Technology: The XML Technology Certification Committee announces a new certification

Tokyo - /Kyodo JBN-AsiaNet/ - The XML Technology Certification Committee today announced the worldwide release of the "XML Master Professional Database Administrator" exam, certifying technical professionals in XQuery and XML DB.

The new "XML Master Professional Database Administrator" certification is designed for database professionals, who must pass the "XML Master Basic Exam" and the "XML Master Professional Database Administrator Exam" to become certified.

The "XML Master Professional Database Administrator Exam" is comprised of four sections dealing with (1) Overview; (2) XQuery and XPath; (3) Manipulating XML Data; and (4) Creating XML Schema and Other XML Database Objects. The exam takes 90 minutes, and the passing score is 80%. The XML Master Professional Database Administrator exam is available beginning today at Prometric's global network of over 4,700 test centers.

In conjunction with today's announcement, the XML Technology Certification Committee has also announced a name change for the XML Master Professional Certification. The certification will now be known as the "XML Master Professional Application Developer Certification." About the XML Certification Program - XML Master The "XML Master" is a professional certification
officially launched in August 2001. The primary objective of the "XML Master" is the broad-based development of professionals having XML skills. To date, more than 16,000 professionals throughout the world have become XML Masters.

XML Master Success Stories: http://www.xmlmaster.org/en success/ For more, please see: http://www.xmlmaster.org/en/
About Prometric Prometric, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ETS, is the recognized global leader in technology-enabled testing and assessment services and the winner of CLO Magazine's Learning in Practice 2007 Customer Service Award. Its comprehensive suite of services, including test development, test delivery and data management capabilities, allows clients to develop and
launch global testing programs as well as accurately measure program results and data. Prometric reliably delivers and administers tests on behalf of 450 clients in the academic, professional, healthcare, government, corporate and information technology markets. It delivers tests flexibly via the Web or by utilizing a robust test center network in 135 countries. For
more information, please visit www.prometric.com.

Source: XML Technology Certification Committee
Contact: Kaoru Shima XML Technology Certification
Committee
TEL: +81-3-5718-1297
For news article usage: office@xmlmaster.org
Web site: http://www.xmlmaster.org/en/

Business: .WS predominates the Korean market of domains

Seoul - /Yonhap News Agency-AsiaNet/ - While the head office is located in the U.S., California, Global Domains International, Inc (HTTP://FREED0M.WS) holds exclusive authority over the domains of Western Samoa. The MLM sale technique has been utilized to give rise to an affiliate program which gained great popularity in Asia inclusive of Korea. The reason being is that it is recognized as one of the most secure Direct Selling Associations, costing clients ten dollars for a .WS domain, Website Builder, Forwarding, Hosting Service and other seven various benefits and the beneficiaries are granted each month with unlimited bonus with each referees.
In accordance with the remark by Se-Jong Ha who is the representative of a Korean community, http://gdikorea.ws, should the current trend continues, numerous entrepreneurs will soon emerge getting over 10,000 dollars of commission per month in the latter half of the year.

In addition, he said, "We usually call people who make profits through partnership program "Partner (Marketer, Affiliate)". "Web Promotion" is a word referring series of activities done by partners to promote their website. Any partners can earn a stable level of income through continuous efforts. We offer a guide for beginners and give you easy explanation on various ways to make profits without having to build a website on your own. We are also providing the information on how to use an advanced English translation program and other contents, make profit from blogs, recruit paid and free members, and to create and promote websites.

In addition, the data on marketing tactics including how to be ranked higher on the search site are shared by members and you can enjoy various benefits. We don't expect anything hard from you. We just want you to make profits like pension by doing GDI business. Lastly, I also welcome members who subscribed to GDI through other channels. We become members of a family through this great business, GDI. This is how we feel for you."

For more information, please contact:
Hwang Mi-kyung TEL: +1-808-276-4389 Email:
admin@gdikorea.ws

SOURCE: GDIKOREA
Image Attachments Links:: http://asianetnews.net
ViewImage.asp?ID=101623 http://asianetnews.net
ViewImage.asp?ID=101624

Business: Sterlite and Unions reach agreement oncollective bargaining

Sterlite and Unions reach agreement on terms Of collective bargaining agreement for Asarco Llc judge approves bid protections for Sterlite

Albuquerque, N.M. & Mumbai, India (BUSINESS WIRE) - The unions representing the workers of ASARCO LLC ("ASARCO"), and Sterlite Industries (India) Limited ("Sterlite") (NYSE:SLT), a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources plc and a party to an agreement to acquire substantially all assets of ASARCO, jointly announced today that they have reached agreement on the terms of the collective bargaining agreement that would go into effect once the proposed acquisition is approved by the bankruptcy court overseeing ASARCO's chapter 11 case.

"We regard our employees as a vitally important part of our business and are extremely happy to have concluded a mutually satisfactory agreement with ASARCO's representatives," said Anil Agarwal, Chairman of Sterlite. "We look forward to working with the unions and ASARCO's highly-skilled employees.Sterlite is also pleased that it has been granted bid protections by the bankruptcy judge, which represents another important milestone in the acquisition process.""The unions are pleased that an agreement has been reached with Sterlite.We believe that Sterlite, with its strong experience in the copper business, will strengthen ASARCO's operations for the long term benefit of all stakeholders, including its employees," said Terry Bonds, Chairman of the ASARCO Union Negotiating Committee.

The new collective bargaining agreement, which fully retains all existing worker benefits, contains terms that are designed to ensure that ASARCO's operations will be improved and made more competitive. There are also strong commitments to ensure that Sterlite invests in and operates all of ASARCO's existing operations. The parties have also agreed that the term of the current agreement expiring in 2010 will be extended by three years to 2013.

"This reflects the confidence and commitment of Sterlite and bodes well for the long term growth of ASARCO," expressed Mr Joseph Lapinsky, CEO & President of ASARCO.

In another development advancing Sterlite's proposed acquisition, the bankruptcy judge presiding over ASARCO's chapter?11 case approved the bid protections contemplated by the Purchase and Sale Agreement with ASARCO, which includes, among other things, a break-up fee of $52 million payable to Sterlite under certain circumstances.

ASARCO, which owns and operates copper mines, smelters, refineries and other related assets, filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2005 before the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Corpus Christi Division. The proposed sale of assets to Sterlite is part of a plan to bring the bankruptcy case to a close.

About Sterlite

Sterlite is India's largest non-ferrous metals and mining company with interests and operations in aluminum, copper and zinc and lead. It is a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources plc, a London-based diversified FTSE 100 metals and mining group. Sterlite's main operating subsidiaries are Hindustan Zinc Limited for its zinc and lead operations; Copper Mines of Tasmania Pty Limited for its copper operations in Australia; and Bharat Aluminum Company Limited for its aluminum operations. The company operates its own copper operations in India. The company recently entered the commercial energy generation business and is in the process of setting up a 2,400MW independent power plant through its wholly owned subsidiary, Sterlite Energy Limited.

Sterlite Industries is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange in India and on the New York Stock Exchange in the United States. The company has been included in the recently launched S&P India?10 Index.

Disclaimer This presentation includes statements which may constitute forward looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbour provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although Sterlite Industries believes that the expectations contained in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations
will prove correct. These statements may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties are more fully described in the section entitled "Risk Factors'' in our registration statement on Form F-1 and in other reports and periodic filings made from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings are available at www.sec.gov.

Sterlite Industries may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the company.

