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9 June 2013 Last updated at 19:45 ET

Scotland has lost five of its acclaimed Blue Flag beaches in the latest round of awards by Keep Scotland Beautiful.

The environmental charity said those applying had to meet an even stricter global water quality standard.

The three remaining Blue Flag beaches were Aberdour Silver Sands, Burntisland and Elie Ruby Bay, all in Fife.

We know that beach users, whether they are local or visitors from near or far, want to enjoy clean beaches

Those losing out on the internationally recognised award were Coldingham, Broughty Ferry, Kinghorn (Pettycur), Elie Harbour and Leven.

Along with the Blue Flags, a list of Seaside Awards mean 59 beaches in total were recognised for excellent litter management, safety procedures and water quality.

The other commended beaches range from Loch Morlich and Portmahomack in the Highlands, to Montrose Seafront, Portobello and North Berwick.

Derek Robertson, chief executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Our new Clean Up Scotland campaign aims to engage with individuals and communities who love their beaches, encouraging them to organise clean-up events of their own.

“Already, almost 100 beaches have held community clean-ups this year as part of the campaign, including many of the award beaches.

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Drop in Scottish Blue Flag beaches

Speaking at the banks annual shareholder meeting, Mr Flint revealed that the use of offshore tax havens was being reviewed in light of increased public scrutiny of the issue. He conceded that the use of these financial centres had got a bad name.

Given that it started getting a flavour to it, we need to reflect very carefully and scrutinise anything were involved with, anything that our customers are involved with, and decide whether that is appropriate going forward, he said.

More than 50 businesses have been offloaded by HSBC since Stuart Gulliver took over as chief executive in 2011 and launched a restructuring programme.

The banks confirmation that it is reviewing its use of tax havens follows a similar move by Lloyds Banking Group, which revealed at its shareholder meeting earlier this month that it would be shutting down several subsidiaries based in offshore jurisdictions for tax purposes.

Barclays has already closed down its highly-lucrative structured capital markets business, which advised the banks wealthiest clients on how to minimise their tax bills.

The moves come amid an increased crackdown by Western governments on tax avoidance by the rich.

Britain, the US and Germany have all used tax records acquired from whistleblowers to go after the assets of wealthy citizens who have avoided local taxes.

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HSBC to cut use of tax havens as chairman Douglas Flint says they have 'bad name'

BOTHELL, Wash., May 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ –BioLife Solutions, Inc. (BLFS), a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of proprietary clinical grade hypothermic storage and cryopreservation freeze media for cells and tissues, and contract aseptic media manufacturer, today announced its participation at the Terrapinn World Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Congress 2013 this week in London.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090814/BIOLIFELOGO)

Dr. Aby J. Mathew, BioLife’s Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, will make a presentation titled “Critical Stability and Biopreservation Considerations for Manufacturing, Storage and Clinical Delivery of Cell and Tissue Products,” to the audience of executives and product development managers of commercial regenerative medicine companies. The presentation outlines the risk to clinical and commercial success of cell and tissue products due to stability limitations from the use of non-optimized storage, transport and cryopreservation freeze media. Comparative data illustrating the superior preservation efficacy of BioLife’s HypoThermosol storage and shipping media, and CryoStor cryopreservation freeze media will be presented on relevant cell and tissue types.

Mike Rice, Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We continue to build traction in the high growth regenerative medicine market, and estimate that more than 65 percent of the presenting companies at this conference have adopted our best in class, clinical grade biopreservation media products. A key value-added service we provide, which directly translates into expanded product adoption, is the high quality consulting our team offers to prospective and current customers. Biopreservation outcomes such as cell and tissue shelf life, viability and recovery can greatly impact commercial potential. The combination of the efficacy and quality of our proprietary platform technology, along with our expert technical consulting services, is now recognized and highly valued in the development and commercialization of regenerative medicine products and therapies.”

The regenerative medicine market is expected to grow to more than $35 billion by 2019, according to TriMark Publications’ recently published “Regenerative MedicineMarkets” report. BioLife’s addressable portion of the market is the demand for reagents used to store, ship and freeze source material and manufactured doses of cell-based products and therapies.

For a list of upcoming events, please visit http://biolifesolutions.com/cell-therapy/category/events/.

About BioLife Solutions

BioLife Solutions develops, manufactures and markets patented hypothermic storage and cryopreservation solutions for cells and tissues. The Company’s proprietary HypoThermosol and CryoStor platform of solutions are highly valued in the biobanking, drug discovery, and regenerative medicine markets. BioLife’s products are serum-free and protein-free, fully defined, and are formulated to reduce biopreservation-induced cell damage and death. BioLife’s enabling technology provides academic and clinical researchers, and commercial companies significant improvements in post-thaw cell, tissue, and organ viability and function. For more information please visit www.biolifesolutions.com, and follow BioLife on Twitter.

