Howard's staff accused of editing Wikipedia entries

Australian Prime Minister John Howard's staff was on Friday accused of editing entries on the Wikipedia website to remove details that might be damaging to his government.

A spokesman for Howard, however, said the Prime Minister had not ordered any changes to Wikipedia entries.

"The Prime Minister did not ask any of his staff or his department to make any changes or edits to Wikipedia," he said.

However, the Australian media quoting 'WikiScanner' reported that people using Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM and C) and Defence Department computer servers had made changes to Wikipedia articles.

The changes were made to articles on issues like the children overboard affair, the Australian Defence Force Academy and removal of a claim that Treasurer Peter Costello was known by the nickname "Captain Smirk".

There were over 2,000 government employees with access to the PM and C servers, Howard's spokesman was quoted as saying.

Opposition leader Kevin Rudd said that there was nothing wrong with the political staff making factual changes to Wikipedia entries, but public servants should not do so.

"On Wikipedia anything can appear," he told the Seven Network. "It is entirely legitimate for your personal political staff to make changes of a factual nature, but to engage public servants to go out there and re-edit history, it strikes me as odd to say the least."

The Defence Department has blocked employees from altering information on Wikipedia after 5,035 edits by defence staff were detected. "Defence has closed personal edit access down, though employees will still be able to browse Wikipedia for information purposes," a defence spokesman was quoted as saying.

Jordan to receive Iraqi oil soon - minister

(MENAFN - Jordan Times) AMMAN - Jordan will start receiving discounted Iraqi oil in the coming days, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Khalid Shraideh announced.The Jordan News Agency, Petra, quoted the minister as saying the supply would eventually cover Jordan's daily need of 100,000 barrels.

Shraideh said Jordan would begin by importing 10,000 barrels per day and would eventually increase the amount to cover the entire needs.

The first shipments are expected to arrive within days, the minister said, explaining that Jordanian tankers have already headed for the border to receive Iraqi tankers carrying crude oil from Kirkuk.

He said the choice was between Basra and Kirkuk oil, but because the Jordan refinery cannot process the oil from Basra, which has a high rate of sulphur, "we preferred to buy Kirkuk oil, which will be mixed with Arab light crude so that the refinery can process it".

The energy minister did not reveal the price Jordan would pay for the oil, but Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit said in October that the Kingdom would receive preferential rates.

Iraqi Finance Minister Baqir Jabr Zubaidi has said in previous remarks that the price would be lower than the market price by $18.

Jordan and Iraq signed the deal last August when Bakhit made a surprise visit to Baghdad.

Before the war started in 2003, Iraq covered all of Jordan's oil needs, delivering a portion for free and the rest at about one-third of the world market price.

When the supply was halted at the outset of the war, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates stepped in for a year to provide the Kingdom with oil at prices believed to have been below market levels. Saudi Arabia now provides Jordan with funding to help the country pay for its oil need.

Under last year's deal, oil supplies from Iraq to Jordan were due to begin in September 2006 but have been delayed for technical and security reasons.Shraideh said the first delivery of Iraqi crude will be considered as a "trial phase to deal with security conditions".

The Iraqi security forces will be escorting the tankers from Kirkuk through the restive Diyala province to the border with Jordan, according to the minister.

Shraideh did not link between the expected Iraqi oil shipment and the government's pledge to address a growing budget deficit through other options.

Bakhit announced earlier in the week that there would be no hike in fuel prices despite the rise in international oil prices, adding the government would find alternatives to tackle the JD710 million deficit expected this year.

But leading economic analyst Yusef Mansur said to address the budget deficit, oil supplies, even at cheaper prices, are not the only answer.

"We need quality spending, rationalised consumption of fuel and energy alternatives.

"Mansur also called for transparency, saying "the government's oil deals have always been vague."

Even if the alternatives promised are there, the expert said, the government will inevitably raise the prices next year with the end of the Jordan Petroleum Refinery Company's 50-year monopoly.

Candidate Pledges to Keep Turkey Secular

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - A Turkish presidential hopeful whose candidacy raised fears about the possible blurring of the line between mosque and state said Tuesday his goals would be strengthening secularism and the country's bid for European Union membership.

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul spoke after submitting to parliament his application to run for president, pressing ahead with a candidacy that triggered a political crisis and forced the government to call early elections. He is almost certain to win the presidency.


The powerful Turkish military and secular parties fear that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's and Gul's Justice and Development Party would use control of both parliament and the presidency to chip away at the separation of state and religion and put an Islamic stamp on the state by appointing Islamic-minded officials.


Gul is an observant Muslim whose wife wears an Islamic style head scarf, which many secular Turks regard as a symbol of political Islam and cite as a reason why he should not become president.


