NSW: Robbers threaten restuarant staff with knives

AAP General News (Australia)
02-05-2009
NSW: Robbers threaten restuarant staff with knives

SYDNEY, Feb 5 AAP - Three men have threatened staff at a fast food restaurant with
knives during a robbery in Sydney's southwest.

Employees at the Auburn restaurant were locking up about 11.30pm (AEDT) on Wednesday
when the three men forced their way into the Parramatta Road building.

The men threatened the staff with knives and demanded money, running off down Duck
Street with a sum …

Hudson Pacific Properties to Speak at REITWeek 2011: NAREIT's Investor Forum

Wireless News
06-05-2011
Hudson Pacific Properties to Speak at REITWeek 2011: NAREIT's Investor Forum
Type: News

Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. announced Victor J. Coleman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Mark T. Lammas, Chief Financial Officer, will present at REITWeek 2011: NAREIT's Investor Forum at 5 a.m. PT / 8 a.m. ET on June 7, at the Waldorf Astoria in New York, New York.

According to a release, the presentation will be webcast live on the Internet in the Investor Relations section of the Company's Web site at hudsonpacificproperties.com. The webcast will also be archived and available on the Web site for 90 days.
Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. is a full-service, vertically integrated real estate company focused on owning, operating and acquiring office properties and media and entertainment properties in select growth markets primarily in Northern and Southern California.

More information:

www.hudsonpacificproperties.com

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

Copyright 2011 Close-Up Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
n/a

SA: Main stories in Friday's Adelaide newspapers

AAP General News (Australia)
12-02-2011
SA: Main stories in Friday's Adelaide newspapers

ADELAIDE, Dec 2 AAP - The main stories in Friday's Adelaide Advertiser:

Page 1: The builders of SA's desalination plant will be fined up to $50 million for
completing a year late.

Page 3: Business leaders must take risks, the Economic Board of Development says.

World: The French foreign minister warns Europe is on the brink of an existential crisis.

Finance: Shares soared after coordinated action from global central banks.

Sport: Mitchell Starc was inspired in his Test debut by Richie Benaud.

AAP lk

KEYWORD: MONITOR FRONTERS SA

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

More arrests likely in pedophile ring ; International inquiry reveals disturbing details of big Internet group

KATRIN BENNHOLD
International Herald Tribune
03-18-2011
More arrests likely in pedophile ring ; International inquiry reveals disturbing details of big Internet group
Byline: KATRIN BENNHOLD
Type: News

Investigators said that hundreds of further arrests may yet follow after international police teams revealed this week what they described as the biggest online pedophile network uncovered so far.

When international police teams revealed this week what they described as the biggest online pedophile network uncovered so far, the numbers were staggering: 670 suspects, 230 rescued children and 184 arrests across 30 countries.
But on Thursday investigators said that hundreds of further arrests may yet follow.

"This is a huge network, the biggest that we've seen in terms of the scale, in terms of the number of children safeguarded, in terms of the number of people identified," Rob Wainwright, director of Europol, the European Union police agency, said by telephone. He said more arrests were likely.

Details of the ring came out Wednesday when Amir Ish-Hurwitz, a 37-year-old Dutch resident whom investigators identified as the founder and owner of the boylover.net Internet forum, was jailed by a court in The Hague.

Based on forensic evidence gathered from the Web site's server, Europol has sent 4,200 intelligence reports to the authorities across the world over the past 12 months, Mr. Wainwright said, each one centered around a potential pedophile suspect now on the radar of the local police.

In some cases the police have not had the opportunity to arrest suspects, perhaps because their whereabouts are unknown, he said. Some arrests are deliberately postponed for operational reasons, because investigators hope surveillance may reveal links to other abuse networks.

In one sign of how interconnected the murky world of pedophile rings is, 180 of the Europol reports were connected to other child abuse investigations the agency had in its database, Mr. Wainwright said.

Operation Rescue began three years ago when Britain's Child Exploitation and Online Protection Center and the Austrian Federal Police independently identified boylover.net as an important meeting point for child abusers. Since then, teams from Canada, the Netherlands and New Zealand have joined the investigation.

On the Web site, a legal "discussion only" forum which at its height had some 70,000 followers, people shared confidences about their sexual interest in boys. Among the evidence made public by Europol this week were lewd public postings fantasizing about young boys in diapers and one man's account of how he made an unidentified boy wear diapers between the age of 9 and 13.

But as three undercover policemen posing as pedophiles on the site quickly discovered, contributors would then go on to trade illegal images and videos of abused children through private channels like e-mail.

Some suspected abusers could be identified as early as 2008, with four early arrests taking place in Thailand that year and several more a year later.

But a major breakthrough came in early 2010, when forensic experts at Europol managed to break into the Web site's main server after shutting down the site itself in late 2009, allowing them to identify suspects and track their private communications on a large scale.

What they found was a harrowing picture of danger lurking in what are often presumed the safest places. The list of suspects included fathers, police officers, and a karate teacher. At least one of them was a woman and another an 82-year-old man.

In one case, a young Spaniard is accused of having abused some 100 children over a five-year period before Europol tipped off the Spanish government and triggered an arrest, an investigator said. In another an 18-year-old boy abused his nephew, only a toddler. Several cases involved fathers sexually abusing their own sons, and an undisclosed number of children have been taken into care as a result.

"Many of the people arrested have been in positions of trust," said Hannah Bickers, a spokeswoman of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Center.

Mr. Wainwright of Europol said it was a stark reminder that reality bore little resemblance to Hollywood cliches of pedophile kidnappers or strangers lurking in dark alleys.

"There is no typical profile," he said. "It's a feature of society. There are many child sex offenders out there, and they put themselves in a position of access to children and in a position from which they can manipulate vulnerable children."

Keywords: (Des); Child Abuse and Neglect (Des)

Copyright International Herald Tribune Mar 18, 2011

QLD:Mum left newborn baby in toilet: court

AAP General News (Australia)
12-07-2010
QLD:Mum left newborn baby in toilet: court

By Christine Flatley

BRISBANE, Dec 7 AAP - A mother who gave birth into a toilet left her baby face down
in the water for nine minutes before telling ambulance officers, a court has been told.

The baby girl was revived but suffered severe complications and died a year later as
a result, the Supreme Court in Brisbane was told on Tuesday.

The mother, who cannot be named, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of her child.

The court was told she initially thought she was constipated, but that she failed to
pull the baby from the water once she realised she'd given birth.

Prosecutor Phil McCarthy told the court the then 19-year-old had only learned she was
36 weeks' pregnant the day before she went into labour at her home at Kingston, south
of Brisbane, on October 25, 2005.

Defence barrister Angus Edwards said his client was of low intelligence and had poor
cognitive function, meaning she had difficulty dealing with change and new situations.

The court was told the teenager panicked when she realised she had given birth, and
held some belief the child may have been stillborn.

However, she later told a hospital midwife she heard her daughter making noises in
the toilet bowl.

Justice John Byrne sentenced the woman to five years' jail, suspended immediately.

The woman has already served 510 days in pre-sentence custody.

AAP cf/tnf/jsh/apm

KEYWORD: MOTHER

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

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

AAP General News (Australia)
04-30-2010
HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 19:30, April 30

CANBERRA - There will be winners and losers come Sunday afternoon, but Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd says an overhaul of Australia's tax system is in the best interest of the nation.

(Henry Wrap, With Henry Predictions Factbox)



CANBERRA - Opposition Leader Tony Abbott will not be opposing the government's new
anti-smoking measures despite spurning it as a tax grab rather than genuine health reform.

(Tobacco Wrap)



MELBOURNE - An oversized gold casket, as loud and as brash as Carl Williams himself,
is the last Melbourne will see of its most notorious gangland killer. (Williams Wrap.

