Wednesday, February 29, 2012

NSW:Six illegal workers found at markets


AAP General News (Australia)
08-11-2011
NSW:Six illegal workers found at markets

Six Chinese students will be deported within a matter of days, after immigration officers
discovered they were working illegally at the Flemington Markets in Sydney.

The five females and one male, all aged in their 20s, will be transferred to the Villawood
Detention Centre to await processing.

Immigration officers discovered the workers today after they received a tip-off through
the government's Immigration Dob-in line.

A Department of Immigration spokeswoman says they came to Australia on student visas,
which have since expired.

AAP RTV gg/klm/af

KEYWORD: STUDENTS (SYDNEY)

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

Fed: Minister asks Telstra to explain payphone plan


AAP General News (Australia)
02-20-2006
Fed: Minister asks Telstra to explain payphone plan

Communications Minister HELEN COONAN says she's disappointed Telstra's planning to
cut the number of public pay phones .. without telling her.

A Telstra Country Wide briefing note .. obtained by the Australian Financial Review
.. says the telco's planning to remove five thousand of its 32 thousand pay phones in
country towns and capital cities over the next seven …

FED:Police smash heroin ring from Vietnam


AAP General News (Australia)
04-15-2011
FED:Police smash heroin ring from Vietnam

MELBOURNE, April 15 AAP - Police say they've smashed a drug ring using couriers to
traffick heroin into Australia from Vietnam.

Eight people were arrested following raids in Victoria and NSW on Friday with police
seizing a "substantial" amount of cash, jewellery and property.

The eight-month investigation, Operation Rattlesnake-Joinery, centred on an alleged
drug syndicate ferrying heroin concealed internally by drug couriers into Victoria and
NSW from Vietnam.

The operation involved Victoria Police, NSW Police, the Australian Federal Police (AFP),
Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, Australian Crime Commission and Vietnamese
authorities.

Five people were arrested in Melbourne where police searched 11 suburban homes, while
three people were arrested in suburban Sydney where nine properties were searched.

The AFP has previously charged five internal couriers connected to the operation.

Victoria Police Drug Task Force officer-in-charge Detective Inspector David Jones said
more than 150 police were involved in taking down the drug ring.

"As a result of this operation we believe we have been able to disrupt the activities
of significant drug and organised crime syndicates operating internationally," he said.

NSW Police Asian Crime Squad commander Detective Superintendent Scott Cook said the
joint operation should send a message to criminals.

"Criminals who are operating across jurisdictions should think again - once caught
you will be dealt with by a multi-pronged police response and police will come after you
no matter what jurisdiction you're in."

AFP Coordinator Serious and Organised Crime Detective Superintendent Des Appleby said
drug couriers risked death or serious injury by attempting to conceal drugs inside their
body.

"Couriers are known to have swallowed or concealed drugs internally and the materials
used to wrap the package have ruptured, leaked or disintegrated inside their body - leading
to an extremely high risk of death."

AAP mn/apm

KEYWORD: HEROIN

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

QLD:2 dead in suspected Qld murder-suicide


AAP General News (Australia)
12-28-2010
QLD:2 dead in suspected Qld murder-suicide

Two people have been found dead in a house in southern Queensland .. and police believe
it was a murder-suicide.

Police say the bodies of a man and a woman were discovered at a house in Granville
near Maryborough at about 3.40 this afternoon .. they say a firearm was also found at
the scene.

Police believe the incident was a murder-suicide and say they are not looking for any
other suspects.

AAP RTV ih/ar

KEYWORD: BODIES (BRISBANE)

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

QLD:Bean counter, Occy may settle on shares


AAP General News (Australia)
08-18-2010
QLD:Bean counter, Occy may settle on shares

BRISBANE, Aug 18 AAP - A stoush over Billabong shares between surf legend Mark Occhilupo
and his former accountant appears likely to be settled out of court.

A civil trial between Mr Occhilupo and Noel Holmes got under way on Tuesday in the
Supreme Court in Brisbane.

However late Wednesday morning lawyers from both sides started discussing a potential settlement.

"We are in negotiations at the moment," Mr Occhilupo told reporters outside court.

"So hopefully we are going to come to an agreement."

The former world champ is fighting for control of about 21,700 shares bought in the
surfwear company for $50,000 in 2000.

At the current market price the shares are worth about $185,000.

Mr Holmes claims the shares, although bought in Mr Occhilupo's name, were purchased
with money from his superannuation company.

The trial will be mentioned again later on Wednesday afternoon.

AAP cf/pjo/was

KEYWORD: OCCHILUPO

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

NSW: Main stories in Saturday's Sydney newspapers


AAP General News (Australia)
04-10-2010
NSW: Main stories in Saturday's Sydney newspapers

THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD:

Page 1: The federal government has suspended the processing of new immigration claims
from Sri Lankan and Afghan asylum seekers. More than 1100 Australian men are taking hormone-blocking
drugs to reduce drive in sexual deviations. Russell Crowe talks about his eternal battle
for perfection.

Page 2: Lawyers for the Nine Network have painted Adam Tolmie as a serial schemer and
convicted criminal during a Supreme Court trial.

Page 3: A growing number of NSW parents are struggling to control their teenagers,
new data reveals.

World: A young Israeli journalist facing serious espionage charges allegedly stole
more than 2200 classified documents while completing her military service.

Finance: Wesfarmers gets serious about making a return from its $19 billion acquisition.

Sport: Football Federation Australia has refused to guarantee a bailout of Gold Coast United.

MORE bzs/ao

KEYWORD: MONITOR FRONTERS NSW 2 SYDNEY

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

Fed: New look Hi-5 stick to fun formula


AAP General News (Australia)
08-27-2009
Fed: New look Hi-5 stick to fun formula

Long time fans of Hi-5 may not recognise the group .. but they will know their simple
fun formula on stage.

Hi-5's undergone its biggest makeover since CHARLIE .. KELLY .. KATHLEEN .. NATHAN
and TIM first hit the screens back in 1998 .. with LAUREN BRANT .. FELY IRVINE .. TIM
MADDREN .. STEVIE NICHOLSON and CASEY BURGESS in the new line-up.

NICHOLSON and BURGESS have been part of the set-up for a few years .. but as a group
.. the new Hi-5 is looking to forge its own identity.

The new series starts next Monday on the Nine Network at 3.30pm.

AAP RTV sj/acb/crh

KEYWORD: HI5 (SYDNEY)

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

Fed: Autopsies complete on three asylum seekers


AAP General News (Australia)
04-19-2009
Fed: Autopsies complete on three asylum seekers

Autopsies on three asylum seekers killed in a boat explosion off northwest Australia
have been completed.

42 asylum seekers and two crew are injured .. and two others are missing .. feared
dead after the explosion on Thursday near Ashmore Reef.

The results of the autopsies on the three men won't be released publicly at this point
.. but will become part of the coronial inquiry.

Meanwhile .. Northern Territory police and Australian Federal Police are collecting
debris from the scene for their investigation.

And all the clothing worn by those on the boat has been collected and sent for forensic testing.

AAP RTV ca/str/mn/ka/rt

KEYWORD: BOAT AUTOPSIES (DARWIN)

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

Fed:Temporary tax initiatives to support business, jobs: Rudd


AAP General News (Australia)
12-13-2008
Fed:Temporary tax initiatives to support business, jobs: Rudd

Business leaders say the two billion dollars worth of tax cut initiatives in the federal
government's latest economic stimulus plan will provide a much needed shot in the arm
for business.

The tax relief is in Prime Minister KEVIN RUDD'S four-point-seven billion dollar nation
building plan announced yesterday.

It includes a temporary investment allowance of one-point-six billion dollars and a
440 million dollar reduction in February's business tax instalments.

Announcing the plan in Canberra .. Mr RUDD said it will help create 32-thousand jobs.

