NSW:O'Farrell praises police bomb response

AAP General News (Australia)
08-04-2011
NSW:O'Farrell praises police bomb response

NSW Premier BARRY O'FARRELL has praised police for the sensitive way in which they
handled a bomb scare on Sydney's lower north shore.

18-year-old MADELEINE PULVER from Mosman had what was believed to be a sophisticated
explosive device fastened around her neck for around 10 hours yesterday, but it was found
to be non-explosive.

Mr O'FARRELL says he's delighted Ms PULVER'S ordeal had come to a satisfactory resolution
and he praised the efforts of the police involved.

AAP RTV saj/ra/wjf/psm/

KEYWORD: BOMB OFARRELL (SYDNEY)

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

Roma realise they face tough task in Euro bid.

Provided by 7DAYS.ae

ROMA are under no illusions as to the task they face as the Giallorossi seek to overturn a two-goal deficit against Manchester United at Old Trafford tonight. The Italians were overturned 2-0 in the Champions League quarter final first leg at the Stadio Olimpico last week and Sir Alex Ferguson's side are the overwhelming favourites ahead of the decider.

And Roma midfielder Rodrigo Taddei knows it will require a superhuman effort for his side to turn around the tie and stay in Europe's premier club competition.A But Taddei insists progressing to the last four is the only option for Luciano Spalletti's troops. "Those of us who have come to Manchester have to be focused and try to give not 100 per cent but 200 per cent in order for us to progress, something which is our aim," said Taddei. "We are aware of how difficult our task will be. We have a negative result against us and we face a great side away from home."

But the Italians, who have managed to cut Inter Milan's once dominant lead at the top of Serie A to just four points, will have to put in the huge effort without key man Francesco Totti. The club skipper and talisman has failed to recover from the thigh injury that also kept him out of the first leg. Totti's season has been marred by injuries - the playmaker has missed 13 games in total - and Taddei revealed the rest of the team are becoming accustomed to playing without their top scorer.

"Totti is a top player and this cannot be denied," he admitted. "But we have had to play without him already this campaign and we have taken important results." Taddei, who scored the opener in Roma's 3-2 league win against Genoa on Saturday, is confident his team can succeed without the former Italy international.

"It is understandable that others may find in Totti's absence an excuse for defeat," he said. "But we know that the defeat against Manchester United in the opening leg came from the fact we didn't make use of our chances to score."

Meanwhile, Ferguson insists his side will not be complacent in spite of their seemingly comfortable two-goal cushion. Given that United hammered Roma 7-1 at Old Trafford last season and still managed to beat the Italians 1-0 when playing poorly in this season's group stage, it is hard to see United losing tonight.

But Ferguson knows that impression could breed complacency and he has alerted his squad to the importance of putting the tie beyond Roma's reach.

With Sunday's Premier League clash against Arsenal looming in the background, the last thing the United manager wants is for his players to be forced to go through the physically draining experience of playing extra-time.

"In European football a goal changes the situation quickly, I wouldn't want to start the game against Roma and after ten minutes have lost a goal. They can sit and wait, then hope for a 2-0 result and go for extra time. I think we have to get into a real mode of making sure we play our way and make sure it's a difficult night for them," added the Scot. "One goal for us would finish it I think."

[c] 2007 Al Sidra Media LLC

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company

WA:Magellan to lay off mine staff

AAP General News (Australia)
04-08-2011
WA:Magellan to lay off mine staff

PERTH, April 8 AAP - Controversial lead miner Magellan Metals looks set to lay off
nearly 200 staff as it mothballs its Wiluna mine following the discovery of lead-contaminated
mud on a container at Fremantle Port.

Canadian parent company Ivernia says the mine, 980km northeast of Perth, is being placed
into care and maintenance and Magellan is in talks with its employees about potential
redundancies.

"Some contractors have already been informed not to return to the mine site, and Magellan
Metals is holding talks with its major service providers," Ivernia said in a statement.

About 220 employees and contractors are employed at the mine and another 15 people
in Magellan's Perth office.

Ivernia said the mine was expected to be under full care and maintenance by April 15,
2011, with around 40 staff members retained for that purpose.

"The company cannot, at this time, provide any further guidance on when the company
will restart operations at the Magellan Mine," the company's statement said.

Magellan on Wednesday voluntarily ceased operations at Wiluna following its third breach
of strict lead transport conditions in four months.

Lead was found last week in caked mud under a container at Fremantle Port.

Magellan's vice-president of corporate and social responsibility, John Yeates, said
the lead may have been picked up at the railhead at Leonora where containers were placed
on the ground before being loaded.

He said investigations were under way to find out if it was residual lead, left at
the railhead from previous lead exports through Esperance between 2005 and 2007.

But the rail operator, the Australian Railroad Group (ARG), says an independent analysis
of soil samples from the Leonora site proves the rail yard is not the cause of the latest
lead contamination.

Premier Colin Barnett said on Wednesday his government's patience with Magellan had
"pretty much run out".

"I think they have recognised this, they are closing the operation down, I guess to
consider the future," Mr Barnett said.

In December, the WA government suspended Magellan's transport of lead after traces
of airborne lead were found in containers carrying sealed bags of lead carbonate railed
to Fremantle.

Just after lead shipments resumed, they were halted again in March after it was found
the dangerous metal was railed along lines that were not part of the route specified in
the strict environmental conditions imposed.

In 2007, Magellan was barred from shipping lead out of the southern WA port of Esperance
after extensive lead contamination there killed thousands of birds and boosted lead levels
in the blood of children.

AAP ldj/nb

KEYWORD: LEAD

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

NSW:Target on alcohol results in 1,364 arrests

AAP General News (Australia)
12-18-2010
NSW:Target on alcohol results in 1,364 arrests

More than 13 hundred arrests for alcohol related offences were made across the country
last night.

