SA: SA govt supports reform

AAP General News (Australia)
02-16-2009
SA: SA govt supports reform

By Larine Statham

ADELAIDE, Feb 16 AAP - The South Australian government has welcomed the recommended
takeover of primary health care by the federal government, but it says it would not support
a similar bid for hospitals.

SA Health Minister John Hill said many of the recommendations made by the federal government's
health reform body had merit, but said he would reserve definite support for the plan
until after he had a chance to read the report in detail.

"We think the proposition that there should be some sort of dental care scheme to parallel
Medicare would be very worthwhile ... and we think an emphasis on greater primary health
care is absolutely where we should be going," he told AAP.

The commission's key recommendation, handed down on Monday, is that the federal government
assume total responsibility for primary care, that is health care provided outside the
hospital system.

The report stopped short of recommending similar action for the hospital system, only
raising it as an option.

"Obviously we would want to know what they mean by this and how it would operate," Mr Hill said.

The Rudd government has threatened to hold a referendum on whether or not Canberra
should assume control of public hospitals if the states don't lift their game by the middle
of the year.

But it has not made clear the trigger point for such action.

"I don't think (taking over the hospitals) is their preferred option, they want to
get the states and commonwealth to work together to stop blaming each other," Mr Hill
said.

However, state opposition spokeswoman for health, Vickie Chapman, said the health reform
report failed to go far enough and should include hospitals.

Ms Chapman said Prime Minister Kevin Rudd had picked up the "easy parts", left the
states with the "hard parts" and "totally ignored the crisis areas".

"We still have to fund and administer the most difficult part of the health care system
- hospitals," she said in a statement released on Monday afternoon.

Mr Hill said Ms Chapman's comments indicated the state Liberals had given up on the
South Australian hospital system.

"I think it's an admission on their behalf of policy failure and a lack of courage," he said.

"To think that all the hospitals in Australia can be run out of Canberra, I think is absurd.

"There is no way a politician based in Canberra could be sensitive to the needs of
local communities in all of the states."

AAP lcs/jlw/de

KEYWORD: HEALTH SA WRAP

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

Republicans fail to show courage on anti-bully bill ; House members should have stuck by their earlier votes and approved this law.

Anonymous
Portland Press Herald (Maine)
07-01-2011
Republicans fail to show courage on anti-bully bill ; House members should have stuck by their earlier votes and approved this law.
Byline: Anonymous
Edition: FINAL
Section: Editorial
Column: Our View
Type: Editorial

We were encouraged and supportive when the Legislature advanced a bill designed to crack down on the serious problem of bullying in Maine schools. To say we were discouraged when lawmakers bailed out on the bill before adjourning Wednesday night would be an understatement.

We are, in fact, outraged - although likely not as outraged as the countless victims of bullying whose school-going years become a torturous ordeal of fear and anguish instead of what they should be - a joyous adventure of learning and personal growth.
The victims, come to think of it, may feel less indignant than hurt and abandoned, considering the daily misery they suffer at the hands of their tormentors. But we can more or less guarantee that those students' parents and loved ones are mad as hell at a Legislature that stepped so close to the brink of doing the right thing and then ran away in a stunning exhibition of political expedience and legislative cowardice.

Republicans in the House of Representatives, in particular, might eventually wish they had spent some time pondering the potential wrath of voters who've been touched by the problem of bullying rather than hurriedly throwing them overboard at the insistence of conservative interests who opposed the anti-bullying bill.

The bill, L.D. 1237, had moved easily along the path toward passage earlier in the legislative session but hit a dead end Wednesday after the Christian Civic League issued an "action alert" in opposition. Suddenly, House Republicans were concerned about the cost of implementing a statewide anti-bullying program and also about compromising "First Amendment Rights for those who may express opposing views or opinions," as the Christian Civic League put it in the action alert headlined "Say No to Dangerous Anti-Bullying Bill LD1237."

Dangerous anti-bullying bill? Now there's a masterpiece of upside down logic.

The only danger at issue here is the danger to students who are being verbally assaulted in school and on the Internet.

This Republican-controlled Legislature repeatedly considered and even passed irrelevant bills that offered solutions to nonexistent problems; then, in the waning hours of the session, the State House problem-solvers couldn't bring themselves to confront a real and pervasive problem.

Instead, they opted to protect free-speech rights for bullies - as if this bill had anything to do with the mere expression of "views or opinions." The only "opinions" targeted by L.D. 1237 are the denigrating, threatening opinions that bullies voice about their victims' appearance, personality, lifestyle, and who knows what else. Seriously, did someone actually say with a straight face that cracking down on the menace of bullying is a threat to free speech? Give us a break.

Democrats who supported the bill to the end responded with - what was that word again, outrage?

"It's hard to understand why anyone would oppose a bill that prevents bullying and protects kids," said Rep. Emily Cain, D- Orono, the House minority leader. "We've heard from so many teens, parents, and teachers about the negative effects bullying has on students and their ability to succeed in school. We've seen the terrible consequences of bullying make the headlines in our newspapers. We have the power to help stop it and we should."

"I'm disappointed to say the least," said the bill's sponsor, Rep. Terry Morrison, D-Portland. "It's late in the game to reverse course on a bill that protects some of our most vulnerable students, who may be picked on because they don't fit in or because they are different."

Ah, different. Therein lies the rub.

According to the Christian Civic League and its minions in the House, L.D. 1237 is a scam orchestrated by homosexuals to promote the gay agenda. Morrison, who is gay, apparently consulted with representatives of the gay community, among other groups and individuals, in constructing a bill to protect students targeted by bullies - a segment of the population that includes a vast cross section of individuals, including but certainly not limited to gays.

The only hint of good news in this sorry episode is that the bill was sent back to committee and could be reconsidered next year. We can only hope that, by then, a sufficient number of legislators can summon up enough spine, integrity and common sense to turn this long overdue bill into law.

Dangerous anti-bullying bill? Now there's a masterpiece of upside down logic.

The only danger at issue here is the danger to students who are being verbally assaulted in school and on the Internet.

Copyright 2009 Blethen Maine Newspapers

FED:RBA cuts interest rate again=3

AAP General News (Australia)
12-06-2011
FED:RBA cuts interest rate again=3

ICAP senior economist Adam Carr said the decision to cut rates by 25 basis points was
all about curbing the economic challenges coming out of the eurozone.

"It's clear that they've cut in response to events in Europe," he said.

"They note considerable turbulence in financial markets - even in Australia, they note
that financial conditions have tightened.

"The economic view overall hasn't really changed, they just said that output growth
has been on trend, and demand is stronger than that, but those are not grounds for a cut
- this is all to do with global factors."

Mr Carr said the decision was not a negative reflection on the domestic economy's performance.

"Demand - particularly private demand - is very strong in Australia, consumption is
good and our business investment is extraordinary - so our domestic economy is very healthy,"

he said.

"Realistically, they're taking out a bit of insurance to head off any negative events
from Europe.

"The interesting thing will be whether the banks will pass it on, and by how much."

more css/dlm

KEYWORD: RATES UPDATE 3 SYDNEY

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

Briefs Australia

AAP General News (Australia)
04-01-2011
Briefs Australia
BRIEFLY IN OTHER NEWS THIS HOUR:





Three overseas backpackers have been threatened with a gun and forced to lay face down
as a gang stole their passports and wallets from their hire car at a Perth carpark.





A north Queensland cattle farmer has been fined six-thousand-dollars after being found
guilty of animal cruelty charges for cutting off the ears of two calves with a butchers
knife.





And .. Syrian opposition movements are readying for protests after Muslim prayers ..

their first since President BASHAR AL-ASSAD thwarted their hopes for greater freedoms
in a long-awaited speech.