GREG EVANS from the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry says the new plan is
a strong response to deal with current economic circumstances.

AAP RTV cb/kms/wz/ka

KEYWORD: TAX (CANBERRA)

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

Sho: Aussies shoot themselves in foot


AAP General News (Australia)
08-09-2008
Sho: Aussies shoot themselves in foot

The first medal of the Beijing Olympics won't be heading to Australia.

The Australians shot themselves in the foot in the opening event, the women's 10 metre air rifle.

Three-time Olympian SUSAN McCREADY placed 42nd out of 47 competitors and fellow Victorian
ROBYN VAN NUS 44th in the qualification round at the Beijing Shooting Range Hall to miss
out on today's eight-strong final.

MCCREADY averaged 9.650 out of 10 after her 40 shots and Olympic rookie VAN NUS 9.600.

Czech KATERINA EMMONS, the 2004 Athens bronze medallist, upstaged hot local favourite
DU Li with a perfect 10.00 effort to top the qualification round, setting an Olympic record.

Reigning world and Olympic champion LI (9.975) shared second spot with two others.

AAP RTV lc/nh

KEYWORD: OLY08 SHO AUST (BEIJING)

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

1600 2UE Headlines


AAP General News (Australia)
02-15-2008
1600 2UE Headlines



DOCs received reports of concern over a 14 month old baby three months before he was killed.



Managers of Sydney's cross city tunnel say a 13% increase is justified.



Kevin Rudd says Australian troops will stay in East Timor for as long as they're needed.



A Sydney man accused of murdering his wife's lover says he cut off his penis because
of provocation.



US authorities say a university shooting happened very quickly and was over in seconds.



Residents living close to Sydney airport say they're disgusted they've not been allowed
into a meeting discussing noise coming from the airport.



SPORT



Australia 1-23 against Sri Lanka at the WACA.



AAP RTV af

KEYWORD: 1600 2UE

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

HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 14:45, Aug 28


AAP General News (Australia)
08-28-2007
HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 14:45, Aug 28

CANBERRA - Labor will keep strict conditions preventing union bosses barging into workplaces
and remove the award structure for staff on more than $100,000 if it wins government.

(Workplace Labor)

(To come - Workplace Nightlead, Analysis, Workplace Changes, with factbox, plus Workplace
Business and Workplace Senate to come.)

SYDNEY - NSW authorities say the equine influenza (EI) outbreak which has brought racing
to a standstill almost certainly came from the Eastern Creek quarantine station in Sydney.

(Stallions NSW)

(To come - Stallions Nightlead, Stallions NSW N/L, Stallions Source N/L, See also Stallions
Qld N/L, Stallions Vic, plus more on merit)

BRISBANE - Queensland's famous Birdsville Races will not go ahead this weekend because
of the equine influenza crisis, the state government says. (Stallions Birdsville. N/L
to come)

SYDNEY - Security and crowd control measures during next month's APEC Summit will be
reinforced in other ways with police horses quarantined and unavailable for duty, NSW
Deputy Premier John Watkins says. (APEC Watkins. Stallions APEC N/L to come.)

CANBERRA - The federal government says it will not tolerate abuse of the 457 visa program,
amid new claims temporary foreign workers are being employed in conditions akin to slavery.

(Visas Andrews. N/L to come.)

PERTH - The parents of a two-week old baby girl who died after being attacked by a
dog in a bedroom of their Perth home thought the pet was outside, police say. (Husky.

N/L to come.)

SYDNEY - Australia Post workers across the country will go on strike if they do not
get pay increases and improvements to working conditions, their union says. (Postal Lead
(Pix available))

CANBERRA - The chief of the army has acknowledged there are some problems with soldiers'
weapons but says they are not widespread and that the army is working hard to fix them.

(Weapons. N/L to come.)

HERMANSSBURG, NT - Aborigines need to become part of the Australian mainstream society
if they are to have a future, Prime Minister John Howard said today. (Indigenous Howard
Hermannsburg. More to come, plus see also Indigenous Labor to come.)

PORT AUGUSTA - An Aboriginal elder who gave three teenage girls petrol to sniff in
exchange for sex exploited the tragic addictions of his victims, a South Australian court
has heard. (Ingomar)

MELBOURNE - A Federal Court judge has granted an application to expedite an appeal
over a $2 billion pulp mill proposal in Tasmania's Tamar Valley. (Pulp Appeal. N/L to
come)

MELBOURNE - AFL chief Andrew Demetriou has branded as "abhorrent" the broadcasting
by the Seven Network of medical records of two AFL players. (AFL Drugs. N/L to come)

more

KEYWORD: HIGHLIGHTS NATIONAL

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

Vic: Mobile phone call may be to blame for Burnley disaster


AAP General News (Australia)
04-14-2007
Vic: Mobile phone call may be to blame for Burnley disaster

A truck driver talking on a mobile phone may have triggered the fatal chain of events
in Melbourne's Burnley tunnel last month .. that left three people dead.

News Limited says the phone call was allegedly received by the truck driver .. seconds
before his semi-trailer ploughed into three vehicles in the tunnel on March 23.

News Limited says the call's thought to have been made by the owner of the truck ..

and the distracted driver may have been unaware that a truck with a flat tyre had blocked
the tunnel's left lane .. reducing the speed limit from 80 kilometres an hour to 60.







A brief coronial hearing will be held on Monday into the deaths of Olympic cyclist
DAMIAN MCDONALD, GEOFFREY KENNARD and DARREN SPORN .. who were killed in the fiery eight-vehicle
pile-up.

AAP RTV cmb/rt

KEYWORD: BURNLEY (MELBOURNE)

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

Qld: Funeral for Caitlin Hanrick tomorrow


AAP General News (Australia)
12-13-2006
Qld: Funeral for Caitlin Hanrick tomorrow

Schoolmates .. friends and family will gather today to farewell 13-year-old CAITLIN
HANRICK .. who was hit and killed by a car during a police chase north of Brisbane.

The accident happened on Monday last week .. when CAITLIN was on a pedestrian crossing
outside Redcliffe State High School.

She was rushed to hospital .. but died the next day from head and internal injuries.

A 19-year-old woman has been charged over the death and remanded in custody.

CAITLIN's funeral will be held at the Christian Outreach Centre at 10.30 this morning
.. in Elizabeth Avenue at Clontarf.







The Queensland government's said it will build an underpass or overpass at every school
with a campus divided by a main road.

But Premier PETER BEATTIE says the process of checking with local communities to decide
the most suitable option for each school .. could take up to nine months.

AAP RTV rad/tm/rt

KEYWORD: CHASE (BRISBANE)

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

Fed: The sneeze to take centre stage at Tropfest


AAP General News (Australia)
08-08-2006
Fed: The sneeze to take centre stage at Tropfest

SYDNEY, Aug 8 AAP - The action of sneezing has been chosen as the signature item for
the 2007 Sony Tropfest short film festival.

The Tropfest signature item (TSI) must be included in all entries to the festival,
which has been running for 14 years.

Previous signature items have included a bubble, umbrella, hook, match, horn, bug,
kiss, chopsticks, pickle, coffee bean, muffin and a teaspoon.

"For something different this year, we wanted to make the requirement an action, instead
of the usual object," said Tropfest founder and creative director John Polson.

"Sneeze will encourage people to think laterally about how they use the TSI and hopefully
have some fun with it.

"I'm sure audiences around the country will thoroughly enjoy the different ways filmmakers
incorporate `Sneeze' into their films."

The event has grown significantly since its inaugural event in 1993, when an audience
of a few dozen watched one short film at its Sydney birthplace, the Tropicana Cafe in
Darlinghurst.

Tropfest now attracts between 600 and 800 films each year with the 2007 entries to
be submitted by January 11 with the event to be held on February 18.

