Dr. Stanley Ho was born in 1921 in Hong Kong. [. . . . ]

Dr. Stanley Ho, aged 78, is a share holder and board member, along with Li Ka-Shing , of Hong Kong Bank, which owns Hong Kong Bank of Canada (now HSBC Bank Canada). Gordon Capital has acquired HSBC Securities, which was a subsidiary of HSBC Bank Canada.

Ho also mantains a monopoly on casinos on Macao, owning six gambling establishments on the island. These casines average six billion dollars (US) per year (Sidewinder, pp. 7 footnote 14).[. . . . ]

Ho is chairman of Sociedade de Turismo e Diversoes de Macau (STDM), a company which owns the world's largest jetfoil fleet and operates enterprises throughout Macao.

Ho will soon begin operations on the DrHo.com Web site, a gambling site operated in partnership with Vancouver-based Eyeball.com ( Asia Internet ).

According to Sidewinder, Ho owns the Ramada international hotel chain with 25 hotels in Canada. He also owns the Sutton Place in downtown Toronto and the Meridien Hotel in Vancouver (Sidewinder, pp. 10 para 42). The possibility exists for ChIS (Chinese Intelligence Service) to bug rooms at these hotels given HSBC and Ho's extensive links to PRC government.

Ho has been repeatedly linked to triads (Chiense [sic] organized crime organizations), including a very public incident in the Phillipines. After allegations made in the country, President Estrada personally defended Ho, "insisting there was 'no evidence' to link him to suspected triad activities." (South China Morning Post, 01/27/2000, Estrada backs Stanley Ho) Insight Magazine claims to have obtained a RCMP Profile of Stanley Ho identifying him as the leader of the Kung Lok triad.

Ho was implicated in the 1996 campaign finance scandal, having been summoned by the Government Reform and Oversight Committee of the House of Representatives to discuss campaign finance laws. ( Phillipine Daily Inquirer, The Zoh Show) Ho has also donated large sums of money to Canadian political parties. Vancouver police report that senior Canadian politicians, such as prime ministers Brian Mulroney and Prime Minister Jean Chretien have "feted and wooed" Ho. He has "unfettered access to Canada and its top politicians," according to the police.

Dr. Ho is chairman of the Hong Kong University's foundation for educational development and research. [. . . . ]

Ho is a Standing Committee member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, a member of the Selection Committee for the first Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and is a member of the Consultative Committee for the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR. [. . . . ]

[. . . . ] Earlier this month, Minister Byrne [Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC)] announced that a total of 54 innovation projects from across Atlantic Canada had been approved for funding under the second round of the AIF. In total, these projects represent up to $136 million in funding for highly innovative research and development activities that have a total value of $291 million. Project proponents are expected to leverage an additional $155 million in funding from a variety of private sector and public sector sources, including contributions from other national funding programs.

The two Cape Breton projects announced today have a total value of $12 million and will receive up to $8.2 million from the AIF.

[. . . . ] The $300-million Atlantic Innovation Fund is a Government of Canada initiative administered by ACOA.

Dataceptor on a Chip System Techlink International Entertainment Limited

Techlink International Entertainment Ltd. of Sydney, Nova Scotia, is working to develop a device to be used by the gaming industry that provides a secure environment for Internet-based gaming. [. . . . ]

The system will be the equivalent of a large telecommunications network; linking thousands of Dataceptor devices to one jurisdictionally run central system. Transactional data will be provided to the system for storage and control.

This project, with total costs of $4,318,438 will receive up to $2,738,829 from the Atlantic Innovation Fund over a three-year period.

"The potential market for a product of this type is extensive," said John Xidos, President, Techlink International Entertainment Limited. "It would enable jurisdictions to provide responsible gaming features and maintain control of gaming services within their own territory. When embraced by the industry, it could have major global commercial implications in a growing industry [gambling] that is currently worth $5 billion annually, resulting in exciting economic benefits for the region."

