Jul 11--PRNewswire/AsiaNetU.S DEFENCE CONTRACT WON... WASHINGTON: The U.S Department of Defence has awarded Global Crossing Government Markets a US$ 400 million, three-year contract to provide network services for its Defence Research and Engineering Network, spanning 6,000 scientists and engineers, across defence laboratories, test centres, universities and industry sites.WORLD'S LARGEST PR FIRM ANNOUNCED... NEW YORK: The world's largest public relations firm, the Interpublic Group, has been formed involving four major marketing services divisions, following a merger between Weber Shandwick and BSMG announced today.AIDS REVELATION... BUENOS AIRES: A study released today at the 1st International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Treatment shows that resistance tests from b iotechnology company, Virco, can predict clinical response to HIV for up to two years, a statement from the company has said.NOVEL ACQUISITION FOR NOVELL... PROVO: Novell Inc has fully acquired consultancy company, Cambridge Technology Partners Inc, to complement its core Net services software business, transferring Cambridge's ceo, Mr Jack Messman, to its helm, a company news release stated today.BEST FIREWALL DEVELOPER... HONG KONG: Internet security systems developer, Netscreen Technologies, today jointly announced its no.1 ranking in the firewall/VPN appliance market by global market research firm, International Data Corporation, and the launch of its updated, more flexible, 1000-gigabit security system.NET CIRCUITS FOR RACE CIRCUITS... FREMONT: ARESCOM Inc, the worldwide broadband infrastructure company, will provide high-speed Internet access to the world's three foremost car racing tracks, following a deal stitched with ebizconnection, the company managing Internet networks for the Indiannapolis Motor Speedway, according to a news release.VOICE CARRIES NETWORK... MAHWAH: Internet voice and video technology developer, RADVISION, would be used to expand the reach of LG Electronics' Media Gateway, a system which connects telephone and Internet Protocol (IP) networks, the company said today.EARNINGS RESULTS: PURCHASE: PepsiCo Inc today said its second quarter 2001 earnings conference call for analysts and investors would be webcast live on July 19. (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).