AMC-15 Successfully Launched from Baikonur; Proton M/Breeze M Combination Works Flawlessly.

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia -- The AMERICOM-15 (AMC-15) satellite of SES AMERICOM, an SES GLOBAL company (Euronext Paris, Luxembourg and Frankfurt Stock Exchanges: SESG), roared into space onboard a Russian Proton M/Breeze M launch vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome (Kazakhstan) today at 3:23 a.m. Baikonur time (11:23 p.m. CET; 5:23 p.m. Eastern U.S. on October 14th). After 6 hours and 55 minutes, the spacecraft separated from the Breeze M upper stage and was placed into geostationary target orbit (8:18 a.m. St. Petersburg time; 6:18 a.m. CET; 12:18 a.m. Eastern U.S.).

As the first satellite dedicated to AMERICOM2Home(R), AMC-15 has been optimized to provide both direct-to-home video and broadband services into a single dish. After thorough testing of all on-board systems, AMC-15 will be ready to operate from its intended 105 degrees West orbital position and deliver service to all 50 U.S. states.

Bryan McGuirk, Senior Vice President of Media Services, SES AMERICOM, said, "The AMC-15 spacecraft has a very important mission as the first satellite we have committed to EchoStar Communications Corp. and its DISH Network satellite TV service ... this really puts our AMERICOM2Home initiative on the map as a robust platform provider for the U.S. direct-to-home industry. Thanks to both ILS and Lockheed Martin for a job well done; we are looking forward to delivering AMC-15 in peak condition to our customer."

Ted Gavrilis, President, Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, said, "AMC-15 is the eleventh A2100 we have successfully delivered for SES AMERICOM; the third of four in 2004. We are proud of our relationship with AMERICOM, considered one of the most demanding spacecraft operators in the industry, and especially look forward to the activation of AMC-15's Ka-band payload, the first major commercial Ka-band operation in the United States."

Mark Albrecht, ILS President, "I am delighted that Proton's 309th mission was a success, and a success for one of our steadiest customers, SES AMERICOM. The launch of AMC-15 is the eighth by ILS for AMERICOM since we were established in 1995; we have another two satellites for AMERICOM in our 2004 manifest, another Proton and an Atlas 5."

AMC-15 Satellite

Built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, AMC-15 was manufactured in their Newtown, Pennsylvania and Sunnyvale, California facilities. The hybrid spacecraft is based on an A2100AX platform. AMC-15 is expected to reach geosynchronous orbit and its testing orbital location 136 degrees West on October 23rd. At that time, the satellite's solar panels and two communication antennas will be deployed. After thorough testing of all of the on-board systems, AMC-15 will be ready for service in approximately eight weeks.

Launch Summary

AMC-15 was launched by International Launch Services (ILS), the joint venture between Lockheed Martin of the U.S. and Khrunichev and RSC Energia of Russia. The Proton launch vehicle injected the satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit, using a three-burn Breeze M mission design. The first three stages of the Proton used a standard ascent trajectory to place the Breeze M fourth stage, with the satellite, into a suborbital trajectory, from which the Breeze M then placed itself and the spacecraft into a circular parking orbit. The satellite was propelled to a transfer orbit; it reached its final target by the third and final burn of the Breeze M at 7220 km, inclined at 18.6 degrees where it was separated from the Breeze M. Preliminary signal acquisition from the separated AMC-15 was achieved at 10.49 local time (8.49 a.m. St. Petersburg time; 6:49 a.m. CET; 12:49 a.m. Eastern U.S.) (7 hours and 20 minutes after liftoff). Next will be a series of liquid apogee engine burns on the spacecraft to raise perigee, lower inclination and circularize the orbit at the geostationary altitude of 36,000 km (22,300 miles).