Both Gul and Erdogan reject the Islamic fundamentalist label, citing their promotion of sweeping reforms as a means of advancing Turkey's European Union bid. On the other hand, they have also actively sought to improve ties with the Islamic world.


Gul said at a news conference his main goal would be ``to protect secularism.
``No one should have any concerns,'' about that, Gul said.

He also said his presidency would embrace all the Turkish people.

``I will take into account all different views,'' Gul said. ``Objectivity will certainly be my principle. I ask that no one doubt this.''

``EU membership is all governments' goal, I will help the government in reaching this target,'' Gul said.
Erdogan's party won a majority of seats in parliament in the early elections last month. But it failed to secure the two-thirds it will need to approve a presidential candidate alone during the first two rounds of parliamentary voting, which starts next Monday.


But Gul is almost certain to be elected by a simple majority in the third round of voting on Aug. 28 because the Nationalist Action Party pledged to help achieve a necessary quorum to hold the vote.

Although largely ceremonial, the job of president is critical to overall control of the state. The president holds the power to veto legislation and appoints high-level officials, including ambassadors and chief judges to Turkey's top courts.


Gul's candidacy triggered a political crisis months ago, forcing the government to hold early parliamentary elections. The military has threatened to step into the election process - drawing criticism from the EU and the United States for threatening to interfere with democracy - while the secular Republican People's Party blocked the parliamentary voting.


Erdogan decided to once again nominate Gul for president Monday night, apparently to please supporters whose votes carried the party to power with 46.6 percent of the popular vote in July 22 elections. Deniz Baykal, leader of the Republican People's Party, said Gul's Islamic past threatened the secular regime.


``We can't digest it,'' Kemal Kilicdaroglu, another Republican official, said. ``We think someone who has problems with the regime of the Turkish Republic should not sit in the presidential seat.''


The president is also considered to be the commander in chief of the armed forces and the fiercely secular military had publicly declared its opposition to Gul.

If Gul is elected, one of his first big tests would be whether he would take his wife to an important military ceremony on Aug. 30. Islamic head scarves are banned from military clubs and military ceremonies.


The military is unlikely to relax its rules even for the president, but Baykal said the clothing of Gul's wife was not the real problem.
Associated Press Writer Suzan Fraser in Ankara contributed to this report.

HK-Shenzhen metropolis broached

The long-term objective of Hong Kong-Shenzhen co-operation is to jointly develop a world-class metropolis comparable with Greater New York and Greater London, Acting Chief Executive Henry Tang says.

Speaking at the second Hong Kong-Shenzhen Co-operation Forum today Mr Tang said the two cities, as close partners, share the vision of moving forward through closer integration.

"The vision is crucial to the sustained development of the two cities. It is in line with the trend of integration among Asian economies and supports the long-term development needs of our country," he said.

"The long-term objective of our co-operation is to jointly develop a world-class metropolis comparable with Greater New York and Greater London. This metropolis, covering 3,200 square kilometres and with a population of about 20 million, will be one of the top metropolises in respect of economic size, trade volume and investments.

"In jointly developing Hong Kong and Shenzhen into a metropolis, we should be guided by the One Country, Two Systems principle, the spirit of development and pragmatism, and should not lose sight of the big picture. Apart from opening up to each other, we should also strive to promote the free flow of key economic elements such as personnel, goods, capital and information between the two cities."

More integration

Shenzhen Mayor Xu Zongheng said the strategic concept of building a Shenzhen-Hong Kong world-class metropolis enhances and deepens the co-operation of both places.

"It fully reflects the actual circumstances and development trend of Shenzhen and Hong Kong. It expresses the common wish of the governments and people with insight from both cities, representing a significant milestone and symbolising a new historic stage and a brand new chapter of our co-operation.

"When I took up the office of Shenzhen Mayor, I put forward the concept 'to learn from Hong Kong and to serve Hong Kong', and that's what Shenzhen has been doing. I would like to take the opportunity today to further enrich this concept, that is 'to learn from Hong Kong, to serve Hong Kong, to integrate with Hong Kong, and to jointly build a world-class metropolis'."

He suggested that co-operation between the cities should adhere to the principles of "consensus, pragmatism, innovation, and mutual success".

"I believe that with the concerted and pragmatic efforts of the people of the two cities, we could surely overcome all obstacles to jointly build a world-class metropolis, and to achieve success for our country, our people, our region and our cities."

