Sunday, March 4, 2012

BACK FAMILY PLANNING TO THE EDITOR:.(MAIN)

Byline: GLORIA DeSOLE ALBANY

I join with the masses of middle-class Americans saddened to hear that orphanages are a serious proposal for reducing welfare as we move toward the end of the 20th century. Too few citizens know that the average recipient of welfare is a single, white mother of young children and that she remains on welfare for about two years.

However, the majority remains in favor of reducing the number of …

Dramatic health gains predicted for Texas Medicare Demonstration Project.

2004 APR 19 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- XLHealth Executive Vice President Paul Serini announced that its disease management program will dramatically improve health care outcomes for the seriously ill Texans who are part of its Medicare Disease Management Demonstration project.

Serini, basing the company's outcome prediction on past experience, said that over a 3-year period, in aggregate, the approximately 10,000 patients enrolled in the XLHealth program will see a 50% reduction in amputations and other serious diabetes foot complications and a 50% decrease in repeat heart failure events.

Additionally, Serini said, "Though never measured before, the …

Mourners remember singer Robert Goulet at Las Vegas funeral

Mourners and fans memorialized singer Robert Goulet with tributes to his music and his humor.

A Friday funeral service in Las Vegas included Goulet's signature song, "If Ever I Would Leave You," as well as farewell poems Goulet wrote before his death Oct. 30 at age 73.

"There will be sadness and some tears, but shared memories will evoke laughter and that will make me happy," one poem said, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported Saturday. "They should discern a chortle from my urn! …

Roger 'a pleasure to work with'

Inspector Roger Tolley, Neighbourhood Inspector for Burnham-on-Sea and Cheddar, has been awarded the 2011 Ray Robinson Award duringa presentation at Taunton Police Station.

The Ray Robinson Trophy is awarded annually to the police officeror group of officers whom it is judged to have made the greatestcontribution to community relations in this area.

Ray Robinson retired from Avon and Somerset Constabulary in 1978due to ill health. From his retirement until he passed away, Rayworked tirelessly within the community especially with those whowere mentally handicapped.

During the presentation, after a welcome speech made by ChiefConstable Colin Port, …

Deutsche Bank interested in 135 branches of Italian Banca MPS - report.

(ADPnews) - Oct 20, 2009 - Deutsche Bank (ETR:DBK) may be interested in buying the 135 branches Italian Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA (BIT:BMPS) is selling for antitrust reasons, German daily Handelsblatt said Tuesday quoting financial sources.

Banca MPS has to sell the remaining 135 branches, out of a total 150, in order to receive the antitrust regulator's green light to merge …

Saturday, March 3, 2012

POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE.(LIFE & LEISURE)

Mark McGuire checks in from the Television Critics Association press tour in Los Angeles:

Eddie Feldman, the executive producer for ``The Orlando Jones Show'' on FX, grew up in Saugerties. ... If Norm Macdonald can figure out a way to make his TV comedies half as funny as his press conferences, his ``A Minute with Stan Hooper'' on Fox would have a 10-year run. ...

Comic actor Fred Willard is one of the nicest men in Hollywood, even if Joe Garagiola is still mad about Willard's gentle parody of him in the spoof ``Best in Show.'' ...

Get me outta here -- I'm starting to sound like Larry King!BEST BETS

Toying around The New York City Ballet …

'Scrap WiMax licence rule to benefit public'.

Byline: Srisamorn Phoosuphanusorn

Dec. 13--A National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) move to grant new licences for WiMax wireless broadband services appears to favour Shin Satellite Plc, local Internet service providers claim.

They say that WiMax should be categorised as a "citizens band" in the industry, in line with global standards.

Citizens bands give interested Internet providers free access to operate next-generation broadband services to the public without having to apply for a new licence.

The $400-million iPSTAR satellite, which was launched earlier this year by Shin Satellite, offers a bandwidth capacity of 45 gigabits per …

World Road Cycling Championship Results

HOLTE, Denmark (AP) — Results Sunday from the men's 165-mile (266-kilometer) world road race championship:

1. Mark Cavendish, Britain, 5 hours, 40 minutes, 27 seconds

2. Matthew Harley Goss, Australia, same time.

3. Andre Greipel, Germany, same time.

4. Fabian Cancellera, Switzerland, same time.

5. Juergen Roelandts, Belgium, same time.

6. Romain Feillu, France, same time.

7. Borut Bozic, Slovenia, same time.

8. Edvald Boasson Hagen, Norway, same time.

9. Oscar Freire …

Low-loss connector.(RF Connectors, a division of RF Industries)(Brief Article)

SAN DIEGO, Calif.--RF Connectors, a division of RF Industries, has released another new 7-16 DIN series coaxial connector designed for use with LMR-600 low-loss cable from Times Microwave and WBC-600 low-loss cable from CommScope. The RFD-1604-2L2 is a 7-16 DIN male crimp connector featuring silver-plated body and contact for optimum intermodulation distortion reduction, and Teflon insulation …

Fight club: Pyrogrill's Michael Curcio resorts to kicking and punching to stay fit.(off the clock)

For Michael Curcio, hitting the treadmill and lifting weights just won't cut it. The founder and CEO of North Palm Beach, Fla.-based Pyrogrill prefers something more challenging and exciting to stay in shape. Curcio is a student of mixed martial arts.

He took up the sport after graduating in December 1999 with a bachelor's degree in marketing and finance from the University of Miami, where he played on the basketball team. "I was just really burnt out on basketball but wanted some way to stay in shape and be competitive," says Curcio, 29. That's when a friend who practiced mixed martial arts suggested he try the sport, which blends techniques used in various martial …

P&G readies CoverGirl intros.(Supplier News)(Procter & Gamble Co.)

HUNT VALLEY, Md. -Procter & Gamble Co.'s (P&G's) CoverGirl brand is poised to welcome the new year with a number of innovative products.

Advanced Radiance Age Defying liquid makeup is billed as "instantly taking five years off the look of facial skin." Combining Olay's age-defying skin care technology with CoverGirl's expertise in face makeup, Advanced Radiance Age Defying liquid makeup increases brightness or skin radiance while reducing contrast resulting from wrinkles, fine lines and age spots--key factors in how old skin appears.

"Many women over 35 now seek antiaging and moisturizing as the primary benefits of their foundation," says Anne Martin, vice …

Be A Better Bass Player

Every now and then I am asked if I have any advice for bass players. Here, I have come up with 10 basic principles to keep in mind while on your journey down the "low road." Next issue, "Why Bass Players Shouln't Get a Mic..."

1. Play BASS

This sounds simple. On the surface, bass seems pretty simple. Four strings, one note at a time, how hard can it be? The answer is, not hard at all. Generally, the bass is not a solo instrument. Ask yourself, "do I need to be in the spotlight all the time, feeling the love and devotion of all those who surround me?" If the answer is yes, the bass guitar is not for you.

