Business & Industry

Interview conducted and edited by Paul Rako Tim Draper is managing director of venture capital at Draper Fisher Jurvetson (www.drapervc.com ) and chairman of Bizworld (www.bizworld.org ), a nonprofit organization that teaches entrepreneurship and business to children. EDN

by Margery Conner China#;s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is proposing a total ban on exports of terbium, dysprosium, yttrium, thulium, and lutetium and a restriction on neodymium, europium, cerium, and lanthanum to a total of ##,###

by Robert Cravotta Energy Micro#;s new EFM##G Gecko microcontroller family sports an energy-efficient implementation of a ##-bit ARM (www.arm.com ) Cortex-M#-microcontroller architecture. The family thus targets applications, such as meters, requiring extended battery life

By Alan Wolf NEW YORK - The weak economy and depressed housing market took its toll on both Home Depot and Lowe#;s during the third quarter. Home Depot reported an #.# percent decline in third-quarter profits, to $###

By Joseph Palenchar Washington - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) might be able within a few weeks to approve the compromise proposal by iBiquity and National Public Radio (NPR) to boost the digital output of digital FM stations, said NPR Labs

By Greg Tarr EL SEGUNDO, CALIF. - TV display market research firm iSuppli released its third quarter #### U.S. TV shipments market tracker report that showed Samsung Electronics retook the No. # position in U.S. LCD TV market from

By Greg Tarr SAN DIEGO - Sony Electronics and Sony Pictures have teamed up to make animated box office hit #;Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs#; available to rent exclusively by owners of Sony networked Bravia HDTVs and Blu-ray Disc

By Alan Wolf Hoffman Estates, Ill. - Sears Holdings reported a net loss of $### million for its fiscal third quarter, ended Oct. ##, citing soft sales and higher costs due to store closings, severance payments and pension plan obligations. Total

By Greg Tarr and Steve Smith SACRAMENTO, CALIF. - The California Energy Commission (CEC) adopted regulations last week requiring televisions smaller than ## inches to meet higher energy-efficiency standards, with the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) strongly protesting the decision. The

By Amy Gilroy LOS ANGELES - After two years of research and planning, the car electronics industry cooperatively launched a viral video Internet campaign on Nov. ##, based on a #;car dance mob#; theme, to raise awareness of the category. The

Ghana is the first country to sign a voluntary partnership agreement with the European Union aimed at guaranteeing that only legally and sustainably harvested timber is exported to the European market. The agreement was signed on ## November in Brussels

You first notice the problem about ## minutes after sunset. There#;s something wrong with the twinkling lights in downtown Miami. There#;s not nearly as many of them as you#;d expect. By day, gleaming white hotel, office and

In an effort to promote the power of travel, the American Resort Development Assn. launched the "Bring Your Vacation to Life" photo and story contest. American Express gift cards were awarded to first-place winner Sally Lessig for the photo

Group RCI named Melody Stevenson from Shell Vacation Club winner of the company#;s Envision Your Success Sweepstakes. The program recognized resort sales staff. Compiled by Stephanie Ricca, sricca@questex.com

TELECOMWORLDWIRE-## November ####-NAL Worldwide announces strategic alliance with Walker and Associates(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com Specialty logistics supplier NAL Worldwide LLC and broadband service delivery products provider Walker and Associates Inc announced on

TELECOMWORLDWIRE-## November ####-Quinetiq to provide rostering services for Airservices Australia(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com Quinetiq, a provider of planning, scheduling and supply chain management software solutions, announced on Friday that Australia#;s air

TELECOMWORLDWIRE-## November ####-Dell reports decline in profit for Q# but sees improvement in demand(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com Computer maker Dell Inc (NASDAQ:DELL) reported on Thursday a ##% decline in third quarter

TELECOMWORLDWIRE-## November ####-Toluna QuickSurveys now available in North America(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com Online surveys company Toluna announced on Thursday the introduction in North America of its online self-service tool for short

TELECOMWORLDWIRE-## November ####-Quark introduces new web-to-print service for marketing materials(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com Publishing software provider Quark Inc has introduced a new online service for small firms to create their

