Archive for December, 2009

Trade ministers wrap up inconclusive talks on Doha

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009
Trade ministers wrap up inconclusive talks on Doha

0 Comments | AFP, December, 2009

GENEVA (AFP) Ministers failed Wednesday to end a stalemate on measures to reach a global trade liberalisation pact ahead of a 2010 deadline, with some developing countries moving to seal their own tariff-slashing deal.

A group of 22 developing nations produced a deal to reduce tariffs among themselves by at least a fifth on 70 percent of products traded.

The accord was worked out on the sidelines of a WTO ministerial meeting, with developing countries saying it showed they are not the cause of the Doha Round deadlock.

“I think it shows that developing countries have the will and capability to reach an agreement. It’s not a problem on our side,” stressed Argentinian Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana, who chaired the group of countries that included emerging giants…

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Internet2 and National Institute for Technology in Liberal Education

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009
Internet2 and National Institute for Technology in Liberal Education

0 Comments | U.S. Newswire, Dec 3, 2009

To: TECHNOLOGY EDITORS

Contact: Grace Pang of National Institute for Technology in Liberal Education, 1-734-661-2352, gpang@nitle.org

Organizations Will Explore Potential of Advanced Networks for Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities

GEORGETOWN, Texas, Dec. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The National Institute for Technology in Liberal Education(NITLE) and Internet2(R) have signed a letter of agreement for reciprocal membership. The two organizations will collaborate to explore and raise awareness of advanced networking applications for teaching and learning, libraries, performing arts, language instruction, health science, and other areas. The timing is in alignment with Internet2’s new membership structure, which creates a category of membership geared towards liberal arts colleges. Joint project work is scheduled to begin in January 2010.

NITLE and Internet2 will work together to identify test cases for applying advanced networking within liberal arts contexts, with an initial focus on the arts and humanities and opportunities for inter- campus teaching.

“This partnership is an investment in exploring the potential of Internet2’s high-bandwidth, low-latency network, which has strategic significance for the liberal arts sector,” Eric Jansson, director, NITLE Labs, said. “For example, research shows that when certain qualities are achieved in high-definition video-conferencing, you receive an exponential increase in cognitive engagement. At a certain point, virtual collaboration becomes so life-like that the feeling of being present is just there, hence the recent term ‘tele- presence.’ Such engagement is consistent with liberal arts models of learning through rich interaction and dialogue.”

“One of the collective projects the liberal arts sector needs to actively engage is the question of how to build shared resources and services,” said Dave Smallen, vice president for information technology at Hamilton College. “Our investigations at Hamilton — through the New York Six consortium looking at ways to share digital media from our existing library collections, and through a Teagle grant to investigate applications of high performance computing in a liberal arts environment — suggest to me the important role that high-speed, high-bandwidth network infrastructure can play in answering this important question.”

The partnership will more generally allow the two organizations to exchange expertise.

“Both Internet2 and NITLE see great potential in exchange of expert resources,” said Ann Doyle, senior program manager of the Internet2 Arts & Humanities Initiative. “Joint programming is one possibility, as is inviting experts from campuses involved with our organizations to speak at or participate in meetings, workshops, and conferences.”

Doyle added, “We are very excited about this partnership as I believe advanced networking will provide the greater Internet2 community access to the expert resources of campuses in the NITLE Network, as well as providing those campuses access to Internet2 members, and the opportunity to pursue membership directly with Internet2. The opportunities for exchange and collaboration here are unlimited.”

Doyle and Jansson will work closely to advance the partnership between the organizations.

Conversations between NITLE and Internet2 began in August 2009. The letter of agreement was finalized on October 29, 2009.

About the National Institute for Technology in Liberal Education (NITLE)

NITLE (pronounced “nightly”) helps liberal arts colleges and universities explore and implement digital technologies. Faculty and staff from nearly 130 institutions in the NITLE Network use its offerings to enrich undergraduate education. NITLE is the key organization for small colleges seeking to engage students, manage technology strategically, and anticipate the impact of emerging technologies. Established in 2001 with support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, its mission is to catalyze innovation to advance liberal education in the digital age. (www.nitle.org)

About Internet2(R)

Internet2 is the foremost U.S
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Counselling service back after 10 years; Recession puts more pressure on couples

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009
Counselling service back after 10 years; Recession puts more pressure on couples

Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England), Dec 2, 2009

Byline: SAM CASEY

THE economic downturn has increased the need for relationship counselling, according to the boss of a new service in Huddersfield.

Relate, the country’s biggest provider of relationship support, has re-opened its office in town after a 10-year absence.

The new branch is based at Brian Jackson House on New North Parade.

General manager Diane Huck said the organisation felt there was a demand for the service in Huddersfield.

And she said, along with the challenges people face when they get together with new partners who have children, financial pressures were probably the greatest cause of stress.

