Fed: Flood damage will cost industry more than fires, Burke says

AAP General News (Australia)
02-19-2009
Fed: Flood damage will cost industry more than fires, Burke says

The federal government says Queensland's floods have had a far greater impact on the
nation's agriculture than the fires in Victoria.

Agriculture Minister TONY BURKE has been visiting regions in Victoria where he says
fencing damage is one of biggest problems facing farmers .. and stock losses are also
significant.

But he's told ABC radio .. Queensland's floods covered an area the size of South Australia
.. and in terms of damage to the agriculture sector .. were more expensive than Victoria's
fires.

AAP RTV srj/rl/rt

KEYWORD: FLOODS BURKE (CANBERRA)

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

-Ebay controls 26.25% in Intershop

Internet Business News
06-22-2011
-Ebay controls 26.25% in Intershop

INTERNET BUSINESS NEWS-(C)1995-2011 M2 COMMUNICATIONS

22 June 2011 - US online trader Ebay (NASDAQ:EBAY) acquired indirectly 26.25% in German e-commerce software provider Intershop Communications AG (ETR:ISH2) after it took control of Intershop's majority owner US GSI Commerce Solutions (NASDAQ:GSIC).
Ebay announced the USD 2.2bn acquisition of GSI in March but the acceptance period of the offer expired on 17 June 2011.

The strategic partnership with Ebay opens further growth chances for Intershop outside Europe, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.

The company wants to grow faster than before, especially in the non-European markets, Intershop's CFO Ludwig Lutter said. The firm is considering other equity partnerships, he added.

((Comments on this story may be sent to info@m2.com))

(Copyright M2 Communications, 2011)

NSW:Main stories in Sydney newspapers=2

AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-2011
NSW:Main stories in Sydney newspapers=2

The Sydney Morning Herald

Page 1: The standoff between the big banks and the Gillard government has intensified,
with the government repeating its demands they pass on Tuesday's interest rate cut and
the banks maintaining their silence.

Page 2: A pair of fossilised eyes belonging to a creature that lived more than 500
million years ago have been found in South Australia.

Page 3: The main supermarket chains have been warned that selling alcohol too cheaply
may affect their chances of getting new bottle-shop licences approved.

World: The European Commission could be empowered to impose austerity measures on the
eurozone countries being bailed out.

Finance: Retirees and savers with bank deposits stand to be surprise beneficiaries
from any move by the big four banks not to pass on in full this week's 25 basis point
cut in official interest rates to home mortgage holders.

Sport: Former Australian captain Steve Waugh has described Cricket Australia's promotion
of young bowlers like Patrick Cummins to Test cricket before their bodies have been readied
for the rigours as "ridiculous".

MORE ct/apm

KEYWORD: MONITOR FRONTERS NSW 2 SYDNEY

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

NSW:Main stories on ABC 702's 0600 news

AAP General News (Australia)
04-04-2011
NSW:Main stories on ABC 702's 0600 news

- UN Sec-Gen Ban Ki Moon has asked Ivory Coast's president to investigate deaths blamed
on his supporters;

- At least 41 people killed in double bombing in Pakistan; Taliban claims responsibility;

- Rebel forces in Libya still struggling to take control of Brega, six weeks after
conflict began;

- NSW coroner investigating death of transgender woman who was put into male prison;

- P-Plate driver charged with high range drink driving and licence suspended on central coast;

- NRL Newcastle coach says not too disappointed with loss; Man City defeats Sunderland;
Fulham wins.

AAP RTV psm/

KEYWORD: MONITOR 0600 ABC (SYDNEY)

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

NSW:Keli Lane killed baby = 2

AAP General News (Australia)
12-13-2010
NSW:Keli Lane killed baby = 2

The 35-year-old had pleaded not guilty to murdering two-day old TEGAN LANE after they
left Sydney's Auburn hospital on September 14 .. 1996.

The NSW Supreme Court jury of six women and six men retired a week ago and delivered
its verdict this afternoon.

Immediately after the murder verdict .. LANE screamed out and fell to the floor of
the dock .. her mother .. who was in the public gallery .. also sobbed.

Earlier .. the jury found LANE guilty of three counts of making a false statement on
oath in relation to documents dealing with her adopting out two other babies.

During the trial the jury had heard LANE was motivated by her Olympic ambitions and
also wanted to continue her active social and sex life.

It also heard LANE had told police she handed over TEGAN to the baby's father .. a
man with whom she'd had a brief and secret affair.

But the crown contended the named father was a fictitious person and she murdered the
infant as she didn't want the responsibility of a child.

AAP RTV mss/tr/sw

KEYWORD: LANE 2 SYDNEY (RE-OPENS)

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

FED:Oppn considers fully funding hospitals=3

AAP General News (Australia)
08-05-2010
FED:Oppn considers fully funding hospitals=3

Mr Abbott promised $150 million over four years to establish a professional development
fund for nurses, and $200 million over the same period for health and medical research.

In an attempt to take the pressure off public hospital emergency departments, $165
million will be invested in boosting after-hours GP services.

And Mr Abbott said there was also $200 million for GP infrastructure grants, and $350
million to increase rebates for longer doctor consultations.

"It's a smarter spend than Labor's, not a greater spend," he said of the coalition's package.

AAP bsb/rl/de

KEYWORD: POLL10 HEALTH UPDATE 3 CANBERRA

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

Events Diary Thursday, December 24, 2009

AAP General News (Australia)
12-23-2009
Events Diary Thursday, December 24, 2009
EVENTS LISTED IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER AND LOCAL TIME UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED:

ADELAIDE
No items listed.

BRISBANE
No items listed.

CANBERRA
0600 - Steve Bock starts his walk from Parliament House to North Harbour Reserve Balgowlah,
to raise awareness and money for Bowel Cancer Australia.

MELBOURNE
No items listed.

PERTH
No items listed.

SYDNEY
1530 - David Jones group general manager stores and operations Paul Zahra and Australian
National Retailers Association available for comment on pre-Christmas clearance. David
Jones, Elizabeth Street, Sydney. Contact Tahli Koch 0408 019 222.

SPORT
GALLOPS -
Wagga
Ballarat
Townsville

TROTS -
Penrith
Melton
Gold Coast
Geelong
Young
New Zealand

GREYHOUNDS -
Dapto
Sandown
Albion Park
Angle Park
Bendigo
Maitland
Hobart
New Zealand

AAP hn/cdh

KEYWORD: DIARY EVENTS THURS DECEMBER 24, 2009

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

Vic: Driver dies in fiery high speed crash into shops

AAP General News (Australia)
08-14-2009
Vic: Driver dies in fiery high speed crash into shops

By Jamie Duncan

MELBOURNE, Aug 14 AAP - A driver has died after a car ploughed through a row of shops
at high speed and burst into flames minutes after police terminated a pursuit with the
vehicle.

The car, a Holden Commodore, crashed through five shopfronts on Centre Road at Bentleigh,
in Melbourne's southeast, about 1.50am (AEST), Victoria Police spokesman Senior Constable
Marty Beveridge said.

A Metropolitan Fire Brigade spokeswoman said the occupant, believed to be a man, died
trapped in the flaming wreck.

Sen Const Beveridge said the car was spotted by a traffic management unit travelling
at high speed on Centre Road, near Frank Avenue in Clayton South, about 10km east of the
crash scene.

"Initial estimates are that he was travelling around 150km/h in a 60km/h zone," he told AAP.

"The traffic management unit attempted to follow for a number of seconds but he was
just travelling too quick and they terminated the pursuit."

Police in another vehicle travelling on Centre Road at Bentleigh watched as the car
left the road about five minutes after the car was first seen.

Five shops including a jeweller, two cafes and a bakery suffered structural damage
as the car crashed. Three of those shops caught fire as the car erupted in flames.

"(Emergency crews) tried to get to the occupant of the car but they couldn't because
of the fire and explosions," Sen Const Beveridge said.

