QLD: Brisbane to assist northern dengue battle

AAP General News (Australia)
02-18-2009
QLD: Brisbane to assist northern dengue battle

BRISBANE, Feb 18 AAP - Brisbane City Council is sending environmental health experts
to North Queensland to help battle the region's dengue fever outbreak.

North Queensland is recording about 50 new cases of the debilitating, mosquito-borne
disease each week.

Cairns has logged 372 cases of dengue fever so far; Townsville 62; and there has been
one instance in Port Douglas.

Brisbane councillor Geraldine Knapp said Queensland Health had requested experienced
environmental health officers and field officers, together with mosquito control equipment.

Twenty Brisbane council staff members will be sent on a rotational basis, with the
first group leaving Brisbane on Monday, March 2.

Ms Knapp said the council's assistance would not only be valuable to towns in North
Queensland, but also help Brisbane keep dengue and other diseases at bay.

The council officers will assist with household audits, educating residents and mosquito control.

AAP stg/srp

KEYWORD: DENGUE

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

Imagination, not technology, solves problems

Oleh Wan A. Hulaimi
New Straits Times
07-10-2011
Imagination, not technology, solves problems
Byline: Oleh Wan A. Hulaimi
Edition: New Sunday Times
Section: Main Section
Column: ...elsewhere

DOUGLAS Rushkoff invented "screenager" in 1997 to describe the plight of young emailers, computer-gamers, music downloaders; that class of web surfers all wrapped in their digital or televisual world.

Just over a decade later, consultant psychiatrist Dr Richard Graham, talking to the London Evening Standard, urges a greater preparedness in the mental health service to cope with young people whose lives have been "seriously impaired by unregulated time online, on-screen or in-game".
Some clinics in London are already treating young people for Internet addiction, but Dr Graham's own Capio Nightingale Hospital becomes the first to launch a Young Person Technology Addiction Service. "To transform screenagers back into teenagers," he says.

But the teenager is the shadow of the father, in a world where microchip-obsession is universal.

So besotted are we with the powers of the computer that we are already holding them to ourselves as a mirror. We are now thinking of our brains as a computer, and flattering ourselves by working frantically for an artificial monster that will - who knows - be like us and doing the thinking for us one day. Artificial Intelligence, as they say, AI, ai, aiy-ya-yah.

This is what Berkeley philosopher Herbert Dreyfus fears, that we are falling into the trap of thinking that the computer brain is analogous to our own grey matter, that we can, with a bit of application, replicate a brain and make it whirr, and presto, a thinking, feeling, emoting machine just like the ones born every day.

Our visit to the Capio Nightingale Hospital above is a glimpse into what is already happening to our young technology addicts.

How besotted we are with this magic that we have mistaken our invention for our master.

Perhaps there's some hidden wishful thinking here, that we are exposing our children to this intelligence in the hope that some of it will rub off somehow, like sitting cross-legged all day long before a guru.

"My lad's an ace with the computer, isn't he a clever boy?"

Unbeknown to us, maybe our young are already thinking like computers -- a snip here, a visit there, a quick jump into another page, a quick search and stir, a cut and a paste and there's the answer.

There are so many answers in there that we are overwhelmed with them, so much flow of dopamine, so addictive too. But hey, everyone is busy seeking answers, who's left to ask the questions now?

In Future Minds, Richard Watson asks it another way: "We have now become obsessed with asking whether something can be done that we leave little or no time to consider whether it should be done."

Perhaps that's because we, the inventors, are now in this peculiar position of modelling ourselves on our inventions. We think like computers and are in fact now at the drawing board designing a machine that we think will think like us.

We have thrown our children to the mercy of the monsters who are now not devouring, but shaping their brains. Yes, we are just beginning to realise that our brains are malleable, "plastic" as some neuroscientists now say, and neuroplasticity is bringing up surprises every day about the grey matter.

Alone among God's creations, we humans have a brain that doesn't rebuild itself, unlike other animals. But underneath our hat is a clump of substance with inroads and pathways that are ever changing according to use, and even making nonsense of that old Cartesian division of mind and body.

"Everything your 'immaterial' mind imagines leaves material traces. Each thought alters the physical state of your brain synapses at a microscopic level. Each time you imagine moving your fingers across the keys to play the piano, you alter the tendrils in your living brain," says psychiatrist Norman Doidge in his book The Brain that Changes Itself, based on new findings in neuroplasticity.

Nothing new here. Cosmetic surgeon Maxwell Maltz said much the same thing in his pop-psychology book Psychocybernetics in 1960, and it was hinted at as long ago as 1894 by the Spanish Nobel Laureate and neuro-anatomist Santiago Ramon y Cajal and quoted by Doidge: "(Our) organ of thought is, within certain limits, malleable, and perfectible by well-directed mental exercise."

This is what memorising long passages, doing mental arithmetic, daydreaming and sitting in reflection in a quiet room do to our brains.

Yes, daydreaming is a mental exercise lost on our texting, surfing, gaming, easily bored young people. They see boredom in every page and ennui in every corner because their brains are now wired a different way and gone perhaps that capacity of their brain to think in an intuitive, non-linear, imaginative way.

Why is imagination important? Because it's imagination, not technology that solves problems.

Technology builds for us the tangled thoroughfare in our snarling city, imagination gives it shapes and trees and beauty.

"Adult life begins in a child's imagination, and we've relinquished that imagination to the marketplace," said American poet Dana Gioia in his address to students at Stanford University in 2007. So sad, so true.

* Wan A Hulaimi's latest book, A Map of Trengganu (written under his pen-name Awang Goneng), is now available in bookshops. He may be contacted at elsewhere@columnist.com

(Copyright 2011)

NSW:Boy's father makes plea for normal life

AAP General News (Australia)
12-07-2011
NSW:Boy's father makes plea for normal life

The father of the teenager caught buying marijuana in Bali says his son is "genuinely
sorry and remorseful" for the trouble he has caused.

The 14-year-old Australian boy's father emerged from behind the hessian sheets that
surround their Lake Macquarie home today to make a media statement.

News Limited says the father spoke publicly in the hope it would reduce intense media
interest surrounding his son and allow the family to return to normal life.

He's told reporters the family wants people to know his son is genuinely sorry and
remorseful for his decisions and actions in Bali.

He says the family did not know about their son's drug use before going on holidays.

The teenager was last week sentenced to two months in prison after being convicted
on one count of drug use following his arrest with 3.6 grams of marijuana in October.

Reports that Channel Nine had signed an exclusive deal with the family to tell the
boy's story have repeatedly resurfaced - something which the family and the TV Network
have both vehemently denied.

The father says that foreign minister KEVIN RUDD'S wife THERESE REIN had given her
support to the family.

AAP RTV lcf/tr/ar

KEYWORD: BOY (SYDNEY)

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

RED BULLS' REVOLVING KEEPERS

TIM LEONARDE-mail: Leonard@northjersey.com
The Record (Bergen County, NJ)
04-02-2011
RED BULLS' REVOLVING KEEPERS
Byline: TIM LEONARDE-mail: Leonard@northjersey.com
Section: SPORTS
Type: News

Once again, it's Bouna Time.

But for how long is anyone's guess.
Bouna Coundoul, the energetic and enigmatic goalkeeper who set a Red Bulls' franchise record with 11 shutouts last season, will make his season debut tonight when New York faces the Houston Dynamo at Red Bull Arena. Coundoul will be the third goalkeeper to start for the Red Bulls in three games.

Yet despite losing the starting role during preseason training and the job still seemingly up for grabs, Coundoul doesn't feel as if he has anything to prove. A strong performance certainly could allow him to regain the trust and confidence of the coaching staff.

"I never see it as I lost my spot. Every single day I've been coming and playing and training. The coaches are going to make decisions,'' Coundoul said. "I'm not going to say this is important to take the No. 1 spot. I'm just going to keep doing what I've been doing.''

Red Bulls head coach Hans Backe has made no secret of his displeasure with Coundoul for leaving the club to join the Senegal National team for a match while the Red Bulls were doing their preseason training in Mexico. With backup Greg Sutton in a virtual dead heat with Coundoul at that point, Backe made the decision that Sutton would start the season as the team's No. 1 goalkeeper.