This news release contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include any statements that relate to the intent, belief, plans or expectations of the Company or its management, or that are not a statement of historical fact. Any forward-looking statements in this news release are based on current expectations and beliefs and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Some of the specific factors that could cause BioLife Solutions’ actual results to differ materially are discussed in the Company’s recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. BioLife Solutions disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release.

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BioLife Solutions Announces Presentation at 8th World Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Congress

By Kevin Werner, News Staff

Any plans that California-based Liberty Energy had to establish an alternative energy facility in Hamilton are now on some forgotten shelf collecting dust.

After spending eight years and about $12 million to get city and provincial approval to use biomass materials to produce an alternative energy source for the city, Chief Executive Officer Wilson Nolan is in California now assisting Liberty Energy in operating a renewable bio-energy production facility in Lost Hills, 42 miles west-northwest of Bakersfield. Liberty Energy is owned by McCarthy Farms of Bakersfield.

I spent a lot of time inHamilton, said Nolan, during a recent telephone interview from California. I sure did put in a lot of time there. Its still a good place. I like the community, and there are a lot of wonderful people there.

Liberty Energy recalled Nolan from his Hamilton posting soon after council decided in February to eliminate the companys proposed Strathearne Avenue North gasification site from the citys public private partnership funding request to the federal government.

That decision ended Liberty Energys idea to build what was called a biosolids incineration plant in the industrial heartland of the city after enduring nearly eight years of jumping through environmental and bureaucratic hoops.

I thought Hamilton would be an excellent place (for an energy-from-waste plant), he said.

In 2009 Nolan presented to council an unsolicited proposal for a $110-million plant on Strathearne Avenue North. Since 2004, Nolan had become as ubiquitous a personality within the Hamilton community as one of its politicians, as he attempted to sell the community, and city hall, on the prospect of converting sewage sludge and other biomass products, such as grass clippings, and wood shavings into electricity through a low emission gasification process. The company hired former Progressive Conservative MPP Trevor Pettit to represent the company, conduct a community outreach program, and help it through the various governments bureaucratic briar patches.

The proposal would eventually, according to Liberty Energy, create about 10 mega-watts of energy to power 8,000 homes. The residue 70,000-tonnes of ash would also be used in other material such as mixing with cement. Liberty Energy officials stated.

But the great benefit, Liberty Energy officials argued, would be the elimination of the many trucks that transport the citys sludge across the area to dump the material onto farm land.

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Liberty Energy leaves Hamilton with regret

Pat OBrien: chief executive of Liberty Insurance Ireland. Were expecting to be more or less break-even from an underwriting perspective and then it depends what happens on the investment side. The intention is to reach break even this year and then move into profitability in 2014.

Liberty Insurance made a profit of 16 million in 2012, its first full year of trading after Sen Quinns former insurance business was taken over by the Boston-based company and Irish Bank Resolution Corporation.

This was in spite of an underwriting loss of about 20 million last year and a decline of about 10 million in revenues to 180 million.

Last year was a challenge, said Patrick OBrien, chief executive of Liberty Insurance in Ireland. He said the profit was the result of 35 million in unrealised gains from its investment portfolio, largely due a strong performance from Government bonds.

Portfolio chunk We took a decision when we took on the company that, given the Irish State was a key stakeholder [through IBRC], we would invest a fair chunk of the portfolio in Irish Government bonds, Mr OBrien said.

We had strong unrealised gains in our investment portfolio [last year] as a result of an improvement in sentiment towards Ireland.

He said the firm invested about 200 million in Irish sovereign bonds, some of which carry a coupon of 10 per cent. The reduction in core business was down to two factors.

The industry as a whole contracted, premiums were down about 5 or 6 per cent year on year. Part of that was due to external factors around the economy and fewer people driving. Part of it was due to a little bit of weakening on the rates side.

Were expecting to be more or less break-even from an underwriting perspective and then it depends what happens on the investment side.

The intention is to reach break even this year and them move into profitability in 2014, he said.

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Liberty Insurance made profits of €16 million in Ireland last year due to investment gains

An ex-Wellington Free Ambulance vehicle, destined for the Solomon Islands, is officially being handed over to the Hutt Valley Rotary tomorrow.

The 1990 Chevrolet ambulance has been bought from WFA by Rotary.

The ambulance has been refitted for duty in the Solomon Islands and has been sign written, Solomon Islands Ambulance.

Wellington Free Ambulance will also send a paramedic to the Solomons to give locals both driving and paramedic training.

On Tuesday 14th of May at 4 p.m. the ambulance will officially be handed over from WFAs chief executive, Diana Crossan, to Hutt Valley Rotary, at WFAs headquarters in Thorndon.