Police began Operation Unite .. a joint initiative with New Zealand targeting trouble
makers and antisocial behaviour aimed at reducing alcohol fuelled violence.

One of the most alarming arrests was that of a taxi-driver caught drinking-driving
in New South Wales.

The 44 year-old driver had four passengers in his car when he was stopped by police
for a random breath test.

Operation Unite spokesperson Commissioner ANDREW SCIPIONE says recent research shows
someone dies each day in Australia as a result of someone else's drinking .. and that
alcohol is linked to almost 45 thousand assaults.

He says the operation isn't about restricting the public from going out and having
a good time .. but about promoting a message that everyone has to consider their behaviour
and the impact it may have long after the night is over.

The operation ends tomorrow.

AAP RTV dmg/sw

KEYWORD: UNITE (SYDNEY)

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

FED:No Aussies harmed in Vanuatu quake

08-11-2010
FED:No Aussies harmed in Vanuatu quake

Authorities are confident no Australians have been harmed by an earthquake off Vanuatu.

A 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit the Pacific island yesterday .. generating a small tsunami
and sending thousands of frightened people running for the hills.

Foreign affairs minister STEPHEN SMITH says all Australian government workers .. their
relatives and dependents are safe.

Authorities are checking on other Australians.

AAP RTV ca/wz/af

KEYWORD: QUAKE VANUATU AUST (CANBERRA)

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

HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 14:30, April 1

AAP General News (Australia)
04-01-2010
HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 14:30, April 1

LITTLEHAMPTON, SA - Liberal leader Tony Abbott has spent the morning kissing babies
and talking with toddlers but denies he's trying to soften his hard man image. (Abbott
2nd Update).

Election Wrap to come



SYDNEY - Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will face more questioning on Thursday over his
hospital reform plans, this time from NSW which has previously shown support for the changes.

(Hospitals Keneally)

SYDNEY - The NSW opposition is backing other states' calls for an alternative to the
federal government's hospital funding model, saying more money has to be part of the solution.

(Hospitals OFarrell)

CANBERRA - The federal government has denied its $436 million sweetener to improve
diabetic care will encourage doctors to pocket the funds. (Hospitals Diabetes)

Hospitals Wrap and Hospitals NSW wrap to come



CANBERRA - The trade deficit widened to just shy of the $2 billion mark in February,
reversing much of the narrowing seen in the previous month as imports grew by two per
cent, new data shows. (Trade)

CANBERRA - The rise in imports in February is further evidence of Australian resource
companies willingness to invest again, Trade Minister Simon Crean says. (Trade Crean)

Economy Wrap to come.



SYDNEY - A Qantas A380 superjumbo which suffered two tyre blowouts while landing at
Sydney Airport will be assessed before a decision is taken whether to examine other aircraft
in the national carrier's fleet. (Qantas)



PERTH - Former West Australian Premier turned lobbyist Brian Burke has been found guilty
on one count of lying to the state's Corruption And Crime Commission. (Burke)

More to come



LITTLEHAMPTON, SA - Liberal leader Tony Abbott has evaded questions about whether a
coalition government will cut public service jobs, but has promised to be more frugal
than Labor. (Budget Abbott)

CANBERRA - Liberal senator Gary Humphries has lashed out at his own party for suggesting
possible jobs cuts in the public sector, saying it will cost votes. (Budget)



SYDNEY - David Beckham had just stunned the world by saying he was joining Australia's
team, when he casually turned away from the phone and asked Posh if she knew where his
knickers were. (Fool Wrap)



CANBERRA - Kevin Rudd's decision to relieve Greg Combet of some of his responsibilities
has been welcomed by the Australian Defence Association. (Defence Update).



AUCKLAND - The final report into the sinking of the doomed Tongan ferry Princess Ashika
claims the country's government failed its people by buying a boat that was obviously
unseaworthy, according to leaked information. (Tonga Ferry)



HOBART - Tasmania's labor Premier David Bartlett has announced that he will yield power
to Liberal leader Will Hodgman. (PollTas Bartlett). PollTas Wrap to come.



CANBERRA - A boat with 64 passengers and three crew on board has been intercepted near
Christmas Island. (Boat)



MELBOURNE- Gangland widow Judy Moran's lawyer has again raised concerns about his client's
treatment in custody after she was injured while being taken back to prison from a Melbourne
court. (Moran). Wrap to come



CANBERRA - Families Minister Jenny Macklin has celebrated a milestone in the gestation
of the government's parental leave scheme - nine months to go. (Parental)



CANBERRA - The government is using its water buyback scheme as a "flashy statement"

with negligible benefit to the environment, Opposition water spokesman Barnaby Joyce says.

(Water Joyce)



CANBERRA - The federal government has defended a decision to scrap the auditor-general's
role in overseeing election campaign advertising. (Advertising)


IN FINANCE

MELBOURNE - Lihir Gold Ltd has scorned a takeover bid by Australia's largest gold producer,
Newcrest Mining Ltd, saying the $9.2 billion offer is too low. (Lihir 2nd Update). Wrap
to come


IN SPORT

BRISBANE - AFL match: Brisbane v Carlton, Gabba, 2040AEDT. AFL Lions Wrap to come plus
AFL Lions Fevola.



MORE

KEYWORD: HIGHLIGHTS NATIONAL

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

HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 19:30, Aug 19

AAP General News (Australia)
08-19-2009
HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 19:30, Aug 19

CANBERRA - Wind farms and solar panels are set to take over Australia after politicians
agreed on a historic deal to boost clean energy. (Climate Wrap, with factbox)

Eds: Second Wrap to come if RET passes parliament tonight



CANBERRA - Australia's economic destiny will be tied to China for the next 20 years
after a $50 billion gas deal left the massive Gorgon LNG project on the verge of development.