About SES AMERICOM

The largest supplier of satellite services in the U.S., SES AMERICOM, Inc. is recognized as a pioneer of global satellite communications services. Established in 1973 with its first satellite circuit for the U.S. Department of Defense, the company currently operates a fleet of 16 spacecraft in orbital positions predominantly providing service throughout the Americas. As a member of the SES GLOBAL family, SES AMERICOM is able to provide end-to-end telecommunications solutions to any region in the world. In 2001, the company established AMERICOM Government Services, a wholly owned subsidiary dedicated to providing satellite-based communications solutions to both civilian and defense agencies of the U.S. government. In 2003, SES AMERICOM formed WORLDSAT, a wholly owned subsidiary that markets capacity on four satellites covering Asia and the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean regions, and connecting premier regional satellite fleets. With its combined operations, SES AMERICOM serves broadcasters, cable programmers, aeronautical and maritime communications integrators, Internet service providers, mobile communications networks, government agencies, educational institutions, carriers and secure global data networks with efficient communication and content distribution solutions.

Jetstar flies Tassie to new heights.

Feb 25, 2004 (The Mercury - ABIX via COMTEX)

Intensive price competition has emerged between Qantas Airways' new discount carrier, Jetstar Airlines, and Virgin Blue Airlines. Jetstar announced an introductory Internet price of $A29 for several routes, and was matched immediately by Virgin Blue. Jetstar's CEO, Alan Joyce, announced that the new carrier will operate 600 flights a week across eastern Australia from May 2004. Joyce noted that Qantas and Jetstar flights will provide 5,000 extra seats a weeks on Hobart routes, and 2,500 additional seats a week on Launceston routes. One-way fares available on the Internet will include a $A99 fare from Launceston to Sydney, and a $A69 fare from Hobart to Melbourne.

Publication Date: 26 February 2004

 JETSTAR AIRLINES PTY LTD: QANTAS AIRWAYS LIMITED - ASX QAN: VIRGIN BLUE AIRLINES PTY LTD: VIRGIN BLUE HOLDINGS LIMITED - ASX       VBA 

By Nick Clark

 All copyright subsisting under the Copyright Act 1968 (Commonwealth) resides in us. 

No part of the copyright materials may be reproduced, re-used, re-transmitted, adapted, published, broadcast or distributed for any commercial purposes whatsoever without our prior written permission.

News Provided by COMTEX (http://www.comtexnews.com)

MediaNews parent files for bankruptcy

The owner of 54 U.S. daily newspapers filed for bankruptcy protection Friday, joining the procession of publishers choking on too much debt.

The filing by Affiliated Media Inc., the holding company of MediaNews Group, was expected. The privately held company had said Jan. 15 that it would seek to reorganize its finances in bankruptcy court.

MediaNews, based in Denver, says its newspapers, which include The Denver Post and the San Jose Mercury News, and 8,700 employees won't be affected during the bankruptcy proceedings.

Affiliated Media worked with its major lenders and shareholders to hammer out a plan aimed at shortening the company's stay in federal bankruptcy court in Delaware. Affiliated hopes to emerge from bankruptcy protection within a month or two.

The plan calls for Affiliated Media's debt to fall to $179 million from $930 million, according to a person familiar with some of the additional bankruptcy documents expected to be filed late Friday. This person wasn't authorized to discuss them before they were filed.

In exchange for this $751 million concession, a group of lenders led by Bank of America become the company's majority owners with 88 percent of the stock. The remaining 12 percent goes to MediaNews' management team, which is led by William Dean Singleton, who is also chairman of The Associated Press. The MediaNews executives will receive warrants that eventually could boost their combined stakes to 20 percent.

Heading into the bankruptcy filing, Singleton held a roughly 30 percent stake in Affiliated.

Richard Scudder, who co-founded MediaNews with Singleton in 1985, will relinquish his interests in the company to the lenders.

Singleton will also continue to run MediaNews, signaling the lenders remain confident in him despite the company's recent struggles.

The decision probably stems from Singleton's reputation as a hard-nosed businessman who has never shied away from cutting costs, said Alan Mutter, a former newspaper editor who blogs on the media business.