The presentation will also be attended by the New Zealand Defence Force, which will transport the ambulance to the Solomons, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Ambulance destined for Solomon Islands

GREAT NECK, NY–(Marketwired – May 8, 2013) – – One Liberty Properties, Inc. (NYSE: OLP)

One Liberty Properties, Inc. (NYSE: OLP), an owner of a geographically diversified portfolio of retail, industrial, health and fitness, office, flex and other properties primarily under long term net leases in the United States, today announced operating results for thequarter ended March 31, 2013.

Patrick J. Callan, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of One Liberty stated, “One Liberty began 2013 by executing and achieving progress towards the goal of selective and accretive growth.With overall double digit percentage increases from the first quarter of 2012 in rental income, income from continuing operations and funds from operations, we continue to protect and increase stockholder value while prudently pursuing growth opportunities.”

Operating Results:

Rental income for the first quarter of 2013 increased $1.34 million, or 12.5%, to $12.1 million from $10.76 million for the first quarter of 2012.The increase is due substantially to the twelve properties acquired since February 2012.

Total operating expenses for the first quarter of 2013 increased to $5.67 million from $4.98 million for the first quarter in the prior year.Approximately $586,000 of the increase is due to increased depreciation, real estate and real estate acquisition expense resulting primarily from properties acquired in 2012 or 2013 and the balance is due to increased general and administrative expense.

Net income attributable to One Liberty in the first quarter of 2013 was $3.45 million or $0.22 per diluted share compared to $3.22 million or $0.21 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2012.Included in the 2012 results are $264,000 or $.01 per share of income from discontinued operations.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2013, the Company reported Funds from Operations (“FFO”) of $6.34 million, a 13.8% increase from the $5.57 million reported in the first quarter of 2012.FFO was $0.42 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2013 compared to $0.38 per diluted share in the corresponding period of the prior year. A reconciliation of FFO to net income as presented in accordance with GAAP is provided with the financial information included later in this release.

The per share net income and FFO results for the three months ended March 31, 2013 were impacted by the increase in the weighted average number of shares outstanding which increased due to share issuances under One Liberty’s equity incentive, dividend reinvestment and at the market equity offering programs.

Balance Sheet:

More here:
One Liberty Properties, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2013 Results

BIRKIRKARA, Malta, April 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — The deVere Group Caymans Ltd will mark the company’s first office in the Caribbean and will be headed by Chief Executive Officer Mr Nigel Green and long-time deVere Executive, Mr Simon Pratt.

The deVere Group Cayman Islands presence is expected to be established on West Bay Road in Grand Cayman – in the heart of the Cayman Islands’ financial industry.

The deVere Group Caymans Ltd will specialise in Insurance Brokerage, whilst delivering yet another promise to its clientele to be wherever they choose to live around the world.

Nigel Green expects the ‘final touches’ to be finalised shortly, as the company is looking to obtain the operating licence in the coming weeks.

“Until now, despite the Cayman Islands’ attraction as a tax haven for wealthy individuals, few financial advisers have sought to base themselves in the British territory. For this reason, we believe that this venture will help us bridge the gap in the market, whilst keeping in line with the company’s growth objectives.”

The deVere Group is the world’s largest independent international financial consultancy. International investors and expatriates employ us to find financial services products that suit their medium to long term requirements for investments, savings and pensions. With in excess of US$9 billion of funds under administration and management, deVere has more than 70,000 clients in over 100 countries. Our independence and ability to offer financial products that are tailor-made to fit an individual’s needs are behind our success.

www.devere-group.com

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.

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The deVere Group Ventures into the Cayman Islands

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwired – Apr 16, 2013) – PNI Digital Media (PN.TO)(PNDMF), (“PNI” or the “Company”), the leading innovator in online and in-store digital media solutions for retailers, announced it has signed a definitive agreement with Alphagraphics of the Palm Beaches, a multi-location Alphagraphics franchisee serving Palm Beach county in south Florida.

Launching in mid-2013, Alphagraphics of the Palm Beaches will use the PNI Digital Media Platform to offer its customers an all-new online business printing service that directly connects to its in-store printing capabilities. AlphaGraphics customers will be able to easily upload, edit, create and order business cards, brochures, flyers, multi-page documents, posters, postcards and much more to help promote their respective small businesses. The service will offer template content to easily create marketing and communication materials. Orders submitted online will be ready for pick up or delivery in as little as same-day.

“This is the first roll out of our newly extended PNI Digital Media Platform,” said Kyle Hall, Chief Executive Officer of PNI Digital Media. “Using proven technology from our recent acquisition of Quarterhouse Software, PNI can now quickly and effectively reach and roll out new online business printing sites and services to an even wider base of retailers and franchisees.”

The new online business printing service with AlphaGraphics of the Palm Beaches is expected to launch in mid-2013.

