Network intruders with an ax to grind are making it hard for public officials to protect their personal data.

Going on a Cash Diet

The government’s spending problem means smaller portions for agencies and managers for the foreseeable future.

Long-in-the-works improvements to the White House-managed website Regulations.gov made public on Tuesday are drawing praise from advocates from both camps in the ongoing debate over how heavily the government should regulate.

Cass Sunstein, administrator of the Office of Regulatory and Information Affairs, said in a blog post Tuesday that “Regulations.gov has launched a major redesign, including innovative new search tools, social media connections and better access to regulatory data. The result is a significantly improved website that will help members of the public to engage with agencies and ultimately to improve the content of rules.”

The upgraded central portal continues the regulatory review initiative President Obama launched in a January 2011 executive order, Sunstein said, and also is in keeping with the Obama administration’s Open Government Partnership National Action plan to engage the public through increased government transparency.

In technical changes, the new site allows users to better download and repackage data and text because it incorporates application programming interfaces. It also offers a more user-friendly search engine and sorting terms.

The site now is organized so users can browse regulations in 10 major categories, such as aerospace and transportation and banking and financial. This change “moves us closer to meeting the recent Jobs Council recommendation to enable regulations to be searched by North American Industry Classification System” codes used by federal agencies, Sunstein wrote. Lay users can click on a tab labeled “learn” to get an overview of the U.S. regulatory process.

Regulatory specialists contacted by Government Executive were pleased with the new site.

“This is an improvement in terms of public access and transparency,” said Amit Narang, regulatory policy advocate for Public Citizen’s Congress Watch project. “Public Citizen now encourages OIRA to direct their energies toward releasing important public health and safety protections currently languishing under OIRA review well beyond the 90-day limit so that the public can have their chance to comment on those rules and participate in the process.”

Rosario Palmieri, vice president for infrastructure, legal and regulatory policy at the National Association of Manufacturers, said, “realizing the goal of a one-stop shop for regulatory compliance for small manufacturers is an important one. This announcement brings us closer to that goal, but it is still only a step in that process and more needs to be done.” The association, he added, continues to be concerned that “the cumulative burden of regulation is a significant cost for manufacturers. The added challenge for small companies is keeping up with an ever increasing and changing set of requirements.”

Rep. Sam Graves, R-Mo., chairman of the House Small Business Committee who challenged Sunstein’s approach to regulation during a hearing in September 2011, said: “I appreciate any efforts from the White House to help small businesses provide comment on and deal with complex federal regulatory compliance, but small businesses want action on the regulations themselves. Since Inauguration Day, the administration has imposed about 75 new major regulations with annual costs of $38 billion.

“Small businesses still cite regulations as their greatest barrier to growth,” he continued. “In addition to helping small firms navigate compliance with regulations, I would encourage the administration to actually pull back on many of the unnecessary regulations and comply with the Regulatory Flexibility Act, which will give small businesses some relief as they try to grow and create jobs in a stagnant economy.”

Katie Greenhaw, a regulatory policy analyst at the nonprofit OMB Watch, said: “Though the most obvious changes are cosmetic, they are important, and a lot of thought has been put into the site to improve usability.”

Though her group “hasn’t seen all the substantive changes we’d like to see, this sets the stage,” she added. An example is the 10 categories of regulations, which she says could be balanced with a more selective “what’s hot” feature. The “learn” tab, she said, provides a “fabulous overview of the regulatory process that will be helpful as a step toward pubic engagement.”

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With a pension hike for new federal employees now awaiting President Obama’s signature, it would be easy to think the recent merry-go-round of legislative proposals aimed at federal employee compensation is coming to an end.

But the debate is far from over.

The deal reached last week, which passed in the House and Senate with large majorities, extends the payroll tax holiday in part by increasing pension contributions of federal employees hired after Dec. 31, 2012, as well as those with less than five years of federal service, by 2.3 percent. If the measure is signed by the president, new federal employees will begin to see 3.1 percent of their salary go toward their defined benefit plan.

The pension hike is permanent and also applies to lawmakers and congressional staffers.