AAP RTV wz

KEYWORD: BRIEFS AUSTRALIA (SYDNEY)

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

Main stories in today's 0500 ABC 702 news

AAP General News (Australia)
12-11-2010
Main stories in today's 0500 ABC 702 news

SYDNEY, Dec 11 AAP - Main stories in today's 0500 ABC 702 news:

- Kevin Rudd and Arab league chief call for an urgent resumption of peace talks between
Israel and the Palestinians.

- a ceremony's been held in Oslo to award this year's Nobel Peace Prize to Liu Xiaobo.

- a former WA treasurer, Troy Buswell, is expected to return to state cabinet next week.

- residents forced to evacuate Eugowra in the NSW Central West due to flooding may
be able to return home today.

- the ACTU says it's continuing to lobby the last two states who have not declared
Christmas Day a public holiday.

- the US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer pulls drug Thelin off Australian market.

SPORT:

- cricket



AAP RTV jr

KEYWORD: MONITOR 0500 ABC 702

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

FED:Cosby Textor denies tobacco ad link

AAP General News (Australia)
08-04-2010
FED:Cosby Textor denies tobacco ad link

SYDNEY, Aug 4 AAP - The market research and polling company which advises the Liberal
Party has denied any involvement in a $5 million anti-Labor advertising campaign funded
by the tobacco industry.

Crosby Textor says it is not involved in the campaign against Labor's proposed laws
on plain packaging for tobacco products.

The Daily Telegraph reports the campaign is run by the Alliance of Australian Retailers,
which was registered only last week, and is being funded almost entirely by tobacco giants
Philip Morris and British American Tobacco.

It says Crosby Textor is organising the research behind the ad campaign.

But the company issued a statement on Wednesday denying the allegations.

"Crosby Textor is not involved with either the alliance or its campaign," the statement says.

"Crosby Textor is not involved in any capacity with the Alliance of Australian Retailers
and any suggestion to the contrary is completely false."

AAP vpm/wjf/bwl

KEYWORD: POLL10 TOBACCO CROSBY

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

ACT: Main stories in Tuesday's Canberra newspapers

AAP General News (Australia)
12-22-2009
ACT: Main stories in Tuesday's Canberra newspapers

CANBERRA, Dec 22 AAP - The main stories in Tuesday's Canberra Times:

Page 1: The ACT government has released plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 10
per cent over the next decade. Formerly conjoined twins Trishna and Krishna have been
released from a Melbourne hospital. Superannuation funds are on the rise again after being
hit by the financial crisis. There are plans to build a new $45 million 75-bed private
hospital in Canberra. Postal workers have walked off the job, demanding better pay and
conditions.

Page 2: A six-year-old Sudanese refugee boy was killed when a car ploughed into the
front yard of his southeast Victorian home on Monday.

Page 3: The ACT Liberals have no cash in the bank.

World: Snow storms and sub-freezing temperatures continue to batter Europe.

Finance: Qantas expects to post a profit following a boost in passenger numbers.

Sport: Injury could force Australia to reshuffle its batting order for the Boxing Day
test against Pakistan.

AAP sld/sn/

KEYWORD: MONITOR FRONTERS ACT

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

NSW: Rees tells plotting MPs to get back to work

AAP General News (Australia)
08-12-2009
NSW: Rees tells plotting MPs to get back to work

SYDNEY, Aug 12 AAP - NSW Premier Nathan Rees says he has let certain MPs know they
need to concentrate on working for their electorates rather than on plans to dump him
as leader.

Mr Rees would not be drawn on who he has spoken with in recent days amid speculation
of a plot to dump him as premier and replace him with Health Minister John Della Bosca.

But after last week confessing he knew who was involved in destabilising his leadership,
the premier confirmed he'd had talks with some MPs.

"There's been, over recent days, a number of calm, considered discussions with my colleagues,"

Mr Rees told reporters on Wednesday.

"I've made it very clear my view, and that is people need to be 100 per cent focused
on delivering for the community.

"That is all we have time for, and that needs to be the case."

Mr Rees is believed to have met with key ministers and other senior MPs over internal
polling which discredits other leadership hopefuls.

However, it's understood one of the aspirants, former planning minister Frank Sartor
was not involved in the discussions.

Asked if he was happy with the outcome of the talks, Mr Rees said: "I think I've put
the party in a position that makes it very clear that I expect 100 per cent commitment
to the delivery of services for the people of NSW."

"I'm unequivocal on that. I've been very clear on that, and that's the case."

Mr Rees also again played down suggestions of a cabinet reshuffle amid reports Police
Minister Tony Kelly and Primary Services Minister Ian Macdonald were in line to be demoted.

The two ministers are said to be behind a push to remove Mr Rees.

"All my ministerial colleagues enjoy my confidence, and there is no reshuffle in order
to punish anyone," Mr Rees said.

"I have confidence in my ministers and I expect everyone to be working for the community,
and as long as that remains the case I'm happy."

AAP nr/evt/jl

KEYWORD: LABOR NSW

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

Fed: Ivy, the bomb dog, shows off her military training

AAP General News (Australia)
04-02-2009
Fed: Ivy, the bomb dog, shows off her military training

By Max Blenkin, Defence Correspondent

CANBERRA, April 2 AAP - With a look of unbridled joy, Ivy set about demonstrating her
military training, bounding about before sniffing the target and halting unerringly next
to a suspect bomb.

Formerly a drug sniffing dog, the three-year-old black Labrador has been retrained
to detect explosives and now has a six-month tour of Afghanistan under her collar.

So too has her handler, Lance Corporal Adam Exelby, from the Sydney-based School of
Military Engineering, who put Ivy through her paces on Thursday for the benefit of pupils
at Canberra's Curtin Primary School.

He said Afghanistan was a challenging experience. But while he went on holiday after
returning to Australia, Ivy spent a month in quarantine.

"We only had a certain number of handlers on the ground, so some times it could be
quite demanding, other times there's a little bit of down time," he told reporters.

"The work we carry out is fairly dangerous. The way we are actually working, what we
do over there, is for a good cause."

Afghanistan remains a dangerous place for man and dog. Since 2002, 10 Australian soldiers
and three bomb detection dogs have died there, with others left injured.

Only one of the dogs, Razz, died from a bomb blast. The other two succumbed to the
same fate as numerous suburban pooches - getting run over.

In the case of bomb dog Merlin, that came about as he reclined in the cool shade of
the wheel of a stationary 13-tonne Australian Light Armoured Vehicle.

Lance Corporal Exelby faced a tough grilling from the students.

How long does it take to train an explosives dog? Five months, he explained. What do
army dogs eat? Commercial dry dogfood with meat and bones as a treat once a week.

What explosives can they detect? Dogs are trained to react to 13 different types of
explosives, although a dog nose can detect 25,000 different odours.

"We work 50 metres in front of a patrol. She is looking for bombs and making it safe
for the patrol to come through," he explained.

"There are lots of bombs over there at the moment."

All this was for the launch of the new Department of Veterans Affairs educational publication,
M is for Mates.

Veterans Affairs Minister Alan Griffin said the publication, explaining the significant
role animals have played in Australian military history, would be useful for schools ahead
of Anzac Day.

"That is ... how they have played the roles detecting explosives, carting food and
goods for troops and also as mascots," he said.

AAP mb/kms/jl

KEYWORD: DOG (PIX AVAILABLE)

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

NSW: Snow report for Saturday August 30, 2008

AAP General News (Australia)
08-30-2008
NSW: Snow report for Saturday August 30, 2008

SYDNEY, Aug 30 AAP - The NSW snow report for Saturday August 30, 2008:

THREDBO: No new snow but the cover across the resort is described as excellent. A sunny
start to the day but showers are forecast this afternoon. Top temperature at the village
will be nine degrees celsius. Average snow depth is around 160 cm. All 14 lifts operating
and roads open to the resort.

SELWYN: There's a very deep base of snow over the resort, but no new snow overnight.

A calm, sunny day is forecast but there is a chance of a shower this afternoon. Average
snow depth 130 cm. Up to 12 lifts operating today and roads open today.

