RSA[R] Conference 2011 Announces Recipients of 14th Annual Awards Program.(Conference news)

Annual Program Honors Information Security Innovators and Practitioners in Mathematics, Public Policy and Security Practices

SAN FRANCISCO -- RSA[R] Conference (www.rsaconference.com), the world's leading information security conferences and expositions, today announced the honorees of its 14th annual awards program. Award applicants were judged in the fields of mathematics, public policy and security practices. To commemorate the Conference's 20th anniversary, this year's Awards include an expanded lifetime achievement award to honor the top accomplishments in information security over the past 20 years. This year's recipients were revealed yesterday at RSA Conference 2011 in San Francisco.

The recipients of this year's RSA Conference Awards are as follows:

Lifetime Achievement Award Ronald L. Rivest, Viterbi Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, MIT Adi Shamir, Professor, Computer Science Department, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Leonard Adleman, Henry Salvatori Chair in Computer Science and Distinguished Professor of Computer Science and Biological Sciences at the University of Southern California

Ronald Rivest, Adi Shamir and Leonard Adleman are pioneers in public key cryptography, responsible for developing the encryption method that became known as the RSA algorithm - a major advance in public key cryptography. Used to secure Internet, banking and credit card transactions worldwide, the RSA algorithm has become the standard technology for encryption that secures the majority of ecommerce. The RSA Algorithm and its impact has guided and shaped the world of information security and how we do business for over 30 years.

Excellence in the Field of Security Practices C. Ryan Brewer, Chief Information Security Officer and Director, Office of the CISO Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Over the past two years, Brewer has completely transformed the information security program and culture at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) through his leadership and vision. As a direct result of Brewer's leadership, the information security program at CMS is now risk-based and provides a high level of business value and enablement. He successfully guided the information security program at CMS through this transformation while saving CMS millions of dollars and has made significant contributions to improve the security posture and business processes at CMS.

Excellence in the Field of Mathematics Charles W. Rackoff, Professor, Theory of Computation Group and Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto

Charles Rackoff was born and raised in New York City. He attended MIT as both an undergraduate and graduate student, receiving a Ph.D. in Computer Science in 1974. After spending a year as a post-doc at INRIA in France, he joined the University of Toronto Computer Science Department in 1974. His research interests are in computational complexity and he specializes in cryptography, security and security protocols. He was a co-originator of the important concepts of "interactive proofs" and "zero-knowledge proofs," for which he co-won the 1993 Godel Prize.

Excellence in the Field of Public Policy William J. Lynn, III, Deputy Secretary of Defense

William J. Lynn III is the 30th Deputy Secretary of Defense. Lynn's career has included extensive public service at various levels within government. Lynn served as the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) from 1997 until 2001 and for four years prior to that he was the Director of Program Analysis and Evaluation in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Before entering the Department of Defense in 1993, Lynn served for six years on the staff of Senator Edward Kennedy as liaison to the Senate Armed Services Committee. He has been recognized for numerous professional and service contributions, including three DoD medals for distinguished public service, the Joint Distinguished Civilian Service Award from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and awards from the Air Force, Army and Navy.

"The winners of this year's RSA Conference Awards embody the spirit of the Conference," said Sandra Toms LaPedis, Area Vice President and General Manager of RSA Conference. "Whether it be through the founding of modern cryptography, innovative security practices, developing new concepts to address changing threats or protecting a nation against cyber threats, these recipients have helped drive the information security agenda. And for that, we are thankful to this year's winners."

About RSA Conference

RSA Conference helps drive the global information security agenda with annual events in the U.S., Europe and Japan. Throughout its 20-year history, RSA Conference consistently attracts the best and brightest in the field, creating opportunities to learn about information security's most important issues through face-to-face and online interactions with peers, luminaries and emerging and established companies. As information security professionals work to stay ahead of ever-changing security threats and trends, they turn to RSA Conference for a 360-degree view of the industry. RSA Conference seeks to arm participants with the knowledge they need to remain at the forefront of the information security business. More information on events, online programming and the most up-to-date news pertaining to the information security industry can be found at www.rsaconference.com.

RSA and the RSA Conference logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of EMC Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other products and/or services referenced are trademarks of their respective companies.

PROJECT SAFE CHILDHOOD: ROCKY HILL MAN SENTENCED TO MORE THAN FIVE YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR DISTRIBUTING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY.

NEW HAVEN, CT -- The following information was released by the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut:

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that STEPHEN ULISSE, 49, of Rocky Hill, was sentenced yesterday, February 7, by United States District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 70 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for possessing and distributing child pornography.