Sutton played well in the season opener, making five saves in a 1- 0 victory over Seattle. But he suffered a concussion during practice and the Red Bulls had to sign free agent Alex Horwath for last week's match against Columbus. Horwath made four saves in a 0-0 draw.

With Sutton scheduled to be re-evaluated on Tuesday, Coundoul will get the start tonight, and perhaps next Saturday against the Philadelphia Union. That could depend on how quickly Sutton recovers. The situation doesn't promise to be resolved any time soon.

TV DEAL DONE: The Red Bulls and MSG Networks have announced a multi-year agreement for MSG to continue televising the club's matches. MSG Networks has held telecast rights to the franchise since 1996.

The agreement is for 24 of 32 games to be televised this season, up two from 2010. MSG Networks also will produce pregame and postgame shows for select games. Steve Cangialosi will continue as the play-by-play announcer, with former New York Cosmos goalkeeper Shep Messing serving as the color analyst.

GET YOUR TICKETS: The Red Bulls have launched a ticket exchange website that will allow season-ticket holders to post tickets for re- sale on the internet at www.redbullsticketexchange.com.

Season-ticket holders will be able to sell tickets for matches they are unable to attend and fans who want to attend a match will have access to some of the best seats at Red Bull Arena.

RAFA HITS 100: Red Bulls defender Rafa Marquez earned his 100th cap for Mexico in a 3-1 win over Paraguay on Tuesday in Oakland.

Marquez received a trophy and a Mexico jersey with the number 100 on the back to commemorate the achievement.

2011

UK:Warne and Hurley having 'alleged' affair

AAP General News (Australia)
12-12-2010
UK:Warne and Hurley having 'alleged' affair

SHANE WARNE has allegedly been captured having an affair with married British model
LIZ HURLEY in London.

WARNE flew out of Australia last week and News of the World reports that after touching
down in England he spent two nights with the actress in a hotel.

The reports include video on the newspaper's website and a grainy photo of the pair
kissing on its front page.

The newspaper says the relationship has been building on Twitter since they first met
at a West Sussex racecourse in July.

AAP RTV tdw/was/jen/

KEYWORD: WARNE (LONDON)

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

FED:Rudd could overshadow rail announcement

AAP General News (Australia)
08-05-2010
FED:Rudd could overshadow rail announcement

The federal government today will lay out its plan to link Australia's east cost with
a high-speed rail network .. as the election campaign rolls into its final weeks.

But the big announcement might be overshadowed by former prime minister KEVIN RUDD
.. who's broken his silence to give his first in-depth media interview since gall bladder
surgery and his earlier ousting by JULIA GILLARD.

Mr RUDD could take the spotlight from Ms GILLARD today as she campaigns in Townsville
.. but government figures say his appearance is positive for Labor's re-election hopes.

Mr RUDD's pledged to campaign hard for the government .. telling voters to ignore the
controversial manner of his departure and stick with Labor.

Meanwhile .. the government's hoping to win some points with a 20-million dollar study
into a possible high-speed rail link between Newcastle and Sydney .. which Transport Minister
ANTHONY ALBANESE says could one day be a major network .. connecting all the big east
coast cities.

Opposition Leader TONY ABBOTT will campaign today in Sydney.

AAP RTV/cj/ajw/

KEYWORD: POLL10 (CANBERRA)

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

Verdict For Chinese Dissident Expected Friday

RENEE MONTAGNE
NPR Morning Edition
12-23-2009
Verdict For Chinese Dissident Expected Friday

Host: RENEE MONTAGNE
Time 11:00-12:00 PM

Play Audio


RENEE MONTAGNE, host:

One of China's most prominent dissidents went on trial today, accused of advocating the overthrow of the state. His defenders say all he did was to help organize a petition drive last year, a petition that called for basic rights and democracy. Though 10,000 people signed, he is the only one on trial. NPR's Anthony Kuhn reports from Beijing.

Unidentified Man: (Foreign language spoken)

ANTHONY KUHN: We support Liu Xiaobo, shouted one of a handful of demonstrators who showed up along with police, journalists and diplomats outside a Beijing courthouse this morning. Inside, Liu pleaded not guilty to the charges. His wife, Liu Xia, said that given his long history of activism, she had worried that authorities could easily paint her husband as a ringleader of the movement for political reform called the Charter 08.

Ms. LIU XIA: (Through translator) I told him that if they arrest anyone first, it'll be you. If they search anyone's home, it'll be ours. And if anyone goes to jail to visit you, it'll be me. I said I'm so sick of passing the days that way. He said, okay, I'll only sign the charter.

KUHN: The charter does what Chinese intellectuals often do. It looks at China's modern history and examines why successive governments from republicans to nationalists to communists have failed to deliver a modern and democratic state.

Most of the charter was written by Zhang Zuhua, a former Communist Youth League official. He says that both Chinese liberals and conservatives agree on the need for political reform.

Mr. ZHANG ZUHUA: (Through translator) The question is: Given China's specific conditions, how do we achieve what we call universal values. In the past two or three decades, nobody has addressed this question very systematically.

KUHN: In China, leftists are considered conservatives and it's the rightists who are liberals, the opposite of how it is in the U.S. Charter 08 specifically reflects the views of China's liberals, or rightists, and its prescriptions would sound familiar to Americans - separation of powers, federalism and competitive elections at all levels of government.

Liu Xiaobo's former lawyer, Mo Shaoping, who also signed the charter, says all this is just part of a normal debate about forms of government.

Mr. MO SHAOPING (Attorney): (Through translator) From a legal viewpoint, federalism or a unitary state are just different ways to organize a country. They have absolutely nothing to do with overthrowing the state.

KUHN: Among the charter's leftist or conservative critics is Zhang Hongliang, an economist at the Central Institute of Nationalities in Beijing. He believes that the charter's drafters are just elitists who only want the kind of democracy that they can control and profit from.

Mr. ZHANG HONGLIANG (Economist, Central Institute of Nationalities): (Through translator) Charter 08 calls for freedom of the press and the right to organize political parties. Leftists support this. But if we had freedom of the press now, China's media would be completely dominated by rich people and foreigners.

KUHN: Jung himself advocates a return to the more egalitarian days of Chairman Mao's rule. For now, debate about Charter 08 is mostly limited to intellectual circles, since authorities have censored any mention of it from the media and the Internet.

In an interview last year, Liu Xiaobo said this is why the plight of China's dissidents remains largely unknown.

Mr. LIU XIAOBO (Co-author, Charter 08): (Through translator) Things that are not exposed in the domestic media cannot generate the pressure of public opinion. Dissidents can only rely on pressure from foreign governments, media and NGOs.

KUHN: China has rejected U.S. and European governments' recent calls to release Liu. A verdict in his case is expected at a time when many foreigners' attentions will be elsewhere - on Christmas Day. Anthony Kuhn, NPR News, Beijing.


Copyright 2005 National Public Radio, Inc.. All rights reserved.

NSW: Macdonald: Greens would send NSW "back to the caves"

AAP General News (Australia)
08-13-2009
NSW: Macdonald: Greens would send NSW "back to the caves"

SYDNEY, Aug 13 AAP - NSW Mineral Resources Minister Ian Macdonald says the Greens have
exaggerated the scale and impact of mining in the state, accusing them of "trying to send
us all back to the caves".

The Greens and Mr Macdonald have long been at loggerheads over the growth of the mining
industry in NSW.

A slanging match escalated on Thursday outside a conference in Sydney where environmentalists
staged an anti-coal protest and labelled Mr Macdonald a "wanted carbon criminal" who was
driving climate change.

NSW Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said the minister had locked NSW into a dirty, coal-fired
future at the expense of agriculture.

"For too long Ian Macdonald's strong ties to the coal industry have driven NSW's poor
performance on climate change," she said.

Ms Rhiannon accused Mr Macdonald, also the minister for agriculture, of having conflicting
portfolios.

But Mr Macdonald hit back, saying the Greens "had got it wrong".

"They are pretending that I (also) have the planning portfolio, but I don't, so whatever
developments are put forward, the actual decision is made by the planning minister - not
by me," he said.

Mr Macdonald said he had granted very few mining leases since taking on the portfolio in 2005.

"I have granted 14 mining or petroleum production leases to coal, mineral or petroleum
projects," he said in a speech at the NSW Mineral and Exploration Conference.

"If you read some of the literature by certain types of people in the community you
would think it was hundreds, but it's actually 14.

