NSW:Global meltdown will hit budget: O'Farrell

AAP General News (Australia)
08-05-2011
NSW:Global meltdown will hit budget: O'Farrell

NSW Premier BARRY O'FARRELL has warned another global financial shock will make it
harder for the state to meet its budget commitments.

Fears of another global financial meltdown caused share markets around the world to
slump overnight.

Mr O'FARRELL says turmoil overseas will make it more difficult for the government to
secure the state's finances when it delivers the budget on September 6, but rejected a
suggestion the slower NSW economy made it more vulnerable to recession.

He's told reporters another global financial shock will affect all of Australia not just NSW.

AAP RTV saj/tr/psm/

KEYWORD: ECONOMY OFARRELL (SYDNEY)

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

World Bank

World Bank See International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

NSW:Anti carbon protestors in Blacktown

AAP General News (Australia)
04-10-2011
NSW:Anti carbon protestors in Blacktown

Opponents of the federal government's proposed carbon tax say they will continue their
campaign of demonstrations against the plan.

They say they're planning to rally on April 30 in Port Macquarie .. the home of independent
MP for Lyne ROB OAKESHOTT .. after yesterday's protest in Sydney's western suburbs ..

where about one-thousand people met at the Blacktown Showgrounds.

The protest was the third of its kind and was a small business-focused rally.

Meanwhile .. in Brisbane .. hundreds turned out in support of the tax yesterday ..

with acting prime minister WAYNE SWAN and his family amongst the crowd.

AAP RTV bc/sw/wz

KEYWORD: CLIMATE (SYDNEY)

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

FED:NBN is viable, says Gillard=2

AAP General News (Australia)
12-20-2010
FED:NBN is viable, says Gillard=2

Building the network will take nine and a half years with a rollout peak of 5900 premises
a day during construction.

Ms Gillard said when parliament last sat the government released a summary of the business case.

She said since that time the government had received the Australian Competition and
Consumer Commission (ACCC) advice on the points of interconnect (POI) decision and that
was incorporated in the business case released today.

A POI is the location where traffic is exchanged between one network and another.

Ms Gillard said the government accepted that advice to adopt a semi-distributed model,
to use existing infrastructure and to have more point of interconnect to allow business
access to the NBN around the country.

"The ACCC has advised the government that with this model, the ACCC has the regulatory
powers it needs to ensure a uniform wholesale price should the market not deliver that,"

she said.

Ms Gillard said the ACCC had advised the government that it expected there would be
uniform retail prices.

She said the business case showed the impacts of the POI and other policy changes in
a revised rate of return of 7.04 per cent, a relatively minor variation.

"That is because with this semi-distributed model and the benefits of the ACCC advice,
we know that we will be in a position to have a uniform wholesale price with all of the
uptake in regional Australia that flows from the benefit of uniform wholesale pricing,"

she said.

MORE mb/sb/jlw

KEYWORD: NBN GILLARD 2 CANBERRA

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

Main stories in Thursday's AM program

08-12-2010
Main stories in Thursday's AM program

SYDNEY, Aug 12 AAP - Main stories in Thursday's AM program:

* Opposition treasury spokesman Joe Hockey says Labor's $2.1 billion to the Parramatta-Epping
rail link was made hastily and at the last minute, and another example of making promises
that will never amount to anything.

* Federal Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese says the government has been in
consultation with local and state governments about the rail link for some time, and it
seems all except the coalition are pleased with the funding promise.

* Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition leader Tony Abbott faced questions from
undecided voters in Rooty Hill on Wednesday night, with Abbott fielding questions over
his leadership style from the forum floor while Gillard took questions from the stage
about gay marriage and the economy.

* Many undecided voters taking part in the forum said the opportunity to hear both
the leaders speak cleared up some of the complicated issues surrounding the election campaign.

* Some Iraqis living in the Victorian regional city of Shepparton expressed some concerns
within their community about the election campaign, particularly on cultural issues, refugees
and a lack of understanding around Islamic practices.

* For voters living in the safe Victorian Liberal seat of Murray has been raised as
a key concern in this election campaign along with asylum seekers, immigration, water
and child care.

* The first person to be extradited from Indonesia over people-trafficking offences
has been found guilty in a Perth District Court and could face a jail sentence of up to
20 years.

* Following the explosion of an oil rig run by an Australian-based operator off the
coast of West Timor about 12 months ago, fisherman have been turning to people smuggling
to make quick money after their seaweed farms and fish stocks were virtually destroyed.

* An angry flight attendant who launched an expletive-laden tirade at a rude passenger
over the flight intercom, stole two beers and then slid out the plane down an emergency
chute is being hailed as a working-class hero even though he faces seven years in jail.

AAP nep/rl

KEYWORD: MONITOR AM PROGRAM

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

WA: AFP charge Perth man with people smuggling

AAP General News (Australia)
04-03-2010
WA: AFP charge Perth man with people smuggling

A 21 year old man has been charged with people smuggling and is due to face Perth Magistrates
Court today.

Australian Federal Police say the man from Thornlie .. 18 kilometers south of Perth
.. has been involved in the unlawful assistance of entry of at least five people.

AFP say he has been charged with one count of organising or facilitating the proposed
entry of into Australia of five or more persons .. the maximum penalty for the offence
is 20-years in prison.

AAP RTV dac/ar

KEYWORD: SMUGGLING (PERTH)

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

Qld: Police call for public help to find missing man

AAP General News (Australia)
08-21-2009
Qld: Police call for public help to find missing man

BRISBANE, Aug 21 AAP - Police are appealing to the public for information into a missing
Gold Coast man feared murdered.

Blood and a knife were found at a Mount Warren Park landscaping supply centre on Thursday
where Brian Bathgate lives.

The 55-year-old was reported missing by his son and employees on Thursday morning.

Police are also trying to find his car, a 2005 Toyota ute with registration number Brian 5.

Detective Superintendent David Hutchinson told reporters on Thursday he held grave
concerns for the man's safety but it was too early to call it a murder investigation.

AAP peb/cdh

KEYWORD: BATHGATE AM UPDATE

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

Vic: Missing walker found safe

AAP General News (Australia)
04-11-2009
Vic: Missing walker found safe

MELBOURNE, April 11 AAP - A walker missing overnight in Victoria's rugged Alpine National
Park has been found safe and well.

Police Search and Rescue teams and the Air Wing spent Saturday combing the park looking
for the 38 year-old woman, from Lara south west of Melbourne, who went missing at around
7pm (AEST) on Friday.

She was found about 3pm (AEST) on Saturday near the Upper King area of the park.

A police spokeswoman said the woman, reported missing after failing to meet up with
a walking group, was "safe and well".

She had food and water when she set out from Stanley Name Gap about 11.45am - headed
for King River and King Spur Track - some 30 minutes after the main group.

Police say she sent a text message around 12.10pm to one of the hikers saying she had
reached the first peak but was unsure of her location.

AAP df/it

KEYWORD: MISSING UPDATE

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

NSW: 'Unsafe' toys removed from shelves

AAP General News (Australia)
12-07-2008
NSW: 'Unsafe' toys removed from shelves

SYDNEY, Dec 7 AAP - More than 160 toys and Christmas products have been removed from
shop and supermarket shelves after being declared unsafe by the NSW Office of Fair Trading.

At least half of the toys - many battery operated or squeeze toys - presented a potentially
fatal inhalation or ingestion hazard for children due to small parts.

Another 14 products were projectile toys that had the potential to cause significant
eye injury or had projectiles of a size that may present an inhalation or ingestion hazard,
a statement said.

NSW Fair Trading Minister Virginia Judge said checks were conducted annually in the
lead up to Christmas to ensure toys did not pose a safety risk to children and consumers.