"Protecting children from harm is one of the most critical responsibilities we have, and the U.S. Attorney's Office and our federal, state and local law enforcement partners will continue to focus our energy and resources on prosecuting those who exploit society's most vulnerable members," stated U.S. Attorney Fein.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between October 2004 and October 2006, ULISSE used various peer-to-peer file sharing software programs to receive hundreds of images of child pornography over the Internet. The peer-to-peer programs allowed other users with similar software to download the images of child pornography that ULISSE had received and stored on his computer.

On October 9, 2006, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Glastonbury Police Department conducted a search of ULISSE's former residence and seized several laptop and desktop computers, hard drives, disks and other computer media. Analysis of the seized items revealed that ULISSE possessed thousands of images and videos of minors, including children under the age of 12, engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

On October 14, 2010, ULISSE pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography.

Following his release from prison, ULISSE will be required to register as a sex offender. As special conditions of his 10-year-term of supervised release, the United States Probation Office is authorized to monitor ULISSE's computer use and conduct searches of his residence, automobile and workplace based on reasonable suspicion. Also, ULISSE must not hold any position of authority or guidance over children or youth groups involving children who are under the age of 18, nor loiter around schools, playgrounds, arcades, or any other places where children under 18 congregate.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Connecticut Computer Crimes Task Force, including the Glastonbury Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anastasia E. King.

The Connecticut Computer Crimes Task Force investigates crimes occurring over the Internet, including computer intrusion, Internet fraud, copyright violations, Internet threats and harassment and online crimes against children. The Task Force also provides computer forensic review services for participating agencies. The Task Force is housed in the main FBI office in New Haven, Connecticut. For more information about the Task Force, please contact the FBI at 203-777-6311.

U.S. Attorney Fein noted that this prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.

USDA EXTENDS COMMENT PERIOD ON REVISIONS TO TESTING AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NATIONAL BRUCELLOSIS PROGRAM.

WASHINGTON -- The following information was released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today announced a 14-day extension of the comment period for an interim rule that amends its current brucellosis regulations.

Specifically, these amendments:

Reduce the amount of testing required to maintain Class Free status for states that have been Class Free for five or more years and have no Brucella abortus in wildlife;

Remove the provision for automatic reclassification of any Class Free state or area to a lower status if two or more herds are found to have brucellosis within a two-year period or if a single brucellosis-affected herd is not depopulated within 60 days;

Reduce the age at which cattle are included in herd blood tests;

Add a requirement that any Class Free state or area with Brucella abortus in wildlife must develop and implement an APHIS-approved brucellosis management plan in order to maintain Class Free status;

Provide an alternative testing protocol for maintaining the certified brucellosis-free status of dairy herds, which will give producers more flexibility for the herd certification process.

These changes are necessary to refocus resources to control and prevent the spread of brucellosis and to protect and maintain the economic viability of the domestic livestock industry.

Public comments on this interim rule will be accepted for an additional 14 days and be used as USDA continues to move forward with finalizing new regulations for the brucellosis program.

Notice of this action is published in today's Feb. 4 Federal Register.

Consideration will be given to comments received on or before March 11. You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetailandd=APHIS-2009-0083 to submit or view comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically.

Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: please send one copy of your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2009-0083, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS-2009-0083.

Comments are posted on the Regulations.gov website and may also be reviewed at USDA, Room 1141, South Building, 14th St. and Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C., between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. To facilitate entry into the comment reading room, please call (202) 690-2817.

Note to Reporters: USDA news releases, program announcements and media advisories are available on the Internet and through Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds. Go to the APHIS news release page at www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom and click on the RSS feed link.

____________

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).

Hiring Box Introduces its New, Patented Concept in the Job Search Industry.

Miami, FL (Vocus/PRWEB) January 31, 2011

Hiring Box, based in Miami, FL, is thrilled to introduce a revolutionary concept in the job search industry. Created for both employers and job seekers, Hiring Box is a full service job search website that rivals internet based job search sites such as Monster, CareerBuilder and Craigslist. Not only does Hiring Box list thousands of entry, mid level and executive positions on their website, Hiring Box has positioned itself as the new leader in the job search industry by deploying hundreds of ATM style job search kiosks all over Miami Dade and Broward Counties.

Developed with individuals who may not have access to a computer or the internet in mind, Hiring Box kiosks are easy to navigate and employers are able to post jobs quickly and for free through HiringBox website. Individuals looking for entry level jobs, hourly paid jobs or part time work have access within seconds via touch screen to hundreds of work opportunities spanning a variety of professions in all areas of Miami and Broward. With a few taps of a screen (video introduction), job seekers are provided with a free print out and contact information for numerous relevant, unfilled positions in their area or 'zone' of Miami or Broward.

