Sunday, March 4, 2012

CLARE L. TREAT, 86.(CAPITAL REGION)

NORTH GREENBUSH Clare L. Treat, 86, of Van Rensselaer Manor and formerly of Poyneer Road, East Schodack, died Sunday in the manor.

Mrs. Treat was born in Greenpoint. She had lived in East Schodack for 47 years before moving to the manor.

While living in East Schodack, she was a member of the East Schodack Garden Club and the Antiques Study Group.

Mrs. Treat was a communicant of St. Mary's Church, Nassau.

She was the widow of Donald O. Treat.

Survivors include two …

Food for thought: once a training center for Olympic athletes, the University of Chicago's Bartlett Hall now serves as an elegant dining facility for students.(Grand Award)

Originally, constructed in 1904 as the training facility for the U.S. men's Olympic team, the University of Chicago's Bartlett Hall, a neo-Gothic limestone structure in the heart of the campus, last year was transformed into a 550-seat student dining hall.

The $15.5 million adaptive reuse project "had to compete for resources and attention" with three glamour projects on campus, according to Curt Heuring, university architect. They were: a new $52 million athletic center designed by Cesar Pelli, with Chicago's OWP&P; a $54 million dormitory from Ricardo Legorreta, which opened last year; and a new graduate school of business designed by Raphael Vinoly, scheduled to open next fall.

"The sensitivity with which the renovation was done was terrific," says Heuring. "You have these large projects by Legorreta, Pelli, and Vinoly, and this little renovation project has stolen some of the limelight because it was done so well. It's a credit to the skills of the architect and the entire team."

The project, designed by Bruner/Cott & Associates, Cambridge, Mass., was conceived as part of the university master plan, which called for more student housing in the heart of campus, as well as additional athletic facilities+ "The pool facilities, among other things, were outdated," says Heuring. "We were building the new dormitory on campus, but the students needed a place to eat." So the university planners asked: Why not let Bartlett be their dining hall?

The timing of the two projects thus became crucial. "If you opened the dining hall without the dorm being open, it wouldn't succeed, and the dorm couldn't open without a dining hall," Heuring says.

Working in tandem

To facilitate the process, the projects shared equipment and locally based …

Cargolux to get Boeing freighters this week

BRUSSELS (AP) — Luxembourg-based freight airline Cargolux says it will receive its first two Boeing 747-8 freighter planes on Oct. 12 and 13.

The delivery of the newly revamped 747-8 freighter had been scheduled for Sept. 19 and 21 but was delayed amid a dispute between the two companies.

Cargolux said Wednesday that the disagreement "related to the …

New Orleans takes 2-0 lead against champions

NEW ORLEANS - The NBA Western Conference playoffs were supposedto be a brutal test for a young New Orleans Hornets squad withlittle postseason experience.

Of their first seven playoff games, the Hornets have now won six -five by double digits.

"I am proud of way our team has played," Hornets Coach ByronScott said. "We've had a heck of season. We've still got a lot ofpeople out there that doubt us. I think that's what fuels theseguys. We've been proving people wrong all season."

With flashy dribbles and a driving floater that couldn't miss,Chris Paul had 30 points and 12 assists, leading the Hornets to a102-84 victory over San Antonio on Monday night and a 2-0 …

Research from Brussels Free University has provided new data on DNA research.

According to a study from Brussels, Belgium, "We investigate the dynamical properties of a simple four-variable model describing the interactions between the tumour suppressor protein p53, its main negative regulator Mdm2 and DNA damage, a model inspired by the work of Ciliberto et al. [2005. Steady states and oscillations in the p53/Mdm2 network."

"Cell Cycle 4(3), 488-493]. Its core consists of an antagonist circuit between p53 and nuclear Mdm2 embedded in a three-element negative circuit involving p53, cytoplasmic and nuclear Mdm2. A major concern has been to develop an integrated approach in which various types of descriptions complement each other. Here we …

Saturday, March 3, 2012

SENATORS CONFIRM ONE OF THEIR OWN.(CAPITAL REGION)

Without a single question about his highly publicized road rage incident last year, state Sen. James Lack was confirmed by his fellow senators Tuesday to a Court of Claims judgeship.

The action marked the Senate's latest stamp of approval of a nominee from Gov. George Pataki, who has enjoyed an unbroken string of quick and easy confirmations of his judicial candidates by the Republican-dominated chamber.

The Senate Judiciary Committee earlier in the day unanimously recommended Lack, R-Northport, for the $136,700-a-year post. The Court of Claims handles lawsuits against the state.

Lack, 58, the committee's chairman, said it was a ``little bit of an …

University unlikely to have stadium proposal ready by April 1.

Byline: Bob Gary Jr.

Mar. 19--The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga "probably" will be unable to make a formal proposal for control of Max Finley Stadium by April 1, according to school spokesman Chuck Cantrell.

"All the reviews and everything we'd need to complete won't be done by that point," he said.

Frank Burke, owner of the Chattanooga Lookouts and BellSouth Park, made a proposal Wednesday. He asked the Stadium Corp. board for "some sort of direction" by April 1, citing the upcoming baseball season.

UTC was to have made a presentation Friday to The Stadium Corp., but canceled it, leaving Stadium Corp. Chairman Ryan Crimmins …

Religion news in brief

Sculptor chisels St. Damien statue for church in Puna district where priest ministered

HILO, Hawaii (AP) — A sculptor on the island of Hawaii is creating a life-size statue of St. Damien for the Sacred Heart Church in Pahoa, located in the district where the venerated Roman Catholic priest first worked after being ordained in 1864.

William McKnight is chiseling a 7-ton basalt boulder into a statue depicting a 5-foot-10, 210-pound Damien topped by his signature hat. The sculpture will show Damien extending his hand to help people.

The base will feature Hawaii Island's main volcanoes, which also are meant to represent the Trinity, along with water symbolizing Damien's …

CALENDAR.

(Readers are invited to submit information on relevant activities, at least 45 days prior to date of your activity. Mail to: Caribbean UPDATE, 52 Maple Ave., Maplewood, N.J. 07040. U.S.A. Fax: 973-762-9585. Email: mexcarib@cs.com. Some dates are tentative, all are subject to change; readers are urged to reconfirm prior to making travel plans.

If you would like Caribbean UPDATE distributed at your meeting or conference, please contact us at least 10 days in advance of the event: Tel. 800-647-9990, or 973-762-1565. Fax: 973-762-9585.

August 30-September 4: Feria Internacional del Hogar, La Decoracion, El Regalo, y La Moda (Home, Decoration, Gift and Fashion Trade Show). Sponsor/organizer: Grupo de Ferias,?Congresos y Eventos S.A., P.O. Box 7277, Panama 5, Republic of Panama. Phone: 507-269-3995. Fax: 507-264-6983. E-mail: congreso@gfce.com. Web site: www.gfce.com. Contacts: Manuel Alzamora, President. Marichel Ortiz, Event Coordinator Frequency: Yearly. Visitors: 50 50,000. Exhibitors: 120. Description: ?Manufacturers, distributors, agents of decoration products, …

Landmarks.(Capital Region)

Schenectady City Hall

With its familiar clock tower, Schenectady City Hall was …

New MBS products equal opportunity.(Mortgage Backed Securities)

NEW YORK - At the Bear Stearns' Mortgage and Structured Products Conference 2005 held here last week, analysts expressed concern about whether the influx of new affordability mortgage products has created artificial borrower demand, making lower credit borrowers more vulnerable in a rising rate scenario.

