: "Joining forces with Yong Yang allows Leo
Burnett China to further build Arc's presence in Greater
China, providing a strong geographical foot print in the
Chinese market. This partnership brings new areas of
expertise to the table, allowing us to fuse Arc and Leo
Burnett's international status and knowledge to Yong Yang,
while they add their 10 years of expertise in grass roots
China to our offering. It's a 'win win' situation for our
clients. Yong Yang brings an unrivalled wealth of
experience both provincially and in key growth cities.
"
Ms Zhao, General Manager of Yong Yang, adds: "We
are very pleased that our already strong working
relationship with Arc & Leo Burnett has now become a
formal partnership. We believe that our companies
complement each other both culturally and in how we think.
Arc and Yong Yang can only go from strength to strength and
we look forward to the opportunities ahead".
Simon Holt, Managing Director of Arc Greater China,
added: "Yong Yang is a hugely professional operation
with whom we have worked regularly, prior to this
acquisition. Their local production runs like clockwork -
and they deliver. The Yong Yang teams have worked
consistently over the years to build a strong reputation
plus an impressive client list. They have also created
positive relationships with local and national government -
very important in the fast developing China market. Like all
good acquisitions, mutual benefit is at the heart of the
deal and our clients can only be happy about that".
Yong Yang will retain its name under the acquisition,
and management will be led by Simon Holt (Managing Director
Arc Greater China) and Patrick Lai, currently Head of
Strategic Planning for Arc Greater China. Patrick Lai will
now assume the post of Management Supervisor, while Michael
Wood will oversee as CEO of Leo Burnett & Arc Greater
China. Yong Yang's current Management, Ms Zhao (General
Manager) and Mr Zhang (Deputy General Manager) will
continue in their current roles.
Yong Yang: Yong Yang is a leading expert in field force
logistics, retail and promotional marketing and activation
origination, management and production.
- 18 wholly owned offices and 11 affiliated offices
across Greater China
- Wholly owned: Hangzhou, Wenzhou, Nanjing, Hefei,
Shanghai, Zhengzhou, Wuhan Guangzhou, Fushan, Shunde,
Zhongshan, Dongwan, Shengzhen, Nanning, Guiyang, Chengdu,
Kunming, Changsha
- Number of full time employees: 120 - 1200 temporary
staff
Leo Burnett Worldwide: Founded in Chicago in 1935, Leo
Burnett Worldwide, comprising the Leo Burnett brand agency
and marketing partner Arc Worldwide, is one of the world's
largest agency networks and a wholly owned subsidiary of
Publicis Groupe, the world's fourth largest communications
group.
With expertise in mass advertising and digital,
promotional and retail marketing, LBW partners with
blue-chip clients such as The Coca-Cola Company, Diageo,
McDonald's and Procter & Gamble, Heinz, Kellogg's.
The company has won more advertising awards for
campaign effectiveness than any other agency in the last
five years.
Publicis Groupe (Euronext Paris: FR0000130577 and NYSE:
PUB) is the world's fourth largest communications group, as
well as world's second largest media counsel and buying
group. With activities spanning 104 countries on five
continents, the Groupe employs approximately 40,000
professionals.
The Groupe's communication activities cover
advertising, through three autonomous global advertising
networks: Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi, as
well as through its two multi-hub networks Fallon Worldwide
and 49%-owned Bartle Bogle Hegarty; media consultancy and
buying through two worldwide networks ZenithOptimedia and
Starcom MediaVest Group; and marketing services and
specialized communications including direct marketing,
public relations, corporate and financial communications,
event communications, multicultural and healthcare
communications.
Web sites: http://www.publicisgroupe.com and
http://www.finance.publicisgroupe.com
For more information, please contact:
Publicis Groupe:
Eve Magnant, Corporate Communications
Tel: +33-144-437-025
Leo Burnett Greater China:
Jeani Rodgers, PR Director
Tel: +852-9261-6019
2007'04.07.Sat
Credito y Caucion and Atradius to Combine Their Businesses
April 03, 2007
AMSTERDAM and MADRID, April 3 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Shareholders of Compania Espanola de Seguros y Reaseguros
de Credito y Caucion, S.A. (Credito y Caucion) and of
Atradius N.V. agreed today to the terms of the combination
of the two businesses. Under the terms of the agreement,
Credito y Caucion, based in Madrid, will become part of the
new Atradius Group. The headquarters of the new Group will
be based in Amsterdam. The transaction will create a
global Group with 160 offices in over 40 countries and an
insured trade turnover of over Euro 450,000 million. Its
pro forma annual turnover will be over Euro 1,600 million
and its equity over Euro 1,000 million. The combination is
subject to the approval of various authorities, including
insurance regulators and anti-trust authorities.
Peter Ingenlath, acting CEO of Atradius, commented:
"Atradius and Credito y Caucion have long maintained
an alliance that has strengthened both companies. The
combination of these two organisations cements our
commitments to profitable growth and will enable us to
build up our global presence more effectively and enhance
our market position. Together, we will become the most
professional and attractive credit insurer in the
industry."
The shareholder structure of the new Group will change
after the combination of Atradius and Credito y Caucion. On
completion, all shares in Atradius currently held by Credito
y Caucion and Seguros Catalana Occidente, S.A. will be
transferred to a newly created holding company, Grupo
Credito y Caucion. In addition, new shares in Atradius N.V.
will be issued in consideration for the transfer of Credito
y Caucion to Atradius N.V., as a result of which the
Spanish holding company will become the largest shareholder
of Atradius N.V. with a 64.2% stake. Swiss Re will have a
25.0% stake, Deutsche Bank a 9.1% stake and Sal. Oppenheim
jr. & Cie. KGaA a 1.7% stake. Isidoro Unda, currently
CEO of Credito y Caucion, will become the CEO of the new
Group once the relevant approvals have been granted. After
completion, the management of the new Group will prepare
for an initial public offering of the combined Group in the
medium term.
Isidoro Unda commented: "Together with my
colleagues in the Management Board of Atradius, I am very
much looking forward to the formation of the new Group. As
the CEO, with the support of the people and the management
teams of Atradius and Credito y Caucion, my ambition is to
build the new Group based on the strength and growth
potential of the companies which now join forces. The
geographical and product diversification of our business is
a first-order competitive advantage that directly reflects
on the quality of customer service and on the stability of
the new Group."
Jesus Serra, Chairman of Credito y Caucion and of the
new Spanish holding company, commented: "This is
something that we have envisioned for a long time. The
combination of both companies will enable us to provide the
best quality service to our customers, compete more
effectively for new business and expand into new
markets."
Paul-Henri Denieuil, Chairman of the Atradius
Supervisory Board and of the future new Atradius Group,
concluded: "Our businesses complement each other
perfectly. Atradius is strong in most of Europe with a
growing presence in North America and Asia and Credito y
Caucion adds its strong presence in Spain and Portugal with
great potential in Latin America. Together we will be able
to build the best company to serve our customers
worldwide."
About Atradius:
Atradius is a leading credit insurer with total
revenues of around EUR 1,300 million and a 24% share of the
world credit insurance market. It insures approximately EUR
350,000 million of world trade annually against non-payment
and provides a comprehensive range of risk transfer,
financing and trade receivables management services. With
3,400 staff and more than 90 offices in over 40 countries,
Atradius has access to credit information on 45 million
companies worldwide and makes more than 12,000 credit limit
decisions daily. It is "A" rated by Standard &
Poor's (outlook stable) and A2 by Moody's (outlook stable).
About Credito y Caucion:
For over 75 years, through its credit and surety
insurances, Credito y Caucion has contributed to the growth
of companies offering them protection from insolvency and
non-payment risks derived from credit sales of goods and
services. With more than 70 offices, Credito y Caucion
holds a global market share in Spain of nearly 60%.
Furthermore, it ranks second in Portugal with a market
share of 34%, being therefore leader in its sector in the
Iberian Market. The company recently expanded into Brazil.
