VIC:Ballarat line commuters the happiest

AAP General News (Australia)
08-04-2011
VIC:Ballarat line commuters the happiest

Victoria's regional rail provider is launching a campaign, encouraging people not travelling
to Melbourne for work to stay off the train network during peak times and save money.

The Department of Transport says customer satisfaction levels are down for the March
quarter to 72.5 per cent, down one-and-a-half per cent on the same time last year.

AAP RTV mj/pmu/nap

KEYWORD: TRAINS (MELBOURNE)

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

advertising network

advertising network
1. A network that offers advertisers the ability to target specific audiences over the Internet and to monitor results through DART (Dynamic Advertising Reporting and Targeting) technology.

2. A collection of independent websites of different companies and media networks, each of which has an arrangement with a single advertising broker to place banner advertisements.

NSW:Botany Bay fishermen lucky to be alive

AAP General News (Australia)
04-08-2011
NSW:Botany Bay fishermen lucky to be alive

By Miles Godfrey

SYDNEY, April 8 AAP - Three fishermen are lucky to be alive after their boat sank in
Sydney's Botany Bay, forcing them to swim fully-clothed against a fierce current to a
nearby buoy.

The soaking wet trio spent eight hours perched on the mooring buoy in the chilly darkness,
desperately calling for help from passing vessels.

All their safety equipment sank in the boat.

They were eventually rescued at first light on Friday morning by a passing tugboat.

The tug's crew gave the men, two of whom are thought to have suffered hypothermia,
basic first aid, blankets, food and hot drinks.

They were later taken to Sydney Prince of Wales Hospital, where on Friday afternoon
they remained in a stable condition.

The third fisher, named in media reports as Mark Bancs, 28, from Bankstown, did not
need medical treatment.

"A lot of people went past us during the night and we were screaming for help but they
didn't hear us," he told News Ltd.

"I'm just so relieved I'm here to tell the story and my feet are touching the ground."

NSW Police Marine Area Command, Detective Acting Superintendent Jim Johnson, said the
men were lucky to be alive.

"It was quite cool last night and there was a 15-knot breeze ... which made conditions
quite choppy," he told reporters in Sydney.

"In my opinion they are very lucky, the speed at which the boat sank surprised me."

The drama unfolded on Thursday night just 200m from land at Kurnell.

The men had ended a fishing trip at about 10pm (AEST) when they heard a loud bang at
the stern of their 5.18m half-cabin cruiser.

It sank without trace.

Because of the prevailing conditions the men had no chance of reaching shore.

They were just a short distance away from the buoy, but had to battle against strong
current for 20 minutes before reaching it.

There they spent the night, with the air temperature dropping to around 18 degrees
Celsius, according to Bureau of Meteorology data.

About 6.15am (AEST) on Friday a person in a small aluminium dinghy spotted them.

They in turn managed to alert the crew of the tugboat Warang.

The vessel, owned by the marine firm Svitzer, was on its way out to sea to fetch a
large commercial vessel.

The tug's crew raced to the fishermen's aid and got them on board before transferring
them to a Sydney Ports Corporation vessel which took them ashore.

"They (the tug's crew) do a lot of emergency training, a lot of first aid ... it was
almost by second nature and instinct that they were able to offer assistance," a spokesman
for Svitzer told AAP.

It remains unclear why the boat sank. It's yet to be uncovered from the water and may
now have drifted a substantial distance.

Plans are now under way to find it and assess whether it can be retrieved.

The incident came 24 hours after three fishermen were rescued from the sea off the
NSW central coast after their trawler sank.

The 15.8m trawler went down 70km off Tuggerah at 6.40am (AEST) on Thursday and its
crew was rescued by a passing commercial vessel.

Acting Supt Johnson urged all fishers to take appropriate safety precautions, such
as carrying electronic locator beacons and safety vests.

AAP mdg/tr/jl

KEYWORD: BUOY WRAP

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

FED:Jetstar diverts plane with technical hitch

AAP General News (Australia)
12-19-2010
FED:Jetstar diverts plane with technical hitch

A Jetstar flight from Denpasar to Melbourne was forced to divert to Adelaide early
today .. after a technical problem in one of its engines.

The issue affected flight JQ36 .. an Airbus A330 (A330) aircraft with 226 passengers
and 11 crew aboard.

Jetstar says the problem meant the aircraft's right engine was "operating on a lower
power setting".

The plane landed without incident at Adelaide Airport shortly before 7am (CDT) after
the problem was detected.

The airline arranged for a connecting flight from Adelaide to get passengers to Melbourne.

AAP RTV jrd/jr

KEYWORD: JETSTAR (MELBOURNE)

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

FED:Julia Gillard is a policy thief: Hockey

AAP General News (Australia)
08-11-2010
FED:Julia Gillard is a policy thief: Hockey

SYDNEY, Aug 11 AAP - Prime Minister Julia Gillard has graduated from stealing Kevin
Rudd's job to stealing the coalition's jobs policy, says opposition treasury spokesman
Joe Hockey says.

Ms Gillard unveiled a series of welfare reforms on Wednesday which she hopes to implement
if her government retains office on August 21.

She wants to introduce bonuses for the long-term unemployed to encourage them to pull
up stumps, a measure already flagged by Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.

People who have been out of a job for more than a year and who reside in an area of
high unemployment would be eligible for the grant, which would reimburse their actual
moving expenses.

Mr Hockey said Labor had stolen the coalition's policy.

"I'm quite astounded at how much their policy looks like ours," he told reporters in Sydney.

"Julia Gillard stole Kevin Rudd's job - now Julia Gillard is stealing Tony Abbott's policies."

AAP vpm/wjf/was/it

KEYWORD: POLL10 WORK HOCKEY

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

NSW: Alleged serial sex attacker arrested after tip-off

AAP General News (Australia)
04-02-2010
NSW: Alleged serial sex attacker arrested after tip-off

SYDNEY, April 2 AAP - An alleged serial sex attacker accused of carrying out a string
of indecent assaults in Sydney's south has been charged.

The 34-year-old man was arrested outside a house in Renwick Street, Marrickville, about
9pm (AEDT) on Thursday, police said.

He has been charged with aggravated indecent assault, theft and kidnap and is due to
front Parramatta Local Court on Friday.

It follows four attacks on women in Woolooware, Sutherland, Kirrawee and Gymea dating
back to October.

During one of the alleged incidents a woman was shoved to the ground, indecently assaulted
then robbed.

The arrest follows tip-offs received by police after a description of the alleged offender
and CCTV footage was circulated by the media this week.

AAP mdg/tr

KEYWORD: ASSAULTS

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

NSW: James Hardie bans a win for Banton and victims - O'Farrell

AAP General News (Australia)
08-20-2009
NSW: James Hardie bans a win for Banton and victims - O'Farrell

SYDNEY, Aug 20 AAP - A decision to ban 10 James Hardie executives for deceiving asbestos
victims about compensation payments shows campaigner Bernie Banton didn't die in vain,
NSW Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell says.

In the NSW Supreme Court on Thursday, James Hardie's former chief executive Peter Macdonald
was banned from managing a company for 15 years and fined $350,000 for breaching the Corporations
Act.

The nine other executives were banned for a period between five and seven years, for
breaching the Act during the creation of an asbestos compensation trust in 2001 and a
corporate restructure in 2003.

A press release approved by the board of James Hardie in February 2001 was found to
contain deceptive and misleading comments about the company's capacity to meet its compensation
liabilities for asbestos disease sufferers.

Mr O'Farrell said the tough penalties meted out to the James Hardie executives were
a "great result" and provided some justice to asbestos victims.

