Apr 19, 2002 (The Sydney Morning Herald
ABIX via COMTEX) -- The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is concerned over the slow introduction of Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technology. It accuses Telstra of a "go-slow" on the introduction of the technology that would open up broadband Internet services to a much wider range of competitors than the present four. Telstra must share its phone lines into homes and business premises on an equal basis when the technology is introduced. A spokesman for Telstra dismissed claims of a slow introduction of the technology, saying the company is on target with its plans to introduce it in July 2002.
Publication Date: 20 April 2002
TELSTRA CORPORATION LIMITED - ASX
TLS: AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION
By Sue Lowe
All copyright subsisting under the Copyright Act 1968 (Commonwealth) resides in us. No part of the copyright materials may be reproduced, re-used, re-transmitted, adapted, published, broadcast or distributed for any commercial purposes whatsoever without our prior written permission.
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: Communication Services Government Administration SUBJECT CODE: TELECOMMUNICATIONS - AUSTRALIA DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER LINES - AUSTRALIA BROADBAND COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS - AUSTRALIA INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS - AUSTRALIA
News Provided by COMTEX (http://www.comtexnews.com)
Byline: MICHELLE MIZAL-ARCHER Staff writer
KEMPSVILLE - A new communications and arts building planned for Regent University will offer its graduate students everything from writing in an open newsroom to filming on an on-campus back lot.
``It's a building where we want to become first-class journalists, film-makers and first-class thinkers,'' said Michael R. Smith, chair of the school of journalism at the university. ``Even the architecture suggests people who appreciate quality,'' he said.
Last month, the City Council unanimously approved a request to rezone about 9 acres of undeveloped land slated for residential use on the campus to build the Georgian-style, brick building.
The building's project manager, Richard W. Jemiola, said the bid will be opened next month for the facility's general contractors. He said he will not disclose the project's total cost until after a contractor is chosen. University officials plan to finish the building's design by the end of March, start construction sometime after that and complete the project by the fall semester of 2002, Jemiola said.
That would also be the time when university officials plan to launch a graduate program in technical theater, said David V. Jager-Walker, the university's associate professor of theater arts.
He said the building's 750-seat theater and smaller ``experimental'' theater, where students can move audience seats and stage platforms, will allow graduate students to study the technical aspects of the theater, such as stage and sound setting.
Jager-Walker also said the two movie theaters in the complex and a back lot, where facades and street scenes can be filmed, also will help expand the university's theater program. The lot will be fenced in and will be attached to the new building, he said.
Smith said he also expects the new facility to help expand the university's free-lance writing program. Last year, university officials decided not to have a campus paper and instead have their journalism students free-lance with various newspapers and magazines across the nation.
The newsroom will be located on the second floor of the building and will have adequate book shelves, computers and Internet access, Smith said.
Classes for theater and arts are being held in a building where professors teach psychology, business and education so university officials welcome a building that would allow more room for programs to grow.
``This will be a place where people will be re-energized by being in a place dedicated to their field,'' Smith said. ``You have this first-class place with state-of-the-art equipment. This place will contribute to motivation and excitement.''
FORTUNE's Premium Business Content to Be Integrated Throughout the Netscape
Netcenter Service
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., and NEW YORK, May 11 /PRNewswire/ --
Netscape Communications, a leading Internet company and a subsidiary of America Online, Inc. (NYSE: AOL), and The FORTUNE Group, publisher of leading business publications FORTUNE, FSB: FORTUNE Small Business and eCompany Now and a subsidiary of Time-Warner (NYSE: TWX), today announced an extensive content agreement which will give users of the Netscape(R) Netcenter service direct access to a comprehensive selection of FORTUNE's business news, columns and features.
Under the terms of the agreement, FORTUNE will provide in-depth business information to Netcenter users by providing full and easy access to FORTUNE's top business news headlines and online features. As a premier business content partner, FORTUNE will be prominently featured on the Netcenter home page and on various Netcenter channels, including Business, Personal Finance, Career Center and Research & Learn.
Beginning today, visitors to Netcenter will be able access a number of daily columns and features from FORTUNE and FSB, including "Street Life," "Ask Annie," "Valley Talk," "Hot Ideas," "Money Manager," "Wired Investor," "Net Guys," "Answer Men" and "Balancing Act." Clicking onto any one of these features will take users to a co-branded site where they will be able to access a full range of FORTUNE's premium content. Over the course of the next few months, the scope of the agreement between FORTUNE and Netscape Communications will be expanded so that Netcenter users will have access to some of the most popular features, breaking news and lists offered by The FORTUNE Group's family of premier business magazines.
"Teaming with FORTUNE offers Netcenter users easy access to top business information from one of the world's most respected providers of business news and information," said Jim Martin, Netscape's Senior Vice President and General Manager of Netscape Netcenter. "FORTUNE's high-quality, award-winning content and Netcenter's extensive online resources provide the busy Netscape Netcenter user with an even more convenient and valuable online experience."
"Our relationship with Netscape allows us to substantially increase the online reach of the FORTUNE brand, while giving the 30 million registered users of Netcenter access to the unparalleled business content of FORTUNE, FSB and eCompany Now," said Jack Haire, president of The FORTUNE Group. "We are pleased to join up with Netscape Netcenter and provide its users with business resources to help them manage their professional and daily lives."