AAP jwm/jt/sd

KEYWORD: TROPFEST

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

Fed: Councils win fight to ban graffiti game


AAP General News (Australia)
02-15-2006
Fed: Councils win fight to ban graffiti game

A computer game which encourages graffiti has been banned from sale in Australia.

The classification review board's ruled against the distribution of Atari's Marc Ecko's
Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure .. after originally granting it an MA rating.

It says the game gives users graffiti tips .. and positive reinforcement for the offence.

AAP RTV ch/sc/goc/tm

KEYWORD: GAME (BRISBANE)

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

Monday, February 27, 2012

NSW: Sadness and joy as Kanimbla arrives home = 2 Sydney


AAP General News (Australia)
04-30-2005
NSW: Sadness and joy as Kanimbla arrives home = 2 Sydney

Prime Minister John Howard said he was feeling very emotional as he stood dockside
awaiting those on board to disembark.

As he waved to the crew Mr Howard said his feelings were mixed.

"It is a great delight at having them back, it is also very emotional because of the
particularly tragic time they went through losing some of their fellow crewmen and women.

"I am so happy that it is a beautiful Sydney day and I am sure they will feel tremendous
about being home."

Commander McGuire was greeted by his wife waiting at the foot of the gangway as he disembarked.

AAP mk/arb/sco

KEYWORD: KANIMBLA ARRIVE 2 SYDNEY (REOPENS)

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

Loophole in Photography Law Vexes Lawyers

KRISTEN GELINEAU, Associated Press Writer
AP Online
02-08-2005
Dateline: RICHMOND, Va.

Jeffrey Swisher stands before the Norfolk general district court judge in this June 7, 2004, file p
Jeffrey Swisher stands before the Norfolk general district court judge in this June 7, 2004, file photo during his arraignment for "upskirting" or videotaping up a teenage girl's skirt. Because of a loophole in Virginia's video voyeurism law, prosecutors were only able to convict Swisher of disorderly conduct. His punishment: 10 days in jail. (AP Photo/The Virginian-Pilot, Stephen M. Katz, File)

Jeffrey Swisher was caught using a videocamera to peer up the skirts of teenagers at a mall, and law enforcement officials were eager to put him behind bars for a long time.

His punishment: 10 days in jail. A loophole in Virginia law meant prosecutors were only able to convict Swisher of disorderly conduct.

Prosecutors across the country are vexed by similar loopholes preventing them from imposing harsh _ or often any _ punishments on similar defendants. Victims of video voyeurism are often horrified to find out that what has happened to them isn't even illegal in most states.

"It was really frustrating and depressing," said Jolene Jang of Seattle, who was secretly filmed at a festival five years ago by a man who lowered his camera to shoot up her dress. "I felt helpless."

The Internet has only exacerbated the problem. Type the words "upskirt" and "downblouse" into the search engine Google, and millions of Web sites pop up.

Lawmakers nationwide have begun to respond, reworking laws written before advancements in camera technology led to a boom in digital voyeurism.

Most states with video voyeurism laws prohibit unauthorized videotaping or photographing of people who are in private areas, such as dressing rooms, or in situations where they have "a reasonable expectation of privacy."

The description has been too broad for several state courts, which have ruled people do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy underneath their clothing when they're in public.

That's what happened in Jang's case. In 2002, the Washington state Supreme Court ruled that taking pictures up a woman's skirt in a public place isn't illegal. The decision prompted a public outcry and lawmakers quickly amended the law.

Lawmakers in California amended a state law in 2000 to better address video voyeurism; Hawaii lawmakers amended their privacy law in 2002.

Swisher's case highlighted the loophole in Virginia's law.

"It's certainly immoral, it's certainly wrong, but under the code, it's just not a written offense," said Del. John Cosgrove, who is sponsoring a bill that would close the loophole. "We're trying to tighten the code so some pervert isn't able to do that."

For the mother of one of Swisher's alleged victims, the change can't come soon enough.

"It was unbelievable," said Bunny Brunt, who chased Swisher through the Norfolk mall until another customer tackled him. "And it wasn't only my daughter _ he had other kids on (the tape). God knows how many tapes he had."

Swisher, 34, doesn't believe he should have been punished. In an interview, he blamed his behavior last year on money problems and the skirt length on Brunt's daughter.

Florida attorney Lawrence Walters, who specializes in First Amendment rights, cautions that restricting public photography could make criminals out of well-meaning people, such as a photojournalist taking pictures of an accident victim whose undergarments are exposed.

"Certainly it's a good idea to stop perverts from filming down women's blouses or up little girls' skirts," Walters said. "But we have to step back as a society once we get past that visceral reaction and think this through."

Thirty-eight states have privacy laws on the use of cameras for private surveillance, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Nineteen states have laws that specifically punish video voyeurism, said Robert Ellis Smith, publisher of Privacy Journal, a monthly publication on privacy issues. About half of those 19 states have laws that only ban the practice in private areas, he said.

President Bush in December signed into law the Video Voyeurism Prevention Act, but it only bans the practice on federal land.

One of the biggest hurdles is changing the mindset that people in public have a right to privacy, said Mary Lou Leary, executive director of The National Center for Victims of Crime in Washington, D.C.

"It's very difficult for legislators and for law enforcement officers to keep up with the criminals, because the technology is evolving so rapidly," Leary said. "It's a challenge, and it's sad to say the criminals are just ahead of the curve."

___

On the Net:

Virginia Legislature: http://legis.state.va.us/

The National Center for Victims of Crime: http://www.ncvc.org/

Privacy Journal: http://privacyjournal.net


Copyright 2005, AP News All Rights Reserved

attenuation

attenuation The reduction in the intensity of solar radiation (or other electromagnetic radiation) through absorption and scattering in the Earth's atmosphere. See also TURBIDITY
.

Contracts.

M2 PRESSWIRE-26 April 2002-US DOD: Contracts (C)1994-2002 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

RDATE:04252002

NAVY

National Technologies Associates Inc.,* Alexandria, Va.; ManTech System Engineering Corp., Fairfax, Va.; Eagan, McAllister Associates Inc.,* Lexington Park, Md.; ARINC Inc., Annapolis, Md.; J.F. Taylor, Inc.,* Lexington Park, Md.; Titan Systems Corp., Mount Laurel, N.J.; and Veridian Engineering, Inc., Buffalo, N.Y., are each being awarded a cost-plus-award-fee, indefinite-delivery and indefinite-quantity multiple award contract. The contracts being awarded to these seven companies provide for approximately 917,739 hours in the base year for test and evaluation support for the Naval Air Systems Command, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Test and Evaluation Engineering Department. National Technologies Associates Inc. is being awarded a base year ceiling amount of $1,385,361; ManTech System Engineering Corp. is being awarded a base year ceiling amount of $6,272,909; Eagan, McAllister Associates Inc., is being awarded a base year ceiling amount of $10,941,195; ARINC Inc., is being awarded a base year ceiling amount of $17,773,947; J.F. Taylor, Inc., is being awarded a base year ceiling amount of $10,888,926; Titan Systems Corp. is being awarded a base year ceiling amount of $33,133,575; and Veridian Engineering Inc. is being awarded a base year ceiling amount of $30,509,733. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Md., and is expected to be completed by April 2003. These contracts were competitively procured by a multiple award electronic request for proposals with 120 proposals solicited and eight offers received. The Naval Air Systems Command, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00421-02-3175, N00421-02-3176, N00421-02-3177, N00421-02-3178, N00421-02-3179, N00421-02-3180 and N00421-02-3181, respectively).