Pix Available)

SEE ALSO: Williams Dhakota, Williams Priest



MELBOURNE - A prominent lawyer who has represented gangland figures, including slain
killer Carl Williams, will be the key prosecution witness against a former Victorian detective
charged with murder. (Dale Wrap)



CANBERRA - Authorities have yet to get to the bottom of the flu vaccine scare in Western
Australia, with tests so far showing no signs of abnormalities. (Flu)



PERTH - West Australian teachers say Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard has misled
people by saying other unions should follow its lead and ignore calls to boycott national
literacy and numeracy tests. (Schools WA)

BRISBANE - A planned Queensland teacher boycott of the national literacy and numeracy
tests has been declared illegal by the state's industrial umpire. (Schools Qld Wrap)



SYDNEY - A NSW coroner wants a new criminal negligence offence to apply to home swimming
pool deaths after investigating eight "preventable" child drownings. (Pools Wrap)



MELBOURNE - "Fictitious" circulation figures, the snubbing of a princess and underplaying
major news stories. (Guthrie Wrap to come)



SYDNEY - Aussie rockers AC/DC's album Back in Black has topped a poll of the 100 greatest
rock albums of all time. (Rock. With factbox)



MELBOURNE - Fewer writedowns and improved market conditions drove Macquarie Group Ltd's
full year 2010 profit 21 per cent higher, with its shares bouncing four per cent. (Macquarie
Wrap)



BRISBANE - It's open season on in-demand Israel Folau after the young Brisbane star
declined to take up a contract option with the club for the 2011-12 NRL seasons. (League
Wrap)

MORE jlw

KEYWORD: HIGHLIGHTS NATIONAL UPDATE

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

Vic: CFA website crash not good enough - Hulls =2

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-2009
Vic: CFA website crash not good enough - Hulls =2

Mr Hulls said consultants Deloitte had been commissioned to investigate the error and
he would receive further briefings from the CFA.

"I have no doubt that this issue will be investigated and fixed," he said. "I understand
that it's working now, I understand that the CFA are confident that the issues that occurred
yesterday won't occur again, but it's incumbent upon the CFA to ensure that the website
is working and working well."

Mr Hulls said a huge amount of resources had been put into upgrading equipment.

The website had since been tested under conditions of high demand, he said.

AAP cmb/gfr/dep/de

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES VIC 2 MELBOURNE

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

NSW: Parts of NSW experience earthquake.

AAP General News (Australia)
08-08-2009
NSW: Parts of NSW experience earthquake.

Parts of New South Wales have been shaken by an earthquake originating off the mid north coast.

An earthquake measuring 3.6 about 50 kilometres off the coast of Taree was felt by
people up to 80 kilometres away just before noon.

Geoscience Australia says it's had a lot of reports from people .. with some saying
it was like a truck going past their front door.

There were no reports of damage.

AAP RTV bc/wz

KEYWORD: QUAKE (SYDNEY)

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

VIC: Main stories in today's Melbourne newspapers

AAP General News (Australia)
02-14-2009
VIC: Main stories in today's Melbourne newspapers

MELBOURNE, Feb 14 AAP - The main stories in today's Melbourne newspapers:

HERALD SUN

Page 1: Love from the ashes. Natasha Hallas and Travor Campbell start a new life today
with their Valentine's Day wedding a triumph over the bushfire disaster.

Page 2: Three of Victoria's firefighting heroes were sacked by Foster's as they battled
to save lives.

Page 3: An accused arsonist charged over a bushfire that killed 21 people was last
night isolated behind bars under the tight security.

World: Finding love over the internet is a good way of meeting a marriage partner,
research shows.

Finance: Investors have been scathing in their response to Rio Tinto's historic $30-billion
investment deal with Chinese aluminium giant Chinalco.

Sport: Seven years after he left the club in disgrace, Wayne Carey and North Melbourne
are in discussions about ending his exile from Arden St.

MORE xlc/rs

KEYWORD: MONITOR FRONTERS VIC

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

NT: Man who raped and killed wife given two life sentences

AAP General News (Australia)
08-26-2008
NT: Man who raped and killed wife given two life sentences

By Tara Ravens

DARWIN, Aug 26 AAP - A man who raped his wife with a metal pole and brutally bashed
her to death in a prolonged booze-fuelled rage at an Alice Springs' town camp has been
ordered to serve two life sentences.

It is one of the longest sentences the Northern Territory Supreme Court has ever handed
down to an Aborigine.

Ronald Djana used a hose to whip his 32-year-old partner before belting her with a
stick, stomping on her abdomen and dragging her naked body over rough ground, before raping
her with either a stick or metal pole, causing severe internal injuries.

A jury last month found the 33-year-old guilty of murder and sexual assault without
consent over the prolonged and brutal attack at the Little Sisters camp in May last year.

Djana called an ambulance the morning after his jealous rage, which had started in
the dry river bed of the Todd River the previous afternoon.

The court was told he was found crying and cradling his wife's bloodied and lifeless body.

Justice Mildren said Djana was a bully with no respect for women or court orders.

"Your treatment of the deceased was brutal in the extreme," he said to Djana who appeared
in the Darwin court via video link from Alice Springs.

"You stomped on her, you hit her with a hose and you took a stick or some other object
and impaled her."

Djana committed the crime only weeks after being released from jail where he had been
serving time for a previous assault on his wife.

He faced a minimum of 25 years in prison but crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers argued
the nature of the attack and Djana's ongoing history of abuse warranted a higher sentence.

Justice Mildren agreed and today ordered Djana - who had breached a number of restraining
orders following previous assaults on his wife - to serve two life sentences.

A post-mortem examination report found she had cuts and bruises on her face, mouth,
arms and legs. She had also suffered a brain haemorrhage, a ruptured small bowel, fractured
ribs and a stab wound to the vagina that had punctured her bowel.

All of the injuries had been inflicted while she was still alive, the court was told.

Justice Mildren called the attack a "merciless flogging" and sentenced Djana to a minimum
non-parole period of 27 years in jail.

It is one of longest sentences ever handed down to an indigenous person in the territory
and is one year less than the jail time currently being served by Bradley John Murdoch.

He was sentenced to 28 years in 2006 for the murder of British tourist Peter Falconio
and the assault of his girlfriend Joanne Lees.

The case has again raised criticism that too many Aboriginal men in the territory are
allowed to face lesser charges of manslaughter, rather than murder or rape.

AAP tr/jfm/bwl

KEYWORD: DJANA

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

HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 14:45, April 21

AAP General News (Australia)
04-21-2008
HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 14:45, April 21

CANBERRA - The federal government would be taking a high political risk if it chose
to ignore new ideas that emerged from the weekend's Australia 2020 summit, says its co-chairman
Professor Glyn Davis. (Summit Davis)

Summit Nightlead to come



CANBERRA - A strengthened force of hundreds of federal police, including half of the
Australian Capital Territory's contingent, will guard the Olympic torch during the Australian
relay leg in Canberra this week. (Oly08 Flame Lead. Pix and graphic available)

Oly08 Flame Nightlead to come



SYDNEY - Swimmer Nick D'Arcy has been ordered not to approach or contact Olympic team
swimmer Stephanie Rice and four others as his assault case was adjourned until June 17.