MFB Commander Col Matheson said the accident scene was one of devastation.

"The scene is pretty chaotic. He's just kept bouncing off shops and bouncing off poles
until he hit a verandah and a pole.

"That was an immovable object, and the vehicle ignited.

"Three shop facades have been severely damaged by fire.

"There are live power lines on the road and pieces of debris everywhere. A phone box
has been smashed."

A number of residents living above one shop escaped without assistance, Mr Matheson said.

Firefighters searched the other buildings but found they were empty.

The fire was controlled in 25 minutes.

The crash has caused at least $400,000 damage, Mr Matheson said.

Major collisions police are investigating the cause of the crash.

Ethical standards detectives are also on the scene.

Fire crews will remain at the scene until morning.

Centre Road has been closed between Jasper Road and Bendigo Avenue, and is expected
to remain closed during the morning peak.

Engineers and council officers will examine the state of the buildings later in the day.

AAP jrd/rs

KEYWORD: SHOP UPDATE

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

NSW: Main stories in today's Sydney newspapers

AAP General News (Australia)
04-04-2009
NSW: Main stories in today's Sydney newspapers

SYDNEY, April 4 AAP - The main stories in today's Sydney newspapers:



THE DAILY TELEGRAPH:

Page 1: PM Kevin Rudd's bad temper has triggered an exodus of staff and a backlash
from public servants.

Page 2: Although Mr Rudd said he was sorry for snapping at a a flight attendant who
didn't provide him with a meal he requested when asked about the incident at the G20,
his body language said otherwise, a body language expert says.

Page 3: World leaders have united to inject $US1.1 trillion ($A1.54 trillion) into
the global economy in an historic agreement they hope will kick-start growth and save
jobs.

World: A nurse deliberately injected 10 patients at a dialysis clinic in Texas with
bleach, killing five of them in a excruciatingly painful ordeal.

Finance: Fortescue Metals chief executive Andrew Forrest faces a fine of up to $4.4
million and a ban from acting as a company director if court action by the Australian
Securities and Investments Commission is successful.

Sport: NRL - The Bulldogs will appeal an NRL ruling which saw them officially stripped
of two competition points for fielding an extra player in their round two win over Penrith.

MORE bc/ao

KEYWORD: MONITOR FRONTERS NSW

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

SIZZLING SALES BEYOND TV SHOPPING

AsiaInfo Services
11-18-2008
Sizzling Sales beyond TV Shopping

SHENZHEN, Nov 18, 2008 (SinoCast via COMTEX) -- Sales made by TV shopping vendors beyond the TV shopping sector have been growing rapidly, according to the latest research conducted by Analysys International. And the market research firm suggests that TV shopping companies should further expand their marketing channels.

The research indicates that the non-TV-shopping-sales of TV shopping companies increased to CNY 940 million by the end of 2007, in contrast to CNY 360 million in 2006, representing an increase of 163.4%. Non-TV-shopping-sales as a share of their total revenues were up from 8% in 2006 to 23.5% by 2007.

Analysys International attributes the fast growth of non-TV-shopping-sales largely to the rapid proliferation of Internet, which is more cost-effective and efficient.

Analysys International suggests that TV shopping companies should take a page out of the playbooks of long-established ecommerce websites such as Dangdang.com and Joyo.com. And they should put the priority on brand recognition and reputation.

From www.shihua.com.cn, Page 1, Monday, November 17, 2008
info@SinoCast.Com

KEYWORD: SHENZHEN INDUSTRY KEYWORD: Marketing
Investment SUBJECT CODE: Computers, Telecom and Information Technology

Copyright 2008 AsiaInfo Services (via Comtex). All rights reserved

QLD: Teenager dead, another with burns after crash

AAP General News (Australia)
04-27-2008
QLD: Teenager dead, another with burns after crash

A 17-year-old boy is dead after his car hit a tree and burst into flames south of Brisbane.

Police say the accident happened about midnight on School Road in Logan Reserve.

A 17-year-old male passenger was taken to hospital suffering burns.

AAP RTV cdh/jt

KEYWORD: TOLL QLD (BRISBANE)

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

NSW: God and his believers are not to blame: Pell

AAP General News (Australia)
12-23-2007
NSW: God and his believers are not to blame: Pell

Eds: Embargoed until 0001 AEDT Sunday, December 23



SYDNEY, Dec 23 AAP - Religion has been unfairly blamed for conflicts around the world
in recent years, but Christians should remember the benefits of their devotion, Sydney
Catholic Archbishop George Pell says.

In his Christmas message, the archbishop reminds Christians that the birth of Jesus
is a symbol of helplessness and hope.

"Christians believe that the almighty God has visited us, not just through prophets,
saints and humanitarian heroes, but through sending his son to be born of a virgin in
Bethlehem...," Cardinal Pell said.

"Babies are vulnerable, more helpless initially than any of the animals.

"So too was the son of God, but every birth inspires hope, even when it is only hope
against hope."

The archbishop said God and his believers were not to blame for the world's wars or
crimes and Christians should remember the benefits of their devotion.

"...God has been attacked angrily here and there in the English-speaking world and
believers have been accused of causing most of the wars and crimes in history," Cardinal
Pell said.

"This is an exaggeration as the moral monsters of the twentieth century Lenin, Stalin,
Mao and Pol Pot were atheists and Hitler bitterly hated Jews and Christians.

"But all believers have to acknowledge the downside of their long story, while asking
that their positive contributions are also recorded."

In July, more than 500,000 Christians will descend upon Sydney in celebration of World
Youth Day and a papal visit.

Cardinal Pell said followers would travel much farther than Mary and Joseph did for
the birth of their baby son Jesus in Bethlehem.

"I ask you all to welcome them into your hearts and perhaps, as at the Olympics, into
your homes," he said.

"As we celebrate again the birth of the helpless newly-born Christ child, we should
remember the sick and the sad, the lonely and the angry and reach out to help them."

AAP vpm/apm/de

KEYWORD: XMAS PELL (EMBARGOED)

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

Main stories in ABC's World Today

AAP General News (Australia)
08-16-2007
Main stories in ABC's World Today

SYDNEY, Aug 16 AAP - Main stories in ABC's World Today:

* The prime minister is stirring Labor tensions in Queensland, attempting to claw back
coalition votes in the state by launching legislation that would override Premier Peter
Beattie's council amalgamation plan. Mr Howard had already pledged to fund plebiscites
run by the electoral coalition on the amalgamation issue.

* In Queensland, the communities that have been angry with Peter Beattie about his
amalgamations have responded to the prime minister's intervention today with elation.

Councillors say John Howard has restored democracy to the sunshine state.

* Sharemarkets across the world have resumed their downward march this morning with
Australia by no means immune. Credit concerns have taken hold on equity markets with Japan's
Nikkei off close to three per cent and Australia's bench mark down more than three per
cent.

AAP nap/hn

KEYWORD: MONITOR WORLD TODAY

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

Qld: Bengal cat reunited with owner

AAP General News (Australia)
03-21-2007
Qld: Bengal cat reunited with owner

BRISBANE, March 20 AAP - A valuable American-bred Bengal cat has been reunited with
his owner in Brisbane.

Nicknamed Bruce, after Bruce Springsteen who wrote the hit son Born in the USA, the
Bengal had been claimed by his owner Nigel Smythe who was given the cat by his employer,
the RSPCA said today.

A breeding pedigree male Bengal cat is estimated to be worth around $3,000.

But Bruce, whose real name is Tomahawk, has been neutered.

He was caught in a cat trap by a resident in the southside suburb of Carindale last
week and was taken to the RSPCA's Fairfield shelter, suffering cat flu.

A microchip embedded under its skin showed the cat was registered in the city of Beaufort
in South Carolina, although the `chip had been implanted at a vet clinic in Idaho.

