NSW:Main stories in Sydney's Wednesday paper=3

AAP General News (Australia)
08-24-2011
NSW:Main stories in Sydney's Wednesday paper=3

The Australian:

Page 1: The federal government has discussed the possibility of a takeover of Qantas,
with Wayne Swan and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese inclined to oppose any private
equity bid, the newspaper reported. Labor backbencher Craig Thomson has resigned as the
head of a parliamentary economics committee. The volatility in world markets could expose
Australia to greater instability than that seen during the recent global financial crisis.

Page 2: The Health Services Union will consider whether to make a complaint to NSW
Police over Labor MP Craig Thomson's allegedly misuse of a union credit card. How has
the Health Services Union incurred so many bad debts, the newspaper asks.

Page 3: The Hendra virus has struck the Gold Coast's prime horse country, in the wake
of a new outbreak. Sydney naps seven of Gourmet Traveller's top 10 awards.

World: Libya's rebel forces face new challenges as its many factions crumble.

Finance: Foster's Group has reported its biggest decline in beer sales for 20 years.

Sport: The last thing Dan Vickerman thought he would be doing was starting for the
Wallabies in the last Tri Nations Test on Saturday.

AAP lcf/

KEYWORD: MONITOR FRONTER NSW 3 SYDNEY

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

NSW: Council in corruption probe warrants administrator: Greens

AAP General News (Australia)
02-21-2008
NSW: Council in corruption probe warrants administrator: Greens

The Greens say a firewall must be built between developers and government .. by banning
their political donations.

The Greens have been calling for years for property developers to be banned from donating
to political parties.

And .. as a scandal surrounding development approvals by Wollongong City Council threatens
to engulf the state government …

FED:Steel makers oppose carbon tax: Abbott=2

AAP General News (Australia)
04-27-2011
FED:Steel makers oppose carbon tax: Abbott=2

Mr Abbott spent about an hour and a half touring the steelworks with the plant's manufacturing
manager and community relations manager.

OneSteel spokesman Steve Ashe said in a statement to AAP the carbon tax is "a big issue
for our Whyalla operation as the largest portion of our emissions come from Whyalla steelmaking".

"We are concerned that taxing our production when our import competition does not also
face a similar tax will reduce our competitive position and increase the challenges and
risks for our Whyalla business," Mr Ashe said.

"The carbon tax is meant to be a price signal to reduce emissions, however the nature
of steelmaking is that the chemistry dictates that emissions will occur, and there is
no new technology available now or in the foreseeable future that will allow us to materially
reduce these emissions."

Mr Ashe said the company was not against taking action on climate change, but that
as demand for steel is not changed by the tax "there will be no reduction in global emissions,
in fact emissions are likely to increase because of leakage offshore".

"So a carbon tax on the steel industry that deteriorates our competitive position is
likely to result in a worse environmental outcome, but also have a significant negative
impact on Australian jobs," Mr Ashe said.

AAP pjo/sb/apm

KEYWORD: CLIMATE ABBOTT UPDATE 2 CANBERRA (REOPENS)

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

NSW:Snake bits man then man hurts man

AAP General News (Australia)
02-12-2011
NSW:Snake bits man then man hurts man

A young bushwalker in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney has been bitten by a Tiger
snake .. and twisted his leg trying to get away.

Police say the 21-year-old had set off on a 14-day bushwalk on Thursday from Narrow
Neck Plateau .. near Katoomba.

He was bitten while trekking through Kanangra Boyd National Park early this morning
.. then fell and twisted his right knee and ankle during his escape.

The man managed to return to his campsite and activate his emergency locator beacon
.. and has been taken out by a NSW Ambulance Rescue Helicopter to Bankstown Hospital for
treatment.

AAP RTV vpm/tm/

KEYWORD: SNAKE (SYDNEY)

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

FED:UN has brush with AFL in Melb

AAP General News (Australia)
08-29-2010
FED:UN has brush with AFL in Melb

By Cathy Alexander

MELBOURNE, Aug 29 AAP - The biggest UN event to be held in this country has had a distinctly
Aussie curtain-raiser - a brush with the AFL.

More than 1400 delegates from around the world have gathered for a three-day UN conference
on improving health, which opens in Melbourne on Monday.

AFL players got into the spirit by raising awareness about the conference - and about
the health challenges the world faces - at the Melbourne vs North Melbourne clash at the
MCG on Sunday afternoon.

Melbourne president Jim Stynes urged football fans to think globally and compassionately.

"We can do a lot for the community and that is something as a football club we have
decided to do, something to help others who are less fortunate," Stynes, who is battling
an aggressive form of cancer, told reporters before the match.

"This gives us an opportunity to align ourselves to what is happening here with the
UN and what is happening globally."

Stynes took to the middle of the field before the first bounce to brief the crowd on
the conference.

He also presented the UN's public information chief, Kiyo Akasaka, with his own Melbourne
jersey, as staff from World Vision spread the message through the crowd.

The annual conference is specifically for non-governmental organisations and is usually
held at UN headquarters in New York, but this year it's come to the Melbourne Convention
and Exhibition Centre.

The focus of the conference is on achieving the Millennium Development Goals which
the UN agreed to in 2000, with a focus on reducing maternal and infant deaths, and preventing
the spread of HIV AIDs and malaria.

UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon will address the opening of the conference via video
link on Monday morning.

AAP ca/jhp

KEYWORD: MILLENNIUM AFL (PICS AVAILABLE)

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

SA: Health plan bureaucratic band aid: Redmond

AAP General News (Australia)
04-21-2010
SA: Health plan bureaucratic band aid: Redmond

ADELAIDE, April 21 AAP - Health reforms are nothing more than a politically motivated
bureaucratic bandaid ahead of a federal election, says South Australian Liberal leader
Isobel Redmond.

Ms Redmond says federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon cited there would be governing
councils overseeing health, which the Liberal leader says are just bureaucrats whose jobs
will be funded out of the state's coffers.

"There are something like eight different bureaucratic systems set up under these new
arrangements and in nobody's language could it seen to be a more efficient delivery of
health services," Ms Redmond told reporters outside Parliament House in Adelaide.

And it appears as if there will be little financial benefits for the state.

"No extra funding is really guaranteed for the state under this arrangement," she said.

The new system is now pooling money that was already being paid from the state budget
into the hospital system.

"I have a very significant concern that firstly, the money that will be coming through
won't be any improvement for the provision of services," she said.

"And secondly, that a lot of the money will be spent on extra bureaucrats."