CHARLOTTE PASS: No new snow, but the snow condition is excellent over the entire resort.

It will be mainly fine today with snow showers developing towards the later part of the
day. The wind will be moderate and from the southwest. Top temperature will be four degrees
celsius. All five lifts are open.

PERISHER: No new snow overnight but the cover is described as excellent across all
four resort areas. Another fine day with light winds forecast for today. 48 lifts to open.

Top temperature will be eight degrees celsius and all roads leading to the resort are
open. Fresh show forecast above 1,700 metres tomorrow.

AAP dr/cjh

KEYWORD: SNOW NSW

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

Qld: New research facility joins race to find malaria drugs

AAP General News (Australia)
04-24-2008
Qld: New research facility joins race to find malaria drugs

By Gabrielle Dunlevy

BRISBANE, April 24 AAP - A new research facility in Brisbane is seeking fresh malaria
therapies with the added challenge of making them available for as little as $1.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh today opened the $18 million headquarters of the Eskitis
Institute for Cell and Molecular Therapies at Griffith University.

Jointly funded by the university and the state government, the facility will conduct
research into serious conditions such as neuro-degeneration, cancer, spinal paralysis
and Parkinson's disease.

Also high on its priorities are diseases that devastate developing nations, including
malaria and African sleeping sickness.

Tomorrow is World Malaria Day.

Ms Bligh said worldwide the disease killed a child every 30 seconds, and between one
and two million people annually.

"It is estimated that if global warming continues at current rates, it could very well
be a disease that reaches Queensland's shores in the not too distant future," she said.

"We should be motivated not only by our own potential exposure to the disease but by
the fact that it is such a devastating disease on countries in our region ... robbing
the young and developing nations of their children."

The malaria parasite, transmitted by mosquitoes, has developed resistance to most drugs
on the market, forcing researchers to look for new solutions.

Eskitis Institute executive director Ron Quinn said they must also be affordable to
be of use in developing nations.

"We have to work extremely hard to get those anti-malarials down to $1 per tablet and
it has to be a single dose, once a day tablet," Prof Quinn said.

"That's the challenge."

The researchers are examining drugs derived from natural, as well as synthetic sources.

AAP gd/pjo/it/cdh

KEYWORD: ESKITIS

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

Vic: Investigations into mine gas incident to begin today

AAP General News (Australia)
12-21-2007
Vic: Investigations into mine gas incident to begin today

Investigations will begin today into how 11 miners were overcome by toxic fumes following
a controlled blast in a central Victorian underground gold mine.

The 11 miners were injured .. one seriously .. at the Perseverance Northgate mine at
Fosterville .. about 20 kays east of Bendigo .. about 4.40 yesterday afternoon (AEDT).

It's believed a controlled explosion used to dislodge ore from other rocks released
gases including nitrous oxide .. carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.

10 of the miners were treated for minor respiratory distress at the Bendigo hospital
.. but a 41-year-old man was flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital where he is in a stable
condition.

AAP RTV jrd/crh

KEYWORD: MINERS (MELBOURNE)

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

Fed: Costello says his recollection of dinner is different

AAP General News (Australia)
08-15-2007
Fed: Costello says his recollection of dinner is different

CANBERRA, Aug 15 AAP - Federal Treasurer Peter Costello says he has different recollections
to journalists of a dinner in 2005 where he allegedly threatened to destroy Prime Minister
John Howard's leadership.

Senior political journalists yesterday claimed Mr Costello told them in 2005 Mr Howard
could not win the federal election.

The journalists also said Mr Costello had told them if Mr Howard did not step aside
by April 2006, he would challenge him for the Liberal leadership.

Mr Costello today refused to directly answer the journalist's allegations.

"I'm not going to get into an argument with them," he told reporters today.

"They have their recollections, I certainly have mine."

Mr Costello also said the dinner had not been held on the date the journalists reported.

MORE pj/lh/bwl

KEYWORD: COSTELLO DAYLEAD

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

Qld: Judge refuses to lift driving ban on woman

AAP General News (Australia)
02-15-2007
Qld: Judge refuses to lift driving ban on woman

By Daniel Pace

GOLD COAST, Feb 15 AAP - A Queensland judge has refused to lift a lifetime driving
ban on a woman he sent to jail over the road death of a nine-year-old girl.

In the Southport District Court today, Judge John Newton rejected an application by
Christie Morgan, who served two-and-a-half years in prison for killing Teena-Lea Harris
while driving a car under the influence of butane gas on the Gold Coast in August 2001.

"At this time I cannot accept it's proper to make an order to reinstate Ms Morgan's
licence due to the serious nature of the offence," Mr Newton said.

"I have formed the view that this application should be refused."

Morgan, 24, of Alexandra Hills in Brisbane, did not appear in court for the decision.

The then 18-year-old was sniffing butane moments before losing control of the car she
was driving and ploughing into 11 pedestrians on a busy Surfers Paradise footpath, killing
Teena-Lea and injuring several others.

Mr Newton sentenced Morgan in 2002 to six-and-a-half years' jail after describing her
actions as a "combination of sheer stupidity and an arrogant and wilful disregard".

Although Mr Newton rejected the application to lift Ms Morgan's lifetime driving ban
today, she will be allowed under state law to reapply for her licence in another 12 months.

Ms Morgan, who has a four-year-old daughter Olivia, applied to get her licence back
in April last year, arguing that poor public transport in her suburb restricted her opportunities
as a casual worker in aged care.

"We're happy with the outcome," said prosecutor Wayne Kelly, acting on behalf of Queensland
Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson, outside court.

New details of the horrific case emerged in court today when Mr Newton outlined his decision.

It was revealed Morgan had been sniffing butane gas while she was driving just 200m
before the intersection where she crashed her car.

She had also been sniffing gas at a residence earlier that day.

The vehicle was airborne when it struck 11 pedestrians, trees and a bench as it travelled
32 metres before smashing into the rear of a parked van.

An eyewitness estimated Ms Morgan's car had been travelling about 50km/h when she lost control.

"Her conduct after the incident occurred was reprehensible," Mr Newton said today,
pointing out that Ms Morgan had falsely claimed she had swerved to miss a blue vehicle.

Ms Morgan was earlier charged with perverting the cause of justice for fabricating
the story about the blue car, which added another six months to her jail sentence.

AAP djp/cf/srp/de

KEYWORD: MORGAN NIGHTLEAD

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

Fed: Bird flu outbreak would be recessionary: Costello

AAP General News (Australia)
08-30-2006
Fed: Bird flu outbreak would be recessionary: Costello

CANBERRA, Aug 30 AAP - A regional outbreak of bird flu would be traumatic economically,
Treasurer Peter Costello says.

"If there were an outbreak of bird flu that would be probably the most severe economic
shock that the region could have," Mr Costello told ABC Radio.

His comments come ahead of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting of finance
ministers in Vietnam next week.

"If there was an outbreak then you'd have to close borders, you'd have close cross
border trade, you'd have to close movement of people, you would have obviously a lot of
companies that would have to stop production.

"It would be recessionary, if not worse, so the economic impacts of avian flu are enormous
and that's one of the reasons why we spend as much money as we do, and we do spend quite
a lot of money, preparing for such an eventuality."

AAP pv/cjh/jlw

KEYWORD: FLU COSTELLO

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

PAC: MP arrested for breaching Solomons' curfew

AAP General News (Australia)
04-23-2006
PAC: MP arrested for breaching Solomons' curfew

A member of the Solomon Islands parliament has been arrested after allegedly breaching
the lock-down curfew in the capital Honiara.

Police say the man was one of 18 people arrested on the city's fourth night under curfew
.. and is still in custody at the police watchhouse.

It's unclear whether he'll be released prior to a crucial no-confidence vote against
new Prime Minister SNYDER RINI in Parliament on Wednesday.

