APTN National NewsThe company that makes a vaccine for tuberculosis has announced a recall.It’s a big deal in the North. In Nunavut, every child receives a shot.People are not usually vaccinated in the rest of Canada.APTN National News reporter Kent Driscoll has this story from Iqaluit.
WASHINGTON — Consumer prices slipped 0.1 per cent last month, pulled down by sharply lower gas prices and cheaper air fares, used cars, and mobile phone plans.The Labor Department said the consumer price index rose just 1.9 per cent in December from a year earlier, the first time it has fallen below 2 per cent since August 2017.Excluding the volatile energy and food categories, core prices rose 0.2 per cent for the third month in a row. They rose 2.2 per cent from a year ago for the second straight month.The figures suggest that the healthy economy is not yet creating widespread inflation pressures. That gives the Federal Reserve more leeway in deciding whether to raise interest rates. Fed Chair Jerome Powell has said the Fed can be “patient” regarding rate hikes this year.Christopher Rugaber, The Associated Press
WONOWON, B.C. – One man is dead after a single-vehicle crash occurred off the Alaska Highway north of Wonowon on Sunday evneing.Constable Chad Neustaeter with the Fort St. John RCMP said that officers and BC Ambulance Service crews were called out to a single vehicle rollover on the Mile 109 Road, three kilometres from the turnoff to the Alaska Highway, at around 8:00 p.m.The crash involved a single red 2007 Volkswagen Golf with two occupants; a 41-year-old female driver and a 32-year-old male passenger. Cst. Neustaeter said that officers believe the man was ejected from the vehicle during the collision and was declared dead at the scene. The family of the deceased have been notified, his identity has not been released.The woman was taken by ambulance to the Fort St John Regional Hospital for an assessment and was released shortly thereafter.The Fort St John RCMP is imploring all drivers and passengers to properly wear their seatbelts, which are proven to save lives.Police say that alcohol is believed to have been a contributing factor, but the collision remains under investigation.If anyone witnessed the collision, has any dash cam video, or observed the vehicle’s driving behaviour prior to the crash, they are asked to contact the Fort St John RCMP at 250-787-8100. If you wish to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip online at www.crimestoppersnebc.ca.
19 March 2008The pace of urbanization in Asia and the Pacific – unparalleled by any other area in the world – has resulted in growth but has also driven up poverty within cities, the United Nations commission covering the region said today. The urban population of the Asia-Pacific region has been growing at the fastest rate in the world over the past 15 years, according to the “Statistical Yearbook for Asia and the Pacific” released today by the UN Economic and Social Commission for the area, known as ESCAP.“This growth is having a knock-on effect,” said Pietro Gennari, chief of ESCAP’s Statistics Division. “We’re seeing more and more people living in slums and also a negative effect on people’s ability to access clean water and sanitation in urban areas.”Two out of every five people in urban areas reside in slums, and countries such as China, Indonesia and the Philippines have all noted a drop in the proportion of the urban population with access to clean water.The region’s rapid economic growth is putting a considerable burden on the environment, partly as a result of the increase in energy consumption. Asia-Pacific’s carbon dioxide emissions surged from 1.9 tons per capita in 1990 to3.2 tons per capita in 2004.Mr. Gennari observed that if emissions are calculated per unit of gross domestic product, then the Asia-Pacific region has one of the highest carbon dioxide intensities in the world.The dramatic increase in the number of cars used in the area, while contributing to economic growth, has the downside of boosting pollution levels. The Yearbook also notes that although the region boasts some of the highest rates of railway density in the developing world, less than half of the Asia-Pacific countries have a sizeable rail system.