After the conference he told reporters the Greens were known for exaggeration in relation
to mining.

"(They) would want us to close down mining and exploration in this state and send us
all back to the caves."

Mr Macdonald said the 14 projects involved a total capital investment of more than
$2 billion and had created more than 1,600 full-time jobs - some of them taken by farmers'
families to supplement their income during the drought.

"One of my biggest challenges is to find solutions to problems arising from conflicting
land-use needs," he said.

"This is an area that I believe compromise can be and has been achieved."

Mr Macdonald voiced his support for the federal government's emissions trading scheme,
voted down in the Senate on Thursday.

Labor could not muster the numbers needed to have its package of 11 bills, to enable
the carbon pollution reduction scheme, approved in the upper house.

"The commonwealth's legislation will form part of a national program on the future,"

Mr Macdonald said.

"We have some difficulties with it in relation to generators in the coal industry,
but overall the package is moving forward and will be part of a global strategy going
forward."

AAP bzs/hn/jl

KEYWORD: CLIMATE MACDONALD UPDATE (PIX AVAILABLE)

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

National Newslist for Friday, April 3, 2009

AAP General News (Australia)
04-03-2009
National Newslist for Friday, April 3, 2009
Eds; Removes Tim Costello event from Brisbane list

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
ECONOMY/G20
- World leaders have united to inject $US1.1 trillion ($A1.58 trillion) into the global economy.

- Wayne Swan says Australia will provide its "fair share" of funding to the IMF, but no amount yet.

- PM shouldn't use the outcomes of the G20 meeting in London as a "blank cheque";Senator
Helen Coonan.

- Senator Coonan also says opposition business plan aimed at production rather than consumption.

RUDD
- PM talks with China's President Hu Jintao before heading home Friday with a brief stopover
in Singapore, to meet Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

- PM reportedly forced to apologise mid-flight to a female RAAF flight attendant.

CHINA
- China wants more uranium and Australia should be looking to sell it more; Resources
Minister Martin Ferguson.

- Chinese spies have reportedly attempted to infiltrate PM's email and mobile phone communications.

JOBS NETWORK
- Govt defends overhaul of employment services as church providers calling for a independent review.

- Aust to formally support a UN declaration on indigenous rights.

- Employment agency Sarino Russo to sack hundreds of staff after losing govt contract.

COURTS:
CANBERRA
- High Court rejects challenge to tax bonus payments.

ADELAIDE
- Two men charged over bikie extortion racket due in court.

MELBOURNE
- Sentence of man who fled Australia after raping a woman while she was asleep.

PERTH
- Indonesian people smugglers up for sentence in District Court.

SYDNEY
- Sentencing of Daniela Beltrame for forging her father's will.

- Former NSW Crime Commission employee Mark Standen committal hearing.

- Sentence police officers Brendan Ritson and Tyrone Stacey for unlawfully telling a man
his girlfriend was once a man.

BRISBANE
- Pacific Adventurer captain to appear in court over oil spill.

ENTERTAINMENT
- Director Adam Elliot about his new film Mary and Max

MEDICAL
- Visiting US expert in autism.

CANBERRA
- Govt statement of support for the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

- Govt to release two reports detailing performance of Australia's urban and rural water utilities.

MELBOURNE
- DPM Julia Gillard reax to Wilcox report on transition from WorkChoices to Fair Work bill.

- Man grabs at police officer's gun when being arrested over a hit-and-run.

- Premier John Brumby opens the completed Melbourne Convention Centre.

- New low fare flights will run between Sydney and Melbourne from early July.

- Victoria Police Museum to launch national exhibit: In The Line of Duty

SYDNEY
- Seeking reaction to swift passing of new bikie laws in state parliament.

- Search continues for Comanchero bikie chief Mahmoud "Mick" Hawi over brawl at Sydney airport.

- Launch of national recycling initiative.

- Reports NAB set to reduce its branch staff numbers by 113.

- Seeking comment from Transport Minister and RailCorp on "independent" overseer for Railcorp.

- More on NSW flooding. Premier Nathan Rees in Coffs Harbour to inspect damage.

- Treasury secretary Ken Henry speaking at ACOSS conference.

- Peter Garrett press conference on increase in solar heating sales.

- Launch of new pink number plates to support McGrath Foundation.

- Australian Law Reform Commission releases briefing about the Royal Commissions Act Issues Paper.

- Capital City Lord Mayors meet to discuss clean energy solutions.

BRISBANE
- Tourism Minister to unveil final candidates for Best Job in the World.

- Seeking final election count results.

- Reunion of Kokoda track trekkers to raise funds for charity.

- More on storms affecting SE Qld.

- Industrial fire damages several businesses in Brisbane.


ADELAIDE
- Holden to cut production at its Elizabeth car assembly plant to a single shift.

- National car sales figures for March expected to be released.

- Adelaide Zoo to open $4m envirodome, hailed as one of the world's most advanced interactive,
environment-focused learning centres.

HOBART
- Post-mortem examination results expected on body of woman found on bank of Derwent River.

PERTH
- Long-standing former WA cabinet minister and Labor Party powerbroker Jim McGinty expected
to resign.

- Public protest at death in custody of Aboriginal man who died in the back of a police
paddy wagon near Kalgoorlie.

FINANCE
ECONOMICS NEWS:

SYDNEY - SYDNEY, April 3 AAP - Activity in the services sector continues to shrink
as businesses and consumers restrain their spending in the economic downturn, a survey
says.

SYDNEY - Survey of economists previewing Reserve Bank interest rate decision due next
Tuesday, April 7


EQUITIES NEWS:

MELBOURNE - Beach Petroleum makes $400 mln selling coal seam gas assets to Arrow Energy.

SYDNEY - Allco Equity Partners Ltd is proposing to return cash to shareholders, suspend
new investment activity and put the future of the company to a vote in two years time.



See also: Stocks, Dollar, Credit

SPORT
AFL

ADELAIDE - AFL match: Adelaide v St Kilda, AAMI Stadium, 2010AEDT.

MELBOURNE - Preview Geelong v Richmond; Terry Wallace presser 1030.

MELBOURNE - Preview Collingwood v Melbourne, Mick Malthouse presser 1200.

MELBOURNE - preview Carlton v Brisbane, Michael Voss presser 1630.

SYDNEY - Preview Sydney v Hawthorn; Lewis Roberts-Thomson interview for 100th game.

LEAGUE

BRISBANE - NRL match: Brisbane v St George Illawarra, Suncorp Stadium, 1935AEDT.

SYDNEY - NRL match: Sydney Roosters v Parramatta, SFS, 1935.

SYDNEY - Preview Penrith v Wests Tigers.

MELBOURNE - Preview Melbourne v Gold Coast.

RUGBY

Super 14

CHRISTCHURCH - Crusaders v Bulls, 1735AEDT

PERTH - Western Force v Queensland Reds, 2205AEDT

SYDNEY - Preview NSW Waratahs v Stormers.

SYDNEY - Preview Cheetahs v Brumbies.

ADELAIDE - IRB Sevens, Adelaide Oval, day 1.

CRICKET

DURBAN - Ist ODI: Australia v South Africa, Sahara Stadium, start 2330AEDT.

JOHANNESBURG - Giantkillers Afghanistan claimed another 2011 Cricket World Cup Qualifier
victim on Thursday with a 60-run triumph over Bermuda in Potchefstroom.

NETBALL

SYDNEY - Feature preview of trans-Tasman netball competition starting Saturday with
team by team factbox.

GOLF

CARY, NORTH CAROLINA - Feature on Greg Norman's return to the Masters next week, with factbox.

HUMBLE, Texas - Greg Norman among many Aussies in Houston Open first round

RANCHO MIRAGE, California - Karrie Webb among Aussies in first major of 2009 Kraft
Nabisco Championship, 1st round

MOTORSPORT

KUALA LUMPUR - Showered in champagne after his breakthrough win in Australia last weekend,
Jenson Button is anticipating a drenching of another kind at this weekend's Malaysia Formula
One Grand Prix, and is not sure how his car will handle it.

AAP bwl

KEYWORD: NATIONAL NEWSLIST UPDATE

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

Qld: Search continues for missing plane=2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-31-2008
Qld: Search continues for missing plane=2

Network Ten News reported that witnesses on a beach at The Spit reported seeing a stunt
plane performing a loop and then disappearing.