(D'Arcy Lead)

Darcy Nightlead to come



SYDNEY - NSW Premier Morris Iemma says the Catholic Church will foot much of the bill
for its World Youth Day event in Sydney. (Youth Cost Iemma)

Youth Nightlead to come



CANBERRA - Prices paid by manufacturers in the March quarter grew at their fastest
pace since records began in 1998, largely on the back of surging fuel costs, new data
shows. (Prices)

Economy Nightlead to come



SYDNEY - New state laws banning the carrying of lasers in public are aimed at preventing
"mass murder" when aircraft are targeted, NSW Premier Morris Iemma says. (Lasers Lead)

Lasers Nightlead to come



BRISBANE - A military inquiry into the shooting death of an Australian soldier in his
Dili barracks last year has heard he may have joined the army in order to gain access
to a weapon to kill himself. (Baker)

Baker Nightlead to come



SYDNEY - An off-duty NSW police woman was killed and her fellow officer fiance seriously
injured in a head-on crash just a day after they became engaged. (Toll NSW 2nd Daylead)

Toll NSW Nightlead to come



MELBOURNE - Australians should stop swamping the Gallipoli Peninsula on Anzac Day and
instead start marking the occasion on their own shores, a Victoria University academic
says. (Anzac Home. See also Anzac Eureka, Anzac Legacy)



MELBOURNE - Wesfarmers Ltd has turned to equity to refinance most of the bridging loan
set up to support its $20 billion acquisition of Coles Group, following turbulence in
global credit markets (Wesfarmers)

Wesfarmers Nightlead to come



SYDNEY - Australia will travel to Pakistan twice over the next two years to make up
for its cancelled tour in March and April over security concerns. (Cricket Aust)

Cricket Aust Nightlead to come

MORE jlw

KEYWORD: HIGHLIGHTS NATIONAL

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

Fed: Rudd commends US "flexibility" on climate change

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-2007
Fed: Rudd commends US "flexibility" on climate change

CANBERRA, Dec 17 AAP - Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has commended the United States for
its flexibility during global climate-change talks in Bali.

The US agreed to support a pact to negotiate emissions cuts of between 25 and 40 per
cent by 2020.

But the White House has expressed "serious concerns" about the deal which contains
no binding targets.

Mr Rudd said he respected the moves taken by the US government.

"I'd commend the flexibility we saw from the government of the United States in allowing
this consensus draft to go forward at Bali," Mr Rudd told reporters in Canberra today.

"There was a real danger that during that last day of negotiations that it would all
fall in a heap and again I commend the role of the Australian negotiating team led by
Senator Wong in pulling that out of the fire with the cooperation of other states."

Mr Rudd said there would be quarterly meetings on climate change through the year but
he was not sure what the US stance would be.

"I do not know is the honest answer, what the US negotiating position will be during
the course of this year.

"But what I know for a fact is this that it will be a hard, difficult negotiation."

AAP kc/rl/it/bwl

KEYWORD: CLIMATE BALI RUDD

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

Fed: Howard rejects criticism of hospital intervention

AAP General News (Australia)
08-05-2007
Fed: Howard rejects criticism of hospital intervention

The Prime Minister's defended federal intervention in state government affairs against
criticism that further bailouts of hospitals would create a Third World health system.

Health Minister TONY ABBOTT will travel to Tasmania this week to talk about commonwealth
funding of the Mersey Hospital .. which has been dismissed by opponents as federal election
pork-barrelling.

Victorian Premier JOHN BRUMBY says extrapolating the 45 million-dollar-per-year bailout
in Tasmania across the nation's hundreds of public hospitals would be disastrous.

Mr HOWARD says he can't understand the criticisms from state governments of the Mersey
takeover .. and the federal government has a duty to intervene when state governments
aren't meeting their responsibilities.

AAP RTV pw/imc/

KEYWORD: STATES HOSPITAL (CANBERRA)

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

Fed: Vaile rejects Sydney airport development

AAP General News (Australia)
02-12-2007
Fed: Vaile rejects Sydney airport development

Transport Minister MARK VAILE has rejected a draft Major Development Plan from Sydney
Airport .. for the construction of a shopping centre.

Mr VAILE says his decision follows continuing concerns and issues raised by the aviation
watchdog about the safety of people on the proposed site .. and the safety of plane movements.

The centre was to be home to a bulky goods centre.

He says he also had to consider the level of uncertainty about the potential impact
on local traffic around the airport.

MORE RTV pv/sb/bart

KEYWORD: AIRPORT (CANBERRA)

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

WA: Woolworths denies selling fuel at inflated prices

AAP General News (Australia)
08-25-2006
WA: Woolworths denies selling fuel at inflated prices

A Perth court has heard Australia's largest retailer will plead not guilty to allegations
it sold petrol at inflated prices.

Woolworths has been charged by the WA Department of Consumer Protection .. with six
counts of selling petrol at higher prices than those it notified to FuelWatch.

The fuel monitoring service was created by the State Government in 2001 .. and retailers
must notify FuelWatch each day .. its fuel price for the next day.

The price is published .. and can't be changed for 24 hours.

Consumer Protection alleges that on four separate occasions this year ... Woolworths
sold either unleaded petrol .. LPG or Vortex motor fuel at higher prices than those notified
to FuelWatch.





Consumer Protection lawyer ANDREA HEWSON has told the Perth Magistrates Court Woolworths
has indicated it will plead not guilty to the charges.

Magistrate JEREMY PACKINGTON's adjourned the case to October 25.

AAP RTV den/tm/bart

KEYWORD: WOOLWORTHS (PERTH)

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

Vic: "Mad" man stabbed Chinese couple to death, court told

AAP General News (Australia)
04-19-2006
Vic: "Mad" man stabbed Chinese couple to death, court told

MELBOURNE, April 19 AAP - An Indonesian man who killed a young Chinese couple was "mad"

when he stabbed them more than 20 times each, a Melbourne court was told today.

Andrew Jek Kabo, 24, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Li Yuqing and his wife Ying
Zhao, both 31, who died of multiple stab wounds on May 6, 2004.

A neighbour found the couple's bodies in their Essendon unit in Melbourne's north west.

A Victorian Supreme Court jury of seven men and five women must decide whether Kabo
is guilty or not guilty on grounds of mental impairment.

Crown prosecutor Claire Quinn told the court that Kabo was looking for a flat to rent
and had a key to the couple's unit.

He told a co-worker at Vic Ave restaurant in Albert Park he was planning to kill two
people, Mrs Quinn said.

She said Kabo stabbed Mr Li 25 times in the neck and upper body, lay in wait for his
wife to return home and then stabbed her 21 times.

"The accused was a very disturbed individual that has a very troubled history," Mrs Quinn said.

"(But) the commission of these offences and the state of mind of the accused at the
time of these offences does not come within the criteria that needs to be established:
that is, that the accused did not know that the conduct that he was engaging in was wrong."

Defence counsel Max Perry told the court his client was not guilty of murder because
he was mentally impaired.

"We say at the time of the killing, which he committed, he was mad," he said.

"He did not know the nature and quality of his conduct and he did not know that it was wrong."

The trial before Justice Bernard Teague continues.

AAP mj/dk/jt/de

KEYWORD: KABO

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

Fed: PM picks up Solomons medal for assistance efforts

AAP General News (Australia)
08-17-2005
Fed: PM picks up Solomons medal for assistance efforts

CANBERRA, Aug 17 AAP - Prime Minister John Howard has collected another international
award in recognition of his leadership on the world stage.

Solomon Islands Governor-General Nathaniel Waena today presented Mr Howard with the
Star of Solomon Islands medal, for Australia's work to restore law and order to the tiny
Pacific nation.

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has also received the medal, which recognises
the leaders for their countries' involvement with the Regional Assistance Mission in Solomon
Islands (RAMSI).

Mr Howard said the mission - known as Operation Helpem Fren, pidgin for Helping Friend
- had turned out to be true to its name.

"It's turned out to be an operation that has brought stability to the Solomon Islands,"

he said as he received his award.

"It's been conducted in a way that respects the independence and the sovereignty of
the Solomon Islands but recognises that we are forever friends together in this part of
the world.

"I'm very proud that the Australian government has been able to play a role in that."

Sir Nathaniel said the times of uncertainty in the Solomons had gradually passed away
as RAMSI took responsibility for restoring peace and tranquility to the island.

"It is most befitting ... that in a little way we show our appreciation to you and
your leadership," he told Mr Howard.

"We appreciate your gesture of compassion and concern as prime minister ... of this country."

