• diary political and General News Events from Feb 2

Investigation, was quoted in the local press as saying that the scam was unsuccessful, and that the online criminals have hooked nothing.
A similar attack was carried out against OTP two years ago, but this is the first time that something really serious has occurred, Fórján claimed. However, over the past one and a half years, web-based criminal enterprises – with phishing being a prime example – have become more target-oriented. We can expect more such attacks in future, so be warned.
Fórján also noted that some banks are preparing customers for phishing attacks – e.g. by sending SMS warnings.
How’s the view?
Security is becoming a larger blip on the Microsoft radar these days, and an anti-phishing solution is part of the software giant’s newly-available Windows Vista operating system. The company touts its simultaneous launch of Windows Vista, Microsoft Office 2007 and Exchange Server 2007 as the most significant product launch in its history.
And while it always takes a while to come to grips with a new OS, users are providing early feedback that the new developments are making things somewhat easier.
Vista features a new, tidier start menu. The search function has also been brought more to the fore, making it faster to cut straight to documents and applications. The “search explorer” function allows you to catch a glimpse of a file before opening – just to make sure it’s the one you want to open.
You can also open more than one website with one internet Explorer browser.
In addition, the new software is equipped to provide remote users with direct connectivity to company networks, and improves contact between users within a company network.
Instead of Windows dropping down and obscuring your text when you click on the function, with Office 2007, all the options appear horizontally on the tool bar only.
When formatting text, for example, a quick menu with the main function appears directly above when you highlight it. When changing fonts, your text is shown in each style as you go down the list.
The new software is currently available in English. Hungarian versions are expected in March.
Locals make good
Somewhat limited by opportunities at home, Hungarian tech firms are nonetheless continuing to generate a buzz on the international stage.
The market for mobile content providers appears to be limitless, according to Tamás Tus, general manager of M Factory Kft.
“Content available in Australia is downloaded from our server in Hungary, and we’re able to serve any company operating in any country in this way,” he said.
Tus mentioned that M Factory’s “M Girls,” which contains scintillating glamour/erotic photos of young Hungarian women, has become very popular in Australia. It seems that the leveraging of two of Hungary’s most “widely regarded assets” – i.e. IT skills and lovely ladies, or, according to the company website: “self-made, high-quality raw material” – just might be a smart way forward.
Although it should be taken into account that most of Hungary’s CEE contemporaries can match Hungary on both counts, the point is that it pays to get there first.
Regionally speaking, the Hungarian, Czech, Polish and Slovenian markets are most similar, but are generally 6–12 months behind Western European markets, according to Péter Malcsiner, CEO of Metacom Holding, which owns M Factory.
The use of non-voice services in Hungary is significantly lower than in Western Europe. Hungary is, however, a leading developer in this area, according to Malcsiner, who says that the majority of this region’s mobile content is produced here.
Furthermore, new services enter the Hungarian market every 6–12 months, which helps to ensure continuous market growth.
M Factory has signed a mobile content sales agreement with over 20 telecommunication companies operating in the region.
Long-established TeleMedia InteracTV Kft currently works with 50-plus television channels, producing 60 hours or more of live programming daily and employing 300 people worldwide. Its proprietary “call TV” interactive game format is currently aired in more than 40 countries, and is designed to generate massive revenues – even in off-prime periods – while providing all viewers with “exciting, high-quality entertainment.” The company has announced its readiness to expand to India and the United States. Outside of its native Hungary, TeleMedia has subsidiaries in Argentina, China, Malaysia and Nigeria.
Meanwhile, one Hungarian company that the BBJ covered several years ago when it scored a high position in the Deloitte & Touche “Fast 50” index, is now building on its earlier success with banking clients in the Middle East.
“We were competing with the IT sector’s most prestigious global companies in this tender, and the fact that IND Group has been chosen to develop [leading Iranian commercial bank] Tejarat Bank’s e-banking services is a serious acknowledgment of Hungarian development skills,” said Hannes Kriegbaum, CSO of the Miskolc-based IND Group after securing the deal last month.
IND will develop Tejarat Bank’s internet banking services jointly with Saba Pardazesh, a local systems integrator under the flag of IND Group’s partner program.
IND CEO Roland Pecsenye said he is confident that IND’s solutions will meet all of the religious requirements for banking in the region, for IND already has a proven track record in the Middle East. He also said that IND is on track to become the ME’s leading security solution and transaction provider.
The Information is a regular column looking into how information technology can help make business easier. The author can be contacted at [e-mail].
Document WBBJ000020061213e2cc00004
BUSINESS

As business ties with China grow, Nigerians unsure of outcome / Death knell or change of pace?