Ms Redmond said the only way to describe the federal government's health reforms are:
"A rushed political exercise made for political expediency ahead of a federal election".

Meanwhile, the state's Independent senator Nick Xenophon says, unless it's targeted,
throwing buckets of money at something won't fix the problem.

AAP ahe/it

KEYWORD: HOSPITALS SA (PIX AVAILABLE)

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

Vic: Elderly man may have stabbed himself: police

AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-2009
Vic: Elderly man may have stabbed himself: police

Police are investigating the possibility an elderly man found dead on a footpath in
bayside Melbourne may have stabbed himself.

His body was found at the corner of Catherine and Fowler streets in Chelsea .. only
three blocks from the local police station .. just after 10 last night.

A post mortem will be conducted later today to determine the cause of death.

AAP RTV ees/gfr/jmt

KEYWORD: BODY (MELBOURNE)

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

NSW: Four people charged over home drug lab

AAP General News (Australia)
04-30-2009
NSW: Four people charged over home drug lab

Two men and two woman have been charged after police uncovered a drug lab during a
raid on a house in Sydney.

Drug squad officers found what they say is a lab capable of producuing amphetamines
.. in Willoughby Road at Naremburn in Sydney's north .. about 5 pm yesterday.

All four were refused bail and are expected to appear at Hornsby Local Court today.

AAP RTV vpm/wjf/rt

KEYWORD: LAB (SYDNEY)

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

Vic: Footy great pursued by tax office

AAP General News (Australia)
12-28-2008
Vic: Footy great pursued by tax office

Aussie Rules great ROBERT DIPIERDOMENICO is being pursued by the Australian Tax Office
for more than 650-thousand dollars.

The Sunday Herald-Sun newspaper reports the Brownlow medallist and high-profile personality
is being chased in the Supreme Court for 653-thousand dollars in unpaid taxes and fines.

The five-time Hawthorn premiership player has underpaid his taxes for nine years ..

according to the tax office writ lodged in the Supreme Court last week.

Mr DIPIERDOMENICO says he's flabbergasted by the writ and claims he claims he doesn't
know anything about it at all.

It's alleged he underpaid tax from June 30 .. 1997 .. to June 30 .. 2006.

Dipper .. as he's known .. played in Hawthorn's 1989 Grand Final win over Geelong and
was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 2007.

AAP RTV md/fdf

KEYWORD: DIPPER (MELBOURNE)

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

Base: Collated baseball results today

AAP General News (Australia)
08-19-2008
Base: Collated baseball results today

BEIJING, Aug 18 AFP - Collated baseball results today:



Men's preliminaries



Japan 1 bt Canada 0

Korea 9 bt Chinese Taipei 8

Cuba 14 bt Netherlands 3 (8 innings)

United States 9 bt China 1

AFP cc

KEYWORD: OLYR08 BASE COLLATED

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

FED: Aussie athletes not at risk after 'terror' arrests: AOC

AAP General News (Australia)
04-11-2008
FED: Aussie athletes not at risk after 'terror' arrests: AOC

Australian Olympic officials say they have full confidence in China's ability to protect
our athletes at the Beijing Games.

Australian Olympic Committee president JOHN COATES says despite 45 suspected terrorists
being arrested in China overnight .. there's no known security threat to the Australian
team.

He says Australia's always had full confidence in China being able to provide a safe
Games for our athletes.

Chinese authorities say they've foiled plots to carry out suicide bomb attacks and
kidnap athletes during the Games.

Mr COATES says the AOC is constantly updated by Foreign Affairs on security measures
in Beijing .. and is liaising with the Australian Embassy.

AAP RTV jcd/rl/bart

KEYWORD: OLY08 COATES (CANBERRA)

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

Qld: Jealous arsonist found guilty of murdering own son

AAP General News (Australia)
12-07-2007
Qld: Jealous arsonist found guilty of murdering own son

A man who deliberately lit a house fire which killed three people .. including his
own son .. has been found guilty of murder.

A Supreme Court jury took just one day to find ERROL GRAHAM HAYES guilty of three counts
of murder and one count of arson.

HAYES will be sentenced at a later date .. but is facing a long stretch in jail.

The charge of murder carries an automatic life sentence in Queensland.







During the trial the Brisbane court was told HAYES .. a regular drug user .. set fire
to a wooden Queenslander-style house in suburban Annerley in the early hours of February
20.

HAYES' 18-month-old son JOSHUA .. his former partner THERESA DOMINIQUE MARCHETTI and
a 39 year old man .. MARK STEWART CHRISTENSEN .. died in the fire.

The court was told HAYES started the fire in a jealous rage because he suspected Ms
MARCHETTI had been unfaithful with Mr CHRISTENSEN.

Prosecutor ROSS MARTIN SC told the court HAYES and Ms MARCHETTI had been arguing constantly
in the week leading up to the fire.

During one argument Mr MARTIN said HAYES had told Ms MARCHETTI she would "burn alive".

A witness testified HAYES later made his way to the house where the three were sleeping
and lit the fire.

The witness told the court HAYES later said he only meant to start a small blaze that
would frighten Ms MARCHETTI and Mr CHRISTENSEN.

AAP RTV cf/pjo/bart

KEYWORD: HAYES (BRISBANE)

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

Fed: ADF should promote cadets to boost recriutment: Jeffery

AAP General News (Australia)
04-25-2007
Fed: ADF should promote cadets to boost recriutment: Jeffery

CANBERRA, April 25 AAP - Governor-General Michael Jeffery says the Australian Defence
Force (ADF) should promote it's cadet corps to boost recruitment numbers.

The government has recently unveiled new initiatives including an expensive new advertising
campaign and a one-year trial service for students to boost recruitments.

Last year, the ADF recruited around 1,000 less people than the annual recruitment target
of 8,500.

Speaking from the Anzac Dawn Service in Canberra today, Major-General Jeffery said
recruiting was a challenge during times of high employment, but promoting the cadet corps
could increase numbers.

"I'm a great believer in the cadet corps. I think the more cadets we have serving in
the Army, Navy, Air Force, I think the greater recruiting potential," Maj-Gen Jeffery
told the Nine Network.

"Again, that has been dealt with to increase the number of cadets in the schools and
the regional units."

Maj-Gen Jeffery graduated from the Royal Military College Duntroon in 1958 and was
later awarded the Military Cross for distinguished service in action during a tour of
Vietnam.

