Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Fund/Bank: Paul Capital closes $1.65 bln secondaries fund

Private Equity secondaries fund provides creative and discreet liquidity solutions

New York (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Paul Capital, an innovative leader in the private equity market, today announced the final closing of its ninth dedicated private equity secondaries fund, Paul Capital Partners IX, L.P. ("Paul IX"). The fund comprises US$1.65 billion in capital commitments and is focused on providing liquidity to holders of private equity around the world. Paul IX closed above its hard cap of $1.5 billion due to strong demand from investors. Its global investor base includes endowments, public and corporate pensions, sovereign wealth funds and family offices. Paul Capital now manages over US$4.2 billion dedicated to secondary private equity.

Paul IX will focus on the acquisition of secondary private equity portfolios, including interests in limited partnerships and portfolios of direct investments. Paul IX will continue to draw on the firm's extensive relationships with institutional investors and general partners through seven offices around the world, including emerging markets.

"Secondary transactions enable investors to manage their liquidity profiles by treating private equity holdings as they would most any other asset class," said David de Weese, General Partner, Paul Capital. "Increasingly, banks, insurance companies, pension funds, family offices, and other holders of private equity are turning to us to help them trim their portfolios and manage risk exposure and liquidity."

A pioneer of the secondary market, Paul Capital has built upon its global reach, creative deal structuring, and reputation for fairness and discretion since 1991 to provide liquidity solutions to limited partners around the world.

"Investors continually seek us out for liquidity given our reputation for innovative solutions and unique deal structures.

In this current market environment, such creative thinking and discreet approaches are welcomed more than ever. We are excited about the opportunities for Paul IX," said Bryon Sheets, General Partner of Paul Capital.

About Paul Capital

Founded in 1991, Paul Capital manages US $6.6 billion in capital commitments for its three investment platforms that include private equity secondaries, healthcare royalty and revenue interests, and venture capital fund of funds. The firm has offices in Hong Kong, London, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Sao Paulo and Toronto. The Paul Secondary funds have completed more than 150 secondary market acquisitions of limited partnership interests and portfolios of direct private equity investments. Through its secondary fund program, Paul Capital is now a limited partner in over 300 partnerships and 500 funds. The secondary team provides customized liquidity solutions for sellers of private equity and has become a trusted partner of sellers from around the world seeking fair value, confidentiality and timely transactions. For more information, please visit http://www.paulcap.com

SOURCE: Paul Capital
CONTACT: Zach Siegel of Cohn & Wolfe for Paul Capital,
+1-212-798-9859,
Zach_Siegel@CohnWolfe.com; or
Joshua C. Glaser of Paul Capital Partners,
+1-646-264-1169,
jglaser@paulcap.com
Web site: http://www.paulcap.com

COPYRIGHT © 2008

Technology: Synaptics advances Gesture Recognition Technology for ClearPad solutions

EGR(TM) eases integration of Gestures for Touchscreen devices

Santa Clara, Calif. (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Synaptics Inc. (Nasdaq: SYNA), a leading developer of human interface solutions for mobile computing, communications, and entertainment devices, announced today the availability of its EGR(TM) (Enhanced Gesture Recognition) technology for Synaptics' ClearPad(TM) touch sensor. Mobile phone and handheld device manufacturers can now easily integrate enhanced gestures into their designs allowing customers to intuitively interact with their devices.

EGR is the latest feature set for Synaptics' ClearPad touch sensors. Customers have the option to enable single-finger gestures -- Tap, Double Tap, Pinch, Press, and Flick -- as well as multi-finger gesture, Pinch, directly from Synaptics' touch module. No additional recognition software is required on the host processor to implement these gestures. This lowers host processor resource requirements and ensures that the gestures are implemented using Synaptics' proven pattern-recognition
technology.

"Synaptics' leadership in capacitive interfaces, having shipped more than 400 million units, requires a standard of continuous research and innovation," said Tom Tiernan, executive vice president and general manager of Synaptics.

"With EGR, we're making it easy for our customers to integrate gesture features on next-generation handheld devices with interactive touchscreens."

ClearPad with EGR is part of Synaptics' growing ClearTouch(TM) product portfolio. Patented ClearPad technology builds on the capacitive technology in TouchPad devices.
Synaptics has over a decade of experience in clear capacitive touch sensing. ClearPad provides a robust and high-performing touchscreen solution for mobile phone and handheld device manufacturers, which recognizes both simple and advanced gestures. OEMs can also provide customized adaptive controls specific to applications for an optimal user interface.

Availability: EGR is now available to OEMs/ODMs via Synaptics' ClearPad solution.

About Synaptics

Synaptics (Nasdaq: SYNA) is a leading developer of human interface solutions for the mobile computing, communications, and entertainment industries. The company creates interface solutions for a variety of devices including notebook PCs, PC peripherals, digital music players, and mobile phones. The TouchPad(TM), Synaptics' flagship product, is integrated into a majority of today's notebook computers. Consumer electronics and computing manufacturers use Synaptics' solutions to enrich the interaction between humans and intelligent devices through improved usability, functionality, and industrial design. The company is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif. http://www.synaptics.com

Synaptics, ClearPad, EGR, ClearTouch, TouchPad, and the Synaptics logo are trademarks of Synaptics in the United States and/or other countries.

All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

For further information, please contact:
Rebecca Parr
Tara Yingst
Synaptics
Edelman
408-454-5178
650-762-2942
rparr@synaptics.com
tara.yingst@edelman.com

SOURCE Synaptics Inc.
CONTACT: Rebecca Parr of Synaptics Inc.,
+1-408-454-5178
rparr@synaptics.com; or
Tara Yingst of Edelman,
+1-650-762-2942,
tara.yingst@edelman.com, for Synaptics Inc.
Web site: http://www.synaptics.com

COPYRIGHT © 2008

Business: Spirit Chief Executive Jeff Turner speaking at Bank of America Conference

Wichita, Kan. (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. (NYSE: SPR) President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Turner will speak at the Bank of America 2008 BASics/Industrials Conference on Thursday, May 8, at approximately 10:40 a.m. Eastern Time.

Turner's remarks will be webcast at http://www.spiritaero.com/investor.aspx

Individuals are advised to check the web site ahead of time to ensure their computers are configured for the webcast.

SOURCE: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
CONTACT: Philip Anderson, Investor Relations of Spirit AeroSystems,
Inc., +1-316-523-1797/
WEB SITE: http://www.spiritaero.com/investor.aspx /

COPYRIGHT © 2008

Medical/Technology: Volcano announces participation in SATURN clinical trial

Volcano announces participation in SATURN clinical trial sponsored by AstraZeneca

San Diedo (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Study represents first inclusion of Volcano Revolution(R) 45 MHz IVUS Imaging Catheter in large-scale pharmaceutical plaque progression trial.

