FED:Senators thank departing Coonan

AAP General News (Australia)
08-22-2011
FED:Senators thank departing Coonan

CANBERRA, Aug 22 AAP - Members on both sides of politics have thanked departing senator
Helen Coonan for her contribution to the nation.

Senator Coonan was elected to the upper house in 1996 and went on to become a cabinet
minister and deputy leader of the Howard government in the Senate.

Her resignation from the upper house, due to a family illness, is effective from August 23.

Victorian Senator Helen Kroger thanked Senator Coonan for her "enormous contribution"

to the coalition and to Australia.

"You have served this Senate and those in NSW with enormous distinction," Senator Kroger
told the chamber on Monday.

"You have been a wonderful mentor for many of us; you have been very generous in sharing
your knowledge, experience and great advice."

Senator Coonan served on the government benches - as revenue minister, assistant treasurer
and communications minister - until the Howard government lost office in November 2007.

Labor Sports Minister Mark Arbib said his fellow NSW senator had served the people
of the state well while dealing with demanding portfolios as minister.

"You have had a number of difficult and challenging portfolios and you have always
put the interests of the government and the country first," Senator Arbib said.

Senator Coonan expressed her gratitude to the upper house.

"It is with great regret that I make my decision," she said.

"But I do thank the senate very much and wish everybody well for the future."

It's been reported that John Howard's former chief-of-staff Arthur Sinodinos could
take her place.

Senator Coonan's seat in the Senate will go to a candidate selected by the NSW Liberal Party.

AAP el/klm/jnb/hn

KEYWORD: COONAN

� 2011 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

SA: Fears held for woman abducted by her former de facto

AAP General News (Australia)
02-20-2008
SA: Fears held for woman abducted by her former de facto

A 38 year old woman's been kidnapped from her car in Adelaide.

And the abductor has left behind her six year old son.

Police believe DONNA PRIDHAM was taken by her former de facto husband on Monday night
.. while she stopped her car .. possibly at a set of traffic lights .. in …

VIC:Police probe link between brawls

AAP General News (Australia)
04-26-2011
VIC:Police probe link between brawls

A brawl in Melbourne's west has been linked to an African beauty pageant that's sparked
trouble for the second year running.

Bottles were hurled at police as they tried to break up fighting between two gangs
at a park in Braybrook about 1.30 this morning.

One officer was hit in the face with a bottle and the other was punched in the back
of the head .. while their car windscreen was chipped and its emergency lights shattered.

Police say they're investigating a link between the brawl and a machete attack at a
party in the city's southeast to celebrate the Miss South Sudan Australia beauty pageant.

AAP RTV jcr/gfr/jmt

KEYWORD: BOTTLE (MELBOURNE)

� 2011 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

FED:World economy growing stronger, RBA says=4

AAP General News (Australia)
02-11-2011
FED:World economy growing stronger, RBA says=4

Mr Stevens said underlying inflation had fallen by a "substantial amount" from the peak in 2008.

"It is worth recording that a combination ... of a five per cent unemployment rate
and an inflation rate clearly in the two's is a pretty favourable one by the standards
of recent decades," Mr Stevens said.

The Reserve Bank has an inflation target of two to three per cent.

He said, as a result of the increase in the cash rate in November, and changes made
by the banks to lending rates, interest rates being paid by borrowers were a bit above
average compared with the past 15 years.

The rise in the Australian dollar to its highest levels since it was floated was not
especially surprising given the level of the terms of trade.

"Nonetheless, it is exerting dampening pressure on the traded sector outside of the
resources sector," he said.

He said financial conditions were on the firm side.

"Having reached that position in a fairly timely fashion, the board has judged it to
be sensible of late to leave the cash rate steady."

AAP cb/dlm/was

KEYWORD: RBA 4 CANBERRA

� 2011 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

SA:Adelaide has a wet August

AAP General News (Australia)
08-27-2010
SA:Adelaide has a wet August

ADELAIDE, Aug 27 AAP - Adelaide has enjoyed its wettest August in almost two decades.

The city has already logged rainfall of 112 millimetres so far this month, the highest
tally in 18 years.

August has also been Adelaide's wettest month for five years.

In the Adelaide Hills falls of up to 230mm were recorded.

"Adelaide and most of South Australia have received well above average rain in August
due to the regular passage of cold fronts across the state," The Weather Channel meteorologist
Tom Saunders said on Friday.

Mr Saunders said Adelaide had been cold during the month, with the city's top temperature
averaging just 14.6C, two degrees below the long-term average.

AAP tjd/jl

KEYWORD: RAIN SA

� 2010 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Fed: Recommending financial products not govt's job: Hockey

AAP General News (Australia)
04-20-2010
Fed: Recommending financial products not govt's job: Hockey

SYDNEY, April 20 AAP - It's not the federal government's role to recommend financial
products, the opposition says.

The Cooper Review is expected to recommend every major Australian superannuation fund
be forced to offer a low-cost, low-service fund under an industry overhaul.

The government review, headed by former ASIC deputy chairman Jeremy Cooper, will urge
tighter regulations on retirement nest eggs.

It will propose super funds introduce a MySuper product that offers members no real
investment choice, limited flexibility and reduced levels of disclosure, but is aimed
at bringing down fees.

Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey has told an Association of Financial Advisers seminar he
doesn't believe it's the commonwealth's role to define financial products.

"It can facilitate financial products, but it shouldn't get into the business of defining
financial products," he told the seminar in Sydney on Tuesday.

A report by the not-for-profit Industry Super Network found financial advisers reaped
$1.5 billion in fees in 2009 alone.

Asked how he would address excessive commissions, Mr Hockey says it's up to individuals
to work out whether they're paying too much in fees.

"I believe that individuals have to accept some personal responsibility for their superannuation,"

he said.

"And ultimately if they are paying too much in fees, one of the reasons why the Howard
government introduced choice to super was to enable them to change superannuation funds.

"And if you are not happy with the fees you are paying, change funds.

"If that formula is good enough from the government in relation to mortgages, why isn't
the formula good enough in relation to superannuation?"

The Cooper Review is due to deliver its final report to the government in June.

AAP bc/evt/mn

KEYWORD: SUPER HOCKEY

2010 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

FED: Abbott cuts into Rudd's lead: poll

AAP General News (Australia)
12-07-2009
FED: Abbott cuts into Rudd's lead: poll

SYDNEY, Dec 7 AAP - A new poll shows Tony Abbott has cut into Kevin Rudd's lead as
preferred prime minister within a week of the newly elected Leader of the Opposition reversing
the Liberals' stand on climate change and rejecting Labor's ETS.

As the Liberals declared clear victories in the Melbourne and Sydney by-elections of
Higgins and Bradfield, the results were mirrored in Newspoll, which showed Mr Abbott outpointing
his predecessor, Malcolm Turnbull, as the preferred Liberal leader, The Australian newspaper
says.

After being Liberal leader for fewer than five days, Mr Abbott was able to claim easy
victories in both Liberal-held seats on primary votes on Saturday night while the Liberal
Party primary vote across the nation lifted, according to Newspoll.

The Newspoll survey, conducted from Friday to Sunday for The Australian, showed a rise
of four percentage points in the Liberals' primary vote, taking the Coalition's support
to 38 per cent compared with the government's unchanged 43 per cent.

The government still has an overwhelming two-party-preferred vote of 56 to 44 per cent,
but Mr Abbott has improved on Mr Turnbull's last position as preferred prime minister
and won strong endorsement among Liberal voters.

Support for Mr Rudd as preferred prime minister fell five percentage points at the
weekend from 65 to 60 per cent and Mr Abbott started on 23 per cent, a rise of nine points
compared with Mr Turnbull's 14 per cent the previous weekend.

AAP ao

KEYWORD: LIBERALS POLL

2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Fed: New quarantine powers enacted to manage swine flu

AAP General News (Australia)
04-29-2009
Fed: New quarantine powers enacted to manage swine flu

Governor-General QUENTIN BRYCE has consented to sweeping new quarantine powers for
health officials .. in response to the global outbreak of swine flu.

