QLD:Police exposed to chemicals in drug lab

AAP General News (Australia)
08-08-2011
QLD:Police exposed to chemicals in drug lab

Three police officers have been exposed to chemicals after stumbling on an old drug
lab in Brisbane.

Police say the officers were investigating reports of a male trespasser in a home at
Bracken Ridge at the time.

The man fled, knocking over and smashing a glass carrying chemicals.

The officers were unaffected and the chemicals have been removed.

AAP RTV mjf/jmt

KEYWORD: DRUGS (BRISBANE)

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

NT: NT cop touched girl's breasts: court

AAP General News (Australia)
02-17-2005
NT: NT cop touched girl's breasts: court

A court's been told a Northern Territory police officer touched a teenage girl's breasts
while investigating her for shoplifting.

Just days later, he told a woman he would forget a $550 fine for a lapsed car registration
if she flashed her breasts at him.

DAVID WILLIAM HOSCHKE, who's 34, pleaded guilty today to a charge of indecent assault
and two counts of abuse of office in October 2003.

Prosecutor TIARNI MCNAMEE told the court both victims have been seriously affected
by the incidents, and HOSCHKE has shown no signs of remorse.

HOSCHKE was stood down by the police service during the investigation, and eventually
resigned in July last year.

He'll be sentenced this afternoon.

AAP RTV km/jv/rt

KEYWORD: HOSCHKE (DARWIN)

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

Southwestern Energy Company to Host Webcam to Report First Quarter 2011 Earnings Results

Wireless News
04-13-2011
Southwestern Energy Company to Host Webcam to Report First Quarter 2011 Earnings Results
Type: News

In conjunction with Southwestern Energy Company's 2011 first quarter earnings release, listeners are invited to listen to its conference call that will be broadcast live over the Internet on Friday, April 29, at 10 a.m. EDT with Steve Mueller, President and CEO of Southwestern Energy Company.

If users are unable to participate during the live webcast, the call will be archived on the company's website at SWN.com. To access the replay, look under "Latest News."
Southwestern Energy Company is an integrated natural gas company whose wholly-owned subsidiaries are engaged in oil and natural gas exploration and production, natural gas gathering and marketing.

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

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

FED:Tradies strike a blow for men everywhere

AAP General News (Australia)
12-22-2010
FED:Tradies strike a blow for men everywhere

A survey by The Australian Women's Weekly indicates Aussie women would much rather
marry a tradie than a prince.

Perhaps dreaming of a DIY-free life .. women also say they'd take a tradie over a millionaire
.. an actor or sportsman.

The magazine's editor-in-chief HELEN McCABE says she thinks it's a very Australian result.

She says Australian women are very down to earth .. and that's reflected in the findings.

Ms McCABE says we like to admire royal romances from afar .. but most realise it's
not a realistic lifestyle.

AAP RTV mdg/tr/wz/ajw/

KEYWORD: ROYAL SURVEY (SYDNEY)

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

QLD:Fake gun triggers armed response.

AAP General News (Australia)
08-13-2010
QLD:Fake gun triggers armed response.

(EDS: Changes age of one man on police advice)



By Tony Bartlett

GOLD COAST, Aug 13 AAP - Two men who were playing cops and robbers in their front yard
on Friday have been charged after armed police wearing bullet-proof jackets swarmed on
their Gold Coast home.

A driver called police after seeing a man wearing a balaclava and carrying what appeared
to be a shotgun outside a home in suburban Ashmore.

Police wearing kevlar vests converged on the busy street and a short time later arrested
two New Zealand men, aged 18 and 20, and seized a number of items including a toy shotgun
and a balaclava.

A neighbour who was working in his garden at the time told reporters he saw the two
playing in their front yard and thought their antics were "a bit different".

Another neighbour, Willie Isaac said he and his wife Apii weren't sure what was happening.

"I saw this young fella jump out of this car with a balaclava and a gun, and I didn't
know if it was a toy gun or a real gun," he said.

"Even though it's a practical joke, it's a little bit scary, too," Mrs Isaac said.

Acting Senior Sergeant Brendan Wiblen said the young men had no idea of the alarm they
were causing.

"They were in possession of a plastic toy shotgun and they were playing a game between
themselves, not aware of what the community concern may be," he said.

Both have been charged with causing a public nuisance.

The 18-year-old has also been charged with possessing a dangerous drug and utensils.

They will appear in Southport Magistrates Court on August 30.

AAP bart/pjo/jl

KEYWORD: TOY UPDATE

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

SA: Ballot for SA Libs deputy may be one-horse race

AAP General News (Australia)
04-06-2010
SA: Ballot for SA Libs deputy may be one-horse race

ADELAIDE, April 6 AAP - Mitch Williams, the man who came last in the South Australian
Liberal deputy leadership challenge last week, looks set to win the job this week.

Despite almost toppling Labor in the election just two weeks ago, the opposition has
been in leadership turmoil since Martin Hamilton-Smith was elected as deputy leader last
Tuesday.

Current leader Isobel Redmond could barely conceal her displeasure at Mr Hamilton-Smith's
victory and, as a result, the party is holding a ballot re-run to decide the deputy leadership
on Tuesday.

Ms Redmond replaced Mr Hamilton-Smith as leader just nine months ago, after he was
found to have used fake documents in a botched bid to discredit the Labor government.

Mr Hamilton-Smith won last week's ballot by 10 votes to eight, beating the likes of
another former leader, Iain Evans.

Mr Williams, the opposition water spokesman, was ditched in the first round after
garnering only three votes.

Mr Williams has confirmed he will run again, but on Monday afternoon Mr Hamilton-Smith
withdrew from the race.

Unless any latecomers put their hands up for the job, Mr Williams looks set to join
Ms Redmond at the helm of the party.

AAP ahe/srp

KEYWORD: LIBERALS SA AM UPDATE

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

NT: Xstrata mine being investigated over miner's death

AAP General News (Australia)
08-23-2009
NT: Xstrata mine being investigated over miner's death

Workplace inspectors are investigating the death of a 20-year-old man at a zinc mine
in the Northern Territory.

Police Superintendent JAMIE CHALKER says the man died at Xstrata's McArthur River mine
.. 900 kilometres southeast of Darwin on Friday.

He says it's believed to be a workplace incident which is being investigated by WorkSafe
officers ahead of a coronial inquiry.

AAP RTV peb/jmt

KEYWORD: DEATH (BRISBANE)

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

Fed: Car industry hits back at closure speculation

AAP General News (Australia)
04-14-2009
Fed: Car industry hits back at closure speculation

By Tim Dornin

ADELAIDE, April 14 AAP - Australia's car industry has rejected as nonsense suggestions
that it's just a matter of time before the country's local vehicle producers close their
doors.

While global trading conditions remain tough, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries
(FCAI) says there is cause for optimism after recent investment decisions from car makers
Holden, Ford and Toyota.

Holden has also reaffirmed its continued commitment to local production, including
its intention to build a new small car in Australia from 2010.

Their response follows comments from the editor of the Dog and Lemon car guide, Clive
Matthew-Wilson, that Australia's three car producers will close.

Mr Matthew-Wilson has issued a statement saying Australia's car assembly industry will
not survive the economic recession.

"Australia's car factories are losing money on every vehicle they make," he said.

"No amount of incentives from the state and federal governments can solve this basic problem.

"It's not a matter of whether they close down, but when they close down."

But a Holden spokesperson questioned what right one person had to call time on an industry
employing more than 60,000 people.

"What data is he basing his views on when happily sounding the death knell for Australian
car makers and employees?" the spokesperson said.

"We've never had a request from this individual to speak with our executives, to discuss
our company business plans or review the business case for our new fuel efficient, four-cylinder
small car.

"This is shameless self-promotion at the expense of our industry, our organisation
and our employees."

FCAI chief executive Andrew McKellar said Mr Matthew-Wilson's comments were irresponsible
and the industry emphatically rejected his views.

"They're nonsense, it's not responsible, it's not accurate, it's not considered and
it's certainly not well sourced," Mr McKellar told AAP.

"It's just one person's opinion."

Holden recently announced plans to cut vehicle production in Australia, but said it
continued to have the country's best selling car and had no plans to withdraw from local
production.