The solvency is confirmed by the A and A1 Standard &
Poor's and Moody's ratings, respectively.
http://www.atradius.com
For more information, please contact:
Christine Gerryn
Atradius Corporate Communications
Tel: +31-20-553-2047
Email: christine.gerryn@atradius.com
2007'04.07.Sat
Home System Group Reports 2006 Financial Results
April 02, 2007
- Company reports 2006 revenue of $26.4 million and net
income of $1.4
million
- On January 31, 2007 Company completed acquisition of
Oceanic Well
Profit, Inc.
LOS ANGELES, April 2 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Home System Group
(OTC Bulletin Board: HSYT) based in Guangdong Province,
PRC, an International
manufacturer and distributor of home appliance products to
major global
retailers, today announced 2006 financial results.
Reported results exclude contribution from the January
2007 acquisition of
Holy (H.K.) Limited, a Hong Kong holding company which owns
100 percent of
Oceanic Well Profit, Inc., one of China's largest
professional BBQ gas grill
manufacturers with annual production capacity of $75
million.
For the year ended December 31, 2006, revenues were
$26.4 million and were
generated from the distribution of home appliance products,
including BBQ gas
grills, home water pumps, blenders, electric fans, heaters,
and other
electronic and environmentally friendly products made in
China and sold
through major distributors such as Nexgrill, Pro Steel,
Rich Empire and Whalen
directly to retailers based in the US, Europe and
Australia. Cost of sales for
the year were $23.7 million yielding gross profits of $2.7
million and gross
margins of 10.1 percent. General and administrative
expenses were $1 million,
of which $0.7 million was a non-cash charge related to
equity compensation for
consultants.
Operating income for the year totaled $1.7 million with
a related
operating margin of 6.4 percent. Net income was $1.4
million with earnings per
share of $0.08 based on 16.1 million fully diluted shares
outstanding. The
Company did not incur taxes as revenues were generated
outside of Hong Kong.
Net cash provided by operating activities for 2006
totaled $2.0 million,
which was a result of positive net income, decreased
accounts receivable and
strong working capital management. Current assets were $7.2
million and the
Company maintained a healthy current ratio of 2.1 to 1.
Shareholders' equity
improved 133.8 percent to $3.8 million.
"We made further progress in growing our
International business by
establishing incremental distribution capabilities in
Europe and North
America, adding new product lines to broaden our portfolio,
while formalizing
several new customer relationships. In order to develop a
vertically
integrated Company and capitalize on the management teams'
manufacturing
expertise, we have been actively pursuing acquisition
opportunities, including
companies developing and manufacturing key products
complementary to our
distribution platform," stated Mr. Li Wei Qiu, CEO and
Chairman of Home System
Group.
"On January 30 2007, the Company completed a
crucial first step in this
initiative with the acquisition of Oceanic Well Profit,
Inc., which is located
in Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province, adjacent to
Shenzhen. The Company is a
leading OEM manufacturer of BBQ gas grills for end
customers such as Home
Depot which sells the product under its Charm Glow(R)
private label. In 2006
Home System generated 15 percent of its revenues from
distributing Oceanic
Well Profit's product and thus we anticipate this
acquisition will
significantly enhance overall margins and provide
incremental opportunities
for pricing power. As a point of reference, over $4 billion
in grill sales
occur in the United States each year, with approximately 85
percent of
households owning a grill."
Consideration for the purchase of Oceanic Well Profit
included 42.5
million common shares and $3 million in cash. After the
acquisition of Oceanic
Well Profit, the Company had approximately 62.5 million
shares outstanding.
The Company commenced operations in April, 2006 and
utilizes a state of the
art, newly constructed 864,000 square-foot manufacturing
facility on 82.5
acres of property. This new facility is equipped with over
500 pieces of
advanced production equipment and utilizes a staff of 1,200
employees.
Currently, the facility operates five production lines
which are
interchangeable and can produce 450,000 grills, 3 million
water pumps, and 2
million tool and hardware cabinets annually, collectively
representing $75
million in total revenue capacity.
Additionally, Oceanic Well Profit, Inc. has an
extensive research and
development team consisting of 278 employees dedicated to
product enhancement
and development, As part of the Company's new product
efforts, Oceanic Well
Profit expects to introduce a new line of energy efficient
oven range hoods,
BBQ grills, water pumps and dishwashers, in addition to new
tool and hardware
cabinets. Management expects that these new product
introductions will
complement and enhance its current product offering while
further penetrating
both international and domestic markets through existing
and new customers.
"We have identified several additional acquisition
opportunities which are
attractive from a production and geographic standpoint. The
goal is to
increase the size and scope of our Company while
capitalizing on our ability
to significantly increase overall production capacity and
monetizing a broader
base of significant customers. The new facility we
purchased with Ocean Well
Profit offers us the flexibility to meaningfully improve
our economies of
scale and optimize leverage in our business model. The
secular trend towards
outsourcing manufacturing to China remains strong and we
are well positioned
to capture a meaningful portion of this large and growing
market," Mr. Li Wei
Qiu concluded.
About Home System Group
Headquartered in Hong Kong, China, Home System Group,
through its wholly
owned distributor Oceanic International (Hong Kong), Ltd.
(OCIL) and Oceanic
Well Profit produces and distributes home appliances,
including stainless
steel gas grills, residential water pumps, electronic fans,
fruit processors,
and other electrical appliances to retailers in the U.S.,
Europe and Australia.
The Company became public through a reverse merger and
received its stock
trading symbol on October 4, 2006. Please visit the company
website at:
www.homesystemgroup.com.
Safe Harbor Statement:
Certain statements in this news release may contain
forward-looking
information about Home System Group, Inc.'s business and
products within the
meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933 and
Rule 3b-6 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are subject to the
safe harbor created by
those rules. The actual results may differ materially
depending on a number of
risk factors including, but not limited to, the following:
general economic
and business conditions, product development, shipments to
end customers,
market acceptance of new and existing products, additional
competition from
existing and new competitors, changes in technology, and
various other factors
beyond its control. All forward-looking statements are
expressly qualified in
their entirety by this Cautionary Statement and the risks
factors detailed in
the Company's reports filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Home
System Group undertakes no duty to revise or update any
forward-looking
statements to reflect events or circumstances after the
date of this release.
The financial information stated above and in the
tables below has been
abstracted from the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2006
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and
should be read in
conjunction with the information provided therein.
HOME SYSTEM GROUP (formerly SUPREME REALTY
INVESTMENTS, INC.)
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 2006 AND 2005
2006
2005
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash $65,615
$103,701
Accounts receivable - Net of
allowance for doubtful
accounts of $58,012 and $-0- 1,886,349
3,962,986
Trade deposits 2,903,959
2,208,079
Due from directors 7,629
-
Due from related party 2,344,415
-
7,207,967
6,274,766
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT 996
-
TOTAL ASSETS $7,208,963
$6,274,766
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Bank loans $962,020
$3,030,836
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 2,474,180
1,578,677
Due to directors 8,624
54,917
TOTAL LIABILITIES 3,444,824
4,664,430
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
COMMON STOCK - $0.001 par value;
200,000,000 shares authorized,
19,797,949 and 8,000,000 shares issued
and outstanding 19,798
8,000
ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL 1,680,204
(7,998)
NOTE RECEIVABLE FOR STOCK ISSUANCE (900,000)
-
RETAINED EARNINGS 2,964,137
1,610,334
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 3,764,139
1,610,336
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY $7,208,963
$6,274,766
HOME SYSTEM GROUP (formerly SUPREME REALTY
INVESTMENTS, INC.)
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006
2006
NET SALES
$26,391,044
OPERATING EXPENSES
Cost of net sales
23,736,261
General and administrative expenses
992,379
24,728,640
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
1,662,404
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Finance costs
(313,784)
Interest income
5,183
(308,601)
NET INCOME
$1,353,803
BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
$0.08
BASIC AND DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE
NUMBER OF SHARES
16,047,950
CONTACT:
investors, Hai Yan Lin,
+1-213-223-2277,
haiyanlin@homesystemgroup.com
Matt Hayden, HC International,
+1-858-704-5065
matt@haydenir.com
2007'04.07.Sat
Diguang International Announces April 3 Conference Call and Webcast to Discuss Fourth-Quarter and Fiscal Year 2006 Results
April 02, 2007
SHENZHEN, China, April 2 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Diguang
International
Development Co., Ltd. (OTC Bulletin Board: DGNG)
("Diguang"), an emerging,
China-based leader in the manufacture of CCFL and LED
backlights for the LCD
display industry, today announced that it will conduct a
conference call and
webcast to discuss financial results for its fiscal 2006
fourth quarter and
full year, ended December 31, 2006.