"Who do we know who can go in and run the hell out of a newspaper and make a buck?" he said. "The only answer is William Dean Singleton."

MediaNews spokesman Seth Faison declined to comment Friday.

Despite MediaNews' troubles, Singleton says all but one of the company's newspapers are profitable. He hasn't identified which one is losing money.

"By aggressively facing the challenges of the newspaper business, we will continue to deliver high-quality journalism and will prepare our newspapers for a promising future," Singleton said in a statement Friday.

Apparently, not even Singleton could figure out a way to deal with all the debt that MediaNews took on to expand into new markets. Like other publishers, Singleton borrowed heavily before the Internet and recent recession began to devour the newspaper's main source of income _ advertising.

Last year was particularly hard on big newspapers as the industry's print ad sales plunged by nearly 30 percent. Some of the revenue is expected to return as the economy bounces back, but much of it is expected to remain on the Internet, where many marketers are finding they can generate more sales for less money.

At least 14 U.S. newspaper publishers have now filed for bankruptcy protection in the past 13 months.

Affiliated's annual revenue has fallen by $270 million, or 20 percent, during the past two fiscal years. The erosion pared Affiliated's revenue to $1.06 billion in fiscal 2009, which ended June 30.

Another major newspaper publisher, Hearst Corp., is one of the biggest losers in Affiliated's reorganization.

The plan calls for Hearst to lose the roughly 30 percent stake it held in MediaNews' newspapers outside the San Francisco Bay area.

Hearst got its MediaNews stock as part of a complicated deal to acquire The Monterey County Herald and St. Paul Pioneer Press from McClatchy Co. in 2006. Hearst invested $317.3 million in MediaNews, which then bought the two newspapers and the Torrance Daily Breeze from Hearst.

Hearst spokesman Paul Luthringer declined to comment.

___

AP Business Writers Andrew Vanacore in New York and Christopher Leonard in St. Louis contributed to this report.

US LABOR DEPARTMENT SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ELECTRONIC DISCLOSURE BY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.

WASHINGTON -- The following information was released by the U.S. Department of Labor, the Employee Benefits Security Administration:

The U.S. Department of Labor today announced it is soliciting public comments to assist in determining whether and possibly how to expand or modify current rules regarding the electronic distribution of employee benefit plan information. Plan information, such as quarterly account statements, is required to be disclosed under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, which is enforced by the department's Employee Benefits Security Administration.

"Some workers and retirees may not be sufficiently computer literate to receive information electronically or have reasonable access to the Internet, and others may simply prefer traditional paper disclosure," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for EBSA Phyllis C. Borzi. "But in some instances, electronic disclosure may be just as effective as paper-based communications and could save employers and service providers money. We look forward to reviewing all the comments we receive on these and the other issues raised in the request for information."

The Labor Department's request for information sets forth 30 specific questions on a broad range of topics related to electronic distribution of benefit plan information. The department hopes to hear from plan participants and beneficiaries; employers and other plan sponsors; plan administrators; plan service providers; health insurance issuers; members of the financial community; and the general public. In addition to responding to specific questions contained in the request for information, interested parties are encouraged to address any other relevant matters.

The request for information will be published in the Federal Register on April 7 and can be viewed at http://s.dol.gov/E2. Comments are due by June 6.

Written comments may be addressed to the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Regulations and Interpretations, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Room N-5655, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20210, Attn: Electronic Disclosure by Employee Benefit Plans RFI. The public also may submit comments electronically by email to E-ORI@dol.gov or through the federal e-rulemaking portal at www.regulations.gov.

LIMA UK ANNOUNCES SPEAKER LINE UP FOR LICENSING ESSENTIALS COURSE.

NEW YORK, NY -- The following information was released by the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA):

Posted by Christina Attardo

LIMA UK, part of the trade organisation for the $180+ billion worldwide licensing industry, has confirmed the speaker line up and programme for its annual Licensing Essentials Course scheduled for 12th May at a spectacular new venue, Hotel Verta in Battersea, London (www.hotelverta.com).