(Gorgon Wrap, with factbox)

PERTH - Western Australia is poised to reap the benefits of a resources boom that is
already defying the global financial downturn. (Gorgon WA Wrap)

CANBERRA - Outspoken Liberal backbencher Wilson Tuckey says he "advised" Malcolm Turnbull
to support a fellow West Australian MP who was kicked out of parliament but denies taking
a shot at the opposition leader. (Gorgon House)

See also Gorgon Analysis, Parly View



MELBOURNE - The fourth person charged over the murder of underworld figure Des "Tuppence"

Moran has been ordered to supply a DNA sample to police after refusing to provide a swab.

(Farrugia Wrap)



SYDNEY - Qantas Airways Ltd is taking a razor to its cost base as it continues to battle
the economic downturn that caused its annual profit to plunge 88 per cent. (Qantas Wrap,
with pix)

SYDNEY - Qantas Airways Ltd has scrapped its proposed $2.5 billion share market listing
for its frequent flyer program, saying the loyalty rewards business helped keep the airline
out of the red last financial year. (Qantas Frequent Wrap, with pix)

See also Qantas Union



SYDNEY - A strong banking system helped cushion Australia from the worst of the global
financial crisis, the Reserve Bank (RBA) says. (RBA Edey, on finance wire)

BRISBANE - Relief may be in sight for renters who have been hit in the hip pocket by
skyrocketing rents over the past few years. (Rent)

CANBERRA - Demand for crisis accommodation and charity food handouts has risen by 50
per cent due to the economic downturn, a new report shows. (Charity Macklin)

See also Henry Tax on finance wire, Saver



MELBOURNE - Blood products and vaccines developer CSL Ltd has reported a 63.3 per cent
jump in annual profit and forecast further earnings growth this year as it starts to meet
orders for swine flu vaccine. (CSL Wrap, with graphic)

MELBOURNE - A piggery in Victoria's north has been placed in quarantine after returning
positive tests for swine flu. (Flu Vic Wrap)



CANBERRA - The government says a controversial dig to recover the remains of up 300
World War I diggers in France is being conducted in a dignified manner by a specialist
firm qualified for the task. (Fromelles Wrap)



MELBOURNE - A shared currency between Australia and New Zealand has merit but is unlikely
to eventuate, NZ Prime Minister John Key says. (Key)



SYDNEY - NSW Premier Nathan Rees has taken responsibility for a disastrous poll showing
voter dissatisfaction at a new high, but it's unlikely to trigger a leadership challenge
just yet. (Poll NSW 2nd Wrap)



MELBOURNE - An admitted terrorism plotter who dressed in "mujahideen"-like clothing
and made a propaganda film featuring Osama bin Laden should be allowed to seek parole,
his lawyer says. (Terror Vic Kent)



BRISBANE - The future of Super League club Celtic Crusaders hangs in the balance after
six Australian players - including ex-Queensland Origin centre Josh Hannay - were sensationally
ordered to leave the UK over visa breaches. (League Super Crusaders Wrap)



MELBOURNE - Rugby league star Greg Inglis has been struggling since accusations broke
that he assaulted his former girlfriend Sally Robinson. (Inglis)



MORE mn

KEYWORD: HIGHLIGHTS NATIONAL UPDATED

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

WA: Motorists should expect "long delays" to SW

AAP General News (Australia)
04-09-2009
WA: Motorists should expect "long delays" to SW

A main road to one of Western Australia's most popular Easter getaway regions has
been partially closed after a truck accident.

Police say motorists should expect long delays of up to six hours .. after a freezer
truck carrying a load of meat lost a container on the Old Coast Road .. near Lake Clifton
.. south of Perth.

The road is the gateway to WA's southwest region .. where tourists flock to the popular
towns of Margaret River .. Busselton and Dunsborough.

AAP RTV ah/wf

KEYWORD: ACCIDENT (PERTH)

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

Qld: MP apologises for threat to sue elderly woman

AAP General News (Australia)
12-05-2008
Qld: MP apologises for threat to sue elderly woman

By Jessica Marszalek

BRISBANE, Dec 5 AAP - A Queensland MP who threatened to sue an elderly lady who had
criticised him has apologised for acting in the heat of the moment.

Phil Gray, the state Labor MP for Gaven, wrote a letter to the Gold Coast woman after
she allegedly criticised him and said she wouldn't vote for him at a public meeting last
month.

Mr Gray told her that if she did not stop smearing his character he would take the
matter to court.

But an angry Premier Anna Bligh on Thursday pulled the member aside and ordered him
to apologise, telling him his behaviour was completely unacceptable.

Mr Gray sent a letter of apology on Friday and said he realised he would have to let
future criticisms roll off his back.

"I do regret it as the (original) letter was written in haste," he said.

"I think I've probably developed an elephant-like skin now and you can throw whatever
you like at me and I won't flinch."

But he had his family to consider as well, who were hurt by the incident, he said.

Mr Gray said politicians were often at a disadvantage in defending themselves and their families.

"Politicians seem to have less civil and legal rights in this country than others," he said.

"... it's not that we're precious little care bears with a very thin skin, but I think
there are limits which at times are crossed by the press or by other people."

AAP jmm/pjo/tnf

KEYWORD: GRAY

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

Fed: Bird flu scare ends up being the horses saviour: experts

AAP General News (Australia)
08-01-2008
Fed: Bird flu scare ends up being the horses saviour: experts

SYDNEY, Aug 1 AAP - The global threat of bird flu saved the Australian horse industry,
experts say.

In 2004, the CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory developed a molecular diagnostic
test for bird flu, at a time when equine influenza (EI) was not even on the radar.

Three years later, the same test was used in the effort to stop the spread of EI, with
Agtrans Research saying it allowed authorities to determine the best ways to contain it.