National Human Capital Summit 2008

HCI's 2008 National Human Capital Summit

Talent Transformation

Pre-Conference: March 9, 2008
Human Capital Foundation Benefit Golf Tournament

Conference: March 10-12, 2008
Phoenix, AZ
The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

The Leadership Conference for Executives, Human Resources, Learning & Organizational Development Leaders

The National Summit brings together up to 600 forward-thinking executives, human resources leaders, business managers, and organizational development visionaries from the Fortune 1000, government agencies, and academic institutions. Participants take advantage of multiple opportunities to share insights, discuss trends and learn how others are transforming talent management within their organization.

Agenda at a Glance

Pre-Summit - Sunday, March 9, 2008

12:00 Golf Tournament or Optional Spa Package
7:00 Kick-off Reception

Summit Day One - Monday, March 10, 2008

8:00 - 9:00 Keynote Presentation
10:00 - 11:30 Session I

12:00 - 1:30 Lunch

2:00 - 3:30 Session II

4:00 - 5:30 Session III

5:30 Meet the Sponsors Reception

Summit Day Two - Tuesday, March 11, 2008

7:00 - 8:00 Diversity Breakfast

8:00 - 9:00 Keynote Presentation

10:00 - 11:30 Session I

12:00 - 1:30 Lunch

2:00 - 3:30 Session II

4:00 - 5:30 Session III

6:30 Evening Under the Stars with food, fun and live entertainment

Summit Day Three - Wednesday, March 12, 2008

8:00 - 9:00 Keynote Presentation

9:30 - 11:30 Igniting Talent Transformation

European Biolubricants Markets

National Legislation Drives Growth In The European Biolubricants Market

DUBLIN, Ireland--Research and Markets has announced the addition of the new Frost & Sullivan Report “European Biolubricants Markets” to their offering.

This Frost & Sullivan research service titled European Biolubricants Market provides an in-depth analysis of the market for environmentally adapted lubricant formulations in Europe. The study also includes market drivers, restraints, industry challenges and revenue forecasts for each product type and geographic region. In this research, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine the following segments: hydraulic oils, chainsaw oils, concrete release agents and niche oils.

National Legislation Drives Growth in the European Biolubricants Market

The European biolubricants market is still in the development stage, driven by environmental awareness, fiscal incentives and recently, national legislation. Some market segments have exhibited steady growth reflecting the evolution of an environmental culture in the industry. The introduction of the EU eco-label in lubricants has positively affected the market and has created the necessary momentum for new national legislation mandating the use of biolubricants in environmentally sensitive areas.

"The increased commitment by European countries and the EU to promote products based on renewable materials and protect the environment has resulted in the biolubricant products experiencing restricted, but steady growth," notes the analyst of this research service. "This trend is likely to continue, enhanced by relevant national legislation."

High Price of Biolubricants Restrains Market Expansion

For some time, biolubricants were products that everybody liked but nobody wanted. However, political volition at the national and pan-European level to support biolubricants is here to stay and will assist market growth. This political will-power is expressed at various levels. The EU eco-label for lubricants represented the first step in the process of harmonising national eco-labels within the EU. The German market introduction programme has assisted in the progression and strengthening of the most developed national biolubricants market. Moreover, new legislation in France mandating the use of such products in environmentally sensitive areas will result in dramatic growth of the national market.

The market has not yet achieved economies of scale and the high retail prices are restraining growth. "At present, the higher cost makes economic sense where biolubricants procurements are required or promoted by regulations and where law mandates their use," explains the analyst. "The lack of customer awareness and public misconceptions about the technical performance of biolubricants have not helped the situation either."

GLOBAL REFINING STRATEGIES 2007

Global Refining Strategies, Houston 2007

September 10 & 11, 2007

Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center,

Houston, Texas
Sustaining the Golden Age of Refining

Global Refining Strategies, Houston 2007 brings together the world’s refining leaders to explore strategies that can be implemented to improve the long-term value of the refining business in the face of tighter environmental mandates, market uncertainties and heightened security measures.

Key topics:

Assessing the impact of the 110th Congress on the refining business
Preparing for the bio-fuel influx
Discovering breakthroughs that improve reliability and efficiency
Capitalizing on environmental and security initiatives
Building the business case for de-bottlenecking
Discussing innovations and developments in refining technology
Understanding the current market dynamics and the impact on your refining operations

FW Awarded Feed for Karan Onshore Gas Processing Facilities in Saudi Arabia

Foster Wheeler Ltd. announced that two subsidiaries in its Global Engineering and Construction Group, Foster Wheeler Energy Limited and Foster Wheeler Arabia Limited, have been awarded a front-end engineering design (FEED) and program management services contract by Saudi Aramco for the Karan onshore gas processing facilities at Khursaniyah, Saudi Arabia.