Fishermen from Jaffna have demanded that the Sri Lankan government frame a comprehensive scheme to safeguard their interests when they experience huge losses caused by poachers.The need for such a scheme has been felt in the light of a recent incident near Neduntheevu or Deft Island in the Jaffna district wherein 27 out of 30 nets belonging to a Karainagar-based fisherman were said to have been damaged by trawlers run by unknown persons, The Hindu newspaper reported. Replying in the negative to a query whether the government has got any scheme to compensate fishermen who are affected by acts of poachers, M.C. L. Fernando, Director General of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, says fishermen can join insurance schemes.But, Mr. Rajachandran, secretary of Jaffna District Fisheries Cooperative Federation, says fishing nets are left out of the ambit of insurance schemes, which cover boats while Mr. Kannah points out says there are genuine difficulties in providing the cover to nets. “This is why the government should come out with a scheme that takes care of all our losses,” he added. The fisherman concerned, Loganathan, claims that even his three other nets are of no use as they too have suffered irreparable damages. In monetary terms, his loss comes to about SLR 2.5 lakh. “I do not know how I will be able to mobilise this much money and get back to regular fishing,” says Mr. Loganathan. On the same day, the Sri Lankan authorities had apprehended four fishermen, hailing from India, along with a trawler, for allegedly poaching in Sri Lankan waters.
President Maithripala Sirisena’s former Chief of Staff K Mahanama and former State Timber Corporation (STC) Chairman P. Dissanayaka were today ordered to be further remanded.They were today ordered by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court to be further remanded till August 21 over a bribery case. Mahanama and Dissanayaka had been arrested for accepting a bribe of Rs.20 million over a land deal.Mahanama and the Chairman of the State Timber Corporation, P. Dissanayake were arrested at the car park of a Colombo hotel while accepting the bribe from an Indian businessman. (Colombo Gazette)
BRUSSELS — The European Union has fined U.S. chipmaker Qualcomm $271 million, accusing it of “predatory pricing.”EU Antitrust Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said Thursday the U.S. company was abusing its market dominance in 3G baseband chipsets and said it sold below cost to force out a competitor.Vestager said the market was too important to tolerate such abuse. She said “baseband chipsets are key components so mobile devices can connect to the internet. Qualcomm sold these products at a price below cost to key customers with the intention of eliminating a competitor.”She said the competitor was Icera.Qualcomm could not immediately be reached for comment.The Associated Press
“We face continuing intensification of fighting between Israelis and Palestinians; we face [a] mounting humanitarian and human rights crisis in the West Bank and Gaza with enormous suffering for the innocent civilian population caught up in the hostilities; and we face rising tensions throughout the region, particularly along Israel’s northern border,” Mr. Annan told reporters at a press briefing with the three other members of the diplomatic “Quartet” – the European Union, the Russian Federation and the United States.Referring to the volatile situation along the line of Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, the Secretary-General called on the Lebanese Government “and all relevant parties” to condemn and prevent violation of the so-called Blue Line. “Attacks at any point across the Blue Line, including into the Shabaa farms area in the occupied Golan Heights, are violations of Security Council resolutions,” he said. “Respect for decisions of the Security Council is the most basic requirement of international legitimacy.”Responding to questions from reporters, the Secretary-General noted that it would be difficult to assess the full gravity of the humanitarian situation without access to “all the territories that are now a theatre of battle,” but predicted that “we will be shocked by what we see.”On suicide attacks against Israelis, Mr. Annan called the practice “morally repugnant” and indefensible. “Attacks against innocent and unarmed civilians is terrorism that we cannot tolerate,” he said.The Secretary-General also drew attention to the “really deplorable economic and social situation in the occupied territories” and called for stepped-up assistance to help civilians there and to support the Palestinian Authority. Mr. Annan later departed Madrid for Rome to chair the twice-yearly meeting of the heads of UN agencies, funds and programmes, known as the Chief Executives Board.
