The board would like to thank Ian for his contribution to the company over the past eight years, first as finance director and then as chief executive. We wish him well in his future career."Manganese is exploring expansion possibilities in Asia, and is in talks with a consortium about the possibility of starting production in Pakistan. In a short statement to the stock market, the group's chairman, Tim Melville-Ross, said that, having completed a period of restructuring, the company was ready to move into a new phase, focusing on growth. Mr Pickering had been at the helm for five years, before which he was group finance director for three years. Although the group has had mixed fortunes over the past few years, Mr Pickering oversaw a turnaround in its fortunes in recent months, offloading its loss-making cab-hailing service, Zingo, and increasing production in the UK.He left the company with immediate effect yesterday, "to pursue other interests". The company said a replacement would be announced in due course."Ian's departure follows the completion of the restructuring process begun in 2003," said Mr Melville-Ross, who also chairs Royal London, DTZ and Bovis Homes "Our focus now is on our strategy for growth. BT said delivery of systems in London would continue in accordance with the agreed plan with the NHS.. Ian Pickering, the chief executive of the black cab maker Manganese Bronze, unexpectedly parted company with the business yesterday after eight years on the board.

The replacement had been rumoured for some time and BT said it expects the transition to be complete by the autumn. BT also cut the cost of its voice over internet product by 29 per cent to £4.95 a month.Separately, BT has also confirmed that the healthcare software company IDX, owned by GE Healthcare, has been replaced by rival Cerner to supply systems in the London area for the massive upgrade to the National Health Service's IT infrastructure. Customers on BT's cheapest package will also now have to pay a 3p fee to connect a call.BT also tinkered with other charges. It will offer customers a 25p monthly discount to line rental charges of £11 a month if they opt to receive their bill online. BT also made reductions to the cost of fixed-line to mobile calls and "non-geographic" numbers such as 0845 or 0870 numbers. Customers using their phones during the day on cheaper packages will see charges rounded up to the nearest minute from October. However, all of its 16 million customers will be eligible for free weekend and evening calls for a year if they sign up to an 18-month contract. Consumer groups, however, said the majority of BT customers could see prices rise as "per minute" pricing replaces current "per second" charges.

The cuts represent the largest ever reductions to BT's call packages and could collectively save its customers up to £200m. It follows the UK telecoms regulator Ofcom's decision to free the company from regulation after 22 years of price caps. BT has slashed the cost of its Option 2 package by 28 per cent to £3.95 a month, while its higher-usage Option 3 package will cost £9.95 a month, a cut of 31 per cent. The cuts will benefit 2.1 million subscribers on those packages. BT, the UK's largest residential telecoms company, has slashed its prices amid intense competition from a host of rival suppliers.

However, some charges will rise with BT reintroducing "per minute" pricing for day-time calls. The US sought to block French demands for an "immediate" ceasefire in Lebanon last night by deciding to produce counter-proposals at the UN after a mission to the region by the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice.. Israel has gained more time for its war against Hizbollah as a rift between the US and France delayed a diplomatic solution that could lead to the deployment of a multinational force. Critics accuse him of cosying up to the United States, while neglecting Australia's neighbours in south-east Asia.In a letter to fellow Liberal MPs, he promised to fight the next election with "enthusiasm and vigour".. If he wins the next election, expected to be held by late next year, he will be one of the world's most successful conservative leaders. His announcement yesterday was a blow to his deputy and Treasurer, Peter Costello, who like Gordon Brown has been waiting impatiently to take over the top job.Reviled by a significant section of the electorate for his social conservatism, Mr Howard has proved himself a wily political operator who can tap into the fears and aspirations of middle Australia.A close ally of President George Bush, Mr Howard has boosted Australia's international profile, sending troops to Afghanistan and Iraq, and intervening in conflicts in East Timor and the South Pacific. The Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, will fight a fifth general election, ending months of political in-fighting and speculation about his future.

Mr Howard, 67, marked a decade in power this year and is the country's second-longest serving leader. If Kabila wins in the first round, there is a question whether people in Kinshasa will accept it.". Both Mr Bemba and another former warlord, Azarias Ruberwa, have said they will not accept the result if there are "irregularities". In the east, the rebel leader Laurent Nkunda is reportedly increasing his recruitment of child soldiers.One international observer said the election may not deliver peace: "This election is going to divide the country.