SYDNEY, April 15--AsiaNet/InfoQuest DOLPHIN BIRTH... HONOLULU: Kekaimalu, the world's only known wholphin has given birth to a healthy baby wholphin that is one-fourth false killer whale and three-fourths Atlantic bottlenose dolphin at Sea Life Park, Hawaii. CONSUMER TECHNOLOGY... SINGAPORE: The region's consumer technology prices continued to drop significantly between 2003 and 2004, according to GfK Asia releases its 2004 Pan Asian Consumer Technology Price Index, released today. www.gfkms.com DIVIDEND APPROVED... RIO DO JANEIRO: Companhia Vale do Rio Doce announced that the payment of the first installment of its USD 0.87 minimum dividend per outstanding share to be paid in 2005 has been approved. www.cvrd.com.br VEGAN COOKBOOK... KAUAI: Mark Reinfeld & Bo Rinaldi, authors of Vegan World Fusion Cuisine and partners in the award winning "Blossoming Lotus" Restaurant in Kauai, said they have received three prestigious finalist awards in the leading book industry competition. www.veganfusion.com MAXBASS COMPUTERS... TOKYO & TEL-AVIV: Waves Audio Ltd. announced today that NEC, has introduced five new personal computer systems in its popular Valuestar series with Waves patented MaxxBass psychoacoustic bass extension technology. www.waves.com www.maxxbass.com ADENOSINE RIGHTS... RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.: Xsira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that it has in-licensed worldwide rights to develop adenosine as an analgesic for the reduction of post-operative pain following surgery. www.xsira.com CONFERENCE CALL... HAMILTON: W.P. Stewart invited participation in its conference call on Thursday, 28th April, 2005 for the release of its First Quarter 2005 Earnings Release. www.wpstewart.com EARNINGS GROWTH... PURCHASE, N.Y.: PepsiCo reported a 15% increase in first-quarter earnings per share to $0.53, fueled by Division operating profit growth of more than 10%. www.pepsico.com GOVERNANCE TOOLS... NEW YORK: The FTSE Group said New and unique corporate governance ratings have been added today to the FTSE ISS Corporate Governance Index (CGI) Series. www.ftse.com METABOLIC SYNDROME... BERLIN: Early detection and more intensive management of the metabolic syndrome in order to reduce the long-term risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes is now possible, the International Diabetes Federation reported. www.idf.org GPS MODULE... THALWIL: In a release, u-blox AG today announced the availability of LEA-LA, the company's smallest GPS receiver module. www.u-box.com NICKEL DISCOVERY... SYDNEY: Allegiance Mining NL (ASX: AGM) has announced the discovery of a new nickel province on the mineral rich West Coast of Tasmania, Australia. (AsiaNet is a consortium of leading news agencies distributing unedited, translated news releases for worldwide clients. Visit www.asianetnews.net for full-text versions.)