Earlier this month, Mr Howard received an award from a New York-based peace group for
his "inspiring leadership" on the world stage, which had made Australia a beacon of democracy.

AAP so/sb/it/sd

KEYWORD: SOLOMONS AUST (PIX AVAILABLE)

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

gardenia

gardenia An American physician of Scottish descent, Alexander Garden (1730–1791) successfully practiced medicine in Clarkston, South Carolina. However, his devotion to his hobby-botany-accounted for much of his daily interests. He corresponded regularly with European naturalists, including Linnaeus, who honored him by naming the gardenia, a waxy white and heavily fragrant flower, after him, even though Dr. Garden had not discovered the flower. The renowned botanist and scholar Richard Warner had introduced it into Europe in 1790 after his journey to the Cape of Good Hope. In any event, the gardenia has ever since been a popular corsage flower.

Although Garden's granddaughter was named Gardenia, the good doctor never saw her because his son, Gardenia's father, joined the Revolutionary forces in their struggle against the British. Dr. Garden, completely devoted to the Crown, could not accept his son's disloyalty. After the colonists' success, Dr. Garden left America in 1783 for Britain, where he died in 1791. Legend has is that his grave was covered with gardenias.

According to Willard R. Espy, after the gardenia was named for Dr. Garden, a local botanist, a Dr. Lewis Mottet, was so enraged that he announced that he too had discovered a flower. “And I, too, have named it,” he said. “I've named it the lucia, after Lucy, my cook.” But the lucia has never been heard of again, and neither was Lucy.

The gardenia, according to William Morris, isn't any sort of garden flower, as its name might suggest. It's a shrub originally native to china.

Ubitrade announces Chicago based FCT "live" on Ubitrade Futures & Options back-office and book-keeping system, replacing Sungard's GMI.

M2 PRESSWIRE-5 March 2003-Ubitrade: Ubitrade announces Chicago based FCT "live" on Ubitrade Futures & Options back-office and book-keeping system, replacing Sungard's GMI(C)1994-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

RDATE:03052003

Ubitrade, a leading supplier of advanced systems solutions for trading, risk management and back office on capital markets, today announces the finalization of the implementation of its Ubitrade Futures & Options back-office system for the FCT Group in Chicago. The FCT Group is an international trading firm, headquartered in Chicago and a clearing member of the CME and LIFFE.

Ubitrade Futures & Options is part of a complete STP solution for listed derivatives, from executions to trade booking. The book keeping solution will be used by FCT in Chicago, London and Gibraltar.

Ubitrade Futures & Options replaces Sungard's GMI system. Mr. Michael Rathberger, Executive Vice President, Treasurer of FCT Group, commented on the acquisition of Ubitrade Futures & Options system:

"A key element in our decision was Ubitrade's open technology, which can easily be integrated with our existing platform. The attractive feature is the access to the underlying data for staff of all levels. Before, accessing trade data was IT intensive, now it is controlled through the departments, who use the data."

Eric Wicart, Managing Director, Ubitrade Inc., commented: "We are happy to have contracted with FCT Group, Ubitrade's first CME clearing member client and are proud to have successfully implemented our back-office system while keeping-up with an aggressive time schedule. This project is another "smoking gun evidence", that Ubitrade is a viable alternative to the existing "duopoly" on the US market."

FCT (First Continental Trading Inc.) Group

FCT conducts proprietary trading, arbitrage and market making activities on futures contracts, options on futures, OTC cash products, equity securities and options on equity securities.

Through its international network of subsidiary companies and of affiliated firms, FCT is an active participant on virtually every major derivative exchange in the world.

Ubitrade Futures & Options

Ubitrade Futures & Options is a complete STP solution, from executions to trade booking, for listed derivatives on all major world financial markets. It features order routing including pre-emptive risk management, post-execution risk management, back-office processing and Internet access for end-users.

Ubitrade Futures & Options relies upon an open and Internet-compliant technology based on Oracle, C/C++, Corba, Java, XML.

CONTACT: Didier Bouillard, Chief Executive Officer, UbitradeTel: +33 1 41 27 95 00Sophie Gosteau, Marketing Department, UbitradeTel: +33 1 55 46 33 50Fax: +33 1 47 39 04 47e-mail: sophie.gosteau@ubitrade.comWWW: http://www.ubitrade.com

((M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data prepared by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com)).

Yahoo is really serious - Actor sues internet company over name.

Sep 22, 2001 (The Daily Telegraph

ABIX via COMTEX) -- Australian actor and director, Yahoo Serious, is moving to distance himself from Internet giant Yahoo! Inc. The actor, who changed his name by deed poll in 1980, wants the Federal Court to look at preventing Yahoo! from using his name. Earlier, he unsuccessfully tried to have the Australian Trade Marks Office rule that the Internet company's proposed trade marks were deceptively similar to his own. His solicitor, Andy Chrysiliou, said Yahoo was concerned that people mistakenly believed he and his company, Serious Entertainment, were linked to the Internet group. He said Yahoo!'s use of the name was impeding the actor's right to use it.

SERIOUS ENTERTAINMENT: YAHOO! INCORPORATED: YAHOO! AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND: AUSTRALIA. TRADE MARKS OFFICE: FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

By Rachel Morris

All copyright subsisting under the Copyright Act 1968 (Commonwealth) resides in us. No part of the

copyright materials may be reproduced, re-used, re-transmitted, adapted, published, broadcast or

distributed for any commercial purposes whatsoever without our prior written permission.

  INDUSTRY KEYWORD: Motion Picture, Radio and                   Television Services  SUBJECT CODE:     ACTORS - AUSTRALIA                    TRADEMARKS - LAW AND LEGISLATION -                    AUSTRALIA                    LITIGATION - AUSTRALIA                    INTERNET INDUSTRY - AUSTRALIA 

News Provided by COMTEX (http://www.comtexnews.com)

CIC Signs PenOp Ltd. Asset Acquisition Agreement.

REDWOOD SHORES, Calif., Oct. 3 /PRNewswire/ --

Communication Intelligence Corporation ("CIC"), (Nasdaq: CICI) the leading supplier of natural input and electronic signature solutions, announced today that it has signed a definitive asset purchase agreement with PenOp Ltd., a global provider of e-signature software, for the acquisition of certain of its assets, including its intellectual property, certain strategic alliance partnership agreements, customer lists and prospects, in exchange for 4.7 million shares of CIC's common stock. Consummation of the transaction is subject to various conditions, and is expected to close on or about October 9th, 2000. CIC will provide more details regarding this transaction and go-forward operating plans after the formal closing.

About CIC

Communication Intelligence Corporation (CIC) is the leading supplier of natural input and electronic signature solutions for wireless Internet and e-Commerce applications. The Company's core software technologies include multilingual handwriting recognition systems, dynamic signature verification, natural messaging, and operating system extensions that enable pen input. CIC's products are designed to increase the ease of use, functionality, and security of wireless electronic devices ranging from handheld companions to cellular phones. Key licensees of the Company's technologies include Ericsson, Fujitsu, Hitachi, Mitsubishi, National Semiconductor and Symbian. CIC is headquartered in Redwood Shores, California and has a joint venture, CICC, in Nanjing, China. For more information, please visit its website at www.cic.com.

About PenOp

PenOp is a global leader in providing legally binding, technology-neutral electronic signature technology for eBusiness. PenOp's patented, online signing process gathers the Digital Evidence(TM) transcript required to replace pen and paper signatures. A pioneer in handwritten digital signatures, PenOp serves customers in 32 countries with Ready to Sign(TM) solutions built into e-commerce, forms management and workflow applications by major commercial and government organizations. PenOp markets its products with its strategic alliance partners including: Adobe Systems, Inc., Citrix Systems Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Palm Computing, Entrust Corporation, Xcert International, Valicert, Documentum Inc., FileNET Corporation, JetForm Corporation, OpenText, Optika, Siebel Systems Inc., Staffware, Wacom Technology Corporation and WinTime Electronics Corp.