Fair Trading inspectors examined thousands of products on the shelves of 476 retail
outlets - mostly discount variety stores and markets - in more than 100 towns across NSW.

Ms Judge said she was most concerned about the 121 toys specifically marketed to parents
as being suitable for children under three years of age.

"One toy we've taken off the shelves - a 12-piece `Baby Plaything' toy set - shows
a picture of a young baby on the packaging," she said.

"While it also carries a warning that it is not suitable for use by children under
three, loving parents and grandparents could have been easily misled into buying it.

"It's a disgrace," she added.

She said Fair Trading's Investigation and Enforcement Division would continue to hunt
for dangerous products over the coming weeks to ensure unsafe products remained off the
shelves and "away from young children".

Manufacturers, suppliers and retailers who are found to be supplying or selling unsafe
products face stiff penalties, with maximum fines of $22,000 for individuals and $110,000
for corporations.

AAP cjb/jm

KEYWORD: XMAS TOYS (WITH FACTBOX)

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

NSW: Main stories in today's Sydney newspapers=2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-04-2008
NSW: Main stories in today's Sydney newspapers=2

THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD:

Page 1: Climate modellers predict sea ice surrounding the North Pole could disappear
during summer as soon as 2013. Uncertainty continues to plague the federal opposition
as leader Brendan Nelson heads overseas leaving behind much speculation that Peter Costello
will take the reigns - a suggestion the former treasurer is refusing to comment on. A
bill before parliament could mean property settlement between splitting de facto partners
could mean the same as for a married couple.

Page 2: Three mid-air disasters in nine days for Qantas has prompted the Civil Aviation
Safety Authority to ramp up safety checks on the airline's crafts.

Page 3: A multi-million dollar international internet scam selling Olympic tickets
has left scores of Australian out of pocket tens of thousands of dollars.

World: Pakistan will investigate if its intelligence service was involved in the bombing
of an Indian embassy in India which killed 41 people last month.

Finance: Legal action may be launched against former auditors of collapsed electronics
payment company, Bill Express, after creditors found the agents had allegedly mishandled
accounts.

Sport: After his sudden departure from the club, Sonny Bill Williams was sent a terse
text message from Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes which included: "this is the worst decision
of yr life".

MORE ad/wf

KEYWORD: MONITOR FRONTERS NSW 2 SYDNEY

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

Fox International's Baby TV Teams with Narrowstep for New Internet TV Channel

Wireless News
01-19-2008
Fox International's Baby TV Teams with Narrowstep for New Internet TV Channel

WIRELESS NEWS-January 19, 2008-Fox International's Baby TV Teams with Narrowstep for New Internet TV Channel (C)2008 10Meters - http:/ /www.10meters.com

Narrowstep announced that it has entered into a partnership with Fox International's BabyTV, to provide their original programming over the Internet using Narrowstep's platform.
BabyTV, babytvchannel.com, is a TV channel dedicated to infants and toddlers. Its programming is created by a team of content and child development experts designed to promote learning, activity, interaction and fun.

"BabyTV is dedicated to creating a multi-platform experience for its viewers by continuing to innovate and extend its brand into various new media, products, and other formats," said Liran Talit, Managing Director and Founder of BabyTV. "Narrowstep's Internet TV platform will play an integral role in helping us launch our second generation website and compliment many of the new features we have created. In addition to our over 50 new games and activities which will be launched in 2008, by offering our original content over the Internet we will be able to extend our reach into new markets and allow our audience to view our programming wherever they want, however they want in TV-like quality."

BabyTV which launched internationally in 2005, is already viewed by parents and babies worldwide on over 100 platforms in 65 different countries and in 12 different languages. The channel is also available through VOD, mobile, broadband, home videos, inflight services, and now on babytvchannel.com.

Narrowstep will provide BabyTV with their telvOS Internet TV platform, which is the most complete end-to-end solution for broadcasters to deliver video over the Internet. telvOS provides broadcasters with a suite of products and tools which includes a robust content management system, superior DRM tools and a host of monetization tools. These tools allow broadcasters to effectively integrate a customized Internet TV strategy into their existing workflow without the need to deal with multiple vendors.

Narrowstep also designed and built the feature-rich video player. The BabyTV player is a complementary experience to viewing the channel which allows parents to choose their child's favorite programs by themes or by character, and allows parents and babies to engage in activities such as Baby Karaoke, sing along and more. The player also offers parents the option of tailoring their child's experience by viewing the programming in a number of different languages.

Narrowstep recently announced the release of its Player 2.7 technology designed to provide global broadcasters and telcos with the tools they need to monetize video over the internet. Fox's BabyTV is the latest addition to Narrowstep's list of clients including ITV Local, Virgin, Telefonica, Sci Fi Channel, KPN, the Outdoor Channel, the Travel Channel and more.

"The fact that we were chosen by an industry leading company like Fox International, only reaffirms that we have developed the right strategy of focusing on our technology and on targeting world-class broadcasters," said David C. McCourt, Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer. "The BabyTV brand and original content offering, along with Narrowstep's expertise in building tools for monetizing content are a powerful combination, and we are excited to play a long term role in BabyTV's success."

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

((Distributed via M2 Communications Ltd - http://www.m2.com))

(Copyright M2 Communications Ltd. 19, 2008)

Fed: Transcript doesn't alter Andrews' mind on visa cancellation

AAP General News (Australia)
08-22-2007
Fed: Transcript doesn't alter Andrews' mind on visa cancellation

CANBERRA, Aug 22 AAP - Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews says the public release of
the second police interview with Mohamed Haneef does not alter the reasons for his decision
to revoke the Indian doctor's visa.

Dr Haneef's lawyer, Peter Russo, today made public a full transcript of the second
interview held with his client after his arrest at Brisbane airport on July 2.

It followed Mr Andrews' selective release of information in the transcript last month,
to justify his decision to cancel Dr Haneef's visa.

The excerpts from the transcript released by Mr Andrews include an internet chat in
which Dr Haneef's brother told the Gold Coast hospital registrar that "nothing has been
found out about you" and urged him to leave the country.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) had opposed the full publication of the second
interview transcript, claiming it could compromise investigations.

Mr Andrews said today the information he used in deciding on July 16 to cancel Dr Haneef's
visa was broader than the information garnered from any police interviews with the Indian
national.

"The minister based his decision on a range of information that was more than the first
transcript or the second transcript," a spokeswoman for Mr Andrews said.

The Federal Court in Brisbane yesterday ruled Mr Andrews had applied the wrong test
when revoking Dr Haneef's visa. The government is appealing against the decision.

Mr Andrews' spokeswoman would not criticise Mr Russo for releasing the second transcript,
saying it was a matter for the AFP and Attorney-General Philip Ruddock. Comment had been
sought from both.

Mr Russo said today that on reading the full transcript, it was clear there was no
basis to allege wrongdoing against Dr Haneef, against whom charges of recklessly providing
support to a terrorist organisation were later dropped.

Another of Dr Haneef's lawyers, Stephen Keim, admitted last month to leaking the transcript
of the first police interview with Dr Haneef.

AAP dcr/sb/cp/sp

KEYWORD: HANEEF TRANSCRIPT ANDREWS

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

NSW: Kernot offered to stand for labor at NSW election

AAP General News (Australia)
04-08-2007
NSW: Kernot offered to stand for labor at NSW election

Former Labor MP CHERYL KERNOT reportedly offered to stand as an ALP candidate .. in
the New South Wales state election two weeks ago.

But News Limited newspapers say the offer was rejected by surprised Labor officials.

KERNOT .. who is living and working in London .. has told the papers her offer was
a short lived moment of madness.