Traditionally aimed at newcomers to licensing, the all-day course focuses on both the essentials of licensing as well as giving delegates exclusive insights into the very latest trends and best practice.

The first morning session will focus on the fundamentals of licensing and the role of the licensor and licensee, whilst the second half will look at essential legal and financial know-how.

The afternoon will take some current trends and best practice, with exclusive sessions from industry experts on knowing your customer - in this case focusing on the children's market - understanding what social media and internet use shows about children's buying intent and understanding and reaching children on their terms.

The final session of the day will reveal new opportunities for licensing in today's retail environment, taking the fashion and music industries as case studies.

LIMA has attracted speakers from the breadth of the licensing industry and they include:

Bettina Koeckler, Senior Vice President, Chorion

Helen Webster, Licensing and Marketing Director, Blueprint Designs

Stuart Burns, Partner, Fisher Forensic

Mark Shipley, Director, Shipley Solicitors

Lucie Follett, Managing Director, Maven Metrics

Gary Pope, Founding Partner, Kids Industries

Jeremy Goldsmith, Managing Director, Event Merchandise

Roger Wade, Managing Director, Brands Inc

Kelvyn Gardner, Managing Director, LIMA UK

LIMA is also able to announce that it has secured a preferential rate for delegates staying over at its venue. u135 plus VAT including breakfast -- a saving of over u70 on the standard rate.

Early bird rates are available now and LIMA members will benefit from additional discounts, although everyone is welcome to attend. To reserve a place, please fill in the application form which can be found at this link: www.licensing.org/uk/springfling. For all other questions, please contact Saphia Maxamed, LIMA Membership Services Manager on +44 1908 802 863 or by emailing: smaxamed@licensing.org.

Kelvyn Gardner, Managing Director of LIMA UK, comments, "Our stellar line up will not only ensure that delegates go away with a solid grounding in the fundamentals, but with sessions on up and coming areas like fashion, music and digital media, will also give them the very latest tips and techniques to incorporate into their licensing programmes - this is information that they will not get elsewhere."

BRIEFING - ASIA INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - MARCH 17, 2011.

17, 2011, prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities.

INGENICO TO PROVIDE IT SOLUTIONS TO INDIA'S IL&FS ETS

NEW DELHI - France-based IT firm Ingenico said it has entered into an agreement with leading Indian infrastructure firm IL&FS's education and technology arm to provide a smart card-based biometric financial inclusion solution for banking services.

The electronically operated banking system infrastructure has created banking Points of Service (PoS), spread across geographies, to provide banking service to the unbanked population of the country within three kilometres of their residence, the company said in a press statement Wednesday.

CHINA'S NO. 3 ONLINE GAME FIRM TO ENTER KOREAN MARKET

HONG KONG - Kingsoft Corp., China's third-largest online game company, said Thursday it has decided to export one of its popular online games to South Korea, the long-established powerhouse in the Internet game industry.

Officials at Kingsoft said it has signed a cooperation agreement with IMI Korea to grant the South Korean operator of an online game platform the right to operate its most recent series of "JX Online" in the neighboring country.

S. KOREA TO BOOST TECH-SECTOR INVESTMENT THIS YEAR

SEOUL - South Korea plans to invest 912.8 billion won (US$801.9 million) this year to promote growth of the information technology sector as part of its efforts to boost the industry's competitiveness, the government said Thursday.

The sum represents a 7.8 per cent gain from 846.4 billion won set aside by the government last year, with money to be used in four key areas -- new technologies, industrial standardization, personnel training and infrastructure building, the Ministry of Knowledge Economy said.

PROPOSAL TO SET UP BANGALORE BENCH OF CYBER APPELLATE TRIBUNAL

BANGALORE - A proposal has been given to set up a bench of India's Cyber Appellate Tribunal at Bangalore, according to Karnataka IT secretary M.N Vidyashankar.