Netscape Netcenter service recently surpassed 30 million registered users worldwide, more than doubling its total from one year ago. Designed to help professionals better manage their business and personal lives online, it offers ease-of-use, enhanced daily news and business programming by integrating powerful tools and content into one convenient, personalized interface for use at both home and work. According to the December, 1999 Media Metrix report, Netcenter is the fourth most visited Web site at-work, ahead of Geocities, Lycos, Excite, AltaVista and GO.com.
This announcement builds on a series of agreements made since the January 10 merger agreement announcement between America Online, Inc. and Time Warner. Last month Time Warner's CNN Interactive became the premier news partner for Netcenter giving Netscape Netcenter users access to CNN.com's top headlines and CNN's pre-eminent online news services.
About Netscape
Netscape is a leading provider of software and services for businesses that want to transform the way they create and keep customers in the emerging Net Economy. A division of America Online, Inc., Netscape is based in Mountain View, California. Additional information on Netscape is available on the Internet at http://home.netscape.com , by sending email to info@netscape.com , or by calling corporate sales at 650-937-2555.
About The FORTUNE Group
The FORTUNE Group, comprised of top tier business publications including the namesake FORTUNE magazine, FSB: FORTUNE Small Business, and the recently launched eCompany Now, is known for its unrivaled access to industry leaders and decisionmakers. FORTUNE, with a circulation of 810,000, and a worldwide readership of more than six million, reaches a wide and influential audience every two weeks. FORTUNE.com, which averages 7.5 million page views per month, keeps visitors ahead of the business curve by providing up-to-the-minute information and analysis of the people and trends driving business innovation.
Byline: James Chapman and Tamara Cohen
REBEKAH BROOKS told News of the World journalists there were worse revelations to come in the hacking scandal during a heated meeting which saw them vent their fury at her 'betrayal'.
The embattled chief executive said that in a year's time staff would all understand why the company had decided to close the newspaper.
They were also told that their London newsroom in Wapping, East London, was effectively being sealed off, with some claiming that they were all being treated like 'potential suspects'.
It came as Andy Coulson, a former editor of the newspaper and British prime minister David Cameron's ex-spin doctor, was arrested yesterday and held for ten hours.
In another move, Mr Coulson's former royal editor Clive Goodman - jailed in January 2007 for intercepting voicemail messages - was re-arrested in connection with alleged bribes to police.
Mr Coulson was held yesterday over allegations of corruption and phone hacking at the News of the World.
He also stands accused of illegally authorising payments to corrupt police officers and of hiring a private investigator who had served seven years in jail.
Last night as he emerged from a police station in Lewisham, South London, he maintained he had attended the station voluntarily, saying: 'There is an awful lot I would like to say, but I can't at this time.' The arrests were made as reporters at the News of the World's London offices challenged Mrs Brooks about her decision to stay on at the helm during the meeting, which was released to Sky News.
In the recording, one member of staff accuses Mrs Brooks of arrogance in believing that they might want to work for her again, followed by a ripple of applause. TV editor Tom Latchem is said to have put Mrs Brooks on the spot, saying that if she had fallen on her sword on Monday, when the Milly Dowler phone hacking scandal broke, it might have saved 200 jobs.
In response, sources at the meeting told how Mrs Brooks provoked derision by claiming she had stayed on to be the 'conductor' for the crisis, and declared she felt 'betrayed' by the allegations of wrongdoing.
She claimed to have 'some visibility' about the revelations to come and that there would have been 'another two years of trouble' if the paper had not been closed. She told reporters she did not expect to be arrested herself.
Her comments came as sensational allegations of a criminal cover-up were made against Rupert Murdoch's faltering media empire last night. Police are investigating claims that News International deleted millions of emails from an internal archive in an apparent attempt to obstruct a police inquiry.
Speculation has been rife about Mrs Brooks's role as the publication's editor at the time that Milly Dowler's phone is said to have been hacked into and her voicemails deleted.
Mrs Brooks admitted she was no longer in charge of the News International investigation into the scandal owing to the potential conflict of interest.
Yesterday journalists told how the News of the World's London and Dublin offices were in 'virtual quarantine' as staff were unable to come and go freely or access the internet or their work emails.
They were also told not to remove any items from the news floor. Staff at the Dublin office said the first that they knew anything was amiss was when an internal email arrived from News Corporation chairman and Rupert Murdoch's son and heir apparent, James, at around 4.30pm on Thursday.
The paper's Irish editor Geoff Frazer then appeared at the door of his office and told staff: 'I only know as much as you know.' Stunned reporters gathered around the newsdesk as journalists from their sister title, the Irish Sun, were assured that they would not be affected.
At around 6pm, many had left News International's city centre offices to go across the road to Ryan's bar on Camden Street where they stayed for a number of hours.
One later told a friend: 'I just cannot believe what has happened. We have been sacrificed for London's sins. It's just obscene. No warning, no consultation - just told that's it. We no longer have a paper to write for.' Another member of staff told her friends yesterday morning that she was crying as she got dressed for one of her last days at the paper.
Nobody has yet been made redundant, but the Irish office's 22 full-time staff have been told they are to be put on 90 days 'gardening leave' - effectively paid holiday for three months.
In London, Mrs Brooks apologised for 'operational issues' relating to the emails, blaming the police investigation, after staff complained that they were being 'treated just like criminals'.