The former Democrats leader defected to Labor in 1997 .. and was elected to parliament
in the marginal Brisbane seat of Dickson in 1998.

In 2002 .. it was revealed she had an affair with former foreign minister GARETH EVANS.

AAP RTV krc/wf/wz

KEYWORD: KERNOT (SYDNEY)

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

Vic: Sorry for attack on cameraman, men tell court

AAP General News (Australia)
12-06-2006
Vic: Sorry for attack on cameraman, men tell court

Two Muslim men accused of leading an attack on a Melbourne cameraman as he filmed them
leaving court .. have expressed their regret over the beating.

All five men involved in the incident outside Melbourne Magistrates' Court on November
8 last year .. have pleaded guilty to affray.

Channel Seven cameraman MATT ROSE was punched .. pushed over and kicked as he tried
to film the men .. at the court to support family and friends arrested during anti-terrorism
raids.

Today .. lawyers for the two men accused of being the main offenders .. say their clients
lashed out while under stress .. and their behaviour was out of character.

The pre-sentence hearing is continuing in the Victorian County Court before Judge JANE CAMPTON.





(EDS: The judge has prohibited any mention of the fact that two of the accused have
since been charged with terrorism offences, and have been committed to trial.

There's also a prohibition on reporting prior criminal history and a potential prohibition
on mentioning ASIO.)





AAP RTV kl/gfr/rt/tm

KEYWORD: TERROR VIC BRAWL (MELBOURNE)

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

News in brief

Rebecca Anna Stoil, Yaakov Katz, Etgar Lefkovits, Jerusalem Post staff
Jerusalem Post
05-12-2006
Headline: News in brief
Byline: Rebecca Anna Stoil, Yaakov Katz, Etgar Lefkovits, Jerusalem Post staff
Edition; Daily
Section: News
Page: 04

Friday, May 12, 2006 -- Veteran head of Fraud Squad to retire

Lt.-Cmdr. Miri Golan - for years the head of the Israel Police's National Fraud Squad - will retire in October and be replaced by Asst.-Cmdr. Shlomi Ayalon, currently Israel Police's Berlin representative.

Golan, the highest-ranking woman in the police investigated many high-profile cases, including those of politicians Binyamin Netanyahu, Omri Sharon and Omri's father, then prime minister Ariel Sharon.

Golan had reportedly been promised by former internal security minister Tzahi Hanegbi a promotion to the coveted rank of commander, but to no avail. * Rebecca Anna Stoil

Report hints at IDF plagiarism

A paper compiled by an IDF committee assigned to determine the effectiveness of the military's practice of demolishing Palestinian homes bears a strong resemblance to a doctorate written on the same topic by Dr. Efrat Zilber from Bar-Ilan University, Channel 10 revealed Wednesday night.

According to the report, Zilber's home was repeatedly broken into during the years she worked on the paper. A Trojan horse was also installed on her computer, allowing hackers to view her files and copy her paper.

The IDF Spokesperson's Office denounced the report, which hinted that the IDF committee headed by Maj.-Gen. Udi Shani had plagiarized. "The committee never heard of or saw Zilber's paper on house demolitions," an IDF statement said. * Yaakov Katz

Haredim attack J'lem Internet cafe

Scores of haredi extremists attacked a central Jerusalem Internet cafe Wednesday after the store allowed haredim to surf the net, police said. The assailants broke the windows of the Jaffa Road storefront in the nighttime attack, Jerusalem police spokeswoman Sigal Toledo said.

Two suspects were arrested on the scene, and police dispersed the rioters. The cafe had been targeted by haredim earlier this month. * Etgar Lefkovits

Man held for sodomizing teen

A 25-year-old Beit Shemesh man was under arrest Thursday for allegedly repeatedly sexually molesting a 15- year-old boy in the storage room of their apartment building, police said. The suspect, who was apprehended after the boy's parents complained to police, denies the charges, but police have "solid evidence" against him, Jerusalem police spokesman Shmuel Ben-Ruby said.

Police suspect that the man sexually molested other boys as well. The alleged molester was brought to a Jerusalem court Thursday for a remand hearing. * Etgar Lefkovits

Elei Sinai residents reject housing

A Sela Disengagement Authority proposal to relocate former residents of the Gaza Strip settlement of Elei Sinai to an apartment building in Ashkelon has angered the evacuees. The plan reportedly called for them to move temporarily into the apartment building, and after that to take their own responsibility for permanent housing.

The evacuees have been living in a temporary camp at Kibbutz Yad Mordechai for the past seven months. During that time, they have been seeking a permanent solution that would house all of them at Kibbutz Palmahim. They said the arrangement with the kibbutz was nearing completion, Army Radio reported. * Jerusalem Post staff

Keywords:

Copyright 2006 Jerusalem Post. All Rights Reserved

Fed:Patton family expresses relief and gratitude after arrest=2

AAP General News (Australia)
02-01-2006
Fed:Patton family expresses relief and gratitude after arrest=2

Federal agent PETER DRENNAN says the man arrested today was not one of the 16 named
during an inquest on the island in 2004.

The man was a temporary resident on Norfolk Island at the time of the murder .. and
is currently living in New Zealand.

Mr DRENNAN says the arrest followed a DNA breakthrough.

The man's due to face Nelson court in New Zealand tomorrow .. where police will seek
his extradition to Norfolk Island .. and hope to formally lay charges against him.

AAP RTV ka/smb/nf/rt/bart

KEYWORD: PATTON 2 SYDNEY

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

NSW: Main stories in today's Sydney newspapers = 4

AAP General News (Australia)
08-29-2005
NSW: Main stories in today's Sydney newspapers = 4

THE AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW:

Page 1: The federal government plans a comprehensive stocktake of laws and regulations
to repeal unnecessary red tape; Tougher new competition regulations imposed on Telstra
will slash its revenue by at least $1 billion; Australia's stockbrokers and its biggest
listed companies are split over a plan to introduce a new code of conduct governing how
they deal with each other.

Page 3: The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority is issuing revised reporting
instructions to the $235-billion superannuation fund industry to try to extract sensitive
data on commission and fees.

World: Consumer confidence fell for the first time in three months in the US as Americans
paid record prices at the petrol pump in August.

Markets: Companies that make profits from property development and construction have
had a tough time this year.

AAP tr/rs

KEYWORD: FRONTERS NSW 4 SYDNEY

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

IRA to Equity Index Annuity can be costly mistake

D e ar Mr. Berko: We are in our mid-70s and have IRAs valued at $493,000, still less than the $715,000 value of several years ago. We also have $120,000 in two CDs that pay 1.1 percent, Social Security and pensions. We are frightened about the economy and concerned for our IRA because we need the income. Our broker of five years, who is with a very big firm, wants us to put our entire IRA into an equity index annuity that he says will guarantee 4 percent per year, that it will never lose money, that its annual growth is tied to the increase in the Standard & Poor's 500, that it's triple-A rated, that our beneficiaries will get every penny we invested plus gains and we can take money out anytime we wish. He told us that we do not have to pay a commission because the insurance company pays him for us. This sounds too good to be true. We don't want to make another mistake like we did when our old broker at Prudential sold us a private placement limited partnership in the late 1980s and it went bankrupt a couple years later. At our ages, we cannot afford another mistake. We have been reading your column in our paper for more than 30 years. We trust your advice. Please advise us as soon as you can. — P.B., Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

Dear P.B.: My goodness, my gosh — equity index annuities have more moving parts than a Swiss watch, but unfortunately all those moving parts seem to be made in China. EIAs represent 70 percent of complaints received by state securities regulators. The financial landscape is littered with a carnage of slick schemes and broken dreams that literally vandalized the income of retired or soon-to-retire investors. So before you read any further, call that brokester, tell him to shove a carrot in his ear and suggest that he take an advanced course in "torture resistance training."