PenOp solutions are available for Palm Computing(TM) and Microsoft(R) Windows CE, NT, 95, 98 and 2000 platforms. To date hundreds of businesses and government agencies have achieved paperless processes using PenOp products to seal a contract, open a new account or sign a receipt without paper. For more information about PenOp visit their website at www.penop.com.

Certain statements contained in this press release, including without limitation, statements containing the words "believes", "anticipates", "hopes", "intends", "expects", and other words of similar import, constitute "forward looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual events to differ materially from expectations. Such factors include the following (1) technological, engineering, quality control or other circumstances which could delay the sale or shipment of products; (2) economic, business, market and competitive conditions in the software industry and technological innovations which could affect the Company's business; (3) the Company's inability to protect its trade secrets or other proprietary rights, operate without infringing upon the proprietary rights of others or prevent others from infringing on the proprietary rights of the Company; and (4) general economic and business conditions and the availability of sufficient financing.

NOTE: CIC and, its logo are registered trademarks of Communication Intelligence Corporation. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Chantal Eshghipour of Communication Intelligence Corporation, 650-802-7740, or investorrelations@cic.com.

How-To Videos Get Sexy at Newly Launched EyeHandy.com.

(PRWEB) July 12, 2011

Unshrinking clothes, replacing a kitchen faucet, and other do-it-yourself tasks just got sexier with the launch of EyeHandy.com, Where How-To Gets Sexy. This new website showcases some of the internet's most attractive women tackling a variety of everyday repairs in high-quality, educational, and eye-catching how-to videos.

"We are focused on further developing this new and creative platform, which will provide a strong avenue for advertisers while maintaining a fun and informative experience for our viewers." said Alex Merriman, Founder and CEO of EyeHandy, LLC

EyeHandy.com is unlike any other how-to site on the Internet. Currently featuring 15 how-to videos from lingerie-wrapped Julia demonstrating How-To Wax a Snowboard to Ashley in her turquoise and black lingerie providing direction on How-To Build a Cyclorama Photo Studio. The creators of EyeHandy.com will be adding one new how-to video to the site every week.

Visitors to the site will find videos on a wide variety of subjects, all produced in high-definition. The videos and their hostesses are presented in a tasteful manner, with an emphasis on providing viewers informative, professional content in the most appealing way possible.

Now 26 years old, EyeHandy.com's Founder and CEO Alex Merriman has worked behind the camera since an early age, producing videos for companies around the country. Originally from Redondo Beach, CA, he now resides in the city of Las Vegas producing all the video content on EyeHandy.com from the ground up. Gaining most of his knowledge about computers and video production through books and how-to videos, he knew there had to be a higher quality and more engaging teaching approach. This new approach would bring EyeHandy, LLC to the forefront of the web.

In January 2011, Merriman brought on Mukundh Pandian as EyeHandy's Chief Operating Officer. Due to Pandian's tremendous entrepreneurial and website design experience, Merriman knew the formed partnership was essential. In addition to Pandian's work with start-ups, he has worked at a Fortune 500 company for several years in an engineering and project management role. His wide range of experience and technical skill set make him a valuable asset to EyeHandy.com.

In addition to being posted on EyeHandy.com, videos will be available for subscription and download on iTunes, Blip.TV, and YouTube. Advertisers will also have the opportunity to feature their products in EyeHandy.com videos. Interested parties can e-mail advertise(at)eyehandy(dot)com.

For more information on how-to projects taught by beautiful women, start watching EyeHandy.com's videos online now at http://www.EyeHandy.com.

###

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/7/prweb8595268.htm

Nauta Confirms Commitments of $150 Million for Its Nauta III Fund.

Nauta has announced the final closing of its fundraising period for Nauta III with $150M in confirmed commitments. The Nauta III fund is approximately twice the size of the previous Nauta II fund ($72M). Nauta currently manages $240M across its three funds (Nauta I, II and III), and is confirmed as the largest independent Venture Capital firm in Spain, and one of the leading Venture Capital players in Europe. Nauta also has presence and investment activity in the US. Nauta III, which already has 7 portfolio companies that were invested in 2010 and so far in 2011, aims to invest in a total of approximately 20 companies. Nauta III will invest most of the portfolio during 2011 and 2012. Nauta's portfolio is enjoying exceptional results, with annual revenue growth (CAGR) of 70% since 2008. Nauta Capital has offices in Europe (Barcelona) and the US (Boston). Nauta invests in early stage technology companies (Seed, Series A and B) in Europe and the US. Nauta Capital has announced that its Nauta III fund has reached $150M in commitments and the firm thus closes its fundraising period for this fund. With this new fund, Nauta consolidates its position as the largest independent Venture Capital firm in Spain with a total of $240M under management. Nauta is now positioned as a leading Venture Capital firm in Europe, and one of the few that has managed to raise a fund of or above $150M, and thus has relevant investment capacity within its target segment of early stage technology companies.

Nauta has offices in Europe (Barcelona) and the US (Boston). Nauta invests between $0.7M and $10M in companies in the technology sector, with an average investment size of $7M per investment. Nauta has a current portfolio of 20 companies across three industry sectors: Mobile/Telecommunications, Enterprise Software/Security and e-Commerce/Internet. Nauta's target companies for investment are in their very early stage of development (Seed Capital) and until more advanced stages of development (Series A and Series B financing rounds). Nauta currently invests in Western Europe and the US. One of the most active investors in 2010-2011 Since the launch of its investment period in early 2010, Nauta III has made 7 new investments: Abiquo, Groupalia, and Yuilop in Spain; Cluster Mobile in the USA; and Flirtomatic, Basekit and Site Intelligence in the UK. In addition, Nauta's portfolio (Nauta I and II) is also composed of leading technology companies such as Privalia, Scytl, Jitterbug, Agnitio, Fizzback, Mobile Aware, and Carrier IQ. One of the most active co-investors Nauta's portfolio companies have closed transactions with many of the top European and US funds including Balderton Capital, Index Ventures, Charles River Ventures, Advent Venture Partners, Accel, GA, Highland Capital, Insight Venture Partners, Doughty Hanson, Intel Capital, Eden Ventures, Mangrove Capital, Court Square Ventures, Sumitomo and Elaia Partners.

Keywords: Finance, Investing, Investment, Nauta Capital, Software, Technology, Telecommunications, Venture Capital.

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

Internet safety programme for teachers, students.

Sri Lanka, June 1 -- The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team and Coordination Centre (SLCERT and CC) held an awareness programme at the Ruwanpura National College of Education (IT) Kahawatta for IT teacher trainees recently.

Aimed at enlightening the teacher trainees on the safe use of the Internet, the main focus of the programme was the smart use of social networking services. Assistant Director of Education (ICT) Education Ministry Vasana Edirisuriya, Ruwanpura National College of Education President cum Faculty Head N.V. Amaradasa, and Vice President L. A. Ajantha, participated in this programme aimed at creating awareness in the IT trainee teachers about internet safety measures.

This programme, attended by about 400 trainee teachers, including intern trainees, was organized with the support of the Education Ministry Director of Education (ICT Branch) G M Niel Gunadasa and ICT Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) Programme Head (Human Resource Development) Nalini Senasekera.

For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

Copyright 2011 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. brought to you by HT Media Ltd.

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company

tw telecom to Present at Investor Conferences.(Conference news)

LITTLETON, Colo., May 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- tw telecom inc. (NASDAQ: TWTC), a leading provider of managed voice, internet and data networking solutions for businesses across the U.S., will present at the following conferences:

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080626/LATH527LOGO)

J. P. Morgan 39th Annual Technology, Media and Telecom Conference

Boston, MA, Tuesday, May 17th @ 10:40am (EDT)

Barclays Capital 2011 Global Communications, Media and Technology Conference

New York, NY, Tuesday, May 24th @ 9:30am (EDT)

Scheduled Speakers: Larissa Herda, Chairman, CEO and President Mark Peters, EVP and CFO Michael Rouleau, SVP, Business Development and Strategy

The presentations will be webcast. Please visit www.twtelecom.com, "Investor Relations" to listen to the webcast and access the conference materials.

