May 15/PRNewswire-AsiaNetCONFERENCE TARGETS DIABETES... GENEVA: Novo Nordisk, the Danish healthcare company, today said that 400 diabetes experts had gathered Friday at a global interactive conference to discuss the implications of bioengineered "designer" insulins for the world's 150 million diabetics.A BILLION-PLUS ON THE PHONE... LONDON: The GSM Association, the global mobile/wireless industry's representative body, announced today that more than half a billion GSM mobile phones are now in use worldwide.ROBOT TECHNOLOGY ON OFFER IN HK... HONG KONG: Interactive Communications Company, Al Vision Ltd, today said that advanced robot (bot) technology can now be used in Hong Kong to improve customer service, raise sales and reduce customer call centre overheads across corporate websites and intranets.SINO-US RELATIONS3... WASHINGTON: Watson Wyatt & Company's president and ceo, John J Haley, was yesterday honoured with the Marco Polo Award, acknowledging the company's contribution in encouraging friendly relations and economic development between China and the United States.SHERRITT BUYS FULL GAMUT... TORONTO: Sherritt Coal Partnership today said that it has absorbed all Luscar Coal Income Fund's units and debentures (74 million and 91 million respectively) as part of its Amended Offer for the company.MEDICAL GUIDE DISPENSED TO LABS... BRISBANE: Queensland Health Pathology Service will provide a standardised reference guide of medical vocabulary for its 12 statewide networked laboratories, the organisation said today.CALLAWAY CREATES CLOTHES... CARLSBAD: Callaway Golf Company, the world's largest golf club manufacturers, has formed a strategic alliance with sportswear designers, Ashworth Inc, to create a line of Callaway-branded clothing.IIJ OPENS NEW OFFICE... TOKYO: Internet Initiative Japan Inc today launched its latest Japanese office in Naha City, Okinawa.BOM CHOOSES S1 CORP... SINGAPORE: Bank of America has chosen S1 Corporation's Trade Finance solution to provide its global trade services over the Internet. (AsiaNet is a consortium of leading news agencies distributing unedited, translated press releases for worldwide clients. Contact: www.asianet.com.au for full-text versions).