The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), along with four Atlantic Canadian companies specializing in "new economy" infrastructure met with a select group of New York New Media Association (NYNMA) member companies during the Team Canada Atlantic Trade Mission to New York.

The forum provided an opportunity to share information on the region's capability in the Information Communications Technology (ICT) and e-business sectors.

[. . . . ] "Atlantic Canada has the second highest penetration of high-speed internet access in North America and companies that are on the cutting edge of new technology specializing in Internet Commerce solutions and interactive entertainment with applications across a broad spectrum of industries." [. . . . ]

[. . . . ] Atlantic Canadian companies participating in the NYNMA meeting were Trapeze Media and Castaways Inc., from Prince Edward Island, Infotech Canada from Newfoundland and Labrador, Kara Interactive Systems & Inocom System Development from New Brunswick, and Techlink Entertainment from Nova Scotia.

[. . . . ] The Team Canada Atlantic Mission to New York City, which wraps up today, is a cooperative effort between ACOA, the four Atlantic Provinces, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Industry Canada, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, and the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters.

Sydney, NS, … Membertou and Techlink Entertainment, an innovative Sydney based gaming company, announced today that they have agreed to collaborate on a long-term strategic plan. An immediate result of the plan will see Techlink’s new generation PERFORMER I video lottery terminal showcased exclusively in Membertou, as part of a government sanctioned 90 day pilot project. Techlink Entertainment is an innovative technology creator of gaming products that are deliberately designed to promote responsible play for the government regulated gaming industry.

[. . . . ] The Performer I will be Techlink’s first product to make its introduction into the VLT market.

Sydney, NS, January 27, 2004 - Proprietary technology developed by Techlink International Entertainment Ltd., a Sydney, Nova Scotia, based company, has been successfully field tested over a 90 day period at the First Nations community of Membertou, on Cape Breton Island. The test was under the direction of the Atlantic Lottery Cooperation and one of a series of initiatives underway as part of the overall commercialization of the technology for sale in domestic and international gaming jurisdictions.

[. . . . ] Techlink is currently expanding to begin manufacture of proprietary responsible video lottery terminals. The Company anticipates a substantial order from Eastern Europe in the New Year for its Performer I VLT. As well, Techlink Entertainment recently partnered with international gaming giant Intralot in response to a request for proposals from Manitoba Lottery Corporation for 6,000 video lottery terminals.

The planned move into manufacturing operations follows several years of intense research and development leading to the emergence of its technologies incorporating the ability to provide regulated gaming in an unsupervised environment. Techlink Entertainment has patents and patents pending in 15 countries, including the US, Canada, and parts of Europe.

Targeting jurisdictions with regulated gambling programs, we use industry standard technologies to produce several graphically appealing traditional and signature games that are among the best in the industry. The games are for use on our Performer 1 [trademarked] video lottery terminal, Hotel Room Entertainment (HRE) mobile gaming system and our Dataceptor Internet gaming solution. [. . . . ]

[. . . . ] Extensive biometric research and development has enabled us to develop a proprietary product that prevents underage play and empowers jurisdictions with the ability to allow players to set their limits and even exclude themselves from game play. [. . . . ]

Worry free game play anywhere in the jurisdiction begins with a one-time anonymous biometric enrollment process. After providing proof of age to the gaming operator, players undergo a biometric finger scan and are then issued a smart card. [. . . . ]

Our hassle-free biometric enrollment process prevents underage play without even knowing the player's identity.

One-Time Anonymous Biometric Enrollment [. . . . ]

Sydney, NS – Support for local businesses, specifically, Crossoff Incorporated, 4 Ever Sports, Techlink International and Virtual Media Productions, was demonstrated today by the Cape Breton Growth Fund (CBGF). A total of $4.8 million in equity investments will be made in these four companies to assist them with their future growth and development here in Cape Breton.

[. . . . ] The $ 4.8 million investment is expected to create 125 new, knowledge-based jobs in Cape Breton as well as aid the companies with their growth, export capabilities and capacity to compete in the global marketplace. These investments represent a significant investment into the Knowledge-based and Arts & Culture sectors.