The conference call and webcast will take place at 8:30
a.m. Eastern
(U.S.) time on Tuesday, April 3, 2007. Anyone interested in
participating
should call 866-356-4441 if calling from within the United
States, or
617-597-5396 if calling internationally; the passcode is
33278793.
There will be a replay available until April 10, 2007.
To listen to the
playback, please call 888-286-8010 if calling within the
United States, or
617-801-6888 if calling internationally. Please use
passcode 48557113 for the
replay.
The event will also be webcast live and a webcast
archive will be
available for 90 days. The webcast will be available at:
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/playerlink.zhtml?c=137803&s=wm&e=1519591
and is
being distributed through the Thomson StreetEvents Network.
Individual
investors can listen to the call at www.earnings.com,
Thomson's individual
investor portal, powered by StreetEvents. Institutional
investors can access
the call via Thomson StreetEvents (www.streetevents.com), a
password-protected
event management site.
About Diguang International Development Co., Ltd.
Diguang, through its subsidiaries, specializes in the
research,
development, production, sale and distribution of
backlights and backlight
technologies. A backlight is the typical light source of a
liquid crystal
display (LCD). The Company is focused on providing LED and
CCFL backlights
for international producers of televisions, monitors,
cellular phones, digital
cameras, DVDs and other home appliances. Diguang currently
develops an
average of approximately 50 new products per month.
Diguang is a Nevada
corporation with its manufacturing subsidiary located in
Shenzhen, PRC, and
its sales and marketing subsidiary located in the British
Virgin Islands.
Company Contact:
Keith Hor, CFO
Diguang International Development, Ltd.
86-755-26611731
Investor Relations Contact:
Sean Collins, Senior Partner
CCG Elite
310-477-9800, ext. 202
2007'04.07.Sat
Minitab Opens New Office in Australia
April 02, 2007
STATE COLLEGE, Pa., and SYDNEY, Australia, April 2
/Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Minitab Inc., the leading global
provider of software and services for quality improvement
and statistics education, announced today the opening of
Minitab Pty Ltd, its new subsidiary in Australia. The full
service office is located in Sydney and will help fulfill
the company's mission to provide professionals with the
tools and resources they need to improve their processes
and train their students.
Minitab Inc. is best known for its flagship product,
Minitab(R) Statistical Software. The package was originally
created in 1972 to help professors teach statistics, but has
since evolved into the premier software organisations use
when analysing business data to improve the quality of
their goods and services. It is used to implement virtually
every major Six Sigma improvement initiative around the
world, and to teach statistics in more than 4,000 colleges
and universities.
"Our customers in Australia and New Zealand are
committed to excellence, and we're excited to expand our
global presence in a way that will help them achieve
it," says Tina Konrath, Minitab's Group Executive for
Sales, Technical Support and Training. "Minitab Pty
Ltd allows us to give them the support they need, and to
deliver it locally and directly."
Minitab Pty Ltd will provide sales and customer service
for both Minitab 15 and Quality Companion 2 by Minitab(TM),
a software package that gives professionals the tools,
organisational support and guidance they need to implement
quality improvement projects.
The office will also provide Training by Minitab(TM)
and Technical Support by Minitab(TM), services that helped
establish the company's reputation for delivering
outstanding, customer-focused solutions.
Training by Minitab includes both public and on-site
courses, as well as Quality Trainer by Minitab(TM) - a
Web-based service that teaches professionals how to apply
quality statistics using Minitab. Technical Support by
Minitab is delivered by specialists who are highly skilled
in Minitab software and quality improvement, and is
available to Minitab customers free of charge by phone or
online.
"Companies that analyse their processes and make
sound decisions based on data are the ones most likely to
thrive," said Elias Alam, Minitab Pty Ltd's General
Manager. "Our goal is to help them embrace this
approach so they can maximise their productivity and
improve their bottom line."
Minitab Pty Ltd is Minitab's third subsidiary. In 1995,
Minitab Ltd was formed in the United Kingdom to serve
customers in Europe. In 1998, Minitab SARL was formed in
France to serve French-speaking customers in France,
Belgium, Switzerland and elsewhere in Europe and Africa.
Minitab Pty Ltd is located at:
Level 6, 17 Castlereagh Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia
Phone: +61-0-2 9312-3700
Fax: +61-0-2-9312-3799
Sales: +61-0-2-9312-3710
Technical Support: +61-0-2-9312-3711
To learn more about Minitab and the products and
services it offers, please visit http://www.minitab.com.au
About Minitab
Minitab Inc. is one of the world's leading developers
of statistical analysis and process improvement software
and services for academic and commercial users. Minitab
Statistical Software is the preferred package for
businesses of all sizes and is used in more than 80
countries. Quality Companion by Minitab is the package
professionals use to plan and execute quality improvement
initiatives around the world.
Distinguished companies that use Minitab software and
services include Toshiba, 3M, Honeywell International,
National Australia Bank (NAB), BHP Billiton, Samsung, and
Tyco Healthcare. Minitab Statistical Software is also used
at every major university in Australia and by the leading
Six Sigma consultants.
Minitab Inc. is headquartered in State College, PA. It
operates offices in the United Kingdom, France, and
Australia, and has additional representatives throughout
the world.
FOR MORE INFORMATION or materials, including screen
shots, product packaging images and logos, and other
graphics, contact Eston Martz in Minitab's Marketing
Department: PublicRelations@minitab.com
For more information, please contact:
Minitab Pty Ltd, Australia
Tel: +61-2-9312-3700
Fax: +61-2-9312-3799
2007'04.07.Sat
Airborne Systems Announces Realignment Initiative
April 02, 2007
PENNSAUKEN, N.J., April 2 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Airborne Systems Group, which has combined the world's
leading parachute brands specializing in aerial delivery,
rescue and survival equipment, and engineering services
announced the organizational realignment of its operation
centers. The new structure will align the company brands
of Irvin Aerospace, Irvin-GQ, Irvin Canada, Para-Flite and
AML into two divisions; Airborne Systems North America and
Airborne Systems Europe.
"Airborne Systems remains a market leader in each
of its primary business segments and each segment has a
positive long-term outlook," said Elek Puskas, CEO of
Airborne Systems. "Due to our growth in the space,
military parachute and aerospace businesses and with the
evolution of these markets, we have initiated a
company-wide organizational realignment to support the
changing needs of our customers. We expect the realignment
of our business units to have a positive impact on
productivity, quality and customer service. These changes
are intended to improve our global competitiveness and
provide our customers with the highest quality of products
and services."
Airborne Systems has manufacturing facilities in
Pennsauken, NJ, Santa Ana, CA, Belleville Ontario Canada,
and Llangeinor, Wales in the U.K. According to Puskas, the
realignment will not have any affect on the number of
manufacturing facilities and was implemented to eliminate
duplication of activities currently performed at each of
the sites. As a result of these actions, the company
expects to further increase cross fertilization between the
research and engineering teams and improve its customer
account focus through the realignment of its sales
organization.
"Our newly aligned organization will allow
Airborne Systems to operate as a single global company with
a customer centric focus," said Puskas. "For
almost a century, our company has compiled an unprecedented
track record of setting milestones that demonstrate scope of
capability, quality of product and successful performance,
and the future looks even brighter."
