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Alliance delivers total return of 18.7% Date: Tuesday 12 Apr 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - Third party assets under management at investment company Alliance Trust soared last year while the company's investment strategy delivered positive absolute returns across all regions. Third party assets under management rose to £83m at the end of January 2011 from £12m a year earlier, and have reached £100m since then. The company, which is changing its year-end this year to end-December, saw its net asset value per share rise 16.2% over the year to 439.0p. With full year dividend payments of 8.395p factored in the total return for the year was 18.7%. The fourth quarter dividend in respect of fiscal 2011/11 was 2.2075p. The full year dividend is up 3% on the previous year's pay out of 8.15p and represents the 44th consecutive year of dividend growth. Performance was helped by a share buy-back programme that saw the company buy almost 9.6m of its own shares at a weighted average cost of 335p and a weighted discount to net asset value of 21%. Improvements at Alliance Trust Savings resulted in a reduction in losses by 30% and a 28% increase in revenues to £12.8m. The company said 44% of Alliance Trust Savings' clients are now shareholders in Alliance Trust. Net debt was increased by £127m to £247m. Net gearing stood at 11% at the year end. “The near term outlook for stock markets remains clouded by a number of uncertainties, including geo-political risks, rising commodity prices and a global consumer burdened by debt. However, we are optimistic on the prospects for global equities and believe we can exploit the volatility to build long-term positions. We see the best growth prospects in the Emerging Markets and will continue to increase exposure to take advantage of long-term growth opportunities in these regions," said chief executive, Katherine Garrett-Cox. --- jh

Another Brazilian success for BG Date: Tuesday 12 Apr 2011 LONDON (ShareCast) - There was more good news from Brazil for BG Group as the oil and gas firm said a test of its offshore Guara Norte well confirmed productivity of about 6,000 barrels of oil a day. “Production potential from this well is estimated at around 50 000 bopd,” the company said. “The results from the Guará Norte appraisal well are in line with those recorded from the DST on the original Guará well (1-SPS-55) and reaffirm the excellent reservoir characteristics of this discovery.” Last month, BG said its run of success in the south America continued, with the Iara Horst well yielding good quality oil in a thick reservoir section. And earlier this month, it reported that it has made a third gas discovery in Tanzania, about 18km off the coast of the African country. RG

Lumber Liquidators Selects Versatile to Provide Self Service Solution MECHANICSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA--(Marketwire - April 12, 2011) - Versatile Systems Inc. (TSX VENTURE:VV)(AIM:VVS) today announced that Lumber Liquidators has selected Versatile's Mobiquity Kiosk(TM) system and Easy App(TM) solution to provide its customers with the ability to instantly obtain authorization for Private-Label credit from Lumber Liquidators' banking partner, GE Capital. The Mobiquity Kiosk(TM) enables retailers to automatically and securely process electronic Private-Label credit by providing a few simple pieces of personal information. Lumber Liquidators is the largest independent retailer in the United States specializing in hardwood flooring. "We look for ways to enhance our value proposition of price, selection, quality and availability," says Rob Morrison, Lumber Liquidators' Senior Vice President - Store Operations. "The Versatile solution supports that proposition by streamlining the shopping experience. We believe that the fast and secure processing of credit applications and transactions will allow our store personnel to concentrate on serving our customers and our customer to focus on selecting the right floor at the best price." "Lumber Liquidators is one of the fastest growing retailers in the flooring industry," says Bob Joyce, President, Versatile Systems Inc. "We are excited to be working with them to continue to exceed their customers' expectations." About Versatile Versatile provides business solutions that enable companies to improve sales, marketing and distribution of their products. Versatile also provides information technology services for the implementation, maintenance and security of mission-critical computer environments. Versatile has the ability to architect solutions involving both proprietary and third party components. For more information: www.versatile.com. About Lumber Liquidators Lumber Liquidators is the largest specialty retailer of hardwood flooring in the United States. With more than 235 stores and 340 varieties of flooring, including solid and engineered hardwood, bamboo, cork and laminate, and featuring premier brands such as Bellawood (which features a 50-year warranty), Dream Home, Schon, Tranquility, Virginia Mill Works and Morning Star, Lumber Liquidators has one of the most extensive selections of prefinished and unfinished hardwood flooring in the industry. For additional information, visit www.lumberliquidators.com.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=20110412080502M9963

Morning Sir Bob - there is obvious speculation as to why Levy is going - as discussed here , is he falling on his sword or is he moving as part of the deal for a t/o ---its a 50 / 50 call ( unless you are in the know and most of us wont be!) - I tend to go with the speculation that he is moving on to allow the deal to go through - but who the hell knows - you place your counters and roll the dice. GL with whichever way you call it