With kiosk costs covered by advertisements and sponsors, Hiring Box kiosks are free to businesses and community places and interested parties should simply contact Hiring Box. Businesses have the opportunity to parlay the placement of kiosks into an increase in customer traffic & revenue as they offer an added incentive to a variety of existing and potentially new customers.

To effectively reach and target the people who are in need of the services of Hiring Box the most, hundreds of kiosks have already been placed in strategic parts of the city and suburbs in sites such as Laundromats, shopping malls, libraries, churches, community centers, convenience stores, fast food restaurants, grocery stores and government centers.

Hiring Box has conducted an immense amount of market research to effectively target locations from South Miami all the way to West Palm Beach where the need of individuals that are unemployed or looking for new jobs is the greatest. Hiring Box is currently implementing plans to install kiosks in places like New York, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, San Francisco and other cities around the nation.

Built with constant use in mind, Hiring Box kiosks are extremely durable and a team of technicians and maintenance personnel are available should the need for repairs arise. With constant changes in the work force, technology and with millions of people unemployed, the Hiring Box has their finger on the pulse of the job search industry and is ready to serve both employers and workers seeking Miami jobs regardless of their experience, education and level of expertise.

With a critical need for accessible, free and instant resources for job seekers all over Miami, Hiring Box is excited to provide real and measurable assistance for entry level workers who need job search help the most. Social and Government agencies are keeping a close eye on the revolutionary and innovative concept that Hiring Box has developed as businesses and advertisers are jumping on board.

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Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/1/prweb8094417.htm

LEER WE GO; SOCCER SEXISM THE RESIGNATION.(News)

Byline: MARK JEFFERIES

WITH his sidekick sacked and a new tape of him making more disgraceful sexist remarks, Richard Keys faced a major struggle to repair his shattered image.

Even a grovelling apology during a rambling radio interview yesterday could not take the heat off the Sky Sports football presenter and he quit his pounds 1million-a-year job.

But the 53-year-old said "dark forces" were behind a campaign to oust him and Sky pundit Andy Gray who was sacked on Tuesday after a tape emerged of him asking co-presenter Charlotte Jackson, 33, to "tuck him in" while he pointed at his crotch.

And Keys said he felt he could not carry on in the job he has been doing for the past 20 years without his pal Gray by his side.

The writing was on the wall for Keys when lurid off-air comments he made to Jamie Redknapp about his ex-girlfriend were put out on the internet.

After he quit, he said: "I am deeply sorry for my remarks and the offence they have caused; it was wrong and should not have happened.

"I have thought long and hard and reached the decision that it is time to move on.

"Going forward without Andy would have been almost impossible."

Managing director of Sky Sports Barney Francis added: "It is disappointing that Richard's career at Sky should end in these circumstances.

"However, Richard recognises his comments at the weekend were unacceptable and we note that he has made a full and public apology.

"We thank him for his time in helping make Sky Sports the success it is today."

Keys had earlier made a desperate bid to keep his job during his 65-minute interview with Talksport. Talking of the remarks he made about Redknapp's ex - where he asked him if he "smashed it" - he admitted he needed professional help.

The former presenter added: "Horrible. Out of order. Wrong. Old-fashioned. No place. Behavioural problems that need to be attended to, yeah. Reconstruction, yeah.

"But again it is a very selective moment from that studio that night, read into that what you will. It shouldn't have happened. It is something I am enormously upset about. It's obviously something that needs to get sorted out.

"There is a process and I am willing to take it. It will take far more than me coming behind this microphone saying 'I am changed'."

Speaking of the "dark forces" he believes were undermining his position, Keys claims insiders at Sky had been looking for more embarrassing tapes to plunge him and Gray, 55, who earned pounds 1.7million a year, further into the mire.

He said: "If you dig deep enough you will find what you are looking for. With success comes envy. The clips are fairly selective. They have targeted two individuals."

Keys found himself embroiled in the sexism row after he and Gray made remarks about match official Sian Massey before last weekend's Wolves versus Liverpool clash where she was running the line.

And he told the radio interviewer he feared he could have been fired like Gray, despite apologising to Sian. Asked if there was any reason why he shouldn't be, he replied: "None I suppose, but that's for others to make a decision on.

I have to ask myself, 'Do I want to carry on without him?' That's something I have been doing."

After saying sorry to Sian on Sunday, Keys claimed he was banned from making his apology public. He added: "I was told no, and 24 hours passed by which time the world had gone mad. I don't know why I was told no."

The sexism furore exploded after the two presenters made their remarks about Sian off-air. Ex-footballer Gray sneered that she "wouldn't know the offside rule".

And Gray found himself in more hot water when he asked co-host Charlotte to "tuck him in" as he fitted his microphone before a transmission. He laughed as she ignored him.

Gray was sacked by Sky Sports on Tuesday for "unacceptable behaviour".