"It is justice for those victims ... workers shouldn't be treated in this way," Mr
O'Farrell told reporters in Sydney.

"This goes part of the way to ensuring that Bernie Banton didn't die in vain."

Mr Banton, the public face of the campaign against James Hardie, died in November 2007
from mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos.

AAP ab/jl/bwl

KEYWORD: JAMES HARDIE OFARRELL

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

1100 2GB Sydney Headlines

AAP General News (Australia)
04-10-2009
1100 2GB Sydney Headlines

- Feared another person has been taken by a crocodile in the Northern Territory

- The death of a baby during labour on the south coast will be investigated

- Employees of Kleenmaid face redundancy with administrators appointed

- Families flood the Royal Easter Show

- Free calls for Australians contacting relatives in Italy's quake zone

- Obama getting updates about negotiations with Somali pirates

- Biki gang member charged over cash believed to be proceeds of crime

- L plater loses licence after he did wheelie in school zone

SPORT

Golf, Cricket, NRL, AFL

AAP RTV tm

KEYWORD: 1100 2GB

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

NSW: P-plate driver returned blood alcohol reading of 0.265

AAP General News (Australia)
12-06-2008
NSW: P-plate driver returned blood alcohol reading of 0.265

SYDNEY, Dec 6 AAP - A P-plate driver has returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.265
after allegedly flagging down a police car in northern NSW.

Police said a 26-year-old woman had her licence confiscated after she returned a high-range
PCA reading near Tamworth about 8pm (AEDT) on Friday.

The woman flagged down a highway patrol police car on the Oxley Highway at Carroll
after seeking directions to Lake Keepit, police said.

She was issued with a field court attendance notice for the high-range PCA and her
licence was confiscated on the spot.

AAP krc/wf

KEYWORD: FLAG

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

FED: Qantas cabin crew demand briefing on latest incident

AAP General News (Australia)
08-03-2008
FED: Qantas cabin crew demand briefing on latest incident

SYDNEY, Aug 3 AAP - Qantas cabin crew are demanding a meeting with company officials
after another of the airline's jets was forced to make an emergency landing yesterday.

The Manila-bound 767 began leaking hydraulic fluid from a critical steering unit on
take-off from Sydney and had to circle out over the ocean to dump fuel before returning
to Sydney Airport.

It's the third midair emergency for the carrier in eight days.

Flight Attendants Association president Steven Reed has told Fairfax the latest incident
is disturbing, and cabin crew have asked the company for a briefing.

There's concern the recent incidents might be part of a pattern, with Qantas engineers
arguing that cost-cutting and moving some plane servicing overseas could put safety at
risk.

AAP fdf/ao

KEYWORD: QANTAS CREW

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

SA: Woman's body found in Adelaide parklands

AAP General News (Australia)
12-31-2007
SA: Woman's body found in Adelaide parklands

ADELAIDE, Dec 31 AAP - A woman's body has been found in Adelaide's parklands, with
police treating her death as suspicious.

The body was discovered in the city's west parklands, about 300 metres from West Terrace
in the central business district, about 6.30am (CDT) today, police say.

The woman was believed to be aged in her 20s and major crime detectives are at the
scene investigating, a police spokesman said.

AAP sl/ht

KEYWORD: BODY

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

Fed: Dengue outbreak likely this summer: expert

AAP General News (Australia)
08-22-2007
Fed: Dengue outbreak likely this summer: expert

By Tamara McLean, Medical Writer

SYDNEY, Aug 22 AAP - Northern Australia has been warned to brace for an outbreak of
dengue fever this summer following an epidemic of the virus in neighbouring Asian countries.

A rash of the mosquito-borne illness has swept Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia
and Vietnam, with more than 133,000 cases and 850 deaths reported so far this year.

Infectious diseases experts have warned the outbreak does not bode well for Australia,
which has historically imported all its most problematic fever strains from Asia.

"Given what's going on in the (regional) neighbourhood, the chances are we're going
to get a lot of activity this year," said Associate Professor John Aaskov, from Queensland
University of Technology.

"The extensive two-way travel between Australia and countries to our north ensures
that dengue viruses are being constantly introduced into Australia with travellers."

Statistics from the federal Department of Health and Ageing show there have been 198
cases of dengue fever reported this year, already exceeding last year's total of 188,
before the worst summer months.

Prof Aaskov said it was impossible to predict whether Australia would repeat the epidemic
of 2003 when 860 cases were reported, mostly in Queensland.

But he warned numbers would likely climb if travellers imported strains 1 or 2 of the
potentially-fatal virus.

The risk was heightened by changing trends in the way dengue outbreaks occurred in Asia.

"Typically, South-East Asian countries experience major outbreaks of dengue one year
in every three to five, but the outbreaks now commonly spread over two years," Prof Aaskov
said.

Experts are unsure why the outbreaks were getting larger but believe it may be triggered
by rural residents relocating to large cities where they often end up living in squatter
camps with no fresh water or garbage disposal.

"This leads to the storage of water in containers in which mosquitoes can breed and
to the collection of water in discarded waste which are also ideal mosquito breeding sites,"

he said.

Prof Aaskov warned Australians planning to travel to South-East Asia to be "mosquito aware".

Several vaccines are undergoing trials, but as yet there is no jab to protect against the virus.

AAP tam/jm/cdh

KEYWORD: DENGUE

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

AAP Backgrounders and Analyses for the weekend of April 7/8

AAP General News (Australia)
04-06-2007
AAP Backgrounders and Analyses for the weekend of April 7/8
AAP BACKGROUNDERS AND ANALYSES FOR THE WEEKEND OF APRIL 7/8

(EDS NOTE - Stories already on file will be repeated Friday morning. For further information
please contact AAP news editors on (02) 9322 8610 or 9322 8611.)

CANBERRA - John Howard and Kevin Rudd had a trial run for the election campaign this week
- and a few things have become clear. (Newscope Federal, by Maria Hawthorne, 730 words,
on file)

BRISBANE - Memories of the Asian Boxing Day tsunami were never far from the minds of Australians
who headed for the hills in panic after a tsunami warning this week. (Quake Aust Newsfeature,
by Roberta Mancuso, 840 words, on file)

CANBERRA - It's taken most of a decade but Australia's Collins submarines may finally
be able to shed the "dud sub" tag. (Submarines Backgrounder, by Max Blenkin, about 720
words, on file)

SYDNEY - When Premier Morris Iemma led the ALP to a decisive election win, he vowed to
use the political clout he gained from the victory to choose his own cabinet. (Newscope
NSW, by Peter Jean, 710 words, on file)

DARWIN - First it was open speed limits, now it's the freedom to fish. (Fishing Backgrounder,
by Tara Ravens, about 1090 words, on file)

SYDNEY - Ferry Backgrounder included on earlier reads list will now not be moved.