Senior Managing Director Dale Westhoff said that there are three recent major changes in the mortgage market: record home price growth, expanded access to credit and the growth of new affordability mortgage products such as hybrid ARMs and interest-only mortgages. Some of the consequences of these changes, he said, are the fastest discount speeds on record and a shrinking and …

Soichiro Honda; auto firm founder

TOKYO Soichiro Honda, the blacksmith's son who applied hismechanical gift brilliantly to motorcycles and later to the smallcars that fit the bill of the energy-conscious 1970s, died of liverfailure Monday in a hospital. He was 84.

Honda Motor Co., which he founded in 1946, now is Japan's No. 3car manufacturer. In the United States, where it began production in1982, it ranks fourth, after General Motors, Ford and Chrysler.

Mr. Honda had been top adviser to the company since he retiredas president in 1973, its 25th anniversary under the Honda Motorname.

He was born in central Japan, the son of a blacksmith, and sawhis first car in 1913, when he was 8. It …

ANCIENT MATH AT ROOT OF MILLENNIUM CONFLICT.(LIFE & LEISURE)

Byline: Gannett News Service - FACTS:ON THE WEB To learn more about time, calendars and the millennium, visit these Internet sites: http://www.usno.navy.mil, the U.S. Naval Observatory http://www.mille.org, the Center for Millennial Studies at Boston University http://www.calendarhome.com, calendars galore http://realmillenniumgroup.com, the Real Millennium Group http://www.futurist.com, the FuturistNews newsletter -- Gannett News Service

Geoff Chester of the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., clings to history in defense of his stand that the 21st century and the third millennium begin Jan. 1, 2001.

There's no real argument, he says, except with …

Friday, March 2, 2012

The Sun, Times attacked by hackers in revenge bid against members arrest

London, June 24 -- Hackers struck computer systems of the Sun newspaper and The Times, bombarding them with Internet traffic in an attempt to make them crash.

The international hacking group LulzSec, has taken exception to the Sun's coverage of the arrest of Ryan Cleary who is a member of the group, the police said.

LulzSec has also threatened a major attack on government websites. It came as Cleary, 19, was remanded in custody for further questioning by police as he appeared in court charged with five hacking offences, the Telegraph reports.

News International declined to comment on the attacks on its servers, but revealed that computers in Russia had been used to attack the Sun website and Times newspaper.

The production of The Times was not affected and the website of the Sun was slowed down but did not crash at any time.

Cleary is said to be co-operating with the police as they investigate a string of cyber attacks both here and abroad. He appeared before City of Westminster magistrates charged with five offences under the Criminal Law and Computer Misuse Act, including an attack on the website of the Serious Organised Crime Agency.

Cleary was arrested from his home in Wickford, Essex on Monday in a joint operation by Scotland Yard and the FBI.

Published by HT Syndication with permission from Asian News International.

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

Beyond Content Delivery

The Internet is perfect... except when it comes to supporting your business needs

Do you use your web site to deliver a customer service portal, serve personalized content to site visitors, return dynamic search queries, or conduct ecommerce? If so, the Internet isn't going to live up to your expectations.

That's because most websites can't overcome the inherent Internet weaknesses that lead to sluggish site and application performance. And traditional caching technologies are useless for serving dynamic and long-tail content, which is non-cacheable due to its highly personalized and time-sensitive nature. Furthermore, the common Internet issues of high latency and packet loss make it nearly impossible to quickly and reliably deliver web-based applications or Software-as-a-service (SaaS).

Businesses seeking to penetrate the tremendous China market face their own set of challenges. Between China's spotty network interconnectivity, dispersed end users, and daunting rules and regulations for delivering Internet content into China, it can be overwhelming to pursue this lucrative market.

Savvy organizations turn to Content Delivery Network (CDN) providers for help. But not all CDNs are created equal. In fact, only advanced CDNs are able to accelerate applications and dynamic content. Here at CDNetworks, we have deployed a global network - including China-based infrastructure - complemented by regional offices and expertise, making it possible for businesses to capitalize on the global marketplace.

The following white papers will help you take your website and application performance to the next level - and get a leg up on the competition.

Sincerely,

Samuel Ko

CEO

CDNetworks

[Author Affiliation]

Samuel Ko

CEO

CDNetworks

Washington Inventor Develops Goods Secured Delivery Coordination Method

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 23 -- Eli Moreno of Tacoma, Wash., has developed goods secured delivery coordinating methods.

According to the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A system and process for securing goods delivered to and retrieved from a secure storage unit is provided. The system utilizes a locker having an interior into which at least one good may be inserted and secured by a door via a locking mechanism. Access to the interior of the locker is controlled by a server which is in communication with the locker via an Internet or other network connection. The server controls the accessing and operation of the locker either directly or in combination with a controller."

An abstract of the invention, released by the Patent Office, said: "The controller is suitably situated in a kiosk that provides user interfaces by which customers, vendors, and/or carriers access and utilize the locker. The locker may be any suitable storage container including garages, mailboxes, heated/cooled compartments, and other storage units. The kiosk may also include other vending machines and dispensing devices, the operation of which are preferably controlled by the server."

The inventor was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,882,269 on April 19, 2005.

The patent has been assigned to Darren Murrey of Tacoma.

The original application was filed on July 12, 2001, and is available at: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6,882,269.PN.&OS=PN/6,882,269&RS=PN/6,882,269.

For more information about US Fed News federal patent awards please contact: Myron Struck, Managing Editor/US Bureau, US Fed News, Direct: 703/866-4708, Cell: 703/304-1897, Myron@targetednews.com.

Call 800/786-9199 (in the U.S. or Canada) or 703/308-4357 for assistance from a U.S. Patent & Trademark Office Customer Service Representatives and/or access to the automated information message system.

Learn how to take care of hypochondria

Question: I'm a hypochondriac. I've tried everything, includingpsychotherapy, to make my concerns go away, but I keep beingterrified.

Right now, because I often have headaches, I'm afraid I have abrain tumor, even though I've had head scans done and nothing iswrong. What can I do? - Maria Elisa, Portugal

Answer: In true hypochondriacs (who are equally split among menand women, by the way), even mild physical sensations - a fleetingchest pain, a plain-vanilla headache - feel like warnings ofsomething terminal.

The Internet likely has made it worse. The vast array of websiteslisting symptoms and diagnoses sometimes can make even thehealthiest people feel like they're teetering at the edge of theirgrave.

Extreme health anxiety is no joke. Hypochondria, like otheranxiety disorders, can be disabling, and ordinary psychotherapy,constant reassurance from your doctor or medications might not beeffective.

But there's one proven anxiety treatment that almost alwayshelps: cognitive behavioral therapy.

This short-term treatment helps you identify and challenge thethoughts that underlie your fears and emotions.

After a few sessions with a therapist experienced in its behavior-modifying techniques, most hypochondriacs find that the frighteningfeelings start to fade away - and, with a couple of painkillers, sodoes the headache.

Question: I'm a vegetarian. I've noticed that quite a few of youronline recipes contain polenta.

I live in the U.K. and don't know what polenta is or where to getit. Can you help please? - Lynne, via email

Answer: Polenta is the Italian name for boiled ground cornmeal,or what you British usually call maize meal. (For our readers in theSouthern U.S., it's like finely ground grits.)

