CROZIER'S FOREIGN CITIZENSHIP STANDS IN WAY OF RELEASE.(CAPITAL REGION)

Byline: MICHAEL MC KEON - Staff writer

If Knickerbocker Arena architect J. Gregory Crozier were an American citizen, he'd be out of prison and on his way to a halfway house in Albany today.

Crozier was due to be released today after serving six months of his 18-month prison term for his 1991 conviction for conspiring to bribe former County Executive James J. Coyne Jr.

However, rather than going to a local halfway house, Crozier may end up serving out his entire sentence at the federal prison camp in Lewisburg, Pa., and then be deported because he is a Canadian citizen, defense attorney Raymond Kelly said.

Kelly said the federal …

AP Exclusive: Japan nuke holdout resolved to stay

TOMIOKA, Japan (AP) — Vines creep across Tomioka's empty streets, its prim gardens overgrown with waist-high weeds and meadow flowers. Dead cows rot where they were left to starve in their pens. Chicken coops writhe with maggots, a sickening stench hanging in the air.

This once-thriving community of 16,000 people now has a population of one.

In this nuclear no-man's land poisoned by radiation from a disaster-battered power plant, rice farmer Naoto Matsumura refuses to leave despite government orders. He says he has thought about the possibility of getting cancer but prefers to stay — with a skinny dog named Aki his constant companion.

Nearly six months after Japan's …

CRICKET WORLD CUP at 0600 GMT

NEW/DEVELOPING:

CRI--WCUP-PAKISTAN-WEST INDIES

DHAKA, Bangladesh — Pakistan takes momentum and confidence into Wednesday's first World Cup quarterfinal against a West Indies team that is lacking both. By 1100 GMT. By Caroline Cheese.

CRI--WCUP-INDIA-AUSTRALIA

AHMEDABAD, India — In a match fit for a grand finale, India hosts a quarterfinal against defending champion Australia, which is coming off its first loss in a World Cup match since 1999. By 1300 GMT. By C. Rajshekhar Rao.

BC-CRI--WCUP-SRI LANKA-ENGLAND

COLOMBO — Co-host Sri Lanka could not have asked for a better draw in the World Cup quarterfinals against England — a team which is the most …

Cut to the chase: We are the chumpions: When it comes to buying green, who's fooling whom?

Shoppers of the world, I have just one question: Are you an eco-chump?

Lots of us try to shop green. We buy unbleached paper towels and recycled products, some with more than 5 percent post-consumer content. Commend McDonald's for banning Styrofoam, and shun them for lying about beef fat in the fries. Save our paychecks because we suffer from Prius envy. Wouldn't be caught dead at Wal-Mart because, well, it's Wal-Mart.

But a green consumer is still a consumer, and the evil marketing geniuses who run the world know this. They prey on our longings: love your mother, do well by doing good, live simply that others may simply live . . . They put symbols of renewal on plastic …

Studies from Columbia University yield new data on agricultural economics.

"Extreme interannual variability of precipitation within Ethiopia is not uncommon, inducing droughts or floods and often creating serious repercussions on agricultural and nonagricultural commodities. A dynamic climate module is integrated into an economy-wide model containing a detailed zonal level agricultural structure," scientists writing in the journal Agricultural Economics report.

"This coupled climate-economic model is used to evaluate the effects of climate variability on prospective irrigation and infrastructure investment strategies, and the ensuing country-wide economy. The linkages between the dynamic climate module and the economic model are created by …

65 TICKETED IN HANDICAPPED-ONLY SPACES.(CAPITAL REGION)

ALBANY -- A countywide crackdown on people illegally parked in designated handicapped spots left 65 motorists with tickets bearing a hefty fine Saturday, Albany County Sheriff James Campbell said.

In an effort termed Project Access, police across Albany County targeted shopping centers on the busiest shopping day of the year, …

Lab spray dryer.(Product News)(Developed by Lab-Plant for smaller scale uses)(Brief Article)

In response to demand from the education sector and smallscale laboratories, Lab-Plant has introduced a laboratory-scale spray dryer.

The SD-Basic is designed to enable initial product trials and evaluation to be carried out efficiently and economically. LabPlant claims the unit costs around half the price of any comparable device on the market yet includes a complete glassware set. This includes the main drying …

Workforce Issues May Have Derailed Plant

MARION, Ark. - Arkansas wants to produce cars instead of cotton in a 1,700-acre field near the Mississippi River, but two recent rejections by Toyota Motor Corp. have raised worries - even by the mayor - that local workers aren't up to the task.

"I think this part of the state has a disproportionate number of uneducated or undereducated residents, maybe even unmotivated," Marion Mayor Frank Fogleman said. "I do think the workforce in this area exists that could adequately serve a Toyota-type industry, though."

Twice since 2003, Toyota has looked hard at Marion, a town blessed with easy access to two cross-country interstate highways, four railroads, the nation's longest …

New generics on their way to Rx market.(RX/Generic Drugs)

WASHINGTON -- From extended-release tablets to foam-based formulas to authorized genelics, the generic drug industry continues to introduce a variety of products.

For example, Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc. has received final approval from the Food and Drug Administration for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for tramadol hydrochloride extended-release tablets in 100-, 200- and 300-mg strengths

Tramadol HCI ER is a centrally acting synthetic analgesic in an extended-release formulation and is the generic equivalent to Ortho-McNeil's Ultram ER tablets. It is indicated for the management of moderate to moderately severe chronic pain in adults who require …

CIA WARNS ATTACKS COULD HIT THIS WEEK.(MAIN)

Byline: EUNICE MOSCOSO Cox News Service

WASHINGTON -- On a day of heightened security nationally and abroad, CIA director George Tenet warned that al-Qaida terrorists could strike Americans as soon as this week.

Tenet said intelligence officials have information on plots aimed at targets in the United States and the Arabian Peninsula that could include the use of radiological dispersion devices, as well as poison and chemicals.

He said the intelligence is ``the most specific we have seen,'' and that the plots might occur toward the end of this week, coinciding with the end of the annual five-day hajj to the holy Saudi city of Mecca.

Tenet and FBI Director Robert S. Mueller testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee, giving …

MedPointe expands sales force to, among other duties, promote ZOMIG.

2003 NOV 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- MedPointe, Inc., has created three new sales forces and is in the process of recruiting 260 additional experienced pharmaceutical-sales representatives.

The company is on track to fully staff these three new sales forces in the coming weeks, and once the expansion is completed, MedPointe will have 560 total field sales representatives, an increase of 85% in field-sales capacity over previous levels.

The new, expanded sales organization will enable MedPointe to not only drive its existing allergy/respiratory franchise, but also fully address the new marketing-and-distribution arrangement MedPointe recently signed with …

It might be, could be, it isn't

As Nick Swisher jogged back to the dugout in the eighth inning, he couldn't help but flash the ''that close'' sign, holding his thumb and finger just an inch apart.

Considering he had just watched the potential game-tying home run fall harmlessly into the glove of center fielder Chris Denorfia, a few feet short of allowing him to play hero, Swisher had his reasons.

That right there summed up the entire night for the White Sox and their new outfielder in the 2-1 loss to Oakland.

''That close'' in the seventh, as Jermaine Dye was caught leaning after a leadoff single.

''That close'' an inning later, with Swisher's apparent blast dying in center field for …

NEW DEAL UPROOTS GARDEN WAY CEO.(BUSINESS)

Byline: JAMES DENN Business writer

TROY Garden Way chairman Jairo A. Estrada is stepping down from day-to-day management of the company he owns as part of a deal with creditors to restore the company to financial health.