"We're in there fighting in a pretty tough global environment and we won't be discouraged
by bystanders," the company said.

Holden said it would also continue with plans to produce a new four-cylinder car in
Adelaide, the vehicle's development helped by funds provided by both the South Australian
and federal governments.

The federal government has also unveiled a $6 billion assistance package for the wider
car industry.

But Mr Matthew-Wilson said it would have been better to provide financial assistance
directly to car workers affected by the downturn.

"The Australian government can throw $6 billion or $600 billion at these car plants,
but they still won't be economically feasible," he said.

"Australia's car plants are losing money faster than a drunk at a casino and there's
no feasible way of turning this around."

Mr McKellar said the FCAI believed there was cause for optimism, especially considering
Holden's decision on a new car, Ford's decision to keep its Victorian engine plant open
and Toyota's decision to build a hybrid Camry in Australia.

"All of those things demonstrate that the Australian vehicle manufacturing industry
is certainly competitive, is certainly able to stand on its own two feet," he said.

AAP tjd/jfm/mn

KEYWORD: HOLDEN CRISIS WRAP

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

Fed: Swan says AAA credit rating stable

AAP General News (Australia)
12-09-2008
Fed: Swan says AAA credit rating stable

Treasurer WAYNE SWAN says Australia's triple-A credit rating is stable .. despite reports
it's under review.

Today's Australian Financial Review says Standard & Poor's is considering our triple-A
status in view of the federal government's guarantee on 1.2 trillion dollars in deposits.

Mr SWAN says Standard & Poor's has Australia's credit rating as stable .. but is reviewing
countries' ratings globally.

AAP RTV djb/pjo/jmt

KEYWORD: CRISIS CREDIT (BRISBANE)

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

Main stories in today's 1300 2GB news

AAP General News (Australia)
08-05-2008
Main stories in today's 1300 2GB news

SYDNEY, Aug 5 AAP - Main stories in today's 1300 2GB news:

- Sonny Bill Williams has been ordered to face a Sydney court, in an effort to stop
him playing rugby union in France.

- After a long running inquest, a coroner's court has heard that there is not enough
evidence to charge anyone with the murder of Rachelle Childs.

- The IOC is considering preventing the Nine Network from broadcasting at the Beijing
Games, after a breach of the broadcast rules.

- The mother of a missing Cronulla man says she was sickened to learn that someone
he knew has been arrested for his murder.

- Volunteer groups like Meals on Wheels have welcomed an injection of funding to offset
major petrol price rises.

- Despite the legal action in Sydney, Sonny Bill Williams has signed a one year deal
with French rugby union club Toulon.

AAP pbc/evt

KEYWORD: MONITOR 1300 2GB

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

Fed: Ramos-Horta being flown to Darwin=2

AAP General News (Australia)
02-11-2008
Fed: Ramos-Horta being flown to Darwin=2

A CareFlight spokesman later said medical personnel were still working to stabilise
Dr Ramos-Horta before boarding the plane to Darwin.

The flight will take about an hour.

AAP tr/goc/cdh

KEYWORD: TIMOR HORTA DARWIN 2 DARWIN (REOPENS)

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

NSW: Man charged with robbing six service stations in five hours

AAP General News (Australia)
08-24-2007
NSW: Man charged with robbing six service stations in five hours

A man's been charged with robbing six service stations across Sydney's southwest in
just five hours.

Police claim between 11.30 last night and 4 o'clock this morning .. the 24 year old
used a hammer and metal wrench to rob the service stations at Canterbury .. Bankstown
.. South Hurstville .. Roselands .. Penshurst and Earlwood.

They say he was arrested while trying to rob another store in Hurlstone Park.

He'll face Burwood Local Court later today.

AAP RTV dr/wjf/sw/bart

KEYWORD: ROBBED (SYDNEY)

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

Fed: Howard tells Victoria to sign up to water deal

AAP General News (Australia)
04-10-2007
Fed: Howard tells Victoria to sign up to water deal

CANBERRA, April 10 AAP - Prime Minister John Howard says he would prefer all the states
to have signed up to his $10 billion water plan for the Murray-Darling River before answering
their call for a $7 billion reform program.

The Australian newspaper reported today that state governments have challenged the
prime minister to fund a new $7 billion national reform program to boost productivity.

"We are trying to spend $10 billion on water security, but I can't get the agreement
of the Victorian premier," Mr Howard told journalists today.

"I think it would be a good idea if we decided on the plan to spend the $10 billion
before we start talking about plans to spend another $7 billion."

Although the other Murray-Darling basin states have agreed to sign up to the water
plan, Mr Howard has failed so far to persuade Victorian Premier Steve Bracks to accept
it.

However, Mr Howard said the water deal was not a condition of moving on to other proposals.

"It's strange to me that a premier who is holding up consummation of a $10 billion
investment in Australia's water future should be moving on telling us how we could spend
another seven."

"I think Mr Bracks should sign up to water deal. I thought he was going to and I hope
he still does."

The proposed $7 billion program takes aim at key education, health and regulatory obstacles
to increased productivity as part of a 10-year plan.

"We have got an agenda, I haven't even seen this $7 billion plan, but it sound like
a normal COAG meeting where states are asking the commonwealth for billions more," Mr
Howard said.

"Because of the strong economy we have the states imagining that there are large amounts
of money available."

The Council of Australian governments (COAG) meeting of the prime minister, state premiers
and chief ministers of the territories will be held in Canberra on Friday.

"I want the meeting on Friday to be successful. We should all set about being quiet
achievers in the interest of the federation on Friday," Mr Howard said.

AAP cb/sb/jt/de

KEYWORD: COAG HOWARD

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

NSW:Rowe says 2006 has a had a happy ending with impending birth

AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-2006
NSW:Rowe says 2006 has a had a happy ending with impending birth

By Katelyn John

SYDNEY, Dec 8 AAP - Nine Network's Today presenter Jessica Rowe says while 2006 has
offered plenty of challenges, it has had a "happy ending" as she leaves to prepare for
the birth of her baby.

Rowe presented her last show today before going on four months maternity leave.

Speaking after the broadcast of the baby shower-themed show, Rowe said the imminent
birth of her baby had put all of the last year's controversies into perspective.

"There's been some challenges this year ... but for me it's turned out in the most
wonderful possible way - I'm going to be a mum," the 36-year-old presenter told AAP after
her celebrations.

"So it's been the very best of years for me."

In the past 12 months, Rowe was involved in a contract dispute with her previous employers
at Network Ten, a tumultuous transition into her presenting job on Today, the leaked comments
made by network boss Eddie McGuire about having her "boned" (sacked), and a fall in which
she broke her wrist.

But also there was happy news. She and her 60 Minutes reporter husband Peter Overton
were to be parents for the first time following a successful fourth IVF treatment.

"I think when something like this happens, it puts everything else into perspective
and you realise what matters," Rowe said.

"And what matters most to Peter and I is that we're going to be a family and that is
the best thing of all."

She added that Eddie McGuire has been "wonderful" and "so supportive."

"He said just enjoy it, it's the best thing you'll ever do," Rowe said.

"And that he was looking forward to getting me back next year."

Weatherman Steve Jacobs congratulated Rowe on a year which has been fraught with controversy
saying: "You've won the battle and you've done it with dignity."

While the whole Today show staff wished Rowe well on her "most important production."

Sarah Murdoch, who will replace Rowe for one month of her maternity leave, said she
had big shoes to fill.

"I'm very nervous," said the former model.

"How am I going to fill these shoes."

But Karl Stefanovic joked that she wouldn't have to worry for too long, judging by
the number of women on the show who have fallen pregnant recently.

"Don't worry, you'll be pregnant in no time!" he said, referring to the other pregnancies
of former newsreader Sharyn Ghildella and fill-in newsreader Georgie Gardner.

AAP kaj/klw/imc/bwl

KEYWORD: ROWE (FILE PIX AVAILABLE)

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

WA: Perth man pleads guilty to online child sex offences

AAP General News (Australia)
08-01-2006
WA: Perth man pleads guilty to online child sex offences

The first man charged under Western Australia's new cyber predator laws will be sentenced
next week.