Journalists had glumly returned to work yesterday in the hope of putting out a final edition which would focus on the 168-year-old paper's achievements, although there were fears the email, Twitter and Facebook clampdown would make this difficult.
Staff from its News International stablemate the Sun have been put on standby to help with production if staff do not turn up today.
This was amid growing speculation that the Sun will become a seven-day operation to fill the void left by the News of the World being closed down.
Talking of the closure, Mrs Brooks spoke of her own rise at the Sunday tabloid from secretary to editor at the age of 34, trying to show her loyalty against claims that the paper was sacrificed to protect her. She said the decision to close was 'not taken lightly' but claimed that executives were backed into a corner after advertisers deserted the 'toxic' brand.
She also tried to assure staff that as many as possible would be found jobs elsewhere in the company, paying tribute to the 'talented and untainted' journalists at the paper. Sky sources said Mrs Brooks had told staff a 'quick decision' would be made over whether to publish a Sun on Sunday.
News of the World London staff were yesterday given a letter outlining their redundancy packages. Mrs Brooks wrote to staff: 'While mistakes of the past have led the country's news agenda, News of the World exclusives have set the news agenda around the world. The Company will focus over the coming months on finding as many jobs as possible for the News of the World staff both within News International and the wider company.' When challenged as to why she had not handed in her notice, she told staff she was the 'best person' to lead the company out of its current mess, sources claimed. In the recording, Mrs Brooks told staff: 'This is not exactly the best time of my life'.
She was interrupted by an irate staff member who said: 'By your actions yesterday you are calling our newspaper toxic. We are all contaminated by that toxicity in the way we have been treated.
'Can't you see the bigger picture? You're making the whole of News International toxic, and there's an arrogance there that you think we'd want to work for you again.' Police are examining claims that a News International executive may have expunged millions of emails from an archive believed to date back to 2005.
The Guardian reported that 'massive quantities' of the archive appear to have been deleted on two separate occasions, the most recent in January of this year.
It also claimed the newspaper tried to hide the contents of a senior reporter's desk after he was arrested in April. If proven, the acts would appear directly to contradict claims from News International that it has been co-operating fully with police.
They could also be seized upon by Britain's broadcasting watchdog as it assesses whether the company can pass a 'fit and proper person' test for its proposed purchase of BSkyB.
reporter@dailymail.ie
CAPTION(S):
Andy Coulson: Arrested yesterday
Rebekah Brooks: News International head faced staff's fury yesterday
PYONGYANG, DPRK (North Korea) -- The following information was released by Korean Central News Agency of DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea):
The Brazilian Committee for Solidarity with the DPRK posted the first part of General Secretary Kim Jong Il's work "Giving Priority to Ideological Work Is Essential for Accomplishing Socialism" on its Internet homepage on June 9.
His photograph was also posted on the homepage.
The work, published on June 19, Juche 84 (1995), clarifies the idea that priority should be given to the ideological work to successfully accomplish the socialist cause and the basic mission of this work is to model the whole society on the socialist idea.
It also stresses that the ideological work should be conducted in line with principles and method suited to the intrinsic requirements of socialism.
M2 PRESSWIRE-May 31, 2011-: Open Market Option must be compulsory; Annuity Industry providers would support legislation to enforce use of OMO Market will quickly adapt to ECJ ruling.(C)1994-2011 M2 COMMUNICATIONS
RDATE:31052011
Recent research of leading annuity providers and experts within the industry showed that over 60% would support legislation, which compelled the use of the Open Market Option.
The same research, commissioned by leading annuity administrators, Xafinity Paymaster, showed that 82% of experts said that providers will quickly adapt to the European Court of Justice ruling on gender equality and greater product innovation would result as providers sought to differentiate.
Similarly, the majority of the industry (87%) believed that the abolition of compulsory annuitisation at age 75 is little more than hype and most retirees will continue to purchase their annuity as before, albeit maybe a little later in life.
Keith Boughton, Director, Insurance and Payments, Xafinity Paymaster commented:
"The overwhelming support for some form of OMO compulsion demonstrates that the industry realises it may need legislation and, rather than complaining, it supports it. Similarly, where changes are made, such as the abolition of compulsory annuitisation at age 75, or in a similar vein the implementation of the ECJ ruling, providers just get on with it."
Notes to Editor:
The Xafinity Paymaster Annuity Industry Survey 2011 was undertaken in April 2011 and targeted Product and Service providers, Employee Benefit Consultants, Financial advisors and Annuity Influencers. This is a significant group and we are delighted to report a response rate of 40% which indicates that participants welcome a forum to express their views.
- Download a copy of the research findings / full report at
http://www.xafinity.com/Microsites/Xafinity-Paymaster/Services/Annuity-Administration-Services.aspx
INTRODUCTION FROM FULL REPORT: Welcome to the 2011 annual Annuity Industry Survey conducted by Xafinity Paymaster.
This survey was undertaken in April 2011 and targeted Product and Service providers, Employee Benefit Consultants, Financial Advisors and Annuity Influencers. This is a significant group and we are delighted to report a response rate of 40% which indicates that participants welcome this forum to express their views. As in 2010 the results indicate that these vary greatly and there is disagreement in a number of areas.
The last 12 months has seen a plethora of measures announced to increase retirement flexibility and it is clear that the shape and mechanics of the future market are still to be determined.