2. Show Up On Time And In Tune

No one likes to be kept …

FIRE DEPARTMENTS LACK VOLUNTEERS.(MAIN)

Byline: SHANNON McCAFFREY Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- Respect and admiration for firefighters have surged since the Sept. 11 terror attacks, but that has not translated into more people joining the depleted ranks of volunteer departments.

``We haven't seen the increase that we need. It's disappointing,'' said Heather Schafer, executive director of the National Volunteer Fire Council.

The vast majority of fire departments still are volunteer -- 19,224 out of a total of 26,354 departments.

The reasons for the decline vary, but the main cause seems to be that people are devoting more time to their jobs. ``We're competing against long hours …

Friday, March 2, 2012

A two-pronged approach to power growth

Wayne tech firm divides operations between N.J. and Indian offices

EXECUTIVES at Wayne-based MindTree Ltd. say they?re confi dent in the future of technology jobs in the United states -though it maintains a second headquarters in Bangalore, India, where the majority of its jobs are concentrated.

?It?s rare in the industry, but it?s such an advantage, because we operate with the mindset of being a global organization, not an Indian organization or a U.s.-based organization,? said Scott Staples, president and co-founder.

Staples said the company?s dual-headquarters model is responsible for nearly half of mindtree?s growth. since its opening in 1999, the company has increased revenue to $330 million; staples said he expects to hit $400 million by the end of the fi scal year, in march. mindtree?s Bangalore headquarters has been benefi cial to the company?s growth because it helps keep the costs down without interfering with quality. ?engineering and software development are sort of in the Dna of most of the young people in India,? staples said. ?It?s a fi eld that they want to get into. so the access to young, top talent gives us a unique advantage against non-Indian companies.? the company?s growth also comes from staying on the cutting edge: at the beginning of may, mindtree unveiled its new Data and analytics solutions group, which handles analysis of the ever-growing amount of data coming from smartphones and Internet applications. the group is mindtree?s fastest growing division, already with 800 of the company?s 10,000 employees in it.

mindtree now plans to hire 100 people in the United states - roughly half of them in new Jersey - and will pilot a program to expose college students to what the company does in the United states: front-end consulting. the back-end operations of the company, in which more than 9,000 people are employed, are in India, working on software development. such a setup is common in a world of outsourcing, but staples said he expects to see a rise in U.s. tech employment. Over the last 18 months, he?s seen more companies not only investing in technology, but also giving business to local fi rms.

�eurooeIf we�euro(TM)re looking to hire, you can imagine how many other companies are looking to hire,�euro? he said.

Michael Littman , chair of the Department of Computer sciences at Rutgers University, said he�euro(TM)s noticed a renewed surge of interest in the fi eld over the last couple of years. He had seen enrollment in the programs diminish when the dot-com bubble burst, but �eurooelots of people are getting interested again in these issues,�euro? he said. �eurooeComputers are so pervasive now �euro? everyone has exposure, everyone has an interest in what they do and how they impact people�euro(TM)s lives.�euro?

Littman no longer thinks outsourcing will be a problem for U.s. students, though that wasn�euro(TM)t the case fi ve years ago.

�eurooePeople are just not talking about that anymore,�euro? he said. �eurooeI think what people realized is most of these things just can�euro(TM)t be effectively outsourced.�euro?

staples, while admitting to mindtree�euro(TM)s large Indian footprint, agreed with Littman, saying it�euro(TM)s still critical for the company to have american employees available on site to work with clients.

that�euro(TM)s only part of the reason he expects a comeback in tech jobs.

�eurooethis next decade, it�euro(TM)s probably going to be again a fun time to be in tech �euro? and primarily because of what�euro(TM)s happening in mobile applications and digital applications and things like that,�euro? staples said. �eurooeand hopefully, that drives kids back into those programs, because we need them. We have jobs for them.�euro?

E-mail to: editorial@njbiz.com

[Sidebar]

Scott Staples, president and co-founder of MindTree Ltd., says having company headquarters based in two different countries helps his firm divide its operations: front-end consulting is done in the United States; software development in India.

[Sidebar]

"This next decade, it�euro(TM)s probably going to be again a fun time to be in tech �euro? and primarily because of what�euro(TM)s happening in mobile applications and digital applications and things like that."

Scott Staples

MindTree president and co-founder

FORMER TYNGSBORO MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER PLEADS GUILTY TO CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES

BOSTON, Feb. 17 -- The U.

S. Department of Justice's Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Field Office issued the following press release:

A North Chelmsford man was convicted today in federal court on charges of child pornography.

DOUGLAS L. WRIGHT, 41, pleaded guilty before U.

S. District Judge Joseph L. Tauro to transportation of child pornography and possession of child pornography.

Had the case proceeded to trial, the government's evidence would have proven that WRIGHT, a former middle school teacher with the Tyngsboro Public Schools, used an online peer-to-peer file-sharing program to offer and transmit images of child pornography on the Internet. WRIGHT admitted to being interested in child pornography for several years, to downloading child pornography images in the past few years, and to possessing hundreds of child pornography images. The images included those of prepubescent children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Judge Tauro scheduled sentencing for May 11, 2011. WRIGHT, who will remain in custody, faces up to 20 years in prison to be followed by up to a lifetime of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz, Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division Lanny A. Breuer, Richard DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Field Office, and Chief James F. Murphy of the Chelmsford Police Department made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.

S. Attorney Michael Yoon of Ortiz's Major Crimes Unit and the DOJ's Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section Trial Attorney Bonnie Kane of the Criminal Division.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.

S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY TO PARTNER IN NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION FUNDED ENERGY RESEARCH CENTER

Florida State University, a component of the Florida state university system, issued the following news release:

The Florida A&M University-Florida State University College of Engineering and FSU's Center for Advanced Power Systems (CAPS) have been chosen by the National Science Foundation as partners in a new national research center that will work to revolutionize the nation's power grid and speed the arrival of renewable electric-energy technologies into every home and business.

"Energy is an urgent issue for our nation as well as globally," said Ching-Jen "Marty" Chen, dean of the College of Engineering. "The college has worked to contribute to the solution of the energy crisis. This research center comes at the right time for the college to strengthen its research efforts to enhance sustainable energy and work on energy storage."

The NSF's Engineering Research Center (ERC) for Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management (FREEDM) Systems, to be headquartered at North Carolina State University, will partner with universities, industry and national laboratories from 28 states and nine countries. The center will be supported by an initial five-year, $18.5-million grant from the NSF, with an additional $10 million in institutional support and industry membership fees. More than 65 utility companies, electrical equipment manufacturers, alternative energy start-ups and other established and emerging firms have committed to joining this global partnership.

"We are very pleased to be part of this prestigious NSF-sponsored engineering research center," said Steinar Dale, the director of CAPS and the FSU campus director for the ERC. "Our researchers will use the unique power-systems research, simulation and test facilities established at CAPS to contribute to core aspects of the research program at N.C. State. And researchers from the other university partners will come to FSU to utilize the real-time digital power-system simulator at CAPS and the power test facility to meet the objectives of the ERC."

