Friday, June 13, 2008

Health/Medical: Doctors across Asia unite to prevent disease

International Symposium reinforces need for immediate action to prevent pneumococcal disease and save lives

Singapore - /Medianet International-AsiaNet/ - The Asian Strategic Alliance for Pneumococcal Disease Prevention (ASAP) is calling on the Chinese Government to include Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV-7) (Prevenar) on the national immunization schedule as a matter of urgency.

Data presented this week at the 6th International Symposium for Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD-6) confirms that a universal pneumococcal vaccination program would reduce the incidence of infection and save lives.

This is in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) position paper, stating that PCV-7 (Prevenar) be included in the national immunization programs (NIPs) as a priority, particularly in countries where the mortality rate of children under five years is greater than 50/1000 live births, or where more than 50,000 die annually[1].

Pneumococcal disease (PD) is one of the most infectious killer diseases today[2]. Tragically, between 700,000 and 1 million children below five years old die as a result of PD each year. Every hour that ticks by, between 80 and 112 children die by the hand of this killer disease, or roughly between 1,900 and 2,700 child deaths a day around the world[3].

In developing countries around the world, PD is considered the first cause of children's death. Across Asia Pacific the burden of disease is high. Data presented at the symposium highlights the information available across the Asia Pacific region relating to Invasive Pneumococcal Disease (IPD) infection and mortality rates.

One study of PD burden across Asian countries reported incidence of IPD among children younger than five years of age ranging from 30.9 cases per 100,000 in Japan to 276 cases per 100,000 in Bangladesh. Importantly, the data also highlight that PCV-7 could help prevent between 57% and 91% of IPD cases in children younger than two years of age in Asia.[4]

Dr Lulu Bravo, Chairperson of ASAP said, "As doctors and parents, we know the devastating impact the death of a child has on everyone. But you might not be able to feel the pain and the loss, until it happens to your own child. Never before have we had such a body of evidence to prove to health authorities that they must act now and put an end to this unnecessary suffering."

Currently, PCV-7 is the first and only vaccine to prevent invasive pneumococcal disease in infants and children younger than 24 months. [5] It also helps to protect older children up to 9 years old.

Many health authorities have already recognized the importance of protecting infants and young children against PD.
The PCV-7 is available in 76 countries (as of January 2007) and is part of the routine national childhood immunization schedule in 17 countries worldwide.

Currently in Asia Pacific, only Australia and New Zealand have included the PCV-7 as part of its national immunization program.

"It is now time for the Chinese Government to embrace this data and implement change immediately to protect our children from this preventable disease," said Dr Bravo.

Media enquiries and interview requests: ASAP Secretariat Lisa Sullivan In Vivo Communications (Asia) Pte Ltd 103 Beach Road #06-01/02 Premier Centre Singapore 189704 Email: ASAP@invivocom.com Phone: +65 8233 4542

Background on Pneumococcal Disease (PD) Pneumococcal disease (which includes meningitis, pneumonia, bacteremia, and acute otitis media) is estimated to result in up to 1 million deaths each year in children, most of whom are in developing countries[6]. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) recently recommended that the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine be incorporated into immunization programs now, in view of the demonstrated vaccine efficiency and high disease burden, to help substantially reduce mortality and morbidity[7].

About Asian Strategic Alliance for Pneumococcal disease prevention (ASAP)

ASAP was launched on December 14, 2007 and is the first and only grouping of healthcare professionals in this region formed to specifically focus resources on PD in Asia Pacific. It is the only Asian group to join the growing number of experts from international organizations like the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) in the collective effort to raise awareness of infectious diseases like PD and its prevention. ASAP is affiliated to the global Pneumococcal Awareness Council of Experts (PACE) and the Asian Society of Paediatric Infectious Diseases (ASPID). It also collaborates with other public health and pediatric groups to achieve its mission of containing and controlling pneumococcal disease in the Asia Pacific region through awareness, surveillance, advocacy and prevention.

ASAP is the first and only group of its kind in the region formed to specifically focus its resources on PD in the Asia Pacific. It is the only Asian group to join the growing number of experts from international organizations like the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) in the collective effort to raise awareness of infectious diseases like PD and its prevention.

[1] Pneumococccal conjugate vaccine for childhood immunization WHO Position paper. Weekly Epidemiol Rec, 2007. 92: 93104.

[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccine preventable deaths and the global immunization vision and
strategy, 20062015.MMWR. 2006;55(18)511-515. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5518.pdf. Accessed August 2, 2006.

[3] World Health Organization. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for childhood immunization, March 2007- WHO position
paper. Wkly Epidemiol Record 2007;12:93-104.

[4] Kim Soonae, Nyambat B, Kilgore P, et al. Assessment of Vaccine-Preventable Invasive Pneumococcal Disease Burden Among Children aged <5 years in the Asia-Pacific Region. Abstract presented at the 6th International Symposium on Pneumococci & Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD).

[5] Summary of Product Characteristics for PREVENAR, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

[6] World Health Organization. Pneumococcal vaccines. Wkly Epidemiol Record 2003;14:110119. Available at: http://www.who.int/wer/2003/en/wer7814.pdf. Accessed July 20, 2006.