Health Minister NICOLA ROXON approached Ms BRYCE last night to approve the powers ..

which include allowing authorities to detain people suspected of having the potentially
deadly virus.

The minister's told ABC radio the measures range from usng disinfectants on planes
or at ports .. through to the far more extreme powers to make sure people are isolated
and even detained if they don't cooperate .. and are showing symptoms.

Ms ROXON's stressed they're only precautionary measures and won't necessarily be used.

There are 111 possible swine flu cases being investigated in Australia .. including
22 locals who were on the same flight as three New Zealand students now confirmed as being
infected.

The remaining 89 .. a third of them from Queensland .. are showing flu-like symptoms
and are being tested and results are expected in the next 48 hours.

AAP RTV bsb/rt

KEYWORD: FLU AUST ROXON (CANBERRA)

2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Fed: Australians urged to relax, share and care this Christmas

AAP General News (Australia)
12-24-2008
Fed: Australians urged to relax, share and care this Christmas

As Australians finish frantic last-minute Christmas shopping today .. they're being
urged to give thanks for the little things in life.

Australia's political and religious leaders remind us to think of those less fortunate
as we tuck into Christmas lunches and open presents.

In a Christmas message to the nation .. Prime Minister KEVIN RUDD has urged Australians
to treat the festive period as one free of the many pressures of the year passed.

He says it's a time when we can relax with our families and our friends and our loved ones.

Both Mr RUDD and Opposition Leader MALCOLM TURNBULL have also asked Australians to
remember our soldiers serving overseas who can't be with their families at Christmas time.

The PM will attend Christmas mass in Sydney tomorrow.

AAP RTV bsb/evt/fdf/ka

KEYWORD: XMAS WRAP (SYDNEY)

2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Sof: Collated softball results today

AAP General News (Australia)
08-18-2008
Sof: Collated softball results today

BEIJING, Aug 17 AFP - Collated softball results today:



Women's preliminaries

Taiwan 2 bt China 1

Japan 5 bt Venezuela 2

Australia 4 bt Canada 0

United States 8 bt Netherlands 0



W L

United States 6 0

Japan 5 1

Australia 4 2

Canada 3 3

China 2 4

Taiwan 2 4

Venezuala 2 4

Netherlands 0 6

AFP mp

KEYWORD: OLYR08 SOF COLLATED

2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Qld: Baby boomers the key to solving skills shortage, says Boyle

AAP General News (Australia)
04-10-2008
Qld: Baby boomers the key to solving skills shortage, says Boyle

By Crystal Ja

GOLD COAST, April 10 AAP - Queensland Tourism Minister Desley Boyle believes baby boomers
from across the globe could help solve the state's skills crisis.

Ms Boyle today said she had written to federal Immigration Minister Chris Evans calling
for the current age restrictions for working holidaymakers to be lifted.

Twelve-month holiday visas are available to 18- to 30-year-olds under current provisions.

Ms Boyle said overseas workers aged 30-plus were Australia's great untapped resource.

"Business and industry in Queensland is constrained in terms of its growth by a lack
of skilled labour," Ms Boyle told reporters on the Gold Coast.

"Why should we allow working holiday visas for 18- to 30-year-olds only? It may be
some of us who are older, baby boomers, may well like that opportunity."

Ms Boyle said Queensland's low unemployment rate of 3.6 per cent had its positive points
but was restricting business growth.

"This is a bigger issue for Queensland, I suspect, (because) Queensland is booming
more than other states," she said.

There were shortages in hospitality, the health sector and other skilled trades all
around the state, the minister said.

Ms Boyle said she had not yet spoken to other states about supporting the measure,
but added Western Australia and regional areas of NSW also had their own skills shortage
crises.

She said she would await responses to the proposal from business before taking the
matter further.

AAP cj/dmc/pjo/it/cdh

KEYWORD: TOURISM BOOMERS

2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Vic: Second building to be evacuated

AAP General News (Australia)
12-06-2007
Vic: Second building to be evacuated

Eds: clarifies 570 Bourke Street is 31 storeys high

MELBOURNE, Dec 6 AAP - Up to 4,000 office workers are to be evacuated from a second
Melbourne building after an explosion caused a fire at a neighbouring office tower.

The explosion occurred in an electrical substation in a car park at the rear of the
building at 570 Bourke Street in central Melbourne.

All 3,000 occupants of the 31-storey office tower have now been safely accounted for
and evacuated, including several who were trapped in lifts, Metropolitan Fire Brigade
spokesman David Mann said.

Mr Mann said 600 Bourke Street was to be evacuated from 2.30pm (AEDT), because its
power supply was dwindling.

"We'd rather get them out before the power goes out in the building," he said.

Circuit breakers and a large amount of wiring was destroyed in the substation blaze,
which was brought under control about 2pm, he said.

Mr Mann told ABC radio some disabled workers had to be helped down the stairs.

He said ambulance crews had treated workers for smoke inhalation and shock.

A Metropolitan Ambulance Service (MAS) spokesman said 15 people had been treated by
ambulance crews for respiratory complaints and four were being taken to hospital.

Reports said black smoke was billowing out of the office building, Marland House, through a vent.

AAP md/pmu/lh/bwl

KEYWORD: BUILDING LEAD

2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Fed: Iraq withdrawal would humiliate US and weaken Aust: PM

AAP General News (Australia)
04-24-2007
Fed: Iraq withdrawal would humiliate US and weaken Aust: PM

The Prime Minister says one reason he won't withdraw Australian troops from Iraq ..

is because it would humiliate the United States.

JOHN HOWARD says it would be a colossal blow to American prestige around the world
.. if the coalition pulled out of Iraq and appeared to have lost the war.

He's told ABC radio America's power and support is important for Australian security
.. and he won't support a policy that weakens it.







Canberra's confirmed two Australian soldiers were injured by a roadside bomb that exploded
as their armoured vehicle passed by in southern Iraq yesterday.

But Mr HOWARD hasn't commented on the incident.

AAP RTV jb/mfh/rt/jmt

KEYWORD: IRAQ AUST HOWARD (CANBERRA)

2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

AAP Backgrounders and Analyses for the weekend of Dec 23/24

AAP General News (Australia)
12-22-2006
AAP Backgrounders and Analyses for the weekend of Dec 23/24

AAP BACKGROUNDERS AND ANALYSES FOR THE WEEKEND OF DECEMBER 23/24



(EDS NOTE - Stories already on file will be repeated Friday morning. For further information
please contact AAP news editors on (02) 9322 8610 or 9322 8611.)





SYDNEY - Few cricketers will ever come within cooee of Shane Warne's achievements on
the field, but can Warne now top his own reputation as a human headline off it? (Warne
Personality, AAP Sportsfeature, by Doug Conway, 808 words, on file)



SYDNEY - One pads into the bowling crease like an overfed cat and delivers from the
back of his hand. (Warne Career, AAP Sportsfeature, by John Coomber, 1,049 words, with
factbox, on file)



BRISBANE - Queensland: Beautiful one day, bigoted backwater the next. (Newscope Qld,
AAP News Analysis, 713 words, by Steve Connolly, on file)



CANBERRA - "If you want to blame somebody, blame me." ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope
uttered those words just days after a hurricane of fire roared into Canberra's western
suburbs, killing four people and razing almost 500 homes. (Bushfires Inquest, AAP Newsfeature,
by Peter Veness and Kate Corbett, 1,081 words, on file)



CAPE DENISON, Australian Antarctic Territory - If one man's trash is another man's
treasure, then Marty Passingham has struck solid gold. (Mawson, AAP Newsfeature, 764 words,
By Simon Mossman, pix available, on file)



DARWIN - First you grab a plastic bag. Then you slip on some gloves, seize a torch
and head into the night. (Toad, AAP Newsfeature, By Tara Ravens, 996 words, file pix available,
on file)



BRISBANE - The ABC building in the Brisbane suburb of Toowong has long been the subject
of concern and derision. (Breast, AAP Backgrounder, by Rosemary Desmond, 456 words, on
file)