About Airborne Systems
Airborne Systems has combined the core technologies of
four of the world's leading parachute brands; Irvin
Aerospace, GQ Parachutes, Para-Flite and AML (Aircraft
Materials, Ltd). Airborne Systems is a world leader in the
design, development, and manufacture of best-of-class
parachutes for military, personnel, and cargo systems,
space and air vehicle recovery systems, and deceleration
systems for high-performance aircraft. The company also
provides ordnance flare chutes, airbags, and weapons
delivery systems. Airborne Systems' North American
headquarters is located in Pennsauken, NJ and Airborne
Systems Europe is headquartered in Llangeinor, Wales in the
U.K. Information about the various Airborne Systems
products and services can be found on the World Wide Web at
http://www.airbornesystemsgroup.com
For more information, please contact:
Gary Calvaneso, Executive Vice President
Marketing, Airborne Systems Group
Tel: +1-949-933-8247
Email: gcalvaneso@irvinaerospace.com
2007'04.07.Sat
Worldwide Quality of Living Survey
April 02, 2007
SINGAPORE, April 2 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
-- Cities in Western Europe, North America, Australasia
and Japan dominate
the top of the rankings
-- Singapore scores highest for overall quality of
living in Asia; Dhaka
in Bangladesh ranks lowest
-- Japan, New Zealand and Australia score highest for
health and
sanitation in Asia Pacific, Dhaka in Bangladesh
scores lowest
The 2007 Worldwide Quality of Living Survey by Mercer
Human Resource Consulting has revealed that Zurich again
ranks as the world's top city, with a rating of 108.1. The
city narrowly out-ranks Geneva, which scores 108. Vancouver
and Vienna follow in joint third place and score 107.7.
Cities in Europe, Australia and New Zealand continue to
dominate the top end of the rankings for overall quality of
living. Auckland and Dusseldorf share joint fifth place
and score 107.3 points. Frankfurt and Munich follow with
scores of 107.1 and 106.9 respectively. Bern and Sydney
both score 106.5 points and share joint 9th place.
The analysis is based on an evaluation of 39 quality of
living criteria for each city including political, social,
economic and environmental factors, personal safety and
health, education, transport and other public services.
The rankings for cities in Asia Pacific remain
relatively unchanged from 2006. Singapore (34th position)
remains one position ahead of Tokyo and 36 positions ahead
of Hong Kong, which slipped from 68th position to 70th
position. Both Shanghai and Beijing have moved up, from
103rd to 100th and 121st to 116th position respectively.
Although Indian cities still remain quite far down in the
rankings, New Delhi has improved its position by two
places, now ranking 148th position (with a score of 62.4).
Mr. Slagin Parakatil, senior researcher at Mercer
commented that "Japanese cities remain amongst the top
for overall quality of living, with an excellent
infrastructure, political and economical stability.
Singapore, the leading Asian city for quality of living
overall also scores extremely well due to numerous
expatriate facilities (restaurants, sports and leisure) and
transportation (airport and public transport). Chinese
cities, especially Beijing and Shanghai continue to improve
much faster than some other cities in the country. Public
transport, telecommunication and airports have dramatically
improved".
Daphne Wong, senior associate based in Singapore added,
"Singapore is ranked highly due to its political and
economic environment, where the political stability and
ease of doing business are appreciated by investors.
Singapore also has excellent health services, its qualified
medical practitioners and hospitals are easily accessible.
The Government's continued investment in its
infrastructure, education and healthcare helps to maintain
a high standard of living; it now ventures into areas such
as arts, encouraging different forms of creative
expressions thereby providing a wider range of recreation.
Although lately haze-created air pollution is a matter of
concern, food and water are safe for consumption.
Singapore is also a consumers' haven where goods from all
over the world are readily available".
Ms. Gangapriya Chakraverti, Human Capital Product
Solutions (HCPS) Business Leader in India said,
"Companies are increasingly using factors like quality
of living in their site selection process. As cities and
companies vie with each other to attract investment, we are
likely to see significant enhancements on some parameters
that determine quality of living."
Baghdad remains the world's least enticing city for
expatriates with a score of 14.5. Other low-scoring cities
for overall quality of living include Brazzaville in Congo
(29.5), Bangui in the Central African Republic (30.6) and
Khartoum in Sudan (31).
Mr Parakatil said, "In recent years, the gap
between low-ranking and high-ranking cities has widened.
While standards have improved in some regions, there
remains a stark contrast between those cities where overall
quality of living is good and those experiencing political
and economic turmoil."
Rankings for health and sanitation
Mercer's 2007 Worldwide Quality of Living Survey has
also found that four of the world's five top-scoring cities
for health and sanitation are in North America. Calgary
ranks top with a score of 131.7, followed by Honolulu,
which scores 130.3. Helsinki - the only European city in
the top five -- follows closely in the rankings with a
score of 128.5. Ottawa and Minneapolis take fourth and
fifth places with scores of 127.2 and 125.7 respectively.
Scores are based on the quality and availability of
hospital and medical supplies and levels of air pollution
and infectious diseases. The efficiency of waste removal
and sewage systems, water potability and the presence of
harmful animals and insects are also taken into account.
Cities are ranked against New York as the base city
which has an index score of 100. The analysis is part of
Mercer's Worldwide Quality of Living Survey, covering 215
cities, which is conducted to help governments and major
companies to place employees on international assignments.
Asia-Pacific
Auckland and Wellington in New Zealand rank in joint
18th place, with a rating of 123.1. All the Australian
cities covered by the survey rank higher than New York, the
base city. Adelaide is the highest-scoring city in
Australia at position 35 (score 119.5) while Sydney is the
lowest in 62nd place (score 111.3).
Japan is home to the highest-rated cities in Asia.
With a score of 122, Kobe ranks in 25th place while Tokyo,
Nagoya and Osaka come in joint 53rd place and score 113.5.
Singapore ranks in 50th place with a score of 114,
while Hong Kong is at position 117 and scores 80.8. Mr.
Parakatil commented, "Hong Kong is seeing a slight
drop in the rankings mainly due to its increasing issues
with air pollution, which have become a major concern for
the city." Shanghai and Beijing are China's highest
and lowest-ranking cities in 134th and 166th place
respectively (scoring 73.8 and 60.3). Modernization of
medical infrastructure has improved living standards in
these Chinese cities. However, air pollution and
inadequate waste removal and sewage systems are still a
concern - particularly in Beijing.
Ms. Wong said, "A greater focus is put on health
and sanitation, which may affect some cities' rankings
dramatically. For example, Sydney that ranked 9th in the
overall quality of living survey, ranked 62nd in terms of
health and sanitation. While Singapore ranked 50th
worldwide in health and sanitation, it is still the 7thth
highest ranking Asian city, ahead of Tokyo that ranked
53rd. When comparing Singapore with Auckland, which ranked
18th worldwide but second in Asia Pacific, Singapore was
ranked lower owing to medical and health considerations,
which take into account air pollution and infectious
diseases. In the natural environment and recreation
categories, Auckland beat Singapore hands-down".
Indian cities score relatively poorly for health and
sanitation, with scores ranging from 52.8 for Chennai
(position 177) to 38.2 for Mumbai (position 209). Most
Indian cities are densely populated with poor waste removal
and sewage systems. These issues, combined with increasing
air pollution, contribute to their relatively low ratings.
Mr. Parakatil added, "Overall, Indian cities have also
increased their quality of living. Yet, India still requires
major investments in the areas of health and sanitation
including waste removal, sewage, water potability
etc."
Americas
All of the Canadian cities covered by the survey appear
in the top 25 rankings for health and sanitation. In the US,
Honolulu ranks highest followed by Minneapolis in 5th place
scoring 125.7. Mexico City scores poorly at position 211
with a rating of 37.7; geographical issues and a high level
of air pollution explain this low ranking.
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Almost half of the 30 top-scoring cities surveyed are
in Western Europe. Helsinki has the highest score for the
region, at position 3 with a rating of 128.5. Oslo,
Stockholm and Zurich all rank 6th with a score of 125.
London is ranked 63 with a score of 111.2.
Most Eastern European cities have relatively low
scores, except for Prague in the Czech Republic which
scores highest, at position 75.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the highest-ranking Middle
Eastern cities and share position 58 with a score of 112.9.
African cities typically rank in lower positions than their
European and Middle Eastern counterparts, with many
appearing in the 20 bottom-scoring cities.
Mr Parakatil concluded, "The threat of infectious
diseases and environmental risks are very real in some
cities and should be taken into account. Migration and
mobility can exacerbate the transmission of diseases, and
this should be a top concern for employers managing
international assignments."