The new video of Keys making lurid remarks came as he chatted to Redknapp, Ruud Gullit and Graeme Souness in a studio at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge ground after a match.

Keys also made disparaging remarks about West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady who he called "love". He said he tried to call her but could not get through.

But Brady last night hit back, branding him a "dinosaur". She said: "Perhaps Richard thought I was too busy making the tea and washing up to take his call."

CAPTION(S):

JIBES Ex-player Jamie Redknapp DISGRACE Keys makes sexist remarks about Redknapp's ex as Gullit and Souness look on GLUM Keys leaves his home yesterday OFFICIAL Sian Massey at her house yesterday STRESS Charlotte looks strained as she shops yesterday and, inset, on Sky later on

HOW THE CHINESE MUST SEE US.

ARLINGTON, VA -- The following information was released by the American Conservative:

Patrick J. Buchanan

January 21st, 2011

Share|

"O would some power the gift to give us to see ourselves as others see us," wrote the poet Robert Burns.

As Hu Jintao wings his way home, America's hectoring still ringing in his ears, he must be thinking that maybe we Americans should stop lecturing them and take a closer look at ourselves.

Revalue your currency, we demand of the Chinese, stop running these trade surpluses at our expense, start practicing free trade, and abandon these mercantilist and protectionist policies.

But why should they? Why should China abandon a trade policy that is working marvelously well for them, and adopt a trade policy that is failing dismally for us? Does that make sense?

Why should any nation emulate the U.S. trade policy of the Bush-Clinton-Bush era that has stripped us of a third of our manufacturing jobs and made us dependent on China and the world for the needs of our national life and the borrowed money to pay for them?

Why would China, seeking to make herself an independent and self-sufficient nation, adopt a policy that cost us our independence?

And what are the Chinese doing in their ascendancy to first power on earth that we did not do in ours?

Are our Milton Friedmanite free-traders unaware of how it was that, in the last third of the 19th century, we left the British in the dust? Are they unaware we had the highest tariffs on earth to price British products out of our market and goad rapacious Yankees into building new factories to produce the same goods we were then importing from Great Britain?

Lest we forget, the Americans who turned this country into the industrial marvel of mankind were known as "Robber Barons."

As they put America first in our rise, the Chinese are putting China first.

Our grand strategists demand to know why the Chinese are making these brash claims to all the islands in the South China and East China seas. Why are they telling us to keep our aircraft carriers out of the Yellow Sea and out of the Taiwan Strait? Who do they think they are?

Well, maybe they think they're 19th-century Americans.

Did not James Monroe and John Quincy Adams brashly tell the great powers of Europe to stay out of our hemisphere?

What are the Chinese about, other than imposing a Monroe Doctrine of their own? As historian Walter McDougall writes, Otto von Bismarck was as affronted by us as we are by the Chinese, declaring that the Monroe Doctrine represented "a species of arrogance peculiarly American and inexcusable."

Hu Jintao got an earful from us on his human rights records. Stop the repression of Uighurs and Tibetans. Stop jailing political dissidents. Allow more freedom of the Internet and the press.

But on his way home, Hu must be thinking to himself: Who are these Americans to lecture us?

Is this not the same tribe that enslaved black people for 250 years and segregated them for a century? Is this not the same tribe that drove the Indians off their lands, then stuck them all in Bantustans called reservations? Are these not the only people in history to have dropped atomic bombs on defenseless cities?

How would we have reacted if Hu, instead of pretending he couldn't hear the translation of that question about human rights, retorted, "We Chinese are also concerned about what we read of human rights at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo, of renditions, torture and something called 'water-boarding.'"

This is not written in defense of the Chinese communists who are a purposeful and ruthless lot, but to suggest that we Americans no longer look like the self-confident nation of Dwight Eisenhower and JFK that was unintimidated by the brutal and bullying Soviet Union of Nikita Khrushchev.

We were in a great struggle then u and acted like we could win it.

But as America sinks economically and retreats strategically, while China grows at 10 percent and bristles with confidence, we appear to be a nation of whiners. They are eating our lunch, and we sound like losers in a locker room.

We demand that the Chinese be more open and tolerant of opposition and dissent. But when they look at the gridlock of American democracy, the pettiness of our politics and the failure of our policies, while they are on the move at home and all over the world, why should they want to be more like us?

Has our American capitalism in this century performed as well as their autocratic capitalism? Is our political performance an argument for the superiority of our ballyhooed democracy over their one-party state?

We can't win or end our wars, balance our budgets or control our borders. Great states like California and Illinois appear about to go belly-up. The U.S. government is running a third straight deficit of near 10 percent of our entire economy. We used our stimulus money to save government jobs. They used theirs for bullet trains.

Time to see ourselves as others see us.

