| Philanthropist helps drug addicts kick the habit
NGHE AN � Vi Thi Khoa has devoted her life to helping drug addicts of Na Nga in Muong Noc Commune rebuild their lives. As the Secretary of Na Nga�s Party Committee, Khoa realised that drugs were the primary cause of the poverty afflicting the hamlet in Que Phong District, the central province of Nghe An. And the best way to eliminate poverty was to eliminate drugs first. Khoa convened a team in 2003, and by 2005, they had helped 12 addicts successfully detox. Since then, there have been no instances of addiction or people at risk. Of the former addicts, 10 people focused on working and have become models for others with their financial success. Luong Van Tiet is now the owner of a recently built house and speaks proudly of his recovery. "After detoxifying successfully, my wife and I borrowed money to buy a cow thanks to Khoa�s efforts.
Jupitermedia\'s Debt Checks Growth
Although JUPM's acquisitions have been the primary driver for its revenue growth, its debt level has also increased proportionately. \'Jupitermedia's uphill battle with its online images and online media businesses is apparently taking its toll. Year-over-year revenue growth in images has remained flat and media has seen declining growth rates. If this pattern continues into the coming quarters, it could potentially offset the growth in the images and media businesses and negatively impact the company's growth prospects. \'However, the Internet continues to transform the way people transmit and receive information for work and play and Jupitermedia's businesses should benefit from this trend. The company does face integration risks and an intensifying competitive landscape. Recently, the company was in talks with Getty Images (NYSE: GYI - News) regarding a potential acquisition of Jupitermedia for $9.60 per share in cash; however, these talks have been terminated.
Northgate Minerals to acquire Perseverance Corp. in friendly deal
VANCOUVER - Northgate Minerals Corp. (TSX: NGX) has struck a friendly US$257 million deal to acquire Perseverance Corp. Ltd. (ASX: PSV) of Australia, nearly doubling annual production at the Vancouver-based gold miner. Northgate announced late Sunday it had negotiated a friendly deal to acquire Perseverance for 20 cents Australian per share, a cash deal that values the Australian miner at about A$282 million or US$257 million. When completed, the transaction will create a multi-mine gold producer with more than 430,000 ounces of estimated production in 2008 and significant free cash flow. Perseverance has about 200,000 ounces of annual gold production from two Australian mines with significant exploration potential. The deal also leaves a company with 2.3 million ounces of proven and probable gold reserves, two million ounces of measured and indicated resources and 2.8 million ounces of less certain inferred resources.
Credit unions get prepaid card readers
PSCU Financial Services said it would offer free prepaid card readers to all of its participating member-owner credit unions. The card readers will help automate the purchase of both gift and reloadable cards, according to a release from PSCU, a St. Petersburg-based credit union service organization. The card readers speed transaction time by allowing information to be entered in seconds at the teller window, while also eliminating manual keying errors, the release said. PSCU also will provide displays, packaging and promotional materials, designed to help credit unions earn traction among their members for new products, David Serlo, president and chief executive of PSCU, said in the release. PSCU serves more than 1,100 financial institutions nationwide and is owned by more than 500 member credit unions.
Press Conference Following Russian-Indian Talks
Today's talks with the prime Minister of India, Mr Singh, are the continuation of the ongoing and mutually beneficial dialogue that Russia and India have pursued over these last years. I think the talks have produced very good results. As always, they took place in a constructive and genuinely businesslike atmosphere. We discussed a ride range of bilateral issues and examined our cooperation at regional and international level. What is important for us is that this meeting here in Moscow has reaffirmed our mutual desire to develop long-term cooperation in all key areas. .
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