EIA salesmen have to be sociopathic liars or dumber than a fistful of worms to sell this evil product. EIAs have more confusing charges and fees than your cell phone, cable and utility bills combined and more caveats and limitations than a used-car warranty. The calculations of an annuity's index values and related features that determine performance are pre-calculated to maximize the insurer's profits while mitigating the policyholder's gains.

And reports from the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the North American Securities Administrators Association and the National Associated of Securities Dealers (all available on the Internet) suggest that my criticism should be much stronger. As of today, more than $220 billion has been invested in EIAs, and I would guess if all were converted to cash that the public would get back much less than the $220 billion they invested.

The insurance companies that design this infested product are as culpable as the banksters and brokester who sell it. The victimized investors are never told that the commissions are 10 percent or more, or that the surrender fees can be 15 percent or higher.

Oh, it's in the prospectus, but my daughter — who is a lawyer — and her husband — who is a judge — would need hours to locate that information.

Meanwhile, I suggest that you visit the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority's website and search "equity index annuities." You will be gabberflasted.

I share your concerns about the market, and I think those concerns would be easier to live with if you got rid of this broker and hired a professional money manager who can give you conflict-free counsel and doesn't need to sell you things that pacify his boss or pay his country club dues.

Address your financial questions to Malcolm Berko, P.O. Box 8303, Largo, FL 33775 or e-mail him at mjberko@yahoo.com. To find out more about Malcolm Berko and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Energy Reform Not A Prerequisite For Investment: Union Fenosa.

MEXICO CITY, Jan 14, 2002

Reform of the electricity sector is not necessary for investment in Mexico," said Victoriano Reinoso, president of Spanish electric company Union Fenosa. "After the energy crises in California and Brazil, it's not clear what is the optimal regulation model for the electricity sector," he said. "There are countries like Mexico that have facilitated the entry of private investment without privatizations," he said. In a meeting with the Spanish news media, the company head said, "There is a group of trustable countries, and another group in which confidence has deteriorated because of their governments' actions," referring to Argentina, reported Mexico City daily Reforma. "Mexico learned from the 1994 crisis and made important structural changes," he said.

URL: www.securities.com

Copyright 2002 Internet Securities, Inc., all rights reserved. A Euromoney Institutional Investor Company.

  SUBJECT CODE:     Enel 

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

Meridian Data's Snap! Server.(Hardware Review)(Evaluation)

Sometimes you need all the services that a network server can offer--file and print sharing, Internet access, client/server applications, network access authentication and Web-site hosting. Other times you only need one of those services--file sharing perhaps. If that's all you use a network server for, or if you've exhausted the storage capacity of an existing server, the Snap! Server appliance might be what you need.

Meridian Data's Snap! Server is one of the new breed of networking appliances that are dedicated machines built to perform just one function, but perform it very well. In this case, the Snap! Server provides up to 32GB of protocol-independent network-attached storage, running off of an eight-pound, 4x9x15-inch box with no screen or keyboard, as shown in Figure 3. The Snap! Server only has two connectors: power and an RJ-45 for 10/100MB Ethernet. The server itself runs off of a proprietary operating system, which can be updated via a management utility.

What's exciting about the Snap! Server? Compatibility. It can be transparently accessible to Windows-based PCs, NetWare clients, Macintoshes or UNIX-based PCs and servers, as long as they speak NetBEUI, TCP/IP, HTTP, NetWare's IPX or UNIX's NFS (Network File System).

Up and Running

We reviewed the 32GB version of the Snap! Server, which contains two 16GB ATA-4 hard drives. The physical setup was easy: plug it in to power and the network, turn it on and, after a two-minute power-on self-test and boot cycle, it's live on the network.

Before the Snap! Server can be used, however, it must be configured. The first phase of configuration is initially accomplished through a Windows-based management application that can be run from CD-ROM. The application contains high-level options that would normally only be done once, such as configuring the IP address, choosing a Windows workgroup, Windows NT domain, setting NetWare frame types or choosing an Apple networking zone, as shown in Figure 4.

The management application is also where you can determine which network protocols will be used, and you can disable other protocols to reduce overhead. We shut off Appletalk, for example, since we have no Macs on our network. We also chose to leave the server's two hard drives as separate 16GB volumes; we could optionally have enabled RAID 0 striping to turn it into one large 32GB volume, or RAID 1 to mirror the first drive onto the second drive.

Because our IP-only network uses the dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP), which automatically assigns IP addresses to network devices, we tried to have the Snap! Server configure itself using DHCP. For some reason, we couldn't get the Snap! Server to recognize our DHCP server. Fortunately we also have a range of static IP addresses available and were able to assign the Snap! Server one of those (192.168.0.10). Once the server rebooted (accomplished via the management application), the server was visible from our network clients as a file server.

Web-Based Administration

Once the server is running and available, day-to-day administration is handled via Web browser. Browsing to http://192.168.0.10 showed us the server in a Web window, as shown in Figure 5. From there, you can access the two drives' content just as if navigating a Web site, or you could enter the admin routine.

This second administration page is where user groups and privileges are defined, making some drives or directories full-access, read-only or unavailable to particular users. The Web-based admin should be very intuitive for anyone used to network administration (or even a power user with experience setting up networks or file sharing).

Snap! Server's admin software is pretty wily, and it warns you about potential configuration problems. For example, let's say you set an entire drive to be full-access for everyone, but then attempt to deny access to a single directory on that drive. The admin program warns you that although anyone attempting to connect to the directory directly will indeed be blocked, security could be circumvented if a user connected to the drive's root instead, as shown in Figure 6.

By the way, if you choose to have the Snap! Server exist inside a NetWare bindery-mode network (it's not NetWare Directory Services savvy) or within a Windows NT 4 domain, you'll administer the Snap! Server's access rights and permissions via that network server instead, which is even easier.

Snap! Server can warn you about real problems it encounters. If the LAN is connected to an SMTP (simple mail transport protocol server), it can email you in the event of crashes or disk errors. It also logs errors with reports available using the Web-based interface.

What to Do with a File Appliance

We found some interesting uses of the Snap! Server. One 16GB drive was used for project directories, with the entire drive set as read/write for all of our users by name. Setting access to everyone or guests is dangerous on any server, so Snap! Server thereby increased the amount of available storage as our old Windows NT 4 file server only has two cramped 4GB drives for shared file space.

The other Snap! drive was used as personal backup space for users, with only individuals (and the administrator) having access to their private directory. One feature we'd like to see would be disk quotas; unfortunately, with this version of the Snap! Server software (2.0.268) you can't limit a personal directory to, say, a maximum of 2GB before it's "full."

As an experiment, we also copied some CD-ROMs over to the Snap! Server. Think about it: you could store two dozen completely full CD-ROMs in a 16GB volume. And if you store them in individual directories and set those directories as separate file shares (which you can do through the Web-based administration), you could access them over the network as if they were dedicated CD-ROM drives. If you try that trick, make sure you're not violating license agreements by copying the CD-ROM, or by making its content available over the network.

Other applications of the Snap! Server would be as a portable storage device. By connecting it via a small hub or cross-over network cable to a laptop, it could be perfect for field work or for carrying very complex 3D models to a client site for a presentation. You could also use as a backup device for servers or workstations.

Speaking of backup, Snap! Server does not include any backup solutions. However, it could be backed up over the network via a workstation or server-based solution; we didn't run any backups during our test.