[7] World Health Organization. Meeting of the Immunization Strategic Advisory Group of Experts, November 2006- Conclusions and Recommendations. Wkly Epidemiol Record 2007; 1/2:1-16.

SOURCE: The Asian Strategic Alliance for Pneumococcal Disease Prevention

Technology: SmarTone-Vodafone deploys Comptel Dynamic OSS solution

Comptel's solution helps Hong Kong's SmarTone-Vodafone manage data-usage in real-time

Helsinki, (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Comptel Corporation (OMX Helsinki: CTL1V), the leading vendor of dynamic Operations Support System (OSS) software, announced today SmarTone-Vodafone is now using Comptel software to manage their mobile broadband traffic.

The solution includes Comptel Convergent Mediation Solution and Comptel Provisioning and Activation Solution, enabling the optimisation of network capacity and quality of service in real-time.

In October 2007, SmarTone-Vodafone enhanced its mobile broadband services with download speed of up to 14.4Mbps and Hong Kong's first upload speed of up to 2Mbps. The service is offered with tariff plans for unlimited usage, potentially creating a challenge to maintain a high quality of service.

Mr Stephen Chau, CTO at SmarTone-Vodafone remarks "Comptel has provided us with reliable OSS solutions for over 15 years. Its traffic management solutions enable us to deliver unbeatable experience to our customers."

Comptel's solution for managing mobile broadband traffic balances service quality in real-time, taking into account each customer's requirement and service profile to manage the traffic priorities. The solution not only allows SmarTone-Vodafone to offer differentiated services but also reduces operating costs by optimising network utilisation.

Mr Mika Korpinen, Comptel Vice President responds "Comptel is honoured to work closely with SmarTone-Vodafone. This project is an excellent illustration of how innovative solutions from Comptel can help innovative service providers realise their vision."

About SmarTone-Vodafone

SmarTone-Vodafone is a leading provider of total communications services in Hong Kong, offering premium mobile and fixed services. Its goal is to better enrich customers' lives by bringing them closer to what matters to them with unrivalled network performance, unique service innovation and award-winning customer service. It is a partner network of Vodafone and the sole marketing and sales channel of HomePhone+, a wireless fixed-line service in Hong Kong.

http://www.smartone-vodafone.com

About Comptel Corporation

Comptel provides Comptel Dynamic OSS solutions, enabling telecom service providers to deliver services flexibly and charge them effectively. Comptel's expertise in inventory, provisioning and activation, mediation and charging empowers service providers to focus on delivering the innovative services.

Comptel has provided solutions to 260 customers with 500 million subscribers in 85 countries. Net sales were EUR 82.4 million in 2007. Comptel was established in 1986 and has recently acquired an UK-based IP fulfillment specialist Axiom Systems. Following the acquisition the Group has 628 employees in 18 countries.

http://www.comptel.com
SOUREC: Comptel Corporation

Health/Medical: Meningitis Organisations Worldwide Call on Asia Pacific Governments

to Protect Children from Deadly Pneumococcal Disease

PERTH, June 13 (ANTARA/Medianet International-AsiaNet) --

Data presented this week at the 6th International Symposium for Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD-6) confirms that a universal pneumococcal vaccination programme would reduce the incidence of pneumococcal disease (PD) infection and save the lives of children.

Pneumococcal disease is the number one vaccine-preventable cause of death in children younger than 5 years of age.[1]

For the first time a significant collection of data about the health and economic benefits of the PD vaccination is available to Asia Pacific governments and health authorities, supporting the call for childhood vaccination programmes in all countries.

President of the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (COMO), Bruce Langoulant said, "With such powerful and persuasive data now available, I urge governments across the Asia Pacific to act swiftly and do everything they can to include a universal pneumococcal vaccination programme in their national immunisation schedule."

"By vaccinating our children against pneumococcal disease we have the ability to help protect not just children but the broader community and in particular parents and grandparents.

One paper presented at the symposium assessed the disease burden in children younger than five in South East Asia. It compared the number of cases of PD in the Western Pacific to this population and identified an alarming rate of vaccine preventable PD in South East Asia.

Currently, Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV-7, Prevenar™), is the only vaccine to prevent invasive pneumococcal disease in infants and children younger than 24 months. Australia has seen a dramatic reduction since it was introduced in January 2005 and New Zealand has included PCV-7 as part of their national immunisation programme. The focus is now on the other countries acrossAsia Pacific.

"The Hong Kong Government has made significant progress towards achieving success. COMO congratulates them for taking the steps necessary towards the inclusion of the pneumococcal vaccine on their National Immunisation Programme. Let's hope they are the first of many other Asia Pacific countries to do so," said Langoulant.

"Now is the time for all health authorities to recognise the importance of protecting infants and young children against pneumococcal disease," said Langoulant.

Linda Gibbs
COMO Officer
Ph: +61 8 9489 7791
E: lindag@ichr.uwa.edu.au

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccine preventable deaths and the Global Immunization Vision and Strategy 2006-2015. MMWR. 2006;55(No.18):511-515. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5518.pdf. Accessed August 7, 2007.

About COMO

The Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (COMO) was founded in September 2004, at the close of the first World Conference of Meningitis Organisations (WCMO). Attended by 43 delegates representing 20 meningitis and children's health organisations from 14 countries, the WCMO allowed attendees to learn and share best practices about education, awareness and support programs.

