TAS:Forestry deal an 'attack' on mining

AAP General News (Australia)
08-12-2011
TAS:Forestry deal an 'attack' on mining

By Patrick Caruana

HOBART, Aug 12 AAP - The Tasmanian Minerals Council says the intergovernmental agreement
on the state's forests represents a "direct attack" on the mining industry.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings signed the $276 million
forestry deal last weekend, designed to move the ailing industry out of native forests.

At least 430,000 hectares of high-conservation-value (HCV) forests will be protected
in informal reserves and placed in national parks once verified independently, with the
commonwealth to provide $7 million a year for the management of those areas.

The federal government will fund $85 million to struggling contractors and their families
affected by the downturn, and $45 million to assist workers to leave the industry.

Once legislation is passed to put the forests into reserves, a further $120 million
over 15 years will go towards diversifying the economies of affected towns.

The Tasmanian Minerals Council said the creation of national parks or world heritage
areas would prevent mineral exploration from taking place.

In a letter to members of the state's Legislative Council on Friday, Minerals Council
executive director Terry Long said the mining industry faced a period of economic deterioration
because of the agreement.

"If the mineral explorers are precluded from searching for ore bodies through exclusionary
land tenure, it is also self-evident that the ore bodies will not be found and there will
be no mines to replace those which become uneconomic or mined out," Mr Long said.

"The Minerals Council regards this agreement between the governments as a direct attack
upon the minerals industry and it very much clouds its future within the state."

But Tasmanian Resources Minister Bryan Green said the independent verification process
would ensure that exploration could go ahead.

"This will not mean an end to mining in Tasmania," Mr Green said.

"The independent verification process will determine areas of high conservation value
as well as consider what competing uses such as mining should be protected.

"Any mining proposal will be subject to the well-established stringent environmental
approvals process."

AAP pbc/mp

KEYWORD: FORESTRY

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

Fed: Cole calls for MPs to come forward with evidence=2

AAP General News (Australia)
02-21-2006
Fed: Cole calls for MPs to come forward with evidence=2

Mr Cole said he did not want people coming forward with evidence of the government's
knowledge about the scandal once he had completed his investigation.

"Whilst the inquiry is well advanced in its investigation of these matters, I do not
want the situation to arise, after the hearings are concluded and the report delivered,
where persons suggest that there is information which was not properly investigated,"

he said.

"Now is the time for any person with information to provide it to the inquiry."

Mr Cole's call follows …

NSW:Police deny brutally bashing mother of two

AAP General News (Australia)
04-16-2011
NSW:Police deny brutally bashing mother of two

SYDNEY, April 16 AAP - Police have denied claims they bashed a mother of two when they
came to her home in the state's north to investigate a domestic incident.

Carolyn Neverov, 41, said police struck and kicked her in front of her 13-year-old
daughter when they came to her Armidale home on Tuesday.

"They were really rough, they were throwing me around like a rag doll," Ms Neverov
told Seven news on Saturday.

"They were rubbing my face in the concrete."

Ms Neverov, who said she was drunk and suffering a punctured lung and five broken ribs
after two officers punched her, was then forced to spend the night in a holding cell,
Channel Seven reported.

The police, however, say they did nothing wrong and that Ms Neverov refused medical help.

"The police acted in self-defence with a level of force in proportion to the level
of force that they were dealing with," a police spokesman told AAP.

"Police will allege that one officer was kicked in the groin while another received
lacerations to his leg."

The spokesman was unable to confirm the woman's injuries saying only that police called
an ambulance for her after using capsicum spray during the incident but that the woman
refused transportation to hospital.

Ms Neverov's family told Channel Seven that she was rushed to intensive care after
being dropped home by the police on Wednesday and that they want the assault charges against
her dropped.

The police said they will investigate the matter if they receive a complaint.

AAP ct/ht/dep

KEYWORD: MOTHER

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

SA:Catastrophic bushfire weather hits SA

AAP General News (Australia)
12-30-2010
SA:Catastrophic bushfire weather hits SA

ADELAIDE, Dec 30 AAP - Catastrophic bushfire conditions have been declared in six districts
in South Australia on Friday as high winds and temperatures in the low-to-mid 40s combine
to see out 2010.

The Country Fire Service (CFS) has issued a catastrophic fire warning for the Eastern
Eyre Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, Mount Lofty Ranges, Upper South east, Lower South East
and Murraylands regions.

A total fire ban has been declared in all but the Adelaide, North West Pastoral and
North East Pastoral districts.

A hot, dry and strong northwesterly wind will blast SA on New Year's Eve ahead of a
moderate southwesterly change that will move across the state in the afternoon.

Extreme bushfire conditions are forecast in the Flinders, mid North and Riverland districts,
while the West Coast, Lower Eyre Peninsula and Kangaroo Island regions are expecting severe
conditions,.

CFS state co-ordinator Leigh Miller has urged people to activate their bushfire plans,
warning those people in areas with catastrophic conditions to leave on Thursday night
or Friday morning.

AAP jrd/jh

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES SA

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

POLL10 MAKIN SA

AAP General News (Australia)
08-19-2010
POLL10 MAKIN SA

CANDIDATE PARTY VOTES % SWING
------------------------------------------------------
ROSE, Jasemin GRN 0 00.00 00.00
GAMEAU, Michael LDP 0 00.00 00.00
STEWART, Robert TCS 0 00.00 00.00
HORVAT, Anton ON 0 00.00 00.00
+ZAPPIA, Tony ALP 0 00.00 00.00
DAVIES, Liz LP 0 00.00 00.00
RICH, Wayne DEM 0 00.00 00.00
POTTER, Mark FFP 0 00.00 00.00

FORMAL 0 00.00 00.00

INFORMAL 0 00.00 00.00

TOTAL 0

Two Candidate Preferred:

Candidate1 XXX 0 00.00 00.00

Candidate2 XXX 0 00.00 00.00

2007 result: LDP 428; DEM 1,198; FFP 3,096; ALP 44,890; LP 33,390; ON 502; GRN 3,751;

Formal 87,255; Informal 3,705; Total 90,960.

Notional swing needed 7.7 per cent.

KEYWORD: MAKIN - South Australia. 96,263 enrolled. 00.00% counted.

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

Fed: Govt's change to asylum seeker policy a failure - Opp'n

AAP General News (Australia)
04-12-2010
Fed: Govt's change to asylum seeker policy a failure - Opp'n

The federal opposition says the government's policy to suspend the processing of all
new immigration claims from Sri Lankan and Afghan asylum seekers is already a failure.

Opposition spokesman for Immigration and Citizenship SCOTT MORRISON says the rushed
decision has done nothing to stop new boat arrivals .. with four new vessels arriving
since Friday.

The fresh criticism comes after two asylum seeker boats en-route to Australia were
intercepted yesterday .. just days after the government's policy change .. while two others
were stopped on Friday and Saturday.

Mr MORRISON says the government's decision has not only led to wide-spread criticism
.. but left it open to potential legal challenges.

AAP RTV bzs/psm/

KEYWORD: BOAT MORRISON (SYDNEY)

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

NSW: Bodies of family of three removed from incinerated car

AAP General News (Australia)
08-28-2009
NSW: Bodies of family of three removed from incinerated car

SYDNEY, Aug 28 AAP - The bodies of a young family of three have been removed from the
wreckage of their incinerated car, 10 hours after a horrific crash on the F3 freeway on
NSW's Central Coast.

Police said two cars stopped on the freeway before a truck struck both vehicles from
behind, killing a 27-year-old woman, a 32-year-old man and a five-month-old baby at 10.50pm
(AEST) on Thursday.

The impact caused one of the cars and the truck to catch fire.

Police said the bodies of the young family were found in the charred car on the 110
km/h marked stretch of road near the Mount White weigh-bridge.

Two other people were taken to Gosford Hospital with various injuries.

Metropolitan crash investigator Sergeant Peter Jenkins said the family's car was completely
"incinerated".

"For some reason the two vehicles have become stationary in lane one, northbound, they're
not in the breakdown lane, they're actually still in the traffic lane," he told Macquarie
Radio on Friday.

"The young family's car is the southern vehicle, another northbound car has braked
and stopped and swerved to miss it and entered into the breakdown lane.

"Since that's happened the truck driver's been exposed to these two vehicles and he's
done what he can, but he hasn't been able to avoid these two vehicles."

He said the truck driver was suffering from shock and had been discharged from hospital
after speaking to police.

The driver of the second car was taken to Gosford Hospital for treatment, but police
have been unable to to speak to him.

His condition is unknown.

The family has been identified and some relatives have been notified of their deaths, he said.

Sgt Jenkins played down claims the stretch of road was dangerous, saying he hadn't
been able to attribute a serious crash in the area to the design or condition of the road
in the past 20 years.

"I think the F3 is actually quite a good stretch of road in most parts," he said.

Police are appealing for information about the crash, calling for any witnesses to come forward.

"Inquiries into the circumstances leading up to the crash are continuing," a police
spokesman said.

Police are hopeful of removing the wreckage and opening all northbound lanes of the
F3 between Mt White and Calga by midday in readiness for the Friday afternoon peak traffic.

Northbound traffic is being diverted on to the old Pacific Hwy at the Mt White interchange
and motorists can re-enter the F3 at Kariong.

Southbound traffic remains unaffected.

AAP krc/evt/cjb

KEYWORD: TOLL NSW 2ND UPDATE (PIX AVAILABLE)

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

Qld: Asylum seekers to have more surgery this week in Brisbane

AAP General News (Australia)
04-20-2009
Qld: Asylum seekers to have more surgery this week in Brisbane

BRISBANE, April 20 AAP - Four asylum seekers in critical condition in Brisbane will
face more surgery this week.

Doctors at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital say there has been no change in
the condition of any of the seven people they are treating.

Four are still in critical condition in intensive care, the others are stable and are
being treated in the hospital's burns unit.

Doctors say the four patients in intensive care all have serious blood infections which
is complicating their treatment and they're expected to undergo more surgery in the next
few days.

Burns surgeon Michael Muller says their poor condition increased the risk of infection
when they were injured.

"They're malnourished, they've been in the jungle, haven't washed for seven to 10 days
and they've been in the heat of the tropics," Dr Muller said.

"The organisms that are growing on their skin are just rife, because they haven't been
washed; then they get a breach through the burns."

A boat, carrying 47 asylum seekers believed to be from Afghanistan as well as two crew
members, exploded on Thursday off Ashmore Reef, killing five and wounding dozens more.

AAP bart/pjo/maur

KEYWORD: BOAT BRISBANE UPDATE

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

NSW: Fourth man charged with sex offences at Bathurst school

AAP General News (Australia)
12-15-2008
NSW: Fourth man charged with sex offences at Bathurst school

A fourth man has been charged with child sex offences at a Bathurst boarding school
in central western New South Wales.

A 47-year-old former assistant dorm master at St Stanislaus Catholic College has been
charged with two counts of indecently assaulting a male under 16.

The charges relate to allegations made by a former student of the school about two
incidents going back 23 years.

Earlier this year a former principal .. vice-principal and chaplain of the college
were charged with alleged offences dating back to the 1970s.

All four men are due to appear in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Friday.

AAP RTV bc/wjf/jmt

KEYWORD: STANNIES (SYDNEY)

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

Fed: NT poll no sign of tide turning against Labor, Smith says

AAP General News (Australia)
08-10-2008
Fed: NT poll no sign of tide turning against Labor, Smith says

A senior federal minister has cautioned against reading too much into the Northern
Territory election result .. but warns that next month's West Australian poll will also
be tough for Labor.

The NT Labor government is clinging to power after suffering a massive swing against
it in yesterday's election.

It could take days before the final results are known but commentators are predicting
that Labor will return to government with a one-seat majority.

Foreign Minister STEPHEN SMITH says Labor's always struggled in the NT and has predicted
another close result in next month's WA election.

But he's told the Nine Network .. it doesn't mean that the tide's turning against Labor.

AAP RTV mfh/tm

KEYWORD: POLLNT SMITH (CANBERRA)

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

FED: Secure internet stored in your pocket

AAP General News (Australia)
02-19-2008
FED: Secure internet stored in your pocket

By Darren Osborne, Technology Writer

SYDNEY, Feb 19 AAP - Australian scientists have developed a device that will allow
people to work on any computer without having to worry about whether it contains internet
nasties that could steal private information.

Known as a Trust Extension Device (TED), the device consists of software loaded onto
a portable device, such as a USB memory stick or a mobile phone.

The device could be useful for business users or travellers, who have to use public
computers in airport lounges or internet cafes, which may be infected with viruses or
trojans.

"The problem is that trust is currently tied to specific, well-known computing environments,"

CSIRO scientist Dr John Zic said.

"TED makes that trust portable, opening the way for secure transactions to be undertaken
anywhere, even in an internet cafe."

The TED contains a small operating system, a set of applications and encrypted data.

When plugged into an untrusted computer the device connects with a remote server that
the user wishes to work on, bypassing the computer's own system software.

Once the TED and the remote server prove to each other they are trustworthy, the user
can begin working with the server.

The technology could be used by banks to provide authorised customers and employees
with secure access to financial data, or conduct financial transactions over the internet.

"Wherever you go, whichever machine you run on, you and the issuer can be confident
both parties are known to each other, cannot engage in any malicious acts, and that the
transactions are trusted," Dr Zic said.

The device could also used at home on computers that may also harbour malicious software.

"Unless you're very diligent and run your virus scanner to ensure there are no trojans
or viruses present before you do your transaction, people can even snoop the information
on the wire going out," Dr Zic said.

CSIRO is currently looking to license the technology and make it commercially available.

AAP dpo/maur/de

KEYWORD: SECURITY (PIX AVAILABLE)

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

Qld: Flegg says coalition can't rely on Beattie failures to win

AAP General News (Australia)
08-29-2007
Qld: Flegg says coalition can't rely on Beattie failures to win

By Evan Schwarten

BRISBANE, Aug 29 AAP - Queensland Liberal leader Bruce Flegg says the coalition can't
rely on the Beattie government's failures to win office.

His comments came as Queensland's 25 state coalition MPs prepare to gather on Bribie
Island, north of Brisbane, from Friday to Sunday for a strategic planning meeting.

The meeting comes almost a year after the 2006 state election, where the coalition
again failed to gain any significant ground on the the Beattie Labor government.

Dr Flegg said today the Liberal and National parties needed to lift their performance.

"It'd certainly be foolish to sit back and think 'Well, we're here, the Beattie government
will blow itself up and people will come to us'," Dr Flegg told reporters in Brisbane

"People want to see us do the work and provide that alternative."

However, he listed an agreement between the parliamentary wings of the two parties
struck earlier this year as one of the coalition's best recent achievements.

The gaffe-prone leader admitted there was room for improvement in his own performance,
but declined to outline specific flaws.

"There are always things you can do better ... there are things that I am happy with,
that I think we have done quite well, but there are things I think we can improve as well,"

Dr Flegg said.

Dr Flegg's leadership has been under a constant cloud of speculation since he ousted
Bob Quinn a week out from Premier Peter Beattie calling the election.

Liberal figures have suggested the party room is locked at four-all over a leadership
change to Clayfield MP Tim Nicholls.

Dr Flegg declined to comment on whether he expected a challenge this weekend.

"We've dealt with this that many times, I'm not going to go there again," he said.

Mr Nicholls also declined to comment on the potential for a leadership spill.

"It's not a matter that should even be raised in the public domain," he said.

"It's a get-together of the MPs. I don't propose commenting on it."

AAP ews/pjo/cjh/bwl

KEYWORD: LIBERALS QLD

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

Fed: Some could be worse off under performance pay: Bishop

AAP General News (Australia)
04-15-2007
Fed: Some could be worse off under performance pay: Bishop

By David Crawshaw

CANBERRA, April 15 AAP - Federal Education Minister Julie Bishop has acknowledged paying
school teachers based on their performance could leave some worse off than under current
pay scales.

Ms Bishop's frank admission comes just two days after the states rejected her plan
to introduce performance pay for teachers, criticising it as unworkable.

While advocating increased across-the-board pay for teachers, Ms Bishop said performance
pay schemes, which she wants to trial next year, meant teachers would not be able to expect
automatic, incremental pay increases.

At present, junior teachers advance to the next pay scale each year unless there is
a serious problem with their work, as identified by their principal.

"If people aren't being paid just on the basis of years in the job, the increments
would not automatically increase," Ms Bishop told ABC Television.

"Those who are assessed as being more skilled - their performance is better than others
- would have a salary increase. Those who would not be so assessed would be paid less."

But this did not amount to a wage cut, Ms Bishop said.

"I'm not talking about pay cuts. I'm talking about a differential in salaries," she said.

Ms Bishop advocates performance pay as a way of retaining the most talented teachers,
and says many are disillusioned because they reach the top salary level within nine years
of graduating.

She has proposed paying teachers performance bonuses based on a combination of their
students' academic results, principal and parent feedback and other considerations such
as the students' level of disadvantage.

Late today, Ms Bishop's office said she was prepared to consider performance pay as
an opt-in system.

Treasurer Peter Costello appears to have ruled out any new federal funding for performance
pay, and state education ministers flatly rejected it on Friday, potentially putting at
risk billions worth of federal education grants.

Australian Education Union president Pat Byrne said Ms Bishop's comments showed how
performance pay would create two classes of teachers.

"What we're now going to have is a quota of people who are going to get pay rises based
on whatever, and then a quota of people who are not going to get pay rises," she said.

"For her to persist with this line that the proposal is in any way operable is insanity."

Ms Byrne said rewarding teachers based on student exam results would increase teachers'
workload, and the government would need to assess every one of Australia's 250,000 teachers
to determine who should get pay rises.

Opposition education spokesman Stephen Smith said Ms Bishop's scheme would reward some
teachers only by paying others less.

"The government's so-called performance pay approach is as much about some teachers
getting a pay cut as it is about other teachers getting more money," he said.

AAP dcr/jt/cdh

KEYWORD: TEACHERS NIGHTLEAD

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

Vic: Teen sliced with stanley knife in unprovoked attack

AAP General News (Australia)
12-13-2006
Vic: Teen sliced with stanley knife in unprovoked attack

Police are appealing for witnesses .. following an unprovoked attack on a teenager
in Port Melbourne.

The 17-year-old .. known only as ANTHONY .. was slashed across the forehead with a
stanley knife by another teen .. with the blade just missing his eye.

He was waiting with a friend on a bench near the entrance to Station Pier car park
in Waterfront Place at about 2.30 on Sunday morning when the attack occurred.

The attacker is about 16 .. thin .. with blonde hair and a missing front tooth.

AAP RTV mj/dk/els/bart

KEYWORD: ANTHONY (MELBOURNE)

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

AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Breakfast, Aug 7

AAP General News (Australia)
08-07-2006
AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Breakfast, Aug 7
Breakfast Round-Up: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AAP RTV FILE AT 0430


Mideast (BEIRUT)

Hizbollah has killed 12 Israeli soldiers in its deadliest rocket strike yet .. and
Israeli bombs killed 19 Lebanese civilians as Lebanon rejected a draft UN resolution to
end the 26-day-old war.

Medics say more Hizbollah rockets hit the northern Israeli city of Haifa .. killing
at least one person and wounding many more.

A police commander has told Israel Radio that a rocket slammed into two adjacent houses,
causing them to partly collapse and several people are trapped in the rubble.

In the Israeli village of Kfar Giladi .. a rocket hit a group of Israeli reservists
called up for the Lebanon offensive .. and doctors say 12 were killed and dozens were
wounded.

Meanwhile .. Lebanon's parliament speaker NABIH BERRI says his country rejects the
US-French draft security council resolution because it would let Israeli forces stay on
Lebanese soil.



McNeill (NORFOLK ISLAND)

A committal hearing will get underway on Norfolk Island today for the man accused of
murdering JANELLE PATTON.

The allegations against New Zealand chef GLENN MCNEILL will be detailed over the next
five days .. with a magistrate to determine whether there's sufficient evidence for him
to stand trial.

Twenty-nine-year-old Ms PATTON'S death made international headlines as the first murder
recorded on the island .. a former penal colony .. in 150 years.

MCNEILL .. a 28-year-old father of two .. was arrested in February .. after what police
described as a DNA breakthrough in the case.



Waugh (SYDNEY)

The wife of former Australian cricket captain STEVE WAUGH .. 38-year-old LYNETTE WAUGH
.. has undergone brain surgery.

She was rushed to Prince of Wales Hospital private hospital in Randwick on Thursday
and was operated on for a blood clot on her brain on Friday.

STEVE'S twin MARK says she's doing well after being operated on by high profile neurosurgeon
CHARLES TEO.



Leadership (CANBERRA)

Liberal and National party MPs will focus on petrol prices and the threat of higher
interest rates when they meet to thrash out the government's future direction today.

JOHN HOWARD has called the special meeting to give his backbench a chance to float
new policy ideas and comment on government initiatives.

The joint-party meeting will be the first since Mr HOWARD and Treasurer PETER COSTELLO
became embroiled in a dispute over the timing of a leadership changeover .. and follows
the six week winter recess .. during which politicians touched base with their constituents.



Parly Preview (CANBERRA)

Labor is expected to use the resumption of federal parliament tomorrow to hammer JOHN
HOWARD over sky rocketing petrol prices .. and his promise to keep interest rates low.

In the 2004 election, the prime minister campaigned vigorously on interest rates ..

claiming only the Liberal Party could be trusted to keep the cash rate low.

But last week the Reserve Bank raised the official interest rate by 25 basis points
to 6.00 per cent .. the highest rate since early 2001 and the third rise since the last
federal election.



Workplace (CANBERRA)

The prime minister is backing a fine-tuning of the government's industrial relations
laws .. to protect women .. and people from non-English speaking backgrounds .. against
exploitation by unscrupulous employers.

JOHN HOWARD says the Work Choices Act might need some minor changes .. after Western
Sydney Liberal backbencher JACKIE KELLY warned some people might be disadvantaged by the
new laws.

But Opposition Leader KIM BEAZLEY is maintaining Labor's hardline opposition to the
laws with or without changes .. saying they're undermining Australian families.



PollQld (BRISBANE)

Queensland Premier PETER BEATTIE will today unveil a plan to tackle the state's growing
water crisis.

Part of the plan could include declaring a state of emergency .. which would allow
the government to take over council-run water facilities

It could also include new laws to force councils to meet water-saving targets and speed
up major new projects.

Mr BEATTIE says he wants to work with the 18 mayors in south-east Queensland to solve
the crisis triggered by the state's worst drought on record.



Markets Preview (MELBOURNE)

The Australian share market will be struggling to get any great lift today after an
uninspiring performance by United States markets.

On Wall Street on Friday .. profit-takers and some nervousness about the US Federal
Reserve's direction on interest rates drove stocks marginally lower.

CommSec chief equities economist CRAIG JAMES says the Australian sharemarket has gone
sideways in the past two months .. and the struggle to find momentum is likely to extend
a little longer.

Mr JAMES says investors could adopt a more defensive posture after the recent lift
in interest rates .. indications the US economy is slowing .. and Chinese efforts to slow
growth in their economy.



Children (CANBERRA)

A father accused of snatching his three children in Sydney .. and fleeing to Canberra
after a domestic dispute .. appears in Sydney's Central Local Court today.

The man can't be named for legal reasons .. and has been remanded until he appears in court.

The three children .. who were taken into protective custody after the man was arrested
.. have been reunited with their mother.



BRIEFLY:



New South Wales taxpayers are picking up the tab for about nine million dollars in
compensation for victims .. owed by almost 13 hundred of the state's convicted criminals.




Police say race was not the motive behind the stabbing murder of a former Israeli soldier
outside a shop in Sydney's beachside suburb of Bondi.




Labor is hoping to maintain the rage at the government's industrial relations changes
.. to win back key Tasmanian seats at next year's federal election.




Former world champion boxer ANTHONY MUNDINE is reportedly set to run as an independent
in the New South Wales state election next March.



AND IN SPORT:


LEAGUE WRAP (SYDNEY)

Brisbane has maintained its slender grip on third spot on the NRL ladder despite crashing
to a fourth straight defeat with a 30-18 loss to Canberra.

The Knights meanwhile moved back into the top four with a 32-18 win over Sydney Roosters
at Gosford, while Penrith's top eight hopes were dealt a cruel blow after succumbing to
a 32-26 loss against bottom side South Sydney.



LEAGUE JUDICIARY (SYDNEY)

Melbourne will find out today if it will pay a heavy price for its win over Wests Tigers
with prop BRETT WHITE and fullback BILLY SLATER sure to come under the microscope from
the NRL match review committee.

WHITE was put on report for a high tackle on Tigers centre JAMAAL LOLESI while SLATER
could also be in trouble for a forearm to the head of SHANNON MCDONNELL.



AFL TRIBUNAL (MELBOURNE)

Collingwood will be anxiously await today's AFL match review after half-forward ALAN
DIDAK was reported for tripping.

DIDAK, one of the Magpies' best players this season, was booked for tripping Adelaide's
MICHAEL DOUGHTY at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night.



AFL WRAP (MELBOURNE)

Adelaide and West Coast have all but secured themselves the top two spots in the 2006
AFL finals race, but it is a close and open battle for spots in the top eight after that.

Melbourne is third on 12 wins, with Sydney, St Kilda, Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs
are all locked on 11 wins.

Geelong has beaten Brisbane to keep alive its faint AFL finals hopes while Fremantle
virtually sealed its place in September for just the second time.



TRI AUST (SYDNEY)

The Wallabies are enjoying a four-day break after regaining the Mandela Cup and keeping
their Tri Nations hopes alive with a 20-18 comeback victory over the Springboks.

Coach JOHN CONNOLLY was not impressed with his team's lacklustre performance on Saturday
night and has given his players time off to freshen up ahead of a must-win showdown with
New Zealand in Auckland on August 19.



ENDS BREAKFAST ROUND-UP

Broadcast Desk inquiries 24 hours: 02 9322 8714

AAP RTV psm/

KEYWORD: BREAKFAST ROUND-UP

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

Google officially launched in Israel

AVI KRAWITZ
Jerusalem Post
02-21-2006
Headline: Google officially launched in Israel
Byline: AVI KRAWITZ
Edition; Daily
Section: Economics
Page: 17

Tuesday, February 21, 2006 -- Internet search engine Google officially launched its operation in Israel Monday, expanding its search products available to the Hebrew speaking private and business consumer.

"With this launch, we have increased our investment and activities in Israel," Meir Brand, CEO of Google Israel told The Jerusalem Post. "We are focusing on our three core users being consumers, advertisers and site owners to localize programs for their benefit."

Brand added that the company has set out to bring as many products as possible to the Hebrew speaking market in the next 18 months.

Google launched its Hebrew version approximately four years ago and announced last year that it would open a Tel Aviv office, with Brand as the country manager.

The company quoted a survey conducted by the TIM research company in December 2005 saying that three out of every four Internet users enter the Google site at least once a week.

While Brand wouldn't put a value to the investment or the size of the Israel operation, he insisted the company is continuously growing as the market requires.

"The real investment is in the Israeli economy and the local [search engine] market," he said. "It's a long-term investment and we continue to bring in new products for surfers and develop search advertising capabilities for companies here."

Asked to comment on reports that Google was considering establishing a Research and Development facility in Israel, Brand said the company was always looking for talent and has a policy of going to where the talent is.

"Given the wealth of talent in Israel we shouldn't be surprised if at some point in the future Google opens and R&D center here," Brand said.

Meanwhile, Google has identified 'search advertising' as a focal point for its Israel campaign - an area which Brand said has tremendous potential for the Israeli business arena.

"It's advantageous for small businesses and larger enterprises and especially exporters looking to expand their advertising reach abroad and in different languages," he said.

Its new advertising campaign 'AdWords' allows businesses to place text notices connected to search criteria that a potential market might enter. The advert will appear on the left hand side of the Hebrew page when the search is completed, giving information relevant to the user's requirements.

Brand said that despite the high percentage Internet usage in the country, only 5% of advertising is found on the Web.

"We therefore see great economic potential in this area and opportunity for us and the advertising sector in Israel to develop it," he added.

Keywords:

Copyright 2006 Jerusalem Post. All Rights Reserved

AP Top News at 12:58 p.m. EDT

AP Online
06-27-2005

Court Splits on Ten Commandments Displays

Rev. Ken Johnson, center, from Seaman, Ohio, and Rev. Rob Schenck, right, President of Faith and Action join other members of clergy from numerous Christian faiths in prayers services on the Ten Commandments on the sidewalk in front of the Supreme Court in Washington in this March 1, 2005 file photo. The Court is expected to issue a ruling Monday, June 27, 2005 on the constitutionality of the display of the Ten Commandments on government property. (AP Photo/Stephen J. Boitano, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) _ A sharply divided Supreme Court on Monday upheld the constitutionality of displaying the Ten Commandments on government land, but drew the line on displays inside courthouses, saying they violated the doctrine of separation of church and state. Sending dual signals in ruling on this issue for the first time in a quarter-century, the high court said that displays of the Ten Commandments _ like their own courtroom frieze _ are not inherently unconstitutional. But each exhibit demands scrutiny to determine whether it goes too far in amounting to a governmental promotion of religion, the court said in a case involving Kentucky courthouse exhibits.

BTK Suspect Pleads Guilty to Murdering 10

Dennis Rader, 60, center, of Park City, Kan., turns from the defense table in Wichita, Kan., Monday, June 27, 2005, after admitting guilt to 10 first degree murder charges. Defense attorney Sarah McKinnon is at right. The onetime president of the church council at Christ Lutheran Church and Boy Scout leader, admitted killing 10 people in the Wichita area between 1974 and 1991. The serial killer named himself BTK, for ``Bind, Torture, Kill.'' Sentencing was set for Aug. 17 but he will not face the death penalty. (AP Photo/Bo Rader)

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) _ BTK suspect Dennis Rader pleaded guilty Monday to 10 counts of first-degree murder, admitting in a chillingly matter-of-fact voice to a series of slayings that terrorized the city beginning in the 1970s. Rader, 60, of Park City, entered the guilty pleas as his trial was to begin.

Car Bombing Kills at Least 4 in Baghdad

An Iraqi soldier looks at the remains of a car which was damaged in a road side bomb attack in Baghdad, Iraq Monday, June 27, 2005. The attack, aimed at a passing Iraqi police patrol, killed two civilians and injured another, according to Iraqi police. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) _ A car bomb exploded between a movie house and mosque in eastern Baghdad on Monday, killing at least four people and injuring 16, authorities said. The bombing was the latest in a series of similar attacks that have killed dozens of people over the last two days. On Monday, the bomb exploded between the al-Bida'a cinema and the Sunni Arab al-Samarraie mosque in New Baghdad. The area is packed with small shops and markets selling everything from vegetables to clothes and usually is crowded with people shopping in the early evening before curfew.

Bush Urges Schroeder on Iran Nuke Program

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, left, meets with President Bush in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, June 27, 2005, in Washington. Schroeder is meeting with Bush in a visit shortened by election-year pressure and overshadowed by the possibility Germany will have a new, more pro-American leader this fall. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

WASHINGTON (AP) _ President Bush told German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder Monday they should continue working with leaders of France and Great Britain to tell Iran jointly that development of nuclear weapons is unacceptable. Germany, France and Britain have offered Iran economic concessions if Tehran permanently halts all uranium-enrichment activities. The United States alleges Iran's enrichment program is aimed at building atomic weapons.

Ex-Klansman's Request for New Trial Denied

PHILADELPHIA, Miss. (AP) _ A judge on Monday denied a new trial for one time Ku Klux Klan leader Edgar Ray Killen, convicted last week of manslaughter for the 1964 killings of three civil rights workers. James McIntyre, one of Killen's attorneys, told Circuit Judge Marcus Gordon that the defense had not expected prosecutors to ask that jurors in the murder trial be given the option of a manslaughter conviction.

Court: File-Sharing Services May Be Sued

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Internet file-sharing services will be held responsible if they intend for their customers to use software primarily to swap songs and movies illegally, the Supreme Court ruled Monday, rejecting warnings that the lawsuits will stunt growth of cool tech gadgets such as the next iPod. The unanimous decision sends the case back to lower court, which had ruled in favor of file-sharing services Grokster Ltd. and StreamCast Networks Inc. on the grounds that the companies couldn't be sued. The justices said there was enough evidence of unlawful intent for the case to go to trial.

Medicare Won't Cover Some Anxiety Drugs

WASHINGTON (AP) _ When the federal government's new prescription drug benefit kicks in next year, it will not cover a category of drugs commonly used to treat anxiety, insomnia and seizures. That means those disabled and elderly people on Medicare who take Xanax, Valium, Ativan and other types of the drug benzodiazepine will have to look elsewhere for coverage or switch to a different, less addictive medication.

Oil Prices at Record Highs on Supply Fears

Oil futures traders react during early trading on the floor of the New York Mercantile Exchange, Monday June 27, 2005. Oil prices vaulted over the $60 mark Monday to trade at record highs amid concerns that supplies would not meet demand, especially in the United States, the world's largest energy consumer. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

VIENNA, Austria (AP) _ Oil prices vaulted over the $60 mark Monday to trade at record highs amid concerns that supplies would not meet demand, especially in the United States, the world's largest energy consumer. Analysts said with $60 a barrel no longer a threshold _ and amid continued concerns about refining capacities _ prices appeared set to go even higher.

Poll: Women Want Jessica Simpson's Hair

NEW YORK (AP) _ You want Jessica Simpson's hair, admit it. According to a new poll conducted by In Touch magazine, the singer and "Dukes of Hazzard" star has the hairstyle most women want. Simpson won out over former "Friends" star Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Alba of "Sin City" and "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" actress Angelina Jolie, who placed second, third and fourth, respectively.

Venus Avenges Family Defeat at Wimbledon

Vernus Williams, of the USA, returns to Jill Craybas, of the USA, at Wimbledon Monday, June 27, 2005. Williams won 6-0, 6-2. (AP Photo/Franka Bruns)

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) _ Two-time champion Venus Williams avenged a family defeat and advanced to the Wimbledon quarterfinals Monday by beating Jill Craybas 6-0, 6-2. Craybas upset Serena Williams in the third round, then returned less than 48 hours later to the same stage _ cozy Court 2, known as the Graveyard of Champions. This time Craybas lost the first six games and the last six.

Copyright 2005, AP News All Rights Reserved

X-ray tube

X-ray tube A device for generating X-rays by accelerating electrons to a high energy by an electrostatic field and making them strike a metal target either in a tube containing a low-pressure gas or, as in modern tubes, in a high vacuum. The target is made from a heavy metal, usually tungsten, and is backed by a massive metal anode to conduct the heat away (see illustration showing a liquid-cooled copper anode). The electron beam is produced by heating the cathode by means of a white-hot tungsten filament. A transformer supplies the high voltage, often 100 kV, the tube acting as its own rectifier. On the half-cycles when the target is negative nothing happens. When the target becomes positive, the electrons bombarding it generate X-rays.

adjusting entries

adjusting entries Entries made at a balance-sheet date under an accrual accounting system to ensure that the income and expenditure of the business concerned are included in the correct period. Examples of adjustments include those made for depreciation, prepayments, accruals, and closing stock (items that will not be sold until future periods).

Intel, HP, NEC, Dell announce availability of version 1.5 of Intelligent Platform Management Interface specification; New specification enables remote management access for Internet servers.

M2 PRESSWIRE-2 March 2001-INTEL: Intel, HP, NEC, Dell announce availability of version 1.5 of Intelligent Platform Management Interface specification; New specification enables remote management access for Internet servers (C)1994-2001 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

RDATE:01032001

INTEL DEVELOPER FORUM, SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Intel Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Company, NEC Corporation and Dell Computer Corporation today announced availability of version 1.5 of the Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) specification.

IPMI defines common interfaces to "intelligent" hardware used to monitor a server's physical health characteristics, such as temperature, voltage, fans, power supplies and chassis. These capabilities provide information that enables system management, recovery and asset tracking, which help drive down the total cost of ownership (TCO).

The new interfaces in IPMI 1.5 facilitate the management of rack-mounted Internet servers and systems in remote environments over serial, modem and LAN connections. IPMI 1.5 also includes new capabilities to automatically alert Information Technology (IT) managers of system errors and enable immediate system recovery. These new capabilities, combined with the remote management functionality, allow IT managers to manage their servers and systems, regardless of system health, power state or supported communication media.

IPMI 1.5 is backward compatible with version 1.0 and includes extensions to support existing and emerging standards such as the Desktop Management Task Force Alert Standard Forum, CompactPCI, SMBus 2.0 and proposed PCI Management Bus. IPMI 1.5 systems will be deployed in the second half of 2001.

"IPMI is becoming a widely accepted specification for server management, further increasing the availability and serviceability of Intel-based Internet servers," said Kirk Skaugen, director of Enterprise Platforms and Services marketing, Intel Architecture Group. "IPMI 1.5 gives system managers remote manageability functions that are always available for both routine and emergency operations within a standards-based framework."

Broad Industry Adoption

Since IPMI 1.0 was introduced in 1998, more than 70 companies representing a broad cross-section of the industry have adopted IPMI, including system and motherboard OEMs, silicon vendors, and embedded computer manufacturers. Several companies are also creating baseboard and peripheral management controllers for IPMI, including Agilent Technologies, QLogic Corporation, National Semiconductor, Vitesse Semiconductor and Winbond Electronics Corporation.

In addition, the vendors are including IPMI firmware and software development kits (SDKs) in their offerings. Moreover, the IBM-AIX and HP-UX operating systems are providing IPMI messaging support. For a complete list of IPMI adopters visit http://developer.intel.com/design/servers/ipmi/adopterlist.htm

IPMI adopters receive exclusive access to early versions of new specifications, tools, conformance test suite, reference driver and other materials that will assist them in their development. Implementation is royalty-free upon signing an adopter agreement, which is available on the IPMI web site.

For the released specifications and general IPMI information, visit http://developer.intel.com/design/servers/ipmi.

About IDF

The Intel Developer Forum is Intel's premier technical conference, featuring more than 250 sessions and hands-on labs, along with numerous demonstrations of cutting-edge products and technologies. Now in its fifth year, the semi-annual conference provides hardware original equipment manufacturers, and independent hardware and software vendors with in-depth information on Intel technologies and initiatives. Visit http://developer.intel.com/idf for more information, including on IDFs held outside the United States.

Subscribe to the Intel Developer Update Magazine at http://developer.intel.com/update for updated information throughout the year.

Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.

((M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data prepared 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)).

UUNET global IP backbone extends to Kingston TLI's UK teleport; Companies no longer have to go to the States to get backbone connectivity, says Kingston TLI.

M2 PRESSWIRE-23 May 2000-KINGSTON TLI: UUNET global IP backbone extends to Kingston TLI's UK teleport; Companies no longer have to go to the States to get backbone connectivity, says Kingston TLI (C)1994-2000 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

RDATE:22052000

The UK teleport of Kingston TLI -- the satellite arm of the Kingston Communications Group - is being 'hardwired' to the global backbone of UUNET, one of the world's leading Internet services communications companies.

As a result, companies worldwide can now be connected directly to UUNET's OC-48 US and STM-16 European backbones through its network extension, making Kingston TLI's Internet backbone connectivity in the UK equivalent to a direct US connection, according to Kris Miller, business development manager for Kingston TLI.

"Customers will now be able to connect directly to the UNNET core backbone in a single satellite hop," he said. "This means they will be able to take full advantage of Kingston TLI's packaged end-to-end IP solutions as well as its voice and data satellite services."

One of the UK's leading satellite service specialists providing global coverage, Kingston TLI has access to multiple satellites - including New Skies, Eutelsat and Intelsat - with major gateway earth stations. In fact, it has just tripled its earth station capacity for its IOR coverage of Asia, Africa and the Middle East to enable it to service the exploding demand for its IP connectivity solutions.

As Kris Miller points out, the extension of UUNET's global backbone will have two distinct advantages.

"Firstly, it will dramatically reduce the lead time for starting new IP circuits," he said. "Secondly, it will provide greater flexibility in response to customer requests for upgrades and IP bandwidth growth."

About Kingston TLI

Kingston TLI (www.kingston-tli.com) is a leading player in the UK satellite services market, offering a "one stop shop" for a wide range of communications needs. The company was formed following the acquisition of TLI (Teleport London International) by Kingston Communications (HULL) plc, parent company of Kingston Satellite Services.

With over 145 staff employed at three sites in London, Chalfont and Bedford, the company offers a combination of facilities, from TV production and fully engineered broadcast systems through to satellite distribution. Its aim is to be fast, responsible and flexible, providing customers with an independent and entrepreneurial approach to the satellite communications and broadcasting market.

CONTACT: Rosemary Barnes, Head of Marketing Tel: +44 (0)1494 878 396 e-mail: rosemary.barnes@kingston-tli.com Tracey Williams, PR Consultant Tel: +44 (0)122 57 44 752 e-mail: twpr@compuserve.com

((M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data prepared 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)).

Learn2.com Signs Contract with Acer to Provide Content for Asia's First Knowledge Portal.

Company to be Sole Provider of IT and Desktop Education Courses

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Nov. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Learn2.com (Nasdaq: LTWO), a leading provider of online learning solutions, today announced the signing of a contract with Acer Digital Services Group, a division of Acer Computers International, the world's third largest computer company. The contract calls for Learn2.com to provide content for Asia's first knowledge portal, 1to80.com. The newly launched site offers a wide spectrum of training, educational and leisure courses, providing a comprehensive suite of courses catered to the needs of corporations, and working and learning individuals. The initial launch will take place in Singapore, and the site roll-out will continue throughout China, Taiwan, and beyond.

Visitors to 1to80.com will have access to Learn2.com's extensive collection of online 2torials and Learnlets as well as the option to purchase any of Learn2.com's hundreds of online multimedia courses with topics including courses for Children, Finance, Desktop Applications, IT Skills, and Soft Skills.

"Learn2.com is pleased to have been chosen as a content partner for Asia's first knowledge portal," said Stephen P. Gott, President and CEO of Learn2.com. "As a premiere provider of individual and corporate online learning solutions, we are confident that our offerings will receive the same positive reviews in the international market that they've received here in the U.S."

"1to80.com teams up with leading content providers in various fields to offer best-in-class content to its members," said Ann Liu, President of

 1to80.com.  "By partnering with Learn2.com,  we provide  our  users  a  fun and interactive  learning  solution.  Widely   acknowledged  as  the  premier 

source of skills-based instruction on the web, we are certain that this partnership will provide users with an enriching learning experience."

About Learn2.com

Learn2.com, a leader in the creation and distribution of online advanced learning and training. The Learn2.com suite of products includes more than 1,100 off-the-shelf training titles, providing an engaging learning experience

 to  consumer  and  corporate customers   by  allowing  interactive  multimedia and   animated courseware  to  be accessed instantly on the Web.  These courses are  also  delivered  on  CD-ROM, LAN  and  video.   Learn2.com's 

Internet learning community offers consumers thousands of tips and step-by-

 step  instructions on a broad  spectrum  of  skills, activities   and   tasks, as  well  as  immediately   accessible multimedia consumer training courses 

and tutorials. Learn2University, a fully hosted and administered site, provides corporations with access to high quality multimedia tutorials, and custom presentations. The site includes additional features such as reporting and assessment. Learn2.com is located at www.learn2.com and Learn2University is located at www.learn2university.com.

About 1to80.com

1to80.com, the lifelong learning web site, is Asia's First Knowledge portal.

It fulfils all desire for learning anytime, anywhere, offering a wealth of educational and training content, as well as exciting and interactive web activities. Headquartered in Singapore, the company is managed by a team of fun and experienced Internet people dedicated to enrich its users' online learning experience. Additional information about 1to80.com can be found at http://www.1to80.com.