The lawn and garden equipment manufacturer, which has been struggling to rebuild its business, said Thursday it has reached a deal with a number of lenders to restructure its debt and to bring more cash into the company.

As part of the bargain, Estrada, 47, the company's longtime chief executive and chairman, quit those positions and handed day-to-day control to Keith L. Alm, 51, a recently hired executive from Sara Lee Co. Alm joined the company in early 1995, apparently as Estrada's …

High anxiety

Time, patience required when dealing with a troubled animal

Pet ownership isn't always a walk in the park. Since we can't speak furry mammal language, we sometimes have to seek assistance to diagnose and solve problems.

It's something I was reminded about on a recent trip to Edmonton when I met my sister's new rescue dog, Eddie. Eddie is a large mixed-breed with more spunk than grace. She looks like she'd had a litter, but was recently spayed. She'd been doing well. Until, that is, she started to act out with inappropriate elimination, chewing and frantic greetings.

Eddie had been with my sister's family for a month. She was used to having a lot of time with family members. But her schedule was altered because of my nephew's wedding (the reason why I was in Edmonton). For most families, a wedding is a fun day to sit back and enjoy. Our family, however charges into action. We make the family in the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding look sedate. We even hold a family golf tournament the day after the wedding. It's tiring, but enjoyable.

Weekends like these are less fun for our pets. They spend a lot of time with new people, as well as a great deal of time alone. Older dogs can handle these changes. Puppies have a more difficult time of it.

Before the wedding weekend, Eddie's owners were doing everything right. They left the home briefly to teach Eddie that they'd return. She was taken on tons of walks. Being a rescue, she didn't even know how to play, but she was learning that, too.

Anxiety surfaced, however, after the rehearsal dinner. Eddie decided that she'd chew my brother in-law's $180 sunglasses. She didn't destroy the case and even ignored two cheap pairs beside his beloved specs. To be honest, I was impressed with her destructive skill. Most dogs would have chewed through the case. My family chalked it up to good taste. Eddie had also been known to redecorate -- she once took one set of pillows from one room and dragged them onto the couch in another room. My sister wasn't insulted. It didn't look bad at all.

The family was taking these things in stride until Eddie munched a $150 dollar pair of shoes worn once to the wedding.

Understandably, my niece, the owner of the footwear, was upset. However, she didn't catch the dog in the act. Although she knew that Eddie would have long forgotten what she'd done 18 hours earlier, my niece told me, "I have a right to be upset." That may have been true, but Eddie could sense my niece's negative body vibe. Because Eddie wasn't doing anything wrong at the time, it confused her. Dogs live in the present.

I recently chatted with the Winnipeg Humane Society's director of communications, Aileen White. She noted the important role that all rescues and shelters have in serving our local animal needs. What does this have to do with Eddie? Many owners, like my sister, give up too early on pets. One of the key areas where the WHS excels is in animal relinquishment prevention. It offers in-school dog safety lessons to reduce dog bites; dogs and storks classes to prevent pregnancy-related relinquishments; and the Yelp Line. The latter is an online service that offers advice for pet-related concerns. It's a trusted resource on the Internet, which is loaded with erroneous information.

One piece of advice offered by the Yelp Line is to not to use a kennel to control negative behaviour. This is not to say that they don't recommend crate-training, but that to introduce it as a solution to separation anxiety can be counter-productive. Dogs suffering from separation anxiety have been known to injure themselves trying to get out of a kennel.

There's no quick fix for separation anxiety, the Yelp Line notes. And it's unknown why some dogs suffer from it while others don't. What is understood is that the solution starts with the smallest steps. Family members should practise leaving the home. Go to the door, open it, shut it and then sit down. The next step would be to open the door, go out and leave the door open. When the dog seems less worried, go through the door, shut it and immediately return. Give the same verbal cue, the service recommends. Every time you leave, say, "I'll be back" (your dog will be the only one not to associate the promise with Arnold Schwarzenegger).

You never know what will happen when you take a pet into your family. Their care requires love and patience. It may not be a walk in the park, but it's worth it.

In the community:

You're invited to D'Arcy's A.R.C's Gigantic Yard Sale and Barbecue this coming Saturday and Sunday at 730B Century St. The sale will offer housewares, books, furniture, electronics, toys and games. For further information, call 888-2266 or go online to www.darcysarc.ca.

-- -- --

The Winnipeg Humane Society's Paws in Motion fundraiser will be held on June 26, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Assiniboine Park. There will be prizes, food and pet items for sale.

For further information on taking part, call 982-2041. You may also register online at www.winnipeghumanesociety.ca

If you prefer to register in person go to the customer service counter at your local Safeway or you can go directly to the WHS location, 45 Hurst Way. The registration fee is $10.

Those who can't attend but still want to donate can sponsor a team, such as the Free Press Puppies.

-- -- --

Also, Winnipeg Animal Services thanks all of those who voted for Sadie and Coco. Due to your support, they won five Kuranda beds.

char.adam@mts.net

twitter.com/charspetpage

Things to consider

Actions associated with separation anxiety:

-- The dog digs or chews at the doors

-- Howls or barks when you leave

-- Eliminates inappropriately

Typical behaviour:

-- He may follow you from room to room

-- He's overly excited or frantic when he greets you.

-- He doesn't like being outdoors alone.

For assistance, consult the Yelp Line: www.winnipeghumanesociety.ca and always contact your veterinarian about changes in your pet's behaviour.

WIPO ASSIGNS PATENT TO MICROSCOPES INTERNATIONAL FOR "HOME HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND HARDWARE" (AMERICAN INVENTOR)

GENEVA, Jan. 21 -- Publication No. WO/2011/008833 was published on Jan. 20.

Title of the invention: "HOME HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND HARDWARE."

Applicants: MICROSCOPES INTERNATIONAL, LLC (US).

Inventors: Glenn F. Spaulding (US).

According to the abstract posted by the World Intellectual Property Organization: "A home healthcare management system wherein a patient conducts self diagnoses and self testing, and manages their own medical records at home. A digital microscope is utilized as part of the system that is smaller, of lower cost, faster, of a higher dynamic range, and has a higher resolution than conventional microscopes. The microscope consists of an illumination source, a spatial sub-sampling device and a detector device. The digital microscope provides a vectored method of collecting images from a digital microscope that is independent of the optical resolution, and a slide based coordinate system, and a method of displaying images and communicating such images over the Internet in a file format that does not require a header or prior knowledge of magnification, coordinate system, or tiling structure. The system further includes an interface for physiological monitoring devices and a connection to the Internet for more comprehensive services."

The patent was filed on July 14, 2010 under Application No. PCT/US2010/041938.

For further information please visit: http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/ia.jsp?ia=US2010/041938

For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

REP. CUELLAR ANNOUNCES $44,783 FOR POTEET INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

Rep. Henry Cuellar, R-Texas (28th CD), issued the following press release:

Today, Rep. Henry Cuellar announced that Poteet ISD has been awarded $44,783 in grants from the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) for internet access and telecommunications service. USAC is a federal program administered by the FCC.

"USAC is an essential service that America's schools benefit from year after year. Without these funds, the American taxpayers would foot this rather large bill." Congressman Cuellar noted.

The funds were obtained through the School and Libraries program of the Universal Service Administrative Company, which is maintained through contributions made by telecommunications providers across the country and extends discounts to assist most schools and libraries in the United States to obtain affordable telecommunications and Internet access.