Solomon Islands Police Commissioner SHANE CASTLES says the man can be held for seven
days .. and police are looking into the situation.

With parliament resuming tomorrow .. authorities are stepping up security in case there's
a flare-up of the rioting that destroyed 80 per cent of the city's Chinatown last week.





Meanwhile two men will face court tomorrow .. one charged with managing an unlawful
society .. and the other accused of threatening to burn down the house of a newly-elected
Malaita MP.

AAP RTV km/jmt

KEYWORD: SOLOMONS ARRESTS (HONIARA)

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

Vic: SHEEP GRAZING FOR NATIONAL PARK

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-2004
Vic: SHEEP GRAZING FOR NATIONAL PARK

Authorities in Victoria have approved sheep grazing in a national park.

The consent applies to the Terrick Terrick National Park in northern Victoria.

The approval's been issued by Victorian Environment Minister JOHN THWAITES, Parks Victoria
chief executive MARK STONE and Department of Sustainability and Environment secretary
Professor LYNDSAY NEILSON.

aap RTV jt/gjr x

KEYWORD: GRAZING (MELBOURNE)

2004 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

unfair prejudice

unfair prejudice Unfair conduct on the part of those entrusted to run and control a company in respect of (usually minority) company members. Any member affected may apply to the court under the Companies Act 1985, and the court is empowered under the Act to make such order as it thinks fit. Commonly, the unfair conduct consists of actions having the effect of seriously diminishing the value of the complainant's shareholding. In this instance the usual remedy sought is for the purchase of the complainant's shares at a fair price. See also minority protection.

TOWNSHIP BOARD SUPPORTS VA CENTER

LIBERTYVILLE TOWNSHIP -- Libertyville Township trustees joined a growing number of other Lake County governmental bodies in unanimously passing a resolution Thursday night urging continuing support for maintaining the North Chicago Veterans Affairs Medical Center at its current service and staffing levels.The action was in response to a recent Veterans Affairs consultants report suggesting that North Chicago's long term nursing care facilities be transferred to the Hines VA Medical Center in Maywood, and long-term psychiatric and substance abuse treatment be shifted to Lakeside VA Medical Center in downtown Chicago.

If carried out, veterans and medical personnel say the shift in services would virtually shut down the North Chicago VA facility, causing widespread unemployment and create a major void in providing medical services to Lake County's many aging veterans.

Critics say it would also have a detrimental impact on physician training at the affiliated Finch Chicago Medical School teaching facility in North Chicago.

Trustee Tom Lynch, in introducing the resolution on behalf of Libertyville VFW Post 741, said the proposal would be a major hardship on disabled veterans causing disruptions in medical treatment, requiring excessive travel, and creating family hardships.

The board agreed and urged township residents to voice their concerns over the proposal directly with VA officials and their congressional representatives.

Full details on the VA proposal are posted on the Internet at www.va.gov/cno/ or by contacting veterans organizations throughout the county.

Libertyville Mayor Duane Laska said the Libertyville Village Board is expected to address a similar resolution at its Oct. 26 meeting.

On Saturday at 1 p.m., the Lake County Veterans Assistance Commission and the American Federation of Government Employees, Local 2107, will hold a "support rally" at the front entrance of the North Chicago VA Medical Center near the flagpole at Lewis and Buckley Roads.

The public is invited.

Visonaria Venture Capital Looking For Latin Technology Talent.

MEXICO CITY, Nov 1, 2001

With 20 million dollars to invest, Visonaria Venture Capital began operations in the United States' Hispanic market and Latin America, with the objective of investing in software companies, reported Mexico City daily el Economista. In Mexico, Visonaria will seek to develop the potential of technology companies that need financing in order to expand, said Visonaria Mexico head Fernando Loria Keever. Of 120 Latin American companies that Visonaria has evaluated to date, the first to receive financing from the venture capital company are Mexican companies Air Go Technologies Corp. and Seguridata Inc. Air Technologies, which develops satellite products, received 1.4 million dollars, while Seguridata received 3 million dollars. Visonaria's investors include Grupo Carso (BMV:GCARSO) and Compaq (NYSE:CPQ).

URL: www.securities.com

Copyright 2001 Internet Securities, Inc., all rights reserved. A Euromoney Institutional Investor Company.

  SUBJECT CODE:     Bs 

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

GaSonics International, Argosy Education Group, Alaska Communications Systems Group, Axys Pharmaceuticals, and Frontier Airlines Conference Calls to be Broadcast On Investor Broadcast Network Over the Internet.

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 1, 2000

GaSonics International Corporation (Nasdaq:GSNX), Argosy Education Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:ARGY), Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:ALSK), Axys Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:AXPH), and Frontier Airlines, Inc. (Nasdaq:FRNT) will broadcast their investor communication conference calls over the Internet, Investor Broadcast Network announced.

GaSonics International Corporation will broadcast its quarterly results conference call on Wednesday, November 1, 2000 at 5:00 PM Eastern. This call can be accessed at http://www.vcall.com/NASApp/VCall/EventPage?ID=51720.

Argosy Education Group, Inc. will broadcast its quarterly results conference call on Thursday, November 2, 2000 at 11:00AM Eastern. This call can be accessed at http://www.vcall.com/NASApp/VCall/EventPage?ID=51721.

Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. will broadcast its quarterly results conference call on Thursday, November 2, 2000 at 1:00 PM Eastern. This call can be accessed at http://www.vcall.com/NASApp/VCall/EventPage?ID=48464.

Axys Pharmaceuticals, Inc. will broadcast its quarterly results conference call on Thursday, November 2, 2000 at 4:30 PM Eastern. This call can be accessed at http://www.vcall.com/NASApp/VCall/EventPage?ID=51043.

Frontier Airlines, Inc. will broadcast its quarterly results conference call on Friday, November 3, 2000 at 11:00 AM Eastern. This call can be accessed at http://www.vcall.com/NASApp/VCall/EventPage?ID=46702.

These events are available through Investor Broadcast Network's Vcall website, located at http://www.vcall.com. Listeners should go to the website at least fifteen minutes before these events to download and install any necessary audio software.

There is no charge to access any event.

About Investor Broadcast Network

Investor Broadcast Network, founded as Vcall in 1997, is the leading webcaster of investor events covering over 1200 public companies. The Company provides compelling investor content direct from companies and experts to more than 450,000 registered users through its Vcall, RadioWallStreet and Investor Conference broadcast services.

Vcall gives investors a front-row seat at corporate investor relations conference calls from more than 600 public companies. Vcall webcasts include earnings releases, shareholder meetings, and financial community presentations.

For more information on Investor Broadcast Network visit www.investorbroadcast.com

Nokia Acquires Diamond Lane Communications to Boost Fast Internet.

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 16, 1999--Nokia (NYSE:NOK.A) today signed a definitive agreement to acquire Diamond Lane Communications Corporation for approximately US $125 million in cash.

The company, based in Petaluma, Calif., has developed the market-leading multi-service digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), a device that enables Internet access speeds up to 125 times faster than current 56 kilobit-per-second modems over existing telecommunications networks.

Nokia has been an investor in Diamond Lane since 1997. The two companies already have successfully integrated Diamond Lane's products in an end-to-end Fast Internet solution that addresses service provider needs including service and network management and billing.

Mika Vehvilainen, Senior Vice President, IP Solutions Group, Nokia Telecommunications, said the acquisition gives Nokia a critical technological element driving development of the next wave of communications network infrastructure -- IP and ATM broadband access networks -- and an increased presence in the world's foremost Internet market, the United States.

"The Internet has reached farther and faster than any previous communication technology," Vehvilainen said. "It took radio 35 years to reach an audience of 50 million people; television required only 13 years, but the Internet has surpassed that in just four years."

Diamond Lane President and Chief Executive Officer Jerry Parrick said Diamond Lane has developed the most extensive product line in the industry to address the needs of all service providers.