AAP sld/cjh/cdh

KEYWORD: RECRUITMENT JEFFERY

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

Qld: Two injured after car crashes into tree

AAP General News (Australia)
12-24-2006
Qld: Two injured after car crashes into tree

Police believe fatigue may have been a factor .. in a car crash north of Brisbane that's
left two teenagers in hospital for Christmas.

The 18-year-old driver escaped unhurt .. after he was thrown from his car when it veered
off Duffield Road at Kallangur and slammed into a tree about four o'clock this morning.

A 17-year-old male passenger had to be cut from the vehicle and was taken to Royal
Brisbane Hospital with head injuries.

A 17-year-old female passenger was taken to Redcliffe Hospital with suspected internal injuries.

A police spokeswoman says it appears they'd been driving through the night .. and were
very close to their destination when they crashed.

AAP RTV cf/jmt

KEYWORD: CRASH (BRISBANE)

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

Vic: Face painted robber flees with top shelf booty

AAP General News (Australia)
08-17-2006
Vic: Face painted robber flees with top shelf booty

A bandit wearing face paint and a metal butcher's glove held up a Melbourne bottle
shop at knife point last night.

The man stole cash and seven bottles of expensive cognac and whiskey at 9pm from the
store in Lygon Street, Brunswick.

Police say his face was painted orange and white .. and he wore a rubber glove on one
hand .. and a metal mesh glove on the other.

He's described as between 40 to 50 years old .. about 180cm tall .. and of slim build.

AAP RTV cmb/gfr/jmm/bart

KEYWORD: WHISKEY (MELBOURNE)

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

NSW: Iemma boosts business during Rome visit

AAP General News (Australia)
04-10-2006
NSW: Iemma boosts business during Rome visit

The focus of New South Wales Premier MORRIS IEMMA'S trip to Rome has switched from
from matters spiritual .. to boosting business links between his state and Italy's Lazio
region.

He arrived in Rome at the weekend .. to take part in ceremonies at the Vatican .. in
the lead up to the Catholic World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008.

And tonight .. Australian time .. Mr IEMMA will sign a memorandum of understanding
with the government of Lazio .. to boost reciprocal investment opportunities.

He'll also hold a meeting with the Confederation of Italian Industry .. then head to
France before returning to Australia at the end of the week.

AAP RTV pj/hn/goc/bart

KEYWORD: ITALY IEMMA (SYDNEY)

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

Qld: Tears, laughter and loud shirts farewell Big Kev

AAP General News (Australia)
12-12-2005
Qld: Tears, laughter and loud shirts farewell Big Kev

Tears .. laughter and a congregation brimming with loud shirts has farewelled flamboyant
businessman KEVIN MCQUAY .. otherwise known as BIG KEV.

Around 700 mourners crowded into the Robina Uniting Church on the Gold Coast to pay
tribute to the man described as Australia's greatest spruiker.

Mr MCQUAY made famous the catchcry I'M EXCITED.

He died aged 55 last week after a heart attack.

AAP RTV ch/sc/wz/goc/

KEYWORD: KEV (GOLD COAST)

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

The Catapult Group Signs Stock Exchange Agreement.

Business Editors & Technology Writers

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 3, 2000

Transaction will result in The Catapult Group, Inc.,

a Southeastern Web Integrator, being a Reporting Company

Atlanta-based web development firm The Catapult Group, Inc.SM ("Catapult") announced today it has signed a Non-binding Agreement with Envirometrics, Inc. ("Envirometrics") in which Envirometrics will acquire all of the outstanding stock of Catapult. Upon completion of the transaction, Envirometrics will issue common shares to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Catapult resulting in the shareholders of Catapult owning 90% of Envirometrics' stock and the existing shareholders of Envirometrics owning the remaining 10% of the stock.

Following the closing of the transaction, Envirometrics will be the surviving corporation, but will immediately change its name to The Catapult Group, Inc. This transaction is contingent upon the completion of due diligence by both companies, the re-listing of Envirometrics common stock on the OTC Bulletin Board and the approval of the board of directors of both companies. Once this transaction is completed, Catapult will become a Reporting Company under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. As a reporting company, Catapult will file annual and quarterly reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Catapult Group focuses on what it considers the ignored mid-market e-business space and is an alternative to the high cost, low service web development firms.

"This transaction allows us to do in 90-days what would otherwise take us more than a year to accomplish," said Bryan Johns, Chief Executive Officer of The Catapult Group. "The time for aggressive growth in this market is now. This transaction contributes favorably to shareholder wealth without sacrificing the equity and market value that a more traditional route would require."

Johns said a number of companies, including Rare Medium Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: RRRR) and Xceed, Inc. (NASDAQ: XCED) have completed similar transactions.

"We are confident that once our shareholders understand the potential of this transaction they will overwhelmingly approve the agreement," said Walter H. (Skip) Elliott III, Chief Executive Officer of Envirometrics. "The Catapult Group has a very bright future, one that we look forward to enhancing."

The Catapult Group has done work for a number of well-known clients including MCI Worldcom(TM) (NASDAQ: WCOM), Bellsouth (NYSE: BLS) and The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. It has also recently signed agreements with Internet start-up Telephone.com(TM) and Lumen Consulting, LLC.

The company has also aligned itself with a number of strategic marketing partners. It was recently selected as the first client for Hi-Tech Partners Group(TM), a next generation incubator. The Catapult Group has also retained Atlanta-based marketing firm Creaxion to handle its Advertising, Media and Analyst Relations.

About The Catapult Group

The Catapult Group is a privately held Atlanta-based Internet Services Firm specializing in Web-based applications designed to streamline business operations and improve customer interaction and services. For more information on The Catapult Group, visit the company on the Web at www.TheCatapultGroup.com or call 770.448.9088 ext. 118.

Forward Looking Statements

Some of the information in this news release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue" or similar words. These statements discuss future expectations, contain projections of results of operations or of financial condition or state other "forward-looking" information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements ("Cautionary Statements") include: the general strength or weakness of the The Catapult Group, Inc.'s products, the industry, and the pricing policies of competitors. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the The Catapult Group, Inc. or persons acting on behalf of the The Catapult Group, Inc. are expressly qualified in their entirety by such Cautionary Statements.

Travel Technology News - Asia / Pacific.