The results of this survey show that lifetime annuities are still expected to be the most widely selected annuity product over the next five years. In 2011, 95% of respondents supported this stance up from 90% in 2010.
Despite this, an increasing percentage of respondents believe that the market still requires a greater number and alternative shapes of product to meet the needs of the market over the next five years. Only 52% of respondents, down from 64% believe that the existing range is adequate.
The last 12 months has also seen a growing recognition that the Internet will play an increased role in decumulation of pension fund assets and that execution only business will play the key role in the future. Over 96% of respondents believe that this to be the case, up from 72% in 2010.
The survey also reveals some conflicting views held. These primarily relate to the sources and means of provision of affordable advice to consumers. It is clear that this issue is one that needs greater focus from all those keen to ensure that the UK has a vibrant and efficient decumulation market that provides appropriate and equitable advice for consumers.
As the leading independent annuity administrator in the UK, we have a role to support the provision of services to support new annuity products as well as ensuring there are appropriate means of servicing a growing annuitant population.
I would like to thank all those who gave their time to participate and share their views and insights into the UK annuity market at this particularly interesting time...
Download a copy of the research findings / full report at
http://www.xafinity.com/Microsites/Xafinity-Paymaster/Services/Annuity-Administration-Services.aspx
More information:
Keith Boughton
Director, Insurance and Payments
Xafinity Paymaster
Tel: 01293 604 223
Email: keith.boughton@xafinitypaymaster.com
Jane Ward
Group Communications & PR Manager
Xafinity
Tel: 0207 469 1907
Email: jane.ward@xafinity.com
Background information:
Xafinity Paymaster is a leading business process outsourcer providing pension, payroll and annuity administration to more than 750 schemes and 2.9 million members, covering the full spectrum of sizes and arrangements. Xafinity Paymaster supports 130 major public and private sector organisations and makes payments totalling over [pound sign]11 billion per annum to pensioners, dependants and annuitants in over 180 countries worldwide.
2011_UK_Pensions_Awards_Third-Party Administrator
Xafinity was awarded the "Third-Party Administrator of the Year" award at the Professional Pensions UK Pension Awards 2011.
About Xafinity Paymaster's Insurance and Payments division:
* Paying 2.2 million pensioners and annuitants including 45,000 residents overseas
* Niche service provider to insurance companies
* Administering over 600,000 annuities on behalf of insurance companies.
* UK's leading independent provider of annuity services for insurance companies.
www.xafinitypaymaster.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)).
AUGUSTA, ME -- The following information was released by the Maine House of Representatives, Democrats:
By Rep. Mark Bryant
Having served in the Maine Legislature for the last 7 years, I have seen legislation take varied paths to its ultimate fate - whether that is the law books or the recycling bin. The legislative process is designed to be thorough and deliberate.
Last week I witnessed an abuse of the legislative process that I find disturbing. On Thursday, May 5, Republican lawmakers voted along party lines to give initial passage to a complex proposal to axe Maine's health insurance protections without the customary study and public input. You can view my reaction on YouTube.
What's especially concerning is that the bill is about one of the most important issues we work on in Augusta - the cost, quality and access of health care.
Early reviews of the bill suggest it will have damaging impacts on seniors, people living in rural areas and anyone with a pre-existing condition. Unfortunately, the bill was pushed through before the Bureau of Insurance was allowed to study its impact.
The original bill, LD 1333, was sent to the Insurance and Financial Services Committee as a simple four page document. This was the only version that the public had the opportunity to weigh in on at the hearing in late April.
In two day's time, the bill had morphed into a 29 page document. When my Democratic colleagues asked questions about the amended bill there were few answers; and in fact, the state's Bureau of Insurance spokesperson was unable to give feedback to the committee as they usually do, because the document was presented just prior to the work session.
There were multiple attempts to request information and appeals to allow for time to research the most complex parts of the bill - all were denied.
At the final language review the bill was now 45 pages of almost entirely new language that the public never saw and that my colleagues did not have input in. The Republicans of the committee then voted to support the new, longer version.
LD 1333 was then fast-tracked to go before the House in only a few days and literally only hours after the amended bill was available to the public over the internet. Some legislators in the House, from both parties, admitted to not having had time to read and digest the new version they were being called upon to vote for.
During the floor debate in the House many questions went unanswered leaving many to believe that the bill's authors simply did not have them. It was a very strange feeling to hear silence after a question, unlike most cases when the authors proudly explain their viewpoint and want others to understand what they are voting on.
Again, several colleagues asked for time to look at this proposal and again were denied.
There were questions about insurance companies putting Mainers in need of on-going care in a separate insurance pool to fend for themselves, there were questions about repealing the law that keeps insurance companies from sending you to the hospital of their choosing based on price. There were questions about the tax on all insurance premiums.
During the debate I pointed out that we took more time for LD 71, the whoopie pie bill, 52 days from the public hearing to the first House vote. It took eight days for LD 1333 to do the same.
In the end, the House split along party lines to accept the majority's bill 76-72.
I have grave concerns about rushing something as serious as health insurance reform. Any bill that deserves passage should be able to stand up to public scrutiny. I have no problem fighting the good fight and I have no problem losing after healthy debate. What I have a problem with is how this "win" was accomplished.
By the time you read this, the Senate will have worked this bill and hopefully cooler heads will have prevailed to at least let this idea cook a bit longer. But judging from the track this bill is on - I believe it will be fully passed by another partisan vote and headed for the law books and Maine people will be punished for it.