"It's fortuitous that this diagnostic test could be applied to horse flu, as it's highly
unlikely that a similar test could have been developed in a timely manner once the outbreak
had been detected," Agtrans' Dr Peter Chudleigh said in a statement today.

"The use of the test supported the decision to try for eventual eradication."

Dr Chudleigh said the main benefit from the diagnostic test was how quickly EI could be detected.

Australian Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre chief executive Dr Stephen Prowse
said the economic benefit of using the diagnostic test was more than $134 million.

"It took 125 days to eradicate equine influenza," he said.

But using the test enabled Australia to demonstrate freedom from the disease to the
international community much earlier than would have otherwise been possible, he said.

"(And) at a much reduced expense to the industry, and freeing up horse movements,"

Dr Prowse said.

EI entered Australia through a Sydney quarantine centre, then spread through NSW and
Queensland, shutting down the racing industry in those states for three months.

The breakout led to the cancellation of the 2007 Sydney Spring Carnival and the Queensland
Summer Carnival, threatened the Melbourne Cup and disrupted breeding, exports and equestrian
events.

The federal government is facing millions of dollars in compensation claims from the
racing industry after a damning report blamed the quarantine authority for the devastating
outbreak.

Australia was officially declared EI free on June 30, six months after the last detected case.

AAP nr/evt/goc/cdh

KEYWORD: STALLIONS FLU

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

AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Evening, Dec 30

AAP General News (Australia)
12-30-2007
AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Evening, Dec 30
Evening Round-Up: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AAP RTV FILE AT 1630


Bulgarian Stabbing (CANBERRA)

An Australian man is expected to be charged with murder after a fatal stabbing in Bulgaria.

The 21-year-old from NSW was arrested on Friday after an alleged incident in the Bulgarian
capital Sofia.

The Australian is alleged to have stabbed ANDREI CHRISTOV MANOV .. the 20-year-old
son of prominent Bulgarian psychotherapist CRISTO MANOV.

Mr MANOV died on the way to hospital .. reportedly from a stab wound that pierced his heart.

Bulgarian media have reported prosecutors plan to charge the young man with murder
in Sofia Regional Court either today or tomorrow.



Melanie (PERTH)

Tropical cyclone Melanie is still running parallel to the West Australian Pilbara coast
today .. but is unlikely to dump much rain.

The category two storm was 410 kilometres northwest of Karratha and 415km north of
Exmouth at 9.40am (WDT) and travelling southwest at 18 kilometres an hour.

Senior weather forecaster ANDREW BURTON says no significant rain is expected and cyclone
warnings for the Pilbara coast are likely to be lifted later today.

He says the storm should head away from the coast .. but there's still potential for
gusts of up to 120 kilometres an hour in coastal communities between Coral Bay and Mardie.



Bushfires WA (PERTH)

A major West Australian highway has been closed after a bushfire jumped containment
lines near the Boorabbin National Park.

With strong winds and 43 degree heat .. fire fighters are under pressure to contain
the blaze which has burnt more than five thousand hectares 80km east of Southern Cross.

Department of Environment and Conservation Incident Controller BARRY HOOPER says the
fire has crossed to the southern side of Great Eastern Highway between Yellowdine and
Coolgardie.

The blaze is being fanned by northerly winds putting pressure on the southern flank of the fire.



Toll National (SYDNEY)

The national holiday road toll has risen to 33 with the deaths of a cyclist in Queensland
and car accidents in NSW and Western Australia.

Victoria still has the highest road toll in the nation at 11 .. after two young men
died in separate accidents yesterday.

Seven people have been killed in Western Australia .. six in NSW and four in Queensland.

There have been two deaths in South Australia and one each in the Northern Territory
.. the ACT and Tasmania.



Anthrax (SYDNEY)

Anthrax has now been detected at eight farms in NSW's Upper Hunter region .. but authorities
say their control efforts are working.

The Department of Primary Industries says the number of cattle deaths resulting from
the deadly outbreak has stalled at about 30.

BRETT FIFIELD from the DPI says that's a sign vaccination is beginning to take effect.

He says the eight properties under quarantine .. range from large holdings with up
to 500 head of stock to smaller farms with less than 30 cattle.

The first deaths resulting from the naturally occurring anthrax were reported on Christmas Eve.



Wadeye (BRISBANE)

Police say calm has been restored to the indigenous community of Wadeye .. southwest
of Darwin .. after riots resulted in 17 arrests this week.

The violence began on Christmas Day and escalated on Boxing Day when hundreds of young
men took to the streets armed with spears .. iron bars .. hammers and machetes.

They destroyed a number of houses .. damaged the roof of the council building and terrified
locals.



Parliament (CANBERRA)

A child care centre in Parliament House will go ahead .. but the federal government
is still trying to work out the best option.

There were reports today that the Labor government had dumped plans for a Parliament
House creche as it would cost parents too much.

But Labor MP TRISH CROSSIN has denied the report and says the government is still considering
its options.

But the federal opposition says politicians shouldn't expect any special deals on child
care at Parliament House in Canberra.

Ccommunity services spokesman TONY ABBOTT says the cost appears reasonable .. and if
Prime Minister KEVIN RUDD is fair dinkum about giving women a fair go in politics .. it'll
go ahead with the centre.



Eve Finance (SYDNEY)

A new survey reveals almost half of all Australians have no insurance and close to a
third are worried about their financial future.

The Citibank research shows little more than one-fifth of the population has enough
savings to sustain them beyond three months if they lost a job.

The bank's CAMERON McLEOD says Australians need greater saving discipline.

He says people need to stop burying their heads in the sand and make 2008 the year to get ahead.



in Sport ..