SYDNEY - A tattooed young hand rams the gear lever into first, wheels spin and the
car slams through a supermarket's front window - alarms sound instantly. (Dangerous, AAP
TV Feature, By Erin McWhirter, 909 words, on file)



LOS ANGELES - One of Hollywood's hot young actors is escaping to Australia so he can
throw a couple of shrimp on the barbie for Christmas lunch. US Miller, AAP Newsfeature,
By Peter Mitchell, 637 words, on file)



NOOSA, Qld - Australia's biggest names on the world pop music scene is barely known
in his homeland. (Music, AAP Newsfeature, by James Shrimpton, 977 words, pix available,
on file)



LOS ANGELES - In May 2005, there were few places in the world for Brad Pitt to hide
from the paparazzi. (US Babel Pitt, By Peter Mitchell, AAP Feature, 999 words, on file)



LOS ANGELES - There was a moment during the filming of the new Hollywood musical, Dreamgirls,
Beyonce Knowles gazed into a mirror. (US Beyonce, AAP Feature, by Peter Mitchell, 951
words, on file)



SPORT:

PERTH - Maybe it's time to stop calling Michael Clarke "Pup". (Ashes Clarke Sportsfeature
by John Coomber, 688 words, on file, with factbox)



TENNIS

SYDNEY - The eagerly-awaited return of Spanish sensation Rafael Nadal and farewell
of popular Belgian Kim Clijsters has set the scene for another captivating summer of tennis
down under. (Tennis Aust Summer Sportsfeature by Darren Walton, 766 words, on file, with
factbox)

SYDNEY - Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald has grave concerns for Australian tennis
and says the introduction of more clay courts is a matter of urgency. (Tennis Aust, AAP
Sportsfeature, by Darren Walton, 938 words, on file)



SAILING

SYDNEY - Wild Oats XI is widely tipped to be the first yacht in 42 years to claim back-to-back
line honours in this year's Sydney to Hobart, but an imposing New Zealand maxi is set
to add a trans-Tasman twist to the blue water classic. (Sail SydHob Preview Sportsfeature
by Adrian Warren, 810 words, on file)

SYDNEY - For one, the 628 nautical mile journey from Sydney to Hobart will be swift,
hectic and rough. (Sail SydHob Hi-Tech Sportsfeature by Drew Cratchley, 630 words, with
graphic, on file)



RUGBY

SYDNEY - We know the All Blacks are very good but just how good? What exactly will
the Wallabies be up against when they attempt to win a third Rugby World Cup next year?

(Rugby NZ, AAP Sportsfeature, by Darren Walton, 962 words, on file, with factbox)





ATTENTION EDITORS: The following domestic yearenders have either run in the past 24
hours, or will run today:



CANBERRA - Watch out for forks in the road, bridges too far and cold showers. (Yearender
Politics, with factbox.



CANBERRA - To understand how drought, water, bushfires and climate change have come
to dominate Australians' psyche in the closing months of 2006, it is timely to recall
how the year began. (Yearender Climate, 1,070 words)



CANBERRA - As Baghdad goes to hell, the south of Iraq remains almost tranquil by comparison,
offering the best hope Australia can wind down its military commitment to the strife-torn
nation. (Yearender Defence, 820 words)



BRISBANE - It's a mighty burden for a little girl. When Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin
died suddenly and shockingly earlier this year, millions of people around the world cried.

(Yearender Irwin, 1,040 words)



DARWIN - Even the magistrate was appalled. An 11-year-old boy was allegedly raped 37
times by five teenagers and five men at a remote Aboriginal community earlier this year.

(Yearender Indigenous, 1,355 words)



ADELAIDE - David Hicks twice thought he'd be free. (Yearender Hicks, 560 words)



PERTH - The West Australian government will limp battered and bloodied into 2007, after
a tumultuous year beset with scandal and crisis. (Yearender WA, 1,222 words)



PERTH - The fire may have gone out of Perth's extraordinary five-year property boom,
but it is still expected to overtake Sydney as Australia's most expensive city to buy
a house. (Yearender WA Housing, 900 words)



FINANCE:

MELBOURNE - Mining companies are set to continue to enjoy boom conditions in 2007,
although volatility in metals and minerals markets may take some of the gloss off the
sector following this year's record highs. (Yearender resources, 900 words on file)



PERTH - Hotter summer days and drier winter months has pushed climate change to the
forefront of the political and social agenda, with the quest for cleaner energy heralding
a renaissance for the once unfashionable uranium. (Yearender Uranium, 1,090 words)



MELBOURNE - Australia's worst ever drought could help the wine industry recover from
a long-running glut earlier than expected, although a full recovery was still some years
away. (Yearender Liquor, 1,090 words)



SYDNEY - The Australian dollar faces strong headwinds in 2007, amid an expected slowdown
in the global economy and a softening in commodity prices. (Yearender Dollar, 730 words.

To be updated Dec 29)



SYDNEY - The continuing China-fuelled resources boom and frenetic merger activity was
behind another bumper year for the Australian sharemarket, which is tipped to keep firing
in 2007. (Yearender Stocks, 800 words on file. To be updated Dec 29)



MELBOURNE - After a tumultuous year in the retail sector, in which food giant Coles
rejected an $18 billion takeover bid and cut ties with Myer, and rival Woolworths underwent
a changing of the guard and jumped the Tasman, analysts predict a less eventful 12 months
ahead. (Yearender Retail, 1,037 words)



PERTH - The record oil prices of 2006 are not expected to be repeated in 2007 but they
will be high enough to fill the coffers of the oil companies and draw the ire of motorists.

(Yearender Oil, 1,023 words)



SPORT:

MELBOURNE - The nation watched. The nation celebrated. Eventually, the nation wept.

For one remarkable month, the Socceroos took centre stage in Australian sport. (Yearender
Soccer Aust, 860 words)



MELBOURNE - With West Coast and Sydney's gripping rivalry over the past two seasons
standing at one-all from two epic AFL grand finals, will there be a tiebreaker in 2007?

(Yearender AFL, 2,735 words)



SYDNEY - The 2006 rugby league season can be summed up in two words - Darren Lockyer.

(Yearender League, 2,800 words)



MELBOURNE - Father time is Australia's next formidable opponent after the world's premier
cricket team ruthlessly atoned for a rare and painful dent in its recent record. (Yearender
Cricket Aust), 938 words, with factbox)



SYDNEY - When John Connolly was appointed Wallabies coach in February his brief was
to rebuild the scrum and transform an ordinary Australian team into a World Cup threat.

(Yearender Rugby, 1,050 words)



MELBOURNE - While Mark Webber edged perilously close to a credibility crisis and the
domestic touring car season ended in bitterness, it was Australia's two-wheeled wizards
who had the motorsport globe spinning on their fingertips in 2006. (Yearender Motor Aust,
1,030 words)



SYDNEY - When Geoff Ogilvy presented a 'Top 10' list on The Late Show with David Letterman
shortly after his US Open victory in June, one of his quips was "Even I've never heard
of me". (Yearender Golf Aust, 847 words)



SYDNEY - The story of Takeover Target's year is a film waiting to be made, but surely
it deserves a much happier ending. (Yearender Turf Aust, 1,300 words)





ROUTINERS TO COME:

* Quotes

* Milestones

* Oddities

* Checkup column



AAP jlw/de

KEYWORD: WEEKEND READS UPDATE

2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

NSW: Armed trio escape with money from hotel

AAP General News (Australia)
08-16-2006
NSW: Armed trio escape with money from hotel

SYDNEY, Aug 16 AAP - Two men armed with knives and metal bars escaped with money during
a robbery at an inner-western Sydney hotel.

The pair entered the premises on Evans Street at Rozelle about 11.55pm (AEST) yesterday,
police said.

The hotel was open at the time.

Police were told the men demanded money from staff before escaping with cash.

They fled in a Subaru Liberty station wagon driven by a third man and last seen on
Evans Street heading towards Dennison Street.

No one was injured during the robbery.

Leichhardt Local Area Command (LAC) and Forensic Armed Robbery Unit police attended the scene.