Performance of the Snap! Server is very acceptable. We did not run any benchmarks, but across our Fast Ethernet network, it was always quick and responsive, even when we had it handling far more multiple simultaneous disk access than it probably would in normal operation. The hard drives installed in our test unit were 7200RPM IBM Deskstar 16GP drives, which used an ATA-4 interface at 33.3MB/sec.--nice drives! So if you're running over a 10Mbit/sec Ethernet network, the network will be the limiting factor in the Snap! Server's performance. To get true local-disk-like performance, you'll need a Fast Ethernet network.

What about value? The list price of the 32GB solution we tested was $2,495. The price of the DeskStar drives, at PC connection, were $299 each; that leaves $1,897 for the rest--and it's odd that Meridian Data's otherwise identical 16GB Snap! Server, populated with two 8GB drives, costs only $1,795!

There may be less expensive ways to create a simple file server, but you'll either have to work harder or lose some of Snap! Server's extra features. For example, you could buy a Pentium II Celeron workstation, install Linux, and stuff it full of hard drives. But you'll lose all the security, integration with NT and NetWare, Web-based access and remote administration, RAID striping and multiprotocol access. And it won't be a self-contained appliance you can tuck under your arm, carry in a backpack or place on a bookshelf.

Bottom line: If you're just looking for gigabytes of storage, Snap! Server isn't the cheapest way to go. But if you're looking for easy to setup, easy to use and flexible storage, it's hard to beat.

Alan Zeichick, former editor-in-chief of CADENCE, is principal technology analyst with Camden Associates.

Snap! Server is a large-capacity file-sharing appliance that offers seamless and secure file access from Windows, Macintosh and UNIX workstations across a 10/100Mbit Ethernet network.

Pros: Very easy to set up and administer, especially compared to setting up a Windows NT, NetWare or Linux server, plus it speaks to all of them in their native protocols; offers Web-based file access and administration.

Cons: The price charged for the 32GB version seems extravagant; no way to set disk quotas.

Price: $2495 for the 32GB dual-drive version (two 16GB drives); $1,795 for the 16GB dual-drive version (two 8GB drives); $995 for the 8GB single-drive version.

                            Feature Report Card                   Scoring from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest) Installation and Setup      9 Interface                   9 Features                    8 Expandability/Customization 4 Interoperability            9 Support                     9 Value                       8

North State Communications Enhances Its Network with Cisco ASR Series.

Delivers Advanced Rich Media Services from Television to Telemedicine for North Carolina Consumers and Businesses

SAN JOSE, Calif., - Cisco said that North State Communications, a High Point, N.C.-based Internet, voice, data and advanced television service provider, has selected the Cisco[R] ASR routers as its Carrier Ethernet solution to provide a strong foundation for current and future services to consumers and enterprises.

North State serves North Carolina's Piedmont Triad region, which encompasses High Point, Greensboro and Winston-Salem, and has a population of more than 1.6 million. The area is the global capital for the furniture and textiles industries and home to a rapidly growing list of international business headquarters and major operators.

Progressive development in advanced unified communications and collaboration services, such as Cisco TelePresence[R] and telemedicine, and growth in mobile and video are contributing factors to expansion of North State's advanced fiber optic network. Integral will be the deployment ofthe Cisco ASR family of routersfor enhanced capacity, greater resiliency and robust Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) support.

Highlights/Key Facts

*Performance and flexible service are important across a wide-range of residential and business customers. North State needed carrier-class routers that could meet stringent cost and performance requirements as well as perform with excellence through rigorous tests across a variety of applications.

*North State selected the Cisco ASR 9000 Series Aggregation Services Routersand Cisco ASR 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers, which are best suited to support its customers' evolving needs and prepare for the transition to IPv6.

*Designed to deliver a per-system capacity of up to 96 Tbps, the Cisco ASR 9000 Series can deliver rich service capabilities including nonstop video, while maintaining a reduced carbon footprint.

*Optimized for high-bandwidth video delivery and mobile aggregation, the Cisco ASR family of routers has a full set of service activation and provisioning systems that accelerate time to market without increasing operational expenses.

*Cisco predicts that by 2015, the number of network-connected devices will be more than 15 billion - twice the world's population - and the total amount of global Internet traffic will quadruple, reaching 966 exabytes per year. (Cisco Visual Networking Index (VNI) Forecast (2010-2015).

Supporting Quotes

*Royster Tucker, president and chief operation officer, North State Communications

"North State's advanced fiber network is going directly to homes and businesses throughout the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina. This network upgrade and expansion furthers our commitment to providing the area's best advanced TV and fastest Internet products, delivering an incomparable customer experience"

*Surya Panditi, senior vice president and general manager, core technology group, Cisco

"We are delighted that North State Communications has chosen Cisco as the foundation of its network. With Cisco at the edge and core of the network, North State Communications will deliver a service-enabled next-generation network that will help further its leadership in the high-bandwidth services market"

Embedded Video

North State Communications Deploys Cisco ASR 9000 Series

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR7BPnw2_o4

Keywords: Ethernet.

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

Survey: more Internet users concerned about corporate privacy.(Industry IQ)

Almost half of Internet users age 16 and older--48 percent--are worried about companies checking their actions on the Internet, according to a recent survey by USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism as part of the Digital Future Project.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

By comparison, only 38 percent of Internet users age 16 and older are concerned about the government checking what they do online.

Other findings include:

* Among Internet users age 16 and older, 33 percent said that it is safe to voice their views about politics while online. However, 36 percent do not think it is safe to say whatever one thinks about politics while online.

* A much larger percentage--70 percent--believe that people should be free on the Internet to criticize their government while online.

* Sixty-eight percent of adult Internet users buy online, a slight increase over the 65 percent reported in 2009 and the highest figure reported thus far in the Digital Future Project.

* The percentage of users who report spending $1 to $100 per month increased to 58 percent of adult Internet users, up from 54 percent in the previous study.

* Visiting websites for video sharing or social networking such as YouTube or Facebook continues to increase; 44 percent of Internet users said they use these sites at least once a day or more, up from 36 percent in the previous study.

* In 2009, Internet use surpassed 80 percent among Americans, reaching 82 percent. In the current study, Internet use remained flat at 82 percent of Americans.

* Internet use dipped slightly to an average of 18.3 hours per week, the first time the weekly use has declined in the studies.

The Center for the Digital Future telephone and Web-based survey of 1,926 Americans over the age of 12 was conducted between April and August 2010, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.

Mistress of disgraced Sir Fred quits RBS job.(News)

Byline: Rebecca Evans

THE secret mistress of disgraced banker Sir Fred Goodwin has resigned from her role at the Royal Bank of Scotland.

The executive, who is at the centre of a High Court injunction battle over her sexual relationship with Sir Fred, has decided that the time is right to move on.

She was elevated to a top job during her affair with Sir Fred - who later resigned after leading the bank to a disaster that ultimately cost the taxpayer [pounds sterling]45billion in bail-outs.

In her role she enjoyed a handsome salary and was in charge of a large team.

Sir Fred concealed their affair from staff and took out an injunction that was so strict it even banned referring to him as a banker.

The married 52-year-old, nicknamed 'Fred the Shred' because of the way he axed staff during his days as RBS chief executive, said disclosure of the affair would wreck his personal life and career.

The injunction's existence did not come to light until March this year when it was revealed in the House of Commons by Liberal Democrat MP John Hemming.

It was partially lifted by the High Court last month after a Lib Dem peer used parliamentary privilege to name Sir Fred in relation to the affair.

Almost immediately his lover's name began appearing on the internet, but newspapers were banned from using it.

Last week the High Court refused to lift the order preventing the naming of the woman - known as VBN - but agreed to permit publication of her job description.

However, the application was opposed by her lawyers, and they were granted a stay pending an appeal. Although Sir Fred has never spoken publicly about the affair, details of a witness statement he gave were revealed in the High Court last week.