Even after Obama signs that bill into law, other key congressional proposals remain on the table. Most of them, labor unions and Democrats are quick to point out, would place a heavier burden on federal employees.

“Current federal employees are still on the chopping block,” American Federal of Government Employees National President John Gage said following the passage of the payroll tax extension deal last week.

A spokesman for AFGE told Government Executive that the organization won’t speculate on the fate of remaining or possible future measures targeting federal employee pensions, but last week Gage pointed to the debate on the transportation bill. A piece of federal pension legislation — H.R. 3813 — was inserted into the highway bill to help fund sweeping transportation and energy legislation.

H.R. 3813, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Fla., would eliminate the Federal Employees Retirement System annuity supplement and change the annuity calculation for new federal hires from using the average of their three highest salaries to a high-five average pay calculation. Current federal employees would bear more of the burden under this measure than they do under the deal cut last week, which affects mostly new hires.

Gage claimed Ross’ proposal would result in “a massive 40 percent cut to a federal employee’s retirement check.”

Still, it doesn’t sound like House Republicans are backing down from the provisions in the Ross bill. Although representatives from several of the committees involved in the highway bill would not predict the success of the provisions or how they would be packaged, it’s clear the measure already passed last week by Congress as part of the payroll tax deal didn’t fulfill the wish lists of House Republicans.

Spokesman Fred Piccolo told Government Executive that the Ross bill, which has been approved by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, is “much more comprehensive.” Piccolo said Ross was “disappointed” the bill was tied to transportation legislation because “he does not support the pension changes being used for anything other than deficit reduction.”

House leadership made the call to link federal pension provision to the transportation bill. The transportation committee’s primary concern is paying for its highway bill, with or without H.R. 3813.

“The committee will continue to work with leaders in the House to ensure that H.R. 7 [the transportation bill] will move forward without raising taxes, borrowing money or spending funds we do not have,” a spokesman for the committee said.

Unsurprisingly, neither House Democrats nor the White House has been pleased with H.R. 7. During a debate earlier this month, Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., said the strategy to split up the highway bill created a “Frankenstein piece of legislation.”

CHICAGO, Feb. 22, 2012 /NEWS.GNOM.ES/ — The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) today announced major changes in how the nation’s medical residency programs will be accredited in the years ahead, putting in place an outcomes-based evaluation system where the doctors of tomorrow will be measured for their competency in performing the essential tasks necessary for clinical practice in the 21st century.

Summarized in a paper published in the February 22, 2012 online edition of the New England Journal of Medicine, the ACGME’s next accreditation system for graduate medical education (GME) will be fully implemented by 2014. When the new system goes into effect, each accredited medical residency program must demonstrate that its residents have the core competencies and clinical skills to deliver quality patient care and respond to rapid developments in health care delivery. The ACGME’s new system will cover more than 9,000 medical residency programs across the country.

“Equipping the doctors of tomorrow with the clinical skills and perspectives needed to promote patient safety and quality and to respond to the rapid developments in health care delivery are the ACGME’s prime objectives in implementing a ‘next accreditation system’ for graduate medical education in the U.S.,” said Thomas Nasca, MD, MACP, chief executive officer of the ACGME. “There is now widespread consensus that moving to an outcomes-based accreditation system will prepare physicians to deliver quality patient care and be skilled in evidence-based medicine, team-based care, care coordination, and shared decision-making – all critical to practicing medicine in an increasing complex health care system.”

The ACGME’s next accreditation system is consistent with recommendations made by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and such respected bodies as the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) and the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation. Under the ACGME’s next accreditation system:

• Medical residents and fellows must demonstrate competency in six core areas — patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning and improvement, systems-based practice, professionalism, and interpersonal skills and communication.
• Teaching institutions are required to develop and publish the specific learning outcomes residents must demonstrate as they progress through training.
• Institutions must submit reports to the ACGME every six months that document each resident’s accomplishments in meeting benchmarks for physician competence.
• The ACGME will update the accreditation status of each program yearly based on trends in key performance parameters.