Congressman Cuellar also said, "Internet access has become a staple of the classrooms across the country. It provides an invaluable depth of knowledge that helps our students grow intellectually."

Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the House Budget and Agriculture Committees in the 109th Congress; accessibility to constituents, education, health care and economic development are his priorities.Contact: Patty Kirby, 956/725-0639.

Patty Kirby, 956/725-0639.

ICG Schedules Date to Release 1st Quarter Results

Internet Capital Group, Inc. (ICG) will release the financialresults for its first quarter ended March 31, on Thursday, May 5,before the market opens.

The Company will host a conference call to discuss the firstquarter results on Thursday, May 5, at 10 a.m. ET. Participating onthe conference call will be Walter Buckley, ICG's CEO, and KirkMorgan, CFO of the Company. The domestic dial-in number for the callis 866-783-2137 and the international dial-in number is 857-350-1596. The participant pass code for either dial-in is 31453406.

The Company will also host a live web cast for the call with anaccompanying slide presentation. To access the web cast, go to theICG web site at icg.com and click on the investor information tab,then go to the presentations and events page and click on the firstquarter conference call. Participants can also go directly to firstquarter information by clicking the "Q1" button on ICG's home page.Please log on to the web site approximately ten minutes prior to thecall to register and download and install any necessary audiosoftware.

In an effort to address specific areas of interest, participantsare encouraged to submit questions to the ICG Investor Relationsdepartment at ir@icg.com prior to May 4. Every attempt will be madeto respond to all questions either during the question and answerportion of the call or shortly thereafter.

If you are unable to access the web site but would like a copy ofthe slide presentation sent to you after the call, please contactICG's Investor Relations Department at 610-727-6900.

For those unable to participate in the conference call, a replaywill be available beginning May 5, at 1 p.m. ET until May 12, at11:59 p.m. ET. To access the replay, dial 888-286-8010 (domestic) or617-801-6888 (international). The pass code is 10716754. The replayand slide presentation can also be accessed on the ICG web site aticg.com/investors/events-and-presentations/.

ICG identifies, capitalizes and grows companies in the SaaS, tech-enabled BPO and Internet marketing sectors.

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

Trashcans recycled

John Williamson In 1996, the Trashcan Sinatras released theirthird album, A Happy Pocket, to the kind of levels of press acclaimthat they had become accustomed to with their previous releases,Cake and I've Seen Everything. Their record company was on a hotstreak, having plotted the careers of Paul Weller, The BeautifulSouth, and Portishead. The label even splashed out on a short film,Spooktime, to accompany the album, and, even in the under-achievingworld of the Trashcan Sinatras, there was cause for optimism.Surely, Britain could no longer remain oblivious to their charms.

Erm, well. It could. Having enjoyed decent sales in Japan andAmerica on the first two albums, A Happy Pocket failed to secure aUS release, and was appearing at severely discounted prices in localrecord emporiums a few months after release. If, from the outside,things did not look good for the band, internally they werestruggling even more, all too familiar casualties of a recordcompany takeover.

While hardly alone in this predicament, the ironies surroundingtheir departure from Go! Discs are not lost on the band. Asked ontheir website as to the highlight of their career, singer FrancisReader and guitarist Paul Livingston choose "bankruptcy." On a mockfootball coupon on the inner sleeve of A Happy Pocket, they set outthe odds on Cardboard City (2/9) and Belgravia (10-1). If theirfinancial problems have not been quite as dramatic as one tabloidmade out, then neither have these been particularly good times forthe band. Unquestionably, since they left Go! Discs and AndyMacDonald of Go! Discs left Polygram, there has been only onewinner.

While the band have spent the last six years in varying degreesof hibernation, MacDonald set up a new label, signed anotherScottish band - Travis - and hit paydirt all over again. In thecircumstances, there is much to admire about the band's attitude(cynical rather than bitter, Reader makes only passing reference tothe "Bread revival") and their resilience. If three albums in 15years is far from prolific, then fans are clearly grateful of anyactivity. Tonight's show at King Tut's - their first in Glasgow forfive years - has sold out.

"Our touring just kind of evaporated as an exercise indiminishing returns," says Reader of their absence from playing(they have done some shows in Japan and America since 1996). "InJapan and America, at least we have always enjoyed a bit ofprestige, which actually makes playing there more realistic andrewarding than in this country. It's a bit of a shame, because Ithink we were just getting to the point of being good when westopped playing regularly. At the beginning, we wrote lots of songsthat we weren't able to play, but eventually we became quiteregimented and reliable."

Survival has been the main object of the exercise in recent years- and Reader seems genuine in his assertion that "even for us to getup to Glasgow (from Ayrshire) to rehearse is something of anachievement." A cover of Randy Newman's Snow, was released as asingle in Japan, an album was recorded in America last year. Variousband members moved temporarily to America and London, but it was acombination of songs, and the support of fans worldwide through theinternet, that kept spirits up.

"Things just seemed to go into slow motion," he recalls, "andthen we lost our studio. We ended up out on our ear, not answeringthe phone, that sort of thing.

"I think without the support of fans on the internet we may havefolded. There were fans in America putting together bootlegs,selling them on the web and then sending us bits of money."

For tonight's show, which sees a return to the five-piece line-up that toured I've Seen Everything and A Happy Pocket, they arepromising a mixture of new and old songs, with an album's worth ofmaterial written and ready to go, if and when they find a labelwilling to back it. For those getting impatient, there is nolikelihood of a release this year.

"I think it has been the songs more than anything else that havekept us together as a group," says Reader. "Our moods and attitudesto each other revolve a lot round the songs, and it has been quitestrange recently since we have started rehearsing again. Going backto some of the older songs has been a bit like reconnecting withdead relatives through a medium or something."

Fans at King Tut's may feel the same way about tonight's show -but the band is most certainly still alive.

Wpo: Aust to play for bronze after semi loss to Greece

AAP General News (Australia)
08-25-2004
Wpo: Aust to play for bronze after semi loss to Greece
By Janelle Miles

ATHENS, Aug 24 AAP - Members of the Australian women's water polo team left the Athens
pool red-eyed today after host nation Greece dashed the reigning champions' hopes of defending
their Olympic gold medal.

Greece defeated Australia 6-2 in a physical semi-final as the home crowd went berserk,

singing, stomping and clapping until the Olympic Aquatic Centre shook.

Greece will now play Italy for the gold medal while the Australians will meet the United
States in the play-off for bronze.

Australia tied 7-all with Greece in a pool match in Athens last Friday.

But the semi-final was one-sided.

Greek centre forward Stavroula Kozompoli scored in the first few seconds for Greece
as spectators chanted "Hellas, Hellas" and waved the blue and white Greek flag.

The home team led comfortably for the rest of the game.

"We just didn't put our goals into the back of the net," said centre back Joanne Fox.

"That was our main problem. Greece ... when they shot, they shot strong. It's always
hard playing against a home crowd. We knew from Sydney when we won that carries you through
but at the end of the day, it's what happens in the pool."

Fox, who scored the first of Australia's goals today, was a member of the gold medal-winning
team at the Sydney 2000 Games.

Australia went into Athens ranked seventh with a younger, less experienced lineup than in Sydney.

"It really would have been a fairytale to go all the way through for us," said first-time
Olympian Nikita Cuffe.

"We'll just have to regroup. We'll probably have a team meeting, a recovery swim and
then focus on beating the Yanks."