The report, entitled “The Millennium Development Goals in Africa – Progress and Challenges,” published by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), has been issued to coincide with the World Summit at UN headquarters in New York from 14-16 September, at which achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, or MDGs – the ambitious set of targets for reducing world poverty and other ills by 2015 – will be a major topic of discussion.The report says countries such as Ghana, Botswana, Uganda and Burkina Faso are likely to achieve the first goal of halving poverty by the deadline. Many more countries remain far behind, but the report argues that their governments can be successful at reducing extreme poverty if they use the MDGs as a tool in shaping their development policies. “What this report shows is that it’s important to look closely at what’s happening in each country,” says K.Y. Amoako, ECA’s Executive Secretary. “Africa does need to make much faster progress and we’re showing a way forward; but the impression is sometimes given that there is no progress to report. That is wrong.”Africa’s slow pace of development has been well-documented. While other regions, particularly Asia, have registered significant progress, some African countries have even suffered reverses in crucial areas. Adult life expectancy, for example, has declined from 50 to 46 years. It is clear that sub-Saharan Africa as a whole will not achieve most of the MDGs by the target date of 2015.Yet, the report shows, MDGs have served as a catalyst to spur sluggish programmes that can bring the continent closer to its development aims. And where the right policies are not in place, the Goals can provide new impetus to reverse the deterioration in human development.For example, the MDGs are incorporated into the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), the blueprint endorsed by the African Union for economic progress on the continent.As a result, successes have been achieved on the ground, the report says. Egypt and Gambia have sharply reduced maternal mortality (Goal 5) by investing in the training of birth attendants and midwives, while Rwanda, Zimbabwe and Gabon are likely to meet Goal 2 in achieving universal primary education.
Superintendent Osei has played an important role in enhancing the protection of women and girls, sparking initiatives to promote women’s rights in the Jubaland state police force, and successfully initiating adult literacy training for 49 female police officers: Ms. Osei also formed a Female Peacekeeper Network to support female peacekeepers working with the UNSOM and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).UN Police Adviser, Commissioner Luis Carrilho, praised Superintendent Osei for her exemplary conduct. “Ms. Osei was deployed to Somalia earlier this year in February 2018”, he said.“By April, she had already identified and trained two [staff to tackle gender issues] in AMISOM who went on to mentor and advise police officers in the host state police. Soon after, Ms. Osei established four gender desks in the host state police, facilitated a training on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and initiated a proposal that called for the establishment of a police post near the community thus ensuring access for SGBV survivors”.Nominations for the Award are requested annually from all peacekeeping and special political missions where UN police are deployed. Based on criteria for high performance, a selection committee, comprising policing and peacekeeping experts, evaluate the conduct and achievements of the nominees with an emphasis on impact of policing service delivery.The Award aims to establish a role model for women police peacekeepers and to promote the UN Secretary General’s Gender Parity Strategy and DPKO’s Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy, through encouraging Member States to deploy more female police officers to peacekeeping and special political missions. Since joining UNSOM in February, Ms. Osei – who holds the rank of Superintendent with the Ghanaian police force – has swiftly made a direct and positive impact on the community and host state police in Jubaland.
Source: -4.8% SMMT Ltd -42.1% -71.5% Oct-09 1,464 74,222 Total vehicles 17.7% 213,444 24.2% 17.6% Total 87,667 75.8% 875,391 114,335 Oct-09 -38.1% -39.5% 6,471 193,780 -40.9% 18,733 24.4% 801,169 · Pace of decline in car output slowing, October’s shortfall was smallest of the year.· Commercial vehicle output continues to decline sharply.· SMMT has encouraged government to boost business confidence through its pre-budget report. -34.6% 94,138 -8.0% -18.7% 18.4% Commercial vehicles 82.3% -6.7% YTD 2009 -60.0% 82.4% % of total Home -18.6% YTD 2009 75.6% Export YTD 2009 -40.5% 7,935 106,400 20,197 73.5% -51.7% 26.5% -7.1% -72.9% Cars “The rate of decline in UK car production continued to fall in October, against a weak 2008. The scrappage scheme and early signs of recovery in global markets offer some encouragement to UK vehicle producers, but 2010 is expected to be another difficult year for the industry,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive. “SMMT has asked the chancellor to use the pre-budget report to help sustain and strengthen recovery. Building business and consumer confidence will be key factors during the first half of 2010.” % of total -10.1% 19,664 661,947 81.6% 607,389 -39.2% Oct-09 54,558 For more, please see the attached document. DownloadClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
