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