In one of the most memorable gold medals at the Sydney Games, Australia played the
US in the first-ever Olympic women's water polo final.

Boosted by the cheers of a home town crowd, they beat the Americans 4-3 with only 1.3s
left on the clock.

Four years later, the Greeks stormed to victory on a wave of spectator support to drown
the Australians.

Defender Melissa Rippon said the Aussies would use the loss against Greece as motivation
when playing for the bronze.

"It's something you don't want to feel again. You don't enjoy losing," she said.

"You don't want to do it too often. You remember that feeling and you just know you
don't want to go there again."

Defender Bronwyn Smith, a member of the gold medal winning team from Sydney, left the
pool deck in tears, unable to talk about the loss.

Fox was also red-eyed.

In the other semi-final, Italy came from behind to beat the United States 6-5.

"The United States is the strongest team in the world," said Italian coach Pierluigi Formiconi.

"At that moment, the Italian team was the best in the world."

AAP jhm/sp

KEYWORD: OLY WPO DAYLEAD

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

Vic: Police investigating possible abduction

AAP General News (Australia)
04-19-2004
Vic: Police investigating possible abduction

MELBOURNE, April 19 AAP - Reports of a possible abduction at Ceres near Geelong, south-west
of Melbourne, were being investigated, police said.

Police recieved information that a woman in her mid to late teens may have been taken
in a vehicle against her will while at the Ceres Lookout at Barrabool Road at about 6.20pm
(AEDT) last night.

A dark coloured station wagon was allegedly seen driving south from the lookout towards
Wandana Heights with its lights turned off.

A police spokesman said today there still had been no reports of anyone missing.

AAP bw/

KEYWORD: ABDUCTION

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

Fed: Official jobs indicators looking shaky

AAP General News (Australia)
02-11-2004
Fed: Official jobs indicators looking shaky

An official measure of future employment has fallen for the third month in a row, but
the government says it's too early to conclude that jobs growth is slowing.

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations Leading Indicator of Employment
for February was 0.249 from 0.170 in January.

The department says the fall was led by downward trends since November 2003.

However, the department says it's too early to confirm that the latest decreases signal
a slowing from the solid cyclical employment growth expected in the first half of 2004.

Official unemployment figures for January will be released tomorrow by the Australian
Bureau of Statistics at 11.30 am (AEDT).

The jobless rate has been at a 13-year low of 5.6 per cent since October.

AAP RTV kmh/sb/rh/rt

KEYWORD: JOBS (CANBERRA)

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

HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 14:45 = 2

AAP General News (Australia)
12-12-2003
HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 14:45 = 2

CANBERRA - An $800 million investment in Papua New Guinea law and order would pay long-term
dividends to Australia, Prime Minister John Howard said today. (PNG Howard)

CANBERRA - Australia was doing the right thing with its massive aid package for Papua
New Guinea and needed a next door neighbour that was stable and prosperous, Foreign Minister
Alexander Downer said today. (PNG Downer)

CANBERRA - A review of Australian Federal Police (AFP) resources should follow the
federal government's announcement that 230 police would be deployed to Papua New Guinea,
Labor said today. (PNG Labor)

PNG AUST NIGHTLEAD to come

CANBERRA - Prime Minister John Howard today encouraged Australian companies to bid
for work to help rebuild Iraq. (Iraq Howard)

CANBERRA - Foreign Minister Alexander Downer today backed United States moves to consider
handing lucrative aid contracts only to nations which helped with the war in Iraq. (Iraq
Aust)

CANBERRA - All major parties faced the danger of selecting candidates from a narrow
pool of professions, Prime Minister John Howard said today. (Politicians Howard)

CANBERRA - Missile defence would be an attractive feature of the advanced air defence
system planned for new air warfare destroyers, the navy's thinktank said today. (Missile)

CANBERRA - Bilateral trade deals may boost trade between countries but do little to
increase business in services, an OECD report has found. (Trade)

CANBERRA - The high Australian dollar is quickly claiming the nation's beef and live
export markets. (Exports)

CANBERRA - Former deputy prime minister and National Party leader Tim Fischer today
pointed the finger at those who watered gardens and median strips in the middle of the
day as the nation's worst water wasters. (Water Fischer )

SYDNEY - The mother of three children murdered by their father has described life without
them as empty and cold. (Fraser, NIGHTLEAD to come)

SYDNEY - The 400 NRMA roadside assistance officers who were this week stood down without
pay due to industrial action will return to work today. (NRMA Settle, NRMA NIGHTLEAD to
come)

SYDNEY - A punter from the NSW far north coast is $30 million richer after winning
the entire first division in last night's Powerball - the equal-biggest lottery win in
Australia. (Powerball)

SYDNEY - A jury today found a Sydney man guilty of manslaughter for killing his best
friend with a claw hammer. (Walsh, NIGHTLEAD to come)

SYDNEY - A further 25 retrenched miners have received their share of almost $5 million
of entitlements given to them by waste company Collex following the approval of a controversial
rubbish transfer station. (Dump)

SYDNEY - The line-up for the 2004 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras was unveiled today
at the official launch of the festival guide. (MARDI to come)

LITHGOW - DNA taken from a man charged with the murder of an 81-year-old woman in her
Blue Mountains home was a perfect match to samples found at the crime scene, a court was
told today. (White Nightlead)

MELBOURNE - Forensic staff had been unfairly maligned by claims they perverted the
course of justice, the inquest into the death of toddler Jaidyn Leskie was told today.

(Leskie 2nd Daylead, NIGHTLEAD to come)

MELBOURNE - Allegations Department of Human Services (DHS) staff may have contributed
to the death of a 15-year-old girl have prompted renewed calls for a Victorian children's
commissioner. (Children)

MELBOURNE - Plans to reopen the Arthur's Seat chairlift next week have been shelved
after WorkCover inspectors put a prohibition notice on the tourist attraction south-east
of Melbourne. (Chairlift)

MELBOURNE - Prime Minister John Howard today said the Victorian government had missed
its chance to purchase controversial former defence land at Point Nepean. (Nepean, NIGHTLEAD
to come)

MELBOURNE - Firefighters at a station in Melbourne's west ran across the road to fight
a large blaze at a furniture factory today. (Furniture)

MELBOURNE - Bali bombing survivor Natalie Goold has received the Star of Courage for
her bravery during the October 12, 2002, tragedy. (Bali Medals)

BRISBANE - Queensland police have charged the boyfriend of back-from-the-dead teenager
Natasha Ryan with perjury. (Ryan Daylead, NIGHTLEAD to come)

BRISBANE - A serial rapist has won the right to appeal to the High Court against new
Queensland laws keeping him in jail. (Fardon)

BRISBANE - A man dubbed Australia's worst paedophile has lost his bid to appeal an
indefinite sentence for molesting 62 girls over a 30-year period. (Dobbs)

BRISBANE - Swing Low, Sweet Chariot! England might have taken away the Rugby World
Cup but have fans have helped revive Australian tourism. (Arrivals, NIGHTLEAD to come)

BRISBANE - A man described as an amateur Steve Irwin could be charged over keeping
a freshwater crocodile illegally in the backyard of his home near Toowoomba (CROC to come)

BRISBANE - Prince Harry spotted enjoying the surf on the Sunshine Coast. (HARRY to come)

CAIRNS - Never smile at a crocodile and don't sit down under a coconut tree. (COCONUTS to come)

ADELAIDE - A South Australian shark fisherman has been fined $25,000 for taking his
boat into a marine park when it was closed to protect whales. (Atterton)