It was understood the Yak 52 was on a joyflight from Archerfield.

AAP rad/wf/cdh

KEYWORD: AIRCRAFT LEAD 2 BRISBANE (REOPENS)

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

Vic: Man and woman dead after collision in Victoria

AAP General News (Australia)
04-25-2008
Vic: Man and woman dead after collision in Victoria

MELBOURNE, April 25 AAP - A man and a woman died when their cars collided near Hastings,
south-east of Melbourne.

Paramedics were called to the scene at Crib Point just after 7pm (AEST) today.

A man in his 20s and a woman in her 60s died on the scene, an ambulance spokesman said.

They were the drivers and sole occupants of the cars.

Overnight, two men died in separate accidents.

A 47-year-old man from Miners Rest, near Ballarat, died after a head-on crash on Yankee
Flat Road about 1.30am (AEST) today.

And a 49-year-old man died instantly in a three-car collision at Narre Warren North,
south-east of Melbourne, shortly before 10.30pm (AEST) yesterday.

Victoria's annual road toll now sits at 114, 16 more than at the same time last year.

AAP kb/apm/cdh

KEYWORD: TOLL VIC

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

SA: Heavy rain causes flooding and blackouts

AAP General News (Australia)
12-21-2007
SA: Heavy rain causes flooding and blackouts

Heavy rain has triggered flash flooding and power blackouts in South Australia.

The weather bureau says about 23mm of rain fell in Adelaide in five hours .. from 7.30
this morning (CDT).

Regional areas like the Yorke Peninsula and western and northern areas of South Australia
have also reported more than 17mm.

About 20 Adelaide suburbs experienced power blackouts .. while SES volunteers reported
at least 50 callouts to flood incidents.

AAP RTV sl/af/bart

KEYWORD: STORMS SA (ADELAIDE)

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

Vic: ABC presenter tipped for Bracks seat

AAP General News (Australia)
08-15-2007
Vic: ABC presenter tipped for Bracks seat

ABC sports presenter ANGELA PIPPOS is considering replacing former Victorian Premier
STEVE BRACKS in his safe Labor seat of Williamstown.

The news has come from Seven Network.

MORE RTV kl/pmu/wz/af

KEYWORD: PIPPOS (MELBOURNE)

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

Qld: Water restrictions will cost jobs: Libs

AAP General News (Australia)
02-16-2007
Qld: Water restrictions will cost jobs: Libs

By Evan Schwarten

BRISBANE, Feb 16 AAP - Moving to level five water restrictions in Queensland's south-east
corner will cost jobs and ruin business, Liberal leader Dr Bruce Flegg says.

Dr Flegg has called on the Queensland Water Commission to publicly announce details
of the new level of restrictions, expected to be imposed in March or April, to give business
time to prepare.

He said landscaping businesses, nurseries and those involved in swimming pool installations
were under threat.

"There will be businesses going to the wall, there will be hundreds of job losses,"

Dr Flegg said.

"We need to give business a chance to minimise the impact.

"Clearly anyone who's in landscaping, swimming pools or nurseries is under very serious
threat of losing their business and certainly losing their jobs."

He accused the water commission and the state government of "playing games" by not
publicly announcing what the level five restrictions would entail.

"It is disgraceful, it's not just businesses, not just employees, but the elderly,
the sick, the frail - who need to know to make decisions around their home - (they) are
being deprived of this information," Dr Flegg said.

"Either it's a deliberate ploy to keep the bad news (from emerging) as long as possible
in case it rains, or it's incompetence because if after 18 months you haven't decided
what level five restrictions are, you shouldn't be in the business."

South-east Queensland moved to level four restrictions, which includes a ban on outdoor
hosing, in November and level five restrictions are expected to be implemented once Wivenhoe
Dam falls below 20 per cent capacity.

AAP ews/pjo/imc/bwl

KEYWORD: WATER QLD FLEGG

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

NSW: Sydney factory engulfed in flames

AAP General News (Australia)
08-30-2006
NSW: Sydney factory engulfed in flames

Two warehouses are on fire .. sending huge plumes of smoke into the sky over inner-city Sydney.

About 40 firefighters have been deployed to the blazes in Bourke Street in Alexandria.

Macquarie Radio says staff are being evacuated from surrounding businesses.

AAP RTV kjd/hn/es/bart

KEYWORD: FACTORY (SYDNEY)

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

Main stories in today's AM program

AAP General News (Australia)
04-24-2006
Main stories in today's AM program

SYDNEY, April 24 AAP - Main stories in today's AM program:

* Opinion poll shows Prime Minister John Howard's approval rating has fallen seven
points to 49 per cent, but opposition leader Kim Beazley hasn't fared any better.

* Tape allegedly sent by Osama Bin Laden, threatening another terrorist attack in the
US has been authenticated by the White House.

* First Australian soldier to die in Iraq, 25-year-old trained sniper Jake Kovco, is
farewelled as his mates send him home to Victoria.

* Cyclone Monica is on course for Darwin, as it and other Northern Territory communities
prepare for winds of up to 350km an hour.

* A billion dollar roads project will be announced in next month's federal budget,
with upgrades to the Hume and Bruce highways planned.

* But critics claim the federal government may suffer if it doesn't direct funds to
fix Australia's major motorway, the Pacific Highway.

* Cancer researchers believe new findings may lead to an improved method of diagnosing
and treating cancer.

* RAMSI officers arrest two opposition MPs in the Solomon Islands, in the lead-up to
the opposition's proposed vote of no-confidence in the new prime minister.

* Standoff in Nepal shows no signs of abating, with tens of thousands demonstrating
in the streets amid heightened security.

AAP cj/dep/

KEYWORD: MONITOR ABC AM

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

Qld: Horse killed by car

AAP General News (Australia)
08-22-2005
Qld: Horse killed by car

A racehorse has died after being struck by a car near a Brisbane racecourse.

Police say the horse, All Interest, was training for trials at Eagle Farm Racecourse
about 6am (AEST) when it broke free from its trainer and ran through a gate onto the road.

They say the horse was struck by a car and died instantly.

The driver of the car was unhurt.

AAP RTV rm/wf

KEYWORD: HORSE (BRISBANE)

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

Fed: Winter lamb roast set to be an expensive pleasure

AAP General News (Australia)
04-16-2005
Fed: Winter lamb roast set to be an expensive pleasure

By Shane Wright

CANBERRA, April 16 AAP - The warming winter lamb roast could be pricey this year with
warnings spreading dry conditions could push up the cost of Australia's favourite meat
cuts.

Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) said rain was urgently needed across Queensland,
NSW, Victoria and South Australia to stave off a shortfall in prime lambs and quality
cattle.

It said the situation was most dire for lamb producers, with farmers likely to be forced
to sell their animals in coming weeks.

"This would be followed by a major fall in lambs available, and sharp rise in prices,
from June to August," it warned.

It would be a blow to lamb producers that benefited from reasonable conditions late last year.

"Lamb numbers on farm are currently well above recent seasons, following a better breeding
season last year and the holding over of lambs from spring," it said.

"However, rain is now desperately needed across eastern Australia to prevent a repeat
of the last two seasons, when producers were forced to offload extra lambs in autumn,
causing a severe shortage in winter."

The cattle market is being hit by strong demand from Japan, where the United States
is barred because of ongoing concerns over mad cow disease, and possible shortages of
grain.

Prices for cattle are starting to fall now as farmers, unable to feed their animals, sell off.

This could result in a price rise during the winter months as supermarkets and butchers
struggle to find quality cattle.

"Prime conditioned young cattle have become harder to source in recent weeks, with
many displaying the effects of the worsening season," MLA said.

Butchers are reporting now that demand for traditional winter cuts is starting to increase,
while people drop away from barbecue cuts.

"Demand for roasts and casserole cuts (has) increased, as the weather cools and there
are less daylight hours," it said.

Some of the pressure on beef supplies is likely to be due to the continuing strong
demand from both South Korea and Japan.

Chilled beef exports to South Korea hit a record 10,100 tonnes in March, seven per
cent higher than March 2004.

Mutton exports are also up, hitting 37,800 tonnes for the first three months of the
year, six per cent higher than for the same period last year.

To cap it off, offal export prices continuing to climb while Australian goat meat exports
hit a record 5,410 tonnes for the first three months of the year.