Tunisian president makes concessions as unrest spreads.

Summary: TUNIS: Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, trying to defuse the worst unrest of his rule, said Thursday he would not run again when his term expires in 2014. Ben Ali also ordered his security forces to stop using firearms against protesters and said prices for sugar, milk and bread would be reduced. He addressed the nation as the violence in the North African

By Tarek Amara

Reuters

TUNIS: Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, trying to defuse the worst unrest of his rule, said Thursday he would not run again when his term expires in 2014.

Ben Ali also ordered his security forces to stop using firearms against protesters and said prices for sugar, milk and bread would be reduced.

He addressed the nation as the violence in the North African country brought more bloodshed and spread to the capital's center.

Two young men were shot dead in clashes with police in Sliman, about 40 kilometers south of Tunis, witnesses told Reuters. At least five people suffered gunshot wounds in clashes with police in the center of Tunis.

The protesters say they are angry about unemployment, corruption and what they say is government repression.

"I said in 1987 no presidencies for life. I repeat now no presidencies for life. I refuse to touch the Constitution, I will not change the age in the Constitution," Ben Ali said.

The Tunisian Constitution states no one over 75 years of age can run for the presidency and Ben Ali is 74. It had been widely expected he would have the document amended to allow him to run for a new term.

In an emotional speech delivered, in a first for the Tunisian president, in local dialect instead of classical Arabic, he said he had been tricked by some of his officials.

"I have been deceived, they deceived me. I am not the sun which shines over everything."

"I understand the Tunisians, I understand their demands. I am sad about what is happening now after 50 years of service to the country, military service, all the different posts, 23 years of the presidency."

"I won't accept that another drop of blood of a Tunisian be spilled," he said.

Ben Ali also promised to end Internet censorship and to open up the political playing field.

The moves appeared to be welcomed. After the speech, people in the streets of one Tunis district sang the national anthem, a Reuters reporter said. Cars honked their horns in celebration.

Thursday had started with all shops in Tunis city center closed and their shutters down. Armed soldiers, brought in to reinforce the police, stood guard outside government buildings behind banks of razor wire.

In the Lafayette district, the main shopping area, gunshots rang out two civilians fell to the ground injured while three others ran away with bloody leg wounds.

"There was a protest and police used tear gas and gunfire to disperse the crowds," said a witness in a nearby street.

France implicitly criticized the government's handling of the protests.

"We insist that all parties show restraint and choose the path of dialogue C* we cannot continue with this disproportionate use of violence," Prime Minister Francois Fillon said on an official visit to London.

The latest official count for the number of civilians killed in the unrest is 23. But the United Nations said rights groups put the toll at almost 40.

Copyright 2011, The Daily Star. All rights reserved.

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company

Global Market for Pulp and Paper Chemicals to Exceed US$20 Billion by 2015, According to a New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.(Industry overview)

San Jose, CA (Vocus/PRWEB) January 12, 2011

Fate of the pulp and paper chemicals market is completely dependent on the paper industry and hence reflects the trends in the industry. The global paper industry, already reeling under the onslaught of increasing substitution in publishing by Internet and in packaging by plastics, faced further deterioration with the onset of the global economic downturn. Though the market is on the recovery mode in line with the dissipating recession, growth is likely to be modest in Europe, North America and Japan, while China, South East Asia, East Europe and Latin America are projected to gain strength as stated by the new market research report on Pulp and Paper Chemicals.

Pulp and paper chemical companies are focusing on extensive research and development activities in order to enhance the quality of paper and to decrease the energy consumption in the paper industry. Water management is another area that is necessitating substantial research work. Owing to the global focus on environment protection, environmentally friendly chemicals such as sodium chlorate, hydrogen peroxide, and fillers including calcium carbonate are witnessing robust growth. Recycling has emerged as a major game changer in the paper industry, and is impacting demand for paper chemicals. The growing penetration of closed-loop water-circulation system is also facilitating the demand for specialty chemicals.

Rapid economic growth has boosted paper demand in Asia-Pacific with countries such as China, India, and the South East Asian nations emerging as significant markets. Asia-Pacific market for Paper Coating Chemicals, the largest pulp and paper chemicals segment, is projected to reach 4.47 million tons in 2013. The US has lost its pre-eminence in the global pulp and paper chemicals industry, with the recession aggravating the already depressed conditions. In addition, the market also faces threat from the growing tendency towards off shoring. However, the growing popularity of recycled paper presents a slight ray of hope to the depressed US pulp and paper chemicals market. Recycled fibers require substantial amount of deinking chemicals.