New York (AirGuide - Travel Technology News Asia / Pacific) Jul 3, 2011

Air China Air China Offers French Version of the Online Check-in at www.airchina.fr. The French version of the online check-in feature of the carrier's sub-website for France www.airchina.fr was offered on June 27, making it easier for passengers departing from Charles de Gaule airport, Paris, to check in online from 28 hours to 3 hours before flight departure. It represents Air China's latest move to make life easier for passengers from far and wide. French aside, languages used on Air China's website include simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, English, German, Italian and Japanese. Jun 30, 2011

Jetabroad Jetabroad: Online Travel Takes Off in Australia. According to Jetabroad more Australians than ever are using the internet to make travel plans; the company is not surprised by this trend as the web is the easiest and most affordable way to find cheap flights. Jetabroad, a global online flight specialist and travel agency, is seeing a significant increase in the number of Australians who use their service to book flights to exotic destinations around the world. Over the past year and a half the company has seen many people arrange their first holidays through the web: Jetabroad says this shows that Aussie travellers are becoming increasingly web savvy. Independent research from PhoCusWright, a market research company, has demonstrated a similar trend across the entire industry in Australia. Their study shows that traffic to travel websites was 30 per cent higher in 2010 than the year before. The report also predicted that growth would continue over the coming years as travel takes on a larger role in the nation's web based economy. Darin Walters, MD of Jetabroad, comments: "2010 was a fantastic year for us at Jetabroad and for the industry as a whole, as many more people chose to book flights to Thailand, Europe and other great spots through the web. This growth spanned all demographics and included many who ventured into the world of online travel for the first time." Walters continues: "The increase of traffic online is not altogether surprising as Australia has a very high internet population and Aussies are always keen to explore the world. Beyond that, the internet provides convenience alongside great deals making it a natural place for travel planning. Indeed, if you want to arrange a flight to New York or London it only makes sense to do so online." Jun 29, 2011

LG Electronics Do people prefer passive 3D glasses? LG, Samsung debate. Eighty percent of participants preferred passive 3DTV glasses to active-shutter glasses in a study commissioned by LG Electronics, which has focused its business on passive glasses. Participants rated the passive glasses higher in categories such as picture quality and 3D effect, but Samsung cites its high market share and its own study in arguing that consumers prefer the active models. Jun 30, 2011

Marriott Hotels Marriott International recently opened its first dedicated Global Reservation Sales and Customer Care Centre in China, located in the Pearl River New City district in the city of Guangzhou. This facility will service Marriott Worldwide Reservations, Customer Care and Marriott Rewards for the companyOs hotels throughout greater China. Marriott InternationalOs L. Kaye Dengel, senior vice president of global sales and customer care, said, OWith more than 50 hotels in China, and at least another 100 in some form of planning, China is a crucially important market to us -- and is now by far our second-biggest market anywhere in the world. We are committed to giving our guests what they want at every touch point along their journey with Marriott, and this dedicated Reservations and Customer Care Centre is a key component of serving our Chinese guests.O The new Global Reservations and Customer Care Centre is a key part of Marriott InternationalOs Asia Pacific reservations strategy and opened with the latest technology, infrastructure and 45 dedicated associates specially trained and focused on sales and the customer experience. This new China Centre joins Marriott InternationalOs Global Reservation Sales and Customer Care operations currently open in India, Malaysia and Japan, all servicing the needs of the companyOs millions of customers across the Asia Pacific region. To contact Marriott InternationalOs Global Reservation Sales and Customer Care Centre in China, call 400-888-5551 www.marriott.com. Jun 29, 2011

ZZ AirGuide 110704

Editorial eMail: edit@AirGuideOnline.com For Advertising and Marketing: advert@AirGuideOnline.com For Custom Content and Content Solutions: content@AirGuideOnline.com For Air Transport & Travel Business Analysis contact our Director of Content Aram Gesar eMail: bizintel@AirGuideOnline.com ISSN 1544-3760 - Copyright [c] 2011 AirGuide / Pyramid Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

MTS, Gazprom worsen the relations between Russia and Turkmenistan.

ASHGABAT, June 29, 2011 (TCA) -- The Russian corporation Sistema, of which cell phone operator MobileTeleSystems (MTS) is a member, put out a story recently that it would seek compensation from Ashgabat for shutting down mobile phone service for 2.4 million MTS customers in Turkmenistan. But the Turkmen government responded, saying it had absolutely no intentions of providing compensation, as the five-year contract, which expired in December 2010, ended lawfully and it was the prerogative of the Turkmen Ministry of Communications not to extend it Some of the customers have been absorbed by the national mobile provider Altyn Asyr, but many still evidently remain without telephone -- and Internet connection -- awaiting new ventures the Turkmen government is pursuing with Nokia Siemens and Huawaei, the Chinese mobile company. MTS has launched suits in various international arbitration courts but the outcome is uncertain. The episode is indicative of the limitations of new media technologies, once they're in the hands of dictators: people may enjoy greater freedom of Internet connectivity for a time, but it can be removed at a whim. Relations with Russia have been strained since the Gazprom price disagreement and accident compensation fiascos, that led Russia to drastically reduce its purchases from a one-time high of 50 billion cubic meters to only about 10 bcm, and the MTS story was painful, of course. Yet Ashgabat has kept up good relations with some firms, such as Itera, which has invested in the Avaza Caspian resort complex, and has visibly improved educational ties, with a decision to accept foreign diplomas (including many Russian degrees) as valid in Turkmenistan for job placement. Several high-profile science conferences have been convened with Russia. Now, President Berdymukhamedov has fully restored the right of anyone in Turkmenistan to receive Russian periodicals, which has been restricted only to some specialized research institutes. The Turkmen leader seems to have realized that by restricting exchange with Turkmenistan's main scientific and educational partner, and particularly ease of access to scientific journals, he was only hampering Turkmenistan's development. Most of the Turkmen students who study abroad are in Russia and Turkey.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)

Cyber Attacks on the Rise.

Syngress Experts Offer Tips for Protection

WALTHAM, Mass. -- Cyber attacks on governments, corporations, and individuals are spiking. Sony's PlayStation, Lockheed Martin, PBS, Google's g-mail passwords, Nintendo, and now Citibank's credit card customers' files have all been hacked causing concern and significant financial damage. Syngress security experts are at the forefront of the battle against cybercrime and offer their solutions in recent, cutting-edge cyber security books.

Jason Andress and Steve Winterfeld, authors of Cyber Attacks, are at the forefront of the battle against cybercrime and offer their solutions in this cutting-edge cyber security book. (Photo: Business Wire)

"Our opponents can attack at any time, using any method at their disposal, and only need to be successful once," say Jason Andress and Steve Winterfeld, authors of Cyber Warfare: Techniques, Tactics and Tools for Security Practitioners. "We have to be alert and react to every attack. This applies to every system, network and organization equally. Military, critical infrastructure and corporate systems are all part of the ongoing fight."