The men had their faces disguised during the robbery but witnesses describe them as
being of Pacific Islander appearance or similar.

AAP af/cjh

KEYWORD: KNIVES

) 2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Qld: Queensland floods not all bad news

AAP General News (Australia)
04-09-2006
Qld: Queensland floods not all bad news

Queensland graziers say floodwaters will bring stock losses .. but also some relief
from the long-running drought.

PETER KENNY from Agforce says falls of up to 250 millimetres and widespread flooding
is good news.

He says in the short term there will be stock loss and damage to fences and infrastructure.

But MR KENNY says the long term the effects of flooding will be positive.

The biggest rain fall has been recorded at Burketown .. which has received 268 millimetres
in the last seven days.

AAP RTV rad/klf

KEYWORD: FLOODS QLD (BRISBANE)

2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

AP Top News at 1:48 a.m. EST

AP Online
12-12-2005

Calif. High Court Refuses Williams' Stay

A guard watches the gates of San Quentin State Prison in San Quentin, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005. Stanley Tookie Williams, co-founder of the Crips gang and a convicted murderer, is scheduled to die by lethal injection at the prison early Tuesday. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ The California Supreme Court late Sunday refused to grant a stay of execution for convicted killer Stanley Tookie Williams, meaning the former gang leader who became an outspoken critic of gang violence will be executed early Tuesday unless the governor grants clemency or a last-ditch federal appeal succeeds. Williams' supporters also made another pitch directly to the governor Sunday to spare his life, telling Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in a letter that they had a new witness who could help prove Williams' innocence.

Iraqis Begin Voting for New Parliament

An Iraqi policeman stands guard next to an election campaign poster for the United Iraqi Alliance with pictures of the list's candidates in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday Dec. 11, 2005, prior to the upcoming December 15 parliamentary elections. (AP Photo/Mohammed Hato)

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) _ Voting began Monday in hospitals, military camps and even prisons across Iraq, launching the process to choose a new parliament that the United States hopes can help quell the insurgency so U.S. forces can begin heading home. Iraq's government announced it will close its borders, extend the nighttime curfew and restrict domestic travel starting Tuesday _ two days before the main election day _ to prevent insurgents from disrupting the vote.

Explosions Rock Fuel Depot Near London

Flames reach into the night-time sky as the Buncefield oil storage depot in Hemel Hempstead, north London, late Sunday Dec. 11, 2005. Explosions ripped through a fuel depot early Sunday, injuring dozens of people, blowing doors off nearby homes and sending balls of fire and clouds of black smoke into the sky. The incident is thought by police to be accidental and the fire is widely expected to burn for several days. (AP Photo / Gretel Ensignia)

HEMEL HEMPSTEAD, England (AP) _ Explosions ripped through a major fuel depot north of London on Sunday, injuring dozens of people, blowing doors off nearby homes and sending fireballs and massive clouds of black smoke into the sky. Police said the blasts appeared to be accidental, though they occurred just four days after an al-Qaida videotape appeared on the Internet calling for attacks on facilities carrying oil "stolen" from Muslims in the Middle East.

Prices Cut to Pull in Snowbound Shoppers

With only 15 shopping days until Christmas, shoppers pack the toy and electronic aisles of a Target store in Cherry Hill, N.J. on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2005. (AP Photo/Tim Larsen)

NEW YORK (AP) _ With less than two weeks of shopping left until Dec. 25, the nation's malls and stores boosted discounts on toys and apparel over the weekend, pulling in shoppers who stayed at home on Friday after a snowstorm hit parts of the Midwest and Northeast. Still, business seemed mixed, with luxury items and consumer electronic gadgets faring the best. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Saturday that business for the week ended Friday was on track to meet its monthly sales goal. But it noted that food sales are outpacing general merchandise sales, which may not bode well for profits since food has thin profit margins.

Time: Rove's Lawyer Told of Conversation

Valerie Plame pulls out of her driveway on her way to work on Friday, Dec. 9, 2005 in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Months before Karl Rove corrected his statements in the Valerie Plame investigation, his lawyer was told that the president's top political adviser might have disclosed Plame's CIA status to a Time magazine reporter. Rove says he had forgotten the conversation he had on July 11, 2003, with Time's Matt Cooper. But the magazine reported Sunday that in the first half of 2004, as President Bush's re-election campaign was heating up, Rove's lawyer got the word about a possible Rove-Cooper conversation from a second Time reporter, Viveca Novak.

Paramount Buying Film Studio DreamWorks

Cameron Diaz, left, Mike Myers, center, and Antonio Banderas pose while a man in a Shrek costume stands behind, during a photo call for their animated film "Shrek 2" at the 57th International Film Festival in Cannes, France, Saturday, May 15, 2004. Paramount Pictures said Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005, it had agreed to buy independent film studio DreamWorks SKG Inc. in a deal worth $1.6 billion in cash and debt. The agreement does not include DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc., the most profitable part of the company that went public last year. But Paramount does gain the right to distribute the studio's lucrative animated films, including the "Shrek" franchise.(AP Photo/Michel Euler)

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Paramount Pictures on Sunday agreed to buy independent film studio DreamWorks SKG Inc. for nearly $1 billion cash in a deal designed to help both companies reverse their troubled fortunes. The sale marks the end of an 11-year dream for Hollywood moguls Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen, who had ambitious goals for DreamWorks that once included television, music, films and the Internet.

Japan Agrees to Ease Ban on U.S. Beef

Customers crowd a beef bowl restaurant Yoshinoya in Tokyo as the company revived its popular beef-on-rice dishes for one day on the first anniversary of the dishes being pulled off the menu due to Japan's ban on American beef imports over mad cow disease, in this Feb. 11, 2005 file photo. The Japanese government is poised to ease its two-year ban on U.S. beef imports as early as Monday, Dec. 12, 2005 according to media reports, in a move that would resolve a bitter trade row between Tokyo and its top ally. (AP Photo/Kyodo News)

TOKYO (AP) _ Japan agreed Monday to ease the country's ban on U.S. and Canadian beef imports, resolving a bitter trans-Pacific trade dispute two years after the first case of mad cow disease was discovered in the U.S. herd. The easing of the ban would allow meat from cows under 21 months old back into the Japanese market, which before the ban had been the most lucrative overseas market for American beef, buying $1.7 billion worth in 2003. It was not immediately clear when U.S. meat would again appear in Japanese supermarkets and restaurants.

Actor, Friend Face Charges in Police Death

An off-duty police officer was killed Saturday in a gunfight with two burglars outside his home, Saturday Dec. 10, 2005. One of the suspects was identified by police as Lillo Brancato Jr., an actor who also appeared in several episodes of "The Sopranos" as Matt Bevilacqua. Lillo Brancato, Jr.is shown in a Feb. 2005 photo in New York. (AP Photo/David Greene)

NEW YORK (AP) _ An actor who once played an aspiring mobster on "The Sopranos" faces murder charges along with another man in the death of an off-duty police officer, authorities said Sunday. Lillo Brancato Jr., 29, was hospitalized in critical condition with gunshot wounds suffered when the officer shot him after catching two men breaking into a home. Brancato's friend Steven Armento, 48, was also shot and in critical condition.

Man Apologizes After Fake Wikipedia Post

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) _ A man who posted false information on an online encyclopedia linking a prominent journalist to the Kennedy assassinations says he was playing a trick on a co-worker. Brian Chase, 38, ended up resigning from his job and apologizing to John Seigenthaler Sr., the former publisher of the Tennessean newspaper and founding editorial director of USA Today.

Giants Knock Eagles Out of Playoffs

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) scores from the one-yard line under Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and linebacker Mark Simoneau, right, in the second quarter Sunday, Dec 11, 2005, in Philadelphia. Below Manning are Giants guard Chris Snee (76), center Shaun O'Hara (60), and guard David Diehl (66).(AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) _Jay Feely's redemption sent the Philadelphia Eagles out of the playoffs. Feely's 36-yard field goal with 3:55 left in overtime lifted the New York Giants to a 26-23 victory Sunday that put them closer to the NFC East title and knocked the reigning conference champions out of the playoff chase.