I hope I am wrong.
Foundation Giving Rises 16%, Volunteer Hours Top 27,724 Hours
LOS ANGELES -- Wells Fargo & Company invested a record $17.3 million in 1,600 schools and nonprofits in Greater Los Angeles in 2010 - up 16 percent from 2009. In addition, Greater Los Angeles Wells Fargo employees contributed more than $5 million and 27,724 volunteer hours to local nonprofits and schools to help their neighborhoods and communities succeed. Total investments in the community by Wells Fargo and its employees exceeded $22 million in 2010.
Nationally, the company invested $219 million in grants to 19,000 nonprofits and schools. Employees contributed more than 1.3 million volunteer hours around the country.
"Everyone has been touched in some way by the current economic challenges, so I couldn't be more proud of our company and the generosity of our team members," said John Sotoodeh, regional president for Wells Fargo Los Angeles Metro Community Banking. "Our company continues to be committed to using our financial resources and expertise, working closely with nonprofits and other stakeholders, to create long-term economic growth in the communities we serve."
Team Member Giving and Volunteerism
In 2010, team members in Greater Los Angeles reported more than 27,724 volunteer hours serving nonprofit organizations in their communities and donated more than $5 million of their own dollars to local nonprofit organizations and schools through the company's Community Support Campaign, which is an annual fundraiser encouraging employees to support any 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency or school, including the United Way.
According to Independent Sector, a U.S. coalition of more than 550 philanthropic organizations, the value of one volunteer hour is $21.36. With 27,724 hours, this means that Wells Fargo team members in the Los Angeles area contributed approximately $592,000 in volunteer time in 2010. Across the country, 39,386 team members recorded 1.3 million volunteer hours, up 10 percent from 2009, for an approximate value of $28.2 million in volunteer time.
About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.2 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs, the Internet (wellsfargo.com and wachovia.com), and other distribution channels across North America and internationally. With approximately 280,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in America. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 19 on Fortune's 2010 rankings of America's largest corporations. We want to help all of our customers succeed financially and create long-term economic growth and quality of life for everyone in our communities. In 2010, the Company invested a record $219 million in grants in 19,000 nonprofits, and team members contributed more than 1.3 million volunteer hours around the country. For more information, please visit: www.wellsfargo.com/about/csr.
Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News
DETROIT--May 28--Microsoft Corp., facing government antitrust lawsuits, is allowing computer maker Gateway Inc. to customize the screen that people see when they turn on their computers.
Microsoft agreed to allow Gateway to promote its own Internet-access service on desktop screens and to more easily enable users to choose a non-Microsoft Internet browser.
The Seattle software maker's new flexibility comes just 10 days after it was hit by an antitrust lawsuit. Gateway and Microsoft officials would not say whether the negotiations were spurred by the government's antitrust actions.
Meanwhile, federal regulators soon may file a similar antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft's longtime business partner, Intel Corp., the other half of the so-called Wintel alliance that dominates the PC industry. Government attorneys are preparing charges that Intel illegally abused its power to hurt rivals, Reuters reported.
Wednesday's announcement should boost Netscape Communications Corp., which pioneered the market for Internet browsers. Netscape still dominates the browser market, but has seen its market share drop sharply since Microsoft started giving away its latest version of Internet Explorer last year. The move forced Netscape to do the same with its Navigator product, triggering its first quarterly loss in January and 400 layoffs.
Starting next week, Gateway PC buyers can choose between browsers made by Netscape and Microsoft. Either product can be the default browser, which would automatically run after surfers connect to the Internet.
But to get this choice, consumers must use Gateway's Internet service provider -- Gateway.net -- to connect to the Web, Gateway Chief Executive Ted Waitt said in a telephone news conference.
"We have gained some flexibility in our negotiations with Microsoft," Waitt said. "As far as we know, we are the only PC maker that has made it as easy as possible" to choose the browser.
Previously, people who clicked on the Internet access icon were sent to Microsoft's online service. Microsoft has resisted attempts to allow PC makers to fully customize computer desktops.
This reluctance led to an impasse on May 18 that prompted the federal government and 20 state attorneys general to file antitrust suits against Microsoft. The trial is scheduled to start Sept. 8, far earlier than Microsoft had wanted.
Now Intel could be under government scrutiny. Within the next week, top staff at the Federal Trade Commission will review the proposed charges against Intel. The FTC may vote to approve narrow charges against Intel, according to Reuters. Those charges are likely to be broadened later.
"I can neither confirm nor deny that," said an FTC spokeswoman, adding that the agency never comments on pending decisions.
The FTC has studied other cases involving Intel, which have taken place outside of Washington, but which establish some of the broad outlines of the case.
Last month, a federal judge in Alabama ruled that Intel abused its market dominance by cutting off information and enabling technology that Huntsville, Ala., computer maker Intergraph Corp. needed to stay in business.
The judge issued a preliminary injunction ordering Intel to provide the same kind of service to Intergraph it provided to other customers. Intel followed the order but appealed.
The cases provide the factual basis for the FTC to make assertions similar to those Intergraph made in its private antitrust lawsuit: that Intel is violating the law by using its power to force others to give up their trade secrets or cooperate with Intel.
The FTC has studied that decision and Intel's actions since it brought charges against Intel in April for its actions against computer equipment maker Digital Equipment Corp.