The new center will work to develop technologies to transform the nation's century-old, centralized power grid into an alternative-energy-friendly "smart grid" that can easily store and distribute energy produced from solar panels, wind farms, fuel cells and other energy sources. This "Internet for energy" would enable millions of users to generate their energy from renewable sources and sell excess energy to the power companies. Researchers envision consumers using this "plug-and-play" system anytime, from anywhere.

"The center's multidisciplinary and system-level approach is key for a successful integration of the various new component technologies into the next-generation power system," said Mischa Steurer, senior scientist and principal investigator of power systems at CAPS. "The center's cutting-edge research on individual subsystems such as renewable electrical power sources, 'intelligent' energy storage elements, smart grid controllers and advance system protection is necessary to enable all of the desired features of the next-generation power system and will allow the nation to migrate toward real independence from fossil fuels. Moreover, the integrated system approach is what makes this center so unique and what will eventually enable the long desired 'plug-and-play' functionality that guarantees a more flexible and resilient power grid of the future."

Transforming the nation's power grid is vitally important as alternative-energy technologies prepare to flood the marketplace. Center researchers foresee widespread adoption of plug-in hybrid cars over the next several years, for example, but today's power grid would not be able to handle energy demand during peak charging times, such as when people return home from work in the evening. The smart grid developed at the center will also allow consumers to sell energy back to the power companies when demand is low, preparing the utilities for times when demand is greatest.

This new energy paradigm will speed the development of vehicles, appliances and other devices that can both store energy and send it to the grid. By merging advanced battery technology with windmills and solar collectors, the researchers will combine renewable energy production with electric energy storage in a network. The center's energy storage research will focus on storage technology with longer life.

In addition to FSU, FAMU and N.C. State, researchers from Arizona State University, Missouri University of Science and Technology, RWTH Aachen University in Germany and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology will collaborate on the project. Industry partners supporting the research will work directly with the center's faculty, students and unique facilities, speeding innovations developed at the center to the commercial marketplace.

Sprightly cynthia, 81, is a real computer whizz 'kid'

Catherine jonescjones@c-dm.co.uk

AFTER two hours of playing table tennis, Cynthia Snowden likes tosit down at her computer and create YouTube videos for the internet.

Cynthia is very agile, very active and very keen on technology.She is also 81 years old.

"I'm certainly not 'playing' with a computer," she said.

"I have owned a computer since the 1980s, and I'm more or lessself taught. I'd be lost without it."

The former maths teacher, who was born and bred in Appledore, nowlives in Northam where she has both a laptop and a desktop computer.

She said: "I've always been into technology from the word go.

"I did my first YouTube video about three years ago. Everyone wastalking about YouTube at that time."

Cynthia is also a keen photographer and has stored 40,000 of herpictures on her computer. They range from old family photos to avisit to a BBC Antiques Roadshow and the arrival of a shippingvessel at Bideford Quay.

She uses these photos to create slideshow videos, which she thensets to music.

"It's like an artist or an actor, it's the achievement of puttingthings together. It's a challenge and once I get involved I forgeteverything else."

She uses eBay and also likes to find good deals on the internet,amazing her friends with her ability to find Pounds 9 a night hotelrooms.

"If there's a bargain I go for it," she said.

Cynthia has seen huge changes in technology over the years.

Her first computer a Vic20, could only store 20kb of information,the equivalent of two letters.

But she doesn't feel the need to keep up with every new gadget.She hasn't joined Facebook or Twitter, and she hardly ever uses hermobile phone.

"I have a phone which I use for emergencies, but I do not text,surprising as it may seem. I just don't need to.

"And I don't buy anything unless I know I need it. There is adifference between need and want."

But she admits that if she was a bit younger, she would probablybe keeping up with the latest equipment.

"I was born before my time, and yes, I think this would have beenthe age for me to live in."

And the table tennis? It certianly helps to keep her fit. SinceOctober she started playing with a U3A club, but she was a keenplayer in her younger days.

Despite her senior age Cynthia insists she "isn't any slower"than her fellow players.

"I'm as fast as anyone and can get down on my knees to fetch theball when it goes under a radiator."

Interactive maps unveiled in Winchester

Winchester now has an interactive Internet-based GeographicInformation System program that makes the town's mapping availablein an electronic format.

Users may store, manage, visualize, and present geographicallyreferenced data, offering a simplified version of the system thatallows the public to access, view, and create maps from the town'sGIS data.

Available data include building footprints, roads, waterfeatures, topography, and parcel boundaries.

More information on mapping is available on the town's website,www.winchester.us.

13no2filler.ART

Ulster companies on Dubai trade mission

A TOP-level trade mission from Northern Ireland is currently inDubai seeking new business opportunities.The Invest NI-led group isspending 10 days in the Gulf states trading hub, which offers accessto a huge market for overseas companies in a wide range ofsectors.One of the delegate companies, MWM Sports Management Group ofHolywood, Co Down, is aiming to set up a perma nent presence in theUnited Arab Emirates.To aid its international business expansion, itis establishing a base in the Northern Ireland Technology andDevelopment Centre (NITDC) in Dubai during the trade visit.MWM isamong a group of 14 companies taking part in the mission, which isled by Bill McGinnis, an Invest NI board member and the chairman ofthe McAvoy Group of Dungannon. The mission is also taking in Qatarand Oman.MWM, which provides a range of specialist services includingcorporate hospitality, event management, business performancecoaching, sponsorship and incentive reward schemes, is locatingJudith Murray, a senior executive, at NITDC, which is housed inDubai's Internet City."Our decision to move into Dubai is the resultof extensive research to identify further opportunities overseas forour professional services," said Max Williamson, MWM's managingdirector."NITDC offers us an ideal service that gives us full officefacilities and an address in Dubai, as well as access to expertadvice on business procedures, requirements and contacts," headded.Alan Hingston, Invest NI's trade director, said the NITDCs wereestablished as a key element in Invest NI's strategic focus onencouraging more Northern Ireland companies to enter internationalmarkets."The initiative is producing tangible benefits for companiesand Northern Ireland. Companies located in the Dubai centre, forinstance, generated new business worth almost 30m over the past 18months," he said.Seven companies are visiting the region for thefirst time on the Invest NI trade mission, which runs until earlynext week.

Vic: Police deny corruption in forensic centre


AAP General News (Australia)
04-27-2004
Vic: Police deny corruption in forensic centre

Police have denied claims an underworld figure paid off an employee at Victoria's forensic
science centre, forcing investigators to send evidence to New South Wales for processing.

Deputy Commissioner PETER NANCARROW has confirmed a taskforce investigating corruption
in the now-disbanded Victorian drug squad sent forensic samples interstate, but says that's
not unusual.

ABC radio says a drug boss boasted to a police informer in 2001 that he had a scientist
from the Victorian forensic centre on his payroll.

COMMISSIONER NANCARROW says the allegation has been investigated and is untrue.