About PNI Digital Media – PNI Digital Media operates the PNI Digital Media Platform, which provides transaction processing and order routing services for major retailers. The PNI Digital Media Platform connects consumer-ordered digital content, whether from online, in-store kiosks, desktop software or mobile phones, with retailers that have on-demand manufacturing capabilities for the production of personalized products such as photos, photo books, photo calendars, business cards and stationery. PNI Digital Media successfully generates millions of transactions each year for retailers and their thousands of locations worldwide.

Further information on our company can be found at www.pnimedia.com.

About AlphaGraphics – AlphaGraphics, Inc. plans, produces and manages visual communications for a wide variety of clients at nearly 300 franchise business centers worldwide. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah and founded in 1970, the AlphaGraphics network continues to be at the forefront of the printing franchise industry and today offers customers the full complement of services ranging from web design, mobile and email marketing to branding, graphic design and color printing. Backed by state-of-the-art technology, the world’s highest quality standards and a global network, the company’s trained and experienced team members are committed to delivering creative solutions that enable customers to increase their reach. For more, visit www.alphagraphics.com.

The statements that are not historical facts contained in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. PNI Digital Media’s actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, changes in technology, employee retention, inability to deliver on contracts, failure of customers to continue marketing the online solution, competition, general economic conditions, foreign exchange and other risks detailed in the Company’s annual report and other filings. Additional information related to the Company can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the SEC’S website at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. PNI Digital Media shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.

The TSX has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained in this release. PNI Digital Media relies upon litigation protection for “forward-looking” statements.

PNI Digital Media is a trademark of PNI Digital Media Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

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PNI Digital Media and AlphaGraphics of the Palm Beaches Sign Agreement for New Business Printing Website

THE WOODLANDS, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

Opexa Therapeutics, Inc. (OPXA), a biotechnology company developing Tcelna, a novel T-cell therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS), today announced that Neil K. Warma, President and Chief Executive Officer, will present at The Second International Vatican Adult Stem Cell Conference: Regenerative Medicine A Fundamental Shift in Science & Culture, taking place from within The Vatican, April 11-13, 2013.

The conference is part of a five-year collaboration between The Stem for Life Foundation, a not-for-profit organization devoted to raising global awareness of the therapeutic potential of adult stem cells, NeoStem, a leader in the emerging cellular therapy industry and The Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Culture and its foundation, called STOQ International (Science, Theology and the Ontological Quest). Among the conference goals are to raise awareness of existing therapies, reduce misperceptions surrounding the field of cellular research and to foster dialogue among researchers, physicians, philanthropists, faith leaders and policy makers to identify unmet medical needs that can benefit from the development of cell therapies.

Opexa is proud to be a part of this international forum designed to highlight the important contributions made by the cell therapy industry to date and to increase awareness of cellular research and the potential of cell therapies to address unmet medical needs, commented Neil K. Warma, President and Chief Executive Officer of Opexa.

Opexa will be included in a special luncheon, Living with Multiple Sclerosis, featuring Meredith Vieira from NBC news and Richard M. Cohen, journalist and husband of Ms. Vieira.

About Tcelna

Tcelna is a personalized therapy that is specifically tailored to each patient’s disease profile. Tcelna is manufactured using ImmPath, Opexa’s proprietary method for the production of a patient-specific T-cell immunotherapy, which encompasses the collection of blood from the MS patient, isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, generation of an autologous pool of myelin-reactive T-cells (MRTCs) raised against selected peptides from myelin basic protein (MBP), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) and proteolipid protein (PLP), and the return of these expanded, attenuated T-cells back to the patient. These attenuated T-cells are reintroduced into the patient via subcutaneous injection to trigger a therapeutic immune system response. Opexa believes the potential combination of efficacy, superior safety, excellent tolerability and administration may position Tcelna as the MS treatment of choice as compared to existing therapeutics.

About Opexa

Opexa is dedicated to the development of patient-specific cellular therapies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as MS. The Companys leading therapy candidate, Tcelna, is a personalized cellular immunotherapy that is in Phase IIb clinical development for MS. Tcelna is derived from T-cells isolated from peripheral blood, expanded ex vivo, and reintroduced into the patients via subcutaneous injections. This process triggers a potent immune response against specific subsets of autoreactive T-cells known to attack myelin.

For more information visit the Opexa Therapeutics website at www.opexatherapeutics.com.

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Opexa Therapeutics to Present at the Regenerative Medicine – A Fundamental Shift in Science & Culture Conference

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Live Nation Entertainment has appointed Liberty Media Corp. President and CEO Greg Maffei to its board of directors. The concert promoter and ticketing company said Maffei brings years of experience and business acumen that will help it grow in the coming years.