Sterlite Industries (India) Limited Sumanth Cidambi, +91 22
6646 1531 Associate Director ? Investor
Relationssumanth.cidambi@vedanta.co.inSheetal Khanduja, +91 22
6646 1427 Manager ? Investor
RelationsSheetal.khanduja@vedanta.co.in

Business: Vivendi, Activision complete transaction to create activision Blizzard

Cash tender offer for up to 146.5 million of activision Blizzard shares at $27.50 per share to commence within five business days
Vivendi owns 52 per cent on a fully diluted basis/54 per cent of outstanding shares of activision Blizzard

Paris & Santa Monica, Calif. (BUSINESS WIRE) - Vivendi (Euronext Paris: VIV) and Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) today announced the completion of the transaction announced on December 2, 2007 to create Activision Blizzard, as the world's most profitable pure-play online and console game publisher.

Activision Blizzard was formed by combining Activision, one of the world's leading independent publishers of interactive entertainment, and Vivendi Games, Vivendi's interactive entertainment business, which includes Blizzard Entertainment's World of Warcraft, the world's No. 1 subscription-based massively multiplayer online role-playing game.

Activision Blizzard will continue to operate as a public company traded on Nasdaq under the ticker ATVI.

Jean-Bernard Levy, CEO of Vivendi, said: "We have created the world leader in online and console games with this transaction and the combined strengths of the two businesses offer immense growth potential. I am also very confident that, with the new leadership team in place, the new entity is perfectly positioned to take advantage of these rapidly developing markets across the globe."

Rene Penisson, Chairman of Activision Blizzard, added, "We are delighted that the merger has been completed. We are very excited about the opportunity for Activision Blizzard to create a broader entertainment software platform. We are leaders across North America and Europe and are creating a substantial footprint in the rapidly growing Asian market. We are determined to `think big'!"

"The completion of this transaction marks the beginning of an important new chapter in the history of interactive entertainment," said Robert Kotick, President and Chief Executive Officer of Activision Blizzard.

"By combining leaders in mass-market entertainment and subscription-based online games, Activision Blizzard has leading market positions across all categories of the rapidly growing interactive entertainment software industry. With more than 10.7 million subscribers on World of Warcraft, and with tens of millions of people playing Guitar Hero, Activision Blizzard's games are transcending the traditional stereotypes and are more popular as a form of entertainment than ever before. We look forward to building upon our brands to create value for our shareholders, customers and consumers."

"From the beginning, our goal has been to make the best games in the world, and this transaction strengthens our ability to do just that," said Mike Morhaime, Blizzard Entertainment cofounder and Chief Executive Officer.

"As part of Activision Blizzard we'll have the reach and resources to share our games with an even wider audience - while maintaining the same approach as always to providing high-quality entertainment and services to our players."

In addition to World of Warcraft, the No. 1 subscription-based massively multiplayer online role-playing game, the transaction brings together some of the world's leading interactive entertainment franchises including Guitar Hero, the No. 1 family entertainment and No. 1 music-based franchise; Call of Duty, the No 1 first-person action franchise; Tony Hawk, the No. 1 action sports franchise; Spider-Man, the No. 1 Super Hero franchise; Cabela's, the No. 1 sports hunting franchise; and two of the top-ten kids movie-based franchises, Shrek and Madagascar, for calendar year 2005 through 2007 according to the NPD Group, Chart Track and The GFK Group.

The transaction was approved by Activision's stockholders at a special stockholder meeting on July 8, 2008 and closed on July 9, 2008.

Structure and Terms of the Transaction Under the terms of the agreement, Vivendi Games merged with a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision and shares of Vivendi Games were converted into approximately 295.3 million new shares of Activision common stock.

Concurrently with the merger, Vivendi purchased approximately 62.9 million newly issued shares of Activision common stock at a price of $27.50 per share for a total of approximately $1.7 billion in cash, resulting in a total Vivendi ownership stake in Activision Blizzard of approximately 52 per cent on a fully diluted basis and approximately 54 per cent of shares outstanding.

In accordance with the terms of the agreement, within five business days of the closing of the transaction, Activision Blizzard will launch a $4 billion all-cash tender offer to purchase up to 146.5 million Activision Blizzard common shares at $27.50 per share.

To the extent that Activision's stockholders participate in the tender offer, the tender offer may be funded with Activision Blizzard's available cash on hand at closing, borrowings made under credit facilities from Vivendi, and proceeds from the issuance of additional shares to Vivendi for up to $700 million.

If the tender offer were fully subscribed, Vivendi would own an approximate 68 per cent ownership stake in Activision Blizzard on a fully diluted basis.

The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive in its first year post-closing for Activision's stockholders on a non-GAAP basis excluding equity-based compensation, one time costs related to the transaction, the impact of purchase price accounting related adjustments including amortization of intangibles, and the impact of the change in deferred net revenues and cost of sales related to online-enabled games.

Both Activision and Blizzard Entertainment's businesses have maintained their momentum and Activision Blizzard is well positioned to exceed the financial goals set for the combined company at the time of the deal announcement.

Board & Management

The Board of Directors of Activision Blizzard consists of eleven members: six directors designated by Vivendi, two Activision management directors and three independent directors from Activision's board of directors.

Rene Penisson, a member of the Management Board of Vivendi and Chairman of Vivendi Games, will serve as Chairman of Activision Blizzard. Brian Kelly, Co-Chairman of Activision, will serve as Co-Chairman of Activision Blizzard. The three independent directors are Richard Sarnoff, Robert J. Corti and Robert Morgado. Other Activision Blizzard directors will be
Robert Kotick (President and Chief Executive Officer of Activision Blizzard), Bruce Hack (Vice-Chairman and Chief Corporate Officer of Activision Blizzard), Jean-Bernard Levy (Chairman of the Management Board and Chief Executive Officer of Vivendi), Doug Morris (Member of the Management Board of Vivendi and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Universal Music Group), Philippe Capron (Member of the Management Board and Chief Financial Officer of Vivendi), and Frederic Crepin (Senior Vice President, Head of Legal Department of Vivendi).

Activision Blizzard is drawing on an accomplished group of leaders from both companies: Robert Kotick is President and Chief Executive Officer of Activision Blizzard. Mike Griffith is serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of Activision Publishing, which includes the Sierra Entertainment, Sierra Online and Vivendi Games Mobile divisions in addition to the Activision business.

Bruce Hack, who served as Chief Executive Officer of Vivendi Games, is Vice-Chairman and Chief Corporate Officer of
Activision Blizzard, accountable for leading the merger integration and the finance, human resources and legal functions. Blizzard Entertainment cofounder, Mike Morhaime, will continue to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of Blizzard Entertainment. Thomas Tippl, formerly Chief Financial Officer of Activision Publishing, has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of Activision Blizzard and Jean-Francois Grollemund, Chief Financial Officer of Vivendi Games, has been appointed Chief Merger Officer of Activision Blizzard.

About Activision Blizzard

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Blizzard, Inc. is a worldwide pure-play online and console game publisher with leading market positions across all categories of the rapidly growing interactive entertainment software industry.

Activision Blizzard maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Romania, Australia, Chile, India, Japan China, Taiwan and South Korea.

More information about Activision Blizzard and its products can be found on the company's website, www.activision.com.
Important Additional Information has been and will be filed with the SEC

THIS DOCUMENT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT AN OFFER TO BUY OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO SELL ANY
SECURITIES.

