FED: Sir Rod Eddington to chair infrastructure taskforce

AAP General News (Australia)
02-26-2008
FED: Sir Rod Eddington to chair infrastructure taskforce

CANBERRA, Feb 26 AAP - Former airline chief Sir Rod Eddington will chair the new federal
government body Infrastructure Australia.

"I am very pleased to have someone of Sir Rod Eddington's calibre as chair of Infrastructure
Australia," Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement today.

Perth-born Sir Rod, who is now a director of a number of leading companies, has plenty
of experience in transport, as former head of British Airways, Ansett and Cathay Pacific.

In 2006 he headed a …

QLD:Man dies in car crash

AAP General News (Australia)
04-30-2011
QLD:Man dies in car crash

A man's been killed in a single car crash in Central Queensland.

He died when his car hit a tree along Barmoya Road at The Caves .. south of Rockhampton
.. at about 8.20 last night.

The driver was the only person in the car.

AAP RTV ka/sw

KEYWORD: TREE (BRISBANE)

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

VIC:Former Vic officer denies hit-run

AAP General News (Australia)
08-26-2011
VIC:Former Vic officer denies hit-run

A former Victorian policeman has denied any alleged involvement in the death of a war
veteran who was killed in a hit and run 35 years ago.

The body of HUGH WILSON was found on the Colac-Gellibrand Road in Victoria's southwest
in September 1976, and suggestions that police were involved are now being examined at
a coronial inquest.

BRIAN MERRY, a senior constable in Colac in 1976, has told the inquest today that he
believed anti-police feeling in the town may have led to unfounded rumours of police involvement
and says he had no part in the death.

He's also denied moving Mr WILSON's body or assisting in getting a police car repaired.

AAP RTV df/mh/sw/

KEYWORD: WILSON (MELBOURNE)

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

NT:Cyclone won't be like Yasi: forecasters

AAP General News (Australia)
02-15-2011
NT:Cyclone won't be like Yasi: forecasters

Forecasters say the cyclone predicted for the Northern Territory's coast won't be anything
like Cyclone Yasi.

Bureau of Meteorology regional director ANDREW TUPPER says the tropical low hovering
between Darwin and Katherine will probably become a category one cyclone when it reaches
the coast .. about 10 pm tomorrow.

A cyclone watch has been issued .. indicating it could hit Bathurst Island by 10 am on Thursday.

Dr TUPPER says there's a severe weather warning for flash flooding and strong wind
gusts up to 95 kilometres an hour .. but it won't be anything like Yasi.

AAP RTV lcs/og/tm

KEYWORD: CYCLONE NT (DARWIN)

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

NSW:Families warned of Xmas decoration danger

AAP General News (Australia)
12-01-2010
NSW:Families warned of Xmas decoration danger

SYDNEY, Dec 1 AAP - Families have been warned about hidden dangers of Christmas lights
and decorations after dodgy goods were discovered on sale in NSW.

Eight types of festive electrical products were removed from shelves during a compliance
blitz by Fair Trading investigators who combed more than 200 stores across the state.

The hazardous items were all imported from overseas and sold at discount retail outlets
and markets, Fair Trading Minister Virginia Judge said on Wednesday.

Three house fires in the previous holiday season were sparked by faulty Christmas lights
and shoppers needed to know which products were safe, to prevent similar incidents, Ms
Judge said.

"We want to make sure the festive season is truly festive and doesn't turn into a tragedy
for families and for individuals here in NSW," she told reporters in Sydney.

"Sometimes I know people have tight budgets but ... the product you are getting may
look as though it's affordable but ... if it poses any sort of safety risk to you or your
families, it is just not worth the cost."

Even the trees themselves can pose a threat.

"Synthetic Christmas trees can be highly flammable so only custom-made lights and decorations
should be used," Emergency Services Minister Steve Whan said.

Over-enthusiastic decorating could be dangerous, leading to overloaded electrical circuits,
he said, adding that 711 house fires occurred last December and January.

He warned against stacking powerboards, piggy-backing plugs, and using indoor lights outdoors.

Powerboards with a cut-off were the only safe option, he said.

Approved products are normally identifiable by a mark with a capital letter which corresponds
to the authorising state or territory, followed by a certificate number.

During the statewide blitz, 25 traders were issued with first offence warnings and
three traders were slapped with $500 penalty notices for second offences.

More information about product safety is available at fairtrading.nsw.gov.au.

AAP bzs/wjf/maur

KEYWORD: XMAS LIGHTS

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

Fed: Army chaplain tells of grandfather at Gallipoli

AAP General News (Australia)
04-25-2010
Fed: Army chaplain tells of grandfather at Gallipoli

CANBERRA, April 25 AAP - As dawn broke over the Australian War Memorial in Canberra,
Army senior chaplain Catie Inches-Ogden recalled how her grandfather had fought at Gallipoli
then returned to Australia - unlike so many of his "colleagues".

Reverend Inches-Ogden, who presided at the recent reburial of soldiers killed in the
1916 Battle of Fromelles, told the gathered crowd, undeterred by overnight rain, that
her grandfather, aged 21, travelled from Egypt to Gallipoli in 1915 as a member of the
Australian Light Horse Regiment and survived the savage fighting at Gallipoli.

He met his future wife, an army nurse, returning to Australia in 1919 on the same ship.

"They married soon after. The story is the stuff of movies but it is not the story
for many of my grandfather's Anzac colleagues," she said.

Among those present at the service was Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and, in the absence
of Governor-General Quentin Bryce who is attending the service at Gallipoli, her stand-in,
the administrator of the Commonwealth of Australia, West Australian governor Dr Ken Michael.

Reverend Inches-Ogden said many who survived Gallipoli found themselves serving out
the war on the Western Front in France and Belgium.

"Can you imagine how it must have been for those men who survived the trauma of Gallipoli
only to find themselves caught in the intense German artillery bombardment and small arms
fire, watching their mates being wounded or killed," she said.

"This is the stuff of nightmares. Yet in the midst of this horror and bloodshed emerged
stories of sacrifice, of courage and compassion, green shoots of humanity in the barren
waste of war."

Reverend Inches-Ogden said what emerged from Gallipoli and the Western Front were stories
of ordinary people behaving in extraordinary ways.

"The lives and the legacies of the Anzacs incite us as ordinary Australians to live
our lives in extraordinary ways," she said.

"To live in relationships, our homes and our workplaces so that compassion, justice
and hope may abound. And to live so that depression, violence and despair are diminished."

Reverend Inches-Ogden said some in Australia did not like Anzac Day, believing it glorified
war but they had missed the point.

"The lives and sacrifices of the Anzacs invite us today to live with hope, with compassion
and integrity in our daily lives and in our relationships," she said.

AAP mb/jm

KEYWORD: ANZAC DAWN ACT WRAP

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

Qld: Ship to be assessed after fire on board

AAP General News (Australia)
12-11-2009
Qld: Ship to be assessed after fire on board

BRISBANE, Dec 10 AAP - Fire and ambulance crews remain on a container ship anchored
off Brisbane after a fire broke out on board on Thursday.

An assessment team will board the vessel on Friday to check the damage, a spokesman
for Emergency Management Queensland said.

A 39-year-old crewman was winched from the burning container ship, the Liberian-flagged
Maersk Duffield, on Thursday afternoon.

He was flown to the Royal Brisbane Hospital suffering smoke inhalation.

The fire broke out in the ship's engine room about 1.30pm (AEST) and was extinguished
by firefighters.