In it, he said: 'The nature of any relationship between me and VBN is an entirely private matter.

'In so far as it is necessary to do so, I am content for the Court to proceed on the basis that there was a relationship...' Sir Fred claimed publicity would have a 'serious negative impact on my personal life and career'.

He added: 'I am a private man. I have never discussed my personal life or relationships in public.' Sir Fred, who lives with his wife of more than 20 years, Joyce, in a [pounds sterling]3.5million mansion in an upmarket Edinburgh suburb, became the reviled face of the banking crisis after the collapse of RBS.

He provoked fury after leaving with a lump sum of around [pounds sterling]3million and a [pounds sterling]342,000-a-year pension.

Earlier this month, lawyers urged High Court judges to lift the 'cloak of secrecy' surrounding his affair as it was hindering proper debate over the circumstances of the bank's collapse in 2008 and could have caused a conflict of interest.

CAPTION(S):

Injunction: Sir Fred Goodwin

CrowdGather Acquires Leading Paintball Enthusiast Forum, PbNation.com.

* Adds 20 million monthly pageviews to CrowdGather network traffic

* Company will now have 155 million monthly pageviews and 15 million monthly uniques

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. -- One of the leading networks of forum communities on the Internet, CrowdGather (OTCBB:CRWG), announced today that it has acquired the domain name, website, and assets related to PbNation.com one of the world's largest online paintball communities according to Forbes and the Chicago Tribune.

The total purchase consideration for the PbNation.com site and assets is up to $3.2 million, consisting of $1.4 million in cash, 1,149,425 shares of the Company's restricted common shares, and certain additional cash and stock compensation totaling up to $800,000 if certain monthly website visitor traffic milestones are achieved. The number of shares issued was calculated by dividing $1 million by the Company's 10 day volume weighted average share price of $0.87 per share through Friday, May 20, 2011.

PbNation generates 20 million monthly pageviews and approximately 1.9 million monthly unique visitors. On a combined basis, the CrowdGather forum network will generate 155 million monthly pageviews and 15 million monthly unique visitors.

"Adding PbNation to our portfolio is a watershed event for CrowdGather team," said Sanjay Sabnani, CrowdGather's Chairman and CEO. "We believe that at 20 million monthly pageviews, PbNation is a cornerstone of the paintball enthusiast ecosystem and one of the largest independent forum communities in the world. From our initial review, we have found that PbNation has built up tremendous engagement in a very valuable demographic and we are very excited for what the future holds for us."

Commenting on the transaction, PbNation President Ed Rieker said, "We have had discussions with all of the significant players in the forum world and felt that CrowdGather was ultimately the best home for our community. CrowdGather's team and exclusive focus on forums gives us comfort that we have found a good home for our site and all the volunteers who contribute towards its success."

About CrowdGather, Inc.

With its growing portfolio of special interest forums and enthusiast message board communities, CrowdGather (www.crowdgather.com) has created a centralized network to benefit forum members, forum owners and forum advertisers. CrowdGather provides a highly interactive and informational social network for members, a management and revenue-sharing resource for third-party forum owners, and a largely untapped advertising network for marketers worldwide.

About PBNation

Atlanta-based PbNation.com is an industry leader in the monetization of online forum-based communities generating a variety of revenue streams from the customization of the vbulletin platform.

PbNation.com is the largest interactive community on the Internet with a focus on the extreme sport of paintball. While the majority of the content is paintball related, approximately 30% of the content is non-paintball related including videos, gaming, outdoors, and other topics of interest to the mostly male user demographic. Since 2001 PbNation.com has been serving the paintball marketplace and providing the definitive online social gathering place for the discussion of all things related to paintball.

This press release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) concerning future events and the Company's growth and business strategy. Words such as "expects," "will," "intends," "plans," "believes," "anticipates," "hopes," "estimates," and variations on such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, changes in the Company's business; competitive factors in the market(s) in which the Company operates; risks associated with operations outside the United States; and other factors listed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

Behind the Statistics of Global Dating: China's Personal Love Stories.

Many men from America and Europe are fascinated by Chinese women due to

their natural beauty, traditional values and romantic ideals. Globalization and the internet now make it simpler than ever to meet and marry a Chinese woman so it's no longer necessary to be a Woody Allen or Rupert Murdoch - both famous for having Asian wives. In recent months international dating website AsianBeauties.com has reported a purple patch of new relationships between its members. Features such as Live Chat, Phone Introduction and Email Correspondence have led to an increased number of men registered on AsianBeauties to get in touch with beauties across the Orient.

Once an online connection has been established through AsianBeauties men can travel over to meet their match in person, either on an organized AsianBeauties Romance Tour or on a private trip. Guiqin from Shenyang, member of the site, spoke of how she first got together with her fiancee Martin in February 2011, "We met each other at Shenyang city airport. We were so excited. Martin met all my family. My mother liked him very much, he calls my mother 'Mum'. We got engaged on 4th March." Dating sites like AsianBeauties have made such romantic meetings commonplace in airports across Asia.

Due to the whirlwind nature of international dating it's often the case that once couples have met marriage follows soon after. ShunRong from Chongqing spoke of her plans to join fiancee Ken after meeting on AsianBeauties, "Now my fiance has gone back to his homeland, Canada, and I study English every day and prepare to visit him. I'm looking forward to our bright future...we'll build a happy family."

Although many new Chinese brides often emigrate to the U.S.A., it's not all one way traffic when it comes to marriage between Western men and Chinese women. After Paul from Los Angeles met Weihua Zhu from Guangzhou he decided to up and move out to China. "We started to build our relationship on this site in August and he flew to Guangzhou to meet me and we got married on 31st December," said Weihua. "Now he's working in Guangzhou and applying for his Visa."

Keywords: Anastasia International, Asia, China.

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

Juggle, LLC Acquires LocalDeal.com.

Belleville, IL (PRWEB) April 19, 2011

Juggle.com, a leading online reference resource, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire local deal provider, LocalDeal.com, a collective buying website that offers deep discounts on local services, restaurants, entertainment and events.

The acquisition will strengthen Juggle's product portfolio by adding a website targeted at local value shoppers. Juggle's CEO Stephanie Leffler believes this acquisition is well aligned with Juggle's focus on creating unique and compelling shopping experiences online. "This acquisition allows Juggle to add value to our existing geographically targeted content." Juggle.com features content on places worldwide, including top cities such as New York. "In addition, Local Deal is already a powerhouse in the deals space; with this partnership they will become even more competitive by offering in-depth information about the cities and businesses they promote."

LocalDeal sends free daily emails notifying subscribers of local discounts and uses happy customers to help spread the word about promotions via social networking sites and email.

Mike Austin, founder of LocalDeal.com, built the site to help small, local merchants level the playing field. "LocalDeal provides a guaranteed ROI by delivering prepaid customers to a business's front door. This partnership will allow LocalDeal to expand our current deal sourcing, syndication and personalization efforts," noted Austin. Juggle plans to retain Austin as the leader of the LocalDeal division. "Mike will continue to lead the team building the LocalDeal offering," stated Leffler.

"Our top priorities for the next two quarters will be expanding our white label capabilities, strengthening deal coverage and enabling deal aggregation," said Austin. He noted, "There are no limits to the passions of American shoppers for online daily-deal discounts, and our hope is to expand the resources available to them. The more deals we can present, whether through aggregation or organic resources, the better we can serve both local merchants and consumers."

About Juggle

Based in Belleville, Illinois, Juggle builds and curates websites with the sole intention of refining what the internet was built for: quality, quantity and accessibility of information to the public. Juggle's mission is simple, to create compelling websites such as SteelRefrigerators.com or PintGlasses.com that engage users with quality content and features. For more information on Juggle and other topics, visit juggle.com/about-juggle.