TELECOMWORLDWIRE-## November ####-Incentives offered for purchase of Panasonic Toughbook H#(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com An incentive programme has been introduced by Panasonic Computer Solutions Company for its Toughbook H# mobile clinical assistant (MCA

TELECOMWORLDWIRE-## November ####-Nokia to cut ### R&D jobs in Finland and Denmark(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com Finnish mobile phone maker Nokia Corp (NYSE:NOK) (OMX Helsinki:NOK#V) is to streamline its research

TELECOMWORLDWIRE-## November ####-Board of HP Board declares regular dividend of USD#.##(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com The board of HP (NYSE:HPQ), a technology solutions provider, on Thursday declared a regular cash dividend

NORDIC BUSINESS REPORT-## November ####-Gunnebo to close plant, axe ## jobs in Sweden(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com ## November #### - Swedish security group Gunnebo AB (STO: GUNN) said today it will close its

NORDIC BUSINESS REPORT-## November ####-Norwegian Medi-Stim gets first order for VeriQC tool(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com ## November #### - Norwegian medical technology company Medi-Stim ASA (OSL: MEDI) said today it has

NORDIC BUSINESS REPORT-## November ####-Arctic Securities rates "buy" on Odim ahead of Q# figures(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com ## November #### - Arctic Securities gave a "buy" recommendation on Norwegian oil service provider Odim

NORDIC BUSINESS REPORT-## November ####-Norwegian Gyldendal Q# pretax profit up to NOK##m(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com ## November #### - Norwegian media and publishing group Gyldendal ASA (OSL: GYL) said on Friday its pretax

NORDIC BUSINESS REPORT-## November ####-Norwegian Odfjell plans unsecured bond issue(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com ## November #### - Norwegian shipping company Odfjell SE (OSL: ODF) said today it is contemplating to issue an unsecured

NORDIC BUSINESS REPORT-## November ####-Norwegian Hjellegjerde moves to NOK##m pretax profit Q# #;##(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com ## November #### - Norwegian furniture maker Hjellegjerde ASA (OSL: HJE) said today it moved to a

NORDIC BUSINESS REPORT-## November ####-Data Respons gets NOK##m deal in Denmark(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com ## November #### - Norwegian IT company Data Respons ASA (OSL: DAT) said Friday it won a contract, preliminary

NORDIC BUSINESS REPORT-## November ####-Three Swedish real estate firms to form rental managing JV(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com ## November #### - Swedish construction group Peab AB (STO: PEAB B) and local real estate

NORDIC BUSINESS REPORT-## November ####-RaySearch Laboratories AB reports growth in nine-month earnings(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com Swedish medical technology company RaySearch Laboratories AB (STO:RAYB) reported on Friday an increase in profit

NORDIC BUSINESS REPORT-## November ####-Nokia to trim R&D staff by #%(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com ## November #### - Finnish handset maker Nokia Oyj (HEL: NOK#V) said Friday it will streamline its research

NORDIC BUSINESS REPORT-## November ####-Nokia to cut ### R&D jobs in Finland and Denmark(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com Finnish mobile phone maker Nokia Corp (NYSE:NOK) (OMX Helsinki:NOK#V) is to streamline

INTERNET BUSINESS NEWS-(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS Online surveys company Toluna announced on Thursday the introduction in North America of its online self-service tool for short targeted surveys, called #;Toluna QuickSurveys#;. This tool enables organisations to create their

INTERNET BUSINESS NEWS-(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS Publishing software provider Quark Inc has introduced a new online service for small firms to create their own marketing materials which are produced by local professional printers, the company said on Thursday

CORPORATE IT UPDATE-(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS Specialty logistics supplier NAL Worldwide LLC and broadband service delivery products provider Walker and Associates Inc announced on Friday a strategic alliance for the rapid deployment of next-generation network technologies. The

CORPORATE IT UPDATE-(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS Publishing software provider Quark Inc has introduced a new online service for small firms to create their own marketing materials which are produced by local professional printers, the company said on Thursday

