среда, 29 февраля 2012 г.
Fed: Comm, states reach agreement on infrastructure timetable
AAP General News (Australia)
02-05-2009
Fed: Comm, states reach agreement on infrastructure timetable
CANBERRA, Feb 5 AAP - The states and territories have reached agreement with the Rudd
government on a timetable for infrastructure projects tied to its latest multi-billion
dollar stimulus plan.
Speaking after the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting in Canberra on
Thursday, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said the first round of construction on primary schools
would begin in June.
"For nation building to work it's got …
-Telvent gets deal for two Abengoa solar thermal projects
Internet Business News
06-08-2011
-Telvent gets deal for two Abengoa solar thermal projects
INTERNET BUSINESS NEWS-(C)1995-2011 M2 COMMUNICATIONS
8 June 2011 - IT solutions company Telvent (NASDAQ:TLVT) has won two contracts to install and manage the distributed control system (DCS) for two solar thermal facilities in Spain owned by local engineering company Abengoa (MCE:ABG).
The company said on Tuesday that these two contracts will bring to 15 the number of Abengoa installations with integrated control systems developed by Telvent.
The two parabolic trough projects, located in the western autonomous community of Extremadura, each have the capacity to generate 50 MWe. Telvent's technology will allow the plant operators to control and monitor all processes within the installations. Through it they can also change the position of the solar power trough collectors so as to follow the sun throughout the day.
((Comments on this story may be sent to info@m2.com))
(Copyright M2 Communications, 2011)
VIC:Help struggling families be merry
AAP General News (Australia)
12-02-2011
VIC:Help struggling families be merry
MELBOURNE, Dec 2 AAP - Federal MPs might be celebrating a pay rise this Christmas,
but for many families the season brings little reason to be merry.
Launching its annual Christmas toy and food appeal, Anglicare Victoria chief executive
Paul McDonald said there had been a 52 per cent surge in demand for financial counselling
in the state in the past 12 months.
Requests for emergency relief food parcels have also risen by up to 20 per cent in
some areas of Melbourne, with those in need coming from a broader range of circumstances
than before.
Mr McDonald said utility and food prices were galloping ahead of incomes and more people
were becoming tangled in debt.
He said Anglicare Victoria was now seeing some 50,000 families a year struggling to get by.
"It's not levelling off and we are quite concerned now that with such numbers, how
many thousands of Australian homes are not just teetering on the edge of financial oblivion,
but actually are in it at the moment and are unable to see themselves through the next
month," he told AAP.
Mr McDonald said Christmas was a time that highlighted what people did have, but it
also highlighted loss.
"For our families, this sense of loss, this sense of shortfall, is magnified over Christmas,"
he said.
Mr McDonald said Anglicare launched the toy and food appeal with the hope and belief
that Australians were very generous and understood how lucky they were.
He said Australians opened their hearts and wallets in times of crisis, and he hoped
they would do so again this Christmas.
But he said the federal government could also make reforms to income benefits that
would lift people out of financial difficulty.
"What's in the government's control is things like Centrelink benefits and Newstart
allowance which sit, I can tell you, $200 underneath the poverty line," he said.
"And so what gets magnified each Christmas is ... people on Centrelink benefits and
Newstart allowance are being left behind and are now not occasionally, but regularly,
reliant on welfare agencies to get them through the fortnight.
"I think we need to ... in the affluent country that we are, to look after those most at need."
Anglicare Victoria is hoping to secure donations to deliver 5000 toys and more than
2000 food hampers to families in need.
AAP ce/mn/it
KEYWORD: ANGLICARE
� 2011 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
BSNL and VMC Tap Alvarion 4G Solution for Wireless Broadband Deployment in India
Wireless News
03-21-2011
BSNL and VMC Tap Alvarion 4G Solution for Wireless Broadband Deployment in India
Type: News
Alvarion, a provider of 4G networks in the Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) market, has announced it was selected by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Alvarion's local partner Vuppalamritha Magnetic Components Limited (VMC), to supply base stations with related professional services for the building of a 4G wireless broadband network in rural India to bring wireless broadband services to underserved communities in the country.
VMC will use Alvarion's 4Motion solution, including BreezeMAX base stations, in the 2.5 GHz frequency. Alvarion said that the rollout is expected to begin in the next few months and will enable delivery of wireless broadband services by BSNL.
"We are committed to providing our customer the most advanced and reliable solution available in the market, to support their rollout." said Venkat Ramana, Executive Director of VMC. "Alvarion is a recognized leader in the Wireless Broadband industry. Its global 4G deployment expertise, together with a field proven solution, will provide our customers a seamless broadband experience and will have a positive impact on our society and economy."
"We are excited to partner with VMC on such an important project," said Eran Gorev, president and CEO of Alvarion. "India has significant potential for Wireless Broadband, and this agreement further enhances our presence in the country. Alvarion's 4Motion solution is optimized to bring high-Speed connectivity to rural or remote areas of the world where there has been limited or no availability of broadband."
Bharat Sanchar Nigam is a Telecommunications Company providing range of telecom services in India: Wireline, CDMA mobile, GSM Mobile, Internet, Broadband, Carrier service, MPLS-VPN, VSAT, VoIP services, IN Services etc.
Vuppalamritha Magnetic Components (VMC) India Limited is a Telecom & Power products hardware manufacturer in the country.
Alvarion is a global 4G communications company with a customer base, including commercial 4G deployments.
More Information:
www.alvarion.com
www.bsnl.co.in
www.vmcindia.com
((Comments on this story may be sent to newsdesk@closeupmedia.com))
Copyright 2011 Close-Up Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
n/a
NSW:Main stories in Wednesday's newspapers=3
AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-2010
NSW:Main stories in Wednesday's newspapers=3
The Australian:
Page 1: Labor's Fair Work laws have given unions a shortcut to strike action, employers
fear. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assage accuses Australian government of "trying to shoot
the messenger".
Page 2: Australian teenagers fall behind the rest of the world at school.
Page 3: Power companies will be banned from charging late payment fees.
World: (Washington) Barack Obama gives in to pressure to extend temporary tax cuts
for highest earners.
Finance: Major resources at risk because of skills shortage. Gina Rinehart extends
her portfolio of media investments.
Sport: The Ashes are all but gone.
AAP tcm/mm/
KEYWORD: MONITOR FRONTERS NSW 3 SYDNEY
� 2010 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
U. Florida anticipates increase in cost of technology
University Wire
11-09-1998
(Independent Florida Alligator) (U-WIRE) GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- With the rapidly increasing cost of technology, this year UF expects to spend $14 million more than last year's projected technology budget, according to a report released by UF officials last week.
UF's computer requirement for students, computer upgrades and unexpected expenditures have UF faculty and staff hoping for more money, said Gene Hemp, vice provost for Academic Affairs. UF spent about $8 million more than they budgeted for last year.
UF projected it would spend about $48 million last year but actually spent about $56 million.
"There's a need to spend more money next year to support the computing and networking on campus," Hemp said.
Because UF spent more than anticipated and officials want to continue to spend on technology, they expect to spend $62 million for the 1998-99 year.
"This is not a fixed budget," Hemp said. "If additional money is available, (we) will use it."
Tuesday, UF officials presented the technology report to the Board of Regents, the 14-member governing body of Florida's 10 public universities. The Board now must compile data from all Florida public universities into a report for the governor.
"It's something we do every year," said Mike Conlon, vice president of Health Affairs, referring to the UF report. "It's a day we come to closure with what we will do in the next year."
A number of reasons led to UF spending more this year. Additional money went to updating fiber cables, the core network and connections to major buildings. UF will spend money on this project as soon as it becomes available, according to the report.
To aid students in the computer requirement, computer laboratories also are being upgraded, and Division of Housing Network ports are being installed in certain dorms on campus.