The onshore gas processing facilities will process one billion standard cubic feet per day (SCFD) of gas from the Karan offshore gas field, which is being developed on a fast-track basis to come onstream in 2011. The new onshore facilities are expected to deliver sales gas to meet the growing Saudi demand for gas. In addition, a small percentage of the sales gas will be utilized for the plant fuel and 640 tonnes per day of sulfur will be produced. The facilities would comprise gas processing trains, and would include acid gas removal, dehydration, sulfur recovery, substations and all associated utilities and infrastructure.

"The Karan project will push economic development and enhance the hydrocarbon resources in the Kingdom by increasing sales gas production capacity in commercial quantities. That gas, estimated at one billion standard cubic feet per day, when linked to the Master Gas System will provide fuel and feedstock to petrochemical industries and will provide jobs for Saudi citizens," commented Ali A. Al-Ajmi, vice president, project management, Saudi Aramco.

Ecuador: Getting Ugly

The erosion of Ecuador's political and macroeconomic conditions is putting it on a trajectory to debt default - or the end of Correa's presidency.

BY WALTER T. MOLANO

The situation in Ecuador is becoming ugly, as the country gears up for the Constitutional Assembly. The next two months will be turbulent as the parties vie for seats. President Correa is preparing for a showdown, and he is taking a page out of President Chavez's Bolivarian Revolution. However, President Correa may find himself with an undesired outcome.

After an auspicious start, President Correa's popularity is faltering. His initial approval rating was 73 percent, and it reached 76 percent in April after he won overwhelming support for a Constitutional Assembly. However, that was the peak, and it has been declining ever since. Last week, Correa's approval rate was 59 percent and falling. His disapproval rate was 34 percent. A decelerating economy may be partially to blame. The Ecuadorian economy grew 1.2 percent y/y during the first quarter, the lowest growth rate in four years. Political noise and constant threats to default drained credit from the marketplace.

Construction dropped 1.3 percent y/y during the first quarter. The expansion of consumer credit was one of the major benefits of dollarization. It allowed households to take long-term loans for automobiles, homes and spending. As a result, private consumption boosted Ecuador's GDP. However, President Correa's aggressive posturing, and former Finance Minister Patino's constant threats to default, forced the banks to trim their lending activities. Likewise, many Ecuadorian banks found themselves with less access to external credit lines, adding to the loss of liquidity. The Ecuadorian central bank recently lowered its 2007 growth forecast to 3.4 percent from 4.1 percent, and many economists are cutting it below 2.5 percent.

More importantly, Ecuador's balance of payments is eroding. Exports dropped 2.4 percent y/y during the first quarter, despite high oil prices. In theory, Ecuador's external position should be in excellent condition. Commodity prices are high, the dollar is weak and Ecuador has an enviable competitive advantage against its neighbors. However, the government's interference in the energy sector and the nationalization of the Occidental facilities led to a slowdown in oil production. The value-added component of oil-related activities fell 14 percent during the first quarter, and investment into the oil sector is evaporating. Therefore, Ecuador may find itself in a tough situation.

NOOSE TIGHTENING

The noose is tightening. Already under fire for corruption, President Correa is witnessing the erosion of his country's macroeconomic fundamentals. This is pushing down his popular support, and it could signal the demise of his presidency. Hence, President Correa is taking a page from President Chavez's Bolivarian Revolution by co-opting the military. He lavished large wage increases to the military and awarded the Army Corps of Engineers the concession to repave the nation's highways - a contract that will be a windfall for many senior officers. Moreover, President Correa is calling on the military to perform their patriotic duty to maintain stability. Instances of social unrest are rising as Ecuador gears up for the Constitutional Assembly. Given the tenuous environment, the Correa Administration softened its rhetoric on default-vowing to remain on current on debt payments. Instead, government officials suggested that they would like to reprofile the foreign debt by 2010.

Ecuador may no longer be threatening to default, but the erosion of the country's political and macroeconomic conditions is putting it on a trajectory where it may have no other choice.

CHINA PRİCE INFATION HITS 10 - YEAR HIGH

Consumer price inflation in China accelerated to the highest level in more than 10 years as food prices continue to rise, official figures released on Monday showed, raising the possibility for the fourth interest rate hike this year.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI), a barometer of inflation, grew 5.6 percent in July, after a 4.4 percent rise in the previous month and a 3.2 percent increase for the first six months, the National Bureau of Statistics said in a statement on its website. That is well in excess of the official target of three percent.

By contrast, the Producer Product Index (PPI), a measure of inflation at the wholesale level, slowed down to 2.4 percent in July from June's 2.5 percent, the bureau said on Friday.
In a breakdown of July's CPI figures, food prices jumped 15.4 percent, while non-food items rose only 0.9 percent, the statement showed.