AAP RTV apw/dk/rgr/wjf

KEYWORD: CORRUPTION (MELBOURNE)

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

WA; Perth man murdered in Zimbabwe


AAP General News (Australia)
12-22-2003
WA; Perth man murdered in Zimbabwe

A Perth man has been murdered by armed robbers in Zimbabwe.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) says the man, believed to be 51-year-old
PHILLIP LAING, was killed on Friday in the Honde Valley.

He was one of seven people abducted from the British company for which they worked.

A DFAT spokesman says initial advice is the man was killed during an armed robbery.

The department cannot confirm reports he had acid poured down his throat and was left
tied to a tree.

The fate of the other kidnapped workers is unclear.

The Australian High Commission in Harare has formally notified local authorities of
the Australian government's desire to see a prompt and thorough investigation.

The Sydney Morning Herald says Mr LAING was chief accountant with Eastern Highlands Plantations.

The paper says he's survived by a wife and two young children.

AAP RTV hn/jmt

KEYWORD: LAING (PERTH)

2003 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

FED: Howard welcomes capture of Hambali

00-00-0000
FED: Howard welcomes capture of Hambali

By Sandra O'Malley

AUCKLAND, Aug 15 AAP - Prime Minister John Howard today admitted he had been awarefor several days of the capture of terrorist mastermind Hambali, which he described asa major breakthrough in the fight against terrorism.

Speaking to reporters before heading to the traditional day of retreat at the PacificIslands Forum, Mr Howard said the arrest of Hambali was very good news.

US officials yesterday announced the capture of Hambali, whose real name is Riduanbin Isomuddin, who is wanted over the Bali bombings last year.

The Kuta blasts on October 12 killed 202 people, including 88 Australians.

Hambali is believed to be a key leader of the radical group Jemaah Islamiah (JI), theSouth-East Asian terror group linked to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda terrorist network.

"There should be universal relief and pleasure that a man as evil as Hambali has beencaught," Mr Howard said.

"This man is a very big fish.

"He is the main link between al-Qaeda and JI.

"He was almost certainly the ultimate mastermind of the Bali attack."

Coming on the heels of the recent death sentence for Bali bomber Amrozi, Mr Howardsaid it should add to victims' families' sense that justice was being done.

"To those relatives and friends of the 88 Australians who died in that outrage almosta year ago, this is, I hope, some further measure of justice," he said.

"I congratulate the Americans and I am sure that psychologically this capture willinflict a very heavy blow on the worldwide terrorist network."

Mr Howard confirmed he had been aware of the capture for several days although theUS only released the information yesterday.

"I've known about it for several days but I've wanted naturally to leave it to theAmericans to announce."

He was also cagey about revealing any further details of the arrest.

"There is some further detail of which I'm aware, obviously, but there's nothing tobe gained by going into that," Mr Howard said.

"When you're dealing with security matters you're not obliged to blurt everything outthat you know immediately you hear it.

"That doesn't help anybody, in fact it only helps the terrorists."

Hambali is believed to have been captured in Thailand during the week.

US officials have said he was being interrogated in US custody at a secret location.

AAP so/cat

KEYWORD: TERROR HAMBALI HOWARD LEAD

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Qld: Girl killed crossing Brisbane road

00-00-0000
Qld: Girl killed crossing Brisbane road

BRISBANE, April 4 AAP - A 15-year-old girl died when she was hit by a truck in Brisbane'snorthern suburbs today.

An ambulance spokesman said the accident happened at 4.30pm (AEST) as the girl wascrossing Gympie Road at Strathpine.

She died at the scene, the spokesman said.

AAP rad/apm

KEYWORD: TOLL QLD

Qld: Girl removed from Ferguson's reach

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Qld: Girl removed from Ferguson's reach

An eight-year-old girl has reportedly been removed from her family home after her parentsinvited paedophile DENNIS RAYMOND FERGUSON to live with them after his jail release.

Brisbane's Courier-Mail newspaper's reported that Families Department officials removedthe girl this week amid fears FERGUSON could reoffend and is also warning families associatedwith him about his history of abuse.

FERGUSON, aged 54, served 15 years in jail in Queensland for sexually abusing threechildren in a Brisbane hotel room in 1987 after taking …

Fed: Cherry says Greig a nice bloke but not leader material

00-00-0000
Fed: Cherry says Greig a nice bloke but not leader material

Australian Democrats Senator JOHN CHERRY says interim leader BRIAN GREIG is a nicebloke, but probably not the best person to maximise party prospects at the next election.

Senator CHERRY says he accepts the national executive's decision to appoint SENATORGreg to temporarily fill the leadership vacancy, but he doesn't agree with it.

He says deputy leader ADEN RIDGEWAY is the best person to replace former leader NATASHASTOTT DESPOJA, who resigned after the so-called gang-of-four senators -- including SenatorsCHERRY and RIDGEWAY -- voted to adopt a party reform plan.

Senator CHERRY has denied on the Ten Network that a party split is on the cards, sayingit's far too early to talk about such things.

He says he loves the party and the common sense of most members, but there's an intolerantminority which has made life very difficult for him and fellow senators.

AAP RTV mb/jmt

KEYWORD: DEMOCRATS CHERRY (CANBERRA)

Fed: Cattle prods never used to control refugees: Houston

00-00-0000
Fed: Cattle prods never used to control refugees: Houston

The acting head of the Defence Force says navy and army personnel never used cattleprods to control asylum seekers.

Air Marshal ANGUS HOUSTON says capsicum spray has only been used once, and that wasto control asylum seekers intent on disabling a boat engine.

He also rejected suggestions naval staff denied medical treatment to asylum seekers.

The ABC's Four Corners program this week aired allegations that naval personnel usedprods, capsicum spray and excessive force to control asylum seekers.

It also said authorities denied hospital treatment to a woman bleeding after childbirthand refused to help immigrants suffering diarrhoea or dehydration.

But Air Marshal HOUSTON says he and senior defence officials checked through recordsto determine the validity of the program's claims.

He told the Senate inquiry into the children overboard affair that it's quite clearthere was no use of any electrical cattle prod-type implements.

He says asylum seekers may have mistaken metal detectors for something like a cattle prod.

He added that no asylum seeker would be denied medical treatment if it it's warranted.

AAP RTV sw/jas/

KEYWORD: BOAT HOUSTON (CANBERRA)

Fed: Truss says Korea to consider resuming live cattle imports

00-00-0000
Fed: Truss says Korea to consider resuming live cattle imports

Agriculture Minister WARREN TRUSS says Korea has agreed to consider resuming live cattleimports from Australia.

Mr TRUSS is on the second leg of a trip to Japan, Korea and the Philippines to shoreup the beef trade with the three nations.

Mr TRUSS -- after meeting with Korean counterpart KIM DONG-TAE -- said he hoped livecattle exports would be resumed on a trial …

Fed: Costello says domestic economy has some robustness


AAP General News (Australia)
12-05-2001
Fed: Costello says domestic economy has some robustness

CANBERRA, Dec 5 AAP - Treasurer Peter Costello said today Australia's economy had a
good deal of robustness left in it.