Vivendi Investor Relations: Daniel Scolan Phone: +33(1) 71
71 1470 Mobile: +33 (6) 12 38 7762 or Aurelia Cheval Phone: +33
(1) 71 71 1233 or Agnes de Leersnyder Phone: +33 (1) 71 71 1470
or
Vivendi Investor Relations (US):Eileen McLaughlin Phone:
212-572-8961 or
Vivendi Paris: Antoine Lefort Phone: +33 (1) 71 71 1180
Mobile: +33 (6) 11 72 7695 or Agnes Vetillart Phone: +33 (1)
71 71 3082 or Solange Maulini Phone: +33 (1) 71 71 1086 or
Vivendi Media (US): Flavie Lemarchand-Wood Phone:
212-572-1118 Mobile: 646-752-7550 or
Activision Blizzard Investor Relations: Kristin Southey
Phone: 310-255-2635 or
Activision Blizzard Media (Europe): Finsbury Limited Don
Hunter Phone: +44 20 7251 3801 or
Activision Blizzard Media (U.S.):Sard Verbinnen & Co
Stephanie Pillersdorf Phone: 212-687-8080 or Sard Verbinnen &
Co Cassandra Bujarski Mobile: 917-583-7255 or Maryanne Lataif
Mobile: 310-990-5870 or
Blizzard Entertainment (North America) Lisa Jensen Phone:
949-854-6200 or
Blizzard Entertainment (Europe) Guy CunisPhone: +33 (0)1 30
67 9119 or
Blizzard Entertainment (South Korea)Christy Um Phone: +822
2175 1380 x 33904 Mobile: +8211 1724 3904 or
Blizzard Entertainment (China) Roger Sun Phone: +86 21 3133
0700 Mobile:+86 13 4 0206 8861 or Blizzard Entertainment
(Region of Taiwan) Chi Liu Phone: +886 2 2712 3116 x 27
Mobile:+886 915 869 953 or
Blizzard Entertainment (Australia, New Zealand) Chris Davey
Phone: +61 2 9256 8211

Business: Norske Skog sells property in Trondheim to Maja Eiendom

Norske Skog sells the 5.2 hectare property Ranheim Vestre in Trondheim Municipality to Maja Eiendom for NOK 72 million.

Maja Eiendom plans to develop the area for residential purposes. This is in accordance with the municipal zoning plan for the area.

It is Norske Skog's wholly owned subsidiary Ranheim Eiendomsutvikling AS which sells the property. The sale will yield a recognised gain of about NOK 70 million before tax.

Eiendomsmegler 1 Midt-Norge has assisted Norske Skog with the sale.

Oxenøen, 11 July 2008
Norske Skog
Corporate affairs

For further information:

Norske Skog:
Vice president corporate affairs
Tom Bratlie
Telephone: +47 905 21 904

Maja Eiendom:
Roger Holmgren
Telephone: +47 951 05 650

This press release was brought to you by Hugin Online, distributor of electronic press releases for companies listed on selected European stock exchanges. Address:

To alter your subscription profile or to unsubscribe, please go to: http://www.huginonline.com/email

The Hugin Team

Business: GE Money agrees to sell its Japan consumer finance business to Shinsei

Proposed transaction is in line with objective to redeploy capital for higher returns

Tokyo (BUSINESS WIRE) - GE Money, the consumer financial services unit of the General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), announced today it has signed an agreement to sell its Japanese consumer finance business, which includes the Lake personal loan business, wholly owned credit cards and mortgages under GE Consumer Finance Co Ltd and its subsidiaries, to Shinsei Bank, a leading diversified Japanese bank. The transaction, which is subject to closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, is valued at Y580 billion (US$5.4 billion) and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2008.

Under the terms of the agreement, in addition to acquiring GE Money's loan, credit card, and mortgage businesses, Shinsei Bank plans to retain and work closely with GE employees in these businesses as part of its strategy to expand its position in the Japanese consumer credit marketplace.

Commenting on the transaction, William H. Cary, President and CEO of GE Money, said, "In an extremely challenging environment, we have completed an agreement that fully meets our core strategic objectives: giving our Japanese business the opportunity to work with a partner committed to investing in Japan, and allowing GE Money and GE to redeploy its capital to areas which will generate strong sustainable long-term growth and returns for our shareowners.

Yoshiaki Fujimori, President and CEO of GE Money Asia, said, "With its scale and expertise, Shinsei Bank is best positioned to leverage these businesses for continued growth and success in the long term. I would like to thank our employees in Japan for all of their tremendous efforts and hard work in building such a resilient and successful business."

As part of the transaction, GE and Shinsei Bank agreed to a risk-sharing arrangement relating to potential Gray Zone liabilities. GE does not expect potential losses to be materially higher than existing reserves.

GE Money will continue to operate GE Nissen Credit Co. Ltd, its credit card joint venture with Nissen, a leading shopping catalogue in Japan.

GE Money and Nissen will continue to hold a 50% stake each in the company and pursue further growth opportunities.

GE's Commercial Finance business has a strong presence in Japan, including leasing, fleet services, healthcare finance, and commercial real estate. In addition, GE continues to grow and invest in its Japanese businesses, including aircraft engines, energy, healthcare, and technology and media.

ABOUT GE MONEY With more than $200 billion in assets, GE Money, a unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) is a leading provider of retail banking and credit services to consumers, retailers, and auto dealers in 55 countries around the world. With more than 130 million global customers, GE Money, headquartered in London, UK, offers a range of financial products, including private label credit cards, personal loans, bank cards, auto loans and leases, mortgages, debt consolidation and home equity loans, and credit insurance. More information can be found at http://global.gemoney.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 the company's Web site at www.ge.com.

GE Money Communications ? Global/USARobert Rendine, +1 203
585 2084 Robert.rendine@ge.com or Communications
AsiaJin Montesano, +65 9639 7010 Jin.Montesano@ge.com

Business in Asia Today - July 11, 2008

35 CHINESE FIRMS MAKE FORTUNE LIST
Beijing (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - China's largest refiner Sinopec (SSX:600028, SEHK:0386), together with 34 other Chinese companies, made it to this year's Fortune 500 list released Thursday.
With sales of US$159.26 billion, Sinopec led the Chinese group at the 16th place, followed by State Grid, ranking 24 and China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC), 25. Among the 35 companies, 26 are from the mainland, three from Hong Kong and six from Taiwan.
A total of 19 State-owned companies under the central government are on the list.
China's three leading oil companies - CNPC, Sinopec and China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC)(SSX:600028) - as well as the country's two power grid companies - State Grid and China Southern Power Grid - found a place on the list.

SAMSUNG HEAVY BUILDS WORLD'S LARGEST LNG TANKER FOR QATAR
Seoul (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - Samsung Heavy Industries Co. (KSE:010140) said today it has completed construction of the world's biggest liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker.
The 266,000-cubic-meter tanker will be delivered to Qatar in August, and will supply gas to the United States and Europe. Samsung Heavy won an order to build the tanker in March 2006 for US$290 million, the largest ever contract at the time.
Samsung plans to deliver 10 more LNG tankers of the same size to Qatar by 2010. Qatar, the world's biggest LNG producer, has ordered 45 LNG tankers from three Korean shipyards and Samsung Heavy is contracted to build 18 of them.

VIETNAM'S GLOBAL SETS UP NEW MOBILE CARRIER WITH RUSSIAN PARTNER
Hanoi (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - Vietnam's Global Telecom Company and Russia's VimpelCom have inked a deal to set up a mobile phone network in Vietnam which will operate under the name of GTel Mobile.
The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) said it had finalised procedures to grant an operation licence to GTel, which will also operate other telecom services such as fixed telephone lines, fax, broadband internet, VoIP and Wimax.
Vietnam's mobile market is set to grow three times faster than that of Britain's over the next five years, according to a study released by the Altimo Foundation.

INDIA'S SPICE ENERGY TO IMPORT LNG FROM INDONESIA
New Delhi (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - Spice Energy will import LNG from Indonesia at its proposed US$400 million import terminal in Haldia while its unit Cals Refineries (BSE:526652) has signed a deal with BP to source up to 5 million tons of crude oil a year for its US$1.1 billion refinery in the same city.
Spice Energy is setting up a 2.5 million ton facility that will sell gas to fertiliser plants in West Bengal.
BP will buy most of the petrol and diesel Spice's Haldia refinery produces, for sale in the Asia Pacific region.