Encouraged by the information shared at the meeting, 20 meeting delegates formed COMO in order to help support the fight against meningitis globally by emphasizing the global burden of the disease and supporting the establishment of new meningitis and children's health organisations.

The Confederation of Meningitis Organisations' mission is to assist member organisations to be sustainable, identifiable and influential sources for information and support services for those people affected by meningitis in their regions and united in their endeavours globally through their membership of COMO, which is committed to the elimination of meningitis and septicaemia.

SOURCE: Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (COMO)

Technology: NetSuite enters SAP`s core market with on-demand vertical suite

Hong Kong, (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - NetSuite Expands Lead in Vertical Suites by Leveraging Core Strength In Wholesale / Distribution to Tackle Demands of Light Manufacturing

NetSuite Inc. (NYSE: N), a leading vendor of on-demand, integrated business management software suites for the mid-market enterprise and divisions of large companies, today announced a new vertical suite for manufacturing companies.

NetSuite for Manufacturers, which includes new functionality for Assembly, Work Order and Bill of Materials, takes aim at SAP's core market and seeks to exploit the prolonged delay of SAP's Business ByDesign product roll-out, providing mid-sized manufacturers with an integrated on-demand solution they can put to work today.

"NetSuite has been offering vertical suites for the wholesale / distribution industry for a while with a proven track record," said Bruce Richardson, Chief Research Officer, AMR Research. "Manufacturers have been longing for SaaS offerings to build better overall total cost-of-ownership.

Until this release from NetSuite, there haven't been any broad SaaS product offerings that include financials, CRM, Ecommerce and manufacturing. The on- demand suite approach-pioneered by NetSuite could prove to be a major market accelerator."

Today's new release leverages the core strength of the NetSuite Wholesale/Distribution Edition-launched in April 2006-and is a natural progression of NetSuite's leading role in delivering Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) business suites designed to address the specific requirements of vertical industries.

NetSuite's offering for manufacturing, initially aimed at the light manufacturing sector, is also the latest example of how NetSuite's SaaS-based business management technology has evolved to address more complex processes in industries long dominated by on-premise vendors such as SAP.

The company's rapid move into manufacturing comes at a difficult time for SAP, as they have struggled to deliver their own on-demand offering, Business ByDesign, to address customer requirements in their core market. NetSuite for Manufacturers now gives SAP customers and others an option they can purchase and deploy without delay.

For more information about NetSuite for Manufacturers, please visit www.netsuite.com/manufacturing.

Manufacturers Have Varying Challenges Light manufacturing businesses typically overlap with wholesale/distribution and span a huge spectrum of categories from apparel to furniture to small electronics.

Regardless of which category a light manufacturer is in, the challenge has always been the management of the bill of materials, assembly build and work order process for both production orders that add to general stock levels, as well as special orders built uniquely for one customer.

Software traditionally used by mid-market light manufacturing companies encompasses dozens of on-premise silo applications-one for accounting, one for customer relationship management, one for work orders, one for inventory management, one for warehouse management. The list goes on.

This fragmented approach can add large IT cost, introduce a high rate of errors throughout the business process, provides little visibility on available-to-promise inventory, and decrease business efficiency and accuracy.

Enterprise Power at Lower Total Cost-of-Ownership

NetSuite for Manufacturers provides companies with essential visibility into the key build processes that light manufacturers need to compete effectively in the market. Since NetSuite's delivery model is SaaS and all functionality and data is within one system, the total-cost-of-ownership is greatly reduced and light manufacturers gain the following benefits:
-- Greater insight into production processes - from inventory, to assembly, to demand based replenishment;
-- Real-time visibility throughout the entire organization - from sales to warehouse operations to invoicing;
-- Minimal integration hassle - NetSuite provides one system to manage the end-to-end business life-cycle;
-- Cost savings - reduced IT costs, reduced labor costs and reduced errors;
-- Reduced risk - instant information can help reduce time to respond to change;
-- Stay competitive in the ever competitive global economy for light manufacturers.

Powerful Functionality Key to Light Manufacturers NetSuite adds a myriad of important functionality that is key to running a light manufacturing business. The new features unveiled today include:

-- Assembly Management - building on NetSuite's core strength in inventory and warehouse management, assembly items have been extended specifically for light manufacturers which enable companies to more effectively manage component quantities and multi-level assemblies.

Assemblies are closely tied with work orders and allow for multi-level assemblies to be built one level at a time, or all at once.

-- Work Orders - new work order capabilities allow light manufacturers to readily manage the build process for production work orders to replenish standing inventory levels of finished goods or special order work orders built to exact specifications for a particular customer.

For example, a furniture light manufacturer may have standard sized wood or glass-top dining tables they build on an on-going basis, but they may also offer custom-sized dining tables as a special order for individual customers.

-- Bill of Materials (BOM) - any build process requires a bill of materials that outlines what components are required to successfully build the finished good. BOMs are tightly coupled with both assemblies and work orders and cover the components required for a single assembly plus all the components required by a particular work order. Assembly instructions can also be included in the printable BOM in PDF format.