Omega Insurance Holdings Limited Guidance on Japanese Earthquake & Tsunami and Update on other 2011 First Quarter Catastrophes Omega Insurance Holdings Limited ("Omega" or the "Group") today announces an update on estimated ultimate net losses for the 2011 Queensland Floods and the 2011 New Zealand earthquake. The Group also makes an initial estimate of ultimate net losses arising from the Japanese earthquake and tsunami of 11 March 2011. Omega estimates its ultimate losses, net of reinsurance and reinstatement premiums, from the 2011 Queensland Floods and the 2011 New Zealand earthquake to be US$7.6 million and US$9.5 million, respectively. These estimates are within the previously estimated ranges of loss. Assessing the Group's ultimate net loss from its exposures to the tragic earthquake and tsunami in Japan is still at a very early stage. However, Omega estimates its ultimate loss, net of reinsurance and reinstatement premiums, to be approximately US$23.6 million, based on an estimated insured market loss of US$25 billion. There is still significant uncertainty surrounding the total market loss of this event and these estimates will be subject to revision as loss notifications are received and information becomes clearer. In addition, forgone managing agency profit commission associated with these events is approximately US$5.0 million. Previously disclosed estimates from 2010 catastrophe events remain unchanged.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201104120700057146E

Ian Garland, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We have transformed Vernalis financially over the last two years and dramatically reduced our annual net cash burn. Our strong balance sheet and focused strategy positions us well to create value for our shareholders in what is an inherently risky sector. By realising value from our existing programmes and adding later stage products through M&A and in-licensing, over time we aim to transition Vernalis from a cash burning development stage company into a diversified self-sustaining pharmaceutical company."

Expected Newsflow · V158866 (pain): Complete Phase I trials (H2 2011) · Tosedostat (cancer): Initiate Phase III trials (Q4 2011) · V81444 (Parkinson's disease): Initiate Phase I trials (2011) · V158411 (cancer): Complete pre-clinical studies and file IND/CTA (2011) · V85546 (inflammation): Possible partnering and/or start Phase II studies (2011) · AUY922 (cancer): Multiple Phase I & II study results (Novartis) (timing undisclosed) · HSP990 (cancer): Establish Maximum Tolerated Dose (Novartis) (timing undisclosed)

Financial Highlights · Dramatically improved trading results in 2010 (vs 2009): o Revenues up 9% to £14.2 million (2009: £13.0 million) § Menarini frovatriptan royalties £7.0 million (2009: £7.5 million) § Underlying sales of frovatriptan €31.3 million (2009: €32.4 million) down marginally (3.4%) due to price reductions in Germany (up 2.9% on 2009 excluding Germany) § Collaboration income and deferred revenue up 27% to £7.0 million (2009: £5.5 million) o Underlying operating costs reduced by £1.4 million in 2010 in addition to £3.5 million reduction in 2009 o Loss before exceptional items for 2010 reduced by 75% to £2.8 million from £11.3 million in 2009 o Underlying annual net cash burn reduced by £10.1 million (70%) to £4.4 million · Cash resources (including cash, cash equivalents and held-to-maturity financial assets) of £30.9 million at 31 December 2010, debt free and a runway through to the end of 2013

Highlights from our marketed drugs and research and development pipeline · Frovatriptan Menarini royalties: o Regained entire rights from Paul Capital Healthcare (March 2010) · AUY922 (Cancer): o Initiation of Phase II proof-of-concept study, triggering $3 million milestone from Novartis (March 2010) · V158866 (Pain): o First subjects dosed in Phase I clinical study (March 2011) · Tosedostat - CHR2797 (Cancer): o Licensing deal secured by Chroma Therapeutics for North, Central and South America (March 2011) o Orphan drug status granted for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia by the US Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency o Phase III studies targeted to start in Q4 2011 · V81444 (Parkinson's Disease): o As separately announced today, rights successfully regained to A2A programme from Biogen Idec following a strategic review of their priority programmes (April 2011) o Phase I ready, approved by MHRA for first dosing in man o Phase I trial expected to start during 2011 following transition back to Vernalis · HSP990 (Cancer): o Continuing in Phase I MTD studies · V3381 (Neuropathic Pain and Chronic Cough): o Programme discontinued and rights returned to Chiesi (November 2010) · V2006 (Parkinson's Disease): o Programme redirected by Biogen Idec to V81444 (July 2010) due to V2006 compound-specific safety concerns · Research highlights: o Oncology collaboration with Servier extended (May 2010) o Milestone of €0.75 million secured from second Servier oncology collaboration (October 2010) o New collaboration with Lundbeck signed targeting LRRK2, with potential utility in Parkinson's disease (December 2010)