"We have no comment about speculation about what may or may not happen," an Intel spokesman said. "It is a nonpublic investigation. But we continue to cooperate and meet with the staff of the commission."
Associated Press contributed to this story.
Visit the four World Wide Web sites of the Detroit Free Press. Visit Auto Authority at http://www.auto.com, the Freep at http://www.freep.com, Jobspage at http://www.freep.com/jobspage and Yaks Corner for kids at http://www.yakscorner.com
(c) 1998, Detroit Free Press. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.
IRVINE, Calif., and MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Patrick N. Di Carlo, Chairman and CEO of American Phoenix Group Inc. (Nasdaq: APHX, APHXW) and Bruce R. Pilley, Chairman of Teterless Access Asia Ltd. ("TAAL") announced today that the two companies have signed a letter of intent for APHX to acquire TAAL. Under the terms of the agreement, APHX will acquire all of TAAL's capital stock in exchange for a combination of APHX common stock, preferred stock and options. The final consideration paid to TAAL will depend upon certain performance criteria applied to TAAL's business operations. The TAAL shareholders shall have the right to designate a majority of the APHX Board of Directors upon completion of the transaction.
TAAL is a wireless data networking services company that is currently establishing and operating wireless data communications networks through joint ventures with experienced business partners, principally in developing economies.
Among the ventures underway is TAAL's joint venture in China with China Launch and Tracking Control ("CLTC"), the satellite launch agency for the Chinese Government. CLTC also operates VSAT and mobile telephone networks throughout China.
In the Philippines, TAAL's joint venture partner is the Corona Group, which currently operates a trunk radio system on Luzon and holds an unrestricted national and international telecommunications franchise.
TAAL's corporate mission is to provide superior returns to shareholders through the provision of high speed data communications services, including high speed Internet access, which take advantage of the exploding demand for alternatives to wire line services in developing countries.
TAAL is currently establishing commercially operational networks in the following cities:
-- San Francisco Bay Area, California
-- Anchorage, Alaska
-- Shanghai, China
-- Shenyang,China
-- Shenghan, China
-- Manila, Philippines
-- Buenos Aires, Argentina
-- Melbourne, Australia
-- Auckland, New Zealand
TAAL's business model produces recurrent revenues by charging customers a monthly fee for access to a high speed data connection to the TAAL network, or the Internet. TAAL's current product, the Subspace 2001, delivers greater than 64 kbps throughput. TAAL expects to release its next generation product, the Subspace 2002, delivering 400 kbps of throughput to the end user and providing significantly enhanced performance.
TAAL maintains offices in Sunnyvale, California; Melbourne, Australia; Beijing, China; Shenzhen, China; Manila, Philippines, and Cape Town, South Africa.
APHX is an international technology and financial holding organization engaged principally in developing advanced technologies through controlled subsidiaries. APHX's common stock and common stock purchase warrants, exercisable at $3.75 per share until August 2000, currently trade on the Nasdaq Small Cap Market Tier under the symbols, APHX and APHXW, respectively.
SOURCE American Phoenix Group Inc.
-0- 10/1/96
/CONTACT: Patrick N. Di Carlo of APHX, or Daniel A. France of APHX, 714-224-2525, or Bruce Pilley of TAAL, 011-613-9621-1155, or Web site http:/www.hblequities.com/
(APHX)
CO: American Phoenix Group, Inc.; Tetherless Access Asia, Ltd. ST: California IN: TLS SU: TNM
TM -- NYTU007 -- 6435 10/01/96 08:01 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
Lineup Includes Top Producers, Funders and Technology Innovators; Stars to Compete in Web Celebrity Game Show
SAN FRANCISCO -- NewTeeVee Live, a premier event co-produced by Federated Media and GigaOM, will showcase the online video industry's most talented video producers, promising technologies, leading innovators and top funding executives on November 14, 2007, at the Mission Bay Conference Center in San Francisco.
The web video market is dramatically reinventing itself at lightning speed. NewTeeVee Live will feature the foremost thought-leaders and influencers discussing the future of the online video content business, including these:
-- Jeff Berman -- GM, MySpace TV -- Mike Afergan -- CTO, Akamai -- Gina Bianchini -- Co-Founder and CEO, Ning -- Steve Chen -- Co-Founder and CTO, YouTube -- Kevin Cohen -- Strategic Planning, Turner Broadcasting -- Jim Louderback -- CEO, Revision3 -- Dennis Miller -- General Partner, Spark Capital -- Ashwin Navin -- President, Co-Founder, BitTorrent -- Ben Relles -- Founder, Barely Political -- Mika Salmi -- President of Global Digital Media for MTV Networks -- Herb Scannell -- Co-Founder and CEO, Next New Networks -- Greg Spiridellis -- CEO and Co-Founder, JibJab -- Henrik Werdelin -- Chief Creative Officer, Joost The two keynote speakers are: -- Quincy Smith -- President, CBS Interactive -- Ralph de la Vega - Group President, AT&T
To see a full list of speakers go to http://live.newteevee.com/speakers. The event kicks off at 8:15 AM PDT with opening remarks from Om Malik, the founder of GigaOM, the media company that delivers technology news, analysis, and opinions to a monthly global audience of 1.75 million consumers and professionals interested in the world of high-tech. He'll be joined by Liz Gannes, the founder and editor of NewTeeVee, a part of GigaOM.
