FED: Oppn critical of govt spending on new websites

AAP General News (Australia)
02-05-2009
FED: Oppn critical of govt spending on new websites

CANBERRA, Feb 5 AAP - The Rudd government has created 36 new websites in its first
eight months in office at a cost to taxpayers of more than $1.1 million.

The details of the cost of the government's exercise in cyber-promotion were revealed
in a response to questions on notice from opposition communications spokesman Nick Minchin.

The most expensive, a Veterans' Affairs site that includes details of how to plan a
trip to Gallipoli, was created at a cost $250,000.

A site to communicate developments in accounting standard setting was …

Nintendo Introduces Wii U Console

Wireless News
06-10-2011
Nintendo Introduces Wii U Console
Type: News

Nintendo introduced a new paradigm for video games and home entertainment: Wii U, a new console that includes a controller with a 6.2-inch screen.

In a release, the Company noted previously, video games played on a home console have been confined to the TV and offered identical viewpoints to each player in a multiplayer environment. Furthermore, watching TV and playing console games have been completely separate experiences. The new controller removes these boundaries, creating a more dynamic and fluid gaming and entertainment experience.
In single-player games the new controller can display information on its screen that does not appear on the TV. The information and viewpoint can also change in the new controller based on the orientation of its gyroscope.

In multiplayer games the player using the new controller can have a different experience than those looking at the TV.

In addition to the 6.2-inch screen, the new controller also features an accelerometer and a gyroscope, a rumble feature, an inward-facing camera, a microphone and speakers. Adding these features to the Classic Controller button scheme - two analog Circle Pads, +Control Pad, A/B/X/Y buttons, L/R buttons and ZL/ZR buttons - will enable a breadth of game-play experiences while appealing to both casual and dedicated video game players.

Wii U combines motion-sensing game play with the ability to support full HD graphics. Each Wii U console will be partnered with a new controller and can also use up to four additional Wii Remote or Wii Remote Plus controllers. The system is also backward compatible and can play all Wii games and use all Wii accessories.

"Wii U redefines the structure of home entertainment by fundamentally changing how the TV, the game console and the Internet function and interact together," said Nintendo President Satoru Iwata.

"The experience enabled by Wii U and the new controller takes players deeper into their games, while reaching out wider than ever before to be inviting to all kinds of gamers."

Nintendo 3DS, which lets users see 3D images without the need for special glasses, launched in the United States on March 27 and continues to evolve. Owners will find that their Nintendo 3DS experience is different every time they pick up the system, thanks to new content and updates delivered by Nintendo, by third parties and exchanged between users.

A new system update is now available for the Nintendo 3DS system.

Users who connect to a wireless broadband Internet connection and install the system update will instantly gain access to the Nintendo eShop, which contains a variety of games and applications for download using a cash-based system.

Users can browse original 3D software, 3D Classics (select classic video games re-mastered in 3D), classic Game Boy and Game Boy Color games, and more than 350 games and applications currently offered for the Nintendo DSiWare service.

The system update also provides Nintendo 3DS owners access to free items, including an Internet browser that can show 3D images on sites specifically designed to show 3D images, a download of a re- mastered 3D version of the NES classic Excitebike game (free until July 7) and Pokedex 3D, which lets users discover and view more than 150 Pokemon from the Pokemon Black Version and Pokemon White Version games in visually engaging 3D.

Nintendo also announced a huge lineup of upcoming franchise games.

This includes:

-Nintendo 3DS: Super Mario, Luigi's Mansion 2, Mario Kart, Kid Icarus: Uprising, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, Star Fox 64 3D, Animal Crossing, Paper Mario, Picture Lives!, The Rolling Western.

-Wii: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Kirby Wii, Wii Play: Motion, Mystery Case Files: The Malgrave Incident, Mario Party 9, Rhythm Heaven and Fortune Street.

-Nintendo DS: Kirby Mass Attack, Professor Layton and the Last Specter, Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 and Super Fossil Fighters.

Nintendo kicked off its E3 Expo Presentation by announcing a number of initiatives to celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda. A re-mastered 3D version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time launches for Nintendo 3DS on June 19, while Wii owners will see the arrival of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword in the 2011 holiday season.

Nintendo creates interactive entertainment.

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

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

FED:Two boats intercepted off WA coast

AAP General News (Australia)
12-02-2011
FED:Two boats intercepted off WA coast

SYDNEY, Dec 2 AAP - Two boats carrying nearly 100 asylum-seekers have been intercepted
by border protection vessels off the West Australian coast.

HMAS Launceston boarded a boat northeast of Ashmore Island on Friday afternoon, a statement
issued by Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor said.

It was detected by surveillance aircraft and was believed to be carrying 19 passengers
and three crew members.

Later on Friday afternoon, HMAS Ararat intercepted a boat west of Christmas Island
following a request for assistance.

Initial indications suggest there were 75 passengers and three crew on board, Mr O'Connor said.

The passengers will be transferred to Christmas Island, where they will undergo security,
health and identity checks.

The latest arrivals come after two boats carrying more than 200 asylum seekers were
intercepted off the West Australian coast on Thursday.

AAP ih/goc/

KEYWORD: BOAT ARRIVE

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

--French watchdog fines Google for sucking up private data

Internet Business News
03-22-2011
--French watchdog fines Google for sucking up private data

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

22 March 2011 - The National Commission for Computing and Liberties (CNIL), France's data protection regulator, has imposed its biggest penalty to date, fining Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) for unauthorised data collection, the Financial Times reported.
The EUR100,000 (USD142,300) fine is Google's punishment for breaching privacy laws while compiling information for Street View, its location service. While snapping pictures, Street View vehicles also siphoned off personal data from encryption-free Wi-Fi networks, storing e-mails and passwords, among other things.

Regulators elsewhere are also scrutinising the service although the CNIL is the first one to impose a financial penalty. The agency can levy fines of up to EUR150,000 but being a first-time offender has saved the US Internet giant from getting the maximum.

Google, still pondering whether to lodge an appeal, admitted the inadvertent data collection last year and immediately notified authorities. The company apologised profusely yesterday and reiterated its commitment to deleting the stored information.

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

(Copyright M2 Communications, 2011)

QLD:Do better resolution for Qld govt in 2011

AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-2010
QLD:Do better resolution for Qld govt in 2011

By Jessica Marszalek, AAP State Political Correspondent

BRISBANE, AAP - When Queensland's political leaders sit down to write their New Year's
resolutions this year, it will be a simple task.

"Do better" will likely be the 2011 goal of both Premier Anna Bligh and her opposition
counterpart John-Paul Langbroek after a year of ups and downs.

For the premier, it's been her unpopular asset sales plans that have dogged her.

Unions continued their campaign against them, some of her own MPs questioned the plan,
and the unpopular issue has been blamed for a series of dismal polls even worse than what
Joh Bjelke-Petersen recorded during Fitzgerald.

In fact, Ms Bligh's deep unpopularity was also partly blamed for federal Labor's election
drubbing in the Sunshine State - although many pundits pointed to the ousting of Queensland
prime minister Kevin Rudd just before the vote.

Asset sales, combined with the bad polling, contributed to leadership rumblings that
culminated in a special caucus meeting in September.

But what was expected to be a fiery discussion fizzed into nothing.

A few MPs told Ms Bligh she needed to do better, but the team still felt she was their
best chance.

What emerged was a "listening offensive" to reconnect with voters by making Labor MPs
undertake work experience in menial jobs.

Ms Bligh took her first work experience opportunity in a Brisbane hospital where she
heard about another source of voter misery - the bungled Queensland Health payroll system.

The new system has been a nightmare for workers who are having to trawl through payslips
to see if they're been paid correctly since the $70 million system was introduced in March.

It's not expected to be running at peak efficiency until June next year, and it's going
to cost $209 million to fix over 18 months.

But even with 74,000 workers put out over the payroll bungle, it's privatisation that's
been the constant issue, albeit one that's nearly complete.

The government has already publicly floated a portion of rail freight company QR National
and sold its forestry business and the Port of Brisbane, earning $7.3 billion.

It's in negotiations to transfer Queensland Motorways to its investment arm - the Queensland
Investment Corporation (QIC) - for an expected $3 billion.

It also intends to sell off the Abbott Point Coal Terminal next year and eventually
sell off the remainder of its stake in QR National, earning an estimated total of $14.1
billion under the program.

However, Ms Bligh has still struggled against a public that believes it was lied to
about the controversial plan before the 2009 election.

She says she never lied about privatisation, which forms an important plank of her
economic policies that will pay down debt, regain a AAA credit rating, grow jobs and keep
its projects and services going.

