European private equity firm Candover Partners Ltd. 13.8 percent stake in the company through a share placing. 2008-04-08 09:11:00 Iberia to prioritise Spanair bid over Vueling - report MADRID (Thomson Financial) - Iberia Lineas Aereas de Espana SA. Clickair and Vueling Airlines SA. Iberia's bid for SAS AB.' Spanair, El Economista reported, citing unnamed sources close to the process.

2008-04-08 09:10:02 Italy union leader welcomes Air France buying Alitalia after elections MILAN (Thomson Financial) - The secretary general of the CISL union, Rafaelle Bonanni, said he would welcome reaching after April 13 and 14's elections an agreement with Air France-KLM over its plan to take over the Italian flag carrier Alitalia SpA.

2008-04-08 09:09:10 Deutsche Bank's RREEF sells Chicago office building to Hines for $540 million FRANKFURT (Thomson Financial) - Deutsche Bank AG.' RREEF said it sold an office building in Chicago for $540 million to U.S.- Hines. 2008-04-08 09:07:57 Radiant Systems buys Hospitality EPoS Systems in UK LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Radiant Systems Inc., Hospitality EPoS Systems, a technology supplier to the UK hospitality market for more than 16 years, for an undisclosed sum.

2008-04-08 08:51:08 News Corp.' Fox takes majority stake in online video network utarget LONDON (Thomson Financial) -.

2008-04-08 08:06:27 BNP Paribas CEO says volatility in financial markets unprecedented HONG KONG (Thomson Financial) - The world's financial markets remain exceptionally volatile because of the subprime credit crisis, the chief executive of BNP Paribas, Baudouin Prot, said in Hong Kong Tuesday.

2008-04-08 07:54:43 Wellington to keep buying shares in Rhodia, will not seek control or board seats PARIS (Thomson Financial) - U.S. Wellington Management Co LLP has told French financial market regulator AMF that it plans to keep buying shares in Rhodia on behalf of clients, but it will not seek control of the chemicals group or insist on board representation, AMF said.

2008-04-08 07:52:52 MAN aims to become global leader in big diesel engine segment - CEO FRANKFURT (Thomson Financial) - MAN AG. Hakan Samuelsson told Sueddeutsche Zeitung in an interview.

2008-04-08 07:52:24 Italy's CISL union leader welcomes Air France buying Alitalia after elections MILAN (Thomson Financial) - The secretary general of the CISL union, Rafaelle Bonanni, said he would welcome reaching after April 13 and 14's elections an agreement with Air France-KLM over its plan to take over the Italian flag carrier Alitalia SpA.

2008-04-08 07:50:43 Novartis not planning to sell Roche stake to raise funds - CEO FRANKFURT (Thomson Financial) - Novartis AG. 33 percent stake in Roche Holdings AG. Daniel Vasella told Financial Times Deutschland in an interview.

2008-04-08 07:47:25 EDP business plan to 2012 may include sale of Sonaecom, BCP stakes - CFO LISBON (Thomson Financial) - EDP - Energias de Portugal, SA's new business plan to 2012, due to be presented in October, may include the sale of its stakes in Sonaecom - SGPS, SA and Banco Comercial Portugues SA, Diario Economico reported citing EDP chief financial officer Nuno Alves.

2008-04-08 07:09:36 Sabadell funds acquire Barcelona hospital for 111.5 mln eur MADRID (Thomson Financial) - Banco Sabadell SA. Quiron hospital in Barcelona from Grupo Quiron for 111.5 million euros.

2008-04-08 07:01:23 Oberthur holds 97.7 pct of XPoncard after offer PARIS (Thomson Financial) - Oberthur Technologies said it holds 97.7 percent of XPoncard Group AB following its recommended 704 million Swedish crowns offer at 157 crowns in cash per share, which it launched on February 4.

2008-04-08 07:00:28 Global Telecoms M&A 2007 down 44 pct but PWC expects rise in Africa Middle East LONDON (Thomson Financial) - The telecommunication industry in Africa and the Middle East is poised for increasing levels of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) but globally, deal value and volumes in the sector have declined by 44 called "M&A Insights: Telecoms Sector". 2008-04-08 06:54:01 India's Opto Circuits buys majority stake in U.S.- Criticare Systems MUMBAI (Thomson Financial) - Medical devices company Opto Circuits India Ltd. U.S.-

Rusal to take a 25 percent stake in OAO Norilsk Nickel has hit a last-minute snag that could sabotage Rusal's hopes of a full takeover, people close to the talks told the Wall Street Journal. 2008-04-08 06:31:30 IBM to buy ProSiebenSat.1's IT unit after failed sale of production ops - report FRANKFURT (Thomson Financial) - International Business Machines Corp. ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG.'