It's OK for vegetarians. When boiled and cooked, polenta has amashed-potato consistency, but it quickly firms up as it cools. Thenit can be sliced and pan-seared or baked.

It used to be a staple of peasants and soldiers - in fact, slicedpolenta was the MRE (meals ready-to-eat) of the ancient RomanLegion.

You can buy polenta precooked (usually in a tube) or as fine orcoarsely ground meal that also can be turned into corn cakes or evenused as a crust for sweet or savory pies.

It's fat-free, fiber-rich, high in iron and has about 100calories per half cup (cooked). We love it smothered in roastedvegetables, spicy beans, herbed lentils or marinara sauce.

Buying polenta ready-made makes going meatless even easier.

Question: I love gardening but have horrible allergies. What canI plant that won't make me sneeze? - Kathy, Wyndmoor, Pa.

Answer: Well, sneezeweed is probably out. In fact, any plant thatproduces pollen (trees, shrubs, grass, flowers ... pretty mucheverything) has the potential to give you itchy, watery eyes, adrippy nose and sneezing fits.

Before you start contemplating Astro Turf, some pretty plants areless likely to send your nose into a tizzy. These include florist-style hybrid tea roses (they're almost scentless), old-fashioned pom-pom hydrangeas, hollyhocks, sedum and irises.

Avoid heavily perfumed plants and male trees and shrubs (agreenhouse can help you choose). Female plants not only don't shedpollen, but they also trap and keep the pollen that's in the air, soless reaches your nose.

There are some new allergy-free Bermuda grasses. Your localCooperative Extension Service (find it here: www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/) can help you create a low-allergy landscape.

Wind-borne pollen is a problem, but there are some preventivesteps that will help. Try wearing a filtering mask, sunglasses,gloves and a hat.

When you come in from the north 40, always shower, wash your hairand strip down to eliminate pollen from your hair, skin and clothes,which go straight to the laundry. And, take non-sedatingantihistamines faithfully during your allergy season (spring andfall are usually flora's time for sex orgies).

The YOU Docs, Oz and Roizen, are authors of "YOU: On a Diet."Want more? See "The Dr. Oz Show" on TV (check local listings). Tosubmit questions, go to www.RealAge.com.

Slammer? It's clang of door as they escape

Relief washed over Geiger Corrections Center on Friday when thehuman remains unearthed by Division Street construction workers weredetermined to be from a graveyard dating back to early Spokanesettlers.

Administrators had been worried that the corpse might have beenyet another escapee from their minimum-to-no-security prison west ofSpokane.

"It seemed pretty far-fetched the more we thought about it,"conceded an unnamed corrections source. "Like, why would anybody goto the trouble of digging out of Geiger when you can pretty muchwalk out the front door?"

Geiger getaways have reached such epidemic proportions that:

-- Inmates may now request meals in "to-go" boxes.

-- "Geiger Defections Center" T-shirts have replaced shaving kitsas the top selling item in the prison commissary.

-- Northern Quest now offers free casino shuttle service from theGeiger parking lot.

-- The prison just held its first Geiger Escapees Reunion (classof last March).

No one seems more dazed by the turnover than Geiger director LeonLong.

"They want to see their boyfriends or they want drugs and all ofa sudden bam, bam, bam, people are taking off on us," said Long in aSaturday Spokesman-Review story.

Under normal circumstances, a prison director will only utter thewords "bam, bam, bam," to mimic the happy sound of guard gunfire.

At Geiger, however, the words "bam, bam, bam" mean only onething:

The slamming of an exit door.

If the escapes continue, I'm afraid insensitive inmates willbrand poor Leon with one of those hurtful nicknames.

Geiger isn't a prison - it's a bed and breakfast.

Geiger logs more departures than the STA Plaza.

Geiger has become such a disgrace that it's beginning to take abelly-laugh lead over Spokane Mayor Jim West's Internetindiscretions.

Two women - Jaymie C. Fowler and Amanda George - were the mostrecent inmates to say goodbye to Geiger.

They went over a fence last Wednesday in an area Long called a"weak spot" although the director could have been referring to hisauthority.

Although George was caught quickly, Fowler as of Saturdayafternoon was still - as the great Merle Haggard once sang - "on therun, the highway is my home."

In lieu of racking up high overtime hours looking for her, Geigerofficials have offered Fowler free HBO and cell-service happy hourif she'll "please, pretty please" come back.

I've always had grudging regard for the prison escapes you see inthe movies.

I love it when a clever con sculpts a lifelike dummy out ofpapier-mache and then leaves it in his bed to fool the screws.

How can you not respect the inmate who can turn a bar of soap andsome shoe polish into a perfect handgun replica?

Then there are the cagey jailbirds who find their way out of theslammer by hiding in a sack of dirty prison laundry or worming theirway through stinky subterranean sewage pipes.

But leaving Geiger? That's about as complicated as calling atravel agent.

Geiger needs to plug the holes. But how?

I offer a simple 3-Step Penal Plan:

1. No more pole vault privileges in the prison yard.

2. Take bus schedules out of the weight room.

3. Stop hanging "Escapee of the Week" photos in the cafeteria asa morale builder.

"We're trying to get some respect from the public at Geiger, andthis doesn't help us at all," Long observed to a reporter afteranother Geiger inmate fled while in custody at the public defender'soffice.

You can certainly see why this man gets the big bucks. If hecan't keep his prisoners from taking so many powders, I think I knowwhat that nickname will be.

"Long Gone Leon!"

Doug Clark can be reached at (509) 459-5432 or by e-mail atdougc@spokesman.com.

HBL: Olympic handball results = 4


AAP General News (Australia)
08-30-2004
HBL: Olympic handball results = 4

ATHENS, Aug 29 Reuters - Updated Olympic handball results.



Men's competition final.

Croatia 26 bt Germany 24 (11-12)



Women's competition matches.

Gold medal match

Denmark 34 bt South Korea 34 OT (14-14, 25-25)



Classification match 5-6

Hungary 38 bt Spain 29 (22-15)



Classification match 7-8

Brazil 26 bt China 25 (13-10)



Reuters lma

KEYWORD: OLYR HBL RESULT 4

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

Fed: Rudd plays a whole bunch of instruments


AAP General News (Australia)
04-23-2004
Fed: Rudd plays a whole bunch of instruments

By Jonathon Moran, National Entertainment Writer

SYDNEY, April 23 AAP - Xavier Rudd can play a "whole bunch" of instruments but settles
for using just 11 when he performs on stage.

The roots rocker has slowly built up a strong following over the past few years and
recently released his fourth album - Solstace.

"I pretty much try and play anything if I can get my hands on it," Rudd, 25, said.

"I have always just fiddled around with stuff and taught myself to play different things."

Rudd, who splits his time between Australia and Canada, recorded his latest album himself
and said he was determined to capture the energy and intimacy of his live style.

"Live has always been what I am about and always will be I think," he said.

The didgeridoo, which he learned to play as a young kid, has been particularly popular
when performing overseas.

"People are definitely intrigued," he said.

"A lot of people don't really know much about it or where it is from and I guess indigenous
culture is not too promoted here in the way it should be, so it is hard to filter overseas.

Rudd's favourite instrument is the Weissenborn slide guitar which is also keenly played
by American singer Ben Harper. He can also play the piano, drums and various percussive
tools.

His following in Canada has provided him a good stepping stone to the United States.

He is due to do his second tour in the US later this year.

"The US is intense to get into," he said.