Cricket Aust (MELBOURNE)

Fast bowler MITCHELL JOHNSON is hopeful he and his fellow pacemen can continue keeping
India's batsmen under pressure in the second cricket Test at the SCG .. which starts Wednesday.

JOHNSON says he, BRETT LEE and STUART CLARK were happy with the way they restricted
India's star-studded batsmen during the first Test at the MCG, which Australia won by
337 runs.

JOHNSON .. who picked up a career-best three for 21 in the final innings of the match
.. is also pleased the early finish gave the side a rest day before going into the second
Test.

Australia's Sydney-based players are travelling home today .. while the remainder of
the squad will fly north tomorrow.



Cricket India (MELBOURNE)

India haS vowed to become more positive and attacking in the second cricket Test against
Australia at the SCG.

The tourists' batsmen in particular were stifled by Australia's good bowling in the
first Test at the MCG, and were twice bowled out for under 200 as the home side won by
337 runs.

Interim coach LALCHAND RAJPUT says India want to lift their aggression, approach and
intensity in the field in the second Test.

RAJPUT says the tourists will wait to look at conditions in Sydney before deciding
if there'll be any changes to the side.



Sail SydHob (HOBART)

Almost two-thirds of the Sydney to Hobart yacht fleet have now completed the race.

Only 29 of the fleet of 79 have yet to reach Hobart .. although several of the smaller
boats are not expected to arrive until tomorrow.

Among the finishers today was Challenge .. skippered by 80-year-old LOU ABRAHAMS.

ABRAHAMS is competing in the race for a record-equalling 44th time.



Tennis Women (GOLD COAST, Qld)

Belarusian VICTORIA AZARENKA has eliminated two-time winner AI SUGIYAMA of Japan from
the Australian Women's Hardcourt tennis tournament on the Gold Coast.

AZARENKA defeated SUGIYAMA 6-2 6-3 on centre court while Frenchwoman NATHALIE DECHY
earlier beat China's ZI YAN in straight sets.



ENDS EVENING ROUND-UP

Broadcast Desk inquiries 24 hours: 02 9322 8714

AAP RTV crh

KEYWORD: EVENING ROUND-UP

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

NT: Aust researchers to help fight Timor food shortage

AAP General News (Australia)
08-21-2007
NT: Aust researchers to help fight Timor food shortage

BY Tara Ravens

DARWIN, Aug 21 AAP - Australian researchers will head to East Timor to teach local
specialists how to protect much-needed crops from disease and pests amid a food shortage.

Lack of food is threatening to destabilise the troubled nation, with the World Food
Program (WFP) estimating a production shortfall of 30 per cent in staple grains.

A severe shortage of rice in February this year raised concerns, and the WFP believes
up to 220,000 people, or one-fifth of the population, will be suffering from severe hunger
and need emergency food aid by October.

Dr Peter Stephens, from the NT Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines,
today said his team would arrive in the fledgling nation - plagued by unrest in recent
weeks - in October.

"We aim to increase food security in East Timor through increased food production and
storage," he said.

The 14-month East Timor Capacity Building in Crop Production project aims to reduce
crop losses due to pests and diseases.

It is funded by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).

"Between 31 to 40 per cent of crops grown by subsistence farmers in South-east Asia
can be lost due to pests and diseases," Dr Stephens said.

"In East Timor, we will be instructing key agricultural extension and teaching staff
... in methods of pest and disease identification and culturally appropriate methods of
control."

Dr Stephens said it was hoped the knowledge would be passed on to local growers in
a series of regional plant health workshops.

"Local growers will learn how to identify and control pests and diseases of maize,
rice and tomatoes, and how to implement effective methods of control," he said.

"This will also help them to identify and control pests and diseases in other staple
and cash crops ...

"The crop specialist in each area will be encouraged to continue these plant health
clinics after this initial workshop to ensure continual help to the farmers."

The project is a joint initiative between DPIFM, Charles Sturt University, New South
Wales Department of Primary Industry and the Western Australian Department of Agriculture.

AAP tr/jl/cdh

KEYWORD: TIMOR CROPS (PIX AVAILABLE)

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

Qld: Tasmanian Devils welcomed in rare birth

AAP General News (Australia)
04-05-2007
Qld: Tasmanian Devils welcomed in rare birth

Five Tasmanian devils have welcomed a new addition to their family .. in a rare birth
at a Gold Coast animal park.

Tasmanian devils Midnight and Adam are the proud parents of at least one baby.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary curator MATT HINGLEY says staff have just discovered the
baby .. about 17 days old .. during a quick check peek inside Midnight's pouch.

Tasmanian Devils give birth to a maximum of four young .. and are not routinely bred
in captivity.

AAP RTV jmm/pjo/wz/tm

KEYWORD: DEVILS (BRISBANE)

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

HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 14:45, Dec 5

AAP General News (Australia)
12-05-2006
HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 14:45, Dec 5

SUVA - Fiji's embattled prime minister remained defiant today as the military tightened
control of the nation in a "creeping" coup. (Fiji PM. Nightlead, Scene to come.)

CANBERRA - Fiji's embattled prime minister appealed to Australia for military help
to stave off a military coup but Australia refused, Prime Minister John Howard says. (Fiji
Howard. Fiji Aust N/L to come.)

BRISBANE - Tourism operators said they have experienced significant cancellations from
holidaymakers and anticipate will take up to 2 years for the industry to bounce back after
the coup. (FIJI TOURISM to come)

CANBERRA - Disgraced wheat exporter AWB will be stripped of its veto over wheat exports
with the power to be temporarily transferred to Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran. (AWB
LEAD to come. N/L to come.)

CANBERRA - New Labor leader Kevin Rudd and his deputy Julia Gillard will this weekend
launch a 10-day campaign tour. (LABOR TOUR. N/L to come.)