"Our combining with Nokia will enable us to compete for a major share of the global digital subscriber line market," Parrick said. "Nokia's financial strength and position as a global leader in the telecommunications industry will enable us to greatly enhance the scope of our products and reach a larger customer base immediately. We plan to own a major share of the global DSL market."

Diamond Lane Communications Corporation, founded in 1995, is one of the first companies in the world to commercially offer digital subscriber line data access. Privately held, the company is a worldwide technology leader in xDSL solutions, enabling a variety of high-speed data applications via its SpeedLink system, a digital subscriber line access multiplexer based on ATM standards. With final approvals, expected in 30 days, Diamond Lane will become Nokia High Speed Access Products.

Nokia is the world's leading mobile phone supplier and a leading supplier of mobile and fixed telecom networks including related customer services. Nokia also supplies solutions and products for fixed and wireless datacom, as well as multimedia terminals and computer monitors. In 1998, net sales totaled FIM 79.2 billion (USD 15.7 billion, EUR 13.3 billion). Headquartered in Finland, Nokia is listed on five European Stock Exchanges and on the New York Stock Exchange (NOK.A), has sales in over 130 countries and employs more than 44,000 people worldwide.

Taliban repelled.

Provided by 7DAYS.ae

Around 26 Taliban have been killed in military action in Afghanistan, officials said yesterday, including a dozen when troops repelled a mass attack on several US and Afghan bases. Australia meanwhile announced earlier it had lost a soldier in a Taliban attack in the southern province of Uruzgan on Sunday. The country is one of about 40 with troops in Afghanistan to fight back the extremist Taliban.

Between 30 and 40 insurgents attacked five bases in the eastern province of Kunar on Sunday with artillery, machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, the US-led coalition said in a statement.

[c] 2007 Al Sidra Media LLC

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company

New Financial Concept Videos Increase Investor Engagement.(McGraw-Hill Financial Communications)

BOSTON, July 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- McGraw-Hill Financial Communications has partnered with vWise to produce a dynamic series of financial education videos that engage and empower investors to make informed decisions. The videos cover a broad range of investing topics for viewers in various life-stage segments and use informative and thought-provoking charts and graphics to emphasize key points. Topics covered include investment risk, catch-up strategies, and asset allocation basics, as well as fundamentals of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, target-date funds, and ETFs.

Financial institutions can personalize the videos by including their logos, disclaimers, and calls to action.

The videos can be fully integrated into an organization's website and are effective as stand-alone educational vignettes or as part of a more comprehensive multimedia educational experience. Enhance user experience further by incorporating a custom splash screen while the videos are loading, a personalized video player, targeted calls to action, multiformat conversions, and robust reporting.

"We are continually developing cost-effective ways for organizations to improve investor engagement and make education more intuitive," says Larry McQuaid, vice president and general manager of McGraw-Hill Financial Communications. "By partnering with vWise, we are able to give investors a strong basis from which to make financial decisions, clear directives as to how to take action, and a positive user experience that will aid in attracting new investors."

"We are pleased to partner with McGraw-Hill to create this unique series of investor videos. The combination of their content and our production strategies has resulted in a powerful and compelling series of concise video vignettes ideally suited to an online environment," remarked vWise President and CEO Tony Mingo.

At McGraw-Hill Financial Communications, the videos are available individually or in packages for a discounted price. Our financial concept video library currently includes the following packages:

* Investing

* Investing in Stocks

* Investing in Funds

* Retirement

* Saving for Retirement

* Investing in Retirement

* General Saving

To take part in a video experience of your own, contact us today.

About McGraw-Hill Financial Communications

McGraw-Hill Financial Communications, a division of McGraw-Hill Professional in collaboration with Standard and Poor's, is a leading provider of investor education, marketing, and communication solutions for financial services firms. The company creates and implements solutions for clients by bringing together content, delivery, and industry expertise. As a division of McGraw-Hill Professional, it leverages world-class content and data from Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, and more. Additional information is available at http://visitfc.com.

McGraw-Hill Professional is a leading global provider of print and electronic content and services for the business, technical, and medical communities. Its offerings include reference and certification books for all professional and educational disciplines and online solutions on business and financial, medical and health, engineering, and scientific topics. For more information, visit http://www.mhprofessional.com/.

McGraw-Hill Professional is a unit of McGraw-Hill Education. McGraw-Hill Education, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), is a leading innovator in the development of teaching and learning solutions for the 21st century. Through a comprehensive range of traditional and digital education content and tools, McGraw-Hill Education empowers and prepares professionals and students of all ages to connect, learn, and succeed in the global economy. McGraw-Hill Education has offices in 33 countries and publishes in more than 65 languages. Additional information is available at http://www.mheducation.com.

About vWise

vWise is a leading developer of rich-media internet applications based upon its E3 (that's E-Cubed) architecture. Its SmartPlan Enterprise solution, which serves the defined contribution markets, and its SmartHealth solution, which serves the employee benefits market, use a proprietary mix of video and interactive technologies to help people better understand complex information and make personalized choices. For more information, visit www.vwise.com.

SOURCE McGraw-Hill Financial Communications

Huawei Joins GSMA PathFinder Partner Programme.

Huawei successfully completes ENUM interoperability testing

LONDON, June 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The GSMA today announced that Huawei, a leading telecom solutions provider, has achieved certification for its wireless and fixed-line carrier solutions as part of the GSMA PathFinder Industry Partner Programme. PathFinder, operated by Neustar, Inc., is a GSMA-managed service providing an interoperable, industry-wide solution that enables the routing of global IP service interconnect traffic based on ENUM technology and lowers the barrier to entry for service providers as they deploy current and future IP services.

Huawei has demonstrated compatibility with the GSMA interoperable carrier ENUM standard which means that Huawei can query and understand results from other carrier ENUM implementations. With mobile networks moving to an 'all-IP' network implementation with the deployment of LTE and IMS, the ability to route calls and sessions based on telephone numbers in the IP domain is critical, and ENUM provides a standardised means to do this.

"PathFinder provides an immediate and flexible solution that simplifies the rollout of innovative IP-based services, enabling operators to reach more devices on more next-generation networks more rapidly," said Adrian Dodd, Senior Director, PathFinder at the GSMA. "Working with companies such as Huawei, PathFinder is harnessing the power of IP-based applications across networks to enhance the array of services behind the universal telephone number."

"Huawei is proud to be a part of this initiative as we believe that simple, standardized and globally interoperable IP interconnection is a key precondition for the telecommunications community to evolve the service offering and develop end user service value," said Huang Jin, Vice President of Core Network Product Line at Huawei.

With 19 commercial LTE networks and 200 additional planned deployments, LTE is set to experience rapid growth over the next few years, rising from 4.2 million connections in 24 countries by the end of this year, to almost 300 million connections in 55 countries by 2015(1). As operators deploy new services, such as Voice over LTE, over LTE networks, the role of PathFinder will become even more critical in ensuring the reliable delivery of voice and multimedia traffic utilising phone numbers and IP-based addresses.

"IP is becoming the new voice of communications. As IP-based communications, such as LTE become more and more available, businesses need services like PathFinder to make IP a truly global ubiquitous communication language," said Steve Edwards, senior vice president, Carrier Services at Neustar.

Notes to Editors:

"Private" or "Carrier" ENUM is an enabler used by operators to associate the phone numbers of subscribers with the IP addressing information of the subscriber's IP-based services. This information is populated by the operator on behalf of the subscriber and is not made available to third parties except for the purposes of routing. The system enables IP-based calls and messages, addressed to a subscriber's phone number, to be delivered.

"Public" ENUM is a separate open Internet-based number translation directory where consumers can publish their addressing information.

About the GSMA

The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide. Spanning 219 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world's mobile operators, as well as more than 200 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset makers, software companies, equipment providers, Internet companies, and media and entertainment organisations. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as the Mobile World Congress and Mobile Asia Congress.