INTERNATIONAL:
DILI - The distinctive buzz of motorcycles can be heard in the distance, growing increasingly
louder. (Timor Newsfeature, by Karen Michelmore, 1,240 words, on file)

AUCKLAND - For 14 years Allan Fels led Australia's competition watchdogs, taking on big
business and staring down politicians. Now he is teaching public servants how to be fearless
too. (Fels, AAP Profile, By Xavier La Canna, 550 words. On file)

ENTERTAINMENT:
SYDNEY - For every Guy Sebastian there's a Casey Donovan and every Jamie Brooksby can
be countered with a Ben Williams or Peter Corbett. (Reality TV Feature, by Michael Gadd,
1,330 words, on file)

MELBOURNE - The stereotypes about women in comedy are well entrenched - apparently tampon
jokes, bagging out blokes and body image dominate. (Comedy Women Feature, by Michael Gadd,
1150 words, with file pix, on file)

MELBOURNE - Comedian Peter Helliar had the most time to fill as host of this year's Melbourne
International Comedy Festival Gala but says his was the easiest spot on the bill of more
than 20 acts. (Comedy Gala TV Feature, by Michael Gadd, 860 words, with pix, on file)

SYDNEY - Anna Nicole Smith so idolised Marilyn Monroe that she convinced herself she was
the screen siren's daughter, according to a new biography of the former Playboy bunny
and reality TV star. (Anna Nicole Feature, by Billy Freeman, about 840 words, on file)

SYDNEY - Celebrities like boxer Mike Tyson and musician Robbie Williams have made Maori
tattoos decidedly hip by sporting these striking, distinctive designs on their bodies.

(Ta Moko Feature, By Bridget Carter, 700 words, pix available. On file)

BRISBANE - Brisbane is bracing for invasion - by a cavalcade of villains and heroes, from
orcs and stormtroopers to elves and Jedi knights. (SUPANOVA Newsfeature, by Daniel Johnson,
460 words, with file pix, on file.)

SPORT:
CRICKET
ST JOHNS, Antigua - Locals on the cricket-mad Caribbean island of Antigua have adopted
Andrew Symonds as one of their own, even when they realise that despite his dark skin
and dreadlocks he speaks with an Australian accent. (WC07 Aust Sportsfeature, by Greg
Buckle, about 920 words, on file)

SURFING
TORQUAY, Vic - Tom Curren can't see anyone ending the dominance of Kelly Slater until
his fellow American surfing legend decides to retire from the world championship tour.

(Surfing World Slater Sportsfeature, by Daniel Pace, 700 words, on file)

RACING
SYDNEY - When Miss Finland started winning races as a two-year-old, trainer David Hayes
smiled quietly and told anyone who wanted to listen: "Wait till you see her over a bit
of ground". (Derby Finland Sportsfeature, by John Coomber, 740 words, on file)



SEE ALSO ROUTINERS ON FILE

* Milestones

* Quotes

* Oddities

* Checkup



AAP nf/mn

KEYWORD: WEEKEND READS UPDATED

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

SA: Main stories in today's Adelaide Advertiser

AAP General News (Australia)
12-06-2006
SA: Main stories in today's Adelaide Advertiser

ADELAIDE, Dec 6 AAP - The main stories in today's Adelaide Advertiser:

Page 1: Australia wins in great finish to second Ashes cricket Test.

Page 2: Principals and parents call for greater police consultation in addressing sexual
assaults on school students.

Page 3: A bushfire in the Adelaide Hills may have been deliberately lit.

World: Fiji's prime minister under house arrest after military coup (Suva). Serial
killer Rose West tries to cut off ties with her remaining children (London). The US plans
to set up a colony on the south pole of the moon by 2020 (Washington).

Finance: Queensland Gas Company counters a takeover bid by Santos. Survey finds SA
chief executives are the most pessimistic in the nation. The ANZ Bank extends the contract
of chief executive John McFarlane.

Sport: Australia wins the second cricket Test against England. Leisel Jones misses
her own world record in winning the 100m breaststroke at the Australian swimming championships.

Adam Scott primed to win the Australian PGA championship this week.

AAP tjd/drp

KEYWORD: MONITOR FRONTERS SA

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

HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 14:45, April 30

AAP General News (Australia)
04-30-2006
HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 14:45, April 30

CANBERRA - The family tax benefit will help households counter the looming threat of
an increase in interest rates, Treasurer Peter Costello says. (Tax Costello)

Tax Nightlead to come



SYDNEY - The upcoming federal budget is designed to ensure there is no undue pressure
on interest rates, says Finance Minister Nick Minchin. (Rates Minchin)

Rates Nightlead to come



CANBERRA - Parents who blow welfare cash on drugs and gambling could see their money
spent on bills via a compulsory direct debit scheme under a government crackdown. (Family
Brough )

Family Nightlead to come



CANBERRA - Treasurer Peter Costello has brushed off suggestions the government should
do more for households facing petrol prices of $1.35 and higher. (Petrol Costello)

Petrol Nightlead to come



MELBOURNE - A funeral due to be held on Tuesday for Australia's first military casualty
in the Iraq war could be delayed by the NSW coroner. (Kovco Funeral. See also Kovco Costello)

Kovco Nightlead to come



BEACONSFIELD - Rescue crews are halfway through blasting a tunnel to reach two miners
who have been trapped underground for almost five days. (Mine Progress Lead. See also
Mine AFL)

Mine Nightlead to come



CANBERRA - The federal government has refused to comment on a report that it plans
to remove at-risk Aboriginal children from their homes and house them in buildings once
used at Woomera. (Alice)



BRISBANE - Australia faces a long-term shortage of general practitioners despite the
creation of five new medical schools since 2000, researchers say. (Doctors)



HOBART - The Targa Tasmania car rally is continuing without any changes to safety arrangements
following an accident in which three people were injured. (Targa Nightlead)



SYDNEY - The federal government says it may be forced to delay its final decision on
Telstra's full privatisation due to regulatory uncertainty. (Telstra Minchin)



SYDNEY - The market will hold its breath ahead of the Reserve Bank's decision on interest
rates this week, as the banking sector's profit reporting season continues. (Markets Preview)



BRISBANE - The early favourite to take out this year's Big Brother reality TV series
has revealed he was the victim of an anti-gay gang who bashed him and left him for dead.

(Brother)



MELBOURNE - Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett today urged the 16 clubs to present a united
front to the AFL to ensure they got their fair share of money from the next round of broadcast
rights. (AFL Hawks Kennett)

MORE jlw

KEYWORD: HIGHLIGHTS NATIONAL

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

Vic: Delahunty calls for better work/family balance

AAP General News (Australia)
02-01-2006
Vic: Delahunty calls for better work/family balance

MELBOURNE, Feb 1 AAP - On the 150th Anniversary of the eight-hour day this year, workers
are still struggling to balance work and family time, Victorian Women's Affairs Minister
Mary Delahunty says.

Ms Delahunty today said increasing numbers of employees were clocking up 50-hour weeks,
making it difficult for working parents to balance school pick-ups, shopping, housework
and childcare.

"More people are complaining about the pressures this balancing act creates," she said.

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures showed 1.7 million Australians worked 50 hours
or more weekly in 2002, twice as many as in 1982, she said.

"Working time is still a major source of tension and conflict and the casualisation
of the work force provides little security for families."

Ms Delahunty said women especially were affected by the "double shift" of work and
childcare, with 56 per cent of Australian women participating in the workforce.

One third of those women were also caring for children, she said.

Ms Delahunty returned to the site of the original campaign for the eight-hour day in
Victoria, at the University of Melbourne, to announce a program of events commemorating
the achievement.

In April 1856, stonemasons working on the university's law faculty walked off the job
demanding an eight-hour day.

Other unions joined in. After a three-week campaign they won their demand.

Although Melbourne claims the title of achieving the first eight-hour day, labour historians
say Sydney's stonemasons issued a six-month ultimatum for an eight-hour day in August
1855.

Some decided not to wait and went on strike to win the eight-hour day before the ultimatum
elapsed.

They celebrated their victory on October 1, 1855.

NSW, the ACT and South Australia celebrate Labour Day in October, while Victoria, Tasmania
and Western Australia hold their Labour Day or Eight Hour Day holidays in March.