The ship anchored near Mud Island in Moreton Bay overnight and is expected to be towed
into Brisbane on Friday.

The 281-metre vessel was travelling from Singapore to Brisbane.

AAP stg/cjb

KEYWORD: SHIP

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

Main stories in today's 1200 ABC news

AAP General News (Australia)
08-03-2009
Main stories in today's 1200 ABC news

SYDNEY, Aug 3 AAP - Main stories in today's 1200 ABC news:

- The federal government has dismissed the opposition leader's principles on an emissions
trading scheme as nothing more than wilted fig leaves to cover up the fact that his party
is dominated by skeptics.

- A court has heard that a Sydney teenager accused of murdering his father and stabbing
his mother also planned to kill two classmates.

- An 11-year-old Sydney girl is suing fast food chain KFC for more than $10 million,
claiming she was poisoned at one of its restaurants.

- The federal Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull has brushed aside criticism from within
his party that the coalition hasn't done enough to work out what went wrong at the last
election.

- It is expected to be several hours before Sydney residents evacuated after a factory
fire on Sunday can return home.

- Investigations are underway into drug taking allegations against a Brisbane Broncos player.

AAP bm/hn/

KEYWORD: MONITOR 1200 ABC SYDNEY

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

Vic: Crowds build for NYE by the Yarra

AAP General News (Australia)
12-31-2008
Vic: Crowds build for NYE by the Yarra

Crowds and excitement are building by the Yarra River in Melbourne .. with up to half
a million people expected to see in 2009 despite predictions of a cool night.

Brilliant sunshine broke through thick grey cloud late in the day .. encouraging thousands
to come in early to central Melbourne to see in 2009.

But the already cool breeze is set to get chillier .. with a cold front due to pass
over Victoria overnight.

A family-friendly 9.15pm (AEDT) fireworks show will precede the main event .. a pyrotechnic
display that will stretch along the Yarra from the Alexandra Gardens to Docklands at the
stroke of midnight.

Alexandra Gardens .. alongside the river .. has become a theme park with free live
music .. carnival rides and TV screens.

The river precinct has again been declared alcohol-free to head off trouble before it starts.

There will also be a free concert at Federation Square.

Up to 40 thousand more revellers will attend Sensation at the city's Telstra Dome ..

one of Australia's largest New Year's Eve parties.

Free public transport will be available throughout the night.

AAP RTV jrd/crh

KEYWORD: EVE VIC (MELBOURNE)

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

Fed: Canberra man obsessed with child porn, court told

AAP General News (Australia)
08-21-2008
Fed: Canberra man obsessed with child porn, court told

A court's heard a former Canberra music teacher .. caught in a global police operation
.. didn't realise anyone was being hurt by his obsession with child pornography.

The man downloaded nearly 15 thousand images including graphic videos.

58 year old RICHARD LLEWELYN from Chisholm has pleaded guilty to one charge of possessing
child pornography and one charge of using a carriage service to access the material.

LLEWELYN was arrested and forced to resign from his teaching job in March after police
discovered the images on two home computers and 61 DVDs.

His arrest was part of a world-wide investigation into child pornography called Operation
Centurion.

LLEWELYN's obsession became so extreme he suffered deep vein thrombosis as a result
of spending so much time on the computer in 2005.

Commonwealth prosecutor JON WHITE said LLEWELYN had shown deep remorse and was horrified
when he realised the children in the images had been victims.

The court's also been told LLEWELYN's wife and three grown children are supporting him.

The hearing has been adjourned until September 26.

AAP RTV sld/rl/crh

KEYWORD: LLEWELYN (CANBERRA)

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

FED: Doctors warn super clinics could erode existing services

AAP General News (Australia)
04-15-2008
FED: Doctors warn super clinics could erode existing services

CANBERRA, April 15 AAP - Doctors says it is vital existing GP services are not undermined
or made non-viable by the introduction of the Rudd government's "super clinics".

The federal government has promised to spend $220 million on building one-stop medical
centres in the bush and outer suburbs in an effort to improve health care and reduce pressure
on hospitals.

The roll-out of the plan is yet to be timetabled but it is understood details will
be announced in next month's federal budget.

Under the proposal, the government will provide capital funding for building clinics
in areas where access to primary health care services is poor.

The so-called super clinics would bring GPs and other health professionals and services
under one roof and provide space and training facilities.

In order to lure doctors to outer metropolitan and rural areas where there are shortages,
the government plans to also offer incentive payments of up to $15,000.

However, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) has urged the government to be careful
the introduction of the clinics do not undermine existing services, warning that only
a third of the proposed sites are in officially designated areas of workforce shortage.

"The government needs to work with the profession and the community to ensure GP super
clinics are located where they are most needed," AMA president Rosanna Capolingua said.

The AMA, which has made a submission on the proposed framework for the clinics, says
funding must also be made available to existing GP practices.

"This initiative should not risk local communities losing their local doctors," Dr
Capolingua said.

She said that in many instances it would be more beneficial to invest in existing GP
practices to help in improving their services.

There was no evidence the super clinics would significantly relieve pressure on emergency
departments, but investing in the provision of after-hours services would benefit the
community, Dr Capolingua said.

AAP kms/cdh

KEYWORD: CLINICS

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

Qld: Child safety officers failed 10yo rape victim: Bligh

AAP General News (Australia)
12-11-2007
Qld: Child safety officers failed 10yo rape victim: Bligh

By Roberta Mancuso

BRISBANE, Dec 11 AAP - Queensland Premier Anna Bligh admits her government failed a
10-year-old girl pack-raped twice in a far northern indigenous community - the second
time after being returned there by child safety officers.

The child was gang-raped at the age of seven in the Cape York community of Aurukun
in 2002, and was later put into foster care with a non-indigenous family in Cairns.

However, child safety officers in April 2006 returned her to Aurukun, where she was
raped again at the age of 10.

Ms Bligh today said there was "absolutely no question" that the Child Safety Department
had failed the girl.

"I think it is very important to understand, and I don't resile from the fact for one
moment, the system clearly failed this little girl," Ms Bligh told reporters.

"But it is also important to understand that nobody swept that failure under the carpet.

"What we did was take immediate action, discipline the officers involved, moved the
child, and changed and improved our response in Aboriginal communities."

Ms Bligh could not give a reason for the officers' decision to return the girl to Aurukun,
but said it should never have happened.

Cairns-based District Court judge Sarah Bradley did not record convictions against
six teenage attackers and gave three others aged 17, 18 and 26 suspended sentences over
the 2006 rape.

The state government is appealing the sentences and has ordered a review of around
75 sexual assault cases in Cape York over the past two years.

The government has dismissed calls to stand aside Judge Bradley during the appeal.

Ms Bligh said an investigation was carried out into the second multiple rape, resulting
in one senior child safety officer being sacked and two others suspended for 12 months
on full pay.

The two suspended officers are appealing the decision.

The review, which made 140 recommendations, also recommended that child safety officers
be based in indigenous communities, rather than visiting on a "fly in, fly out basis".

Media reports suggested the officers removed the child from her white foster parents
and returned her to Aurukun to avoid "another stolen generation".

But Ms Bligh said Queensland laws required that children were placed where they would
be best protected.

The girl is now in the care of the Child Safety Department.

"She is living away from this community and she is receiving both medical and therapeutic
support," Ms Bligh said.

"I understand that she's making good progress but she does have a number of complex
and difficult needs."