CORPORATE IT UPDATE-(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS Finnish mobile phone maker Nokia Corp (NYSE:NOK) (OMX Helsinki:NOK#V) is to streamline its research and development (R&D) operations in Finland and Denmark, the company said today. Up to ###

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS Los Angeles World Airports said on Thursday that it expects passenger volumes at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to improve during this Thanksgiving holiday period, compared to last year#;s, while passengers

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS American Eagle Airlines, a subsidiary of AMR Corp (NYSE:AMR), announced on Thursday the launch of its new service from Los Angeles International Airport to Santa Fe Municipal Airport, New Mexico. The

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) announced on Thursday that it expects passenger loads for this year#;s Thanksgiving holiday travel period to improve compared to last year#;s levels. The airport

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS Southwest Airlines#; (NYSE:LUV) board of directors announced on Thursday its ###rd consecutive quarterly dividend, at USD#.#### per share. The dividend will be paid to shareholders of record as of ##

The lack of mobilisation of the richest countries on the planet vis-a-vis the scourge of hunger was strongly criticised, during the FAO summit, on ## and ## November, in Rome. But developing countries and NGOs also accused them

Nature provides numerous services for free, like water regulation, flood protection and carbon storage. But growing pressure on ecosystems is putting a lot of these services at risk and while technological solutions can replace some of them, the cost is

A seventh round of negotiations on a free trade agreement between the EU and Colombia and Peru opened on ## November in Bogota. The negotiations are expected to end on ## November. The European Union and Colombia and Peru hope

The EU and the Latin American countries are close to ending the trade war that has been going on for more than ## years on access to the European dollar banana#; market.a"We are now in the final stages

As is all too apparent, there are very few jobs in the print industry that could be described as #;secure#; in the current financial climate - and youth, it seems, offers no protection from the cruel hand of fate. Kane Middleton

Commercial printer Power Print UK has continued a long history of regular kit upgrades by investing in a System #### Bookletmaker. Previously, all of the company#;s stitching was sent out, but the System #### has allowed it to keep

UK finishing equipment manufacturer Watkiss Automation has eliminated a bottleneck in its factory with a pounds ###,### investment in a punching press. Technical director Mike Watkiss said that machine manufacturing was mirroring the print market at present, with smaller

Magazine printer Prinovis Liverpool has partnered finishing equipment manufacturer Ferag to help develop its polybagging technology. According to Prinovis Liverpool managing director Richard Gray, the Polystream Line, which was installed at the site at the beginning of the month, could

OTM has been awarded the contract to produce personalised ticket and voucher books for the UK arm of travel specialist Kuoni. The Leicester-based transactional printer and outsource communications company will produce and dispatch the books that feature travel and

Graphic Republik has signed a European distribution agreement with Star Proof developer ISI Graphic System that will result in it offering ISI#;s dot-proofing software with the Epson Stylus Pro WT####. Steve Donegan, managing director of Graphic Republik, said

Software specialist Adobe has announced plans to slash its global workforce by #%, eliminating some ### full-time positions, in a bid to realign its costs in connection with its #### operating plan. The restructuring plan is expected to incur

Direct mail printer Rapid Response Press (RRP) has closed its doors, making all of its ## staff redundant. The closure comes just two and a half years after Waltham Abbey, Essex-based RRP bought the remnants of Rapid Response (Europe

Arjowiggins Graphic has launched the Copenhagen CO#mmitment book ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference next month. The special collection of photography depicts life in the Danish capital. Around #,### copies of the book have been printed on Arjowiggins

Polestar is implementing a leaner management structure across the group as part of a cost-saving drive, with some director-level roles going as a result. #;We#;re going to be running the business a bit differently going forward,#; said

Dimitri Sabatakakis, CEO of Systran, a French company that develops and markets machine translation software and has taken legal action against the Commission, has asked the Court of First Instance (CFI) to acknowledge its rights and to agree to almost

The European Commission confirmed, on ## November, that it had sent a statement of objections to the American rating agency Standard and Poor#;s (S&P), singling out the abuse of its dominant position on International Securities Identification Numbers (ISINs