And policies is where the opposition has lagged this year.

Mr Langbroek has spent a year blue in the face criticising Ms Bligh, her plans and
her "lazy" team.

But he's often failed to paint an alternative plan Queenslanders could get excited about.

For example, he's pledged not to sell assets but can't say what he'd cut in government
spending without that extra revenue.

Instead, he says, he'd "stop government waste", and points to projects like Queensland
Health's payroll woes as evidence of that waste.

But he's struggled to explain exactly what that means, leading to some poor media performances.

He's also had to withstand some unpleasantness from his own side.

Two MPs left the party to sit as independents, criticising the party's direction.

Mr Langbroek had to drop frontbencher David Gibson after the Gympie MP labelled him
"unpredictable" and remind his front bench they should "sing from the same hymn sheet"

when a backbencher questioned the party's steadfast opposition to asset sales.

And the government had a field day with some old Police Union editorials written by
Mr Langbroek's chief of staff Ross Musgrove before his appointment, in which he said:
"John-Paul Peter Brian Fred Tinkerbell Langbroek has all the political bite of a French
poodle".

But most damaging has been ongoing speculation that his team may not be completely
behind him and may want a change.

Nevertheless, he's returned encouraging poll results, although he trails deputy Lawrence
Springborg as preferred leader.

With an election quite possibly at the end of 2011, both leaders have less than 12
months to turn around their fortunes.

Despite the perception that the Liberal National Party (LNP) will be able to coast
into office on the back of Labor's terminal unpopularity, Mr Langbroek will need to put
his leadership skills on show and keep his party in order.

Indeed, some within are already worried his at-times unpolished performances will result
in a giant campaign-trail gaffe that'll spell an end to the LNP's chances before things
have even begun.

He'll likely be up against a polished performer, with MPs touted as Ms Bligh's replacements
insisting they will not challenge.

Ms Bligh has said she will stand aside if she becomes a liability, but many wonder
how much worse the polls will have to get before she decides she is.

With that polling showing her team face election annihilation, Ms Bligh will be working
to turn her asset sales agenda into a positive in 2011, showing Queenslanders what she's
been able to achieve with the extra funds.

Mr Langbroek will be working to make sure she cannot.

If either break their New Year's resolutions, it'll cost them dearly.

AAP jmm/crh/cdh/bwl

KEYWORD: YEARENDER QLD

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

AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Midday, Aug 1

AAP General News (Australia)
08-01-2010
AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Midday, Aug 1
Midday Round-Up: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AAP RTV FILE AT 1130


Poll10 Rudd (CANBERRA)

Former foreign minister ALEXANDER DOWNER has denied saying KEVIN RUDD was used by the
HOWARD government as a double agent to leak information damaging to his enemies in the
Labor Party.

News Limited has reported Mr DOWNER as saying that when Mr RUDD was an ambitious backbencher
in opposition .. he leaked information given to him by the Liberals to embarrass the ALP's
then foreign affairs spokesman LAURIE BRERETON.

Mr RUDD .. who took over the shadow portfolio in 2001 .. denies the claims and is seeking
legal advice.

Deputy Prime Minister WAYNE SWAN says the former PM is an honourable man .. and he's
accused the Liberals of putting the boot in while Mr RUDD's in hospital recovering from
surgery to remove his gall bladder.

Mr DOWNER has issued a statement saying his comments have been misinterpreted.



Poll10 Super (CANBERRA)

Labor has announced its planned no-frills superannuation product will begin in mid
2013 .. if it's re-elected.

Treasurer WAYNE SWAN says MySuper .. recommended in the recent COOPER review .. will
of lift the retirement savings of a 30-year-old worker on average wages .. by 40 thousand
dollars.

Together with Labor's plan to increase the super guarantee from nine to 12 per cent
by 2020 .. Mr SWAN says it'll amount to almost 150 thousand dollars more in their super
balance.

Opposition Leader TONY ABBOTT says the coalition is still finalising its response to
the Cooper review.



Poll10 Abbott (CANBERRA)

TONY ABBOTT says he doesn't apologise for changing his old-fashioned views on some issues.

In the past year .. the opposition leader has changed his stance on climate change
.. paid parental leave .. immigration and industrial relations.

Mr ABBOTT's told the Nine Network he doesn't apologise for moving to positions which
better reflect coalition values .. and he'll leave it to the public to judge him.

With three weeks to go to the federal election .. he's announcing an aged care policy
that includes getting three thousand high-care residential aged-care bed up and running
.. to ease the nursing home-care crisis.



Poll10 Greens (CANBERRA)

Greens leader BOB BROWN says his party won't block attempts to cut company tax in the Senate.

A policy document issued in March said the Greens would return the company tax rate
to 33 per cent and broaden the company tax base by reducing tax concessions.

Labor's promised to reduce it to 29 per cent .. and the coalition to 28.5 per cent.

The Greens .. which will likely hold the balance of power in the upper house after
the federal election .. will launch its campaign in Canberra at lunchtime.



Rates Preview (SYDNEY)

Borrowers are tipped to be spared an interest rate rise for at least another month.

All 11 economists surveyed by AAP expect the Reserve Bank of Australia will leave the
key cash rate at 4.5 per cent for a third straight month at Tuesday's board meeting.

And they believe another increase by the central bank is unlikely until the end of
the year .. after lower than expected inflation figures.

Nine of the 11 economists surveyed say rates will lift by a quarter of a percentage
point by Christmas .. increasing monthly repayments on an average 300 thousand mortgage
by 49 dollars.



Weather SA (ADELAIDE)

Emergency crews are cleaning up after a possible tornado that caused millions of dollars
of damage in the South Australian town of Penola.

Extreme winds hit the town in the state's south-east about 5.30pm (CST) yesterday.

The State Emergency Service says about 60 building including homes and businesses were
damaged .. including the Penola Bowling Club and other businesses in the main street.

More SES crews are being brought in from Adelaide to help .

The weather bureau's MARK ANOLAK says he can't confirm if it was a tornado because
there's no automatic weather station in Penola .. but damaging wind gusts were expected.



US Chelsea (RHINEBECK)

CHELSEA CLINTON has married her longtime boyfriend at an exclusive estate along New
York's Hudson River.

After weeks of secrecy .. BILL and HILLARY CLINTON say their daughter has wed investment
banker MARC MEZVINSKY in the small village of Rhinebeck.

Celebrity guests included actors TED DANSON and MARY STEENBURGEN .. fashion designer
VERA WANG .. and former secretary of state MADELEINE ALBRIGHT.



Heaters (SYDNEY)

Greens MP JOHN KAYE says the replacement of unflued heaters in New South Wales schools
must not be delayed by rumours and propaganda from vested interests.

Heating experts quoted by The Sun-Herald say replacing the gas heaters could take up
to a decade .. and the cost will be way over the 170 million estimated by the state government.

The paper also says some in the public service believe the pledge to replace the 55
thousand heaters is purely political .. seven months from an election .. and unflued heaters
are safe.

Mr KAYE says the Woolcock study's the latest to confirm that unflued gas heaters are
making students sick .. and must go.



Briefly in other news ..



Missing (SYDNEY)

It's Missing Persons Week .. and family members are being urged not to wait to report
missing loved ones to police .. because the first 24 to 48 hours are crucial to finding
them.

Heroin (SYDNEY)

Two men will face court after police seized heroin worth an estimated eight million
dollars on the street .. in Sydney's southeast.

Abduction (BRISBANE)

A 57-year-old man faces weapons charges after two missing children were found safe
and well at Mission Beach in far north Queensland yesterday.



in Sport ..



League Roosters (SYDNEY)

Sydney Roosters coach BRIAN SMITH has singled out forward MITCH AUBUSSON for special
praise after his side shut down Eels' superstar JARRYD HAYNE in last night's 48-12 victory
at Parramatta Stadium.

But the 23-year-old former centre says it's impossible to contain the NSW fullback
alone and has paid credit to his team-mates.

The Roosters are already readying themselves for next Sunday's SCG blockbuster against
ladder-leading St George Illawarra.

There are three games today .. the Warriors play Gold Coast in Auckland in a match
with a crucial bearing on the top eight .. Melbourne hosts Canberra at AAMI Park and St
George Illawarra travels to Brisbane to take on the Broncos.



AFL Lions (BRISBANE)

Brisbane Lions coach MICHAEL VOSS is shattered following his side's 10-point defeat
at the hands of AFL rivals Melbourne at the Gabba.