DHNet - which combines data, video and voice traffic in a high-speed connection - ranks among the fastest on-campus connections in the country. UF needs more money to install the proper DHNet ports in the planned Student Apartment Residence Facility 2000.
Internet2 will connect UF for high-speed research
One of the factors in the increased projection for next year is due to Internet2, a very high-speed way to transmit data between research institutions across the United States.
"It's like building a super-duper superhighway (of information)," said John Sabin, director of information technology for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. "It offers unparalleled speed."
Sabin said Internet2 provides a link between major researchers for "online control of experiments at a remote site." This is particularly useful for physics and chemistry.
UF will spend hundreds of thousands of dollars installing fiber cables for Internet2 to bring researchers "electronically closer together" without fear of interruption, Hemp said.
Internet2 will try to fulfill the original idea of the decade-old Internet. Research institutions across the country came up with the idea of a link to exchange information. However, Internet2 does not allow commercial sites on the Internet that slow down the data transmission.
FloridaNet, a subset of Internet2, will connect all of Florida's public universities. UF and the University of Miami are connected now, and by December, the University of South Florida and the University of Central Florida will join.
"In this information age, we simply had to do a better job," said Hemp. "It is a much higher speed network for a smaller group of people."
(c) Independent Florida Alligator via U-Wire
NSW: Homes lost to bushfires in southern NSW
AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-2009
NSW: Homes lost to bushfires in southern NSW
SYDNEY, Dec 17 AAP - Houses have been lost to a bushfire burning in hot, dry conditions
in southern NSW, the Rural Fire Service (RFS) says.
RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons told the Seven Network weather conditions had deteriorated
on Thursday, making it a difficult afternoon for the state's firefighters.
More than 80 fires are burning across NSW, with unconfirmed reports a house had been
destroyed by fire in Londonderry, in Sydney's northwest.
Near Albury, in the state's south, more buildings had been lost, Mr Fitzsimmons said.
"Things are very difficult this afternoon. We've seen weather conditions exceed what
was originally forecast," he said.
"That elevation in temperature and particularly wind has really been problematic for
firefighters.
"We have had indications of a house lost at Londonderry - we are still waiting to confirm that.
"Further south in the state we have a very serious fire burning north of Albury affecting
places around Gerogery and we've got reports of houses burning in that area as well.
"So very difficult conditions in a number of areas and we've got fires - additional
ones - turning up in western Sydney as we speak with firefighters responding to those
as well."
AAP hn/de
KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES NSW SOUTH
2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
NSW: Deaf swim instructor first woman over City2Surf line
AAP General News (Australia)
08-09-2009
NSW: Deaf swim instructor first woman over City2Surf line
SYDNEY, Aug 9 AAP - Blue Mountain's swim instructor Melinda Vernon has taken out the
women's division in the City2Surf in a time of 47:46 minutes.
The 23-year beat out Canberra student Emily Brichacek, second, and race favourite Clare
Geraghty, third.
Vernon, who is deaf, said she was thrilled with taking out the 14km race and smashing
her personal best of 49 minutes.
So far there has been no report of major casualties, with medical staff saying there
had been the usual instances of dehydration and falls but nothing more serious.
Around 75,000 professional and amateur competitors were taking part in the Sydney to
Bondi fun run and many were continuing to make their way across the finish line.
AAP jsj/cdh
KEYWORD: CITY2SURF 2ND UPDATE
2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
NSW: Child's window plunge accidental, police say
AAP General News (Australia)
02-14-2009
NSW: Child's window plunge accidental, police say
Police say the girl who plunged eight metres from a third-floor unit block in Sydney's
south this afternoon .. fell accidentally.
The five-year-old girl is in hospital with critical head injuries after falling from
the window of a unit in Curtis Street at Caringbah just before two this afternoon.
The girl's believed to have fallen through the flyscreen covering the window.
She was unconscious when paramedics arrived and it's feared she may also have spinal injuries.
It's the fourth time in as many months a child in Sydney has been seriously injured
after falling through a window .. following accidents in Liverpool .. Bankstown and Berowra.
AAP RTV kd/crh
KEYWORD: FALL (SYDNEY)
2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
FED: $1.5 billion needed to reverse Howard's school legacy: AEU
AAP General News (Australia)
08-27-2008
FED: $1.5 billion needed to reverse Howard's school legacy: AEU
Eds: Embargoed until 0500 AEST Wednesday August 27
By Julian Drape
CANBERRA, Aug 27 AAP - The Rudd government needs to invest at least $1.5 billion in
public education just to restore the sector's commonwealth funding share to 1996 levels,
a new report says.
The study, commissioned by the Australian Education Union (AEU), says that without
urgent action public school funding will be cut in real terms within three years.
Government schools' share of commonwealth funding declined from 43 per cent to 35 per
cent under the Howard government, and will drop further to just 33.8 per cent by 2011-12,
University of Sydney academic Jim McMorrow says in Reviewing the Evidence.
The report draws on budget papers since 1995-96 and current forward estimates to compare
commonwealth funding of public and private schools.
The Rudd government has promised to maintain the existing schools funding formula until 2012.
But Dr McMorrow said Labor had inherited "funding arrangements for schools that are
riddled with anomalies and flaws".
"The only way out in the longer term is for a root and branch review of the arrangements
involving all funding partners," his report states.
But in the interim, "$1.5 billion for government schools would be required merely to
reclaim the sector shares in place at the outset of the Howard years".
AEU president Angelo Gavrielatos said the report showed the previous coalition government's
policies created a system of gross inequity.
"If continued (they) will result in a cut in real terms for the school system that
educates the majority of Australian children," he said.
"Howard government policies benefited non-government schools by almost $3 billion in
real terms, a funding advantage of around $2.5 billion over the real increases provided
for government schools."
Mr Gavrielatos said the drafting of new federal school funding legislation should be
used to redress "years of neglect".
AAP jcd/ldj/cdh
KEYWORD: EDUCATION (EMBARGOED)
2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
Vic: Four charged over robbery of snoozing couple
AAP General News (Australia)
04-21-2008
Vic: Four charged over robbery of snoozing couple
MELBOURNE, April 21 AAP - Four men have been remanded in custody charged with the early
morning robbery of a young Queensland couple as they snoozed in their car near Melbourne's
Crown Casino.
Four men surrounded the couple's car as they dozed inside in Whiteman Street, South
Melbourne, about 1am (AEST) today, police said.
They convinced the man to get out and began to assault him, while another man jumped
up and down on the bonnet, smashing it with a crowbar.
The male victim, 18, suffered minor injuries. He was taken to hospital and later discharged.
The woman, also 18, was not injured.
The men stole a laptop and foot spa and other personal items inside the vehicle and
fled in their car.
Four men from Melbourne's west were arrested a short time later after their car ran a red light.
The four - Arjan Hussein, 23, of Deer Park; Shpejtim Miftari, 23, of Spotswood; Ross
Semi, 21, of West Sunshine; and Mark Saosao, 20, of St Albans - have been remanded in
custody to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court tomorrow.
They were each charged with two counts of armed robbery, two of robbery, one count
of intentionally causing serious injury, one of recklessly causing serious injury, one
of intentionally causing injury and one of recklessly causing injury.
AAP jrd/ht/mn
KEYWORD: ROBBED NIGHTLEAD
2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
FED: Church leaders call for Middle East peace
AAP General News (Australia)
12-18-2007
FED: Church leaders call for Middle East peace
Australian church leaders say the time has come for inspiring leadership in the Middle
East peace process.
A delegation of nine leaders from several churches visited the Holy Land earlier this
month .. meeting with Christian .. Jewish and Muslim faith leaders .. and representatives
of the Israeli government and the Palestinian National Authority.
They say they support actions to enable Israel and Palestine to negotiate just outcomes
on issues like borders .. and Jerusalem.