-- Demand-Based Inventory Replenishment - light manufacturers can now dynamically set re-order points and preferred stock-levels for both components of assemblies as well as finished goods based on a variety of factors including average lead time, historical or seasonal sales demand, and number of days from supply to stock. Work orders drive the demand for components as they are completed, thereby automating the replenishment of source materials and components.

"Today's launch of NetSuite for Manufacturers validates our strong commitment to vertical industries by delivering functionality designed to drive greater efficiencies and competitiveness," said Mini Peiris, NetSuite's VP of Product Marketing.

"NetSuite enables manufacturers to automate complex business processes without the cost and complexity of cobbling together multiple business applications, and numerous spreadsheets. As a result, customers can stop wasting precious resources and start focusing on increasing customer service levels, cutting costs, and growing their businesses."

Pricing and Availability NetSuite for Manufacturers is available now at $9000 HKD per month and $910 HKD per user per month.

For more information about NetSuite Inc., please visitwww.netsuite.com.

NOTE: NetSuite and the NetSuite logo are registered service marks of NetSuite Inc.

SOURCE: NetSuite Inc.
CONTACT: Mei Li of NetSuite Inc., +1-650-627-1063,
meili@netsuite.com
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20021024SFTH024LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Web site: http://www.netsuite.com

Marketing: Jingwei retains strategic growth as investor relations advisor

Shenzhen, China (BUSINESS WIRE) - Jingwei International Limited (OTC Bulletin Board: JNGW.OB) ("Jingwei" or the "Company"), one of China's leading direct marketing companies, today announced that it has retained Strategic Growth International, Inc. ("SGI"), a leading global investor relations firm, as its advisor. SGI will assist the Company in increasing awareness and establishing its leading position in the fast growing Chinese advertising market among the international investment community.

Mr Regis Kwong, CEO of Jingwei, stated: "As a rapidly growing direct marketing and data mining company we wanted to be represented internationally by a major Investor Relations firm that is well known and respected by global investors.
SGI's expertise will help us to identify institutions that recognize the value of our competitive advantage and our outstanding data base of over 300 million Chinese consumers. As we continue to expand our business throughout China and get involved with global brands, we look forward to sharing our progress with the investment community worldwide."

Founded in 1989, SGI is headed by Richard E. Cooper and Stanley Altschuler, both long-time and highly-respected Wall Street veterans.

Prior to his co-founding SGI, Mr Cooper was a Managing Director at Salomon Brothers for five of his 14 years at the firm. Mr Altschuler owned and managed a New York-based brokerage firm.

ABOUT JINGWEI:

Jingwei International Limited ("Jingwei") is a leading direct marketing company in the fast growing Chinese market.
The Company is one of the leading providers of data mining and customer relationship marketing services in China. With a customer database of over 300 million Chinese consumers, Jingwei enables leading global brands to reach their target audience. The Company's services include market segmentation, customer trend and churn analysis, fraud detection and direct marketing services such as telemarketing and WVAS. The Company also operates a software services business, which provides a broad range of billing systems, provisioning solutions, decision support and customer relationship management systems for China's leading mobile telecommunication carriers. The software services business strengthens sales opportunities for Jingwei's higher margin data mining platform, and allows the Company to enhance its customer database. Jingwei plans to evolve into an integrated marketing platform with targeted outbound sales campaigns via mobile phone advertising, and customer service/order fulfillment at call centers throughout the country. For more information, please visit the Company's web site: www.jingweicom.com.

Safe Harbor Statement
Certain of the statements made in the press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believe," "expect," "may," "will," "should," "project," "plan," "seek," "intend," or "anticipate" or the negative thereof or comparable terminology. Such statements typically involve risks and uncertainties and may include financial projections or information regarding our future plans, objectives or performance. Actual results could differ materially from the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including the risks associated with the effect of changing economic conditions in The People's Republic of China, variations in cash flow, reliance on collaborative retail partners and on new product development, variations in new product development, risks associated with rapid technological change, and the potential of introduced or undetected flaws and defects in products, and other risk factors detailed in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.

Strategic Growth International, Inc.

Miri Segal or Richard Cooper, 212-838-1444 msegal@sgi-ir.com or rcooper@sgi-ir.com

Legal: Neuftec issues patent infringement proceedings in UK against Oxonica

Roseau, (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Neuftec Limited, the proprietor of the original nano-particulate cerium Oxide fuel catalyst technology, today commenced patent infringement litigation in the UK against Oxonica Energy Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Oxonica PLC. The proceedings, issued in the High Court of Justice, allege infringement of Neuftec's European patent.

The proceedings seek an injunction against Oxonica as well as damages in relation to product already sold and delivery up or destruction of all articles that would infringe Neuftec's European patent.

Oxonica and its legal advisors have previously made statements on at least two occasions that they have no intention of dealing with products that infringe any of Neuftec's issued patents. However, despite these statements it is with regret that this is the second time, to the best of Neuftec's knowledge, that Oxonica has infringed its granted patents.

The first infringement came in May 2007 when it came to Neuftec's knowledge that Oxonica infringed the claims of Neuftec's Australian patent by collecting a shipment of Envirox without the knowledge, consent or authorization of Neuftec. This stock is estimated by Neuftec to have a resale value of approximately US$1.8 million and cannot be used or sold without Neuftec's permission. It has been stored in a warehouse in Australia since March 2007.