For more information, please visit Mobile World Live, the online portal for the mobile communications industry, at www.mobileworldlive.com or the GSMA corporate website at http://www.gsmworld.com.

(1) Wireless Intelligence

SOURCE GSMA

Orange Business Services Offers High-Speed Connectivity Solutions Through New International Gateway.(Company overview)

PARIS & NEW DELHI -- Orange Business Services, the enterprise communications arm of France Telecom, is launching its new international gateway in Mumbai after receiving a clearance from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for its Indian entity Equant Network Services India Pvt. Ltd.

The new international gateway will enable Orange Business Services to offer a richer suite of high-speed international connectivity solutions to meet the growing demand of the Indian enterprise segment. Orange already owns a fully resilient next-generation network in the country with 12 Telepresence-ready points of presence in Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune.

Orange Business Services is fully equipped to sell call collection solutions, high-speed IP voice and data services in addition to the traditional network and network related services for international and domestic customers. Orange can also self-procure bandwidth from international carriers and provide high-speed international lines.

Commenting on this development, Bala Mahadevan, CEO, Orange Business Services India, said: "We have a clear mandate of growth for India and this is yet another milestone for us. Our network capabilities give us a unique edge in the international market and we are committed to extending this to India. It's our conscious strategy to grow our service portfolio with advanced IP voice and data solutions, contact center services, call collection and more network-oriented service offers for our customers."

The company's current business in India includes providing network connectivity and solution integration services to a host of international as well as domestic companies. Orange has made significant investment in its network in the recent years. With the acquisition of International and National Long distance licence (ILD NLD) in 2008, it can provide a full range of network and related services to enterprises in India. To provide countrywide Internet services, Orange Business Services also has the Internet Service Providers (ISP) license received from the DoT in 2009.

Orange Business Services directly employs more than 2,000 people in India, serving more than 600 domestic and multinational clients. Orange also has one of its four Major Service Centers that supports international customers located in India.

About Orange Business Services

Orange Business Services, the France Telecom-Orange branch dedicated to B2B services, is a leading global integrator of communications solutions for multinational corporations. With the world's largest, seamless network for voice and data, Orange Business Services reaches 220 countries and territories with local support in 166. Offering a comprehensive package of communication services covering cloud computing, enterprise mobility, M2M, security, unified communications, videoconferencing, and broadband, Orange Business Services delivers a best-in-class customer experience across a global landscape. Thousands of enterprise customers and 1.4 million mobile data users rely on an Orange Business Services international platform for communicating and conducting business. Orange Business Services is a four-time winner of Best Global Operator at the World Communication Awards. Learn more at www.orange-business.com.

France Telecom-Orange is one of the world's leading telecommunications operators with 170,000 employees worldwide and sales of 11.2 billion euros in the first quarter 2011. Orange is the Group's single brand for Internet, television and mobile services in the majority of countries where the company operates. France Telecom (NYSE:FTE) is listed on Euronext Paris (compartment A) and on the New York Stock Exchange.

Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trade marks of Orange Brand Services Limited, Orange France or France Telecom.

Globecomm to Present at 2011 Noble Financial Capital Markets' Seventh Annual Equity Conference Equity Conference in Hollywood, Florida.(Conference news)

Globecomm Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: GCOM), a leading global provider of communications solutions and services, announced it will present at the Noble Financial Sixth Annual Equity Conference. The conference is being held Monday, May 16, 2011 at the Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood, Florida.

The Globecomm management team will present in Room 1 Petra at 9:30 AM and the Company will be available to meet with investors throughout the day.

At the time of the presentation, a live audio and high-definition video webcast of Globecomm's presentation and a copy of the presentation materials will be available on the Company's web site www.globecommsystems.com, or through the Noble Financial websites: www.noblefcm.com, or www.noble7.com.

Globecomm recommends registering at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the presentation to ensure timely access. You will require a Microsoft SilverLight viewer (a free download from the presentation link) to participate. The webcast and presentation will also be archived at www.globecommsystems.com for 90 days following the event. About Globecomm Systems Globecomm Systems Inc., or Globecomm, is a leading global provider of satellite-based managed network solutions. Employing our expertise in emerging communication technologies we are able to offer a comprehensive suite of system integration, system products, and network services enabling a complete end-to-end solution for our customers. We believe our integrated approach of in-house design and engineering expertise combined with a world-class global network and our 24 by 7 network operating centers provides us a unique competitive advantage. We are now taking this value proposition to selective vertical markets, including government, wireless, media, enterprise, and maritime. As a network solution provider we leverage our global network to provide customers managed access services to the United States Internet backbone, video content, the public switched telephone network or their corporate headquarters, or government offices. We currently have customers for which we are providing such services in the United States, Europe, South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

Keywords: Asia, Capital Markets, China, Engineering, Finance, Financial, Globecomm Systems Inc., Investing, Investment, Network Services, Networks.

This article was prepared by Telecommunications Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2011, Telecommunications Weekly via VerticalNews.com.

ATK to Announce Fiscal Year 2011 Financial Results.(Financial report)

MINNEAPOLIS, May 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- ATK (NYSE: ATK) will webcast its investor conference call on fiscal year 2011 financial results, which will be announced May 5, prior to the opening of the market. In addition to discussion of the quarterly results, the Company may discuss its outlook and financial guidance for future periods during the call. Conference call details are as follows:

This call is being webcast by CCBN and can be accessed at ATK's website at www.atk.com, Investor Relations; Investor Information; Webcasts. Information about downloading Windows Media Player software, which is required to access the webcast, will be available on the website.

When:	10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, Thursday, May 5, 2011.
Who:	Mark DeYoung, President and Chief Executive Officer
	John Shroyer, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
	Jeff Huebschen, Director Investor Relations'

Telephone recording: For those who cannot participate in the live webcast, a telephone recording of the conference call will be available. The telephone number is 719-457-0820, and the confirmation code is 6817302. The recording will be available for one month after the call.

Institutional investors can access the call via CCBN's password-protected event management site, StreetEvents (www.streetevents.com).

ATK is an aerospace, defense, and commercial products company with operations in 23 states, Puerto Rico, and internationally, and revenues of approximately $4.8 billion. News and information can be found on the Internet at www.atk.com.

Certain information discussed in this press release constitutes forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although ATK believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved. Forward-looking information is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Among those factors are: changes in governmental spending, budgetary policies and product sourcing strategies; the company's competitive environment; the terms and timing of awards and contracts; and economic conditions. ATK undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For further information on factors that could impact ATK, and statements contained herein, please refer to ATK's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Media Contact:	Investor Contact:
Bryce Hallowell	Jeff Huebschen
Phone: 952-351-3087	Phone: 952-351-2929
E-mail: bryce.hallowell@atk.com	E-mail: jeff.huebschen@atk.com

SOURCE ATK

Convergent technology links phones and Web together. (PARR or Parks and Recreation Registration system that allows citizens to conduct business with local governments electronically 24-hours per day)(Brief Article)

At a Friday night dinner, the Stapletons and Johnsons were discussing a possible Sunday morning couples golf outing at the municipal course. Assuming that they would not be able to check available tee times until the next day when the club house opened, they almost put off the discussion. Lucille Stapleton knew that the city had installed an automated PARR (Parks and Recreation Registration) system, but thought it could only be accessed over the World Wide Web. Then, Dave Johnson remembered that the PARR system was available through the phone as well. They called the system, requested a 9:00 a.m. tee time, and accepted the 9:30 a.m. time that the system said was the first available.

Convergent technology systems, such as the PARR system, enable citizens to interact and transact with government agencies 24-hours a day over both the phone and web. Transactions such as parking or traffic ticket payments, golf and parks registration, utility payments, and building inspection updates can all be completed without extensive staff time or proprietary Interactive Voice Response (IVR)-only systems.

How is this possible? Convergent technology works by providing a transactional voice application in a programming language that can be accessed over the World Wide Web. Or conversely, an existing government web site can add a few special HTML codes and be visible to telephone "browsers." The technology is equally effective either way.