In Cyber Warfare , authors Andress and Winterfeld describe how and why cyber war is waged, addressing the key issues in corporate and global cyber warfare, discussing real-world attempts by individuals and states to adversely affect the networks and computers of corporate players and other nations. The concepts discussed in this book will give those involved in information security a better idea of how cyber conflicts are carried out now, how they will change in the future and how to detect and defend against cyber terrorists, organized criminals and non-state actors.

Another Syngress title, Cybercrime and Espionage, by Will Gragido and John Pirc, provides a wealth of knowledge about advanced attacks, their success and their presence within all industry. This book educates security professionals on next generation threats, and the authors, working in conjunction with strategic technology partners have key insights into these new threats.

About Syngress

Syngress, an imprint of Elsevier Science & Technology Books, helps professionals secure computers, internet and electronic systems. Syngress produces cutting-edge content for those who want theoretical as well as tactical information on securing the digital world. Whether security professionals are complying with regulations, breaking or protecting a system, or analyzing a system and extracting evidence, Syngress has high quality expert advice to make them better at what they do. It is a leader in the fields of digital forensics, hacking and penetration testing, certification, IT security and administration, and more.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6755866&lang=en

America's Largest 4G Network Now Twice as Fast in More Than 50 New Markets.

T-Mobile Rocket 3.0, the company's first 42Mbps-capable product, available starting tomorrow, delivers a lightning-fast mobile broadband experience

BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Today, T-Mobile USA, Inc. announced it is doubling the speed of its 4G network in more than 50 markets to achieve theoretical peak download speeds of up to 42 megabits per second (Mbps). T-Mobile customers in 55 markets will now have access to increased 4G network speed, capacity and reliability. These markets include Atlanta, Ga.; Chicago, Ill.; Denver, Colo.; Detroit, Mich.; Dallas and Houston, Texas; Los Angeles, Calif.; Miami, Fla.; New Orleans, La.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Portland, Ore.; and San Francisco, Calif., among others.

(EDITORS NOTE: A full list of new markets where T-Mobile's 42mbps 4G capability is available can be located at the end of this news release.)

In addition, T-Mobile's first 42 Mbps-capable 4G product, the T-Mobile Rocket([R]) 3.0 laptop stick, will be available for purchase beginning tomorrow, May 25. The Rocket 3.0, manufactured by ZTE, is designed to take advantage of T-Mobile's faster 4G network speeds. Capable of speeds twice as fast as T-Mobile's previous 4G devices, customers in 42Mbps coverage are expected to experience more consistent 4G speeds when creating and sharing mobile content, streaming and connecting through mobile video, and participating in multiplayer gaming.

"We are continuing the aggressive expansion of America's Largest 4G Network[TM], and also doubling our speeds in more than 50 markets this month," said Neville Ray, chief technology officer, T-Mobile USA. "While customers with existing 3G and 4G devices will benefit from our continued network enhancements, new devices like the new Rocket 3.0 laptop stick will enable customers to reap the benefits of even faster 4G speeds."

Providing customers with a blazing fast Internet connection on almost any laptop while on the go, the T-Mobile Rocket 3.0 is equipped with a convenient rotating swivel USB form factor, and three changeable faceplates in cobalt blue, dark violet and matte black. The Rocket 3.0 will be available at select T-Mobile retail stores and online at www.T-Mobile.com tomorrow for $99.99 after a $50 mail in rebate, with a qualifying mobile broadband plan on a two-year service agreement1. Postpaid monthly plans start at $29.99, and customers with a qualifying voice line of service with T-Mobile receive a 20 percent discount. Customers can also purchase the T-Mobile Rocket 3.0 without an annual contract for $199.99. For more information about the T-Mobile Rocket 3.0, including pricing and plan details, visit www.t-mobile.com/broadbandgoesmobile.

As T-Mobile's 4G network continues to expand and get faster, the company's portfolio of 4G products is also growing. T-Mobile currently offers a dozen 4G-capable devices spanning smartphones, tablets and mobile broadband products that give customers access to America's Largest 4G Network. The company has announced plans to deliver a total of 25 4G-capable devices in 2011.

T-Mobile's 4G network already reaches more than 200 million Americans in 170 markets. By midyear, T-Mobile expects that more than 150 million Americans will have access to increased 4G speeds as T-Mobile upgrades its 4G network. A list of new markets where the new faster speeds are available can be found below.

T-Mobile 4G markets where 42Mbps service is launching today:

Albany, Ga.; Athens, Ga.; Atlanta, Ga.; Auburn, Ala.; Augusta, Ga.; Austin, Texas; Bentonville, Ark.; Boulder, Colo.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Chicago, Ill.; Dallas, Texas; Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Fla.; Denver, Colo.; Detroit, Mich.; Durham, N.C.; El Paso, Texas; Fort Collins, Colo.; Gainesville, Fla.; Gainesville, Ga.; Greeley, Colo.; Honolulu, Hawaii; Houston, Texas; Jacksonville, Fla.; Long Island, N.Y.; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, Calif.; Macon, Ga.; Mayaguez, Puerto Rico; Miami, Fla.; New Orleans, La.; Oklahoma City, Okla.; Olympia, Wash.; Omaha, Neb.; Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, Calif.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Ponce, Puerto Rico; Portland, Ore.; Salinas, Calif.; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, Calif.; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif.; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Santa Cruz-Watsonville, Calif.; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, Calif.; Savannah, Ga.; Seattle, Wash.; Spokane, Wash.; Tampa, Fla.; Tulsa, Okla.; Valdosta, Ga.; Vallejo-Fairfield, Calif.; Warner Robins, Ga.; and Wichita, Kan.

T-Mobile's HSPA+ 4G network is not available everywhere. See coverage details at T-Mobile.com.

1. Mail-in rebate card requires qualifying T-Mobile voice line and enrollment in EasyPay. Pricing and discount offers are subject to change.

About T-Mobile USA, Inc.

Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile USA, Inc. is the U.S. wireless operation of Deutsche Telekom AG. By the end of the first quarter of 2011, approximately 128 million mobile customers were served by the mobile communication segments of the Deutsche Telekom group -- 33.6 million by T-Mobile USA -- all via a common technology platform based on GSM and UMTS and additionally HSPA+/HSPA+42. T-Mobile USA's innovative wireless products and services help empower people to connect to those who matter most. Multiple independent research studies continue to rank T-Mobile USA among the highest in numerous regions throughout the U.S. in wireless customer care and call quality. For more information, please visit http://www.T-Mobile.com. T-Mobile is a federally registered trademark of Deutsche Telekom AG. For further information on Deutsche Telekom, please visit www.telekom.de/investor-relations.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect the current views of Deutsche Telekom management with respect to future events. These forward-looking statements may include statements with regard to the expected development of revenue, earnings, profits from operations, depreciation and amortization, cash flows and personnel-related measures. You should consider them with caution. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond Deutsche Telekom's control. Among the factors that might influence our ability to achieve our objectives are the progress of our workforce reduction initiative and other cost-saving measures, and the impact of other significant strategic, labour or business initiatives, including acquisitions, dispositions and business combinations, and our network upgrade and expansion initiatives. In addition, stronger than expected competition, technological change, legal proceedings and regulatory developments, among other factors, may have a material adverse effect on our costs and revenue development. Further, the economic downturn in our markets, and changes in interest and currency exchange rates, may also have an impact on our business development and the availability of financing on favourable conditions. Changes to our expectations concerning future cash flows may lead to impairment write downs of assets carried at historical cost, which may materially affect our results at the group and operating segment levels. If these or other risks and uncertainties materialize, or if the assumptions underlying any of these statements prove incorrect, our actual performance may materially differ from the performance expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. We can offer no assurance that our estimates or expectations will be achieved. Without prejudice to existing obligations under capital market law, we do not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements to take new information or future events into account or otherwise.

In addition to figures prepared in accordance with IFRS, Deutsche Telekom also presents non-GAAP financial performance measures, including, among others, EBITDA, EBITDA margin, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted EBIT, adjusted net income, free cash flow, gross debt and net debt. These non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the information prepared in accordance with IFRS. Non-GAAP financial performance measures are not subject to IFRS or any other generally accepted accounting principles. Other companies may define these terms in different ways.

New independent press syndicates emerge to end monopolization.

CAIRO: A couple of independent journalists' syndicates were recently launched to break the monopolization represented by the official Journalists' Syndicate indicating a root change in associations and unions moving more towards plurality.

The first syndicate presents itself as an alternative to the official Journalists' Syndicate currently paralyzed awaiting board elections by the end of 2011 after mass resignations of its board members in the aftermath of the January 25 Revolution. However, the problem goes further back.

"A permanent contract is the carte-blanche to membership in the Journalists' Syndicate. For this contract, you may spend several years of hard work yet it is not guaranteed if your editor doesn't like you for some reason," said Shaimaa Galal, cofounder of the Independent Journalists' Syndicate.

"Membership conditions in the existing syndicate need to be reformed to stop the humiliation of journalists in their own institutions who had to shift their focus from professionalism to satisfying their editors whatever it takes," she added.

According to Galal, these conditions aren't lawful, as the law requires working in the media field for the Journalists' Syndicate's membership and doesn't mention the permanent contract which is the general requirement the syndicate works by.

The Journalists' Syndicate also manipulates the law applying only two of four rosters in membership, trainee and working members, she added.

Along with Wael Tawfik and members of "Journalists without a Syndicate" Facebook group, Galal, who is not a member of the Journalists' Syndicate herself, helped found the new syndicate. Applying for membership only requires a one-year portfolio of work.

The Journalists' Syndicate, according to the new Independent Journalists' Syndicate founders, turned into a service provider as if it were an alternative to the government whereas its main role in defending the rights of journalists and press freedom waned. It also became a political platform, whether pro or anti government, which is in violation of the law.

"The biggest manipulation is ousting journalists working for foreign-licensed publications under the Supreme Council for Journalism, who are not members of the Journalists' Syndicate to begin with. This is a double standard," Wael noted.

The new Independent Journalists' Syndicate will not limit its membership to journalists working in print media but to employees in the media field in general from producers, anchors, online journalists, photographers and others.

Online journalists

Another group formed the Egyptian Online Journalists' Syndicate (EOJS) providing security and legitimacy to thousands of journalists working in a growing form of journalism.

"We reached out to many professionals to join us in defining online journalists who work for an online newspaper or a news website that has a permanent office and a clear administrative structure and how they are different than the blogger or the citizen journalist," said Salah Abd El-Sabor, EOJS founder and secretary general of the Arab Union for Electronic Journalism (AUEJ).

Online journalists are almost excluded from the Journalists' Syndicate's membership. Only journalists who work for online portals related to print newspapers such as Al-Youm Al-Sabei and Al-Masry Al-Youm are granted membership, excluding independent news websites that do not print a newspaper.

The idea of pluralistic syndicates is favored by many journalists who believe that the "one career one syndicate" rule should be abolished.

"Monopolization has been going on since the 60s. It's a real catastrophe because the right to assembly should be protected," Saiid Shoeib, director of the Center of Unified Journalists, noted.

Although Egypt is a signatory of the ILO 1948 Convention no. 87 dealing with Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize, opening room for pluralistic syndicates, successive Egyptian regimes never applied it on the ground which is why AUEJ was established last year as a union after failing to create an independent syndicate.

EOJS, firstly discussed in July 2010, will be the first of its kind in the Arab world while Morocco may be the next to follow, said Salah, journalist at MBC.net.

"We test different skills an online journalist should have beside the traditional journalism skills and if proven unqualified, we offer courses in online journalism that qualifies the journalist to become a member in EOJS," Salah added.

Nearly 850 applications were received in two months for EOJS while almost 150 members were accepted. Members are employees of Moheet, MBC.net, OnIslam, El-Wafd portal, Radio Horeyetna and Masrawy.

"We're preparing a law that organizes online publication on the internet which will be presented to parliament to reach credibility and accountability," Salah said.

Almost two thirds of Egypt's journalists are not members of the Journalists' Syndicate because of restricting membership conditions whereas some members, due to the contract condition, are not journalists but employees in newspapers, said Sayed Fathy, chairman of El-Helaly Center for Freedom.

"Any professional group that wants to establish a syndicate can submit required documents to the Ministry of Manpower. If no objection is received in a month, the syndicate is legally established," Sayed explained.

Prime Minister Essam Sharaf announced on Labor Day that the government is currently working on pluralistic syndicate law that will be finalized in the near future.

Daily NewsEgypt 2011

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company

VASCO to Release Q1 2011 Results on April 26 - Dial-in Info.(Financial report)

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill., and ZURICH, April 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- VASCO Data Security International Inc. (Nasdaq: VDSI; www.vasco.com), a leading software security company specializing in strong authentication products and services, announced today that it will release its Q1 2011 results on April 26, 2011.