Queensland and the Northern Territory celebrate Labour Day, or May Day in NT, on May 1 this year.

AAP nl/gfr/jm/de

KEYWORD: WORK

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

U S WEST & USA Baseball Partner on 'Red, White and Blue Tour'.

Team to Play Mexico in St. Paul This Sunday, July 25, 1999, Building Toward

The 2000 Olympic Summer Games in Sydney; FREE 11 a.m. Youth Baseball Clinic

ST. PAUL, Minn., July 23 /PRNewswire/ -- U S WEST (NYSE: USW) and USA Baseball are teaming up to bring Olympic baseball to 11 states. The "Red, White and Blue Tour" plays in St. Paul on Sunday, July 25, when Team USA will take on the Mexican National Team. The team will play more than a dozen other national and local teams as they tour 10 additional states throughout U S WEST's territory.

U S WEST is the title sponsor of USA Baseball's "Red, White and Blue Tour" through the Year 2000. The tour prepares Team USA to qualify and represent the United States in the Olympic Summer Games in Sydney, Australia, in 2000. Team USA will train and play a schedule of home and away games against international teams to prepare for the summer's major international competition.

"We are proud to sponsor and to bring the USA Baseball National Team to the states we serve," said Randy Lynch, U S WEST's vice president of Olympic Programs. "Bringing the Olympic spirit to our communities is one of the goals of our sponsorship, and the USA Baseball National Team Tour effectively achieves that objective."

USA Baseball and U S WEST will team up to bring other exciting events to fans of Olympic baseball, including post-game fireworks shows, premium giveaway nights, post-game concerts and a number of other promotional activities. As an extension of U S WEST's community outreach programs, there will also be free one-hour, on-field youth clinics at all of the U S WEST -- Team USA Tour stops in 1999 and 2000. Team USA coaches and players will serve as clinic instructors, helping young people improve their skills and increasing interest in America's favorite pastime.

"USA Baseball is extremely pleased to have U S WEST on board as a major sponsor for the next two years," said Dan O'Brien, USA Baseball executive director/CEO. "U S WEST's involvement with USA Baseball is critical as we embark on our journey toward the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney."

USA Baseball is the National Governing Body of amateur baseball in the United States and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. The organization selects and trains the USA Baseball National Team, the USA Baseball Junior Team (18 and under) and the USA Baseball Youth National Team (16 and under) for participation in various international competitions each year. Almost 100 current Major League Baseball players have come through the USA Baseball program.

For more information about USA Baseball and a schedule of games, visit the USA Baseball web site at http://www.usabaseball.com . Tickets are available through the St. Paul Saints ticket office at 651-644-6659.

U S WEST provides a full range of telecommunications services -- including wireline, wireless PCS, data networking, directory and information services -- to more than 25 million customers nationally and in 14 western and midwestern states. More information about U S WEST can be found on the Internet at http://www.uswest.com

HKBN reaches 10,000 subscribers to symmetric 1Gbps broadband.(INTERNET)

High-speed fiber broadband provider Hong Kong Broadband Network (HKBN), part of Hong Kong-based City Telecom, announced that it has signed up a total of 10,000 customers to its premium symmetric 1Gbps broadband packages. HKBN signed up a total of 551,000 fixed broadband subscribers by the end of March 2011, up 25,000 in six months, with the company targeting a total base of 600,000 high-speed accounts by September this year. The most recent announcement begs the question "why not more 1Gbps users?" as the super-high-speed service is priced at HKD199 (US$26) per month for residential customers, which sounds more than reasonable to observers in most countries, but it seems that HKBN's 100Mbps standalone broadband service is too tempting at less than half the cost of the top-tier package, HKD99 per month.

Off the streets.

Provided by 7DAYS.ae

By Fareed Rahman

A Dubai-based construction company has come forward to help scores of workers who have been sleeping rough in a Dubai park for the past six months.

After reading of their plight on the cover of 7DAYS this week, a director of Dubai Nova First Manpower Construction and Engineering came forward to offer the men jobs.

Akash Sharma visited the workers at the park in Karama yesterday and immediately took them to his company's labour camp where they received food, clothing and a night's sleep under a roof for the first time since last November. Sharma had been inspired to help after reading how the 30 Indian men were left unemployed and homeless after being duped by a recruitment agent who stole their passports as soon as they arrived in the country.

"I was shocked to see the condition of these men living in the park after reading the report," Sharma explained. "Some of them are sick and badly need medical help. Our company will provide all kinds of assistance to the men including giving them jobs in the company if they want them. Or we will provide air tickets if they want to return home to their families," he added.

The men, all from the Southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, had borrowed heavily to finance their trip to the UAE and were left with nothing after their passports were stolen at the airport. They came to the country during the illegal workers' amnesty period last year, but mounting debts back home forced them to try to find jobs in Dubai rather than head back home to India.

Sharma said that he wanted to help the men achieve this. "We will process their visas if the men are interested to work with us," Sharma said. Last night, one of the men, told 7DAYS that they were extremely grateful for the help, but some of them were still considering leaving the UAE for good.

"We are really thankful to the company for coming to our rescue and offering us the jobs. But life has not been easy for us these past months and we want to return to be with our families. We are hoping that the company sponsors our tickets home," said 37-year-old Ravinder Punnam. Another worker Bukke Shiva Rao also expressed his happiness after being moved to the accommodation at the labour camp.

"We were having a tough time sleeping in the park all this time. We were afraid of being caught by the police and were worried about our deteriorating health. Now our hopes of returning to our country have been realised," added Rao.

[c] 2007 Al Sidra Media LLC

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company

Shop Talk.

Provided by 7DAYS.ae

Flower power

Cross-disciplinary designer collaborations are all the rage when it comes to fashion and jewellery, and for Tiffany & Co. the ante has most certainly been upped thanks to their partnership with Frank Gehry. Arguably one of the greatest architects of our time, Gehry applies his vision to a much smaller scale with the 'Orchid' collection, but with an undeniably big impact.

The range includes pendants, brooches and hook earrings inspired by the exotic orchid crafted in either sterling silver, 18k yellow and white gold and a smattering of pave diamonds. The collection brings art, architecture and nature together with a modern twist that will add that finishing touch of elegance to the summer trends.

Tiffany & Co. is located at Mall of the Emirates, Wafi City, BurJuman and Deira City Centre. For more information visit www.tiffany.com.

Bollywood chic

If you're not up to trawling Mina Bazaar for some ethnic materials to craft into funky designs then head to the Ramada Hotel in Bur Dubai on May 17 and 18 for the Anokhee exhibition and sale. The new brand has already amassed a loyal following in India and now brings its affordable line to Dubai's shores.

From sarees to salwars, kurtis to tunics, skirts and Indo-western wear, the clothes are the perfect choice for the hot Dubai summers.A Made from light materials in the season's vibrant colours, the collection is chock-full of wearable clothes that can be mixed and matched with your existing wardrobe to strike the right ethnic note.

For more information call 050 645 1626.

It's about personal style

For any dedicated shopper, the thrill of walking into a store filled to the brim with beautiful clothes is a heavenly kind of experience. At Boutique 1 in the Emirates Towers Boulevard, that experience just got better thanks to their secret weapon - personal fashion stylists to create the perfect look for you.

If you're looking for some personal advice on all things style and fashion, spend some time with Samineh or Cheryl, Boutique 1's fashion emergency go-to girls for both womenswear and menswear respectively. This summer, have your look styled to fit the one person that matter - you!

For more information visit Boutique 1 at Emirates Towers or call 04 330 4555.