Volcano Corporation (Nasdaq: VOLC), a leading manufacturer and developer of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), functional measurement (FM) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) products designed to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of coronary and peripheral vascular disease, announced today participation in SATURN (Study of Coronary Atheroma by InTravascular Ultrasound: Effect of Rosuvastatin Versus AtorvastatiN). This marks the first major pharmaceutical trial allowing physicians to use the Volcano Revolution(R) 45 MHz IVUS Imaging catheter as part of the protocol.

SATURN is a 104-week, parallel-group, multicentre, double-blind, Phase IIIb intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging study of approximately 1,300 patients at 170 centres worldwide. This study by AstraZeneca is designed to measure the impact of CRESTOR(TM) (rosuvastatin) 40 mg and atorvastatin (Lipitor(R)) 80 mg on the progression of atherosclerosis in high risk patients. SATURN will compare the effects of these two statins on the ability to decrease progression or induce regression of atherosclerosis, the main cause of cardiovascular disease, following two years of treatment in patients with coronary artery disease.

The SATURN study is chaired by Steve Nissen, M.D., with Steve Nichols, M.D. from the Cleveland Clinic Core Lab as the principle investigator. Under this protocol, physicians enrolling patients may select the Volcano Revolution(R) IVUS catheters as their IVUS catheter of choice.

About Volcano Corporation

Volcano Corporation (NASDAQ: VOLC) offers a broad suite of devices designed to facilitate endovascular procedures, enhance the diagnosis of vascular and structural heart diseases and guide optimal therapies. The company's intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) product line includes ultrasound consoles that can be integrated directly into virtually any modern cath lab. Volcano IVUS offers unique features, including both single-use phased array and rotational IVUS imaging catheters, and advanced functionality options such as VH(TM) tissue characterization and ChromaFlo(R). Internal DICOM networking provided by DICOM by Merge. Volcano also provides functional measurement (FM) consoles and single-use pressure and flow guide wires and is developing a line of ultra high-resolution Optical Coherence Tomography systems and catheters. Currently, more than 3,200 Volcano IVUS and FM systems are installed worldwide, with approximately half of its revenues coming from outside the United States. For more information, visit the company's website at http://www.volcanocorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements in this press release regarding Volcano's business that are not historical facts may be considered "forward-looking statements," including statements regarding the company's success and timing of product development and new product introductions, and market penetration, conditions and expectations. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current, preliminary expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause Volcano's results to differ materially and adversely from the statements contained herein. Some of the potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from the results predicted are detailed in the company's annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly report on Form 10-Q, and other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made.

Volcano undertakes no obligation to update any forward- looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date they were made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

SOURCE Volcano Corporation

CONTACT: Sandra Mercer, Associate Director of Marketing Communications
of Volcano Corporation,
+1-916-952-2133,
smercer@volcanocorp.com; or
Shalon Roth of Ricochet Public Relations,
+1-212-679-3300, ext. 127,
sroth@ricochetpr.com,
for Volcano Corporation
Web site: http://www.volcanocorp.com

COPYRIGHT © 2008

Business: Swiss Re reports net income of CHF 624 Mln in q1 2008

-- Earnings per share of CHF 1.84
-- Annualised return on equity of 8.5%
-- Satisfactory underlying performance across the business segments

Zurich (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Swiss Re reported net income of CHF 624 million in the first quarter of 2008, a reduction of 53% over the prior year's first quarter. The reduction was attributable to the continuing turmoil in the financial markets and the resulting additional mark-to-market loss of CHF 819 million on the structured credit default swaps in run-off since November 2007. This was partially offset by a strong performance from Asset Management. Property & Casualty and Life & Health delivered satisfactory results. Earnings per share were CHF 1.84. The annualised return on equity was 8.5%.

Swiss Re reported net income of CHF 624 million for the first quarter of 2008. Earnings per share fell 52% to CHF 1.84 over the same period of last year. Return on equity was equivalent to an annualised rate of 8.5% compared to 17.1% in the first quarter 2007.

Shareholders' equity decreased 13% to CHF 27.8 billion compared to 31 December 2007 due to the depreciation of the US dollar against the Swiss franc, mark-to-market effects on the investment portfolio and the continued buy-back of shares. As of the end of the first quarter, Swiss Re's share buy-back reached CHF 3.26 billion, with 42% of its announced CHF 7.75 billion target completed. Book value per share was down 9% to CHF 83.26.

Property & Casualty continued its solid performance.
Operating income was CHF 1.3 billion, a decrease of 6% compared to the first quarter of 2007, reflecting strict underwriting across all lines of business. The combined ratio was up 3.1 percentage points to 96.9% compared to the first quarter of 2007, mainly due to property business which was impacted by higher man-made losses and lower premium volumes.

Life & Health generated an operating income of CHF 449 million, representing a decrease of 45% compared to a very strong first quarter in 2007. While the result benefited from Admin Re(R) as well as variable annuity and longevity business
acquired in 2007, it was impacted by lower proprietary net realised investment gains.

Financial Markets generated an operating income of CHF 1.4 billion. In a generally difficult market environment, the structured credit default swaps in run-off generated an additional mark-to-market loss of CHF 819 million in the first quarter. While this business is in run-off, Swiss Re continues to be exposed to market value fluctuations on the underlying securities and we estimate a further loss of CHF 200 million for the month of April. The annualised return on investments, which excludes the mark-to-market loss on the structured credit default swaps, was 5.8%, up 0.4 percentage points compared to the first quarter of 2007.

Jacques Aigrain, Swiss Re's Chief Executive Officer, said: "Despite the continuing turmoil in the financial markets, we remain confident in our earnings power and our ability to maximise shareholder returns. Our capital position is strong and our insurance related portfolio is sound. While we face challenging conditions, we are well prepared and will not deviate from our sharp focus on underwriting quality, careful risk selection and economic profit growth."

Swiss Re maintains its targets of earnings per share growth of 10% and return on equity of 14% over the cycle.

Together with the release of its first quarter 2008 results, Swiss Re also disclosed its 2007 results based on its Economic Value Management (EVM) model. EVM is Swiss Re's integrated economic measurement and steering framework used for planning, pricing, reserving and managing its business. The 2007 EVM results can be found at: http://www.swissre.com
investorrelations .