New Accreditation Model Is Result of Multi-Staged Planning Process

The development of the ACGME’s next accreditation system began in 1998 when the organization launched its Outcome Project to improve resident physicians’ ability to operate effectively in current and evolving health care delivery systems. Working with the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the ACGME developed the core competencies to be required for all physicians, turned these competencies into accreditation program requirements, and mounted a multi-year program to implement the new accreditation requirements in all teaching institutions.

With the Outcome Project as the foundation, in 2009 the ACGME began the development of the next accreditation system and in 2011 approved its phased implementation. During this two-year period, the ACGME conferred with more than 40 medical specialty organizations, elicited the views of the organization’s Council of Review Committees (which includes the chairs of its 27 Review Committees) and conducted a thorough review of the changing health care delivery system.

“In designing this new system for accrediting medical residency programs, the ACGME has created a new framework for thinking about and organizing graduate medical education in this country,” Dr. Nasca said. “Our goal is simple – to create a system of physician education that can rapidly adapt to new knowledge, technology, and capabilities, and is responsive to the public’s needs.” He added, “we want to unleash the creativity of America’s medical educators while assuring ourselves and the public of the quality of educational outcomes.”

System Phased in Over Next Two Years

The next accreditation system will be phased in over a two-year period based on the following timetable:

• 2012 – training for the Review Committees that will redesign the accreditation programs for seven medical specialties (emergency medicine, internal medicine, neurological surgery, orthopaedic surgery, pediatrics, diagnostic radiology, and urological surgery)
• July 2013 – the seven specialties implement the next accreditation system and the ACGME begins training the Review Committees for the remaining specialties
• July 2014 – next accreditation system is implemented by all specialties

The ACGME expects the new system will reduce the burden on teaching institutions while enhancing the profession’s accountability to the public for the effectiveness of GME. Moreover, the ACGME’s new system will incorporate the accreditation body’s supervision and patient safety standards enacted in July 2011, which set requirements for teamwork, clinical responsibilities, communication, professionalism, duty hours, personal responsibility, and transitions of care. More information about the next accreditation system for GME is available at www.acgme-nas.org.

About the ACGME

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education is a private, non-profit council that evaluates and accredits more than 9,000 residency programs in 135 specialties and subspecialties in the United States, affecting more than 116,000 residents. Its mission is to improve health care in the U.S. by assessing and advancing the quality of graduate medical education for physicians in training through accreditation.

SOURCE Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education

http://www.acgme-nas.org

- Record Quarterly GAAP Net Income of $15.0 million, up 274.1% Year-over-Year

- Record Quarterly Non-GAAP Net Income of $24.3 million, up 365.9% Year-over-Year

BEIJING, Feb. 22, 2012 /NEWS.GNOM.ES/ — Qihoo 360 Technology Co. Ltd. (“Qihoo 360″ or the “Company”) (NYSE: QIHU), a leading Internet company in China as measured by active user base, today reported its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.

Fourth Quarter 2011 Highlights(1)

• Revenues were $62.3million, an increase of 214.5% from $19.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.
• Net income attributable to Qihoo 360 was $15.0 million, an increase of 274.1% from $4.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.
• Net income attributable to Qihoo 360 excluding share-based compensation (“non-GAAP”)(1) was $24.3 million, an increase of 365.9% from $5.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.
• Diluted earnings per ADS(2) (EPADS) attributable to Qihoo 360 were $0.13.  
• Diluted EPADS attributable to Qihoo 360 excluding share-based compensation (non-GAAP)(1) were $0.20.
• Total monthly active users of Qihoo 360′s products and services surpassed 400 million for the first time ever and user penetration of Qihoo 360′s products reached a record 93.8% in December 2011(3)
• User penetration of Qihoo 360′s browsers reached a record 59.5% in December 2011(3).
• Average daily clicks on Qihoo 360′s Personalized Start-up Page and its sub-pages were approximately 235 million in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Fiscal Year 2011 Highlights(1)

• Revenues were $167.9 million, an increase of 191.1% from $57.7 million in 2010.
• Net income attributable to Qihoo 360 was $15.6 million, an increase of 83.4% from $8.5 million in 2010.
• Net income attributable to Qihoo 360 excluding share-based compensation (“non-GAAP”)(1) was $63.6 million, an increase of 408.2% from $12.5 million in 2010.
• Diluted EPADS(2) attributable to Qihoo 360 were $0.14.  
• Diluted EPADS attributable to Qihoo 360 excluding share-based compensation (non-GAAP)(1) were $0.55.