CRAIG TIMBERG

Washington Post

655 words

12 December 2006

Houston Chronicle

HOU

3 STAR ; 0

8

English

© 2006 Houston Chronicle. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All Rights Reserved.
KANO, NIGERIA - The pasta factory that Umar Sani Marshall's family owns on the outskirts of this ancient city had not churned out so much as a single piece of macaroni in more than a year.
The other former titans among Kano's once-mighty manufacturers were doing no better, producing mostly cobwebs as the city's markets overflowed with cheap imports from China.
So last month Marshall, 30, tall and wiry with rectangular, silver-framed glasses and a goatee, decided to forsake his legacy as scion of one of Nigeria's leading industrial families. He strapped $5,000 to his waist and flew off to Asia in search of a new kind of fortune, not in making goods but trading them.
By the time he returned 12 days later, Marshall had started a new business dealing cars and auto parts, as a middleman between Chinese suppliers and Nigerian consumers.
Along the way, he said, he found the kinds of profits that long have eluded Kano's manufacturers, and he learned a few lessons about how to work with Chinese businesses instead of competing against them.
"When you go there with the intention of buying socks, you will come back with a jacket and hat" as well, Marshall said.
His shift, from manufacturing to trading, mirrors a broader one across Nigeria and much of Africa. A 30-year experiment in building local factory capacity has faltered with declining trade barriers and rising global competition, most powerfully from China.
African business leaders increasingly are staking their fortunes on old-fashioned extractive industries, such as oil production needed to fuel Asian industry, while also attempting to profit from the flood of finished goods coming in return.
Bad memories
Although the model stirs memories of the kind of economic relationships once common between European powers and their vassal states here, Africans say the Chinese at least treat them as equals and invest in infrastructure projects key to the continent's future.
At a recent trade summit in Beijing, officials from 48 African nations met with Chinese leaders, who promised to double aid to Africa while offering $5 billion in new loans. Already Chinese firms have built dams, roads, railways, port upgrades, mining facilities and telecommunication systems in Africa.
Signs of China's growing prominence on the continent are easy to spot in Kano, a bustling, thousand-year-old city of 3.5 million that long was a regular stopover for trade flowing through the Sahara, whose sandy southern edge is nearby. Now the city's gaze has shifted to the Far East, with Chinese restaurants spreading across the city, Chinese goods filling shops and a Chinese-owned shoe factory employing more than 2,000 workers, more than any other private employer in northern Nigeria.
A decade ago, the Marshall family's shortcake factory had a similar number of workers and a powerful market position throughout northern Nigeria and into neighboring Cameroon, Niger and beyond. It is now closed, along with the family's pasta factory, victims not so much of competition as of government policies that made it difficult to import durum semolina, a key ingredient, Marshall said.
Going back to basics
Business leaders here say the decline of Kano's manufacturers resulted from an influx of Chinese products as trade restrictions fell.
Chinese companies had more modern machinery, more reliable sources of electricity and easier access to capital, said Saidu Dattijo Adhama, owner of a textile factory whose payroll has dropped from 335 workers to 24.
Yet others see China not as the ruin of Kano business but as a transformative force pushing the city back to its roots in trading.
Chinese business "revived the economy," said Ahmed Rabiu, deputy president of the Chamber of Commerce. "Trading improved. Manufacturing went down. That's it."
Document HOU0000020061213e2cc000c3