55-year-old GEORGE SINGARAYAR has admitted he tried to coax a policewoman .. posing
online as a 12 year old girl .. into sex .. by giving her specific instructions .. and
sending her child porn.

He could spend up to ten years in prison .. after pleading guilty in the West Australian
District Court to charges laid under the new laws .. which allow police to pose as children
and trawl internet chat rooms.

When he was arrested .. SINGARAYAR was on bail on other child pornography charges.

AAP RTV ag/wf/bart

KEYWORD: SINGARAYAR (PERTH)

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

Fed: PM denies he was committed to ending AWB monopoly

AAP General News (Australia)
02-11-2006
Fed: PM denies he was committed to ending AWB monopoly

By Kylie Williams

CANBERRA, Feb 11 AAP - Prime Minister John Howard has denied ever committing to ending
AWB's wheat export monopoly.

The federal government has also rejected claims from a former intelligence officer
that it was impossible the government did not know that $300 million in kickbacks was
paid by AWB to the Iraqi government under the UN's oil for food program.

The Cole commission of inquiry is investigating AWB over alleged kickbacks to Saddam
Hussein's regime under the guise of transport fees to Jordanian company Alia.

A newspaper reported today that Mr Howard flagged his intention to end AWB's monopoly
at yesterday's meeting of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG).

But in a statement today, Mr Howard said the report was not true and he had not raised
the issue at COAG.

"Contrary to the Herald report, the issue was not raised during my talks yesterday
with the premiers and chief ministers," he said in the statement.

Mr Howard said there had been some recent public debate about the single desk policy,
but the federal government had not made any decision.

The paper said government sources told them Mr Howard linked the move away from the
single desk policy to the government's contribution to a national program to strip back
regulation.

Mr Howard said the government was required to review the single desk policy under national
competition policy, but that this did not mean it had decided on any change.

"Under current principles of national competition policy the government is obliged,
periodically, to review the legislation which established the single desk," he said in
the statement.

"That will continue to be the case in the future.

"That obligation to review the legislation does not, of itself, imply any future change
in policy."

The federal government has repeatedly denied knowing anything about AWB kickbacks or
the Tigris deal under which BHP attempted to recoup the cost of a $5 million humanitarian
wheat shipment.

But former Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) officer Warren Reed, who worked
for 10 years with ASIS in Asia and the Middle East, said the government must have known
of the deals.

"It's absolutely impossible that they didn't know," Mr Reed told ABC Radio today.

"In fact, if you look at the core part of the governmental system in Canberra - Foreign
Affairs, Defence, even eavesdropping - the whole intelligence apparatus, that's geared
to knowing these things.

"And if they didn't know, they weren't charged specifically by ministers in the government
with knowing, people like (then trade minister) Mark Vaile, the prime minister (John Howard)
and (foreign minister) Alexander Downer, then they should be shot at dawn."

But a spokesman for Mr Downer said Mr Reid did not know what he was talking about.

"The man has not worked for the government for about 20 years and could not and would
not know anything about this subject," the spokesman told AAP.

"What he says is absolute nonsense."

Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd called on Mr Howard to tell Australia
what intelligence he had on the kickbacks.

"In the lead up to the Iraq war and just afterwards, Australia had a keen interest
in everything happening in Iraq," he said.

"The intelligence community was on high alert about how Saddam Hussein was getting
his money and what happened to that money.

"What John Howard must answer today is what intelligence reports did he receive concerning
the kickbacks involved in the oil-for-food program."

AAP klw/evt/sd

KEYWORD: AWB NIGHTLEAD

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

Highlights of the AAP National Wire at 14:45, Tues, Aug 30=2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-30-2005
Highlights of the AAP National Wire at 14:45, Tues, Aug 30=2

DENPASAR - Lawyers for Australian model Michelle Leslie have apologised to Australia's
Islamic community for any offence caused by her decision to adopt Muslim dress. (Indon
Model Nightlead. 2nd Nightlead to come.)

CANBERRA - The number of farms in Australia has fallen by 20,000 in a decade, new figures
show. (Farms, to come.)

CANBERRA - The federal government will today resume arguing before the High Court that
Canberra's industrial relations advertising campaign is a legitimate part of the political
process. (Workplace Daylead. Nightlead to come.)

CANBERRA - A conservative think tank has called for the up-front services fee now paid
by all university students to be rolled into an overall charge for academic and non-academic
services.(VSU CIS, to come under embargo.)

SYDNEY - NSW opposition transport spokesman Peter Debnam will run for the state Liberal
leadership, vacated by disgraced politician John Brogden. (Brogden Daylead. Nightlead
to come.)
SYDNEY - NSW opposition legal affairs spokesman Andrew Tink has ruled out joining the
contest to replace disgraced former state opposition leader John Brogden. (Brogden Tink)
CANBERRA - Former NSW opposition leader John Brogden will be living through the darkest
day of his political life today, former Victorian Liberal premier Jeff Kennett says. (Brogden
Kennett)

SYDNEY - A man was stabbed in the chest with an ice pick during a carjacking in Sydney's
south-west overnight. (Pick. Seeking more.)

SYDNEY - A man has been sentenced to a maximum of 22 years in prison for murdering a friend
he believed was flirting with his girlfriend. (Keira)

SYDNEY - Customs officers have thwarted an attempt to smuggle 6.5 tonnes of tobacco from
Indonesia to Sydney in what's believed to be one of the biggest shipments of its kind
ever seized in Australia. (Smuggle)

SYDNEY - About 500 Sydney Water maintenance workers have gone on strike for 48 hours over
changes to their rosters. (SydneyWater Lead. Nightlead to come.)

SYDNEY - The needs of young disabled people have been severely hindered by the NSW government's
reforms to post-school disability programs, a parliamentary committee has found. (Disability,
to come.)

SYDNEY - Two more Sydney businesses have been targeted by ram raiders trying to steal
ATMs. (ATM Lead)

BRISBANE - More visiting medical officers (VMOs) have resigned from Queensland's ailing
public hospital system as the government pushes an 11th hour pay proposal. (VMOs Daylead.

Nightlead to come.)

BRISBANE - A national terrorism emergency plan swung into action after a pilot accidentally
used the code word for hijack, aviation officials say. (Plane)

BRISBANE - Queensland water consumers will be slugged an extra $30 million annually as
part of a state government push to limit water demand. (Water Qld)

BRISBANE - Researchers surveying migrating Humpback whales have found a number of different
species of the great mammals rarely seen off Australia's eastern coast. (Whales)

BRISBANE - Australian researchers are developing a computer model they hope will take
the controversy out of shaken baby syndrome cases. (Shaken, with pic.)

BRISBANE - Three Brisbane men have been jailed over a "vicious and brutal" attack on four
pub employees, which left one of the victims with a shattered eye socket and titanium
plates in his face. (Pub)

BRISBANE - Queensland motorists are tipped to fork out more than $1.30 a litre at the
bowser as crude oil prices skyrocket. (Petrol Qld. Nightlead to come.)

MELBOURNE - Police are investigating the theft of sensitive tapes to see if any offence
has been committed by a television station that aired one of them, Victoria's top detective
says. (Files Lead. Files Nightlead to come.)

MELBOURNE - A witness in the trial of a bouncer charged with the manslaughter of former
Test cricketer David Hookes said today Hookes fell "like a plank" after he was punched
outside a Melbourne pub. (Micevic Daylead. Nightlead to come.)

MELBOURNE - State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers have answered more than 150 calls
for help in the past 24 hours as high winds swept across Victoria. (Wind Daylead. Update
to come.)

MELBOURNE - A British businessman will face charges of double murder in Singapore after
losing the latest round in a three-year fight against his extradition from Australia.

(McCrea)

MELBOURNE - Prime Minister John Howard must bear direct responsibility if two senior political
journalists are jailed for refusing to reveal a source, Labor said today. (Kelly Source
Labor)

MELBOURNE - An Aboriginal painting bought for less than $5,000 in 1986 could sell for
more than $1 million when it comes under the hammer for the first time in Melbourne tonight.

(Art. Nightlead to come.)

ADELAIDE - Administrators for troubled automotive component maker Ion say 200 jobs will
be cut from the company's Adelaide foundry at North Plympton. (Ion. Nightlead to come.)