AAP sw/arb Z

KEYWORD: DROUGHT

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

writ

writ n. An order issued by a court in the sovereign's name that directs some act or forebearance. Originally, a writ was an instrument under seal bearing some command of the sovereign.

COGNICASE Inaugurates Its Application Services Technology Centre: Investment of $25 Million.

Business Editors

MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 12, 2001

COGNICASE (Nasdaq:COGI) (TSE:COG.), a provider of advanced transaction processing solutions and Internet-based applications, today inaugurated its Application Services Technology Centre, under the honorary presidency of Quebec Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for the Economy and Finance Pauline Marois.

These world-class installations guarantee the security and performance of the IT systems of clients from Quebec, Canada, and the north-eastern U.S.

To ensure the smooth operation of this state-of-the-art centre, COGNICASE has already hired some 150 hosting, security and network specialists and invested $25 million, of which more than half is earmarked for infrastructure and security.

"We are particularly proud to be inaugurating these installations, which will contribute significantly to our growth," stated COGNICASE Chairman of the Board, President and CEO Ronald Brisebois. "In addition to our advanced IT expertise, the Application Services Technology Centre's multidisciplinary teams have an in-depth knowledge of business issues and processes. This makes them ideally suited to help our clients achieve concrete, measurable results."

$320 million in transactions per year

Each year, COGNICASE's clients carry out more than 320 million transactions for a total value of more than $312 billion. The security, availability, and confidentiality of these exchanges requires equipment that meets extremely strict technical standards. The Application Services Technology Centre has uninterruptible power supply systems, contingency plans and procedures for off-site storage of back-up files, access control via swipe cards and permanent video surveillance, etc. Moreover, a call centre provides clients with quick and personalized service for all help requests 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

"Companies are increasingly aware of the importance of making their IT systems secure," explained Brisebois. "They also need to reduce their management costs. That's why all our products and services can be delivered via outsourcing or in ASP mode. This allows business of all sizes to benefit from cost-effective solutions to more effectively manage their infrastructure and their enterprise resources and relationships."

About COGNICASE

COGNICASE (TSE: "COG", Nasdaq: "COGI") is an IT products and services provider specializing in advanced transaction processing and Internet-based applications. Relying on its results-driven approach, its software and technology and its Application Services Technology Centre, COGNICASE offers secure and scalable solutions that contribute to its customers' economic success in the age of the new economy. The Company is active in several countries, including Canada, the United States, France, Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

TODAY'S NEWS.(Brief Article)

Pacific Century added a link to a chain forged decades ago when it named a veteran of the old BankAmerica as CEO. Page 3

WASHINGTON

Merrill Lynch is denying that its fast-growing banking business threatens the Bank Insurance Fund. Page 5

Citigroup plans to expand Associates' credit card group in Texas. Page 5

COMMUNITY BANKING

A North Carolina bank with a novel name is reaching its customer and asset goals well ahead of schedule. Page 6

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS

Plans by Scudder and Invesco to put loads on their mutual funds highlight the increasing importance of advisers. Page 7

INSURANCE PRODUCTS

Juniper, a two-week-old online bank, is offering insurance through an alliance with Answer Financial. Page 7

CARDS

First Data, the largest processor of general-purpose bank card accounts, is aiming for the top spot in private-label accounts. Page 8

MORTGAGES

OpenClose.com is preparing to test a wireless Internet mortgage system that focuses on traditional brokers. Page 9

TECHNOLOGY

Misuse of e-mail can drive customers away for good, experts said at a call center conference. Page 12

MARKETS

MetLife and John Hancock shares soared after the two companies reported earnings surges. Page 19

State Street's CEO says the company may try to expand its private client business by buying one or two smaller firms. Page 19

Copyright c 2000 Thomson Financial. All Rights Reserved. http://www.americanbanker.com

Surgery a must for piano man Blunt.

Provided by 7DAYS.ae

James Blunt must undergo surgery on his finger if he wants to play the piano again. The singer - who recently broke his little finger after jumping into the crowd at a concert in North Carolina - has been told that doctors need to break and then reset the digit again in order for it to function fully.

He told The Sun newspaper: "I need it to be right but the idea of having them take a hammer and smash my finger in two isn't so thrilling."

Blunt, who is still able to play the guitar, recently revealed he was mobbed by excited fans after his stage dive. He said: "I don't know what made me do it. I jumped off stage at the end and was chased by women, and men, in the crowd... and the next thing I knew I had broken my finger."

[c] 2007 Al Sidra Media LLC

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company

From Universal Studios Home Entertainment: Bridesmaids.

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE YEAR'S MOST OUTRAGEOUSLY HILARIOUS COMEDY & ONE OF THE TOP FIVE R-RATED COMEDIES OF ALL TIME!

SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

"The Funniest Movie Ever!" - Shawn Edwards, Fox-TV

"If This is Only a Chick Flick, Then Call Me a Chick!" - Joe Morgenstern, The Wall Street Journal

Say "I Do" to the Blu-ray(TM) and DVD Combo Packs Featuring an Unrated Version of the Film Not Seen in Theaters Plus More than Three Hours of Laugh-Out-Loud Bonus Materials!

Also Available on DVD, Digital Copy and Digital Download

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., July 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Join the wildest wedding party of the year when Bridesmaids marches down the aisle to Blu-ray(TM), DVD and digital download on September 20, 2011, from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Hailed as "brazenly hysterical" by People Magazine and "the best comedy of 2011" (Back Stage), Bridesmaids is the riotously funny and warmly outrageous comedy that has become the most talked about movie of the year. Critically acclaimed by fans and media alike, the "certified fresh" film (Rotten Tomatoes.com) received "two thumbs up![sup.] " from Ebert Presents. Surpassing Sex and the City as the number one R-rated female comedy of all time, Bridesmaids starring "Saturday Night Live" standouts Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph, is produced by comedy mastermind Judd Apatow (Knocked Up, The 40-Year Old Virgin) and marks his most successful film ever.

Wiig and Rudolph are joined by an all-star comedy cast including Rose Byrne (Get Him to the Greek, "Damages"), Melissa McCarthy ("Mike and Molly," "Samantha Who?"), Wendi McLendon-Covey ("Rules of Engagement," "Reno 911"), Ellie Kemper ("The Office," Somewhere), Jon Hamm ("Mad Men," SuckerPunch), and Chris O'Dowd ("The IT Crowd," Pirate Radio). Directed by Paul Feig ("Nurse Jackie, "Arrested Development") and written by The Groundlings comedy veterans Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig, Bridesmaids is the must-own comedic phenomenon that fans will want to watch again and again!

The perfect gift or movie for a fun night in, consumers can own Bridesmaids in multiple formats, including Blu-ray(TM) Combo Pack, DVD Combo Pack, DVD and Digital Download. Featuring spectacular high-definition picture and the purest digital sound, the Bridesmaids Blu-ray(TM) and DVD Combo-Packs include both a Blu-ray and DVD PLUS a digital copy of the movie that can be watched anywhere, anytime, on consumers' choice of devices including laptops, tablets, smartphones as well as Internet-connected TVs and Blu-ray(TM) set top boxes. The Blu-ray(TM), DVD and DVD Combo Packs each include an all-new, never-before-seen unrated version of the film as well as feature the original theatrical version. Additionally, the Blu-ray(TM) and DVD Combo Packs are loaded with nearly three hours of bonus features, deleted scenes, a gag reel, a Bridesmaids "Making Of," featurettes, and much, much more. There's no better way to enjoy this instant classic!

EXCLUSIVE BLU-RAY(TM) BONUS FEATURES:

* DIGITAL COPY: Viewers can redeem a digital version of the full-length movie to watch on an array of electronic and portable devices.

* GAG REEL (Blu-ray(TM)[sup.]Version)

* DELETED SCENES: Tons of deleted scenes, plus a never-before-seen "commercial" for Brynn and Gil's Oo-Laka Juice.

* EXTENDED & ALTERNATE SCENES: Tons of extended and alternate scenes featuring the bridesmaids, the boyfriends, the roommates, Cholodecki's employees and customers, and the hilarious "stolen" boot camp class.

* MADE OF HONOR: BEHIND THE SCENES OF BRIDESMAIDS: A behind-the-scenes "Making Of" the film featuring Maya Rudolph, Kristen Wiig, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ellie Kemper, writer Annie Mumolo, director Paul Feig and producer Judd Apatow, among others.