Notes to editors
Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd

Swiss Re is a leading and highly diversified global reinsurer. The company operates through offices in more than 25 countries. Founded in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1863, Swiss Re offers financial services products that enable risk-taking essential to enterprise and progress. The company's traditional reinsurance products and related services for property and casualty, as well as the life and health business are complemented by insurance-based corporate finance solutions and supplementary services for comprehensive risk management. Swiss Re is rated "AA-" by Standard & Poor's, "Aa2" by Moody's and "A+" by A.M. Best.

Contact:
Eileen Lim
Corporate Communications, Asia
Swiss Re
Tel: +852-2582-3660
SOURCE Swiss Re

COPYRIGHT © 2008

Metal/Mining: Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation

Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation
(NYSE:CDE)(TSX:CDM)(ASX:CXC) announced today that its Cerro Bayo Mine in southern Chile has resumed operations after a temporary suspension to upgrade the mine's electrical infrastructure.

The Company had announced on April 8th that the mine would cease operations for six weeks. The mine was able to re-commence operations sooner than planned due to rapid mobilization of contractors, expedited procurement of materials, and participation of the mine's own workforce to assist with the work.

These electrical upgrades were part of Cerro Bayo's ongoing recovery plan which has improved operations and lowered costs. Key components of this plan include increased underground mine development for improved operational flexibility, reduced manpower, improved workforce training and supervision, and more efficient mining.

About Coeur

Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation is one of the world's leading silver companies and also a significant gold producer, with anticipated 2008 production of approximately 16 million ounces of silver, a 40% increase over 2007 levels. Coeur, which has no silver or gold production hedged, is now set to begin producing silver at the world's largest pure silver mine - San Bartolom? in Bolivia ? and is currently constructing another world-leading silver mine ? Palmarejo in Mexico.

The Company also operates two underground mines in southern Chile and Argentina and one surface mine in Nevada; and owns non-operating interests in two low-cost mines in Australia.

The Company also owns a major gold project in Alaska and conducts exploration activities in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Mexico and Tanzania. Coeur common shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CDE, the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol CDM, and its CHESS Depositary Interests are traded on the Australian Securities Exchange under symbol CXC.

Cautionary Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities legislation in the United States, Canada, and Australia, including statements regarding anticipated operating results. Such statements are subject to numerous assumptions and uncertainties, many of which are outside the control of Coeur. Operating, exploration and financial data, and other statements in this press release are based on information that Coeur believes is reasonable, but involve significant uncertainties affecting the business of Coeur, including, but not limited to, future gold and silver prices, costs, ore grades, estimation of gold and silver reserves, mining and processing conditions, construction schedules, currency exchange rates, and the completion and/or updating of mining feasibility studies, changes that could result from future acquisitions of new mining properties or businesses, the risks and hazards inherent in the mining business (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, weather or geologically related conditions), regulatory and permitting matters, risks inherent in the ownership and operation of, or investment in, mining properties or businesses in foreign countries, as well as other uncertainties and risk factors set out in filings made from time to time with the SEC, the Canadian securities regulators, and the Australian Securities Exchange, including, without limitation, Coeur's reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q.

Actual results, developments and timetables could vary significantly from the estimates presented. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Coeur disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additionally, Coeur undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of Coeur, its financial or operating results or its securities. Donald J. Birak, Coeur's Senior Vice President of Exploration, is the qualified person responsible for the preparation of the scientific and technical information concerning Coeur's mineral projects in this news release. For a description of the key assumptions, parameters and methods used to estimate mineral reserves and resources, as well as a general discussion of the extent to which the estimates may be affected by any known environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing or other relevant factors, please see the Technical Reports for each of Coeur's properties as filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors ? The United States Securities and Exchange Commission permits U.S. mining companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only those mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. We use certain terms on this press release, such as "measured,""indicated," and "inferred""resources," which the
SEC guidelines strictly prohibit U.S. registered companies from including in their filings with the SEC. U.S. investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 10-K which may be secured from us, or from the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.

Coeur d'Alene Mines CorporationKarli Anderson, 208-665-0345
(Investor Contact)Director of Investor RelationsTony Ebersole, 208-665-0777
(Media Inquiries)Director of Corporate Communications
KEYWORD:
Australia United States North America South America Canada Australia/Oceania Chile Idaho
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: Natural Resources Mining/Minerals
CATEGORY KEYWORD: Source: Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation
Copyright Business Wire 200

Business: Revised recommendation from the election committee in Norske Skogindustrier ASA

The new election committee in Norske Skogindustrier ASA, elected at the company's general meeting on 24 April 2008, has made a new recommendation for members of the board of directors in Norske Skogindustrier ASA.

The members of the board will be elected by the company's corporate assembly on 7 May 2008.
The new recommendation is enclosed with this press release.
Oxenøen, 6 May 2008
Norske Skog
Corporate affairs

Business in Asia Today - May 06, 2008

SAMSUNG HEAVY'S Q1 NET PROFIT RISES 29 PCT
Seoul (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - Samsung Heavy Industries Co. (KSE:010140), the world's second-largest shipbuilder, said today its first-quarter earnings rose 29 per cent on-year on the back of the increased building of high-priced ships.
Net income came to 115.8 billion won (US$114 million) in the January-March period, compared with 90 billion won a year ago, Samsung Heavy Industries said in a regulatory filing.
Sales added 33 per cent to 2.4 trillion won during the same period and operating profit more than tripled to 223.6 billion won.

AUSTRALIA'S ST GEORGE BANK POSTS 10.1 PCT FALL IN H1 PROFIT
Sydney (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - St George Bank Ltd (ASX:SGB) has delivered a fall in first half profit and narrowed its earnings guidance for the full year, after equity market volatility impacted its bottom line.
Australia's fifth largest bank made a net profit of $A514 million ($US486.19 million) for the half year ended March 31, down 10.1 per cent on the previous corresponding period.
Cash earnings, a truer measure of a bank's profitability, rose 6.2 per cent to A$603 million.
St George said it expected a "significantly" stronger performance in the second half of fiscal 2008, as cost controls, a reduction in investment earnings volatility and the benefits of asset and fee repricing flow through.

INDONESIA'S MEDCO TO SPEND $US150 MLN FOR WELL DRILLING
Jakarta (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - PT Medco E&P Indonesia said it will spend at least US$150 million for drilling of 100 wells this year.
The subsidiary of PT Medco Energi Internasional plans to drill 80 exploration wells and 20 development wells this year with a production target of 47,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
Company president Lukman Mahfied said it will also spend US$110 million to build facilities for development of oil and gas blocks including the A Block in Aceh, Lematang Block in South Sumatra and he Senoro block in Southeast Sulawesi.