Copyright 2005, AP News All Rights Reserved

Fed: Gillard urges Abbott to take expert advice on calcium

AAP General News (Australia)
08-08-2005
Fed: Gillard urges Abbott to take expert advice on calcium

Labor says Health Minister TONY ABBOTT should immediately release expert advice on
the government's decision to stop subsidising calcium tablets.

Kidney specialists have warned that removing the tablets from the Pharmaceutical Benefits
Scheme from December this year will affect thousands of patients.

The government has sought advice from its expert advisory group, the Pharmaceutical
Benefits Advisory Committee, about the cuts.

Mr ABBOTT is due to table that advice tomorrow.

But Opposition health spokeswoman JULIA GILLARD says he should publicly agree to abide
by its contents today.

She says PBS-subsidised drugs used to treat bone thinning are only effective when taken
with calcium.

AAP RTV db/sb/wf/rt

KEYWORD: CALCIUM LABOR (CANBERRA)

2005 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

simultaneous direct data entry

simultaneous direct data entry (SDDE) A method used in computer-assisted telephone interviewing in which questions are displayed on a monitor and the responses (pre-coded) are keyed by the interviewer directly into the computer. It is a relatively fast method of data collection.

MacDonald Communications Corporation Announces Plans to Launch the First Global Businesswomen's Community Online.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 15, 1999--

MacDonald Communications Corporation, the leading communications company for businesswomen, and publisher of Working Woman and Working Mother magazines, announced today its plans to create the WorkingWomanNetwork.com, the first and only global media network for businesswomen on the Internet, said Jay C. MacDonald, founder and chief executive officer, MacDonald Communications Corporation.

MacDonald has partnered with Cyberworks.Net to provide interactive strategy and implementation services for the network.

The WorkingWomanNetwork.com will be an Internet-centric media network created to serve the strong and growing global marketplace of businesswomen by leveraging the loyalty and brand equity that Working Woman and Working Mother and the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE) have built collectively for 70 years. MacDonald will execute this by re-engineering all of its resources into one Internet-based network that will develop content for the Web first.

"Women account for 50 percent of all Internet users," said MacDonald. "The WorkingWomanNetwork.com will create the first business community for women where e-commerce opportunities and business activities are the norm versus the existing women's sites, like iVillage and Women.com, which are targeted to all women indiscriminately, with the emphasis on the traditional fashion, beauty, health, lifestyle and parenting stereotypes."

The WorkingWomanNetwork.com will focus specifically on businesswomen's issues and provide unique, application rich, solution oriented content to its community members. Applications that allow businesswomen to develop a relationship with the WorkingWomanNetwork.com will provide information, tools and opportunities to build their business, enhance their careers and help balance their busy lives. Preliminary features will include: business news, tips and research based on the proprietary content generated by the MacDonald editorial staffs; career enhancement opportunities such as job banks derived from Working Mother's 100 Best Companies and Working Woman's Top 500 Women-Owned Businesses; small business and entrepreneurial enhancement tools such as calendaring, group mail and technical support services; online conference and event participation; as well as e-commerce opportunities. In addition, a paid portion that will only be accessible to users who purchase memberships in the WorkingWomanNetwork.com or NAFE.com premium memberships will feature applications and information exclusive to the WorkingWomanNetwork.com. The Web site will also provide an online home for all businesswomen's associations worldwide.

"By shifting MacDonald's orientation to the Web first, we can use Internet technologies to create new affinity marketing, e-commerce and solutions-based applications that generate a compelling value proposition for businesswomen online," said Richard Harrison, chief executive officer and president, Cyberworks.Net. "The WorkingWomanNetwork.com leverages and builds on our experience with Motor Trend and Petersen Publishing's online ventures."

The WorkingWomanNetwork.com will target the 31.1 million career-committed businesswomen, the highest percentage of women who access the Web, in the U.S. with international expansion planned for rapid rollout. The Working Woman and Working Mother readership represents the most "wired" segment of the women's demographic, with between 73 percent and 81 percent reporting Internet access as early as 1997. This pre-identified group not only has the greatest propensity for media consumption related to businesswomen's issues, it already identifies with MacDonald's magazine and affinity brands.

The key target audience will be brought to the WorkingWomanNetwork.com by leveraging MacDonald's proprietary access to Working Woman's 3.4 million readers, Working Mother's 2.7 million readers, NAFE's more than 150,000 members and MacDonald's conference attendee base. MacDonald is in the final stages of closing its financing and partnerships with leading Internet companies. The site is set to be launched by the end of 1999.

MacDonald Communications Corporation, a communications and media concern based in New York, is dedicated to providing intelligent products and services to affluent, professional and entrepreneurial women. Through its family of integrated businesses, including WORKING WOMAN and WORKING MOTHER magazines, MC2 conferences, the Businesswomen's Research Institute (BRI), the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE), and MC3 ventures, MCC impacts more than 6 million women per month.

Brazil: Free Internet access in Sao Paulo.

In the State of Sao Paulo, the Internet free access companies are responsible for the greatest part of Telefonica's IP (Internet Protocol) net use. Currently, the IP net register 3.2mil minutes of traffic per day, and most part of them come from the Internet free services rendered by companies like Bradesco, Unibanco, UOL, Terra, iG, and Super11. Telefonica is developing 100 projects for the IP net, and one third of them are dedicated to ISPs. The company soon will be serving 95% of the Internet users in the State of Sao Paulo, increasing the number of doorways, from 11.580 to 61,000. The IP net operates in 28 cities, but will pass to serve 102. Telefonica has already invested R$73mil in the IP net, and shall invest other R$300mil to expand its area, optimize and incorporate new technologies.

Copyright (c) 2000, SABI, all rights reserved.

Source: O Estado de Sao Paulo Page: b6 Date: February 19, 2000 Country: Brazil Product: Internet Services

Event: Market Trends SABI (South American Business Information)

News Provided by COMTEX (http://www.comtexnews.com)

Internet to contribute $18.8 billon to Hong Kong's e-economy, says Google.(Brief article)

Internet search giant Google announced that the Internet is expected to account for $18.8 billion (7.2 percent) of the economy of Hong Kong by 2015. It said that this growth will be triggered by an increase in online shopping and mobile use. The city's digital market was worth $15.2 billion in 2009, equivalent to 5.9 percent to its GDP (gross domestic product). Google made this forecast in its report named "The Connected Harbour: How The Internet Is Transforming Hong Kong's Economy." The broadband penetration rate of Hong Kong is currently the sixth-highest in the world. Boston Consulting Group wrote the new report.

Novatel Wireless, Best Buy Connect Link to Launch Joint Line of Mobile Broadband Connectivity Solutions.

Novatel Wireless, a provider of wireless broadband solutions, and Best Buy Connect, Best Buy's mobile broadband service, announced the arrival of two mobile broadband devices.

According to the companies, the 3G MiFi Mobile Hotspot (MiFiRF-MFH2) and USB Broadband Device (RF-BCD2) give Best Buy Connect subscribers instant-on Internet connectivity on the go.

"We're finding that customers want choices in service providers, plans and devices for mobile broadband," said Jed Stillman, VP of Best Buy Connect. "Novatel Wireless has a great reputation for creating intelligent solutions that help consumers stay connected wherever and whenever. We're delighted to partner with them on delivering a way to maintain those connections."

Built from Novatel Wireless' technology, the Best Buy Connect devices are branded Rocketfish, a Best Buy private label brand that represents a portfolio of simple hardware solutions that enable connectivity. The 3G MiFi Mobile Hotspot (MiFiRF-MFH2)delivers high speed internet access anywhere, anytime for multiple users and devices. Users can connect and share broadband speeds with up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices at once - PCs, cameras, digital media players, tablets, gaming consoles and more - with the touch of a button. The 3G MiFi Mobile Hotspot provides up to four hours of active use on a single charge.

