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Andrew Feinstein resigned as an MP in 2001 in protest at his own administration’s refusal to allow an unfettered inquiry into a 5bn weapons deal that was tainted by claims of high-level corruption.

The defence giant is still under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office over deals in six countries - South Africa, Chile, Romania, Tanzania, the Czech Republic and Qatar - although a probe into Saudi bribe claims has been scrapped.

Speaking at a heated BAE annual meeting, Feinstein said: ‘Give this meeting an assurance that not one penny found its way into the hands of one South African official or politician.

One senior ANC executive committee member told me the 1999 election campaign was funded from the proceeds of the arms sale.’

BAE chairman Dick Olver declined to comment on Feinstein’s specific allegations, saying an SFO investigation into similar claims was ongoing. He added: ‘You can be assured all information is being passed and help is being offered in a fulsome way.’

After the meeting, Feinstein - who became an MP in 1994 - said he was always puzzled how the party was able to afford the services of Bill Clinton and Al Gore’s former political adviser, Stanley Greenberg.

BAE (down 2p at 433p) is accused of over-charging the South African government for Hawk and Gripen aircraft. A similar deal - believed to have been tabled by Italian firm Aero Macchi - would have cost half as much.

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Feinstein said he has been helping the SFO with its probe into the arms deal. He was part of the South African parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, but resigned when his attempts to investigate BAE’s 1999 arms deal were blocked.

Mike Turner, CEO of BAE, defended the group’s business ethics saying: ‘In all aspects of our business we behave ethically and uphold the law.’

Following the meeting, Turner responded angrily to further questions on the subject, saying: ‘Are you saying I’m a liar? Mike Turner does not lie.’

Other stories:
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Defence allies in 16bn bid
VT and BAE shipyards merger edges ahead
ArmorGroup loses Iraq contract
BAE faces new inquiry over arms deals
BAE marches on as profits rise
BAE earnings leap 33% on arms spree
Cash-rich BAE looks for targets
QinetiQ chief sells 6m shares
Fraud Office still chasing BAE

Michael Dinich a 1-year MDRT member to hold retirement workshops throughout the month of August in conjunction with MDRTs Retirement Preparedness week. MDRT is a leading non-profit association representing more than 35,000 of the best financial services professionals around the world.

Sayre, PA («www.prweb.com») July 26, 2007 — Although thousands of Baby Boomers throughout the Southern Tier of New York celebrate their 60th birthday each day, research shows that a vast majority are not financially prepared for retirement. To help local Baby Boomers better understand — and overcome — the unique financial challenges they face in retirement, financial expert Michael Dinich of Sayre is planning educational efforts as part of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) Baby Boomer Retirement Preparedness Week, August 6-10, 2007.

MDRT is a leading non-profit association representing more than 35,000 of the best financial services professionals around the world. During Baby Boomer Retirement Preparedness Week, MDRT members are partnering with local media, governments, businesses and community groups to conduct educational activities and events. «www.estateandtaxadvisorygroup.com», a 1 year MDRT member is planning special retirement workshops throughout the Month of August, for specific dates and locations please call 1-800-729-1564.

«www.estateandtaxadvisorygroup.com»
Baby Boomers face financial challenges no previous generation has encountered, including pension terminations, skyrocketing healthcare costs, uncertainty about government programs such as Social Security, decreased personal savings rates and significantly increased life expectancy during retirement.

“To overcome their unique financial challenges, Boomers must take action on their own behalf to prepare for retirement,” said Michael. “It is never too late to take steps that will improve your financial future.”

MDRT Baby Boomer Retirement Preparedness Week
During Baby Boomer Retirement Preparedness Week, Michael Dinich and other MDRT members will be armed with information and tools presented at the recent MDRT Boomertirement Summit. At that event, Dr. Alan Greenspan (U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman - 1987-2006) and other financial experts, scholars, researchers and thought leaders came together for two days of discussion about solutions to the retirement challenges facing Baby Boomers.

MDRT has also established a Web site — «www.boomertirement.com» — that provides Baby Boomers with tools and information to help them take action in preparing for retirement. Content includes:

- Information about steps Boomers of various ages should be taking to prepare for retirement.
- A report that provides a summary of each Boomertirement Summit session, as well as links to video/audio of these sessions, audience handouts and other resources.
To get involved in Baby Boomer Retirement Preparedness Week, please contact Michael Dinich at 1-800-729-1564 or online at «www.MichaelDinich.com».

ABOUT MDRT AND BOOMERTIREMENT
MDRT is The Premier Association of Financial Professionals. Founded in 1927, MDRT is an international, independent association of more than 35,000, or less than 1 percent, of the worlds best life insurance and financial services professionals. With membership from 77 nations and territories, MDRT members demonstrate exceptional professional knowledge, strict ethical conduct and outstanding client service. MDRT membership is recognized internationally as the standard of sales excellence in the life insurance and financial services business.