Ms Bligh expected the review of sexual assault sentences would be completed quickly,
but said it was not about returning the cases to trial.

She also denied a Northern Territory-style intervention was needed in Queensland's
indigenous communities.

"The NT's problem centred around whether authorities who should've been acting were
failing to act," Ms Bligh said.

"What's absolutely clear here is nobody turned a blind eye, the people who should've
acted did in relation to this sexual assault.

"In relation to the child safety officers, they clearly failed in their judgment."

Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech said the two suspended officers had been assigned
to desk duties.

"What I can assure you is that we have learned significantly from the mistakes," she said.

AAP rm/pjo/it/bwl

KEYWORD: GANG BLIGH

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

Fed: Labor's IR policy passed by conference

AAP General News (Australia)
04-28-2007
Fed: Labor's IR policy passed by conference

SYDNEY, April 28 AAP - Labor leader Kevin Rudd's new industrial relations policy has
been unanimously endorsed without debate by the ALP national conference.

The new policy, which bans strike action without a secret ballot of workers and reinstates
unfair dismissal protection for some workers, had been touted as a test of Mr Rudd's leadership.

But union officials agreed not to attempt to amend the policy after several hours of
discussion on the edges of the conference.

Labor workplace relations spokeswoman Julia Gillard thanked delegates for their support
and paid tribute to her shadow parliamentary secretary Brendan O'Connor for his work in
negotiating the agreement.

"This chapter wouldn't be with you today if it wasn't for his hard work," she said.

MORE mfh/lh

KEYWORD: LABOR WORKPLACE PASS

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

NSW: NSW holiday road toll at 10

AAP General News (Australia)
12-28-2006
NSW: NSW holiday road toll at 10

EDS: takes in ke: WRECKAGE



SYDNEY, Dec 28 AAP - A man is clinging to life and four others are seriously injured
following a crash north-west of Sydney.

Three helicopters and a fleet of ambulances rushed to the scene of the three-car pile-up
at Howes Valley, north of Colo Heights, an NRMA CareFlight spokesman said.

A car and a utility towing a trailer crashed head-on about 2.20pm (AEDT), and a third
vehicle hit the wreckage, the spokesman said.

Rescuers worked for more than an hour to free the male driver of one of the cars, aged
in his 60s, who was airlifted to Sydney's Westmead Hospital in a critical condition with
fractures and internal bleeding.

A mother and daughter travelling in the same car were also flown to the same hospital
- one with abdominal and chest injuries and the other with only minor injuries.

Another woman and man were airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle with fractures
and other injuries.

Emergency workers initially feared a motorcyclist had been involved, but soon discovered
the bike had been on the back on the trailer.

The holiday road toll stands at 10 following the death of a motorcyclist who ran up
the back of a truck on the M4 yesterday morning.

The 23-year-old underwent emergency surgery but died in Westmead Hospital several hours later.

AAP ajc/jjs/cdh

KEYWORD: TOLL NSW NIGHTLEAD

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

NT: Two people die in separate accidents in Central Australia

AAP General News (Australia)
08-20-2006
NT: Two people die in separate accidents in Central Australia

Two people have died in separate car accidents in Central Australia.

Police say a 36-year-old man died after being hit by a car in Alice Springs at about
8 pm (CST) on Saturday.

The 47-year-old driver told police he failed to see the man .. who was lying on the
side of the road when he was hit.

In a second incident .. a man died after he was thrown from a car that rolled on a
dirt road about 100 kilometres east of Kintore.

The car's four other occupants suffered minor injuries in the accident.

AAP RTV acb/tm

KEYWORD: TOLL NT (DARWIN)

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

Vic: Aboriginal protesters expect confrontation

AAP General News (Australia)
04-13-2006
Vic: Aboriginal protesters expect confrontation

MELBOURNE, April 13 AAP - Aboriginal protesters camping in Melbourne's Kings Domain
say they expect a confrontation with police within hours, despite an intention to comply
with an order to to remove their tents and caravans.

The group, protesting under the banner of the Black GST has until 2pm (AEST) today
to pack up their camp, dubbed Camp Sovereignty. After this time, the camp will be in breach
of a municipal law.

The group of about 20 protesters has been at the site since March 12.

The Supreme Court earlier this week overruled an injunction that had prohibited their eviction.

Earlier today they removed some of their equipment and two tents, leaving several others
at the site.

"We're not going to let the coppers get our equipment, they will impound it," spokesman
Robbie Thorpe said.

"These are very moveable items we have here ... they're not permanent, it's only here
to protect our fire."

The group has lit what it says is a sacred fire, that is the subject of an order under
the Federal Cultural and Heritage Act to protect it for 30 days.

"The Supreme Court said we're allowed to keep our fire and because we've got to remove
some of our camping gear it doesn't mean we are moving," Mr Thorpe said.

Despite indicating a willingness to comply with the council order, Mr Thorpe said he
expected a confrontation with police at 2pm.

He also said the protest had succeeded in getting a message out.

"We've got our message out that Aboriginal people are still around despite 236 years
of trying to exterminate us, we're still here, we still want to practise our own law and
live in our own country," he said.

Mr Thorpe is calling for an interpretation centre to be built at the campsite, in particular
a traditional Aboriginal stone hut.

AAP dr/mh/mon/jlw

KEYWORD: TENT THORPE

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

Fed: Ruddock says just speculation on identity of terrorist

AAP General News (Australia)
08-12-2005
Fed: Ruddock says just speculation on identity of terrorist

Attorney General PHILIP RUDDOCK says reports identifying a balaclava-clad terrorist
as missing former soldier MATHEW STEWART are media speculation.

The video, which was first shown on the al-Arabiya TV network, shows a masked man clutching
an assault rifle and speaking in what appears to be an Australian accent.

He is warning of further terror attacks against the west and boasting about the killing
of US troops in Afghanistan.

Mr RUDDOCK says Australian security agencies are still investigating the video.

The Attorney General says some people have listened to the accent of the person and
had made certain assumptions.

The man had been tentatively identified as former Australian army Private MATHEW STEWART,
a veteran of service in East Timor, who went missing in Afghanistan four years ago.

A close friend told News Limited newspapers the person appeared to be the man with
whom he grew up on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

But his mother has denied it's her son.

AAP RTV mb/tm

KEYWORD: TERROR VIDEO RUDDOCK (CANBERRA)

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

MICROSOFT GIVES AWAY E-BOOKS.(MONEYWISE)(Computers)

The mailbag is full again:

Q. I heard Microsoft is giving away free e-books but I can't find out the details.

A. Head to ''www.microsoft.com/reader.'' To promote its free Microsoft Reader e-book software, the company is offering 100 free books - primarily pieces of literature and scholarly works. The Reader itself is pretty cool, with the company's Clear Type technology that makes documents easier to read. (There's also a plug-in for Word 2000 to save documents in the Reader format for easier reading.)

Q. Can you tell me how to change the extension of a file I have received?

A. Sure. Open Windows Explorer and locate the file. Right-click on the file and select RENAME. There, type in a new name, a dot and the extension you want.

You will get a warning message noting if you change the extension the file may become unreadable. Say OK and you're done.

Q. Is it illegal to download music from the Internet?

A. Illegal as in men coming to your house with handcuffs? No. However, there are several issues here. Downloading copyrighted works without permission is a violation of law and deprives the artist of income. However, not all music online is so protected. Some singers and bands (usually those without record deals) are offering their music for download for free to build their fan base and to get their music heard.