ADELAIDE - The Australian Education Union (AEU) has welcomed the South Australian government's
$670 million offer to end a long-running pay dispute with state teachers. (Teachers SA
Daylead)

ADELAIDE - Unions have called for greater scrutiny of safety standards aboard a floating
abalone farm at Port Lincoln after a crew member was injured. (Destiny)

ADELAIDE - South Australia's Coopers Brewery has started exporting its beers to Finland. (Coopers)

PERTH - A Perth man who went missing for 40 days before being found 180 kilometres from
home should pay some of the cost of the massive search for him, the West Australian opposition
says. (Brodie)

PERTH - Petrol prices were set to reach another all-time high across Perth today. (Petrol
WA, to come.)

DARWIN - A post-mortem examination will be carried out today on a 32-year-old man who
died after sniffing petrol at an Aboriginal community at the base of Uluru. (Sniffing)

AUCKLAND - Australia's attempts to help Tonga resolve its crippling public servants strike
have been rebuffed by the workers' representatives. (Tonga Aust)

JAKARTA - Indonesia's president warned today that terrorists could launch an attack in
the mostly Muslim nation in the next two months, and ordered security forces to step up
surveillance. (Terror Indon Daylead)

LONDON - Australian universities are offering financial incentives to try to lure British
students who have failed to gain a place in universities at home. (UK Aust Uni)

COPENHAGEN - The Danish government today said it would propose changing Denmark's royal
succession law to ensure that the Crown Prince and Princess' first child, expected in
October, can ascend the throne regardless of whether it is a boy or a girl. (Denmark Royals)

NEW YORK - A judge has ordered the US Department of Defence to ask detainees of the Guantanamo
Bay naval base in Cuba whether they want their names to be made public. (Guantanamo Lawsuit)

AAP tnfA

KEYWORD: HIGHLIGHTS NATIONAL 2 SYDNEY

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

Borders’ regulars dread bookstore’s final chapter

NAPERVILLE — Less than 36 hours after Borders Inc. announced it will close all 399 stores remaining in the once-giant bookstore chain, the Borders store on Route 59 in Naperville was filled with customers. Some came to protest and some came to sniff out "going out of business" bargains.

Some simply came to say goodbye.

"I'm really upset," said Liz Merkley of Naperville as she browsed among the magazine racks. "This is a place I could come with my kids, that the whole family could enjoy. It's a gathering place for friends and family. Where now can we go to relax and enjoy books?"

Kristina Summers did not smile over the magazine she was reading at a table in the store's café.

"I think it's horrible that Borders is closing," said the Aurora resident. "It's a sign of the times that video games and electronics are taking precedence over books in our culture. It's also a sign of our continuing destitution. Are you going to spend money on books if you need milk for your kids or gas to get to work? This is a very discouraging corner we're turning now."

Borders, which once owned more than 1,200 stores across the U.S., Australia, Malaysia, Oman, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates, was operating 599 stores when it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February.

On Thursday, corporation executives will seek permission from federal bankruptcy court to sell its remaining stores to liquidation firms Hilco and Gordon Brothers. If the judge approves the sale, stores could launch their liquidation sales as early as Friday, said Borders Inc. spokesman Mary Davis. All stores should be shuttered by Sept. 30, she added, though no closing schedule is in place.

"It all depends on how fast each store sells all of its merchandise," she said.

Local store employees are forbidden to discuss when their stores will start marking down merchandise or when they expect to close for good, said a staff member at the Naperville Borders.

While some customers Tuesday said they will buy books on the Internet or visit downtown Naperville's Barnes & Noble store once Borders shuts its doors, they agreed they would rather keep shopping at Borders.

"I don't like buying books online because I don't like waiting for them to arrive and worrying that they aren't coming," said 10-year-old Regan Pedersen of Oswego.

When her mother, Tonya Pederson, said the family would probably switch to Barnes & Noble, Regan added, "We'll have to drive 30 minutes longer and use a bunch of gas to get there. I'd rather come back here."

High school seniors Casey Williams of Naperville and Serene Branch of Oswego said neither option works well for them.

"This is where we've always gone for English (literature) books and study guides," Branch said.

"I don't know what I'm going to do," Williams said. "I don't usually buy books anywhere else but here."

The Borders store on Route 59 in Naperville saw considerable customer traffic on Tuesday after it was announced that the bookstore chain is going out of business.

Pull Quote: "This is a place I could come with my kids, that the whole family could enjoy. It's a gathering place for friends and family. Where now can we go to relax and enjoy books?"Liz Merkley, Naperville resident

365 to exit hardware business.

EUROPEMEDIA-(C)2002 Van Dusseldorp & Partners - http://www.vandusseldorp.com/

UK-based 365 Corporation said it plans to get out of its hardware business as part of an overall strategy to focus on voice software.

365 also said it is looking to change its name to Eckoh Technologies as it narrows its business to its Eckoh voice portal and speech application services.

Last year, 365 merged its internet content business with UK media company Chrysalis and now holds 40 per cent of the resulting sports and fansite content provider, Rivals Digital Media.

The company said efforts to refocus its business were starting to have positive effects as it reduced losses for the third quarter of last year. Its speech solution business also reported a ?400,000 profit during the period, compared to a ?200,000 lost in the previous quarter. ((Distributed via M2 Communications Ltd - http://www.m2.com))

PhatWare announces support for Windows-powered Pocket PCs.

Business Editors

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 19, 2000

PhatWare Corporation announced today the immediate availability of its entire line of mobile computing products for Microsoft Windows-powered Pocket PCs. These products include HPC Notes Lite, Standard and Professional Editions, HPC Spell, HPC dbExplorer and HPC NetProfile.

HPC Notes is an award-winning notes organizer. It allows users to create notes and organize them by type, subject, creation and modification date. HPC Notes provides powerful text search, document security, and Internet mail capabilities. HPC Notes Professional Edition includes a component that runs on desktop PCs and synchronizes multiple notes databases with Pocket PCs.

HPC Spell is a spell checker that also provides text-editing and email client functionality. The spell checker includes an English dictionary containing over 90,000 words and supports user-defined dictionaries. HPC Spell is tightly integrated with HPC Notes and is included with HPC Notes Professional Edition.

HPC dbExplorer is a database management utility. With HPC dbExplorer, users can copy, rename, delete and transfer databases to other mobile devices through the Pocket PC infrared port. The program can also backup and restore multiple databases and registry settings.

HPC NetProfile is a network utility program that creates multiple TCP/IP network profiles for each installed network adapter. This product was specifically designed for mobile users who need easy access to multiple accounts over the Internet when traveling.

Stan Miasnikov, President of PhatWare Corp. said: "We've completely redesigned our products to take advantage of the new Pocket PC features and user interface. We are excited about the opportunity to extend our product offerings to the next generation of handheld devices."

"The Pocket PC is the most expandable PDA on the market today and continues to meet an ever-growing range of customer needs through add-on hardware and software," said Rogers Weed, director of marketing for the Mobile Devices Division at Microsoft Corp. "We are very pleased that PhatWare is taking advantage of this with its introduction of HPC Notes 3.03, HPC Spell 2.4 and many other exciting software applications for the Pocket PC platform."

Products availability and support

New versions of HPC Notes 3.03, HPC Spell 2.4, HPC dbExplorer 1.6, and HPC NetProfile 1.4, that support Microsoft Windows-powered Pocket PCs, are available now. For prices and purchasing information, please visit PhatWare's web site at http://www.phatware.com. Upgrade discounts for registered users of previous versions of the products listed above are also available. All registered users of PhatWare products will receive unlimited technical support via email and free product updates.

About Pocket PC

Windows-powered Pocket PCs, the next-generation PDAs from Microsoft and its partners, offer customers the best way to connect to their most essential information while away from their desk, yet are versatile enough to satisfy the personal needs of today's busy mobile lifestyle. Pocket PCs already include a broad range of native business, personal productivity, and entertainment applications, yet can easily be expanded to adapt to each customer's changing needs through a continually growing number of industry standard hardware and software expansion options.

About PhatWare Corporation

Founded in October 1997, PhatWare Corporation is a leading provider of easy to use powerful software products and consulting services for the mobile and desktop computing marketplace.

