NSW:Mum and newborn bub found safe and well

AAP General News (Australia)
08-02-2011
NSW:Mum and newborn bub found safe and well

SYDNEY, Aug 2 AAP - A mother and her newborn baby missing from a hospital in the NSW
Hunter Valley have been found safe and well.

The 25-year-old woman and her newborn baby boy were discovered travelling through Raymond
Terrace from Dungog about 4.30pm (AEST) on Tuesday, police said.

Police recognised the car, which also contained a 14-year-old girl and two Singleton
women aged 43 and 40, and stopped it.

All of the women are now helping police with their inquiries.

Police had earlier held concerns for the woman and the baby, who had last been seen
on Monday evening at Maitland Hospital.

AAP ih/tr/nb

KEYWORD: NEWBORN UPDATE

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

NSW:BMW stolen after crash on Sydney street

AAP General News (Australia)
04-07-2011
NSW:BMW stolen after crash on Sydney street

SYDNEY, April 6 AAP - A BMW has been stolen after another car crashed into the back
of it, police say.

A 49-year-old man was driving the silver 2008 BMW convertible along Barker Street,
Kingsford, in Sydney's east, on Wednesday afternoon, when he was allegedly struck from
behind by a black Subaru WRX.

He got out of his car to exchange his details, only to be threatened by two men in
the Subaru who were wielding baseball bats, police allege.

One of the offenders then drove off with the BMW, leaving the owner behind.

His accomplice left the scene in the Subaru, which had stolen NSW registration plates BKM 17N.

Police believe there were possibly two other men in the Subaru at the time of the incident.

The search is now on for both vehicles. The NSW registration of the BMW is BGI 03W.

Police are also looking for two men. The first is described as being of Caucasian appearance,
180cm tall, with a slim build, and aged in his 20s.

He was wearing a cream-coloured jacket with dark vertical stripes and a cream baseball cap.

The second man was described as being of Pacific Islander appearance, in his late teens,
and 165-170cm tall. He was wearing a black nylon jacket over a red hooded shirt and jeans.

Anyone with information that might assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers
on 1800 333 000.

AAP bc/jfm

KEYWORD: BMW

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

QLD:Two killed on Qld's New England Highway

AAP General News (Australia)
12-16-2010
QLD:Two killed on Qld's New England Highway

BRISBANE, Dec 16 AAP - Two people have died in a crash between a ute and a truck south
of Stanthorpe near the Queensland-NSW border.

Police said the vehicles crashed on the New England Highway, about one kilometre south
of the intersection with Whiskey Gully Road, at about 11.30am (AEST).

A man and a woman, both in the ute, died at the scene, police said.

The road is closed and the Police Forensic Unit is investigating.

AAP stg/crh/cdh/msk

KEYWORD: TOLL QLD

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

VIC:Toddlers suffer facial burns

AAP General News (Australia)
08-09-2010
VIC:Toddlers suffer facial burns

Two young children have suffered superficial facial burns after being hit by a liquid
.. allegedly thrown by a nine-year-old boy in Melbourne.

The two-year-old girl and five-month-old boy were being pushed in their pram on a footpath
in South Yarra .. when they were struck by the liquid .. believed to be a degreasing agent
.. which was thrown from a car park roof.

The injured pair has been taken to Royal Children's Hospital in a stable condition
.. and detectives are investigating whether they were deliberately targeted .. or if it
was an accident.

A nine-year-old boy has been taken into custody after a police doorknock of the South Yarra area.

AAP RTV ees/pmu/ajw/

KEYWORD: BURNS (MELBOURNE)

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

Table of holiday drowning deaths in Australia

AAP General News (Australia)
12-30-2009
Table of holiday drowning deaths in Australia

Summary of recent drowning deaths, provided by Royal Life Saving Society Australia:



December 24 - 18-year-old at Bateau Bay, NSW

December 24 - 11-year-old in Perth, WA

December 25 - 34-year-old at Lake Hume, NSW

December 25 - 34-year-old at Cape Shank, Victoria

December 26 - 40-year-old at Ballina, NSW

December 26 - 45-year-old at Bruny Island, Tasmania

December 27 - 53-year-old at Tangalooma, Queensland

December 27 - 2-year-old in Shoalhaven, NSW

December 29 - 15-year-old in Melbourne, Victoria

December 29 - 13-year-old in Brisbane, Queensland.



AAP RTV mss/hn/wz

KEYWORD: DROWNINGS FACTBOX

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

Vic: Towns listed as extreme risk for next bushfire season

AAP General News (Australia)
08-18-2009
Vic: Towns listed as extreme risk for next bushfire season

Towns listed by Country Fire Authority as being at extreme risk in the 2009-10 bushfire season:

* Central Victoria:

Bendigo

Castlemaine

Eaglehawk

Junortoun

Kangaroo Flat

Maiden Gully

* Mornington Peninsula:

Blairgowrie

Rye

St Andrews



* Ballarat-Macedon growth corridor

Creswick

Daylesford

Hepburn

Trentham

Steiglitz

Mt Helen

Mt Clear

Macedon

Mt Macedon

Woodend

Greendale

Blackwood

Dereel

* Dandenong Ranges including:

Cockatoo

Gembrook

Upper Beaconsfield

* Far southwest Victoria

Carlisle River

Marengo

Kawarren

Lavers Hill

Nelson

* Southwest Victoria

Aireys Inlet

Moggs Creek

Fairhaven

Anglesea

Jan Juc

Bellbrae

Lorne

Wye River

Kennett River

Separation Creek

Bolwarra

Breamlea

Barwon Downs

Forrest

Deans Marsh

Bambra

Pennyroyal

Big Hill



* East Gippsland

Cann River

Mallacoota

Noojee

Bemm River

* South Gippsland:

Andersons Inlet

Inverloch

Sandy Point

Venus Bay

Waratah Bay

Walkerville

Loch Sport

* Western Victoria:

Dunkeld

Halls Gap

St Arnaud

* Northeast Melbourne:

Warrandyte/North

Warrandyte



AAP ees/gfr/dep

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES VIC TOWNS FACTBOX

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

National Newslist for Wednesday, April 8, 2009

AAP General News (Australia)
04-08-2009
National Newslist for Wednesday, April 8, 2009
AAP's National Newslist for today (not for publication). This is a guide only and stories
are subject to change. AAP's news editors can be contacted on 02 93228611/8610.

NATIONAL:
RUDD
- Prime Minister visits northern Tasmania.

THOMSON
- Federal Labor MP and former union boss Craig Thomson allegedly used his union credit
cards to help fund his election campaign and pay for a number of personal expenses, including
escort services; Gillard says audit best way to get to bottom of allegations Labor MP
used union credit card to pay for escort services, and bankroll his federal election campaign;
Seeking response from PM's office, after referral from Craig Thomson's office.

ECONOMY
- ABS releases Housing finance for February.

- Westpac-Melbourne Institute survey of consumer sentiment for April.

RATES
- Turnbull demands banks pass on cut, saying they are doing "very well"; Government pressure
has helped keep Australia's banks honest and home buyers in reasonable shape, federal
Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner says; Banks that fail to pass on the latest interest rate
cut to borrowers need "a good kick up the bum", federal Treasurer Wayne Swan says.

BROADBAND
- Conroy rejects suggestions taxpayers could fit the entire bill for planned network.

- Tanners says network will put downward pressure on broadband prices.

- Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan is confident the private sector will come to the party
and invest in the government's high-speed broadband network.

- Opp'n says it's unaffordable.

- Consumers would pay less for 100 common prescription medicines under a budget plan to
cut the price paid to drug companies.

OTHERS
- Federal Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull doorstop at West Ryde, Sydney, (approx 11am)
- Unemployed job placement workers and their supporters rally around the nation against
the federal government's Job Network decision.

- Food and Grocery Council CEO Kate Carnell addresses National Press Club.

- Senate inquiry into Lost Innocents and Forgotten Australian reports.

- Businessman Dick Smith decides none of the entries for his $50,000 prize for best investigative
report on the Seasprite helicopter debacle is good enough and will donate the cash to
charity.

INTERNATIONAL
- A New Zealand comedian has been let off the hook after airing views that former prime
minister Helen Clark was a lesbian and a "bloody communist".

- US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has backed a demand by South Pacific leaders for
elections in Fiji this year.