Live Nation, based in Los Angeles, owns ticketmaster.com, Live Nation Concerts, Artist Nation and Live Nation Network.

The company said late Thursday that it is appointing Maffei as the non-executive chairman of its board. He has served on the Live Nation board since February of 2011. Maffei joined Liberty Media as CEO-elect in 2005 and became CEO in 2006. He has also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Interactive since 2007.

Liberty Media, the holding company controlled by billionaire John Malone, has an estimated 27 percent stake in Live Nation.

Shares of Live Nation increased 19 cents, or nearly 2 percent, to $12.07 by midday Friday amid a small drop in the broader market.

Continue reading here:
Live Nation adds Liberty CEO Maffei to board

GREAT NECK, NY–(Marketwire – Mar 14, 2013) – One Liberty Properties, Inc. ( NYSE : OLP )

One Liberty Properties, Inc. ( NYSE : OLP ), an owner of a geographically diversified portfolio of retail, industrial, health and fitness, office and other properties primarily under long term leases in the United States, today announced operating results for thequarter and year ended December 31, 2012.

“The Company continued to execute effectively on its pursuit of selective and accretive growth in 2012,” commented Patrick J. Callan, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of One Liberty. “With 17 properties acquired the past two years combined with the profitable sales of non-core assets, we continue to enhance our real estate portfolio. These efforts resulted in a recent increase in our dividend.Over the last two years, the Company has reduced its credit line interest rate floor significantly and it enters 2013 at a rate of 4.75%.As we look ahead, we are continuing to pursue opportunities that will increase the value of the Company, but will remain disciplined and selective in our approach as we seek to both protect and increase stockholder value.”

Fourth Quarter Operating Results:

Total rental revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2012 increased $690,000 or 6.3% to $11.56 million, from $10.87 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011.Rental revenues benefited from the contribution of One Liberty’s 2012 and 2011 acquisitions.

Net income attributable to One Liberty was $4.93 million or $0.33 per fully diluted share, an increase of 59.5% from $3.09 million or $0.21 per fully diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2011. The increase is attributable to $2.28 million or $0.16 per fully diluted share of income from discontinued operations related primarily to gains from strategic dispositions of properties acquired at favorable prices.Income from continuing operations in the fourth quarter of 2012 was $2.63 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, compared to $2.83 million, or $0.19 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2011.The change is due primarily to higher real estate acquisition costs and federal excise and state taxes incurred in the current quarter.

One Liberty generated Funds from Operations (“FFO”) of $5.84 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2012, as compared to $5.71 million or $0.39 per diluted share in the corresponding period of 2011.A reconciliation of GAAP amounts to non-GAAP amounts is presented with the financial information included in this release.

The per share results for the three months ended December 31, 2012 were impacted by the increase in the weighted average number of shares outstanding which increased due to share issuances under One Liberty’s equity incentive, at the market equity offering and dividend reinvestment programs.

Full Year 2012 Operating Results:

Total rental revenues increased 7.0% to $44.75 million compared to $41.81 million for 2011.Rental revenues increased due to the impact of acquisitions in 2012 and 2011.

Continue reading here:
One Liberty Properties, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2012 Results

Massachusetts insurance giants Liberty Mutual and MassMutual both gave their top executives significantly bigger pay packages last year as the companies continued to grow, the companies reported this week.

Liberty Mutual chief executive David H. Long received $8.9 million in total compensation, including $1 million salary, $3.6 million bonus, and millions more in phantom stock awards and other compensation. Thats up 29 percent from 2011, when he served as chief executive for only part of the year.

The Boston insurance companys profits more than doubled last year to $829 million, despite recording $886 million in pre-tax losses due to Hurricane Sandy, the company reported in year-end earnings Friday. Liberty Mutual, best known for its auto and home insurance, received nearly 100,000 claims from the storm, pushing the company into the red for the fourth quarter.

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. chief executive Roger Crandall earned $11.3 million last year, up 20 percent from 2011, as the company reported stronger profits. His total compensation included nearly $1 million salary and a $3.4 million bonus (more than double his 2011 incentive), plus phantom stock awards and other compensation. Private companies use phantom stock programs to mimic stock and options at publicly traded companies to reward executives who make the company more valuable.

Both companies reported the compensation on their websites this week to comply with new state rules requiring mutual insurers, which are owned by their policyholders rather than shareholders, to disclose how much they paid their top executives and directors either by mailing the information to policyholders or posting the data online. State lawmakers and regulators enacted the new rules last year after the Globe reported that former Liberty Mutual chief executive Edmund F. Ted Kelly had received roughly $200 million from the company over four years, making him one of the highest paid executives in the country.

The payments were particularly controversial because Liberty Mutual is mutually owned for the benefit of its policyholders, so critics said the money should have gone back to members or been invested back into the business. Liberty Mutual defended the pay at the time, saying the figures were misleading because Kelly cashed in phantom stock awards that he had accumulated over more than a decade.