The latest alleged infringement occurred when Oxonica shipped Envirox formulations to Italy for use in Italian Government laboratory emission testing.

Neuftec is continuing it's investigations with customers, distributors & agents of Oxonica to determine the extent of the alleged infringement

Neuftec is represented in these proceedings by Watson, Farley & Williams LLP & Mr. Mark Platts-Mills QC of 8 New Square, London.

About Neuftec

Neuftec is a research & development company that owns patents in the fuel catalyst technology sector used in the production of the first version of EnviroxTM (2001-2007) that was manufactured by Advanced Nanotechnology ("ANO") of Australia under a manufacturing licence granted by Oxonica with authorization from Neuftec.

On 29 February 2008, IP Australia issued a re-examination report in respect of Neuftec's Australian patent. The patent had been issued in 2006 with 10 claims. In the re-examination report, IP Australia confirmed the patentability of the 10 claims as originally granted in 2006 in re-examination proceedings initiated by Oxonica.

SOURCE: Neuftec Limited

Mining/Minerals: Rio Tinto Alcan proud to be part of Sohar aluminium 1st pouring

Montreal - CNW-AsiaNet/ - Sohar Aluminium (SA), 20 per cent owned by Rio Tinto Alcan, has poured the first metal at its newly constructed smelter in Sohar, Oman. The state-of-the-art smelter utilizes Rio Tinto Alcan's benchmark AP36 technology - the most efficient and environmentally friendly available.

"I would like to congratulate our partners, the Oman Oil Company S.A.O.C. and the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority, as well as the project and operations teams for having achieved this major milestone right on schedule," said Rio Tinto Alcan chief executive Dick Evans.

"Rio Tinto Alcan is delighted to have expanded its presence in the dynamic Middle East Gulf region by providing not only cutting-edge technology but also operational know-how and management expertise to this project."

Noting that it will rank in the lowest quartile of the global industry cash cost curve, Jacynthe Ct, president and chief executive officer, Rio Tinto Alcan, Primary Metal, said the Sohar smelter "will showcase Rio Tinto Alcan's technology and cost leadership".

In addition to its equity interest in the project, Rio Tinto Alcan has assumed responsibility for technical and operational support as well as sales and marketing of all SA metal exported from Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

With an initial capacity of 360kt per year, the smelter is on track to reach full production in December 2008, following a ramp-up period.

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and NYSE listed company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Rio Tinto's business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, energy (coal and uranium), gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide, salt, talc) and iron ore. Activities span the world but are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and southern Africa.

Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this announcement, including, without limitation, those regarding Rio Tinto's financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations (including development plans and objectives relating to Rio Tinto's products, production forecasts and reserve and resource positions), are forward-looking statements.

Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Rio Tinto, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding Rio Tinto's present and future business strategies and the environment in which Rio Tinto will operate in the future.

Among the important factors that could cause Rio Tinto's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among others, levels of actual production during any period, levels of demand and market prices, the ability to produce and transport products profitably, the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on market prices and operating costs, operational problems, political uncertainty and economic conditions in relevant areas of the world, the actions of competitors, activities by governmental authorities such as changes in taxation or regulation and such other risk factors identified in Rio Tinto's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") or Form 6-Ks furnished to the SEC.

Forward-looking statements should, therefore, be construed in light of such risk factors and undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this announcement.

Rio Tinto expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking (except as required by applicable law, the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the "Takeover Code"), the UK Listing Rules, the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Services Authority and the Listing Rules of the Australian Securities Exchange) to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Rio Tinto's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Nothing in this announcement should be interpreted to mean that future earnings per share of Rio Tinto plc or Rio Tinto Limited will necessarily match or exceed its historical published earnings per share.

Subject to the requirements of the Takeover Code, none of Rio Tinto, any of its officers or any person named in this announcement with their consent or any person involved in the preparation of this announcement makes any representation or warranty (either express or implied) or gives any assurance that the implied values, anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in forward-looking statements contained in this announcement will be achieved.

SOURCE: Rio Tinto Alcan
CONTACT: Rio Tinto Alcan Media Relations: Stefano
Bertolli,
(514) 848-8151, stefano.bertolli(at)riotinto.com
www.riotinto.com
www.riotintoalcan

Technology: Digi releases XBee Wireless, battery-powered sensors

Integrated Long-life ZigBee(R) Sensors Expand Drop-in Networking Product Line

Minnetonka, Minnesota., (ANTARA News/Xinhua-PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Digi International (Nasdaq: DGII) today introduced XBee(R) Sensors - battery powered, long life wireless sensors for easy integration into Drop-in Networking applications or ZigBee networks. ZigBee technology enables low-cost, low-power networking of devices in self-configuring, self-healing wireless mesh networks.

Compact XBee sensors allow customers to easily collect real-time data from multiple nodes across a ZigBee network and are ideal for applications in building automation, security, energy management, food management, freight/vehicle monitoring and many more.

"XBee sensors are half the size of a deck of cards, feature a long battery life and are easy to install," said Larry Kraft, senior vice president of global sales and marketing, Digi International. "Within minutes, a customer can have a complete wireless sensor network up and running."