ENTERTAINMENT
- Press conference with Hugh Jackman about Wolverine.

MEDICAL
- A committee of the Therapeutic Goods Administration to announce whether sales restrictions
will be placed on drugs containing codeine (Nurofen Plus and others).

- Outseeking reax on report of a push to ban weight-loss product Mega Slim after claims
it's linked to health scares overseas.

COURTS:
BRISBANE - Outlaw bikies in Southport court on drug charges.

BRISBANE - Storm Financial founders in court over $2 million payment.

MELBOURNE - Sentence for the last of five men involved in setting alight a mentally ill
man, County Court.

MELBOURNE - Sentence for an accountant found with more than 12,000 child pornography images
following an FBI sting, County Court.

SYDNEY - Two alleged Rebels members to appear in Newtown court on drug charges.

SYDNEY - Sentencing of ex-policeman Mark Cavanagh for stealing a helicopter.

SYDNEY - Sentencing of Glen Hitchen for grievous paedophilia and child pornography offences.

PERTH - Third day and first day of witness evidence at Federal Court hearing for Fortescue
Metals Group and its chief executive Andrew Forrest.

GENERAL
MELBOURNE
- Spending the Commonwealth bonus on energy saving measures will cut water and energy
bills and reduce greenhouse emissions, the Victorian government says.

- Vic Premier John Brumby to make bushfire appeal fund announcement.

- Final community consultation of Victorian bushfires royal commissioners. Today's meeting
of Strathewen community at Arthurs Creek.

- AFL club North Melbourne will investigate which of its players posted on the internet
a degrading video that depicts a toy rubber chicken performing sex acts.

- The Office of Police Integrity (OPI) has ordered Victoria's new police chief to review
a probe into bullying claims against former police union boss Paul Mullett following claims
the government may have interfered in the investigation.

- Memorial service for Olympics administrator Judy Patching.

- Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister, Anthony Albanese, test drives the first
ever all electric car to receive Federal approval to drive on Australian roads.

- Cirque du Soleil media preview.

SYDNEY
BIKIES
- Police will apply to have the Rebels and Comancheros motorcycle gangs declared criminal
organisations, after eight raids carried out on NSW properties on Tuesday.

OTHER
- Holidaymakers planning a break along the Murray River on the NSW Victorian border are
being warned an algae bloom makes the water unsafe for swimming; NSW Water Minister Phil
Costa presser at 9.30am (AEST)
- NSW motorists are being urged to slow down, buckle up and take rest breaks as they head
away for the Easter long weekend; Police presser at 10.45am.

- A 23-year-old man from NSW central west has been charged with attempted murder after
allegedly slashing another man's throat and attempting to stab him in the chest while
he slept at home.

- Two Sydney teenagers have been charged with firearms offences, with one allegedly selling
guns to undercover police officers.

- NSW Premier Nathan Rees laying wreath at Schools ANZAC ceremony (11.30)
- Unionists unemployed after Job Network changes rallying at Trades Hall.

BRISBANE
- A search for a fisherman missing off Queensland's coast for three days has been scaled
back, while search continues for missing Chinese student; Outwatching for more.

- Entrepreneur Sarina Russo will keep her jobseeker offices in Brisbane open, despite
losing a Job Network contract.

- V Australia launch of LA flights.

- Seeking update on hunger striker in Lotus Glen jail.

- Queensland Services Union take part in national day of protest against federal government
announcement of new employment service contracts. 1pm (AEST).

- Outseeking more on report Noel Pearson has quit his think tank Cape York Institute to
concentrate on lobbying on behalf of land rights.

ADELAIDE
- More details of the death of former world cycling champion Jobie Dajka.

- Premier Mike Rann visits the Australian Submarine Corporation.

- Police arrest eight people over elaborate scheme for identity fraud.

HOBART
- Two men charged with murder in Hobart.

FINANCE
ECONOMICS NEWS:

Sydney - Westpac/Melbourne Institute survey of consumer sentiment for April

Sydney - ABS housing finance data for February

Sydney - Australian Office of Financial Management holds tender for $700 million May 2021 bonds

Sydney - Australian Office of Financial Management ceo Neil Hyden speaks at Aust business
economists lunch on aust govt debt in a changed financial world

EQUITIES NEWS:

Perth - Fortescue Metals v ASIC in court

Sydney - Reserve Bank of Australia board member Professor Warwick McKibbin addresses
Lowy Institute on "The global financial crisis: Cause and consequences"

Sydney - QBE Insurance Ltd annual general meeting

Melbourne - Adelaide Brighton Ltd to conduct $100m capital raising



See also: Stocks, Dollar, Credit


SPORT

LEAGUE

SYDNEY - Wrap of NRL news.

SYDNEY - West Tigers captain Robbie Farah presser ahead of 100th game, 1430

SYDNEY - NRL preview panel for round 5.

SYDNEY - More on this ...Manly centre Jamie Lyon has reportedly failed in his bid to
be made exempt from selection in this year's representative rugby league teams. (League
Lyon)

AFL

MELBOURNE - Wrap of AFL news.

MELBOURNE - Preview Geelong v Collingwood match on Thursday, Mick Malthouse presser, 1030.

MELBOURNE - Preview panel for Thursday's match.

MELBOURNE - Carlton coach Brett Ratten and Essendon coach Matthew Knights presser 1145,
Visy Park.

MELBOURNE - North Melbourne CEO Eugene Arocca presser 1000.

RUGBY UNION

SYDNEY - Super 14 preview panel for round 9.

GOLF

AUGUSTA - Preview Aussies at US Masters starting Thursday, with penpix.

AUGUSTA, Georgia - Greg Norman will be the first Australian to tee off when the Masters
starts on Thursday. (Golf Masters Tee Times)

CRICKET

CAPE TOWN - Preview third ODI Australia v South Africa starting Thursday night AEST.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa - Brad Haddin says Australia have been "hurt" by their seven-wicket
loss at Centurion and must rebound quickly for Thursday's third match in their one-day
international series against South Africa. (Cricket Aust), will be (Cricket Aust Wrap)
and (Cricket Aust Haddin) both to come.

SOCCER

GOSFORD - ACL match: Central Coast v Kawasaki Frontale, Bluetongue Stadium, 2000.

MANCHESTER - Manchester United are in danger of losing their grip on the Champions
League after the holders were held to a 2-2 draw by Porto in Tuesday's quarter-final first
leg. (Soccer Champions ManUtd)

CYCLING

ADELAIDE/MELBOURNE - More on death of controversial cyclist Jobie Dajka plus obit.

PARIS - American cycling legend Lance Armstrong has expressed outrage at claims from
France that he had not behaved himself during an out of competition drug test earlier
this season. (Cycling Armstrong).

SURFING

BELLS BEACH - Men's world tour event continues.

ATHLETICS

MELBOURNE - Pre-Stawell Gift meeting media opportunity, 1300, Albert Ground, Josh Ross,
Aaron Rouge-Serret, Sean Wroe, Melissa Breen.

RACING

SYDNEY - Throw forward to Saturday's Group One AJC Australian Derby program at Randwick.

MELBOURNE - Looking at the Caulfield meeting on Saturday.

SYDNEY - Cover of Wednesday's Canterbury fixture.

BRISBANE - Wrap-up of the Doomben card on Wednesday.

AAP cdh

KEYWORD: NATIONAL NEWSLIST

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

Fed: Brisbane band wins Big Day Out spot

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2008
Fed: Brisbane band wins Big Day Out spot

Brisbane act KATE BRADLEY and The Goodbye Horses have won a sought after spot to play
at next year's Big Day Out music festival.

BRADLEY went head to head with Newcastle rock band Vaudeville .. playing at Sydney's
Oxford Art Factory last night as part of the UncharTED competition.

But after thousands of entries .. and 10 weeks .. BRADLEY easily came out on top.

The band .. described as a bit poppy and quirky and even a little bit dark .. have
been playing since 2005.

AAP RTV kaf/wz/tm

KEYWORD: UNCHARTED (SYDNEY)

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

Qld: No vote on four-year terms

AAP General News (Australia)
04-30-2008
Qld: No vote on four-year terms

By Gabrielle Dunlevy

BRISBANE, April 30 AAP - A Queensland referendum on four-year parliamentary terms won't
go ahead, with Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg withdrawing support and accusing
the premier of bad faith.