* DRUNK-O-RAMA: Featuring Kristen Wiig's greatest moments on the plane.

* PEP TALK: Featuring Kristen Wiig on the tennis court

* ANNIE VS. HELEN: A montage of Bridesmaids frenemies' - Kristen Wiig's "Annie" and Rose Byrne's "Helen" - best and worst moments together.

* "HOLD ON:" Full song performance of Wilson Phillips' hit "Hold On."

* BD-LIVE(TM): Access the BD-Live(TM) Center through your Internet-connected player to watch exclusive content, the latest trailers and more!

* pocket BLU[sup.(TM)]: The groundbreaking pocket BLU(TM) app uses iPad[sup., ] iPhone, iPod touch, Android(TM), PC and Mac to work seamlessly with a network-connected Blu-ray(TM) player. Plus iPad owners can enjoy a new, enhanced edition of pocket BLU(TM) made especially to take advantage of the tablet's larger screen and high resolution display. Consumers will be able to browse through a library of Blu-ray(TM) content and watch entertaining extras on the go in a way that's bigger and better than ever before. pocket BLU(TM) offers advanced features such as:

** ADVANCED REMOTE CONTROL: A sleek, elegant new way to operate your Blu-ray(TM) player. Users can navigate through menus, playback and BD-Live(TM) functions with ease.

** VIDEO TIMELINE: Users can easily bring up the video timeline, allowing them to instantly access any point in the film.

** MOBILE-TO-GO: Users can unlock a selection of bonus content with their Blu-ray(TM) discs to save to their device or to stream from anywhere there is a Wi-Fi network, enabling them to enjoy content on the go, anytime, anywhere.

** BROWSE TITLES: Users will have access to a complete list of pocket BLU(TM)-enabled titles available and coming to Blu-ray(TM) Hi-Def. They can view free previews and see what additional content is available to unlock on their device.

** KEYBOARD: Entering data is fast and easy with your device's intuitive keyboard.

* MY SCENES: Bookmark your favorite scenes from the film.

* uHEAR(TM): Never miss another line of dialogue with this innovative feature that instantly skips back a few seconds on your Blu-ray(TM) disc and turns on the subtitles to highlight what you missed.

BLU-RAY(TM) AND DVD BONUS FEATURES

* FEATURE COMMENTARY: With director Paul Feig, co-writer Annie Mumolo and cast members Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McClendon-Covey and Ellie Kemper.

* GAG REEL (DVD Version)

* LINE-O-RAMA

* ADDITIONAL DELETED SCENES

* ADDITIONAL EXTENDED & ALTERNATE SCENES

* CHOLODECKI'S COMMERCIAL: Check out what's new with Cholodecki's when you watch the never-before-seen "commercial" from Annie's jewelry employer!

SYNOPSIS

"Gut-bustingly funny!"(Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly) From the producer of Superbad, Knocked Up and The 40-Year-Old Virgin comes the breakout comedy critics are calling "brazenly hysterical!" (Alynda Wheat, People).

Thirty-something Annie (Kristen Wiig) has hit a rough patch but finds her life turned completely upside down when she takes on the Maid of Honor role in her best friend Lillian's (Maya Rudolph) wedding. In way over her head but determined to succeed, Annie leads a hilarious hodgepodge of bridesmaids (Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey and Ellie Kemper) on a wild ride down the road to the big event.

CAST AND FILMMAKERS Directed By: Paul Feig Screenplay By: Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo Produced By: Judd Apatow, Barry Mendel, Annie Mumolo, Clayton Townsend, and Kristen Wiig Executive Producers: Paul Feig Director of Photography: Robert D. Yeoman Production Designer: Jefferson Sage Editors: William Kerr, Michael L. Sale Music By: Michael Andrew Costume Designer: Leesa Evans, Christine Wada Cast: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ellie Kemper and Jon Hamm

TECHNICAL INFORMATION: BLU-RAY(TM)/DVD COMBO PACK: BLU-RAY[sup.(TM) ]COMBO SPECIFIC INFORMATION: Street Date: September 20, 2011 Copyright: Universal Studios 2011 Selection Number: 61119645 Running Time: 2 Hours 5 Minutes / 2 Hours 11 minutes Layers: BD-50/DVD-9 Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 - Widescreen 2.40:1 Rating: R for some strong sexuality and language throughout/ Unrated Sound: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1/DVS Dolby Digital 2.0, Spanish and French DTS Surround 5.1 Language/Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French

DVD COMBO SPECIFIC INFORMATION: Street Date: September 20, 2011 Copyright: Universal Studios 2011 Selection Number: 61119956 Running Time: 2 Hours 5 Minutes / 2 Hours 11 minutes Layers: BD-50/DVD-9 Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 - Widescreen 2.40:1

TECHNICAL INFORMATION: BLU-RAY(TM)/DVD COMBO PACK CONTINUED: DVD[sup.]COMBO SPECIFIC INFORMATION: Rating: R for some strong sexuality and language throughout/ Unrated Sound: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1/DVS Dolby Digital 2.0, Spanish and French DTS Surround 5.1 Language/Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish and French

TECHNICAL INFORMATION: SD DVD Street Date: September 20, 2011 Copyright: Universal Studios 2011. All Rights Reserved. Selection Number: 61115600 Running Time: 2 Hours 5 Minutes / 2 Hours 11 minutes Layers: Dual Layer Aspect Ratio: Theatrical 2.35:1 - Anamorphic Widescreen 2.40:1 Rating: R for some strong sexuality and language throughout/ Unrated Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish and French Subtitles Sound: English Dolby Digital 5.1/DVS Dolby Digital 2.0, Spanish and French Audio Dolby Digital 5.1

http://www.bridesmaidsmovie.com/

For artwork please log on to our website at www.ushepublicity.com

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBCUniversal , one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group and world-renowned theme parks. Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.

CONTACT: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT

Jennifer Black Executive Director, Publicity (818) 777-0546 Jennifer.Black@nbcuni.com

SOURCE Universal Studios Home Entertainment

Capital IQ and The Wharton School to Supply Company Datasets Through WRDS Research Platform.

Capital IQ, a Standard and Poor's business and a provider of financial market data, analytics and solutions, and The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania announced that Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS) will now include three Capital IQ datasets to complement the Compustat datasets currently available through the platform.

With the addition of these datasets, researchers in both the academic and financial communities will have the tools to conduct analysis within new areas of research.

The Company said the select datasets consist of Key Developments, Capital Structure, and People Intelligence. Key Developments provides structured summaries of material news and events to predict the impact of discrete qualitative or quantitative events on future company performance. The Capital Structure dataset provides debt capital structure for over 60,000 global public and private companies and equity capital structure data on over 80,000 active and inactive companies worldwide. Additionally, People Intelligence offers coverage of over 4.5 million professionals including private and public company executives, board members, and investment professionals, globally.

"We are very excited for this newest expansion of our partnership with WRDS," said Andy Halula, Vice President of Government & University Division at Capital IQ Compustat. "The addition of these select Capital IQ datasets to the vast array of Compustat and other Standard & Poor's datasets already available on WRDS will provide new opportunities for the thousands of researchers around the world who rely on the WRDS platform for their historical analysis and research."

"We are so pleased to have the opportunity to add Capital IQ data to WRDS, further solidifying the relationship between our two organizations," said Robert Zarazowski, Director of WRDS. "With these new data additions, the WRDS service continues as the locus for quantitative data research recognized by the academic and financial research community around the world as the leading business intelligence tool."

According to a release, Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS) is an internet-based data research service used by academic, government, non-profit institutions, and corporate firms. WRDS provides the user with one location to access over 200 terabytes of data across multiple disciplines including Finance, Marketing, and Economics. WRDS provides data delivery options including a simple but web query method that reduces research time and executes research and strategy development on the WRDS Cloud. Developed in 1993 to support faculty research at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, WRDS has since evolved to become a business intelligence tool for a global research community of over 20,000 users at nearly 300 institutions in 27 countries. http://wrds.wharton.upenn.edu

Capital IQ, a Standard & Poor's business, delivers fundamental and quantitative research and analysis solutions to over 4,200 investment management firms, investment banks, private equity funds, advisory firms, corporations, and universities worldwide.