And they strongly affirm the right of both Israel and Palestine to political autonomy
.. security and self-determination.
The leaders say they understand the reluctance to make concessions .. but the time
has come for courageous and inspiring leadership.
They're asking Australian churches to pray for lasting peace in the region .. and to
encourage the federal government to take more action in supporting the peace process.
AAP RTV kd/jec/psm/
KEYWORD: CHURCHES (SYDNEY)
2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
FED: Researchers want to know why people go missing
AAP General News (Australia)
08-06-2007
FED: Researchers want to know why people go missing
It's National Missing Persons Week .. and researchers want to find out what makes people
take off without telling anyone.
Federal Police commissioner MICK KEELTY says 30 thousand people go missing in Australia
every year.
More than 99 per cent are eventually found .. but for every person reported missing
.. at least 12 others are affected .. possibly for years and sometimes for a lifetime.
Mr KEELTY says a research program's being funded to find out the root causes of why
people leave home without telling anyone.
AAP RTV kd/ajc/cp/de/jmt
KEYWORD: MISSING KEELTY (SYDNEY)
2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
Fed: Evidence growing that sailor came from Sydney
AAP General News (Australia)
02-12-2007
Fed: Evidence growing that sailor came from Sydney
By Max Blenkin, Defence Correspondent
CANBERRA, Feb 12 AAP - Evidence is growing that a body which drifted ashore on Christmas
Island in 1941 came from the ill-fated cruiser HMAS Sydney.
The skeleton was exhumed from a grave on the island last year and for the past two
months has undergone detailed scientific examination.
Veterans Affairs Minister Bruce Billson said an Australian War Memorial (AWM) examination
of a metal fragment in the skull found its composition was consistent with materials used
in German WWII armour-piercing munitions.
This has added weight to the case that the sailor came from the Sydney, sunk in a close
range gun battle with the German mercantile raider Kormoran off the West Australian coast
on November 19, 1941.
All 645 hands were lost in what became Australia's worst naval disaster.
The report of the AWM examination noted that Japanese-manufactured armour piercing
projectiles contained nickel in the early war years. As the war progressed and nickel
became difficult to obtain, the Japanese used copper in the alloy mix.
"As the fragment does not contain either nickel or copper, the AWM has assessed that
the fragment is unlikely to have come from a Japanese manufactured projectile," Mr Billson
said in a statement.
That appears to rule out the sailor coming from a vessel sunk by Japanese forces further north.
Mr Billson said it was unlikely the man could ever be positively identified.
"As with any undertaking of this type, the likelihood of positively identifying the
remains is low," he said.
A liferaft carrying the man's decomposed body drifted ashore on Christmas Island 10
weeks after the sinking and 1,500km distant from the Sydney-Kormoran battle.
He was speedily buried but never forgotten.
A parliamentary inquiry in 1999 concluded he more than likely came from the Sydney
- making him the only member of the ship's company with a known grave.
Mr Billson said a specialist forensic pathologist had been conducting a detailed examination
of the remains, confirming he had been dead for between 50 and 100 years.
Other injuries also have become apparent.
In addition to damage to the front of the skull caused by the metal fragment, there
was a second major injury with bone loss on the left side above and behind the left earhole.
That was believed to have occurred around the time of death, Mr Billson said.
There were multiple rib fractures but it was unknown whether these occurred around
the time of death or much later with the settling of the grave.
Mr Billson said analysis of small items recovered with the remains, including a press
stud and a small piece of fabric, found they were consistent with coming from clothing
worn by sailors in 1941.
AAP mb/sb/jt/bwl
KEYWORD: SYDNEY
2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
NSW: Junior sports people urge gov't to air ad on TV
AAP General News (Australia)
08-26-2006
NSW: Junior sports people urge gov't to air ad on TV
Junior sports people say they want the NSW government to broadcast on television ..
a video on sports rage that highlights the so-called ugly parents syndrome.
But Premier MORRIS IEMMA's baulked at the question of the government paying .. to play
the 30-second video on mainstream TV.
Mr IEMMA says playing the video on big screens at the finals of major sporting codes
will have maximum impact.
He says lots of parents will be attending these events .. so it'll be seen by lots of people.
But sports administrators with Sydney's Balmain Junior Rugby League says it needs to
be seen in homes .. and that means airing it on television.
The video shows a parent abusing a referee .. and acting aggressively towards players
and other parents during a children's football game.
Then a large pacifier suddenly flies into his mouth with a voice over saying .. "Dummy
spits are for babies".
The video shows how embarrassing .. humiliating and hurtful it is for parents to abuse
players and match officials.
AAP RTV pc/tm
KEYWORD: RAGE (SYDNEY)
) 2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
Fed: Push to run Australia's first national health hotline
AAP General News (Australia)
04-19-2006
Fed: Push to run Australia's first national health hotline
The company behind the world's largest healthcare hotline wants to set up Australia's
first national medical telephone advice service.
CAS Service hopes to replicate the NHS Direct medical hotline .. which runs in England and Wales.
It would allow anyone in rural or metro areas to seek advice over the phone .. on a
range of health problems.
Earlier this year federal .. state and territory governments agreed to set up a 24-hour
National Health Call Centre Network.
Tenders to help run the hotline are expected to be called for in the next few months.
AAP RTV bt/hn/klf/tm
KEYWORD: HOTLINE (SYDNEY)
2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
воскресенье, 26 февраля 2012 г.
-CITIBANK: Citibank banks in cyberspace.
M2 PRESSWIRE-21 October 1998-CITIBANK: Citibank banks in cyberspace (C)1994-98 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD
RDATE:230998
-- New Internet Banking Service offers on-line bill payment, zero transaction charges and a year's free Internet access
Citibank has today launched Citibank Internet Banking which uses the Internet to give customers direct access to a complete range of bank facilities with no set-up charges, zero transaction charges and a year's free Internet access.
Customers can use the service from most desktops or laptops linked to the net (whether at home, in the office or a cybercafe) to access their account at www.citibank.co.uk and can pay bills online, set up standing orders or instantly transfer funds to other UK bank accounts or to Citibank accounts in six continental European countries - Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg and Spain.
The service includes foreign currency accounts and new functionality (such as Euro accounts from January 1999) will be added automatically via the site.
Members of the public can call 0800 008100 for further information or visit www.citibank.co.uk for a demo and comprehensive user information. Applications can be made over the telephone or via our web site.
"13% of the UK adult population (5.9 million Britons) have surfed the Web, more than double the number of visitors in 1996(1). Just like the telephone, this trend tells us that the Internet is becoming an integral part of daily life in the UK. As a bank structured to offer direct relationships with its customers, Citibank is using the web to offer customers a new choice in how they do their banking. Apart from being an extremely easy and convenient way for customers to access their accounts, our service is totally integrated enabling customers to use it in conjunction with other mechanisms, tow and when they wish", said Alyson West, Marketing Controller, Citibank International plc.
"Citibank in the UK doesn't have the legacy of an established branch system. Direct banking is what we do, and the Internet fits right into that frame. The service we have introduced today is not a pilot; it is up and running, available to all our customers and underlines our commitment to become the leading virtual bank in the UK. We believe the Internet package we are offering is unrivalled. It is free and flexible, and we're even helping customers get on line by offering 12 months' free unlimited Internet access through Virgin Net," she added.
Customers can use PC computers (running MS Windows 95/98/NT) or Macintosh (running Mac OS 8 or higher). PC requires a Pentium processor or greater; Macintosh: Mac PowerPC. For either memory of 16MB and above is recommended with available hard disk space of 20 MB or greater. The service requires an Internet browser that supports strong encryption capabilities, such as Netscape Navigator, Netscape Communicator and Microsoft Explorer 4.00 and above. These can be easily downloaded from the web if customers do not already have them.