In February state parliament voted unanimously for a referendum on the issue and a
cross-party working group determining the timing and details of the referendum was formed.

Mr Springborg supported the motion but later said it was conditional on part of the
referendum's terms outlawing MPs lying to parliament and other accountability measures.

In state parliament today Premier Anna Bligh delivered an ultimatum to Mr Springborg
asking him to restate unconditional support for four-year terms by the end of next week
or the working party would be dismantled.

"Four-year terms will once again be off the agenda until we have an opposition leader
who can be trusted to stick to his word," Ms Bligh said.

A 1991 referendum on four-year terms failed after the Nationals did not support the move.

Mr Springborg told reporters Ms Bligh had breached an agreement to keep the business
of the working group confidential, and in doing so had jettisoned another opportunity.

"The premier's not been serious, and the real reason for this is that this premier
is planning an early election, as early as February-March next year," Mr Springborg said.

"And she cannot go to the polls early having just held a referendum in November of
this year for fixed four-year parliamentary terms.

"Frankly we cannot continue in a process where we're seeing such an absolute breach
of confidentiality and the decency which we put into that particular meeting."

Mr Springborg promised a coalition government would hold the referendum and repeal
laws allowing MPs to lie to parliament within its first 100 days.

Although Ms Bligh agreed to Mr Springborg's request that parliament standing orders
be examined - albeit through the standing orders committee - Mr Springborg said he was
unwilling to continue the talks.

"What the premier effectively did today was to kill it," he said.

Fixed terms would bring Queensland into line with all other states and territories
and local government.

AAP gd/pjo/jfm/bwl

KEYWORD: TERMS NIGHTLEAD

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

Vic: Govt to assess environmental impact of proposed desalination plant

AAP General News (Australia)
12-28-2007
Vic: Govt to assess environmental impact of proposed desalination plant

MELBOURNE, Dec 28 AAP - The Victorian government will prepare a report on the environmental
impact of a proposed desalination plant on the state's south-east coast, Planning Minister
Justin Madden said today.

Mr Madden said preliminary environmental reports showed there was a need to investigate
any potential loss of native vegetation and impacts on the landscape, flora, fauna and
marine life, through an Environmental Effects Statement (EES).

But he ruled out preparing an EES for the north-south Sugarloaf pipeline, designed
to pump water from the state's north to Melbourne.

Instead, the community will have the opportunity to comment on an impact assessment
report on the project.

Public submissions would also be invited from the community on the desalination plant
and public hearings could also be held, Mr Madden said.

"I would expect that as in similar EES processes, that we could expect public hearings
as well," Mr Madden told reporters.

"These two important state projects are critical for the state's water supply."

The $3.1 billion desalination plant will provide 150 billion litres of water each year
for Victorians.

MORE md/ce/ht/mn

KEYWORD: WATER VIC

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

Vic: Jury to be chosen in trial of dad accused of murdering sons

AAP General News (Australia)
08-20-2007
Vic: Jury to be chosen in trial of dad accused of murdering sons

MELBOURNE, Aug 20 AAP - A jury is expected to be chosen today for the murder trial
of a Victorian father accused of killing his three sons by driving them into a dam.

Robert Farquharson, 38, will stand trial for the murders of Jai, 10, Tyler, seven,
and Bailey, two, who drowned in a dam near Winchelsea, south-west of Melbourne, on the
way home from a Father's Day outing in Geelong in 2005.

The trial is due to start tomorrow and will be presided over by Justice Philip Cummins.

AAP mj/gfr/jl/de

KEYWORD: FARQUHARSON

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

Vic: Two years' detention for man who drove into students

AAP General News (Australia)
04-04-2007
Vic: Two years' detention for man who drove into students

A 20-year-old Melbourne man .. who was showing off in his car when he ploughed into
a group of seven students .. has been sent to a youth detention centre for two years.

KHANG DINH of Westmeadows .. pleaded guilty in the Victorian County Court to six counts
of dangerous driving causing serious injury .. and one count of recklessly causing injury.

His victims .. aged 13 to 17 .. suffered injuries including broken legs .. a fractured
hip .. a broken pelvis .. broken ribs .. fractured spines and a punctured lung.

Chief Judge MICHAEL ROZENES has told the court one of the worst injured was JESSICA
PRICE .. who suffered a broken leg and pelvis .. and despite 16 operations .. may still
need a hip replacement.

The court heard DINH admitted to police he was showing off and trying to attract attention
.. when he lost control of his car on a Broadmeadows street in Melbourne's north .. in
August 2005.

Because of his age and remorse .. Chief Judge ROZENES has ruled DINH be sent to a youth
detention centre .. not an adult prison.

AAP RTV nl/szp/gfr/wf/bart

KEYWORD: DINH (MELBOURNE)

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

National Newslist for Monday, December 4, 2006

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2006
National Newslist for Monday, December 4, 2006
Good Morning News Editors and Chiefs of Staff.

AAP's National Newslist for today (not for publication).

This is a guide only and stories are subject to change.

AAP's news editors can be contacted on (02) 9322 8611 or (02) 9322 8610.

NATIONAL:

LABOR:
- Federal Caucus meeting underway to choose leader.

- Key backer of Kim Beazley believes vote will be close, with both Mr Beazley and contender
Kevin Rudd likely to get more than 40 of the 88 caucus votes.

- Labor senators reluctant to face the media outside Parliament House ahead of vote.

- Reaction to result, sidebars, analyses, pics, quotes, etc to come.

FIJI:
SUVA - Troops in Suva have taken over the headquarters of Fiji's police tactical response
unit as tension mounts in the capital ahead of a possible coup, local television reported.

INTERNATIONAL:
LONDON - Kylie Minogue's partner, Olivier Martinez, has been photographed out on the town
in Paris with model, actress and author Sarai Givati.

COURTS:
SYDNEY - Expected hearing for lawyer Michael Poynder, who has pleaded guilty to trying
to procure children for sex through a phone chat service.

- Inquest on 18-yr-old Jehan Nassif, who died from meningococcal disease, to due to start.

- Hollywood dad and alleged tax evader Larry Williams fighting his extradition.

MELBOURNE - Committal hearing for two men who allegedly tortured and murdered a 16-year-old
boy in rural Victoria as revenge for an alleged rape.

- Contest mention for former AFL star Robert Dipierdomenico, who's accused of failing
to lodge a tax return.

BRISBANE - Former tourism minister Merri Rose faces court, accused of attempting to blackmail
the Premier to land a high-paying govt job.

- John Howard Amundsen, who's charged under the Commonwealth's new terrorism laws, to face court.

CANBERRA:
- Govt backbenchers voice concerns about any moves to make major changes to single desk
wheat export system.

- Mohammed Sagar, the Iraqi refugee who has spent five years in detention on Nauru, is
to be resettled in a Scandinavian country: report.

- PM Howard opens new runway at Canberra airport.

- Arrival of RAAF's first Boeing c-17 Globemaster aircraft.

- Parliament sits.

- Report into the strategic importance of Australia's uranium to be released.

- Building approvals and quarterly business indicator released.

SYDNEY:
- Off-duty policeman remains in a critical condition following assault.

- Two Australian brothers freed by Yemeni authorities after seven weeks in detention as
suspected terrorists.

- Woman dead, man critical after being struck by van driven by P-plater.

- Firefighters contain bushfire in the Blue Mts, west of Sydney, that had earlier threatened
property.

- ICAC inquiry into RailCorp airconditioning contracts.

- Survey reveals that Australians are working longer hours than they were five years ago.

MELBOURNE:
- Mohammed Sagar, the Iraqi refugee who has spent five years in detention on Nauru, is
to be resettled in a Scandinavian country: report.

- Firefighters are working to contain about 50 blazes in the alpine area in Vic's east
that so far have scorched more than 1,000 hectares.

- Fire crews take advantage of favourable weather in their bid to contain more than 30 bushfires.

- Fewer than one in five Victorian adults smoke regularly and more than half have never
smoked, says new research.

- The Australian Industrial Relations Commission's Wages and Allowances Review 2006.

- Tourism Futures National Conference: 21st Century Responses for 21st Century.

BRISBANE:
- Boy, 2, in critical condition after allegedly being tortured. Man, 31, to face court.