A game show featuring the stars of Internet video will be the evening entertainment, bringing NewTeeVee Live to a close. Hosted by comedian Heather Gold of the Heather Gold Show, contestants in the game show are:
-- Yuri Baranovsky, Break a Leg -- Veronica Belmont, Mahalo Daily -- Hayden Black, Goodnight Burbank/Abigail's X-Rated Teen Diary -- Lindsay Campbell, Wallstrip -- Zadi Diaz, JETSET -- Justin Kan, Justin.tv -- Cali Lewis, GeekBrief.tv -- Casey McKinnon, Galacticast -- Kevin Rose, Diggnation -- Robert Scoble, ScobleShow
Tickets for the event can be purchased at http://newteeveelive.eventbrite.com/. Due to overwhelming interest, only a limited number of tickets remain available. For more information please send an e-mail message to live@newteevee.com
About NewTeeVee:
NewTeeVee is the leading chronicler of the reinvention of television. The site points readers to hot online video technology and startups and traces the talent, money, code, and data across the network. It combines the signature GigaOM skepticism with a healthy sense of wonder for all the rapidly changing developments in the online video industry.
About Federated Media (FM):
At FM, we believe great voices attract great audiences. We're in the business of supporting those voices by connecting them to great marketers, as well as providing a suite of services that let authors focus on what they do best: make compelling media. In so doing, we are creating federations of respected voices that prosper on their own terms. Current federations include Sports, Technology, Automotive, Business & Marketing, Media & Entertainment, Momentum, Travel & Leisure and Parenting. For more information, please go to http://www.federatedmedia.net.
Merck & Co., Inc.:
TO: Pharmaceutical Reporters and Editors WHAT: Merck & Co., Inc. will host a conference call for pharmaceutical and business reporters and editors to discuss the Garza v. Merck trial and other U.S. litigation matters. WHO: Kenneth C. Frazier, senior vice president and general counsel, Merck & Co., Inc. WHEN: Friday, April 21, 2006, 4:45 p.m. ET DIAL-IN: In the United States, dial (866) 543-6405/ Passcode: 17959477 Outside of the United States, dial (617) 213-8897/ Passcode: 17959477 REPLAY: A replay of this call will be available from 6:45 p.m. ET, April 21 until 11:59 p.m. ET, April 28. In the United States, dial (888) 286-8010/ Passcode: 48406275 Outside of the United States, dial (617) 801-6888/ Passcode: 48406275 WEBCAST: A live audio Web cast will be available at: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?p=irol-eventDetails&c=190190 &eventID=1303890 (Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.)
Researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), USA, have used silicon oxide (silica) and nanotechnology in a novel system that releases hydrogen from a solid compound at much faster rates than was previously possible.
Normally, the solid compound--ammonia borane--discharges hydrogen at a slow rate of release (which is carried out at temperatures below 80[degrees]C).
However, by making the ammonia borane as a nano-sized particle, a system was devised in which the hydrogen was released approximately 100 times faster compared with conventional bulk material, the researchers say.
In the system, the scientists first dissolve the solid compound in a solvent and then add the solution to nanoscale mesoporous silica, which acts as a scaffolding material.
The capillary action of the porous material pulls the ammonia borane into the pores of the support. When the solvent is removed, nanosized pores--about 6.5 nm in diameter--filled with ammonia borane are left.
Based on computational thermodynamic analysis, the researchers believe the process may eventually be designed to be reversible, which would allow the storage material to be regenerated and provide a sustainable hydrogen storage compound with a longer lifetime.
A patent is pending on the process.
For further information, contact: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, PO Box 999, MS K2-44, 902 Battelle Boulevard, Richland, WA 99352, USA; tel: +1-509-375-2121; Internet: www.pnl.gov
GFI Software, a leading IT solutions provider for small and medium-sized enterprises, announced the launch of GFI WebMonitor 2011. GFI WebMonitor 2011 is a robust web monitoring, web filtering and web security tool that helps to boost employee productivity by giving administrators the ability to monitor and control employee Internet access in real-time. This ensures that employee web browsing activity is aligned with business needs and that any files downloaded are free of viruses and other malware.
GFI WebMonitor 2011 provides monitoring, filtering and control over Internet use while allowing the broader use of beneficial web applications. The new version adds several enhancements, including one enabling administrators to define policies based on time spent browsing specific types of sites (e.g. - limit to one hour per week on news/sports per user) or bandwidth consumed (limiting each user to 100Mb of YouTube downloads per week).
It also features enhanced proxy caching for improved performance and reduced bandwidth consumption, HTTPS scanning for enhanced filtering and control, improved interactive access and blocked activity monitoring reports - including drill-down capabilities. GFI WebMonitor 2011 also features a site categorization database that gives administrators control over which sites employees can browse and the ability to block access to websites in particular categories, such as adult material, online gaming, personal email, travel websites, and P2P and social networks such as Facebook and MySpace.
