SYDNEY, April 8--AsiaNet/InfoQuest PRODUCTION LICENCE... ADELAIDE: Santos Limited, on behalf of the VIC/P44 joint venture, Friday announced that the $200 million Casino development, offshore southern Australia, has been awarded a production licence by the Victorian Government. NEW LICENCES... BOCA RATON, Fla.: FastForests, Inc., in conjunction with its Australian partner Panpacific Development Funds Limited, has secured licences to market worldwide up to 27 new varieties of fast-growing hardwood trees. CASINO PURCHASES... GLEBE: GoldenPalace.com, the Internet casino that gained worldwide recognition from the purchase of the Virgin Mary Grilled Cheese Sandwich and other online auction curiosities, has bought an Australian man's frying pan bearing the likeness of Jesus Christ in burned leftover lemon mustard cream sauce for A$102.50 (about US$78.85). http://www.GoldenPalace.com INTERNET GAMING... LONDON: Kobus Paulsen, CEO of the UC Group, Thursday said the WTO ruling that U.S. prohibitions on Internet gambling is improper and discriminatory under global trade rules means the U.S. will need to regulate rather than prohibit Internet gaming. http://www.uc.com http://www.securetrading.com FLAGSHIP STORES... LONDON: Gizmondo Europe Ltd, subsidiary of Jacksonville, Florida-based Tiger Telematics Inc., is to open more of its crowd-stopping, technology packed flagship stores to support the global roll out of the unique Gizmondo multi-entertainment device. http://www.gizmondo.com http://www.tigertelematics.com SPONSORSHIP ALLIANCE... LONDON: Gizmondo Europe Ltd, subsidiary of Jacksonville, Florida-based Tiger Telematics Inc., is set to sponsor MTV Europe's pan-European movie initiative 'MTV at the Movies' as well as becoming an official sponsor of Europe's premier live music event, the 'MTV Europe Music Awards 2005,' as part of its strategy to build its brand identity with young people across Europe. http://www.gizmondo.com http://www.tigertelematics.com BANK FACILITIES... RIO DE JANEIRO: Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (CVRD) Thursday announced that it is increasing the size of its program of committed bank facilities to US$750 million from the current US$500 million. http://www.cvrd.com.br GORE ACQUIRES... NEWARK, Del.: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., a world leader in the manufacture of fluoropolymer-based surgical and medical OEM products, has acquired Tetrad Corporation, Englewood, CO, a manufacturer of medical ultrasound probes, imaging systems and surgical products for end-users and original equipment manufacturers. http://www.gore.com HIV PROGRAM... WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation Thursday announced a $1.25 million partnership with Johnson & Johnson to initiate and expand programs to prevent mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV in seven developing countries. http://www.jnj.com http://www.pedaids.org GEMPLUS APPOINTS... LUXEMBOURG & SINGAPORE: Gemplus International S.A., the world's leading provider of smart card based solutions, Thursday announced the appointment of Dr Martin McCourt as President of Gemplus Asia, reporting to Alex Mandl, President and Chief Executive Officer. http://www.gemplus.com GLOBAL LEADER... PARIS & SAN JOSE, Calif.: Frost & Sullivan, an industry research firm, has recognized NetCentrex as the worldwide leader in the Class 5 Application Server market. http://www.netcentrex.net http://www.frost.com (AsiaNet is a consortium of leading news agencies distributing unedited, translated news releases for worldwide clients. Visit www.asianetnews.net for full-text versions.)