On April 26, at 10.00 am EDT/16.00 CET, VASCO will hold a conference call, which will be streamed on the VASCO website (www.vasco.com).

The dial-in telephone numbers for the conference call are: Dial-in US: 800-252-8295 Dial-in International: 1-212-231-2930

Mr. T. Kendall Hunt, Chairman and CEO, Mr. Jan Valcke, President and COO and Mr. Cliff Bown, Executive Vice President and CFO of VASCO, will be available on April 26 to answer analyst, investor and media questions.

About VASCO

VASCO is a leading supplier of strong authentication and e-signature solutions and services specializing in Internet security applications and transactions. VASCO has positioned itself as a global software company for Internet security serving a customer base of over 10,000 companies in more than 100 countries, including more than 1,600 international financial institutions. VASCO's prime markets are the financial sector, enterprise security, e-commerce and e-government.

Forward Looking Statements:

Statements made in this news release that relate to future plans, events or performances are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements (1) are identified by use of terms and phrases such as "expect," "believe," "will," "anticipate," "emerging," "intend," "plan," "could," "may," "estimate," "should," "objective" and "goal," "possible," "potential," and similar words and expressions, but such words and phrases are not the exclusive means of identifying them, and (2) are subject to risks and uncertainties and represent our present expectations or beliefs concerning future events. VASCO cautions that the forward-looking statements are qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors have been described in greater detail in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and include, but are not limited to, (a) risks of general market conditions, including currency fluctuations and the uncertainties in world economic and financial markets, (b) risks inherent to the computer and network security industry, including rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards, increasing numbers of patent infringement claims, changes in customer requirements, price competitive bidding, and changing government regulations, and (c) risks specific to VASCO, including, demand for our products and services, competition from more established firms and others, pressures on price levels and our historical dependence on relatively few products, certain suppliers and certain key customers. Reference is made to VASCO's public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for further information regarding VASCO and its operations.

This document may contain trademarks of VASCO Data Security International, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including VASCO, the VASCO "V" design, DIGIPASS, VACMAN, aXsGUARD and IDENTIKEY

For more information contact: Jochem Binst, +32 2 609 97 00, jbinst@vasco.com

Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/VASCODataNews

SOURCE VASCO Data Security International Inc.

STAR WARS TROUPER.(Capitaland Quarterly)

- Who: Tim Harris

- Age: 42

- Real job: Laborer with the Clifton Park Highway Department

- Passion outside work: Member of the 501st Legion, a group of about 35 men and women in upstate, central and western New York who dress up as characters from the Star Wars movies to help raise money for charity.

Tim Harris doesn't consider himself a bad guy, but he plays one on weekends when he dresses in his $3,000, hand-crafted Boba Fett costume to help raise money for charities such as Make-A-Wish Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or the Humane Society.

Members of his group don their "bad guys" from Star Wars getups and pose for pictures at fund-raising events. Money charged for those snapshots goes to the designated charity.

Even though they're bad guys, they need to play nice when in character. That means no smoking, swearing or drinking in costume. And, for heaven's sake, no taking off the helmet until in the changing area -- that could ruin the mystique for a kid quicker than you can say "light saber."

Harris has been big into Star Wars for all his adult life, but started collecting -- and creating -- costumes about a year and a half ago. He now has two complete outfits, as well as an entire room in his two-bedroom Schenectady home dedicated to Star Wars.

Over the past year he's become well versed in glue, adhesive and elastic and says his best friends are fabric, hardware and craft stores.

Purchasing is like "a secret society," he says, where hobbyists share links to the best parts dealers through hard-to-find message boards on the Internet.

They have to track down pieces, then prove they're buying to build authentic costumes, says Harris. If you're project is legitimate, the seller will be able to tell by the inquiry. True 501st Legion members turn up their noses at knock-offs just as Sarah Jessica Parker's stylist would a fake Louis Vuitton.

The Web is also where genuine Star Wars fans find tips and tricks for building and wearing the costumes. The most-searched: how to use the bathroom while suited up at a day-long charity event. The obvious is to skip morning coffee, says Harris, but other than that, it's all about carefully removing certain portions of the costume or hoping he can dress up as a Jedi (such as Luke Skywalker or Obi-Wan Kenobi) for the day, since those suits are glorified robes.

- Quote: "When kids see us their eyes bug out and their jaws drop open -- kind of like when you're 5 and go to Disney. You stop thinking (characters are) a human in a suit and just think, "That's Mickey Mouse." With us it's, 'That's Darth Vader' or 'That's a storm trooper.' Those are the best reactions."

-- Kristi L. Gustafson

CAPTION(S):

Luanne M. Ferris/Times Union

NeuStar Schedules Conference Call and Webcast to Discuss First Quarter 2009 Results.

STERLING, Va., April 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NeuStar today announced that it will report its first quarter 2009 operating and financial results on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 after the closing of regular trading. The news release will be followed by a teleconference and webcast beginning at 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time).

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080310/NEUSTARLOGO )

Those wishing to participate in the teleconference should call (888) 218-8142 (international callers should dial +1-913-312-1418) a few minutes prior in order to register. A replay of the call will be available through 12:00 midnight on Wednesday, May 13, 2008 (Eastern Time) by dialing (888) 203-1112 (international callers should dial +1-719-457-0820) and entering replay PIN 8694852.

Those wishing to participate in the live or archived webcast via the Internet should go to the Investor Relations tab of the NeuStar website at http://www.neustar.biz/.

About NeuStar, Inc.

NeuStar provides market-leading and innovative services that enable trusted communication across networks, applications, and enterprises around the world. Visit NeuStar online at http://www.neustar.biz/.

CONTACT: Investors, Brandon Pugh, +1-571-434-5659, brandon.pugh@neustar.biz, or Media, John Schneidawind, +1-571-434-5596, john.schneidawind@neustar.biz, both of NeuStar

Web Site: http://www.neustar.biz/

WIN VIP TICKETS TO ATHENS FOR UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL; Today's tickets must be won by 6pm.(Competition/Offers)

ALL Liverpool fans will remember where they were when they won the UEFA Champions League two years ago. Now you have the chance to watch them run out against AC Milan this year.

Just ring up BEFORE 6PM TONIGHT for a chance to be at the Olympic Stadium in Athens next Wednesday, cheering on the Reds to what could be their second UEFA Champions League Final victory in three years.

Our third pair of Ford VIP tickets must be won by 6pm tonight!