The CBGF is a partnership between the Government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia and has a mandate to assist in the transition of the Cape Breton economy.

Techlink Entertainment is a privately held Canadian company that develops and deploys a line of innovative gaming solutions consisting of video lottery, central system, and Internet products.

[. . . . ] The games are for use on our Performer I [trademark] video lottery terminal, the Dataceptor[trademark] Internet gaming solution, and our Hotel Room Entertainment [trademark] (HRE) mobile gaming system.

Techlink . . . with assistance from the Government of Canada.

The project will involve the production and demonstration of commercial versions of the company's Hotel Room Entertainment System, Smart Video Lottery Terminal and the Dataceptor - an Internet Gaming device.

The total estimated cost of the project is $1.5 million. Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC) will make a conditionally repayable contribution of $500,000 through the Business Development Program. The National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) will also make a repayable contribution of $500,000 through the Precommercialization Assistance component. The project is expected to create 13 jobs bringing the company's total employee numbers up to 30.

[. . . . ] The Hotel Room Entertainment System will deliver gaming to a hotel room through a virtual private and secure network. The Performer Smart Video Lottery Terminal . . .

Parallel Computation of Robust Covariance Matrices
James Chilson, Raymond Ng, Alan Wagner, Ruben Zamar
University of British Columbia

Abstract:

We present our implementation of a parallel version of the Maronna algorithm for computing robust correlation and covariance. Our motive behind this is to add a correlation and covariance component to our interactive data mining application. [. . . . ]

We also discuss how the correlation component fits into the data mining application, including how it works with the other components and graphical display methods.[. . . . ]

Rational Number Results for Video Poker
Karim Rahim, Acadia University
Supervisors: Dr. Jim Diamond, Dr. Paul Cabilio

Abstract:

The work presented is used as background information to a masters thesis sponsored by the NRC IRAP program in conjunction with Techlink Entertainment from Sydney, Cape Breton. Video Poker is a very popular form of entertainment, in casinos, video lottery terminals, and on the Internet. I will discuss a procedure that obtains a complete rational number analysis video poker games, in addition to a implementing a perfect play strategy.

The Assembly of First Nations issued a press release earlier this month criticizing Mr. Flanagan, a political scientist at the University of Calgary, for writing that Métis are an "economically marginal, incohesive assortment of heterogeneous groups" that require strategies to "minimize the damage caused by the thoughtless elevation of the Métis to the status of a distinct 'aboriginal' people."

[. . . . ] Each study argues that in order for native communities to become economically self-sustaining, the reserve land which is now held by the Crown must be transferred to individual Indian band members. It will be up to natives themselves to decide if they want to transfer the land into a communal arrangement or allow for the property to be owned and managed individually.

There are individuals who choose to hold property in a communal manner. For example, Hutterites choose to hold property in a communal manner. But, this is their choice, not an imposition. Shouldn't native Canadians be entitled to the same choice?

[. . . . ] The Indian industry is composed of a multitude of consultants, program analysts, researchers, administrators and managers who deliver the myriad of programs and services which make up Indian affairs. In addition, Indian lobby groups are funded by the federal government to lobby for more money and special rights for Indian communities. For example; in 2002-03 the AFN received over $6.8 million from the Department of Indian Affairs.

[. . . . ] If Indians become self-sufficient and prosperous, the Indian industry would cease to exist. [. . . . ]

Ottawa — The Supreme Court of Canada ruled Wednesday that reluctant witnesses can be forced to testify in hearings in the fight against terrorism In a 6-3 decision, the court said the hearings do not contravene the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The case stemmed from the Air-India trial in British Columbia.

The Supreme Court has been grappling with the issue of whether the hearings, which have been allowed under anti-terrorism legislation, violate the charter.