The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania bridges research and practice through its broad engagement with the global business community.

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

Mega LED Technology Offers Mega Deals on Tri Color, Full Color, and Red Color Outdoor LED Signs.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) June 06, 2011

LED signs cost money and not all businesses can afford it even though they need one. Mega LED Technology, a manufacturer and distributor of LED signs, provides digital solutions at affordable prices to help customers invest in visual advertising without sacrificing quality. In line with this, Mega LED Technology regularly offers LED signs as part of its Mega Deal of the Month. This month, selected outdoor LED signs give clients the chance to purchase high quality digital signage at special prices.

Starting at $5,150.00, the Outdoor Tri Color LED Sign (4025TVC) was originally priced at $6,250.00. With over $1000.00 in savings, clients can save and afford to purchase other billboard solutions from Mega LED Technology. The 4025TVC has a 25mm pitch, in tri colors RGY. Additionally, it can display up to 4 lines of text with hundreds of effects to choose from. The Outdoor Full Color LED Sign (2526VFC), on the other hand, is now available at a special price of $5,610.00 from its regular price of $6,770.00. With a 16mm pitch full color RGB, the 2526VFC LED Sign also features an 8mm virtual pitch for better picture quality.

Both available at a discounted price of $5,250.00 from its regular price of $6,410.00 are the Outdoor Tri Color 16mm LED Sign (2526VTC) and Outdoor Red Color 25mm LED Sign (4026VR2). The 2526VTC LED sign boasts of 3,072 pixels and 9,216 LEDs while the 4026VR2 LED sign has 3,072 pixels and 6,144 LEDs. Both are also housed in a water proof plastic type for easy repair and maintenance.

Finally, Mega LED Technology offers the Outdoor Full Color 20mm LED Sign (3228VFC) at a special price of $7,250.00. With a 20mm pitch and full color RGB, the 3228VFC LED Sign also has a virtual pitch of 10mm for better picture quality. Boasting of 16,384 LEDs and 4,096 pixels, the 3228VFC LED Sign is manufactured from only the highest quality materials.

Mega LED Technology's Mega Deal of the Month gives clients special deals that no customer should miss out on. All LED signs are manufactured in the USA, though high quality circuitry is imported from South Korea. Clients are also assured that knowledgeable sales representatives are available for assistance from setup to advanced LED sign programming.

To receive regular updates, join the company's mailing list for exclusive deals or visit Mega LED's official blog for the latest LED technology industry news.

About Mega LED Technology

Mega LED Technology is a LED Programmable Sign manufacturer in Los Angeles, CA. Mega LED Technology strives to provide the best quality LED signs and customer services nationwide. The LED display sign company is a leading expert in LED visual solutions - manufacturing LED sign displays that are guaranteed to be the future in new media display. Mega LED Technology offers indoor LED sign displays, outdoor LED sign displays, front serviceable LEDs, and gas price LED signs. All products come with a three year limited warranty. Press release produced by Cybertegic, Inc. - an Internet marketing services agency that specializes in search engine optimized press release marketing (SEO marketing).

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Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/LED/signs/prweb8400846.htm

UK Business Directory Re-Launches New and Improved Business List Website.(Directory)

(PRWEB UK) 17 May 2011

The Scothosts Group announced the re-launch of their new and improved Business Listing website, http://www.businesslist.co.uk. The new website offers the most comprehensive and verified UK business directory on the market.

"Scothosts are pleased to bring the re-launched Business List website to market, having taken account of customer feedback over a number of years, we have listened and incorporated those thoughts into this excellent new listing platform," said General Manager Greg Murphy.

Six months in the making and thousands of pounds spent later, http://www.businesslist.co.uk will incorporate many new exciting features such as logo upload, pictures, hours of operation, attach branches, embed video, dynamic street map and will include social network information. The public will also be allowed to comment on the listing and the business in general.

"We recognize this change and understand the need to locate verified and targeted contact details for your potential client base," Murphy said. "We also appreciate, with the advent of the Internet, and that advertising can now be carried out quickly and easily through a variety of mediums."

The Business List is offering a free 30 day trial of premium features with absolutely no obligation to signup. Users will be able to expand the scope of their businesses clientele on the web at zero cost and if they choose to continue the service, it's only [pounds sterling]24 per year.

About Scothosts Group

Incorporated in 2000, Scothosts Limited was formed not long after the dotcom bubble of the 1990's burst. Business leaders quickly realized that information technology, when used within a suitable business structure, could become the key component of businesses success in the 21st century. Scothosts' aim is to consistently build upon their portfolio of innovative web solutions and at the same time raise the bar in functionality and usability within the digital marketplace. Built upon strong foundations, the Scothosts Group is backed by an innovative growth strategy and an extensive range of turnkey solutions; delivered with outstanding levels of customer service by a team of dedicated experts.

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Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/5/prweb8379668.htm

Ascert Releases VersaTest Automator v1.3.

Sausalito, CA (PRWEB) May 03, 2011

Ascert announced today the general release of version 1.3 of VersaTest Automation Server and VersaTest Automator. Major enhancements in this version include the further expansion of message handling capabilities within the products. This includes the addition of native support for the standard internet protocols of HTTP and HTTPS within drivers which greatly enhances the areas in which VersaTest can operate. In combination with improvements to the handling of SOAP messages, Ascert takes its automated testing tools into the world of Web Services. SOAP messages can be transported over HTTP, HTTPS and WebSphere MQ protocols.

This latest version also demonstrates Ascert's commitment to inter-operability with HP Quality Center with updates that allow VersaTest Automator to communicate with the product over secure channels. Additionally, improvements have been made to improve the performance of interactions between Quality Center and the VersaTest Automation Server in large installations.

In addition to the time savings when performing tests, VersaTest Automator decreases the time involved in analyzing testing results. With an easy to use GUI interface and "audit capture" functionality, the product increases both testing accuracy as well as ROI. To find out more about VersaTest Automator, visit http://www.ascert.com/pdf/DS-VersaTestAutomator-en-us-sau-l.pdf or call one of the local Ascert offices.

Company Background:

Ascert is recognized as a leading provider of premier testing software solutions. Ascert was founded in 1992 to provide automated software testing solutions that help companies measure the performance, reliability and scalability of their mission-critical back-end servers and applications. With over 100 clients worldwide, Ascert's products and services are used at some of the world's most successful companies. Off-the-shelf simulators include solutions for EFT testing, POS testing, ATM testing, IFX testing, EMV/chip card testing, ISO8583 testing and 3270 & 6530 terminal testing. Ascert's custom simulators have been used for testing air traffic control systems and biometric payment systems. Ascert's products assist testing professionals across industry segments to better manage their testing processes and environments through an end-to-end tool set.

For more information on Ascert or its products, contact:

For inquiries in the America's and Asia-Pacific:

Dr. Richard B. Greene, DBA

Ascert, LLC

759 Bridgeway

Sausalito, CA 94965, USA

Telephone: 1-415-339-8500

Toll Free: 1-877-ASCERT-IT Fax: 1-415-339-8501

E-mail: info(at)ascert(dot)com

http://www.ascert.com

For inquiries in Europe, Middle East, and Africa:

Mr. Mike Wainwright

Ascert, Limited

63 Mansell Street,

London, E1 8AN, England

Telephone: +44 (20) 7488 3470

Fax: +44 (20) 7488 3477

E-mail: ukinfo(at)ascert(dot)com

http://www.ascert.com

# # #

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/5/prweb8358182.htm

Increased Affordability and Convenience of Bundling in Russia to Increase Broadband Uptake, Pyramid Finds.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Broadband services in Russia will help drive Internet revenue to $6.5 billion in 2015, becoming the fastest-growing revenue source in the fixed segment, according to a new report from Pyramid Research (www.pyr.com).

Russia: Data Connectivity Boom to Spur Market Growth offers a precise profile of the country's telecommunications, media and technology sectors based on proprietary data from Pyramid's research in the market. It provides detailed competitive analysis of both the fixed and mobile sectors, tracks the market shares of technologies and services and monitors the introduction and spread of new technologies.