Q. I use the instant chat program ICQ on my laptop. At home when I am dialed in to my Internet provider, I connect fine. But when I take it to work and connect to the network it will not work even though I have Internet access at work. How come?

A. Your company likely has a ''firewall'' installed that limits the connections it will allow to the company network. The purpose is to halt malicious attacks to the network from outside but some also are set up to limit connections to such programs as ICQ, as you really are connecting to another server when you use that program. You can check with your company's IT department to see if they allow a way to get around the firewall, but I doubt it.

Q. Can I have two computers connected to one monitor, mouse and keyboard without forever switching the wires around?

A. Yes. Several companies make such keyboard controllers. My favorite company for such is Belkin, which also makes dynamite cables. Few computer stores stock the controllers, which are common in server rooms, but you can see some wares at www.belkin.com. Don't forget you will need some cables to connect the PCs to the switch. The standard switches control up to four PCs with one keyboard, mouse and monitor.

Q. My printer, an HP Deskjet 520, just died. I have tried several dealers seeking to have it repaired and no one will touch it. Where can I take it to be fixed?

A. Take it out Sunday night for the trash man. Once a stellar printer, the 520 (which cost $299 in its day) is a doorstop. Any of the newer HPs or Epsons will run rings around your 520, will cost $75 or less and even print in color. The service call for the 520 exceeds its value and makes no sense to fix it. It's sorta like repairing a VCR. Why bother when new ones cost $59?

James Derk is computer columnist for Scripps Howard News Service. His email address is jderk@evansville.net.

DIGITAL: HP appoints marketer to ease move into cloud and mobile.

Martin Homlish will help position HP's new products and services to customers. By Lara O'Reilly

Hewlett-Packard has drafted in business management software firm SAP's Martin Homlish as its chief marketer to help develop a strategy to tap into the growing demand for mobile technology.

Homlish will create a "unified marketing approach" across the company, which manufactures laptops, printers and network software.

HP aims to tap into the growing appetite for 'cloud' internet and mobile computing rather than just relying on PC sales. The company's latest quarterly revenue figures, up 3.2% to $32.2bn (#19.6bn), fell short of analysts' forecasts as consumer demand for PCs fell.

The company is to roll out its first tablet, the TouchPad, this year, which is reported to come with a pre-installed cloud-based music streaming service. The launch of the cloud-based music locker would beat Apple and Google to the market. They are reportedly working on similar services.

Chief executive Leo Apotheker - also a former SAP executive - says Homlish will help strengthen the company's global brand position at a time of "tremendous change" in the technology industry.

He adds: "He will help us position our products, services and value proposition to customers."

At SAP, Homlish was responsible for aligning the company's marketing, field and product divisions as the company's global CMO and corporate officer.

Homlish replaces former Marketing Week profile subject Michael Mendenhall, who resigned in January after four years in the role.

Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

Kate feared daughter aedisasterAE.

Kate Beckinsale wanted to ban her daughter from auditioning for a movie in case she was "a disaster". Producers on 'Everybody's Fine' needed a young actress to portray Kate's character as her younger self and asked if Lily, then eight, would try out. Kate feared Lily might be upset if she didn't get the part, but the youngster managed to change her mother's mind. Kate explained: "They needed flashbacks of all of us being children and they asked me if my daughter Lily would audition. I said no because I thought she'd be on the set, and if she didn't get it, it would be such a disaster. "But she insisted on auditioning, and got it, and had her three scenes with Robert De Niro, which I thought was absolutely wild at the age of eight." Despite previously saying Lily did not want to follow her or her father, Michael Sheen, into acting, Kate admits her daughter, now nine, enjoyed the experience and bonded with her screen legend co-star. She added to Capitol File magazine: "Robert couldn't have been nicer. I think it was a very personal, emotional project for him and he really wanted us all to feel fatherly-daughterly with him. "He was absolutely lovely and kept feeding everybody cannolis, these little pastry desserts. Lily was a total fan for life once he introduced her to cannolis - the allegiance was set."

2007 Al Sidra Media LLC

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company

United Online's FTD Subsidiary Refinances Senior Secured Credit Facilities.

United Online, Inc. (Nasdaq: UNTD), a leading provider of consumer products and services over the Internet, announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, FTD Group, Inc. ("FTD"), has entered into a new credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with various lenders, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as sole lead arranger and sole book runner, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent for the lenders, to refinance its senior secured credit facilities. The Credit Agreement provides FTD with a $315 million senior secured credit facility consisting of (i) a $265 million seven-year term loan facility (the "Term Facility") and (ii) a $50 million five-year revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility" and together with the Term Facility, the "Credit Facilities"), and certain other financial accommodations including letters of credit.

The interest rates on both the Term Facility and the Revolving Credit Facility are either a base rate plus 2.5% per annum, or LIBOR plus 3.5% per annum (with a LIBOR floor of 1.25% in the case of the Term Facility). No loans were borrowed under the Revolving Credit Facility as of the closing of the Credit Facilities. The annualized reduction in cash interest expense resulting from the refinancing will be approximately $4.6 million, based on current benchmark rates.

"The new Credit Facilities significantly reduce FTD's overall cost of debt and extend the maturity of the Term Facility to 2018 and the Revolving Credit Facility to 2016," said Mark R. Goldston, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of United Online. "In addition, the new Credit Agreement increases our financial flexibility in a number of ways, including lower mandatory payments and provisions for up to an additional $100 million in financing, subject to obtaining commitments and satisfaction of certain conditions." About United Online[R]: United Online, Inc. (Nasdaq: UNTD) is a leading provider of consumer products and services over the Internet, where the company's brands have attracted a large online audience that includes more than 60 million registered consumer accounts. The company's floral and related offerings include products and services for consumers and retail florists, as well as for other retail locations offering floral products and services, in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland. The floral business utilizes the highly recognized FTD (www.ftd.com) and Interflora (www.interflora.co.uk) brands, both supported by the Mercury Man logo that is displayed in more than 40,000 retail floral shops worldwide. The company's Content & Media services include online nostalgia services in the U.S. and Canada (www.memorylane.com) and a number of European countries as well as online loyalty marketing services (www.mypoints.com). The company's Communications services include value-priced Internet access provided by NetZero (www.netzero.com) and Juno (www.juno.com).

Headquartered in Woodland Hills, CA, United Online operates through a global network of locations in the U.S., the U.K., Germany, and India. More information about United Online is available on the company's website located at www.unitedonline.com.

Keywords: Advertising, Finance, Financial, India, Industry, Internet Software and Service Companies, Investing, Investment, Marketing, Technology Companies, United Online, United Online Inc.

This article was prepared by Journal of India editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2011, Journal of India via VerticalNews.com.

WHY WEINER'S GOING UNDER THE BUS.

ARLINGTON, VA -- The following information was released by the American Conservative:

Is there any redeeming social value to the tawdry tale of Anthony Weiner?

Only this: The nationwide revulsion at the conduct of the congressman has compelled the leadership and members of the House Democratic caucus to demand he resign immediately and cease not only distracting them from their work but stinking up their party.

Traditional morality has just been affirmed by Nancy Pelosi and the House Democrats.

For consider what it was Weiner did.

He sent lewd and pornographic photos of himself to half a dozen women, including a college student, a stripper and a 17-year-old who had befriended him on Facebook. He initiated "sexting" with women who had simply expressed admiration for his politics and leadership.