The European Council and Parliament reached an overall agreement on the draft #### budget, set at ###.### billion, and on the financing of the final tranche of the European Economic Recovery Plan at the ## November budgetary conciliation in

In Washington for a U.S. government-organised conference on data protection from ##-## November, European Data Protection Supervisor Peter Hustinx gave a mixed assessment of the United States administration#;s attitude on data protection. Noting a #;change in

The European Commission has suggested that governments and businesses hit by the credit crunch join forces after the crisis to improve public services. The EU executive will come out with legislative changes in #### to make it easier for public

Passengers whose flights are delayed may be entitled to compensation if they reach their destination three or more hours after the initially scheduled arrival time, ruled the Court of Justice on ## November (joined cases C-###/## and C

Dimitri Sabatakakis, CEO of Systran, a French company that develops and markets machine translation software and has taken legal action against the Commission, has asked the Court of First Instance (CFI) to acknowledge its rights and to agree to almost

The European Commission confirmed, on ## November, that it had sent a statement of objections to the American rating agency Standard and Poor#;s (S&P), singling out the abuse of its dominant position on International Securities Identification Numbers (ISINs

The European Council and Parliament reached an overall agreement on the draft #### budget, set at ###.### billion, and on the financing of the final tranche of the European Economic Recovery Plan at the ## November budgetary conciliation in

In Washington for a U.S. government-organised conference on data protection from ##-## November, European Data Protection Supervisor Peter Hustinx gave a mixed assessment of the United States administration#;s attitude on data protection. Noting a #;change in

The European Commission has suggested that governments and businesses hit by the credit crunch join forces after the crisis to improve public services. The EU executive will come out with legislative changes in #### to make it easier for public

Passengers whose flights are delayed may be entitled to compensation if they reach their destination three or more hours after the initially scheduled arrival time, ruled the Court of Justice on ## November (joined cases C-###/## and C

Untied Artists Network, the celebrity site network set up by Stephen Fry#;s web company SamFry, has appointed News Corp#;s .Fox Networks to sell advertising across its portfolio. The celebrity network intends to bring together the sites of likeminded

Just Retirement is looking to launch a long-term care product and a protection range for older customers. Private equity firm Permira is to inject ###m into Just Retirement for product development under the ####m takeover deal recommended by the

Aim has seen a stunning ##% rise this year and there is still plenty of scope for finding the gems in the market The turbulent progress of the markets over the past two years has unfolded for me, in part

The recent rally may have buoyed sentiment and driven investors out of cash and into the market. Despite this, the November rebalancing suggests British equities might not be the beneficiary of this optimism. While the FTSE ### has continued its

Much of the recent media coverage on markets has been focused around whether they will continue to go north or turn south, revisiting old lows. Many investment managers and "experts" will give you their very firm view on the subject

Emotional Assets Management & Research is taking a fund of funds#; approach to ## per cent of its new Emotional Assets Fund #, an offshore fund investing in tangible assets such as art, photography, coins and stamps. The company will use

The FSA is concerned that brokers could be referring clients to claim- chasers without the approval needed to meet data protection rules. At the Mortgage Business Expo last week, FSA director of small firms and contact centre Lesley Titcomb said

European regulators have pulled back from forcing UK life insurers to hold billions of pounds extra capital. Life companies had protested at the original draft advice from the Committee of European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Supervisors on the original proposed

Aviva is to launch a continuous money-back guarantee option for new with-profits investments. The firm says investors who move out of the fund at any point after five years will get back at least the amount they initially

Argos will put users of its new price comparison site enquiring about mortgages or pensions in touch with one of #,### brokers or IFAs. ArgosCompare.co.uk started operations last week and provides quotes on financial products including mortgages

Advisers have welcomed confirmation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme that it has declared investment firm Keydata in default but warn that uncertainty remains for some categories of investors. Last Friday, the FSCS said it will start sending application forms

Meteor Asset Management plans to create a new company to separate the admin function from the plan management promotion for its structured products. The firm has submitted an application to the FSA for a regulated firm to ringfence the admin

Campbell Munro director David Munro has hit out at Towry Law, saying the firm has failed to transfer trail commission to his firm seven months after he took on an ex-Towry Law client. Munro says he wrote to Towry