“We are very pleased to report robust growth and expanding margins in our first full year operating results since becoming a public company,” commented Hongyi Zhou, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Qihoo 360.  ”We have set a number of new records in financial and operating metrics, significantly exceeding our expectations. Our success was driven by our continued focus on product and technology innovation and customer satisfaction. Despite global economic uncertainty and capital markets volatility, growth in China‘s Internet sector remains healthy and we continue to outgrow the market by a wide margin.”

“Our business fundamentals are strong as ever. We continue to experience robust growth in all major areas throughout 2011, particularly in the second half. As we maintain our dominant market position in China‘s Internet security industry, we continued to expand our market share in other key product areas. Our browsers’ user penetration hit another record high of 59.5% at the end of 2011, compared to 41% at the end of 2010, further strengthening our leading market position. Total monthly active users of Qihoo 360′s products and services surpassed 400 million for the first time ever in our company’s history, a significant leap from 290 million at the end of 2010. This is particularly encouraging as it demonstrates the level of trust that our users have in us and the strong brand recognition we carry in the market. We are well positioned for the many opportunities ahead of us as we effectively execute our open platform strategy to drive long-term sustainable growth,” Mr. Zhou concluded.

Xiangdong Qi, President of Qihoo 360, added, “With a relatively healthy market environment in China and our history of solid execution, we achieved stronger than expected revenue growth and profitability in the fourth quarter and the full year. Our online advertising business is clearly gaining market share. The 217% year-over-year growth in online advertising in 2011 was supported by robust user activity growth on our Personal Start-up Page and new customer contributions. Although web game operations is still relatively small at Qihoo 360, it is gaining momentum as we see accelerated user growth in the second half of 2011 that eventually drove an over 170% year-over-year revenue growth. As we continue to execute our business plan, we are confident that we can consistently deliver strong operating results in the near term. We also believe our proactive investments in product innovation and technology on both PC and mobile platforms will support long-term sustainable growth for our company.”

Fourth Quarter 2011 Operating Metrics

• Monthly active users of Qihoo 360′s products reached 402 million in December 2011, compared to 290 million in December 2010(3).
• Qihoo 360′s product penetration rate among all Chinese Internet users reached 93.8% in December 2011, compared to 75.0% in December 2010(3).
• Monthly active users of Qihoo 360′s browsers were 255 million in December 2011, compared to 159 million in December 2010(3).
• User penetration rate of Qihoo 360′s browsers was 59.5% in December 2011, compared to 41.2% in December 2010(3).
• Average daily unique visitors to the 360 Personalized Start-up Page and its sub-pages were 65 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to 28 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.
• Average daily clicks on the 360 Personalized Start-up Page and its sub-pages were 235 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to 85 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Fourth Quarter 2011 Results

Revenues

Revenues were $62.3 million, representing an increase of 214.5% from $19.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 and an increase of 31.2% from $47.5 million the third quarter of 2011. The significant year-over-year and sequential increases in revenues were mainly due to continued robust growth in both online advertising and Internet value-added services.

Online advertising revenues were $44.8 million, up 217.2% from the same period last year and 27.8% from the prior quarter. The robust growth was primarily driven by further market penetration of the Company’s key products, such as the 360 browsers and the 360 Personalized Start-up Pages and increased user activity.