On seeing a few of the photos in the tabloid press and reading of the others and Weiner's language, the adjectives that come to mind are gross, infantile, weird, sick, suicidal.

How could a congressman sit in his office at night text-messaging these kinds of pictures, engaging in that kind of talk, when he was surely aware he was being monitored by enemies who would relish ending his career in the kind of disgrace he faces today?

But how does Weiner's disgrace and inevitable departure from politics affirm the old morality?

Again, consider. Weiner has not been accused of a crime. His exchanges with the 17-year-old are of a flirtatious and suggestive nature than a proposition. And while Pelosi has asked the ethics committee to look into his conduct, its investigation has yet to begin.

Of what exactly, then, is Weiner guilty? He went before the press and lied, defiantly denying he had sent the text messages to the student. Four days later, he admitted to sending the messages.

But did not President Clinton lie, under oath, about a far graver offense, his Oval Office trysts with Monica Lewinsky? Yet, to a man, Senate Democrats refused to remove him. Why, then, must Weiner be removed?

Two decades ago, Rep. Gerry Studds admitted to seducing a 16-year-old male page and taking him on a European junket. Yet when censured by the House, Studds turned his back to the speaker's chair -- and was re-elected repeatedly from his Massachusetts district.

What Weiner did was degraded, but it did not rise to the level of what Studds survived.

Why, then, must Weiner go?

In traditional morality, what Weiner did, engage in immoral and squalid behavior, should result in permanent shame and instant removal from any position of honor.

Adherents of the old morality cannot understand why he is still in Congress. Was not Rep. Chris Lee, also of New York, a Republican, gone in four hours when it was discovered he sent a bare-chested picture of himself to Craigslist?

However, in the new morality of secular humanism, the gay rights movement and the libertarian left, what men or women do in their private lives is their own business. Sexual relations between consenting adults are neither moral nor immoral and should never be criminalized.

Under the new morality, pornography has been decriminalized and pornographic websites are among the most visited on the Internet. As for "sexting," this practice is today apparently common among teenagers.

Hence the questions: By the standards of the new morality, what did Weiner do immoral? What did he do wrong, other than get caught by Andrew Breitbart?

From all we know, Weiner was engaged in private consensual dirty talk with women who apparently did not object, or they could have outed him or shut him off.

Why, then, are his friends not standing by him? Why is the party he has served faithfully as an attack dog against the GOP and a guard dog of liberalism deserting him? Why does his party want him gone? Why are they throwing him under the bus?

Answer: Weiner is expendable. One can give up a congressman whose House seat is safely Democratic. A pawn can be sacrificed if necessary. But letting a president of one's own party be thrown out of office is another matter. A party cannot lose its king without suffering the damage the GOP did in the 1970s.

Second, House Democrats recognize that, should they declare themselves guided by the tenets of the new morality, insist that Weiner's private life is between him and his wife, and that what he did, while embarrassing, was neither criminal nor immoral but only stupid, they would be putting at risk Democrats from districts where the traditional morality still prevails.

The national reaction to Anthony Weiner, the clamor that he get out of the House now, to which the Democratic Party is yielding, testifies to the enduring moral health of the nation.

The culture war is not yet wholly lost.

Bangladesh Telecommunications Report Q1 2011 - A Digital Country By 2021?(Report)

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/360805/bangladesh_telecom) has announced the addition of the "Bangladesh Telecommunications Report Q1 2011" report to their offering.

The Bangladesh Telecommunications Report provides industry professionals and strategists, corporate analysts, telecommunication associations, government departments and regulatory bodies with independent forecasts and competitive intelligence on Bangladesh's telecommunications industry.

Based on the latest figures released by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission and mobile operators, BMI has made some revisions to their forecasts. BMI revised their 2010 mobile subscriber forecast upwards to 71.464mn with a penetration rate of 43.46%. BMI have also extended BMI's forecast period to 2015 and BMI expect 194.990mn subscribers by 2015, representing a mobile penetration rate of 110.59%, surpassing the 100% for the first time. Meanwhile, the industry's average ARPU saw a slight upward revision due to Banglalink's increasing postpaid subscriber base but BMI continue to foresee a downtrend due to intense competition and aggressive pricing tactics from operators to gain market share. Lastly, BMI have retained their forecasts for Bangladesh's fixed-line and internet forecasts due to the lack of new information.

Plans to transform Bangladesh into a digital country by 2021 are gaining traction after the Bangladeshi government announced plans in September 2010 to implement seven projects at a cost of BDT64.34bn (US$923.75mn). The seven projects will focus on rolling out next-generation technologies such as broadband wireless and fibre optic cable networks in order to improve Bangladesh's inadequate broadband infrastructure. The key objective is to lower operating costs and provide affordable broadband services to the population through the unification and standardisation of the country's broadband networks.

...read more inside Bangladesh Telecommunications Report Q1 2011. Key Topics Covered: Executive Summary

SWOT Analysis

Business Environment

Asia

Industry Forecasts

Mobile

Competitive Landscape

Competitor Analysis

Company Monitor

ZTE

Operator Profiles

Grameenphone

Regional Telecommunications Penetration Overview

Fixed Line

Country Snapshot: Bangladesh Demographic Data

Glossary Of Terms

Keywords: Asia, Bangladesh, Broadband, China, Electronics, Research and Markets, Telecommunications.

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

Marrakech attack: Morocco commends 'exemplary' cooperation with France.

Summary: Paris - Moroccan Communications Minister, Spokesman for the government, described, on Friday, as "exemplary" co-operation between Rabat on investigations into the Marrakech attack, which led to the arrest of three suspects, including the prime perpetrator of the terrorist act.

"The French government exerted no pressure. It rather behaved with the Moroccan government and Morocco in general in an exemplary way," Khalid Naciri told the France-Info radio.

He said it took a mere week to capture the perpetrators, including the prime perpetrator who, he said, developed the jihadist culture through internet and "learnt how to make bombs to kill innocents." The goal, he insisted, was "to harm Morocco and tourists who believe they come to a country of peace." Asked whether further arrests may happen, he did not exclude that, but made it clear that nothing implies that.

In this regard, he said the goal is not to have a large number of suspects, but to be efficient in hunting criminals and bring them to justice.

Copyright Agence Maghreb Arabe Presse (MAP). All rights reserved.

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company

ERIC C. HAATAJA OF APPLETON CHARGED WITH 8 COUNTS OF POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY.

APPLETON -- The following information was released by the Wisconsin Department of Justice:

WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AGENTS PARTNER WITH APPLETON POLICE DEPARTMENT IN INTERNET CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN OPERATION

Eric C. Haataja of Appleton Arrested

APPLETON - On Wednesday, April 13, 2011, Special Agents from the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) along with Law Enforcement from Appleton Police Department executed a Search Warrant at a residence at 1232 W. Packard Street in the City of Appleton, Outagamie County.

According to the criminal complaint, as a result of the search of the residence a number of electronic storage devices including computer hard drives, optical disks, USB thumb drives and other items were located and seized. A DVD located in the defendant's bedroom, which was hand labeled "porn" was retrieved from the defendant's basement bedroom. An initial preview of the DVD identified videos containing what appeared to be children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

According to the criminal complaint also located as a result of the search were marijuana and marijuana pipes.

Eric C. Haataja, of Appleton, was arrested and incarcerated in the Outagamie County Jail. Haataja was charged with 8 counts of possession of child pornography, possession of THC, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to the complaint, Haataja stated that he used search terms to seek child pornography via Online/Internet tools.