Convergent systems bridge the gap between the 20 percent of citizens with ready Internet access and the 98 percent of citizens with ready access to telephones. It eliminates the need for stand-alone IVR systems (and non-Internet kiosks) by providing the same functionality, while helping facilitate the inevitable transition to having all citizen services available through the Internet.

Joshua G. Marder is Vice President of Operations at TeleWorks, Inc., a company that makes a turnkey convergent product, Tele-Works Voice Response, specifically designed for local government use. For more information, contact Marder at 540-951-6463 or .

New and improved PKZip 2.5 for Windows still does the job. (PKWare) (Software Review)(Brief Article)(Evaluation)

PKZip 2.5 for Windows

   PKWare   9025 N. Deerwood Dr.   Brown Deer, WI 53223   414-354-8699   fax: 414-354-8559   http://www.pkware.com   

Requires: 4MB RAM (Windows 3.1) or 8MB RAM (Windows 95); 1MB hard drive space

List Price: $49

From the beginning of the desktop computing revolution, file-compression utilities have helped reduce the disk space required to store and transfer files. PKZip set the technical standard for these utilities, and with the release of PKZip 2.5 for Windows, it's now easier to use than ever.

This update includes versions for Windows 3.1 and Windows 95. The latter version finally supports Windows 95's long filenames--previously PKZip truncated long filenames to fit DOS's naming convention of eight characters with a three-character extension.

This version of PKZip sports a nicely streamlined interface. Creating a compressed Zip archive is as simple as selecting the files and clicking a button; your archive can include files from multiple directories. The program enables you to affix a password to a Zip file, and to create self-extracting archives that you can uncompress without a separate utility. You can also create Zip files that span multiple floppy disks.

PKZip supports five levels of compression. Selecting tighter compression requires slightly more time for zipping and unzipping; on our 90MHz Pentium test machine, the time difference was negligible.

PKZip can display the contents of compressed archives, with columns showing information such as the creation date and the size of each file. You can sort these contents according to any column category. To copy or move files from one Zip archive to another, you must click on the menu options--PKZip doesn't support drag and drop between archives. But you can drag uncompressed files from Windows Explorer to a compressed archive.

Double-clicking on a file in the content list of a Zip archive launches the file and its associated application. And you can uncompress an entire archive at once if you need to, or only selected files within the archive.

Missing, however, is a wizard to carry you through the compression and decompression process, which is available in Nico Mak Computing's WinZip.

File-compression utilities have become essential tools for Internet users who upload and download files, and for e-mail mavens who send and receive file attachments. PKZip 2.5 for Windows is one of the original compression utilities for the PC. With this latest release, it is also one of the most up-to-date.

Jrg Buchmuller new General Counsel at BASF.

M2 PRESSWIRE-4 March 2008-BASF AG: Jrg Buchmuller new General Counsel at BASF(C)1994-2008 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

RDATE:04032008

Ludwigshafen, Germany -- The Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE has appointed Dr. Jrg Buchmuller (60) as the companys General Counsel and head of the Legal, Taxes & Insurance division with immediate effect. Buchmuller succeeds Dr. Hans-Ulrich Engel, who was simultaneously appointed to the Board of Executive Directors.

Buchmuller is a lawyer and has headed BASFs Legal department since 2003. After receiving a doctorate in law from the University of Constance, Buchmuller joined BASFs Legal department in 1978. In the course of his career, he has contributed his legal expertise to a number of important major projects in Germany and abroad, and has thus gained broad experience in the key legal issues faced by a global company.

He is admired as an outstanding expert in questions of international law, both within the company and externally.

Note: A photograph of Jrg Buchmuller can be downloaded at www.basf.de/pressphotos.

About BASF

BASF is the worlds leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from oil and gas to chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals. As a reliable partner BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility.

BASF has more than 95,000 employees and posted sales of almost 58 billion in 2007. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN).

Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

((M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data prepared by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com)).

'Our blood is in his': Kenyans greet Obama with reverence.

Byline: Jeff Zeleny

Aug. 25--NAIROBI, Kenya -- The sun was falling quickly, and clusters of street salesmen began to abandon their posts in the middle of chaotic roadways. Along a one-block stretch of a neighborhood called Nairobi West, barstools were filling up as beer bottles emptied and after-work conversations flowed. Suddenly, a forceful admonition sounded from a dark corner of the room. "Shhhhh!" shushed Said Nassir, 43, a medical technologist with a bottle of Coca-Cola sitting before him. "If you don't mind, Obama is on the news." No one, at least among the people gathering here Thursday evening, seemed to mind. In the United States, such a statement surely would draw heckles from a thirsty barroom. But for days, anticipation had been building over the arrival of Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), and when the moment finally came, the patrons inside Elgesa Wine & Spirits strained to see him on a television set atop a beer cooler. They uttered barely a word as the nightly news went on for nearly 10 minutes about Obama. "Tonight, it was special. That's why everyone was quiet," the soft-spoken Nassir said when the broadcast moved on to another topic. "People will follow his every movement from today until he leaves. He is one of us." For all the adulation Obama has received during less than two years in office, for all the celebrity glow he basks in, the junior senator from Illinois had never before experienced the type of hospitality shown when his plane landed here Thursday. A 12-car motorcade -- a trapping usually bestowed upon a visiting head of state -- whisked him past admirers who lined the roads heading to his downtown hotel. A security contingent of U.S. Marines stood watch. All the while, a taxi driver ensnared in the congestion didn't mind a bit, craning his neck to take in the view. It was a markedly different scene from that during his first four days in Africa, when the senator traveled in a car without lights or sirens and saw little trace of a red carpet.

For three days, neither South African President Thabo Mbeki nor three lower-ranking foreign ministers could find time to meet with Obama. And a substantive side trip to Congo was canceled because officials were dealing with violence in Kinshasa and didn't have time to lead a visiting senator on a tour. But upon his arrival in Kenya, the home of his late father, suddenly Obama was no longer being treated as a freshman senator from America. On Friday, he was scheduled to meet with Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki as well as the leader of the opposition party. After lunching with several members of parliament, he is to visit the site of the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombing that killed 248 people here. "Our blood is in his," said Charles Kibiru Muraguri, who was sitting at the Nairobi West bar. "And he came back to Africa to see us." After the expectations How, though, will Kenyans perceive him when his motorcade is leaving the city in six days? Will he receive as glorious a sendoff after it becomes clear that he has no ability to solve the problems of this impoverished nation? "Kenya is not my country. It's the country of my father," Obama said. "I feel a connection, but ultimately, it's not going to be me. It's going to be them who are climbing a path to improving their new lives." An afternoon drive through the city center of Nairobi underscores economic challenges facing the country. While colorful billboards entice people to drink Dasani water, fly Emirates Airline and sign up for wireless Internet access, the reality for many residents in this city of nearly 4 million is different beneath those lofty advertisements. Men and boys in the middle of streets polluted by exhaust fumes walk from car to car, selling a bounty of goods. Neckties, alarm clocks and flowers are among items for sale. And by simply rolling down your car window, even a Time magazine -- the May 6, 2002, edition on autism -- could be purchased at a stoplight on Uhuru Highway. "Finding a job here is hard," said Benjamin Okola, a 30-year-old taxi driver, ignoring the men surrounding his car who sought to sell their merchandise to his passengers. "People are really expecting a lot of things from Obama."