Innovative Technical Solutions Inc.*, Walnut Creek, Calif.; Engineering Remediation Resources Group,* Concord, Calif; and TPA-CKY*, San Pedro, Calif., are being awarded an aggregate amount of $20,000,000, guaranteed minimum of $5,000 to each contractor, firm-fixed-price multiple award indefinite-delivery and indefinite-quantity contract for environmental remedial action services. The aggregate of $20,000,000 will potentially be shared among all three contractors. Work will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps installations in Northern California (85 percent), Arizona, (five percent), Nevada (five percent), and New Mexico (five percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed five years with an expected completion date of April 2007. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured as an 8(a) Small Business Set Aside via the Naval Facilities Engineering Command e-solicitation Web site with nine proposals received. These three contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest Division, San Diego, is the contracting activity (N68711-02-D-8303/8304/8310).

Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio, is being awarded a $15,000,000 modification to previously awarded cost-plus-award-fee, indefinite-delivery and indefinite-quantity task order contract (N47408-01-D-8207) to exercise an option to perform environmental engineering services. The total contract amount is not to exceed $75,000,000 (base period and four option years). The work will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps installations worldwide. The sites will consist of those ranked on the Superfund National Priority List (NPL) as well as non-NPL sites, Resource Conversation and Recovery Act, underground storage tanks and other sites, which might require remedial action. Term of contract is not to exceed five years with an expected completion date of April 2006; April 2003 is the expected completion date for the first option period. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The basic contract was competitively procured via the NAVFAC e-solicitation website with two proposals received and award made on April 30, 2001. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Contracts Office, Port Hueneme, Calif., is the contracting activity.

SFA Inc., Largo, Md., is being awarded a $14,975,285 indefinite-delivery and indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for engineering support services for Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence systems on board U.S. Government vessels and shore facilities. Work will be performed in Virginia Beach, Va. (70 percent); Norfolk, Va. (15 percent); San Diego, (10 percent); and Largo, Md. (five percent), and is expected to be completed by April 2007. Contract funds in the amount of $139,613 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract was competitively procured and advertised on the Internet with one offer received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting agency (N00164-02-D-8901).

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co. (LMSS), Sunnyvale, Calif., is being awarded a $12,035,310 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for support of the United Kingdom (U.K.) FY03 TRIDENT II (D5) Program. Work will be performed in Sunnyvale, Calif., and is expected to be completed by March 2003. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract was not competitively procured. The Navy's Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00030-02-C-0049).

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co. (LMSS), Sunnyvale, Calif., is being awarded an $8,981,316 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide research and development investigations for technology sustainment of the D5 missile system. The contractor will utilize the research findings of the previous years' Technology Sustainment Support Services (TSSS) efforts and develop a radiation hardening systems design software program and provide continued research and development investigations of missile structure dynamic response to rocket motor ignition events, as well as investigations of alternative missile drag reduction devices. Work will be performed in Sunnyvale, Calif. (94 percent) and Salt Lake City, Utah (six percent), and is expected to be completed by March 2005. Contract funds in the amount of $17,745 will expire by the end of the current fiscal year. The contract was not competitively procured. The Navy's Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00030-02-C-0050).

FLIR Systems, Portland, Ore., is being awarded a $7,304,530 firm-fixed-price delivery order under previously awarded contract (N00164-01-D-0015) to provide the Next-Level Technological Upgrade of the AN/AAQ-22A Navigational Thermal Imaging System. Work will be performed in Portland, Ore., and is expected to be completed by December 2002. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This order is awarded on a sole source basis. The Naval Surface Weapon Station, Crane Division, Crane Ind., is the contracting activity.

Bell-Boeing Joint Program Office, Arlington, Va., is being awarded a $5,185,952 ceiling-priced order for the procurement of various low rate initial production spares for the V-22 Training Division. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (76 percent) and Ridley Park, Pa. ,(24 percent), and is expected to be completed by June 2004. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Inventory Control Point, Philadelphia, is the contracting activity (N00383-97-G-002N) (Order 0031).

ARMY

On April 24, 2002, Dick Pacific Construction Co., Ltd., Barrigada, Guam, was awarded a $9,472,492 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a 22,000 square feet, 315,000 cubic feet cold storage warehouse, having two freezer and five chilled rooms with racking, and a contiguous ice plant. Supporting facilities include utilities, fire protection and alarm systems; paving, walks, curbs and gutters; storm drainage; information systems; and site improvements. Work will be performed in U. S. Army Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, and is to be completed by Nov. 20, 2004. Funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There were 40 bids solicited on Dec. 7, 2001, and three bids were received. The U. S. Army Engineer District, Honolulu, Fort Shafter, is the contracting activity (DACA83-02-C-0003).

Griffin Services Inc., Atlanta, was awarded a $21,894,820.56 cost-plus-award-fee contract. The result of the cost comparison will be provided to all interested parties, including the affected employees, their unions, and the potential contractor. A final decision will not be made until any objections to the cost comparison have been evaluated. The report to Congress required by Title 10, Chapter 146, Sections 2461-68, will be made before the contractor is authorized to proceed under this conditionally awarded contract, if the final decision is to convert to contract performance. If the final decision is to retain the activities in-house, the contract will be canceled. Work will be performed in Illinois (four percent), Indiana (two percent), Iowa (two percent), Michigan (two percent), Minnesota (two percent), Nebraska (one percent), Ohio (two percent), Wisconsin (three percent), and Fort McCoy, Wis. (82 percent), and is to be completed by Oct. 31, 2003. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The number of bids solicited cannot be determined as it was posted electronically. There was one bid received. The Directorate of Contracting, Fort McCoy, Wis., is the contracting activity (DAKF61-02-C-0010).

AIR FORCE

TRW Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Systems, Clearfield, Utah, is being awarded a $15,476,809 (estimated) cost-plus-award-fee contract modification to provide for the Global Positions System Metric Tracking Program on the ICBM Prime Integration contract. At this time, $2,031,216 of the funds has been obligated. This work will be completed in September 2006. The Ogden Air Logistics Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (F42610-98-C-0001).

* Small Business

((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)).

ApartmentSearching.com Provides Consumers Interested in Renting a Home or Apartment with a Free Comprehensive Search and Relocation Service.

PITTSBURGH, May 15 /PRNewswire/ --

ApartmentSearching.com was launched to help people turn the Internet into a valuable resource.

The Internet has become the most incredible communications medium the world has ever seen, but it is only useful to the degree that people understand it and make it work for them.

At ApartmentSearching.com, potential renters can access listing information from more than 45,000 properties, located in over 6,000 cities nationwide and containing over 6 million apartment units.

Users can access apartmentsearching.com's comprehensive information resource center which is designed to help make the relocation process easier, and includes information relating to moving services, renter's insurance, furnishings, and local content and statistics about a user's new neighborhood.

ApartmentSearching.com is owned by Europa Publications a division of the McCue network.

CONTACT: William McCue, CEO of Europa Publications, 800-821-1447, or Fax, 786-549-6228, or Email, ceo@apartmentsearching.com

This release was issued through DigitalWork.com - Your Business Workshop More information on DigitalWork.com may be found at http://www.digitalwork.com

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Snap! Is Internet's Fastest-Growing Search Engine

    July Web Ratings Show Snap!'s Audience Expanding 47% in One Month's Time    

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Snap!, the directory, search and navigation service jointly owned and operated by CNET (Nasdaq: CNWK) and NBC, was the fastest-growing search engine* for at-home usage, according to the July monthly ratings reported by Media Metrix, the PC Meter Company, the recognized leader in the field of Internet usage measurement services. Snap!'s July audience expanded 47% among unique users from the June ratings period. The announcement was made today by Edmond Sanctis, Snap!'s chief operating officer.

"We are pleased to see such impressive results from Snap!'s initial brand awareness campaign as tracked by Media Metrix," stated Sanctis. "Snap!'s marketing strategy has only begun to make a significant impact in this highly competitive field."