For information about PhatWare Corporation, visit: http://www.phatware.com or send email to info@phatware.com.

HPC Notes, HPC Spell, HPC dbExplorer, HPC NetProfile, PhatWare are either a registered trademark or a trademark of PhatWare Corp. All other product and company names herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

CSI Data Systems Named Intel Authorized Solution Provider; Designation Identifies Premier Location for Intel Solutions.

NORCROSS, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 26, 1999--

CSI Data Systems announced today its qualification as an Intel Authorized Solution Provider, a designation that identifies the company as a preferred source of Intel products, services and solutions.

Intel Authorized Solution Providers deliver a level of expertise and a range of networking and Intel processor-based solutions that are among the best in the industry.

CSI Data Systems consultants are uniquely trained to deliver comprehensive, cost-effective solutions and services, utilizing Intel Architecture products. The company provides technology solutions that help grow the customers' businesses, reduce the cost of technology ownership and increase the performance and manageability of their computer networks.

"Intel is a name known and trusted by our customers," said Clark Hubbard, president/CEO. "CSI is proud to be an Intel Authorized Solution Provider and believe our Intel training and product offerings will save our customers time and money, as well as increase their productivity."

CSI Data Systems, named by Inc. Magazine as one of the Inc. 500 and listed as one of Atlanta's Fastest Growing Privately Owned Companies by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, has been serving clients in Metro Atlanta and throughout the United States since its inception in 1988. CSI offers a complete array of professional services, including project management, application web en-ablement, systems consulting, systems design, systems and network integration, network support, as well as break/fix computer and printer repair. CSI Data Systems specializes in delivering hassle-free service.

Intel authorized locations must meet a number of requirements, including active participation in an Intel channel membership program, and having two or more on-site employees who maintain a specified level of Intel training and pass required exams. Locations can be identified by an official program logo that includes the Intel brand name. Visit us on the Internet at www.intel.com/intelasp/.

Other brands or products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Candidates' mobile use on the up and up.

Failing to use mobile technology as a candidate attraction channel is "turning your back on candidates", a self-described "mobile recruiting evangelist" warned in-house recruiters last week.

As use of mobile communication tools such as smartphones and tablets to conduct many aspects of everyday life skyrockets, recruiters should "support the candidate's choice" of channel, urged Dave Martin, managing director of Allthetopbananas.com.

He supported his argument with predictions from business intelligence firm the Gartner Group that mobiles will overtake the PC by 2013 in how users access the internet, and statistics from social media site Twitter that as of January, 40% of its Tweets were received via mobile.

In organisations, "mobile should be everywhere, across the board, not siloed", Martin said.

And if an organisation has its own application, it should be available in an applications store, he continued.

In addition to being a tool of choice for many candidates now, Martin said that recruiters benefit from a speedier response to their approaches to potential recruits when using mobile technology. The average response to an email was 72 hours, compared to four minutes for a text.

Martin made his remarks at a meeting of The Forum for In-house Recruitment Managers (The FIRM).

Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

No AT&T, A Nickel is Still Less Than 7 Cents When It's GTC Telecom's Nickel.

COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 23, 1999--

Company Challenges AT&T Marketing Campaign By Comparing Rates Again;

GTC Telecom's 5 Cents a Minute and No Monthly Fee Vs.

AT&T's 7 Cents Per Minute and a $4.95 Monthly Fee

GTC Telecom (OTC BB:GTCC) Thursday announced that in response to AT&T's recent marketing campaign, the company wants to remind consumers that throughout all of the confusing plans and rate changes, GTC has the simplest, most affordable rates available today.

AT&T (NYSE:T) has a marketing plan that touts their rate plan at 7 cents per minute as less expensive than other nickel rates that end up costing consumers more like 25 cents per minute.

This marketing campaign is geared toward Sprint (NYSE:FON), MCI/Worldcom (Nasdaq:WCOM), Qwest (Nasdaq:QWST) and other nickel rate plans that are confusing and have monthly fees, and time of day call restrictions, etc.

"We are once again placing our simple, low-cost long-distance rate plan against a large telco and coming out the leader in price. AT&T has shown that its rate plan is simpler than many of the existing nickel plans in the long-distance marketplace.

"However, if the consumer has the choice to pay 7 cents per minute and $4.95 per month or pay 5 cents per minute with no monthly fee, which do you think is picked? It is really simple, just compare the plans, item to item and the math will come out to illustrate that GTC really does have a nickel plan," commented Paul Sandhu, president & CEO of GTC Telecom.

About GTC Telecom

Founded in 1997, GTC Telecom is a telecom/Internet company, providing long-distance service to small- and medium-sized businesses, as well as residential customers throughout the United States. GTC Telecom has some of the lowest long-distance rates in the industry today to compete with AT&T (NYSE:T), Sprint (NYSE:FON), Qwest Communications (Nasdaq:QWST) and IDT Corp. (Nasdaq:IDTC) among others.

GTC Telecom offers a 5-cent per minute anytime, any day long- distance rate plan with no monthly fee. Consumers that choose not to be billed on a credit card and choose to billed on their regular phone bill, will be charged a $1.95 per month processing fee.

GTC Telecom offers basic Internet and long-distance bundled and non-bundled plans. For basic unlimited 56K dial-up Internet access, GTC offers a plan for $9.95 per month.

In addition, GTC offers an array of other Internet services, including wireless T1 access, Web hosting at www.gtcinternet.com and a portal site, www.gtczone.com. The company also offers long-distance calling cards via the Internet on its site, www.ecallingcards.com. For further information or to sign up as a GTC long-distance customer visit GTC's Web site at www.gtctelecom.com.

Included in this release are "forward-looking statements" that the company believes falls within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Although the company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements will prove to have been correct. The company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors including sales levels, distribution and competition trends and other market factors.

OSHA will hold a meeting of the Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health.

M2 PRESSWIRE-July 4, 2011-: OSHA will hold a meeting of the Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health(C)1994-2011 M2 COMMUNICATIONS

RDATE:01072011

WASHINGTON --- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will hold a meeting of the Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (MACOSH) in San Diego, Calif., July 19-20, 2011.

MACOSH advises Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health David Michaels, Ph.D., M.P.H., on worker safety and health in the maritime industries. The July meeting agenda includes discussions on maritime safety and health issues related to working safety around radiation, ventilation safety, and injury and illness prevention programs, among others.

The meeting will be held at the San Diego Marriott Del Mar, 11966 El Camino Real, San Diego, CA 92130. Work groups will meet from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, July 19. The full committee will meet Wednesday, July 20, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The rooms where these meetings will convene will be determined upon arrival.

MACOSH meetings and workgroups are open to the public. Individuals may submit comments and requests to speak during the meeting at http://www.regulations.gov , the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Submissions may also be sent by mail or facsimile. See the Federal Register notice for details. Comments and requests to speak must be submitted by July 10, 2011.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov .

U.S. Labor Department news releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov . The information in this release will be made available in alternative format upon request (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the Central Office for Assistive Services and Technology. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.

Contact: Office of Communications

Phone: 202-693-1999

((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com)).

Summer Reading Club.(tech tips for every librarian)

One of my favorite memories involves the summer reading program at the public library. It's fuzzy, and it's probably a mishmash of several summers all at once, but I can still see the long box filled with cards and feel those cards under my fingers as I flipped to my age group and then to my name. I loved summer reading--well, I loved all reading, but particularly the summer program. It was loosely structured, but you got to tally it up; it was self-directed, but you got a reward at the end; it counted, but it was purely optional. Plus, the books had that sheen of new ideas--with each summer's theme, I read books that I never would have picked up otherwise, ones outside my normal comfort zone of biographies, "true" ghost stories, and fiction with a magical bent.

As an academic librarian, I have a smidge more unclaimed time in the summer than during the school year. There's a little more time for projects, research, skills renewal, and self-improvement tasks. In many ways, it reminds me of the summer reading program of my youth--less structure, more self-direction, fewer requirements. Because this column appears in June, I'd like to talk about some great resources that would make for an interesting summer "reading" program for librarians. If your job doesn't ebb and flow with the seasons or semesters, no worries--most of the things I'll recommend lend themselves well to being consumed in bits and thus could be integrated into just about any workday, year-round.