Internet value-added service revenues, which are mainly derived from web game operations, were $17.2 million, up 227.7% from the same period last year and 41.8% from the prior quarter.  The year-over-year and sequential growth was mainly driven by solid growth of the game user base.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues was $7.1 million, compared with $2.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 and $5.3 million in the third quarter of 2011, representing increases of 215.2% and 32.4%, respectively.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses were $40.4 million, compared with $13.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 and $31.4 million in the third quarter of 2011. Operating expenses excluding share-based compensation (non-GAAP) were $31.2 million, compared with $12.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 and $22.7 million in the prior quarter.

Operating Income

Operating income was $14.8 million, compared with $4.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 and $10.8 million in the prior quarter.

Operating income excluding share-based compensation (non-GAAP) was $24.1 million, compared with $5.6 million in the fourth quarter 2010 and $19.4 million in the prior quarter.

Operating margin was 23.8%, compared with 22.2% in the fourth quarter of 2010 and 22.7% in the prior quarter.

Operating margin excluding share-based compensation (non-GAAP) was 38.6%, compared with 28.2% in the fourth quarter of 2010 and 40.9% in the prior quarter. The significant year-over-year improvements in non-GAAP operating margin were primarily driven by leverage from robust revenue growth.

Net Income

Net income attributable to Qihoo 360 was $15.0 million, compared with $4.0million in the fourth quarter of 2010 and $10.9 million in the prior quarter.

Net income attributable to Qihoo 360 excluding share-based compensation (non-GAAP) was $24.3 million, compared with $5.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 and $19.5 million in the prior quarter, representing increases of 365.9% and 24.1%, respectively.

Net Margin

Net margin was 24.1%, compared with 20.3% in the same period last year, and 23.0% in the prior quarter.

Net margin excluding share-based compensation (non-GAAP) was 38.9%, compared with 26.3% in the same period last year and 41.2% in the prior quarter. The substantial year-over-year improvements in non-GAAP net margin were driven by leverage from robust revenue growth, as well as foreign currency exchange gains.

Diluted Earnings per ADS

Diluted EPADS for the fourth quarter of 2011 were $0.13, and diluted EPADS for the fourth quarter of 2011 excluding share-based compensation (non-GAAP) were $0.20. Weighted average ADS used in computing diluted EPADS were 120.1 million.

Cash Flows and Balance Sheet

Net cash flow generated from operations in the fourth quarter of 2011 was $40.2 million. Capital expenditures were $7.8 million during the quarter. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $343.7 million.

Fiscal Year 2011 Results

Revenues

Revenues were $167.9 million, representing an increase of 191.1% from $57.7 million in 2010. The significant year-over-year increases in revenues were mainly due to accelerated growth in both online advertising and Internet value-added services.

Online advertising revenues were $123.0 million, representing an increase of 216.9% from $38.8 million in 2010. The robust growth was primarily driven by further market penetration of the Company’s key products, such as the 360 browsers and the 360 Personalized Start-up Pages, increased user activity, as well as the support of a healthy market environment.

Internet value-added service revenues, which are mainly derived from web game operations, were $43.6 million, representing an increase of 194.9% from $14.8 million in 2010.  The strong growth was mainly driven by expanding of the Company’s game platform and the accelerated growth of the game user base.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues was $18.9 million, compared with $6.8 million in 2010, representing an increase of 180.2%.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses were $130.9 million, compared with $42.2 million in 2010. Operating expenses excluding share-based compensation (non-GAAP) were $83.0 million, compared with $38.2 million in 2010.

Operating Income

Operating income was $18.1 million, compared with $9.0 million in 2010.

Operating income excluding share-based compensation (non-GAAP) was $66.1 million, representing an increase of 407.7% from $13.0 million in 2010.

Operating margin was 10.8%, compared with 15.6% in 2010.

Operating margin excluding share-based compensation (non-GAAP) was 39.4%, compared with 22.6% in 2010. The significant year-over-year improvements in non-GAAP operating margin were primarily driven by leverage from robust revenue growth.

Net Income

Net income attributable to Qihoo 360 was $15.6 million, compared with $8.5 million in 2010.

Net income attributable to Qihoo 360 excluding share-based compensation (non-GAAP) was $63.6 million, representing an increase of 408.2% from $12.5 million in 2010.