IT unit and will make an announcement to that effect before the end of this week, Handelsblatt reported, citing company sources. 2008-04-08 06:21:50 Oetker's Hamburg-Sued shipowner not interested in buying TUI's Hapag-Lloyd FRANKFURT (Thomson Financial) - German retailer Oetker Group's shipowner Hamburg-Sued is not interested in buying TUI AG.'

Hapag-Lloyd, a spokesman for Hamburg-Sued told Die Welt newspaper, denying recent speculation. 2008-04-08 06:00:48 EADS says looking to U.S. PARIS (Thomson Financial) - Louis Gallois, chief executive of European aerospace giant EADS, said Monday the company would look to United States for acquisitions and other opportunities throughout the Americas.

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To this end, the company has recently inked a development agreement with California Pizza Kitchen, Inc.

In his comments, Sami Daud, Chief Executive Officer of Gourmet Gulf Company, said: 'The launch of California Pizza Kitchen is a significant milestone for Gourmet Gulf Company and a pivotal step forward in enhancing our brand portfolio of casual dining restaurants.

Opportunities in the F&B realm remain robust; driven by an increasing population that is diverse and in seek of dining varieties and options. Antonio Bautista, President of Gourmet Gulf Company adds: 'We have singled out California Pizza Kitchen because it is well established with a best-in-class operational model that allows us to confidently introduce the brand in the region.'

Rick Rosenfield, co-founder and co-CEO of California Pizza Kitchen, said: 'With a vibrant economy and impressive GDP growth year-on-year, the UAE is a natural choice for our strategic growth plan.'

Larry Flax, co-founder and co-CEO of California Pizza Kitchen, added: 'This agreement allows us to bring our California-style pizzas to a new audience not only the UAE, but to people from all over the Gulf and Middle East.' Headquartered in Dubai, Gourmet Gulf Company is a regional restaurant holding group that owns and manages concept brands bearing the hallmark values of superior quality food and memorable dining experiences.

Its brand portfolio includes YO! Sushi, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Morelli's Gelato, and now California Pizza Kitchen. The group is led by its 'founder and CEO' Sami Daud, and Antonio Bautista, the 'President and COO'. California Pizza Kitchen, Inc., 1985, is a leading casual dining chain that is home of the original BBQ Chicken Pizza and innovative hearth-baked pizzas.

The brand has made successful forays in China, Japan, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Mexico, South Korea and Indonesia. Of its 234 restaurants, 198 are company-owned and 36 operate under franchise or license agreements. The company currently manages YO! Sushi, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, and Morelli's Gelato. Gourmet Gulf Company is dedicated to establishing premium, best-in-class casual dining restaurant brands and cutting edge concepts from across the globe to regional markets.

The team comprises highly qualified, senior operators and is designed to cater for massive growth and simultaneous operations across the region and beyond. About California Pizza Kitchen California Pizza Kitchen, Inc., 1985, is a leading casual dining chain. Of the chain's 234 restaurants, 198 are company-owned and 36 operate under franchise or license agreements. There are currently 19 restaurants located internationally in China, Japan, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Mexico, South Korea and Indonesia.

There are 25 CPK ASAP locations, 9 of which are company-owned and 16 are franchised. Also included in the company's portfolio of concepts is LA Food Show Grill & Bar, which currently has one location in Manhattan Beach, California.

The company's full-service restaurants feature an imaginative line of hearth-baked pizzas, including the original BBQ Chicken Pizza, and a broad selection of distinctive pastas, salads, soups, appetizers and sandwiches. The company also has a licensing arrangement with Kraft Pizza Company, which manufactures and distributes a line of California Pizza Kitchen premium frozen pizzas.

Children who dine at California Pizza Kitchen choose from an extensive menu, recently named 'The Best Kids Menu in America' by Restaurant Hospitality Magazine. For further information, please contact: Ahmed Sadek Director of Sales and Marketing Tel: +971 4 393 2646 Hanieh Shekarriz Account Executive, BPG Public Relations Phone: +971 (4) 295 3456 Ext.

153 Mob: +971 (50) 538 2136 Posted by Medilyn Manibo, Assistant News Editor Tuesday, April 08 - 2008 at 15:28 UAE local time (GMT+4) Replication or redistribution in whole or in part is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AME Info FZ LLC Emap Communications.

The companies concerned may use the above content on their respective web sites provided they link back to http: www.ameinfo.com Any opinions, advice, statements, offers or other information expressed in this section of the AME Info Web site are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of AME Info FZ LLC Emap Communications.