About tw telecom

tw telecom, headquartered in Littleton, Colo., provides managed network services, specializing in converged services, Ethernet and transport data networking, Internet access, local and long distance voice, VPN, VoIP and security, to enterprise organizations and communications services companies throughout the U.S. and globally. As a leading provider of integrated and converged network solutions, tw telecom delivers customers overall economic value, quality service, and improved business productivity. Please visit www.twtelecom.com for more information.

SOURCE tw telecom inc.

Biggs/Gilmore Named Top Agency in 2011 IAC for Third Consecutive Year.

For the third year in a row, digital agency Biggs|Gilmore was named Top Agency at the Internet Advertising Competition (IAC), taking home a record 23 awards. The agency won 11 Best of Industry awards and 12 Outstanding awards.

The Internet Advertising Competition, sponsored by the Web Marketing Association, is the first and only competition dedicated exclusively to online advertising.

"This wasn't work for one client done by a small team. With ads and campaigns for nine different brands recognized, virtually every person in the agency played a part in this," said Andy Gould, senior vice president, executive creative director.

Entries were judged on creativity, innovation, impact, design, copywriting and ease of use.

"More than ever before, we're seeing clients embrace digital advertising as an essential component of building brands," said Marino Puhalj, senior vice president, executive creative director.

The agency's Best of Industry awards included Best Food Industry Online Ad (Froot Loops); Best Food Industry Rich Media Online Ad (Frosted Flakes); Best Consumer Goods Online Ad (Cottonelle); Best Food Industry Online Newsletter Campaign (Heinz Ketchup); Best Food Industry Website (Corn Pops); Best Food Industry Interactive Application (Froot Loops); Best Food Industry Social Media Campaign (Heinz Ketchup); Best Food Industry Online Video (Heinz Ketchup); Best Food Industry Integrated Ad Campaign (Heinz Ketchup); Best Consumer Goods Rich Media Online Ad (Cottonelle); and Best Food Industry Rich Media Online Campaign (Rice Krispies).

Biggs|Gilmore's Outstanding Awards included Outstanding Rich Media Online Ad (awards for Raisin Bran Extra, Rice Krispies, Frosted Flakes and Corn Pops); Outstanding Website (Pop-Tarts and Apple Jacks); Outstanding Online Video (Cottonelle [two awards] and Pop-Tarts); Outstanding Social Media Campaign (Pop-Tarts); and Outstanding Integrated Ad Campaign (Cottonelle and Corn Pops).

Keywords: Advertising, Biggs|Gilmore, Food Industries, Marketing.

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

Digital Video Expo Announces Official Podcast for 3rd Consecutive Year, the Digital Production BuZZ.

NewBay Media, a leading publisher of digital content creation media, announced that the official daily podcast of Digital Video Expo 2010 will once again be the Digital Video Expo BuZZ, powered by Creative Planet's Digital Production BuZZ. Starting September 28th, a comprehensive one-hour special program will be produced live and posted each evening during the Expo. The shows may be accessed at http://www.dvexpobuzz.com or downloaded from iTunes.

"As always, we are expecting a series of announcements and product introductions as well as interesting guests and speakers at Digital Video Expo. Through our Digital Video Expo BuZZ podcasts, produced by Creative Planet's Digital Production BuZZ, our exhibitors and attendees, as well as interested listeners worldwide, will be able to follow along with the excitement of the show," said David Williams, Conference Chair, Digital Video Expo, and Editor, DV Magazine.

Located in Booth 129, the Digital Video Expo BuZZ is hosted by Larry Jordan and Michael Horton and produced by Cirina Catania. Highlights will include coverage of exhibitor news, special interviews with industry experts, coverage of Digital Video Expo's many special events, announcements of prize winners on a daily basis, and behind-the-scenes reports.

"For the third year in a row, the Digital Production BuZZ is delighted to be the official podcast of Digital Video Expo," said Larry Jordan, host and Executive Producer of the Digital Production BuZZ. "As the longest continuously-running podcast covering digital production, post production and distribution, we think Digital Video Expo is the perfect place for us to be because it is exactly the community we address."

For the latest in Buzz Expo coverage, visit www.dvexpobuzz.com. For a complete special event schedule, as well as registration details and information on the entire Digital Video Expo program, please visit http://www.dvexpo.com. To view up-to-the-minute news, updates and comments on Digital Video Expo, follow @DigitalVideoXpo on Twitter, and use the #dve10 hash tag. About the Digital Production BuZZ Creative Planet's Digital Production BuZZ is the longest-running tech podcast on the air bringing listeners all the news they need now and in their digital future. It remains a leader in programming related to digital production, postproduction and distribution, keeping its listeners in touch with the trends and technologies, people and practices essential to keep them up-to-date and entertained. Visit the BuZZ website at: www.digitalproductionbuzz.com.

Executive producer and host of the Digital Production BuZZ is Larry Jordan (internationally-renowned digital media expert, Apple-certified trainer, author, and member of the Directors Guild of America and Producers Guild of America). Michael Horton co-hosts (film editor and founder of the Los Angeles Final Cut Pro User Group and organizer of the world-renowned SuperMeets) and Cirina Catania produces (writer/director, television and internet programming for clients such as National Geographic, Discovery and MSN and member of the Producers Guild of America and the Writers Guild of America).

New episodes of the Digital Production BuZZ air live every Thursday from 6:00 to 7:00 pm PDT at www.DigitalProductionBuZZ.com or on iTunes. The latest industry news is available 24/7 at www.digitalproductionbuzz.com/news. About NewBay Media LLC NewBay Media's market leading brands are centered on five vertical markets -- Pro Audio, Broadcast & Video, Musical Instruments, AV/Consumer Electronics and K-12 Education. NewBay publishes and produces more than 40 publications and show dailies, 50 websites, 30 daily and weekly E-Newsletters, three Expos and more than 50 custom publishing efforts, annually. NewBay reaches more than three million readers in print and one million online and in person -- around the world in more than 100 countries. Additional information on NewBay can be found by visiting www.nbmedia.com.

Keywords: Digital Video, Leisure, NewBay Media LLC.

This article was prepared by Leisure & Travel Business editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2010, Leisure & Travel Business via VerticalNews.com.

The Philadelphia Inquirer Al Haas Column.(Originated from The Philadelphia Inquirer)

Nov. 22--The press propaganda for the Chevrolet Venture tells us that the designers of this all-new minivan even employed feedback from mini owners in their tireless efforts to please "time-challenged, family- centered households."

This left me wondering what a "time-challenged" household was. Is it a houseful of graying, middle-aged people like myself? Or is it a bunch of yuppies in a hurry?

I was also curious about the nature of a "family-centered" household. I mean, don't most households contain families? When's the last time you encountered a household consisting of four people who just met 15 minutes before in the Pathmark checkout line?

While it's not clear to me whether or not the Venture is a boon to the time-challenged and family-centered, it is pretty obvious that this thoughtful new van is one nifty way to move people and stuff. It's handsome, comfortable, roomy, roadable and reasonably priced.

The Venture starts at $19,925. The test vehicle, the extended- length model with the second rear sliding door, opens at $22,699.

The Venture is the Chevy version of GM's all-new "global minivan," which is designed for the European market as well as the United States. It is being sold in this country in three variations: the Venture, the Pontiac Trans Sport and the Oldsmobile Silhouette.

Like its domestic siblings, the steel-bodied Venture is a more mainstream minivan than the plastic-bodied vehicle it replaces (the Lumina minivan). And like it siblings, it is available as a standard or extended-length model.