Mr Nigel Smythe, said he would be glad to get Tomahawk back to his Brisbane home.

He said the cat had run off after a recent disruptive house move.

"I just thought he had gone for a wander but he had gone for a lot longer than I thought,
so I started freaking out about it," Mr Smythe told Ten News.

Mr Smythe now plans to get a cat enclosure in his yard.

RSPCA veterinary nurse Shannon Whiting said she tracked down Mr Smythe with the help
of the internet and the microchip company which told her Tomahawk had had three previous
owners.

She also nursed Tomahawk back to health from his bout of cat flu.

AAP rad/cjh/cdh

KEYWORD: CAT

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

NSW: Motorists face random drug tests = 2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-31-2006
NSW: Motorists face random drug tests = 2

Roads Minister ERIC ROOZENDAAL says the cost of renewing driver's licences will rise
between a dollar 50 and two dollars to fund the drug testing regime.

AAP RTV pj/klw/es/bart

KEYWORD: DRUGS 2 SYDNEY (REOPENS)

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

Qld: Doctors prescribing abortion drug assured

AAP General News (Australia)
04-24-2006
Qld: Doctors prescribing abortion drug assured

The Queensland government has moved to assure doctors prescribing the controversial
abortion drug RU486 .. they won't be contravening the state criminal code.

Ten days ago .. two Queensland gynaecologists became the first doctors in Australia
granted authority by the Therapeutic Goods Administration to prescribe the drug.

But the Australian Medical Association of Queensland's questioned whether the doctors
would be acting illegally if they prescribe it.

Premier PETER BEATTIE says following Crown legal advice .. doctors prescribing RU486
under TGA authority .. won't face prosecution.

The drug was the subject of an emotional debate earlier this year when federal parliament
agreed to strip Health Minister TONY ABBOTT of his power to veto its use .. giving approval
to the TGA to do so.

AAP RTV nt/sc/cp/wf

KEYWORD: ABORTION QLD (BRISBANE)

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

Fed: Welfare reforms leave children withour care: Allison

AAP General News (Australia)
04-17-2005
Fed: Welfare reforms leave children withour care: Allison

Democrats leader LYN ALLISON says welfare reforms that force single parents into the
workforce will harm children.

The government is considering a back-to-work test for single parents and disability
pensioners, but Senator ALLISON says this sends a mixed message to parents and risks leaving
children unsupervised.

She says the government's encouraging married couples to have one parent stay at home
and look after the Children to the age of 17.

Meanwhile, its message to single parents is to go back to work.

Senator ALLISON says it's harder to raise children for single parents than for couples.

AAP RTV kl/gfr/bk/

KEYWORD: CHILDCARE DEMOCRATS (MELBOURNE)

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

Dering manuscript

Dering manuscript A manuscript version of 1 and 2 Henry IV written about 1613 and revised about 1623, by Sir Edward Dering (1598–1644), probably for private performance. It is (except for Sir Thomas More) the earliest known manuscript of a Shakespeare play.

Symantec is Only Company to Detect 100 Percent of Both Standard and In-the-Wild Viruses in Recent Virus Bulletin Tests.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 20, 2001

Symantec's Norton AntiVirus Earns 15th Virus Bulletin 100% Award

Symantec Corp. (Nasdaq:SYMC) today announced that Symantec's Norton AntiVirus received its 15th Virus Bulletin 100% award as a result of the most recent Virus Bulletin testing, and was the only company out of 21 major anti-virus vendors to detect 100 percent of both standard and in-the-wild viruses of the sample set used for this test. The November 2001 testing was completed on the Microsoft Windows NT operating system.

"While we are seeing a trend toward more complex, blended security threats, an effective anti-virus solution remains a vital piece of a complete network security solution," said Vincent Weafer, senior director, Symantec Security Response. "Symantec was the number one performer in this round of tests, and has received a long string of VB 100% awards, proving Symantec's Norton AntiVirus continues to be the most powerful and reliable anti-virus solutions available today."

The prestigious VB100% logo is awarded to products that detect in-the-wild viruses, as tracked by the WildList Organization, during both on-demand and on-access scanning. In-the-wild viruses are viruses that are currently spreading among computer users. Standard viruses exist only in virus and anti-virus labs, not in the wild. Most standard viruses never get released into the wild, and as a result, rarely threaten users.

Symantec's anti-virus solutions provide customers with automatic protection against viruses, worms and other malicious code at all entry points, including e-mail attachments and Internet downloads. The solutions provide hands-free detection, analysis and repair of viruses, malicious ActiveX controls, Java applets and other dangerous fast-moving threats.

Symantec's Norton AntiVirus is an important component of Symantec Enterprise Security, which provides any size organization with the technologies, global response, and services necessary to manage its information security requirements. Symantec's comprehensive methodology offers best-of-breed products to protect gateways, servers, and clients with virus protection, firewall security, intrusion detection and vulnerability management. Customers benefit from Symantec's global network of researchers that provide customers with around-the-clock, immediate response to any new security-related attacks. Symantec Enterprise Security customers are also supported by one of the largest professional security organizations in the world, offering security consulting, security education and managed security services. For more information, please visit Symantec's Enterprise Security Web site at http://enterprisesecurity.symantec.com.

About Symantec

Symantec, the world leader in Internet security technology, provides a broad range of content and network security software and appliance solutions to individuals, enterprises and service providers. The company is a leading provider of client, gateway and server security solutions for virus protection, firewall and virtual private network, vulnerability management, intrusion detection, Internet content and e-mail filtering, remote management technologies and security services to enterprises and service providers around the world. Symantec's Norton brand of consumer security products is a leader in worldwide retail sales and industry awards. Headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Symantec has worldwide operations in 37 countries. For more information, please visit www.symantec.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS: If you would like additional information on Symantec Corporation and its products, please view the Symantec Press Center at http://www.symantec.com/PressCenter/ on Symantec's Web site. All prices noted are in US dollars and are valid only in the United States.

Symantec and the Symantec logo are trademarks or registered trademarks, in the United States and certain other countries, of Symantec Corporation. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the individual companies and are respectfully acknowledged.

Lucent Technologies Announces IP-Based Intelligent Network Services and Platform.

New Services to Include Access to Web Page Content From Ordinary Phones and

Internet-Based Call Control Management

MURRAY HILL, N.J., March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) today announced three intelligent network (IN) services that communications network operators will be able to provide using Internet Protocol (IP) networks. The new services will enable users to retrieve Web-based content with a standard telephone, manage telephone calls through a Web browser and gain access to IP network services regardless of callers' locations or what computer or phone they may be using.

The services are enabled by Lucent's new Packet Intelligent Peripheral software platform, which will allow carriers to deliver enhanced services for both voice and data networks. This IP/IN solution will provide carriers with the capabilities for offering voice services, such as speech recognition, using their IP networks. Similarly, the platform will also provide IP-based services, such as those that interact with Web servers, for a voice network.

The new IP/IN services being announced with the Packet Intelligent Peripheral software platform include:

TelePortal -- which will allow service providers to offer personalized

interactive voice response (IVR) services. This means an end user can

retrieve Web content using a standard telephone. Examples of

voice-enabled applications are users accessing Web-based weather or

traffic information, banking transaction services, and other electronic

commerce applications. Similarly, a salesperson using TelePortal could

dial into a corporate intranet from a phone, then use conversational

requests and interactions to receive real-time order status information.

Internet Call Control Management -- which will enable business users to

manage features such as Call Screening/Redirect, Call Log and Directory

Dialing using Lucent-provided software that interfaces with a Web

browser. Call Screening/Redirect allows the user to have certain phone

calls come through while sending others directly to voice mail or to a

delegate, depending on a personal profile. The Call Log feature allows

users to view all of their incoming calls graphically on a computer

screen. To return a call, the user simply clicks on a number displayed

in the log. Directory Dialing lets users build a personal database from

the incoming call log and can also integrate corporate directories

containing phone numbers for every employee in a company. In order to

place a call, users simply click on a displayed name.