Among foodstuffs, meat and meat products reported the biggest increase, up 45.2 percent, followed by a 30.6 percent hike in eggs, and a 30.1 percent rise in cooking oil. Grain prices went up 6.0 percent.

In July, the rural areas saw a 6.3 percent price increase, compared with 5.3 percent for the urban areas, according to the bureau.

Inflation risks were on the rise, the central bank admitted in its second quarter monetary report on Wednesday. It vows to take necessary measures to keep the basic stability in prices.
China has raised interest rates three times so far this year, with the last one on July 20 when the benchmark one-year deposit rate rose to 3.33 percent. That rate hike is coupled with a reduction of interest tax on bank deposits to 5 percent from 20 percent.
However, the return on deposits is still below the inflation rate, indicating a loss of purchasing power if people put their money into banks.

That is encouraging an exodus of bank deposits to the country's red-hot stock market, which has soared 77.53 percent so far this year on top of a 130 percent rally in 2006, fueling concerns of bubbles building in the market.

In response, analysts expect the central bank to raise the interest rates again in the coming months to turn the real interest rate positive, in part to offset the impact of rising prices, and to curb the flow of money into the equity market.

The price hike, especially in foodstuffs, is very sensitive in China as its people have a relatively low disposable income and food accounts for a major part in people’s daily spending. In 2006, the disposal annual income for urban residents stood at 11,759 yuan, and at 3,587 yuan for rural residents.

National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the country's top price regulator, has ordered a crackdown on the manipulation of food prices, after several industry associations and firms announced plans to raise prices, including instant noodles and Chinese fast-food chains.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Civil Affairs raised the urban minimum living allowance for low-income families by 15 yuan a month.

The State Information Center (SIC), a think-tank under the NDRC, agreed on the mounting price hike pressure, but sought to play down concerns over full-scale, significant inflation in a report on Friday, citing stable prices of manufactured products.

Lu Zhongyuan of the Development Research Center of the State Council echoed the SIC's opinion. In the first six months, the core CPI, excluding food and energy, rose a mere 0.9 percent, indicating the inflation is running at a low level, Lu said.

The rationale behind using the core CPI instead of CPI is that food and energy prices are vulnerable to changes in weather and international political situations, and are not a good reflection of substantial change in demand and supply.

However, the central bank suggests close attention be paid to food prices as, unlike in developed countries, food accounts for 34 percent of China's CPI.

The SIC put the CPI growth in the third quarter at 4.3 percent, up from 3.2 percent for the first half of this year, while anticipating the growth to slow down in the fourth quarter as food prices will gradually fall due to greater supplies.

Spectacular Acts Of Central Banking

The frenzied plea of money manager turned TV markets maniac Jim Cramer to the Federal Reserve to “open the window” – i.e., pump liquidity into the banking system to forestall a credit crunch – seems to have been heard.

And it was heard as far away as Europe. Not that surprising, as Cramer was shouting loud enough.

On Thursday, the European Central Bank stunned investors by pumping $130 billion into the banking system via a tender offer taken up by 49 banks, making the Fed's action later on look modest by comparison. It injected $24 billion via overnight and 14-day repos during Thursday morning trading.

In truth, the central banks were listening more to the silent evaporation of liquidity from the inter-bank market than to Cramer, whose hysterical performance has been immortalized on YouTube. The ECB's action followed a sharp rise in overnight interest rates to 4.7%. Its target rate is 4%. In the U.S., overnight rates topped 5.75%. The federal funds target rate is 5.25%.
On both continents, the credit crunch has been caused by fears about securities related to U.S subprime mortgages that have become difficult to price in illiquid markets, and as a result, make it near impossible for investors to asses how much exposure funds and institutions have to subprime markets.

In such "who-the-hell-knows" conditions, equity, fixed income and foreign-exchange markets, all linked by a web of derivatives, become as volatile as we have seen in recent weeks. Only commodity markets seem immune.

The ECB's intervention was not far short of what it did in the two days following the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington, D.C., in 2001. And it was 10 times the size of a typical ECB intervention, compared with the Fed's twice normal.

The relative scale of the two central banks actions prompts two thoughts. One should calm investors' jitters, if not the other.

The first is that the Fed believes that U.S. credit markets are still functioning adequately, if somewhat creakily, and that there is no crisis at hand. That is consistent with its comments just two days earlier when the Fed's interest rate-setting committee met, after which the Fed said nothing to suggest that the increasing number of banks and funds 'fessing up to subprime woes posed any sort of systemic risk to the financial system.

The second, as some commercial bankers have publicly acknowledged, is that the ECB pulled off a spectacular act of central banking by dint of the very scale of its intervention, pushing overnight rates back down to 4.1%.