SINOSTEEL LIFTS STAKE IN AUSTRALIA'S MIDWEST CORP
Sydney (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - China's second biggest iron ore trader, Sinosteel (SSE:002057), has lifted its majority stake in Midwest Corporation Ltd (ASX:MIS) to over 50 per cent.
In a change in substantial holder notice posted to the Australian Stock Exchange, Sinosteel said it now held shares representing 50.97 per cent of voting power in Midwest.
It has been pursuing Midwest in a A$1.36 billion (US$1.305 billion) takeover to gain control of the company's iron ore resources and cut dependence on Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX:RIO) and BHP (ASX:BHP) amid rising prices.
However, fellow iron ore miner and former suitor Murchison Metals (ASX:MMX) has vowed to stifle Sinosteel's attempt to swallow Midwest by not accepting the bid for its 10 per cent holding in the company, which effectively blocks a compulsory takeover.

JAPAN'S KOBE STEEL TO SELL U.S STEEL POWDER BIZ TO SWEDISH FIRM
Tokyo (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - Kobe Steel Ltd. (TSE:5406) said Thursday that it will shut its U.S. steel powder operations by selling Kobelco Metal Powder of America Inc. to Sweden's Hoganas AB.
The Big Three U.S. automakers and other automobile-related companies make up about 90 per cent of its customers as steel powder is used to manufacture gears and other autoparts.
The company has been operating at a loss due to weak sales and high fuel and materials prices.
With car demand in the U.S. plunging due to surging gasoline prices, Kobe Steel concluded that it would be difficult to execute a turnaround of its U.S. steel powder unit.

SANYO TO BUILD US$95 MLN ELECTRONIC COMPONENT PLANT IN VIETNAM
Hanoi (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - Japanese electronics manufacturer Sanyo (TSE:6764) will pour US$95 million into an electronic component plant at the Quang Chau Industrial Zone in Vietnam's northern Bac Giang province.
The company received yesterday an investment license from provincial authorities to set up the Sanyo-HQ Vietnam Electronic Component Co. Ltd to carry out the plant construction.
This will be Sanyo's third plant in Vietnam, following its first to manufacture home electric appliances and a second to produce digital cameras.
The future plant will be built in September and is scheduled for completion by April 2009.

AUSTRALIA'S UNTAPPED SHALE OIL SOURCES THE SOLUTION: ENERGY CO
Melbourne (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - Untapped sources of oil within Australia could provide the country with fuel into the next century, Queensland Energy Resources (QER) says.
The company has called for a national focus on securing a domestic oil supply, urging the government and business to focus on solutions rather than gloomy outlooks. The call comes in response to today's projections by the Commonwwealth Scintific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) of skyrocketing petrol prices at A$8 (US$7.68) a litre by 2018.
Oil shale is produced by mining shale rock and heating kerogen inside it to produce synthetic crude oil. It could be produced at any Australian refinery, QER spokesman Simon Eldridge said.

CHINA'S FAW HAIMA AUTOMOBILE TO START BUILDING 3RD PLANT
Haikoi (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - China's FAW Haima Automobile Co., Ltd. will start the construction of its third plant in Haikou New and High-tech Economic Development Zone, according to the company.
The third plant will cover an area of 831 mu (55.4 ha.) and will involve 1.5 billion yuan (US$219 million) in fixed assets. Upon completion of the third plant, Haima's annual production capacity will increase from the existing 150,000 units to 300,000 units.

POSCO'S Q2 EARNINGS SURGE 34 PCT ON HIGHER STEEL PRICES
Seoul (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - POSCO (KSE:005490) said Friday that its second-quarter earnings climbed 34 per cent from a year earlier on cost-saving efforts, solid demand and higher steel prices.
Its net profit in the April-June period reached 1.49 trillion won (US$1.49 billion), compared with 1.11 trillion won a year earlier, the company said.
Sales increased 28.3 per cent to 7.46 trillion won, and operating income gained 51 per cent to
1.88 trillion won.
POSCO attributed its record quarterly earnings to increased export prices and higher steel prices.
The steelmaker has raised steel prices three times this year as it seeks to shore up profit margins dented by soaring prices of iron ore and coal.

Source:
Business in Asia Today - July 11, 2008
published by Asia Pulse

Business: Valeo receives Global Innovation Award from Nissan

Paris (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Valeo announces that it has received the Global Innovation Award from Nissan Motor Co. for its contribution to their Lane Departure Prevention system. The award was presented on July 10 at the Nissan Global Supplier Award ceremony in Tokyo.

Valeo's advanced camera and intelligent software technology, which supplies precise vehicle position information, is a key element of this system. The new models equipped are the Infiniti EX, FX and M.

The system uses camera and sensor technology to judge the distance between the vehicle and lane markings on the road. If the vehicle drifts out of its lane without the driver signalling, the system gives an audible or visual warning to the driver and gently applies the brakes to help bring the vehicle back into the lane.

Lane departure technology can help reduce the number of accidents caused by unintentional lane departures, which have been shown to be the cause of more than 40% of accidents in the United States.

Valeo is an independent industrial Group fully focused on the design, production and sale of components, integrated systems and modules for cars and trucks. Valeo ranks among the world's top automotive suppliers. The Group has 122 plants, 61 R&D centers, 9 distribution centers and employs 60,000 people in 27 countries worldwide.

For all additional information, please contact:
Claire Vidal Pilo, Product and Technology,
Media Relations, Tel.: +33-1-40-55-21-26,
claire.vidal-pilo@valeo.com ;
Sylvie Delion, Product and Technology Media,
Relations, Tel.: +33-1-40-55-20-96,
sylvie.delion@valeo.com .
SOURCE: Valeo Management Services

Business: CMP is back this year with loads of innovative ideas

Mumbai (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - CMP India and CMP Information, The Netherlands, is once again organizing Fi India 2008, a two-day International Exhibition and Conference on Food Ingredients in Mumbai on October 3-4th, 2008. This is a part of the world-wide series of Fi Events held in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa.

Fi India took place in Mumbai in September 2006 for the first time and was inaugurated by the Hon'ble Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, Mr Subodh Kant Sahai. Subsequently it was again organised in October 2007 and was inaugurated by the noted Food Scientist and the Chairman of CFTRI, Dr V Prakash.

Over 2000 delegates visited local & international exhibitors. Fi India has emerged as a highly focused event -- gaining its reputation for delivering a quality audience of both Visitors & Sponsors which confirmed India as a very significant and important emerging market.

CMP India, this year, has introduced a much more comprehensive event format that will better match the needs of this growing market.

Fi India 2008 will now feature an expanded exhibitor area that will provide a superb regional and international sales platform for the global Food Industry.

The objective of this Exhibition & Conference is to explore the growth opportunities of the Indian food industry in the Domestic and in the International markets. It will specifically focus on health ingredients, natural ingredients and food safety.

This event can very well be the next challenge for the food industry. The trend points to a shift with the consumer looking for innovative flavors and new tastes. Healthier food choices are also of great interest in order to combat lifestyle-influenced conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

The two-day exclusive conference is being held alongside the exhibition in partnership with PFNDAI (Protein Foods & Nutrition Development Association of India) which will focus not only on Indian market trends but the global issues related to food ingredient Industries. Speakers from India and abroad will be sharing their views on the same, and will provide their expertise.

FI exhibition will educate, inform and articulate, the Indian consumers' changing tastes -- including their food consumption. The Indian food processing market is one of the largest in terms of production, consumption, and export and import prospects. Fi India will enable Indian food processing industry towards a sustained growth every year.