"I guess Canada opened that door and I have had some big festival offers which I'm
quite stoked about.

Rudd has a busy schedule for the rest of the year. He is off to Canada next week before
returning to Australia.

He then heads to the US in June to play the Bonnaroo Music Festival which boasts headline
acts Willy Nelson, Bob Dylan and Dave Matthews.

"I kind of have to tour," he said.

"It has been something I have been doing since I was a little kid just to play my music
and express. I have always been an emotional person and the way I release that is through
my music."

When not on the road or writing music, Rudd is a keen surfer.

He said he is inspired by the ocean and surfing.

"I like to feel fresh and isolated a bit in the water," Rudd said.

"It is definitely my biggest passion besides music. It is a place for expression and
surfing blows me away."

AAP jwm/pw

KEYWORD: RUDD (PIX AVAILABLE)

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

WA; Two police hospitalised after fiery road crash


AAP General News (Australia)
02-17-2004
WA; Two police hospitalised after fiery road crash

Two Perth police officers are suffering facial burns after a light truck smashed into
their unmarked car causing an explosion.

The officers, a 27-year-old woman and 32-year-old man, had pulled over to the side
of the Mitchell Freeway in the northern suburb of Glendalough just before the crash at
9.30am (WST) today.

A police spokesman says the officers had activated their flashing blue light and were
about to remove a shredded truck tyre from the roadway between the Powis and Vincent street
exits.

The spokesman says the officers were still in the car when a light truck ran into the
back of it and the vehicle exploded.

The female officer has suffered serious burns to her face, while the male officer's
burns are superficial.

The pair have been taken to Royal Perth Hospital in stable conditions.

AAP RTV hn/lma/rcg

KEYWORD: EXPLODE (PERTH)

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

Fed: Troops will stay in East Timor as long as necessary


AAP General News (Australia)
12-18-2003
Fed: Troops will stay in East Timor as long as necessary

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD says Australian forces will remain in East Timor as long
as it's necessary.

Mr HOWARD says Australia doesn't intend to leave until it's confident it's leaving
behind a stable, united country.

His comments follow a report in today's Australian newspaper that East Timor foreign
minister JOSE RAMOS HORTA has called for a two-year extension of the United Nations mandate,
which expires in May 2004.

However, East Timor is yet to formally request an extension from Canberra.

While Mr HOWARD did not put a time-frame on the troops' stay in East Timor, he says
part of Australia's commitment to the nation is to create a stable environment for its
people.

AAP RTV smb/nf/jas/rp

KEYWORD: TIMOR HOWARD (SYDNEY) WITH AUDIO

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

Qld: Small protest over Sea World sharks

00-00-0000
Qld: Small protest over Sea World sharks

Environmentalists have protested outside Sea World today, calling on the theme parkto release seven large sharks that are the focus of an RSPCA health investigation.

Four Queensland Greens Party members gathered outside the Gold Coast attraction.

The sharks are being housed temporarily in a swimming pool while a $13 million newfacility is built in time to open for Christmas.

Queensland Greens spokesman DREW HUTTON says the makeshift pool is too small.

The RSPCA launched an investigation last week after claims the sharks were in poorhealth and suffering from ulcerations.

An inspection found the sharks were not in any immediate health danger but a secondopinion is being sought from an independent shark expert.

Sea World maintains the sharks are in good health and recovering from injuries sustainedafter being hooked by a commercial fisherman.

AAP RTV dp/sc/rp

KEYWORD: SHARKS (GOLD COAST)

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Vic : Policeman accused of drugs charges refused bail

00-00-0000
Vic : Policeman accused of drugs charges refused bail

A judge says she's satisfied there's a risk a senior detective facing drugs chargeswould carry out a threat to kill a corruption investigator if he were granted bail.

Supreme Court Justice ROSEMARY BALMFORD has refused bail to 47-year-old Detective SeniorSergeant WAYNE GEOFFREY STRAWHORN.

She says she accepts a Crown submission that the threat was seriously made and seriously meant.

The court has heard that STRAWHORN made a threat to personally kill the corruptioninvestigator when he was secretly recorded by police.

STRAWHORN was arrested last month over allegations he was involved in a conspiracywith a former colleague and others to traffic a commercial amount of pseudoephedrine,the main ingredient in speed.

He faces charges of trafficking, two other drugs charges and three counts of threatening to kill.

AAP RTV sew/dk/rca/wz

KEYWORD: STRAWHORN (MELBOURNE)

Vic: Weather delays cyclone assessment team

00-00-0000
Vic: Weather delays cyclone assessment team

Strong winds and stormy conditions have delayed a disaster assessment team headingto cyclone-hit remote islands in the Solomons group.

Remote Tikopia, Anuta and other smaller islands were hit by Tropical Cyclone Zoe lateon Saturday night.

Oxfam Community Aid Abroad's field representative in Honiara, VAL STANLEY, says theassessment team, which was due to leave the Solomons capital today, will leave tomorrowfollowing warnings from the meteorological office.

Ms STANLEY says poor communication systems means there's been no information on thestate of the islands and the welfare of their 4,000 residents.

She says once the assessment team has a picture of the damage Oxfam Community Aid Abroad'sMelbourne office will begin assembling emergency aid.

She predicts the islands will need supplies of water, shelter, food and clothing.

AAP RTV clm/clr/dl/rp

KEYWORD: ZOE AUST AID (MELBOURNE)

NT: Aboriginal community to be relocated by railway

00-00-0000
NT: Aboriginal community to be relocated by railway

The Northern Territory government will spend $1 million shifting a central AustralianAboriginal community out of the path of the Alice Springs to Darwin railway.

The government has picked up the bill to relocate the Harry Creek East outstation,about 50 kilometres north of Alice Springs.

Chief Minister CLARE MARTIN says the shift will take place with the community's blessing.

The move was agreed in negotiations between traditional owners, the Asia Pacific TransportConsortium and the government over where the new corridor will run.

The 1,420-kilometre railway is scheduled to be completed by March 2004.

AAP RTV rmg/jas/rp

KEYWORD: HARRY (DARWIN)

Qld: Schoolgirl bitten by brown snake

00-00-0000
Qld: Schoolgirl bitten by brown snake

A nine-year-old girl has been airlifted to Nambour General Hospital suffering froma suspected bite from a brown snake.

Energex Community Rescue helicopter pilot CREAGH MECHAM says the girl had been bittenon the foot outside the Sunshine Coast hinterland's Conondale School library at about11am (AEST).

He says she was a bit distressed and complaining about pain in her leg -- but shesettled down once she met her mother at the hospital.

Mr MECHAM says the girl is reported to be in a stable condition.

AAP RTV am/sc/ld/tb

KEYWORD: SNAKE QLD (BRISBANE)

Fed: Airport security union wants govt to back better pay

00-00-0000
Fed: Airport security union wants govt to back better pay

The union representing airport security guards has called on the federal governmentto back their bid for better pay and conditions.

The Australian Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union also wants airlineindustry support, saying the industry must respect the workers' frontline role in thebattle against terrorists.

It's called on Qantas to play a leading role in improving the workers' pay and conditions.

The LHMU Airport Security section begins a work value case in the Australian IndustrialRelations Commission tomorrow.

It …

SA: SA government announces $500,000 in community grants


AAP General News (Australia)
12-02-2001
SA: SA government announces $500,000 in community grants

The South Australian government has announced $500,000 in grants for community projects

-- among them the funding of lifesaver mannequins and harvest weather meters.