      Unique User Percentage Increases for July 1998:     - Snap.com                47%     - Lycos.com               26%     - Infoseek.com   8%     - Excite.com               4%     - Yahoo.com                0%    

During the month of July, Snap! introduced its first marketing program, with on-air promotional spots on the NBC television network. Additionally, the search engine continued to unveil a combination of improvements to its speed, organization and content. Snap!'s new front door, content harvesting tool set and relevancy enhancements proved to be a successful traffic builder.

Snap! recently announced the selection of the Saatchi & Saatchi agency to develop its extensive brand awareness consumer marketing campaign, set to launch later this fall. (For further information, see "SNAP! SELECTS SAATCHI & SAATCHI TO BE ITS AGENCY OF RECORD," 8/27/98.)

About Snap!

Snap!, the free Internet directory, search and navigation service jointly owned and operated by CNET, Inc. (Nasdaq: CNWK) and NBC, offers the most powerful way to organize and find anything on the Internet. The service is logically arranged to give users the quickest route to the best of what they are looking for on the Web, providing efficient, high-quality search results and directory listings. At the heart of the Snap! portal service is a directory of Web sites, built by a team of editors and reviewers to ensure its quality, freshness and usefulness. Users may either search the directory by using keywords, or browse through the directory's 16 topics: Arts & Humanities, Business & Money, Computing & Internet, Entertainment, Education, Health, Kids & Family, Living, Local, News, Oddities, People & Society, Science & Technology, Shopping, Sports and Travel. Snap! also features content from over 75 leading Web publishers. For Internet searching, Snap! offers users highly efficient and effective searching capability online, by tightly integrating a high-quality topical Internet directory with an advanced search engine.

Snap! is available to all Web users at www.snap.com and is distributed by more than 40 leading Internet Service Providers, PC manufacturers and major marketers.

* Snap! developed the list of sites compared, based on the Media Metrix July 1998 and June 1998 "At Home" Key Measures Reports. Sites compared include: Yahoo!, Excite, Infoseek and Lycos.

  SOURCE  Snap!       -0-                                              09/01/98   

/CONTACT: Frances Byrne of Snap!, 415-395-7805, ext. 5635, or francesb@cnet.com/

      /Web site:  http://www.cnet.com/     /Web site:  http://www.snap.com/     (CNWK)  CO:  Snap!; CNET; NBC ST:  California IN:  MLM PUB SU:      DP-KA -- SFTU026 -- 5495 09/01/98 17:40 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com   

Trend Micro Titanium 2012 Now Available in Beta.(Company overview)

Trend Micro Incorporated ((TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704)), a global leader in Internet security solutions, announced the public beta release of Trend Micro™ Titanium™ Maximum Security 2012. Customers who download the 2012 beta version today will be eligible to receive an exclusive discount for the finished product via email when it's launched later this summer. Users may access the beta www.TrendMicro.com/TitaniumBeta

The Titanium 2012 release continues the success Trend Micro established with the 2011 version--delivering a product with industry leading protection and solutions that alleviate consumer pain points. Research has consistently shown that consumers are frustrated by security products that slow their systems down, are intrusive, and are complex and difficult to understand. Titanium answers all these needs.

The Titanium Maximum Security 2012 release focuses on extending Titanium's leadership in protecting consumers from threats and cybercrime by enhancing Titanium's behavioral protection and rule capabilities, as well as introducing new technologies for detecting and removing botnets and encrypted malware. This enhanced protection is being provided while still delivering a product that does not require a great deal of system resources, is easy to understand and use, and doesn't irritate consumers with too many pop-ups and alerts.

"The release of a public beta is a first for Trend Micro with Titanium 2012. We have taken strong steps to enhance a product that protects our users' data from the latest malware, phishing and social media attacks and we are seeking user feedback as we finalize the product," said Richard Ku, VP of Consumer Product Management at Trend Micro. "Our focus for improving Titanium this year was to continue to support consumers' behaviors and incorporate more features to better protect against these threats."

Titanium Maximum Security 2012 also introduces new functionality this year, such as Social Networking Security and Easy UI Skinning. Social Networking Security helps consumers protect themselves while on Social Networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Myspace and Mixi by automatically showing them if links on their wall are safe or malicious. UI skinning allows customers to personalize their console with a favorite photo or image.

Keywords: Technology Companies, Security Software and Service Companies.

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

Southern style.(New Products)

Arizona Beverages USA LLC and golfer Arnold Palmer added Arnold Palmer Peach Sweet Tea Half & Half to its line of mixed tea beverages. The variety incorporates peach flavor with Southern-style sweet tea and lemonade and contains no artificial flavors and colors or preservatives, the company says. The 23-ounce can of Arnold Palmer Peach Sweet Tea Half & Half portrays a young Palmer standing in a barn with his dog Mulligan overlooking a peach orchard. The new peach variety is available in the Northeast in 23-ounce cans for $0.99 and 64-ounce gallons.

ARIZONA ARNOLD PALMER PEACH SWEET TEA HALF & HALF

Arizona Beverages USA LLC, Woodbury, N.Y.

Telephone: 800/832-3775

Internet: drinkarizona.com

Distribution: Select markets

Ingredients: Premium brewed blend of black teas using filtered water, high fructose corn syrup, lemon juice from concentrate, pear juice from concentrate, natural flavors, citric acid, malic acid, ascorbic acid, sucralose and acesulfame potassium.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

BT signs broadband deal with Alcatel-Lucent.(BROADBAND BEAT)

Showing its intent to build out a superfast broadband network, BT this week said it will use Alcatel-Lucent's Motive Service View technology to support its triple play of broadband, IPTV and VoIP services. BT does not have a cellular network but instead is building a UK-wide Wi-Fi network.

BT wanted its technology up-to-date for the national rollout of YouView, an Internet-connected television platform that is being developed by BBC, Channel 4, ITV, Arqiva, BT and TalkTalk. YouView seems certain to increase substantially the traffic on BT's network.

Alcatel-Lucent's ServiceView will provide BT's help desks with end-to-end visibility and control plus automated problem analysis and resolution.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

WATER DISTRICT'S TELEMETRY SYSTEM 'INADEQUATE'.(Region South)

Byline: DAVID COLLINS

ELDORADO

District: Look for water data online

Real-time and historical information about El Dorado water supplies is available on the Internet -- if you want to know about water supplies in the El Dorado Irrigation District, in California's Sierra Nevada mountains.

In New Mexico's Eldorado Area Water and Sanitation District, which supplies water to about 2,900 homes southeast of Santa Fe, when tanks were unexpectedly drained of about half of the district's stored water around

May 10, most district customers didn't learn about it until some two weeks later.

The local Eldorado water district said in a July 3 response to a request to inspect public records that it would cost thousands of dollars to produce a copy of available electronic data detailing pumping activity and well levels in the troubled system. New Mexico law requires municipal governments to provide copies of databases in usable electronic formats to anyone who agrees to pay the cost of copying the data.

A spokesman for the Albuquerque firm that supplied the telemetry equipment to the Eldorado water district said the system is not configured to store any more information than that on small (1MB) memory devices connected to 14 telemetry units located at wells and booster-pump stations along 110 miles of system pipes.

The district's board of directors has recently discussed upgrading the local telemetry system. Secretary Stephen Wust said board discussion of an upgrade focuses on a replacement.

"The one we have is inadequate," Wust said. "We are all in favor of investigating that."

The El Dorado Irrigation District in California faces problems similar to those of the district that serves Eldorado at Santa Fe. Each inherited an older system formerly run by a private company. Each this year declared an emergency after leaking valves threatened stored water supplies.

In Eldorado, three leaking air-release valves spilled an undetermined amount of water from pipes intended to refill storage tanks during May and June. The California irrigation district faces the potential uncontrolled loss from lakes of about five times Eldorado's annual water use if aged, leaking outflow valves there were to fail.

The online water-level data in the California irrigation district lets anyone involved immediately monitor changes in that precarious system. Eldorado water-district officials have intermittently placed information about tank levels and pumping activity on the district Web site. The local reports appear online only after data has been manually transcribed from reports produced by the telemetry system, according to the district's written response, Wust and the Albuquerque firm that supplied the system.