PERTH - The WA government today outlined its major changes to the state's tax system,
including the abolition of some taxes from as early as January next year. (TAX WA to come)

PERTH - The Mickelberg brothers' eighth appeal against their conviction for the 1982
Perth Mint swindle was adjourned today after a two week hearing. (MICKELBERG to come)

DARWIN - An ANZ Bank employee has been arrested and charged over the theft of almost
$2.5 million from the bank over a 10-year period, police said today. (Bank, NIGHTLEAD)

DARWIN - A decision to overturn the conviction of a journalist who trespassed on Aboriginal
land has been criticised as an attack on indigenous property rights. (Toohey)

DARWIN - An unruly passenger who launched into a drunken mid-air rage aboard an international
flight has been ordered to pay the $14,000 cost of diverting the plane to Darwin. (Donovan)

HOBART - A former Tasmanian Anglican priest jailed for sexually abusing teenaged boys
has appealed against the length of his sentence. (Hawkins)

HOBART - The unique pick-up lines of amorous frogs are being used in a "Summer Lovin'"

survey of two declining Tasmanian species. (Frogs)

AAP mo

KEYWORD: HIGHLIGHTS NATIONAL 2 SYDNEY

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

NSW:Funky aesthetics meet functionality at Design Week

00-00-0000
NSW:Funky aesthetics meet functionality at Design Week

Cutting-edge examples of British industrial design today jostled for space with anunpretentious Australian mix-master at a Sydney celebration of design.

Great Expectations, a showcase of British works including a paper dress that foldsinside an airmail envelope, will open to the public at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum tomorrow.

The British works are being shown alongside an exhibition of iconic Australian itemsincluding a Ford car, the Sunbeam mix-master and the Dolphin torch.

The Powerhouse will also play host to a separate exhibition showcasing work by thefinalists in the national Young Designer of the Year Award, to be announced tonight.

The exhibitions coincide with Sydney Design Week, which runs from tomorrow until August17 with the aim of increasing public and professional awareness of design.

Great Expectations will run from August 7 until February 1, 2004.

AAP RTV smb/hn/jas

KEYWORD: DESIGN (SYDNEY)

Vic: New Parliament underway in Melbourne

00-00-0000
Vic: New Parliament underway in Melbourne

Victoria's new Parliament has got under way with the swearing in of MPs and the electionof a new Speaker, JUDY MADDIGAN.

Ms MADDIGAN, the Member for Essendon, says she hopes to improve the level of debatein the legislative assembly and the image of parliamentarians in the general community.

Premier STEVE BRACKS says the return of parliament has brought home the scale of …

Today in History, December 26

00-00-0000
Today in History, December 26

By AAP and agencies

Today is Thursday, December 26, the 360th day of 2002. There are five days left in the year.

Highlights in history on this date:

1492 - Columbus founds the first European settlement in the New World, on Hispaniola.

1793 - French victory at Weissenburg forces allies to retreat across Rhine River.

1805 - Peace of Pressburg is signed between France and Austria.

1825 - Russian army uprising is crushed.

1827 - Turkey's Sultan Mohamud II rejects right of allies to mediate in war with Greece.

1836 - The colony of South Australia is founded by settlers.

1901 - Completion of Uganda Railway from Mombassa to Lake Victoria.

1906 - World's first feature film, The Story of the Kelly Gang, is premiered at theAthenaeum Hall, Melbourne.

1908 - American Jack Johnson becomes first black boxer to win world heavyweight titlewhen he defeats Canadian Tommy Burns in Sydney.

1931 - Melvil Dewey, American librarian and inventor of the Dewey classification system, dies.

1941 - As Japanese forces approach, the United States declares Manila an open city.

1961 - United Nations officials charge that Northern Rhodesia is aiding the secessionistCongo province of Katanga in its fight against UN forces.

1971 - Sixteen US veterans of Vietnam War seize Statue of Liberty in New York harbourto dramatise their anti-war stand.

1972 - Harry S Truman, 33rd US president (1945-53), dies.

1974 - US comedian Jack Benny, whose career spanned vaudeville, stage, TV, radio and film, dies.

1992 - Moderate Yugoslav Prime Minister Milan Panic concedes defeat in Serbian presidentialelections and congratulates the incumbent, hard-liner Slobodan Milosevic.

1993 - A large avalanche of snow and ice crashes down a part of Mont Blanc, damagingchalets and cars in the Alps, while floodwaters rise in northern and southwestern France.

1995 - Israeli troops hand dozens of villages to the Palestinian Authority in the finalphase of a pullback in the West Bank.

1995 - NSW riot police battle a bottle-throwing mob after 12,000-strong Christmas celebrationsturn ugly at Bondi Beach.

1996 - Tupac Amaru guerrillas release Guatemala's ambassador in Lima but still hold 103 hostages.

1998 - Khmer Rouge leaders Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea, considered to be among thearchitects of the group's genocidal reign in the 1970s, surrender to the government, leavingonly the brutal general Ta Mok, still at large.

1999 - Alfonso Portillo, a populist lawyer, scored a resounding victory in Guatemala'sfirst peacetime presidential elections in nearly 40 years.

2000 - Russian ground controllers lose contact for nearly 20 hours with the Mir spacestation before re-establishing communication, allaying fears the accident-prone, 140-tonnevessel might have spun dangerously out of control.

2001 - The Arabic TV station Al-Jazeera airs new videotaped excerpts of Osama bin Ladenin which the al-Qaeda leader condemns the United States as a nation that committed crimesagainst millions of Afghans.

Today's Birthdays:

Charles Babbage, English mathematician and inventor of first computer (1791-1871);George Romney, English artist (1734-1802); Henry Miller, US writer (1891-1980), Mao Tse-tung,Chinese leader (1893-1976); Leopold Mannes, US co-developer of Kodachrome film (1899-1964);Steve Allen, US Comedian/TV host (1921-2000); Alan King, US comedian (1927-); Abdul 'Duke'Fakir, US rhythm-and-blues singer (1935--).

Thought for Today:

A fool and his money are soon parted, but you never call him a fool till the moneyis gone - Anonymous.

AAP/AP/REUTERS wa

KEYWORD: HISTORY 26/12 EMBADGOED: DEC 26 RPT

NSW: Suspicious fire destroys primary school

00-00-0000
NSW: Suspicious fire destroys primary school

Investigations are underway after a primary school in the Illawarra was destroyed bya suspicious fire overnight.

Police say they were called to the Kemblawarra Primary School at Kemblawarra, nearPort Kembla at 10.37 pm (AEST) after an intruder alarm was activated.

When they arrived they found the main complex of the school well alight.

Fire Brigade personnel arrived a short time later but struggled with the blaze forseveral hours before it was brought under control at around 2.30am (AEST) this morning.

The school building was completely destroyed.

Detectives from Lake Illawarra and the Forensic Services Group will attend the scenethis morning.

The fire is being treated as suspicious and anyone with information is urged to contact police.

AAP RTV rcg/psm/

KEYWORD: BLAZE (SYDNEY)

Diary for Monday April 8, 2002

00-00-0000
Diary for Monday April 8, 2002EVENTS ARE IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER AND IN LOCAL TIME UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE.

ADELAIDENo items listed.

BRISBANENo items listed.

CANBERRANo items listed.

MELBOURNE0900 - National Australia Bank managing director and CEO, Frank Cicutto, media conferenceon the bank's Positioning for Growth. Level 35, 500 Bourke Street. Contact: Rebecca Fortuna8641 3627.