NextGen NetPortal -- which will provide capabilities for recognizing

subscribers and for logging onto IP networks and gaining access to

services -- regardless of the caller's location or what computer or phone

they may be using. NextGen NetPortal performs the fundamental

interactions required to deliver services to next-generation network

customers. These include user registration and authentication,

service/feature administration and policy management. These functions

need to occur as seamlessly for callers using next-generation IP networks

as they do in today's circuit networks.

"Many carriers are migrating toward IP-based networks because they offer cost-effective transport, along with the potential for an array of new services," said Curtis Holmes, Lucent Technologies intelligent network vice president. "At the end of the day, it's not the network protocol that matters, it's the services you can deliver on that network. Lucent has one of the most robust portfolios of enhanced services today, and we're entering the next-generation IP arena with additional services and building blocks."

The IP/IN solution's software architecture is based on Lucent's PacketStar(TM) IP Services Platform. The PacketStar IP Services Platform is a programmable, multiprotocol software system that enables IP and public switched telephone networks to interoperate, and also provides a software switch call model for implementing next-generation network call logic. This breakthrough software switch technology (originally announced in September 1998) is currently being deployed in trials by next-generation network carriers. A common service creation environment across the Lucent IP/IN solution will enable service designers to access both the software switch call model and IN elements. An integrated service management system can control the provisioning and maintenance of the service across all elements of the IP/IN solution.

"By integrating key technologies from the PacketStar IP Services Platform with our existing IN portfolio, Lucent is giving carriers the power to move at 'Internet speed' to deploy next-generation services," said Holmes.

The company's IP/IN offerings also include Lucent's Online Communications Center with Internet Call Waiting, announced at CeBIT '99 earlier this month. The Online Communications Center enables service providers to offer consumers and businesses easy-to-use options for answering and forwarding telephone calls while connected to the Internet.

Lucent will be demonstrating Online Communications Center, Internet Call Control Management and TelePortal at its booth at IN World Forum in Orlando, Fl., March 28 - April 1. The Lucent IP/IN services announced today will be available for market trials during the second quarter of 1999 and the company plans to make them generally available by the end of the year. Lucent plans to introduce additional IP/IN services throughout the year.

Lucent Technologies, headquartered in Murray Hill, N.J., designs, builds and delivers a wide range of public and private networks, communications systems and software, data networking systems, business telephone systems and microelectronic components. Bell Labs is the research and development arm for the company. More information about Lucent Technologies is available on the company's Web site at: http://www.lucent.com.

Soft power, hard hearts; International aid.(Public scepticism about aid spending)

The public is much less keen on aid spending than the prime minister is

WHEN it comes to overseas aid, the British are hard-headed but not hard-hearted, David Cameron declared on July 19th in Nigeria, on the last day of an African tour cut short by the phone-hacking scandal. The line was in part a snappy soundbite. But it was also a plea, as voters rebel against the idea--popularised under the previous, Labour government but embraced by Mr Cameron--that Britain should become an "aid superpower".

In Lagos, Mr Cameron painted a vision of British aid as a catalyst for economic growth. To reassure "aid sceptics" back home, who worry about money going astray, Britain will focus its cash on things that are "quantifiable and measurable", such as campaigns to vaccinate millions of children, he vowed. The prime minister talked of unclogging regional and international trade with investments in new internet links, roads and more professional customs services. He positively boasted that he had flown to Africa with a plane "full of business leaders". Yes, Britain should help the starving and those ravaged by war, drought and disease, he said; but growth, nurtured by free trade and political reforms, had the potential to wean Africa off aid altogether.

If Mr Cameron sounded defensive, that is because he is. Amid tough public-spending cuts designed to right the country's public finances, the budget of the Department for International Development has been spared. The Conservative-led coalition vows that it will keep a pledge to increase aid spending to 0.7% of gross national income (an internationally agreed target) from 2013. Measuring aid flows as a proportion of national wealth, Britain already outstrips fellow G7 members such as America, France or Germany, let alone such laggards as Italy (see chart). Along with his photogenic fondness for environmentalism, Mr Cameron's enthusiasm for helping the poorest in the world was a central plank of his long campaign, while still in opposition, to convince British voters that he was the leader of a kinder, gentler Conservative Party.

That political calculation, at least, might be mistaken. A new opinion poll commissioned by Chatham House, a think-tank, shows deep scepticism about Mr Cameron's foreign priorities. Two-thirds of respondents say that British foreign policy has changed for the worse under this government. Fully 57% say aid spending should be reduced, with Tory voters particularly scornful of arguments that it boosts national security by preventing states from sliding into anarchy, by halting chaotic migrant flows, or by any other means.

By a big margin, the British think the top foreign-policy priority should be protecting Britain at its borders, followed by ensuring energy security and promoting the interests of the country's businesses. Reducing poverty and tackling climate change come much lower down the list. And if there is money to spare? Spend it on the armed forces, say most voters--but only for some purposes: nearly half of the respondents said Britain should not involve itself "at all" in uprisings like the one in Libya. Hard heads, indeed.

Europe expands sanctions on Syria amid fresh protests.(World)

Byline: Michael Steininger

The European Union expanded sanctions against the Syrian government today, even as reports emerged that regime forces opened fire on fresh protests that erupted after Friday prayers.

EU leaders meeting at a summit in Brussels announced travel bans and the freezing of assets for seven new individuals, bringing the total number of people targeted to 30.

But Europe's ability to squeeze Syria through sanctions is limited, says Daniel Korski, senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Affairs in London.

"Most of Syria's main trade partners are outside the EU - countries like Turkey, Russia, China, Korea, and Norway. That has made Syria more immune to sanctions," says Mr. Korski, who notes that Europe's indecision about whether to give Assad a chance to redeem himself has also weakened its leverage. "So soft sanctions haven't worked and strong sanctions are outside the EU's arsenal."

Who was sanctioned

Two of the seven individuals targeted under the expanded sanctions are cousins of President Bashar al-Assad. Three others are members of Iran's Revolutionary Guards who are accused of having supported Syria's regime in its violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrators.

Two other Syrians, along with four Syrian companies that the EU says are financing the Assad family, were also put under sanctions.

Officials at the Brussels meeting also drafted a resolution to present to the United Nations that condemns the "unacceptable and shocking violence the Syrian regime continues to apply on its own people." So far European efforts to pass such a resolution have failed because of the opposition of Russia, one of five veto-wielding members on the Security Council.

Fresh protests in Damascus and elsewhere today

In Syria, thousands of people are reported to have demonstrated against the government today. According to local activists, protests took place in the Damascus suburb of Irbin, in the central cities of Homs and Hama, in Deraa in the south, and in Deir al-Zour in the east.

The Arab Organization for Human Rights in Syria said that at least three people had been killed by security forces in Damascus and another two demonstrators killed in Homs. In the Damascus suburbs of Duma and Harasta, the Syrian authorities cut Internet and mobile phone connections.

Meanwhile the Syrian military's advance in the north has caused many in makeshift camps to cross the Syria-Turkey border. More than 1,500 people fled to Turkey on Thursday, according to the Turkish news agency Anadolu. Almost 12,000 Syrians have crossed the border since the beginning of the uprising. Turkey moved additional troops to the region, and Turkish and Syrian soldiers are now facing each other within a few hundred meters.

"This is a regime that now believes that it battles for its very survival," says Korski. "And it is willing to take all measures, including massacre its own citizens. So it seems on the whole, much as Slobodan Milosevic's Serbia at one point, unlikely to be swayed by even the hardships that sanctions bring."

Pioneer's New Generation of Elite Receivers Expand on Control and Connectivity.