Citibank's Internet service was developed by Citibank's Advanced Development Group, and is fully integrated with all the electronic delivery solutions used by Citibank operations throughout the world. Whether customers access their accounts at a Citibank branch, via CitiPhone (worldwide freephone banking), Citibank cashpoints, or now via Internet banking, the transaction goes into one system which allows the different access mechanisms to communicate with each other in real time. The Advanced Development Group based in Silicon Valley, err ploys 500 professionals focussed on the development and integration of customer focussed electronic delivery solutions.
Key features of Citibank's new Internet Banking Service:
* Free: No set up costs or monthly fee; 12 months' free Internet access available; free bill payments & transfers; 4.75% interest* paid on current account balances (*interest rate correct on 19th September 98).
* Account Management: Real time account information; view balance summary, account details, and account activity; print balance summary and activities; download account information into personal financial management packages including Quicken, Microsoft Money, or Excel.
* Bill Payments & Money Transfers: Transfer money between a customer's UK Citibank Accounts, to another bank in the UK, or to another Citibank customer; transfer money to another Citibank customer in Europe; pay bills online and schedule or cancel bill payments; set up recurring standing orders; view and cancel standing orders; view or delete payee list.
* Security: 128-bit encryption (the most up to date strong encryption available); automatic time-out after 5 minutes of no activity; Personal Direct Access Identification Number (DAIN).
Technical details:
User Specification: To access Citibank's Internet banking service, customers will need; a Citibank Current Account, a PIN number issued by Citibank, access to a Macintosh or PC computer; access to the Internet; and an Internet browser that supports strong encryption capabilities, such as Netscape Navigator, Netscape Communicator and Microsoft Explorer 4.00 and above.
Requirements for Macintosh Users: Operating System: Mac OS 8 or higher; Processor: Mac PowerPC; optimal screen resolution 800 x 600; memory: 16 MB and above recommended; available hard disk space: 20 MB or greater.
Requirements for PC Users: Operating System. MS Windows 95/98/NT; Processor: Pentium processor or greater; optimal screen resolution 800 x 600; memory: 16 MB and above recommended; available hard disk space: 20 MB or greater.
Browser Specification: The service requires an Internet browser that supports strong encryption capabilities, such as Netscape Navigator, Netscape Communicator and Microsoft Explorer 4.00 and above. These can be easily downloaded from the web if customers do not already have them. Account Criteria: Citibank Accounts are available to customers with a household income of GBP 30,000 or more. To take advantage of the 12 months' free Internet access through Virgin Net (worth GBP 143.88) customers must deposit GBP 2,000 in their account for one month.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
Worldwide: Citibank currently provides consumer banking services through 1,200 branches to 20 million accounts in over 41 countries. It is the world's largest issuer of credit cards, with 80m cards currently in issue in over 40 countries. Citibank's Advanced Development Division, based in Silicon Valley employs 500 people devoted to developing electronic delivery solutions for Citibank operations throughout the world.
In the UK: Since Citibank launched its Consumer Banking Service in the UK in 1995 it has added to its range of products and services to offer one of the most sophisticated and easily accessible banking operations in the UK. Citibank account holders can now undertake their banking from anywhere in the world, using a wide range of remote access facilities, for instance free worldwide telephone banking and Internet banking. In addition, Citibank has a highly-commended website, and its increasing use of the net for marketing and customer service purposes are a precursor to Citibank becoming the first truly virtual bank.
The banking service is characterised by Citibank's ability to offer customers easy access to, and management of, their accounts from anywhere in the world. Customers have access to over 350,000 cash machines worldwide, and 18,000 cash machines in the UK. Counter transactions can be made at any one of Citibank's three London branches.
Services available to Citibank clients include: * GBP and $ interest bearing Current Accounts * GBP and $ Gold Visa Credit Cards * Citicard - cash, cheque guarantee and debit card rolled into one * Free access to 18,000 UK cashpoints - with access to 350,000 worldwide * 24 hour CitiPhone Banking - FREE call from anywhere in the world * US Dollar Account - with cheque clearance through New York * 15 interest bearing Foreign Currency Savings Accounts with instant access * Unique Citicard Banking Centers - international network of secure lobby facilities open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year * Citibank Personal Reserve - a flexible, "total credit line" facility * Free internal electronic transfer system enabling Citibank customers to transfer funds instantly between their accounts held in France, Belgium, Greece, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain and Britain. * CitiStatement - one consolidated statement of all a client's accounts * Saving accounts, TESSAs, Time Deposits
Deposits are made with Citibank International plc.
Citibank International plc is a member of the Deposit Protection Scheme established under the Banking Act 1987 (as amended). Payments under the scheme are limited to 90% of a depositor's total deposits subject to a maximum payment to any one depositor of GBP 18,000 (or ECU 20,000 if greater). Most deposits denominated in Sterling and other European Economic Area currencies and ECU made with offices of the Bank within the European Economic Area are covered. Further details of the Scheme are available on request.
(1) Quoted from the internetTrak survey that was commissioned by Ziff-Davis, KPMG and Yahoo! and conducted by NOP in the first quarter of 1998.
CONTACT: Alyson West, Marketing Controller, Citibank International plc Tel: +44 (0)171 500 3225 e-mail: alyson.west@citibank.com Ruth Weighill/David Morton/Denise Lyttle, Polhill Communications Tel: +44 (0)171 369 9333 e-mail: r_weighill@polhill.com e-mail: d_morton@polhill.com e-mail: d_lyttle@polhill.com
*M2 COMMUNICATIONS DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY FOR INFORMATION PROVIDED WITHIN M2 PRESSWIRE. DATA SUPPLIED BY NAMED PARTY/PARTIES.*
Tributes flow on internet for `incredible' girl.
Friends of a young woman killed in an accident at the weekend have paid tribute to an ``incredible'' girl.
Rhya Macready, 18, died when the car she was driving clipped the rear of an ambulance before colliding head-on with another paramedic vehicle on State Highway 41, near Taumarunui, about 4.30pm on Sunday.
The ambulance had been called to an earlier crash and had been transporting two elderly patients to hospital when the accident occurred.
They suffered no further injuries.
Yesterday, many of Ms Macready's friends descended on social networking site Facebook to pay tribute to her, and also to support one another.
Close friend Teresa Boyle, who called Ms Macready her sister, said: ``Rhya my angel, you fly higher than anyone else out there, I know you will. You were always destined to be the best. I love you sweetheart, more than you could ever imagine and I'm sorry I never told you enough. I love you baby girl R.I.P.''
Another mate, Shevelle May, described her as simply incredible.
``Rhya Macready. What can I say to describe the kind of person you are? There doesn't seem to be any words that fit. You are ... just incredible.
``All my thoughts go out to your family. Tess, Kayla, and Jack ... May we always feel your smile upon us.''
Ms Macready was a student at Kapiti College and was known for her acting skills and love for drama.
Last year she competed in the school's variety concert and was also a member of the winning team that competed at the local Sheilah Winn Shakespeare competition.
Meanwhile, her 48-year-old male passenger, understood to be her father, was in a critical condition in Waikato Hospital last night. He suffered serious head and chest injuries and had to be airlifted to hospital.
A 50-year-old female ambulance officer driving the paramedic vehicle was also seriously injured and was taken to Waikato Hospital by road.
St John yesterday confirmed that she was now in a stable condition.
Acting Senior Sergeant Dowie of the Taumarunui police said the cause of the crash was being investigated but it appeared Ms Macready's car clipped the ambulance and then collided with the other vehicle during heavy rain.
Florida SEO companies overtake TV, Radio, Billboard Ads-- Business Owners follow Suit.