But there is a second thought to that second thought. In taking such sweeping action, the ECB may have sent a signal to investors that there could be worse still to come, that the BNP Paribas (other-otc: BNPQY - news - people ) scare is only the tip of an iceberg. And that the ECB may know more that it is letting on. So, too, may the 49 banks who took its $130 billion on Thursday.
Unknown unknowns, to borrow former U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's parlance, scare investors like nothing else.

Notes On The News With Paul MaidmentSpectacular Acts Of Central BankingPaul Maidment,

Iran discovers gas reserves

Iran sits on top of the world's second-largest gas reserves after Russia.

Iran has discovered new reserves of gas totalling 11.4 billion cubic feet of gas in-place, of which 8.5 billion can be exploited, the country's oil minister was quoted as saying on Thursday.

Kazem Vaziri-Hamaneh told reporters the discovery was made in the last few days in the Fars province, adding the gas would be used for domestic needs. He did not say when production could start.

Iran sits on top of the world's second-largest gas reserves after Russia but sanctions, politics and construction delays have slowed its gas development and analysts say it is unlikely to become a major exporter for a decade.

"These reserves have been discovered in central Iran," Vaziri-Hamaneh said, according to Mehr News Agency. "If we dig 17 wells we can exploit 30 million cubic feet of gas per day."

IRAQ, IRAN TO BUILD OIL PIPELINE

The pipeline that will carry 200,000 barrels of Iraqi crude to Iran per day.

Iran and Iraq will sign a deal in the next few days to build a pipeline that would transfer crude from southern Iraqi oilfields to refineries in Iran, a senior Iranian official was quoted as saying on Thursday.Iraq announced in May it had agreed to begin discussions with Iran over the pipeline that will carry 200,000 barrels of Iraqi crude to Iran per day."Based on this contract the Iraqi crude will be imported and oil products will be exported (to Iraq)," Iran's official IRNA news agency quoted First Vice-President Parviz Davoudi as saying.


e said Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani would visit Tehran "in coming days". Davoudi was speaking after talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki who visited Tehran on Wednesday and Thursday.

Iraq, which has faced chronic fuel shortages, is now looking to build four refineries and has asked Iranian firms to bid for such contracts across the country.

Decades of wars, sanctions and underinvestment have slowed a recovery in Iraq's oil output.

Shahristani said in May Tehran was keen to construct the whole pipeline but his country would also consider other offers. Iraq needs to attract investment from foreign firms to develop fields and boost output.

The value of the contract is yet to be announced.

Iran and Iraq, which fought a bitter war in the 1980s, have been strengthening ties since the US-led invasion in 2003, arousing concern among Iraq's once dominant Sunni minority and other Arab states as well as in the US.

Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Thursday the two countries should expand oil and gas cooperation.

But analysts have said Iran is unlikely to be able to meet Iraq's refining needs, as it lacks the technology and is also short of gasoline supplies.

Explosives from Iran weakening security in Iraq, commander says

An increasing number of attacks using an Iranian-based explosive is undermining security in Iraq, a senior U.S. military commander said Wednesday.

U.S. officials say allegedly Iranian-made explosives are used by Iraqi militants.

The attacks come amid a diplomatic push by the United States to encourage Iranians to help improve the security situation in Iraq.

Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno told CNN that weapons of Iranian origin, such as bombs called explosively formed projectiles, are making their way into Iraq.

There were 99 EFP attacks in Iraq in July -- the most since counting began in December, Odierno said. That type of explosive accounted for one-third of the 79 U.S. troop deaths last month, he said. The military says both parts for the weapons and the weapons themselves are being brought across the border.

The United States can't prove that Iran's central government is responsible for providing the weaponry, but officials have been saying for months that such activity is being conducted by Iran's Revolutionary Guards-Quds Force.

Iran officially has denied being involved in promoting insurgent activity, but some U.S. officials think the country's senior leaders must be aware of the activity if the Quds Force is involved. Watch how the U.S. is responding to evidence of Iranian weapons »

Asked about the EFP numbers, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters Wednesday that "we have not yet seen any positive results from the Iranians" and that at future meetings, "we will convey that we have not seen any positive developments."
Odierno said the United States is taking defensive action against the attacks, specifically by targeting Shiite extremist cells in Baghdad.

"We continue to go after these EFP networks in Baghdad and all over the country," he said.
Additionally, new armored vehicles are being shipped to Iraq. More than 17,000 are needed in Iraq, but right now there are only about 200, the Pentagon says.

Iran -- which says the huge border with Iraq is porous and has acknowledged that smugglers and black marketers do traverse it -- frequently likens the dilemma with problems the United States faces along its vast border with Mexico.

Military officials have said for weeks that they expect as many weapons as possible to be shipped from Iran to Iraq before September, when Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker issue a report about progress there. The thinking is that Iran intends to make it look like the United States is not making any progress.