Net Margin

Net margin was 9.3%, compared with 14.8% in 2010.

Net margin excluding share-based compensation (non-GAAP) was at a record high of 37.9%, compared with 21.7% in 2010. The substantial year-over-year improvements in non-GAAP net margin were attributable to leverage from robust revenue growth, as well as foreign currency exchange gains.

Diluted Earnings per ADS

Diluted EPADS for the year 2011 were $0.14, and diluted EPADS for the year 2011 excluding share-based compensation (non-GAAP) were $0.55. Weighted average ADS used in computing diluted EPADS was 115.3 million.

Cash Flows and Balance Sheet

Net cash flow generated from operations in 2011 was $82.3 million, compared to $20.1 million in 2010. Capital expenditures were $17.8 million. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $343.7 million.

Business Outlook

For the first quarter of 2012, the Company expects revenues to be between $63 million and $65 million, representing a year-over-year increase of 175% – 183% and a sequential increase of 1% – 5%. These estimates reflect the Company’s current and preliminary view, which is subject to possible material changes.

Other Events

To help investors better understand Qihoo 360′s operations, the Company will provide quarterly Cash Flow Statement in its earnings release from the fourth quarter 2011 onwards.

Conference Call

Qihoo 360′s management will host a conference call to discuss the results at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on February 22, 2012 (9:00 a.m. Beijing time on February 23, 2012).

The dial-in details for the live conference call are:

A telephone replay of the call will be available after the conclusion of the conference call at 11:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on February 22, 2012 through 11:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on February 29, 2012. The dial-in details for the replay are:

A live webcast of the conference call will be available on the investor relations section of Qihoo 360′s website at: http://corp.360.cn.

About Qihoo 360

Qihoo 360 Technology Co. Ltd. (NYSE: QIHU) is a leading internet company in China as measured by its active user base. The Company is also the number one provider of internet and mobile security solutions in China as measured by its active smartphone user base, according to iResearch. Qihoo 360 also provides users with secure access points to the internet via its market leading web browsers and application stores. The Company has built one of the largest open internet platforms in China. Qihoo 360 monetizes its massive user base primarily through online advertising and through internet value-added services on its open platforms.  

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward- looking statements by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates” and similar statements. Among other things, the management’s quotations contain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about Qihoo 360 and the industry. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the Company’s ability to continue to innovate and provide attractive products and services to attract and retain users; the Company’s ability to keep up with rapid changes in technologies and Internet-enabled devices; the Company’s ability to leverage its user base to attract customers for our revenue-generating services; and the Company’s dependence on online advertising for a substantial portion of our revenues; and the Company’s ability to compete effectively. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of the press release, and Qihoo 360 undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although Qihoo 360 believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that its expectations will turn out to be correct, and investors are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results. Further information regarding risks and uncertainties faced by Qihoo 360 is included in Qihoo 360′s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its final prospectus dated March 29, 2011.

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement our financial results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we use non-GAAP financial measure, which is adjusted from results based on U.S. GAAP to exclude share-based compensation expenses. Reconciliations of our non-GAAP financial measures to our U.S. GAAP financial measures are set forth in tables at the end of this earnings release, which provide more details on the non-GAAP financial measures.

Our non-GAAP financial information is provided as additional information to help our investors compare business trends among different reporting periods on a consistent basis and to enhance investors’ overall understanding of the historical and current financial performance of our continuing operations and our prospects for the future. Our non-GAAP financial information should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for or superior to U.S. GAAP results. In addition, our calculation of this non-GAAP financial information may be different from the calculation used by other companies, and therefore comparability may be limited.

SOURCE Qihoo 360 Technology Co. Ltd.

http://corp.360.cn

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 22, 2012 /NEWS.GNOM.ES/ – SPX Corporation (NYSE: SPW) today announced that Chris Kearney, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Patrick O’Leary, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will participate in the Barclays Capital Industrial Select Conference in Miami, Florida on Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 8:55 a.m. Eastern time.