VSPC Acquires Equity Ownership in QWIP Systems Inc.
1,765 words

12 December 2006

M2 Presswire

MTPW

English

(c) 2006 M2 Communications, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Stocks To Watch: VIASPACE Inc.. (OTCBB: VSPC), ER Urgent Care Holdings, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: ERUG), Grifco International Inc. (PINKSHEETS: GFCI), Xechem International Inc. (OTCBB: XKEM), Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC)
FEATURED STOCK: VIASPACE Inc.
Ticker Symbol VSPC: Current Price (0.67) www.growthstockalert.net
VIASPACE Acquires Added Stake in Infrared Sensor Company
PASADENA, Calif., Dec 11, 2006 VIASPACE Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: VSPC), announced today that it had acquired an additional equity ownership in QWIP Systems Inc. (QWIP Systems), a developer of Quantum Well Infrared Photo Detectors (QWIP). QWIP sensors are similar to the electronic sensors in digital cameras and camcorders, except they detect heat emissions rather than light. QWIP sensors are used in military and security applications because they can see in total darkness. Long wavelength infrared sensors are used for surveillance --
a person or vehicle can be detected in total darkness from distances of many miles. Defense applications include missile and aircraft tracking, night vision, tank warfare and surveillance.
The QWIP technology being pursued by QWIP Systems was originally developed at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) with funding from US Missile Defense Agency, NASA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The QWIP technology was licensed from Caltech which manages JPL for NASA.
QWIP Systems completed an amalgamation agreement on December 1, 2006, with Cantronic Systems Inc. (Cantronics), a publicly traded company on the Canadian TSX Venture exchange with the symbol CTS. Under the amalgamation agreement, the Company's shares in QWIP Systems will convert into shares of Cantronics.
About VIASPACE: Originally founded in 1998 with the objective of transforming proven space and defense technologies from NASA and the Department of Defense into hardware and software solutions that solve today's complex problems, VIASPACE benefits from important patent and software licenses from Caltech, which manages NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For more information, please visit our website at www.VIASPACE.com , or contact for Investor Relations, Dr. Jan Vandersande, Director of Communications at 800-517-8050, or [e-mail] This news release includes forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Such factors include the risks outlined in our periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, as well as general economic and business conditions, the ability to acquire and develop specific projects and technologies, the ability to fund operations, changes in consumer and business consumption habits, and other factors over which VIASPACE has little or no control.
SOURCE VIASPACE Inc.
M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data prepared by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to [e-mail].
Document MTPW000020061212e2cc0048u

As Lifeline Therapeutics Changes It's Name, Other Companies Announce Agreements, New Board Members, Present At A Conference, And Conduct A Interview With CEO
2,278 words