XBee sensors that monitor a combination of temperature and light or a combination of temperature, humidity, and light are available. The sensors are easy to integrate with Digi's Drop-in Networking family of gateways, adapters and modules over a ZigBee network.

Using a Python development environment that resides on Digi's ConnectPort(TM) X gateways, customers can monitor the sensors for events and triggers and make decisions based on the information.

XBee Sensors currently support Digi's XBee ZNet 2.5 platform with support for Digi's XBee ZB (ZigBee Pro Feature Set) platform targeted for Q3 2008. This improves compatibility with ZigBee based products from other manufacturers.

For additional sensor options, Digi offers a broad line of externally or battery powered plug-and-play Watchport(R) sensors for Drop-in Networking that measure distance, proximity, humidity, temperature, acceleration/tilt and the presence of water. Watchport sensors for Drop-in Networking integrate with Digi's XBee sensor adapter for wireless ZigBee connectivity.

The temperature/light XBee sensor is available now and lists for $125, and the temperature/humidity/light model is also available now and lists for $165.

For more information about XBee sensor, visit http:// www.digi.com/products/wirelessdropinnetworking/sensors xbee-sensors.jsp .

For more information about Drop-in Networking, visit http://www.digi.com/products/wirelessdropinnetworking/ .

About Digi International

Digi International, the leader in device networking for business, develops reliable products and technologies to connect and securely manage local or remote electronic devices over the network or via the web. Digi offers the highest levels of performance, flexibility and quality, and markets its products through a global network of distributors and resellers, systems integrators and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

ZigBee: Wireless Control That Simply Works The ZigBee Alliance is an association of companies working together to enable reliable, cost effective, low-power, wirelessly networked, monitoring and control products based on an open global standard. The ZigBee Alliance membership comprises technology providers and original equipment manufacturers worldwide. Membership is open to all.

Additional information can be found at http://www.zigbee.org.

For more information, visit Digi's Web site at http://www.digi.com , or call +852-2833-1008.

All brand names and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Press Contacts: Hokie Chan Channel Marketing Manager, Asia Pacific
Tel: +852-2235-2206 Email: hokiec@digi.com
SOURCE: Digi International Inc.

Technology: Andrew wins NTT DoCoMo Best Partner Award

Hickory, N.C. (BUSINESS WIRE) - Andrew, the CommScope, Inc. division that is a global leader in communications products and systems, has won NTT DoCoMo Inc.'s "Best Partner Award" for its outstanding telecommunications network infrastructure support during the past fiscal year.

The award was presented at the NTT DoCoMo Partners Day 2008 ceremony hosted by NTT DoCoMo Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Masao Nakamura. Sixty-three companies and more than 200 people attended the event hosted in Tokyo by Japan's largest telecom operator.

Akira Kawada, country manager and president, Andrew Japan, accepted the award on behalf of Andrew. Four awards were presented during the event to recognize the top companies from among all of NTT DoCoMo's global and domestic suppliers. Andrew is the only company based outside of Japan that won this award under the Network Segment category, with the other three awards being presented to domestic handset companies.

"We are greatly honored to be the only overseas company to be recognized by NTT DoCoMo," said Kawada. "Acknowledged as one of the most prestigious names in the telecom industry, NTT DoCoMo prides itself on the high standards and quality of its work and, of course, they expect no less in return. Thus, this award is recognition of not only Andrew's quality, but also the hard work and dedication our people have put in towards meeting and exceeding those expectations."

Andrew was nominated for the award by NTT, primarily for its strong track record in delivering reliable, high quality and well-designed products that incorporate state-of-the-art technologies. Andrew has been supplying NTT DoCoMo with HELIAX cables and connector products, which have been used in NTT DoCoMo's WCDMA and PDC base stations for wireless networks since 1982.

The NTT DoCoMo award is the fourth such honor received by Andrew in the past two years for its excellence in supporting customers in Asia. The company was also been named best partner by ZTE in China, Samsung in South Korea and Globe in Philippines. Andrew also has won best supplier awards from Lucent, Siemens and Nortel in the past.

About CommScope

CommScope, Inc. (NYSE:CTV)(www.commscope.com) is a world leader in infrastructure solutions for communication networks.
Through its Andrew brand, it is a global leader in radio frequency subsystem solutions for wireless networks. Through its SYSTIMAX and Uniprise brands, CommScope is the global leader in structured cabling systems for business enterprise applications. It is also the premier manufacturer of coaxial cable for broadband cable television networks and one of the leading North American providers of environmentally secure cabinets for DSL and FTTN applications. Backed by strong research and development, CommScope combines technical expertise and proprietary technology with global manufacturing capability to provide customers with infrastructure solutions for evolving global communications networks in more than 130 countries around the world.

HELIAX is a registered trademark of CommScope, Inc.