A live webcast will be posted to the Investor Relations section of SPX’s website (www.spx.com). The audio replay will be accessible on the website through March 8, 2012.

About SPX
Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, SPX Corporation (NYSE: SPW) is a global Fortune 500 multi-industry manufacturing leader with over $5 billion in annual revenue, operations in more than 35 countries and over 18,000 employees. The company’s highly-specialized, engineered products and technologies are concentrated in three areas: Flow Technology, infrastructure, and vehicle service solutions.  Many of SPX’s innovative solutions are playing a role in helping to meet rising global demand for electricity, processed foods and beverages and vehicle services, particularly in emerging markets. The company’s products include food processing systems for the food and beverage industry, power transformers for utility companies, cooling systems for power plants; and diagnostic tools and equipment for the automotive industry. This description of SPX does not contemplate the pending sale of the Service Solutions business. For more information, please visit www.spx.com. 

SOURCE SPX Corporation

http://www.spx.com

HOLMDEL, N.J., Feb. 22, 2012 /NEWS.GNOM.ES/ – Vonage Holdings Corp. (NYSE: VG) today announced that its Chief Financial and Chief Administrative Officer, Barry Rowan, will be presenting at the Deutsche Bank 2012 Media & Telecom Conference on Tuesday, February 28th at 3:00 p.m. (EST). The presentation will be held at The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida.

A live webcast of this event may be accessed by visiting Vonage’s Investor Relations website at http://ir.vonage.com. Windows Media Player or RealPlayer is required to listen to this webcast. A replay will be available shortly after the live webcast.

About Vonage
Vonage (NYSE: VG) is a leading provider of communications services connecting people through broadband devices worldwide. Our technology serves approximately 2.4 million subscriber lines. We provide feature-rich, affordable communication solutions that offer flexibility, portability and ease-of-use. Our Vonage World plan offers unlimited calling to more than 60 countries with popular features like call waiting, call forwarding and visual voicemail — for one low monthly rate. Vonage’s service is sold on the web and through regional and national retailers including Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Kmart and Sears, and is available to customers in the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom.

Vonage Holdings Corp. is headquartered in Holmdel, New Jersey. Vonage® is a registered trademark of Vonage Marketing LLC., owned by Vonage America Inc.

To follow Vonage on Twitter, please visit www.twitter.com/vonage. To become a fan on Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/vonage.

Vg-f

SOURCE Vonage Holdings Corp.

http://www.vonage.com

WESTFORD, Mass., Feb. 22, 2012 /NEWS.GNOM.ES/ — Calling for a new era of responsibility in Washington, former Navy officer, small business owner and pro veterans’ issues advocate, Republican Thomas Weaver officially announced his bid to become the next representative in Massachusetts‘ 3rd district today.

“Our business owners are suffocating, taxes and fuel prices continue to rise, conflicts around the world are being fueled by broken foreign policy, Veterans care is slipping and Congressional spending and political gridlock is at an all-time high,” said Thomas Weaver, Republican candidate for Massachusetts‘s 3rd District. “Professional politicians are out of control and the time has come to purge the system of Washington insiders who continue to scratch the backs of their cronies. It is unacceptable how big government is recklessly running our lives and jeopardizing the future of our children.”

Throughout his career Weaver has dedicated and committed his life to helping those around him. Weaver, who served as a Navy officer and nuclear engineer, has been creating jobs in the private sector since 1979 – first as an employee and then as an employer. He also volunteers his time to Veterans’ groups and civic organizations such as the Boy Scouts.

Most recently, Weaver, as co-founder, has been a driving force for the “Show ID to Vote” campaign, a national movement to establish voter ID requirements.  

“I’m not announcing because I think it’s my turn; I’m running for Congress because the 3rd District needs representation that puts words to action and helps our hard-working citizens,” added Weaver. “I’m running because we need to get back to what made America great. Representation should work for the people and adhere to the foundations of freedom this country was founded upon.”

While kicking off his campaign, Weaver stressed his commitment to the people of the Massachusetts 3rd District and to the values of honesty, hard work and integrity which he lives each day.