CMP India (UBM India Private Limited)

CMP is a part of United Business Media Ltd., one of the world's leading business-to-business media and market information companies. UBM brings together the world's buyers & sellers. It helps their markets to work effectively & efficiently through CMP's portfolio of events, print and on-line publications, PR Newswire's news distribution network, through Commonwealth's trade and transportation business intelligence. www.ubmindia.com / www.cmpasia.com

About CMP Information

CMP Information is the UK-headquartered professional media division of United Business Media plc. Operating internationally, CMPi provides creative professional media solutions to around 20 industry sectors. Its products, including magazines, exhibitions, conferences, awards, information products and websites, are targeted at business professionals across a range of markets; these include Construction & Architecture, Commercial Property, Licensed Trade, Travel, Agriculture and Ingredients.

www.fi-events.com

SOURCE CMP India, UBM India Private Limited
CONTACT: Bipin Sinha, Project Director, CMP India,
(91)-22-66122612, bipins@ubmindia.com
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh
20080710/NYTH081
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com/
Web site: http://www.fi-events.com
http://www.cmpasia.com
http://www.ubmindia.com

Business: Yunus and other Microcredit Leaders to Hold Indonesian Summit

Nusa Dua (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - The following was released by The Microcredit Summit Campaign:

WHO:
The Honorable Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of Indonesia
The Honorable Manuel Zalaya Rosales, President of Honduras
The Honorable Alejandro Toledo, Former President of Peru
Mrs. Zanele Mbeki, First Lady of South Africa
Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Laureate and Founder & Managing Director, Grameen Bank
Sam Daley-Harris, Director of the Microcredit Summit Campaign

WHAT: Microcredit Summit Campaign Hosts More Than 800 International Microcredit Leaders, Donors, Investors, and Advocates at Asia-Pacific Microcredit Summit 2008.

WHEN: Monday, July 28, through Wednesday, July 30, 2008

WHERE: Bali, Indonesia, The Bali International Convention Center at the Westin Resort Nusa Dua

WHY: Hot topics like the commercialization of microcredit will be on the agenda at this convergence of social entrepreneurs, donors, researchers, investors, and practitioners from 50 countries, including Asias microcredit leaders: Prakash Bakshi, Chief of NABARD (India), Fazle Hasan Abed, Founder of BRAC (Bangladesh), Shafiqual Haque Choudhury, Founder of ASA (Bangladesh), and RM Malla, Chair of SIDBI (India).

PLEASE PRE-REGISTER FOR PRESS OPPORTUNITIES:
PRESS CONFERENCE with the Presidents, Dr. Yunus, and Mr. Daley-Harris, July 28 at 11am Bali time
Location: International Conference Center at the Westin, Bali

GLOBAL CONFERENCE CALL with the President of Indonesia, Dr. Yunus, and Mr. Daley-Harris
Time: Monday, July 28, at 9:45am Eastern US time (2:45pm London time)

Since 1997, the Microcredit Summit Campaign, a project of Washington, DC-based RESULTS Educational Fund, has become the worlds largest global network of microcredit stakeholders, including 3,600 microfinance institutions in 134 Countries. As of December 2006, our member organizations provided loans and other financial services to help more than 133 million of the worlds poor families lift themselves out of poverty through self-sufficiency. This includes 92 million families who were living on less than one U.S. dollar per day when they took out
their first loan. By 2015, the Microcredit Summit Campaign aims to provide leadership, guidance, and support to ensure that, in keeping with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals:
(1) A total of 175 million of the worlds poorest families, especially women of those families, receive credit for self-employment and other financial and business services; and
(2) 100 million families rise above the US$1 a day threshold, adjusted for purchasing power parity. For more information, please visit www.microcreditsummit.org. Address: 750 First Street NE, Suite 1040, Washington, DC 20002, USA.

SOURCE The Microcredit Summit Campaign
CONTACT: Denise Hughes,
+1-917-549-2621,
denise@creative-connectors.com,
Eileen White Read,
+1-202-637-9600,
eread@microcreditsummit.org,
both of The Microcredit Summit Campaign
Web site: http://www.microcreditsummit.org

Technology: PCCW Group Managing Director IEC's broadband World Forum Asia in Hong Kong

Chicago (BUSINESS WIRE) - The International Engineering Consortium (IEC) brings its Broadband World Forum Asia back to Hong Kong next week at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre with PCCW as the official host sponsor.

The conference and exhibition takes place over four days from Tuesday through Friday.

"We're looking forward to sharing the winning solutions in broadband with the industry next week in Hong Kong," commented IEC President John Janowiak. "More than 200 industry leaders from around the world will speak in our educational program and present more than 50 keynotes addresses, plenary panels, workshops and sessions."

Themed "Broadband Next: The Winning Solutions," the Broadband World Forum Asia 2008 will present key industry leaders to keynote at the event including World Forum Chair and PCCW Group Managing Director Alex Arena; PCCW Chief Technology Officer Paul Berriman; Pacnet Chief Technology Officer Wilfred Kwan; Zee Entertainment Network President Bharat Ranga; and KT Network Group President of KT Gwang-Ju Seo.

"I'll share with participants on how the company plans to further grow its business and excel in the Hong Kong market, which is characterized by some of the highest telecoms service penetration rates in the world and intense competition among local operators," commented Mr Arena.

"With limited opportunity to grow our customer numbers, we're increasing our focus on raising total household ARPU in order to achieve significant profitability growth going forward."

According to Mr Arena, the success of PCCW's IPTV service and its unique quadruple-play capability are the keys.

This in addition to countless topics under the umbrella of broadband will be discussed at the World Forum in Hong Kong.

The IEC welcomes all industry professionals to attend. Conference badges as well as complimentary Exhibits PLUS Passes will be available at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre next week.

All accredited members of the media are entitled to full and
complimentary access to the entire four-day event.

Visit www.iec.org/events/2008/bbwf_asia/ or contact Lisa
Reyes at lreyes@iec.org or +1-312-559-3325.
IEC - Lisa Reyes+1-312-559-3325 lreyes@iec.org

Business: Coverall of Japan expands with new office in Nagoya

Coverall Cleaning concepts master franchise owner opens fifth support center in Japan Coverall of Japan expands with new office in Nagoya

Boca Raton, Fla. (BUSINESS WIRE) - Coverall Cleaning Concepts, a leading commercial cleaning franchising organization, announced today that Coverall of Japan has expanded its operations with the opening of a new Support Center in Nagoya. This is the fifth city in Japan to have a Coverall Support Center.

"I look forward to seeing Coverall of Japan's new office in Nagoya become as successful as their other 4 locations; we applaud their expansion efforts," said Ted Elliott, CEO of Coverall Cleaning Concepts. "Coverall of Japan has prospered by offering consistent, unparalleled training, customer service and innovative cleaning products and equipment."

Coverall of Japan opened its first support center in Osaka in October of 1996. Its five support centers provide training, sales, technical and customer service support to 290 Franchise Owners who serve the health-based cleaning needs of more than 4,500 customers throughout Japan.

Coverall Cleaning Concepts' Franchise Owners provide cleaning services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Service offerings include routine health based cleaning as well as a menu of specialized and premium services including hard floor care, carpet cleaning, window/blind cleaning, restroom sanitation and ceiling and wall cleaning.

About Coverall Cleaning Concepts Founded in 1985, Coverall Cleaning Concepts is a leading international commercial cleaning franchisor with a worldwide network of more than 90 Support Centers and 9,000 Franchise Owners. Coverall's Franchise Owners currently service nearly 50,000 customers in over 90 metropolitan areas, including corporate office buildings, medical facilities, nationwide accounts, industrial complexes, banks, department stores, schools and day care centers. For more information, visit www.coverall.com.

For Coverall Cleaning Concepts, Boca RatonThorp & CompanyHeidi Armstrong or Josh Merkin, 305-446-2700
harmstrong@thorpco.comjmerkin@thorpco.com

Business: WNS announces multi-year $US1 billion BPO contract with Aviva

WNS announces multi-year $US1 billion BPO contract with Aviva Leading BPO provider acquires Aviva Global Services to add scale and bolster offerings in target industries

New York & Singapore & Mumbai, India (BUSINESS WIRE) - WNS (Holdings) Limited (NYSE: WNS), a leading provider of global business process outsourcing (BPO) services, today announced it has entered into a transaction with Aviva, the world's fifth largest insurance group with $95 billion revenue in 20071.