Notes to Editors: Data was largely collected between
September and November 2006 and is regularly updated to
take account of changing circumstances. In particular, the
assessments will be revised in the case of any new
developments. The Mercer database contains more than 350
cities, however only 215 cities have been considered for
the quality of living 2007 ranking in order to compare from
one year to the next.
The worldwide rankings are produced from the most
recent Worldwide Quality of Living survey, conducted by
Mercer Human Resource Consulting. Individual reports are
produced for each city surveyed, but please note that there
is no overall summary report available. The cost of
comparative quality of living indexes between a base city
and a host city is 300 Euros (multiple city comparisons are
available). Further information and copies of the reports
are available from Mercer Client Services, on +41 22 869
3000. Alternatively, please visit
http://www.imercer.com/qolpr
Mercer's study is based on detailed assessments and
evaluations of 39 key quality of living determinants,
grouped in the following categories:
-- Political and social environment (political
stability, crime, law
enforcement, etc)
-- Economic environment (currency exchange regulations,
banking services,
etc)
-- Socio-cultural environment (censorship, limitations
on personal
freedom, etc)
-- Health and sanitation (medical supplies and
services, infectious
diseases, sewage, waste disposal, air pollution,
etc)
-- Schools and education (standard and availability of
international
schools, etc)
-- Public services and transportation (electricity,
water, public
transport, traffic congestion, etc)
-- Recreation (restaurants, theatres, cinemas, sports
and leisure, etc)
-- Consumer goods (availability of food/daily
consumption items, cars,
etc)
-- Housing (housing, household appliances, furniture,
maintenance
services, etc)
-- Natural environment (climate, record of natural
disasters)
Full rankings are available upon request, please
contact Virginie Gorgemans at virginie.gorgemans@mercer.com
.
Mercer Human Resource Consulting is a global leader for
HR and related financial advice and services, with more than
15,000 employees serving clients in more than 180 cities and
42 countries and territories worldwide. The company is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies,
Inc., which lists its stock (ticker symbol: MMC) on the New
York, Chicago and London stock exchanges. For more
information, visit mercerHR.com .
For more information, please contact:
Virginie Gorgemans
Human Capital Product Solutions
Tel: +65-6327-5377
Email: virginie.gorgemans@mercer.com
2007'04.07.Sat
Corning Introduces New Hermetic Single-Mode Specialty Fiber
April 02, 2007
Specifically Designed for Applications Requiring Improved
Fatigue Resistance, High-Usable Strength, and Excellent
Resistance to Hydrogen Permeation into Optical Fibers
CORNING, N.Y., April 2 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ Corning
Incorporated (NYSE: GLW) announced on March 27 the
introduction of a new Corning hermetic single-mode
specialty fiber. This fiber offers improved fatigue
resistance and high-usable strength for numerous
applications, including fiber optic sensors and towed
arrays. The properties of the hermetic layer improve the
fatigue performance of the fiber by five times compared
with standard single-mode fiber while maintaining identical
optical quality to Corning SMF-28 optical fiber.
Corning's specially designed hermetic layer provides a
protective barrier to help shield the glass from exposure
to hydrogen, water and corrosive chemicals through a thin
layer of amorphous carbon that is bonded directly to the
glass surface of the optical fiber. This resistance to
hydrogen permeation is critical for use in harsh
environments such as in undersea deployments or down-hole
oil wells.
The new hermetic fiber is manufactured through
Corning's patented outside vapor deposition (OVD) process,
which yields unparalleled consistency in optical
performance and high reliability. The batch-to-batch
consistency, quality and reliability resulting from the OVD
process enables Corning customers to optimize their
operational costs.
Hermetic single-mode specialty fiber is part of
Corning's extensive portfolio of differentiated specialty
fiber products that generate high-value for customers.
These products and capabilities include polarization
control, rare earth-doped gain fibers, power delivery,
bend-insensitive fibers, reduced-diameter fibers, band-gap
fibers, harsh-environment/high-temperature fibers and
innovative custom solutions.
Corning will showcase a full Specialty Materials
product portfolio for the telecommunications industry,
including various specialty fibers, polarizing glass and
lensed fiber, during the 2007 OFC/NFOEC conference from
March 25-30 in Anaheim, California. For more information,
visit the Corning booth, #2549, in the Anaheim Convention
Center or Corning's Web site at
http://www.corning.com/specialtymaterials .
About Corning Incorporated
Corning Incorporated ( http://www.corning.com ) is the
world leader in specialty glass and ceramics. Drawing on
more than 150 years of materials science and process
engineering knowledge, Corning creates and makes keystone
components that enable high-technology systems for consumer
electronics, mobile emissions control, telecommunications
and life sciences. Our products include glass substrates
for LCD televisions, computer monitors and laptops; ceramic
substrates and filters for mobile emission control systems;
optical fiber, cable, hardware & equipment for
telecommunications networks; optical biosensors for drug
discovery; and other advanced optics and specialty glass
solutions for a number of industries including
semiconductor, aerospace, defense, astronomy and
metrology.
For more information, please contact:
Elijah A. Baity
Tel: +1-607-974-8908
Email: baityea@corning.com
Lydia Lu
Tel: +86-21-5467-4666 x1900
Email: lulr@corning.com
2007'04.07.Sat
Stora Enso's Annual Report on Form 20-F Published
April 02, 2007
-- New market outlook and Berghuizer Mill closing schedule
finalised
HELSINKI, Finland, April 2 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Stora
Enso's Annual Report on Form 20-F was filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on 29 March 2007.
The Annual Report on Form 20-F will be available in
electronic format (pdf) on the Group's website
http://www.storaenso.com/investors .
Near-term Outlook
In Europe:
Demand for uncoated magazine paper is expected to ease
after strong growth in 2006. Coated magazine paper demand
improved in early 2007 and is expected to be moderately
positive for the year. Modest demand growth is expected for
newsprint. Demand for uncoated fine paper remains good,
particularly in Eastern Europe. Demand is healthy and
strong order inflow is expected for coated fine paper and
packaging boards. Demand for wood products is expected to
be healthy in most markets.
Contract negotiations for newsprint prices have been
completed and prices increased by an average of 5% in
Western Europe. Magazine paper prices have declined at the
beginning of 2007 and may remain under pressure for
non-contractual business. Further price increases are
expected in uncoated fine paper, and increases are being
negotiated in coated fine paper.
Some moderate increases in packaging board prices are
implemented. Some production curtailments are expected at
Enocell Pulp Mill (part of Packaging Boards) in the second
quarter of 2007 due to shortage of raw material. In wood
products further product price movements are likely to
reflect wood costs.
In North America:Demand for newsprint is expected to
decline further. Demand for magazine paper, particularly
coated magazine paper, remains weak due to seasonal reasons
and underlying end-use weakness. Demand in coated fine paper
is forecast to remain flat.
Prices for publication papers are still declining.
Coated fine paper reel prices are under pressure, but some
price increases for sheet products are being negotiated.
In China, coated fine paper demand is expected to
improve later in the spring and prices to firm up.
In Latin America, modest growth in demand for coated
magazine paper is anticipated, but downward price pressure
is increasing.
Operating cost inflation is forecast to be 2.0% to 2.5%
higher in 2007 than 2006, primarily because of increased
wood costs, including the impact of the Russian duties on
wood.
Berghuizer Mill closing schedule has been finalisedThe
schedule for closing Berghuizer Mill in the Netherlands has
now been finalised. Paper machine (PM) 7 will permanently
cease production on 16 April 2007 and PM 8 on 31 October
2007. The total capacity of these machines is 245 000
tonnes of uncoated fine paper per year. Approximately 80
000 tonnes of Berghuizer Mill's annual production for
customers is expected to be transferred to Stora Enso's
Nymolla Mill in Sweden. The annual capacity of Nymolla Mill
remains unchanged at 485 000 tonnes, but the mill has made
some investments in asset quality to supply products with
higher value added to improve its customer service.