PERTHNo items listed.

SYDNEY0830 - Trade Practices Reform and the Global Market seminar. Le Meridien Hotel, 11 JamisonStreet. Contact: Belinda White or Anne Sinclair 9261 4102.

0830 - Navy exercise, Mulgogger. HMAS Creswell, Jervis Bay Road, Jervis Bay. Contact:Raveena Carroll 9359 2785, 0411 203 579.

1230 - BHP Billiton's Strategic Direction conference. Hilton Hotel, 259 Pitt Street. Contact:Belinda White or Anne Sinclair 9261 4102.

SPORTBASKETBALL - NBL Playoffs game 3 (if needed) -1945 - West Sydney v Melbourne, State Sports CentreHOCKEY - Women's League -1200 - Queensland v VIS, Pines Stadium1400 - Canberra v Tasmania, Pines Stadium1600 - Territory v WAIS, Pines Stadium1800 - NSWIS v Adelaide, Pines StadiumGALLOPS -WerribeeQuirindi

TROTS -KilmoreBulliGloucester ParkGREYHOUNDS -Wentworth ParkSheppartonAlbion ParkAngle ParkRichmondNowraTraralgonLaunceston

ENTERTAINMENT1800 - Warner Roadshow Studios New Filmmakers Awards Public Screening. Greater Union HoytsRegent Cinemas, Queens Street Mall, Brisbane. Contact: Alanna Curd (07)3007 3033.

1315 - Media call for Australian Ballet's production, Spartacus. Stage Door, Sydney OperaHouse. Contact: Duncan Imberger 0407 332 879.

1800 - Artist Bruce Petty and National Museum of Australia director Dawn Casey, to openexhibition Bringing the House Down, 12 months of Australian Political Cartoons. RMIT University,RMIT Storey Hall, 344 Swanston Street, Melbourne. Contact: 9925 1717.

AAP Diary Contact: Melissa Jenkins 02 9322 8673, Fax: 02 9322 8679.

AAP RTV mj/nf/cjh/sb/jtb

KEYWORD: DIARY MONDAY APRIL 8, 2002

Vic: Homeowners tied up during Coburg Robbery

00-00-0000
Vic: Homeowners tied up during Coburg Robbery

Two people were tied up as men armed with a handgun and a garden stake robbed theirhome in Melbourne overnight.

Police say a man in his late twenties answered the door of his home in northern Coburg,about 11.45pm (AEDT) and three men …

Fed: Captain awaits confirmation of report=2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-28-2001
Fed: Captain awaits confirmation of report=2

Captain ARNE RINNAN says he heard reports of Indonesia's offer on Perth radio and is
expecting to discuss the situation with officials in Oslo soon.

He says the problem is that they have 438 people on the ship and they're talking of
jumping overboard.

Mr RINNAN says if that happens it might be Australia's problem in the end anyway.

He says he's more afraid for the asylum seekers' safety than for that of the crew.

MORE RTV jb/daw/klw/rp

KEYWORD: BOAT CAPTAIN 2 CANBERRA

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

VIC: Main Stories in today s Melbourne newspapers = 2

AAP General News (Australia)
04-11-2001
VIC: Main Stories in today s Melbourne newspapers = 2

THE AGE

Page 1 - Institute of Sport athletes to be drug tested after swim coach's allegations;
Ansett delayed a year in testing Boeing 767s; Australian Open managers bid for Tiger Woods
to play next year.

Page 2 - Reserve Bank governor admits economic downturn was a surprise; Ansett story spillover.

Page 3 - Bradmill workers confront Federal Workplace Relations Minister Tony Abbott;
Bureaucratic delays mean no Victorians have received $14,000 first home builders' grant.

World - China insists on apology over US spy plane collision; Tussle over wing airflow
could have caused US spy plane and Chinese jet to crash; Zimbabwe on verge of famine caused
by seizure of white-owned farms.

Finance - Coles dumps chief executive Dennis Eck, unveils plan to break up group; Reserve
Bank governor says dollar's slide could not have been avoided; Faulding in talks with
unnamed company over proposal which must go to shareholders' vote.

Sport - Richmond coach apologises for outburst after Liberatore/Knights clash; UK soccer
teams demand Australian players back from Socceroos after 22-0 thrashing of Tonga.

AAP ra/was

KEYWORD: FRONTERS VIC 2 MELBOURNE

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

SA: Man arrested over two alleged murders

AAP General News (Australia)
01-19-2001
SA: Man arrested over two alleged murders

ADELAIDE, Jan 19 AAP - A man was arrested today over the alleged murder of two men
whose bodies were found wrapped in plastic by the side of a road east of Adelaide last
month.

The 36-year-old man from the inner-northern suburb of Prospect was charged with the
murder of Alan Goodwin, 57, of Parafield Gardens in Adelaide's north and Terry Comans,
36, of Prospect.

Their battered bodies were found by a farmer on …

Fed: ATSIC says Aust defiance on UN sends message to region

AAP General News (Australia)
08-30-2000
Fed: ATSIC says Aust defiance on UN sends message to region

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission says Australia's defiant stance
on its United Nations human rights obligations could infect other countries in the region.

ATSIC chairman GEOFF CLARK says Australia's decision to veto nearly all visits by UN
human rights investigators and scale down its participation in UN inquiries is sending
a dangerous message to the region.

Mr CLARK's told the Nine Network that countries like China and Indonesia will have
some joy in the decision.

He says they could refuse to comply with a UN ruling, saying there's a double standard
-- with Australia already having decided it's above the law.

The government's decision appears to have been prompted by critical findings about
Australia's treatment of Aborigines and asylum seekers.

AAP RTV kmh/rt

KEYWORD: UN AUST CLARK (CANBERRA)

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

NSW: Boy on life support after pipe attack

AAP General News (Australia)
04-15-2000
NSW: Boy on life support after pipe attack

A teenage boy remains on life support in a Sydney hospital after a cowardly attack
left a metal pipe lodged in his head.

The 17-year-old Quakers Hill boy, whose name has not been released, has had a 50cm
metal pipe surgically removed from his head at Westmead Hospital last night.

Doctors say his prognosis is poor.

Blacktown police Inspector WAYNE MCMAHON says last night two large groups of youths
quarralled outside the Woodcroft shopping centre in Sydney's west.

When the victim and four friends left in his car they were confronted by a group of
about 18 Asian males armed with metal poles and bats.

One of them threw a 50cm solid metal bar through the driver's side window and hit the
teenager in the back of the skull.

Inspector MCMAHON says police are looking for a group of six to eight young Asian males
who they believe are in their late teens.

He says members of the group wore baggy clothes but there are no indications they belonged
to a gang.

AAP RTV sal/arb

KEYWORD: PIPE (SYDNEY)

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

Qld: Qld corruption fighters seek more recognition

AAP General News (Australia)
01-20-2000
Qld: Qld corruption fighters seek more recognition

Queensland's Criminal Justice Commission is seeking greater public recognition despite
a string of high-profile public inquiries successfully completed since it began 10 years
ago.

CJC chairman BRENDAN BUTLER says recent surveys show 17.4 per cent of people in the
state's far north are unaware of the commission and its role as the public corruption
watchdog.

The CJC, set …

FED: Publisher to continue Abbott, Costello appeal

AAP General News (Australia)
08-31-1999
FED: Publisher to continue Abbott, Costello appeal

CANBERRA, Aug 31 AAP - Publisher Random House will today continue its attempt to have a
massive damages payout to Howard government ministers Peter Costello and Tony Abbott quashed.