He said while there was a downturn in the international economy the domestic economy
had strengthened.

"The domestic economy has strengthened at a time when the international economy has
turned down," he said.

"That has been good for economic growth here in Australia.

"I believe that the domestic economy has quite a good deal of robustness left in it."

AAP sm/mg

KEYWORD: ECONOMY COSTELLO DOMESTIC

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

NSW: Missing bushwalkers safe, reunited with families


AAP General News (Australia)
04-22-2001
NSW: Missing bushwalkers safe, reunited with families

SYDNEY, April 22 AAP - Bushwalkers who activated a distress beacon in the Snowy Mountains
yesterday have been reunited with their families.

Police said the six women were found at 7.25am (AEST) at White's River near Guthega.

They were transported to Guthega by a Southcare Rescue Helicopter and reunited with
their families.

Police said the group of six women had been due to return from their trip today but
due to the illness of one member, activated a radio distress beacon mid-afternoon yesterday.

Police said they were all safe and well.

AAP rhp/as/cdh

KEYWORD: BEACON LEAD

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

NSW: Main stories in today s Sydney newspapers=4


AAP General News (Australia)
02-08-2001
NSW: Main stories in today s Sydney newspapers=4

THE AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW

Page 1: Reserve Bank provides federal government with election boost following cut
in official interest rates. Rupert Murdoch closer to dominating global satellite TV. Coles
Myer slashes annual profit projection by $100 million. Queensland Premier Peter Beattie
unaware of background to new aluminium smelter.

Page 3: John Howard and Peter Costello promise to fast track BAS changes. Health Minister
Michael Wooldridge forced to defend claims he misled parliament over drug industry appointment.

New survey shows …

Qld: Missing girl, 13, found safe and well


AAP General News (Australia)
12-07-2000
Qld: Missing girl, 13, found safe and well

BRISBANE, Dec 7 AAP - A Queensland schoolgirl who went missing yesterday had been found
safe and well, police said.

Rochelle Catherine Menary, 13, was reported missing after leaving the Bremer High School
in Ipswich, west of Bribane, at 11am (AEST) yesterday.

She was found today.

No further details were immediately available.

AAP jhm/sc/was

KEYWORD: SCHOOLGIRL LEAD

2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

NSW: Search stepped up for missing man


AAP General News (Australia)
04-26-2000
NSW: Search stepped up for missing man

The search will be stepped up today for a 67-year-old man who fell from his boat on
the New South Wales Hawkesbury River yesterday.

The man from Lillyfield in Sydney's west was with his nine-year-old grand-daughter
in a small runabout when he fell overboard near Sentry Box Reach, about 5.30 pm.

Police say the girl was unable to stop the vessel, which had the motor running, and
she jumped into the water to try and help her grandfather.

Her grandfather told the girl to swim to the bank and said he would float with the river.

The girl made it to shore and alerted emergency services.

Searchers last night found the boat but no sign of the man.

Polair and Brisbane Waters police will join an ambulance rescue boat in the Gunderman
area after 7 am (AEST) today.

AAP RTV sal/rt

KEYWORD: MISSING (SYDNEY)

2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

SA: Bus strike ends but dispute lingers


AAP General News (Australia)
02-09-2000
SA: Bus strike ends but dispute lingers

ADELAIDE, Feb 9 AAP - Striking Adelaide bus drivers returned to work today although
the dispute over privatisation of public services remained unresolved.

The drivers were back on the job this morning, ending two days of industrial action,
after accepting a recommendation from the Industrial Relations Commission.

That followed talks between the state government and the Rail, Tram and Bus Industry
union in the commission yesterday.

In return for …

Vic: Alleged armed bandits quickly arrested


AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-1999
Vic: Alleged armed bandits quickly arrested

Victorian police have arrested two men who allegedly threatened a service station attendant
with a knife before fleeing with cash.

Spokesman Senior Constable DAVID GAMBLE says the pair burst into the service station
in east suburban Bayswater last night.

The spokesman says one of the men produced a knife and demanded cash from the attendant.

The pair fled with the cash but were arrested a short time later near the service station.

They were remanded in custody at an out of sessions hearing and are due to appear at
Ringwood Magistrates Court today.

AAP RTV gf/rat

KEYWORD: BAYSWATER (MELBOURNE)

1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

VIC: Early gas reconnection may have risked lives: Kennett


AAP General News (Australia)
04-22-1999
VIC: Early gas reconnection may have risked lives: Kennett

MELBOURNE, April 22 AAP - Lives would have been put at risk if Victoria's gas supply had
been reconnected earlier following the Longford explosion, Premier Jeff Kennett said today.

"If we had gone back a couple of days earlier, as Esso are now saying we could have and I
think they said at the time, there was no guarantee of the safety of the public and there was
no guarantee that the supply was going to be able to be maintained," Mr Kennett told radio
3AW.

Esso has said it may launch legal action against the state government and gas network
manager VENCorp as part of its defence in a $1 billion class action for alleged financial
losses during the 10-day gas stoppage in September last year.

The federal court has heard that Esso was ready to resume supplies before the eventual
reconnection but was delayed by the actions of others.

Mr Kennett revealed Esso had indicated they had some gas ready for use but had not insisted
it be put back on and had not been able to guarantee continuing supply.

"They agreed with us that the greatest risk we faced was in fact the reconnections. That
is, we had to educate people properly. It took us an extra two days to educate them.

"Otherwise we could have been confronted with literally an enormous number of incidents,
explosions, that could have taken life, etc."

Victorian Resources Minister Pat McNamara today said he was "astounded" to hear of Esso's
threat.

"Clearly it is a matter that Esso have got to address and I think most commentators really
just see it as blame-shifting," he told AAP.

Esso also indicated it might include the Regulator General and other gas distributors and
retailers into the proceedings.

The civil litigation, brought by firms Maurice Blackburn and Slater & Gordon, has been
billed as the state's largest class action to date.

Esso's appeal against a decision to allow the class action to go ahead will be heard by the
Full Bench of the Federal Court on May 11.

The company must notify the court of the parties it intends to join as co-respondents on
May 14.

AAP lmw/br

KEYWORD: GAS LEGAL KENNETT

1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

VIC: In Melbourne there s more to tennis than the players


AAP General News (Australia)
01-14-1999
VIC: In Melbourne there s more to tennis than the players

By Catherine Chisholm

MELBOURNE, Jan 14 AAP - Tennis is supposed to be the main attraction.

Pat Rafter, Mark Philippoussis, Steffi Graf, Anna Kournikova and a host of other big names
will be there.

But when Melbourne Park plays host to The Australian Open, the crowds flock to see more
than just the booming aces and backhand winners.

Celebrity-spotting is a favourite pastime, the face-painted fanatics will be partying hard,
and for the trendy set, just being courtside with a glass of chardonnay is the place to be.