The USB Broadband Device (RF-BCD2) manufactured by Novatel Wireless is an EV-DO RevA modem. Extremely durable and compact, the USB Broadband Device combines a variety of features into a tiny form factor. The device's integrated microSD slot enables the storage and transport of up to 32 GB of files, photos or videos on a hot-swappable, removable microSD storage card. At over two inches long and weighing less than an ounce, the device is designed to work with any laptop, tablet PC or desktop running Windows or Mac operating systems and equipped with a USB port. The USB Broadband Device features an internal, advanced dual band diversity antenna for enhanced performance on the fringe areas of networks and in highly mobile environments, as well as an optional external antenna port.

"We are thrilled to support Best Buy Connect's visionary market approach as the one-stop-shop for anywhere Internet connectivity and flexible prepaid plans," said Rob Hadley, CMO of Novatel Wireless. "We believe the 3G MiFi Mobile Hotspot and USB Broadband Device are an excellent fit with Best Buy Connect's portfolio of plug-and-play mobile broadband solutions."

With these devices, Best Buy Connect will offer a range of no-contract, prepaid 3G plans, starting as low as $10. As with other Best Buy Connect subscription services, consumers get the benefit of Best Buy across their experience end to end from activation to billing and support.

The new Best Buy Connect Rocketfish mobile broadband devices are now available at Best Buy's CowBoom online outlet store and at Best Buy Express kiosks located in at major airports across the country starting June 27.

((Comments on this story may be sent to newsdesk@closeupmedia.com))

mopay Named One of the Top 25 Fastest-Growing Media Companies in Europe.

mopay the only mobile payments provider nominated, elevating the company to de facto European market leader

MUNICH & PALO ALTO, Calif. -- mopay , a global leader in innovative payment solutions for online merchants, was selected as one of Europe's 25 fastest-growing larger digital media companies. mopay was the only pure-play mobile payments provider nominated to the Top 25. The selection took place at the Media Momentum Awards 2011 in Barcelona, where the most innovative and fastest-growing companies in the European Digital Media Economy are recognized. The event is organized by Investment Bank GP Bullhound.

The Media Momentum 2011 awards are based on companies' revenue growth from 2008 to 2010. This year's Top 50 have grown their collective revenue base from $558 million USD to $2.2 billion within this three-year period. Notable attendees and speakers at this year's event included executives from Amazon, Google, Moneybookers, Rovio and vente-privee. mopay is the only shortlisted pure-play mobile payments provider. "Every year, GP Bullhound rounds up a highly renowned judging panel of industry experts and entrepreneurs," said Christian Lagerling, Founding Partner of GP Bullhound. "In this year's highly competitive list of the fastest-growing digital media companies, mopay distinguished itself as the only pure mobile payments provider. Every company on this list can be considered a European market leader in its respective industry."

"We feel very honored that the jury voted mopay as one of the Top 25 European companies," said Kolja Reiss, Managing Director of mopay. "Today, mopay is a true industry leader, processing every third mobile payment transaction in Europe. This nomination not only recognizes this leadership, but also indicates the rising importance of mobile payments as one of the most innovative monetization strategies for the digital media economy. According to ABI Research, the European mobile payments market is expected to grow tenfold between 2010 and 2015. As the industry continues to grow, so will mopay."

For the seventh year running, GP Bullhound is recognizing the hottest and fastest-growing digital media companies in Europe. Thought leaders and entrepreneurs from the digital media economy were invited to participate in the CEO Summit and the Media Momentum Awards celebrations to discuss and brainstorm about current and future topics facing the Internet economy.

About mopay:

mopay is a global leader in innovative payment solutions for online merchants. mopay's core platform enables merchants of virtual, digital and physical goods to bill charges directly to consumers' cell phone and land line accounts. mopay operates in more than 80 countries across the globe, reaching more than 3.3 billion consumers. The company has a blue-chip customer base including major brands such as Bigpoint, Gameforge, Innogames, Sulake and Travian. mopay, part of the MindMatics group, has more than 100 employees at locations in the United States, Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom and China. For more information, visit www.mopay.com.

Increase in Internet access parallels growth in prescription drug abuse.

Increasing access to rogue online pharmacies - those which dispense medications without a doctor's prescription - may be an important factor behind the rapid increase in the abuse of prescription drugs. In a report that was released online by the journal Health Affairs and will also appear in its June edition, investigators from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the University of Southern California (USC) find that states with the greatest expansion in high-speed Internet access from 2000 to 2007 also had the largest increase in admissions for treatment of prescription drug abuse.

"We know we face a growing problem with prescription drug abuse in the United States. One need only look at statistics for college campuses, where prescription drugs are fast replacing illegal substances, to see the magnitude of the problem," says Dana Goldman, PhD, director of the Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics at USC, the study's senior author. "Our findings suggest that Internet growth may partly explain the increase in prescription drug abuse, since it is well known that these drugs are easily available online." Goldman is also the Norman Topping/National Medical Enterprises Chair in Medicine and Public Policy at USC.

In their report, Goldman and lead author Anupam B. Jena, MD, PhD, of the MGH Department of Medicine, note that the recent marked rise in the abuse of prescription narcotic painkillers - drugs like Percocet and Oxycontin - corresponds with an increase in the presence of online pharmacies, many of which do not adhere to regulations requiring a physician's prescription. Drugs that are frequently abused - painkillers, stimulants, sedatives and tranquilizers - often can be purchased from rogue sites that may be located outside the U.S. The current study was designed to examine the potential link between online availability and prescription drug abuse, an association that has been suspected but not investigated in depth.

Using data available from the Federal Communications Commission, the researchers first compiled statistics on access to high-speed Internet service in each state during the years studied. Since actual rates of prescription drug abuse would be difficult if not impossible to calculate, they used information on admissions to substance abuse treatment facilities from a database maintained by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration. Changes in both measures over the seven years were analyzed on a per-state basis, and treatment admissions were categorized by the particular types of abused substances involved.

The analysis indicated that each 10 percent increase in the availability of high-speed Internet service in a state was accompanied by an approximately 1 percent increase in admissions for prescription drug abuse. The increases were strongest for narcotic painkillers, followed by anti-anxiety drugs, stimulants and sedatives. During the same period admissions to treat abuse of alcohol, heroin or cocaine, substances not available online, showed minimal growth or actually decreased (see also Drug Abuse).

"The lack of an increase in abuse of drugs not available on the Internet suggests that an overall growth in drug-seeking behavior cannot explain the rise in prescription drug abuse," Jena says. "Further studies need to better evaluate how easily commonly abused prescription drugs can be purchased online and explore the importance to the problem of foreign Internet pharmacies, which are outside the jurisdiction of the U.S. government."

Keywords: Addiction Medicine, Drug Abuse, Massachusetts General Hospital.

This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2011, Biotech Week via NewsRx.com.

New Hampshire FastRoads begins highspeed broadband network project with Design Nine.(SERVICES)

New Hampshire FastRoads LLC began the first phase of its project to bring high-speed broadband to western New Hampshire, awarding a design and project management contract for the development of its regional broadband network to Design Nine.

Design Nine will design a next-generation fiber network that will deliver high-speed broadband, including Internet access, to the Upper Valley and Monadnock Regions of New Hampshire. It will include "last-mile" network projects in Rindge and Enfield, and "middlemile" projects delivering fiber network access to 20 towns and 220 Community Anchor Institutions in the area.

Design Nine will provide network architecture design and mapping services, as well as assist FastRoads in all facets of project planning, including environmental assessment, bidding, procurement, quality assurance, and regulatory permitting, among many other responsibilities. The network design will begin immediately, with construction of the first phase of the network to be completed in Spring 2012.

New Hampshire FastRoads is a Limited Liability Company (LLC) of the Monadnock Economic Development Corp. NH FastRoads is partnering with Network New Hampshire Now (NNHN), a collaboration of public and private or ganizations to develop a high-speed broadband network throughout the state.

NH FastRoads and NNHN are funded by an economic stimulus grant and private funding to expand broadband coverage to keep the state vibrant, innovative and relevant for businesses, citizens and educational institutions. The organization's work will enable delivery of a variety of services, such as consumer and business Internet access, voice telephony (VoIP), IP-based television, movies on demand, business-class videoconferencing, health care services (e.g., in-home monitoring), home and business security, computer backup, public access television, Internet radio, and other advanced services.