PERTH - The Australian navy is standing by to help rescue two people aboard a civilian
submarine rescue craft stranded on the ocean floor off the West Australian coast. (Remora.

N/L to come)

CANBERRA - Australia's export sector in the third quarter contributed to economic growth
for the first time since June 2001 - a timely input given that the domestic economy has
otherwise slowed against the backdrop of rising interest rates. (EXPORTS. Economy N/L
to come.)

CANBERRA - Federal parliament has approved the sale of Medibank Private, Australia's
largest health insurer. (Medibank Pass. N/L to come)

SYDNEY - Predicting the onset of mental illness could soon be as simple as smelling
a scratch-and-sniff card loaded with the aroma of roses or a whiff of petrol. (Scratch)

CANBERRA - Extreme drought conditions are forecast to cut Australia's 2006/07 winter
grains production by 62 per cent from last season to 15.5 million tonnes, the lowest level
in 10 years, the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) said
today. (ABARE)

DARWIN - An ongoing feud between two families in a remote Northern Territory community
escalated when more than 200 people allegedly attacked each other with axes, spears and
homemade swords. (Feud)

PERTH - Australia's largest gas and electricity retailer AGL Energy has secured a 27.5
per cent stake in Queensland Gas Company Ltd (QGC) for up to $292 million. (QGC to come)

ADELAIDE - Shane Warne gave Australia a strong whiff of victory over England in the
second Ashes Test after a remarkable start to the fifth and final day at Adelaide Oval.

(Ashes. N/L to come.)

more

KEYWORD: HIGHLIGHTS NATIONAL

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

Tas: Rescuers keep digging tunnel in bid to reach miners

AAP General News (Australia)
04-29-2006
Tas: Rescuers keep digging tunnel in bid to reach miners

BEACONSFIELD, Tasmania, April 29 AAP - Rescuers have so far tunnelled seven metres
in their bid to reach two men trapped in the Beaconsfield Gold Mine for more than three
days, the Tasmanian mine management says.

Workers went down the mine at 6am (AEST) today to start fresh 12-hour shift digging
a new tunnel they hope will reach the trapped workers, mine manager Matthew Gill said
today.

About 210 tonnes of broken rock already have been removed but it is expected to take
at least two more days to reach the location where the miners are thought to be.

The rate of progress means families may be waiting until Monday for news of whether
or not their loved ones are still alive.

Todd Russell and Brant Webb are trapped 925 metres underground after a seismic event
triggered rock falls on Tuesday night.

The body of their 44-year-old colleague Larry Knight, who also was trapped by the fall,
was retrieved on Thursday night.

"Work overnight focused in installing ground support into the newly exposed rock from
the first firing for the re-access drive," Mr Gill said in a statement today.

"The re-access drive was then bored and fired again at 10.30pm (AEST). Another firing
is anticipated this morning."

Mr Gill said safety was the top priority in rescue operations at the mine, where seismicity
was still an issue following Tuesday's rock falls.

"(Today), they will work on the next firing, removal of rock and the installation of
ground support," he said.

AAP ved/cdh/bwl

KEYWORD: MINE RESCUE

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

Premiere's chief looks beyond loss of soccer

Andreas Tzortzis
International Herald Tribune
01-23-2006
Less than a year ago, analysts could not get enough of Georg Kofler, the dynamic chief executive of the German pay television broadcaster Premiere. He was everybody's darling when Premiere made a triumphant debut on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.But after a few months of basking in the limelight, Kofler lost soccer broadcasting rights, the crown jewels of European pay television, to an upstart cable company in December. Premiere's stock plunged 40 percent in one day, and the same analysts that once cheered him now are wondering how far he and Premiere will fall.Some analysts say that Kofler made a mistake by trying to squeeze more exclusivity out of his bid to renew Premiere's rights to the soccer games. The rights instead went to Arena, a subsidiary of the cable operator Unity Media, which plans to begin broadcasting live matches in August."I think it was a tremendous mistake, a management mistake," said Stefan Weiss of WestLB in London. "They really played a bit too high and had no backup plan, and now they're sitting there with almost nothing left." In Europe's changing television landscape, the rights to broadcast soccer are the one thing companies cannot afford not to afford. British Sky Broadcasting, the satellite operator, has the rights to broadcast Premiership matches to thank for its booming subscriber count. Looking ahead, telecommunications companies in Belgium and the Netherlands have scooped up domestic league rights in order to promote digital television offerings over fast Internet lines.Premiere had counted on the soccer rights to help increase its subscriber count beyond a stagnant 3.5 million, and analysts now wonder how the company's managers plan to steel themselves for the coming battles with cable and telecommunications companies for viewers' living rooms.Kofler insists that his company is still in good shape."There is absolutely no reason to panic," he told Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung after the announcement. "Nothing changes in the Premiere offering until September. I've never had so much time to prepare for possible changes at Premiere."Kofler was not available to comment for this article. Analysts say it is too early to tell how damaging the loss could be for Kofler and Premiere. The company immediately filed a lawsuit against Unity after the announcement, asserting that the cable company and Arena, the subsidiary, violated antitrust regulations by controlling a cable network and providing content for it. The same regulation doomed Liberty Media's attempt to enter the German cable market in 2002.This month, Premiere introduced a print and television ad campaign aimed at pacifying jittery subscribers and shareholders.Analysts have said that the lawsuit may be intended to further complicate Unity Media's effort to set up a compelling soccer offering in a very short time. Questions remain on how Unity, which now operates in only two German states, will gain enough reach to fully exploit the soccer rights."Cable has made this sort of play in other countries and then backed down," said Guy Bisson of Screen Digest in London. "They simply didn't have the customer base to market these rights." Analysts are not ruling out cooperation agreements. Premiere's most valuable asset continues to be the content and analysis that it offers in its current soccer package. Most analysts cannot imagine that this will simply disappear.Kofler said he was not averse to talking with Unity Media, and analysts foresee content swaps that could put Premiere soccer content on Arena.A possible cooperation with Deutsche Telekom has analysts salivating as well. Telekom became the first European operator to win exclusive live Internet broadcast rights to soccer games, something that Peter-Thilo Hasler of Hypovereinsbank considers the hidden jewel of the rights auction.With Telekom upgrading its cable networks to a quicker broadband standard in the coming months, the way is clear for digital television over broadband, part of the "triple play" services combining television, telephone and DSL that analysts consider the future of broadcasting. Hasler says he believes Telekom's soccer-rights package would allow it to pipe content through a digital set-top box into living rooms.Hasler said Telekom's soccer effort "offers a chance for Premiere, because they can offer their content, but it's also a threat."After plunging as low as 12 after the loss of the soccer rights, the stock has recovered only slightly, closing at 12.20 on Friday. Shareholders who bought at the initial public offering price of 28 in March have a long way to go before they break even.