For more information, please contact:
Hannu Ryopponen, CFO
Tel: +358-2046-21450
Kari Vainio, EVP
Corporate Communications
Tel: +44-7799-348-197
Keith B Russell, SVP
Investor Relations
Tel: +44-7775-788-659
Ulla Paajanen-Sainio, VP
Investor Relations and Financial Communications
Tel: +358-40-763-8767
2007'04.07.Sat
SmartPay Partners With China Unicom in Shandong to Jointly Develop Mobile Payment Services and Network of 'Agent Toll Stations'
April 02, 2007
SHANGHAI, April 2 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- SmartPay
Jieyin Ltd. ("SmartPay"), a leading electronic
payment services provider in China, today announced the
launch of payment services in partnership with China Unicom
for Shandong Province. These services include airline
ticketing, lottery payment, utility bills and certain kinds
of digital card retail.
SmartPay and Unicom also announced the launch of
"Agent Toll Stations", beginning in Jinan, which
will create a network of recharging and retail sales points
for payment services using SmartPay's mobile payment
technologies.
SmartPay's services in Shandong have been in their
trial phase since June of 2005. These services include
SMS, web and IVR based top-up services. The expansion of
services and the branching out of network agents is
critical for launching advanced offerings such as airline
ticketing, the need for which SmartPay and Unicom believes
will increase as the use of 3rd generation mobile networks
becomes a reality.
In addition, "Agent Toll Stations" help
expand mobile usage to areas without convenient
transportation or extensive retailers. "Agent Toll
Stations" allow agents to add money to any Unicom
user's mobile phone using SmartPay's technology and bank
relationships. "Agent Toll Stations" provide a
rapid, infrastructure-light method for mobile carriers to
rapidly deploy marketing channels and collection points.
About SmartPay
SmartPay provides remote payment services in China
under the brand name "Jieyin". Chinese consumers
and intermediaries utilize SmartPay Jieyin for the payment
of mobile services, utilities, travel-related expenses and
other expenditures. SmartPay continues to launch
additional payment services under the "Jieyin"
brand name. Investors in SmartPay include RRE Ventures (
http://www.rre.com ), Evolution Capital, Lunar Group
Capital, Accel Partners and others.
For more information, please contact:
Carol Xiao,
Public Relations,
SmartPay Jieyin Ltd.
Tel: +86-21-5385-5299
Fax: +86-21-5385-2689
Email: carol.xiao@smartpay.com.cn
2007'04.07.Sat
WISeKey Joins Alinghi in its Race to Win the 32nd America's Cup
April 02, 2007
WISeKey to Co-Sponsor Alinghi - Defender of the 32nd America's Cup Indication: A picture can be downloaded free of charge under: http://www.presseportal.ch/de/story.htx?firmaid=100006027&lang=2 Geneva, Switzerland / Valencia, Spain, April 2 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- WISeKey is honoured to join Alinghi for the 32nd America's Cup Campaign and to bring its high security digital identification solutions to secure its key assets. WISeKey, as a Swiss company, shares more than a Geneva home base with Alinghi. Common values and an enterprising spirit are at the core of their partnership by combining the best of technologies with expertise to solve complex and dynamic challenges. "We are delighted to welcome WISeKey as a Co Sponsor of Alinghi for the 32nd America's Cup. As a team we need to share and access confidential information such as design data and clearly security is paramount in our campaign to win the America's Cup again. Our partnership with WISeKey will ensure that we have the optimum protection," says Grant Simmer, Alinghi managing director. "We are proud to be a Co Sponsor of Alinghi and provider of their digital identification solutions. WISeKey has many areas in common with Alinghi including our corporate spirit, our federative model, and bringing together the best experts in the world to build a winning team. In the case of WISeKey, our experts work for safety and security in electronic communications and transactions whilst surfing the internet, and thus, enabling the new Web 2.0 from the very city that invented the World Wide Web", said Carlos Moreira, Founder and Chairman of WISeKey. About WISeKey From mainstream threats, such as viruses and spyware, to phishing and now pharming, secure communications and the protection of identity are on everyone's mind. In order to address these concerns, WISeKey set out to provide a reliable way of establishing a universal, secure identify system by developing a high security, low cost and easy-to-use solution called CertifyID. This solution enables and is built on advanced applications within the Microsoft Windows Server. These applications enable relatively low tech environments and entities to enjoy the same rock-solid security that would otherwise be available only through complex, expensive and sophisticated Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) technology. For more information, please contact: Contact and pictures: WISeKey: Daniel Ybarra, VP Corporate Communication Tel: +41-22-594-30-00 Email: dybarra@wisekey.com Web: http://www.wisekey.com Alinghi: Francine Moreillon Tel: +34-677-950-813 Cell: +41-79-639-89-46 Email: Francine.moreillon@alinghi.com Web: http://www alinghi.com
2007'04.07.Sat
Message from Dr Henk Bekedam, WHO Representative in China
April 02, 2007
World Health Day: International Health Security - 7 April
2007
BEIJING, April 2 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- This year's
World Health Day theme is an important reminder that many
health threats do not respect national borders and that all
countries are partners in the fight for international health
security.
China has been actively responding to the growing
interdependence of health and security.
Emerging communicable diseases such as SARS and avian
influenza have brought home the very real threats to
international security that health problems can pose. Other
threats to international health security include infectious
diseases such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, bioterrorism,
humanitarian emergencies, environmental damage and food
safety.
For China and the rest of the world, SARS was a wake-up
call. In recent years China has made genuine progress in
strengthening its capacity to deal with health security
threats.
China has been building its communicable diseases
capacity and is continuing to develop effective systems for
communicable disease prevention, detection and response.
China has been advancing the fight against avian influenza
by sharing viruses and information with the international
community. It has also made great progress responding to
communicable threats like tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.
But health security challenges remain for all
countries.
China's sizeable population and agriculture-based
industries mean that infectious diseases remain a
significant national and international threat. Some 75 per
cent of emerging diseases are zoonotic. One of the key
measures for managing communicable diseases is improving
animal husbandry practices and implementing local and
national systems for surveillance and rapid response.
WHO will continue to support China in fighting health
security threats. WHO as an organization, including its
Headquarters in Geneva, the Regional Headquarters for the
West Pacific in Manila, and the China Country office, is
working closely to provide China with timely policy advice
and technical expertise.
China has shown enormous commitment to strengthening
international health security. We are sure it will
continue to do so in the future. In that way, China will
greatly advance global public health.
For further information, please contact:
Joanna Brent
Communications Team Leader
WHO China
Tel: +86-10-6532-7189 ext 681 or +86-1391-120-5176
2007'04.07.Sat
New Eurail Regional Passes Expand Options for Discovering Europe
April 02, 2007
-- Czech Republic-Germany and Germany-Poland Passes
Available From 1st April
UTRECHT, Netherlands, April 2 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Eurail Group has introduced two new Regional Passes that
widen the options for discovering Europe.
Valid for travel in two bordering European countries,
Eurail Regional Passes were developed to offer time-starved
travellers the opportunity to explore two countries in
depth. The two new combinations are Czech Republic-Germany
and Germany-Poland, bringing the total number of Eurail
Regional Passes up to 20 -- and offering travellers more
freedom and choice in planning rail travel.
The Eurail Czech Republic-Germany Pass allows
travellers to explore Germany and the Czech Republic, its
eastern neighbour, with just one pass. The options in these
two jewels include the vibrant capitals of Berlin and
Prague, and two great European Rivers, the romantic Rhine
and the lovely Moldau. A train ride away lie beautiful and
impressive landscapes like the Black Forest and Bohemian
Woods, and pearls of Middle European architecture in the
magnificent cities of Prague, Plzen, Nuremberg, Regensburg,
Magdeburg.
With this pass, travellers can enjoy breakfast in a
stylish Berlin coffee shop, have lunch on the scenic banks
of the Elbe in Dresden, and a romantic dinner under the
Hradcany Castle in Prague. These are also the beer capitals
of Europe, with an immense variety from world-known brands
to the hidden gems of small-town private breweries.
Fast, efficient, high quality train service links both
countries several times a day. The EuroCity (EC) day
trains, for example, run between Berlin, Dresden and Prague
at two-hour intervals and the DB Nachtzug (night train)
offers comfort and style from Munich and Frankfurt to
Prague.