She said: “With today’s economic climate there’s a lot of pressure on couples and relationships. Whether people are in or out of work, financial strains can make it very difficult.”

Relate, a national federated charity, has 150,000 clients on its books across the country.

It offers relationship counselling with trained professionals for couples and individuals, sex therapy and life skills training for businesses and individuals.

There is a specialist counselling service for young people, family counselling and support for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

It has offices in Keighley and Halifax, but has not had one in Kirklees for a decade.

Diane said: “Keighley and Halifax are very busy. I presume there will be the same uptake in Kirklees.”

She added: “We have always believed that stable and loving family relationships play a key role in helping adults and children feel secure, safe, confident and optimistic about the future.

“At the heart of all our activity is a commitment to helping couples maintain and improve their relationships.” But she said that it was not just about helping couples who want to save their relationships.

“We help with any relationship issues and it’s not just about helping couples stay together,” she said.

“We can counsel people through break-ups.”

She encouraged people to make the call – even if they felt unsure about it.

“We realise that people might be nervous about coming in and may be very distressed or confused, but we’ll always deal with people in a reassuring manner,” she said.

“What we talk about and how we do things is always dictated by the client.”

To book an appointment or for more information call 01484 425843 or visit www.relatepkc.org.uk.

CAPTION(S):

SUPPORT: Relate general manager Diane Huck (JH181109Nrelate-03)

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Time Warner Cable Connects Students Across Texas with Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009
Time Warner Cable Connects Students Across Texas with Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

PR Newswire, Dec 8, 2009

AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 8 /PRNewswire/ — Research shows the next generation of Texas youth is not prepared to take on the challenges of the 21st century. Eighty percent of jobs created in the next decade will require math and science skills. However, today’s students show declining interest in the subjects, with 84 percent of middle school students saying they would rather clean their room, eat their vegetables, go to the dentist or take out the garbage than learn math or science.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/timewarnercable/41542/

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091208/NY22970 )

This is an issue that threatens the United States’ and the state of Texas’ ability to compete in the global marketplace as a leader in innovation. Which is why Time Warner Cable has launched Connect a Million Minds, a $100 million initiative over five years to address America’s continuing decline in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

With launch events in Waco, San Antonio and Austin the company is kicking off the initiative by giving students opportunities for hands-on learning about science and technology in their own backyards.

Middle school students in Austin toured Darrel K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium to learn about the science, technology and engineering behind the 134-foot jumbotron, the recent stadium expansion and the technologically-advanced field turf.

“This initiative is all about instilling a passion in our young people for science, math, technology and engineering,” said DeLoss Dodds, Athletic Director at the University of Texas at Austin and participant in the Austin Connect a Million Minds launch.

Students from the Girls Inc. program in San Antonio attended a three-day STEM camp sponsored by Time Warner Cable that included a range of hands-on learning activities
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Interfaith Health Care Hearing on Capitol Hill

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009
Interfaith Health Care Hearing on Capitol Hill

Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, The, Dec 2009 by Schwartz, Aishah

As promised in September, the American Muslim Taskforce on Civil Rights and Elections (AMT) launched an interfaith initiative on genuine health care reform at an Oct. 14 Capitol Hill briefing. After the Muslim Health Care Professionals’ hearing the previous month (see November 2009 Washington Report p. 44), the coalition of major Islamic national organizations resolved to broaden their efforts to support health care reform and bring in panelists from the Christian, Jewish, and Buddhist faiths. Muslim American Society (MAS) executive director Imam Mahdi Bray chaired the hearing and set the stage, saying, “As people of faith we must continue to fight for a health care bill that contains a public option; without it Americans will continue to fall prey to the tyranny of insurance companies.”

Co-chairpersons at the hearing included Interfaith Worker Justice executive director Kim Bobo; Dr. Jamal Barzinji, vice president of the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT); Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR); Naim Baig, secretary-general of the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA); and the Hon. Rev. Walter Fauntroy, former member of Congress and former pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church.

Among the panelists offering their testimonies were the Rev. Louisa Davis, coordinator of the Greater Washington Allies in Reconciliation and Rev. Kaz Nakata of the Ekoji Buddhist Temple, who were joined by MAS Freedom Civil and Human Rights director Ibrahim Abdil-Mu’id Ramey. Hilary Shelton, director of the NAACP Washington Bureau; Takoma Park pediatrician Lavanya Sithanandam, board member of South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT); and Asma Hanif, chairperson of CCMO, Coordinating Council Muslim Organizations and director of the Muslimat Al-Nisaa Health and Shelter Organization, presented united testimony in support of lobbying Congress and helping grassroots organizations push for a public insurance option.