45 pays s’engagent pour allier agriculture et développement durableBerlin, Allemagne – Les ministres de l’Agriculture de 45 pays dont la Chine, l’Allemagne, la France ou la Russie, se sont engagés samedi à Berlin : ils veulent développer ensemble recherches et transferts de technologie afin de concilier agriculture et développement durable.Quarante-cinq pays ont convenu d'”optimiser la production” agricole pour limiter au maximum les émissions de gaz nocifs pour l’environnement et ayant un impact sur le réchauffement climatique.À lire aussiQui est Greta Thunberg, proposée pour un prix Nobel à seulement 16 ans ?Sans la mise en œuvre de cet effort commun, “dans certaines régions du monde, l’agriculture ne sera plus possible à l’avenir” a souligné la ministre allemande Ilse Aigner avant d’expliquer que “chacun des pays réunis s’est engagé à faire un climat-check et regarder comment atteindre un optimum entre agriculture et climat”. Pour l’instant, aucun objectif chiffré n’a été fixé.Bruno Le Maire a de son côté ajouté que cet accord impliquait “une politique agricole commune et ambitieuse” en Europe, soulignant qu’il refuserait “toute politique qui braderait la PAC (Politique agricole commune)” dont l’avenir après 2013 est déjà en négociations au niveau européen. Se disant favorable à ce qu'”un lien soit établi entre l’effort pour le développement durable et l’effort agricole”, le ministre français de l’Agriculture a également prôné une régulation des marchés à l’heure où “la volatilité des prix est insoutenable pour les agriculteurs européens”.Le 18 janvier 2010 à 18:38 • Emmanuel Perrin
Liverpool will welcome offers for goalkeeper Loris Karius in the remainder of the European transfer windowThe German’s future at Anfield has been put into major doubt after Liverpool broke the bank to sign Alisson Becker from AS Roma following his high-profile mistakes in last season’s Champions League final.Now the Liverpool Echo reports that Jurgen Klopp is willing to consider any suitable offers for Karius, even though he didn’t initially plan to sell him or fellow shot-stopper Simon Mignolet.Turkish giants Besiktas are believed to be the front-runners for Karius’ signature.Although it will likely only be a season-long loan deal for the 25-year-old with the option of making the move permanent at the end of the season.
Virgil van Dijk praises Roberto Firmino after Liverpool’s win Andrew Smyth – September 14, 2019 Virgil van Dijk hailed team-mate Roberto Firmino after coming off the bench to inspire Liverpool to a 3-1 comeback win against Newcastle United.Karius himself recently admitted that his Liverpool future is in doubt following Alisson’s arrival.He said: “Of course (Alisson signing) that’s not perfect for me, but I cannot say much more about that either.“I do not know that (whether he will leave before the deadline). I cannot say what I’m doing right now, there’s still some time left.”Karius made 33 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions last season.
Facebook Twitter Google+LinkedInPinterestWhatsApp Related Items:belongership, confusion, haitians, registration Facebook Twitter Google+LinkedInPinterestWhatsAppProvidenciales, 23 Nov 2015 – Resident Haitians are under the wrong impression and hundreds have turned out to become Turks and Caicos Islanders to ultimately gain the right to vote.Hundreds have been amassing at an independent voter registration drive with documents ready to apply for Belonger status, but that is not available through the civilians conducting the drive .The miscommunication and misunderstanding, Magnetic Media is told drew the legal Haitian population out in hopes of getting both the Belonger Card and the right to vote in 2016.So far no officials have been on site to clean up the mess and it appears that the civilians behind the voter registration drive are collecting documents on behalf of Immigration department.Magnetic Media visited the Department of Immigration and it was confirmed that there are no officers there on behalf of the Department. It was less clear whether these individuals on the ‘drive’ are authorised to function as a conduit for the One Stop Shop of the Ministry of Border Control and Employment.Some reports reaching our newsroom is that there is ‘funny’ business taking place with the rush of Haitian residents turning up at the drive. However when we spoke to PDM Deputy leader, Sean Astwood he said he could not say if there was anything illegal happening. Astwood is on the scene, quietly observing.It remains concerning though that neither the Government, the Ministry, Immigration or Elections Offices or the Opposition Party have checked on or halted the collection of documents for Belonger Status candidates. Immigration advised that no one but them is authorised to collect such documents and vowed to check the situation out.Haitians who responded to the hearsay are not moving off of the lines at the Markeplace despite clarifications coming from leaders in their community. Some told Magnetic Media they will remain until 11pm as they believe this is their chance to get Belonger Status and to get registered to vote. Six Haitian men rescued; boat sank Recommended for you 69 Haitians apprehended in Exuma More Haitians captured in Eleuthera