- Power restored to more than 23,000 houses and businesses across south-east Qld after heavy storms.

- State cabinet expected to announce a water plan for the Toowoomba region.

- Former Queensland Tourism Minister Merri Rose today faces court, accused of attempting
to blackmail the Premier to land a high-paying government job.

- Three-day national counter-terrorism exercise begins in Cairns.

- Black Hawk crash survivors given a clean bill of health.

ADELAIDE:
- Coalition of school groups in SA to tackle cyber bullying.

- Stolen cars worth $300,000, including luxury Porsche and Mercedes Benz models, recovered
by police after raids on properties.

- SA health professionals, including physiotherapists and medical scientists, begin rolling
stoppages in pursuit of better pay and conditions.

PERTH:
- Corruption and Crime Commission inuiry resumes into a controversial beachside tourism
development in the state's south-west.

HOBART:
- Five long-finned pilot whales that survived a mass stranding on Tasmania's west coast
could be taken out to deeper waters today for possible release.

ENTERTAINMENT:
- Red carpet premiere of Casino Royale, attended by Daniel Craig, the new James Bond. With pics.

FINANCE:
ECONOMIC NEWS:
Melbourne - ANZ job advertisement series for November released
Sydney - ABS releases September quarter business indicators data
Sydney - ABS October building approvals data
Sydney - TD Securities-Melbourne Institute inflation gauge for November released
Sydney - The pace of Australia's economic growth is expected to have accelerated in the
September quarter, but the drought and softer domestic demand is likely to keep growth
below potential. (with factbox)

EQUITIES NEWS:
Sydney - Insurance Australia Group Ltd (IAG) has signed an agreement to acquire a leading
United Kingdom based insurance company Equity Insurance Group (EIG).

Sydney - Property and tourism based fund manager MFS Ltd has agreed to buy the Saville
Hotel Group from property developer Stockland Ltd for $114 million.

ROUTINERS:
Stocks, dollar, credit.

SPORT:
CRICKET
ADELAIDE - Fourth day of the second Ashes Test.

ADELAIDE - Australian fast bowler Brett Lee to learn whether he has been found guilty
of excessive appealing during the second Ashes Test.

SWIMMING
BRISBANE - Second day of the Australian titles and world championship selection trials.

SOCCER
MELBOURNE - A League and other Australian soccer news.

SYDNEY - Tony Vidmar at launch of FFA player support program, Australian Museum, 0945.

LONDON - Mark Bresciano's Italian team, Palermo, lost ground in the race for the Serie
A title when they were held to a goal-less draw at Parma today.

RUGBY
SYDNEY - More on Mat Rogers saga.

BRISBANE - More on Eddie Jones putting up his hand to coach England to next year's Rugby World Cup.

GOLF
BRISBANE - News ahead of this week's Australian PGA Championship.

LA QUINTA, California - Update on Aussies at US PGA Tour qualifying school.

AFL
PERTH/MELBOURNE - Follow up as Ben Cousins returns to Perth after arrest for drunken behaviour
in Melbourne.

MOTORSPORT
MELBOURNE - News ahead of V8 Supercar final round at Phillip Island.

MELBOURNE - Wrap of Courtney Atkinson's after sixth placve in final round of world rally
championship.

AAP br

KEYWORD: NATIONAL NEWSLIST

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

NSW: NSW government rejects call for freeze in train fares

AAP General News (Australia)
04-27-2006
NSW: NSW government rejects call for freeze in train fares

The New South Wales government's refused to accept opposition calls for a freeze on train fares.

An application's been placed before the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal
for the first increase in CityRail fares in three years.

But the opposition says the fares need to be kept where they are so families can get
some financial relief from higher petrol prices.

Transport Minister JOHN WATKINS says CityRail revenues won't be able to keep up with
inflation if the opposition plan is adopted.





If the increase is approved .. most fares will rise by 2.9 per and off peak ticket
discounts will be slashed from 39 per cent to 29 per cent.

AAP RTV pj/hn/crh/bart

KEYWORD: PETROL NSW GOVERNMENT (SYDNEY)

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

Childermas

Childermas, see HOLY INNOCENTS' DAY.

Daley fills Council vacancies

After an open casting call that attracted only 16 resumes, Mayor Daley on Wednesday appointed a Cullerton family scion to be the new 38th Ward aldermen and the successor anointed by retired Ald. Ed Smith to fill a vacancy in the 28th Ward.

The temporary appointments will give former First Deputy Buildings Commisioner Tim Cullerton and Maywood Village Manager Jason Ervin each a $110,556-a-year salary and a leg up on their opponents in the Feb. 22 election.

The 4th Ward seat vacated by County Board President Toni Preckwinkle will be filled by a caretaker who will serve until a new Council is sworn in on May 16. Veteran community activist Shirley Newsome, 65, is not seeking the permanent job.

Earlier this year, Daley posted the equivalent of a "Help Wanted" ad on the Internet to fill a vacancy created by the conviction of Ald. Isaac Carothers (29th). He ended up choosing state Rep. Deborah Graham, who had sponsored some of the mayor's ill-fated gun-control bills while doubling as a city planner.

The mayor also filled a 1st Ward vacancy by appointing businessman Joe Moreno, a leader of the United Neighborhood Organizations' Metropolitan Leadership Institute, which has been a pipeline for mayoral appointments.

The Tim Cullerton appointment is more of the same. His family has controlled the North Side ward almost continously since shortly before the Chicago Fire of 1871. His father was the longtime aldermen. His sister is the ward's Democratic committeeman. It's called "The Cullerton Seat," because a Cullerton has been in the City Council for 107 of the last 139 years.

"It had nothing to do with their names. I could close my eyes, have 'em walk in and, after presentations, I would select them," Daley said of Cullerton and Ervin.

ACTUATE: Actuate first-ever e.Reporting solution powers e.Business revolution.

M2 PRESSWIRE-15 June 1999-ACTUATE: Actuate first-ever e.Reporting solution powers e.Business revolution (C)1994-99 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

RDATE:140699

* e.Reports liberate information for e.Businesses seeking to differentiate their services; Internet consultants laud Actuate e.Reporting Suite 4

Actuate*, the pioneer in e.Reporting* for e.Business, today unveiled its newest product, the Actuate e.Reporting Suite 4. Actuate 4 is the first-ever solution that automates the creation and delivery of structured, personalised content to meet the high-volume demands of customers and partners on an e.Business Web site. Actuate e.Reports* enable e.Businesses to differentiate their services by liberating application and database information, providing users with instant access to high-resolution content that seamlessly integrates with the look, feel and infrastructure of a company's e.Business Web site.

Favourable industry recognition for Actuate 4 already is widespread, with leading Internet consulting firms including Cambridge Technology Partners, Extraprise and Viant, all making a commitment to deploy Actuate 4 in forthcoming e.Business applications. Additionally, application service provider USInternetworking has agreed to provide a hosting service for Actuate 4 customers.

"The need to automate the creation of high-value business content to fully support the electronic business information needs of an organisation's customers, partners and employees is driving the market opportunity for e.Reporting solutions," commented David Yockelsen, Meta Group's vice president and service director of Electronic Business Strategies. "e.Reporting and its derivatives - presentment, consolidated statementing, decision support - will prove an essential element in companies' electronic business strategies."

"We are at the forefront of the e.Business revolution and seek to enlist the support of Internet companies that share our vision for a comprehensive, Web-enabled business operation," said Fred Winograd, managing director and chief technology officer for Banc of America Securities. "As the definitive leader of the e.Reporting market space, Actuate has been selected and deployed by Banc of America Securities to deliver, at Internet speed, individualised accounting content to our clients. Thanks to Actuate, these e.Reports can today be delivered in a secure, timely and accurate fashion within an environment that is familiar and accessible."

As Web sites transition from simple "brochureware" and e.Commerce transactions to more complex e.Business processes, companies must step-up their capabilities to meet the increasing expectations and high-volume demands of customers, partners and employees. To be most effective, an e.Business Web site must offer personalised and secure structured content; on-demand or previously scheduled cached information; scalability of users and reports; easy integration; and appear seamless to the user. Actuate 4 addresses each of these issues by offering an e.Reporting solution that is transparent within a company's Web infrastructure and brings content to life by providing users access to the most secure, personalised and complete information available. Actuate e.Reports enable e.Businesses to extend the value of information across the entire customer life-cycle, the result of which provides for a more loyal customer base and gives companies the edge in the ever-competitive e.Business world.