AirPlay and iControlAV2 App Enhance the Home Theater Experience for iPad, iPhone & iPod touch

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. today unveiled its new line of Elite[R] branded AV receivers designed to meet the needs of today's connected consumers and their portable devices. The five new Elite models, consisting of the VSX-40 ($450), VSX-50 ($600), VSX-51 ($700), VSX-52($900) and VSX-53($1,100), incorporate state-of-the-art performance and specifications based on Pioneer's uncompromising standards of engineering and manufacturing. All five new receivers utilize the renowned Elite audio and video technology and the VSX-50 and up have advanced network features like Pioneer's proprietary iPhone and iPad apps including iControlAV21 and Air Jam2, as well as Apple's AirPlay, DLNA Certified[R] (1.5) and Internet radio to become the hub of a consumer's home network and entertainment system.

Pioneer's New Generation of Elite AV Receivers. (Photo: Business Wire)

"By expanding on networked features such as AirPlay and DLNA, and combining them with exclusive control functions such as iControlAV2 and Air Jam, Pioneer's new line of Elite receivers is making it easy for consumers to integrate their portable devices while still providing them with superior audio and video performance they expect from our brand," said Chris Walker, director AV marketing and product planning for the home entertainment division of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.

The Power of Connectivity

Starting with the VSX-50 and up, each Elite receiver is network capable, offering Ethernet connectivity to provide consumers with a wide range of new content, set-up and control of their home theater system. Features and apps that consumers can take advantage of with the new line of Elite receivers include:

* AirPlay - Elite consumers have complete access, control and playback of their entire iTunes music library wirelessly through their home theater system. The AS-WL300, optional wireless LAN converter from Pioneer (sold separately), is available to simplify the connection process. Users can quickly and easily enjoy all their music with song information and album art simultaneously displayed on a connected monitor/TV. AirPlay requires iTunes 10.1 or later and iPad, iPhone or iPod touch with iOS 4.2.

* Air Jam - Encouraging social connectivity via entertainment devices, Pioneer's free Air Jam App is available from the App store for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch or at www.apple.com/itunes/. Compatible with four of the five Elite receivers, the app allows pairing of up to four devices via Bluetooth (optional AS-BT200 Bluetooth adapter required). Once linked, each individual can cue songs from their own music libraries to create a shared playlist to play back on the AV Receiver. Each connected device also displays the list of songs added by all the users and which device a song plays from. The Air Jam App conveniently stores the lists of songs created for each session for future purchases at the iTunes Store.

* DLNA Certified (1.5) - The new line of Elite receivers are also DLNA Certified (1.5), allowing music content to be shared from a PC to the receiver via the consumers' home network. Through Ethernet or the optional AS-WL300 wireless LAN converter (sold separately), each receiver can access and play high resolution music (up to 192kHz/24-Bit). Audio can also be streamed and controlled through the Elite receivers using a device that supports UPnP / DLNA media servers and renderers, enabling an entirely new way for consumers to share and play their music collection.

* Bluetooth Audio Streaming - With the optional Bluetooth adapter, the entire lineup of receivers features wireless Bluetooth transfer of audio content from any A2DP Bluetooth wireless enabled mobile device or personal computer. Pioneer's AS-BT200 ($99) Bluetooth adapter allows listeners to keep their phone close to them while they enjoy music through their home theater system. And, with Pioneer's exclusive Sound Retriever AIR technology, specifically designed to enhance Bluetooth audio transmissions, music playback delivered through Bluetooth is near-CD sound quality.

* vTuner - The line also brings thousands of high quality Internet radio stations into the living room with vTuner for endless music entertainment. The feature is further enhanced on the VSX-52 and VSX-53 with the addition of other Internet radio based music services such as PANDORA.

Growing Mobility

Portable devices such as the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch are becoming exciting and ever-expanding components of home entertainment systems. Pioneer's Elite receivers are designed to utilize the wealth of content from these types of devices as well as provide a larger emotional experience of high definition multi-channel home theater.

* Each receiver in the lineup is "Made for iPad, iPhone and iPod" and comes with a free USB/video cable to provide an "out of the box plug-and-play" convenience. Consumers can enjoy audio, video and photos stored on their mobile device with no "optional dock required," in addition to charging while plugged into the receivers.

* iControlAV2 - Pioneer is placing even more home entertainment control in the hands of enthusiasts with its iControlAV2 App enabling an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch to control four out of the five Elite receivers. Available free from the App store for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch or www.apple.com/itunes/, the iControlAV2 App controls volume, bass, balance and room settings as well as the ability for the user to choose Internet radio stations and music files from network-attached storage (NAS) on a home network. For iPad users, the iControlAV2 integrates all four app controls into an intuitive single screen. The app also includes control for Pioneer Blu-ray Disc players. Additional features include sound adjustments that enable users to create their own equalizer settings by simply drawing their desired equalizer curve on the screen and for iPad consumers, detailed graphic representations of before and after Pioneer's MCACC room calibration feature.

Maximize Television Performance

Taking advantage of Pioneer Elite's long history as an industry leader in high performance video processing, the 2011 Elite receivers use proprietary enhancing technologies to maximize the user's television performance with video conversion and scaling, image enhancement, and video adjustment for detail, sharpness, brightness, contrast, chroma level and black level for individual video sources. To enhance the video performance from any source connected, Elite receivers convert analog signals to HDMI and scale both analog and digital signals to 1080p resolution for a highly improved visual experience. Additional technologies include Marvell[TM] Qdeo[TM] processing, Advanced Video Adjust and Stream Smoother to enhance the picture quality of any source.

* Marvell Qdeo video processors - The top Elite models, the VSX-52 and VSX-53, offer high quality video processing for maximum performance and flexibility powered by Marvell's award-winning Qdeo technology. Marvell Qdeo offers a truly immersive viewing experience by capturing, processing and rendering a wider variety of video signals ranging from high definition Blu-ray Disc to portable video sources such as smartphones.

* Advanced Video Adjust - Available on the VSX-50 and up, Pioneer's new Advanced Video Adjust technology automatically optimizes video signals by the type of display (selected manually) connected to the receivers, such as Plasma, LCD and Front Projector. For example, the receivers can reproduce a detailed and virtually noiseless image on Plasma panels, enhance the black level of LCD displays, and produce sharper, more vivid image matching for front projectors. The receivers can further adjust and enhance images based on the user's viewing distance from their display by utilizing the distance information established during MCACC (Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration System) calibration to determine how much adjustment is necessary.

* Stream Smoother - Pioneer is among the first to create its own technology to enhance compressed video files with Stream Smoother, available on the VSX-52 and VSX-53 models. The feature automatically calibrates images coming from the Internet via other devices such as Blu-ray Disc players reducing compression noise and establishing more detailed, finer images. The technology is especially helpful with low bit-rate video sources originally intended for viewing on small screens.

AVNavigator (Interactive Assistance)

* Wiring Navi - Pioneer is making the installation process for each receiver simple by providing consumers an interactive guide application with the use of a Window-based PC. Users simply answer a series of questions about the hardware connected to the system and the application will automatically update the receiver with the correct settings.

* Interactive Manual - Once the receiver is connected using the Wiring Navi application set up, the Interactive Manual application provides a linked two-way interactive manual giving users a way to quickly learn about all of the new features of each AV receiver (i.e. a push of the ALC button on the front of the receiver will take the user directly to the portion of the manual that explains the Automatic Level Control feature). Alternately, users can click on a section of the owner's manual and the feature of the receiver will automatically activate (i.e. when the user clicks on the FL Dimmer section of the owner's manual, the Front Panel Display of the receiver will dim).

The new line of Elite AV receiver models will be available in the summer of 2011. Full product specifications on the new line of Elite AV receivers can be found at www.pioneerelectronics.com.