Executives also credited Kelly with helping to build the company into Bostons only Fortune 100 firm, making the awards worth more.

The company also reported Friday that Kelly, the former top executive who stepped down in 2011, received $422,636 for his service as chairman of the board last year. Other company directors received pay ranging from about $134,000 to $279,000. Meanwhile, MassMutual said it paid all five of its top executives more last year, mostly because of higher incentive awards. Three executives received increases ranging from 33 percent to 45 percent.

But the company also pointed out it enjoyed a strong year. The companys revenue climbed 36 percent to $19.7 billion, while earnings rose 90 percent to $872 million. The company ended the year with a surplus (one measure of financial strength) of $12.7 billion, up 11 percent.

Company spokesman Mark Cybulski said the companys compensation is designed to help attract and retain talented executives and is determined by the board based on company performance, individual performance, industry practices, and other factors.

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Liberty Mutual and MassMutual CEOs won pay boosts last year

Feb 27 (Reuters) – Liberty Media Corp, the media holding company controlled by John Malone, said on Wednesday its quarterly revenue fell by more than half in the fourth quarter.

Liberty, which owns a stake in several companies, said in a statement the decrease in revenue was related to a one-time recognition of deferred revenue at one of its businesses, called TruePosition, a year ago. TruePosition is a location technology company that Liberty owns.

Liberty has been tweaking its portfolio in recent months. In January, it became the majority owner of Sirius XM after regulators approved its takeover. Liberty also spun off the premium TV channel Starz in January and has increased its stake in concert promoter Live Nation to about 27 percent.

Liberty Media Chief Executive Greg Maffei said in a statement that it was pleased in the growth of ticket sales at Live Nation in 2013 as well as the publisher’s Pearson (NYSE: PSO – news) ‘s investment in Nook Media.

Liberty’s revenue fell 52 percent to $467 million, compared to $973 million a year ago.

The company said its operating income was $25 million, compared to $293 million a year ago.

Liberty owns stakes in a variety of businesses, including Sirius XM, Barnes and Noble Inc, Concert promoter Live Nation Entertainment Inc (NYSE: LYV – news) and the major league baseball team, the Atlanta Braves.

Shares were flat at $105.55 per share after the market closed.

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UPDATE 1-Liberty Media's quarterly revenue falls



Will Vidacup Take the Coffee MLM Idea to Significance?
bit.ly Call Joe at 772-626-4271 Will Vidacup Take the Coffee MLM Idea to Significance? Hey what is happening my friends, I hope you are having an awesome day because I know I am! If you have found yourself on this page today then I would assume you were searching for some information about one of the newest coffee MLM companies to hit the market known as Vidacup. bit.ly Vidacup was launched in late 2012 by Jeff Mack, Chief Executive Officer, Donna Valdes as the Chief Marketing Officer, and Dr. Daria Davidson, Chief Scientific Advisor. I had the chance to work with Donna Valdes during the Javita Coffee launch in June of 2012. Vidacup Product Line bit.ly The Vidacup product line includes instant coffees, teas and other nutritional products. They also added an energy drink to their product catalog known as Xtreme. From the Vidacup website: “What makes us unique is that all of our formulations will include an extremely potent extract of a specialized strain of the Agaricus Blazei Murill mushroom- highly touted for it's multitude of health benefits and supported by dozens of clinical studies.” Looking at the Vidacup customer website most of the coffee packages are being priced at $39.15, which is somewhat competitive as far as other home businesses promoting coffee, but might be seen as expensive to people who brew their own coffee or have a Keurig machine. Cost to Join Vidacup? bit.ly On the company website it states that the only cost to take part in their “lucrative …

By: Joe Vidacup

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Will Vidacup Take the Coffee MLM Idea to Significance? – Video

DALLAS, Feb. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ –Freedom Home Healthcare announced today that its Pennsylvania operations as well as its private duty nursing services in New Jersey have merged with its sister company and will now be known as Epic Health Services. Freedom Home Healthcare, however, will retain its name for its concierge-level services for older adults in New Jersey.

Although new to the northeastern U.S., Epic is not new to home health care. The company has been a leading provider of pediatric home care services for the past 10 years and is a rapidly growing provider of adult home health care services.

“Rebranding Freedom’s Pennsylvania operations and private duty nursing services in New Jersey as Epic Health Services will enable both organizations to more clearly define their core services,” said John C. Garbarino, Epic’s president and chief executive officer. “Although the Freedom name is changing for select services and locations, Freedom will continue to be the premier provider of elder care services throughout New Jersey.”

Current clients will not experience any disruption in care, and will continue to receive the outstanding care and support they have come to know and trust. The office staff, nurses and services will remain the same. The only thing changing is the name.