TAIWAN BANKS' CROSS-STRAIT 07 OBU REMITTANCES EXCEED US$200 BLN
Taipei (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - The amounts of funds remitted across the Taiwan Strait in both directions via Taiwan banking institutions' offshore banking units (OBUs) and overseas subsidiaries totaled US$209.8 billion in 2007, the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC), Executive Yuan reported Monday.
The figure represents an increase of 27 per cent over that posted in 2006, FSC officials said.
The amounts include personal individual remittances across the Taiwan Strait and remittances for cross-strait import and export trade, the officials said.

MALAYSIA'S PUTRAJAYA PERDANA WINS US$56.4 MLN PORT PROJECT
Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - Putrajaya Perdana Berhad (KLSE:5117) has won a RM180.5 million (US$56.4 million) contract for construction of wharves at Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), a port for container ships located on the eastern mouth of the Pulai River in south-western Johor.
Its wholly-owned unit, Putra Perdana Construction Sdn Bhd, received the award from Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas Sdn Bhd on May 5 in respect of Phase II of the project for the construction and maintenance of wharf structures Berth 11 & 12 and back of wharf works.
The commencement date for the project was 30 April 2008, it said in a statement.

PHILIPPINES' POWER CO MERALCO'S Q1 INCOME HITS US$15.8 MLN
Manila (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - Distribution giant Manila Electric Company (Meralco) reported that its net income for the first quarter of 2008 hit P655 million (US$15.8 million), an increase of 23.2 per cent from its P532 million income in the same period last year.
Meralco said energy sales jumped by 1.9 per cent to 6,165 gWh. However, this is lower by 3.7 per cent as compared to 2006. The company's total revenues dropped by 9.5 per cent to P43.64 billion as against the P48.20 billion last year as a result of lower average generation and system loss charges.

AUSTRALIA'S CENTRAL BANK LEAVES RATES ON HOLD AT 7.25 PCT
Sydney (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) left interest rates on hold today at a near 12-year high of 7.25 per cent but the central bank governor has hinted that rising terms of trade would add to inflationary pressures.
The RBA decision was announced on the same day the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed Australia recovered from its worst-ever trade deficit in March thanks to a surge in resource exports.
RBA governor Glenn Stevens said in the statement that the outlook for demand and inflation was uncertain, as Australia's terms of trade added to spending.

PHILIPPINES CALLS OFF RICE AUCTION AFTER VIETNAM WITHDRAWS
Bangkok (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - The Philippine government has cancelled the current round of bidding to import 500,000 tonnes of rice following Vietnam's withdrawal.
The Thai Rice Exporters' Association president Chukiat Opaswong said he received reports that the Philippines had no choice but to call off the bidding on Monday because no country had submitted a bid.
Vietnam, considered the strongest contender to clinch the deal to sell rice to the Philippine government, notified Manila that it was "not prepared" to take part in the bidding.
However, analysts including Mr. Chukiat himself believed that Vietnam withdrew because it wanted to slow exports in the face of surging prices in its domestic market.

STANDARD CHARTERED UPS STAKE IN ASIA COMMERCIAL BANK TO 15%
Hanoi (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - Standard Chartered Bank has increased its stake in Asia Commercial Bank to 15 per cent. Standard Chartered acquired a 6.16 per cent interest from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), raising its holdings from 8.84 per cent to the maximum of 15 per cent allowed to be held by a single foreign strategic investor.
Under the deal, the London-based bank also increased its holdings in Asia Commercial Bank's outstanding convertible bonds from 8.76 per cent ot 15.86 per cent.
Ray Ferguson, regional CEO of Standard Chartered, said his bank was impressed with Asia Commercial Bank's growth over the past three years, a rate far higher than the industry average in Vietnam.

DOOSAN AIMS TO LEAD CHINA'S CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY INDUSTRY
Beijing (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - South Korean engineering machinery manufacturer Doosan (KSE:034020) has set a target of selling 13,500 excavators in China this year, and is also aiming for the top construction machinery supplier in the Chinese market by 2012, according to Doosan China.
Doosan also plans to introduce its loader business to the Chinese market in the second half of this year.
The South Korean machinery maker entered the Chinese heavy equipment market in 1997 and has cumulatively sold 50,000 excavators over the past decade.
Its excavator sales in China hit 2,910 units in March this year, a record monthly high, and 4,817 units in the first quarter, up 50 per cent year on year.

Source:
Business in Asia Today - MAY 06, 2008
published by Asia Pulse

COPYRIGHT © 2008

Energy: More oil on the way thanks to GE and other int'l shipyards

More oil on the way thanks to GE, Norway's Sevan Marine, Scottish Company, Chinese and other international shipyards

Arendal, Norway & Stamford, Conn. (BUSINESS WIRE) - Two units of GE (NYSE: GE) are joining forces with oil drilling and production technology company Sevan Marine ASA of Norway, Oilexco North Sea Ltd. of Scotland, and a Chinese and other international shipyards to deploy an innovative cylindrical floating oil production, storage and offloading unit that can process 30,000 barrels of crude oil per day and store 300,000 barrels.

Sevan Marine's affiliate Sevan Pte Ltd signed an agreement for a US $300 million senior debt project finance facility for the Sevan Voyageur with mandated lead arrangers GE Energy Financial Services and GE Transportation Finance. GE Capital Markets will syndicate the facility, fully underwritten by the lead arrangers, to a limited group of international banks.
Norway's export credit agency, GIEK, has partially guaranteed the facility.

Eksportfinans funded GIEK's portion of the facility.

As the search for oil shifts to areas without sub-sea pipelines and to smaller and marginal offshore fields, the floating unit offers a smaller, more cost-effective means of production, storage and offloading. Compared to other floating production, storage and offloading units, the Sevan Voyageur, based on Sevan's proprietary technology, can operate more efficiently and in harsher weather, with reduced maintenance, and is easier to re-deploy.

The Sevan Voyageur, the third unit in its class, is expected to be installed in the Shelley Field in the UK's central North Sea during the fourth quarter of this year, and will operate under a five-year contract with Oilexco North Sea Ltd, a subsidiary of Oilexco, Inc. of Canada (LSE: OIL; TSE: OIL).
Yantai Raffles Shipyard in China's Shangdon Province built the hull, Norway's GKSI shipyard built the topside processing plant, and the Keppel Verolme Shipyard in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, is installing the topside on the hull.

The debt facility is structured as a limited recourse financing consisting of a pre and post-completion construction financing of up to US $300 million that converts into a 5-year US $300 million amortizing term loan following delivery of the Sevan Voyageur to Oilexco North Sea.