Richard Derbin, electric division manager at Alpha Southwest in Albuquerque, said the Eldorado telemetry system could be configured to provide almost real-time water-system information to the public. He said Tesco Controls, the company whose products he supplies to Eldorado, told him it has never been asked to configure its software to provide information to the public over the Internet.

"Normally, that is not something that is publicly requested," Derbin said.

A spokesman at the California firm that supplies the software collecting real-time data about at-risk lakes in the El Dorado Irrigation District said his company supplies systems that support real-time Web access.

"Our systems are built from the ground up based on the Internet. Others are built on older types of technology," said Jim Meisler, senior account executive at Inductive Automation in Sacramento.

Meisler said his company's telemetry systems can be built around sensors such as those already in place in the Eldorado system. The difference, Meisler said, is that his company's system delivers data to a standard database, which can then be accessed by Web developers to support online presentations.

Access over the Internet to stored data does not provide access to Internet-based controls and monitors configured in the system that gathers the information, Meisler said.

Eldorado's telemetry system has no database where telemetry data is stored after memory chips are full. Derbin estimated it could cost $250,000 or more to replace the system, based on his recollection of the original cost 14 or 15 years ago.

Meisler said his company has never bid more than $100,000 on a telemetry project, including for systems more complex than the one Eldorado uses.

Inspect the El Dorado Irrigation District's online water-supply information at project184.com. Look for available Eldorado Area Water and Sanitation District water information at www.eldoradowaterdistrict.com.

Contact David Collins at 986-3064 or dcollins@sfnewmexican.com.

Constellation Brands to Buy Fortune Brands' U.S. Wine Business.

FAIRPORT, N.Y., Nov. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Constellation Brands, Inc. and Fortune Brands, Inc. today announced that they have entered into an agreement under which Constellation will acquire Fortune's U.S. wine business for $885 million, subject to post-closing adjustments. The transaction is expected to close by Dec. 31, 2007.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040119/STZLOGO )

The business to be acquired includes some of California's most highly regarded wineries. The portfolio represents approximately 2.6 million cases. Brands being acquired include Clos du Bois, a leading super-premium wine, Geyser Peak and Wild Horse, a top luxury wine brand. More than 1,500 acres of vineyards in Napa, Sonoma and Carneros, Calif., are included in the purchase, in addition to five California wineries.

"This portfolio is an excellent fit and furthers our strategy of exceeding consumer expectations and expanding our presence in the growing high-end segments of the wine market," said Rob Sands, Constellation Brands president and chief executive officer. "We are delighted about the prospect of adding these wineries and brands to our existing portfolio, which will enhance our growing position in the U.S. premium wine business. As an example, Clos du Bois, a two million case brand, has a history of strong consumer brand equity, growth and profitability. We also look forward to working with the people who have been responsible for the tremendous success of these wines."

The company estimates that on a comparable basis this acquisition will be slightly accretive to diluted earnings per share for fiscal 2009 and modestly dilutive for fiscal 2008, assuming the transaction closes by Dec. 31, 2007. A plan for the integration of this acquisition into Constellation will be finalized after the close of the transaction, and the company will determine the best way to effectively assimilate the brands and facilities. The transaction will be financed with debt and is subject to customary and routine regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.

Conference Call Information

A Constellation Brands conference call to discuss this transaction is scheduled for Nov. 12, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. eastern. Participants in the call will include President and Chief Executive Officer Rob Sands and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Bob Ryder. The conference call can be accessed by dialing +973-935-8505 beginning 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. A live, listen-only web cast of the conference call will be available on Constellation's Internet Web site: http://www.cbrands.com/, under "Investors," together with a copy of this news release. For anyone unable to participate in the conference call, a replay will be available on the company's Web site until Nov. 21, 2007.

About Constellation Brands

Constellation Brands, Inc. is a leading international producer and marketer of beverage alcohol in the wine, spirits and imported beer categories, with significant market presence in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia and New Zealand. Based in Fairport, N.Y., the company has more than 250 brands in its portfolio, sales in approximately 150 countries and operates approximately 60 wineries, distilleries and distribution facilities. It is the largest wine producer in the world; the largest wine company in the U.S. based upon sales dollar value, the largest wine company in the U.K., Australia and Canada; the second largest wine company in New Zealand; the largest beer importer and marketer in the U.S. through its Crown Imports joint venture with Mexico's Grupo Modelo; and the third largest spirits company in the U.S. Constellation Brands is an S&P 500 Index and Fortune 500(R) company. Major brands in the company's portfolio include Corona Extra, Black Velvet Canadian Whisky, the SVEDKA vodka line, Robert Mondavi wines, Ravenswood, Blackstone, Hardys, Banrock Station, Nobilo, Kim Crawford, Inniskillin, Jackson-Triggs and Arbor Mist. To learn more about Constellation Brands and its product portfolio visit the company's Web site at http://www.cbrands.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Constellation's control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. Some of these risks and uncertainties include factors relating to Constellation's ability to consummate the transaction, integrate the Beam Wine Estates' business successfully and realize expected synergies, the continued strength of the Beam Wine Estates' relationships with its employees, suppliers and customers, and the accuracy of the basis for forecasts relating to Beam Wine Estates' business. There can be no assurance that any transaction between Constellation and Fortune Brands will occur, or will occur on the timetable contemplated hereby. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this news release regarding Constellation's business strategy, future operations, financial position, prospects, plans and objectives of management, as well as information concerning expected actions of third parties, are forward-looking statements. Although Constellation believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, Constellation can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Constellation undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For additional information about risks and uncertainties that could adversely affect Constellation's forward-looking statements, please refer to Constellation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Feb. 28, 2007. The factors discussed in these reports could cause actual future performance to differ from current expectations.

CONTACT: Media, Mike Martin, +1-585-218-3669, or Angie Blackwell, +1-585-218-3842; Investor Relations, Patty Yahn-Urlaub, +1-585-218-3838, or Bob Czudak, +1-585-218-3668, all of Constellation Brands, Inc.

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

Friday, February 24, 2012

Austar struggles to switch on expansion.

Byline: Tony Boyd

May 02, 2006 (The Australian Financial Review - ABIX via COMTEX) -- Austar United Communications has been hampered by slow developments and lack of vision in its industries. The Australian regional pay TV and internet provider delivered disappointing news on 2 May 2006. CEO John Porter said the equipment needed for its high-speed broadband network would not be available until early 2007, leading to delays in expenditure. As for Austar's proposed $A30-per-month pay TV offer, Porter said sadly program suppliers were reluctant to accept lower margins for the sake of developing the sector, and thus the offer was taking longer to bring to market.

Publication Date: 3 May 2006

 AUSTAR UNITED COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED - ASX AUN UNITEDGLOBALCOM INCORPORATED 

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.

Cheating Britain day 3: The Aftermath.(Features)

Byline: JULIE MCCAFFREY

CHEATING husbands and wives may enjoy the thrill of clandestine meetings and passionate sex on the side. But their adultery can devastate partners and destroy families - and although some marriages survive against the odds, too many end up in the divorce courts. Here, three couples who have been rocked by infidelity tell JULIE MCCAFFREY of their pain.

MOTHER-of-five Val Baker, 55, divorced husband Karl, 42, when he had an affair with a family friend. She remarried him in 1993 but was devastated when Karl had another affair two years ago. The couple, who live in Norwich, are determined to work through their problems.

SEEING Karl wrapped around another woman was the worst moment of my life - but I couldn't stop loving him.

Then he cheated on me again.

After his first affair Karl convinced me he'd changed - that's why I remarried him. Needless to say his second affair has been far harder to get over.