Things got worse for VOSS following his side's eighth straight defeat last night, with
news prized recruits BRENDAN FEVOLA and XAVIER CLARKE may miss the rest of the season
through injury.

Neither took part in the second half as the Lions suffered their 13th loss in 14 games.

In AFL action today .. Fremantle will be aiming to make it seven western derby wins
on the trot when they tackle arch AFL rivals West Coast at Subiaco Oval .. Richmond will
take on Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs will play North Melbourne.



ENDS MIDDAY ROUND-UP

Broadcast Desk inquiries 24 hours: 02 9322 8714

AAP RTV

KEYWORD: MIDDAY ROUND-UP

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

QLD: Hopes increasing in the search for the Centaur

AAP General News (Australia)
12-18-2009
QLD: Hopes increasing in the search for the Centaur

Shipwreck hunters involved in the search for the sunken hospital ship Centaur will
use high-resolution sonar today .. to study a promising target in waters off Queensland's
southeast.

Search director DAVID MEARNS' latest blog says the target is one of five so far identified
as matching the size and shape of the Centaur .. in the search zone near Moreton Island.

A Japanese submarine torpedoed the Centaur in Moreton Bay in 1943 .. killing 268 non-combatants
.. including nurses and ambulance officers.

AAP RTV ka/wz/psm/

KEYWORD: CENTAUR (BRISBANE)

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

WA: Cracks revealed in police war with bikies

AAP General News (Australia)
08-10-2009
WA: Cracks revealed in police war with bikies

(Eds: Embargoed until 0001 AEST Monday, August 10)



By Aleisha Preedy

PERTH, Aug 10 AAP - A cloud of doubt hangs over a conviction for a bikie-related killing,
with fresh evidence revealing police could have been conned by a murderer and put away
the wrong man.

A police-brokered deal with a member of the Gypsy Jokers and flawed forensic evidence
into the murder of 35-year-old Anthony David Tapley have been uncovered in an investigation
by the ABC's Four Corners program.

The investigation questions whether police have the upper hand in the bikie wars following
a deadly brawl at Sydney Airport in March and a recent shooting in the Perth suburb of
Jandakot.

It claims Gary Ernest White, an associate of the West Australian-based Gypsy Jokers,
was wrongly convicted of Mr Tapley's murder in 2001, on the testimony of former club member
Sid "Snot" Reid.

Reid admitted his part in the car-bomb killing of former WA detective Don Hancock and
his friend Lou Lewis at Ora Banda in September 2001.

Police promised a reduced sentence if Reid broke the bikies' code of silence and testified
against his bikie mates in court.

He agreed and in 2003 White was sentenced to life in prison for shooting Mr Tapley
three times over a drug debt before incinerating his body.

The program, to be aired on Monday, says although a jury did not believe Reid's testimony
in the Hancock case, his evidence helped convict White of Mr Tapley's murder.

Independent forensic scientists have re-examined evidence and concluded it did not
support the crown case that White, now 55, killed Mr Tapley.

The investigation questions whether police were fooled by Reid in their haste to jail
a murderer in honour of their former colleague Mr Hancock.

The West Australian Supreme Court of Appeal rejected White's application to appeal
against his murder conviction in 2006.

Calls for national anti-bikie laws intensified after the airport brawl involving members
of the Comancheros and Hells Angels, in which 29-year-old Anthony Zervas died.

South Australia and NSW have enacted laws that allow bikie gangs to be declared criminal
organisations, while other states are implementing similar measures.

In NSW a police operation, codenamed Strike Force Raptor, has been set up to stem illegal
bikie activity.

In WA, meanwhile, four men face court charges over shootings at a property south of
Perth in which four people were injured, including former Gypsy Joker president Lennard
(Lennard) Mark Kirby.

AAP ap/jhp/mn

KEYWORD: BIKIES CORNERS (EMBARGOED)

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

NSW: No evidence of increased shark numbers in NSW: Tebbutt

AAP General News (Australia)
02-15-2009
NSW: No evidence of increased shark numbers in NSW: Tebbutt

The New South Wales government says there's no evidence of increased shark numbers
.. despite cleaner waterways around Sydney.

News Limited reports the state's fishermen are regularly hauling up to 100 sharks per
night .. but new quotas mean they'll be banned from hunting sharks until July.

A navy diver and a surfer are recovering in hospital from two separate shark attacks
last week in Sydney Harbour and at Bondi Beach last.

Deputy Premier CARMEL TEBBUTT says it's more likely that a ban on commercial fishing
in the harbour due to dioxin issues has led to sharks being attracted to the greater number
of fish.

AAP RTV krc/tm

KEYWORD: SHARK (SYDNEY)

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

AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Midday, Aug 27

AAP General News (Australia)
08-27-2008
AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Midday, Aug 27
Midday Round-Up: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AAP RTV FILE AT 1130


Stannies (SYDNEY)

The principal of St Stanislaus College in central western New South Wales has confirmed
a police probe into claims of sexual abuse includes a number of former staff.

JOHN EDWARDS has told Fairfax Radio he was served with a search warrant last month
.. which listed the names of three former staff members.

A 65-year-old former priest at the private school in Bathurst is now facing 33 charges
.. following allegations of a paedophile ring comprising priests and teachers at the private
school during the 1980s.

Mr EDWARDS says he first became aware of the allegations several years ago when the
college received internet material .. which he referred to police.



Sharwood (BRISBANE)

The Anglican Church has defrocked a Brisbane priest convicted of child sex abuse.

The church says it's deposed ROBERT FRANCIS SHARWOOD from his holy orders.

The 62 year old was jailed for 12 months in November 2006 .. after being found guilty
of sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy in Brisbane more than 30 years ago.

He was released from jail in November last year.



Unidrive (MELBOURNE)

Melbourne car axle component supplier Unidrive has announced it will sack 40 workers
.. due to the downturn experienced by major car manufacturers.

Ford announced last week it's making 350 redundancies and reducing plant operation hours.

And Mitsubishi's announced it's closing its Adelaide plant.

AMWU secretary STEVE DARGAVEL says the ramifications of those closures are now being
felt by suppliers.



Rudd MPs (CANBERRA)

Opposition Treasury spokesman MALCOLM TURNBULL says KEVIN RUDD's likely to avoid the
real economic issues .. in his address to the nation today.

The Prime Minister will lay out the government's agenda through to the next election
during his speech to the National Press Club in Canberra.

Mr TURNBULL says Mr RUDD's likely to announce some sort of distraction to avoid tackling
the real economic issues facing the country.



Grocery Katter (CANBERRA)

Independent MP BOB KATTER's called for the head of the ACCC to be sacked .. for failing
to address the hold Woolworths and Coles have over grocery retailing.

Yesterday Woolworths announced a 25.7 per cent lift in its annual profit .. to more
than 1.6 billion dollars.

Mr KATTER says the profits of the two supermarket giants have been achieved over the
broken backs of farmers.

And he says he'll be formally calling for the resignation of commission chairman GRAEME
SAMUEL .. for failing to address the issue in his inquiry into grocery prices.



Education (CANBERRA)

A report by the Australian Education Union says the federal government needs to invest
at least one and a half billion dollars in public education .. just to restore the sector's
commonwealth funding share to 1996 levels.

The study says government schools' share of commonwealth funding declined from 43 per
cent to 35 per cent during the HOWARD years .. and will continue to drop further to 33.8
per cent by 2011-12.

The RUDD government's promised to maintain the existing schools funding formula until 2012.

But University of Sydney academic JIM MCMORROW says Labor's inherited funding arrangements
for schools that are riddled with anomalies and flaws.



Welfare (CANBERRA)

The Rudd government has introduced legislation to parliament which aims to suspend
welfare payments .. as a last resort .. from parents whose children wag school.

Education Minister JULIA GILLARD has told the House of Representatives .. it's estimated
up to 20 thousand Australian school age children may not be enrolled.

Ms GILLARD says suspending welfare payments to parents would be a last resort .. and
only a small group of people would be affected.



Toddler (SYDNEY)

A two-year-old's died in a house blaze on the mid-north coast of New South Wales ..

despite the valiant efforts of her grandmother to save her.

The toddler was one of five children staying in the woman's two-storey cottage in Nelson
Bay .. when fire crews were called out about 1.30 (AEST) this morning.

Emergency workers say the grandmother made valiant efforts in getting the other children
out .. and suffered burns and smoke inhalation.

Despite the risk of collapsing ceilings .. fire crews wore protection gear to enter
the home where they found the toddler's body.



Cartwheel Welford (BRISBANE)

Queensland education department officials will today talk to a school that's banned
cartwheels and handstands.