Police and Emergency Services Minister ROBERT BROKENSHIRE says more than 100 community
groups in the state will receive grants for special projects and equipment.

Among other projects to receive funding will be fire safety programs for public housing
tenants and the improvement of marine radio coverage in the state's far west.

AAP RTV sl/tb

KEYWORD: FUNDING SA (ADELAIDE)

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

Vic: Platypus born into captivity


AAP General News (Australia)
04-18-2001
Vic: Platypus born into captivity

MELBOURNE, April 18 AAP - A platypus born at Victoria's Healesville Sanctuary over
the Easter weekend is only the fourth to be bred in captivity.

Healesville Sanctuary, south-east of Melbourne, today announced the birth of the platypus,
which was born on Saturday and took his first swim on Monday.

Keepers said the baby - the third offspring of Koorina and N who produced twins in
1999 at the sanctuary - was "healthy, chubby, fluffy and friendly".

The zoo said the platypus, still unnamed, took to the water as "a perfect little natural",
floated and then dived confidently into the water.

The platypus swam for three hours, and was seen later approaching the water without
his mother, for a solo swim.

Healesville Sanctuary chief executive Laura Murnaw said the baby proved the sanctuary's
success in establishing a breeding pair in a captive habitat.

"This wonderful event is a tribute not only to the sanctuary but in particular to the
dedication and professional excellence of the animal husbandry staff involved", Ms Murnaw
said.

AAP stu/jlw/mjm

KEYWORD: PLATYPUS

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

SA: Man charged over bowling club fire


AAP General News (Australia)
02-05-2001
SA: Man charged over bowling club fire

A 56-year-old man has been arrested and charged with arson after a fire damaged part
of a bowling club in Adelaide overnight.

Police say they went to the South Park Bowling Club on Greenhill Road at suburban Unley
about 1.20 am (CDT).

They found the club rooms well ablaze and called the fire brigade.

They also found the …

Vic: Charity hopes to raise 16 tonnes of food in Xmas appeal


AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2000
Vic: Charity hopes to raise 16 tonnes of food in Xmas appeal

Foodbank Australia and the ANZ bank have launched their annual Christmas appeal, calling
for food and cash donations to help Australia's needy.

Special food containers have been placed in every ANZ branch around Australia to collect
non-perishable items from the public for distribution to local charities.

Foodbank Australia spokesman TERRY O'HEARN says that if each food container is filled
just once, the appeal could raise about 16 tonnes of food for distribution to needy families.

The Christmas appeal runs from today to December 22.

Foodbank has also made an urgent call for cash donations which can be deposited at
any ANZ branch across Australia, in the special Christmas Food Appeal account.

AAP RTV pf/clr/et/jn

KEYWORD: FOODBANK (MELBOURNE)

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

NSW: Union goes into bat for Batlow


AAP General News (Australia)
04-20-2000
NSW: Union goes into bat for Batlow

Batlow has been a staunch union town for years but as the town struggles to survive,
the union has gone in to bat for the people.

Workers at the local cannery in the tiny apple town on the New South Wales-Victorian
border have petitioned their union to help find ways of bringing business and life back
to the area.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union says the town, with a population of 950,
believes the future of Batlow is grim.

But after a community meeting today, the fate of products like Batlow apples and Mountain
Maid tinned foods is looking a little healthier.

The AMWU's food and confectionary state secretary JENNIFER DOWELL says about 120 people
from Batlow gathered with the union and local politicians to discuss ways to revitalise
the local economy.

She says there was unanimous agreement that townsfolk want to create a pilot program
and set up a taskforce to identify barriers and opportunities for growth, including issues
such as road, rail and telecommunications infrastructure.

AAP RTV nd/sb/msk/jn

KEYWORD: BATLOW (SYDNEY)

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

Vic: Jewellery store operator tied up for an hour by burglar


AAP General News (Australia)
02-05-2000
Vic: Jewellery store operator tied up for an hour by burglar

A Melbourne jewellery store operator was left tied up and alone for more than an hour
until rescued by a passerby this afternoon.

A police spokesman says the man in his forties was tied up by a burglar, who overpowered
him and then escaped with jewellery.

After more than an …

VIC: Woman confronted by rubber mallet wielding bandit


AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-1999
VIC: Woman confronted by rubber mallet wielding bandit

A 19-year-old woman has been confronted by a man who used a rubber mallet to smash
his way into her home at Ferntree Gully in Melbourne's east early today.

Police say the intruder first used the mallet to smash through a front window at a
Forest Road sandwich bar, which adjoins the residence, at about 3.15am.

He stole cash and other items before using the mallet to smash open a door and enter
the residential part of the premises.

Police say he turned on a light and began searching the loungeroom when the victm entered
the room.

The man threatened her before fleeing.

The woman called police who searched the area and are questioning a 17-year-old man
over the incident.

AAP RTV gfr/as

KEYWORD: MALLET (MELBOURNE)

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

SA: New guide on wine industry investment


AAP General News (Australia)
04-16-1999
SA: New guide on wine industry investment

ADELAIDE, April 16 AAP - The South Australian government today launched a new guide to
investment in the wine industry following a boom in vineyard plantings.

SA Premier John Olsen said that the book, called Seasons of Change and produced by the
department of Primary Industries and Resources, follows a 14 per cent increase in vineyards in
SA.

Last year 49,000 hectares were being devoted to vineyards, compared to 43,000 in 1997.

"With more money being invested in this growth industry, it is important that the best
advice is available to avoid pitfalls and maximise returns," Mr Olsen said in a statement.

"South Australia now produces half of the nation's wine and three quarters of the nation's
wine exports and the exports from South Australia this year are expected to be worth $600
million.

"The wine industry will continue to grow and provide jobs but investors and growers need
good advice."

AAP vm/cjh

KEYWORD: WINE

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

Radio And Television Midday Round Up


AAP General News (Australia)
01-01-1999
Radio And Television Midday Round Up
MIDDAY ROUND-UP: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AAP RTV FILE AT 1130.



EURO LAUNCH (BRUSSELS)

The euro has officially become legal tender in 11 countries of the European Union, from 10
am (AEDT).

The euro gives birth to a unified currency zone of 290 million consumers from the Arctic to
the Mediterranean, and from the North Atlantic to Finland's border with Russia.



ARCHIVES NUCLEAR (CANBERRA)

Former Prime Minister Sir JOHN GORTON has admitted Australia's nuclear program had been
implemented to keep open the possibility of constructing a …

SA:Swans attacked on the Murray


AAP General News (Australia)
12-16-2011
SA:Swans attacked on the Murray

The RSPCA's investigating an attack on two young swans killed by two men on jet skis
on the River Murray, east of Adelaide.

Chief RSPCA inspector SIMON RICHARDS says witnesses saw two men run down the cygnets
near Murray Bridge last week.

One of the birds died instantly and the other died soon after from its injuries.

The RSPCA's looking for the people involved who were seen to leave the area in a houseboat.

AAP RTV tjd/crh

KEYWORD: SWANS (ADELAIDE)

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

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Vic: Power cuts as fire threatens power station


AAP General News (Australia)
02-07-2009
Vic: Power cuts as fire threatens power station

By Jeff Turnbull

MELBOURNE, Feb 7 AAP - Power to Melbourne was under threat on Saturday night as bushfires
raged out of control near the Loy Yang power station in the Latrobe Valley in Victoria's
east.