We first met in the burger bar where he worked in 1983, just after I'd separated from my second husband. He brightened my day by always flashing me a cheeky smile.

After dating for two months he proposed in a pub car park and before long he moved in with me and I became pregnant with Shelley, who's now 20.

We married in a register office in 1985 and had Kyle, who's now 19. I had four kids from my previous relationships so really relied on Karl. But it wasn't long before he broke all his promises.

One morning after I'd dropped the kids off at school, I saw his car in my friend's driveway and saw them kissing on the couch in her living room.

She'd often come to the house to help me with the kids... I didn't know that she was sleepingwith my husband! Incandescent with rage, I hammered on the window. We had a a hysterical argument and I threatened to bash their heads together. Karl didn't come home for a fortnight.

Divorce was my only option, even though I still loved him.

Six months after the decree absolute in 1992, Karl turned up on my doorstep, saying he missed me unbearably.

He showered me with flowers and chocolates and on Christmas day 1992 he proposed again - and I accepted. We had a big white wedding on the anniversary of our first marriage in 1993.

We were happy, or so I thought. But two years ago Karl confessed to another affair with a woman he met on the internet and left me. I felt as if I'd been knifed in the stomach. I lost two stone through stress.

Devastated doesn't come close to describing how I felt, but after a few weeks Karl came home again, insisting he'd finished with her.

We've talked endlessly since then and worked hard at rebuilding the trust. I forgive him but can't forget his affairs. And if he has another one that's it - I'm off.

KARL SAYS: "I was a young man with too much responsibility when I had my first affair, which I regretted as soon it started. The second affair was very stupid. The woman stroked my ego and I fell for it. If I could turn back the clock I'd never have met her.

To any married men considering an affair I'd say: 'Don't! It isn't worth the hurt.'"

Our affair caused misery but I'm a lot happier now

SHARON Shieber, 40, was married to Paul Kershaw-Dickson when she had an affair three years ago. They divorced on the grounds of her adultery and her two children, Oliver, 15, and Abigail, 13, no longer speak to her. Sharon's affair led to marriage and she now has a four-week old son, Ben, with her second husband, ambulance service worker Paul, 40.

MY affair caused an awful lot of tears and pain ... I fell in love with someone else's husband while I was still married.

It split both our marriages but this was no silly "bit on the side". It was the real thing - Paul and I have since proved that.

I first tied the knot in 1987. My husband Paul and I were inseparable. He was romantic, good at his job, fantastic around the house and fun. We had great holidays and two beautiful children.

But in 1996, after a trip to Florida, things went downhill. Paul changed, became much more extroverted and went out a lot without me. He'd created a new life for himself and I wasn't included. My self-esteem bombed and over the next few years I felt neglected and really low.

In May 2002 I got a thrill I hadn't experienced in years when my first love traced me through Friends Reunited.

Paul Shieber and I had gone out for two years growing up in Sheffield. Our romance ended because his family moved to Basingstoke in Hampshire.

His email said he lived in Bedford. I was spooked - I used to drive there at weekends to take my kids to band practice.

We wasted no time meeting up in a pub there. I turned up with my husband and he had his wife Angela by his side. It was like we'd never been apart.

Paul and I phoned and texted after that and things soon became saucy. Each time I drove to Bedford we'd meet but didn't sleep together until I left my husband two months later.

I walked out with nothing and had to leave my kids behind. I stayed with my dad for a few weeks, then rented a house on my own. Paul had given me no guarantees that we'd be together at that stage, but I hoped he'd leave his wife. He said his marriage was stagnant but wanted to end it in his own time.

Before he could do that my ex called Paul's wife and spilled the beans. She went ballistic and Paul was forced to admit everything.

Then we had a weird period of three months when Paul couldn't leave his job so he stayed with his wife in Bedford for two nights a week, then the rest of the week with me in Mansfield. He soon left to move in with me for good.

My husband divorced me in 2003 and Paul's divorce had been finalised a few months earlier.

That cleared the way for us to marry. I'm happier than ever and thrilled with Ben. Our affair caused no end of hurt but when I look at my new husband and our beautiful son, I know it was worth it.

SHARON'S EX, PAUL, SAYS: "Sharon has to live with the consequences. I have custody of both children and they are very happy."

CHERYL Evans, 45, from Barnsley, South Yorks, had four children - Samantha, 26, Kelvin, 25, James, 22, and Clive junior, 21 - with Clive Burd. But his affair ended the 24-year marriage and split the family in 2002.

IF I didn't have four wonderful children, I'd say I should never have married Clive.

We were both in the forces in Northern Ireland and because he was my corporal I was instantly impressed by him.

After an intense three-month romance, we married at a register office in Pontypridd, South Wales, on April 15, 1978. I was 18 and he was 21. We took off in his Ford Cortina for our honeymoon - two weeks in Aldershot.

Despite the humble start to married life we were happy, and three months later I was pregnant.

Clive and I stuck together for 24 years, even though it wasn't a happy marriage. Friends who heard the way he spoke to me said they'd never put up with that from their own husbands. But I was always a "yes" woman and didn't want my children to grow up without a father.

His affair was the straw that broke the camel's back. I had suspicions when a woman called Maureen texted him in the middle of the night. But I didn't know how to open the message and Clive deleted it immediately.

I worked in a gym and colleagues told me they'd seen him with other women. But I became blind, deaf and dumb to the evidence around me until it was too painful to ignore.

In August 2002 my mother died and two days later I found a text message on Clive's phone, again from Maureen, saying: "Me love you so much. Me want to f*** you. Me coming to get you." I was furious, called the number and said: "Me Mrs Burd. Me know about you."

I threw the phone at Clive and he stormed off, threatening to throw me out of the house.

In that moment life changed beyond recognition. The kids raged at him but were very supportive of me.

I demanded to meet this other woman who had torn up our lives. Most wives assume that their husband's mistress is younger, prettier and slimmer than they are. But Clive's bit on the side was a size 24, squeezing into a size 12 top, had blonde hair with black roots and was no looker. She was also married.

I couldn't believe it. She brazenly told me she had left her husband and wanted my husband to leave me. Clive stood in the middle and tried to play us off against each other, but I laughed and walked away. She could have him.

Many arguments followed, but nothing could hurt me as much as my mum's death so I felt immune to his harsh words. The divorce papers were served three months later and cited his adultery.

My friends and family were a great support. Alan was part of that group and became my boyfriend. We married in 2003 and only since then have I realised what it means to be in a happy marriage.

Clive and his mistress are still together. She is not allowed to be part of our family life and isn't invited to occasions like weddings.

For a while I'd have said that Clive's affair ruined my life. But now I'm happier than I ever have been so in a way I'm grateful to him for being a cheat.

I just wish I hadn't wasted 24 years with him.

CLIVE SAYS: "I admit I had an affair - but Cheryl and I have been divorced for years and I wish she'd stop going on about it. I wish I'd never clapped eyes on her."

CAPTION(S):

FIRST: Their wedding in 1985; SECOND: And again in 1993; STRESS: Karl and Val are working to stay together; DOOMED: First marriage; SO HAPPY: With their new baby; HAPPIER: Cheryl is glad Clive's gone

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Yahoo! to Acquire Overture; Acquisition Positions Yahoo! as the Largest Global Player in the Rapidly Growing Internet Advertising Market.

Business Editors

SUNNYVALE, Calif. & PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 14, 2003

Combines Leading Web and Commercial Search Services With

Internet's Largest Global Audience

Yahoo! Inc. (Nasdaq:YHOO), a leading global Internet company and Overture Services, Inc. (Nasdaq:OVER), a global leader in commercial search services on the Internet, today announced they have signed a definitive agreement under which Yahoo! will acquire Overture. Under the terms of the agreement, each outstanding common share of Overture will receive 0.6108 shares of Yahoo! common stock and $4.75 in cash, reflecting an aggregate purchase price of approximately $1.63 billion, or $1.52 billion net of Overture's March 31, 2003 cash balance, less the amounts earmarked for their two recently closed transactions.