GFI WebMonitor 2011 is available as a standalone product and as a dedicated plug-in for Microsoft ISA/TMG Servers, in three editions: WebFilter Edition: Enables administrators the ability to control user browsing based on time and bandwidth quotas, as well as website categorization and URL filtering WebSecurity Edition: Enables download control, virus scanning through multiple antivirus engines, anti-phishing and MSN/Live Messenger control UnifiedProtection Edition: Combines both the WebFilter and WebSecurity editions
"The potential threats that the Internet can introduce into an enterprise network are well known," said Phil Bousfield, general manager, Infrastructure business unit, GFI Software. "Organizations need to protect themselves from the browsing habits of their employees. With IDC Research reporting that 40% of Internet activity is non work-related, administrators need to deploy web-usage policies as well as methods to control what users can access. Together, these two methods will not only boost productivity, but the security of the infrastructure as well."
GFI WebMonitor 2011's Internet monitoring capabilities provide administrators with visibility and transparency into what sites employees are browsing, how much time they are spending and how much bandwidth they're consuming. It also provides interactive drill-down capabilities, showing the site categories being visited by particular users, through robust reporting. Administrators can allow or restrict access to different website categories as well as setting time or bandwidth thresholds, on a per user or per IP basis. GFI WebMonitor 2011 leverages an extensive site categorization database, with coverage of over 205 million domains that are updated daily, enabling administrators to determine what sites users can browse while blocking access to others that are not in line with the needs of the business. About GFI GFI Software provides web and mail security, archiving and fax, networking and security software and hosted IT solutions for small to medium-sized enterprises (SME) via an extensive global partner community. GFI products are available either as on-premise solutions, in the cloud or as a hybrid of both delivery models. With award-winning technology, a competitive pricing strategy, and a strong focus on the unique requirements of SMEs, GFI satisfies the IT needs of organizations on a global scale. The company has offices in the United States, UK, Austria, Australia, Malta, Hong Kong, Philippines and Romania, which together support hundreds of thousands of installations worldwide. GFI is a channel-focused company with thousands of partners throughout the world and is also a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner. Copyright [c] 2011 GFI Software. All rights reserved. All trademarks used are owned by their respective companies. To the best of our knowledge, all details were correct at the time of publishing; this information is subject to change without notice.
Keywords: Asia, China, Enterprise Network, GFI Software, Hong Kong, Networks, Philippines, Software, Technology.
This article was prepared by China Weekly News editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2011, China Weekly News via VerticalNews.com.
M2 PRESSWIRE-March 23, 2011-: State aid: Commission opens in-depth investigation into grants for new oil-shale fuelled power plants in Estonia(C)1994-2011 M2 COMMUNICATIONS
RDATE:23032011
Brussels --The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation under EU state aid rules into an Estonian project to grant state support of up to EUR1.5 billion spread over 20 years to the operators of two newly-constructed 300 MW power plants. The aid would be paid for the mere availability of the plants, provided that they are mainly fuelled with oil-shale, a hydrocarbon widely available in Estonia. Estonia claims that the aid is necessary to increase the security of energy supply. While the Commission acknowledges the importance of securing energy supplies, it has, at this stage, doubts that the proposed Estonian measure would be the least distortive means to achieve this objective. In particular, large-scale subsidies would be allocated over a long period without a tender procedure. This could result in discouraging investment into alternative technologies in Estonia and in neighbouring Member States and in crowding out competitors, who would have to operate without such aid. The opening of an in-depth investigation allows interested third parties to comment on the measure under scrutiny. It does not prejudge the outcome of the procedure.
Commission Vice-President in charge of competition policy Joaquin Almunia said: "While the Commission recognises the special circumstances of the electricity market in Estonia, the specific design of this measure has the potential to seriously disturb competition and could discourage investment in other technologies in Estonia and neighbouring Member States."
Estonia plans to grant state aid of up to EUR75 million annually over 20 years (i.e. a maximum of EUR1.5 billion) for the operation of two oil-shale power plants in order to increase its locally-installed electricity generation capacity between 2013 and 2016. Estonia contends that planned domestic generation capacity and electricity interconnections with other Member States in the Baltic region are insufficient to address future risks to its security of supply.
The proposed scheme would require that the plants be operated with oil-shale as their main fuel. The duration of the scheme would be from 2013 at the earliest until 2032 at the latest. The aid would be in the form of a direct grant remunerating the mere availability of the plants. The amount would be calculated on the basis of the hours of availability of the plants multiplied by an amount fixed in accordance with average CO2 prices on international markets. Oil-shale is one of the most CO2-intensive fuels and virtually no electricity generator in the world other than the publicly owned incumbent Eesti Energia uses it for wide-scale electricity generation.
The Commission acknowledges the necessity to secure the supply of electricity. However, at this stage, the Commission has doubts whether the proposed measure, in its current form, is in line with EU state aid rules.
In particular, no competitive tender is foreseen and, therefore, the most likely beneficiary of the measure would be the fully vertically integrated incumbent energy company Eesti Energia that has significant activity along the whole value chain from mining to electricity distribution, with shares of more than 75% in all these activities in Estonia. Moreover, the aid would be granted irrespective of future sales revenues from electricity generation and there would be insufficient mechanisms to avoid possible windfall profits from such generation. Finally, in view of the substantial amount of aid and the long duration of the scheme, third parties have already raised concerns that the aid might crowd out existing plants and discourage investments in new plants both in Estonia and in neighbouring markets, since competing plants -- contrary to the subsidised new plants -- would be obliged to bear their full investment costs.
The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.30531 in the State Aid Register on the DG Competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. New publications of state aid decisions on the internet and in the Official Journal are listed in the State Aid Weekly e-News.
((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)).