Specific features of Actuate 4 include:

* Users can search and navigate high-resolution, personalised content in e.Reports that are viewable in a pure browser via DHTML requiring no plug-ins and no Java download

* Developers can build e.Reports that access any data source, perform any calculation, compose any format and seamlessly integrate with any Web site

* Actuate e.Reports can be generated on demand and viewed immediately, or generated on schedule and cached, to be viewed later

* Actuate e.Reporting Suite's high performance architecture scales in linear fashion with 1,000,000/hits/day per CPU performance

* Actuate's patent pending page-level security scales to tens of thousands of named users by using a simple role-based model to protect valuable information and create personalised e.Reports

* Actuate integrates with a company's existing Web infrastructure

* Actuate's Open Server feature allows reports written in any language or tool to be accessed, distributed, managed and scheduled

"We are very proud to deliver Actuate e.Reporting Suite 4, the fastest, easiest and best way to add live and compelling structured content to Web sites," said Nico Nierenberg, CEO and chairman of Actuate. "Our customers, who are leading the e.Business revolution, require a new set of Web site development and content management tools to support today's e.Business transformation. This is exactly what Actuate 4 provides - the ability for companies to provide customers, partners and employees access to comprehensive, personalised business information at Web speed, which is critical to their e.Business success."

About Actuate

Actuate is based in Slough, and is the UK arm of Actuate Corporation, the pioneer in e.Reporting for e.Business. Actuate enables companies to differentiate their offerings by extending the value of information across the entire customer lifecycle, creating a more loyal customer base and giving them the edge in the ever-competitive e.Business world. The Actuate e.Reporting Suite 4 is the first-ever solution that automates the creation and delivery of structured, personalised content, providing tens of thousands of users with instant access to high-resolution, customised business information that is seamlessly integrated into a company's e.Business Web site.

Actuate's customers include the world's largest '.com', financial services, telecommunications, health care and media companies. Software vendors reselling Actuate solutions include Ariba, Ascend, Aspect Development, Clarify, PeopleSoft, Siebel, and Vantive. Founded in 1993, and headquartered in San Mateo, Calif., Actuate has offices worldwide. For more information on Actuate, visit the company's Web site at http://www.actuate.com.

CONTACT: David Freedman, Hill Murray Rogerson Tel: +44 (0)171 730 3999 Fax: +44 (0)171 730 0741 e-mail: davidf@hmrpr.co.uk Alan Hamilton, Actuate Software Tel: +44 (0)1753 708423 e-mail: ahamilton@actuate.com

*M2 COMMUNICATIONS DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY FOR INFORMATION PROVIDED WITHIN M2 PRESSWIRE. DATA SUPPLIED BY NAMED PARTY/PARTIES.*

IEEE ICC 2011 explores global advance of wireless system and networking communications in Kyoto, Japan.(EVENT REVIEW)(Conference news)

Themed the "Source of Innovation: Back to the Origin," the IEEE International Communications Conference (ICC 2011) recently concluded its latest annual event with over 1,800 international experts participating in 1,200 presentations dedicated to next-generation wireless and optical communications services.

Held in the fabled city of Kyoto, which reigned as Japan's capitol for 1,200 years and is recognized worldwide as the cultural heart of Japan, IEEE ICC 2011 began on Sunday, June 5, with the first of two full days of workshops and tutorials detailing the latest research in topics ranging from "Visible Light Communications" and "Practical Solutions for Cognitive Radio" to "Next-generation Broadband Access" and "Smart Grid Communications."

The following morning, the conference's comprehensive symposium and business forum commenced with the keynote of Ryuji Yamada, president and CEO of NTT DOCOMO Inc., who detailed his company's "Actions for Growth" in the Japanese marketplace as well as its "Response to the Great East Japan Earthquake." These "actions" included moving rapidly and steadily to restore the capabilities of 4,900 base stations to pre-disaster levels, while rigorously working to supply service to the areas surrounding the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant through the expanded use of high-performance antennas, radio networks and satellite systems.

Following this presentation, Professor Maurizio Decina of the Politecnico di Milano in Milan, Italy, detailed his vision of "Future Networks & Services" in a world that currently includes 5.3 billion mobile subscriptions and trillions of dollars in revenues. He also detailed a vision of a "flatter and much more densely interconnected Internet" consisting of cheap, easy, and convenient on-demand services that "knows you and what is around you," "learns what you like," "discovers things relevant to you," and processes billions of transactions simultaneously.

At the end of these keynotes, attendees were then invited to any and all of the hundreds of conference presentations and business forums dedicated to the advance of global information security, wireless networking, communications theory, signal processing, and cognitive radio technologies. For instance, Tokumichi Murakami of the Mitsubishi Electric Corp. in Japan began the morning session by declaring the 2010s the era of the smart phone during his address on "High-efficiency Video Coding for Smart Phone to Super High Vision," while Professor Ryuji Kohno of the Medical ICT Center at Yokohama National University spoke about the "Future M2M for Medicine, Vehicle, Robot, Energy and Others" and the drive to develop "safe, secure infrastructures based on advanced ICT" that support "the intelligent traffic control of energy, money, vehicles and medical flows."

Tuesday's agenda then began with a commemorative ceremony welcoming numerous Japanese dignitaries such as the president of the Science Council of Japan Prof. Ichiro Kanazawa and His Imperial Highness Prince Akishino, who thanked all IEEE ICC 2011 participants and expressed their sympathies to the many individuals suffering losses during the country's recent tragic events. Afterwards, a message from the prime minister of Japan citing the ongoing need to implement more advanced global communications systems to offset the affects of other international tragedies was followed by the keynote Dr. Toshitaka Tsuda of Fujitsu Laboratories Limited, who addressed the "ICT Paradigm Shift and the Trend of Communications Technology," which is currently facilitating the sharing of large amounts of knowledge throughout global "Human Centric Systems" and "Human Centric Intelligent Societies."

Other conference highlights from the day included the presentation of numerous business forums dedicated to topics such as "Telecom Transformation and Challenges," "The Impact of Convergence on End Users and Service Provider Transformation," and "R&D for Green and Human Centric Networks." Shyue-Ching Lu, CEO of Chungwa Telecom in Taiwan opened these sessions by speaking about the ongoing effort to advance and implement architectures and technologies that are expected to improve network efficiencies 1,000-fold over the next five years. Afterwards, Dr. Tsuda furthered his earlier comments by speaking about "R&D for Green and Human Centric Networks" and the requirements necessary to accommodate the increasing demand for bandwidth and green communications services.

Ibrahim Gedeon, IEEE ICC 2012 general chair and CTO of Telus Canada, then concluded the morning business session by addressing the need to continually transform businesses through leveraged technology convergence practices. According to Gedeon, what is needed is a holistic view of convergence based on end-to-end business models that improve end-user experiences. This is because "one thing is clear" and that is end-users care most about the value of their experience and the amount they have to pay for it.

After a brief break, Yoshiharu Shimatani of KDDI, Japan, started the afternoon's business panels with his presentation on "KDDI's Vision of Innovative, Seamless and Eco-friendly ICT Platforms" and the company's efforts to develop seamless multi-networks that support robust and sophisticated anytime, at anywhere applications. This entails alleviating the rapid rise of traffic congestion through the development of innovative ICT platforms and cloud services that drive the newest e-health, e-education, e-environment, e-disaster prevention infrastructures.

Tetsuya Yuge of Softbank Mobile Corporation, Japan, then followed this address by highlighting his company's "Wireless Broadband Strategy for Growing Mobile Data Traffic" and the societal, business and cultural benefits produced through the prevalent use of smart phones within the Japanese marketplace. Young Ky Kim of Samsung Electronics, Korea, also leveraged the theme by exploring the "Crossroads in the Middle of Mobile Big Bang Era" and the mobile industry of the future."