M2 PRESSWIRE-June 20, 2011-: Florida SEO companies overtake TV, Radio, Billboard Ads-- Business Owners follow Suit(C)1994-2011 M2 COMMUNICATIONS
RDATE:20062011
Miami Search Engine Optimization companies are vigorously competing for clients, but only few business owners are taking note of their Florida SEO services.
Some of those business owners are still making advertising mistakes and learning the hard way, as Steve Wallace found when he racked up $5,000 on his credit card using traditional methods of advertising: billboards, radio, TV ads-- which was before he knew about Miami Search Engine Optimization.
"I saw maybe three people show up to my auction from the advertising I did," Wallace said, "It was a waste of money and I'll never do it again."
Now Wallace says he's hired a Miami Search Engine Optimization firm that has helped him establish an eye-appealing website, have it ranked within the top 10 of Google search results and establish a presence on social media.
"It's better than I imagined," Wallace said, "I didn't think it would be this easy to drum up this much business online. I couldn't have done it myself; the experts at a Miami Search Engine Optimization firm did it for me."
Miami SEO firms are starting to crop up everywhere, but only a few of them have been tried and tested. Many Miami Search Engine Optimization firms claim to offer quality Florida SEO services but fail to deliver.
"If you ask for proof of their work, and they can't email it to you in 24 hours, then they probably haven't produced anything of real value," Walter Henderson of a Florida SEO firm said.
However, one Miami SEO firm called Anonimo SEO is making headlines at wowing their customers and producing a profitable return on investment.
"I would highly recommend Anonimo SEO, not only are they fast but they guarantee their work. They are a Miami SEO company that actually cares about your success," said Charles Knight, who runs an electronics store in Miami. Knight hopes his Florida SEO exposure will help him expand into other markets along the Atlantic coast and into the Tampa area.
The idea of Miami Search Engine Optimization is something that has been around since 1998 but has been little understood by business owners until now. While many business owners fail to see the concept of Florida SEO they continue to throw their money out the window on forms of advertising that are not catching as much appeal.
However, traditional advertising is not dead, according to Canadian advertising professional and internet marketer Adam Di Stefano internet companies still use traditional methods of television and billboard advertising to attract customers. But, "the amount of time consumers spend on the internet is still vastly disproportionate to the amount of money businesses are spending online."
Di Stefano made two conclusions about the future and relationship of traditional and virtual advertising:
o First, that if internet advertising is a growing business, and there is a finite amount of marketing dollars in the market, by definition, other forms of advertising will take a hit.
o Second, there's still a lot of types of advertising out there that businesses are spending money on. And if they're spending money on it, it means it's working to some degree.
This means a couple things for the local business owner searching for a Miami Search Engine Optimization firm qualified in Florida SEO services. While normal people continue to drive to work in their car and pass thousands of billboards, some of which they will notice and others they will not, a mental image will still be in their mind about what they saw on the highway.
Second, Florida SEO services will go hand-in-hand with traditional forms of advertising we see and hear every day. Everyone knows repetition is the key to bringing people in the door, the more they see it and hear it, the more they remember it and will do it. Therefore, Miami SEO is a perfect synergy with these other forms of media because while everyone uses the internet to varying degrees, they still see messages that will be repeated when they watch television, listen to the radio and drive past the highway.
Yet business owners who solely rely on traffic through phonebooks, word of mouth and limited poster adverting will see their business stagnate and decline.
"Local advertising isn't enough," said Florida SEO 780750729 expert Dan Frick, "Businesses need to expand or reorganize their budgets to include Miami search engine optimization."
Frick said the days of landscapers relying on business by posters and word-of-mouth from neighbors is declining every year. "They're going to need a website, a Facebook page, and a Twitter account for people to find their services."
To maximize your advertising dollars and bring in more business this summer, you will want to be sure to follow the experts at Miami Search Engine Optimization Click Here to find out more http://www.anonimoseo.com/
((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com)).
Research and Markets: Spain - Broadband Market - Statistics and Forecasts - 2011.
M2 PRESSWIRE-June 1, 2011-: Research and Markets: Spain - Broadband Market - Statistics and Forecasts - 2011(C)1994-2011 M2 COMMUNICATIONS
RDATE:01062011
Dublin - Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/ade296/spain_broadband) has announced the addition of the "Spain - Broadband Market - Statistics and Forecasts" report to their offering.
Spain's broadband penetration is on a par with the EU average, though subscribers have continued to contend with relatively high access prices and slow average data speeds. Nevertheless, the incumbent Movistar (formerly Telefnica) has launched 30Mb/s services, while some cablecos provide 100Mb/s. Prompted by the EC, the regulator in 2009 reversed its decision to protect Movistar's fibre network from competitor access, originally intended to safeguard the company's investments. Access through local loop unbundling is gaining pace, encouraging competition and lower prices in most regions. In this report we profile Spain's fixed and wireless broadband markets in 2011, together with developments in related technologies such as fibre, and broadband powerline. We also provide forecasts for broadband uptake from 2011-2013 and 2020.
Key Topics Covered:
1. Synopsis
2. Overview
2.1 Broadband statistics
2.2 Government initiatives
3. Cable modems
3.1 ONO
4. Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
4.1 Movistar
4.2 Other DSL developments
4.3 ADSL2+
4.4 VDSL
5. Fibre-to-the-Home (FttH) networks
5.1 Regulatory issues
5.2 Fibre market - 2011
5.3 Movistar
5.4 Orange
5.5 Other developments
6. Wireless broadband
6.1 Wireless Local Loop (WLL)
6.2 WiFi
6.3 WiMAX
6.4 Internet via satellite
6.5 Mobile broadband
7. Broadband Powerline (BPL)
7.1 Forecasts - broadband subscribers 2008-2013; 2020
For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/ade296/spain_broadband
CONTACT:
Research and Markets
Laura Wood, Senior Manager,
press@researchandmarkets.com
U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907
Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716
((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com)).
Despite reassurances, quake myth rattles Rome.(News)
Byline: The Associated Press
ROME -- Rome was gripped by fear Wednesday over a purported prediction by a now-dead seismologist that a devastating temblor would strike the city on May 11, 2011.
Even as seismologists and officials sought to reassure residents and stress that earthquakes cannot be predicted, the quake myth took on a life of its own on the Internet.
Spurred by superstition, some Romans left town, just in case. The consumer group Aduc estimated 20 percent of Romans did not go to work. The quake did not happen. Instead, two quakes hit another Mediterranean nation, Spain.
The quake fear was based on the purported prediction of a major Roman quake attributed to self-taught seismologist Raffaele Bendandi, who died in 1979.
However, Paola Lagorio, president of the association in charge of Bendandi's documentation, said there's no evidence Bendandi ever made such a precise prediction.
Copyright (c) 2011 Seattle Times Company, All Rights Reserved.
суббота, 25 февраля 2012 г.
Korea's Largest Landline and Mobile Service Provider Using Open Source Cloud Computing Platform for Public Cloud.
Cloud.com, a provider of open source cloud computing software, announced that KT, Korea's largest landline operator and mobile service provider, has selected its flagship technology, CloudStack™, as the foundation for its new public cloud offering, KT ucloud. Currently in beta, KT ucloud will offer its users a stable, secure and cost-effective cloud environment that ensures enterprises are making the most efficient IT investment. As enterprise IT managers are looking for cost-effective cloud computing platforms, KT ucloud guarantees the most competitive pricing and benefits among its competitors. Additionally, KT ucloud reduces electricity consumption by two or three times, ultimately aiming to reduce more than 60 percent of electricity used within their datacenter operations and passing those efficiencies through to their customers.
"We at KT understand the importance of providing reliable, cost-effective cloud computing services. While the rest of the market is trying to catch up to cloud computing, KT is already creating innovative cloud services that are delivering enhanced features to users at an affordable price," said JS Suh, Senior Vice President at KT. "When building cloud systems, choosing pertinent partners is critical for business success. We used Cloud.com as the foundation for our private cloud and found it to be an extremely robust solution that minimized the overhead costs of integration and complex deployment schedules. CloudStack technology seamlessly integrated with our existing technology and is allowing us to create a strong and agile public cloud."