[c] 2007 Al Sidra Media LLC

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company

Gazelle Wins for Best 'Doing Good' Innovation at the 2011 MITX Innovation Awards.

Gazelle has been selected as a winner in the category of Best "Doing Good" Innovation for the 2011 MITX Innovation Awards.

The Company said the annual MITX Innovation Awards program is an award competition of its kind, celebrating technologies powering the future of marketing and revolutionizing the way we work and play. The MITX Award winners were announced in 11 general categories, several "Best of" categories, the PricewaterhouseCoopers Promise Award, and People's Choice Awards for VC and Angel Investor of the Year, at a sold out ceremony held on June 16th at the Westin Boston Waterfront.

"We are honored to be recognized by the leaders in the digital technology industry as an innovative company that helps prevent e-waste and contributes to a sustainable society," said Israel Ganot, CEO of Gazelle. "Being selected as a winner in the 2011 MITX Innovation Awards is yet another indication of our hard work and dedication to creating a service that strives to create real, global consumption change."

"We created the Innovation Awards to give exciting digital and internet companies a chance to showcase their ideas and creativity," said MITX President Debi Kleiman. "This year's winners represent the very best of New England's talent, and MITX is thrilled to honor their achievements."

Judges for the MITX Awards included over 100 industry professionals representing various disciplines including creative directors, designers, technologists, online media representatives, investors, and business professionals.

The 2011 Innovation Awards were sponsored by Digitas, Isobar, DLA Piper, PricewaterhouseCoopers, The Atom Group, BostInnovation, ISITE Design, Metropolis Creative, TCN, and VentureFizz.

Gazelle, a service of Second Rotation, is committed to providing a safe way for consumers to get cash for selling unwanted electronics or to recycle them responsibly.

MITX -- the Massachusetts Innovation & Technology Exchange -- is an industry organization focused on the web and mobile, bringing together the digital marketing, media and technology community to engage in what's next and how it will impact the marketing and business worlds.

More information:

www.mitx.org

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

Online Brazilian Wine Store is the First to Arrive on Facebook.

E-commerce platform was developed by Elastic Path, a Canadian firmSAO PAULO, May 23, 2011 /CNW/ - Wine.com.br, a Brazilian e-commerce operation, opened the first Facebook online wine store in the world this week, launching a new phase of e-commerce actions aimed especially at users of social networks.

The online wine store at Wine.com.br on Facebook has been set up to offer a new buying experience and facilitate the decision process for users who frequent this social network and share common interests.

The concept is to extend the experience of selecting, recommending, selling and delivering wine to the digital ecosystem of Facebook, which now has 19 million users in Brazil. The objective of Wine.com.br is to get users to perform all the operations of visiting and purchasing in a safe, convenient, comfortable and rapid manner, without their having to leave the environment - the Facebook environment, that is.

The new store, available at the "Wine Vinhos" page (click on "W Loja") - which was developed by Giran (www.giran.com.br), based on a solution created by the Canadian company Elastic Path, a technology partner of Oracle - has the same platform and process for service, selection and recommendation as the www.wine.com.br store, also developed by Giran. Wine.com.br launched its first store on the web in January of 2009, and became the biggest online wine operation in Latin America in less than two years.

Wine.com.br made its debut on Facebook less than a year ago. The initial aim was to understand the movement of social networks and learn how to interact effectively with network users. The first step was to post a series of relevant items of content on wine such as tips on harmonizing and suggesting different wines. As a result of this work, by April of 2011, the "fan Page" of Brazilian Wine on Facebook had won over more than 4,500 users who "liked" the page. Soon, users began to interact and buy wine at the Wine store. But to put through the purchase, they had to leave Facebook and go to another address on the Web (www.wine.com.br).

"The Wine F-Store (name of the application) offers new experiences in buying and makes the decision process easier for clients, who can receive recommendations from friends on which wines to try, and even make their purchases without leaving the social network. Now, in addition to continuing to offer relevant content, we are also going to facilitate buying in this new environment and reduce the physical and psychic energies required in any purchasing operation," says Anselmo Endlich, director of IT and marketing at Wine.com.br.

Keywords: Advertising, Internet Technology, Marketing, Technology.

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

GOVERNOR FALLIN SIGNS LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES INTO LAW.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -- The following information was released by the office of the Governor of Oklahoma:

Governor Mary Fallin signed several key pieces of her legislative agenda into law today at a public bill signing session with legislators and state leaders. The governor signed 8 bills, all of which completed goals laid out by Fallin in her state of the state address.

The legislation signed today included bills reforming Oklahoma's costly and inefficient workers' compensation system, restructuring the state's Internet Technology (IT) systems, generating cost savings through government modernization, and creating new tools for private sector job creation. One bill also changed the composition of the Board of Education.

"Today's bill signing really puts an exclamation point on what has been an incredibly productive legislative session," said Fallin. "Conservatives came into office this year promising to pursue reforms that would create a better business environment, encourage private sector job-growth, and make government smaller, smarter and more efficient. The legislation I am signing into law today helps us to make good on these promises. It will also lay the foundation for long term job growth as well as a more efficient, more effective state government serving the citizens of Oklahoma."

Bills signed into law today by Governor Fallin include:

Job Creation Measures

*

SB 878: Authored by Senator Anthony Sykes and Representative Daniel Sullivan, SB 878 rewrites the state's workers' compensation laws to reduce costs for businesses and insure injured workers receive proper care and can return to work in a timely manner. It takes effect 90 days after sine die (note: sine die is Friday, May 27)

*

HB 1953: Authored by Representative Skye McNiel and Senator Mike Mazzei, HB 1953 establishes a Quick Action Closing Fund administered by the governor for the purpose of attracting new jobs and investment to the state of Oklahoma and retaining existing jobs. It takes effect 90 days after sine die.

*

HB 1601: Authored by Representative Aaron Stiles and Senator Clark Jolley, HB 1601 creates a "one-stop-shop" centralized licensing plan for businesses. It takes effect 90 days after sine die.

*

SB 772: Authored by Senator Clark Jolley and Representative Jason Murphey, SB 772 is a companion bill to HB 1601. It establishes a task force to study "one-stop-shop" licensing in other states. It takes effect 90 days after sine die.

Government Modernization Initiatives

*

HB 1304: Authored by Representative David Derby and Senator Clark Jolley, HB 1304 consolidates and restructures the state's aging IT infrastructure. HB 1304 is projected to save taxpayer dollars and allow state IT to run more efficiently and effectively. It takes effect 90 days after sine die.

*

HB 1086: Authored by Representative Jason Murphey and Senator Clark Jolley, HB 1086 is named the "Transparency, Accountability, and Innovation in Oklahoma State Government 2.0 Act of 2011." It establishes a financial shared services model for state agencies, requires payments from the State Treasury shall be processed electronically and establishes the "Oklahoma State Government Open Documents Initiative," designed to increase transparency in government. Section 2 of HB1086, dealing with electronic payments, takes effect on July 1st, 2011. The rest of HB 1086 takes place 90 after sine die.

*

HB 2140: Authored by House Speaker Kris Steele and Senate President Pro Tem Brian Bingman, HB 2140 consolidates various agencies, including Department of Central Services, the Office of Personnel Management, Benefits Council, and the State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board, into the Office of State Finance. The bill anticipates significant cost savings. It takes effect 90 days after sine die.

Education Reform

*

SB 435: Authored by Senator John Ford and House Speaker Kris Steele, SB 435 changes the make-up of the Board of Education. It requires that upon assuming office, the governor must appoint one member from each congressional district and one member from the state at-large to serve on the State Board of Education. The state superintendent of public instruction will be the seventh member of the board. It takes effect 90 days after sine die.