This press release includes forward-looking statements that are based on information currently available to management, management's beliefs, as well as on a number of assumptions concerning future events.Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results to differ materially from those currently expected. For a more detailed description of the factors that could cause such a difference, please see CommScope's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.In providing forward-looking statements, the company does not intend, and is not undertaking any obligation or duty, to update these statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Contact:CommScope
Phil Armstrong+1 828-323-4848
or News Media Contact:
CommScope
Rick Aspan+1 708-236-6568 publicrelations@commscope.com
or Andrew (Asia Pacific)
Janice Chong+65 6588 2023 ext 12 Janice.chong@andrew.com

Business: iGATE opens Australian facility in Ballarat

iGATE wins competitive bid for residential tenancies bond authority project

Ballarat, Victoria, Australia (PRIME NEWSWIRE) - iGATE Corporation (Nasdaq:IGTE), an international integrated Technology and Operations (iTOPS) firm, announced that their new USD 2 million Australian-based Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facility in Ballarat, Victoria will officially begin operations on Friday, June 13, 2008.

The new facility will primarily focus on servicing Australian financial services and government clients, including the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA), a statutory authority of the Government of Victoria, administered within the Department of Justice. iGATE was awarded the RTBA contract after a rigorous competitive bidding process. The RTBA undertakes more than 400,000 bond transactions each year. Under the iGATE contract all banking and mailing processes will remain in Australia.

"Ballarat has become an international investment hub for ICT companies, especially with the introduction of the Ballarat Technology Park, and this is creating jobs and strengthening the local economy. iGATE's entrance into regional Victoria is another Brumby Government success in the promotion and development of regional Victoria and our ability to attract global investment into the state to drive innovation and create jobs statewide. It reaffirms the value of this government's strong support to the local ICT industry to ensure a strong, sustainable and competitive future for the industry," said Mr Theo Theophanous, Minister for Information and Communication Technology.

"This announcement is a fantastic boost for jobs in Ballarat while continuing to deliver high quality services to landlords and tenants. The contract was awarded to iGATE based on the right to continue to use the processing system after the expiration of the contract, price, service delivery, and opportunities for future improvement throughout the life of contract -- they simply provided us with the better offer," said Minister for Consumer Affairs Tony Robinson.

iGATE's Ballarat facility joins the company's international network of locations in the United States, Canada, India, Malaysia and the United Kingdom to provide truly global, technology-based solutions to Fortune 1000 and government clients across a range of sectors. The new Ballarat facility plans to employ forty staff in the coming years.

"iGATE is seeking to bring a state of the art outsourcing model to the Australian market," said Phaneesh Murthy, CEO, iGATE Corporation, about the iTOPS model. "We expect this will take operational efficiencies up quite dramatically while still having the safety net of a part of the operations done locally."

iGATE offers a specialized service delivery model known as iTOPS, which combines process outsourcing with the underlying technology infrastructure to offer clients optimized solutions and cost savings.

Media Event: Official Opening of iGATE's Ballarat Facility
Date: Friday, June 13, 2008
Time: 11:30am - 12:30pm AEST
Where: 300B Gillies Street, Wendouree (Ballarat), Victoria, Australia
Who: The Hon. Mr Theo Theophanous MLC Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Government of Victoria
The Hon. Mr Anthony Schnick, CEO, City of Ballarat
Mr Phaneesh Murthy, CEO, iGATE Corporation

About iGATE Global Solutions:

iGATE Global Solutions is the first fully integrated technology and operations (iTOPS) firm with a global services model. iGATE enables clients to remain focused on their core competencies, optimize their businesses and gain substantial and sustainable cost benefits year-on-year through a combination of process investment strategies, technology application and business process outsourcing and provisioning.
iGATE's services include consulting, IT Services, Data Analytics, Enterprise Systems, BPO/BSP, Contact Center and Infrastructure Management Services. The Company has been assessed at SEI-CMM Level 5, follows Six Sigma methodologies and is BS7799 & COBIT certified, ensuring the highest levels of quality and data security. iGATE Global Solutions maintains locations in 12 countries globally and manages development centers in the U.S., Australia, Mexico, Malaysia and India. For more information, please visit www.igate.com

The iGATE Global Solutions logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5150

Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include iGATE Corporation's (the "Company") financial, growth and liquidity projections as well as statements concerning the Company's plans, strategies, intentions and beliefs concerning business cash flows, costs and the markets in which it operates. Without limiting the foregoing, the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify certain forward-looking statements. These statements are based on information currently available to the Company and it assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements as circumstances change. There are risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events to differ
materially from the forward-looking statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, the company's ability to predict its financial performance, the level of market demand for its services, the highly-competitive market for the types of services offered by the Company, the impact of competitive factors on profit margins, market conditions that could cause the Company's customers to reduce their spending for its services, the Company's ability to create, acquire and build new businesses and to grow existing businesses, attract and retain qualified personnel, reduce costs and conserve cash, currency fluctuations and market conditions in India and elsewhere around the world, political and military tensions in India and South Asia, changes in generally accepted accounting principles and/or their interpretation and other risks that are described in more detail in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

-0- CONTACT: iGATE
Media Contact:
Australia:
Vikram Mohite
+ 61 401 832 135
RF Binder Partners, New York for iGATE:
Media Contact:
U.S.A:
Alexis Wilson
+1 212 994 7591

Business: Microsoft issues statement regarding Yahoo!

Redmond, Wash., (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Microsoft Corp. today issued the following statement:

"In the weeks since Microsoft withdrew its offer to acquire Yahoo!, the two companies have continued to discuss an alternative transaction that Microsoft believes would have delivered in excess of $33 per share to the Yahoo! shareholders. This partnership would ensure healthy competition in the marketplace, providing greater choice and innovation for advertisers, publishers and consumers.