In addition to the Iranian-based explosives, military elements in Iran are also hurting Iraq's security, Odierno said.

Insurgents trained in Iran have been firing rockets and mortars at Baghdad's Green Zone with greater precision, and money from Iran is ending up in the hands of Iraqi insurgents, he said.
All of this comes as a thaw has unfolded between the United States and Iran, which have been meeting in Iraq to discuss security. The ambassadors have met and a subcommittee has been formed to deal with security matters that have popped up. Iraq has spearheaded the effort.
Officials have said the United States has made its position about Iranian involvement clear in the meetings, the last of which was Monday.

Additionally, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki was visiting Iran, where he was discussing security and other matters with officials there.

WASHINGTON (CNN)

Chavez touts $500 million bond deal with Argentina

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said his government has snapped up $500 million in Argentine bonds to help the country free itself from the International Monetary Fund, which he likened to "Dracula."

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez visits the Argentine National Institute of Industrial Technology on Tuesday.

In Argentina as part of a four-nation South American tour, Chavez also said Venezuela is pursuing bond deals with leftist allies in Ecuador and Bolivia -- deals seen as a major push by Chavez to spread his petro-dollar influence and counter U.S.-backed free-trade prescriptions.
Chavez praised Argentine President Nestor Kirchner for their close "friendship" and said Venezuela intends to purchase yet another $500 million in Argentine bonds in the coming months.

"Argentina is freeing itself from Dracula, breaking the chains of the International Monetary Fund," Chavez said at a Tuesday news conference before heading to Uruguay to meet leftist President Tabare Vazquez. Chavez also plans to visit Ecuador and Bolivia.

Chavez said Venezuela has acquired some $5.1 billion in Argentine bonds over two years. He said that other bond deals are being negotiated with leftists Rafael Correa of Ecuador and Evo Morales of Bolivia, with details to be announced "in due time."

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In January 2006, Argentina repaid its entire remaining $9.6 billion debt to the IMF, a move Kirchner made in the name of greater economic independence.

Argentina defaulted on a record $100 billion in debt in 2001 but later renegotiated jilted creditors on terms of about 30 cents or less on the dollar.

The country's economy has grown robustly since a 2001-2002 financial meltdown. Kirchner was traveling elsewhere in Argentina on Tuesday and did not comment on terms of the bond swap.
Chavez's administration expects to repackage the Argentine debt with Venezuelan bonds for sale in the domestic market to soak up excess liquidity in the economy and serve pent-up demand for foreign exchange.

The Venezuelan government has profited by reselling Argentine debt, and has used such bond sales as a tool to beat back inflation, which last year reached 17 percent amid heavy government spending.

Chavez also said he plans to sign a series of "energy security" pacts with most countries on his stops, as he did with Argentina.

The energy agreement announced with Kirchner on Monday calls for cooperation on the distribution of natural gas through pipelines, joint oil refining projects and coordinated efforts on distributing power and alternative fuels.

Chavez also said Venezuela would invest in a regasification plant for liquid natural gas for Argentina, which is weathering an energy crisis. He said the plant could be completed within two years, and local reports said it would cost at least $400 million.

Meanwhile, leaders of Argentina's 200,000-plus Jewish community issued a statement opposing any further warming of ties with Chavez and objected to his visit here because of the Venezuelan president's close ties with Iran.

Argentina is seeking the arrest of five prominent Iranians and a Lebanese militant in the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires. Eighty-five people were killed and 200 were wounded in the blast.

What's Building the Developing World?

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2007-08-08 - Sam Hopkins

Cameron and Neville-Jones unveil security policy findings

David Cameron and Dame Pauline Neville-Jones today unveiled a Conservative Party report on national and international security policy. The report An Unquiet World, launched at Chatham House, was the culmination of an 18-month policy review which concludes that in present circumstances Britain is ill-equipped to meet mounting security concerns.

Neville-Jones said that the army is 'overstretched' and can only deal with homeland security 'contingently'. This was resultant of the government 'naively underestimating the challenge of state-building in hostile environments'. In the speech she specifically pointed to Britain's involvement in Iraq.

To deal with terrorist attacks or environmental disasters such as the recent floods Dame Pauline recommended that Britain retain a dedicated homeland security force run by a permanent command headquarters that is separate from, but works in conjunction with, civil authorities.
David Cameron agreed with Dame Pauline that security was Britain's 'number one priority' and said that the 'hard-headed, gritty and practical report' stood in contrast to the 'half-baked plans' that the government had put forward.