About Epic Health Services Since 2001, Epic Health Services (www.epichealthservices.com) has been a leading provider of pediatric and adult home health care. The company’s portfolio of services includes private duty nursing, pediatric therapy and personal care services. With offices located throughout Texas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware, Epic is committed to providing the highest quality care delivered with compassion and extraordinary service.

About Freedom Home Healthcare Founded in 2003, Freedom Home Healthcare (www.freedom-homehealthcare.com) is a premier provider of in-home care for older adults, their families and professional referral sources. The company’s full spectrum of concierge-level services includes hourly, respite and live-in care, as well as long-distance caregiving and geriatric care management. With three offices located throughout New Jersey, Freedom provides both short- and long-term care.

Media Contact: Debra Brown Epic Health Services Phone: 214-466-1376 E-mail: debra.brown@epichealthservices.com

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Freedom Home Healthcare Merges Select Services and Locations with Epic Health Services

DES MOINES, IA–(Marketwire – Feb 15, 2013) – Liberty Technologies, Inc. ( PINKSHEETS : LBTL ), today announced that it has completed a merger with Capalyst, Inc., d/b/a DomiKnow, and a one-for-ten reverse stock split of its common stock. The company will continue operations under its new name of DomiKnow, Inc. The merger, name change, and reverse stock split were approved by the Company’s shareholders through an action by shareholder consent on December 14, 2012.

A purpose of the reverse stock split is to increase the per share trading price of the Company’s common stock and to reduce the total number of shares in the market. As a result of the reverse stock split, every ten (10) shares of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding prior to the opening of trading on February 15, 2013 will be consolidated into one (1) issued and outstanding share. Any fractional share resulting from the reverse stock split will be rounded up to the next largest whole share.

Trading of the Company’s common stock on OTC Markets will continue, on a split-adjusted basis, with the opening of the markets on Friday, February 15, 2013. Shares of the Company’s common stock will trade under the symbol LBTLD for a period of 20 trading days, to designate that it is trading on a post-reverse split basis. The common shares will resume trading under the company’s new symbol of DMNO after that 20-day period. Immediately subsequent to the reverse stock split, there will be approximately 19,907,876 of the Company’s common shares issued and outstanding.

The Company’s transfer agent, Integrity Stock Transfer, will act as the exchange agent for the reverse split. Shareholders will have their positions automatically adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split, and will not be required to take any action in connection with the reverse stock split. Shareholders are not required to exchange their certificates, but if they desire to do so, they should contact Integrity Stock Transfer at (702) 317-7757 to obtain instructions and costs associated with the certificate exchange.

The merger of Capalyst, Inc. with and into Liberty Technologies became effective as of December 18, 2012. Prior to the merger, Capalyst, Inc. owned a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Liberty Technologies. Pursuant to the merger, shareholders of Capalyst, Inc. received 120.642498 shares of Liberty Technologies stock for each share of Capalyst, Inc. stock owned prior to the merger and the shares of Liberty Technologies owned by Capalyst, Inc. prior to the merger were cancelled. Former Capalyst, Inc. stockholders that have the right to receive shares of the Company’s common stock as merger consideration will receive their shares on a split-adjusted basis.

Pursuant to the merger, the members of the pre-merger board of directors of Capalyst, Inc. became the only directors of Liberty Technologies/DomiKnow, Inc. following the merger. The current directors of DomiKnow, Inc. are John R. Stokka, Bryan Webber, Brenda Brenmark, Mark Egly, Jerry Capaldi, Cris Grunewald, and Brian Baltutat. John R. Stokka will serve as Chief Executive Officer and President of DomiKnow, Inc.

The Certificate of Organization and Bylaws of Liberty Technologies/DomiKnow, Inc. were amended pursuant to the merger. The name of Liberty Technologies, Inc. was changed to DomiKnow, Inc. Additionally, the authorized number of common stock shares was increased from 200,000,000 to 500,000,000 and the authorized number of preferred stock shares was decreased from 20,000,000 to 2,000,000. Certificates of designation have been adopted for DomiKnow, Inc. Series A, Series C, and Series D preferred stock; however, no shares of preferred stock are yet issued or outstanding.

About DomiKnow, Inc.

DomiKnow is a multi-channel internet marketing firm based in Des Moines, IA. If you’re a small, local business, DomiKnow brings customers to your door through our unique data, technology and skilled interactive staff. The DomiKnow social media and digital marketing experts provide a complete solution for small, local businesses to profitably dominate their market.

www.DomiKnow.com

Continue reading here:
Liberty Technologies Announces Merger, Name Change, and One-for-Ten Reverse Stock Split

LONDON (Reuters) – Liberty Global won’t change Virgin Media’s strategy on network roll-out and content if its deal to buy the British cable group goes through, Liberty’s chief executive said on Wednesday.