Poland has been moving up the radar screens of savvy
travellers lately, and the new Eurail Germany-Poland Pass
makes it easier than ever to get around this fascinating
country. The exciting capitals of Berlin and Warsaw are
under six hours apart by train. Beautiful landscapes like
the Rhine valley in Germany and the Baltic seashores of
Poland are much more impressive from the window of a train
than a plane. Enchanting, historic city centres of Krakow,
Wroclaw and Gorlitz were made for strolling, and off the
beaten path, the unequalled and genuine nature of Rugen
Island in Germany and the Masuren lake district of Poland
beckon more adventuresome travellers.
Superior quality day and night trains link both
countries several times a day. EC day trains run between
Berlin, Poznan and Warsaw (Berlin-Warszawa-Express) and
night trains connect Frankfurt to Warsaw and Berlin to
Krakow.
The EURAIL Group comprises 27 railways and shipping
lines, as well as several bonus partners. For more
information about Eurail and to purchase, go to
http://www.Eurail.com or one of Eurail's authorized sales
agents: ACP Rail International (eurail-acprail.com); Flight
Centre (flightcentre.com); OctopusTravel.com and Rail Europe
4A (raileurope.fr/wheretobuy).
Editor's Note: Country combinations available in the
Eurail Regional Pass offer are: Austria-Croatia/Slovenia,
Austria-Czech Republic, Austria-Germany, Austria-Hungary,
Austria-Switzerland, Benelux-France, Benelux-Germany,
Croatia/Slovenia-Hungary, Czech Republic-Germany,
Denmark-Germany, France-Germany, France-Italy,
France-Spain, France-Switzerland, Germany-Poland
Germany-Switzerland, Greece-Italy, Hungary-Romania,
Italy-Spain, Portugal-Spain.
Note: Czech Republic and Poland do not participate in
the Eurail Global or Eurail Select Pass program.
Images: High resolution photographs of European trains
may be downloaded from Eurail's media library at
http://eurail.informationstore.net/
For more information, please contact:
Mrs Ana Dias e Seixas
Marketing Manager
Eurail Group G.I.E.
Tel.: +31-30-850-0125
Email: a.diaseseixas@eurail.nl
2007'04.07.Sat
Global Payments Reports Third Quarter Earnings
April 02, 2007
ATLANTA, April 2 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Global Payments
Inc.
(NYSE: GPN) today announced results for its third quarter
ended February 28, 2007. For the third quarter, revenue
grew 16 percent to $260.4 million compared to $225.2
million in the prior year. Excluding the impact of current
period stock option expense, diluted earnings per share grew
22 percent to $0.44 compared to $0.36 in the prior year
quarter.
(Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010221/ATW031LOGO )
For the nine months ended February 28, 2007, revenue
grew 17 percent to $781.4 million compared to $669.3
million in the prior year period. Excluding the impact of
current period stock option expense and prior year
restructuring charges, diluted earnings per share grew 27
percent to $1.43 from $1.13 in the prior year period.
In accordance with GAAP, year-to-date prior period
diluted earnings per share include certain restructuring
charges (see attached reconciliation schedule) relating to
an operating center consolidation, which was announced in
July 2005. Additionally, both the current quarter and
year-to-date periods include the recognition of stock
option expenses as a result of the company's June 1, 2006
adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
123(R) using the modified prospective method. For the three
and nine months ended February 28, 2007, GAAP diluted
earnings per share were $0.42 and $1.34, respectively,
compared to $0.36 and $1.12, respectively, in the prior
year periods.
Comments and Outlook
Chairman, President and CEO, Paul R. Garcia, stated,
"Our merchant services segment delivered solid
financial results for our fiscal 2007 third quarter. This
segment's revenue growth was primarily driven by expansion
in our domestic ISO channel, as well as the favorable
impact from our July 2006 addition of our Asia-Pacific
joint venture with HSBC. Additionally, our merchant
services results benefited from certain card association
incentives relating to various programs implemented in our
Canadian channel, as anticipated. Finally, our consumer
money transfer segment met our near-term expectations,
which reflect the continued unfavorable impact of a
competitive domestic pricing environment and the
year-over-year impact of strong results in our prior year
quarter."
"Based on our results, we are updating our annual
fiscal 2007 revenue guidance to a range of $1,050 million
to $1,057 million. This revenue guidance reflects an
expected 16 percent growth versus $908 million in fiscal
2006. In addition, we are updating our annual fiscal 2007
diluted earnings per share guidance to a range of $1.85 to
$1.87, excluding the impact of stock option expenses as a
result of our adoption of FAS 123R, for an expected growth
of 20 percent to 21 percent versus $1.54 in fiscal 2006.
(1) Including the impact of these stock option expenses,
our annual fiscal 2007 diluted earnings per share guidance
is $1.74 to $1.76. These earnings per share ranges also
exclude the impact of potential restructuring and other
charges," said Garcia.
Conference Call
Global Payments will hold a conference call today,
March 30, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. ET to discuss financial
results and business highlights. The conference call may
be accessed by calling 1-888-791-2132 (U.S.) or
1-517-623-4000 (internationally) and using a pass code of
"GPN" for both numbers, or via Web cast at
www.globalpaymentsinc.com. A replay of the call will be
available on the Global Payments Web site through April 13,
2007.
Global Payments Inc. (NYSE: GPN) is a leading provider
of electronic transaction processing services for
consumers, merchants, Independent Sales Organizations
(ISOs), financial institutions, government agencies and
multi-national corporations located throughout the United
States, Canada, Latin America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific.
Global Payments offers a comprehensive line of processing
solutions for credit and debit cards, business-to-business
purchasing cards, gift cards, electronic check conversion
and check guarantee, verification and recovery including
electronic check services, as well as terminal management.
The company also provides consumer money transfer services
from the U.S. and Europe to destinations in Latin America,
Morocco and the Philippines. For more information about
the company and its services, visit
www.globalpaymentsinc.com.
(1) Fiscal 2006 diluted earnings per share was $1.53 on
a GAAP basis, which includes restructuring charges
equivalent to $0.01 in diluted earnings per share.
This announcement and comments made by Global Payments'
management during the conference call contain certain
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
"safe-harbor" provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that
are not historical facts, including revenue and earnings
estimates and management's expectations regarding future
events and developments, are forward looking statements and
are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Among
the important factors that may cause actual events or
results to differ materially from those anticipated by such
forward-looking statements include the following: continued
certification by credit card associations, foreign currency
risks, competition, pricing, product demand, market and
customer acceptance, development difficulties, the effect
of economic conditions and consumer spending, security
breaches or system failures, costs of capital, changes in
state, federal or foreign laws and regulations affecting
the consumer electronic money transfer industry, increases
in credit card association fees, utility or system
interruptions, the ability to consummate and integrate
acquisitions, and other risks detailed in the company's SEC
filings, including the most recently filed Form 10-Q or Form
10-K, as applicable. The company undertakes no obligation
to revise any of these statements to reflect future
circumstances or the occurrence of unanticipated events.
For more information, please contact:
Jane M. Elliott
Tel: +1-770-829-8234
Fax: +1-770-829-8267
Email: investor.relations@globalpay.com
2007'04.07.Sat
Technology Procurement Leader Launches ICNCornerStore.com
April 02, 2007
PRODUCTS, EXPERTISE AND TOOLS FOR PROCUREMENT AND SUPPLIER
MANAGEMENT
WINTER PARK, Fla., April 2 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
International Computer Negotiations, Inc. (ICN) has
announced the launch of http://www.icncornerstore.com , a
global e-commerce site dedicated to providing IT sourcing
professionals with relevant up-to-date tools, information
products and expertise necessary for best practices
technology procurement.
(Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070328/CLW040LOGO )
ICNCornerStore.com officially opened for business on
March 22, 2007, close to ICN's 32nd anniversary. ICN is the
leading resource for technology procurement professionals to
"do better deals." ICN's site is a prime
destination for the entire procurement and supplier
management community.
ICN founder Joe Auer, says, "The internet has
allowed us to create a global online campus of sorts where
technology professionals can access, a wide and deep
repository of information products, assembled over 32
years, that includes invaluable deal-specific information.
We have productized our vast and growing library of
information and experience, and through the Corner Store
made it available in multimedia formats. These tools
include CDs, white papers, checklists, strategic documents,
podcasts and working templates: everything professionals
need to work smart, keep up their professional skills and
do better deals."