One final caveat--like my childhood summer reading program, this may push you outside your normal comfort zone. I won't be discussing any resources that are about libraries or librarianship directly. Sometimes I wonder if librarians might not benefit from spending a little more time with nonlibrarians, and summer is a good time to test that theory.

Podcasts Are Like Reading With Your Ears

Adding a few tech podcasts to your rotation can really open up your thinking and help you be ready to face technology issues that may challenge your library now or in the future. From understanding philosophical concepts such as Net Neutrality to confidently troubleshooting e-reader devices, there's a lot to know. Here are a couple of my favorite podcast series.

The Talk Show. Dan Benjamin and John Gruber chat about tech in a relaxed fashion; they're basically two smart, funny, and well-read guys having a conversation. I love this podcast because it's less reporterlike. Dan's and John's internet pedigrees are long and varied, and that's evident in the podcast. Recent topics have included everything from setting up new computers to end-user experiences downloading Kindle books to impressions from technology conferences such as SXSW Interactive. Don't go in expecting step-by-step how-to's or "Five Greatest X" lists--it's much more meandering and, therefore, much more interesting.

This Week in Tech. Probably better known as TWiT, this podcast is hosted by Leo Laporte and a varied cast of knowledgeable co-hosts. Leo started out in radio broadcasting, so he sounds more like a radio personality than a tech guy or podcaster, and that lends a certain entertaining quality to the show. TWiT is fast-paced and interesting. Recent topics have included privacy implications of the iPhone Color photo app and the Amazon Cloud Player. One thing I appreciate about TWiT is the varied cohosts who join Leo each week--they introduce a variety of perspectives, and it makes me happy that the list of "tech luminaries" includes at least a few women.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Fly or Die. The hook for Fly or Die from TechCrunch.tv is that products and services are described and judgment is pronounced all in one tidy package. Think of it like collection management for technology--this is great; this isn't worth your time; this might do more harm than good. TechCrunch is one of the most popular tech blogs written, and this podcast offshoot builds on that success. It's not as quippy as TWiT or as thought-provoking as The Talk Show, but it packs a lot of information into segments that are typically less than 15 minutes. Plus, instant judgment!

Getting the Most Out of a Conference You Never Attended

Conferences can be a valuable source of professional development and learning, even if you don't attend. Many conferences post audio or video of talks online after the fact for anyone to access. Here are two that I've enjoyed. One is from a conference I attended, and one is from a conference I've never been to.

SXSW Interactive. I attended SXSW Interactive for the first time this year, and I'm sure my co-workers are tired of hearing about it. I'm nowhere near finished unpacking all the interesting things I learned, not the least of which was that being a librarian at a nonlibrary conference is a great thing. We're cooler than we might realize, apparently. Additionally, it was stimulating and refreshing to listen to fascinating ideas and then imagine how I might translate them to a library environment. I learned things about gaming and its everyday relevancy that blew my mind, spent a good deal of time pondering the creative process with some of the most creative thinkers out there, and considered the future of education with people who are open to every possibility out there. There's audio online for many presentations, and you can filter the hundreds upon hundreds of SXSW sessions by topic if the initial list seems intimidating.

EDUCAUSE. I've never been to EDUCAUSE, but I have colleagues who swear by it. It represents itself as "the best thinking in higher ed IT." Topics at the conference run the gamut from technology infrastructure issues to accessibility for people with disabilities to experiences using Google Apps. You definitely don't have to be an IT person to find value here. EDUCAUSE offers streaming videos of speakers and their slides for select sessions, audio podcasts for others, and slides and handouts for nearly everything else. It is worth checking out for the video player alone, which does a handy picture-in-picture so you can see both the speaker and his or her slides at the same time.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Ideas Worth Spreading

We'll wrap up with my all-time favorite source for inspiration, sparking creative thought, and exploring possibilities: TED talks. It's my firm belief that the world would be a better place if everyone watched a TED talk every day. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and it is a nonprofit foundation devoted to "ideas worth spreading." TED talks are given by people from a wide variety of backgrounds who share a certain curiosity about how the world works. You can pick TED talks to watch by broad themes such as Media With Meaning or Women Reshaping the World, or you can look for videos other viewers have tagged with qualities such as "ingenious," "jaw-dropping," or "beautiful." You can also subscribe to the TED RSS feed and have videos delivered to you daily. Here are a few I've been stunned by lately:

* Eric Whitacre: "A Virtual Choir 2,000 Voices Strong"

* Mick Ebeling: "The Invention That Unlocked a Locked-In Artist"

* "Carolyn Porco Flies Us to Saturn"

* "Larry Lessig on Laws That Choke Creativity"

* Brene Brown: "The Power of Vulnerability"

Not a one about libraries, but each had something to offer that could impact my actual work, my behavior at work, or my interactions with patrons and co-workers.

So there you go--a summer "reading" program for your edification and enlightenment. If I could, I'd put all your names on cards and file them in a long box and give you stickers and stamps every time you took a suggestion to heart and spent just a little unstructured time learning something new.

Resources Discussed

The Talk Show http://5by5.tv/talkshow

This Week in Tech http://twit.tv/twit

Fly or Die http://techcrunch.tv/fly-or-die

EDUCAUSE 2010 Streaming Video www.educause.edu/e10streaming

EDUCAUSE 2010 Podcasts www.educause.edu/Resources/Browse/EDUCAUSE10/37391

SXSW Interactive sessions list http://schedule.sxsw.com

TED talks www.ted.com

Donna F. Ekart (dfe@k-state.edu) is a librarian and the communications coordinator for K-State Libraries at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan. She loves libraries and technology and sharing those things with people every chance she gets.

UPS SMALL BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM.

WASHINGTON -- The following information was released by the International Trade Administration (ITA):

As prepared for delivery

Thank you very much for your introduction, Stan. Thank you UPS for inviting me here today. The UPS and the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service have had a long relationship that has connected small and medium-sized businesses to global opportunities and we are appreciative of their continued support.

As President Obama said in the State of the Union address last month, "We need to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world." To win the future, we must work together to create opportunities that encourage innovation and spur growth. We must produce innovative products and technologies, we must educate and train our workers and students so that we may scale new technologies and we must connect our exporters with buyers worldwide. Growing U.S. exports is not only good for the U.S. economy but also for our trading partners.

The National Export Initiative is at the forefront of the Obama Administration's short and long term economic strategy for winning the future. The President's goal of doubling U.S. exports in five years serves as a catalyst to enhance our competitiveness, create sustainable jobs and build a stronger America.

Through the National Export Initiative, we help companies expand their global footprint, reach more customers worldwide, and become more competitive. This helps create greater sustainable employment.

As Assistant Secretary and Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, I lead a team of 1,500 trade professionals in 109 offices across the U.S. and 127 cities in 79 countries.

The Commercial Service is a key implementing agency of the President's National Export Initiative and is committed to enhancing U.S. competitiveness. Last year, we assisted 18,000 companies export, of which 16,000 were SMEs. Nearly 5,600 companies increased their exports to a new market and 85 percent of those were small and medium-sized businesses. The Commercial Service helped U.S. businesses post over 12,000 export successes in 2010. Last year the State of Illinois recorded exports of nearly $50 billion, an increase of more than 19% percent over 2009, which is higher than the national export growth rate of 17%.

We maintain four U.S. Export Assistance Centers across Illinois. Our offices serve the region to ensure we reach SME exporters in important rural areas, not just the major metropolitan areas. Working with the state government, area universities, and local economic development agencies allows us to leverage our programs for the maximum benefit of SMEs in the Illinois region.

America is at its best when it is inventive. We invented the motor car, the airplane, the computer and even the internet and GPS which we commercialized through public-private partnerships. "Winning the Future" will require continued private sector innovation and the Administration is committed to lay the foundation for future success through policy mechanisms that reduce risk, provide greater predictability and influence common standards.

When we have innovated we have prevailed. That is why this Administration places so much emphasis on innovation, on building and owning the markets of tomorrow even as we vigorously compete for share in today's markets. American products improve lives and livelihoods globally; because of our inventiveness, consumers around the world value a cache of "Made in the USA" more than one made elsewhere.