The investigation was the culmination of an undercover Internet child pornography investigation.

A copy of the criminal complaint is available at:

http://www.doj.state.wi.us/news/files/Haataja_Criminal_Complaint.pdf

Questions concerning this case should be directed towards the Outagamie County District Attorney's Office.

A defendant enjoys the presumption of innocence. The prosecution must prove its allegations at trial beyond a reasonable doubt.

Hercules Technology Growth Capital Announces $111.0 Million in Additional New Closed Commitments.

Total Closed New Commitments in the Second Quarter Currently at $144.0 Million

PALO ALTO, Calif. -- Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. (NASDAQ: HTGC), the leading specialty finance company providing venture debt and equity to venture capital and private equity-backed technology and life science companies at all stages of development, today announced additional new closed commitments totaling approximately $111.0 million to new and existing portfolio companies, in addition to the previously announced new commitments of $33.0 million on May 5, 2010.

To date, during second quarter of 2010, Hercules has closed new commitments and follow-on commitments to existing portfolio companies totaling approximately $144.0 million. It is important to note, that typically venture-backed companies generally do not fully draw down on their full commitment amounts and generally only draw down on approximately 75% of their investment commitment over a three to six month timeframe. Closed commitments do not equate to assets outstanding at the time of the commitment, given this lag period to convert the commitments to outstanding.

In addition, Hercules currently has received approximately $200.0 million in non-binding signed term sheets, which generally convert to contractual closed commitments within approximately 45 to 60 days of signing. Non-binding term sheets are subject to completion of the Company's due diligence, investment committee approval and legal review, as well as the negotiation of definitive documentation with the prospective portfolio company. It is important to note, that not all signed term sheets are expected to close and do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.

New Portfolio Companies:

IntelePeer

Hercules has committed $10.0 million to San Mateo, California-based IntelePeer, a leader in hosted on-demand rich media communications which enable carriers, businesses and software vendors to easily deliver voice and multimedia capabilities to any phone or network-connected device, with minimal upfront costs.

Propel BioFuels

Additionally, Hercules has committed $6.4 million to Propel BioFuels. Propel builds, owns, and operates a growing network of clean, low carbon fuel centers. The company is headquartered in Sacramento, California.

Reply!com

Hercules committed $15.0 million to San Ramon, California-based Reply!com. Reply!com is the leading online marketing platform for the acquisition of locally-targeted and category-specific consumers on a cost-per-click or cost-per-lead basis.

Stoke, Inc.

Hercules has committed $10.0 million to Santa Clara, California-based Stoke, Inc., a developer of high capacity, standards-based gateway solutions, providing innovative ways for enabling mobile operators to participate more profitably in the user-to-Internet value chain and improve subscribers' online experience.

Trilliant Incorporated

Hercules also committed $25.0 million to Trilliant Incorporated, a leader in delivering Smart Grid solutions that enhance energy efficiency, utility operations, and renewable resource integration. The company is located in Redwood City, California.

Existing Portfolio Companies:

Aveo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Hercules has committed $25.0 million to Aveo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVEO), a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing cancer therapeutics. Aveo is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

InfoLogix, Inc.

Hercules has committed $1.4 million to InfoLogix, Inc. (NASDAQ: IFLG), a leading technology provider of enterprise mobility solutions for the healthcare and commercial industries. InfoLogix is located in Hatboro, Pennsylvania.

OptiScan Corporation

Hercules has committed $0.7 million to OptiScan, the manufacturer of the OptiScanner 5000, a continuous glucose monitoring system designed to provide automated, frequent and highly accurate glucose measurements for the critically ill patient. OptiScan is located in Hayward, California.

Tectura Corporation

Hercules has committed $17.5 million to Tectura Corporation, a worldwide provider of business consulting services delivering exceptional service and sustainable value through consulting, software and IT implementation. Tectura is located in San Mateo, California.

"These five new closed commitments and four existing follow-on commitments to our portfolio companies is further evidence of our continued interest in building and diversifying our investment portfolio with new industries and companies at different stages of development," said Manuel A. Henriquez, co-founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Hercules. "We continue to selectively build our investment portfolio with promising new companies and technologies which speak to Hercules' continued ability to identify and select the highest quality transactions in all stages of the market in life sciences and technology. We are excited to partner with these promising portfolio companies by providing the growth capital they need to expand their businesses."

About Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.:

Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. is a NASDAQ traded specialty finance company providing debt and equity growth capital to technology and life science companies at all stages of development. Founded in December 2003, the company primarily finances privately held companies backed by leading venture capital and private equity firms. Hercules invests in a broad range of ventures active in technology and life science industries and offers a full suite of growth capital products at all levels of the capital structure. The company is headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif. and has additional offices in the Boston and Boulder areas. Providing capital to publicly-traded or privately-held companies backed by leading venture capital and private equity firms involves a high degree of credit risk and may result in potential losses of capital. For more information, please visit www.htgc.com.

Companies interested in learning more about financing opportunities should contact info@htgc.com, or call 650.289.3060.

About IntelePeer:

IntelePeer operates a communications-as-a-service (CaaS) platform called IntelePeer AppworX, a SuperRegistry, and an extensive peering grid. Through these mediums, the company provides its customers with the platform to offer high-quality interactive voice, video, SMS, data and other rich-media services while providing significant cost savings for their telecommunication expenditures because of minimal up front capital costs. Additionally, through intuitive APIs, Web services, skinable widgets and applets, IntelePeer removes the complexity of telecom and opens network functions to mainstream developers who are creating voice-Web "mashups" and communications-enabled business processes embedded into enterprise, webcasting, social networking, entertainment and e-commerce applications. For more information, visit www.intelepeer.com.

About Propel Biofuels:

Propel Biofuels owns and operates a network of clean fueling stations. The company's goal is to provide customers with easy access to high quality, clean fuels, and quantify the positive impact fuel choice. Products like CleanDrive - a personalized emissions reporting system - demonstrate the difference between renewable, clean fuels versus petroleum based fuels. Propel is building clean fuels centers at both existing, traditional gas stations and new locations. For more information on Propel Biofuels, visit www.propelfuels.com.

About Reply!com:

Reply!com operates a proprietary auction marketplace that enables advertisers to acquire locally-targeted and category-specific customer prospects on a cost-per-Enhanced Click[TM] or cost-per-lead basis. By eliminating the need for advertisers to develop and maintain complex, expensive online marketing infrastructures and teams of experts to source online consumer traffic from many different channels, Reply!com simplifies online locally-targeted marketing for businesses of all sizes. For more information, visit www.reply.com.

About Stoke, Inc.:

Stoke develops high capacity, standards-based gateway solutions, providing innovative ways for enabling mobile operators to participate more profitably in the user-to-Internet value chain and improve subscribers' online experience. Stoke solutions intelligently address the onslaught of 3G data growth in all mobile infrastructure domains - Core, Backhaul, and RAN - while also ensuring a smooth migration to LTE. Stoke's solutions address the most pressing challenges of mobile data service delivery, change the status quo, and dramatically reduce costs. For more information, visit www.stoke.com.

About Trilliant Incorporated:

Trilliant Incorporated provides hardware, software and service solutions that deliver on the promise of Advanced Metering and Smart Grid to utilities and their customers including improved energy efficiency, grid reliability, lower operating cost, and integration of renewable energy resources. Since its original founding in 1985, Trilliant has been a leading innovator in the delivery and implementation of energy management systems, including advanced utility wireless data collection for residential and commercial customers, demand response, time-of-use billing, and critical peak pricing initiatives. Trilliant currently has more than 200 utility customers including Hydro One, the single-largest Smart Grid implementation in North America. For more information, visit www.trilliantinc.com.