About Pioneer

It all began with a passion for music that Pioneer founder Nozomu Matsumoto hoped to share with the world. He started Pioneer in 1938 as a specialty speaker company, building products out of his garage. Today, Pioneer's Home Entertainment and Business Solutions Group continues Matsumoto's enthusiasm, developing award-winning audio and video home theater products including A/V receivers, Blu-ray Disc[R] and DVD players, and speakers. Long-standing partnerships and collaborations with the creative community have provided Pioneer unique insight in its quest to capture the purity of a movie or musical artist's original vision into its broad range of home entertainment products. The company's brands include Pioneer[R] and Elite[R]. More details can be found at www.pioneerelectronics.com.

1 A/V receiver needs to be connected to a wired LAN in a wireless LAN network. This application is developed and checked for operation under iOS 4.2 conditions. 2 Noise and interruption may be caused when the iPod touch/iPhone/iPad is connected to other Bluetooth devices. This application is developed and checked for operation under iOS 4.2 conditions. The number of connectable devices or compatibility may differ when other software versions are installed.

PIONEER, the PIONEER logo and the ELITE logo are registered trademarks of Pioneer Corporation. Apple, Airplay, iPad, iPhone, iPod, iPod touch and iTunes are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. The Bluetooth[R] word mark is registered trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. And any use of such marks by of PIONEER is under license. DLNA[R], the DLNA Logo and DLNA Certified[R] are trademarks, service marks, or certification marks of the Digital Living Network Alliance. PANDORA is a registered trademark of Pandora Media, Inc. Marvell, Qdeo and the M logo are registered trademarks of Marvell and/or its affiliates. HDMI is trademark or registered trademark of HDMI Licensing LLC in the United States and other countries. Blu-ray Disc is a registered trademark of the Blu-ray Disc Association. Pioneer's iControlAV2 and Air Jam Apps are currently available for free from the App Store on iPhone and iPad or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6750467&lang=en

Cartwheel verger `a character' in NZ days.

An officer at Westminster Abbey shocked the world when cameras caught him doing cartwheels down an aisle after the royal wedding _ but a professor from his University of Auckland days just chuckled nostalgically.

On the video clip, Ben Sheward, 46, laughs with obvious delight as he looks around, takes a little hop, and falls forward in two clumsy cartwheels that just sneak into the corner of the footage.

The mischievous act has become an internet sensation, but Westminster Abbey is reportedly trying to keep a lid on the story.

``The verger has been spoken to a number of times and has been advised how to handle the situation,'' an official told the Daily Mail.

For 10 years, Mr Sheward has been one of the abbey's vergers, laymen who help with religious services wearing black cassocks.

``It's just the perfect place for him,'' said retired University of Auckland music professor Warren Drake.

In a previous life, Mr Sheward lived in Auckland, going to school in Howick and studying music history at the university. He had been adopted by an older English couple who migrated to New Zealand.

Dr Drake said Mr Sheward's sense of humour had always been obvious _ at the start of terms, he would draw caricatures of professors for incoming students on the blackboard.

``He was quite the character around the school,'' Dr Drake said.

Mr Sheward gained a bachelor of arts in English and music from the university in 1986, then went on to complete a master of arts in music in 1990.

One of his most salient traits was how much of an anglophile he was.

``His parents were quite the old imperial types, and he was always more English than the English,'' Dr Drake said.

Mr Sheward's masters thesis was written on the quintessential English composer Edward Elgar.

``I think the title was `Elgar and Englishness'.''

After university, Mr Sheward disappeared overseas _ until a classmate found that he had taken up a job at Westminster Abbey, immersed in English history.

``Everybody agreed that was just the perfect job for him,'' Dr Drake said.

Laurence V. Plummer, Sr., Named Financial Representative of the Year for Third Time by John Hancock Financial Network.

BOSTON, April 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- John Hancock Financial Network (JHFN) announced today that Laurence V. Plummer, Sr., LUTCF, was named the John Hancock Financial Network Financial Representative of the Year. Plummer is President and CEO of Memphis-based Plummer Financial Services, affiliated with Innovative Financial Group, an independent firm within John Hancock Financial Network's (JHFN) national network of independent firms.

"Laurence's leading performance is a reflection of the high level of professionalism, respect, integrity, and real value that he delivers to clients every day," said Brian Heapps, Executive Vice President of Sales and Business Development for John Hancock Financial Network (JHFN). "He is keenly focused on his clients' needs and developing solutions to address their personal financial and business situations."

Plummer began his career with JHFN in 1981 and started his own independent practice in 1989. Over the past 30 years, he has built a thriving business working with clergy and non-profit organizations as well as professional athletes and small businesses. A perennial leading representative, Plummer has won numerous awards from both JHFN and other industry organizations, including being named JHFN's #1 Financial Representative of the Year in 1996 and 2008, being inducted into the prestigious JHFN Hall of Fame in 2001 for his commitment to customers and community, and qualifying for the Achieving Client Excellence Award 24 times. Plummer has also been named to the Top of the Table of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), an international association of leading financial services representatives.

"It's such an honor to achieve this recognition from John Hancock Financial Network," commented Plummer. "My focus, however, is not winning awards, but working for my clients and guiding them to achieve their long-term financial security."

About Innovative Financial Group

A member of the John Hancock Financial Network based in Nashville, Innovative Financial Group (IFG) has been serving clients for more than 60 years. Additional locations in Memphis and Chattanooga have helped expand IFG's ability to provide financial solutions to meet the needs of individual and business clients.

About John Hancock Financial Network

John Hancock Financial Network is a national network of independent firms with approximately 1,900 financial professionals across the U.S. A leader with the stability and scale to offer an innovative business model, John Hancock Financial Network gives entrepreneurial financial professionals the power to effectively build unique businesses, based on their own vision and market opportunity. For more information on John Hancock Financial Network and its national network of independent firms, visit https://www.johnhancockfinancialnetwork.com.

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial

John Hancock Financial is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 22 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and in most of Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, Manulife Financial Corporation offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. For more than 120 years, clients have looked to Manulife for strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions for their most significant financial decisions. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were $475 billion (US$478 billion) as at December 31, 2010. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers a broad range of financial products and services, including life insurance, fixed and variable annuities, fixed products, mutual funds, 401(k) plans, long-term care insurance, college savings, and other forms of business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at www.johnhancock.com.

Innovative Financial Group is independent of John Hancock and Signator Investors, Inc.

Registered Representative/Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through Signator Investors, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, a Registered Investment Advisor and Broker/Dealer for John Hancock Financial Network 197 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116.

0185-20110408-71135

Learn more about JHFN at: www.johnhancockfinancialnetwork.com	Follow us on the web: YouTube - www.youtube.com/jhfnvideos

PR-2011-20

SOURCE John Hancock Financial Network

PURE Launches Range of Digital Radios for the Connected Consumer; Global Leader Enters North American Market With Products That Define the Future of Radio.

CES 2010, LAS VEGAS, January 5 /PRNewswire/ -- PURE (South Hall 2, Booth #36604), the global leader in digital and internet-connected radios has entered the US market with a product family that defines the future of radio by transforming how consumers access and interact with digital content.

To date, the internet radios available to US consumers have been single-function products that do not offer anything beyond a passive connection between the device and Web-based radio content. PURE's products offer consumers a sleek, intuitive interface to experience and navigate their way through the vast quantity of available online content, their personal digital music collection and interactive web-based applications such as Facebook(c) and Twitter(c).

Headlining the US product family is Sensia(TM), a unique, beautifully designed high-powered connected audio system that features a 5.7-inch color touchscreen. Sensia and the other radios being launched, including Evoke FlowTM, Sirocco 550TM, Siesta Flow TM and Oasis FlowTM, fill a major void in the consumer electronics landscape: digital audio systems that combine state-of-the-art design with quality and usability, bringing internet-connected radio home to a mainstream audience.

PURE's digital and internet-connected range of radios work together with PURE's proprietary radio and media portal, the PURE Lounge ( http://www.thelounge.com) to enable flow of information between the radio, the portal and the broadcaster. While the radios and the PURE Lounge can function completely independently, when combined they really enhance the user-experience allowing the organization of favorite stations into shared folders and automatically synchronizing content choices on both the radio and the portal.