12 December 2006

M2 Presswire

MTPW

English

(c) 2006 M2 Communications, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Wellington, Florida - ShazamStocks Pre-Market Updates for Tuesday include(s)Bio Solutions Manufacturing, Inc. (OTCBB BSLM),Greater China Media & Entertainment Corporation (OTCBB GCME), Lifeline Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCBB LFLT),Halo Resources Ltd (OTCBB HLOSF) Xechem International, Inc. (OTCBB XKEM) and VoIP, Inc. (OTCBB VOII)
ShazamStocks Alerts feature companies on the move. In our update we analyze information about the companies featured and detail the movement in the stock.
If you would like to feature your publicly traded company in our alerts or on ShazamStocks.com, email [e-mail] or call [phone].
Bio Solutions Manufacturing, Inc. (OTCBB BSLM) - Monday's market increased 26.32% to $0.24, with a total of 402,970 shares traded. The company announces the finalized agreement with The Ashcroft Group, LLC, led by former Attorney General of the United States, John D. Ashcroft. "We are very pleased to have The Ashcroft Group as a business partner, and we are looking forward to the opportunities this venture will bring," says Mr. David Bennett, President and CEO of Bio-Solutions Manufacturing, Inc. "This relationship gives us the ability to develop and market our bio-diesel and environmental products at the Federal, State and Municipal levels as well as in selected commercial areas."
Bio Solutions Manufacturing, Inc. engages in the manufacture and sale of bio-remediation products for the treatment of various forms of waste in the United States. It offers various products, which are used in the treatment of various forms of waste primarily by the food service industry and municipal waste treatment plants, and other customers. Bio Solutions Manufacturing is headquartered in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Greater China Media & Entertainment Corporation (OTCBB GCME) - Monday's market increased 23.38% to $0.95, with a total of 80,013 shares traded. The companies announced that Mr. Yi Wang has been appointed as a new board member. ''I am honored to accept this appointment,'' said Mr. Yi Wang. ''I am confident that my past experience in China and in the entertainment industry will help the Company grow its business to best meet the needs of this evolving industry in the Greater China region. With my existing strong relationships and broad resources, I look forward to seeing the Company achieving its goal in becoming a leading media and entertainment company in China.''Born in China and educated in China and Sweden, Mr. Yi Wang has had a successful career in channel management, film making, television series production, and movie and television-related publications. Combined, Mr. Wang has over 12 years of hands-on business experience in China. He is the Executive Director and Vice-CEO of Asian Union New Media (Group) Limited, a comprehensive media group and a leading entertainment provider in China engaged in various media-related businesses, including the operation and production of advertisements on a satellite television channel (Travel Satellite TV) in China, as well as production of television drama and movies. Asian Union New Media has cooperated with many world class directors such as John Woo (Director of ''Mission Impossible II'') and Ang Lee (Director of Oscar Winner ''Brokeback Mountain''). Mr. Wang also helped develop the advertising operations and performing artist-related business fields in China, setting up Tai He Media Group, Hua Yi & Tai He Agent Corp. and Travel Channel Inc. In the past few years, Mr. Wang has provided consultation services to numerous companies in China and has also been instrumental in managing the development and production of 12 movies and 29 teleplays.
Greater China Media & Entertainment Corp. is an integrative professional media and entertainment company which covers various areas including film and TV program production, management, promotion and distribution. The Company will have its own film and television production center, promotion agency, audio-visual distribution company, digital network company, talent agency, and sales and advertising agency. Together the team is capable of making films, TV programs and related projects on a large scale.
Lifeline Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCBB LFLT) - Monday's market decreased 1.72% to $0.570, with a total of 2,915 shares traded. The company announced that at its annual meeting of shareholders held on November 21, 2006, shareholders approved Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation that included a name change to Lifevantage Corporation. "We are pleased to be able to change our name to Lifevantage," said Stephen K. Onody, Chief Executive Officer of Lifevantage. "All of us at Lifevantage believe that our new name better articulates the Company's vision and dedication to helping people reach their health and wellness goals with science-based natural solutions."
Lifeline Therapeutics, Inc. engages in the manufacture, marketing, and sale of dietary supplements in the United States. It primarily offers Protandim that increases the body's natural antioxidant protection by inducing two protective enzymes, superoxide dismustase and catalase. The company was founded in 2003 and is based in Greenwood Village, Colorado.
Halo Resources Ltd (OTCBB HLOSF) - Monday's market decreased 12.61% to $0.313, with a total of 142 shares traded. The company is pleased to announce that it has entered into an investors relations agreement with Value Relations GmbH. Value Relations is a full-service international investor relations company advising and assisting clients in all facets of investor relations including corporate finance projects, mergers and acquisitions, and initial public offerings. The managing partner of Value Relations is Mr. Christoph Bruning. Value Relations' head office is located in Frankfurt, Germany.
Halo Resources Ltd is a Canadian based mineral company engaged in the acquisition of near production precious and base metal deposits. The company's initial acquisition and primary project is the Duport Gold Property located near Kenora, Ontario. The Duport Property hosts a well-defined gold deposit with exceptional exploration upside. Increasing known reserves through further drilling and advancing the Duport Gold Property towards commercial production are key objectives. Halo is operated by an experienced management team and backed by a strong network of resource exploration and mining financiers. To further diversify the Company's portfolio of advanced projects and further increase shareholder value the company is carrying out an on-going program of property identification, examination and acquisition
Xechem International, Inc. (OTCBB XKEM) - Monday's market stayed the same at 0% to $0.02100, with a total of 9,398,994 shares traded. The company Chairman and CEO of Xechem International, will present at the 10th Annual New York Society of Security Analysts Biotech/Specialty Pharma Industry Conference in New York City on Tuesday, December 12th, 2006. He is scheduled to speak at 3:10 pm (EST). Dr. Pandey's presentation will cover the significant progress in Nigeria for production and distribution of Xechem's recently approved Sickle Cell drug NICOSAN(TM). In addition, Dr. Pandey will discuss Xechem's new Sickle Cell product 5-HMF, a small-molecular compound, which has shown great promise in the preliminary studies with transgenic (Tg) mice, that will be developed as an injectable for acute episodes. Dr. Pandey's presentation will be webcast live through a link on the Xechem website ( www.xechem.com ).
Xechem International, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, engages in the research, development, and production of generic and proprietary drugs from natural sources. Its principal product under development is NICOSAN/HEMOXIN, which would be used for the treatment of sickle cell disease. The company also applies its proprietary extraction, isolation, and purification technology to the production and manufacture of Paclitaxel, which is an anti-cancer compound used for the treatment of ovarian, breast, small