Aptela Selected as 2011 CODiE Awards Finalist.

Aptela v5 Business-Class Phone Service is Recognized as One of the Software Industry's Most Innovative Cloud Infrastructure Platforms

HERNDON, Va. -- Aptela, a leading provider of business-class phone service to small businesses and mobile workers nationwide, today announced the company has been named a finalist for the prestigious CODiE(TM) Awards. Aptela joins software leaders Salesforce.com(TM), LiveOps[R], NetSuite[R] and OpSource(TM) in the "Best Cloud Infrastructure Platform" category. Established by the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), the CODiEs recognize excellence and achievement in the business software, digital content, and education technology industries, and are the industry's only peer-reviewed awards program.

As an innovator of virtual PBX and VoIP technologies, Aptela gives small businesses the tools required to intuitively manage and take control of their business communications. Aptela's v5 virtual PBX / VoIP calling platform is architected to operate in the cloud. The platform demonstrates the power of cloud computing with horizontal scaling, robust fault-tolerance and a remarkably high degree of concurrency. Aptela v5 also delivers a robust set of APIs that unifies communications for Aptela's customers by integrating calling into their existing business processes and by enabling them to work anytime / anywhere.

"We are honored to be selected as a CODiE finalist alongside Salesforce.com, LiveOps, NetSuite and OpSource, all established market leaders in the software industry," said Douglas Strahan, Aptela's Chief Executive Officer. He credits the company's passion and vision for creating an outstanding customer experience as key drivers of the Aptela v5 platform. "This award further validates that Aptela v5 is an easy to use, scalable, reliable and robust calling platform for our customers."

The "Best Cloud Infrastructure Platform" category recognizes the best solutions for providing access to, and operation/maintenance of, cloud-based applications, services, development environments, storage and backup in a seamless, scalable, and flexible manner. Finalists will now be reviewed by SIIA members, who will vote on winners for each category. The winners will be announced on Wednesday, May 25th at the CODiE Awards Luncheon, to be held as part of the SIIA All About The Cloud conference. For more information and a complete list of categories and finalists, please visit www.siia.net/codies/2011.

"For more than 25 years, the CODiE Awards have shown a spotlight on the companies and products that are revolutionizing software, education technology and digital content," said Ken Wasch, President of SIIA. "What sets this program apart from all others is that the winners are selected by those who really know their stuff - whether they're tech executives, industry analysts, or journalists. SIIA recruits leading software, digital content and education people to put each nominated product through an intensive review process. Aptela and all companies that survive the process and become a finalist can say unequivocally that they are producing one of the finest, most innovative products on the market."

This is the latest in a series of awards for Aptela, following the company's recognition as a 2010 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Company, 2010 TMC Unified Communications Product of the Year, member of the 2010 Inc. 5000 list and 2010 TMC Internet Telephony Product of the Year. For more information about Aptela's award winning platform, click here to visit the Aptela v5 Resource Center.

About Aptela

Aptela is a leading provider of business-class phone service, answering the communication and collaboration needs of small businesses and mobile workers nationwide who seek a robust and easy-to-use solution. Aptela's v5 platform is extensible by design and easily integrated into the workflow of today's entrepreneurs and increasingly mobile workforce. Unlike traditional telephony that is tied to a physical location, Aptela's service is delivered from the cloud and its features can be accessed - anywhere, anytime - through the Internet, traditional wire-line or mobile networks. In 2010, Aptela was recognized as a Deloitte Technology Fast 500 company for the third consecutive year with a #197 ranking overall. Aptela is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. For more information, visit www.aptela.com or call us at 800.994.4496. Follow us at www.twitter.com/aptela.

About the CODiE[TM] Awards

The CODiE[TM] Awards, originally called the Excellence in Software Awards, were established in 1986 by the Software Publishers Association (SPA), now the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), so that pioneers of the then-nascent software industry could evaluate and honor each other's work. Since then, the CODiE Awards program has carried out the same purpose - to showcase the software and information industry's finest products and services and to honor excellence in corporate achievement.

About SIIA

The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) is the principal trade association for the software and digital content industry. SIIA provides global services in government relations, business development, corporate education and intellectual property protection to 500 leading software and information companies. For further information, visit www.siia.net.

Aptela is a registered trademark. All other company and product names mentioned are used only for identification purposes and may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Lights, Camera, Action!- Special Aruba Vacation Deal for Film Fans.

Exclusive "A-List" Aruba vacation package provides the ultimate escape and red carpet access to the first annual Aruba International Film Festival

Palm Beach, Aruba (PRWEB) April 19, 2010 -- In honor of the first annual Aruba International Film Festival, which takes place June 4-11, 2010, the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino is providing guests with the opportunity to experience the life of the rich and famous with the "A-List Package." Providing a complimentary night at the exclusive Tradewinds Club, plus access to VIP events with official host Richard Gere, the package offers everything a film-buff needs to experience the first annual festival in style.

The A-List Aruba Vacation Package Includes:

* 7th night free

* Access for two to the Red Carpet Movie Night Opening Event @ Paseo Herencia Theater featuring Richard Gere (June 4th)

* Two VIP tickets to the official Aruba International Film Festival "Bollywood" Gala at the Aruba Marriott Resort (June 10th)

* Exclusive access to the resort's private lounge and secluded beach area

* Five complimentary gourmet servings throughout the day

* Open bar daily from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

* Deluxe amenities such as a pillow menu, free internet access and pressing services

* Ocean view accommodations with spacious private balcony

"With the excitement of the festival, we wanted to offer our guests the chance to take it to the next level and receive glitzy, Hollywood-style treatment in this gorgeous Caribbean setting," says Karin Swiers, Marketing and Communications Manager for the Aruba Marriott. "With VIP access to the exclusive Aruba International Film Festival events and luxurious Tradewinds accommodations and amenities, the A-List Aruba vacation package will leave guests feeling like movie stars."

Aruba vacation package rates start at $580 / night and require a minimum seven-night stay in Tradewinds Club. Offer is available to book now through June 3, 2010, for travel June 3-14, 2010, and based on availability. To book the package, call (800) 223-6388 or visit www.arubamarriott.com and request promotional code FVJ. For more information on Tradewinds Club visit www.tradewindsclubaruba.com. For more information on the Aruba Film Festival, please visit www.arubafilmfest.com or follow them on Twitter@arubafilmfest.

Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino boasts 411 guestrooms -- the most spacious on the island -- each with large, private balconies overlooking lush landscape and the sparkling waters of the Caribbean Sea. On property, seven restaurants and cafes provide fare from light to elegant, while the largest casino in Aruba, a 6,500 square-foot spa, free-form swimming pool with cascading waterfalls and high-energy health club offer entertaining diversions. To obtain more information call the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino at 888-PARADISE or visit www.arubamarriott.com. Connect with the Aruba Marriott's official Facebook fan page by visiting www.facebook.com/ArubaMarriott and follow on Twitter @ArubaMarriott.

# # #

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/04/prweb3887924.htm.

EV Energy Partners Schedules First Quarter 2009 Results Conference Call on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 9 a.m. ET.

HOUSTON -- EV Energy Partners, L.P. (Nasdaq:EVEP) today announced plans to release 2009 first quarter results Monday evening after market close, May 11, 2009. In conjunction with the release, EV Energy Partners has scheduled a conference call, which will be broadcast live over the Internet, on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 9 a.m. Eastern Time (8 a.m. Central).

 [TABLE OMITTED] 

A web cast archive will be available at http://www.evenergypartners.com shortly after the call and will be accessible for approximately 10 days.