About AVEO Pharmaceuticals, Inc.:

Aveo, (NASDAQ: AVEO) integrates a proprietary cancer biology platform with drug development and commercial expertise in its efforts to discover and develop targeted cancer therapeutics. The company's lead product, tivozanib, is an oral, triple VEGF receptor inhibitor with potential for a best-in-class profile. Tivozanib is currently being investigated in a global, randomized Phase 3 clinical trial called TIVO-1 comparing tivozanib to sorafenib in advanced kidney cancer, as well as additional clinical studies in other solid tumor types. AVEO's proprietary, integrated cancer biology platform offers the company a unique advantage in oncology drug development that both increases the probability of clinical success and provides a discovery engine for high-value targets. This approach has resulted in a promising pipeline of monoclonal antibodies against novel targets including HGF, ErbB3, RON, Notch and FGFR. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.aveopharma.com.

About InfoLogix, Inc.:

InfoLogix is a leading provider of enterprise mobility solutions for the healthcare and commercial industries. InfoLogix uses the industry's most advanced technologies to increase the efficiency, accuracy, and transparency of complex business and clinical processes. With 19 issued patents, InfoLogix provides mobile managed solutions, on-demand software applications, mobile infrastructure products, and strategic consulting services to over 2,000 clients in North America including Kraft Foods, Merck and Company, General Electric, Kaiser Permanente, MultiCare Health System and Stanford School of Medicine. InfoLogix is a publicly-traded company (NASDAQ: IFLG). For more information, visit www.infologix.com.

About Optiscan Corporation:

OptiScan is the manufacturer of the OptiScanner 5000, a continuous glucose monitoring system designed to provide automated, frequent and highly accurate glucose measurements for the critically ill patient. OptiScan is located in Hayward, California. For more information please visit the company's website at www.optiscancorp.com.

About Tectura Corporation:

Tectura is a worldwide provider of business consulting services delivering exceptional service and sustainable value through consulting, software and IT implementation. Our diverse clientele includes mid-sized companies and larger enterprises. With team members in 20+ countries, Tectura applies its industry knowledge and best practices philosophy to provide Microsoft Dynamics([R]) ERP, CRM and technology solutions throughout the Americas, EMEA, and Asia Pacific. A Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, we maximize our vast technology resources and deep Microsoft expertise to deliver increased efficiency, project acceleration and a competitive edge. Learn more at www.tectura.com.

Forward-Looking Statements: The statements contained in this release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements including, without limitation, the risks, uncertainties, including the uncertainties surrounding the current market turbulence, and other factors we identify from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we believe that the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate and, as a result, the forward-looking statements based on those assumptions also could be incorrect. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are made as of the date hereof, and Hercules assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements for subsequent events.

Health scare leads to heart-friendly recipes.(Food)

Theres nothing like a little quadruple bypass surgery to motivate a guy to change his lifestyle.

Just ask 51-year-old Steve Kirchner of Palatine who was hospitalized five years ago with two completely blocked coronary arteries and one that was pumping at about 25 percent capacity.

"I was overweight, not taking care of myself, and deep down I knew I was headed for trouble," he says.

While running for a taxi in New Orleans he experienced "a blowtorch effect in my chest," worse than the previous incidents he had been ignoring. He scheduled a stress test at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights and left with "a new set of hoses" for his "engine," which was, blessedly, undamaged.

The surgery was a wake-up call.

"Ever since then I readjusted my whole train of thought about what I put in my body," he says.

Before his "tune up" Steve, who has always been the cook for his family, was a meat-and-potatoes guy. His best friends were steaks, fried shrimp, fried fish, pizza with sausage and pepperoni, fettuccine al fredo and macaroni and cheese. Cream and butter were basics.

"I thought I was scrimping if I used 2 percent milk instead of whole or half-and-half," he says.

Today, he and his wife and their two teenage daughters are "quasi-vegetarian." Their new best friends are tofu, black beans, fish, whole grains, vegetables and fruits. Olive, grapeseed and canola oils replaced butter.

Now Steve makes his own pizza, sometimes on wheat tortillas with buffalo mozzarella and herbs. Hes a deft hand at stir-fries with shrimp or tofu, enchilada pie with black beans, fish or shrimp fajitas and black bean soup.

"I eat beef a couple times a year," he says, but only lean cuts like flank steak or tenderloin, which he trims fastidiously. He indulges in baby back ribs for his birthday or Fathers Day.

"Im still eating like a king," he says.

The results: he has lost more than 40 pounds, reduced his blood pressure and cholesterol and has more energy, and some peace of mind.

Retired for more than two years now, Steve finds inspiration for heart-healthy recipes from "Emeril Green" on Discovery Green channel, DirecTV and the Internet.

"I rely on spice and creativity," he says.

The Kirchners live close to four produce-centric grocery stores where Steve loads up on bargains like Roma tomatoes, which he chops and freezes for his favorite Carretiera sauce.

He learned to make the sauce at a bed and breakfast in Florence and shares his version today, along with a Thai stir-fry and vegetable bisque.

"(The bisque) is probably the most healthy thing Ive ever cooked," he says. "I woke up in the middle of the night, went to my computer and wrote down this recipe.

"Im getting old," he laughs. "I dont dream about Sophia Loren anymore, I dream about soup."

NOVELL SPONSORS SCHOOL TECHNICAL CENTER DEDICATION IN HONOR OF RON BROWN

Founding Corporate Partner Underwrites Event in Cooperation with the

                   Foundation for Educational Innovation 

WASHINGTON, June 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Novell, the world's leading network software provider, is sponsoring today's dedication of the Ronald H. Brown Technical Learning Center at Roper Middle School in Washington, D.C. at 1:00 p.m. The event, which will be attended by high- level White House representatives and key corporate executives, will give inner-city students the opportunity to honor the late U.S. Secretary of Commerce for his positive impact in their lives.

"Novell is proud to sponsor this event," said Dan Burton, vice president of government relations for Novell, who will be among the presenters at the ceremony. "As leaders in the field of technology, we know just how vital it is to put software and computing tools in the hands of young people. Roper Middle School is leading the way in providing its students, not only with motivation and discipline, but also with the equipment they need to succeed. Novell is pleased to be part of this process."

The event will be attended by Brown's family members including his widow Alma Brown. In addition to Burton's, presentations will be given by Alice M. Rivlin, Director of the Office of Management and Budget; Larry Irving, Assistant Secretary of Commerce; Dr. Franklin Smith, Superintendent of Schools for DCPS; Helena Jones, Principal of Roper Middle School; and two students. Also speaking will be Foundation for Educational Innovation (FEI) President Archie Prioleau, who conceived and implemented the Technical Learning Center project.

"Secretary Brown became both a role model and a facilitator of Roper students' educational aspirations when he became personally involved in improving the quality of education in their school," said Prioleau. "After all the eulogies and tributes have been given by adults, it is important that these young students have the opportunity to share their feelings about Brown and the legacy he left them."