Dr. Sithanandam, who immigrated to this country from India at the age of 4, described treating children of the working poor in Montgomery County who are, thankfully, covered by the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, or SCHIP. Too many times, the physician said, she has discovered that their parents also are ill, but do not have health insurance. When a parent falls seriously ill the entire family is affected, Dr. Sithanandam noted
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Kind words mean more than printed Christmas card

Thursday, December 17th, 2009
Kind words mean more than printed Christmas card

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Dec 5, 2009 | by G. Donald Gale

Give the gift of words this holiday season — kind words.

Words form the foundation for all thought, all relationships, all emotions … not only the foundation but the walls, the floor and the ceiling. Too often, we toss words around carelessly, as if all words carried the same value. But some words are like darts, some are like cannonballs, some are like feathers and some are like trophies.

Choose the trophy words. They build better thoughts, better relationships and better emotions.

We hear too many angry words. They are the wrecking ball of thoughts, relationships and emotions. Technology often insulates the sender from the receiver. The talk show host can label a politician “idiot” because the politician is not in the studio — probably not even listening. But angry words are contagious. Listeners become infected. They apply the harmful word to other politicians as well. Soon, an entire class of public servants find themselves labeled “idiots.” The political group is diminished. The infected listeners are diminished. And the nation is diminished.

Research shows that if we know a person — talk to him or her face-to-face — we are less likely to describe that person with harmful words. In today’s complex world, we don’t know, personally, most of those who shape our nation, our communities or our businesses
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PricewaterhouseCoopers and OpenPages Announce Joint Business Relationship

Thursday, December 17th, 2009
PricewaterhouseCoopers and OpenPages Announce Joint Business Relationship

PR Newswire, Dec 1, 2009

PwC to leverage OpenPages’ leading governance, risk and compliance software solutions to help clients address their risk and compliance challenges

NEW YORK, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ — PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) and OpenPages, a leading provider of risk management software solutions, today announced a Joint Business Relationship (JBR) to deliver integrated governance, risk and compliance (GRC) solutions. The JBR will enable organizations to benefit from PwC’s experience in risk advisory and software implementation services and OpenPages’ software solutions. Together, PwC and OpenPages will help clients address the risk and compliance challenges they face in today’s increasingly challenging business environment and changing regulatory landscape.

“The current economic environment, combined with pressure from regulators, boards and stakeholders has encouraged companies to revisit, rethink and retool their approach to risk management at a strategic level. Effective risk management is a process, not merely a function, that must be embedded across the organization,” said Joe Atkinson, principal in PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Consulting practice. “We’re pleased to be teaming with OpenPages to help our clients become more risk resilient. OpenPages software can help companies standardize and streamline their risk management, compliance and related reporting processes. This enables companies to make risk decisions with increased confidence and clarity.”

As a result of this joint business relationship, PricewaterhouseCoopers and OpenPages will be able to jointly deliver their solutions to organizations that will benefit from a solution that combines the industry knowledge and leading practices of PwC with a GRC technology platform. PricewaterhouseCoopers helps companies design and implement GRC frameworks that can help identify and meet an organization’s business objectives more effectively. OpenPages offers a platform of integrated modules that enables the operationalization of such GRC frameworks. Through this business relationship, PwC will team with OpenPages to configure the OpenPages platform to suit client needs, and implement a customized GRC solution designed by PwC that can help organizations avoid unexpected outcomes while improving overall business performance.

OpenPages CEO Michael Duffy added, “PricewaterhouseCoopers is a global leader in risk management advisory services
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Eagle Hill Announces Frankfurt Stock Exchange Listing

Thursday, December 17th, 2009
Eagle Hill Announces Frankfurt Stock Exchange Listing

Market Wire, December, 2009

Eagle Hill Exploration Corp. (TSX VENTURE: EAG)(FRANKFURT: EH0) (”Eagle Hill” or the “Company”), is pleased to announce that it has commenced trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (”FWB” – Frankfurter Wertpapierborse) in Germany under the trading symbol “EH0″.

Brad Kitchen, President & CEO, said, “The listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange is another milestone in our long-term growth strategy. With a strong interest in gold resources among European companies and investors, the FWB listing will increase the Company’s visibility and may extend our investor base by creating exposure in the European market. The Windfall Lake Property generated much interest in the European Investment Community when Noront Resources began exploration on the project. We intend to capitalize on the familiarity of the project.”

About the Frankfurt Stock Exchange

FWB Frankfurter Wertpapierborse (Frankfurt Stock Exchange) is one of the world’s largest trading centers for securities. Operated by the Deutsche Borse AG, FWB is the largest of the eight Germany stock exchanges. The Deutsche Borse’s products and services portfolio cover the entire process chain including securities and derivatives trading, transaction settlement, the provision of market information, as well as the development and operation of electronic trading systems. For more information, visit the Deutsche Borse at: http://deutsche-boerse.com .