Around 100,000 customers of Victoria's electricity suppliers lost power during the
hottest day in Victoria since records started in 1855.

Bushfires, 100km/h per hour winds and falling branches were blamed by suppliers for the outages.

Around 20,000 Horsham residents, who faced ferocious fires on Saturday, lost power
and will be …

CHINA'S E-COMMERCE FIRMS TO SEE VC INVESTMENT FRENZY TOYEAR


AsiaInfo Services
06-23-2011
China's E-commerce Firms to See VC Investment Frenzy Toyear

BEIJING, Jun 23, 2011 (SinoCast Daily Business Beat via COMTEX) -- China's e-commerce firms are likely to see investment from venture capital (VC) firms this year stand 10 times the figure last year, predicted Ma Xiaohui (transliterated), vice president for Xiu.com, an online luxury product sales platform in the country.

Domestic e-commerce firms lured around USD 1 billion from VC investors in the entire 2010, said Mr. Ma, noting that the anticipated market bubble will take shape after traditional retailers kick off an online sales frenzy.

A bevy of firms in the manufacturing industry are looking to set up their own business-to-consumer (B2C) platform for business expansion or, include third-party online sales platform in their own sales network, making 2011 a year of an e-commerce spree.

Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G, NYSE: PG), one of the world's most renowned consumer products makers, has joined forces with a third-party mobile shopping platform operator to boost its online sales, disclosed people familiar with the matter.

P&G, which has launched a full-fledged online sales and logistics platform in the country, expects to diversify its sales network with the mobile shopping platform, pointed out vice president for the P&G partner.

The cooperation makes it possible for mobile phone users to place orders for the P&G products at the third-party shopping platform, said the vice president, adding that the US-based company will complete the remainder procedures such as products delivery after getting the orders.

Following the heels of P&G, daily chemical products makers are in talks with the P&G partner for a possible collaboration, according to the vice president.

Apparently, the expansion is quite reasonable. E-commerce has become a must for traditional giants now that consumers' spending habit changes in the wake of a penetration of mobile Internet.

Nevertheless, such an expansion is kind of excessive, to put it into a more reasonable way. Ling Guosheng, general manger for the online sales unit of Suning Appliance Co., Ltd. (SZSE: 002024), capped the compound growth rate of the online shopping market in China at more than 180% in a June 19 interview.

Suning sets an aim to push sales revenue from online sales platform up to CNY 60 billion in 2013 and CNY 300 billion in 2020 from CNY 8 billion this year.

The Nanjing-based company, which plans to increase the number of its logistics bases to 60 across the country by 2015, will spend CNY 1.2 billion-CNY 1.8 billion building six to eight cloud computing data bases within three years.

(USD 1 = CNY 6.46)

Source: www.yicai.com (June 23, 2011)

KEYWORD: BEIJING INDUSTRY KEYWORD: Internet & Online Services & Media SUBJECT CODE: Internet & Online Services
E-commerce
SinoCast China Business Daily news
SinoCast China IT Watch
e-commerce
B2C
platform
sales
expansion
bubble
VC
online shopping
revenue


Copyright 2011 AsiaInfo Services (via Comtex). All rights reserved

SA:More mining towns unlikely in SA


AAP General News (Australia)
12-05-2011
SA:More mining towns unlikely in SA

A parliamentary inquiry's been told a surge in mining activity in South Australia is
unlikely to result in the development of more company towns in the state's outback.

The state's chamber of mines and energy says because of the remoteness and nature of
mining deposits more companies would make use of a fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) or drive-in,
drive-out (DIDO) workforce.

South Australia has two major company towns that were established to service major
mining deposits, the coal-mining town of Leigh Creek and Roxby Downs near the Olympic
Dam uranium and copper mine.

In a written submission to a federal parliamentary workforce inquiry, the SA Chamber
of Mines and Energy says both those towns were established during different economic environments
to support exceptionally long-life mines.

AAP RTV tjd/ar

KEYWORD: MINING SA (ADELAIDE)

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

Echelon Wins Home Smart Metering Pilot Project


Wireless News
03-31-2011
Echelon Wins Home Smart Metering Pilot Project
Type: News

Echelon, a provider of electricity grid solutions and services, announced that its NES Energy Control System has been selected as one of five solutions in a 50,000 home smart metering pilot project by PermEnergo, part of the MRSK group, one of Russia's largest utilities.

Echelon reseller Engineering Center Energoauditkontrol was awarded a contract for networking 10,000 homes in a pilot project that is being monitored by the Russian government as a potential model for the country. With experience networking over 300,000 smart meter points in smart grid projects using Echelon's Networked Energy Services (NES) smart grid infrastructure system, Energoauditkontrol is a smart grid services provider in Russia. PermEnergo expects the pilot project to save its customers up to 20 percent of their electricity usage while lowering its operating costs and improving the overall efficiency of the grid. Installation is expected to begin over the summer and be completed by the end of 2011.
"This is an important step for Russia in establishing a successful working model for moving their national smart grid plans forward and an important milestone in Russia and U.S. cooperation," said Ron Sege, Echelon's CEO and president. "Russia's ambitious energy strategy is to establish a smart grid strategy that goes well beyond smart meters. This makes a strong business case for our solution, with an emphasis on reducing technical and non-technical losses, operational improvements, load management, and more responsive customer service."

The PermEnergo pilot project falls under a federal program called "Count. Save. Pay." This is a key part of Russia's plan for infrastructure modernization, and has attracted the personal interest of President Medvedev. The project is part of a smart grid initiative by Interregional Distributive Grid Company of Urals and Volga (IDGC URAL), the business that manages distribution companies for the Perm, Sverdlovsk, Chelyabinsk, and Kurgan regions of Russia. Over two million households are serviced by IDGC URAL companies.

The pilot project win follows closely on an early March Russian- American smart grid summit in the Kaluga region of Russia, where Energoauditkontrol presented their Echelon-based smart grid solution. The summit was a follow up to a meeting held in July 2009 between the U.S. President Obama and Russian President Medvedev to open a dialog and establish contacts among smart grid companies from the two countries. Participants included representatives of city and regional administrations, FSI "Russian Energy Agency," IDGC of Center and Volga Region, the Regional Center for Energy Efficiency (Kaluga), and others. The U.S. contingent included representatives from the United States Energy Association (USEA), the American Association for the Advancement of International Relations (USAID), and Echelon. The summit discussed laws and regulations for the development of the smart grid in the U.S. and Russia, as well as continued a dialogue on economic and financial mechanisms to encourage investment in the technology of intelligent networks.

Echelon Corp. is leading the worldwide transformation of the electricity grid into a smart, communicating energy network, connecting utilities to their customers, enabling networking of everyday devices, and providing customers with energy aware homes and businesses that react to conditions on the grid.

Echelon's NES System - the control networking infrastructure for the smart grid - enables intelligent distributed control applications and devices that deliver maximum reliability, survivability and responsiveness. Through the Echelon Control System (ECoS) platform, the NES system enables any device, speaking any protocol, connected over any network to be integrated into local decision making and connected securely to enterprise IT systems through virtually any IP network. The NES System helps utilities compete more effectively, reduce operating costs, provide expanded services and help energy users manage and reduce overall energy use.

Echelon's LonWorks Infrastructure products extend the smart grid in to smart buildings factories, homes and other systems, powering tens of millions of energy aware, everyday devices made by thousands of companies - connecting them to each other, to the electricity grid and to the Internet. LonWorks based products work together to monitor and save energy; lower costs; improve productivity; and enhance service, quality, safety, and convenience in utility, municipal, building, industrial, transportation, and home area networks.