Belgian Gardens State School in Townsville has banned all gymnastic activities during
breaks to protect students from injury.

Education Minister ROD WELFORD says regional education officers will talk to the school
about the policy today.

Mr WELFORD's told ABC radio teachers fear parents could sue schools for student accidents
.. and may well have prompted the principal's decision.



Electricity Stoner (SYDNEY)

New South Wales Nationals leader ANDREW STONER has dismissed claims by Premier MORRIS
IEMMA .. that the state will suffer blackouts if the planned electricity privatisation
doesn't go ahead.

Mr IEMMA's taken out full-page advertisements in newspapers today .. addressing the
state on the controversial sell-off .. warning of black-outs if there's no new investment
now.

But Mr STONER says while Victoria moved down the privatisation path about a decade
ago .. that state actually faces shortages of baseload power earlier than NSW will.



US Vote Threat (DENVER)

US justice authorities say there's insufficient evidence that three men arrested ahead
of the Democratic convention had been planning to assassinate presidential candidate BARACK
OBAMA.

US Attorney TROY EID says while investigators are keeping an open mind .. an intensive
investigation has found no evidence of a credible plan to kill OBAMA.

He's described the men as meth heads .. who weren't capable of such an attack.



Briefly in other news ..



A 72-year-old Sydney woman's been thrown to the ground while her Mercedes was being carjacked
in the city's north overnight.



Broadcaster ALAN JONES says he'll return to the airwaves next month .. following surgery
to remove prostate cancer.



in Finance ..



At 1114 AEST, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was DOWN 26.8 points to 4,980.7, while the
All Ordinaries Index was DOWN 21.3 points at 5,061.0.

The Australian dollar was at 85.82 US cents, UP from Tuesday's local close at 85.61 US cents.

It was at 58.36 euro cents, UP from 58.30 euro cents on Tuesday.

In Sydney, the spot price of gold was $US827.20 per fine ounce, UP $US7.75 from Tuesday's
close of $US819.45.



in Sport ..



Tennis Open Aust (NEW YORK)

Eighteen-year-old JESSICA MOORE has ensured an Australian presence in the second round
of the US Open .. after defeating fellow wildcard entrant MELANIE OUDIN in straight sets.

Australia's best hope at Flushing Meadows .. CASEY DELLACQUA .. has crashed out in
the first round after a shock 7-6 7-6 defeat against qualifier JULIE COIN.

MOORE will now meet German qualifier ANNA-LENA GRONEFELD in the second round.



Soccer Champions (PARIS)

Former champions Juventus and Barcelona have reached the lucrative Champions League
group stage after safely negotiating away second legs in their final qualifiers.



ENDS MIDDAY ROUND-UP

Broadcast Desk inquiries 24 hours: 02 9322 8714

AAP RTV tm/bart

KEYWORD: MIDDAY ROUND-UP

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

Fed: Turnbull says Swan aggravating inflation problem

AAP General News (Australia)
04-22-2008
Fed: Turnbull says Swan aggravating inflation problem

CANBERRA, April 22 AAP - Federal opposition treasury spokesman Malcolm Turnbull has
accused the government of aggravating inflation by constantly talking it up.

With the consumer price index (CPI) figures for the March quarter to be released tomorrow,
Mr Turnbull says he remains concerned about inflation.

He said Treasurer Wayne Swan had worsened the situation by declaring soon after the
federal election that inflation was out of control.

"He and the prime minister have said that again and again. It is not true, it is reckless
to say because inflation is very much a function of expectation," Mr Turnbull told ABC
radio today.

The opposition spokesman said if people thought inflation was rising and that it was
not under control, then that is what would happen.

"We will have to see what the numbers are, but obviously there is a lot of momentum
in the system," he said.

"I think that Wayne Swan has acted in a way that is calculated or that will have the
inevitable consequence of aggravating inflationary expectations.

"He is aggravating the problem, he is exacerbating the problem."

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has said repeatedly in recent weeks that it expects
the annual CPI to jump to around 4.0 per cent in the March quarter, up from 3.0 per cent
in the December quarter.

That is well above the RBA's two to three per cent inflation target, raising concerns
of further interest rates rises.

But the RBA also has said it will likely downgrade forecasts for future inflation readings,
given the early signs of slowing domestic demand following successive increases in interest
rates since August.

AAP mb/pw/it/bwl

KEYWORD: ECONOMY TURNBULL

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

Fed: No 'obvious' price fixing in petrol market: ACCC

AAP General News (Australia)
12-18-2007
Fed: No 'obvious' price fixing in petrol market: ACCC

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission inquiry into petrol prices has found
no obvious evidence of price-fixing.

But assistant treasurer CHRIS BOWEN says the report released today confirms there are
grounds for concern.

Mr BOWEN says when petrol's expensive because world oil prices are high .. every cent
makes a difference to working families.

However he says the report makes it clear there are no easy answers .. and no magic solutions.

Mr BOWEN's ordered the ACCC to keep monitoring petrol prices and to report to him once
a year .. or more if the commission feels it's necessary.

He says the government's also moving to set up a petrol commissioner .. and will push
forward in the new year with a plan that'll put those found guilty of cartel conduct in
jail.

Mr BOWEN says the ACCC will also keep an eye on shopper-docket schemes .. and any impact
on competition.

And he says more work needs to be done on how to correct the information imbalance
between consumers and producers on petrol prices.

AAP jb/rl/jt/bwl/jmt

KEYWORD: PETROL (CANBERRA)

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

Fed: Australian Idol enjoys second best ever series debut

AAP General News (Australia)
08-06-2007
Fed: Australian Idol enjoys second best ever series debut

By Michael Gadd, National Entertainment Writer

SYDNEY, Aug 6 AAP - Australian Idol producers are singing a happy tune after last night's
series return attracted an audience of 1.65 million viewers, making it Sunday's most-watched
show.

The first episode recapping Idol's biggest ever nationwide search for the next singing
sensation was the show's second highest rating series opener and 270,000 ahead of last
year.

While most attention has been on the judges in the lead-up to Network Ten's fifth Australian
Idol, most notably the return of Ian Dickson, the spotlight turned to the real talent
last night.

The larrikins were combined with the genuine contenders in the first of six audition
episodes which will lead up to the first live performances from finalists later this month.

It was another impressive Sunday for the Nine Network, the most watched channel overall
ahead of Ten in second and the usually high-flying Seven Network third.

But it was a close night. Just five points split the four networks as the ABC also
had an impressive night in the ratings by its standards, with Midsomer Murders fourth
with 1.4 million viewers and The Worst Jobs in History eighth with 1.25 million viewers.

Ten will be most encouraged by its young audience. Not only did it average 1.65 million
viewers overall, Idol attracted about 50 per cent of viewers in the lucrative 18 to 49
and 18 to 39 age brackets.

Idol has undergone a facelift this year, not in format but in clientele, with a far
more edgy contingent lining up for the leg-up into the music industry. This has been attributed
to Idol allowing performers to use guitars and the quality of last year's winner, Damien
Leith.

The combination has added musical credibility to a brand previously discounted by so
called "real artists" as a televised karaoke contest.

AAP mdg/maur/de

KEYWORD: IDOL

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

SA: Woman pulled from car in overnight car-jacking

AAP General News (Australia)
02-13-2007
SA: Woman pulled from car in overnight car-jacking

A woman's been pulled from her car in a car-jacking in Adelaide's southern suburbs overnight.

Police say a man opened her car door when she stopped at an intersection in Morphett
Vale about one o'clock this morning .. and threw her to the ground.

The man then jumped in the Holden Barina and sped off.

The woman was taken to Noarlunga Hospital with a bruised head and arm.

AAP RTV tkc/rt/jmt

KEYWORD: CARJACK (ADELAIDE)

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

Fed: Aust, Indon agreed on "broader prisoner transfer deal"

AAP General News (Australia)
08-27-2006
Fed: Aust, Indon agreed on "broader prisoner transfer deal"

CANBERRA, Aug 27 AAP - The government says it agrees with Indonesia on the broad principles
of a prisoner transfer deal, but it is still working on the details.

Both countries expect to finalise an agreement by the end of the year.

The process is expected to move forward next month when Indonesian Law and Human Rights
Minister Hamid Awaludin visits Australia.

Justice Minister Chris Ellison said Australian officials recently met with their Indonesian
counterparts to discuss the details of the agreement.

"There are a lot of aspects to this. We hope to have it signed by the end of the year
but of course it's not just something you can sit down and work out overnight," he told
the Ten Network.

"We have two different legal systems that we have to accommodate here.