This transaction is comprised of a Share Sale and Purchase Agreement, backed by a Master Services Agreement, to acquire Aviva's offshore operations which run a number of its critical business processes.

Pursuant to the Share Sale and Purchase Agreement with Aviva, WNS today acquired all of the shares of Aviva Global Services ("AGS"), its business process offshoring company.
Since 2004, WNS has provided BPO services to Aviva pursuant to build-operate-transfer (BOT) contracts from facilities in Pune, India and Colombo, Sri Lanka. With this acquisition, WNS will take over AGS' operations comprising over 5800 seats as follows: Assume control of AGS's captive operations in Bangalore, India; and Colombo, Sri Lanka. The WNS-managed Colombo facility was transferred to AGS in July 2007 Transfer AGS's Pune and Chennai operations, which are currently run by other providers, within 30 days. AGS has issued transfer notices to these third party providers.

The WNS-managed facility in Pune will remain with WNS.

Under the Master Services Agreement, which is of eight years and four months' duration, WNS will be the long-term strategic BPO services provider to Aviva's UK, and Canadian businesses.
Other providers will be capped on numbers and duration as per existing contracts. As part of the MSA, WNS also benefits from a recently signed AGS contract for approximately 580 employees with Aviva's Irish subsidiary, Hibernian. Based on the anticipated service requirements of these businesses, as provided by Aviva, WNS estimates that the Master Services Agreement could generate approximately $1 billion in revenues over the life of the contract.

The total purchase consideration paid to Aviva for the transaction is approximately ?115 million ($228 million2), subject to adjustments for cash and debt. WNS funded the transaction through a combination of cash and a bank loan facility of approximately $200 million.

"With this acquisition, WNS solidifies its position as a premier offshore BPO provider," said Neeraj Bhargava, CEO, WNS Global Services. "Aside from a large BPO contract, this significantly accretive acquisition promotes our strategy of expanding market share in target industries, greatly extends our scale, and bolsters our service offerings -- not just in the insurance industry, but across all our businesses. Aviva will be an active partner during the transition period, and we are confident that our integration plans will result in a smooth transition.

We also see significant potential to grow our business with Aviva, not only outside the UK, Canada and Ireland, which AGS serves today, but also in new high growth areas such as analytics."

Under the terms of the contract, WNS will provide a comprehensive spectrum of life and general insurance processing functions to Aviva including policy administration and settlement along with finance and accounting, customer care and other support services.

"During the selection process, we evaluated some of the best BPO providers in the global marketplace and selected WNS based on their proven operational performance and alignment of both culture and values. This contract allows Aviva to continue our working relationship with a provider that truly understands the insurance industry and has a tireless commitment to process excellence and customer care, making WNS our partner of choice," said Cathryn Riley, Chief Operating Officer of Norwich Union Life, and Chairman, Aviva Global Services, both business divisions of Aviva.

Continuing, Ms. Riley added: "We are proud of the significant delivery capability that we have built offshore and we remain firmly committed to offshoring. By transferring our captive and third-party operations to WNS, Aviva benefits from WNS' ability to bring us new perspectives and continue our focus on customer service excellence. Having worked with WNS since 2004, we expect a smooth transition period and look forward to a successful, long-term partnership."

Alok Misra, CFO, WNS Global Services, said: "This acquisition adds immediate value to our shareholders as it is accretive on both net income margin and EPS (excluding amortization of intangible assets, share-based compensation and related fringe benefit taxes). It gives us significant scale and an industry leadership position to pursue growth-oriented opportunities. With the continued expansion of WNS's business and the addition and anticipated rapid integration of this acquisition, we expect to reach an annualized run rate of close to $500 million in revenue less repair payments and $60 million in net income (excluding amortization of intangible assets, share-based compensation and related fringe benefit taxes), by the first quarter of fiscal 2010.

Notably, we are very pleased with the terms of our financing arrangement. Our ability to raise capital in this environment -- at what we believe are attractive terms -- speaks volumes about our credentials and the prospects of this deal."

With the acquisition and associated contract, WNS' revenues and resources will increase significantly, positioning the company to compete even more aggressively in the global outsourcing marketplace. WNS' estimate of expected revenues over the term of the contract is based on initial billable headcount of approximately 4,200 and growth expectations such as the Hibernian ramp-up over the course of the contract, and not the minimum headcount guarantee of 3,000 billable employees under the contract.

Following the agreement, WNS has provided revised guidance for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009: Revenue less repair payments for fiscal 2009 is expected to be between $425 million and $435 million, up from the company's previous guidance of $373 million to $378 million.

Net income (excluding amortization of intangible assets, share-based compensation and related fringe benefit taxes,) for fiscal 2009 is expected to be between $46 million and $49 million, up from the company's previous guidance of $44 million to $46 million.

WNS will host a conference call at 1:00pm EDT, July 10, 2008, to discuss the acquisition. To participate, callers can dial 800-295-3991 from within the U.S. or +1-617-614-3924 from any other country. The participant passcode is 1352836.

A replay will be available beginning two hours after the end of the call via phone for one week. To listen to the replay, callers can dial 888-286-8010 from within the U.S. or +1-617-801-6888 from any other country. The replay passcode is 16975626. A replay will also be available online at www.wnsgs.com for three months.

About WNS WNS is a leading global business process outsourcing company. Deep industry and business process knowledge, a partnership approach, comprehensive service offering and a proven track record enables WNS to deliver business value to some of the leading companies in the world.

WNS is passionate about building a market-leading company valued by our clients, employees, business partners, investors and communities. For more information, visit www.wnsgs.com.

Safe Harbor Statement under the provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 This news release contains forward-looking statements, as defined in the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include statements relating to the acquisition of AGS; Aviva's BPO service requirements and estimated revenue expected to be generated under the Master Services Agreement; the expected billable headcount need of approximately 4,200 staff and growth expectations over the course of the contract with Aviva; the expected impact the transaction may have on our revenues, revenue growth, strategy of expanding market share, and
expansion of our service offerings for the insurance industry; the expected accretive impact of the acquisition; our integration plan for the acquisition; our market position as an offshore BPO provider for the insurance industry; expected annualized revenue run rate, and our guidance for fiscal year ending March 31, 2009. These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from?those that may be projected by these forward looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to technological innovation; telecommunications or technology disruptions; future regulatory actions and conditions in our operating areas; our dependence on a limited number of clients in a limited number of industries; our ability to attract and retain clients; our ability to expand our business or effectively manage growth; our ability to hire and retain enough sufficiently trained employees to support our operations; negative public reaction in the US or the UK to offshore outsourcing; regulatory, legislative and judicial developments; increasing competition in the business process outsourcing industry; political or economic instability in India, Sri Lanka and Jersey; worldwide economic and business conditions, including a slowdown in the U.S. and Indian economies and in the sectors in which our clients are based and a slowdown in the BPO and IT sectors world-wide; our ability to successfully consummate strategic acquisitions, as well as other risks detailed in our reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. We may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management's current analysis of future events. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

1 According to Aviva's published results for fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 2 At exchange rate of $1.00 to $1.98
Investors:WNS (Holdings) LimitedJay Venkateswaran; Senior VP Investor RelationsAlan Katz; VP ? Investor
Relations+1212-599-6960 ir@wnsgs.com or India:Gutenberg CommunicationsAmeya Sirur, +91 9987588991 ameya@gutenbergpr.com
or UK:Gutenberg CommunicationsShalini Siromani, +44 203 008 5231 shalini@gutenbergpr.com or Media:U.S.:Gutenberg
CommunicationsAquin Dennison, +1 646-763-8853 aquin@gutenbergpr.com

Business: IMAX signs first joint venture deal with one of Australia's largest exhibitors

Hoyts Cinemas Ltd. Doubles IMAX's Footprint in Australia with Four Joint Venture Locations

Mississauga MISSISSAUGA - /CNW-AsiaNet/ - IMAX Corporation (NASDAQ:IMAX; TSX:IMX) and Hoyts Cinemas Ltd., one of the largest exhibitors in Australia, today announced a joint venture agreement to install four IMAX(R) theatres in the cities of Perth, Melbourne and Sydney. The deal marks the Company's first international joint venture deal featuring the Company's new IMAX(R) Digital theatre system and doubles IMAX's footprint in Australia. To date, IMAX has signed contracts for more than 180 IMAX(R) Digital theatre systems, with approximately 50 scheduled to be installed by the end of 2008.