In addition, ICN also sponsors the technology
procurement association, Caucus, www.CaucusNet.com. Caucus
has an online discussion forum, free of supplier or
third-party involvement, where technology professionals can
tap experts and enjoy peer-to-peer networking, problem
solving and sharing.
About ICN
ICN's three websites, http://dobetterdeals.com ,
http://caucusnet.com , and http://www.icncornerstore.com ,
work together to form an online source of consulting,
training and information tools essential to helping the
world's technology professionals remain current, work smart
and do better deals. ICN's customer base comprises a full
range of small to large organizations, including more than
300 of the Fortune 500 companies, in addition to a
considerable number of global companies and governments.
For more information on ICN, Caucus and the ICN Corner
Store, call Joe Auer at 407-740-0700 or visit
dobetterdeals.com.
For more information, please contact:
Joe Auer
ICN
Tel: +1-407-740-0700
2007'04.07.Sat
Stora Enso's Announces Results of Annual General Meeting, Appointments and Decisions by the Board of Directors
April 02, 2007
HELSINKI, Finland, April 2 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Stora
Enso's Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 29 March 2007 adopted
the accounts for 2006 and granted the Company's Board of
Directors and Chief Executive Officer discharge from
responsibility for the period.
Dividend
The AGM approved a proposal by the Board of Directors
that a dividend of EUR 0.45 per share be paid for the
financial year 2006. The Company will pay the dividend on
17 April 2007 to the shareholders entered in the
shareholder registers maintained by the Finnish Central
Securities Depository or VPC on the dividend record date, 3
April 2007. Dividends for VPC-registered shares will be paid
in Swedish krona and dividends for ADR holders will be paid
in US dollars.
Members of the Board of Directors
The AGM approved a proposal that the Board of Directors
shall have nine members and that of the present members
Gunnar Brock, Lee A. Chaden, Claes Dahlback, Dominique
Heriard Dubreuil, Birgitta Kantola, Ilkka Niemi, Jan
Sjoqvist, Matti Vuoria and Marcus Wallenberg be re-elected
to continue in office. Jukka Harmala relinquishes his seat
on the Board of Directors.
Auditor
The AGM approved a proposal that Authorised Public
Accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers Oy be elected to act as
auditor of the Company until the end of the following AGM.
Remuneration
The AGM approved the proposed annual remuneration for
the Board of Directors as follows:
-- Chairman EUR 135 000
-- Vice Chairman EUR 85 000
-- Members EUR 60 000
The AGM approved the proposed annual remuneration for
the Board committees as follows:
Financial and Audit Committee
Chairman EUR 20 000
Member EUR 14 000
Compensation Committee
Chairman EUR 10 000
Member EUR 6 000
Appointment of Nomination Committee
The AGM approved a proposal to appoint a Nomination
Committee to prepare proposals concerning (a) the number of
members of the Board of Directors, (b) the members of the
Board of Directors, (c) the remuneration for the Chairman,
Vice Chairman and members of the Board of Directors and (d)
the remuneration for the Chairman and members of the
committees of the Board of Directors. The Nomination
Committee shall consist of four members:
-- the Chairman of the Board of Directors
-- the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors
-- two members appointed by the two largest
shareholders (one each)
according to the register of shareholders on 1
October 2007.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall convene
the Nomination Committee and before 31 January 2008 the
Nomination Committee shall present its proposals for the
AGM to be held in 2008. A member of the Board of Directors
may not be appointed as Chairman of the Nomination
Committee. Annual remuneration of EUR 3 000 shall be paid
to a member of the Nomination Committee who is not a member
of the Board of Directors.
Decisions by the Board of Directors
At its meeting held after the AGM, the Stora Enso Board
of Directors elected from among its members Claes Dahlback
as its Chairman and Ilkka Niemi as Vice Chairman.
Jan Sjoqvist (chairman), Lee A. Chaden, Claes Dahlback,
Birgitta Kantola and Ilkka Niemi will continue as members of
the Financial and Audit Committee.
Claes Dahlback (chairman), Dominique Heriard Dubreuil,
Ilkka Niemi and Matti Vuoria will continue as members of
the Compensation Committee.
Stora Enso appoints Hannu Ryopponen Deputy CEO
Stora Enso's Board of Directors has today appointed
Hannu Ryopponen as Deputy CEO. He will undertake the duties
of Deputy CEO in addition to his current role as CFO. In
addition, certain Group-wide functional responsibilities
will be added to his responsibilities in the future.
Divisions continue to report to the CEO, Jouko Karvinen.
For further information, please contact Jouko Karvinen,
CEO, tel. +358 2046 21404 .
Stora Enso's new CEO Jouko Karvinen starts in office at
today's AGM
Jukka Harmala addresses shareholders after 18 years as
CEO
Jukka Harmala at the AGM:
"In 2006 profits rose as newsprint, uncoated fine
paper and wood product prices increased, and we benefited
from our internal profit improvement programmes. Profit
2007 and the Asset Performance Review (APR) are concluded
ahead of schedule, but the returns are unsatisfactory as
increases in energy costs last year and wood costs this
year have eaten away a good lot of the benefits," says
CEO Jukka Harmala .
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank
all personnel, shareholders and the Board of Directors for
very stimulating and rewarding years in the industry, and
to wish all of you the very best in the future," he
concludes.
Stora Enso changes its strategic focus from growth to
profitability ROCE target remains 13%.
Jouko Karvinen at the AGM: Stora Enso has accelerated
its portfolio and strategy review. The key element in the
new strategy is that the company will change its focus from
growth to profitability. The ROCE target remains 13%.
"We have to make choices and focus on businesses
that can earn double-digit returns on capital employed by
allocating our resources to them," says new CEO Jouko
Karvinen at today's Stora Enso Annual General Meeting.
The management of the company is not planning to
initiate a new, specific profit improvement programme.
Instead, the new CEO and his team will lead the company on
an intensified improvement path. Decisions will be
communicated when they have been made instead of announcing
single multi-year plans.
"The good news is that the overall global
economic situation is relatively healthy. However, that
makes the distance to the 13% return on capital target over
the cycle that much greater, so we have no time to
lose," Karvinen continues.
"A reality for Stora Enso and the European forest
products industry is the worsening shortage of wood supply
resulting from announced higher Russian export duties, the
increasing use of wood fibre as biofuel, and the rising
environmental pressures to limit the procurement of wood
raw material. As we have announced today, we have agreed
not to buy wood from Mets?hallitus from disputed areas in
northern Finland for now, but there is no way we can
produce pulp or sawn goods without sufficient wood supply.
Some production curtailments are expected at Enocell Pulp
Mill (part of Packaging Boards) in the second quarter of
2007 due to shortage of raw material. We are fast-tracking
efforts to find alternative sources of wood - in parallel
with initiatives to solve the issues of Russian duties and
critical stakeholder dialogue will continue," Karvinen
concludes.
For further information, please contact Jukka Harmala,
CEO, tel. +358 2046 21404; Jouko Karvinen, CEO, tel. +358
2046 21404; Kari Vainio, EVP, Corporate Communications,
tel. +44 7799 348 197; Keith Russell, SVP, Investor
Relations, tel. +44 7775 788 659
About Stora Enso
Stora Enso is an integrated paper, packaging and forest
products company producing publication and fine paper,
packaging board and wood products -- all areas in which the
Group is a global market leader. Stora Enso's sales totalled
EUR 14.6 billion in 2006. The Group has some 44 000
employees in more than 40 countries on five continents.
Stora Enso has an annual production capacity of 16.5
million tonnes of paper and board and 7.4 million cubic
metres of sawn wood products, including 3.2 million cubic
metres of value-added products. Stora Enso's shares are
listed in Helsinki, Stockholm and New York.
For further information, please contact:
Jukka Harmala, CEO
Tel: +358-2046-21404
Jouko Karvinen, CEO
Tel: +358-2046-21404
Kari Vainio, EVP
Corporate Communications
Tel: +44-7799-348-197
Keith Russell, SVP
Investor Relations
Tel: +44-7775-788-659
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