KT ucloud provides an end-to-end service based on service development, test, distribution, management and deletion. KT ucloud is priced up to 60 percent lower than Amazon Web Services and provides auto-provisioning and auto-scaling when assigning IT resources on an automation and active basis. In addition, KT ucloud monitors and meters usage volumes to give users real-time visibility into how they are using their cloud resources. In late 2010, KT announced it was using CloudStack to build Korea's first large-scale private cloud, enabling KT employees to access shared data and software using a range of devices such as smartphones, tablet PCs and Internet protocol television (IPTV). With KT ucloud, CloudStack now is the foundation for KT's public cloud as well.
"KT has experienced a great amount of success with its private cloud and is now using the same model of highly automated infrastructure, using best-of-breed open source technologies, to bring the same level of performance, scale and economics to their public cloud offering," said Sheng Liang, CEO at Cloud.com. "KT is an innovator and leader in cloud computing in the Asia Pacific market as they launch KT ucloud. We are pleased with KT's decision and look forward to the public release of KT ucloud."
Recognizing that organizations currently face a daunting task when trying to build their own IaaS cloud environment, Cloud.com provides the customers with the fastest path to owning their own cloud by providing the latest and the most advanced software platform for building highly scalable, highly reliable cloud computing environments. Cloud.com currently enables over 50 large-scale production clouds in deployment that have been built on its market-leading open source cloud computing solution including Nokia Research Center, Tata Communications, GreenQloud and Logicworks. Cloud.com technologies can be deployed on-premise or as hosted cloud services.
Other key partners in the KT ucloud project include Intel, Citrix, Arista, Nexenta, enStratus, CloudScaling and Quanta. Supporting Resources For the latest news and information, follow Cloud.com on the web at: Twitter KT ucloud Website CloudStack Datasheets and Whitepapers Company Blog Open Source Cloud Computing Community About Cloud.com Open source software provider Cloud.com simplifies and accelerates the deployment, management and configuration of multi-tier and multi-tenant private and public cloud services. Cloud.com's CloudStack software is being used to provide infrastructure as a service (IaaS) in production environments at leading enterprises and service providers, providing them with exceptional stability, and is unrivaled in both feature breadth and scalability. Founded in 2008 by leaders in open source, virtualization and infrastructure development, Cloud.com is backed by leading Silicon Valley venture capital firms. For more information, go to www.cloud.com. About KT KT (formerly Korea Telecom) is a prominent South Korean integrated wired/wireless telecommunication service provider. Founded in 2009, KT has an information & communications business, and has the largest portion of the South Korean local telephone and high-speed Internet business. Olleh management represents KT's new management direction under which KT aims to make customers happy by creating new customer value through continued innovation, by changing the way KT thinks and pursuing constant communication. For more information, go to http://www.kt.com/eng/. About KT ucloud Currently in beta, KT ucloud is the company's first public cloud offering that provides users with a stable, secure and cost-effective cloud environment that ensures enterprises are making the most efficient IT investment. Priced at 60 percent lower than Amazon Web Services, KT ucloud guarantees the most competitive pricing and benefits among its competitors. Additionally, KT ucloud reduces electricity consumption by two or three times, aiming to reduce more than 60 percent of electricity used by memory chips and server systems. KT ucloud delivers an end-to-end service based on service development, test, distribution, management and deletion. It also provides auto-provisioning and auto-scaling when assigning IT resources on an automation and active basis, in addition to monitoring and metering usage volumes.
Keywords: Asia, China, Cloud.com, Finance, Investing, Investment, Software, Technology, Telecommunications, Venture Capital.
This article was prepared by Telecommunications Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2011, Telecommunications Weekly via VerticalNews.com.
HTC and Etisalat team up.
HTC Corporation, a global player in mobile phone innovation and design, has partnered with UAE-based telecom service provider Etisalat to offer a month of free access to the Etisalat Mobile Business Data Package.
Under the special promotion, business and enterprise customers will be granted 30 days to freely download 200MB of data for HTC mobile phones and 10GB of data for HTC Shift over the internet. After the period, the monthly rates will be AED 295 for the 200MB package and AED 460 for the 10GB package. This offer was made possible through the strategic partnership between HTC and Etisalat.
"We conceived this promotion to showcase the potential of mobile internet as a valuable business tool. Communication, connectivity and mobility have become critical across all types of businesses, which are precisely what our products can provide to dynamic enterprises. This unique initiative will enable corporate customers to experience the power of a mobile office," said Vishnu Vardhan Executive Director HTC ME & NA.
According to Abdulla Hashim, VP, Business Solutions, Etisalat ,"Etisalat's Mobile Business Data Service is the ideal platform to extend employee reach beyond their offices by providing them seamless wireless connectivity anytime anywhere. Our customers now have a great opportunity to experience the Mobile Internet advantage through this attractive promotion."
Etisalat 's Mobile Business Data Service is built over the latest wireless technology using Etisalat's3.5G HSDPA network that allows wireless IP Communication for a variety of applications with speeds up to 7.2Mbps so that they can enjoy the ultimate mobile experience.
The HTC devices included in the offer are the HTC Touch HD, HTC Touch 3G, HTC Touch Pro, HTC Touch Diamond, and HTC Touch Cruise for the 200MB package available for post paid customers, and the HTC Shift for the 10GB package for both pre paid and post paid subscribers. The offer is available for customers who are currently subscribed as Etisalat business customers.
Interested customers may call the Etisalat Contact Center at 800 5 800 and then fax a copy of an official letter with a list of numbers to be activated along with a valid trade license. They may also refer to their respective Etisalat Account Managers or visit any Etisalat Business Center or Outlet with the required documents. The HTC devices are available through all the major retailers in UAE.
2008 CPI Financial. All rights reserved.
Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company
CTIA-The Wireless Association Statement on Panel Participation at the Distracted Driving Summit.
WASHINGTON -- Today, CTIA-The Wireless Association[R] President and CEO Steve Largent issued the following statement on his participation in the "Technology and Distracted Driving" panel discussion at the U.S. Department of Transportation's Distracted Driving Summit.
"On behalf of the wireless industry, I am pleased to be a part of this inaugural discussion with experts and leaders from various industries, academia, policymakers and other influentials who gathered to learn and discuss the dangers of distracted driving.
"I am confident that the one thing all of us agree on is that education is essential to trying to end distracted driving.
"That's why we were proud to announce our partnership with the National Safety Council and our teen-focused campaign, 'On the Road, Off the Phone' on Tuesday, September 29th. We encourage parents and teens to visit our Web site (onroadoffphone.org) for more information and to view our television public service announcement (PSA).
"CTIA and our members look forward to continued discussions based on the Summit. In addition, the industry remains committed to educating adults and novice drivers about the dangers of distracted driving."
CTIA is the international association for the wireless telecommunications industry, representing carriers, manufacturers and wireless Internet providers. www.ctia.org
OTCPicks.com Daily Market Movers Digest Midday Report for December 18th VSUR, MGLG, FFLT, LMEC, STIY, CFUL.
M2 PRESSWIRE-18 December 2007-OTCPicks.com: OTCPicks.com Daily Market Movers Digest Midday Report for December 18th VSUR, MGLG, FFLT, LMEC, STIY, CFUL(C)1994-2007 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD
RDATE:18122007
Our Stocks to Watch today Vsurance, Inc. (OTCBB: VSUR), Magellan Energy Ltd. (OTC: MGLG), FirstFlight, Inc. (OTCBB: FFLT), Lime Energy Co. (OTCBB: LMEC), Stinger Systems, Inc. (OTCBB: STIY), Continental Fuels, Inc. (OTCBB: CFUL)
Visit http://www.otcpicks.com to register for our Daily Market Mover's Digest Newsletter, and Email Stock Watch Alerts.