The PURE Lounge also contains content unique to PURE such as PURE Sounds(TM), a library of over 100 sounds designed to allow the listener to set the perfect mood or even help their child go to sleep. Further unique and premium content on The PURE Lounge will be available soon. New features and services on PURE's digital and internet-connected range of radios will be made available through automatic software upgrades.

     The PURE products being introduced to the US market include:    - Sensia (MSRP $349): The first digital and internet-connected radioto      feature a large high-resolution color touchscreen, Sensia is the      centerpiece of the connected home. Stereo sound, an input foriPod/MP3      players and access to applications such as Facebook and Twitter,offers      consumers the ability to access and control all of their digital      content from one central interface.    - EVOKE Flow (MSRP $229): The award-winning EVOKE Flow was the first      truly 'connected' portable radio. Wireless and powerful,EVOKE Flow      gives consumers access to digital content from almost anywhere.    - Siesta Flow (MSRP $139): PURE reinvents the alarm clock with theSiesta      Flow, bringing the power of the internet to the bedside. Touch      sensitive controls, up to 365 alarm settings and a USBPowerPort(TM),      which provides power for USB accessories, help bring the clockradio      into the 21st century.    - Oasis Flow (MSRP $249): Rugged, weatherproof and exceedinglydurable,      the Oasis Flow combines internet connectivity with maximumportability.      Expelling the notion that durability compromises performance, theOasis      Flow is the perfect radio for anyone who works or plays in oroutdoors.    - Sirocco 550 (MSRP $449): A complete digital sound system, theSirocco      550 combines access to internet content with the ability to play      digital music from portable iPod and iPhone devices, USB memorydrives,      SD memory cards and CDs. Powerful enough to be a primary stereosystem      yet compact enough for bedrooms and small rooms, Sirocco 550 is a      stylish way to enjoy all the choices and quality of digital and      internet-connected radio in a convenient, micro sized format. 

"PURE has pioneered digital and internet-connected radio worldwide and is bringing state of the art design, world leading technology and an award-winning product family to North America," said Charles Bellfield, general manager for PURE North America. "Our mission is connecting consumers to the digital and internet-connected audio and social media content of their choice. With products like Sensia we've moved beyond audio and are now able to address the connected lifestyle in a market that has been starved of innovation, distinctive design, high quality and great value."

Pricing and availability

Full product specs and pricing details can be found at http://www.pure.com/ces2010. PURE products will be sold through online channels initially such as http://www.PURE.com, with further retail plans and expected availability to be announced later in 2010.

About Imagination Technologies

Imagination Technologies Group plc (FTSE:IMG) - a leader in semiconductor System on Chip Intellectual Property (SoC IP) - creates and licenses market-leading embedded graphics, video and display accelerators, multi-threaded processors and multi-standard receiver technologies. These IP solutions are complemented by dynamic and extensive developer and middleware ecosystems. Target markets include digital radio and audio; mobile phone multimedia; car navigation & driver information; personal navigation; UMPC and Mobile internet Device (MID); digital TV & set top box; and mobile TV. Its licensees include leading semiconductor and consumer electronics companies. Imagination has corporate headquarters in the United Kingdom, with sales and R&D offices worldwide. See: http://www.imgtec.com.

About PURE US

PURE is the global leader in digital and internet-connected radios. With a radio for every lifestyle, PURE products and services connect consumers to their digital audio content of their choice through innovative design, unmatched performance and ease of use. Every Internet-connected PURE radio includes access to the PURE Lounge, a customized radio and media portal that enables users to personalize their radio content. PURE has the largest dedicated radio development team in the world and the latest innovations from parent company Imagination Technologies PLC. For more information please visit http://www.PURE.com or email PUREUSA@pure.com.

     US Press Contact    Melanie Lombardi    LEWIS PR for PURE    +1-408-573-3665    PUREUSA@lewispr.com    UK Press Contact    Vicky Deacon    PURE Digital    Home Park Estate    Kings Langley    Herts WD4 8LZ    tel +44(0)1923-260-511    fax +44(0)1923-270-188    email: vicky.deacon@pure.com 

SOURCE PURE

Advertisers Look Online as Budgets Tighten.

A growing number of large brand advertisers are embracing online advertising given its ability to achieve precise targeting, measurable ROI over traditional advertising, and above all, in dour times, is a cost-effective medium amidst shrinking marketing budgets.

The Internet has become a mainstream source for the supply and search of 'infotainment' content; its biggest enthusiast - the youths. Advertisers and media agencies alike are cashing-in on this.

"The youths of Singapore are hooked on the Internet. They form the largest chunk of active Internet users and have been one of the primary drivers of online advertising in recent years," says Frost & Sullivan industry analyst Kamlesh Kalwar.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.digitalmedia.frost.com/), Singapore Online Advertising Market, finds that the market was worth US$142.1 million in 2007 and forecasts this to reach US$413.5 million by end-2013, growing at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 19.5 percent (2008-2013).

In 2008, Singapore's online advertising industry was estimated to have raked-in US$190 million in revenues, representing a year-on-year growth of 33.7 percent.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides service providers, vendors/manufacturers, end users, and other industry participants with an overview of the Singapore online advertising market (also available are India, Malaysia and South Korea), then send an e-mail to Sarah Lourdes at sarah.lourdes@frost.com, with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be sent to you by e-mail.

Paid search advertising, by far the largest online advertising segment, accounted for 44 percent of Singapore's online advertising revenues in 2007. This segment is expected to continue growing at a CAGR of 22.1 percent between 2008 and 2013.

Kalwar says, "Companies have not only started to see the value of online campaigns, but also recognise the importance of tracking the campaigns. This is driving the growth of paid search.

"Keeping pace with this fast-growing segment, the number of search engine marketing advertisement networks and agencies has also risen exponentially, leading to more innovative search and targeting options for advertisers," he adds.

Display advertising was the second biggest segment accounting for 25 percent of revenues, with banner ads and email marketing being the two most popular forms of display ads.

Online classifieds accounted for 19 percent of the total revenues in 2007. Driven largely by the rapid audience shift, particularly youths, from print to online channels, this segment is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 17.5 percent from 2008 to 2013. Job classifieds have been the main source of revenue for online classifieds in the past two years. The other key revenue earners are online auctions, real estate and automotive or car sites.

The smallest segment, online directory services, which accounted for the remaining 12 percent of revenues in 2007, is expected to grow only marginally at a CAGR of 7.6 percent (2008-2013).

According to Kalwar, "Most online directories are of a display nature and do not seem to generate any significant amount of traffic. Many also lack a business model to significantly penetrate into niche directories, hence are not seen as attractive options for advertisers."

Although Singapore's online advertising sector accounted for a paltry 4.8 percent of the total ADEX (advertising expenditure) in 2007, Kalwar believes that the outlook for this young industry looks promising. "Growth is expected in all four segments of the market - display advertising, classifieds, search and directories. The rising broadband penetration and rapid adoption of mobile Internet are also major drivers for the shift of outdoor ADEX to online medium," he says.

"As users spend increasingly more time online, a growing number of companies are launching commercials online to grab their attention," Kalwar adds. By 2013, online advertising is expected to account for more than 9.3 percent of Singapore's total ADEX.

Fraud, however, is a major challenge for the industry notes Kalwar, "Online businesses have generally been plagued with problems such as advance fee fraud, click fraud, credit card fraud, FOREX scam, employment scam, phishing and wire fraud, amongst many others.

"The rampant rise of online fraud has shaken the confidence of many buyers and sellers in the online marketplace," he says. "It is important for the online industry to make a united effort in curbing online fraud to increase advertiser confidence in the online media."