2006 Copyright International Herald Tribune. http://www.iht.com

NSW: Main stories in today's Sydney newspapers

AAP General News (Australia)
08-27-2005
NSW: Main stories in today's Sydney newspapers

SYDNEY, Aug 27 AAP - The main stories in today's Sydney newspapers:

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH:

Page 1: Hundreds of Sydney men and women have chosen Islam over Christianity; Rain
was the only thing to stop the initial glut of runs for the English on day one of the
fourth Test; The NSW government has held off using a $4-million donation given to build
a medical research centre for a decade.

Page 2: Sydney's newest toll road, the Cross City Tunnel, is scheduled to open tomorrow.

Page 3: A corruption inquiry into allegations a senior official at a western Sydney
court leaked confidential information to criminals for money will begin on Monday; Elle
Macpherson is adjusting to life after her break-up from her long-term partner.

World: A defence lawyer has told a Californian jury three men charged with killing
a transgender teenager should not be convicted of murder.

Finance: Caltex records a 15 per cent drop in first-half net profit to $150 million.

Sport: Coach John Buchanan admits he needs help with his bowlers as no-ball madness
threatens to skittle Australia's hopes of retaining the Ashes.

More na/rs

KEYWORD: FRONTERS NSW

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

‘MINISTER’ taboo word

‘MINISTER’ taboo word
1809 A. EDMONSTON Zetland Islands II 74. Certain names must not be mentioned while they are setting their lines, especially the minister … and many others equally unmeaning.

1883 J. R. TUDOR Orkneys and Shetland 166 [Shetland] When setting their lines they avoided, and do still, mentioning certain objects, except by certain special words. Thus … a minister [is called] upstanda, hoydeen, or prestingolva.

1909 N & Q 10th ser. XII 483 [Stromness, Orkney] Fishermen count it unlucky to mention ‘minister’ or ‘kirk’ by these terms on board the boat.

1963 Man, c. 40 [Aberdeen] The Shetland fishermen are wary of mentioning the word ‘minister’ They refer to him as ‘the upstander’.Cf. ‘CHURCH’. taboo word; CLERGYMAN.

Rebel.com Linux Server is Based on Corel's NetWinder.(Product Information)(Brief Article)

Ottawa, Canada-based Rebel.com Inc has become the first company to offer a server based on Corel Corp's NetWinder platform. Rebel changed its name from Hardware Canada Computing after acquiring the NetWinder division from Corel in January 1999 (CI No 3,580). In return for its hardware business, Corel took a 25% stake in the company.

Based on the StrongARM microprocessor and Linux operating system, the NetWinder Office Server is designed to be used as an office- in-a-box for small and medium-sized enterprises. It handles secure internet access, web site hosting, file and print sharing and email. Rebel plans to sell the server through internet service providers, value added resellers and direct sales from August 1999. Pricing has yet to be determined.

The top 50: highest paid public company sales executives.(Compensation: Benchmarks)(List)