I tested the extended-length, seven-passenger Venture, which is ideal for larger family-centered households -- especially when they go on trips. Like the extended-length Chrysler Corp. minivans and Ford's Windstar, the longer Venture model provides a generous cargo area behind the back seat. This isn't true in regular-length minis. When equipped with seven-passenger seating, the rear cargo space in these vehicles virtually disappears.

I was struck initially by the Venture's good looks. The gently sculpted body has a nice flow, and the egg-crate grille distinctively differentiates the vehicle from its GM siblings -- and the rest of its competition, for that matter.

The interior is also attractive, and proves a comfortable place for a time-challenged motorhead to rest his weary bones. GM has done some serious scientific research on seat comfort, and it shows in the Venture.

As my seat time in the Venture lengthened, I became increasingly aware of the thoughtfulness that went into this vehicle.

The large sliding rear door on the passenger's side makes loading easier, as does the optional driver's-side rear slider. (The latter is available only on the extended-length model for 1997). Side loading is also facilitated by an optional power-door feature on the passenger-side slider.

The Venture's bucket-type rear seats are easy to remove and replace, because they only weigh 38 pounds. (Anyone who's developed a hernia while trying to lift out conventional minivan rear bench seats will appreciate this.)

Slick touches also include a special metallic windshield coating that keeps the car cooler -- and doubles as a radio antenna. There are also double seals around the pop-out windows to reduce wind noise, and an optional dual-mode sound system that allows front seat passengers to listen to the radio while the earphone-equipped rear seat riders play tapes or CDs -- or vice versa.

The Venture also touches all the safety bases, including dual air bags, daytime running lights, and a standard anti-lock braking system. There's even a piece of reflective red tape on the back edge the front doors so that your vehicle can be more readily seen when you open the doors at night.

We shouldn't, of course, allow the Venture's clever features to overshadow the fact that this is an exceptionally carlike minivan. The vehicle rides well, and handles with surprising aplomb.

And thanks to its 180-horsepower, 3.4-liter V-6, the Venture minivan is less time-challenged than a lot of pleasure cars I've driven.

-----

ON THE INTERNET:

Visit Philadelphia Online, the World Wide Web site of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Point your browser to http://www.phillynews.com

-----

(c) 1996, The Philadelphia Inquirer. Distributed by Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News.

Pitney Bowes MapInfo(R) Location Intelligence Guides La Curacao's Southwest Expansion Efforts.

Hispanic Electronics Retailer Leverages Pitney Bowes MapInfo Location Intelligence Technology to Better Profile Target Customer Base and Enhance Real Estate Strategies

TROY, N.Y. -- Pitney Bowes MapInfo, the leading global provider of location intelligence, today announced that La Curacao, a Los Angeles-based department store chain targeting first and second generation Latinos, relies on Pitney Bowes MapInfo location intelligence solutions to gain a richer understanding of its target customers and conduct sophisticated sales forecasting to zero in on profitable sites for new stores. With nine "big box" stores in Southern California and one newly opened store in Phoenix, Arizona, La Curacao is continuing to expand its presence in the Southwest with new stores in Las Vegas, Nevada.

La Curacao offers a comprehensive selection of household appliances, computers and electronics that appeal to the Hispanic community. Since La Curacao customers make the majority of their purchases on the store's own credit card, the company possesses a wealth of customer data that is used to develop innovative ways to reach its target demographic and identify the most profitable locations for new stores. Using AnySite([R] )Online, an easy-to-use, Internet-based mapping and site reporting solution, La Curacao conducts geodemographic analysis on its customer information, which helps uncover potential new site locations and assess the profitability of future stores.

"As the U.S. Hispanic community continues to grow at a rapid rate, gaining greater insight into our current customers and identifying the location of new potential customers are critical to expanding the La Curacao tradition to new markets," said Jeff Forman, manager of real estate, La Curacao. "With Pitney Bowes MapInfo location intelligence solutions, we can capitalize on our wealth of customer data, enabling us to take a more strategic approach to our growth plans and uncover the optimal sites for new stores."

"Pitney Bowes MapInfo supplies retail, restaurant, real estate and financial services institutions with the software, data and services they need to be more location intelligent in their real estate strategies," said Mike Hickey, president, Pitney Bowes Software. "For businesses targeting a specific niche such as La Curacao, Pitney Bowes MapInfo provides the tools and expertise to analyze demographics, drive times, trade areas and other key decision variables to evaluate and prioritize new markets for a successful, profitable expansion."

About Pitney Bowes MapInfo

Pitney Bowes MapInfo, part of Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE:PBI), is the leading global provider of location intelligence solutions, integrating software, data and services to provide greater value from location-based information and drive more insightful decisions for businesses and government organizations around the world. The company's solutions are available in multiple languages through a network of strategic partners and distribution channels in 60 countries. Visit www.mapinfo.com and www.pb.com for more information.

Of Note

This press release contains forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties. Any statement not a statement of historical fact is a forward-looking statement, including without limitation statements concerning demand for and benefits of Pitney Bowes MapInfo products and integration of its products with existing solutions. Actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those factors contained in the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the heading "Risk Factors." Pitney Bowes MapInfo takes no responsibility to update any forward-looking statements.

Global Crossing Announces Pricing of Common Stock and Convertible Notes Offerings.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J., May 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Global Crossing announced today the pricing of its concurrent public offerings for total gross proceeds of $365 million (or $420 million assuming the full exercise of underwriters' over-allotment options). The offerings consist of common stock for gross proceeds of $240 million (or $276 million assuming the full exercise of underwriters' over-allotment options) and senior convertible notes for gross proceeds of $125 million (or $144 million assuming the full exercise of underwriters' over-allotment options).

The 12 million shares of common stock were priced at $20.00 per share. The $125 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes mature in 2011; were priced at par; will accrue interest at 5.0 percent per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears; and have a conversion rate of 43.5161 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, subject to adjustment.

The 12 million-share common stock offering is expected to close on May 30, 2006. The offering was increased from the originally announced offering size of 6.75 million shares. The underwriters have been granted an option to purchase at the public offering price up to 1.8 million additional shares to cover over-allotments, if any.

The sale of the $125 million in aggregate principal amount of senior convertible notes due in 2011 is expected to close on May 30, 2006. The underwriters have been granted an option to purchase up to an additional $19 million principal amount of the convertible notes to cover over-allotments, if any.

Proceeds from the offerings will be used for general corporate purposes, which may include the acquisition of assets or businesses that are complementary to Global Crossing's existing business, as well as to purchase a portfolio of U.S. treasury securities to collateralize the first six interest payments on the notes and to pay fees and expenses related to the offerings. Neither of the offerings is contingent upon the consummation of the other offering.

Goldman, Sachs & Co. is sole bookrunner and Morgan Stanley & Co. is joint lead manager for the offerings. Copies of the final prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained from Goldman, Sachs & Co., Attn: Prospectus Dept., 85 Broad St., New York, New York 10004, via fax at +1 212 902 9316 or e-mail at prospectus-ny@ny.email.gs.com and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Prospectus Department, 1585 Broadway, New York, New York 10036, +1 866 718 1649 or e-mail at Prospectus@Morganstanley.com.

A registration statement relating to these securities was filed and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

This press release is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

ABOUT GLOBAL CROSSING

Global Crossing provides telecommunications solutions over the world's first integrated global IP-based network. Its core network connects more than 300 cities in 28 countries worldwide, and delivers services to more than 600 cities in 60 countries and 6 continents around the globe. The company's global sales and support model matches the network footprint and, like the network, delivers a consistent customer experience worldwide.

Global Crossing IP services are global in scale, linking the world's enterprises, governments and carriers with customers, employees and partners worldwide in a secure environment that is ideally suited for IP-based business applications, allowing e-commerce to thrive. The company offers a full range of managed data and voice products including Global Crossing IP VPN Service, Global Crossing Managed Services and Global Crossing VoIP services, to 36 percent of the Fortune 500, as well as 700 carriers, mobile operators and ISPs.