Globally the pulp and paper chemicals industry represents a highly fragmented market. Shifting of production to Asia and Latin America and the stagnation in developed markets is leading to a consolidation phase in the industry. Key players covered in the report include Akzo Nobel NV, Eka Chemicals, Ashland, Inc., BASF, Buckman Laboratories, Clariant, Cytec Industries, Enzymatic Deinking Technologies, ERCO Worldwide, FMC Corporation, Georgia-Pacific Chemicals LLC, Imerys, Kemira Chemicals, Nalco Holding Company, Omya, Solvay AG, and Solvay Chemicals, Inc.

The research report titled "Pulp and Paper Chemicals: A Global Strategic Business Report" announced by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., provides a comprehensive review of market trends and issues, factors driving market growth, industry challenges, product profile, competitive landscape, latest product introductions, recent developments, and other strategic industry activity. Pulp and paper chemicals have been segmented into eight major groups -- Pulping & Deinking Chemicals, Bleaching Chemicals, Starches, Internal Sizing Agents, Surface Sizing Agents, Paper Coating Chemicals, Retention & Drainage Aids and Miscellaneous Chemicals. The report analyzes the global market with hard-to-find data and analytics for traditional strongholds such as the United States, Canada, Japan, and Europe, alongside emerging markets such as Asia-Pacific and Latin America. Analytical estimates and projections are presented in terms of annual sales in volume terms (tons) as well as in value terms (US$) over the years 2007 through 2015. In addition, historic data is also provided for an insight into market evolution over the period 2000-2006.

For more details about this comprehensive market research report, please visit -- http://www.strategyr.com/Pulp_and_Paper_Chemicals_Market_Report.asp

About Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (GIA) is a reputed publisher of off-the-shelf market research. Founded in 1987, the company is globally recognized as one of the world's largest market research publishers. The company employs over 800 people worldwide and publishes more than 1200 full-scale research reports each year. Additionally, the company also offers thousands of smaller research products including company reports, market trend reports, and industry reports encompassing all major industries worldwide.

Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Telephone: 408-528-9966

Fax: 408-528-9977

Email: press(at)StrategyR(dot)com

Web Site: http://www.StrategyR.com/

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Control4 and Silver Spring Networks Announce Strategic Reseller Agreement.

Combined solution enables utilities to bring Smart Grid to the home and execute scalable Demand Response programs

Joint deployment at AEP Ohio currently underway

SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- Control4, a leader in affordable IP-based home control systems, today announced the signing of a strategic reselling agreement with Silver Spring Networks, a leading Smart Grid solutions provider. Together, they now offer a Home Area Network (HAN) solution interoperable with utility Smart Grid and Demand Response systems.

Control4 and Silver Spring are already providing their combined in-home technology solution for AEP Ohio's GridSMART[TM].

By offering the Control4[R] Energy Management System (EMS) 100, Silver Spring extends its Demand Response solution to deliver an engaging in-home experience, exchanging up-to-the minute consumption data between customer and utility and providing intelligent automation and control of smart devices throughout the house. The combined solution incorporates Silver Spring's Advanced Metering, UtilityIQ and CustomerIQ applications with Control4[R] ADVANTAGE software, Control4[R] EC-100 Energy Controllers, and Control4[R] WT-100 wireless programmable thermostats, providing a comprehensive solution set for utilities of all sizes.

"As an industry we recognize the importance of winning consumer support for utility Smart Grid initiatives early in the process," said Eric Dresselhuys, Executive VP and Chief Marketing Officer of Silver Spring Networks. "Control4's in-home devices make Smart Grid benefits tangible to consumers, and because the Control4 solution is fully interoperable with the utility enterprise, utilities and consumers don't have to wait to begin this important partnership."

The interoperability of Control4 EC-100 units with Silver Spring's Smart Energy Platform creates a robust end-to-end Smart Grid architecture. The EC-100 has access to data from Silver Springs Networks' UtilityIQ[TM] Demand Response management application and intelligent end-point to effectively deliver complete energy information in real time.

The EC-100 is one of the several ways that Control4 addresses energy management in the home. Control4's energy solutions span from energy management applications in the 4Store to utility driven deployments of the EC-100, offering consumers a variety of cost effective, energy saving options.

Richard Walker, President of Control4's Energy business, emphasizes the strength of Control4's relationship with Silver Spring. "We have worked with Silver Spring on testing, interoperability, regulatory initiatives, and as partner members in the Smart Grid Consumer Collaborative. At every level from engineering to outreach, they have solidly partnered with Control4 to design smart grid solutions that benefit consumers and make good business sense for utilities."

For more information on Control4, visit www.control4.com.

For more information on Silver Spring Networks, visit www.silverspringnet.com.