Private sector employers driven by small and medium-sized companies have added jobs for thirteen straight months. For the first time in 24 months (April 2009) unemployment is below 9% at 8.9%, but even this is unacceptably high. Facilitating and growing exports that create more employment has never been more important than now.

Innovation is the foundation for sustainable competitiveness in the 21st century. It is how U.S. companies and our products and services can reach the 95% of consumers who live outside our borders.

Winning the future requires increasing investment in research and development. The Obama Administration has made a substantial commitment to innovation by setting the goal of investing a full three percent of our GDP into research and development. Nowhere is this more important than with small and medium-sized enterprises, which make up 97% of all firms in the United States.

A larger focus for U.S. businesses must be to reinvent what we make, consume, market and sell. Government must reinvent its support, focusing on self-sufficiency, sustainability and innovation. An example of such reinvention came last year when the Administration brought together businesses, entrepreneurs, CEOs, regulators and representatives of foreign governments along with NIST to influence the development of common standards for SMART grid and ancillary products and services.

Hand-in-hand with innovation through RandD and investment in infrastructure from high speed rail systems to high speed internet, the Administration has a targeted focus on creating and funding sustainable solutions for the future that lead the global marketplace.

Illinois is an example of hardworking Americans who have the skills and dedication to produce the best products in the world: One such example is the V3 Company in Woodridge, Illinois. V3, a small engineering and environmental firm, sought the help of the U.S. Export Assistance Center office in Libertyville in bidding on World Bank-funded procurement projects. Our team in Libertyville counseled V3 on the process and connected them the World Bank's unit that led to V3 successfully bidding to provide the maintenance of 30 water wells in Haiti at a contract value of $550,000.

The Commercial Service assisted NOW Health Group from Bloomington to begin exporting to China. Through the Commercial Service's International Company Profile services, NOW Health worked with our offices in China to appoint a distributor. That led to an initial order of $250,000 that continues to grow.

There are several such examples of business building or problem solvingthat the Commercial Service's trade specialists work on every day to assist local businesses. Our teams help SMEs develop plans to secure working capital, just as they assist others to navigate foreign customs and regulations.

The National Export Initiative or NEI, is designed to help more companies - like those gathered here today - to proactively develop plans to enter new markets.

Through our Gold Key matchmaking services, one-on-one export counseling, and our extensive network around the globe, the U.S. Commercial Service can assist you on the complete range of exporting issues. We are here to make exporting easier for you.

The Administration's focus on innovation, education and commercialization reflects market-driven, competitive approaches that make sure that the United States is the best place to do business and to innovate.

Leveraging this strategy requires creating deep market linkages and connecting innovation to the marketplace. This is the core of the NEI -- connecting American innovation and our innovative products and services with consumers worldwide. The U.S. Commercial Service leverages partnerships through its Strategic Partnership Program with corporations, like UPS, and trade associations to build awareness of exporting opportunities for small- and medium-sized businesses in order to help promote job creation here at home. This is what today's event is all about.

Through these partnerships we support national export objectives by communicating to U.S. businesses about export opportunities and how the U.S. Commercial Service can lead them to success.

The Administration recognizes that increasing global trade provides opportunities for growing America's SMEs. Exporting must play a larger role in the U.S.'s economic prosperity. The pre-crisis drivers of U.S. economic growth - domestic consumer and business spending - can no longer be the only levers of an emerging and even more globally connected marketplace.

Those who seek access to U.S. markets must also remove barriers to trade and open their markets to U.S. products.

To win the future, U.S. businesses must expand their global reach to new markets. To accomplish the President's goal of doubling exports, the Federal Government is utilizing all the resources of the export promotion agencies to help connect U.S. businesses with global consumers and market opportunities. Less than 1 percent of America's 30 million companies export, and of those companies that do export, 58 percent export to only one country. Clearly we can, and must, do more to ensure that U.S. businesses capture the full potential of economic opportunities that exist internationally. Because when U.S. companies export more, we produce more. When we produce more, we need more workers.

And export related jobs on average pay 15 percent more than the typical wage in America.

The NEI is off to a great start. Exports grew 17 percent last year and support nearly 10 million jobs in America, including almost 7 million manufacturing jobs. But exports as a percentage of GDP were 12.5% in 2010; the United States lags behind countries like Germany where exports account for 40 percent, or Canada at 30 percent or even China where 25 percent of GDP comes from exports. Doubling U.S. exports is not only possible but necessary if we are to stay globally competitive and secure our economic future.

Innovation and exporting are inextricably linked; they ARE the drivers for sustainable American economic growth.

Leveraging public and private resources to increase exports helps us elevate awareness and the profile of products from the United States and create well paying jobs.

I look forward to our continued collaboration with UPS and the SMEs here today. For the American economy to produce the millions of new jobs we need in the years ahead, we need our small and medium-sized businesses to lead the way.

When you succeed, the entire American economy succeeds.

Thank you for having me here today.

Enterprise Demand Will Help Push Wi-Fi Equipment Market to 63% Growth in Five Years, Says ABI Research.

The Wi-Fi equipment market is expected to see more than 9% CAGR (compound annual growth rate) from 2011 to 2016, with the enterprise segment contributing the bulk of the growth at more than 21% CAGR. "In volume shipment terms, the consumer segment is forecast to see more than 112 million units by 2016, representing more than 63% growth over 2010," says Peter Cooney, semiconductors practice director at ABI Research.

The growth rate of the Wi-Fi equipment market (which includes access points, routers, gateways, wireless controller and NICs such as PCI adapters, PC cards and USB adapters) was slow in 2009 due to the unhealthy economy. However, the market saw strong growth in the last two quarters of 2010.

Adoption of 802.11n products, including upgrades, has increased in tempo from 2010 to 2011. A major factor is the rising demand for mobile Internet access, with greater speed and bandwidth leading to the proliferation of hotspots in many countries, especially in major cities. This global trend should continue until 2015, says research associate Khin Sandi Lynn.

"Netgear and D-Link have emerged as serious competitors," she notes, "with TP-Link establishing a foothold in the consumer segment and becoming an emergent force in the Chinese market, posing a threat to market leaders such as Cisco and Aruba. Nevertheless, Cisco, the incumbent, remains an established leader in the enterprise segment."

In the consumer segment competition will intensify and we will see greater pricing pressures for products such as USB adapters. On the other hand, greater demand for tablets, netbooks and laptops with built-in Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth capability don't necessarily translate to higher demand for portable wireless products such as PCI and USB adapters.

With the rising number of hotspots sprouting up in major cities, the demand for enterprise equipment will increase, rather than demand for consumer wireless adapters. Nonetheless, both market segments will grow overall due to increased global demand.

ABI Research's "Wi-Fi Equipment Market Data" (http://www.abiresearch.com/research/1003910) provides clients with highly segmented market share and forecast data on a quarterly basis for Wi-Fi radio infrastructure devices (access points, wireless routers, and wireless residential gateways), external Wi-Fi NICs, and Wi-Fi controllers.

It is a component of the firm's Wireless Connectivity Research Service (http://www.abiresearch.com/products/service/Wireless_Connectivity_Research_Service).

ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of trends in global connectivity and other emerging technologies. From offices in North America, Europe and Asia, ABI Research's worldwide team of experts advises thousands of decision makers through 30+ research and advisory services. Est. 1990. For more information visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.

Keywords: ABI Research, Asia, China, Electronics, Semiconductor.

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

FIRST[R] Names JCPenney as a Strategic Partner; JCPenney Chairman and CEO Appointed to FIRST Board of Directors.

Retailer to help bring FIRST to more communities as Mike Ullman lends extensive leadership experience

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- FIRST([R]) (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a non-profit organization created to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology, announced today that JCPenney (NYSE: JCP) has become a Strategic Partner and the company's Chairman and CEO Myron E. (Mike) Ullman, III has been appointed to the FIRST Board of Directors. A Strategic Partner represents the highest sponsorship level granted by FIRST and recognizes an organization's comprehensive commitment through financial contributions, in-kind donations, technology resources, training and volunteerism. JCPenney is currently one of 12 Strategic Partners that provide key support to keep FIRST robotics programs moving forward.