Through Boomertirement, MDRT is providing leadership that will help the financial services industry provide solutions that will encourage the biggest generation in history — Baby Boomers — to take action to navigate the financial challenges they confront as they retire.

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Windowglobal.com is the premier internet forum for select professionals who are looking to enhance and expand their referral network globally. “There is nothing like knowing that a referral can come in at anytime from any part of the world without even knowing the person personally. This is the real referral system and it is working,” said David, client services director.

Houston, TX (http://www.prweb.com/) June 25, 2007 — http://www.windowglobal.com, an online network global resource for select professionals who want to enhance their profitability and network globally, was recently formally launched.

The world has become a global village through the internet with no geographical boundaries. Businesses can now be done in a far less time than it was done 20 years ago. Windowglobal.com was created to fulfill and take the utmost opportunity with these current trends in allowing select professionals to interact worldwide through the Referral program.

http://www.windowglobal.com
Select professionals in the service industry such as real estate professionals, mortgage/loan professionals, attorneys/lawyers, architects, home builders, estate valuers/appraisers, accountants/CPA, stock brokers, insurance practitioners, shipping and haulage practitioners, surveyors, business brokers, employment practitioners, private investigators, security consultants and custom clearing practitioners are brought together on the net without any language barrier.

With http://www.windowglobal.com, participating professionals can locate or find other professionals in a region or country, city or area of the world where they do not personally know someone. These professionals can refer (or accept) business/clients for a negotiated referral fee to (or from) a participating referral member in any part of the world. It is a win-win situation.

This is a membership website with $50 to $100 per year membership fees depending on the membership category. Windowglobal.com does not charge members for their transactions with fellow members or the public. “There is nothing like knowing that a referral can come in at anytime from any part of the world without even knowing the person personally. This is the real referral system and it is working,” said David, client services director.

There are three (3) major reasons why http://www.windowglobal.com is unique:

- Global network referral without language barrier creating sizable potential referral partners.
- Worldwide exposure to fellow professionals and the public.
- Interaction with other people from different parts of the world encouraging mastery of the business with diverse culture.
For additional information, please visit http://www.windowglobal.com

About http://www.windowglobal.com:
Windowglobal.com is owned by Global Referral Network Partners L.P. and is headquartered in the United States. The professional forum was created based upon the vast experience of the founding members of Global Referral Network Partners.

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BT, still the largest supplier of broadband to UK retail customers, said it added 175,000 customers in the last three months, taking its total to 3.8m.

Carphone, which owns TalkTalk and AOL, said it gained 126,000 customers in the last quarter, giving it 2.4m users.

BSkyB will confirm tomorrow that it is the fastest-growing, adding 259,000 customers to lift its total less than a year after launch to 716,000.

Arch-rival Virgin Media is expected to hold on to second place with 3.4m broadband customers when it reports in 10 days’ time, but its additions could be fewer than 100,000 for the second quarter running.

BT chief executive Ben Verwaayen said the broadband market was increasingly competitive, with customers torn between cheap offers and what he calls ‘value deals’.

He pointed out that 60% of BT’s new broadband customers are now choosing one of its more expensive options, offering added security and features.

But the telecoms giant is also keeping up its share of the market by acquiring small internet providers, including most recently .

Carphone chief executive Charles Dunstone predicted subscriber growth would lift off when the group offers free laptops to new subscribers who sign up for two years from September.

He said: ‘We’ve had tens of thousands of people pre-registering for the offer, and it appears to be very attractive for teenagers who now want a laptop as much as a mobile phone but their parents want to have the kind of high level of control that AOL offers.’

BT’s first-quarter revenues grew 3% to 5bn with profits also up 3%, to 658m. Carphone’s first-quarter revenues rose 22%, with retail sales up 13%.

Other stories:
Broadband boosts a new dotcom wave
BT boosts broadband with Brightview buy
Free broadband failing customers
Broadband firms slow to deliver
What are the best broadband deals?
The hidden broadband and phone costs
Dunstone: broadband TV is ‘nuts’

Like-for-like sales at UK arm B&Q fell 1.5% in the 10 weeks to 14 July, prompting talk among analysts that the may be under threat.

Murphy waved away such fears today, insisting the bad news was a short-term issue.

‘It shouldn’t derail us. Investors will be prepared to look past an extremely difficult period,’ he said.

‘I know [Marks & Spencer’s] Stuart Rose said weather is for wimps but when you have the wettest weather on record, there is bound to be an impact.’

Asked if he had considered selling arks, Murphy replied: ‘We have all the materials if you want to build one yourself.’

Group sales grew 2.6% thanks to continued growth in Asia and Europe.

Other stories:
Buyout firms to offload Focus DIY
Kingfisher wary about B&Q leap
Kingfisher damps B&Q recovery
B&Q sees a chink of light on sales
Rate rises and debt hit High Street sales
Halfords riding high from Tour de France
Amazon delivers ‘blowout quarter’
Baugur in 121m Saks stake buy in US
TM Lewin collars a 91% profits rise
Shoppers face 10p tax on bags