About Control4

Control4, a leading provider of the operating system for the smart home, delivers intelligent control of consumer electronics products, appliances and networking systems through an easy-to-use and intuitive software interface. Founded in 2003, the company delivers affordable automation and control of lighting, music, video, HVAC, security, and energy management systems to the broad market through more than 1,600 custom integrators, retail outlets, and distributors in over 70 countries. Control4 is the platform of choice for major consumer electronics companies, hotels, businesses and utilities that require an intelligent, open and affordable control solution.

About Silver Spring Networks

Silver Spring Networks is a leading Smart Grid solution provider that enables utilities to achieve operational efficiencies, reduce carbon emissions and empower their customers with new ways to monitor and manage their energy consumption. Silver Spring provides the hardware, software and services that allow utilities to deploy advanced solutions, including Smart Metering, Demand Response, Distribution Automation and Distributed Generation, over a single, unified network. Silver Spring's Smart Energy Platform is based on open, Internet Protocol (IP) standards, allowing continuous, two-way communication between the utility and devices on the grid. Silver Spring has numerous deployments with leading utilities in the US and abroad, including Florida Power & Light, Pacific Gas & Electric, Pepco Holdings, Inc., Jemena Electricity Networks Limited and United Energy Distribution, among others. For additional information, please visit www.silverspringnetworks.com .

Copyright[c] 2010 Control4 Corporation. All rights reserved. Control4 and the Control4 logo are registered of Control4 Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Other names or brands may be claimed as the property of others.

For more information on Control4, please visit www.control4.com

Wells Fargo Insurance Services Acquires JFK Consulting Group, LLC.

CHICAGO -- Wells Fargo Insurance Services USA, Inc. - part of Wells Fargo & Company - announced today they have acquired JFK Consulting Group, LLC, an employee benefits brokerage and consulting firm located in Overland Park, Kansas. The acquisition closed on November 29, 2010. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

"By joining Wells Fargo Insurance Services, we have expanded our capabilities to better serve our customers and help them protect their businesses and employees," said Jess F. Knoth, president of JFK Consulting Group, LLC. "We're excited to provide our customers with access to more financial services and products. While we have a new name, our customers will continue to be served by the same team of insurance professionals and will continue to receive the superior level of service they have enjoyed throughout our valued partnership."

Serving customers primarily in Kansas and Missouri, JFK Consulting Group provides employee benefit brokerage and consulting services to a wide variety of customers, including small and mid-market fully-insured plans, large self-funded corporate plans, public sector employers, and association plans.

"Jess and JFK Consulting Group are well respected and their strong customer focus fits our business model," said Keith Burkhardt, regional managing director of Wells Fargo Insurance Services, Midwest region. "This will further support Wells Fargo Insurance Services' commitment to help our customers succeed financially."

"Our partnership with the JFK Consulting Group will help to strengthen our commitment to maintaining a strong presence in Kansas," said Kevin Kenny, executive vice president, insurance brokerage East. "We work with our local bankers to provide customers with fully integrated financial and insurance solutions for their businesses."

About Wells Fargo Insurance Services

Wells Fargo Insurance Services is the fifth largest insurance brokerage in the world and the largest bank-owned insurance brokerage in the U. S. (Business Insurance, 2009) with more than 200 offices in 37 states. Its 9,200 insurance professionals place more than $16 billion of risk premiums with experience in property, casualty, benefits, international, personal lines, and life products.

Wells Fargo Third Party Administrators and Wells Fargo Disability Management are ranked as the third largest multiline third party administrators that offer employee benefits, and property and casualty claims administration (Business Insurance). For more information about Wells Fargo Insurance Services, visit www.wellsfargo.com/wfis.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.2 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs, the Internet (wellsfargo.com and wachovia.com), and other distribution channels across North America and internationally. With more than 278,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in America. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked #19 on Fortune's 2009 rankings of America's largest corporations.

Are control pants for mums-to-be an insult to motherhood?(Features)

Byline: by Liz Hull

TRADITIONALLY, women have always been told to forget about their waistlines during pregnancy, and enjoy letting it all hang out, as they nurture the new life growing inside them.

But following the endorsement of several celebrity mothers-to-be, more and more are turning to tummy control pants to suck in their bumps and lumps while pregnant, provoking a furious debate about whether they are putting personal vanity before concern for their babies.

Sales of maternity tights and knickers, made by U.S. firm Spanx, have doubled in Britain over the past two years.

X Factor judge Dannii Minogue admitted wearing control underwear on the red carpet to firm up her behind when expecting her son, Ethan, while television presenter Tess Daly famously wrote about wearing the pants to help support her bump when pregnant with her second daughter, Amber.

Now, after successfully hiding her baby bump for six months, Amanda Holden has confessed that body-shaping pants played a large part in keeping her baby news from the world for so long.