"The general principles have been agreed, we just have to work through the detail."

Earlier this month Indonesian ambassador Hamzah Thayeb said the agreement was likely
to be signed off by the end of the year.

But Mr Thayeb indicated the transfer arrangement could still be a way off if it needed
approval from the Indonesian parliament.

Whether it would go before parliament depended on what form the deal took.

Senator Ellison said it wasn't unusual that it was taking the two countries a long
time to finalise the prisoner exchange agreement.

"A lot of our transfer prisoner agreements take a long time," he said.

"These things don't just happen overnight.

"You're dealing with different sentencing provisions, totally different legal situations.

"Indonesia and Australia (are) remarkably different in their background and judicial systems.

"When you do a transfer agreement you've got to bring this into consideration, that takes time."

AAP so/srp/sd

KEYWORD: INDON AUST ELLISON

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

NSW: Govt says it has plan to get budget out of trouble

AAP General News (Australia)
12-21-2005
NSW: Govt says it has plan to get budget out of trouble

By Tara Ravens and Alyssa Braithwaite

SYDNEY, Dec 21 AAP - NSW taxpayers will have to wait until February to learn whether
they will be slugged as part of a four-year plan to lift the state budget back into the
black.

Premier Morris Iemma today released the 2005/06 mid-year budget review, which downgraded
an estimated $303 million surplus to $21 million.

After the abolition of the government's property vendor duty helped drive the budget
close to deficit this financial year, Mr Iemma said the state would record a $500 million
deficit in 2006/07.

The premier had foreshadowed the review's findings last week, saying the budget would
be balanced in 2007/08 before returning to surplus in 2008/09.

"The six-monthly update confirms that the NSW budget is forecast to return to surplus
within three years," he said today.

Announcing a four-year plan to correct the budget's bottom line, he said frontline
services would not be cut as the government reins in spending.

Tipped to deliver estimated savings of up to $2.2 billion, Mr Iemma said the first
stage of the plan involves cuts of $300 million from "non-essential" government services.

However, he refused to elaborate, saying details would be released in early 2006 following
the completion of the Audit of Government Expenditure and Assets.

"New South Wales has a strong balance sheet which will allow the government to maintain
frontline services at a time when the budget is under pressure," Mr Iemma said.

"(The plan) involves reductions in expenditures in those areas we do not see as core services.

"There will be savings in ITT (information technology), procurement and further measures
to come with the release of the audit details ... introduced to meet the challenges of
the budget deficit."

But Deputy NSW Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell said that state should brace itself
for tough times ahead.

"If health and education services are poor now what hope do residents have of those
issues being fixed over the next three years?" he said.

"Residents are in for a hard time in the future as the budget heads into deficit."

The government had overseen a billion dollar budget turnabout, Mr O'Farrell said.

"The $481 million predicted surplus for 2006/07 has fallen into a $553 million deficit," he said.

"It underscores Labor mismanagement ... people are scratching their heads wondering
where the money has gone," he said.

Taxpayers could be hit with more Labor taxes to plug the deepening black hole, said
assistant opposition treasury spokeswoman Peta Seaton.

Meanwhile Mark Bethwaite, chief executive of Australian Business Limited, warned against
increasing the burden on NSW businesses.

"NSW has the highest employment taxes and charges in Australia and the lowest full
time employment growth ... NSW cannot afford to cut expenditure," he said.

Mr Iemma said revenue was lower than expected this year because of a sluggish property
market, a reduction in GST grants from the commonwealth and the abolition of the vendor
duty.

AAP tr/was/jt/de

KEYWORD: BUDGETNSW NIGHTLEAD

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

ACP states

ACP states The African, Caribbean, and Pacific states that are associated with the European Union through the Lomé Convention. This convention, which was signed at Lomé (Togo) in 1975, provides for cooperation in matters of commerce between ACP states and EU states, including access to the EU market for products from the ACP countries. The Convention also provides for cooperation in industrial and financial matters.

Businessmen still choose to tie the knot.

Mar 17, 2003 (The West Australian - ABIX via COMTEX)

The success of a British discrimination case has highlighted a trend in office wear in Western Australia (WA). WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry public affairs director, Bob Pride, said that a shift towards relatively casual attire as office wear had been reversed in Perth, with more men returning to the suit and tie. The British case concerned a male worker forced to wear a tie.

Publication Date: 17 March 2003

 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY OF       WESTERN AUSTRALIA (INCORPORATED): WESTERN AUSTRALIA.  EQUAL       OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION: INTERNET BUSINESS CORPORATION LIMITED 

By Liam Phillips

 All copyright subsisting under the Copyright Act 1968 (Commonwealth) resides in us. 

No part of the copyright materials may be reproduced, re-used, re-transmitted, adapted, published, broadcast or distributed for any commercial purposes whatsoever without our prior written permission.

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

BroadVision and webMethods Announce Strategic Partnership to Deliver BroadVision B2B Gateway For Open Connectivity to E-Commerce Enterprises.

Business/Technology Editors

FAIRFAX, Va. and REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 11, 2000

BroadVision Selects webMethods as a Preferred Partner to Leverage Leading Business-to-Business Integration (B2Bi) Solution to Facilitate

Enterprise Trade, Trading Partners Communities, and Personalize

Customer Relationships Across the E-Commerce Ecosystem

webMethods Inc. (Nasdaq: WEBM), the leading provider of business-to-business integration (B2Bi) solutions, and BroadVision Inc. (Nasdaq: BVSN), a leading worldwide supplier of personalized e-business applications, today announced a strategic partnership to provide real-time integration of BroadVision(R) applications over the Internet and into business systems of suppliers, customers, and trading partners across the entire e-commerce ecosystem.

webMethods will allow BroadVision to package the webMethods B2B BroadVision Adapter as part of the BroadVision B2B Gateway product to enable real-time enterprise trade across BroadVision's e-business value chain. The BroadVision B2B Gateway product will deliver e-business integration to trading partners directly or through exchanges, as well as provide integration to back-end systems and the analysis and reporting required to make informed business decisions. The BroadVision B2B Gateway product will leverage webMethods comprehensive B2Bi Solution Suite which includes B2B, enterprise, mainframe and partner integration capabilities.

This alliance will enable customers to support seamless B2B integration between BroadVision Procurement, MarketMaker, and Business Commerce applications, and buyer and supplier participants. As a strategic technology partner in BroadVision's alliance program, webMethods has become BroadVision's preferred partner for B2B integration needs. As part of their agreement, BroadVision and webMethods will work together to market and sell the joint solutions on a worldwide basis.

"We are very excited to form a strategic partnership with webMethods and to make them our chosen B2B integration partner for our buy-side, sell-side, and marketplace applications," said Dr. Pehong Chen, president and CEO of BroadVision. "Today's announcement enables our products to go beyond basic online commerce transactions by allowing our customers to integrate their internal back-end applications with BroadVision MarketMaker, or alternate industry marketplaces, facilitating real-time business transactions between trading partners."

"BroadVision has recognized the crucial part that B2Bi has to play in today's e-commerce initiatives," said Phillip Merrick, president and CEO of webMethods. "By developing a strategic partnership, together we can provide rapid and comprehensive B2B solutions, allowing customers to have real-time access to the information necessary to realize significant operational efficiencies and improve information flow."

Facilitating Real-Time Business Transactions

Using the BroadVision B2B Gateway -- based on webMethods B2Bi technology -- buyers and suppliers can rapidly connect to the BroadVision e-commerce application suite as well as integrate their internal Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Supply Chain Management (SCM) systems with business applications used by their business partners over the Internet in real time. The combined solution addresses the challenges of integrating and managing disparate applications to facilitate dynamic, real-time relationships between buyers, suppliers and partners.

To develop the webMethods BroadVision Adapter, a component of the BroadVision B2B Gateway, webMethods is collaborating with Deloitte Consulting, one of the world's leading e-business consulting firms.

"Deloitte Consulting is pleased to be working closely with webMethods to co- develop the BroadVision Adapter and B2B-enable BroadVision's full suite of applications," said Andy Daecher, technology integration principal, Deloitte Consulting. "The combination of Deloitte Consulting's webMethods-certified professionals and webMethods industry leading B2Bi solution suite will translate hype into reality for BroadVision customers by delivering seamless B2Bi across the Internet and throughout the extended enterprise."