Tech Industry Aug 31 • Verizon vs AT&T vs T-Mobile vs Sprint: Choose the best 5G carrier Google spills the beans on the Pixel 4 Alphabet’s financial success comes during a controversial era for the company. It faces antitrust scrutiny, protests from employees and questions about it handles YouTube extremists and its projects in China. However, it still hasn’t held the title of “world’s most valuable company.” Apple took that crown last August as it became a trillion-dollar company, but it’s been overtaken by Amazon and Microsoft in the months since.Neither Alphabet nor Apple immediately responded to requests for comment. 1 See All 17 Photos The growing crowd of smart speakers is ready for your command Alphabet has a whole lot of cash in reserve. Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images Google parent Alphabet became the most cash-rich company in the world during 2019’s second quarter, taking Apple’s long-held crown, according to the Financial Times. Alphabet apparently has $117 billion in cash, while Apple has $102 billion.Its liquid reserves have risen by almost $20 billion since the end of 2017, while Apple’s fell from a peak of $163 billion, the Financial Times noted. The report comes a week after Alphabet beat analyst estimates by reporting $38.94 billion in sales for the quarter ended June 30. Tags Aug 31 • iPhone 11, Apple Watch 5 and more: The final rumors reading • Google parent Alphabet overtakes Apple to become world’s most cash-rich company Aug 31 • iPhone XR vs. iPhone 8 Plus: Which iPhone should you buy? 7:21 Now playing: Watch this: Share your voice • Comment Apple Aug 31 • Your phone screen is gross. Here’s how to clean it Amazon Google Microsoft Apple Alphabet Inc.
State prosecutors have dropped their case against two Unalaskans accused of running a major drug operation out of their home and business. Now, it’s up to a federal court to determine the outcome.Download AudioTam Nguyen and Thu McConnell were arrested in May after police tied an alleged heroin sale back to their convenience store.Police seized Dutch Harbor Asia on May 24. (Courtesy of Patrick Cyr)When officers searched the Dutch Harbor Asia shop and the couple’s home on Biorka Drive, they found one of the biggest caches of methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine they had ever seen in Unalaska. The street value was more than $500,000.A grand jury indicted Nguyen and McConnell on multiple felony counts this summer. That paved the way for a trial in state court.But last week, assistant district attorney Laura Dulic signed an order dismissing all charges against the defendants ”without prejudice.”Dulic did not respond to repeated requests for comment.According to a press release from the Alaska Attorney General’s Office, the decision came after talking with federal prosecutors.Nguyen has also been indicted in U.S. District Court. And federal sentences are tough when it comes to distributing drugs and possessing firearms.But those charges are based on evidence collected by Unalaska police. And defense attorneys have been fighting to get most of that thrown out of both state and federal court.The attorneys argue that Unalaska police didn’t have probable cause to conduct searches back in May — when they traced an alleged drug sale to Dutch Harbor Asia.It all started when officers asked a criminal informant to help them buy drugs in the community. The informant reached out to a man named Eric Roach, who allegedly paid a visit to Dutch Harbor Asia.After that, Roach allegedly gave two packets of heroin to the police informant. And officers swooped in. They seized the store and detained Tam Nguyen while they waited for a magistrate to approve their first warrant.In a motion filed in state court in August, David Mallet argued that “the police did not exert any of the standard control over any suspected drug buy between Roach and the defendant [Tam Nguyen].”Mallet alleged that the police did not search Eric Roach to see if he was carrying drugs before he went into the store. Mallet said there’s no recording of the alleged sale — and no concrete proof that his client sold drugs.Without that, Mallet argues that there’s no justification for a search warrant. The attorney defending Nguyen in federal court has made similar arguments.The Unalaska police department is not commenting on the case until it’s resolved, according to deputy chief Mike Holman.A federal judge is scheduled to consider Tam Nguyen’s request to dismiss evidence in January. In the meantime, Nguyen will stay in jail.But his partner doesn’t have to. Now that the state’s case is closed, Thu McConnell has been released from custody.