FILM:Weaver ends year with another nomination


AAP General News (Australia)
12-21-2011
FILM:Weaver ends year with another nomination

JACKI WEAVER is ending the year with another nomination for her chilling turn as Janine
"Smurf" Cody.

WEAVER is up for a London Film Critics award for Supporting Actress of the Year for
her performance in the Australian crime drama, Animal Kingdom.

Earlier this year, the 63-year-old was up for a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award,
her first Oscar nomination, for the same role.

The winners will be announced in London on January 19.

AAP RTV cd/jca/crh

KEYWORD: CRITICS WEAVER (SYDNEY)

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

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Vic: Bisexual footy trainer loses discrimination case


AAP General News (Australia)
02-19-2009
Vic: Bisexual footy trainer loses discrimination case

MELBOURNE, Feb 19 AAP - A bisexual sports trainer who launched a discrimination case
against a country football league had his case kicked out by the Victorian Civil and Administrative
Tribunal (VCAT).

VCAT senior member Noreen Megay told 42-year-old Ken Campagnolo his case against the
Benalla and District Football League and the Bonnie Doon Football Club did not have "a
scintilla of credibility".

"In my view this action is entirely misconceived and manifestly hopeless," Ms Megay
said on Thursday.

The former Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) firefighter had claimed
that publicity surrounding his accusations of bullying in the DSE because of his sexuality
led to him losing his training role at Bonnie Doon.

"It is not in dispute that the club told him he could not continue as a trainer although
it maintained it welcomed him generally," Ms Megay said.

VCAT found that Mr Campagnolo had not been employed by the league or the club but had
received a free entry pass to games and transport expenses.

It said that Mr Campagnolo, who was unrepresented in the hearing, had not been able
to prove his assertion of employment by the league or the club.

"I am satisfied that the action brought by Mr Campagnolo against the Benalla and District
Football League lacks even a scintilla of credibility," Ms Megay said.

AAP jxt/pmu/ht/apm

KEYWORD: CAMPAGNOLO

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

-German Norcom, DB Systel to seal IT support agreement


Internet Business News
07-21-2011
-German Norcom, DB Systel to seal IT support agreement

INTERNET BUSINESS NEWS-(C)1995-2011 M2 COMMUNICATIONS

21 July 2011 - German software and consultancy firm Norcom Information Technology (ETR:NC5) said today it will enter into agreements with DB Systel for three out of four lots under the European Union procurement framework IT Productions and Support (ITPS).
Under the agreements, which are effective from August 1, Norcom together with other companies, will cover DB Systel's support services during several years.

The total volume of the EU procurement ITPS for the four lots is some EUR30m (USD42.5m) a year, DB Systel said. Norcom estimates that they can generate revenue of EUR3m to EUR5m a year.

DB Systel is the internal services provider of German railway operator Deutsche Bahn AG. It is responsible for the execution of the ICT projects and the support of the ICT applications of Deutsche Bahn.

((Comments on this story may be sent to info@m2.com))

(Copyright M2 Communications, 2011)

NSW:Officers to vote against radical action


AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-2011
NSW:Officers to vote against radical action

The police union is expected to vote against ramping up industrial action against the
New South Wales government's changes to the death and disability scheme.

Last month officers voted in support of escalating their action to only responding
to urgent or life-threatening situations.

But the executive of the state's Police Association is expected to vote against the
move at a Sydney meeting today after a warning from the Industrial Relations Commission
that a police pay claim would be blocked while the union continues its action.

An association spokesman says it's likely the executive will decide that now is not
the time to escalate industrial action, but says the association will continue to campaign
against the changes to the death and disability scheme up to the next state election.

AAP RTV lcf/tr/ar

KEYWORD: POLICE NSW (SYDNEY)

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

QLD:'Cannibal' guilty of murdering flatmate


AAP General News (Australia)
04-04-2011
QLD:'Cannibal' guilty of murdering flatmate

A self-confessed cannibal has been jailed for life .. after he murdered his flatmate
in a scene likened to an abattoir killing floor.

ROBERT IAN LOGAN admitted to killing BEN HUNTINGFORD in June 2006 .. but pleaded not
guilty to murder in the Supreme Court in Brisbane.

But a jury's found the 23 year old guilty of a murder described by prosecutors as a
"brutal slaughtering" at the home they shared at Beenleigh .. south of Brisbane.

The court heard LOGAN told police he cut Mr HUNTINGFORD'S throat from ear to ear ..

and watched him drag himself to the bedroom .. where he later died.

He then drank some of Mr HUNTINGFORD'S blood.

AAP RTV gd/tnf/af

KEYWORD: LOGAN (BRISBANE)

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

FED:HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 19:30, Dec 132010


AAP General News (Australia)
12-13-2010
FED:HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 19:30, Dec 132010

CANBERRA - Australia's central bank chief says banking competition is actually better
now than it was in the mid-1990s as the government moves to tackle the power of big lenders.

(Banking Wrap)

CANBERRA - An elderly man with a walking stick has heckled National Australia Bank
executives at a Senate hearing in Sydney. (Banking Heckler)



SYDNEY - Seconds after a Sydney jury found she had murdered her newborn baby, Keli
Lane screamed "oh no" and collapsed with a thud on the dock floor. (Lane Wrap). See also
Backgrounder and Timeline.



MELBOURNE - Shane Warne says he recently broke up with his ex-wife, amid speculation
of an alleged tryst between the Australian spin bowler and British actress Liz Hurley.

(Warne 2nd Wrap). See also Warne Backgrounder.



SYDNEY - Her every move in Australia has been subject to the most intense scrutiny
imaginable and organised with military-like precision. (Oprah Wrap)



CANBERRA - Economists are concerned that home lending faces a downturn as buyers wait
for the federal government's new banking laws to be enacted, particularly the abolition
of mortgage exit fees. (Economy Wrap)



CANBERRA - The positives of free trade agreements have been oversold and the way the
deals are done needs to be improved, the Productivity Commission has found. (Trade)



BRISBANE - A convicted killer who lied to police about abducting Daniel Morcombe has
told a court the real kidnapper will reveal his identity this week. (Morcombe Wrap)



PERTH - Finks motorcycle gang members have been found guilty of contempt for refusing
to answer questions about a vicious brawl at the Perth Motorplex, but have been given
an opportunity to reconsider their position. (Finks Wrap)



PERTH - A West Australian officer who tasered Aboriginal man Kevin Spratt 10 times
at Perth Watchhouse has told a corruption hearing that given the choice he would never
carry a Taser again. (Spratt Wrap)



SYDNEY - Large parts of NSW are preparing for more floods as another four areas join
the list of natural disaster zones, in the state's most expansive flooding in 30 years.

(Floods NSW Wrap)



CAIRNS - A Sunday afternoon visit to a north Queensland waterhole turned to tragedy
for a group of Townsville teenagers when a heart-breaking chain of events led to one of
them drowning. (Floods Qld Wrap)



BRISBANE - Water authorities have opened a spillway at Wivenhoe Dam to empty the flood
storage compartment in preparation for further heavy downpours in southeast Queensland.