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

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

FED:WikiLeaks acts may be criminal: McClelland


AAP General News (Australia)
12-09-2010
FED:WikiLeaks acts may be criminal: McClelland

(Eds: reissuing, amending headline)



By Stephen Johnson

CANBERRA, Dec 9 AAP - The Australian government has suggested WikiLeaks has engaged
in criminal activity as the actions of another Labor minister were detailed in leaked
diplomatic cables.

Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland said on Thursday the "unauthorised obtaining"

of classified US files might, in itself, have been an offence.

"Certainly to release that sort of information by an officer of the commonwealth, if
it were Australian material, would in my view certainly involve criminality," Mr McClelland
told a book launch in Sydney.

The legal interpretation came as WikiLeaks supplied Fairfax newspapers with information
revealing how Labor powerbroker Mark Arbib gave US officials inside knowledge about former
prime minister Kevin Rudd's bid to contain the leadership ambitions of his eventual successor,
Julia Gillard.

In October 2009, Senator Arbib told US diplomats Mr Rudd wanted to "ensure that there
are viable alternatives to Gillard within the Labor Party to forestall a challenge".

The publication came a day after WikiLeaks released cables suggesting Mr Rudd had been
a "control freak" leader.

Senator Arbib, who is now minister for sport, released a statement on Thursday defending
his active membership of the Australian-American Leadership Dialogue.

"I am publicly known as a strong supporter of Australia's relationship with the United
States," he said.

"I, like many members of the federal parliament, have regular discussions about the
state of Australian and US politics with members of the US mission and consulate."

Treasurer Wayne Swan, who became acting prime minister on Thursday when Ms Gillard
began a vacation, downplayed the contents of the WikiLeaks material on Senator Arbib.

"We ought to exercise just a degree of caution when we're interpreting the translation
of conversations," Mr Swan told reporters in Brisbane on Thursday.

"It doesn't mean that the reportage of them in the cables is accurate, it doesn't mean
to say it's well grounded, and it certainly doesn't mean to say it's in context."

With WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange now in custody in London, awaiting deportation
to Sweden on rape charges, federal independent MP Andrew Wilkie accused Ms Gillard of
showing contempt for the rule of law.

"I'm absolutely disgusted at the behaviour of the federal government and of the prime
minister personally at the moment," the former whistleblower told reporters in Hobart
on Thursday.

"The prime minister is showing a contempt for the rule of law the way she has ruled
out the presumption of innocence."

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott echoed those sentiments.

"I guess even people who've done the wrong thing have to be given the benefit of the
doubt, the presumption of innocence, and there doesn't appear to have been an enormous
amount of that from the government," Mr Abbott told Darwin radio.

Independent MP Rob Oakeshott said Mr Assange deserved the Australian government's support
as he faced the Swedish legal system.

Activist group GetUp is buying advertisements in The New York Times and The Washington
Times newspapers defending WikiLeaks.

Australian Human Rights Commission president Catherine Branson said the Australian
government shouldn't take any steps against a citizen facing criminal charges.

"Like every Australian citizen, if he calls on consular assistance he should be provided
with it, that is his right," the former federal court judge told AAP.

Griffith University law professor AJ Brown told a whistleblowers' forum in Sydney on
Thursday night politicians had created a martyr out of Mr Assange.

The comments come as protesters prepared to rally in support of Mr Assange in Brisbane on Friday.

AAP saj/sb/mp/apm

KEYWORD: WIKILEAKS AUST WRAP (REISSUING)

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

NSW:Search for Kiesha resumes


08-03-2010
NSW:Search for Kiesha resumes

It's day three in the search for missing six-year-old KIESHA ABRAHAMS in western Sydney.

The little girl hasn't been seen since her mother KRISTY put her to bed in their Mount
Druitt home on Saturday night.

KEISHA was reported missing on Sunday morning.

It's believed she may have been away from school for at least a week before that.

Police say yesterday's search of storm drains found nothing .. and today's operation
could be hampered by the wild weather that knocked out power to thousands of homes overnight.

AAP RTV mdg/wjf/jmt

KEYWORD: KIESHA (SYDNEY)

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

Fed: Timeline of Mary MacKillop's journey towards sainthood


AAP General News (Australia)
12-20-2009
Fed: Timeline of Mary MacKillop's journey towards sainthood

SYDNEY, Dec 20 AAP - Timeline of Mary MacKillop's journey towards sainthood:

1842 - Born in Fitzroy, Melbourne, on January 15.

1866 - Sets up the first St Joseph's School in a disused stable in Penola, South Australia.

- Establishes the Sisters of St Joseph and spends her life opening orphanages and refuges
for the needy.

1909 - Dies in convent in Mount Street, North Sydney, on August 8, aged 67.

1926 - Process for her canonisation begins within the Catholic Church, before being
suspended in 1931 and continued in 1951.

1995 - Beatified by Pope John Paul II in Sydney on January 19, after the Vatican accepts
she was responsible for the cure of a woman with terminal leukaemia in 1961.

2006 - Family of Sophie Delezio, who recovered from two horrific car accidents, credit
her recovery to prayers to Mother Mary.

2008 - In April, documents about Mother Mary's cure of a woman with inoperable cancer
in the mid-1990s are given to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, which oversees
the canonisation process, for consideration as her second miracle.

- In July, Pope Benedict XVI visits Mother Mary's shrine during World Youth Day and
tells the Sisters of St Joseph Mary she will be canonised as soon as a second miracle
is proved.

2009 - In March, Irishman David Keohane, who was beaten in a Sydney, wakes from an
eight-month coma on St Patrick's Day. His family attributes his recovery to months of
prayer to Mother Mary.

- In July, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd visits Pope Benedict XVI and the pair discuss Mother Mary.

- In December, Pope Benedict XVI approves her second miracle. Mother Mary's canonisation
will be set down for approval at a Solemn Consistory, a meeting expected in March. There,
the decision to canonise will be formally made and the date of the canonisation ceremony
in Rome will be announced by the Pope.

Source: Official websites of Archdiocese of Sydney and Sisters of St Joseph (http://www.sydney.catholic.org.au
and http://www.sosj.org.au/)

AAP sg/hn/evt/ao

KEYWORD: MACKILLOP TIMELINE RPT

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

HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 14:30, Aug 11


AAP General News (Australia)
08-11-2009
HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 14:30, Aug 11

CANBERRA - A meeting of federal coalition MPs has agreed to vote down the government's
emissions trading legislation when it goes to a Senate vote on Thursday. (Climate Update.

See also Climate Turnbull, Climate Robb and Climate Senators)

CANBERRA - Climate Change Minister Penny Wong admits the federal government is still
negotiating aspects of its emissions trading scheme with industry, two days out from a
Senate vote. (Climate Wong)

CANBERRA - Prime Minister Kevin Rudd deftly passed handballing duties to AFL star Chris
Judd during a bit of horseplay at Parliament House on Tuesday to launch a footy Green
Round. (Climate AFL)

CANBERRA - The world's fastest Mount Everest climber has come to Canberra to lobby
the federal government to increase its emissions reduction targets to 50 per cent by 2020.