Under the terms of the joint venture agreement, IMAX and Hoyts Cinemas will share in the cost and profitability of the new theatres. The first three theatres will be installed at the Entertainment Quarter 12 in Sydney, the Highpoint 17 in Melbourne and the Carousel 16 in Perth. These openings are scheduled to coincide with the Australian launch of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince in December of this year. The fourth theatre will be installed in Melbourne in 2009.

"IMAX is a widely recognized and very successful brand in Australia, and we are excited to open these locations in partnership with IMAX to offer our customers the world's most immersive cinema experience," said Delfin Fernandez, CEO of Hoyts Cinemas. "IMAX theatres offer a cinematic experience that people can't get at home or in a conventional theatre, and this unique offering has proven to drive incremental attendance at the multiplex. Additionally, the IMAX Digital projection system eliminates the need for film prints, which significantly lowers operating costs and enables us to offer our customers a wider range of IMAX content."

"Entering into a partnership with one of the largest exhibitors in Australia is a fantastic way to initiate our international JV business, and it adds to the momentum of our overall digital growth strategy," said IMAX's Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs, Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. "Hoyts is a top-notch exhibitor with a commitment to innovation and expansion, and we believe this partnership will strengthen our presence in the region."

The highly anticipated IMAX Digital projection system further enhances The IMAX Experience(R) and helps drive profitability for studios, exhibitors and IMAX theatres by eliminating the need for film prints, increasing program flexibility and ultimately increasing the number of movies shown on IMAX screens.

IMAX's film slate for the remainder of 2008, 2009 and 2010 includes:
The Dark Knight - Warner Bros. Pictures - July 18, 2008
Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa - DreamWorks Animation - November 7, 2008
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince - Warner Bros. Pictures - November 21, 2008
Under the Sea 3D - Warner Bros. Pictures - February, 2009
Monsters vs. Aliens 3D - DreamWorks Animation - March, 2009
Hubble 3D (working title) - Warner Bros. Pictures - February, 2010
How to Train Your Dragon 3D - DreamWorks Animation - March, 2010
Shrek Goes Fourth 3D - DreamWorks Animation - May, 2010

About Hoyts Corporation

Hoyts is a world class cinema operator with over 350 screens in the oceanic region. Hoyts is the single biggest cinema brand in Australia with a 100 year heritage. Hoyts has a number of showcase cinemas across Australia & New Zealand; Entertainment Quarter and Blacktown in Sydney, Melbourne Central and Chadstone in Melbourne, Carousel in Perth and their most recent development Sylvia Park in Auckland. Hoyts continues to redefine the cinema experience for consumers with their latest Australia cinema, Melbourne Central, submitted for the prestigious Premier's Design Award, a prize for design innovation. With cutting edge designed cinemas and exciting revolutionary new cinema concepts such as the halfpipe (beanbag cinema), Hoyts continues to set the standard in cinema excellence across the region.

About IMAX Corporation

IMAX Corporation is one of the world's leading digital entertainment and technology companies. The worldwide IMAX network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event Hollywood films around the globe, with IMAX theatres delivering the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX(R) 3D, and IMAX DMR(R) technology. IMAX DMR is the Company's groundbreaking digital remastering technology that allows it to digitally transform virtually any conventional motion picture into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience. IMAX's renowned projectors and new digital systems display crystal-clear images on the world's biggest screens.
The IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary and immersive entertainment experiences for consumers. As of March 31, 2008, there were 298 IMAX theatres operating in 40 countries.

IMAX(R), IMAX(R) 3D, IMAX DMR(R), and The IMAX Experience(R) are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information on the Company can be found at www.imax.com.

This press release contains forward looking statements that are based on management's assumptions and existing information and involve certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward looking statements.
Important factors that could affect these statements include ongoing discussions with the SEC and OSC relating to their ongoing inquiries and the Company's accounting, the timing of theatre system deliveries, the mix of theatre systems shipped, the timing of the recognition of revenues and expenses on film production and distribution agreements, the performance of films, the viability of new businesses and products, risks arising from potential material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting and fluctuations in foreign currency and in the large format and general commercial exhibition market. These factors and other risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2007, as well as the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q/A and 10-Q.

SOURCE IMAX Corporation
CONTACT: Media:
IMAX Corporation, New York,
Sarah Gormley,
(212) 821-0155,
sgormley(at)imax.com;
Entertainment Media:
Newman & Company, Los Angeles,
Al Newman,
(310) 278-1560,
asn(at)newman-co.com;
Investors:
IMAX Corporation - New York,
Heather Anthony,
(212) 821-0121,
hanthony(at)imax.com;
Business Media:
Sloane & Company, New York,
Whit Clay,
(212) 446-1864,
wclay(at)sloanepr.com/
(IMX. IMAX)

Business: Singapore Mercantile Exchange (SMX) announced

- A new Exchange for the new Economic World Order

Singapore (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Deputy Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Lim Hng Kiang was the Guest of Honour at the Global Financial Market Summit 2008 where plans were announced to set up Singapore Mercantile Exchange (SMX), a new international commodity derivatives exchange in Singapore. The announcement was made in a glittering ceremony by Mr. Jignesh Shah, Chairman and CEO of Financial Technologies Group along with Mr. Lim Hng Kiang and Mr. Ang Swee Tian, former president of SGX and Mr. Leo Melamed, Chairman Emeritus of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Group in presence of an august gathering of business leaders from across the globe.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:
http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/smx/33858

Said Mr. Lim Hng Kiang, Deputy Chairman of the MAS and Minister of Trade and Industry, "The Financial Technologies Group's interest to establish SMX in Singapore, within close proximity to the region's largest producers and consumers of several commodities, underscores Singapore's position as a key commodities trading hub."

Mr. Jignesh Shah, Chairman and CEO of Financial Technologies Group also announced Board and Advisory Board of SMX comprising of eminent and highly distinguished personalities from the world of finance including -
1) Mr. Ang Swee Tian - Chairman of the Board.
- Former president of SGX
- Inducted in the FIA Futures Hall of Fame in 2007.
2) Mr. Jignesh Shah - Vice Chairman
- Chairman and CEO of Financial Technologies Group
- Founder of SMX - Singapore, MCX, DGCX - Dubai, GBOT
-Mauritius, IEX among several other exchanges globally.
- 'Young Global Leader' by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and Ernst & Young 'Entrepreneur of the Year' award for Business Transformation
3) Mr. Vijay Iyengar -Board Member
- Chairman of SICCI and MD of Agrocorp International Pte Ltd,
4) Mr. Framroze Pochara - Board Member
- Executive Director of SMX Clearing Corporation

Advisory Board members include -
1) Mr. Leo Melamed - Chairman of Advisory Board
- Chairman, Emeritus of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Group and globally recognised as the founder of financial futures markets
2) Mr. Myron Scholes - Member, Advisory Board
- Nobel Memorial Prize winner for Black-Scholes options pricing model
3) Mr. David Yeow - Member, Advisory Board - Partner, Rajah and Tann LLP
4) Mr. John Burbank - Member, Advisory Board
- Founder & Chief Investment Officer, Passport Capital LLC

Mr. Ang Swee Tian, Chairman of SMX said "This is a truly eventful day for Singapore. Financial markets and commodity markets are very tightly coupled. The new exchange will add to the stature of Singapore as global financial centre and more
investments will flow into Singapore, as it becomes a One Stop Financial and Trading hub."