Download an excerpt of this report here: http://www.pyramidresearch.com/downloads.htm?id=18&sc=PRN041111_CIRRUS

Purchase the report here: http://www.pyramidresearch.com/store/CIRRUSSIA.htm?sc=PRN041111_CIRRUS

Total fixed voice is on the decline from 2010-2015, meanwhile, Internet revenue will grow steadily. Dominated by broadband services, Internet growth will account for revenues rising to US$6.5 billion in 2015. "This growth will be driven by the increasing affordability and convenience of multiplay bundles," says Sylwia Boguszewska, Analyst at Pyramid. "In order to be capable of providing bundled offerings, telcos are adding IPTV services to their services portfolio alongside network expansion," she adds.

Pyramid projects that fixed and mobile broadband will represent a cumulative revenue opportunity of $42.3 billion by 2015. "In Russia, mobile broadband has seen epic growth, as exemplified by Yota's recently released data showing that its total network traffic for 2010 exceeded 100 petabytes, or nine times its 2009 3G networks level," Boguszewska indicates. "In addition, mobile broadband has emerged as a substitute for fixed access, especially in rural areas. MegaFon, for example, reported that more than 40 percent of the data card modems it has sold will be used for access in the home," she adds.

"The majority of data revenue growth will come from mobile broadband, and Pyramid estimates that connectivity revenue will increase by 183 percent over the forecast period, driven by the planned 3G and 4G network rollouts, as well as growing computing devices proliferation," she says. "Operators have also started to look to increase subscriber spending through Internet-related services, such as Internet TV/music/games/storage," Boguszewska adds.

Russia: Data Connectivity Boom to Spur Market Growth is part of Pyramid Research's Europe Country Intelligence Report Series and is priced at $990. Download the excerpt here: http://www.pyramidresearch.com/downloads.htm?id=18&sc=PRN041111_CIRRUS . It can be purchased online here http://www.pyramidresearch.com/store/CIRRUSSIA.htm?sc=PRN041111_CIRRUS or by emailing us at info@pyr.com.

Contact: Jennifer Baker, +1-617-871-1910, jbaker@pyr.com

SOURCE Pyramid Research

TranSwitch Corporation Provides Update on Q4 2009 Business Outlook.

SHELTON, Conn. -- TranSwitch Corporation (NASDAQ: TXCCD) today announced an update to its business outlook for the fourth quarter of 2009. The revision in outlook for revenues for the fourth quarter of 2009 is primarily due to a change in the production plans of a major customer as well as lower demand from one distributor. The Company now expects revenues for the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2009, to be between $11.5 million and $12.5 million compared to revenues in the third quarter of 2009 of approximately $15.2 million. The Company's previous outlook for fourth quarter revenues announced on October 29, 2009 was for revenues of approximately $15.5 million. The current backlog for the first quarter of 2010 is consistent with that in the third and fourth quarters of 2009.

"One of our key customers experienced significantly reduced demand due to the lower deployment rate of its equipment by a major carrier, resulting in an inventory imbalance which we expect to be rectified by the second quarter of 2010," stated Mr. Robert Bosi, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of TranSwitch Corporation. "While the rate of deployment may vary from quarter to quarter, we feel confident in our business standing with this customer. In fact, we continue to remain the sole source provider for this deployment and have been selected for the next two generations of this customer's product. Additionally, we have opportunities for this product with other customers which we expect to ramp in 2010," added Mr. Bosi.

"As the new President and Chief Executive Officer of TranSwitch Corporation, I am committed to taking the necessary actions to reduce the Company's operating expenses to ensure profitability," stated Dr. Ali Khatibzadeh. "While I have only been with the company for a very short time, I am excited and encouraged by the opportunities ahead for TranSwitch, and I look forward to discussing these opportunities and our plans during our upcoming conference calls."

The Company is conducting a conference call today at 5:00 PM EST to discuss its fourth quarter business outlook. To access the call, investors can dial 785-830-7980 and reference confirmation code: 9645748. The call will be recorded and a replay will be available two hours after the conclusion of the live broadcast through December 24, 2009. To access the replay, investors can dial 719-457-0820 and enter confirmation code: 9645748. Investors can also access an audio webcast which will be broadcast through Vcall's Investor Calendar at www.investorcalendar.com or the Company's website at www.transwitch.com. This audio webcast will also be available on a replay basis for 10 business days.

About TranSwitch Corporation

TranSwitch Corporation designs, develops and markets innovative semiconductors that provide core functionality and complete solutions for voice, data and video communications network equipment. As a leading supplier to telecom, datacom, cable television and wireless markets, TranSwitch customers include the major OEMs that serve the worldwide public network, the Internet, and corporate Wide Area Networks (WANs). TranSwitch devices are inherently flexible, many incorporating embedded programmable microcontrollers to rapidly meet customers' new requirements or evolving network standards by modifying a function via software instruction. TranSwitch implements global communications standards in its VLSI solutions and is committed to providing high-quality products and services. TranSwitch, Shelton, CT, is an ISO 9001:2000 registered company. For more information, visit www.transwitch.com.

Forward-looking statements in this release, including statements regarding management's expectations for future financial results and the markets for TranSwitch's products, are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements regarding TranSwitch, its operations and its financial results involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation risks associated with acquiring new businesses; of downturns in economic conditions generally and in the telecommunications and data communications markets and the semiconductor industry specifically; risks in product development and market acceptance of and demand for TranSwitch's products and products developed by TranSwitch's customers; risks relating to TranSwitch's indebtedness; risks of failing to attract and retain key managerial and technical personnel; risks associated with foreign sales and high customer concentration; risks associated with competition and competitive pricing pressures; risks associated with investing in new businesses; risks of dependence on third-party VLSI fabrication facilities; risks related to intellectual property rights and litigation; risks in technology development and commercialization; and other risks detailed in TranSwitch's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Acacia Technologies Acquires Rights to Patents for Medical Image Stabilization Technology.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- Acacia Research Corporation (Nasdaq:ACTG) (Nasdaq:CBMX) announced today that Acacia Patent Acquisition Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary that is part of the Acacia Technologies group, a leader in technology licensing, has acquired rights to a patent portfolio relating to imaging technology that aids medical personnel in the examination of patients.

"Acacia is serving an unmet need in the market for companies that want to generate revenue from the licensing of their patented technologies. Acacia's licensing success is attracting more companies that are selecting us as their partner," commented Paul Ryan, Acacia Chairman and CEO. "We now control 48 patent portfolios," concluded Mr. Ryan.

This technology can be used in stabilizing medical images for interventional procedures such as cardiac catheters and stents, and for diagnostic procedures such as visualization of arterial lesions.

ABOUT ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION

Acacia Research Corporation comprises two operating groups, Acacia Technologies group and CombiMatrix group.

The Acacia Technologies group develops, acquires, and licenses patented technologies. Acacia controls 48 patent portfolios, which include U.S. patents and certain foreign counterparts, covering technologies used in a wide variety of industries including audio/video enhancement & synchronization, broadcast data retrieval, computer memory cache coherency, credit card fraud protection, database management, data encryption & product activation, digital media transmission (DMT(R)), digital video production, dynamic manufacturing modeling, enhanced Internet navigation, hearing aid ECS, image resolution enhancement, interactive data sharing, interactive television, laptop docking station connectivity, microprocessor enhancement, multi-dimensional bar codes, network data storage, resource scheduling, rotational video imaging, spreadsheet automation, user activated Internet advertising and web conferencing & collaboration software.

The CombiMatrix group is developing a platform technology to rapidly produce customizable arrays, which are semiconductor-based tools for use in identifying and determining the roles of genes, gene mutations and proteins. The CombiMatrix's group's technology has a wide range of potential applications in the areas of genomics, proteomics, biosensors, drug discovery, drug development, diagnostics, combinatorial chemistry, material sciences and nanotechnology.

Acacia Research-Acacia Technologies (Nasdaq:ACTG) and Acacia Research-CombiMatrix (Nasdaq:CBMX) are both classes of common stock issued by Acacia Research Corporation and are intended to reflect the performance of the respective operating groups and are not issued by the operating groups.

Information about the Acacia Technologies group and the CombiMatrix group is available at www.acaciaresearch.com.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon our current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof. Our actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and uncertainties, including the recent economic slowdown affecting technology companies, our ability to successfully develop products, rapid technological change in our markets, changes in demand for our future products, legislative, regulatory and competitive developments and general economic conditions. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, recent and forthcoming Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, recent Current Reports on Forms 8-K and 8-K/A, and other SEC filings discuss some of the important risk factors that may affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.