With this facility and the funding raised by Sevan in September 2007 under a NOK 870 million bond issue, the Sevan Voyageur is now fully financed.

"This bank facility completes the financing of the second Sevan floating, production, storage and offloading unit to be installed in the North Sea," said Jan Erik Tveteraas, CEO of Sevan Marine. "We now have five Sevan units contracted to clients, with an ambition of expanding the fleet further.

The financing GE and its partners, including GIEK, are providing has played an important role in our company's development."

GE has worked with Sevan Marine twice previously: on the financing of a sister floating production, storage and offloading unit, the Piranema, deployed off Brazil, and of the Sevan Driller, an oil and gas drilling vessel to be deployed in the ultra-deep waters of the US Gulf of Mexico.

"This extension of our relationship underlines our trust in Sevan's management and the innovative solutions it is bringing to the floating production market,"?said Ron Petrunoff, Executive Vice President and General Manager, GE Transportation Finance.

Matt O'Connor, Managing Director and leader of debt finance at GE Energy Financial Services, added: "GE's close relationship with Sevan Marine, our extensive oil and gas technical, underwriting and investing expertise, our growing focus on debt lead arranging and on global growth and technology all have combined to make this transaction succeed."

GE Energy Financial Services' $5 billion debt portfolio spans oilfield services, pipelines, gas storage, refining, exploration and production, power, mining and fuel distribution. In addition to debt financing in oil and gas, GE Energy Financial Services maintains 22 partnership investments that produce an estimated 88 million cubic feet of natural gas and 9,400 barrels of oil daily from onshore basins and shallow-water Gulf of Mexico.

About Sevan Marine

ASA Based in Arendal, Norway, Sevan Marine ASA is listed on Oslo B?rs (ticker SEVAN) and is specializing in building, owning and operating floating units for offshore applications. The Company has developed a cylinder-shaped floater, suitable in all offshore environments.

Presently Sevan Marine has four floating production, storage and offloading units and one drilling unit contracted to clients. The Company is also developing other application types for its cylindrical Sevan hull, including floating LNG production and power plants with CO2 capture. More information: www.sevanmarine.com.

About GE

Energy Financial Services GE Energy Financial Services' 350 experts invest globally with a long-term view, backed by the best of GE's technical know-how and financial strength, across the capital spectrum and the energy and water industries, to help their customers and GE grow. With US $19 billion in assets, GE Energy Financial Services, based in Stamford, Connecticut, invests more than US $5 billion annually in two of the world's most capital-intensive industries, energy and water. More information: www.geenergyfinancialservices.com.

About GE Transportation Finance

For more than 30 years, GE Transportation Finance, based in Stamford, Connecticut with offices in Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Oslo and Singapore, has been a leading provider of capital to the global transportation industry, offering a broad range of financing solutions including senior debt, tax-based and synthetic leases, and other structured financial products.
With US $45 billion in assets and a deep understanding of the financing needs of companies in the marine, offshore, intermodal and rail industries, the unit helps find creative and flexible solutions to meet its customers' financing needs.
Visit http://www.getransportationfinance.com

About GE GE (NYSE: GE) is Imagination at Work -- a diversified technology, media and financial services company focused on solving some of the world's toughest problems. With products and services ranging from aircraft engines, power generation, water processing and security technology to medical imaging, business and consumer financing, media content and advanced materials, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit www.ge.com

Editor's Note: Caption for accompanying photo:Two units of GE are joining forces with oil drilling and production technology company Sevan Marine ASA of Norway to deploy a floating oil production, storage and offloading unit shown under construction -- that can process 30,000 barrels of crude oil per day and store 300,000 barrels.

Sevan Marine ASAJan Erik Tveteraas, CEO, +47 37404000
(Media)+47 95214925 mobileorEgil Kvannli, CFO, +65 62201314
(Analysts)+65 96830133 mobileorGE Energy Financial ServicesAndy
Katell, +1 (203) 961-5773 or GE Transportation FinanceMark
Tender, +1 (203)357-6978

Technology: CipherLab debuts industry's first handheld scanner with 3way stand

CipherLab debuts industry's first handheld scanner with three-way stand for added versatility and value
The CipherLab 1500 offers speed and stability at an affordable price point to meet the data capture needs of the retail, healthcare and public sector markets

Taipei, Taiwan - (BUSINESS WIRE) - CipherLab (TWO: 6160), a leading innovator in Automated Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) for the retail, warehouse, healthcare, government and distribution markets, today unveiled the CipherLab 1500, a snappy new handheld scanner designed specifically to meet the needs of the retail, healthcare and public sector markets.

The lightweight and ergonomic 1500 optionally offers the industry's first three-in-one stand, a unique and versatile innovation that enables the 1500 to be wall-mounted, placed on a desktop or utilized as an elevated auto-sense scanning unit - making it the ideal choice for the checkout counter, the manufacturing line or other high-usage environment.

The speedy CipherLab 1500 is the latest addition to the company's high value linear image scanner product line, delivering a high return on investment through improved worker efficiency and accuracy, minimized repair and maintenance needs and complete reliability backed by CipherLab's five-year warranty. It includes ScanMaster, a comprehensive software tool for custom scanner configuration, at no additional cost.

Other notable product features include: a fast 200 decodes sec for high productivity stylish, lightweight design to minimize repetitive movement injuries laser-free reliability with no moving parts for reduced maintenance support for all widely used barcode formats compliance with all major global EMC regulations "CipherLab understands the unique data capture system needs of its customers, particularly those within the retail, healthcare and government sectors," said Sherman Chuang, President and Chief Administrative Officer of CipherLab. "Durability, ease of use and minimal maintenance - even in demanding work environments - are essential product requirements that the 1500 has been designed to deliver. In terms of performance, it's simply one of the best scanners available on the market today."

Visitors to the 2008 International Logistics and Materials Handling Exhibition (SIL), being held June 3-6 in Barcelona, Spain, can get a first look at the CipherLab 1500 scanner in booth C262 in Hall 3.

About CipherLab

CipherLab is a global leader in the design, manufacture, and marketing of Automatic Identification and Data Capture Collection products and systems. The company's mobile computers and scanners are integrated into the networks of some of the world's best known logistics, retail, distribution, government installations and healthcare companies, helping them run more efficiently and effectively onsite and on the road.

Operating worldwide, CipherLab is headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan with offices in China, Germany, the United Kingdom and the USA and is publicly traded on the Taiwan stock exchange (Taiwan OTC: 6160). For more information, please visit http://www.cipherlab.com.