VSURANCE INC (OTCBB: VSUR)
Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicks.com/quotes/VSUR.php
Company Profile: http://www.otcpicks.com/vsurance/vsurance.htm
Vsurance is a leading provider of pet health insurance and other pet health-related services in the United States. Programs include its Get HIP Pet Health Insurance for Pets program, the most comprehensive full-coverage pet health insurance plan in the industry. Vsurance provides pet and horse resource centers through the Internet including VetpetMD, Spot the Pet, and Purrfect Pet Club. Programs include life, liability, and health insurance for pets, horses, and other companion animals.
VSUR News:
December 17 - Vsurance, Inc. First Pet Health Insurance Provider To Cover Holistic Treatments
Wellness Care Endorsement on the Company's Protect 4 Pet Health Insurance Plan Covers Holistic, Homeopathic Consultations, Treatments, or Herbal Supplements
Vsurance, Inc. (OTCBB: VSUR), a leading provider of pet health insurance, announced that it is the first and only pet health insurance provider to cover holistic treatments in the prevention of illness of dogs and cats.
Holistic medicines & care is an alternative way of healing companion animals. It is the art and science of healing that addresses care of the whole animal - body, mind, and spirit. The practice of holistic medicine integrates conventional and complementary therapies to promote optimal health and to prevent and treat disease by addressing contributing factors. In addition to not only using the normal drugs and medicines, the attending veterinarian might prescribe remedies brought to us through natural sources.
The American Holistic Medical Association (AHMA) founded in 1978 is a membership organization for physicians seeking to practice a broader form of medicine than what was (and is) currently taught in allopathic (MD and DO) medical schools. For 25 years the AHMA has nurtured and educated physicians making this transition. Current membership is nearly 1,000 physicians and allied health professionals who seek to make the holistic model available to patients and practitioners alike (www.holisticmedicine.org).
"We are very excited to provide health insurance coverage for this growing treatment option for companion animal owners," stated Russell Smith, CEO of Vsurance, Inc. "This is an important and defining difference in what makes our pet health insurance plans the best in the marketplace today."
MAGELLAN ENERGY NEW (OTC: MGLG) "Up 27.27% in morning trading"
Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicks.com/quotes/MGLG.php
Magellan Energy is a publicly traded independent oil and gas company. The company is actively acquiring oil and gas leases, producing properties, mineral rights, and surface interests in Texas and Oklahoma. Once acquired, the company intends to develop each property to maximize the income from each property by re-establishing production, refurbishing and improving the existing production and operations.
MGLG News:
December 18 - Magellan Energy Announces Update on the Thomas D. Martin Wells
Magellan Energy Ltd. (OTC: MGLG), an independent oil and gas company, announced that it is selling natural gas from wells on the Thomas D. Martin project in Morgan County, Tennessee in which it holds a 20% working interest. The operators for these wells, TMD Energy Inc., stated that the Citizens Gas Utility District have recently reconfigured the gas pipelines to allow gas from the wells to enter its system. A compressor has also been installed to increase production volume.
Magellan Energy is pleased to announce that the Martin lease is a mature producing oil and gas property that is being prepared for waterflooding. This ongoing project with TMD Energy Inc. will take some time to complete but with the newly installed compressor we will have increased gas production and revenue for Magellan Energy Ltd. The water flood project must still be subject to further research, geological surveys and studies to be properly executed. Until such time is determined, the wells will continue to operate at their new capacity, generating revenue with the new lines.
Magellan Energy's President, Mr. Akrivos, said, "We are very pleased at the progress that has been made up to date on the Martin project which will take some time to properly execute. TMD Energy Inc. has done an excellent job ensuring the wells maintain production and we are extremely happy to be working with them. This is our company's second successful project in Tennessee, thus establishing Magellan as a reputable, revenue-producing company in the oil and gas industry. In addition, we are in the final stages of developing a third project in Tennessee, which will be announced in the near future."
FIRSTFLIGHT INCORPORATED (OTCBB: FFLT) "Up 14.29% in morning trading"
Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicks.com/quotes/FFLT.php
FirstFlight, Inc. and its subsidiaries engage in the aircraft charter management, fixed base operations (FBO), and aircraft maintenance of the general aviation industry in the United States. It provides charter management services, including on-call passenger air transportation; FBO services, such as the fueling and hangaring for general aviation, commercial and military aircraft along with the operation of a flight school in Pennsylvania, and the management of a non-owned FBO facility; and aircraft maintenance and repair services for both managed and non-managed aircraft, as well as specialty services on aircraft brakes and wheels. The company was founded in 2003. It was formerly known as FBO Air, Inc. and changed its name to FirstFlight, Inc. in 2006. The company is based in Horseheads, New York.
FFLT News:
December 18 - FirstFlight Appoints Special Committee to Study Strategic Options
FirstFlight, Inc. (OTCBB: FFLT), a charter management and aviation services company, announced that its Board of Directors has decided to explore a broad range of strategic alternatives to enhance stockholder value. The Board has appointed a special committee drawn from its independent members to study these alternatives and has retained Laidlaw & Company (UK) Ltd., as its financial advisor to assist in this effort. The Board has taken this action in response to a number of acquisition opportunities and to a recent unsolicited indication of interest in the acquisition of FirstFlight.
FirstFlight previously announced record results for the nine months to September 30, 2007. Revenues rose to almost $35.1 million up from $29.8 million in the nine months to September 30, 2006. In 2007's first nine months, revenue was composed of: $28.5 million in charter management (up from $23.4 million in the same period prior year), another $4.5 million from fixed base operations (FBO, up from $4.2 million in the nine months through September 30, 2006), and $2.1 million from aircraft maintenance, off slightly from $2.2 million in the same period of 2006.
The Company reported a net income for the first nine-months of 2007 of $183,868, an improvement from the $2.5 million net loss for the first nine month of 2006. FirstFlight's management credits the turn around to the completion of a program to improve costs, a larger fleet of managed aircraft, a better mix of mid- to large-cabin aircraft, conversion of preferred shares and repayment of senior debt.
John Dow, President and CEO of FirstFlight said, "We engage in the aircraft charter management and aircraft maintenance businesses as well as FBO activities such as fueling and hangaring for general aviation. We believe that these markets are attractive for consolidation. At the same time, The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) pointed out last year that 30% of charter travelers have almost totally abandoned the scheduled airlines for their travel needs, in large part due to the security aggravations brought on by 9/11 and service that has declined in recent years. We anticipate that this trend is going to continue and will increase demand for our services. Indeed, we hired Marketshare Development Inc., a marketing company based in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to help us continue developing our business. FirstFlight has had a year of consolidation, and we believe we are now in a position to explore ways to take advantage of these market conditions.
"Looking at our business segments individually, one can see that there are a great many opportunities, and the new committee will be involved in separating the good prospects from those that are less attractive. The charter management segment of the aviation industry where we operate is defined as those operators flying under Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 135 covering aircraft with 30 seats or fewer and up to 7,500 pounds of payload. NATA noted last year that there were approximately 3,000 holders of Part 135 charter certificates, which include 2,550 for fixed wing aircraft and 450 for helicopter operators. We are confident that there are economies of scale that can be achieved through consolidation in this highly fragmented market.
"Our FBO business operates in a similarly fragmented and diffuse market. Here, NATA said that there are over 3,000 operators who serve customers at one or more of the over 3,000 airport facilities that have at least one paved 3,000-foot runway. The vast majority of these companies are single location operators. Aircraft maintenance is similarly structured."
Dow concluded, "We have reached an important stage in our development, and the research and deliberations of this committee in examining our strategic options will result in an active and exciting 2008."