Pricing and Availability

Under the terms of the agreement, BroadVision will market and resell the webMethods B2Bi solution suite, including the webMethods B2B BroadVision Adapter, as part of its new BroadVision B2B Gateway, which is expected to be available in the first half of 2001. Pricing will be announced at general availability.

webMethods Product Suite

webMethods provides a complete B2Bi solution that allows organizations to effectively realize their e-commerce strategies. The webMethods product family was designed to provide broad support for open standards and protocols, such as XML, RosettaNet, ebXML, FpML, cXML, xCBL, OBI, OAG, ACORD and BizTalk framework. Through support of these standards, webMethods products provide seamless integration both within the enterprise and across the Internet to trading networks and B2B marketplaces.

About BroadVision

BroadVision (Nasdaq: BVSN, Neuer Markt: BDN) develops and delivers an integrated suite of packaged applications for conducting e- commerce interactions and transactions. Global enterprises and government entities use these applications to sell, buy and exchange information over the web and on wireless devices. The BroadVision e-commerce application suite enables a corporation to become more competitive and profitable by establishing and sustaining high-yield relationships with customers, suppliers and employees. BroadVision services professionals, supported by over 100 partner organizations worldwide, transform these applications into business value for our customers through consulting, education, and support services in more than 34 countries.

BroadVision--founded in 1993, public since 1996, profitable since 1998--has over 1,000 customers. IDC ranks BroadVision as the world's leading provider of e-commerce software applications (International Data Corp., E-Commerce Software Applications Market Forecast and Analysis, 2000- 2004). BroadVision is headquartered in Redwood City, California and can be reached at 650.261.5100 or info@broadvision.com.

About webMethods, Inc.

webMethods, Inc. (Nasdaq: WEBM) is the leading provider of software solutions for business-to-business integration (B2Bi). As the only company providing seamless B2Bi across the Internet and throughout the extended enterprise, webMethods provides Global 2000 companies and B2B marketplaces with a complete, end-to-end solution for integrating customers, suppliers and partners into real-time B2B trading networks, while also increasing internal operational efficiencies. The webMethods product family allows companies to create new revenue opportunities, strengthen relationships with customers, substantially reduce supply chain inefficiencies and streamline internal business processes.

Founded in 1996, webMethods is based in Fairfax, Va., with offices across the U.S., Europe and Asia. With an emphasis on key vertical markets such as chemicals, financial services, high-tech manufacturing and telecommunications, webMethods has more than 425 customers worldwide--from Global 2000 leaders such as Citibank, Dell, Eastman Chemical Company, Fidelity Investments, Grainger, Motorola and Starbucks to major B2B marketplaces like ChemConnect, e-STEEL and Ventro. webMethods' strategic partners include Ariba, Commerce One, Deloitte Consulting, EDS, i2 Technologies, J.D. Edwards, KPMG, Microsoft, Oracle Corp., SAP AG and Siebel. More information about the company can be found at www.webMethods.com.

webMethods and webMethods B2B are trademarks of webMethods, Inc. BroadVision is a registered trademark and BroadVision One-To-One is a trademark of BroadVision, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other company and product names are property of their respective owners.

This press release contains various remarks about the future expectations, plans and prospects of webMethods that constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The actual results of webMethods may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including those discussed in the Risk Factors section of webMethods' recent Registration Statement on Form S-4, the company's Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2000 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000, which are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Kuwait recovery plan.

Kuwait has unveiled a multi-billion dollar stimulus plan that includes wide-ranging state guarantees for bank loans and assisting troubled investment firms to repay their debts. Draft legislation approved by the cabinet on Thursday stipulates that the state would guarantee 50 per cent of an estimated four billion dinars ($13.8 billion) of new credit facilities to be granted by banks to local companies. "This is a way to encourage local banks to provide fresh credit to productive local companies to overcome shortage of cash," governor of Kuwait central bank Sheikh Salem Abdulaziz al-Sabah said yesterday. Under the legislation, the state would guarantee half the credit facilities that would be provided by banks to local investment companies to help them repay part of their debt. Sheikh Salem said that debt on the 99 Kuwaiti investment firms is five billion dinars ($17.3 billion), $7.6 billion of which are owed to foreign banks and financial institutions. The governor said that the package is estimated to cost public funds a maximum of $5.2 billion. The draft legislation, which is expected to go before parliament soon, also guarantees for 15 years any drop in the value of local banks' investment and real estate portfolios. The package aims to "safeguard the financial system and stabilise the domestic economy against the fallout of the global economic crisis," the governor said. Last year, Kuwait guaranteed deposits of all banks operating in the country. A number of Kuwaiti investment companies have defaulted on loans as credit facilities become difficult to obtain and the value of their assets has dropped sharply.

2009 Al Sidra Media LLC

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company

Intuit Websites Enhances Offering to Help Small Businesses Get Online and Attract Customers.

Latest Version Includes New Website Templates, SEO Tools and E-Commerce Capabilities

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. -- Intuit Inc. (Nasdaq: INTU) today unveiled the next generation of its Intuit Websites offering that allows small businesses to get online and attract customers. The upgraded service makes it easier than ever for small businesses to create a website from scratch or enhance their online presence with new features such as Intuit Websites Traffic Booster and Intuit Web Payment.

Getting Online

Intuit Websites is already used by over 300,000 small businesses that have recognized the importance of being online in today's Internet-driven world. In fact, 97 percent of U.S. online consumers surveyed rely on the Internet to shop locally. With Intuit Websites, it is easy and affordable for any small business to create a completely customized online presence.

Starting today, first time users have access to an all new website design gallery featuring hundreds of professional website templates that represent a broad range of industries. Customers can personalize their chosen design with drag-and-drop content, including 250,000 royalty free images, as well as customized text to create a unique presence that truly represents their business.

"I wanted to build a website for my business but did not consider myself very tech savvy. Luckily for me, Intuit Websites was an extremely user-friendly service with great, professional looking templates," said Monique Glover, owner of Jem Confections in Baltimore, Maryland. "I just love everything about the service. Adding images and links to my page is a breeze and the price is a steal."

Attracting Customers

Once a small business gets online, it is important that they have the right tools in place to attract customers. Several new services are now available that help consumers find and buy from a small businesses' website.

A new site add-on, Intuit Websites Traffic Booster, meets an important need for small businesses by helping to improve search engine rankings by automatically identifying and placing relevant keywords in the footer of the website. This helps greatly increase traffic directed to a website from search engines, driving even more potential customers to a site. The service is available for under $9 a month.

Another addition is Intuit Web Payment, which allows small businesses to sell online through a professional-looking online store and streamline the payments process. Small businesses are now able to accept credit or debit card payments directly through the site, all through Intuit, with no extra log-ins required for the customer. Users also get online access to their statements and searchable transaction history. This offering starts at $10 a month.

"Small businesses of all types and sizes are recognizing the value of getting online to reach new customers and connect with existing ones," said Barry Saik, vice president and general manager of Intuit's Grow Your Business division. "We are continuing to add new features and services that meet the distinct needs of our customers to our already robust offering to ensure they can grow their own businesses and be successful."

To learn more about the product or to sign-up for a free 30-day trial visit: www.IntuitWebsites.com. Monthly subscriptions for website hosting and creation start at $4.99 a month.

Additional Resources

* Intuit Websites on Twitter (http://twitter.com/intuitwebsites)

* Intuit Websites on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/IntuitWebsites)

* Intuit Small Business Blog (www.Intuit.com/Blog)

* Intuit Press Room

About Intuit Inc.

Intuit Inc. is a leading provider of business and financial management solutions for small and mid-sized businesses; financial institutions, including banks and credit unions; consumers and accounting professionals. Its flagship products and services, including QuickBooks[R], Quicken[R] and TurboTax[R], simplify small business management, payment and payroll processing, personal finance, and tax preparation and filing. ProSeries[R] and Lacerte[R] are Intuit's leading tax preparation offerings for professional accountants. Intuit Financial Services helps banks and credit unions grow by providing on-demand solutions and services that make it easier for consumers and businesses to manage their money.

Founded in 1983, Intuit had annual revenue of $3.5 billion in its fiscal year 2010. The company has approximately 7,700 employees with major offices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, India and other locations. More information can be found at http://www.intuit.com.

Intuit, the Intuit logo, and QuickBooks, among others, are registered trademarks and/or registered service marks of Intuit Inc. in the United States and other countries.

Now Available in V CAST Apps: Net Safety Tips On The Go - The First-Ever Online Safety and Security Education App.

App Provides Practical Tips About Digital Privacy, Safety and Security to Help Customers Use Their Smartphones Wisely

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., June 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless said today it is spotlighting Net Safety Tips On The Go, the first-ever digital safety and security advice app for Android(TM) smartphones as part of National Internet Safety Month. Now available in V CAST Apps, the app, developed by Google and Verizon together with premier online safety education organizations, provides critical online privacy, security and youth online safety educational messages to help Verizon Wireless customers protect their privacy, families and finances when using their Android smartphones.