About Eagle Hill Exploration Corporation

Eagle Hill Exploration Corporation is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the exploration and development of gold and precious metal prospects. The Company is set to become an advanced stage gold and precious metal exploration company with its acquisition of the Windfall Lake gold property, located in Urban Township, Quebec, between Val D’or and Chibougamau. Eagle Hill seeks projects that contain or have potential to contain high grades and large tonnage potential
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Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood released after arrest

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood released after arrest

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Dec 5, 2009

Aging rocker Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones was released on bail Thursday after being arrested for possible domestic assault.

Wood, known for his stinging guitar riffs and raucous private life, was picked up by police Wednesday evening near his home in Esher in southern England.

The arrest comes on the heels of Wood’s highly publicized divorce.

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Research and Markets: The Outlook for Medical Devices in Latin America – A Growing but Challenging Regional Market, Worth US$7.4 Billion!

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009
Research and Markets: The Outlook for Medical Devices in Latin America – A Growing but Challenging Regional Market, Worth US$7.4 Billion!

Business Wire, Dec 01, 2009

DUBLIN — Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/fc3f1d/the_outlook_for_me)
has announced the addition of the “The
Outlook for Medical Devices in Latin America” report to their
offering.

The eight Latin American medical markets are expected to grow by a CAGR
of 4.6% between 2008 and 2013, reaching US$9.2 billion. Each country
report provides a comprehensive analysis of the medical market,
including five-year market forecasts. For each country you will receive
4 completely updated reports sent quarterly, plus a comprehensive report
sent annually.

The eight Latin American medical markets covered by Espicom Business
Intelligence represent a market of 474 million people with a GDP of
US$3.4 trillion in 2008. The region is better prepared to face global
instability than in the past but economic growth is expected to slow
down in 2009 and 2010, after a recent period of remarkable growth. The
region is now seeing all markets re-evaluate their health provision.
Levels of service in the buoyant private health sector are among the
best to be found, but the challenge is provide better levels of basic
healthcare to the mass of the population. Opportunities for
manufacturers of medical equipment and supplies do exist, but it is
knowing where and how to develop them. Brazil is the largest medical
market, followed by Mexico, Argentina and Colombia. Cuba, however, has
the highest level of medical spending per capita in the region, but this
is mostly for the purposes of ‘health tourism’, not the benefit of the
local population.

With the exception of Brazil and Mexico, the medical regulatory
environment in the region is less stable that in developed markets.
These young markets have not matured yet, therefore their regulatory
systems are being consolidated. Brazil and Mexico, however, have more
complex and mature regulatory systems. MERCOSUR members tend to follow
the medical regulation established by Brazil, and there is some degree
of regulatory harmonisation among them. Andean members such as Colombia
are also modelling Brazil’s medical regulation. Mexico operates closer
to its North American allies, and follows the US’ FDA regulation.

Trade in medical devices and equipment is key to the region’s
development with all markets dependent on imports, with the exception of
Brazil, which has a strong local domestic industry. Brazil, Argentina
and Chile import more high specification medical technology products,
whilst Peru, Mexico and Venezuela import more consumables. Regional
medical exports are low, with the exception of Mexico, which represents
nearly 90% of the region’s export capabilities. Continuing strong export
growth in the country is almost entirely due to US manufacturers’
‘maquiladora’ activities. Almost all of Mexico’s medical exports are
shipped across the border to the USA. Brazil’s exports are low compared
to the size of its medical market, but exports of dental devices and
implantables have been on the rise in recent years. The deficit in the
balance of trade is negligible for the region, due to the weight of
Mexico’s exports.

These quarterly updated reports analyse the issues

The Outlook for Medical Device Markets in Latin America is published by
Espicom Business Intelligence. Each report provides an individual and
highly-detailed analysis of each market, looking at the key regulatory,
political, economic and corporate developments in the wider context of
market structure, service and access. The reports are available
individually or as a discounted collection, and prices include 4
completely updated reports sent quarterly plus a comprehensive annual
review.

These quarterly updated reports analyse the issues

The report provides an individual and highly-detailed analysis of each
market, looking at the key regulatory, political, economic and corporate
developments in the wider context of market structure, service and
access. The reports are available individually or as a discounted
collection, and prices include 4 completely updated reports sent
quarterly plus a comprehensive annual review.

Executive Summary

Highlights from the region

CHILE Chile is one the region’s better economic performers; the
country has generally avoided regional trading blocs, preferring
bilateral agreements such as the Free Trade Agreement with the USA.
Chile produces very little medical equipment, so the market is largely
supplied by imports. The USA is the dominant supplier. The European
Union supplies a further 30%, of which Germany accounts for half. The
current government is creating a more efficient public system; the AUGE
health reform plan should boost demand for medical products in the long
term
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