Throughout the rest of Tuesday and Wednesday, IEEE ICC 2011 proceeded with the presentation of numerous General Business Forums provided by the representatives of leading worldwide corporations and academic institutions such as Hitachi, Mitsubishi, NTT, Create-Net, DOCOMO, University of Zurich, Politecnico di Milano, University of Geneva, UC Berkley, and Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand. During these sessions, experts from each facility readily shared their views and research in areas that included "Scientific Wireless Sensor Network Testbeds: Growth & Impact," "Green ICT," "Business Showstoppers of Cognitve Radio Technologies," "Business Strategies of sustainable Growth on Broadband Telecommunication Markets," and "eHealth Support in the Future Internet."

On Thursday, June 9, IEEE ICC 2011 then concluded the conference's extensive five-day agenda with a second day of tutorials and workshops dedicated to key communications like "MIMO Detection for Emerging Wireless Standards," "Wireless Without Batteries," "Beyond IMT-advanced: The Next 10 Years," "Green Communications & Energy Efficiency," "Advances in Mobile Networking," and "Embedding the Real World in the Future Internet."

As for, Planning has already begun for IEEE ICC 2012, to be held June 10-15 in Ottawa, Canada, titled "CONNECT -- COMMUNICATE -- COLLABORATE." Original papers detailing the latest advances in wide ranging communications are currently being accepted with a deadline date of September 6, 2011. For more information in this premier annual conference, including "Call for Papers" details, please visit http://www.ieee-icc.org/2012.

A trance meeting.

She shot to fame when she was just 16 as one of the founding members of Destiny's Child. And it seems Kelly Rowland, now 29, has what it takes to make it as an Independent Women.

After meeting DJ and producer David Guetta at a music festival in the south of France two summers ago, the pair hit upon something pretty quickly, and in 2009 won a Grammy award for their first collaboration, the global hit 'When Love Takes Over'.

Having won three Grammys as part of Destiny's Child, one of the most successful groups of all time, and another for her duet with Nelly, 'Dilemma', Kelly knows a thing or two about awards, but her solo gong holds a special place.

"I think it was God telling me that there are rewards for taking risks, and that this is just the start," she begins. "It was a reward for my change in mindset, and a sign to say I was on the right track. I didn't appreciate it before, or take it in that I'd won, and it still hasn't really sunk in so when someone mentions it, it surprises me all over again!"

Eager to repeat the formula that earned them the prestigious award, Kelly and French sensation David have teamed up again for another single, 'Commander'.

Again, like 'Love Takes Over, it's in the Europop vein rather than the R'n'B-based sound Kelly made her name with.

"I didn't know anything about Europop and trance before David, he had to introduce me to the whole culture," she says.

"Club music in America is a lot more R'n'B-led, but we're getting there with this proper dance culture. There are pockets in Miami, parts of LA, New Jersey and places where it's really big. "It only took about two hours to get the vocal on the track, I just wanted to sing it," she says excitedly, before leaning forward conspiratorially. "I love to sing," she whispers, like she's delivering a trade secret.

It all bodes well for her forthcoming album, due out later this year.

This time she's pulled in a whole host of guest-writers and producers to help her, although Guetta will oversee the entire album as co-producer. "It's going to be amazing," she beams, before reeling off a veritable Who's Who of the talent enlisted.

There's Salaam Remi, who produced Amy Winehouse's debut album 'Frank', uber-cool Norwegian duo Stargate, Grammy award-winner and Diddy-Dirty Money co-writer Rico Love, and Dr Luke, who has written for Miley Cyrus, Pink and Kelly Clarkson.

"I thought it would be hard working with so many people, and that all the songs wouldn't line up, sonically, but it's going to sound just perfect," she says. "Just you wait."

2009 Al Sidra Media LLC

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company

AT&T Appoints Debbie Storey Chief Diversity Officer and SVP Talent Development.

DALLAS, June 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T* announced today the appointment of Debbie Storey as senior vice president-talent development and chief diversity officer. In her new role, Storey will be responsible for leading the company's award-winning efforts to foster an inclusive workforce and develop its diverse talent to meet the business needs of the 21st century.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110609/CG16774)

"At AT&T, diversity at every level of our company is a key to our success. It helps spark innovation, elevate customer care and strengthen connections to the communities we serve," said Bill Blase, AT&T senior executive vice president, human resources. "We look forward to Debbie's leadership to ensure that AT&T continues to be one of the most respected companies in America for its inclusive workforce and business practices."

"I am honored to be named to this important post," said Storey. "I am proud of AT&T's commitment to diversity and to talent development, and I look forward to building on our longstanding reputation as a leader in these critical areas."

AT&T's four-pronged approach to diversity -- talent development, multicultural marketing, community support and supplier diversity - has been widely recognized. It has ranked consistently in the DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list and, in 2010, it was named Corporation of the Year by the National Minority Supplier Development Council. In addition, Chief Learning Officer magazine this year named AT&T No. 1 in its inaugural "LearningElite" benchmarking and recognition program, and best in corporate America at aligning learning and development with business results.

Storey brings extensive leadership and telecommunications experience to the position. In her most recent assignment as senior vice president-centers support, she was responsible for sales and operations support for all AT&T consumer call centers as well as self-service and online operations. Previously, she was AT&T vice president for consumer sales.

Storey played a key role during the merger of AT&T with BellSouth in 2006. As vice president of merger integration for BellSouth, she developed plans for the merged organizational and operational structure as well as the execution strategy. Earlier, as BellSouth vice president of broadband transformation, she led the evolution of BellSouth's internet operation from voice to broadband services.

While at BellSouth she served as president of the BellSouth Women's Networking Alliance, one of the company's employee resource groups (ERG). With the merger of AT&T and BellSouth, that organization became Women at AT&T, with Storey continuing to serve as an executive advisor. Women at AT&T is one of the company's 10 ERGs, which provide mentoring, networking and development opportunities for about 12,000 members combined. ERG membership at AT&T is open to all employees.

Storey started her career with AT&T in 1982 in Atlanta as customer service clerk for BellSouth telephone directory publisher Stevens Graphics.

Storey earned a B.A. in Psychology and Criminal Justice from the University of Georgia and an executive MBA from the Terry School of Business at the University of Georgia.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates - AT&T operating companies - are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT. Find us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ATT to discover more about our consumer and wireless services or at www.Facebook.com/ATTSmallBiz to discover more about our small business services.

(c) 2011 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. Mobile broadband not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.

Media's cruel measuring stick.

College Herald

T HE hypnotic ticking of the clock gradually distorted into an agitating ring. I heard exasperated groans followed by sighs of relief. My mind and body felt at ease, feeling the tension slipping off my shoulders. Unfortunately, this was not the case for my best friend, who sat plastered in her seat in bewilderment. As the last people began to evacuate the class in a rush, she began to hyperventilate. ``I failed that, Morgan! ``And I'm going to fail the next one, and then I won't get into university and then I'm going to end up working as a garbage collector.'' After a pause and sudden realisation of the stupidity of her comments, she exclaimed in pure frustration, ``I AM SO DEPRESSED!'' Now, tell me, how many times have you heard that phrase in the past week? People these days have been so influenced by the media about mental illness and depression that it has become a common term used in society. But how much of a part have the media played in this? Are the media helping to stop discrimination of the mentally ill? Or are they simply fuelling the fire? We see ads on television every day informing us about the diseases that have plagued one in five New Zealanders. Bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, agoraphobia _ the list is endless. But in fact the media are adding salt to the wound. The information they present is filtered the way they want you too see it. They have generated an image of what is good, what is bad and what is ugly. Youth are manipulated by the glitz and glam of celebrities. They are encouraged to look just like them, to act just like them and, in turn, be just like them. When they do not meet these absurd expectations of attitude, body shape and overall appearance, they are frustrated and believe they are not good enough. At such a vulnerable age, when girls are blossoming into women and boys are entering the milestone ages of manhood, they are crushed and focus on their faults. A piece of equipment that is no longer worthy of use. Our success and achievements are measured using the media as a ruler _ not only beauty, but power also. Themes of music videos promote women objectifying themselves at very young ages. It is no surprise that New Zealand has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the world. All of this can lead to suicide. Drugs, drinking and violence all fall into the same sort of whirlpool and contribute to mental illness. Adults have the slight advantage of being able to sieve some of this information. Although they are influenced as well, by the news and various other opinionated programmes, they still have the experience to know what is realistic and what isn't. Their life experience is valuable and comes as a benefit when living in the technologically reliant world today. The media affect our whole society today. They influence the way we view depression and a strong case can be made that they perpetrate it also. The media are a pair of tinted glasses for us to look through _ the more we try to block the effects the more they find us by other means. Posters, radio, internet, television _ all under your nose and waiting to manipulate. Depression and mental illness is only a fragment of the harm they have on society. Astha Kantroo, Year 10, Botany Downs Secondary College

Mixed media messages warn us of the prevalence of mental illness while also setting us up to fail in life, writes Astha Kantroo

Facilitating the exchange of rail data a[euro]" Frequently asked questions.