Realistic Kenyan has hopes But Okola, who grew up 20 miles from the Obama homeland in Nyanza province, said he knows the senator can't realistically solve all of Kenya's problems. Even so, he said he hoped his government meetings -- and a public speech next week -- would at least help decrease rampant corruption. "He can talk to the president about it like no one else can," Okola said. "He will give a good example to Kenya of how to treat each other." For all the fanfare surrounding the trip, details of the senator's schedule had not been widely announced to Kenyans. The secrecy stirred even more suspense and yearning. "I can't go to sleep until I see him," said John Kariuki, a 30-year-old taxi driver who dashed back to the airport immediately after dropping off his fares in the hopes of seeing Obama's arrival. "I can't have any chance to talk to him, but I want to see this man." - - - Obama in Africa For a daily diary of Barack Obama's visit by the Tribune's Jeff Zeleny and photos by Pete Souza, go to chicagotribune.com/obama jzeleny@tribune.com

Copyright (c) 2006, Chicago Tribune

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business

News.

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Touch-downer.(News)

Byline: By Billy Muir

I have done a lot of travelling around the world but there is something about returning to Wales that always invokes a special type of feeling, foreboding and gloom.

This is nothing to do with the country itself but more to do with Cardiff International Airport.

For me this airport has all the warmth and friendliness of a Turkish Prison.

In fact the closest airport I have seen in comparison is Bucharest airport in Romania. That had been under Communist rule for fifty years but still the coffee was better.

When I walked upstairs to departures for my early flight I was confronted by a newsagents that didn't contain a morning paper and a cafe that would make Billy Butlins proud.

After security, the actual departure lounge again contained very little except a similar newsagent to the one I passed earlier and a Costa Cafe serving pastries and sandwiches. If you want a hot meal you are out of luck. At least I was.

The amusement centre is anything but amusing and as a last resort you need to head for the bar. Don't even think about internet access. There are no comfortable seats for you to wait for your flight. Just bum numbing ones to perch on.

Arrivals is worse. After you trundle off your flight you trudge through a corridor that is dank and full of chipped paint. You get a feeling it's a wartime experience and you are being herded forward for selection. At the baggage counter, you may get your bag if you're lucky or jokingly be told it's still in Amsterdam and you have to wait an hour to fill out a form.

Meanwhile any loved ones waiting to greet you, have to stand in a space that has no shops or cafes for them to pass the time while their parking bill mounts up.

Cardiff Airport could definitely be responsible for the disintegration of many relationships, because by the time you emerge from the flight, the family want to kill you.

This airport is the first impression many people will get of our country. Isn't it time that we made sure that impression was a positive one.

Age checking service proven to protect children.

M2 PRESSWIRE-27 July 2004-EXPERIAN: Age checking service proven to protect children(C)1994-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

RDATE:07272004

Nottingham, UK - The report out today by leading children`s charity NCH, GamCare and Citizencard, revealed that the ID authentication scheme developed jointly by CitizenCard and Experian , successfully prevented its mystery shopper, a 16-year old girl, from registering her details online and gambling.

The report tested a sample of gambling sites and found that only seven out of 37 gambling sites had the measures in place to stop a 16-year old from registering and being exposed to gambling. The law prevents anyone under the age of 18, or under 16 for the National Lottery, from gambling online.

Both Ladbrokes and Camelot use age verification systems delivered by Experian to block accounts for under-18s and under-16s (in the case of the National Lottery).

Jill Stevens, Director of Consumer Relations at Experian, said: "The report exposes the ease with which children are able to lie about their age and gamble online, despite the fact that there is a system available that can prevent this from happening. Companies must use the tools available to them to protect children."

Andrew Chevis, Chief Executive, CitizenCard, said: "It came as no surprise that two leading gambling sites were able to block the youngster from going online and gambling because they use age verification systems delivered by Experian.

"Experian`s solutions incorporate iAC authentication and are the only proven age verification systems available which provides for both safer Internet commerce as well as offering valuable extra protection for young people who use chat rooms and other online communications. As a matter of urgency, gambling sites should install effective age verification systems to block youngsters from registering online. Social responsibility should be considered by banks as well. Gambling transactions sent to the banks are specially coded and banks could, and in our view should, check that their account holder is over 18 years of age."

Richard Hurd-Wood, Camelot's Director of Interactive, said: "Prior to launching National Lottery products on the web, we developed appropriate software to prevent not only under age but also excessive play. At present, about 10% of people are excluded because their age and address cannot be verified. Some of these may be legitimate players - and there is an additional facility for them to send in proof of age and address by post - but if they can't be verified, we won't let them play online."

"Our online prevention strategy was drawn up to comply with the GamCare Code of Practice for online lotteries and we were delighted to be the first site to be awarded GamCare certification in acknowledgement of Camelot's achievements in implementing the Code. We remain committed to the highest standards of player protection for all our interactive sites."

Ladbrokes e-Gaming director David Briggs, said: "Ladbrokes.com has invested heavily in both software and people to safeguard against underage gamblers using our site. However, we are not complacent and work constantly to improve our systems as we recognise the determined underage gambler is always looking to find new ways to beat the system."

Information provided by iAC and the CitizenCard application, combined with other information held on Experian's proprietary and public information databases, is used to authenticate the age and identity of individuals for the purpose of purchasing eighteen-plus goods and services on the Internet.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

About iAC

interactiveAgeCheck (iAC) is an ID authentication scheme developed jointly by CitizenCard and Experian. Each application is stringently checked using a number of measures to counter fraudulent applications.

iAC incorporates the only Internet-based software application that allows secure and instant on-line verification of age and identity for retailers such as chatrooms, financial services, airlines and train operators, medical and pharmaceutical, merchants selling age-restricted goods such as video films and games, online gaming and adult entertainment.

As well as offering protection for consumers, iAC will open up new market opportunities for Internet retailers as the verification process will allow them to trade with people using payment methods other than credit cards to pay for age restricted goods. Current estimates indicate that 35 per cent consumers over 18 do not possess credit cards and therefore this market could be very valuable to Internet retailers.

iAC is available to all UK-based websites and aims to set a global precedent in the protection of young people when using the internet. Initial enquiries should be directed to Andrew Chevis at CitizenCard on 07775 765050.

About CitizenCard

CitizenCard is the UK`s largest photo-ID scheme offering to all a singly widely recognised card. Each application is verified stringently using several measures to counter fraudulent application. The scheme is supported by government, the police and retail groups.

CitizenCard is a non-profit company limited by guarantee. Its members are: Association of Convenience Stores, Camelot, Experian, National Federation of Retail Newsagents, Ladbrokes, Somerfield and the Tobacco Manufacturers Association.

CitizenCard is the only UK-wide ID scheme to comply with the Home Office-backed PASS (Proof of Age Standards Scheme) criteria, externally audited by the Trading Standards Institute.

CitizenCard is the only card available to anyone legally resident across the whole of the UK, whatever their age.

The majority of cardholders are young people under 18 who need to prove their age to be able to buy age-restricted goods. Under 18s get their card free.

It enables shopkeepers and other retailers to check the age of would-be purchasers and avoid sales to under-age children.

CitizenCard has issued more than 870,000 cards.

CitizenCard verifies applicants using hologram-protected cards embedding a laser-etched colour photo to reduce the risk of forgery.

It maintains all its cardholders' details on a single secure database that is not available to third parties.

About Experian

Experian is a global leader in providing information solutions to organisations and consumers. It helps organisations find, develop and manage profitable customer relationships by providing information, decision-making solutions and processing services. It empowers consumers to understand, manage and protect their personal information and assets. Experian works with more than 40,000 clients across diverse industries, including financial services, telecommunications, healthcare, insurance, retail and catalogue, automotive, manufacturing, leisure, utilities, property, e-commerce and government.

Experian is a subsidiary of GUS plc and has headquarters in Nottingham, UK, and Costa Mesa, California. Its 13,000 people support clients in more than 60 countries. Annual sales exceed GBP1.3 billion.

The word 'Experian' is a registered trademark in the EU and other countries and is owned by Experian Ltd and/or its associated companies.

CONTACT: Ellen Carroll, Press RelationsTel: +44 (0)115 992 2515e-mail: ellen.carroll@uk.experian.comAndrew Chevis, CEO, CitizenCarde-mail: achevis@citizencard.com

((M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data prepared by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com)).