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But Bryant vows, 'We'll be ready.' Phil Jackson saw the questions coming a mile away, so he playfully nipped reporters in the bud Monday when they asked about the Lakers' woes at the Rose Garden. Don't write about that," Jackson said. Jackson wasn't in the mood. A dreary, rainy afternoon matched the Lakers' recent history in Portland, where they have lost five consecutive games and 11 of their past 13 as they prepare for Tuesday night's game. The Lakers have won 12 of 14 against the Trail Blazers at Staples Center but last won in the Rose Garden on Feb.

23, 2005. So what gives? The athleticism," the Lakers' Kobe Bryant said. That's always the big thing. They're just so athletic and quick. That's always been a problem for us." A victory tonight would bring the Lakers closer to their first Pacific Division title since 2004, when Shaquille O'Neal was their center. They are two games ahead of Phoenix with five games remaining. They are also shooting for the top seed in the Western Conference.

After tonight they won't have to leave Staples Center for the rest of the regular season with games against the Clippers, New Orleans, San Antonio and Sacramento. They will try to close the 1 1 2-game deficit against current top seed New Orleans and tune up for the postseason. Sunday's victory against Sacramento was continued progress. It's all about execution and playing basketball the right way and getting productivity from 12 guys," Lamar Odom said. We have the team to do that."

Bryant said that some of their troubles in Portland are related to having to play on the second game of a back-to-back sequence. Bryant was reminded that won't be the case tonight. Said Bryant with a laugh, "We'll be ready." KOBE AGAINST RULE Bryant was asked about recent chatter that the NBA will raise its minimum age to 20 when the collective bargaining agreement ends in 2011.

He doesn't necessarily think it's detrimental, but he is against a rule that would take away the option for a young player to come out early like he did. It's a choice," Bryant said. I think they should definitely have the options and have their choice if they want to do it on their own." Bryant also pointed out that not all players enjoy the successful path that he's had.

He said of the rule, "It can't hurt. It's not something where I think it's going to hurt guys." NOTES Luke Walton did not practice and is doubtful because of a strained hamstring, Jackson said.. Andrew Bynum was seen doing one-on-one work with Chris Mihm. Jackson said Bynum was running better and left open the possibility of Bynum practicing full court with the team soon. At the end of the week, we'll see what it looks like," Jackson said.

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We are in discussions with other potential partners that include foreign players as well.. However, we have not finalised any of them (partners) yet," BoM's Chairman and Managing Director M D Mallya said. BoM already has agreements with the Life Insurance Corp and United India Insurance for the distribution of insurance products.

Besides, it has also entered into a tie-up with Export Credit Guarantee Corp to distribute latter's export credit insurance products. Mallya said the bank decided to opt out of the insurance JV after it failed to reach certain agreements. There were no formal agreements signed so far..

We were discussing this option (to exit) and now decided to opt out as we could not agree certain terms," Mallya said. BoM had announced its intention to form a JV with the two firms last year and said it would hold per cent stake in the JV while Chennai-based firm, Shriram would hold a majority stake of 9 per cent and Sanlam of South Africa per cent.

A host of public-sector lenders such as Bank of India and Syndicate Bank are also on the lookout for 'suitable' partners to foray into Mutual Funds and Insurance business and is expected to come up with announcements this year.

Mallya also said the bank has targeted a total business of Rs 90,000 crore by fiscal from the current Rs 7, 00 crore as on March, 008. The bank achieved a growth of per cent in last fiscal with the total business growing to Rs 7, 00 crore from Rs 7, 00 crore a year-ago. This momentum is expected to be maintained in current fiscal as well," he said.

BoM has a total deposit-base of Rs, 000 crore as on March, while advances stood at Rs 9, 00 crore. The bank also plans to add about 0 branches this year to its current network of, 7 branches which would further strength its distribution network, Mallya said. We have branch licences, which would be utilised by September this year.

Opening of another 7 branches are also on cards in this fiscal," Mallya said The bank has identified retail business and enhancing the fee-based income as the key-focus areas in this fiscal, Mallya said, adding, "an equal importance would be given to the customer acquisition process as well."

Fee-based income contributed about per cent to the bank's total revenue in last fiscal while Current and Savings Accounts contributed about. 7 per cent, Mallya said. BoM, presently, has a customer-base of. Mallya said.

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The gift is through its Holiday of Hope Gift Bank. The gift bank is sponsored by Mylan Pharmaceuticals of Morgantown and Wal-Mart in Nitro. A kick-off celebration will be at the hospital at 2 p.m. Friday. The new toys and games will be given out to the children during the party and all of the leftover toys will be distributed throughout the year to children coming in to CAMC for medical treatment.

For more information on Kids Wish Network's programs and upcoming events, visit the organization's Web site at www.kidswishnetwork.org. Kids Wish Network, a national charity, has provided toys with an estimated retail value of more than $60,000 to Charleston Area Medical Center.

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