"The combined assets position Yahoo! as the largest global player in the rapidly growing Internet advertising sector," said Terry Semel, chairman and chief executive officer, Yahoo! Inc. "Together, the two companies will be able to provide the most compelling and diversified suite of integrated marketing solutions around the globe, including branding, paid placement, graphical ads, text links, multimedia, and contextual advertising."

Within the rapidly growing Internet advertising market, commercial search is the most dynamic and fastest growing segment. The worldwide commercial search segment is estimated to grow from approximately $2 billion by year-end 2003 to approximately $5 billion by 2006 (Source: Piper Jaffray), a compound annual growth rate of approximately 35 percent.

Additionally, search is a central part of Yahoo!'s user experience and business strategy. The acquisition furthers Yahoo!'s objective of becoming the leading end-to-end integrated search provider, combining assets capable of generating, distributing and monetizing search results. This combination provides Yahoo! with greater speed-to-market and the flexibility to innovate and maximize search monetization opportunities.

"By combining Overture's world class monetization platform and complementary web search assets, with Yahoo!'s already robust search business, we will further improve our ability to offer the highest quality search experience. Together we expect to create enhanced value for our users, marketers and affiliates, and ultimately drive greater value for Yahoo!'s business," said Semel.

Overture is the leading provider of commercial search with more than 88,000 advertisers globally as of the end of the first quarter of 2003. Overture's assets also include an extensive affiliate distribution network that Yahoo! and Overture are dedicated to maintaining and enhancing, a world class technology infrastructure in both commercial and web search, and a comprehensive intellectual property portfolio.

"Overture pioneered commercial search, and we believe there remains huge upside potential in this market," said Ted Meisel, president and chief executive officer, Overture Services. "By combining the assets of Yahoo! and Overture, we believe the company will be strongly positioned to take advantage of this growth opportunity by more rapidly developing and deploying innovative search and marketing solutions."

The combined companies expect to be able to take advantage of a number of revenue synergies by expanding marketing opportunities on Yahoo!'s network through:

-- expand Pay-for-Performance search faster and more cost

effectively into vertical properties, such as shopping,

travel, and yellow pages;

-- integrate contextual advertising throughout Yahoo!'s network,

including properties such as in sports, real estate and autos;

and,

-- leverage Overture's efficient, scalable marketplace by

offering its 88,000 advertisers, the majority of which are

small- and medium-sized businesses, the ability to get online,

sell online and promote online by purchasing a range of

additional Yahoo! services such as Yahoo! Store and Yahoo! Web

Hosting.

Yahoo! and Overture will be able to expand their combined products and services internationally to create a unique global marketplace. Immediate opportunities include Europe, Korea and Japan where both companies have a strong presence.

Overture will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yahoo!, and its operations will remain in Pasadena following completion of the acquisition. Ted Meisel will continue to head up Overture's operations and report to Dan Rosensweig, Yahoo!'s chief operating officer. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval and the approval of Overture's stockholders. It is expected the transaction will be completed by the fourth quarter of 2003.

"We are excited about the opportunities the combined companies create to enhance our ability to drive long-term free cash flow to our stockholders," said Susan Decker, chief financial officer, Yahoo! Inc. "Together, we believe we can gain a larger share of the rapidly growing advertising segment while also generating increased returns for Yahoo!'s advertisers and affilates."

As part of its commitment to be the leader in search, Yahoo! recently acquired Inktomi Corp., a pioneer in algorithmic Web search technology. With this acquisition, Yahoo! will own all the critical components of a comprehensive search offering.

Conference Call

Yahoo! will hold a conference call for financial analysts on Monday, July 14, 2003 at 6:30am PT / 9:30am ET to discuss the proposed transaction. The telephone number in the United States is 866-868-1109. International callers should telephone + 1-847-413-2404. There is no pass code needed for this call. The call will also be webcast at: http://webevents.broadcast.com/yahoo/071403/. A telephone and webcast replay will be available at 7:30am PT / 10:30am ET. The dial in number for the telephone replay is: 877-213-9653 or 630-652-3041, pass code 7459026. The telephone replay will be available for 48 hours.

About Yahoo!

Yahoo! Inc. is a leading provider of comprehensive online products and services to consumers and businesses worldwide and is the No. 1 Internet brand globally. Headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., Yahoo!'s global network includes 25 World properties and is available in 13 languages.

About Overture

Overture is a global leader in commercial search services on the Internet, providing new and more powerful ways for businesses and customers to connect online. Overture pioneered commercial search by aligning the interests of consumers, its 88,000 active, paying advertisers and its distribution partners, including Yahoo!, MSN and CNN. The company offers a full suite of Internet search products and search-related services. In addition, the company operates the AltaVista.com and AlltheWeb.com Web sites. Founded in 1997, Overture is based in Pasadena, Calif., with U.S. offices in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Palo Alto, Calif. The headquarters for Overture's non-U.S. business is in Ireland, with offices in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Norway, Japan and South Korea. The company employs more than 1,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.Overture.com.

Additional Information About the Merger and Where to Find It

Yahoo! and Overture intend to file with the SEC a prospectus/proxy statement and other relevant materials in connection with the proposed acquisition (the "Merger") of Overture by Yahoo! pursuant to the terms of an Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Yahoo!, July 2003 Merger Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yahoo!, and Overture. The prospectus/proxy statement will be mailed to the stockholders of Overture. Investors and security holders of Overture are urged to read the prospectus/proxy statement and the other relevant materials when they become available because they will contain important information about Yahoo!, Overture and the proposed merger. The prospectus/proxy statement and other relevant materials (when they become available), and any other documents filed by Yahoo! or Overture with the SEC, may be obtained free of charge at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Yahoo! by contacting Yahoo! Investor Relations, 701 First Avenue, Sunnyvale, California 94089, 408-349-3300. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Overture by contacting Overture Investor Relations, 74 North Pasadena Avenue, Pasadena, California 91103, 888-811-4686. Investors and security holders of Overture are urged to read the prospectus/proxy statement and the other relevant materials when they become available before making any voting or investment decision with respect to the proposed merger.

Yahoo!, Terry Semel, Yahoo!'s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and certain of Yahoo!'s other executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies of Overture stockholders in connection with the proposed merger. Investors and security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names, affiliations and interests of Mr. Semel and certain of Yahoo!'s other executive officers in the solicitation by reading the prospectus/proxy statement when it becomes available.

Overture, Ted Meisel, Overture's Chief Executive Officer and President, and Overture's other directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies of Overture stockholders in connection with the proposed merger. Such individuals may have interests in the proposed merger, including as a result of holding options or shares of Overture common stock. Investors and security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names, affiliations and interests of Mr. Meisel and Overture's other directors and executive officers in the solicitation by reading the prospectus/proxy statement when it becomes available.

This press release and its attachments contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties concerning Yahoo!'s proposed acquisition of Overture Inc., Yahoo!'s expected financial performance (including without limitation as described in the quotations from management in this press release), as well as Yahoo!'s strategic and operational plans. Actual events or results may differ materially from those described in this press release due to a number of risks and uncertainties. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, the possibility that the transaction will not close or that the closing may be delayed; the reaction of customers of Yahoo! and Overture to the transaction; Yahoo!'s ability to successfully integrate Overture's operations and employees; and general economic conditions. More information about potential factors that could affect Yahoo!'s business and financial results is included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2002 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2003, including (without limitation) under the captions, "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," which are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and available at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, and will be included in Yahoo!'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2003, which will be filed with the SEC in the near future. For more information and additional risk factors regarding Overture generally see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contained in Overture's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the quarter ended March 31, 2003 and in other reports filed by Overture with the Securities and Exchange Commission.