The Singapore Online Advertising Market study is part of the Digital Media Growth Partnership Service program, which also includes research in the following markets: India, Malaysia and South Korea. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Analyst interviews are available to the press.

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, enables clients to accelerate growth and achieve best-in-class positions in growth, innovation and leadership. The company's Growth Partnership Service provides the CEO and the CEO's Growth Team with disciplined research and best practice models to drive the generation, evaluation and implementation of powerful growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan leverages over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from 31 offices on six continents. To join our Growth Partnership, please visit http://www.frost.com/

Keywords: Frost & Sullivan.

This article was prepared by Journal of India editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Journal of India via VerticalNews.com.

Federated Investors, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2008 Earnings and Conference Call Dates.

- Annual Shareholder Meeting Set for Thursday, April 24

PITTSBURGH, April 7, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Federated Investors, Inc. will report financial and operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 after the market closes on Thursday, April 24, 2008. A conference call for institutional investors and analysts will be held at 9:00 a.m. Eastern on Friday, April 25, 2008. President and CEO J. Christopher Donahue and CFO Thomas R. Donahue will host the call.

Federated's Annual Shareholder Meeting will be held at 4:00 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, April 24, 2008 in room 410 of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

Investors interested in listening to the teleconference should dial 877-407-0782 (domestic) or 201-689-8567 (international) or visit http://federatedinvestors.com/ for real time Internet access. To listen via the Internet, go to the About Us section of the Web site at least 15 minutes prior to register, download and install any necessary audio software.

A telephone replay of the call will begin at approximately 12:30 p.m. Eastern on April 25, 2008 and will be available until May 2, 2008. To access the telephone replay, dial 877-660-6853 (domestic) or 201-612-7415 (international) and enter the access codes 286 and 281178. The Internet replay will be available via http://federatedinvestors.com/ for seven days.

Federated Investors, Inc. is one of the largest investment managers in the United States, managing $301.6 billion in assets as of Dec. 31, 2007. With 148 mutual funds and a variety of separately managed account options, Federated provides comprehensive investment management to more than 5,400 institutions and intermediaries including corporations, government entities, insurance companies, foundations and endowments, banks and broker/dealers. For more information, visit http://federatedinvestors.com/.

CONTACT: MEDIA, Meghan McAndrew, +1-412-288-8103, mmcandrew@federatedinv.com, or ANALYSTS, Ray Hanley, +1-412-288-1920, rhanley@federatedinv.com, both of Federated Investors, Inc.

Web site: http://federatedinvestors.com/

Webcast Alert: Republic Bancorp Inc. Announces Third Quarter Conference Call Webcast.

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Sept. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In conjunction with Republic Bancorp Inc.'s Third Quarter earnings release, you are invited to listen to its conference call that will be broadcast live over the Internet on October 17, 2006 at 9 a.m. Eastern Time with Jerry D. Campbell, Chairman of the Board, Dana M. Cluckey, President and Chief Executive Officer and Thomas F. Menacher, Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, all of Republic Bancorp Inc.

   What:     Republic Bancorp Inc. Third Quarter Conference Call    When:     Tuesday, October 17 at 9 a.m. Eastern Time    Where:    http://www.republicbancorp.com/ or +1-800-362-0571             Conference ID:  REPUBLIC    How:      Live over the Internet -- Simply log on to the web at the             address above.    Contact:  Kristine Brenner, Director of Investor Relations,             +1-989-725-7337, or kbrenner@republicbancorp.com   

If you are unable to participate during the live webcast, the call will be archived at http://www.republicbancorp.com/ . A digital recording will be available two hours after the completion of the conference and will be archived for 90 days. To listen to the replay, call +1-800-753-5212.

About the company:

Republic Bancorp Inc. , with $6.3 billion in assets, is the third largest bank holding company headquartered in Michigan and the 81st largest bank holding company in the country. Its subsidiary, Republic Bank, serves customers in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana with 90 retail, commercial and mortgage banking offices and 90 ATMs. Republic has consistently been the #1 Small Business Administration bank lender based in Michigan and one of the Midwest's top retail mortgage lenders. Republic was named the 17th Best Company to Work For by FORTUNE magazine (marking its 6th year on FORTUNE's "100 Best Companies to Work For" list) and was named to Working Mother magazine's list of "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" for the sixth year in a row.

On June 27, 2006, Republic Bancorp Inc. and Citizens Banking Corporation announced that they have agreed to merge Republic into Citizens to create the new Citizens Republic Bancorp with over 270 branches and ATMs throughout the Midwest. The transaction is projected to close in the fourth quarter of 2006, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals.

Information about Republic Bancorp Inc.'s financial results and its products and services, including on-line banking and mortgage applications can be accessed at http://www.republicbancorp.com/ .

CONTACT: Kristine Brenner, Director of Investor Relations of Republic Bancorp Inc., +1-989-725-7337, kbrenner@republicbancorp.com

Web site: http://www.republicbancorp.com/

Garciaparra set to begin his rehab stint at Peoria.(Nomar Garciaparra, Chicago Cubs)

Byline: Paul Sullivan

CHICAGO _ The final leg of Nomar Garciaparra's long journey back from what looked like a season-ending injury begins Tuesday night in Peoria when he begins his rehab stint with the Class A Peoria Chiefs. Garciaparra had no set timetable for his return, but whether it's in a week or two he feels he will be ready to get back to his old form quickly.

"Do I know how long that's going to be?" he said. "No. Plus, from a hitting standpoint, getting your timing down and doing all that stuff is something we have to take into consideration."

Garciaparra said the explosiveness in his first step out of the batter's box is back, and that was an important part of his rehab process, because the groin injury obviously limited his pelvic movement for the last few months,

"I was hoping to come back, and this is another hurdle to get back to where I want to be," he said.

EX-CUBS RETURN

Former Cub reliever LaTroy Hawkins declined to speak to the Chicago media Monday night and briefly made a commotion when reporters began asking Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti about him. On Sunday, Hawkins was asked by the San Francisco Chronicle about returning to Chicago.

"Love the town. ... Love the players. Love Dusty Baker too," Hawkins said.

And the fans?

"Well, only got so much love to go around," Hawkins replied.

Hawkins was booed coming into the game in the eighth, and was again after coming out two batters later. Meanwhile, former Cub Moises Alou got a tepid response when he came to the plate, with a mild ovation and some booing.

EXTRA INNINGS

Third baseman Aramis Ramirez and Florida outfielder Miguel Cabrera were named co-winners of the National League Player of the Week Award for July 18-24. . .. Cubs officials scotched a rumor that they're interested in acquiring Mets outfielder Mike Cameron.

___

(c) 2005, Chicago Tribune.

Visit the Chicago Tribune on the Internet at http://www.chicagotribune.com/

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.

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company round-up.

TRADING in eight Ofex-quoted companies was suspended following an investigation into broker Griffiths & Lamb by the Securities and Futures Authority.

The suspended firms are Monticello, Viatrade, Synthetic Dimensions, Pro-comm Group, Legends Surf & Shops, Environmental Polymers, Henderson Morley and Griffiths' parent company, Talbex Group.

As a result of a distribution of assets under the will of the late third Viscount Rothermere, certain beneficiaries have sold 5.3m A shares in Daily Mail and General Trust in a placing. His successor as DMGT's chairman, Viscount Rothermere, has not sold any shares.

Three subsidiaries of photo-booth maker Photo-Me International have filed a [pounds sterling]67m lawsuit against US rival Fantasy Entertainment in Texas.

Steel maker Corus blames plans to cut 1,200 UK jobs by next March on tough trading conditions.

The Government has received 'a substantial number of bids' for the National Air Traffic Control Services, of which 46pc is being sold initially.

Food producer Brake Brothers snapped up rival Cearns & Brown for [pounds sterling]32m.

Online estate agent Property Internet posted maiden annual pretax losses of [pounds sterling]800,000, with a loss per share of 11.24p.