Chief election commissioner KM Nurul Huda. File photoThe election commission on Thursday announced the schedule for the 11th national elections on 23 December, ignoring reservations from the opposition.In an address to the nation broadcast on television and radio on Thursday evening, chief election commissioner KM Nurul Huda urged all political parties to contest the polls, assuring them of creating a level-playing field.If there are differences of opinion, the CEC asked the parties to settle the matters politically.Secretary general of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, in his instant reaction, termed the election schedule an attempt to hold yet another one-sided election.He, however, did not say if the opposition would boycott the election the way it refrained from contesting the election to 10th parliamentary polls on 5 January, 2014.Ruling Bangladesh Awami League has already welcomed the election schedule and its workers brought out processions in various places.All major opposition parties including the BNP boycotted the 2014 elections in which 154 out of 300 members of parliament were elected uncontested.The country witnessed two more parliamentary polls boycotted by the opposition—in 1996 and in 1988.The schedule is announced only a day after the opposition coalition of Jatiya Oikya Front comprising BNP and other parties, had ended the second round of talks inconclusive with the ruling Awami League-led 14-party alliance at the prime minister’s official residence on Wednesday.Oikya Front leaders, at a meeting with election commission on Monday called for deferring announcement of the election schedule until certain outcome of the dialogue was visible.The Front raised seven-point demand including formation of a poll-time government for holding the election in a free, fair, and credible manner.So far, four parliamentary polls were held under the non-party caretaker government—in 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2008. The results of those elections were also accepted more or less by major players.Rejecting the opposition’s major demands, the ruling camp, however, said informal discussion may be held even after announcement of the schedule.CEC Huda went ahead with the EC’s plan to announce the schedule, making 19 November as the last date for submitting nomination papers.The last date for scrutiny has been fixed on 22 November and for withdrawal of candidacy on 29 November.“I request the political parties to show a tolerant, respectful and political attitude towards each other. We expect a competitive election with participation of all parties. I believe, active presence of the campaigners of the candidates in competitive elections can stop irregularities in the electoral process,” the CEC said.He said the commission would soon issue a circular to ensure level-playing field and the army personnel would be there to help the civil administration.Huda mentioned that the observers from home and abroad had shown interests on observing the polls.All the major international observers shunned the 10th national parliament election that was boycotted by BNP and other major political parties which were demonstrating for a neutral election-time government.The CEC made announcement about using electronic voting machines (EVMs) in some urban areas, despite the opposition’s serious reservation about EVMs.CEC claimed that a congenial atmosphere has been created for conducting the polls and asked the law enforcers to take stringent measures so that no voters, political leaders-activists, supporters of any part and polling agents face harassment or arrest.BNP leaders have alleged their leaders and activists are being arrested after being implicated in ‘fictitious cases’ across the country.They even submitted a list of such cases to the prime minister’s office on 7 November after premier Sheikh Hasina asked them to do so during the talks on 1 November.The BNP’s Mirza Fakhrul told a Suhrawardy Udyan rally on Tuesday that the opposition would hold a road march towards the commission office should the EC not defer the announcement of the schedule.
Florian Martin/Houston Public MediaHouston Mayor Sylvester Turner, center, at the far end of the table, along with City Attorney Ron Lewis and Fire Chief Samuel Peña, was facing fire union President Marty Lancton, second from right, and attorney Troy Blakeney at a City Hall office on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019. Listen Share In the ongoing fight over pay parity with police, Houston’s firefighters union and Mayor Sylvester Turner seem closer to an agreement after a meeting in a public setting at City Hall Wednesday.The meeting came about after Turner invited firefighters union president Marty Lancton to discuss the implementation of Proposition B. The referendum passed in November and obligates the city to pay firefighters as much as police officers of similar ranks.But amidst a lawsuit by the Houston Police Officers’ Union, firefighters still haven’t gotten a raise.In the meeting, Turner offered to spread the raises out over several years to avoid an immediate $100 million shortfall for the city, which he says would lead to layoffs.“If you all are not willing to work it out, if you’re not willing to spread the cost out of a number of years… yes, I will be obligated to move forward, implement Proposition B,” the mayor said. “And if my costs exceed my revenue, I have to make reductions to balance my books.”Firefighters union attorney Troy Blakeney said it’s a start but he wouldn’t agree to anything at this point.“Until they bring specifics, it’s impossible to take information back to 4,000 fighters and have an intelligent discussion about what the options are,” he said.Both sides agreed to have more meetings to talk about details.