Net Safety Tips On The Go gives customers a wide range of and easy-to-understand tips including:

* Mobile - Tips around mobile teens, mobile privacy and mobile safety, including how constant texting and talking can affect customers sleep, concentration, work and school, among other important life activities.

* Secure Data/Device - Information on how customers can protect themselves against fraud, phishing, ID theft and general password-protecting suggestions.

* Sharing Privacy - Advice and tips for social networking privacy, sharing locations and surfing the Web privately like considering requiring a password before anyone can use their computers or wireless devices.

* Family Safety - Tips for parents and children on social media tactics, cyber bullying, reputation, privacy and unwanted contact. Examples include how to set real expectations when trying to limit the time a child spends on a social network or the importance of explaining that GPS-technology is a service that should only be used with known acquaintances.

* Smart Android Tips - Besides giving simple "how-to" directions, the app gives tips on protecting data, managing apps and more - even advising customers how to be aware of the interferences mobile devices might have with implantable medical devices.

* Digital Citizenship - Tips to help customers become an upstanding digital citizen, such as advising customers to never post anything to any site that they would not want to see on the front page of a newspaper.

Mobile app-based education is another way for customers to learn about online safety and security. The tips and guidelines featured in the Net Safety Tips On The Go app are the result of some of the world's premier security education organizations, including Common Sense Media, ConnectSafely.org, OnGuardOnline.gov and GetNetwise.org, with additional organizations expected to contribute soon.

Net Safety Tips On The Go is available to Verizon Wireless customers through V CAST Apps. V CAST Apps gives customers an ever-expanding selection of games, productivity tools, entertainment and news apps. Customers can also download Net Safety Tips On The Go in Android Market(TM) (data and usage fees may apply).

Verizon Wireless offers a variety of personalized tools, including My Verizon, Verizon Safeguards, Usage Controls and Content Filters to help customers manage their wireless accounts and ensure they are being used in a safe and responsible manner. These tools and more can be found on the Parental Controls Center website - Verizon Wireless' comprehensive website with information to help consumers manage and create a digital experience that's just right for their families.

For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's fastest, most advanced 4G network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 104 million total wireless connections, including more than 88 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless

eFUEL EFN, Corp., Ljubica Stefanovic, President of eFUEL EFN, Corp., Announced Today That eFUEL EFN, Corp. has Updated Its Information on Pink Sheets.

TAMPA, Fla., June 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- (Pinksheets EFLN) - Ljubica Stefanovic, President of eFUEL EFN, Corp. announced today that Pink Sheets OTC has removed the "Skull and Cross Bones" from the eFUEL Trading Symbol and upgraded eFUEL to "Limited Information."

It is the intention of management to complete and file with Pink Sheets, no later than mid August 2011, information for the first two quarters of 2011. This additional filing will bring eFUEL current with Pink Sheets with respect to required Pink Sheets information and provide the general public with a transparent view of eFUEL EFN, Corp.

About eFUEL EFN, Corp.:

eFUEL EFN, Corp. ("eFUEL'') is a publicly traded company listed on Pink Sheets under the symbol EFLN. eFUEL is an Internet services company offering on-line dating site www.outRAGEousEncounters. For additional Product information, go to our corporate site at www.eFUELcorp.com.

Safe Harbor Statement: Certain Statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements'' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, changes in levels of competition, possible loss of customers, and the company's ability to attract and retain key personnel.

CONTACT: Investor Relations; Investor Relations: Frank Pinizzotto 727-698-7492

SOURCE eFUEL EFN, Corp.

Pixazza Debuts Video Cards to Offer Brands Even More Innovative Ways to Reach Consumers Through Online Images.(Company overview)

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Pixazza, Inc., the worldwide leader in making images interactive, today announced the addition of video to its popular information cards, offering a novel way for companies and brands to reach their target customers through the online images that capture their attention. The integration of relevant video content offers new opportunities for consumers to interact with their favorite images when browsing the web.

When a consumer mouses over a Pixazza-enabled image on a publisher's site, a card appears and displays information related to the picture. Pixazza cards reveal details about the products in the picture, enable purchases from Pixazza's network of established merchants, feature relevant brands and now, can showcase video content directly related to the image. Pixazza cards provide advertisers the opportunity to promote their brands to a premium demographic just when interest is piqued.

"With trillions of images on the web today, we seek to enhance the online viewing experience by sharing highly relevant, engaging content that make consumers want to dive in and learn more about the pictures they see," said Chas Edwards, CRO and Head of Publisher Development at Pixazza. "Adding video is a natural extension of our current offering. We're giving advertisers and brand marketers another way to transform previously static images into meaningful, interactive content so they can better connect with their audience."

Founded in 2008, Pixazza, Inc. is the worldwide leader in making images interactive. By enabling consumers to mouse over images to learn more and see related products, Pixazza has pioneered the use of images as real estate for brand advertising and ecommerce. Through its network of leading publishers, Pixazza currently serves more than 100 million unique users per month at a rate of 20 billion image views per year. Developed by technologists from Netscape and LiveOps, Pixazza's platform combines Internet and crowdsourcing technology to deliver the optimal content relevant to online images. Pixazza is a private company funded by August Capital, CMEA Capital, Google Ventures, and Shasta Ventures, with offices in Mountain View, CA.

SOURCE Pixazza, Inc.

JETNET Announces Global Business Aviation Summit Under JETNET iQ Banner.

Utica, NY (PRWEB) April 27, 2011

JETNET LLC, the world leader in aviation market intelligence, announced its first Global Business Aviation Summit, to be held June 6-7, 2011 in New York City. The theme of this content-rich conference is "Igniting Ideas. Provoking Change." The Summit is the first to be organized under the auspices of JETNET iQ, JETNET's forecasting and premium advisory service for business aviation launched in January 2011.

The Summit will feature provocative presentations from international experts with independent perspectives on the industry and its future. Specific agenda topics include the outlook for the economy, aircraft finance and capital markets, aerospace technology and design, talent, leadership, and customer insights. Key findings from JETNET iQ's just-completed Business Aviation Survey will be presented, including forecasts for new and pre-owned business aircraft sales, aircraft utilization, and new aircraft deliveries. The invitation-only Summit will be held at the InterContinental New York Barclay. Further details are available at JETNETiQ.com/summit.

"We're at a crossroads in aviation", said Vincent Esposito, JETNET President. "Business leaders need to know more about what's next for our industry. JETNET iQ was created to provide them with exactly this type of information. We all want to set our own flight plans, a way to determine our best future, and this is a key step in that direction."

Available on a members-only basis, JETNET iQ is a premium advisory service, and the latest in JETNET's spectrum of products and services designed to help customers "Know More." JETNET iQ has three main elements:

* JETNET iQ REPORTS are the definitive analytical reference for the business aviation industry, incorporating quarterly state-of-the-industry analyses, voice-of-the-customer insights, and detailed demand forecasts.

* JETNET iQ SUMMITS provide unique networking conferences for thought-provoking, independent insights into the state of the industry, and results from JETNET iQ's latest surveys and forecasts.

* JETNET iQ CONSULTING serves the needs of members with customized research and analysis requirements on a project-by-project basis.

Paul Cardarelli, JETNET Director of Sales and Marketing, said that the Summit is a gathering point for decision-makers who determine the direction of global business aviation. "Customers are telling us: 'Your timing is perfect. Who wouldn't want this information?' We expect to ignite new ideas and create change within our industryalasting change."

"Independent, provocative insights; the latest industry intelligence and analyses; some of business aviation's sharpest mindsathat's the power of JETNET iQ", added Esposito.

Since 1988, JETNET has delivered the most comprehensive and reliable business aircraft research to its exclusive clientele of aviation professionals worldwide. JETNET's portfolio of services includes JETNET iQ, JETNET Evolution, AERODEX, Aviation Business Index (ABI), AvData, JETNET CRM, Helidex, Rotodex and JETNET Evolution Mobile. JETNET is the ultimate source for information and intelligence on the worldwide business aircraft fleet and marketplace, comprised of some 60,000 airframes. The company offers services for both fixed wing and helicopter aircraft. Headquartered in its state-of-the-art facility in Utica, NY, JETNET offers comprehensive user-friendly aircraft data via real-time internet access or regular updates.

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Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/4/prweb8350424.htm

Volt Information Sciences Updates Status of Accounting Review and Announces Amendment of Securitization Program.