FirstFlight also noted that there can be no assurance that the exploration of these strategic alternatives will result in any transaction. FirstFlight does not intend to disclose developments with respect to the exploration of strategic alternatives unless and until its Board of Directors has approved a specific transaction.
Laidlaw & Co., which has been involved with FirstFlight since its infancy, possesses a wealth of industry knowledge and years of transactional experience, allowing it to raise capital and advise clients who seek efficient market access and creative solutions to their corporate financing needs. With investment banking expertise and merchant banking capital under one umbrella, Laidlaw is uniquely suited to serve emerging growth companies and satisfy special situation funding requirements.
LIME ENERGY COMPANY (OTCBB: LMEC) "Up 62.50% in morning trading"
Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicks.com/quotes/LMEC.php
Lime Energy Co., through its subsidiaries, operates as a developer, manufacturer, and integrator of energy saving technologies. The company operates in two segments, Energy Technology and Energy Services. The Energy Technology segment engages in the development and sale of eMAC and uMAC products. The eMAC system comprises of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) controller with wireless communication capabilities and a central, server based, Internet accessible software that monitors and controls the operation of the connected HVAC units; and the uMAC controls the operation of a facility's lights via wireless communications. The Energy Services segment markets, designs, engineers, and installs energy efficient lighting upgrades for commercial and industrial users; provides energy engineering services, including building energy audits, HVAC and boiler system optimization, energy management planning, engineering design to optimizing energy efficiency and energy rebates, energy project management, and lighting engineering and design; and provides turnkey lighting upgrades. Its Energy technology has various applications in commercial buildings, factories, and office structures. The company was founded as Electric City Corp. in 1997 and changed its name to Lime Energy Co. in 2006. Lime Energy is headquartered in Elk Grove Village, Illinois.
LMEC News:
December 18 - Lime Energy Extends Mortgage with American Chartered Bank
On December 17, 2007, Lime Energy Co. (OTCBB: LMEC) ("Lime Energy") and American Chartered Bank ("American Chartered") entered into a Fifth Modification to Mortgage, Assignment of Rents and Security Agreement, and the Third Amended and Restated Mortgage Note (collectively, the "Fifth Amendment").
The original mortgage dated May 29, 2002 in the amount of $735,000 and with a maturity of April 30, 2004, was amended and restated four times, on September 30, 2003, on December 31, 2004, on December 13, 2005, and again on December 28, 2006 to extend the maturity to February 1, 2008.
The Fifith Amendment extends the maturity of the mortgage indebtedness two years to February 1, 2010. As of December 17, 2007, the outstanding principal balance on the mortgage was $490,000. The indebtedness continues to bear interest at a rate equal to prime (7.25% as of December 17, 2007) plus 1/2 of 1%, payable monthly.
Principal is payable in monthly installments of $3,000, with the unpaid balance due at maturity.
STINGER SYSTEMS INCORPORATED (OTCBB: STIY) "Up 46.43% in morning trading"
Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicks.com/quotes/STIY.php
Stinger Systems, Inc. engages in manufacturing and marketing electronic restraint products to law enforcement, correctional, professional security, and military sectors. It produces and sells electronic stun devices for the control of, and to provide temporary incapacitation of, dangerous persons. The company markets S-200, a two-dart electronic projectile stun device, and TruVu camera, which offers the option of video and voice capture. The company's control products include Ice Shield, an electrified riot shield; Bandit, a remote controlled or movement controlled electrified wrap used for controlling dangerous detainees in public situations or during transport; and Ultron, a handheld contact stun device used to temporarily incapacitate dangerous individuals. The company was founded as United Consulting Corporation in 1996 and changed its name to Stinger Systems, Inc. in 2004. Stinger Systems, Inc. is based in Tampa, Florida.
STIY News:
December 17 - Medical Study of Stinger S-200 Stun Gun Completed
Study confirms cardiac safety Stinger Systems, Inc. (OTCBB: STIY), a leader in electro-stun technology, announced a major research university has completed a comprehensive cardiac study of the Stinger Systems' S-200 projectile stun gun. Details of the study are being withheld pending publication at a scientific meeting and/or in a scientific journal. However, this study confirmed the cardiac safety of the S- 200, which had previously been documented in internal safety testing. Stinger Systems' stun products have been used since 2000. Thousands of applications have occurred and, to date, the Company has had no reported injuries or adverse health effects using its products including during training. Additional medical studies of the S-200, including direct comparisons to the Taser M26 and Taser X26 are currently underway.
Stinger Systems, Inc. intends to introduce the study for acceptance into evidence at trial of its federal case against Taser International, Inc. (NASD: TASR) for false advertising/unfair competition, that is United States District Court for the District of Arizona case CV-07-0042-PHX-MHM.
CONTINENTAL FUELS (OTCBB: CFUL) "Up 12.24% in morning trading"
Detailed Quote: http://www.otcpicks.com/quotes/CFUL.php
Continental Fuels, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in purchasing, selling, storing, blending, and transporting petroleum products in the United States and internationally. The company owns a petroleum storage and terminal facility in the Port of Brownsville, Texas. The Brownsville terminal facility receives condensate that would be used in the blending of gasoline or sold into the U.S. market. The terminal includes truck and rail on and off loading terminals, and handles barges and tankers up to the Suez-max size. The company is based in San Antonio, Texas. Continental Fuels, Inc. is a subsidiary of Universal Property Development and Acquisition Corporation.
CFUL News:
December 17 - Continental Fuels Completes Acquisition of Geer Tank Trucks - North Texas Oil Purchasing Company - Gains Access to Crude Contracts and Pipelines - Immediate Additional Revenue
With conventional financing provided by Sheridan Asset Management, LLC of New York, Continental Fuels, Inc. (OTCBB: CFUL) (FWB: CIQB) has completed the purchase of all of the outstanding stock of Geer Tank Trucks, Inc. (www.geertanktrucks.com), a crude oil purchasing company founded in 1945 with five locations in North Texas and nearly $50 million in annual revenue. In this single transaction in which Geer becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Continental, Continental has completed the next phase of its business plan by securing a consistent supply of crude oil, all of the equipment necessary to transport and process that crude and access to major crude oil pipelines to efficiently deliver the crude to market.
The transaction is the second major acquisition completed by Continental during the year. In April, Continental acquired the Brownsville Port Facility (www.portofbrownsville.com) and light crude trading business of Universal Property Development and Acquisition Corporation (OTCBB: UPDA) (FWB: UP1) (www.universalpropertydevelopment.com) in a transaction that resulted in UPDA acquiring a controlling interest in Continental. Since that time, Continental has expanded the storage capacity of its port facility and established significant contracts for the sale and delivery of light crude condensate originating from that facility.
In addition to financing this purchase, Sheridan has also committed a $3 million working capital credit facility to finance Continental's operations at Geer and the port.
The Geer acquisition includes 4 pipeline terminals with connections to major pipeline companies such as Colonial, Teppco and Plains and 5 service yards in various locations throughout North Texas, more than twenty 200 bbl transports, 50 frac tanks, water hauling and disposal facilities incorporating 2 commercial salt water disposal wells and other assets and equipment invaluable to Continental's continuing development of its business model.
"Completing this acquisition represents another leap forward in the development of our business," remarked Continental CEO Tim Brink. "While the revenue it brings is very important, the incredible opportunities it presents cannot be overstated. The assets and business of this company correspond perfectly with the plans we have developed. In the time we have been working with the Geer management, much of which will remain intact, we have identified several additional sources of revenue and opportunities for growth and negotiated significant increases in sales margins. Continental will now have port facilities and contracts for the purchase, storage, sale and delivery of light crude in South Texas and sources, facilities and equipment to transport and deliver and contracts to purchase and sell crude in North Texas."
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