Lawyer Bruce McClintock, QC, yesterday conceded that comments in the book Goodbye Jerusalem
were vulgar, offensive and untrue and part of a random stream of thought from the "fevered
brain" of writer Bob Ellis.

But he denied that the claim the wife of one of the men had sex with both before her
marriage and changed their political views was defamatory.

He told the Federal Court the community saw nothing morally wrong with premarital sex or
changing one's political allegiance.

Justice Terence Higgins last year awarded a total of $277,500 in damages to the two
ministers and their wives after finding the book defamed them.

But Mr McClintock said Justice Higgins should not have found any defamatory imputations in
the Ellis book because the ordinary reasonable reader of the 1990s would not regard such
allegations as being defamatory.

The appeal is expected to conclude today.

AAP ss/cjh

KEYWORD: ABBOTT DAYLEAD

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

QLD: Township menaced by croc after flood bungle mayor

AAP General News (Australia)
04-08-1999
QLD: Township menaced by croc after flood bungle mayor

By Barbara Adam

BRISBANE, April 8 AAP - A Cape York mayor today recommended shooting a rogue four-metre
crocodile lurking in a popular town swimming hole for more than a year.

Cook Shire mayor Graham Elmes said it was only a matter of time before an alleged bungle by
wildlife rangers - which he said resulted in the croc being released in waterways near the
remote Cape York township of Laura - began costing lives.

Mr Elmes said rangers had captured the problem crocodile in Tully at the height of last
year's wet season and were trying to take it to Lakefield National Park when they got stuck in
floods 60km shy of their destination.

Stranded in Laura with the croc trussed up in the back of their truck, the rangers decided
to release the reptile into the Laura River to spare it any more stress, he said.

Mr Elmes said the croc had taken up residence in a deep waterhole near Olivale Station, a
popular swimming and fishing spot for locals.

"I don't know how we're going to keep the kids out of there, and there's always going to be
stock coming into the waterhole for water," Mr Elmes said.

Crocodiles are a protected species and it is illegal to harm them, so relocation is the
only option.

But Mr Elmes has recommended the reptile be shot on sight.

He said the rangers should have started trying to relocate the croc as soon as floodwaters
subsided last year, rather than leaving it to swim around waterways near a populated area for
12 months.

He said the croc's presence struck fear in the hearts of locals, because wading and
swimming across rivers was sometimes the only way of getting across during the wet season.

However, a spokesman for Environment Minister Ron Welford said the allegations made by Mr
Elmes were untrue.

"We've had an investigation and we've closed the books on it," he said.

The spokesman said wildlife rangers responsible for the relocation of the croc last year
denied releasing it near Laura.

Under a special rogue crocodile management program introduced last year, any rogue
crocodiles spotted near Laura would be removed when rivers subsided in coming months, he said.

The spokesman said anyone caught shooting a crocodile could be fined and jailed.

AAP bja/sd/pa

KEYWORD: CROCODILE

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

NSW: Flooded station causes big delays for peak hour rail users

AAP General News (Australia)
12-22-1998
NSW: Flooded station causes big delays for peak hour rail users

SYDNEY, Dec 22 AAP - Peak hour rail commuters were in for extensive delays this afternoon
after a major Sydney railway station was flooded early today, State Rail said.

Wynyard station was inundated by more than two million litres of water when a water pipe
burst in York Street, just before 1am.

A State Rail spokesman said there would be delays on most lines this afternoon because
trains were unable to stop at two Wynyard platforms while mopping up continued.

Commuters would be able to board trains on platforms three and four at Wynyard which
travelled to the North Shore, Hornsby via Strathfield and Penrith, the spokesman said.

But commuters would not be able to join trains on platforms five and six.

The spokesman said passengers needing to use the city circle line were asked to use
alternative stations on the circuit.

The only services not affected were the eastern suburbs and Illawarra lines, he said.

On the western line, commuters travelling to Penrith and Richmond would have to change
trains at Blacktown to board special shuttle trains.

The spokesman said rail authorities were hopeful of restoring services for tomorrow
morning's peak hour, however, there were no guarantees.

"We are hopeful they will be restored, but we can't say at this point in time," the
spokesman said.

AAP shm/sb/ms

KEYWORD: WYNYARD PEAK

1998 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

NSW:Sydney surgeons cut short Christmas break

AAP General News (Australia)
12-09-2011
NSW:Sydney surgeons cut short Christmas break

SYDNEY, Dec 9 AAP - Operating theatres at three of Sydney's biggest hospitals will
re-open a week earlier over the Christmas break, says NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner.

Royal Prince Alfred, Royal North Shore and Concord hospitals will now have reduced
surgical activity for four weeks instead of five.

Ms Skinner said the move would ease waiting list backlogs with surgeons at the three
hospitals expected to operate on up to 600 extra people.

She said the previous Labor government had blamed doctors for wanting to shut down
elective surgery over Christmas.

"But I've spoken to many surgeons across Sydney and they have been adamant that this
has not been the case," she told reporters in Sydney.

"A number have said they'd welcome time in operating theatres to clear backlogs of
elective surgery cases."

MORE stu/tr/mjs

KEYWORD: SURGERY

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

Events Diary for Tuesday, February 3, 2009

AAP General News (Australia)
02-03-2009
Events Diary for Tuesday, February 3, 2009
EVENTS LISTED IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER AND LOCAL TIME UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED:

ADELAIDE
No items listed.

BRISBANE
0900 - Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence to commission new $130 million Townsville
Womens Correctional Centre. Ross McSwain 3227 8586.

0930 - Queensland Premier Anna Bligh to address AWU national conference. Jupiters Hotel,
Gold Coast. Andrew Casey, 0417 054 194.

CANBERRA
0000 - The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) will release a Special Report
titled 200809 mid-year Defence budget update on Tuesday 3 February 2009. …

-PeopleString places USD1.2m securities with institutional investors

Internet Business News
05-19-2011
-PeopleString places USD1.2m securities with institutional investors

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

19 May 2011 - US social network operator PeopleString (OTCBB:PLPE) said on Wednesday it got commitments from institutional investors to subscribe to its USD1.2m (EUR842,000) securities issue.
PeopleString has agreed to sell 2.4m pieces of its common stock at USD0.50 per share, as well as three series of warrants.

Specifically, the series A five-year warrants entitle the holders to buy up to 50% of the shares sold at the closing at an exercise price of USD0.70 per share.

The series B warrants expire in 18 months and give investors the right to purchase up to 100% of the shares sold at the closing at an exercise price of USD0.50 per share.

The series C warrants with a five-year term vest proportionally upon exercise of the series B warrants and enable investors to purchase 50% of the shares sold at the closing at an exercise price of USD0.70 per share.

Rodman & Renshaw is the exclusive placement agent for the securities sale.

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

(Copyright M2 Communications, 2011)

WA:WA's IR changes won't be radical; O'Brien

AAP General News (Australia)
08-31-2011
WA:WA's IR changes won't be radical; O'Brien

West Australian Commerce Minister SIMON O'BRIEN has ruled any radical overhaul of the
state's industrial relations system, although he says there will be some changes.

MARCIA KUHNE from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia says many
of its members are unhappy about the government's inaction and there's a great level of
confusion between state IR laws and the federal government Fair Work legislation.