Currently the CAT is located in Delhi, but efforts are on to have a Bangalore bench to decide appeal cases, he told reporters.

TAIWAN CHIP DESIGNERS MEDIATEK, RALINK ANNOUNCE MERGER

TAIPEI - MediaTek Inc. (TAIEX:2454), Taiwan's largest handset chip designer, announced Wednesday a share swap merger deal with Ralink Technology Corp. (TAIEX:3534) in a bid to enhance its competitiveness.

Under the merger, which will take effect Oct. 1, the two companies have reached agreement that 3.15 Ralink shares will be exchanged for one MediaTek share.

INDIA'S TCS GARNERS 150 SMB CLIENTS FOR CLOUD COMPUTING SERVICE

NEW DELHI - Indian IT major Tata Consultancy Services (BSE:532540)) on Tuesday said it has acquired 150 small and medium business clients for its cloud computing service -- iON.

"iON has already garnered over 150 SMB customers," TCS said in a statement. TCS on Tuesday launched iON cloud computing service in Andhra Pradesh.

JAKARTA POLICE CHIEF TO PERSONALLY OVERSEE PARCEL BOMB PROBES

JAKARTA - The performance of the police officers investigating a spate of parcel bombing attempts on Tuesday is to be evaluated directly by Jakarta Police Chief Insp Gen Sutarman, a spokesman said.

"The parcel bomb cases are considered to be of such importance that the investigators` performance is going to be personally evaluated by the chief," Jakarta Police headquarters public relations officer Sr Com Baharudin Djafar said here Wednesday.

INDIA'S MAHINDRA SATYAM WINS 10-YR DEAL WITH QATAR SPORTS INSTIT

HYDERABAD - India's Mahindra Satyam, the brand identity of Satyam Computers (BSE:500376), has clinched a contract, estimated to be about US$200 million, spread over 10 years, from leading sports institute Aspire Zone Foundation.

As part of the contract, Mahindra Satyam will provide onsite and offshore support to Aspire on various application development and infrastructure services projects, Mahindra Satyam said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange.

AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY TO HOLD CLOUD COMPUTING WORKSHOP IN INDONESIA

JAKARTA - The Australian Embassy in Jakarta will on Wednesday hold the first session of the Austrade Alumni and Education Workshop Series which will focus on the emergence of `Cloud Computing` as a significant new trend in the information and communication technology (ICT) arena.

In a media release carried by its official website, the embassy said the showcase aimed to promote Australia`s unique strengths in ICT and discuss how `Cloud Computing`, the latest niche sector in ICT, has the potential to greatly impact the way businesses across all industry sectors in Indonesia operate.

(C) Asia Pulse Pte Ltd.

CONTACT:

Asia Pulse Production Centre

Phone: (612) 9322 8634

Fax: (612) 9322 8639

http://www.asiapulse.com

ASIA PULSE RY 17-03 1738

Primus Telecommunications Schedules Date to Hold 4th Quarter 2010 Conference Call.

Primus Telecommunications Group, Inc., a global facilities-based integrated provider of telecommunications products and services, will release its fourth quarter 2010 financial results early morning on Thursday, March 17, and hold a conference call that same day at 8:30 AM ET.

To access the call, please dial 866-305-6438 (toll free) or 706-679-7161 approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the conference call.

The conference call will also be broadcast live over the Internet with an accompanying slide presentation, which can be accessed via the Investor Relations section of PRIMUS' web site at ptgi.com. The webcast and slide presentation will be available for replay for 90 days at ptgi.com.

A telephonic replay of this conference call will also be available by dialing 800-642-1687 (toll free) or 706-645-9291 (access code: 37524434) from 12:30 PM ET on March 17 until midnight ET on March 24.

((Comments on this story may be sent to newsdesk@closeupmedia.com))