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Blackberry is practically synonymous with business, even as RIM continues to release devices like the Torch in an attempt distance itself from the dull corporate image it has earned over the years.But now the other major players in the smartphone wars — iPhone, Android, and even the new line of Windows Phone 7 devices — are attempting to bite into Blackberry’s enterprise dominance.1. The Dell Venue Pro could prove the Windows Phone 7’s enterprise worthDell already announced that it will be ditching it’s 25,000 company Blackberrys for it’s propriety Windows Phone 7 device.That not only speaks well for the phone, but also the Windows Phone platform as a business tool. What makes this phone stand out among other Windows Phone 7 devices is the sliding QWERTY keyboard, a huge asset for business users.There’s a lot of enterprise potential for Windows Phone 7, and maybe Dell will be the manufacturer to solidify that position.There’s no official announcement on cost yet, but Engadget reports they were told by a Microsoft Store employee that the Venue Pros will be available for $199 with contract.2. The Motorola Droid Pro is a stylish Blackberry killerMotorola took their popular Droid line and reimagined it for the business user.The Droid Pro runs Android 2.2, has a full QWERTY keyboard, and syncs with your company’s e-mail and calendars. It makes a great alternative to the tired look of the Blackberry and has access to the extensive Android Market. The Droid Pro has an expected November 18 release, according to Engadget.Cost: $179.99 with a two-year contract from Verizon.3. iPhone 4 is a contender for enterprise, tooWhen the iPhone first came out in 2007, it was regarded more as a toy than a serious business tool.But now that it has Microsoft Exchange support and thousands of productivity apps, the iPhone is increasingly becoming a viable alternative to the Blackberry.Cost: $199 (16GB) or $299 (32 GB) with a two-year contract from AT&T.4. T-Mobile G2 is a powerful Android optionThe G2’s design and open format make it perfect for the business user who needs some versatility in a smartphone.Engadget calls the G2 one of the purest Android phones available, meaning the OS isn’t bogged down with too much proprietary software or modifications. The design is solid too. It’s almost a clone of the ill-fated Nexus One, but with a slide out QWERTY keyboard for firing off e-mails.Cost: $199.99 with a two-year contract from T-Mobile.5. Samsung FocusIf a physical keyboard doesn’t matter to you and you’re looking for something different, check out one of the other Windows Phone 7 options like the Samsung Focus.The Focus has all the power you’ll need: 1 GHz CPU, Super AMOLED display, and 8 GB of internal storage. Plus the Windows Phone 7 OS makes syncing your Microsoft Office documents, presentations, and Outlook e-mails a snap. As with the Dell Venue Pro, the Samsung Focus has great potential to prove Windows Phone 7’s worth as an enterprise device.Cost: $199.99 with a two-year contract from AT&T.6. The Nokia E5 is unlocked for any networkThis pricey device looks a lot like the Blackberry Bold, but is perfect for the world traveler.Since the Nokia E5 is unlocked, you can avoid being overcharged for an international plan from your U.S. carrier. Slip in a pay-as-you-go SIM card and you’re all set.Cost: $259 from Nokia.Our pick: Dell Venue ProWe think the Windows Phone 7 has serious potential to bridge the gap between enterprise device and fun-to-use smartphone. The initial sale numbers don’t look good, but hopefully we see some more user adoption and useful apps. With luck, RIM will wise up and ditch their clunky Blackberry OS for Windows Phone 7. November 26, 2010 4 min read Brought to you by Business Insider Problem Solvers with Jason Feifer Hear from business owners and CEOs who went through a crippling business problem and came out the other side bigger and stronger. Listen Now
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