"Mike Ullman brings a wealth of business, strategic and retail expertise to the FIRST Board of Directors," said Walt Havenstein, Chairman of the Board of FIRST and CEO at SAIC. "Mike joins a board that is truly representative of how FIRST is positioned for continued growth and success. FIRST has the potential to be an integral part of an era for America to remain economically competitive through the next generation of leaders who are developing critical-reasoning and problem-solving skills that will help us remain productive. With Mike's participation, FIRST can further the goal of inspiring young people to be science and technology leaders."

JCPenney has supported FIRST at a corporate level since 2008 and is the title sponsor for the FIRST Robotics Competition Dallas Regional as well as this past season's sponsor of 60 FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC([R])) teams. Each sponsored team is linked to a local JCPenney store or distribution center that is directly involved in providing support and assistance while students prepare for regional competitions. JCPenney's sponsorship marks the beginning of the company's philanthropic goal to introduce FIRST to more schools and communities throughout the U.S. and encourage greater participation among minority and female students. JCPenney's legacy of working with youth organizations through its signature charity, JCPenney Afterschool, helps make it possible for more students to become involved in life-enriching learning opportunities.

"JCPenney has been named a FIRST Strategic Partner for their commitment to advancing our organization's mission `to build science, engineering and technology skills among all students,'" said Dean Kamen, FIRST founder. "Through the resources of 1,100 JCPenney locations in small and large cities across America, the academic sport of robotics competitions will grow and make a lasting impression on students' education and career choices."

"FIRST is an extracurricular activity that aligns with JCPenney's philanthropic mission of supporting youth development through positive afterschool opportunities," said Ullman, chairman and chief executive officer of JCPenney. "We understand how important it is that we provide our nation's youth with experiences that inspire innovation and cultivate a passion for science and engineering. As a retailer whose operations rely on technological advancements, JCPenney is committed to securing a future of highly skilled innovators."

Mike Ullman has served as chairman and CEO of JCPenney since 2004 and has considerable domestic and international retail management experience. Additionally, Ullman serves as a director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and is the presiding independent director of Starbucks Coffee Company. He serves on the Retail Industry Leaders Association Board of Directors. Ullman is also Chairman of the Board of Mercy Ships International, a global medical and human services charity.

About JCPenney

JCPenney is one of America's leading retailers, operating 1,109 department stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as one of the largest apparel and home furnishing sites on the Internet, jcp.com, and the nation's largest general merchandise catalog business. Through these integrated channels, JCPenney offers a wide array of national, private and exclusive brands which reflect the Company's commitment to providing customers with style and quality at a smart price. Traded as "JCP" on the New York Stock Exchange, the Company posted revenue of $17.6 billion in 2009 and is executing its strategic plan to be the growth leader in the retail industry. Key to this strategy is JCPenney's "Every Day Matters" brand positioning, intended to generate deeper, more emotionally driven relationships with customers by fully engaging the Company's approximately 150,000 Associates to offer encouragement, provide ideas and inspire customers every time they shop with JCPenney.

About FIRST([R])

Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST(For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. With support from three out of every five Fortune 500 companies and more than $12 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST([R]) Robotics Competition (FRC([R])) and FIRST([R]) Tech Challenge (FTC([R])) for high-school students, FIRST([R])LEGO([R]) League (FLL([R])) for 9 to 14-year-olds, (9 to 16-year-olds outside the U.S and Canada) and Junior FIRST([R]) LEGO([R]) League (Jr.FLL[TM]) for 6 to 9-year-olds. Gracious Professionalism[TM] is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.

Omniture, Inc. (NASDAQ: OMTR) Hot Stock on the Move!

M2 PRESSWIRE-19 June 2009-PennyStockChaser.com: Omniture, Inc. (NASDAQ: OMTR) Hot Stock on the Move!(C)1994-2009 M2 COMMUNICATIONS

RDATE:19062009

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Today's news alerts include: Omniture Joins Mobile Marketing Association

Omniture's Leadership in Mobile Analytics Will Help Shape Industry Standards and Best Practices

OREM, UT, Jun 19, 2009 -- Omniture, Inc. (NASDAQ: OMTR), a leading provider of online business optimization software, today announced that it has joined the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) (www.mmaglobal.com). As a member of the MMA, Omniture will work closely with the association's members consisting of agencies, mobile device manufactures, carriers and software developers to help shape and address key industry issues, define and publish best practices for measuring the effectiveness of mobile marketing and develop open industry standards.

Omniture currently serves nearly 5,200 customers worldwide and captures approximately one trillion transactions per quarter for its customers. An increasing number of those transactions are coming from mobile devices as consumers embrace this digital channel as a convenient and highly accessible means for engaging in their digital lifestyles.

"One of the primary goals of the Mobile Marketing Association is to create a sustainable ecosystem for marketers using the mobile channel while ensuring the best possible consumer experience," said Matt Belkin, SVP of Emerging Business at Omniture. "Mobile analytics is at the heart of that transformation, helping companies gain the understanding and insight needed to do this."

"We're pleased to add Omniture to our growing roster of members," said Stacey Sayer, membership manager for the MMA. "The membership collaboration is essential to growing the mobile marketing industry and we look forward to Omniture's active participation and contributions."

Some of the mobile optimization solutions that Omniture's customers are using include:

Mobile Analytics With the rapid proliferation of power mobile devices, more consumers are going mobile for their online experience. Mobile devices come in many variations of keyboards, screen sizes, browsing, and video capabilities. The variation in device capabilities and irregular adoption of mobile industry standards presents online marketers and developers with unique challenges in tailoring the mobile experience to their customers. Without specific knowledge of the mobile devices that are accessing their site, online marketers are limited in their ability to create a compelling user experience for an audience on the go.

The mobile analytics features in SiteCatalyst enable online marketers to identify the profile of mobile devices to better optimize their content development strategy. With the mobile analytics capability of SiteCatalyst, marketers and developers can better answer questions such as:

Who is visiting my site using a mobile device?

What mobile devices are my customers using to access my site?

How can I better tailor the mobile experience for these particular devices?

Are there problems with my site for customers using certain devices?

Where are my mobile customers when they are accessing my site remotely?

What carriers are my customers using when they remotely access my site?

Mobile Application Measurement for iPhone, BlackBerry and AndroidDevices

With Omniture's App Measurement solutions, the powerful online analytics capabilities of SiteCatalyst are applied to the use of specific mobile applications in addition to effectively measuring and analyzing mobile Internet experiences. Omniture's App Measurement solutions allow marketers and software developers to better understand how users are interacting with their mobile applications, essentially allowing companies to measure and monitor the performance and effectiveness of their mobile applications. This insight helps developers and online marketers create better applications and online experiences.

Mobile Access to SiteCatalyst Reports Omniture customers can receive real-time, remote, mobile access to their SiteCatalyst reports, bookmarks and dashboards for up-to-the-minute results of their online business.

About Omniture

Omniture, Inc. is a leading provider of online business optimization software, enabling customers to manage and enhance online, offline and multi-channel business initiatives. Omniture's software, which it hosts and delivers to its customers as an on-demand subscription service and on premise solution, enables customers to capture, store and analyze information generated by their Web sites and other sources and to gain critical business insights into the performance and efficiency of marketing and sales initiatives and other business processes. In addition, Omniture offers a range of professional services that complement its online services, including implementation, best practices, consulting, customer support and user training through Omniture Education. Omniture's nearly 5,200 customers include eBay, AOL, Wal-Mart, Gannett, Microsoft, Neiman Marcus, Oracle, Sony and HP. www.omniture.com

Copyright

Copyright 2009 Omniture, Inc. All rights reserved. Omniture and SiteCatalyst are registered trademarks of Omniture, Inc. in the United States, Japan, Canada and the European Community. Omniture, Inc. owns other registered and unregistered trademarks throughout the world. Other names used herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Note on Forward-looking Statements Management believes that certain statements in this release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the abilities and expected benefits of our services to customers. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions regarding future events and business performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including but not limited to, risks described in Omniture's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2009, and from time to time in other reports filed by Omniture with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These reports are available on the Investor Relations section of our web site at http://www.omtr.com. Omniture undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the company's expectations.

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