(Floods Qld Wivenhoe)



CANBERRA - Banks, miners, the Greens, Julia Gillard and Bob Brown have all had a good
year, which is more than can be said for former political leaders, a new survey suggests.

(Essential)

CANBERRA - Internet blogging is often described as the future of popular media, but
a new survey suggests that few people actually read blogs or, worse still, believe them.

(Essential Media)


IN FINANCE

SYDNEY - Receivers have been appointed to Pike River Coal Ltd, following the company's
decision that it needs to focus on solvency before major debts are due. (Pike River Wrap)



SYDNEY - Tabcorp Holdings Ltd says it's executed a deal with the Queensland government
to boost expansion plans in Queensland to $625 million in return for more gaming machines
and tables. (Tabcorp 2nd Wrap)

BRISBANE - A redistribution of 500 unallocated pokie machines to Queensland casinos
won't address community harm, a welfare group says. (Tabcorp QCOSS)


IN SPORT

PERTH - Reminded of England's fallibility by Victoria, Australia's pace bowlers will
use intelligence from the MCG tour match as they set about the task of taking 20 Ashes
wickets on a potentially lively WACA surface. (Cricket Aust Wrap)

PERTH - A confident and settled England desire a lively pitch for the Perth Ashes Test
just as much as the cornered Australians. (Cricket England)



more

KEYWORD: HIGHLIGHTS NATIONAL UPDATE

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

FED:Abbott like the dodgy brothers: Swan


AAP General News (Australia)
08-05-2010
FED:Abbott like the dodgy brothers: Swan

By Lema Samandar

SYDNEY, Aug 5 AAP - Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's economic plans are "dodgy
brothers economics", Treasurer Wayne Swan says.

"What Mr Abbott has demonstrated time and time again is what a risk he poses to our
national economy," Mr Swan told reporters in Sydney on Thursday.

"He doesn't have an economic plan and he most certainly doesn't have a fiscal strategy."

Mr Swan said Mr Abbott so far had chalked up $21 billion of uncosted spending commitments
and submitted less than 1.5 per cent of those commitments to Treasury scrutiny.

"This is dodgy brothers economic shambles from the Liberal Party, nothing more and
nothing less," Mr Swan said.

The coalition was in the process of "eroding our surpluses", he added.

This comes as Prime Minister Julia Gillard's invitation to a debate about the economy
continues to be rejected by Mr Abbott.

Mr Abbott said the prime minister had her chance at debating him and he won't disrupt
his campaign now because the Labor campaign was struggling.

Meanwhile, the unions believe that a coalition government will put around 100,000 manufacturing
jobs at risk.

The leaders of the Australian Workers Union (AWU) and the Australian Manufacturers
Workers Union (AMWU) said on Thursday that an Abbott government will cut industry assist
programs such as Enterprise Connect and slash the Green Car fund.

"States like Queensland could see 18,400 jobs disappear while in NSW up to 30,000 jobs
could disappear," AWU national secretary Paul Howes said.

"Tony Abbott's ideological hatred of government programs will see him kill off important
assistance to our manufacturing sector."

AAP lxs/klm/jsh

KEYWORD: POLL10 ECONOMY SWAN UPDATE

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

FED: We'll find Japanese whaling fleet - Sea Shepherd captain


AAP General News (Australia)
12-24-2009
FED: We'll find Japanese whaling fleet - Sea Shepherd captain

SYDNEY, Dec 24 AAP - The captain of the Sea Shepherd group's anti-whaling ship says
he is confident he will be able to locate a Japanese whaling fleet, despite a Japanese
security vessel chasing and harassing him and his crew.

Paul Watson, captain of the Steve Irwin, says the Shonan Maru 2 has been harassing
his ship in Antarctic waters for almost a fortnight while it attempts to prevent his crew
from pursuing the Japanese whaling fleet.

The Ady Gil, a 24-metre trimaran speedboat belonging to the Sea Shepherd, met up with
the Steve Irwin on Thursday, and circled the Shonan Maru 2 to create a diversion and help
the Steve Irwin to lose the Japanese ship.

The Steve Irwin then managed to steam ahead of the Shonan Maru 2 by 12 miles but the
security vessel eventually caught up.

Mr Watson says his crew will return to Hobart for fuel, then continue their pursuit
of the Japanese whaling fleet.

"We usually don't find the fleet until the first week of January," he told the Seven
Network on Thursday.

"We are still a week ahead of schedule.

"I'm confident that (the Steve Irwin) will find them ... and I'm sure that we'll cut
into their quotas.

"We've made sure they haven't got their full quotas for three years. They haven't made
a profit for three years.

"They are $100 million in debt.

"And I think that that is the language they understand. We've got to bankrupt them.

we've got to sink them economically."

AAP bc/wjf/dep

KEYWORD: WHALING

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

WA: Pomersbach escapes jail term over police assault charges


AAP General News (Australia)
08-14-2009
WA: Pomersbach escapes jail term over police assault charges

PERTH, Aug 14 AAP - West Australia cricketer Luke Pomersbach has been fined a total
of $3,500 after admitting to multiple charges including assaulting a police officer and
attempting to escape from custody.

Pomersbach, 24, has already been suspended indefinitely by the West Australian Cricket
Association after he was involved in a car accident in the Perth beachside suburb of Scarborough
on Sunday night.

He assaulted one of the officers who tried to arrest him after the accident, leading
to him being taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Pomersbach pleaded guilty to six charges in Perth Magistrates Court on Friday including
driving with a blood alcohol level in excess of .08 and obstructing police.

Pomersbach's lawyer told the court he had already been punished through the suspension
of his contract with the WACA, with the likely loss of his private sponsorship and with
the publicity surrounding his case.

Numerous character references were handed up to Magistrate Libby Woods including from
Test opening batsman Justin Langer, Test wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, former Test all-rounder
Tom Moody and Test opener Geoff Marsh.

Miss Woods said she took into account evidence from the police officer who was attacked
that he had received only minor injuries after being pushed by Pomersbach.

These included a bump to his head, scratches to his elbows and damage to his thumb.

She said while any assault on a police officer was a serious matter it was at the lower
end of the scale.

She fined Pomersbach a total of $2,000 on the assault and escape lawful custody charges,
and $1,500 on the traffic offences.

AAP ws/bd

KEYWORD: POMERSBACH

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

TAS: English teenager sailing around the world docks in Hobart


AAP General News (Australia)
04-04-2009
TAS: English teenager sailing around the world docks in Hobart

By Michelle Draper

MELBOURNE, April 4 AAP - He's only 17 but a quest to break the world record for the
youngest person to sail solo around the globe has pushed Mike Perham to navigate some
of the most treacherous seas in pursuit of his dream.

The English teenager, who docked in Hobart in Tasmania on Saturday, has had his share
of hairy moments since he set out from Portsmouth in the United Kingdom last November.