EV Energy Partners, L.P., is a master limited partnership engaged in acquiring, producing and developing oil and gas properties.

(code #: EVEP/G)

This press release may include "forward-looking statements" as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the partnership expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on certain assumptions made by the partnership based on its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the partnership, which may cause our actual results to differ materially from those implied or expressed by the forward-looking statements. These include risks relating to financial performance and results, availability of sufficient cash flow to pay distributions and execute our business plan, prices and demand for natural gas and oil, our ability to replace reserves and efficiently develop our current reserves and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected as described in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made and EVEP undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Seattle's Jay Jacobs to Open Indiana Stores Competing with Paul Harris.(Originated from The Indianapolis Star and News)

Apr. 12--Former Paul Harris Stores president Rex Steffey is going in head-to-head competition with his old employer.

Steffey, now president and chief executive of Seattle-based retailer Jay Jacobs, is opening five Jay Jacobs stores in Indiana shopping centers where Paul Harris also has outlets.

Two of the stores opened last month in Mounds Mall in Anderson and the Markland Mall in Kokomo. Another opens today in Muncie Mall, and two will open later this month in Greenwood Park Mall and Speedway Supercenter. The retailer expects to open five to seven more stores in Indiana by the end of the year.

Jay Jacobs' 137 stores sell moderately-priced casual wear and career clothes for young men and women. Paul Harris sells only women's clothes.

Steffey said he doesn't consider his stores as competition for Paul Harris because each retailer caters to a different customer. "We have a different fashion attitude," he said. Jay Jacobs is "a little more cutting edge" than Paul Harris and appeals to a younger customer, he said.

Paul Harris agrees that Jay Jacobs is no competition.

"We knew they were coming to town. Since they sell both men's and women's apparel and, therefore, target a little bit different customer, we don't consider them a direct competitor," said John Boyers, senior vice president of finance and treasurer.

Steffey, a Shelbyville native, began his retail career in 1975 with Paul Harris, where he worked for 11 years. He was working for Montgomery Ward in Chicago in 1991 when Paul Harris asked him to return. Two years later Steffey was named president of Paul Harris, and many assumed he would be the successor to the aging founder, Gerald Paul.

"I was probably among those people," Steffey said in a telephone interview Thursday.

Instead, board member Charlotte Fischer was chosen to succeed Paul. Shortly thereafter, Steffey left to head Jay Jacobs, which was operating under bankruptcy court protection while working out a plan to repay its creditors.

Steffey said he was disappointed not to be chosen for the top spot at Paul Harris and would have been content to remain as No. 2 if the opportunity to lead Jay Jacobs had not come up. After he left Paul Harris, Steffey lured away some of the retailer's employees, including Chief Financial Officer Bill Lawrence.

Jay Jacobs emerged from bankruptcy court protection in November. The Indiana stores mark the retailer's first expansion effort since then.

Most of Jay Jacobs stores are in the Pacific Northwest, but it has 10 stores in Wisconsin and the Chicago area. Those stores were the retailer's strongest performers, convincing Jay Jacobs to open more stores in the Indianapolis area, said Steffey.

"What plays in Milwaukee and Chicago plays in Indianapolis as well," he said. "We know the marketplace."

Over the next three years, Jay Jacobs plans to expand further in the Midwest and Mid-South, Steffey said.

-----

ON THE INTERNET:

Visit Star/News On-Line, the World Wide Web site of The Indianapolis Star and The Indianapolis News. Point your browser to http://www.starnews.com

-----

PAUH,

Sunny state of business reflected on the Croisette.

With a buoyant TV business, international TV exports accounting for $8 billion annually (according to The Wall Street Journal Europe) and burgeoning technologies offering new opportunities, it's no surprise that MIP-TV's attendance was up nine percent from last year (to 13,311), and the number of stands grew by five percent (to 535). One country that enjoyed a particularly strong presence was Singapore, with its large Media Development Authority-sponsored stand. In fact, Asian companies were widely being credited for causing this growth in numbers. Add in great weather and you get an overall unbeatable mood at the five (yet, in reality, three or four)-day event.

As has become de rigueur in recent years, the majority of the 45 MIP conferences focused on all things digital--from user-generated content to cross-platform brands. But during RTL Group CEO Gerhard Zeiler's keynote address, entitled "Capturing Digital Opportunities: Traditional Media Strikes Back," Zeiler insisted that traditional broadcasters are holding their own amidst new players like YouTube and Google. Aside from the torrent of news those companies generate, he said, "a number of very different deals have made the headlines," and pointed to "mergers and acquisitions activity around traditional business." His goal was to prove that rather than turning into dinosaurs, traditional broadcasters are both active and attractive. Zeiler suggested broadcasters look beyond the traditional advertising model to diversify sources of income. He also urged broadcasters to fragment themselves and get involved in more distribution pipes.

Kids' distributor DIC Entertainment is certainly getting into the multidistribution pipe business. Just before MIP, the company announced that, in an effort to sign more cohesive deals, it had formed a Global Brand Management division encompassing Television, Home Entertainment and Consumer Products. After MIP, Dan Waite, DIC's vice president and regional manager of Latin America, described his newly expanded role as feeling "like having my own little business within DIC." While Waite met with partners at MIP, he admitted that as a Latin American Sales executive, the importance of MIP-TV is waning. "The Latins have decided that it's not in their best interest to attend. They assume that not much has changed since NATPE in January and are preparing to come to the Screenings," he said. Wake added that it's for that reason he tends to see Mexican and Brazilian clients more than clients from smaller territories. As in the rest of the world, Waite said Latin American terrestrial distributors are looking to lure kids back from cable TV rivals. "They're looking for top stuff, and spending their money more wisely." DIC hoped to attract buyers with new series Horseland, I Was a High School Dinosaur and Sushi Pack.

New to this year's event was a Focus On Italy. The country was highlighted at the MIP Opening Night Party (which had a Venetian theme), and several conferences featured Italian speakers.

In addition to the red, white and green focus, the event was also infused with a purely green hue (both in regards to dollars and the environmentally oriented programs they can generate). In response to concerns over global warming, Reed MIDEM put environmental-themed programming into the spotlight. Filmmaker and photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand (author of aerial portrait book "Earth from Above"), the "green keynote speaker," was the recipient of the first-ever Reed MIDEM Green World Award, bestowed at a gala dinner at the Carlton Hotel. Additionally, a conference entitled "Can Green TV be Primetime TV?" took place on the first day of the event, to further drive home the point.

For the second time, MIP featured the Interactive Emmy Awards, hosted by actor Roger Bart and attended by 250 executives. Canada came out on top, with "Zimmer Twins" and "ReGenesis Extended Reality Game" tying for the Interactive Program category. Canadian service Bite TV received the Interactive Channel category. The Pioneer Prize was presented to Britain's BSkyB for its innovative contributions to the field of interactive television.

Among the stars on the Croisette was Kristanna Loken, star and co-producer of Painkiller Jane, a Starz series in which she plays government agent Jane Vasco. Director Spike Lee added some wattage to the event on the second day of the market when he came to endorse Babelgum, a global Internet TV network, created by Italian media magnate Silvio Scaglia. Lee gave the network rights to his short film, Jesus Children of America. On the kookier side was cult director John Waters, who attended MIP to promote campy Fremantle series Love You to Death, which features re-enactments of stories in which husbands or wives killed their spouses. Waters hosts the series as the Groom Reaper.