CipherLab Co., Ltd. Maggie Chern, 886-2-8647-1166 #2812 maggie.chern@cipherlab.com.tw

Business: A.M. Best revises for positive for Pacific International Insurance

A.M.-BEST) A.M. Best revises outlook to positive for Pacific International Insurance Limited

Oldwick, N.J. (BUSINESS WIRE) - A.M. Best Co. has revised the outlook to positive from stable for the ratings of Pacific International Insurance Limited (PII) (New Zealand). Concurrently, A.M. Best has affirmed PII's financial strength rating of B+ (Good) and issuer credit rating of "bbb-".

The rating affirmations reflect PII's favorable operating results and persistent improvement in risk-adjusted capitalization. The ratings also consider the company's stable near-term earnings prospects.

The revision of PII's rating outlook reflects its stable earnings prospects from its niche underwriting expertise and continued strong presence in its core underwriting segment.
PII's capital and surplus on an absolute basis have increased approximately 2.5 times since 2005, and A.M. Best expects the company's stable earnings prospects to foster surplus accumulation in the near future.

With a five-year average combined ratio and loss ratio of 64.9% and 25.9%, respectively, PII's operating performance has been highly profitable since fiscal year 2002. Due predominantly to retention of operating earnings, the company's risk-adjusted capitalization improved in 2007, as measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio.

Offsetting rating factors include PII's potential exposure to multiple large claims, short operating history and the uncertainty associated with expanding into new markets.

PII's reinsurance is structured on an excess of loss basis with a relatively large retention per claim, and the arrangement potentially exposes the company's capitalization to multiple large claims. In spite of the claim exposure, significant surplus accumulation over the past three years lowered the retention per risk to approximately 4% of PII's capital and surplus for fiscal yearend 2007 as compared to 10% as at fiscal year end 2005.

PII's continual expansion into new markets may expose the portfolio to additional risk dimensions, although premiums written from these markets remain relatively small compared to the overall portfolio. In view of the current scale of PII's book, A.M. Best has some concerns regarding the potential volatility of PII's underwriting experience as the portfolio develops.

For Best's Ratings, an overview of the rating process and rating methodologies, please visit www.ambest.com/ratings.

Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is a global full-service credit rating organization dedicated to serving the financial and health care service industries, including insurance companies, banks, hospitals and health care system providers.
For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

A.M. Best Co.
Analysts
Billy Wong, +852-2827-3414 billy.wong@ambest.com
or Terrence Wong, +852-2827-3403 terrence.wong@ambest.com
or Public Relations
Jim Peavy, +(1) 908 439 2200, ext. 5644 james.peavy@ambest.com
or Rachelle Morrow, +(1) 908 439 2200, ext. 5378 rachelle.morrow@ambest.com

Technology: Relieving the OTT Burden - Improving online video experience

Oversi Launches its Multi-Service Platform for Over-the-Top Video to Deliver Sought-After Solution for Service Providers

Petach Tikva, (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Oversi today unveiled its multi-service platform (MSP) for managing and monetizing over-the-top (OTT) video. Until now service providers were struggling between the constraints of the network and the demands of their customers. OverCache(TM) MSP relieves the ever-increasing burden of online video and TV, peer-to-peer and other media applications on service provider networks while providing the best quality of experience (QoE) for users.

Eitan Efron, Oversi's co-founder and VP of Marketing and Business Development, said, "Over-the-top video is growing exponentially, consuming a significant amount of service providers' network resources and jeopardizing their existing business models. Serving large quantities of OTT video in larger files, including High Definition, to numerous concurrent users creates a huge problem for service providers, unless you intelligently push the content to the ends. It's a matter of network necessity and quality of service. With video, the customer experience cannot be compromised."

To meet this challenge, Oversi has launched its OverCache MSP for caching and content delivery which benefits service providers in three key ways:
1) Relieving the network load without compromising the customer experience.
2) Accelerating user performance, enabling the service provider to offer tiered services and increase average revenue per user (ARPU).
3) Opening up new monetization opportunities with content providers by guaranteeing customers' QoE and facilitating local advertising insertions.

OTT video is derived from external sources, passing through the operator's network continuously at a high cost to the service provider. By deploying OverCache MSP as close as possible to the user, service providers benefit from bandwidth and capital expense savings.

The MSP platform detects OTT video intelligently, caches it and delivers it on demand to the users. As the content is delivered locally, customers enjoy a far better viewing experience with faster download times and no risk of service interruptions.

David Tolub, President and CEO of Oversi, said, "Users satisfaction with their service provider is directly linked to the quality of their online video experience. Our customers reported a dramatic drop in support calls to their call centers since the MSP has been in operation. Average user Internet video download times have been reduced from 35 seconds to eight seconds, and the system has generated bandwidth savings across the network and over the interconnect links.

"The market response to the product has been phenomenal. We've seen tremendous success in multiple installations in Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America and we're now beginning installations in North America."

OverCache MSP enables service providers to offer tiered services relating to the Internet viewing experience. Mr Tolub continued, "Our customers are asking to relate the performance of our system to their broadband packages, enabling them to increase ARPU significantly. By actually feeling the difference in experience, customers can be motivated to purchase and upgrade to higher broadband packages."

In addition, OverCache MSP can provide assured QoE for specific content and support local advertising insertion, allowing service providers to gain new revenue sources directly from content providers interested in delivering broadcast-quality video for Internet content. This can only occur with OTT caching and delivery platforms located close to the users.

Mr Tolub concluded, "Until now OTT video created a problem for service providers. Now with the OverCache MSP, not only can they handle the challenge effectively over their existing network, they can turn it into a great monetization opportunity."

Oversi will be presenting its OverCache MSP solution at the CableNET(R) Pavilion, The Cable Show, in New Orleans, USA (May 18-20, Booth No: 3735) and at CommunicAsia, Singapore (June 17-20, Stand No: 3K2-07).

Oversi is an active member of the P4P Working Group (P4PWG), sponsored by the Distributed Computing Industry Association (DCIA) (www.dcia.info). Oversi's Jeff Anker will be a featured speaker at the DCIA's P2P MEDIA SUMMIT LA in Los Angeles, CA, on Monday May 5th.

About Oversi

Oversi offers a breakthrough multi-service platform for over-the-top (OTT) content, including Internet video, peer-to-peer (P2P) and other media applications. Oversi's solutions enable service providers to cope with the huge traffic load on their networks while significantly improving customers' quality of experience (QoE).

By assuring QoE, Oversi's solutions open up new monetization opportunities with content providers and facilitate the delivery of tiered services, increasing average revenues per user (ARPU). Oversi has offices and representatives in EMEA, the US, Asia-Pacific and Latin America.

For more information, please visit our new web site, http://www.oversi.com .