The $15.75 billion deal was “compelling” for both sets of shareholders, said Mike Fries, Liberty’s chief executive in a call with journalists on Wednesday.

He said Liberty would continue to invest in Virgin’s broadband network.

Virgin Media CEO Neil Berkett said he would step down after the deal closed.

John Malone’s Liberty Global struck a deal late on Tuesday to buy Virgin Media, a move that would put the U.S. billionaire up against old rival Rupert Murdoch. (Reporting by Paul Sandle, Writing by Rosalba O’Brien)

Original post:
Liberty Global CEO says won't change Virgin Media strategy

Jan 252013

Dennis Pezaro

However, the Queenstown Lakes District Council is powerless to do anything more about the problem, chief executive Adam Feeley says.

During the open forum at this week’s Wanaka Residents’ Association annual meeting where Mr Feeley was guest speaker, Dr Pezaro called for tougher penalties against freedom campers, in light of concerns shared by health officials worldwide about predicted norovirus epidemics.

”Norovirus is expected to sweep the northern hemisphere in their summer and it will inevitably find its way south,” Dr Pezaro told the meeting.

”Only 40 years ago we were taught there was no giardia,” he said.

Yet pollution from poorly disposed toilet waste now meant New Zealand’s streams were ”unreliable” and freedom camping could cause the same devastating result with the norovirus stomach bug.

”My concern is that if you allow people to continue to camp with inadequate toilet facilities then goodness know what this norovirus will do … I’m very concerned that it could disable communities and community water supplies.”

Although he appreciated what the QLDC was doing to address the freedom camping issue, ”I do think we need to strengthen our resolve”.

”We must stamp [freedom camping] out before it starts to beat us.”

However, the council had limitations under the Freedom Camping Act in what it could do, Mr Feeley said.

See the rest here:
End freedom camping call

After conducting a nationwide executive search led by healthcare leadership solutions firm B. E. Smith, Medical Specialists of the Palm Beaches, Inc. (MSPB) in Lake Worth, Fla., has hired John Brown as Chief Executive Officer. A seasoned healthcare executive with more than 20 years leading specialty and multi-specialty physician groups, Brown assumed his new duties at MSPB on December 4.

LENEXA, Kan. (PRWEB) December 20, 2012

Johns proven track record in leading multi-specialty physician groups and success in developing additional revenue streams will be a great asset for MSPB, said Dr. Stephen Krasner, board member and cardiologist for Medical Specialists of the Palm Beaches, Inc. His skill sets are exactly what we were looking for in our next CEO.

Prior to joining Medical Specialists of the Palm Beaches, Inc., Brown served as Chief Executive Officer for Cardiology Consultants in Virginia Beach, Va., where he provided leadership for a 33 provider, privately held cardiology group. Brown also served as Chief Executive Officer for Blair Medical Associates in Altoona, Pa., a 55 physician multi-specialty group.

Medical Specialists of the Palm Beaches, Inc. was seeking a healthcare leader experienced with developing risk models, implementing strategies to increase physician efficiency, establishing new avenues of ancillary revenue as well as building a culture of transparency, said Kathy Hall, Vice President of Senior Executive Search for B. E. Smith, the leadership solutions firm who conducted the nationwide CEO search for Medical Specialists of the Palm Beaches, Inc. Johns leadership style and experience were an ideal match.

Brown earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelors Degree in Health Planning and Administration from Pennsylvania State University. He is certified by the American College of Medical Practice Executives and is a member of the Medical Group Management Association.

About Medical Specialists of the Palm Beaches, Inc.:

Medical Specialists of the Palm Beaches, Inc. (MSPB) is the largest physician group serving Palm Beach County patients for the past 17 years. With more than 75 physicians providing services at over 30 locations throughout Palm Beach County, MSPB is known for providing the highest quality of care and the most advanced therapeutic and diagnostic care to the patients they serve. To learn more visit http://www.mspb.md.

About B. E. Smith:

Founded in 1978, B. E. Smith is a full-service healthcare leadership solutions firm and the top-ranked provider of senior-level leadership services including Interim Leadership, Executive Search and Consulting Solutions. Veteran healthcare leaders and regional healthcare experts partner with each client to create customized solutions. B. E. Smiths proven methodology has resulted in the recent placement of more than 600 leaders into healthcare organizations worldwide. The firm utilizes a comprehensive sourcing strategy incorporating the latest marketing techniques, association partnerships, social networking and the largest database of skilled senior-level healthcare executives in the industry to deliver immediate results in todays complex healthcare environment. For more information, visit BESmith.com or call 877-802-4593.

Read more:
Medical Specialists of the Palm Beaches, Inc. Hires New CEO



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