M2 PRESSWIRE-May 5, 2011-: Facilitating the exchange of rail data a[euro]" Frequently asked questions(C)1994-2011 M2 COMMUNICATIONS

RDATE:05052011

Brussels -- The European Commission has adopted today a regulation on standards in the field of telematics applications for rail passenger services. These standards, known to the rail sector as "technical specifications for interoperability" (TSI) relate to the subsystem "telematics applications for passengers" (TAP) of the trans-European rail system and define how stakeholders must interact with travel-related data in the field of rail transport.

Why do we need common standards for rail travel data?

Unlike in the aviation sector, travel across Europe by rail is not always supported by readily available tickets and billing systems or by up-to-date travel information. While other transport modes already make use of mobile devices for travel information and electronic ticketing, this is not yet possible with rail due to the lack of interoperable systems relying on computerised and harmonised data.

What are these standards about?

These standards have been developed with the support of railway experts, are recommended by the European Railway Agency and have been made binding under a legal act adopted by the Commission. The standards define how stakeholders must interact with rail travel data. The data exchange covers timetables, tariffs, information on conditions of carriage before and during the journey, as well as other data.

What is the main objective of this initiative?

The exchange of computerised and harmonised data will make it possible to increase transparency and will make it easier to plan, reserve and make journeys by train in Europe. It will also strengthen passengers' protection and enhance informed consumer choice by making it possible for rail companies and ticket vendors to fulfil their obligations under Regulation (EC) No 1371/2007 on rail passengers' rights and obligations (1).

When can the first concrete results be expected?

Based on these standards, suitable communication systems between rail companies and ticket vendors will be developed, while rail data will be made available to all players, such as rail companies, infrastructure managers and ticket vendors. They will have at their disposal harmonised travel data, which they can use to develop IT tools and applications. For example, the data could be used to book tickets for international rail journeys, plan a European journey crossing national borders, or display the latest information on the internet or in the train itself. However, this will not happen overnight. The different stakeholders have only just begun the design of communication systems based on the standards adopted today. Experience shows that this will take some time and 2016 seems a realistic target date for the first applications to be up and running.

Will these standards suffice to issue a single ticket for a journey covering several European countries or several transport modes?

No. The computerised information and reservation systems that will be developed on the basis of these standards will not necessarily supply "integrated tickets", meaning a single ticket for a trip involving more than one transport mode, nor "through tickets", meaning a single ticket for a rail trip involving several operators and several countries. The possibility to deliver integrated or through tickets will depend on a balance between, on the one hand, the obligation to exchange data as laid down in today's regulation, and on the other hand, each actor's own commercial interest in a market open to competition. It is worth recalling that information, reservation and ticketing systems are essential features of rail operators' commercial strategy and are strictly related to the type and frequency of rail services they decide to supply.

1 :

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32007R1371:EN:NOT

((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied 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)).

CEGEDIM RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF MI.(Company overview)

(Full text of a statement. Contact details below.)

(BW)(CEGEDIM)(CGM.BOURSE) Cegedim Relationship Management Announces Availability of Next Generation of MI for iPad

- Life Sciences-Specific CRM Solution Features Enhanced Usability Based on Worldwide User Feedback

Health/Medical Writers

Technology Editors

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE) - Apr. 14, 2011--Cegedim Relationship Management today announced the general availability of the second generation of MI for iPad, the company's Life Sciences Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solution designed specifically to leverage the benefits of iPad. This latest version features improved usability and enhanced offline functionality for increased user adoption.

Today's Life Sciences field personnel demand a mobile CRM solution that enables them to maximize their time in the field by providing them with all of the customer data they need, a mechanism for entering and capturing information wherever they are, and a device that will help them offer vivid multi-media presentations. MI for iPad delivers on this demand and is backed by Cegedim's 40+ year history of serving the Life Sciences industry with innovative technology solutions.

Commercial Team Tested & Proven

The new version of MI for iPad highlights enhanced usability. The enhancements are based on worldwide user feedback and the company's in-depth knowledge of the unique business process needs of Life Sciences' commercial teams, combined with the user-friendly features innate to the iPad. Usability improves user adoption, a critical need in today's competitive environment. Also contributing to a high user adoption rate is MI for iPad's robust offline functionality, which provides users with a superior experience.

"Our competitive differentiator continues to be the single interface whether you are connected or offline. This important differentiator is the result of our insight into what Life Sciences users really need and the challenges that they face while doing their jobs, including difficulty in connecting to the internet while at hospitals or on the road," explained Laurent Labrune, Chief Executive Officer of Cegedim Relationship Management.

"Also, MI for iPad has been optimized to reduce administrative work and support what users do best, which is to build relationships with their stakeholders," said Mr Labrune. "It's been tested through usability sessions with real users in Europe, Asia Pacific and North America. We will continue to conduct usability sessions to further cement our leadership position in Life Sciences CRM."

Revolutionary Mobile CRM Analytics

MI for iPad also includes built-in, mobile CRM analytics through integration with MeLLmo Inc.'s Roambi?, the leading business app for interactive mobile analytics. Roambi transforms CRM and other business data into immersive, dashboard-style analytics, instantly delivered to any iPhone? or iPad, enabling MI for iPad users to make faster, better decisions anytime, anywhere for improved relationship building.

Cegedim Relationship Management is the world's leading provider of pharmaceutical CRM with a 35 per cent global market share. MI for iPad, includes location-based services, multimedia detailing and electronic signature capture, and promotes visibility, collaboration and analysis.

iPad, Apple, iPhone and respective images and trademarks are exclusive property of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Roambi, the Roambi Logo, MeLLmo, the MeLLmo Logo and Free-Range Intelligence are trademarks of MeLLmo Inc. Copyright 2011. All Rights Reserved.

About Cegedim Relationship Management:

Cegedim Relationship Management is the Life Sciences industry's leading provider of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solutions. Designed specifically for Life Sciences, the company's innovative business solutions incorporate a thorough understanding of local, regional and worldwide trends. Cegedim Relationship Management enables more than 200,000 users in many of the world's most innovative companies to stay ahead of market challenges. In addition to CRM, Cegedim Relationship Management also provides marketing, data optimization and regulatory compliance solutions in more than 80 countries. Cegedim Relationship Management is part of the France-based Cegedim S.A. Group.

To learn more, please visit: www.cegedim.com/rm.

About Cegedim:

Founded in 1969, Cegedim is a global technology and services company specializing in the healthcare field. Cegedim supplies services, technological tools, specialized software, data flow management services and databases. Its offerings are targeted notably at healthcare industries, life sciences companies, healthcare professionals and insurance companies. The world leader in life sciences CRM, Cegedim is also one of the leading suppliers of strategic healthcare industry data. Cegedim employs 8,500 people in more than 80 countries and generated revenue of ?927 million in 2010. Cegedim SA is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: CGM).

To learn more, please visit: www.cegedim.com

Cegedim Relationship Management

Drew BUSTOS, +1-908-443-2451

Global Communications

drew.bustos@cegedim.com or

Cegedim Aude BALLEYDIER, +33 (0)1 49 09 68 81

Media Relations

aude.balleydier@cegedim.fr

KEYWORD: Europe France

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: Technology Data Management Hardware Software Health Mobile/Wireless Other Health General Health

CATEGORY KEYWORD: Product/Service

Source: Cegedim Relationship Management

Copyright Business Wire 2011

ASIA PULSE nt 15-04 1410

The X-Change Corporation Announces Selection of Video Technology, Creation of New Subsidiary.

LOS ANGELES, March 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The X-Change Corporation (OTC: XCHC), a multimedia and e-commerce venture serving the diverse and growing Hispanic market, announced today that it has reached agreement with Los Angeles-based technology company IPTVWorld, Inc., to work as partners in the development and deployment of a broad range of Internet-based services, with a first release of a new product line scheduled for staged release beginning May, 2010.