“I’m looking forward to a candid conversation over the next few months about the current state of our country and our district and to highlight my plans for more jobs and economic growth, entrepreneurial prosperity, national security, less government intrusion and providing the quality care our veterans and elderly deserve,” added Weaver.

Thomas Weaver, who has resided in Massachusetts since 1979, was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy and graduated in the class of 1974 with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering. He obtained a Master’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering from MIT in 1982.  A certified Naval Chief Nuclear Engineer, Weaver served as a Navigator on the USS Texas, CGN 39 and as an electrical Officer on the USS Virginia, CGN 38,  both Guided Missile Nuclear Powered Cruisers.

Weaver is the founder, current president and CEO of DTW Systems, an industrial water treatment company, which designs, develops, and installs custom treatment systems for various industries. He formally served as the vice president of engineering of MEMTEK, Water Treatment; as a systems manager for robotics and vision systems at Automatic, and as a project manager for engine development at General Electric.

An Eagle Scout, Weaver is married with 6 children and resides in Westford, Massachusetts.

SOURCE Weaver for Congress

AKRON, Ohio, Feb. 22, 2012 /NEWS.GNOM.ES/ – As February Daytona Speedweeks marks the “official” beginning of the 2012 NASCAR season, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NYSE: GT) also celebrates being chosen as the exclusive tire supplier to the top three NASCAR racing series through 2017 while also reaching the 58th year of uninterrupted commitment to the sport, making it one of the longest-running supply program participants in sport history. 

(Logo: http://photos.NEWS.GNOM.ES.com/prnh/20050204/GTLOGO )

As the official tire supplier to the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series, Goodyear sets out in 2012 on a ‘More Driven’ mission to continue to build on the Company’s more than 100-year racing history by learning, driving innovation and enhancing performance and quality in the sport…and beyond. 

“NASCAR continues its clear role as the expert in stock car racing and has chosen Goodyear as the sole supplier. The contract extension continues Goodyear’s tradition of expertise and underscores the idea that racing just wouldn’t be the same without the superior performance provided by Goodyear tires,” said Kris Kienzl, Goodyear’s NASCAR marketing manager. “Fans also continue to recognize the Goodyear name because it’s become synonymous with great performance in auto racing.”

Goodyear’s racing division is using past experience, analytical testing and on-track runs in preparation for the three tracks scheduled for renovation in 2012 – Michigan International Speedway, Pocono Raceway and Kansas Speedway.

Ever-changing tire development for the nation’s premier racing series translates into new innovative technologies and manufacturing processes. Key innovations are not kept inside the racing division; they’re shared across the company, where many are adapted to make award-winning tires for street and highway usage.

“Our engineers learn a lot from Goodyear’s involvement in racing because it’s such a demanding environment,” Kienzl said. “Applying their knowledge to Goodyear consumer tires makes perfect sense. Our tire performance on the track translates directly into our performance off the track in delivering tires to the everyday driver.”

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for one of North America‘s premier sports.  NASCAR is the No. 1 spectator sport – with more of the top 20 highest attended sporting events in the U.S. than any other sport, and is the No. 2-rated regular-season sport on television.  NASCAR races are broadcast in more than 150 countries and in 20 languages.  NASCAR fans are the most brand loyal in all of sports, and as a result more Fortune 500 companies participate in NASCAR than any other sport.

NASCAR consists of three major national series (the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series), four regional series, and one local grassroots series, as well as two international series.  Also part of NASCAR is Grand-Am Road Racing, known for its competition on road courses with multiple classes of cars.  NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races at 100 tracks in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada and Mexico.  Based in Daytona Beach (FL), NASCAR has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Charlotte (NC), Concord (NC), Conover (NC), Bentonville (AR), Mexico City, and Toronto.

About Goodyear

Goodyear is one of the world’s largest tire companies.  It employs approximately 73,000 people and manufactures its products in 54 facilities in 22 countries around the world.  Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry.  For more information about Goodyear or its products, go to www.goodyear.com.

SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

http://www.goodyear.com