Mr. Jignesh Shah, Vice Chairman of SMX, Chairman and Group CEO of Financial Technologies, said, "Singapore ranks among the top three international financial centres in the world today along with New York and London with an established trading and commodity hub, open economy, robust regulatory framework under Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), a thriving port, business friendly environment, and its geographical location - making it an ideal destination to host an international commodity derivatives exchange like SMX. Also markets are the barometer of growth for any economy and SMX will be the growth engine for Asia from Singapore with rest of the world - through transparent price discovery, efficient transaction execution, price volatility, risk hedging and will propagate structured private and public investment deep into the economy".

The Chairman of the Advisory Board of SMX Mr. Leo Melamed, said, "I am very pleased to be associated with this path breaking initiative of the Financial Technologies in Singapore. We expect Asia to lead the growth in the commodities markets in the next few years. Market participants around the world will benefit from price discovery of these commodities in Asia. The SMX will be a barometer for the dynamic demand-supply fundamentals in this region.

Mr. Chong Lit Cheong, Chief Executive Officer of International Enterprise (IE) Singapore said, "SMX's entry into Singapore is a welcomed development by IE Singapore as it complements our ongoing efforts to develop Singapore as the Asian commodity trading hub. Already, Singapore is Asia's price discovery centre for energy and rubber. With growing investor interest in commodity derivatives as well as increasing focus on risk management due to volatile commodity prices, SMX will reinforce the commodity trading and risk management infrastructure in Singapore."

The announcement was made at the 'Global Financial Markets Summit 2008: A CEO discussion forum exploring Asia's commodity derivatives markets', organized by Financial Technologies Group and FOW and supported by International Enterprise (IE) Singapore and held at the Mandarin Oriental Singapore today.

SMX will facilitate commodities trading in the Asian time zone and reflect the vibrancy of Asian markets. The new exchange will provide a platform for futures and options trading on precious metals, base metals, energy, agricultural commodities, currency pairs, carbon credits and commodity indices. Though many commodity exchanges exist in the Western world, no such international commodity exchange, trading a diversified range of products on a single platform exists in Asia. SMX will fulfil this need of a global exchange in Asia.

SMX is promoted by Financial Technologies Group (http://www.ftindia.com) a US$1.84 billion (as on 31st March 2008) global leader in creating and operating technology centric, next generation financial markets. Financial Technologies has highly successful track record of operating deep and vibrant liquid exchange network that spans from Africa, Middle East, India and South East Asia.

About Singapore Mercantile Exchange

Singapore Mercantile Exchange ("SMX") an international commodity derivatives exchange situated in Singapore will offer a state-of-the art electronic trading platform for trading a diversified basket of commodities including futures and options contracts on precious metals, base metals, agriculture commodities, currencies and commodity indices. SMX is currently in the process of obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).

Dealers, brokers and their customers will be able to connect to SMX's trading platform through a number of connectivity options, including leased lines, dial-up, multi-protocol label switching and the Internet either with the native front-end provided by the SMX or the front-end developed by independent software vendors.

SMX's platform will provide a fair, transparent and efficient mechanism for price discovery with orders being matched electronically. The best buy order will be matched with the best sell order based on a price-time priority, ensuring best prices for both buyer and seller. SMX will act as the counterparty for each transaction executed on its platform through settlement guarantees provided by its clearing house, the Singapore Mercantile Exchange Clearing Corporation, a 100% subsidiary of the Singapore Mercantile Exchange.
More information is available at http://www.smx.com.sg

About Financial Technologies (NSE: FINANTECH, BSE: FINTECH)

Financial Technologies (India) Limited is a US$1.84 billion (as on 31st March 2008) global leader in creating and operating technology centric, next generation financial markets that are transparent, efficient, and liquid, across multi asset classes including equities, commodities, currencies and bonds, among others.

Its highly robust and scalable exchange and trading technology, coupled with deep domain expertise, gives Financial Technologies a decisive edge in driving mass disruptive innovation at a speed and cost of execution that are unmatched in the financial markets. This expertise uniquely positions Financial Technologies as a creator of electronic, organized, and regulated financial markets for new asset classes and new investor classes that are either underserved or economically unviable to be served by traditional markets.

More information is available at http://www.ftindia.com
For media enquiries, please contact:
Singapore Mercantil Exchange: Jalpa Shah E:
jalpa.shah@smx.com.sg,
M: +65-9477-0009;
Sharon Seetho,
E: sseetho@gavinanderson.com.sg,
M: +65-9009-8495;
Evangelina Wee,
E: ewee@gavinanderson.com.sg,
M: +65-9185-5105;
Financial Technologies: Miten Mehta,
Director - Communications & IR,
E: miten.mehta@ftindia.com,
M: +91-986-755-2322;
Praveen Rikhy,
+91-11-29834428,
Praveen_rikhy@melcole.com;
Rohit Srivastava,
+91-11-29833118,
Rohit_srivastava@melcole.com
SOURCE: Singapore Mercantile Exchange Pte Ltd.

Business: Convergys appoints Jim Goetz as Chief Information Officer

(Cincinnati; July 10, 2008) - Convergys Corporation (NYSE: CVG), a global leader in relationship management, announces the appointment of Jim Goetz as Chief Information Officer. Goetz will report to Earl Shanks, Convergys’ Chief Financial Officer.

In this leadership role, Goetz will be responsible for strategic planning and global implementation of the information systems and technology function for Convergys including programming, systems development, database management, computer operations, telecommunications, and outsourcing. Goetz will also interact with clients as the strategic leader for Convergys’ technology solutions from an internal and outsourcing perspective.

Most recently, Goetz served as CIO for the ServiceMaster Company where he led transformational initiatives in technology infrastructure, applications, and business capabilities used throughout the ServiceMaster consumer brands including TruGreen, Terminix, American Home Shield, ServiceMaster Clean, and Merry Maids.

Before moving to the ServiceMaster Company, Goetz worked for IBM Global Services where he led the development and implementation of e-business services for telecom, media, and internet based companies. Earlier in his career, Goetz worked for Ameritech as the senior information technology executive responsible for all shared technology across the enterprise. He also worked for Nolan, Norton & Co. and in systems engineering and management roles in IBM.

Goetz holds a degree in mathematics from Wheaton College and a master’s of business administration from the University of Chicago.

Editors: A pic of Mr. Goetz is available on request.

About Convergys

Convergys Corporation (NYSE: CVG) is a global leader in relationship management. We provide solutions that drive more value from the relationships our clients have with their customers and employees. Convergys turns these everyday interactions into a source of profit and strategic advantage for our clients.

For 25 years, our unique combination of domain expertise, operational excellence, and innovative technologies has delivered process improvement and actionable business insight to clients that now span more than 70 countries and 35 languages.

Convergys is a member of the S&P 500 and has been voted a Fortune Most Admired Company for eight consecutive years. We have approximately 75,000 employees in 87 customer contact centers and other facilities in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, and our global headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio. For more information, visit
www.convergys.com

(Convergys and the Convergys logo are registered trademarks of Convergys Corporation.)

To receive Convergys news releases by email, click on http://www.convergys.com/news_email.html

Contacts:

Business and Financial Media - John Pratt
+1 513 723 3333 or john.pratt@convergys.com

Trade Media - Jeff Hazel
+1 513 723 7153 or jeff.hazel@convergys.com

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