Among the big news on the Croisette was the unveiling of humanitarian Bob Geldof's The Dictionary of Man, an eight-part series made by the BBC and BBC Worldwide. The series aims to record every human society on Earth (made possible by the Internet). The BBC used MIP as a forum to line up partners for what will undoubtedly be one expensive project.

Market organizer Reed MIDEM had quite a bit of news to unveil itself. Firstly, the market announced plans for a new pan-Asian, business-to-business exhibition and conference entitled Amazia. The event, devoted to the creation and distribution of international entertainment content across all delivery platforms, will take place in Hong Kong in November 2008. It will include the distribution of television, film, music and games across terrestrial, digital, cable and satellite broadcasting, mobile and wireless, broadband Internet, interactive television, IPTV and handheld devices.

In order to build a link between MIP and the Cannes Film Festival, Reed announced that the MIP team will host a conference for filmmakers about digital rights issues on the Cannes Film Festival's opening day, while the Cannes Film Fest will sponsor three categories of films during October's MIPCOM Mobile Awards. With international partnerships, increased participant numbers and big business deals being announced, it's safe to say MIP-TV is alive and well.

SOFTWARE INDUSTRY SOARING.(CAPITALAND RPT)

Byline: DANIELLE T. FURFARO Staff writer

When you think of the software industry in the Capital Region, Lucia Fisher wants you to imagine a hockey stick.

``It creeps for a long time and suddenly it takes a sharp turn upward,'' said Fischer, executive director of the Capital Region Software Alliance. The alliance now has 185 members, with about $300 million in revenues. At the end of 1998, revenues were at about $200 million.

The software industry locally hopes to account for $1 billion or more in sales by 2004.

For years, MapInfo revenues have made up a large portion of that total. Started in 1982 by Michael Marvin and three RPI students, the North Greenbush company paved the way for street mapping software. Today, the company has more than 500 employees and revenues of $74.4 million, putting it at the top of the Capital Region software industry.

``This was our best year ever,'' said John Cavalier, president and chief executive officer of MapInfo.

That sentiment has been repeated by many in the industry.

Companies like Poweradz.com and Flow Management Technologies are also expanding dramatically.

Poweradz.com, a company that creates Internet sites for newspapers, grew from eight employees to more than 80 in 1999 and has increased its customer base from 20 to more than 900 newspapers.

Flow Management Technologies, a medical software firm, doubled its revenues in 1999 and plans to add staff, which president Craig Skevington said ``grows by the hour.''

Companies like PrimaComp Inc. represent the small end of the local software scale. The company, which has created digital image compression technology, has been around for a year and a half and has 6 employees. Yet its 12 customers include large companies such as Global Imaging Systems, the University of Geneva Swiss Medical Center and Harris Communications. PrimaComp won the significant technology award at the Capital Region Software Alliance's 1998 Software Companies of the Year Awards.

Like several other area software companies, PrimaComp is a member of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's incubator program, which helps start-up companies get off the ground by giving them a place to share resources and ideas. Out of the 22 companies the incubator assists today, 17 are either dedicated to software or have software as a major component. Learnlinc, a manufacturer of Internet learning software, is a graduate of RPI's incubator program. It now has close to 200 customers, including Lucent Technologies, Aetna and Chase Manhattan. They use Learnlinc's product to train employees in a virtual classroom.

``The classrooms have a blackboard, presentation sites and spreadsheet capabilities,'' said president Degerhan Usluel. ``Students can even raise their hands electronically.''

The Capital Region Software Alliance was formed in 1996 by Fischer, members of Albany's Center for Economic Growth and Michael Marvin, chairman of MapInfo and a local venture capitalist. The software alliance aids local software companies by helping them gain visibility, recruit employees and promote local university programs that can farm future techies.

``While all the companies are important in their own right, they are also a part of something larger,'' said Marvin. ``We are all trying to reach one collective goal.''

Fischer, Marvin and Poweradz.com chairman Bob Godgart all agree that no matter how promising the Capital Region software industry is, it will be hard to get ahead without the backing of investors and new blood from the universities.

Investors seem to have realized it as well. First Albany Corp. and Troy Savings have both started venture capital companies. So far, they have invested in a total of seven area software companies.

``We noticed a sizable number of young companies who were really looking for equity instead of a commercial loan,'' said Jim Trainor, senior vice president of T.S. Capital, Troy Savings' venture capital company. ``We realize these companies have a great potential for growth.''

Stock Market Review--MIDX, MCU, CUP, NGS.

M2 PRESSWIRE-6 December 2005-LiquidStockReport.com: Stock Market Review--MIDX, MCU, CUP, NGS(C)1994-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

RDATE:06122005

Stocks to watch Tuesday: MIDX, MCU, CUP, NGS Stocks to watch: MidNet Inc. (OTCBB: MIDX), MEDICURE INC (AMEX: MCU), PERU COPPER (AMEX: CUP), Natural Gas Services Group Inc. (AMEX: NGS)

www.LiquidStockReport.com Featured Stock: MidNet Inc. (OTCBB: MIDX)

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS:

Agreement Extends Reach of MidNet's Videophone Network to Traditional Telephones

RENO, Nev., -- MidNet, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: MIDX) creator, owner, and operator of The Middle Network(TM), recently announced that it has signed a Bilateral Service Delivery Agreement with Galaxy Multi Media Corp. for collaboration in the delivery of their complementary services. MidNet enables videophone services over The Middle Network, a purpose-built environment for video-based communications. Galaxy is a wholesale VoIP service provider with long-distance services and enhanced calling features.

The Middle Network(TM) supports VoIP and VoIP-with-Video calls. The migration from the traditional public telephone system to VoIP is well underway. According to International Data Corporation, the 5 million VoIP users in 2005 are projected to grow to 27 million users in 2009. These numbers may rise further as VoIP's video capabilities are exploited. Through this agreement, The Middle Network(TM) will be connected to the worldwide public telephone network, the ultimate source of the migration to VoIP.

The agreement also provides users of The Middle Network in the United States and Canada with access to 911 emergency assistance, 411 directory assistance, and toll free numbers (1-8xx).

"With this agreement, MidNet enhances the value proposition for videophone subscribers on The Middle Network," said MidNet's president and CEO, Tilo Kunz. "Through our partnership with Uniloc USA, we've been able to extend our security and privacy features to the Internet and third-party private networks. Now with Galaxy, we're able to extend the reach of The Middle Network to the public telephone network." Once the integration is completed, a subscriber's Middle Network videophone can be used as their only telephone for both video calls and voice-only calls. This agreement will enable videophone users to make and receive regular phone calls worldwide, effectively ensuring that The Middle Network will be backwards-compatible with traditional voice-only telephone systems.

COMPANY OVERVIEW:

MidNet is the creator, owner, and operator of The Middle Network, a commercial complement to the Internet. The Middle Network is purpose-built for video-based communications, providing high-speed, high-capacity private connectivity with device-specific authentication for enhanced security. Organizations and individuals can create, manage and distribute valuable intellectual properties, and collaborate with greater privacy and security on The Middle Network.

Shares of MIDX are currently trading at or around $0.36

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH THE CEO OF MIDNET INC.

- John Pentony, Publisher of StockGuru.com, announced that the web site has released a new exclusive executive interview with Tilo Kunz, the President and CEO of MidNet, Inc. (OTC BB:MIDX.OB). Mr. Kunz gives listeners a comprehensive update on the company.

To listen to the StockGuru.com interview with Tilo Kunz of MidNet, please visit: http://www.stockguru.com/profiles/midx/ http://www.midnetinc.com**Sign up FREE at www.LiquidStockReport.com to receive additional stock information.** Other stocks to watch:

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