(Climate Everest to come)

Climate Wrap to come



CANBERRA - Federal Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull has appealed to coalition MPs
to focus on Labor's economic management. (Coalition)

See also Liberals and Liberals Tuckey

Coalition Wrap to come

Parly View to come



CANBERRA - Senior Liberal senator Eric Abetz has made a parliamentary apology to Prime
Minister Kevin Rudd over his role in botched corruption allegations against the prime
minister. (Dealers Abetz)

See also Dealers and Dealers Senators

Dealers Wrap to come



SYDNEY - Businesses are more confident about the economy than at any time in almost
two years, a survey shows. (Business NAB)

Economy Wrap to come



CANBERRA - Foreign Minister Stephen Smith has rejected calls to rebuke the Chinese
government over its attempt to prevent Uighur leader Rebiya Kadeer from addressing the
National Press Club on Tuesday. (Kadeer Update)

Kadeer Wrap to come



CANBERRA - The statistics say otherwise but opposition MPs believe Prime Minister Kevin
Rudd takes far too long to answer questions in parliament. (Rudd Liberals)



BRISBANE - Queensland Health has apologised for not providing more support to workers
on a central Queensland property where a horse has died from the Hendra virus. (Hendra
5th Update)

Hendra Wrap to come



CANBERRA - The broadcasting watchdog is to review the way commercial radio stations
run their live-hosted entertainment programs, in light of the recent rape revelation scandal
on the Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Show. (Polygraph ACMA)



PERTH - A nursing home has refused to allow a court hearing at the bedside of a quadriplegic
man who has asked to be allowed to starve to death. (Rossiter)



CANBERRA - Australia's first long-term LNG contract with India marks the dawning of
a new trading partnership, Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson says. (Gorgon
Ferguson)



MELBOURNE - JB Hi-Fi Ltd proved its mettle as a recession-proof cash machine, with
its share price surging on promises of higher dividends after the retailer's full-year
profit jumped 45 per cent. (JB Hi-Fi to come)



MELBOURNE - Two former directors of failed Victorian investment company Chartwell Enterprises
have been arrested and charged with fraud after it collapsed owing more than $50 million.

(Chartwell to come)



MELBOURNE - Melbourne Storm say they will wait until Greg Inglis has faced court before
making any decision on the NRL star's future at the club. (League Inglis Update)

SYDNEY - The scandals that have dragged rugby league down this season haven't involved
just any old players, but the cream of the crop. (NRL Scandals to come)

League Inglis Wrap to come

MORE apm

KEYWORD: HIGHLIGHTS NATIONAL

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

Fed: Court expects to make decision on challenge on Friday=2


AAP General News (Australia)
04-01-2009
Fed: Court expects to make decision on challenge on Friday=2

The challenge to the RUDD government's Tax Bonus for Working Australians .. has been
mounted by legal academic BRYAN PAPE .. who argues the government's exceeded its powers
.. because the economic stimulus money's a gift .. not a tax.

AAP RTV mb/rl/rt

KEYWORD: BONUS 2 CANBERRA

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

QLD: Former public servant in CMC probe defends actions


AAP General News (Australia)
08-29-2008
QLD: Former public servant in CMC probe defends actions

BRISBANE, Aug 29 AAP - A former senior Queensland public servant who could face criminal
charges for using his position to help set up a private training company he later joined
says he has done nothing wrong.

A Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) hearing was yesterday asked to consider recommending
criminal charges against Scott Flavell.

A CMC inquiry began in July to investigate possible official misconduct by the former
Department of Employment and Training director-general.

The inquiry was told Mr Flavell began discussions with private investors about the
establishment of Careers Australia, a Brisbane training centre for international students,
more than a year before he resigned as director-general in September 2006.

He became a director and CEO of the company the day after he left the department.

The inquiry heard details of meetings, phone calls and emails during which Mr Flavell
gave business advice and sensitive departmental documents to investor and friend Vern
Wills and his associates.

It was told Mr Flavell did not disclose any conflict of interest to the government
despite being required to do so.

Counsel assisting the CMC, Ralph Devlin SC, yesterday said there was sufficient evidence
for the consideration of criminal charges.

CMC chairman Robert Needham is now drafting a report which will be tabled in state parliament.

But Mr Flavell told AAP he still believed setting up Careers Australia was "a good thing to do".

"It was consistent with government policy and training apprentices is a high priority
in a period of skills shortages," Mr Flavell said.

"The establishment of (Careers Australia) involved considerable risk on behalf of me
and other investors with no guaranteed financial return.

"The company now trains several thousand apprentices across Queensland."

He said counsel assisting the inquiry had acknowledged during the hearing that he did
not seek, receive or obtain any benefit from his advice to Mr Wills.

He said he expected the CMC to consider the evidence rejecting the claims he provided
confidential information or had a conflict of interest.

"It is now two years since I resigned from the Queensland public service and I am looking
forward to the completion of this investigation," Mr Flavell said.

AAP pjo/goc/cdh/

KEYWORD: FLAVELL DAYLEAD

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

NSW: Sydney Harbour Bridge twice targeted by Tibet protests


AAP General News (Australia)
04-23-2008
NSW: Sydney Harbour Bridge twice targeted by Tibet protests

By Vincent Morello and Kim Christian

SYDNEY, April 23 AAP - The Sydney Harbour Bridge has twice been targeted by protests
over human rights abuses in Tibet, with a message projected onto the bridge pylon and
another demonstration thwarted by police.

The Australia Tibet Council projected the words "Don't Torch Tibet" onto the north-west
pylon of the bridge overnight, ahead of the arrival of the Olympic flame in Canberra this
morning.

Police later foiled a second incident, arresting two novice protesters before they
could unfurl their banner from the harbour bridge walkway.

Up to 10 security guards and police restrained a man and a woman before they could
attach a six metre by 10 metre banner near the bridge's south-east pylon.

While the protesters' "Free Tibet" banner and attached Tibetan flag never saw the light
of day, it may not be the last protest from an impassioned Sydney resident.

Kerryn, a 30-year-old travel consultant, said she and a friend made their dash about
7.30am (AEST) this morning.

She asked that her surname be kept confidential to avoid any difficulty during future
visits to China.

"We managed to get part of it attached before security guards pounced on us, but unfortunately
they were too big and too many for us," Kerryn told AAP.

"They detained us and any attempts to get closer to the banner were stopped by physical means."

Kerryn said she was not attached to any protest group or organisation representing
human rights in Tibet and that this was her and her friend's first attempt at a protest.

"I've travelled through Tibet and I've seen first hand the fact that there's human
rights abuses still going on within the country," she said.

"I was stopped from talking to the Tibetan people in Lhasa for even the basic levels
of communication."

The two protesters were issued with infringement notices requiring them to pay $100.

Australia Tibet Council executive director Paul Bourke said his organisation's protest
had sent a clear call for China to remove Tibet from the Olympic torch relay route and
begin a process of constructive dialogue with the Dalai Lama.

"Carrying the Olympic torch up Mount Everest and through Lhasa and other Tibetan areas
has nothing to do with sport," Mr Bourke said.

"It will only deepen the current crisis, inciting further unrest inside Tibet and leading
to more arrests and suffering among the Tibetan people."

He said the torch relay's visit to Tibet was a blatant political manoeuvre by the Chinese
leadership to legitimise its control over the region.

A NSW police spokeswoman said no complaints and no arrests were made over the projection
of the protest message onto the harbour bridge.

AAP krc/vpm/wjf/hn/sp

KEYWORD: OLY08 FLAME BRIDGE NIGHTLEAD (PIX AVAILABLE)

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