One such moment came just a week ago near Cape Leeuwin, off the coast of Western Australia.

"I was knocked down by a freak wave, which picked up the boat and tipped her on her
side, which was quite a scary moment," Perham told AAP on Saturday.

"Those two seconds were the scariest of the whole trip by far."

Luckily, the boat quickly righted itself and Mr Perham sailed on.

There have also been frustrating setbacks.

Perham hoped to complete the trip in five months but spent a month in the Canary Islands
sourcing a new auto-pilot for the Open 50 yacht, Totallymoney.com, and another month in
Cape Town, South Africa fixing the rudder.

After already spending five months on the seas, he now expects to reach home in nine-and-a-half
weeks.

"I've poured by heart and soul into this project. I've genuinely given it my all, and
to succeed and finish will put the biggest smile on my face," he said.

Perham sailed into Hobart on the yacht about 1.30am (AEDT) on Saturday where he met his father.

The pair worked on repairs to the yacht on Saturday afternoon.

Perham left Portsmouth on November 15 last year and hopes to raise about $A50,000 for
two charities, Save the Children and Tall Ships Youth Trust, which gives children in deprived
cities a chance to experience sailing.

The teenager became the youngest person to sail across the Atlantic single-handedly
in 2006-2007 at the age of 14.

His latest adventure is expected to cover over 40,000km and must be completed entirely
under sail by wind and muscle power to meet the requirements to set the world record.

After he returns to the UK, Perham expects to finish his college degree in sports performance
and excellence and pursue a career in - of course - sailing.

If he succeeds in his quest, Perham will break the world record set by Jesse Martin,
who became the youngest person to sail around the world unassisted at the age of 18 on
October 31, 1999, when he returned to Melbourne after a 328-day journey.

AAP md/cdh

KEYWORD: PERHAM WRAP (PIX AVAILABLE)

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

Qld: Search resumes for missing 8-year-old


AAP General News (Australia)
12-01-2008
Qld: Search resumes for missing 8-year-old

BRISBANE, Dec 1 AAP - The search for an eight-year-old boy who has been missing since
being struck by a speedboat at Tinana Creek, near Maryborough, north of Brisbane on Sunday,
will resume this morning.

A search began immediately after the boy, who was paddling on a surfboard, was struck
by the ski boat and failed to surface at around 11am (AEST).

Despite the efforts of witnesses, emergency service volunteers, police divers and a
helicopter, he could not be located.

Police said the boy and his parents were members of a church group that had spent the
weekend camping on a property adjoining a popular stretch of the creek used for water-skiing,
swimming and boating.

AAP stg/maur

KEYWORD: SKI

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

Fed: Some industries need ETS protection, Ferguson says=2


AAP General News (Australia)
04-27-2008
Fed: Some industries need ETS protection, Ferguson says=2

Federal energy minister MARTIN FERGUSON admits the carbon emissions trading scheme
will possibly push up petrol prices.

Mr FERGUSON has told ABC tv energy generally will potentially increase in price.

Companies have said in submissions to the Garnaut Review that a carbon price would
push up petrol prices by 10 to 17 cents a litre.

However consumer affairs minister CHRIS BOWEN is remaining non-committal on whether
petrol will be included or excluded from the scheme to be introduced in 2010.

He's told Sky News they're still working through all the issues.

AAP kms/sw

KEYWORD: CLIMATE CANBERRA

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

Fed: Tributes flow for Charles Court, architect of modern WA


AAP General News (Australia)
12-23-2007
Fed: Tributes flow for Charles Court, architect of modern WA

By David Crawshaw and Andrea Hayward

CANBERRA, Dec 23 AAP - Former West Australian premier Sir Charles Court has been hailed
as one of the most influential figures in his state's history following his death at the
age of 96.

Sir Charles, who served as premier of WA from 1974 to 1982, passed away peacefully
at home last night with his family by his side.

The Court family has accepted the offer of a state funeral.

Political luminaries today praised Sir Charles as one of the architects of Western
Australia's record period of prosperity.

WA Premier Alan Carpenter said Sir Charles would be remembered as a giant of political
life in Western Australia - a state he helped transform, overseeing investment in the
now-booming resources industry.

"No single person in public life has had as much influence in the development of Western
Australia in the last 50 or 60 years," Mr Carpenter said.

Sir Charles oversaw the development of WA's iron ore industry in the 1960s, bauxite
and mineral sands mining in the southwest, as well as nickel and smelting during his time
as industrial development minister under premier Sir David Brand in the 1960s.

"He carried on that work as premier when he played a key role in the birth of the North
West Shelf natural gas industry," Mr Carpenter said.

"These developments completely transformed the West Australian and Australian economies."

Federal Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson said he was saddened at the news of Sir Charles' death.

"He was a patriarch, not only of a proud family, but also of the Liberal Party and
the modern Western Australia," Dr Nelson said in a statement.

"His eight years as premier will be remembered for his staunch defence of states' rights
and also for his support for the Australian flag and Australian monarchy."

Governor-General Michael Jeffery, a former Special Air Service commander, paid special
tribute to Sir Charles' military career during World War II.

"Amongst his many achievements, Sir Charles had a distinguished military career during
World War II," Maj-Gen Jeffery said.

"Later he was appointed Honorary Colonel of the University of Western Australia Regiment
and Honorary Colonel of the Special Air Service Regiment."

Sir Charles believed the development of industries and population bases in northern
Australia was essential for Australia's long-term economic stability and defence, Maj-Gen
Jeffery said.

"A testament to his vision is the major contribution that Western Australia now makes
to the Australian economy."

The governor-general said Sir Charles was a loving husband and father, a genuine statesman,
passionately concerned with creating a better and safer future for the citizens of Western
Australia and the country.

WA Liberal leader Paul Omodei said it would be a long time before the state saw another
statesman of Sir Charles' calibre.

"He had an amazing physical stature and strength of mind," he said.

"He had a real presence."

Sir Charles is survived by his wife, Judy, and five sons including Richard Court, who
served as WA premier from 1993 to 2001.

AAP dcr/jfm/mn

KEYWORD: COURT LEAD

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

NT: Stephen King is left "to the tomatoes" in Alice


AAP General News (Australia)
08-16-2007
NT: Stephen King is left "to the tomatoes" in Alice

Best-selling American author STEPHEN KING has made a low-key appearance at an Alice
Springs bookstore .. signing six copies of his latest book before slipping away to go
grocery shopping.

The multi-millionaire was so low-key .. he was suspected of defacing the books by a
fellow customer who didn't recognise him.

Store manager BEV ELLIS says authors have come in to sign books before .. but they
don't usually just open the books and go for it.

Ms ELLIS says after Mr KING left .. she followed him into Woolworths across the road
.. telling him if she'd known he was coming .. she would have baked him a cake.

The six signed copies of his latest book .. Lisey's Story .. will be donated to charity.

AAP RTV tr/wf/bart

KEYWORD: KING (DARWIN)

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