Notes to editors:

For further information on the event and report launch, contactPress Office, Chatham House

PowerLinx Announces Formation of National Sales Force

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.--PowerLinx, Inc. (OTCBB: PWNX) a developer, manufacturer, and seller of power line communication products and SeaView Underwater Camera Systems, today announced the formation of a national sales force.

Headed up by Executive Vice President of Business Development, John Widlicka, the PowerLinx national sales force will consist of 17 Sales Rep Organizations positioned strategically throughout the United States. The 17 Rep Organizations will feature over 50 sales professionals, all of whom have experience selling to major electronics retailers.

“John brings a wealth of electronics industry knowledge to our sales and marketing efforts, having spent over 30 years as a Director with Canon and served as a Marketing executive with Sharp Electronics, Ricoh, and emerging technology companies," said PowerLinx CEO and Chairman Michael Tomlinson. “John has great relationships with many of the international channels of distribution decision makers, and is already making a huge impact for us.”
Taking advantage of existing relationships that exist with Electronics Retailers and Sales Manufacturer Representative organizations is a common practice in high technology sectors. The key to having a successful national strategy is strategically selecting the right combination to ensure coverage in all geographic areas, and within all channels of distribution.

“To ensure that our Manufacturer Representatives fully understand the capabilities of our products, we have implemented a comprehensive training program,” said John Widlicka. “This extensive training program will give the Manufacturer Representative organizations all the knowledge they need to effectively communicate the benefits of our entire product line to provide incremental sales to the potential customers.”

“Using the manufacturers representative approach is consistent with PowerLinx’s strategy of keeping sales and manufacturing expenses in line with revenue as we continue to grow,” added Tomlinson. “An added bonus is that it gives us on-demand scalabilty. This selling strategy should greatly decrease our time to market with new products.”

About PowerLinx, Inc.: PowerLinx, Inc., develops, manufactures and markets products and applications that transmit voice, video, audio and data either individually or in any and all combinations over power lines, twisted-pair wires and coax in AC and DC power environments, on any and all power grids. The Company has also developed, manufactured, and marketed different kinds of underwater video cameras, lights and accessories for the marine, commercial and consumer retail markets as well as accident avoidance systems for small and large vehicles.
This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" that involve risks, uncertainties and statements regarding our plans, future events, objectives, expectations, forecasts, or assumptions. statement in this press release that is not a statement of historical fact is a forward-looking statement, and in some cases, words such as "believe," "estimate," "project," "expect," "intend," "may," "anticipate," "plans," "seeks," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. PowerLinx, Inc. disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

ExxonMobil présente une nouvelle huile turbine haute performance

La nouvelle huile turbine Mobil DTE 700 peut être utilisée dans les turbines à gaz comme dans les turbines à vapeur

FAIRFAX, Virginie--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Célébrant une étape importante dans son histoire de plus de 50 années de fourniture d’huiles turbine élaborées au marché de l’industrie, ExxonMobil a annoncé aujourd’hui la présentation mondiale de sa nouvelle huile turbine Mobil DTE 700 haute performance.

Avec sa formule composée d’huiles de base et d’additifs soigneusement sélectionnés, l’huile Mobil DTE 700 est conçue pour être utilisée dans des turbines à gaz ainsi que dans des turbines à vapeur de moyenne et de faible puissance. L’huile Mobil DTE 700 répond aux 19 principales spécifications de l’industrie et des OEM pour les huiles des turbines à gaz ou à vapeur ou les excède, notamment celles d’Alstom, de GE, de Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) et de Siemens.

Dans le cadre de tests intensifs, l’huile Mobil DTE 700 a fait preuve d’une rétention de la désémulsibilité, d’une stabilité de l’oxydation et d’un contrôle des dépôts exceptionnels, trois des caractéristiques de performance les plus importantes des huiles turbines. En fait, l’huile Mobil DTE 700 est un des quelques lubrifiants à avoir réussi le nouveau test de stabilité MHI de l’huile turbine sèche, qui sert à mesurer les capacités de contrôle des dépôts des huiles turbine.
« Étant donné que la demande d’énergie continue à augmenter dans le monde entier, les plus grands fabricants actuels de turbines répondent aux besoins du marché en développant des systèmes de turbine plus efficaces et plus puissants », a déclaré Glen Sharkowicz, le conseiller technique produits, ExxonMobil Lubricants & Specialties (lubrifiants et produits spécialisés).
« Avec sa formule équilibrée, sa performance exceptionnelle et sa capacité à être utilisée dans les turbines à gaz comme à vapeur, l’huile Mobil DTE 700 peut aider les sociétés à accroître la productivité de leurs turbines. »

Mobil, Mobil Pegasus et ExxonMobil sont des marques déposées d’Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE : XOM) ou d’une de ses filiales