Aifa is launching a working group to campaign for a long stop for IFAs. The statute of limitations, which provides legal certainty for firms on the time in which complaints can be raised, applies to all industries except financial services

TELECOMWORLDWIRE-## November ####-Sony Ericsson to trim ### jobs on closure of R&D unit in Stockholm(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com ## November #### - Swedish-Japanese handset maker Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB plans

TELECOMWORLDWIRE-## November ####-Bytemobile introduces new managed service to analyse data traffic(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com Bytemobile Inc is introducing a new managed service which provides carriers with analysis and reporting of data traffic

TELECOMWORLDWIRE-## November ####-FileSalvage # unveiled by SubRosaSoft.com(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com SubRosaSoft.com Inc is introducing FileSalvage #, the provider of data recovery and system utility software announced on Thursday. According to

TELECOMWORLDWIRE-## November ####-mobilepeople to build mobile applications for Trader Corporation(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com Mobile local search company mobilepeople said on Thursday that it has signed a new contract with Canadian print and

TELECOMWORLDWIRE-## November ####-Lenco Mobile Inc reports revenue increase of ###% for Q# over prior year(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com Mobile marketing and Internet business operator Lenco Mobile Inc#;s (Pink Sheets:LNCM.PK

TELECOMWORLDWIRE-## November ####-Systemax to pay USD#.## per share special dividend(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com Systemax Inc (NYSE:SYX), a retailer of computers, consumer electronics and industrial products, reported on Wednesday that its

TELECOMWORLDWIRE-## November ####-New versions of On-Screen Takeoff and Quick Bid now available from On Center Software(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com Construction industry software company On Center Software has released new versions of

TELECOMWORLDWIRE-## November ####-Scripps Networks Interactive reports USD#.### dividend(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com Lifestyle content and interactive services company Scripps Networks Interactive Inc (NYSE:SNI) said on Wednesday that its board of directors

TELECOMWORLDWIRE-## November ####-Verizon#;s transfer of local TV franchises to Frontier approved by Washington communities(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com Full-service communications provider Frontier Communications (NYSE:FTR) declared on Wednesday that seven communities

TELECOMWORLDWIRE-## November ####-Intel to form joint lab in Europe focused on high-performance computing(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com Chip maker Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) is to establish an Exascale Computing Research Center in

TELECOMWORLDWIRE-## November ####-X-FAB reports increased loss for Q#(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com German-based X-FAB Silicon Foundries Group announced today a decline in earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) for the

TELECOMWORLDWIRE-## November ####-Kofax wins USD###,### document capture software contract(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com Business process automation solutions provider Kofax plc (LSE:KFX) has signed a new USD###,### contract for a document

TELECOMWORLDWIRE-## November ####-Ingenico partners to provide secure, online, in-flight payment solutions(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com Provider of secure payment solutions Ingenico (Euronext:ING) today announced a strategic alliance with AviIT, a provider

TELECOMWORLDWIRE-## November ####-Frontier announces approval of seven more Washington communities to Verizon FiOS TV franchise transfers(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com US full-service communications provider Frontier Communications (NYSE:FTR) announced on Wednesday that

NORDIC BUSINESS REPORT-## November ####-Danish ALK-Abello lifts #;## operating profit outlook to DKK###m(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com ## November #### - Danish allergy-vaccine maker ALK-Abello A/S (CPH: ALK B) reported

NORDIC BUSINESS REPORT-## November ####-Norwegian Air Shuttle to offer new routes in Denmark(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com ## November #### - Low-cost carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA (OSL: NAS) said today it would

NORDIC BUSINESS REPORT-## November ####-Danish DLH reduces #### outlook, to cut jobs(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com ## November #### - Danish timber trader Dalhoff Larsen & Horneman A/S (CPH: DLH B) said today it

NORDIC BUSINESS REPORT-## November ####-Atria to slash ### jobs in Finland(C)####-#### M# COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m#.com ## November #### - Finnish meat products group Atria Oyj (HEL: ATRAV) said today that it would slash ###