# # #

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/04/prweb5252884.htm

CEA Introduces Business Development Tool.

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) announced it has introduced its latest member benefit designed to grow the consumer electronics industry, the Electronics Industry Business Directory.

According to the CEA, this new online business tool will be available to all members from a link on the CEA homepage. The Electronics Industry Business Directory will feature a range of products and services for the consumer electronics industry that will assist CEA's members in their purchasing decisions.

"This directory will serve as an online resource for products and services offered by CEA members," said Jason Oxman, senior VP, Industry Affairs, CEA. "Much like the International CES, this directory will help facilitate business relationships between diverse membership. This new tool joins a list of benefits offered to CEA members to help expand their business and the industry as a whole."

The Electronics Industry Business Directory facilitates finding products and services unique to the industry without the clutter of a general Internet search engine. Users have the option of performing keyword-driven searches, or a category-specific search. Both methods produce the most industry relevant results on the Web.

The directory also includes request for information (RFI) functionality. This feature allows users to contact participating suppliers with a click of their mouse. With a downloadable desktop search application available, CEA members can search for items directly from a small search window on their desktops - making the search process as convenient and time-efficient as possible.

Along with the option to purchase a company listing, direct website hyperlink and e-mail generation capacity, the guide allows supplier companies to add videos to their listings. This feature gives guide users immediate access to video information and promotions that will help them procure products and services specific to their needs.

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is a trade association promoting growth in the U.S. consumer electronics industry.

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

Cambridge: Cambridge is located on State Highway 1 beside the Waikato River. The main town lies on the northern side and two bridges cross to the southern suburb of Leamington.

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

Cambridge is regarded as the heart of the New Zealand thoroughbred racing industry, attracting international buyers plus trainers, riders and breeders involved in racing, trotting, polo, hunting and eventing. Dairy farming and factories processing dairy products for export is a significant industry. Cambridge also functions as a satellite town, with many of its population commuting daily to Hamilton.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

* Waipa District Council,

23 Wilson Street, phone 07 823 3800,

www.waipadc.govt.nz

AIRPORT AND AIRLINES

* Super Shuttle (S39 first person, $10 extra person), freephone 0800 748 885, email reservations@supershuttle.co.nz, www.supershuttle.co.nz

* Air New Zealand, freephone 0800 737 000.

OTHER TRANSPORT

Rental Cars

* Avis, Hamilton Airport and

131 Anglesea Street, freephone 0800 655 111.

Taxis

* Cambridge Taxis, phone 07 827 5999.

DINING

Cambridge is well served by restaurants, ranging from fine dining to more casual licensed restaurants, cafes and pub-style eateries.

AFTER WORK

Leisure

* Watch conservation in progress on a bushwalk at Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust, 64 Alpha Street, www.maungatrust.org

* Browse the town's antique and craft outlets.

* Explore the local heritage trail, visit Lake Te Ko Utu or check out the Equine Statue and Stars Walk of Fame--tributes to the town's outstanding equine and Olympic sporting achievements.

* Head to the night trots or greyhound racing at the Cambridge Raceway, phone 07 827 5506.

* Enjoy the watersports on Lake Karapiro. Golf

* Cambridge Golf Club, SHI (3km south of the town centre), phone 07 827 6381, www.cambridge.nzgolf.net Museums

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

* Cambridge Museum, Victoria Street, phone 07 827 3319, www.cambridgemuseum.org.nz

INFORMATION

* Cambridge i-SITE Information Centre, Town Hall complex, Cnr Queen & Victoria Streets, phone 07 823 3456, email cambridgeinfo@cambridge.co.nz

Internet

* www.jasons.com

* www.visithamilton.co.nz

* www.cambridgeinfo.co.nz

Colonial Court Motel

... THE QUIET ONE

37 Vogel Street

Cambridge

Phone 07 827 5244

Fax 07 827 5287

Reservations 0800 52 53 52

info@colonialcourt.co.nz

www.colonialcourt.co.nz

General Services

Wake-up call, access facilities, quiet secluded location.

Accommodation Facilities

Tea/coffee facilities, microwave, phone, internet, work desk, clock/radio, 6-channel Sky TV, all units with fully equipped kitchen, wireless broadband, Trackside TV.

Accommodation Tariff

From $100 single to $150 2brm unit; peak rates may apply.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Inhouse Recreational Facilities

Pool, barbecue.

Accommodation Capacity

Number of rooms: 15 ground floor

Special Features

Closest motel to trotting track. Tranquil garden setting, just off the main highway.

IMAGES:

* Cambridge Town Hall [c]Waipa District Council

* The township of Cambridge.

PROFILE

POPULATION: 15,192.

AIRPORT LOCATION: Hamilton Airport is 14km north-west of Cambridge (15min).

DRIVING: 24km south-east of Hamilton (20min), 128km north of Taupo (1.5hr), 84km north-west of Rotorua (1 hr), 82km west of Tauranga (1 hr).

INDUSTRIES: A rural service town for intensive dairy farming, thoroughbred industry and small, specialist manufacturing.

MEETING OPTIONS: The largest conference facilities are at the nearby Mystery Creek Convention Centre, plus small meeting facilities at the Cambridge Town Hall and local hotels/motels.

ACCOMMODATION: Motels, upmarket lodges, bed and breakfast homestays, backpackers and camping grounds.

DINING: A range of cafes, fine dining restaurants and pub meals.

AFTER WORK: Take a tranquil walk around the town's tree-lined village square, the Equine andSports Stars Walk of Fame and Lake Te Ko Utu, browse the art and antique galleries, play a game at the local golf club, take a high-speed jetboat ride on the Waikato River, and enjoy the watersports on Lake Karapiro.

EMERGENCY SERVICES

* Phone 111 for fire, police and ambulance.

* Anglesea Clinic, Cnr Anglesea & Thackeray Streets, Hamilton, 24hrs, phone 07 858 0800.

* Anglesea Clinic Pharmacy, Hamilton, open daily till 11 pm, phone 07 839 3999.

* After hours dentist, mobile 027 492 3475.

Interstate and Madison W Properties' Affiliate Collaborate.

Travel Business Review-5 August 2008-Interstate and Madison W Properties' Affiliate Collaborate(C)2008 ENPublishing - http://www.enpublishing.co.uk

Travel Business Review - 05 August 2008(c)2005 - Electronic News Publishing - http://www.enpublishing.co.uk

A joint venture has been formed between Interstate Hotels & Resorts (NYSE:IHR) and an affiliate of Madison W Properties, LLC for the recapitalization of the existing ownership of the former Radisson Plaza Hotel Lexington in Kentucky and the adjacent 234,000 square foot, class-A office building.

Upon the transition, the hotel was renamed the Lexington Downtown Hotel & Conference Center.A USD13m renovation process including guest rooms, public spaces and a restaurant is to be carried out for the 367-room hotel. Interstate is to manage the hotel as an independent property until it re-debuts. A pool, fitness center, restaurant and lounge, and 14,000 square feet of meeting facilities, including a grand ballroom that accommodates up to 1,000 people are some of the amenities to be offered. Guestrooms offer complimentary high-speed Internet access, Sleep Number Beds and executive-size desks. Dining options include the Bigg Blue Martini and Caf on the Park on-site restaurant offering local cuisine.According to Thomas F. Hewitt, Interstate chief executive officer, 'This is our forty-ninth property in which we hold a minority ownership interest and our first with Madison. We know this property well and believe it has considerable long-term potential, given its excellent downtown location and proximity to the convention center. Those advantages, combined with the planned comprehensive renovation and rebranding as a Hilton, should position this hotel to become a leader in this market.'Peter C. Lewis, president of Madison W Properties, stated, 'Interstate is a proven operator with a successful track record, and we look forward to establishing a long-term relationship with them. Their depth of experience in the meeting and conventions subsegment adds another dimension, making them a compelling partner in this particular venture. We look forward to exploring other opportunities with them.'