"Design Nine has helped build many broadband networks, and is one of the few firms in the country with experience in open access, fiber to the premise broadband networks, which FastRoads will be. The company was also instrumental in providing the broadband planning, network architecture design, financial planning, and grant writing that enabled FastRoads to partner with NNHN in submitting a successful grant proposal for funding," said Carole Monroe, FastRoads executive director.

"Our work with FastRoads will help the region prosper in the knowledge economy. In addition to designing the network, our role is to enable FastRoads staff and board members to make smart technology and strategic decisions, based on our teams' 160+ years of combined experience in planning and project management of open access broadband networks," said Andrew Cohill, Design Nine's founder and CEO.

Norwegian EDB ErgoGroup to supply EUR 1.3m IT systems to municipalities.

(ADPnews) - Apr 15, 2011 - Norwegian IT group EDB ErgoGroup ASA (OSL:EDBASA) said on Friday it has won a NOK-10-million (USD 1.8m/EUR 1.3m) contract to deliver accounting and payroll/HR systems over six years to three municipalities in the western region of Sunnhordland.

EDB ErgoGroup will supply a centrally-operated Agresso solution via the Internet for the municipalities of Tysnes, Fusa and Samnanger.

The product will meet the customers' IT requirements for accounting, payroll/HR, competence development, recruitment and invoicing, and will be fully deployed on January 1, 2012.

(NOK 1.0 = USD 0.185/EUR 0.128)

Iran busts U.S.-backed cyber network.

Summary: TEHRAN, March 14 (MNA) -- The Iranian Judiciary has announced that it has identified and arrested 30 people for waging a U.S.-backed cyber war against the country.

TEHRAN, March 14 (MNA) -- The Iranian Judiciary has announced that it has identified and arrested 30 people for waging a U.S.-backed cyber war against the country.

The network was created to gather information on the country's nuclear scientists and to stir up unrest after the June 2009 presidential election, the Judiciary said in a statement issued on Saturday.

The group had been set up by counter-revolutionary groups, including the Mojahedin Khalq Organization (MKO), the statement added.

In 2006, the US Congress allocated 400 million dollars to finance covert operations and cyber warfare against the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Judiciary said.

One of the most important projects in the campaign was an operation called Iran Proxy, which received 50 million dollars in funding and was implemented by the CIA and the U.S. State Department.

The Judiciary said the project, which enabled Iranians to bypass state filtering and access the Internet, was actually designed for spying and transferred the users' personal information.Aa

SL/HG

END

MNA

2003-2005 Mehr News Agency

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company

This Father's Day, Get a Bad Tie, Give Financial Security: MMI Offers Tips on How Dads Can Protect Their Families from Unanticipated Economic Hardship.

HOUSTON -- Being a father is an awesome responsibility. In addition to teaching your children valuable life lessons, you are also tasked with providing them with a stable and healthy financial future. One of the best ways to care for your children is to be sure that you are prepared for unforeseen costs and circumstances that could have a huge financial impact on your family.

This Father's Day, the experts at Money Management International (MMI) give fathers the following checklist to ensure that their families are on firm financial footing:

* Perform a health insurance check-up. Find out which services are covered by your provider, and learn what preventive services are offered. Research your premiums and co-payments so that you know exactly what it will cost when you arrive at the hospital or clinic. Explore the cost difference in using doctors in your "network" and those outside of it. If you do not have health insurance, seek assistance from Medicaid or your local state-sponsored plan.

* Obtain adequate life insurance. The life insurance coverage offered by your employer may not be enough. Based on your current bills and expenses, determine how much life insurance you need, and find out which provider offers the best value. Term life insurance, which provides protection for a stated amount of time, is the most affordable type of life insurance--just be sure that the term lasts until your children can be financially self-sufficient.

* Don't skimp on disability insurance. At any given age, your chances of becoming disabled are higher than your chances of dying. According to MSN Money, 12 percent of the adult U.S. population suffers a long-term disability every year. If your employer does not offer group disability insurance, seek an individual policy.

* Protect your assets. You do not have to have a significant amount of assets to require a will. Most importantly, a will allows you to name guardians for your children should something unexpected happen to you and/or your spouse. Without a will, state law determines how your assets will be distributed. Keep your will in a secure location, such as a fireproof filing cabinet or safety deposit box.

* Expect the unexpected. Commit yourself to establishing an emergency savings account with at least three months worth of living expenses. If this goal seems challenging, start by having a small amount automatically withdrawn from your paycheck and deposited directly into a separate account.

"This Father's Day, make it a priority to address these important precautions to ensure your family is protected in case of an emergency," said Cate Williams, vice president of financial literacy at MMI. "The resulting peace of mind could be the best gift you receive this year."

About Money Management International

Money Management International (MMI) is a nonprofit, full-service credit-counseling agency, providing confidential financial guidance, financial education, counseling and debt management assistance to consumers since 1958. MMI helps consumers trim their expenses, develop a spending plan and repay debts. Counseling is available by appointment in branch offices and 24/7 by telephone and Internet. Services are available in English or Spanish. To learn more, call 800-762-2271 or visit www.moneymanagement.org.

Secured Digital Retains Investor Relations Firm for Representation and Market Awareness Program.

SADDLE BROOK, N.J. -- Secured Digital Applications, Inc. (OTCBB:SDGL), a global provider of outsourced business services, announced it has engaged Empire Relations Group as its strategic investor relations counsel.

Empire Relations Group is a New York-based investor relations firm that specializes in assisting micro-cap and small-cap companies to improve their visibility in the equity markets, while communicating critical corporate issues. These goals are accomplished through Empire's marketing efforts, which include stockbrokers, money managers and high net-worth investors.

Patrick Lim, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Secured Digital, stated, "Our shareholders deserve the representation of an investor relations firm that has a thorough understanding of the financial markets. By retaining Empire Relations Group, we believe our message will now be communicated to a much wider audience, including investment professionals and individual investors."

Kenneth Maciora, Chief Executive Officer of Empire Relations Group, commented, "We are very pleased to have been chosen by the management team of Secured Digital to represent them in their investor relations program. We first met Mr. Lim over 9 months ago and became very intrigued with the Secured Digital story."

Mr. Maciora concluded by saying, "It is very important that shareholders, potential investors and investment professionals can easily contact an investor relations representative during normal market hours. Our representation should assist the company in building and maximizing shareholder value."

About Secured Digital Applications, Inc:

Secured Digital Applications, Inc. is a global provider of outsourced business services in media production, information technology, digital document management and trade management and consulting. The Company serves customers in Southeast Asia as well as the United States. The Company's media production includes content for television, the Internet and free-standing digital displays, and also designs and installs on-site multi-media presentations. SDA also develops and implements solutions for biometric security systems and business process applications. For more information, please visit www.digitalapps.net, www.eystar.com, www.sdawmedia.com and www.chinaseaco.com.

Safe Harbor Statement:

Information contained in this release includes forward-looking statements and information that is based on beliefs of, and information currently available to, management, as well as estimates and assumptions made by management. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes", "expects", "is expected", "intends", "may", "will", "should", "anticipates", "plans" or the negative thereof. These forward-looking statements often include forecasts and projections for future revenue and/or profits and are subject to revision and are not based on audited results. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Secured Digital Applications, Inc. does not undertake to update, revise or correct any forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that current results are not necessarily indicative of future results, and actual results may differ from projected amounts. For more complete information concerning factors that could affect the Company's results, reference is made to the Company's registration statements, reports and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors should carefully consider the preceding information before making an investment in the common stock of the Company.