 The Top 50: Highest Paid Public Company Sales Executives                                               Base Pay    Variable Pay  1     Keith Block, OracleCorp.               $800,000      $3,422,100 2     Jimmie E. Stephens, Jr.,               $420,000      $1,026,590       Adobe Systems 3     George M. Bado, Autodesk               $342,500        $960,159 4     Greg Corgan, CA                        $395,833        $898,221 5     Tony Sirianni, Cognos                  $260,000        $934,175 6     Cosmo Santullo, BMC Software           $425,000        $552,942 7     Alex Pinchev, Red Hat                  $316,667        $403,213 8     Natasha Giordano, Dendrite             $250,000        $417,975       International 9     Leo Apotheker, SAP AG                  $527,360        $128,000 10    Burton Goldfield, Hyperion             $300,000        $333,396       Solutions Corp. 11    Thomas Volk, Sybase                    $562,200          $2,000 12    Steve Allen, Witness Systems           $318,263        $225,396 13    Scipio M. Carnecchia,                  $200,000        $340,504       Interwoven 14    Peter Hauser, Nuance                   $246,525        $275,700       Communications 15    John Shap, SPSS                        $240,698        $225,160 16    H. Allan Dow, Logility                 $180,000        $285,686 17    Dan T.H. Nye, Advent Software          $260,000        $193,163 18    Jeffrey Carr, Taleo Corp.              $225,000        $217,000 19    Mark H. Cieplik, Dendrite              $322,917         $68,863       International 20    Steven J. Martello, Interwoven         $231,250        $157,516 21    Ilene M. Vogt, Actuate Corp.           $225,000        $155,388 22    Carla Stratfold, RealNetworks          $230,000        $143,934 23    Bill Robinson, Witness Systems         $225,000        $143,202 24    John S. Denault, Onyx Software         $225,000        $140,170       Corp. 25    Peter P. Dunning, Rightnow             $255,000        $109,701       Technologies 26    David L. Gibbs, Phoenix                $260,000         $89,763       Technologies 27    Mark Theilken, Dendrite                $284,167         $54,275       International 28    Joseph C. Fairbanks, Jr; Ansys         $157,500        $166,500 29    Chip G. Harmon, Pervasive              $197,308        $117,874       Software 30    Matthew Thompson, Borland              $300,000         $11,411       Software Corp. 31    Michael L. Eberhard, Concur            $175,000        $126,997       Technologies 32    Peter M. Riccio, Document              $167,000        $133,159       Sciences Corp. 33    Mark Kent, Astea International         $172,080        $127,389 34    Michael Morrison, Applix               $180,000        $111,018 35    Simon Nelson, Concur                   $188,550         $85,532       Technologies 36    Paul O'Callaghan, Optio                $200,000         $69,000       Software 37    Matthew Suffoletto, AXS-One            $239,583         $19,982 38    Michael R. Samuelian, Altiris          $210,000         $49,373 39    Dennis J. O'Donnell, Concur            $130,000        $111,243       Technologies 40    Mario I. Barrenechea, Raining          $180,000         $53,554       Data Corp. 41    Mark P. Mader, Onyx Software           $180,193         $36,083       Corp. 42    Nathan Cocozza, ilinc                  $173,835         $38,429       Communications 43    John M. Greathouse, CallWave           $161,538         $41,972 44    Derek Dawson, Navtech                  $182,691 45    Christopher G. Lippincott,             $164,000         $17,200       Smith Micro Software 46    R. Ernest Chastain, Vantagemed         $175,044       Corp. 47    William R. Wyand, Smiith               $150,000         $22,800       Micro Software 48    John W. Gazzola, Proginet Corp.        $147,537         $23,237 49    Darrin T. Coulson, Sonic               $139,615       Foundry 50    Paul Buzby, Astea International        $111,000         $22,000                                                  Total       Long-Term  1     Keith Block, OracleCorp.             $4,222,100        $150,588 2     Jimmie E. Stephens, Jr.,             $1,446,590      $7,882,832       Adobe Systems 3     George M. Bado, Autodesk             $1,302,659      $3,262,844 4     Greg Corgan, CA                      $1,294,054 5     Tony Sirianni, Cognos                $1,194,175 6     Cosmo Santullo, BMC Software           $977,942 7     Alex Pinchev, Red Hat                  $719,880      $6,578,968 8     Natasha Giordano, Dendrite             $667,975         $38,019       International 9     Leo Apotheker, SAP AG                  $655,360      $3,502,080 10    Burton Goldfield, Hyperion             $633,396        $884,646       Solutions Corp. 11    Thomas Volk, Sybase                    $564,200 12    Steve Allen, Witness Systems           $543,659        $419,350 13    Scipio M. Carnecchia,                  $540,504       Interwoven 14    Peter Hauser, Nuance                   $522,225       Communications 15    John Shap, SPSS                        $465,858        $451,752 16    H. Allan Dow, Logility                 $465,686 17    Dan T.H. Nye, Advent Software          $453,163        $306,488 18    Jeffrey Carr, Taleo Corp.              $442,000 19    Mark H. Cieplik, Dendrite              $391,780        $117,087       International 20    Steven J. Martello, Interwoven         $388,766 21    Ilene M. Vogt, Actuate Corp.           $380,388 22    Carla Stratfold, RealNetworks          $373,934 23    Bill Robinson, Witness Systems         $368,202        $101,181 24    John S. Denault, Onyx Software         $365,170       Corp. 25    Peter P. Dunning, Rightnow             $364,701      $1,232,886       Technologies 26    David L. Gibbs, Phoenix                $349,763       Technologies 27    Mark Theilken, Dendrite                $338,442         $10,350       International 28    Joseph C. Fairbanks, Jr; Ansys         $324,000        $978,718 29    Chip G. Harmon, Pervasive              $315,182       Software 30    Matthew Thompson, Borland              $311,411       Software Corp. 31    Michael L. Eberhard, Concur            $301,997       Technologies 32    Peter M. Riccio, Document              $300,159       Sciences Corp. 33    Mark Kent, Astea International         $299,469         $50,752 34    Michael Morrison, Applix               $291,018 35    Simon Nelson, Concur                   $274,082       Technologies 36    Paul O'Callaghan, Optio                $269,000       Software 37    Matthew Suffoletto, AXS-One            $259,565 38    Michael R. Samuelian, Altiris          $259,373        $405,771 39    Dennis J. O'Donnell, Concur            $241,243       Technologies 40    Mario I. Barrenechea, Raining          $233,554       Data Corp. 41    Mark P. Mader, Onyx Software           $216,276            $107       Corp. 42    Nathan Cocozza, ilinc                  $212,264       Communications 43    John M. Greathouse, CallWave           $203,510 44    Derek Dawson, Navtech                  $182,691         $70,938 45    Christopher G. Lippincott,             $181,200        $189,702       Smith Micro Software 46    R. Ernest Chastain, Vantagemed         $175,044       Corp. 47    William R. Wyand, Smiith               $172,800       Micro Software 48    John W. Gazzola, Proginet Corp.        $170,774 49    Darrin T. Coulson, Sonic               $139,615       Foundry 50    Paul Buzby, Astea International        $133,000         $25,900  Note: The 50 individuals here received the highest annual compensation of top sales executives of public software compa-nies with a current market capitalization of $25.3 million or more. "Variable" compensation includes bonuses, commissions, company-paid insurance, relocation and housing allowances, forgiven loans, memberships, profit-sharing contributions, etc. "Long-Term" compensation is income from the exercise of stock options.  Source: Company proxy statements for most recent fiscal years.