Explaining that a previous miscarriage had made her reluctant to share her pregnancy with the public, she revealed at the weekend she had turned to a combination of clever layering, strategically-placed handbags and control underwear to keep her bump under wraps.

'No one guessed!' she said. 'Although a lot of my girlfriends confessed they'd thought I'd had a boob job when my chest got bigger! I was waiting for someone to write a piece in one of the newspapers saying I'd eaten a few too many mince pies over Christmas, but the Spanx have served me well.

'I've also been wearing fitted under-dresses. No one needs to worry -- I checked with my lovely doctors, who said my baby wouldn't be harmed.' The manufacturers admit their pants and tights won't give expectant women flat stomachs, but claim the can help 'cradle' their growing bumps and provide lower back support for those who are heavily pregnant.

However, critics remain sceptical on whether encouraging women to hold in their bums, tums and thighs when expecting is appropriate for either mother or baby.

Dame Lorna Muirhead, a trustee of mother and baby charity Baby Lifeline and former president of the Royal College of Midwives, said: 'Women should be thinking about their baby and not their body when they are expecting.

'These tights sound like the last bastion of vanity. Women should think about this and be proud of their bumps and not worried about holding them in.' Janet Fyle, professional policy adviser at the Royal College of Midwives, said: 'The uterus has an increased blood supply during pregnancy and it is therefore important that blood flow into and out of the uterus is not restricted or interrupted in any way.

'We do not have any evidence that these garments actually benefit the pregnant woman or whether they have a negative impact on her.

'If a woman has severe back problems or problems with her pelvis during pregnancy, it would be advisable to refer her for appropriate specialist advice to a women's health physiotherapist.' Priced between [pounds sterling]25 and [pounds sterling]28, Spanx offers two maternity products on sale in the UK -- the Mama Spanx full-length tights and Power Mama 'shaper' pants -- through several online retailers.

Justine Roberts, founder of Mumsnet.com, said: 'Wearing Spanx is a challenge at the best of times and certainly not something that is sensible during pregnancy -- trying to conceal a pregnancy bump is wishful thinking.

'Women need to be as comfortable as possible at a time when they are experiencing myriad ailments.

'They should not be made to feel that they need to cover up their bumps, they should be proud of the fact that they are doing an amazing job of growing another human being and show it off.' Pregnant women writing on the internet fashion forum Jezebel had mixed opinions on the tights and pants.

One user, calling herself Keldo, said: 'Women everywhere -- just say no to this ... being pregnant is the one time we can freely and guiltlessly embrace the hugeness that our mid-sections have become.

'There is a human being in there, so step off... these things look torturous.' However, another insisted: 'Support garments for pregnancy are nothing new. In fact, they've been around for centuries. They're for relieving things like varicose veins, backache, and so forth.

'These Spanx versions appear to also have the benefit of allowing a pregnant woman to wear dresses without fear of the dress clinging in uncomfortable places. This isn't horrifying or strange. It's just an old, very common, useful product reinvented by a newer company.' Sarah Charlesworth, sales director of Intimates Lingerie, the distributor of Spanx in the UK, said the maternity range was designed to support, rather than conceal a pregnant woman's growing bump.

'The Mama Spanx range is all about care and support, rather than aiming to shape or pull in a woman's bump,' she said.

'They have a smoothing effect on the thighs and provide support to the back and lumbar area.'

CAPTION(S):

Hiding the evidence (from left): Dannii Minogue, Tess Daly and Amanda Holden have all worn Spanx

Airgas Announces Third Quarter Earnings Release Schedule.(Financial report)

RADNOR, Pa. -- Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG) will release its fiscal 2011 third quarter earnings before the market opens on Friday, January 21, 2011, and will host a teleconference at 11:30 a.m. ET that same day. The presentation materials will also be available before the market opens on January 21 on the Internet at http://investor.shareholder.com/arg/slides.cfm. A webcast of the teleconference will be available live and on demand through February 22 at http://investor.shareholder.com/arg/events.cfm.

The teleconference will be available by calling 888-334-3034. A replay of the teleconference will be available through January 31. To listen, call 888-203-1112 and enter passcode 8406321.

About Airgas, Inc.

Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG), through its subsidiaries, is the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, and hardgoods, such as welding equipment and supplies. Airgas is also one of the largest U.S. distributors of safety products, the largest U.S. producer of nitrous oxide and dry ice, the largest liquid carbon dioxide producer in the Southeast, and a leading distributor of process chemicals, refrigerants, and ammonia products. More than 14,000 employees work in approximately 1,100 locations, including branches, retail stores, gas fill plants, specialty gas labs, production facilities and distribution centers. Airgas also distributes its products and services through eBusiness, catalog and telesales channels. Its national scale and strong local presence offer a competitive edge to its diversified customer base. For more information, please visit www.airgas.com.