NEW YORK -- Volt Information Sciences, Inc. (NYSE: VOL) (the "Company") today updated the information provided in its press release of September 9, 2009 concerning its reexamination of accounting in prior periods for revenues under certain customer contracts. The Company's reexamination involves certain technical accounting pronouncements under the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Statements of Position 81-1 and 97-2.

In the September 9 press release, the Company stated that its review involved an aggregate of approximately $12 million of revenue reported during fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2008. The scope of the Company's review has been expanded to cover approximately $20 million in revenue, and associated costs and expenses, affected by certain contracts from the fiscal years 2002 through 2008 and the first three quarters of fiscal year 2009, and the Company may further expand its review to additional contracts. The Company reported $2.4 billion in revenue for its 2008 fiscal year. The Company is working diligently to complete its review and determine the impact to previously issued financial information, but cannot at this time predict when this process will be complete.

Jack Egan, the Company's Chief Financial Officer, stated, "I think it is important to note that this review relates to the timing of the revenues and related expenses of one Volt segment, and not to the validity of any of the revenue or expenses. We are reviewing a large number of complex contracts involving multiple deliverables over multiple fiscal periods. We will provide updated information and schedule a conference call to review financial results for our third fiscal quarter as soon as possible after we complete the review."

In addition, the Company announced that, as anticipated in its press release dated August 12, 2009, it has amended its accounts receivable securitization program to reduce the maximum amount of trade receivables that may be purchased by a financial conduit that is an affiliate of PNC Bank pursuant to the program from $175 million to $150 million. The reduction in the maximum amount of purchases reflects the reduced need for financing from the program given the Company's strong cash position and the slowdown in the economy. As a result of the decrease, the Company will benefit from lower facility costs based on unused amounts under the program. The Company will consider increasing the maximum amount of the program as future sales levels justify an increase. The current amount of receivables purchased under the program is $50 million.

About Volt Information Sciences, Inc. Volt Information Sciences, Inc. is a leading provider of global infrastructure solutions in technology, information services and staffing acquisition for its FORTUNE 100 customer base. Operating through an international network of servicing locations, the staffing segment fulfills IT, engineering, administrative, and industrial workforce requirements of its customers, for both professional search and temporary/contingent personnel as well as managed services programs and Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) services. Technology infrastructure services include telecommunications engineering, construction, and installation; central office services; and IT managed services and maintenance. Information-based services are primarily directory assistance, operator services, database management, and directory printing. Visit www.volt.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements which are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, including general economic, competitive and other business conditions, the degree and timing of customer utilization and rate of renewals of contracts with the Company, that could cause actual results, performance and achievements to differ materially from those described or implied in the forward-looking statements. Information concerning these and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward- looking statements is contained in Company reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A copy of the Company's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange, are available without charge upon request to Volt Information Sciences, Inc., 1600 Stewart Avenue, Westbury, New York 11590, Attention: Shareholder Relations. These and certain other SEC filings are also available to the public over the Internet at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov and at the Company's website at http://www.volt.com in the Investor Information section.

Top download device, PVR tools.(Entertainment: SET TOP BOX)(DVico TViX PVR M-4130SH)(Product/service evaluation)

**** DVico TViX PVR M-4130SH

The DViCO TViX PVR M-4130SH is a hard drive-based media player with basic HDTV PVR support. It can play back every major file format and many obscure video-phile and audiophile formats as well. By connecting an aerial to the device, HDTV can be viewed or recorded. In our tests we were mightily impressed with the scope of the device as it can certainly do many things that no other media player can handle. However, considering DViCO have been in the TV tuner game for quite some time now, the PVR functionality seemed gimped and not particularly user-friendly.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The main draw card for the TViX is its ability to play back pretty much anything you can imagine. This iteration has more supported file formats than ever before including 1080p formats and various HDTV capture formats. It is also the world's first device to support MKV files, a video file format that is growing in popularity. MKV is the open source competitor to Microsoft's AVI format and as such has become popular with the peer-to-peer video sharing networks. Including support for this format makes the 4130 an attractive proposition for those downloading large qualities of video files who want to easily play them on a TV.

If you can download it from the Internet, there is a high probability that you can watch it on the TViX. There are very few files that you can't use. The only exceptions we found were DRM protected files, but we expected that considering they call them "protected" for a reason. A full list of the supported file formats can be found in the specifications tab at the top of this review.

When it comes to audio, the TViX supports a large number of file formats. While it can play all the common formats, it can also play more obscure and high quality formats like OGG or lossless files such as FLAC. Images are also supported but only in JPEG format.

We tested each of the file formats and found no image quality or sound problems at all. Regular DVD rips and files less than 1GB buffered quickly without too much delay but as the file sizes got larger, the buffer was slightly longer--a 19GB Blu-ray disc rip took only a second or two to start playing.

The PVR functions are fairly basic compared to a dedicated PVR. For a start, there is no time shift feature, which means you can't pause live television. There are manual scheduling functions available via the remote control but it is not clearly labelled and the manual is not clear on its use. You are able to schedule a time and date for recording or make daily or weekly repeats. Scheduling is also available is via the transport stream EPG but this isnt always possible or useful as it is usually very limited. There are currently plans to make the IceTV EPG services compatible with the TViX but at this time, EPG scheduling is fairly useless.

When connected to a PC via a USB port, the device is found as a mass storage device and files can be directly copied with ease. You can also use your home network to stream files from up to four PCs as well. However, the connection via Ethernet is complicated and even the step-by-step instructions in the manual may be too difficult for the average user. The device needs to be configured as part of the network and given a static IP address. Once this is done, the files you wish to access from the PC have to be shared within Windows and placed in a specific folder labelled "tvixhd1". We were disappointed that only this folder could be shared--we would have liked the freedom to explore the folder tree of our PC across multiple hard drives if needs be.

The current series of TViX players come in two variations which are targeted at the consumer market and the IT market respectively. The TViX PVR M-4130SH does not come with a hard drive and sells for a lower price than the TViX PVR M-5130SH. It is ideal for IT-savvy users who want to install the hard drive of their choice whereas the consumer model comes with a pre-installed 320GB Western Digital drive for an increased price. It worked beautifully, although it won't win any awards for its user interface which is far from attractive or easy to set up.

The Final Word: The DViCO TViX PVR M-4130SH is a useful device for those who love downloading video and audio files from the Internet. Being able to play them on your TV is great and with the new PVR features, you can watch and record digital television as well.

Price: $645

Distributor: Lako

Phone: 1800 657 601

URL: www.lakopacific.com

SPECIFICATIONS

SURROUND SOUND TYPE Dolby Digital (AC-3), DTS

PROGRESSIVE SCAN SUPPORT Yes

AVAILABLE COLOURS Black

DIMENSIONS 139(L)x183(W)x75(H) mm

WEIGHT 1.31kg

SUPPORTED AUDIO FILE FORMATS ASF, m4a, ATRAC3, FLAC, PCM, AC3, MP3, OGG, WAV, WMA

SUPPORTED VIDEO FILE FORMATS AVI, VOB, ISO, H.263, AVCHD, WMA v9, ifo, VC-1, mkv, tp, ts, trp, m2ts, DivX, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-3, MPEG-4, QuinkTime, WMV, Xvid

SUPPORTED PICTURE FILE FORMATS JPEG

FILE SYSTEM FORMATS NTFS, FAT32, DTV Recording 72000rpm, NTFS

SUPPORTED SUBTITLE FORMATS .smi, .sub, .art, .Irc, .txt

ODD SUPPORT Yes

LANGUAGES English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Swedish, Czech, Russian, Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, Korean

FAN TYPE 40mm Brushless FAN

FAN CONTROL Temperature Sensing, Varialble Speed

WIRED TERMINALS/PORTS DVB-T input, LAN (10/100Mbps), WLAN 802.11g (optional), Coaxial Digital Output, Component Video Output, Composite Video Output, HDMI Output, USB 2.0

NUMBER OF AUDIO (RCA) OUTPUT 1

NUMBER OF COAXIAL DIGITAL OUTPUT PORTS 1

NUMBER OF COMPONENT VIDEO OUTPUT PORTS 1

NUMBER OF COMPOSITE VIDEO OUTPUT PORTS 1

NUMBER OF HDMI OUTPUT PORTS 1

NUMBER OF S-VIDEO OUTPUT PORTS 1

NUMBER OF USB 2.0 PORTS 3

ELECTRONIC PROGRAMME GUIDE Yes

WHAT'S HOT

Wide range of supported file formats, great design, no image quality or audio problems.

WHAT'S NOT

No time shifting, networking is too complicated.