Western Australia is the only state not to sign up to the national workplace relations
system, however Mr O'BRIEN says the government is now seeking to harmonise some aspects
of the legislation.

AAP RTV jsj/wz

KEYWORD: INDUSTRIAL WA (PERTH)

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

EA's Battlefield 3 Uses Frostbite 2 Game Engine Technology

Wireless News
02-28-2011
EA's Battlefield 3 Uses Frostbite 2 Game Engine Technology
Type: News

Dice, an Electronic Arts studio, developers of the multi- platinum Battlefield: Bad Company series, announced a pre-order incentive for Battlefield 3, the successor to Battlefield 2.

According to Dice, Battlefield 3 uses the new Frostbite 2 game engine. This technology is the foundation on which Battlefield 3 is built, delivering enhanced visual quality, a larger sense of scale, massive destruction, audio and character animation utilizing ANT technology from the latest EA Sports games.
The experience doesn't stop with the engine - it just starts there. In single-player, multiplayer and co-op, Battlefield 3 is a near-future war game depicting international conflicts spanning land, sea and air. Players are dropped into the heart of the combat whether it occurs on dense city streets where they must fight in close quarters or in wide open rural locations that require long range tactics.

"We are gearing up for a fight and we're here to win," said Karl Magnus Troedsson, General Manager, Dice. "Where other shooters are treading water Battlefield 3 innovates. Frostbite 2 is a game- changer for shooter fans. We call it a next-generation engine for current-generation platforms."

In Battlefield 3, players step into the role of the elite U.S. Marines. As the first boots on the ground, players will experience missions across diverse locations including Paris, Tehran and New York. As a U.S. Marine in the field, periods of tension and anticipation are punctuated by moments of complete chaos.

"We wanted to create the most immersive and emotionally powerful Battlefield game ever and we needed new technology to deliver on our vision," said Patrick Bach, Executive Producer. "Battlefield 3 preserves the franchise's signature sandbox style and even brings back classic fan favorites like jets, going prone and 64-player multiplayer on PC."

Battlefield 3 will be available this Fall for the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system, the PlayStation3 computer entertainment system and the PC.

Electronic Arts is a global interactive entertainment software company. The company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the Internet.

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

Copyright 2011 Close-Up Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
n/a

NSW:Activists charged for break-in at NSW mine

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2010
NSW:Activists charged for break-in at NSW mine

SYDNEY, Dec 4 AAP - Two activists have been charged after breaking into a Hunter Valley
mine site and attaching themselves to a conveyor belt.

Two activists from Camp for Climate Action 2010 chained themselves to a conveyor belt
that transports coal to the Bayswater power station at about 9.30am (AEDT) on Saturday.

Police Rescue arrived and after a three-hour operation the men were removed.

They were arrested and charged with the offences of remain on enclosed lands and enter
enclosed lands.

Both men have been granted bail and will appear in Muswellbrook Local Court on January 4.

Protesters say Xstrata's Ravensworth open-cut mine - that directly feeds the Bayswater
power station - is Australia's largest single source of carbon pollution.

About 40 people are protesting with placards at the site, supporting the two activists.

But police have renewed their warning to anyone attending Climate Camp 2010 at Muswellbrook
this weekend.

The Hunter Valley local area commander, Superintendent Des Organ, has reminded protesters
that anti-social or criminal behaviour will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

"Anyone found to be breaching the peace, damaging property, or acting in an anti-social
manner will be arrested and placed before the courts," Supt Organ said in a statement.

AAP lxs/mp

KEYWORD: PROTEST 2ND UPDATE

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

Vic: Main stories on 1200 3AW news

AAP General News (Australia)
04-28-2010
Vic: Main stories on 1200 3AW news

MELBOURNE, April 28 AAP - Main stories on Thursday's 1200 3AW news:

- A bidding war has erupted between the Brumby government and the state opposition
over who will hire more police if they win November's poll.

- More peak hour train services have been announced.

- Reserve Bank may be forced to lift interest rates next week as the inflation rate
shows no signs of abating.

- More than 5,000 workers have marched in Melbourne's CBD to protest over an increase
in deaths and serious injuries at work.

- Police are hoping the public can help find the attacker of a couple brutally injured
in their home in Craigieburn in 2004.

- A court has been told there are exceptional circumstances why Judy Moran, charged
with murdering her brother-in-law Des Moran, should be released on bail.

- Sport: AFL Brisbane's Johnathan Brown has declared himself fit for Saturday night's
clash with Sydney at the SCG.

- Police want public help to find those responsible for overnight molotov attacks on
the Monash Freeway.

- Finance: all ordinaries lower at 4,830 points, $A trading at 91.92 US cents.

- Claims by Brian Waldron there is widespread salary cap cheating in Rugby League is
beginning to bite.

AAP szp/gfr/maur/

KEYWORD: MONITOR 1200 3AW

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

NSW: State govt takes a beating in Newspoll

AAP General News (Australia)
12-15-2009
NSW: State govt takes a beating in Newspoll

The NSW government has taken a beating in the latest opinion poll .. after a month
of dramatic ructions within the state Labor Party.

The Newspoll .. published in The Australian newspaper today .. shows primary support
for the government fell four percentage points in the past fortnight to 26 per cent ..

compared to the coalition's 44 per cent up two points.

The Australian says the figure again represents the lowest primary support for any
incumbent government in NSW .. last recorded in the same period last year .. when former
premier MORRIS IEMMA was dumped.

On a two-party preferred basis .. 59 per cent of voters back the Coalition .. up four
percentage points .. while 41 per cent support Labor .. down four points.

Nearly half .. 45 per cent .. believe Premier KRISTINA KENEALLY will be the same kind
of leader as NATHAN REES .. who was dumped in a leadership spill on December 3.

But her supporters will argue the results should be taken with a grain of salt .. given
the voting public barely knows her.

The poll shows Opposition Leader BARRY O'FARRELL'S satisfactory rating has jumped from
38 per cent in September-October .. to 44 per cent in November-December.

AAP RTV sg/psm/

KEYWORD: NEWSPOLL (SYDNEY)

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

Vic: Men-only club a "haven" for members

AAP General News (Australia)
08-06-2009
Vic: Men-only club a "haven" for members

MELBOURNE, Aug 6 AAP - The Melbourne Club has asked a Victorian parliamentary committee
to help it retain its all-male membership so it can remain a "haven for relaxed social
discourse".

The Age newspaper said the exclusive Collins Street club argued in a submission to
the committee that its membership policy allowed members a brief respite from the pressures
of life.

"The club remains as it has always been, a haven for relaxed social discourse and as
a means of getting away, if but briefly, from day-to-day responsibilities," the submission,
signed by club president Bill Shelton, said.

At the moment, private clubs are automatically exempt from equal opportunity laws but
Attorney-General Rob Hulls has indicated he would prefer the situation to change.

The parliament's scrutiny of acts and regulations committee is reviewing exemptions
under the equal opportunity laws.

It is considering lifting the private club exemption and allowing the Victorian Equal
Opportunity and Human Rights Commission to initiate its own anti-discrimination actions,
the newspaper said.

While reserving its right to a male-only membership, the club praised the efforts of
both Labor and the coalition for their anti-discrimination achievements over the years.

Noel Bushnell, a member of the male-only Savage Club, called on the committee not to
recommend changes to the law.

"There must be more important things to look at than the doings of a few gents over
lunch," he said in his submission.

The Savage Club admits women as guests after 4.30pm, the newspaper said.

AAP jrd/jl/

KEYWORD: DISCRIMINATION

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