Compelling video programming, including entertainment, information, news, sports, religion, lifestyle, shopping, and country-specific programming, will be made available several ways, including on a subscription basis through powerful set-top boxes, through web browsers, and, in future versions, through mobile devices. Subscriptions will be offered that are similar to but far less expensive than traditional cable or satellite plans. Among the completely integrated Internet services to be offered will be a robust home telephone service with low-cost international calling, expected to be popular options among the markets the company serves.

The X-Change Corporation also announced the incorporation in Nevada of wholly owned subsidiary Caballo Blanco Communications Ltd. The new line of business will be conducted through this entity and will be housed at One Wilshire, the premier communications hub on the west coast, assuring reliable, fast delivery of its programming.

Company President and CEO, Haviland Wright, Ph.D., said, "It is impossible to underestimate the opportunities for this venture presented by the wide and growing presence of residential DSL and broadband connections to the Internet. With the capabilities we are announcing today, it's as if our company has acquired its own high-definition TV station, and we will be developing or licensing a wide variety of programming, offered as video on demand or as traditional full channels. We now own substantial advertising space that we can sell to others and use for our company's own products and services, such as residential and business telephone services and our home shopping channel."

Dr. Wright added, "The technology known as VOIP, or Voice Over Internet Protocol, has created an enormous business opportunity. We're taking advantage of this opportunity and we intend to profitably deliver these products to our customers."

About The X-Change Corporation

The X-Change Corporation is a multimedia and e-commerce venture serving the diverse and growing Hispanic markets of North America, including Canada, North America, and Mexico through the provision of services tailored to their cultural expectations and preferences. These services initially include a bilingual home shopping network accessible through set-top boxes, the web, mobile devices, and TV, and an entertainment service delivering Latino-targeted content to web browsers and mobile devices. The Company intends to seek out or build complementary products that help it achieve its goals for growth and profitability.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Press Release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. A statement containing works such as "anticipate," "seek," intend," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "project," "plan," or similar phrases may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Some or all of the events or results anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not occur. The X-Change Corporation does not undertake any duty nor does it intend to update the results of these forward-looking statements.

Contact Information

Mr. Fernando A. Gomez, Executive Vice President

Email: info@xchccorp.com

Tel: 1 310 490 0008

Web: www.xchccorp.com

SOURCE The X-Change Corporation

Don't Wait. Authenticate.

by Mark Robichaux, Editor in Chief

Washington-- Those of us in the print journalism business know the end is near for most newspapers.

Not a day goes by without another newspaper either laying off employees or worse, going out of business. The reasons are myriad, but when news became a "free" commodity online, decoupled from traditional ad revenue, newspapers' obituaries were already written.

Today, cable faces a frighteningly similar paradox, and if the key players can navigate the tricky terrain, they could end up creating a money-maker out of a potential disaster.

On virtually every panel at The Cable Show here, online TV -- offering full TV programs online -- was a hot topic. But cable operators and programmers still seem incredibly far apart for a group that must come together on a business model.

Such a business requires cooperation in an industry with competing interests that hasn't always had a good track record in big sprawling collaborative ventures.

(The business of VOD, for example, has generated weak revenue and failed to live up to its promise.)

At stake are billions of dollars of advertising revenue if viewers start to consume more and more TV shows through the Internet.

Cable operators are concerned, understandably, about revenue loss to their traditional pay-TV model. They fear customers who may want to cut the cord.

"The big risk we have is, if we don't offer this programming to them the way they want it, they'll turn to piracy," said Time Warner Cable's Peter Stern on one panel. Moreover, many cable operators believe the fees they already pay cable networks should also pay for their subscribers' access.

Programmers, on the other hand, see this new business as a potential new revenue stream for online content rights. Many already put their shows on their own sites or other platforms, where they sell ads and build brand loyalty.

But each side is proceeding ever so slowly. At a panel on Thursday, The Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger said that "we are certainly open to exploring" authentication that would allow streaming full networks online. But he said "preventing people from watching any shows online, unless they subscribe to some multichannel service could be viewed as both anti-consumer, and anti-technology, and would be something we would find difficult to embrace." Not exactly a bear hug.

Both sides certainly agree on one thing: the priority is a technological one. What's needed is a quick, simple authentication process to confirm that online viewers are subscribers. Still, big questions linger: How should operators and programmers split ad revenue from online shows? What are the ad metrics? Will the content go outside the wall ever? Should satellite TV operators be included?

Several new ventures are tackling the problem in one form or another, including Time Warner's TV Everywhere and Comcast's OnDemand Online. But the cable industry can't act fast enough on this one. Look only as far as the newspaper for the reason why.

Datatec and Subsidiary Westcon AME Forms Dedicated Middle East Business Unit for Cisco Product Distribution.(Company overview)

Dubai UAE Operation Will Leverage Sales, Marketing and Operational Expertise of Westcon Group European Operations

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. -- Datatec, the international Information & Communications Technology group, and its Westcon AME subsidiary have signed a strategic agreement with Cisco([R]), the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, which will lead to the establishment of a dedicated operation in Dubai UAE, focussed on the sales and marketing of Cisco products in the Gulf region.

To be known as Comstor Middle East, the new company will support the reseller channel in the region by providing products; selling tools; technical, integration and financial services; market and technology expertise and an environment to enable them to more efficiently and profitably sell solutions to their end customer. Former Tech Data Managing Director of the UK and Middle East, Steve Lockie, has been appointed as head of Datatec Group's Westcon Middle East operations with effect from April 2007.

The sales, marketing and logistics activities of Comstor Middle East will be supported through Westcon Group European Operations Ltd., leveraging the sister company's existing position within the Cisco marketplace. Also, Comstor Middle East will be offering Westcon Group's OneDefense and OneVoice programs, which form the delivery and targeting mechanism to enable Comstor customers to compete most effectively in their advanced technology markets of choice.

Willem de Haan, Chief Business Development Officer for Westcon and Comstor European Operations says: "The emerging markets experience of our parent company Datatec, combined with our expanding European operations, will be instrumental in accommodating Cisco's fast growing drive in this burgeoning region. Based on a long business relationship with Cisco, we believe that building and enabling unique and effective routes to high growth advanced technology markets is key to ensuring fundamental growth for customers."

Datatec Group CEO, Jens Montanana comments: "This is the first of many planned steps towards achieving our objective of increasing our exposure to emerging markets by working closely with key vendors. Steve Lockie's considerable experience in IT distribution will enable us to identify and capture new opportunities in this fast growing region--we are glad to have him on board."

"We congratulate Comstor on its appointment as a Cisco distributor for the Gulf region," said Adrian Taylor, Regional Channel Manager in Cisco Gulf, Comstor's continuous efforts to develop new resellers and build solutions around advanced technologies will be imperative to the continuing success of one of Cisco's fastest growing regions in the world."

Note to Editors

Datatec is an international Information & Communications Technology (ICT) group focused on the supply of advanced ICT and the delivery of professional services into the higher growth segments of the global market. The Group's main lines of business comprise the global distribution of advanced networking and communications convergence products (Westcon), IT infrastructure solutions and network integration (Logicalis) and strategic telecommunications consulting (Analysys Mason). Datatec is registered in South Africa and its shares are listed in Johannesburg and London. The Group has 2,500 employees around the world.

In the six months to 31 August, the Group reported an increase in revenue of 16% to $1.67 billion (2005: $1.44 billion), EBITDA increased by 32% to $52.0 million (2005: $39.5 million), operating profit increased by 44% to $43.3 million (2005: $30.1 million), and headline earnings per share grew to 15.65 cents (2005: 12.02 cents).

Westcon Group, Inc. is a multi-national specialty distributor of networking, security and communications equipment for leading technology vendors, including Cisco Systems, Inc., Nortel Networks Corporation and Avaya, Inc. Through its Westcon, Comstor and Voda One divisions, Westcon Group sells products and services to resellers, systems integrators and service providers worldwide. Westcon Group has particular expertise in the convergence of voice, data and video applications and technologies, including voice-over Internet protocol, or VoIP, security for networking and communications systems, remote access, Internet and e-business, virtual private networks, videoconferencing and wireless connectivity. For more information, visit www.westcongroup.com.