Media Contact Natalie Chouraqui, Director, Communications Oversi Tel: +972-77-333-7723 Cell: +972-54-4750-889 Fax: +972-3-542-3165 Email: nataliec@oversi.com

CableNET is a trademark of Cable Television Laboratories, Inc.

SOURCE Oversi
CONTACT: Natalie Chouraqui, Director, Communications of Oversi,
+972-77-333-7723, Cell: +972-54-4750-889, Fax:
+972-3-542-3165, nataliec@oversi.com
Web site: http://www.oversi.com

COPYRIGHT © 2008

Technology: Synaptics ClearTouch Tech takes touch interfaces to next level

Santa Clara, California, (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Synaptics Inc. (Nasdaq: SYNA), a leading developer of human interface solutions for mobile computing, communications, and entertainment devices, announced its ClearTouch(TM) product portfolio ClearPad(TM) and ClearArray(TM) sensors are available for a wide range of consumer electronics that require transparent touch-sensitive user interfaces.

Synaptics' ClearTouch(TM) products are designed for durability, low power consumption, and easy integration. They enable attractive and intuitive user interfaces to meet the rigorous needs of consumer electronics. Patented ClearPad technology builds on the capacitive touch sensing technology used in over 400 million TouchPad devices. Synaptics has over a decade of experience in clear, two-dimensional, capacitive touch sensing. All ClearTouch solutions can operate under glass or plastic, resulting in robust devices with slim form factors and sleek industrial designs.

"Next-generation handsets will greatly benefit from touchscreen technology," said Bill Morelli, research analyst at IMS. "Synaptics ClearTouch sensors provide an ideal solution and are well suited to a wide range of handset styles."

ClearPad A ClearPad sensor was the key feature in Synaptics' pioneering Onyx concept touchscreen phone demonstrated in August 2006. ClearPad provides a robust, intuitive, and high-resolution touchscreen interface solution for today's mobile devices -- including mobile phones, portable music players, and handheld GPS devices.

ClearArray Synaptics' ClearArray interface solutions support buttons and scrolling in fixed locations over a display, a cost-optimized touchscreen solution.

ClearArray sensors can even be used in monitors and kiosk-style devices as an alternative to mechanical buttons. These transparent sensors enable manufacturers to differentiate their products according to their target price point, industrial design requirements, and the desired end-user experience.

Capacitive vs. Resistive -- How to Tell the Difference Resistive touchscreens respond to pressure. When a user presses the screen, a top layer of flexible material makes contact with the lower layer to indicate the location of the user's finger or stylus. The mechanical flexing of a resistive sensor reduces its durability and the air gap affects optical quality. Resistive interfaces also require frequent end-user calibration.

Capacitive solutions such as Synaptics ClearTouch use a grid of conductive traces implemented on a clear substrate such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film or glass to accurately report one or more finger positions and relative pressure on a sensor. Synaptics ClearTouch solutions offer superior optics, are solid state, and require no end-user calibration.

As the number and sophistication of handheld applications proliferate, touchscreen technology is a must have for future devices. With multimedia- and communication-rich functionality, handheld devices require innovative interface technology to make accessing and managing applications and content easy for the end user. ClearTouch solutions unlock the potential of advanced devices with a lot of functionality through an intuitive interface that the average user can use without reading a manual.

"Synaptics' proven capacitive sensing technology has been used in more than 400 million devices," said Andrew Hsu, strategic and technical marketing manager at Synaptics. "The ClearTouch product family enables users of next-generation data and media-centric handheld devices to enjoy an intuitive, accurate, responsive, and durable touchscreen interface."

Gesture Technology Synaptics ClearPad solution includes integral detection of gestures such as single-finger Tap, Double Tap, Tap & Hold/Tap & Slide, Press, and Flick, as well as two-finger Pinch.

Availability: Synaptics ClearTouch solutions are available now to device manufacturers. More information on Synaptics' transparent capacitive touch sensors can be found at http:// www.synaptics.com/products/cleartouch.cfm.

About Synaptics

Synaptics (Nasdaq: SYNA) is a leading developer of human interface solutions for the mobile computing, communications, and entertainment industries. The company creates interface solutions for a variety of devices including notebook PCs, PC peripherals, digital music players, and mobile phones.

The TouchPad(TM), Synaptics' flagship product, is integrated into a majority of today's notebook computers. Consumer electronics and computing manufacturers use Synaptics' solutions to enrich the interaction between humans and intelligent devices through improved usability, functionality, and industrial design. The company is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif.

http://www.synaptics.com Synaptics, ClearTouch, ClearPad, ClearArray, OneTouch, TouchPad, and the Synaptics logo are trademarks of Synaptics in the United States and/or other countries.

All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

For further information, please contact:
Rebecca Parr
Tara Yingst
Synaptics
Edelman
408-454-5178
650-762-2942 rparr@synaptics.com
tara.yingst@edelman.com

SOURCE: Synaptics Inc.
CONTACT: Rebecca Parr of Synaptics Inc., +1-408-454-5178,
rparr@synaptics.com;
or Tara Yingst of Edelman, +1-650-762-2942,
tara.yingst@edelman.com,
for Synaptics Inc.
Web site: http://www.synaptics.com

COPYRIGHT © 2008

Seventeen International Authors to visit Palestine

London, (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - The Power of Culture vs The Culture of Power Seventeen International Authors to Visit Palestine: Mourid Barghouti, Victoria Brittain, William Dalrymple, Roddy Doyle, Esther Freud, Suheir Hammad, Nathalie Handal, David Hare, Ian Jack, Brigid Keenan, Jamal Mahjoub, Claire Messud, Pankaj Mishra, Andrew O'Hagan, Hanan al-Shaykh, Raja Shehada, Ahdaf Soueif

In solidarity with the Palestinian people
In recognition of Palestine's cultural contribution to the world
In affirmation of the power of the word
And the responsibility of speaking it

INSPIRED by the call of the late great Palestinian thinker, Edward Said, to "reaffirm the power of culture over the culture of power."

RECOGNISING the difficulties Palestinians face under military occupation in travelling around their own country, the Festival will travel to its audiences in the West Bank. It will tour from Jerusalem, to Ramallah, to Jenin, to Bethlehem. Sadly, it cannot, this year, travel to Gaza.

PATRONS: Chinua Achebe, John Berger, Mahmoud Darwish, Seamus Heaney and Harold Pinter.

PARTNERS: the British Council, the A.M. Qattan Foundation, Bethlehem University, Birzeit University, the Bookshop at the American Colony Hotel, Dar an-Nadwa in Bethlehem and Yabous Productions. Also supported by The Sigrid Rausing Charitable Fund, the Ford Foundation, The Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, and UNESCO.