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201104120700057157E

EXPECTED TIMING FOR COMPLETION OF RESTRUCTURING African Aura Mining Inc. ("African Aura" or the "Company"), the TSX-V (AUR) and AIM (AAAM) listed exploration and development company with divisions focused on iron ore and gold projects in sub Saharan Africa, wishes to remind its shareholders that, further to its recent press releases regarding the proposed restructuring of the Company's assets with Aureus Mining Inc. ("Aureus Mining") (the "Arrangement"), the expected completion time of the Arrangement is 12.01 a.m. (Toronto time) / 5.01 a.m. (BST) on April 13, 2011 (the "Effective Time"). As previously announced by the Company, for settlement purposes, the last day of trading in African Aura shares with the right to receive Aureus Mining shares was April 7, 2011. At the Effective Time, African Aura will be renamed Afferro Mining Inc. and will hold the Company's iron ore assets. The shares of the Company are expected to commence trading on April 13, 2011 under the new CUSIP 00818V103 / ISIN CA00818V1031 / SEDOL B66MTK4, with the symbol "AFF". Aureus Mining will, on completion of the Arrangement, hold the Company's gold assets, a 14% holding in Stellar Diamonds Plc and cash and cash equivalents equal to 40% of African Aura's total cash balance immediately prior to the Effective Time (estimated as being approximately US$10.6 million based on information available at April 6 2011). It is expected that the shares of Aureus Mining will commence trading on April 13, 2011 under the CUSIP 051547107 / ISIN CA0515471070 / SEDOL B60MMJ0, with the symbol "AUE". The new website for the Company following the completion of the Arrangement will be www.afferro-mining.com and the website for Aureus Mining Inc. will be www.aureus-mining.com.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201104120700067203E

Rakesh Sharma, Chief Operating Officer of Ultra, commented: "We have been able to secure these awards because of our focus on constant product innovation coupled with high quality manufacturing and on-time delivery. The US Navy has recognised the support it receives from USSI and ERAPSCO by awarding these contracts at a time when the procurement process in the US is being slowed by external factors."

Ultra wins $25m US Navy sonobuoy orders Ultra announces that its USSI business, based in Columbia City, Indiana, US, has received US Navy contracts for sonobuoys worth about $25m. The contracts have been awarded through ERAPSCO, Ultra's joint venture with the Sparton Corporation that supplies all sonobuoys to the US Navy. Delivery of the sonobuoys will be made over a twelve month period commencing in mid-2011. Ultra, which has sonobuoy businesses in the UK, the USA and Canada, develops and manufactures high technology sonobuoys, the acoustic sensors which are used to detect the presence of submarines. The awards are for the latest generation passive and active sonobuoys. Passive sonobuoys are optimised to detect the machinery noise which emanates from submarines moving through the ocean. Active sonobuoys transmit acoustic energy pulses and sense the echo returns from potential targets.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201104120700067187E

Ray Miles, outgoing Chairman, commented: "Given that my own experience has mainly been building businesses and improving their operational performance and that the Company now faces a period of intense financial restructuring, it is time to hand over to others with more experience of this. I have huge admiration for the management team and the many excellent people who work in Southern Cross and wish them well in these difficult times." Christopher Fisher, Chairman of Southern Cross, commented: "Ray has served as Chairman for over three years and the Board would like to record its genuine appreciation for his contribution to the Company over this period. "Looking ahead, the Board is focused on supporting Jamie Buchan and his executive team in promoting an orderly restructuring of the Company's affairs, to stabilise its financial position and to provide the business with a sustainable platform for the future while at the same time ensuring the continued delivery of high quality care for residents."

Southern Cross Healthcare Group PLC ('Southern Cross', 'the Company' or 'the Group') Board Changes and Restructuring Update Southern Cross, the UK's largest care home operator, announces the resignation of Ray Miles as a Director of the Company and as Chairman of the Board. In his place Christopher Fisher, a current non-executive Director of the Company, has been appointed Chairman with immediate effect. Christopher Fisher joined the Board in June 2006. He spent most of his career at Lazard, the investment bank, where he was a Managing Director, and has also served as Vice Chairman, Corporate Finance, at KPMG. In addition, to allow Jamie Buchan, Chief Executive, to focus on the Group's restructuring and capital needs, Mark Cash, in addition to his Executive Committee responsibilities takes the new role of Chief Operating Officer. Mr Cash, who will be undertaking this role on an interim basis reporting to Mr Buchan, joined Southern Cross as a Regional Director in September 2009 and previously held senior roles within Sunrise Senior Living Ltd and Exxon/Mobil where he ran Exxon's UK and Ireland service station network. The Group is maintaining regular and constructive dialogue with its lenders who continue to be supportive. The Company will shortly be making proposals to its major landlords as to how its rent burden and capital structure might be re-organised. While there can be no certainty as to the success of these negotiations, the prevailing mood appears constructive. The full year profit outlook has come under further pressure, principally due to the additional disruption caused by the restructuring announcement; however, management is encouraged by the supportive stance being adopted by Regulators, Local Authorities and Staff during this period. The Company expects to release its interim results statement in the week beginning May 9.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201104120700077206E