Ericsson and Rogers Communications Inc. to Trial 3G/HSDPA and IMS Platform.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERICY) and Rogers Communications Inc. announced they will begin a trial of 3G/HSDPA wireless services and applications, as well as converged IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). During the trial, Rogers and Ericsson will assess the capabilities of two key 3G technologies:

UMTS-HSDPA (Universal Mobile Telephone System - High Speed Downlink Packet Access) is the current state-of-the-art 3G network technology based on the world standard for wireless communications - GSM - and is a natural progression for Rogers' existing national GSM-GPRS-EDGE network that reaches 93% of the Canadian population. UMTS has already been widely deployed in markets throughout the world. HSDPA is an upgrade to UMTS that provides the fastest data rates of any 3G technology and is expected to launch commercially in 2006.

IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) is an IP-based service creation environment that will enable Rogers to efficiently introduce new multimedia voice, data, audio and video services (Quadruple Play) across its multiple networks (including mobile wireless, Cable and DSL and Fixed Wireless). IMS represents a very significant opportunity to bring the various Rogers networks into a single service environment that can be presented in an easy to use manner to Rogers' customers.

UMTS-HSDPA promises to provide customers with significantly higher data speeds (evolving to peak down-link speeds of 14 megabits per second), while IMS will enable new cross-platform applications, such as IP Centrex with Mobile Extension, Presence Management (across Cable, Wireless and Wireline), and Rogers Personal TV with mobile extension, as well as a new service creation environment to speed the development of new applications in the market.

"Providing the foundation for broadband wireless services and converged services to customers is a solid step in moving toward an all-communicating world," said Carl-Henric Svanberg, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ericsson. "Ericsson is excited to be working on this endeavour with Rogers, which has a global reputation for innovation, a high quality network, advanced service offerings, and a unique asset mix of mobile wireless, broadband data, digital cable services, telephony, and media properties that provide the basis for continuing leadership."

"Ericsson has consistently provided high quality wireless network equipment and service platforms for Rogers and our customers across Canada," said Ted Rogers, CEO, Rogers Communications Inc. "This trial represents a first step in creating a unique opportunity to offer customers complete freedom to use, view, and access the information that matters most to them, when they want and wherever they are, thereby paving the way for the most innovative and valuable new services for Canadian consumers and businesses."

Ericsson is a leader in wireless technology research and development and holds an industry leading position in the development of 3G and IMS technologies. The Company's long-standing relationship with Rogers provides a solid foundation for technology trial activities.

Ericsson is shaping the future of Mobile and Broadband Internet communications through its continuous technology leadership. Providing innovative solutions in more than 140 countries, Ericsson is helping to create the most powerful communication companies in the world.

Read more at www.ericsson.com

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City school among the country's elite.(News)

Byline: Shahid Naqvi

Birmingham's King Edward VI High School for Girls has been named among the country's elite top five for GCSE results.

The school in Edgbaston saw a 100 per cent pass rate among the 148 16 year-olds who took the exams this year.

The result means it was bettered in the private schools'GCSE table only by St Paul's School in London in first place, Cambridge's Perse School for Girls in second and Eton in third. Nearly 60 per cent of entries at King Edward VI were awarded the top grade A*; 86.6 per cent were at least an A grade and 97.9 were a C or higher.

King Edward VI head teacher Sarah Evans said: 'We are delighted. What we are particularly pleased about is that we got ten of the best five marks in a subject nationally.'

The girls' school came ahead of King Edward's School - its neighbouring boys' school counterpart - which although coming second in the region and also claiming a 100 per cent pass rate, was in 32nd place nationally.

The proportion obtaining the top grade A* at King Edward's was 41.2 per cent, with 78.1 per cent gaining at least an A grade and 98.7 per cent at least a C.

In third place for GCSEs in the Midlands was Bablake School, followed by Wolverhampton Grammar School.

But the country's topperforming private school for GCSEs took the opportunity to attack the emphasis on coursework in the curriculum, describing it as an 'idea that hadn't worked'.

Dr Martin Stephen, high master of St Paul's in south-west London, said: 'The internet is a gift to plagiarism. I fully support the move to abolish coursework - it's a Government idea that hasn't worked.'

Comment, Page 9

Critics Say New Federal Anti-Spam Legislation Will Be Ineffective.

By Doug Bedell, The Dallas Morning News Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Dec. 20--Recent headlines might leave the impression that spammers are about to be given the boot from our bloated e-mail inboxes.

The CAN SPAM Act has just been signed into law, and the New York state attorney general has joined mighty Microsoft in a lawsuit aimed at dismantling one of the largest junk e-mail networks in the country.

But many experts are warning that laws and lawsuits cannot quell the rising tide of unwanted X-rated come-ons and Viagra pitches. In fact, they say, the CAN SPAM Act actually legitimizes spam. Lawsuits, meanwhile, are proving ineffective and may only force U.S. spam operations off shore.

"It's going to get worse," says Doug Peckover, co-founder and chairman of Dallas-based software company, Privacy, Inc. "In fact, you may look back at 2003 as the good old days, before things got really out of control."

Mr. Peckover's company sells computer programs designed to help people track down and avoid unwanted e-mail solicitations, so his opinions should be taken with a grain of salt. But they are buttressed by dozens of nonprofit spam fighters, state attorneys general and consumer advocates.

In fact, about the only segment of the Internet industry happy with provisions of the CAN SPAM Act seems to be the direct marketing industry it supposedly regulates.

Those like Scott Hazen Mueller, chairman of the Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial E-Mail (CAUCE) believe the Can-Spam Act is flawed because it doesn't tell marketers not to spam. Instead, he says, it gives them rules that make it easier.

"This law does not stop a single spam from being sent," Mr. Mueller says. "It only makes that spam slightly more truthful. It also gives a federal stamp of approval for every legitimate marketer in the U.S. to start using unsolicited e-mail as a marketing tool."

The bill, signed Tuesday by President Bush, provides large fines and jail time for e-mail marketers who use tricky and misleading ways to con e-mail recipients into purchasing products, viewing pornography or being scammed.

It also bans tactics like using false return addresses and requires adult-themed messages to be labeled. And CAN SPAM authorizes the Federal Trade Commission to set up a "Do Not Spam" or "opt-out" registry of Internet users, similar to the agency's popular "Do Not Call" tele-marketing list.

But the Internet is not like a regulated telephone service and it cannot be legislated like one, critics say. Spammers based in Hong Kong will be unlikely to heed any of the regulations or the opt-out registry, they say.

Beyond that, outlawing forged return addresses and fake headers may reduce "bad" spam. But, in its place, thousands of other "legal" messages can now be sent. Every company now has one legitimate shot at sending a consumer e-mail. And it only has to stop when given specific instructions by the consumer or through the FTC registry.

As some critics point out, the act is far more aptly named CAN SPAM Act than CAN'T SPAM.

The Internet Committee of the National Association of Attorneys General has steadily opposed the new federal law, saying key provisions are full of loopholes.

For example, the committee points out, it requires a spammer to "know" the header they're using would probably mislead an e-mail recipient. It exempts spammers from prosecution if their e-mail address is "unexpectedly and temporarily" unable to receive an opt-out request. And spammers can avoid all liability by showing they've established "reasonable practices" to avoid violating the law.

But, more than anything, the attorneys general are incensed that the federal law supercedes state statutes that were often much more stringent.

Thirty-seven states have enacted anti-spam laws. The direct marketing lobby contended a federal statute was necessary to make sense out of the resulting patchwork of regulations. But state officials believe they have the right to protect their citizens by whatever methods they choose.

Some states, like California, have already given up on the opt-out technique imposed by the federal CAN SPAM Act. On Jan. 1, California was set to replace a failed opt-out system with the nation's first "opt-in" law. Simply put, it would have required e-mail advertisers to get a consumer's permission before sending any unsolicited advertisements.

"The federal proposals stick a fork in the eye of every Californian who's had their fill of spam," says California State Sen. Debra Bowen, who sponsored the opt-in legislation. "If Congress really wants to put spammers out of business, it would use California's new law as a model, put a bounty on the head of every single spammer and let as many people as possible go after them, just like we do with junk-faxers."

E-mail dbedell@dallasnews.com

Version edited by News Service:

To see more of The Dallas Morning News, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.dallasnews.com.

(c) 2003, The Dallas Morning News. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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