This press release contains statements about expected future events and financial results that are forward-looking and subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially, including: Global Crossing's history of substantial operating losses and the fact that, in the near term, funds from operations will not satisfy cash requirements; legal and contractual restrictions on the inter-company transfer of funds by the company's subsidiaries; the company's ability to continue to connect its network to incumbent carriers' networks or maintain Internet peering arrangements on favorable terms; the consequences of any inadvertent violation of the company's Network Security Agreement with the U.S. Government; increased competition and pricing pressures resulting from technology advances and regulatory changes; competitive disadvantages relative to competitors with superior resources; political, legal and other risks due to the company's substantial international operations; risks arising out of the company's significant deficiencies in internal controls and possible difficulties and delays in improving such controls; the concentration of revenue in a limited number of customers, and the rights of such customers to terminate their contracts or to simply cease purchasing services thereunder; exposure to contingent liabilities; and other risks referenced from time to time in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Global Crossing undertakes no duty to update information contained in this press release or in other public disclosures at any time.

    CONTACT GLOBAL CROSSING:     Press Contacts    Becky Yeamans    + 1 973 937 0155    PR@globalcrossing.com     Tisha Kresler    + 1 973 937 0146    PR@globalcrossing.com     Analysts/Investors Contact    Laurinda Pang    + 1 800 836 0342    glbc@globalcrossing.com     IR/PR1  

CONTACT: Becky Yeamans, +1-973-937-0155, or PR@globalcrossing.com , or Tisha Kresler, +1-973-937-0146, or PR@globalcrossing.com , or Analysts/Investors Contact: Laurinda Pang, + 1-800-836-0342, or glbc@globalcrossing.com , all for Global Crossing

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

Perot Systems Signs $46 Million Agreement Extending Role With North American Medical Management.

Applications Strengthen NAMM California's Claims Processing, Medical Management, Member and Provider Service Capabilities

Perot Systems Corporation and North American Medical Management, California (NAMM California) announced today a new $46 million agreement, that extends and expands Perot Systems' role at NAMM California to include the integration of administrative and medical management applications.

The seven-and-a-half year agreement includes an expanded Application Service Provider (ASP) contract for Perot Systems' DIAMOND(R) 950 claims administration software and iDIAMOND(TM) claims administration service; MEDecision's Care Planner(TM) medical and utilization management software; and a Crystal Decisions' reporting application.

NAMM California is the second largest organization in California to develop and manage Independent Physician Associations (IPAs) and provide a full range of services to assist physicians in their managed care and business operations. Perot Systems will provide NAMM California with integrated advanced technology solutions for their claims administration, medical and utilization management, member services, and provider relations, thus allowing NAMM to more effectively promote wellness and administrative efficiency.

"Perot Systems has delivered high quality, leading-edge ASP solutions, that increase member support capabilities, which equates to better relationships with NAMM's contracted physicians and payer organizations," said Rene Moret, CEO of NAMM California. "I trust that the superior skills and work ethic that Perot Systems has demonstrated over the course of our relationship will continue to help us meet our strategic needs and increase our competitive edge."

"Providing outstanding medical management and customer service has become a key differentiator for healthcare payer organizations," explains Chuck Lyles, Perot Systems vice president and Healthcare Industry Group leader. "Our goal is to continue to offer flexible, robust solutions that enable our customers to achieve a more customer-centric health and wellness service model."

Perot Systems has helped to improve care administration capabilities with a robust information management solution. The solution allows NAMM to efficiently access information through more than 400 custom reports and a flexible information management capability integrated with the DIAMOND architecture.

"NAMM California is an innovator in healthcare with a track record of extraordinary service, superior electronic capabilities and the ability to administer a wide range of medical group business models," said Lyles. "Our DIAMOND ASP solution has grown with NAMM to include key real-time information management components necessary to deliver and administer efficient quality care in today's healthcare marketplace."

About NAMM California

North American Medical Management, California is the second largest organization that provides IPA management services in California. The company has more than 4,000 physician partners and currently manages the care of 640,000 commercial equivalent enrollees through its California operations. The company and its affiliates presently contract with 29 hospitals in California and participate with 19 managed care health plans, including five senior HMO programs. For more information on NAMM California go to http://www.nammcal.com/ .

About MEDecision

MEDecision is a leading provider of clinical decision support software solutions for medical management. The firm specializes in systems that link patients, providers and payers in an information network to improve overall health outcomes and reduce costs. MEDecision customers include multiple Blue Cross and Blue Shield organizations, complex health management organizations, integrated delivery networks, Medicaid managed care organizations, major insurance carriers and specialty managed care firms.

MEDecision's software products are being used to improve the quality of healthcare and reduce both administrative and unnecessary clinical costs for approximately 30 million people -- one in every seven Americans with health insurance. MEDecision's software solutions include integrated case, disease and utilization management, high-risk patient identification, Internet authorizations, provider profiling and quality analysis. For more information about the company and its products, please call 610-254-0202, email Marketing@MEDecision.com or visit www.MEDecision.com .

About Crystal Decisions

Crystal Decisions, a privately held company, is one of the world's leading information management software companies with more than 12 million licenses shipped. Since 1984, Crystal Decisions has powered winning organizations with one of the fastest ways for employees, partners and customers to access the information they need to make the best decisions and ultimately, reduce costs and increase productivity. The Crystal brand is among the most trusted names in enterprise reporting and more than 300 Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) have standardized on Crystal Decisions' solutions. Headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif., Crystal Decisions has more than 20 offices worldwide and can be found on the Internet at http://www.crystaldecisions.com/ .

About Perot Systems

Perot Systems is a worldwide provider of information technology services and business solutions. Through its flexible and collaborative approach, Perot Systems integrates expertise from across the company to deliver custom solutions that enable clients to accelerate growth, streamline operations, and create new levels of customer value. Headquartered in Plano, Texas, Perot Systems has more than 400 clients and reported 2001 revenue of $1.2 billion. The company has more than 8,500 associates located in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Perot Systems Healthcare is one of the largest providers of full-service IT operations in the hospital industry, managing significant relationships with four of the top 20 U.S. health systems. More than 4,000 employees from the Healthcare Industry Group serve both the for-profit and not-for-profit healthcare marketplace, providing integrated end-to-end technical and business solution services. Perot Systems healthcare clients represent more than 300 healthcare providers, thousands of caregivers, 200 health insurance organizations, as well as leading biopharmaceutical and healthcare supply chain companies. Additional information on Perot Systems is available at http://www.perotsystems.com/ .

Statements contained within this press release may contain forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify such forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will," "could," "forecasts," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," or "continue." In evaluating all forward-looking statements, you should specifically consider various factors that may cause actual results to vary from those contained in the forward-looking statements, such as: the loss of major clients; deterioration of project and consulting-based revenue and profit associated with deteriorating market conditions; Perot Systems' ability to achieve future sales; changes in its UBS relationship and variability of revenue and expense associated with its largest customer; growing start-up businesses; the highly competitive market in which Perot Systems operates; the variability of quarterly operating results; changes in technology; and risks related to international operations. Please refer to the Perot Systems Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and available at http://www.sec.gov/ , for additional information regarding risk factors. Perot Systems disclaims any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise.

Make Your Opinion Count - Click Here http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X46448951

CONTACT: Healthcare Media, Kristi Adams of Perot Systems Corporation, +1-972-577-5319, or fax, +1-972-577-5142, or kristi.adams@ps.net ; or External Relations, David Mellentine of NAMM California, +1-909-605-8000, ext. 12026, or fax, +1-909-605-8030, or DMellentine@nammcal.com

Web site: http://www.sec.gov/

Web site: http://www.crystaldecisions.com/ http://www.nammcal.com/ http://www.perotsystems.com/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/122686.html