[Editorial queries for this story should be sent to tbr@enpublishing.co.uk]

((Distributed via M2 Communications Ltd - http://www.m2.com))

Contec Innovations Inc. Sparks Interest in Current Events.

M2 PRESSWIRE-25 June 2007-www.streetinvesting.com: Contec Innovations Inc. Sparks Interest in Current Events(C)1994-2007 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

RDATE:25062007

Streetinvesting.com is the leading online financial newsletter community with thousands of investors from around the world. Our goal is to bring our theories and techniques to investors seeking a different and unique approach to investment ideas. We have a research team that has been built upon the premise of finding companies that we feel may interest investors looking for that unique and tactical edge.

Please visit www.Streetinvesting.com for the full report, additional research and related articles on the company mentioned herein.

News on The Street this Friday rumble with a grim resonance as it becomes more evident that the bears are set for another rampage. The main culprit is bond yields capricious tendencies which are suffocating any market recovery attempts to a blurred trading sentiment. Investors unwillingly have to drag the scare of a potential rate hike which is constantly weighing on their psyche, and controlling their decision-making. However, what could act as a would-be protective shield on this week's last trading session is news about Blackstone Group LP, or rather a stake in the management arm of the company. Leaving Blackstone to the logs of history, Contec Innovations Inc. (TSX-V: BUZ) closed at $ 0.16 with a trading volume of 50,000 this Friday.

The exchanges in the US and Canada are frontiers of dreams and opportunities, which is why our research team have been involved in intensive study and investigation of the Canadian Juniors. Our aim is to bring to the surface an inventory of companies that have the capability of making a difference to your portfolio. Contec Innovations Inc. is one of the nominees we decided to offer to your inspecting eyes.

On Friday 22nd June, 2007, in a press release, Contec Innovations Inc., a provider of mobile infrastructure software, published that it has received $928,100 from the exercise of 6,187,335 share purchase warrants at 15 cents, representing 87% of the 7,111,167 outstanding warrants that expired June 16, 2007. The remaining 923,832 unexercised warrants have now expired. Proceeds from the exercise of the warrants have been added to working capital.

Contec also announced changes to its management team to reflect its emphasis on sales and marketing for China and to advance opportunities in the mobile publishing arena. Oren Friedman has been promoted to VP, Marketing and Business Development. Mr. Friedman will have responsibility for product management, BUZmob business development, marketing and partnerships. "Oren joined us last summer and has been a driving force in getting the Hornet-powered BUZmob mobile publishing business to market," said Don Lay, Contec CEO. "This new role reflects his expanded responsibilities to drive this segment of our business," he added.

Mr. Friedman has over a decade of software and telecommunications industry experience. Before recently settling in Canada he worked and lived in the Middle East, the United States and Europe and has held roles in product management and business development with technology providers PureSight Inc. (acquired by Boston Communication Group, (NASDAQ:BCGI)), Commtouch Inc. (NASDAQ:CTCH) and TTI Telecom (NASDAQ:TTIL). Mr. Friedman holds an MBA from the Stern Business School at New York University and an LL.B. degree in Law from Tel-Aviv University.

Sun Hua has been appointed to General Manager, China and is now responsible for leading all sales & marketing thrusts of Contec's Chinese operations, based in Beijing. Sun, who joined Contec in March of this year, is a 13-year veteran of Ericsson China, a unit of Ericsson AB, the world's leading mobile infrastructure provider.

Contec Innovations Inc. develops and markets HornetTM, a mobile data infrastructure solution that accelerates the creation and rollout of mobile data services. BUZmobTM is a Hornet-powered publishing service for mobilizing Internet content for news agencies, media companies, blog platforms and social networks. BUZmobTM provides publishers a simple, web-based solution to deliver digital content to mobile users on any device, on any network, anywhere - without requiring them to download software. Contec is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada and has a sales and support office in Beijing, China.

As investors look ahead for pros and cons in Fridays trading session, they will be opting more for the bear approach as a first line of defense. Next week brings a compact economic agenda as the Federal Reserve will be meeting to discuss and disclose several readings on the housing sector and the final report on economic growth in the first quarter. With a tidal wave of data about to be unleashed, we are curious to see how Contec Innovations Inc. will react to them. So, we would like to invite you to log on our website, www.streetinvsting.com, as future news release and development plans of Contec Innovations Inc. will be posted therein.

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MOHAWKS TO HOLD RUN-OFF ELECTION FOR TRIBAL COUNCIL.(CAPITAL REGION)

ST. REGIS MOHAWK RESERVATION -- A run-off election will be held for one of three chief positions on the Mohawk Tribal Council after tribal officials determined Wednesday there was a discrepancy in the vote count from last Saturday's election.

The run-off will be held on June 21 between Barbara Lazore, a former chief, and Lorraine White, the tribe's general counsel, said tribal spokesman Ray Cook.

In the recent vote, the Mohawks used three voting machines in place of ballot boxes. One of the machines malfunctioned, causing long lines for the 1,016 tribal members who voted. Many grew impatient and opted not to vote, according to the letter.

Tribal officials also said there was confusion over how to use the new machines. Voting in the run-off election will be conducted by paper ballot, Cook said.

-- Associated Press

SECRETLY MAKING PHOTOS FOR SEX TO BE FELONY

ALBANY -- Secretly making photographic images of people for sexual purposes will soon be a crime in New York, Gov. George Pataki and legislative leaders said Wednesday.

``Stephanie's Law'' was announced by Pataki, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. The law is expected to be signed by the governor in the coming days.

The law is named after Stephanie Fuller, whose former landlord was accused of spying on her for months by hiding a tiny video camera above Fuller's bed.

Under the bill, most video voyeurism will result in felony charges with sentences ranging from one to seven years in prison. The longest sentences would be used in cases in which the images were disseminated, including over the Internet. The law will also make a crime of using a camera to look up dresses.

-- Associated Press

ARCHDIOCESE TO NAME PRIESTS REMOVED FOR ABUSE

NEW YORK -- Priests removed from active ministry after the Archdiocese of New York's internal investigation of sexual molestation charges will be identified in the archdiocesan newspaper, a spokesman for Cardinal Edward Egan said Wednesday.

But priests cleared by the investigation for a return to work will not be identified unless they choose to make the matter public themselves, the spokesman said.

A New York Times story had said Egan would not discuss any outcomes of the investigation.

-- Associated Press

CHINESE RESEARCHER GOING TO PRISON FOR THEFT

SYRACUSE -- A Chinese researcher was sentenced Wednesday to a year and a day in prison for stealing biological materials from Cornell University and trying to smuggle them back to China.

U.S. District Court Judge Norman A. Mordue also ordered Yin Qingqiang, 39, to serve two years of supervised release but did not impose a fine because Yin has no way of paying.

Yin has already served two months since his arrest last July. A federal jury convicted Yin in December.

-- Associated Press

WESLEY UNANIMOUSLY CONFIRMED FOR BENCH

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed on Wednesday New York judge Richard Wesley to the federal 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in New York City, on a 96-0 vote.

Wesley, 53, a friend of Gov. George Pataki, was nominated by the governor to the New York state Court of Appeals in 1996. The two had previously served together in the state Assembly. Wesley is a graduate of the University at Albany and Cornell Law School.

-- Associated Press