Ford's sponsorship of the UEFA Champions League has already worked well for two lucky Mirror readers: Ciaran Shelvin from Belfast won on Tuesday and yesterday's winner was Faisal Nawaz from London.

For an opportunity to join them in Greece - and win tickets with pre-match Champions Village Hospitality, two nights in a hotel in Athens and transfers all courtesy of Ford - take part NOW! Today's flights are courtesy of Avro. Visit Avro at www.avro.co.uk or call 0044 871 622 4481.

HOW TO ENTER

FOR a chance to win VIP tickets to Athens, simply answer this question:

Q: How many goals has Peter Crouch scored in this year's UEFA Champions League competition?

(a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6

Call 1513 303 048 and follow the instructions.

OR Text DMCROUCH followed by a space and then your answer (a, b, c), name, address and postcode to 53307. For details of goods and services which may be of interest, start your text entry DMCROUCHIN OR visit www.mirror.co.uk/competitions to enter online

Terms: Lines close at 6pm tonight. BT landline calls cost 60cent each. Calls from other landlines/mobiles/payphones may vary. Texts/internet entries cost 60cent each plus standard network rate. Terms and conditions as previously published.

FEEL FOOTBALL WITH FORD

CHECK out www.feelfootball.com - if you love football and love talking about it then it's the perfect website for you. Have your say, debate the issues that matter and have the chance to chat online and in person with the legends of the game.

TOMORROW: LAST CHANCE TO WIN UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL TICKETS

SOCIAL DIALOGUE.(European Commission calls for projects ting to the consultation and participation of employee representatives in companies)(Brief article)

The European Commission has launched a call for proposals (VP/2007/003) for projects relating to the consultation and participation of employee representatives in companies. For the financial year 2007 two categories of projects will be supported under this budget line: transnational cooperation projects and information and observation points. The available budget is 8 million to be split into 2 phases. The deadline for submitting dossiers is 12 March 2007 for operations commencing no earlier than 12 May 2007 and 5 September 2007 for operations commencing no earlier than 05 November 2007aand no later than 22 December 2007.

Email : empl-04-03-03-03@ec.europa.eu - Internet : http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/emplweb/tenders/tenders_en.cfm?id=985

For a full copy of the call for proposals consult our website: www.europolitics.info > members > advanced search > reference = 69455

Bank of Oak Ridge Uses Lobby Coin Counting Machine to Collect United Way of Greater Greensboro Donations.

OAK RIDGE, N.C. -- After it's success last year in collecting money for the United Way of Greater Greensboro, Bank of Oak Ridge (NASDAQ:BKOR) will once again use its in-office Money-Go-Round coin counters for accepting contributions. The bank will make an initial donation of $1,000 and will then match donations collected from the community up to $2,000 through the month of November.

"We raised $5,110.61 last year and I think everyone who made a donation got a kick our of seeing the coin counters in action," said Bank of Oak Ridge President Ron Black. "With the recent addition of our New Garden Crossing location in Greensboro, we hope to present the United Way with an even larger amount this year."

To make a donation, both customers and non-customers of Bank of Oak Ridge can bring their loose change to any bank office in Greensboro, Oak Ridge or Summerfield. The Money-Go-Rounds, which can count up to 700 coins a minute, are simple to use and located in the lobby of each office. To start the process, you simply pour your loose change into the machine's coin tray and push the start button. In seconds, you'll receive a receipt allowing you to get cash, make a deposit into a Bank of Oak Ridge account, or donate a percentage or all of the amount to the United Way.

There is no charge to use the Money-Go-Round coin counters, unlike coin counting machines found in other locations that charge a fee of up to nine percent to count change. Bank of Oak Ridge is the only bank in the Triad area that provides access to free, self-service coin counting machines. The machines are also designed to introduce children to important money-saving concepts and re-establish the tradition of taking their coins to the local bank to have them counted.

Bank of Oak Ridge, headquartered in Oak Ridge, NC, is a community bank with locations in Oak Ridge, Summerfield and Greensboro. The bank offers a complete line of banking and investment services, including savings and checking accounts, mortgage and business loans, Saturday hours, same-day deposits, business and personal internet banking with balance alerts and reminders, internet bill payment and accounts designed specifically for seniors, small businesses and civic organizations. For more information, contact Bank of Oak Ridge at 336-644-9944, or visit www.bankofoakridge.com.

Loft living in latest downtown success story.(Residential: marketing & brokerage)(Historic building The Crest converted into Financial District's signature residential properties)

In an indication of the growing vitality of the Lower Manhattan residential marketplace, developer Metro Loft Management reports that its latest downtown project--the 476-unit luxury residence at 63 Wall Street which began renting just six months ago--is already two-thirds occupied.

The historic 37-story building, now known as The Crest, once served as the corporate headquarters of banking giant Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. It has been masterfully converted by Metro Loft into one of the Financial District's signature residential properties, boasting extraordinary building-wide amenities and spectacular residences with high ceilings and luxurious finishes.

"We are delighted by the public's tremendous response to our building and equally excited about the future of this dynamic and steadily evolving neighborhood," stated Metro Loft President Nathan Berman, who noted that The Crest passed the "300 mark" in apartment rentals in November and interest in the property has been steadily growing.

Certainly a big reason for its popularity has been Metro Loft's decision to transform the entire 10,000 square foot mezzanine level of the building, which was once the Banking Hall at Brown Brothers Harriman, into a one-of-a-kind amenities floor known as "The Great Room." Featuring access to an upscale health club, the handsomely appointed room is under development to offer residents a movie theater quality private screening room with advanced projection screen and club chairs, multiple seating areas, a billiards room, baby grand piano, library, game room, and wireless internet access.

Other amenities at The Crest include 24/7 doorman service, valet service, an onsite garage, bicycle storage, laundry facilities, a business center and conference room. A beautifully landscaped common sundeck on the 21st floor is available to all residents and features expansive views of the East River, Hudson River and Lower Manhattan.

According the Metro Loft Director of Project Development Steven Kirschenbaum, residences at The Crest were designed to offer the utmost in comfort, privacy, and luxury. Features include kitchens with Absolute Black granite kitchen countertops, maple and etched glass custom cabinetry, and GE appliances. Luxurious marble bathrooms are appointed with custom made Watermark fixtures, generous closet space, and parquet floors.

Crest layouts, which include studio, studio with home office, one bedroom, one bedroom with home office, and two-bedroom units, feature 425 to 2,000 square feet of living space. A number of apartments feature private, set-back terraces