"As stated on May 3rd and reiterated on May 18th Microsoft was not interested in rebidding for all of Yahoo!. Our alternative transaction remains available for discussion."

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Statements in this release that are "forward-looking statements" are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially because of a number of factors, including those set forth in Microsoft's annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, copies of which may be obtained by contacting Microsoft Corporation's Investor Relations department at (800) 285-7772 or at Microsoft Corporation's website at http://www.microsoft.com/msft

All information in this release is as of May 18, 2008. Microsoft Corporation undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the company's expectations.

SOURCE: Microsoft Corp.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft's corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed.

For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft's Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass contactpr.mspx

CONTACT: Rapid Response Team of Waggener Edstrom Worldwide,
+1-503-443-7070,
rrt@waggeneredstrom.com; or
Joele Frank or Eric Brielmann or Jamie Moser, all of Joele
Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher, +1-212-355-4449, all for Microsoft Corp.; or
Financial analysts and investors,
Colleen Healy,
General Manager,
Investor Relations of Microsoft Corp.,
+1-425-706-3703
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822MSFTLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk:
photodesk@prnewswire.com
Web site: http://www.microsoft.com
(MSFT)

Business: UK plc must invest more in R&D to compete worldwide: report

London, (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - UK businesses need to invest more money in research and development (R&D) or risk being left behind.

This is the stark message contained in the National Business Awards "Innovation: Evolution or Revolution?" report, being launched at the House of Commons today Thursday 12th June.

The National Business Awards, sponsored by Orange, regularly attracts companies representing more than one third of UK GDP and its 2008 report on innovation reveals the experiences of 200 companies across the UK -- all finalists from the 2007 programme. The report highlights the following trends:
-- In spite of a strong science base, UK businesses as a whole invest less in R&D than their main international competitors
-- Overall UK plc is more of a following nation than a leader in the field of innovation

The report also finds that of the top 25 R&D-investing companies in the world, only one is based in the UK. And the combined R&D spend of the UK's top 25 organisations is less than that of the top four companies globally.

GMTV's John Stapleton and Andy Love MP, Chair for All-party Parliamentary Group for Small Business, are to welcome a panel of senior executives*, including Cobra Beer Founder Lord Karan Bilimoria, to join a fruitful debate on the topic at the House of Commons at 7pm this evening.

Central to the discussions will be whether or not the trend in passive innovation is damaging to the UK plc in the longer term and the need for UK organisations to invest money in R&D to keep up with international competitors particularly in the Far East.

Mike Faulkner, Group Director at The National Business Awards, commented today:

"With the credit crunch continuing to bite and increased competition from Asia's economic powerhouses in India and China, companies in the UK and Scotland must not fall into the trap of cutting R&D spend in a bid to drive down costs."

"While all National Business Awards and National Business Awards for Scotland finalists were shown to have been leading their chosen fields in terms of creativity and innovation the report finds that UK businesses on the whole could do better.

"Innovation can lead to reduced costs, helps firms meet regulatory requirements and reduces their impact on the environment."

Martin Lyne, Marketing Director of Small and Medium Enterprise, Orange, added:

"Creativity and innovation are fast becoming the most important ingredients in successful business; particularly in the current economic climate. It is those organisations who embrace these elements that are able to get ahead of the competition, and be successful.

Orange is absolutely passionate about supporting business excellence and this report, amongst the downbeat findings, does in fact highlight some fabulous examples of organisations at the top of their game."

* The discussion panel at the House of Commons today:
-- Lord Karan Bilimoria Founder and Chairman Cobra Beer Ltd
-- Martin Lyne Marketing Director of Small and Medium Enterprise Orange
-- Andrew Jupp National Head of Tax Tenon
-- Philip Forrest Chartered Marketer and author of Innovation: Evolution or Revolution?

Notes to Editors:
The evidence from the National Business Awards sample of 200 companies in the UK and Scotland shows that innovations are:
-- Focused around services and Systems
-- Largely to do with the adoption IT
-- Dealing with small incremental progression

The National Business Awards has fast become a leading programme in recognising excellence in business achievement, innovation and success in the UK. Launched in 2002, the programme is uniquely open to organisations of all sizes from any industry sector, public or private. The Awards allow the best of British businesses to showcase their achievements and benchmark their successes against firms and bodies of all types. Companies are now being invited to take part in this year's competition.

Made up of 17 categories in 2008, the closing date for entries to National Business Awards is 31st July.

The companies that make the cut will then make presentations, in person, before an independent, expert judging panel. Winners will be unveiled at the prestigious gala Awards dinner at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London on 18 November.

Visit www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk for further information on how to enter and a full list of the Awards categories.

For further information including a pdf copy of the report Innovation - Evolution or Revolution?, images, video footage and interview opportunities please contact:
Henriette Svensen
PR Manager
The National Business Awards
Telephone: +44 020 7234 8753
Email: hsvensen@cmpi.biz

SOURCE: The National Business Awards
CONTACT: Henriette Svensen,
PR Manager of The National Business Awards,
+44-(0)20-7234-8753,
hsvensen@cmpi.biz
Web site: http://www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk