WA:Woodside says it will protect Bilbies

AAP General News (Australia)
08-09-2011
WA:Woodside says it will protect Bilbies

Woodside Petroleum says it will work to ensure no populations of Bilbies are harmed
during development of its proposed 30 billion dollar gas hub in the Kimberley.

The conservation group Environs Kimberley yesterday called on federal Environment Minister
TONY BURKE to step in and stop bulldozing at the site, 60 kilometres north of Broome,
after the discovery of Bilbies in the area.

Clearing work is underway at and around the James Price Point site so that geotechnical
studies can be carried out for the proposed joint venture gas precinct project led by
Woodside.

The company says it's keen to conduct further surveys to document any Bilby population
in the area, and ensure it isn't impacted by Woodside's proposed development.

AAP RTV ldj/af

KEYWORD: BROWSE BILBIES (PERTH)

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

NSW: More fireworks seized at Wallacia

AAP General News (Australia)
02-02-2006
NSW: More fireworks seized at Wallacia

SYDNEY, Feb 2 AAP - Five tonnes of illegal fireworks have been seized by police and
WorkCover at a rural property on Sydney's western outskirts.

The explosives were found in a shipping container at the Wallacia property yesterday,
WorkCover said.

It is the third seizure of illegal fireworks at Wallacia in the past month, after 25
tonnes of explosives were found in shipping containers at a rural address there in January.

A second raid at nearby premises netted more fireworks.

WorkCover spokesman Ian Eather said the fireworks found yesterday were believed to
be linked to those seized last month.

Mr Eather could not confirm whether anyone had been charged over the seizures, but
said investigations were continuing.

The fireworks would be removed from the site for destruction at a secure explosives
facility, WorkCover said.

AAP dcr/tam/cjh/de

KEYWORD: FIREWORKS

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

QLD:Drunk teacher made bomb threat: court

AAP General News (Australia)
04-13-2011
QLD:Drunk teacher made bomb threat: court

By Christine Flatley

BRISBANE, April 13 AAP - A high school teacher made a bomb threat against a popular
Brisbane pub after she was refused entry for being too drunk, a court has been told.

Rebecca Leigh James, 28, pleaded guilty in the Brisbane District Court on Wednesday
to making a bomb hoax at the Regatta Hotel, in Brisbane's inner-west, on October 23, 2009.

Prosecutor Katrina Overell said James and two others had tried to enter the pub about
11pm but were refused because they were too intoxicated.

The trio left for a nearby pub but only after James repeatedly abused security guards
at the Regatta Hotel, telling them to "get a real job".

As they walked to the next pub, James phoned staff at the Regatta and told them there
was a bomb in the hotel that would explode in 10 minutes.

She said she wanted to let them know so they could evacuate the building and then told
them: "Bombs will go off all over Toowong".

The court was told the duty manager spoke to security about the earlier incident and
determined the threat had likely been made by James.

He did not order the evacuation of the hotel but called police, who attended a short time later.

James was arrested when she returned to the Regatta after midnight to look for her
lost engagement ring.

The court was told James, a Japanese teacher who is currently doing relief work in
Toowoomba, was addicted to the sedative Xanax at the time.

Defence barrister Paul Smith said the drug, when combined with alcohol, clouded her
judgment and caused her to become angry.

He said she had since stopped using the drug and is seeking medical treatment.

Chief Judge Patsy Wolfe sentenced James to two and a half years' probation, and did
not record a conviction.

AAP cf/tnf/dep/de

KEYWORD: JAMES

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

What the Papers Say

AAP General News (Australia)
12-23-2010
What the Papers Say

Main stories in today's papers:



THE AUSTRALIAN:

- The ANZ Bank has sought court orders to block the ATO accessing the records of 13,000
customers, as part of a Vanuatu tax haven inquiry.

- The former mistress of Richard Pratt has lost a court battle over property worth
millions of dollars.



THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD:

- The ACCC will prosecute erectile dysfunction company AMI over questionable practices.

- Former prime minister Kevin Rudd has been criticised for his "hasty" Asia-Pacific
plan, according to WikiLeaks cables.

- People are taking a Masterchef approach to Christmas lunch this year.



THE AGE:

- East Timor's prime minister reportedly wants Australian troops to leave, saying the
country is capable of resolving its own problems.

- The first pill, designed to curb a person's urge to drink, is being tested in Europe.

- The ballooning powers and budgets of Australia's spy agencies will be investigated next year.



THE WEST AUSTRALIAN:

- The ex-WA prosecutor LLoyd Rayney has walked free from court, after being bailed
on charges over the 2007 murder of his wife.

- Lead sulphide has been detected at eight times the allowable level in the port of Geraldton.



THE BRISBANE COURIER MAIL:

- 119 PNG protesters have been detained in Queensland, after a risky journey in 11
dinghies across the Torres Strait

- Tropical Queensland is on high alert for flash flooding and mudslides, with a 500mm
downpour predicted along the entire coast.



THE ADELAIDE ADVERTISER:

- The Adelaide Hills Blackwood Hospital will close tomorrow after 56 years, leaving
100 staff without jobs.

- More than 21,000 SA probationary and learner drivers have lost their licences over
the past four years.



THE HOBART MERCURY:

- Scientists have revealed Hobart moved six millimetres after an earthquake several
years ago off Macquarie Island.

- There's confusion over a decision by Environment Minister Tony Burke to give heritage
listing to an aboriginal site near the Jordan River.



THE CANBERRA TIMES:

- The Commonwealth and two former police officers have been accused of torturing and
abusing eight people, sprayed in 2006 with capsicum foam in the city watchhouse.

- The massive cleanup of Lake Burley Griffin after flooding is expected to take months
and cost millions of dollars.



THE NORTHERN TERRITORY NEWS:

- A hoax caller is targeting families of Australian soldiers in Afghanistan with claims
their loved ones have been wounded.

- Two elite RAAF pilots, who fly with Julia Gillard, have been suspended after drunken behaviour.



AAP RTV ajw/

KEYWORD: MONITOR PAPERS (SYDNEY)

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

QLD:Man admits to killing and torching woman

AAP General News (Australia)
08-16-2010
QLD:Man admits to killing and torching woman

A man has pleaded guilty to stabbing a woman to death .. then torching her Gold Coast unit.

51-year-old PETER PAPAS from Robina has entered guilty pleas to charges of murder and
arson .. on what was supposed to be the first day of his trial in the Supreme Court in
Brisbane.

He's been in custody since June 8 .. 2006 .. the day after 32-year-old Korean national
SO RA MOON was found dead in a burnt-out Broadbeach unit.

She'd been stabbed 24 times.

PAPAS will be sentenced this afternoon ... the charge of murder carries an automatic
life sentence in Queensland.

AAP RTV cf/tnf/jmt

KEYWORD: PAPAS (BRISBANE)

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

NSW: Gay murder accused "blase" about HIV, court told

AAP General News (Australia)
04-07-2010
NSW: Gay murder accused "blase" about HIV, court told

By Katelyn Catanzariti

SYDNEY, April 7 AAP - A self-confessed promiscuous gay man says he was blase about
contracting the HIV virus in 1991, so it could not have been his motive for murdering
Felipe Flores.

Mr Flores' bruised and battered body was found on grassland near an area of inner Sydney
known as a "lover's lane" less than an hour after leaving an Oxford Street bar in the
early morning of September 2, 1991.

The 27-year-old from Ecuador had been punched, kicked and stomped on, the NSW Supreme
court has heard.

His face bore the impression of a shoe and his liver was almost split in two.

DNA tests in 2008 linked dirt found under Mr Flores' fingernails and on his shirt to
Paul Darcey Armstrong, who has been charged with his murder.

Armstrong, now 47, admits he may have had "sexual contact" with Mr Flores but he denies
leaving The Exchange Hotel with him, or murdering him.

At his trial, crown prosecutor Margaret Cunneen submitted Armstrong had flown into
a rage once he discovered Mr Flores was HIV positive.

"(Perhaps) something was said about (Mr Flores') HIV status ... which animated the
accused to this violence which brought about the death of Mr Flores," she put to the jury
previously.

Armstrong's boyfriend at the time - formerly Stephan Webber, now transsexual Jacinta
Webber - said Armstrong had demanded they undergo HIV tests before having unprotected
sex because contracting the virus was his "biggest fear".

Armstrong has denied this.

"I wasn't afraid of HIV ... there's a risk with everything," he told the jury on Tuesday,
adding that he was "blase back then".

Armstrong, who has since contracted the virus, said at the time of the alleged offence
he was a "promiscuous male" who often had sex with more than one man in a night out.

"I made myself readily available to other homosexuals," he said.

Friends of Mr Flores described him being very proud and excited to be leaving with
a very tall, white man who matched Armstrong's description.

In her closing address to the jury on Wednesday, Ms Cunneen said the crown case was
"very strong".

"This is murder, plain and simple," she said.

"A terribly savage beating by a very large man on a much smaller man who was very restricted
(from) defending himself in the circumstances."

There was evidence of the tight time frame between Mr Flores' departure from the bar
and the discovery of his body, the description of Armstrong and his car and the DNA that
linked him to the scene, she said.

Then there was the admission he made to his partner within weeks of the attack, she added.

Ms Webber had told the court previously: "(He said) he had hurt somebody pretty badly
in the area, but when he had left he was still alive."

Ms Cunneen said it showed Armstrong had become "too cocky", thinking he'd gotten away
with murder.

"The accused couldn't help himself ... he couldn't help but boast," the prosecutor said.

Ms Cunneen invited the jury to go over the tapes of his 2008 police interview and observe
Armstrong's body language.

"Watch the accused's eyes - watch how he blinks when he mentions The Exchange Hotel
and when he's asked about cars," she said.

"He gets more and more worried about the facts that are being presented to him ...

"This is a man ... who knows very, very well that he killed Felipe Flores - he's had
it in his mind ever since."

Armstrong's barrister Andrew Haesler SC will begin his closing address on Thursday.

AAP kc/klm/tr/apm

KEYWORD: ARMSTRONG

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

NSW: Kangaroos among biggest animal killers on roads

AAP General News (Australia)
08-25-2009
NSW: Kangaroos among biggest animal killers on roads

By Britt Smith

SYDNEY, Aug 25 AAP - Kangaroos and wallabies are the biggest killers on NSW roads when
it comes to animal-related car crashes, a new study has found.

More than 1,700 people were injured and 22 were killed in road accidents involving
wildlife, cattle and pets between 1996 and 2005.

About 5,000 incidents in which drivers either hit or swerved to avoid animals were
recorded in the state during the 10-year period.

The University of NSW study found kangaroos and wallabies were the most likely species
to be involved in crashes resulting in human death or injury.

Straying stock, dogs and horses ranked in second place.

Wombats, emus, cats, rabbits and farmer-led stock also featured in the NSW accident
database, analysed by Dr Daniel Ramp and doctoral student Erin Roger.

On average, the accidents resulted in two deaths a year.

But Dr Ramp said the actual road toll was likely to be much higher than reported.

"Often drivers swerve to miss animals only to hit roadside obstacles, such as trees
or poles or oncoming vehicles," he said.

The study, which is one of only a few of its kind, revealed crashes were significantly
more likely to happen at weekends and twice as likely to happen in the colder months,
from April to August.

The majority occurred on dry roads in fine weather between dusk and dawn, with the
peak period being between 6pm and 7pm.

Dr Ramp said the major hotspots were along the Hume, Barton and Federal highways, with
peaks around major intersections such as exits to Canberra and Yass.

Dubbo, Newcastle and Byron Bay also ranked highly.

For dogs, the foothills of the Blue Mountains accounted for the majority of crashes,
the study found.

Dr Ramp said previous studies investigating driver behaviour and attitudes to accidents
involving animals were minimal.

"Nonetheless, it is known that drivers can affectively reduce the likelihood of animal-vehicle
crashes by reducing their driving speed and remaining alert while driving through areas
where animals are more abundant," he said.

AAP bzs/hn/dep

KEYWORD: KANGAROO

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

Vic: Barbaro accused of conspiracy to murder

AAP General News (Australia)
04-16-2009
Vic: Barbaro accused of conspiracy to murder

Accused drug king pin PASQUALE BARBARO is expected to be charged in Melbourne over
two murder plots.

Taskforce Purana detectives have been granted permission in the Melbourne Magistrates
Court to question 47-year-old BARBARO of Griffith in New South Wales.

He's expected to be charged this afternoon.

Detective Acting Sergeant DANIEL BAULCH told the court BARBARO had been conspiring
with others to murder FEDELE D'AMICO .. who he held responsible for failed drug importations.

And police allege BARBARO and others conspired to murder a second man .. whose identify
hasn't been established.

BARBARO already faces drug charges .. including the laundering of 7.4 million dollars
from drug sales .. and importing 150 kilograms of cocaine.

He was allegedly involved in a global operation that shipped 4.5 tonnes of ecstasy
into Melbourne in tomato tins.

AAP RTV mi/gfr/rt

KEYWORD: BARBARO (MELBOURNE)

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

NSW: Bra boy returns to Sydney after US jail stint

AAP General News (Australia)
12-10-2008
NSW: Bra boy returns to Sydney after US jail stint

SYDNEY, Dec 10 AAP - Professional surfer and Bra Boy gang leader Koby Abberton has
returned to Australia after two separate stints behind bars in the US.

Abberton landed at Sydney airport on a flight from Honolulu, Hawaii, just after 4pm
(AEDT) on Wednesday.

He was returned to Australia by US authorities after being arrested at Honolulu International
Airport last Thursday on a visa violation relating to his recent assault conviction in
the island state.

The 30-year-old was greeted by other Bra Boy members as he walked into the arrivals
hall, hugging and back slapping them before leaving the terminal and heading for the taxi
rank.

He refused to comment on his jail time and subsequent removal from Hawaii.

On November 20, the Maroubra resident was sentenced to three days jail for assaulting
off-duty police officer Richard Puu outside a Honolulu nightclub in March.

Abberton entered a no contest plea to the third degree assault charge and was released
from custody after two days, but when he appeared at Honolulu airport on Thursday US immigration
officers took him into custody.

They said the assault charge conviction contravened the visa waiver program Abberton
and most Australian travellers to the US agree to abide by.

The professional surfer's lawyers had complained to the media that he was being held
in solitary confinement at Honolulu's Federal Detention Centre and suffered a dislocated
elbow in an altercation during his arrest and was not fed for 24 hours.

However, US authorities said he was held in a cell by himself for his own safety and
for the safety of others, as he had a history of violence.

The authorities also said the elbow injury was a month old, and happened innocently
during the ride from the airport to the jail.

Abberton and his brothers received worldwide notoriety this year with the global release
of their documentary Bra Boys which featured Oscar winner Russell Crowe as narrator.

The film focused on their violent upbringing on Sydney's Maroubra Beach, and their gang.

AAP kd/bd/hn/nf

KEYWORD: ABBERTON (PIX AVAILABLE)

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

Fed: Discrimination complaint over grocery price watch website

AAP General News (Australia)
08-07-2008
Fed: Discrimination complaint over grocery price watch website

BRISBANE, Aug 7 AAP - A disabled Brisbane man has lodged an official complaint against
the federal government's new grocery price watch website, claiming the Australian Competition
and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is in breach of the Disability Discrimination Act.

Les Kerr, 53, of the suburb of Wooloowin, is vision and mobility impaired and says
the GROCERYchoice website is inaccessible.

His complaint is about the difficulty in using the website.

"I have lodged a formal Disability Discrimination complaint against the federal government's
new GROCERYchoice website, www.grocerychoice.gov.au," he said.

"This website has been poorly designed for disabled accessibility and is in direct
breach of the federal government's own Disability Discrimination Act.

"That website should be a great benefit to people like me," he told AAP.

"As most disabled people are on pensions and money is always an issue, this website
had the potential to be of great assistance to us if it had been designed correctly.

"The federal government has no excuse for the site not being accessible.

"It appears that the site was put together in a hurry with little thought of allowing
disabled people access and most certainly was not tested by disabled people before it
came online as any good website should be."

Mr Kerr said the website failed the most basic level of the acceptable International
Standards for Website Accessibility, the W3Cs WCAG 1.0 guidelines.

"Disabled people are once again put in a situation where able-bodied people are deciding
what disabled people can or can't access on the internet," he said.

In his complaint against the ACCC lodged with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity
Commission, Mr Kerr lists 18 causes for complaint.

"It's very easy to make an accessible website," he said.

"I'm sick and tired of taking 30 times longer to find my way around a website than
an able-bodied person can whip around.

"It's the one place where able-bodied and disabled people should be equal," he told AAP.

"I accept that I can't read newspapers anymore ... but at least if websites are designed
properly I can read a newspaper on the internet."

Mr Kerr, who has a degenerative illness, said he was contemplating further complaint's
against the government's websites which he says do not comply with the Act.

AAP stg/cjh/cdh

KEYWORD: GROCERY COMPLAINT

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

WA: Cheers for Rudd but hostility for Nelson in Perth =2

AAP General News (Australia)
02-13-2008
WA: Cheers for Rudd but hostility for Nelson in Perth =2

Organisers in Perth said the broadcast was cut short because of the hostile response
to Dr Nelson.

"The people spoke for themselves by clapping it out," said Jim Morrison, chair of the
bringing them home committee.

AAP lk/sp

KEYWORD: SORRY WA LEAD 2 PERTH (REOPENS)

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

AAP long-term news diary for August 27 - September 25 =4

AAP General News (Australia)
08-26-2007
AAP long-term news diary for August 27 - September 25 =4



MONDAY SEPTEMBER 17



ADELAIDE:



BRISBANE:



CANBERRA:



DARWIN:



HOBART:



MELBOURNE:

RENEWABLE ENERGY & REGIONAL AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE

September 17-18, 2007

Bendigo.

Creating local economic development opportunities. Conference to outline big future
for renewable energy in regional areas.

Contact: Prof John Martin 03 5444 7804, Cr Keith Reynard 0428 581 192, Genevieve Barlow
0427 762633

Website: www.renewableenergyconference.com.au



SYDNEY:

NATIONAL DEMENTIA RESEARCH FORUM

Sydney Masonic Centre

Contact: Mark Warren 02 8875 4674, 0414 617 806

Website: www.alzheimers.org.au

AUSTRALIA CELEBRATES 60 YEARS INVOLVEMENT WITH PEACEKEEPING

ANZAC Memorial, Hyde Park

Prof M Bashir will attend

Phone: (02) 9436 1118

Email: prmatthe@doddo.com.au

ITALIAN FOOD FESTIVAL

September 17-29, 2007

The Grace Hotel, 77 York St, Sydney.

Contact: (02) 9272 6888

Email: gracehotel@gracehotel.com.au

Website: www.gracehotel.com.au



RUGBY WORLD CUP

France, Wales, Scotland

September 7 - October 20, 2007

TWENTY20 CRICKET WORLD CUP

September 11-24, 2007

South Africa.



PERTH:



TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 18



ADELAIDE:



BRISBANE:



CANBERRA:



DARWIN:



HOBART:



MELBOURNE:

UNDERSTANDASCOPE PUBLIC FORUM SERIES: LIFE THE UNIVERSE & EVERYTHING (LUE)

BMW Edge Theatre, Federation Square

The Understandascope, a collaboration between Swinburne University of Technology and
Monash University forum.

Contact: Frank Fisher 0428 862693.

RENEWABLE ENERGY & REGIONAL AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE

September 17-18, 2007

Bendigo.

Creating local economic development opportunities. Conference to outline big future
for renewable energy in regional areas.

Contact: Prof John Martin 03 5444 7804, Cr Keith Reynard 0428 581 192, Genevieve Barlow
0427 762633

Website: www.renewableenergyconference.com.au

2007 ARA (AUSTRALIAN RETAILER'S ASSOCIATION) & CITY OF MELBOURNE LORD MAYOR'S INNOVATION
AWARD WINNER ANNOUNCED.

Crown Palladium, Melbourne

Announcement of Lord Mayor's Innovation Award winner to be made at the Immerse Yourself
in Retail Awards Ceremony and gala dinner.

Contact: Mandy Higgis 0410 477 935, Melissa Wilson 0421 473 211

PROPERTY COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA DIVISION BREAKFAST

ANZ Pavillion, The Arts Centre, 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne

Melbourne Airport's Commercial Development with Chris Woodruff, chief executive officer
Melbourne Airport.

Contact: Libby Davis 03 9650 8300

Website: www.propertyoz.com.au



SYDNEY:

ASIA SOCIETY AUSTRAL/ASIA CENTRE LUNCHEON

Perth Room, Level 3, Sofitel Wentworth Sydney, Phillip Street, Sydney

CEO Asia update luncheon with guest speaker Glenn Stevens, Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia.

Contact: 03 9650 0998



RUGBY WORLD CUP

France, Wales, Scotland

September 7 - October 20, 2007

TWENTY20 CRICKET WORLD CUP

September 11-24, 2007

South Africa.



PERTH:



WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 19



ADELAIDE:



BRISBANE:



CANBERRA:



DARWIN:



HOBART:



MELBOURNE:

THE AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARINGS INTO THE PRICE OF
UNLEADED PETROL

Melbourne

Contact: Graeme Samuel 03 9290 1812, 0408 335 555, Lin Enright 02 6243 1108, 0414 613 520

Website: www.accc.gov.au

CEDA LUNCHEON: TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE SERIES

Zinc @ Federation Square, Melbourne

Howard Ronaldson, the Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure, to address Committee
for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) event on `Transport Infrastructure for Victoria
- The Challenges.'

Contact: Zoe Croker 03 9652 8410

Email: zoe.croker@ceda.com.au



SYDNEY:

GIDEON HAIGH TO GIVE LECTURE ON PREJUDICE

Guests include Ramonda Koval and David Malouf

Australian Hall, Sydney.

Contact: (02) 8302 2918

Email: nathan.m@mollison.com

INTERNATIONAL FOOD SAFETY CONFERENCE

September 19-21, 2007

Sydney Exhibition and Convention Centre, Darling Harbour.

Contact: (02) 6271 2620 or 0401 714 265

Email: lydia.buchtmann@foodstandards.gov.au

SYDNEY INSTITUTE TALK BY DR ALISON BROINOWSKI AND DR ALAN DUPONT

Corrs Chambers Westgarth, Level 32, Governoe Phillip Tower, 1 Farrer Pl, Sydney.

Contact: (02) 9252 3366

Email: mail@thesydneyinstitute.com.au

Website: www.thesydneyinstitute.com.au



RUGBY WORLD CUP

France, Wales, Scotland

September 7 - October 20, 2007

TWENTY20 CRICKET WORLD CUP

September 11-24, 2007

South Africa.

NBL AUSTRALIAN BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP BEGINS



PERTH:



THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 20



ADELAIDE:



BRISBANE:



CANBERRA:



DARWIN:



HOBART:



MELBOURNE:

AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARINGS INTO THE PRICE OF UNLEADED PETROL

Melbourne

Contact: Graeme Samuel 03 9290 1812, 0408 335 555, Lin Enright 02 6243 1108, 0414 613 520

Website: www.accc.gov.au



SYDNEY:

THE GREENS' ANNUAL BAD DEVELOPER AWARDS

Teachers Club, 33 Mary St, Surry Hills, Sydney

Categories include: The Golden Toaster Award for crimes against amenity and the worst council.

Contact: (02) 9230 3030 or 0437 779 546

Website: www.sylviahale.org.au

INTERNATIONAL FOOD SAFETY CONFERENCE

September 19-21, 2007

Sydney Exhibition and Convention Centre, Darling Harbour.

Contact: (02) 6271 2620

Email: lydia.buchtmann@foodstandards.gov.au



RUGBY WORLD CUP

France, Wales, Scotland

September 7 - October 20, 2007

TWENTY20 CRICKET WORLD CUP

September 11-24, 2007

South Africa.



PERTH:



FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 21



ADELAIDE:



BRISBANE:



CANBERRA:



DARWIN:



HOBART:



MELBOURNE:

WORLD ALZHEIMER'S DAY PUBLIC EVENT

National Gallery of Victoria, St Kilda Road

Contact: Mark Warren 02 8875 4674, 0414 617 806

Website: www.alzheimers.org.au

THE AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARINGS INTO THE PRICE OF
UNLEADED PETROL

Ballarat

Contact: Graeme Samuel 03 9290 1812, 0408 335 555, Lin Enright 02 6243 1108, 0414 613 520

Website: www.accc.gov.au



SYDNEY:

INTERNATIONAL FOOD SAFETY CONFERENCE

September 19-21, 2007

Sydney Exhibition and Convention Centre, Darling Harbour.

Contact: (02) 6271 2620

Email: lydia.buchtmann@foodstandards.gov.au



RUGBY WORLD CUP

France, Wales, Scotland

September 7 - October 20, 2007

TWENTY20 CRICKET WORLD CUP

September 11-24, 2007

South Africa.

DAVIS CUP WORLD GROUP PLAYOFF: AUSTRALIA V SERBIA

September 21-23, 2007

BELGRADE

NRL PRELIMINARY FINALS

September 21-23, 2007

AFL PRELIMINARY FINALS

September 21-23, 2007



PERTH:



SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 22



ADELAIDE:



BRISBANE:



CANBERRA:



DARWIN:



HOBART:



MELBOURNE:



SYDNEY:

RUGBY WORLD CUP

France, Wales, Scotland

September 7 - October 20, 2007

TWENTY20 CRICKET WORLD CUP

September 11-24, 2007

South Africa.

DAVIS CUP WORLD GROUP PLAYOFF: AUSTRALIA V SERBIA

September 21-23, 2007

BELGRADE

NRL PRELIMINARY FINALS

September 21-23, 2007

AFL PRELIMINARY FINALS

September 21-23, 2007



PERTH:



SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 23



ADELAIDE:



BRISBANE:



CANBERRA:



DARWIN:



HOBART:



MELBOURNE:



SYDNEY:

SYDNEY RUNNING FESTIVAL

Sydney City

Phone: (02) 9954 7677 or 0414 673 762 or 0403 834 504

Website: www.runthebridge.com.au



RUGBY WORLD CUP

France, Wales, Scotland

September 7 - October 20, 2007

TWENTY20 CRICKET WORLD CUP

September 11-24, 2007

South Africa.

DAVIS CUP WORLD GROUP PLAYOFF: AUSTRALIA V SERBIA

September 21-23, 2007

BELGRADE

NRL PRELIMINARY FINALS

September 21-23, 2007

AFL PRELIMINARY FINALS

September 21-23, 2007

SYDNEY MARATHON



PERTH:



MONDAY SEPTEMBER 24



ADELAIDE:



BRISBANE:



CANBERRA:



DARWIN:



HOBART:



MELBOURNE:

AFL BROWNLOW MEDAL



SYDNEY:

RUGBY WORLD CUP

France, Wales, Scotland

September 7 - October 20, 2007

TWENTY20 CRICKET WORLD CUP

September 11-24, 2007

South Africa.



PERTH:



TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 25



ADELAIDE:



BRISBANE:



CANBERRA:



DARWIN:



HOBART:



MELBOURNE:



SYDNEY:

LIVE GREEN EVENT

How to live in a sustainable environment

Victoria Park, Cnr City Rd and Broadway, Camperdown.

Website: www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/livegreen

Contact: (02) 9265 9553.

RUGBY WORLD CUP

France, Wales, Scotland

September 7 - October 20, 2007



PERTH:



AAP szp

KEYWORD: DIARY 30DAY 4 (AUG 27 - SEP 25)

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

NSW: Della Bosca wants overhaul of schools maintenance funding

AAP General News (Australia)
04-12-2007
NSW: Della Bosca wants overhaul of schools maintenance funding

EDS: Embargoed until 0001 AEST, Thursday, April 12



SYDNEY, April 12 AAP - NSW Education Minister John Della Bosca says he will be seeking
an overhaul of the commonwealth's school maintenance and capital works grants scheme when
he meets his federal counterpart in Darwin today.

Mr Della Bosca, who will be attending his first Ministerial Council for Education,
Employment, Training and Youth Affairs meeting since assuming his new portfolio earlier
this month, said the federal Investing in Our Schools Program was not being targeted at
the schools that needed it most.

Disadvantaged school communities that needed help with upgrading their facilities were
missing out, he said.

There was growing evidence, he said, that the scheme was being administered for political gain.

"Almost two thirds of funds for the first two rounds of the scheme were channelled
into coalition seats as part of political game playing," Mr Della Bosca said.

The average funding for coalition electorates in the first round of funding was $780,895
while for Labor it was $489,392, a difference of 160 per cent, he said.

"The trend was the same for the second round," Mr Della Bosca said.

The minister criticised the decision by the commonwealth to slash the maximum amount
public schools can apply for through the program from $150,000 to $100,000.

He accused the federal government of using the scheme as a "political slush fund" and
suggested an annual block of funds be provided to state governments to administer.

This was the way the program was applied to Catholic (private) schools, he said.

"Also the scheme does not take into account how old schools are, whether they are located
in disadvantaged areas and what other upgrades or maintenance programs they or are benefiting
from," Mr Della Bosca said.

AAP sk/srp/mn

KEYWORD: SCHOOLS NSW (EMBARGOED)

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

Highlights of the AAP National Wire at 2030 = 2

AAP General News (Australia)
12-10-2006
Highlights of the AAP National Wire at 2030 = 2

CANBERRA - Prime Minister John Howard says the federal government has no plans to increase
Australia's military involvement in Iraq. (Iraq Howard)

CANBERRA - Prime Minister John Howard has refused to be drawn on the likelihood of
his announcing a cabinet reshuffle before the end of the year. (Reshuffle)

CANBERRA - An armed patrol boat capable of detaining 30 illegal fishermen for up to
a month will begin patrolling Australia's fishing zone early next year. (Ship)

DILI - East Timor's government has banned exit visas to Syria amid concerns a vice
syndicate is trafficking women into prostitution in the Middle East. (Timor Traffickers)

SYDNEY - Doctors from the emergency NRMA CareFlight rescue service have threatened
not to work under the Canadian company hired to take control of the helicopter unit next
year because of safety concerns. (Rescue Nightlead)

SYDNEY - Tucking into a steak dinner could soon become a lot more expensive as the
drought tightens its grip on NSW and hits meat supplies. (Drought NSW Nightlead)

SYDNEY - It was a summer's day just like any other at Cronulla beach today, as the
anniversary of the racially fuelled riot that tore through the southern Sydney suburb
passed without incident. (Surf Nightlead)

SYDNEY - Young people in NSW want sex education to include more advice on dealing with
intimate relationships, a new study has found. (Sex)

SYDNEY - A man accused of murdering a baby has been refused bail in Sydney today. (Baby)

SYDNEY - A controversial injecting room for drug addicts in Sydney is saving lives
and will not be shut down, NSW Police Minister John Watkins says. (Inject)

SYDNEY - Antarctica came to Sydney today as film fans were given their first sneak
peek of Australian director George Miller's animated movie hit, Happy Feet. (Feet. Pics
available)

MELBOURNE - Victorian product safety inspectors have seized more than 31,000 dangerous
toys as part of their pre-Christmas checks. (Toys)

MELBOURNE - An eight-year-old boy has drowned in Port Phillip Bay, despite rescue attempts
from two bystanders and lifesavers. (Drowning)



MELBOURNE - The Australian sharemarket is likely to open higher tomorrow, after a modest
rise on United States markets on Friday. (Market Preview)

MELBOURNE - The Business Council of Australia (BCA) has called for new reforms of corporate
tax levels, saying the benefits of the last round of tax reforms had been eroded. (Tax
BCA. Eds: Embargoed until 0100 AEDT, Monday, Dec 11)

BRISBANE - The Queensland government has set up a task force to try to curb the devastating
impact of the designer drug ice. (Ice)

BRISBANE - Half of all deaths annually in Queensland are potentially avoidable, a study
into Queenslanders' health has found. (Health Qld)

BRISBANE - The Queensland government will carry out a statewide review of all schools
on major roads with split campuses after a 13-year-old girl was killed by a car outside
her high school. (Chase Nightlead)

BRISBANE - Queensland Premier Peter Beattie has condemned the "idiots" who torched
three Brisbane schools, warning others not to copy their "stupid behaviour". (Schools)

BRISBANE - Police say they are appalled almost 400 motorists have been caught drink
driving during a major crackdown in Brisbane in the lead-up to Christmas. (Drink Qld)

BRISBANE - Australian men would be prepared to go without sex to win back cricket's
coveted Ashes, a survey has found. (Ashes Survey)

BRISBANE - Queensland Premier Peter Beattie hopes residents will accept a proposal
to add recycled water to their drinking supplies after a poll found strong support for
the measure. (Water Qld)

PERTH - The West Australian government will reconsider the repatriation of Perth heroin
trafficker Holly Deane-Johns from a Thai jail if new information can support the move.

(Deanejohns)

PERTH - A controversial curfew imposed on youths in Perth's entertainment precinct
may be widened to take in surrounding areas. (Curfew)

PERTH - The West Australian government will trial cutting-edge technology in an effort
to eradicate acidic sludge thought to be killing fish in Perth's iconic Swan River. (Sludge)

ADELAIDE - The federal government's Drought Bus will tour regional South Australia
this week to raise awareness of drought support services and payments. (Drought SA)

AAP br

KEYWORD: HIGHLIGHTS NATIONAL (UPDATE) 2 SYDNEY

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

Vic: Woman wants apology from AFL player over alleged slap

AAP General News (Australia)
08-03-2006
Vic: Woman wants apology from AFL player over alleged slap

By Mariza Fiamengo

MELBOURNE, Aug 3 AAP - A woman who alleges she was slapped on the face by an AFL footballer
wants him to apologise over the incident, a Melbourne court heard today.

Carlton midfielder Heath Scotland, 25, is accused of slapping the woman after a verbal
altercation at The Next Blue nightclub in the Crown Casino complex on May 1 last year.

Scotland, who is charged with recklessly causing injury, was not at the Melbourne Magistrates'
Court for today's hearing.

Police prosecutor, Leading Senior Constable Cameron Cunningham, told the court that
the victim would be satisfied with an apology from Scotland.

"It appears that is what the victim is after more than anything," he said.

He said that after discussions with Scotland's lawyer, it was agreed that dealing with
the matter as part of a diversion program for lesser offences would be appropriate.

"It (the incident) is now seen as slightly minor as far as assault goes," Leading Sen
Const Cunningham said.

The diversion program can involve some community work or a letter of apology to the victim.

The program covers lesser crimes and is designed for first-time offenders who are willing
to plead guilty.

The court heard a verbal altercation between Scotland, of Thornbury, and the woman
began inside the nightclub sometime between 1.30am and 2.30am.

Police allege Scotland flicked his drink at the victim. When she attempted to push
him away, he struck the right side of her face with the back of his hand, the court was
told.

Scotland's lawyer Bernie Balmer previously told the court his client, who has not entered
a plea yet, disputed the police's version of events.

Today, he told the court his client met the woman in the male toilet in the venue that
night and there was a history between them.

"My client certainly wants to get this matter out of his life," he said.

He told the court he advised his client not to attend today because of the media.

Outside the court, Mr Balmer said the footballer had met the woman briefly previous
to the nightclub incident.

When asked if Scotland was prepared to apologise he replied: "Maybe, it depends on
whether it is a matter appropriate for diversion.

"It's still got to be considered and accepted and its not cast in stone yet," he said.

Magistrate Ian Gray adjourned the matter until September 18 to assess its suitability
for a diversion program.

AAP mf/gfr/jlw

KEYWORD: SCOTLAND

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

Fed: Rau-like case lesson to department and police

AAP General News (Australia)
02-13-2006
Fed: Rau-like case lesson to department and police
PARLY 012

CANBERRA, Feb 13 AAP - A new case of wrongful detention of a mentally ill person would
provide lessons to both the immigration department and police, a Senate committee heard
today.

Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone had earlier told a newspaper that the case involving
a person with mental illness was one of 220 of possible wrongful detention being investigated
by the ombudsman.

She said she was asked by a reporter if she was aware if any of the 200 cases were
similar to the Cornelia Rau case.

Ms Rau, a mentally ill Australian resident, was wrongfully detained for 10 months,
before her identity was discovered last March.

Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs secretary Andrew Metcalfe today
told the Legal and Constitutional Senate Estimates Committee that the person involved
in the new case was not removed from Australia.

He said the case would provide lessons to his department and the police about handling
mentally ill people.

"It is a case which does raise significant concerns," he said.

"It's an issue which goes to significant concerns as to establishing identity and I
think as the minister has indicated it has important lessons both for us as well as the
police.

"There are mental health issues associated with the individual."

Mr Metcalfe said he would not comment on the gender of the person.

He said the department was currently trying to establish a mental health screening
process when people enter detention.

"It is a troubling case and it clearly throws up that large organisations such as ourselves,
such as the police, in confronting people with a history of mental illness, recognising

those issues, particular people who may come from other cultures, that there are some
very serious issues," he said.

"We've heard at length this morning about the work the department is doing in relation
to mental health reform and trying to introduce screening right at the beginning of processes
to try to ensure that we do in fact identify people who are of concern."

Senator Vanstone told the committee the case came to her attention when she asked her
department to pass on any cases to the ombudsman of people who were released from detention
because they were later found to be lawful residents.

"I asked the department to very quickly pick up the rug and see where else could something
like this possibly have happened and the only indicator available to us is one that we
implemented apparently in the year 2000 called `released later found lawful' because that's
what happened to Cornelia Rau," she said.

"And they went back and picked out all the cases that fitted into that category and
I said all of them should be looked at."

The committee was told that DIMA is now talking to the ombudsman about another 27 cases
but they have not been formally passed on for investigation.

AAP klw/sb

KEYWORD: DETENTION

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

Over 50 percent of Japanese say they will vote for ruling party: survey

AP Worldstream
09-03-2005
Dateline: TOKYO
About half of Japanese voters say they plan to vote for the country's ruling party in parliamentary elections this month, which would give Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi a wide lead over his main rival, a newspaper poll showed Saturday.

The poll by the nationwide Nihon Keizai economic newspaper, however, showed support for Koizumi's plan to privatize the nation's postal system was slipping ahead of the Sept. 11 ballot for the 480-seat lower house.

The poll, conducted Aug. 31-Sept. 2, showed 54 percent of respondents _ up 2 percentage points from a poll the previous week _ said they would vote for ruling Liberal Democratic Party candidates for the 300 seats in which voters cast ballots for individual candidates, compared to 33 percent who said they supported the largest opposition party, the Democratic Party of Japan.

For the 180 proportional representation seats, in which voters cast ballots for parties rather than candidates, 53 percent of respondents said they plan to vote for the LDP, followed by 30 percent who favored the Democrats, the poll said.

But support for Koizumi's postal reforms slipped from 54 percent to 50 percent.

The LDP has kept a comfortable lead over the DPJ in recent polls since the nation's upper house rejected Koizumi's plan to privatize Japan's massive postal and savings system. Koizumi dissolved the lower house on Aug. 8 and called elections.

In a separate survey published Saturday by the Yomiuri newspaper, nearly 40 percent of respondents supported the LDP for both individual and proportional seats, beating the Democrats, who were supported by about 20 percent.

However, the Yomiuri poll found that support for the Democrats was rising, leading to a possible closer contest.

The Nihon Keizai survey, conducted by Internet, received valid responses from 792 people. The Yomiuri poll was conducted by phone Aug. 31 to Sept. 2, with 1,052 people responding. Neither survey provided a margin of error.

Copyright 2005, AP News All Rights Reserved

Vic: MP refuses to comment on any break-in links to allegations

AAP General News (Australia)
04-27-2005
Vic: MP refuses to comment on any break-in links to allegations

A Victorian MP whose electorate office was broken into won't say whether laptop stolen
contained information on corruption allegations he recently made.

Templestowe Province MP BILL FORWOOD says a brick was thrown through the front window
of his office in Burgundy Street at Heidelberg early today.

A bluestone block was thrown through the window of his private office at the same address.

Last week Mr FORWOOD told the state upper house he'd passed on to police Chief Commissioner
CHRISTINE NIXON a series of corruption claims against Banyule city councillor COLIN BROOKS.

He claimed Councillor BROOKS accepted $1,000 in cash and a pizza after fast-tracking
a permit for a new pizza franchise in suburban Greensborough.

Councillor BROOKS denies the allegations.

Mr FORWOOD says information in the laptop included all files, emails, policy work and
letters he has written.

But he won't say whether it also contained information on the allegations he made against
Councillor BROOKS.

AAP RTV gfr/bk/ea/

KEYWORD: CORRUPTION (MELBOURNE)

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

Bohr magneton

Bohr magneton Symbol μ_B. See magneton.

Right Hemisphere Announces Microsoft to License Deep Exploration for Xbox; Xbox Developers Win Big With the Powerful Features of Deep Exploration Xbox Edition.

SAN JOSE, Calif., Game Developer Conference -- Right Hemisphere, the world leader in 3D translation, texturing and publishing technology announced today that Microsoft has selected Right Hemisphere to develop a key game production tool for inclusion in the Xbox Development Kit - Deep Exploration Xbox Edition.

Right Hemisphere's Deep Exploration technology will allow game developers to quickly and easily take advantage of the advanced Xbox graphic capabilities by providing them the ability to instantly preview advanced 3D graphics from any of the popular 3D modeling packages, and translate between any of these packages at whim. In addition, Deep Exploration Xbox Edition is the ideal interface for fine-tuning aspects of Xbox specific art.

"Deep Exploration Xbox Edition will help give more power to the Xbox artist," said Drew Angeloff, Xbox Tools and Middleware Program Manager. "Microsoft selected Right Hemisphere because of the unique translation solution, flexibility and openness of their technology and because of their strong reputation in the game development community."

"We are very excited about this opportunity to create a win-win-win for Microsoft, game developers and game players, said Michael Lynch, CEO of Right Hemisphere. With Deep Exploration Xbox Edition there will be more games with better effects available on the Xbox. Game developers will have to spend less time and money, and game players will get a better experience on the Xbox than any other platform."

Deep Exploration Xbox Edition will be available Q3 2002 from Microsoft as part of the Xbox Development Kit.

About Right Hemisphere

Right Hemisphere(R) http://www.righthemisphere.com/ creates 3D graphic production solutions offering enhanced quality and overall lower costs for 3D professionals involved in games development, film and broadcast, web content creation and industrial design.

The privately funded company is based in Auckland, New Zealand, and has incorporated a US subsidiary, Right Hemisphere USA, to manage North American sales and distribution. Right Hemisphere can be contacted on US Toll Free PH +1-877-309-3204 and on Intl' PH +64-9-523-4670.

About Xbox

Xbox is Microsoft's future-generation video game system that delivers the most powerful games experiences ever. Xbox empowers game artists by giving them the technology to fulfill their creative visions as never before, creating games that blur the lines between fantasy and reality. Xbox is now available in North America, Japan, Europe and Australia.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software -- any time, any place and on any device.

MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT - Click Here

http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X81036989

Contact: Mary Alice Krayecki of Right Hemisphere International, +011-64-9-522-5990, or mary@righthemisphere.com

Website: http://www.righthemisphere.com/

The Brief: June 10, 2011.

To read more, click here: http://www.texastribune.org/texas-newspaper/texas-news/the-brief-top-texas-news-for-june-10-2011/?utm_source=texastribune.org&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Tribune%20Feed:%20Main%20Feed

By David Muto

The Big Conversation:

The implosion of Newt Gingrich's presidential campaign on Thursday unleashed some of the loudest - and hardest-to-ignore - Perry-for-president rumor-mongering yet.

The latest, juiciest claim? That the governor's "90 percent likely" to run.

So says The Daily Caller's Matt Lewis, who reported last night that, according to "two separate and reliable sources in Texas," Perry aides Dave Carney and Rob Johnson - who, along with a slew of other top aides, resigned from the flailing Gingrich campaign Thursday - will head south to help the governor prepare for a White House run.

Carney remains the governor's top political adviser, and Johnson ran Perry's successful gubernatorial re-election campaign last year.

RealClearPolitics also reported Thursday that a source "close to Perry's political team" said the governor is "leaning toward" entering the race.

As Tribune pollster Jim Henson told our own Jay Root, the Gingrich exodus - reportedly spurred by disagreements between aides and the candidate over the direction of the campaign - presents a virtually perfect opportunity for Perry. "One of the big insider discussions has been, how could Perry run without the core of his team that's been so key to his success? This answers that," Henson said, adding, "In my mind, there has never been any question that, if the idea of a Perry candidacy became serious, Carney would return. But the fact that both he and Rob Johnson are leaving makes it hard to interpret this any other way."

But earlier in the day, Carney, when asked by the Caller whether his defection from Team Gingrich meant Perry would enter the race, said "absolutely not." The governor's representatives also continued to flatly deny the rumors. "He's focusing on the legislative session and running the state," said Perry spokesman Mark Miner. "Today's events don't change anything." Miner, according to the Houston Chronicle, on Thursday also denied reports claiming that Perry met with fundraisers last week to discuss a presidential run.

Perry, who for months denied any interest in running for higher office, recently admitted that he'd been "thinking about" making a go at the presidency. A number of news outlets have since reported, citing unnamed sources, that the governor's family has encouraged him to run.

Politico also recently reported claims that Perry's decision could hinge on whether former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin enters the race. RealClearPolitics notes that a Perry candidacy could also clash with that of U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, another socially conservative, Tea Party-backed candidate looking to make a play for the GOP nomination.

Culled:

After 16 hours of debate, the Texas House passed a key piece of fiscal legislation early Friday morning, but not before, as the Tribune's Morgan Smith reports, a late-night fight over gay rights threatened to topple the entire bill, leading to one of the most emotional debates of the session. Republican Rep. Wayne Christian's amendment to ban state funding of gender and sexuality centers at state universities drew strong rebukes from Democrats, including Reps. Dawnna Dukes of Austin, Senfronia Thompson of Houston and Ruth Jones McClendon of San Antonio, who at one point called the debate "sickening." Christian, who complained that he'd been accused of discrimination for "standing up for traditional values," withdrew the amendment after Democrats appeared ready to derail the entire bill. "I pray for the day when we actually can discuss things and bring those walls of prejudice down," Christian said.

Earlier in the day, conservatives grew frustrated with a House vote to keep the so-called "Amazon tax" - a measure, opposed by Gov. Rick Perry, that would close internet sales-tax loopholes - and to direct any surplus in the Rainy Day Fund to Texas schools.

The Trib's Julian Aguilar reported Thursday on a series of emails that have exposed a rift between Gov. Rick Perry's office and Republican boosters, some of whom think efforts to pass "sanctuary cities" legislation will hurt the GOP's relationship with Hispanics.

"You may talk about them. You may dog them. You may discriminate against them but they are taxpayers. They go and serve in the military. They happen to be doctors, lawyers and they serve in many, many capacities within our society." - State Rep. Senfronia Thompson during debate over an amendment that would have banned state funding of gender and sexuality centers at state universities, as quoted in the El Paso Times

New in The Texas Tribune:

While Perry Rejects Federal Reform, State Agency Quietly Presses On, by Emily Ramshaw

Texas Inmate at the Nexus of Execution and Abuse, by Brandi Grissom

This week's TribCast, in which, if you haven't listened already, Evan, Reeve, Ben and Emily respond to The Response

An App-le A Day Keeps A Lawsuit Away?

What do you get when you cross the ease and informality of social media with a smarter workforce?

Sorry, but it is not a joke. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has just made it a little easier for today's educated workforce to do their own recordkeeping; at the same time possibly increasing the number of wage and hour lawsuits that will be filed.

In 2011 we have an application (or, "app") for just about everything. Sports apps, weather apps, and apps to help you find other useful apps. Navigation apps to tell me where I am, and where is the nearest restaurant or gas station. And various tracking apps that allow you to track in real time such things as your airline flight or the bus you are waiting to catch.

Much ink has been spilled over the impact that social networking and other forms of social media have had on our lives, and that is particularly true in the area of employer-employee relations. Indeed, past editions of our "Observer" have reviewed the recent decisions and actions taken by all branches of government concerning employment-related decisions that are made based on employee use of social media.

It is also an indisputable truism that the workplace continues to get smarter and more versed on its rights. The World Wide Web allows employees to Google all kinds of legal inquiries, and various state and federal agencies have created websites that contain volumes of information about employee rights and obligations in and out of the workplace. It seems that employees have potential counsel everywhere these days - an attorney on every block and around the Thanksgiving table. Social media and the Internet generally (often through affirmative government initiatives) have also made it easier for employees to learn about and understand their rights in the workplace.

So it is not surprising that we now see the marriage of social media apps and workplace issues. The DOL has just made available a free app for smartphones that allows employees to record the hours they work for an employer, to calculate the amount of money they may be owed, and to even determine the amount of overtime pay to which they may be entitled. The free app is currently compatible only with the iPhone and iPod Touch, although the DOL is expected to develop versions for other platforms soon. (You can view the new app by going to the DOL's website at www.dol.gov/whd/.)

The DOL is touting the significance of this new technology, noting that employees can now keep their own records instead of having to rely on their employers' records. Which begs the question: When were employees forced to rely solely on an employer's records? In other words, when were employees prohibited from keeping track themselves - on that draconian writing tablet known as "paper" - of their own work hours?

Presumably, the DOL's new app will make it easier for the DOL to investigate wage and hour issues by allowing it to look at and rely on the information contained in the form that it has now created for employees to use Yet, the new app raises some concerns as well. One problem is that this new wage and hour calculator has the potential to only tell half the story, since it does not appear to allow for the possibility of "calculating" whether one is properly classified as "exempt" from certain wage and hour obligations. In other words, a greater number of lawsuits may be filed by employees who believe they are owed additional (or premium) compensation for certain hours worked, without knowing that they have been properly classified as exempt from receiving that compensation. In addition, there is a likelihood that these new lawsuits will spawn from an employee's own calculations and assumptions that are simply wrong, or perhaps more cynically, that are false in the first instance.

So what should you as an employer take away from this development? The latest example of technology infiltrating the workplace serves to highlight two important points for employers to remember. First, the mere fact that employees may be keeping track of their hours illustrates the difficulty that employers now have in controlling or keeping track of employee work time when the employees no longer work within the boundaries of a traditional work day or office space. Efforts should be made to conduct internal audits to make sure that employees are properly classified under applicable law. Second, the law continues to place the burden on employers to document and retain evidence showing the hours worked by their employees. In light of that, it is critical that employers develop policies and usable forms to keep track of employee working time. Particularly now that your employees can do it so much easier themselves.

www.cozen.com The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

Mr Michael Schmidt

Cozen O'Connor

1900 Market Street

Philadelphia

PA 19103

UNITED STATES

Tel: 2156652000

Fax: 2156652013

E-mail: jdobrich@cozen.com

URL: www.cozen.com

Click Here for related articles

(c) Mondaq Ltd, 2011 - Tel. +44 (0)20 8544 8300 - http://www.mondaq.com

TDS Telecommunications Corp. Appoints Phil LaForge COO of Hosted & Managed Services.

Madison, WI (PRWEB) June 15, 2011

Widely respected HMS expert to direct business operations in fast growing segment

TDS Telecommunications Corp. (TDS(R)) today announces the selection of Phil LaForge as chief operating officer of TDS Hosted & Managed Services LLC.

"Phil comes to TDS with an extensive background in the managed services industry. Most recently, he was vice president and general manager at Nimsoft (part of CA Technologies) in Campbell, California," states William Megan, president of TDS Hosted & Managed Services LLC. "Phil understands the hosted and managed services business exceptionally well and will help TDS expand in this exciting business segment."

Prior to his work at CA Technologies, LaForge had a long tenure with CDW Berbee in Madison, Wis. and will be returning to familiar roots having previously served as vice president of Sales and COO at TEAM Companies in Cedar Falls, Iowa -- now a TDS subsidiary.

Phil LaForge holds a BA in History from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a MBA in Finance from Florida State University.

As the eighth largest telecom provider in the U.S., TDS Telecommunications Corp. (TDS(R)) connects people with broadband Internet, phone and TV entertainment services in hundreds of rural, suburban, and metropolitan communities in 30 states. With more than 40 years of experience and 1.1 million equivalent access lines in service, customers can select from the latest technologies, including: VoIP (managedIP) phone service, dedicated Internet, data networking, and hosted-managed services.

TDS Telecommunications Corp. also manages the data center operations of VISI Incorporated and TEAM Companies, specializing in colocation, cloud computing, and disaster recovery solutions for businesses of all-sizes. In total, approximately 2,700 people work for the companies both in local communities and at TDS' national headquarters in Madison, Wis. Visit http://www.tdstelecom.com, http://www.tdsbusiness.com, http://www.visi.com and http://www.team-companies.com for more information.

TDS Telecommunications Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. [NYSE: TDS, TDS.S] Telephone and Data Systems, Inc., a Fortune 500(R) company, provides wireless, local and long-distance telephone and broadband services to nearly 7.1 million customers in 36 states through TDS Telecommunications Corp. and U.S. Cellular [NYSE: USM], its 83-percent owned wireless subsidiary. Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Chicago, Telephone and Data Systems employed 12,100 employees as of March 31, 2011. Visit http://www.teldta.com for more information.

###

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/6/prweb8575681.htm

Gambling Markets Analyzed in New Research Reports Published at MarketPublishers.com.

LONDON -- Market Publishers Ltd informs that new in-demand AM Mindpower Solutions LLC reports on various countries' gambling markets have been added to its catalogue.

Global Casino and Gaming Industry - Edition 2011. The reportfeatures detailed analysis of the global gambling market performance with statistics on overall industry, industry by segments and e-gaming market. It also talks about industry performance by geography. Also, industry trends, development and growth drivers, merger and acquisition are provided O http://marketpublishers.com/report/consumers_goods/tv_entertainment/global_casino_n_gaming_industry_edition_2011.html

Asia Pacific Casino and Gaming Sector - Focus on China and Macau Edition 2011. Asia-Pacific offers many opportunities and strong potential for the gambling industry.The report provides a detailed study of casino and gaming industry performance in overall region, focusing on Macau, China, Singapore, and New Zealand. Segmentations and trends prevailing in the market are also covered. Additionally, future outlook is also given O http://marketpublishers.com/report/consumers_goods/tv_entertainment/asia_pacific_casino_n_gaming_sector_focus_on_china_n_macau_edition_2011.html

Europe Gambling - Focus on Great Britain. The European lottery and betting industry counts among one of the worlds leading markets, and holds an important place in the internet gambling segment. The report gives an overview of global casino and gaming industry, discussing Europe gaming industry in detail with analysis by business segment and by geography (Great Britain, Germany and Italy). Market trends and recent developments, growth factors and future outlook are also addressed in the study O http://marketpublishers.com/report/consumers_goods/tv_entertainment/europe_gambling_focus_on_great_britain.html

China Casino and Gaming Sector. The report gives a detailed analysis of the Asia-Pacific casino and gaming sector, focusing on China and Macau, and discusses market past performance, present analyses and future outlook of the industry. The research features industry trends and developments, discusses players positioning and market share which helps to assess scope for new and existing market participants O http://marketpublishers.com/report/consumers_goods/tv_entertainment/china_casino_n_gaming_sector.html

Macau Casino and Gaming Sector Outlook to 2015. Macau casino industry in 2011 will continue to grow especially in May and June 2011 with holiday season and opening of Galaxy Cota. The report gives an overview of the global and Asia-Pacific gambling industry, focusing on Macau.The report also includes competition prevailing in the industry and scope for existing and new players O http://marketpublishers.com/report/consumers_goods/tv_entertainment/macau_casino_n_gaming_sector_outlook_to_2015.html

More new market research reports by AM Mindpower Solutions LLC can be found at http://marketpublishers.com/members/ammindpower/info.html

'Entrepreneurs drive broadband growth'.

MUSCAT: Broadband market in Oman is ripe for growth as an emerging tech-savvy generation of entrepreneurs drives up demand for cutting edge technology, according to Ross Cormack, Chief Executive Officer of the telecommunications provider Nawras.

Cormack told Oxford Business Group (OBG), the global publishing, research and consultancy firm, that a growing number of Omanis were keen to have full, fast internet access both at work and at home.

"Broadband devices are the future for the development of information and Communications technology (ICT). Wherever you go, you should be able to access high speed internet easily and efficiently," he said. "There is a vibrant base of business leaders in Oman and having the technology already available for them can only help to boost entrepreneurship further."

Cormack was speaking to OBG as part of the research for The Report: Oman 2012, OBG's forthcoming analysis of the Sultanate's economic activity and investment opportunities. The Group's report will include a detailed, sector-by-sector guide for foreign investors, together with a wide range of interviews with the most prominent political, economic and business leaders.

The Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong, the Director General of UNESCO Irina Bokova, the Executive Director of the World Bank Mirza Hasan and the President and CEO of the National US-Arab Chamber of Commerce David Hamod will also give their views on Oman's economic development in the new report.

Cormack believes demand for interactive broadband services and progress

made in improving connectivity are already propelling a shift towards multi-media usage as the drive to connect all Omanis gathers strength.

"Trends are showing a huge shift from linear television towards entertainment and social media on internet, fixed and mobile and we believe interactive broadband services will encourage this move to grow," he said. "Major advancements have been made to the fibre for home technology in Oman."

Work on fibre to the home services is being carried out in collaboration with Haya. While they are in the process of laying lines to homes as part of their extensive programme to upgrade the water transmission system, fibre optic cables are going into the ground at the same time, to be leveraged for future communication needs.

Cormack believes demand for broadband is being fuelled in part by the growing number of smart phone users who are looking to gain full access to the services. "Leisure has changed people's lifestyle and smart phones reflect that," he said. "In this context, more broadband access has to be provided, since people naturally want to use these new technologies to their full extent."

The Report: Oman 2012 will mark the culmination of more than six months of on-the-ground research by a team of analysts from OBG.

It will provide information on opportunities for foreign direct investment into the Sultanate's economy and will be a guide to the many facets of the country, including its macroeconomics, infrastructure, banking and sectoral developments. The Report: Oman 2012 will be available in print form or online.

Oxford Business Group is a global publishing, research and consultancy firm, which publishes economic intelligence on the markets of the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and the Caribbean.

Through its range of print and online products, OBG offers comprehensive and accurate analysis of macroeconomic and sectoral developments, including banking, capital markets, insurance, energy, transport, industry and telecoms.

Muscat Press and Publishing House SAOC 2011

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company

Channel IQ Rolls Out New Technology Platform.

Channel IQ, a provider of online pricing intelligence and channel management solutions, announced that the company's industry proven technology platform is now publicly available to manufacturers and retailers looking to gain visibility into online pricing.

With more than 60 brand name manufacturing and retailing customers using its technology to protect their brands and track competitors, Channel IQ said it provides customers visibility into online channels, allowing them to understand their business and competition, monitor and manage online pricing, and maintain credibility with consumers.

The company, which recently closed a Series A funding round at the end of last year, is also announcing appointments to its board of directors and the expansion of its management team to support the company's rapid growth.

"With every conceivable product being sold online through multiple levels of distribution, it is a serious challenge for manufacturers to track today's dynamic pricing environment online. In fact, consumers have much more visibility into online pricing with the many applications out there than the brand owners and retailers do," said Wes Shepherd, Channel IQ founder and CEO. "We've gathered the best team of channel management, manufacturing, business intelligence, and technology experts to create the business critical data and cutting edge tools needed to monitor and manage online product pricing and presentation, tighten up sales channels, and make sure products reach consumers with the integrity top brands demand."

According to a release, Channel IQ's dynamic data collection and applications enable manufacturers and retailers across every conceivable industry, from consumer electronics and housewares to luxury goods and auto parts, to track product prices in real-time, monitor for minimum advertised price (MAP) pricing policy compliance, and detect grey market sellers and counterfeit activity. Channel IQ's new standard of online price monitoring also provides visibility into competitors' products, new seller opportunities, and key industry trends to help customers make more informed and profitable business decisions.

"Our relationship with Channel IQ has proven to be highly successful in a short period of time. Their strategic overview and tactical, daily monitoring of Internet pricing provide us with the critical information that has improved the Wusthof Knives brand in the marketplace," said Todd Myers, vice president of sales at Wusthof. "They have given us the technology edge we so desperately needed."

Concurrent with the product announcement, Channel IQ is appointing Jim Streibich, a co-founder of Market Track, as the company's chairman of the board of directors. Art Roldan, a Chicago technology entrepreneur with seven successful acquisitions, also joins the board as director.

"Web commerce is too important for manufacturers to not have the proper tools and services in place to know who is selling their products and under what conditions. While a small brick and mortar retailer misrepresenting a brand might have minimal and regional impact on sales, an e-tailer is viewable to any consumer who searches a product online," said Streibich. "Any company concerned with product pricing, counterfeiting, logo usage or any other factor that could impact overall sales and product image, needs an integrated and action-driven solution like Channel IQ."

Channel IQ noted that its management team, which has worked on all sides of channel management, retail software systems, retail intelligence, supply chain optimization, and retail e-commerce for decades, also expanded to meet the company's rapid growth. Channel IQ announced the additions of Dean Bravos as vice president of sales and marketing, Dan Czerwinski as vice president of engineering, Tom Mersch as general counsel, Farrah Davis as the senior manager of client services, and Ruth Hickey as director of project management.

More information:

www.channeliq.com

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

1&1 Launches New .Co Domains; One of only 11 key registrars worldwide; Substantial discounts on other top level domains.

M2 PRESSWIRE-21 July 2010-1&1 Internet: 1&1 Launches New .Co Domains; One of only 11 key registrars worldwide; Substantial discounts on other top level domains(C)1994-2010 M2 COMMUNICATIONS

RDATE:21072010

London: 1&1 Internet Ltd, www.1and1.co.uk, the world's largest web host by known servers, today announced it is now offering .CO domain name registrations. As one of only 11 exclusive registrars worldwide, 1&1 has official certification to sell the brand new domain suffix. A variety of user-groups can now benefit from securing their relevant .CO domains for just 29.99/year+VAT. Businesses are advised to secure their domains early, as the granting of domain names is on a 'first-come, first-served' basis.

Domain experts expect strong demand for the .CO domain, especially in relation to trade and commerce. Studies have shown that Internet users positively associate the .CO suffix with terms such as 'COmmerce', 'COmpany' and 'COrporation'. Companies that currently hold a .COM domain now have an opportunity to extend their online identity with the corresponding .CO domain. Businesses may also be wise to gain a .CO version of their other key Internet addresses in order to help protect their online brand against cyber-squatters.

Furthermore, the new top level domain is also suitable for 'COmmunities' and other Web 2.0 purposes. For example, the popular micro-blogging service Twitter already uses .CO for its 'T.CO' Link Service.

The .CO domain originates as the top level domain for Columbia. To push global adoption, the Government of the country has forwarded the rights to a consortium - as a consequence, registrations are now permitted without any need for residence in South America.

Oliver Mauss, CEO of 1&1 Internet Ltd, said ".CO is short and catchy. Recognition value is therefore very high. The many possible uses for .CO as a suffix leads 1&1 as a registrar to see strong potential".

1&1 manages over 11 million domains and is Europe's largest domain name registrar. Besides new .CO domains, 1&1 offers a wide range of top level domains at very low prices. A 1&1 bundle of 5 domains, for example, costs only 19.99+VAT for the first year. Compared to the respective individual prices, a domain bundle offer provides great savings.

For more information on 1&1 hosting visit the website at www.1and1.co.uk

About 1&1 Internet Ltd

1&1 Internet Ltd based in Slough, west of London, is Europe's No.1 web hosting and domain name registration company. 1&1 Internet Ltd is the UK arm of 1&1 Internet AG based in Germany (a subsidiary of United Internet Group, a public company with a market cap of more than 2 Billion GBP). 1&1 was established in 1988 and holds over 9 million British, German, French, Spanish, Austrian and US customer contracts and serves some 10 million domain names at its 70,000 server strong Data Centres. 1&1 prides itself on being the one-stop-shop for web solutions.

1&1 Internet Ltd entered the UK domain registration and web hosting market in June 2000. As a well funded profitable company, it is in a strong position to deliver a high quality service at low cost. 1&1 is an accredited Registrar with ICANN (.com), Nominet (.co.uk), Afilias (.info), NeuLevel (.biz) and PIR (.org).

CONTACT: Richard Stevenson / Thomas Pluennecke, 1&1 Internet LtdTel: +44 (0)1753 490 435e-mail: press@1and1.co.ukWWW: http://www.1and1.co.uk

((M2 Communications 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)).

Spreading the Word: A History of Information in the California Gold Rush.(Book review)

Spreading the Word: A History of Information in the California Gold Rush. By Richard T. Stillson. (Lincoln, Neb.: University of Nebraska Press, 2006. Pp. viii, 274. $55.00.)

This detailed study of how gold rushers got information, assessed it, and acted upon it in the 1849 California gold rush should appeal to specialists of the gold rush or the history of American journalism. The author essentially asks about the would-be miners "What did they know and how did they know it?" As he points out, getting good information was critical in making the decision to go, in finding a safe way to California, and in finding gold in the Sierras.

Richard T. Stillson's study is impressive in the depth of research regarding the many ways in which gold rushers found information but is limited to 1849 and 1850, years in which information systems about California were almost nonexistent and were undergoing rapid development. By 1850, he contends, the situation was much improved, especially as a result of the letters the forty-niners sent home. Furthermore, Stillson focuses almost exclusively on Americans who traveled the overland trails. Little is said of those who went by sea or through Panama, nor of those who came from Europe, China, or elsewhere.

Still, within this narrow focus there are interesting nuggets to be mined. Stillson notes, for example, that Eastern guidebooks were available in the Midwest, but few Midwestern guides made it to the Atlantic states. He notes that Northern and Southern newspaper editors reacted much differently to the rush and provided different information to their readers because of this. He notes the way that overland travelers communicated with each other along the trail, and how they came to distrust printed guides in favor of rumors as they went farther west, resulting in the infamous disaster of the Lassen Cutoff. Once in California he also notes the need of travelers to communicate with the East, the inadequacy of the post office system, and the rise of private express companies to fill the miners' needs. Each of these findings contributes to our understanding of the gold rush.

Readers may be frustrated by the narrow focus of the study, and especially the limited context provided for comparing these findings to other news events of the nineteenth century. Such comparisons might make the significance of many of Stillson's findings clearer. However, the study makes a fine start toward further studies of this nature.

In the conclusion, Stillson compares the way the gold rushers evaluated the reliability of information with the way modern day Americans judge the credibility of the many sources of news that bombard them on cable television, the internet, etc. His final questions are provocative and suggest new ways in which to examine many events in the past. Perhaps in this way, Spreading the Word makes its strongest impact as a call to take a new look at old and familiar terrain.

Mark A. Eifler

University of Portland