Less than four months ago, on Feb. 1, Secretary Brown was welcomed by Roper students to the grand opening of the first-of-its-kind technical learning center, made possible by a seed grant from the U.S. Commerce Department along with generous donations from community and business organizations. Brown shared his vision of a bright future for Roper students and their families, who now had state-of-the-art technology tools within their reach and high-tech, interactive curriculum in their classrooms.

"Today, Brown's vision is being fulfilled in Northeast DC," said Prioleau. "Kids and adults are gathering around the tools of technology and creating a new world. The sight of grandmothers sitting next to eighth graders as they both surf the Internet during our After School Learning Period is simply tremendous."

Prioleau added, "We salute Novell for underwriting this ceremony. Novell's sponsorship is an example of the remarkable support we have received from all of our founding partners." In all, more than 30 organizations partnered with FEI to make the Technical Learning Center a reality.

Burton said, "There is nothing more important in America than the education of our children, and Secretary Ron Brown clearly understood that. He had a vision of what technology would mean to young people in schools such as Roper, and he acted on that vision."

Founding Partners of the Foundation for Educational Innovation, which is pioneering Technical Learning Centers in the Washington, D.C. area, include Bell Atlantic, District of Columbia Public Schools, Eastman Kodak Company, Giant Food, Inc., JASON Foundation for Education, Novell and the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Novell, Inc. (Nasdaq: Novell), is the world's leading networking software provider. Novell software provides the infrastructure for a networked world, enabling our customers to connect with other people and the information they need, any time and any place. Novell partners with other technology and market leaders to help customers make networks a part of their everyday lives.

NOTE: Novell is a trademark of Novell, Inc.

     -0-                           6/5/96 

/NOTE TO EDITORS: Photos from the Novell Photo Library are available immediately via Wieck Photo Database to any media with telephoto receiver or electronic darkroom, PC or Macintosh, that can accept overhead transmissions. To retrieve a photo, please call 214-392-0888.

Members of the press interested in receiving Novell press releases and other corporate information by fax should call the Novell News Hotline at 800-668-5329, or NOVL-FAX./

/CONTACT: Linda Linfield of Novell, Inc., Cellular, 801-376-9927, or 801-228-5039, or Fax, 801-228-5077, or llinfield@novell.com; or Jody Flynn of Alexander Communications, 415-923-1660, or Fax, 415-923-9863, or jflynn@alexander-pr.com/

(NOVL)

CO: Novell Inc. ST: California IN: CPR SU:

MS -- SJW002 -- 0020 06/05/96 07:00 EDT

Roberston, David Brian. The Constitution and America's Destiny.(Book review)

Roberston, David Brian. The Constitution and America's Destiny. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2005. xvii + 283 pages. Paper, $25.00.

The Constitution and America 's Destiny is a concise study of the proceedings and ramifications of the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. David Robertson, a political scientist at the University of Missouri at St. Louis, focuses mainly on the debates surrounding the structure of the new government and the underlying concern over national versus state authority. James Madison, the most effective advocate for a strong national government, was the central figure of the convention. Robertson is at his best in outlining Madison's agenda and recounting his victories and setbacks, without crossing the line and celebrating Madison's plan. At the outset of the convention, Madison believed he could control the proceedings by binding together a coalition of large states including Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, along with the three southernmost states of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Blocking Madison and his allies stood delegates from smaller states who were wary of a stronger national government. Robertson identifies Connecticut's Roger Sherman as Madison's most effective adversary; at nearly every turn in the proceedings, Sherman managed to have an important tempering influence on Madison's proposals. Robertson effectively argues that the result of the sparring between Madison and Sherman and their respective allies was a Constitution that left later generations of American politicians with a strong government apparatus that, ironically, has been difficult to use.

Robertson makes a strong case that understanding Madison and his intentions helps illuminate the opportunities presented at the convention. Madison and other advocates of a stronger national government clearly had momentum going into the convention. They had crafted a plan to revise all aspects of the Articles of Confederation, creating a republican national government capable of managing a national economy and representing the states on a proportional basis. The author's emphasis on Madison as a forceful figure at the convention is justified, but there is a more subtle implication in Robertson's discussion of Madison. It is impossible to read this work without confronting the very notion of original intent. In present-day political and legal discourse, the concept of identifying and then drawing guidance from the initial intentions of the framers of the Constitution is compelling for many Americans. Robertson points out that Madison had clear intentions going into the convention, but from the outset he met with unexpected resistance to many of his objectives and even lost support from his own coalition on several votes. The author makes it clear that the framers were not of one mind on virtually any issue, other than the necessity of revising the Articles of Confederation. Indeed, there were so many near-victories, or near-losses depending on the perspective of the individual delegate, that there was hardly a consensus on any major vote. If one considers the number of provisions that emerged from compromise committees at the convention, he/she would conclude that no delegate left the convention totally satisfied with the result. In this respect, Robertson's work is reminiscent of Jack Rakove's Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution (1996). By the end of the convention, many of the debates remained only partially settled, leaving subsequent generations to carry on many of the arguments initiated in Philadelphia. As a result, Robertson rightly observes, Americans of every generation have seen the Constitution used against other Americans as a weapon or as a shield (p. 247).

Robertson has produced a fine example of interdisciplinary scholarship. He manages to bring to bear sound historical research and political-science analysis to lay out the problems the delegates confronted at the Constitutional Convention. His extensive notation points to a solid mix of both primary and secondary sources. He has tapped many of the "usual suspects" for constitutional scholars, including the Papers of James Madison and the Records of the Federal Convention of 1787. His notes also make it clear that he has taken advantage of the increasing Internet presence of thousands of the nation's early documents. Robertson also provides a straightforward review of the existing literature. While this does not make the best introductory reading, it helps the reader place Robertson's own work in the broader constitutional literature. Whereas other scholars have focused on the debates and the ideological divisions at the convention, Robertson delves into these concerns but also grapples with the question of where the proceedings left the men who took the reins of the new national government.

Robertson's writing is strong and easy to follow; students especially will appreciate his clarity and tendency to be concise. A few sections, however, would work better with different organization. Robertson structures his work thematically, devoting attention to debates over questions of policy agency, governing authority, and policy process. All of these areas are important for understanding the political debates at the convention and their later ramifications, but the departure from a neat chronological progression leads to repetition that may leave some readers confused at times. For instance, at the end of Chapter 4, Robertson includes a section concerning the "History of the Convention" in which he briefly summarizes the convention proceedings up to adjournment. In the following chapter, he loops back into the details of debates over policy agency. This organizational issue occasionally distracts the reader and takes away from the narrative style of the work, but it hardly undermines the overall strength of the text.

The Constitution and America's Destiny brings important research and analysis to the ongoing discussion of the nation's foundational document. Robertson makes it clear that many political debates throughout American history owe their longevity to the work, or, according to the author, rather, the incomplete work of the framers at the Constitutional Convention. The delegates crafted a plan of government which balanced (or barricaded) the different branches against each other but left substantial room for interpretation and future debate. This system has perpetuated stability in the government, but it has also made change difficult. Debates about the scope of government activity and the fight over state versus national sovereignty linger today, reflecting the battle lines that Robertson has so clearly outlined here.

Creston Long, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of History

Salisbury University

Salisbury, Maryland

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    CONTACT INFORMATION    Vocalscape Networks, Inc.    Kimberly Koch    kkoch@vocalscape.com    P. 914-448-7600    F. 914-448-7608    http://www.vocalscape.com/     INVESTOR RELATIONS    SIG Consultants    Doug Ward    sigconsultants@aol.com    http://www.siginfogroup.com/    770-814-7199  

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