OPENS: 7 May: Dar al-Tifel al-Arabi Museum, Jerusalem with readings by best-selling travel writer William Dalrymple, British/Lebanese writer Hanan al-Shaykh, Scottish writer Andrew O'Hagan and others.

RAMALLAH 8 May: Ramallah's own Mourid Barghouti, Palestinian American poet Suheir Hammad and British/Egyptian novelist, Ahdaf Soueif at al-Kasaba Theatre.

JENIN 9 May: Sir David Hare discusses political theatre.
BETHLEHEM 9 May: Roddy Doyle, Jamal Mahjoub and Nathalie Handal with students at Bethlehem University. Esther Freud, Pankaj Mishra and others will later read at Bethlehem's Dar Annadwa.

CLOSES: 11 May in Jerusalem with the 'Yasmeen' group from the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music; readings by each of the Festival authors and messages from our patrons.

- ALL EVENTS ARE FREE - For full programme details of the Palestine Festival of Literature please visit www.palestinelitfest.org (from 7 May) or email palfestinfo@gmail.com - Strong outreach and education components.

The Palestine Festival of Literature is a project of UK charity, ENGAGED EVENTS.

SOURCE: The Palestine Festival of Literature
CONTACT: palfestmedia@gmail.com,
or London: Fiona McMorrough, +44-20-7405-7422, or
+44-7887730136, fionam@fmcm.co.uk,
or Ramallah: Carol Michael, +970-598-198-392,
carolmmichel@hotmail.com,
or Jerusalem: Khaled al-Ghoul, +626-1045-02,
khaled@yabous.org,
all for The Palestine Festival of Literature
WEB SITE: http://www.palestinelitfest.org

COPYRIGHT © 2008

Technology: Premier Farnell Group announces Live EDGE 2008

Premier Farnell plc (LSE:PFL), the leading multi-channel, high service distributor and its companies (Newark, Farnell, Premier Electronics, CPC, Farnell-Newark and MCM) today launched its international competition Live Edge

London and Chicago, IL., (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Electronic Design for the Global Environment, now in its second year. The competition is designed to provide a forum where electronic design engineers and students can design products that are environmentally friendly through the use of electronic components.

Registration for news, updates and activities begins on 6th of May 2008 via the Live EDGE website http://www.live-edge.com or on the Live EDGE Design Challenge group on Facebook. The Live EDGE website will soon feature social networking tools, and a leading edge community forum in the near future for engineers to share and develop ideas.

Entries can be submitted between 1st October 2008 and 31st January 2009.

Judging will start on the 1st of February 2009 and winners will be announced on the 2nd of April 2009. The competition is open to anyone aged 18 or over.

Electronics engineers, students and inventors around the world are invited to submit designs for an innovative product that utilises electronic components and has a positive impact on the environment, for example by increasing energy efficiency or reducing carbon emissions.

Full details are available at: http://www.live-edge.com

The winning entrant for both the full-time student and the general/open category will receive a cash prize of $25,000 USD as well as a design support package valued at an additional $25,000 USD to move their design towards production.

The support package will include the services of an electronic design consultancy to help develop the design to prototype stage, assistance with legal matters and IP registration, some marketing and publicity, as well as Premier Farnell's help in securing investment funding. The group will actively market the end product to millions of customers globally through their leading edge website, catalogue and direct marketing.

In addition, up to 3 entrants for the full-time student category and 3 entrants for the general/open category will be eligible for 'honourable mentions', each receiving a cash prize of $5,000 USD.

A prestigious and influential panel of judges from around the world will be announced in June 2008. It will feature a mix of innovators, engineers, entrepreneurs, academics, industry leaders and environmental campaigners; it will be chaired by Sir Peter Gershon, who chaired last year's event, and he will be joined by John Noble, last year's winner from Malaysia who is enjoying Premier Farnell's support currently to take his unique energy saving product to market.

Reflecting the environmentally friendly theme of the competition, Live EDGE will be largely web-based to avoid international travel and transportation. For example, the judges will confer online and it will be possible to view the award ceremony from the competition website.

"The Earth is facing environmental threats on an unprecedented scale and by unleashing the creativity that exists within the electronics industry, we can make a positive difference to these global challenges," said Harriet Green, CEO of Premier Farnell, plc.

"Our first ever Live EDGE had over 3,500 registrants from over 102 countries last year, providing electronics design engineers the opportunity to have a true impact on our future and see their vision become a reality. We have listened to the feedback from last year's entrants and believe this year's challenge will be even better as a consequence, particularly by embracing the enormous role that universities and today's students will play in our future. Live EDGE has truly become a unique design challenge for the world as we see our future in the designs of our electronic design engineers."

About Premier Farnell

Premier Farnell plc (LSE: pfl) is a leading high service, multi-channel distributor of electronic, maintenance, repair and operation products and specialist services throughout Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific.

While global in scope, Premier Farnell recognizes the individual needs of each market and has continued to internationalize its model accordingly, trading locally under different brand names

Its primary electronics businesses trade as Farnell in the UK, Europe, India, Australia and New Zealand, Newark in the US, Canada and Mexico, and Premier Electronics in Greater China. In Singapore, Malaysia, and Brazil the operation is known as Farnell Newark.

For more information visit http://www.premierfarnell.com

Jenny Peters Premier Farnell plc, and Asia Tel:
+44(0)207-851-4102 Email: jpeters@premierfarnell.com
Web: http://www.premierfarnell.com
Janice Fleisher Newark The Americas Tel: +1-773-907-5941
Email: jfleisher@newark.com
Kate Robson Farnell Europe Tel: +44(0)133-387-5110 Email:
krobson@farnell.com

Issued by: Jonathan Roberts Pinnacle Marketing
Communications Ltd, Tel: +44(0)208-869-9339 Email:
jonathan@pinnaclemarcom.com

SOURCE: Premier Farnell plc
CONTACT: Jenny Peters, Premier Farnell plc, and Asia,
+44(0)207-851-4102, jpeters@premierfarnell.com;
or Janice Fleisher, Newark, The Americas, +1-773-907-5941,
jfleisher@newark.com;
or Kate Robson, Farnell Europe, +44(0)-133-387-5110,
krobson@farnell.com;
or Jonathan Roberts, Pinnacle Marketing Communications Ltd,
+44(0)-208-869-9339, jonathan@pinnaclemarcom.com, for Premier
Farnell plc
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080506303579
PRN Photo Desk: photodesk@prnewswire.com
Web site: http://www.live-edge.com
http://www.premierfarnell.com

COPYRIGHT © 2008