The RCMP and Crown have been trying to force an unco-operative witness, whose name is protected under a publication ban, to answer questions related to the 1985 Air-India bombing at a closed hearing in Vancouver. [. . . . ]

Two men accused of being senior leaders of the Hells Angels were convicted of multiple criminal charges in Montreal on Wednesday

Walter Stadnick [a former national president of the Hells Angels in Canada and one of the gang's most senior biker] and Donald Stockford [the gang's national secretary, an emissary who represented the Canadian chapters at secret Hells Angels meetings at the international level] were convicted of conspiracy to murder, gangsterism and drug trafficking in a verdict read for hours Wednesday morning by Quebec Superior Court Justice Jerry Zigman. [. . . . ]

Frustrated that ex-president Bill Clinton is still insisting he never sexually harassed her in interviews about his memoir "My Life," former Arkansas state employee Paula Jones is challenging him to a public debate.

[. . . . ] "He still thinks that that was not an admission of guilt when he settled out of court with me," she said, referring to the sexual harassment lawsuit she launched in 1994 that ended in Clinton's impeachment.

[. . . . ] "I have no trouble debating that man, I would love to do it. But you know what, I bet he wouldn't do that with me."

JIDDAH, Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabia, announcing a limited amnesty Wednesday for Muslim militants who surrender in the next month, said they would not face the death penalty and would be prosecuted only if they committed acts that hurt others.

Crown Prince Abdullah read the brief announcement on behalf of his half-brother, King Fahd, on state television Wednesday. [. . . . ]

[. . . . ] Chalabi’s embrace of the Shiite faction of Iraq has fed the speculation that he gave intelligence secrets to Iran, a Shiite theocracy. Aras Habib, the I.N.C. intelligence chief, has long been suspected of spying for Iran. Chalabi and his aides dismissed these rumors, claiming that in 2002 Habib had passed a C.I.A. polygraph test about his relationship with Iran, and that neither he nor Chalabi had access to U.S. classified materials. For many years, Chalabi has been openly collegial with reformist leaders in Iran, such as President Mohammad Khatami, with whom he met last November, in Tehran. He has also admitted to meeting with the head of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security. Immediately before the invasion of Iraq, Chalabi was living in a gated villa in Tehran that he had persuaded the U.S. to purchase as a satellite branch of the I.N.C.

Chalabi claimed that his relationship with Tehran was purely expedient. “There are geopolitical reasons to be friendly with Iran,” he said. “Iran has the longest border with Iraq. Also, Iran is a much stronger state than Iraq, with three times the population. So strategically it’s not a good idea to be on bad terms. My good relations were not a secret from the U.S.”

[. . . . ] Chalabi’s political future is unclear. Iraqis have long seen him as an American puppet with no constituency at home; in polls, they have given Chalabi approval ratings lower than those for Saddam Hussein. Peter Galbraith said, “Most likely, his legacy is that he is the Moses of Iraq: he got to see the Promised Land, but not to taste the fruit.” Yet the raid on his home may have given him an opportunity to recast himself once again, now as a dissenting voice on American policy in Iraq. “He’s extremely shrewd politically,” Danielle Pletka said. “His obit has been written many times before, and he keeps clawing his way out of the grave and coming back.” One of his I.N.C. confidants told me that Chalabi might spend the summer repositioning himself as a fierce critic of Brahimi’s interim government, with an eye toward the coming election. Chalabi himself was less specific when I asked him about his plans. He said simply, “I think I have more of a future than the C.P.A.”

A Cross Site Scripting vulnerability has been discovered in Internet Explorer's about:blank page. The vulnerability allows attackers to cause the product to execute arbitrary HTML and/or JavaScript.

Vulnerable systems:
* Internet Explorer version 6.0.2600.x (without SP1)
* Internet Explorer version 5.0.x
* Internet Explorer version 4.x
* Internet Explorer version 3.x

Immune systems:
* Internet Explorer version 6.0.2600.x with SP1

By passing a specially crafted URL to the Internet Explorer, a remote attacker can cause the product to return arbitrary HTML and/or JavaScript.