Fed: Turnbull supports construction efforts in fire zone

AAP General News (Australia)
02-18-2009
Fed: Turnbull supports construction efforts in fire zone

Opposition Leader MALCOLM TURNBULL has promised Australia's construction industry it
will have the full support of federal parliament in rebuilding sections of Victoria ravaged
by bushfires.

Mr TURNBULL's told the Master Builders Association the industry will prove critical
in helping devastated towns on the road to recovery.

He says he and the prime minister have their differences but the industry that's going
to be rebuilding those towns .. will have the support of both sides of parliament to make
sure the Victorian people will get whatever it takes to put them back on their feet.

Mr TURNBULL says he expects building and construction companies in New South Wales
and Victoria will be on the frontline of reconstruction.

AAP RTV stu/hn/crh

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES TURNBULL (SYDNEY)

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

-Tengelmann buys more shares in online businesses

Internet Business News
07-15-2011
-Tengelmann buys more shares in online businesses

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

15 July 2011 - German retailer Tengelmann has acquired minority shareholdings in Munich-based Deal United GmbH, a provider of alternative online payment systems, and in Berlin-based Coffee Circle, an online provider of premium coffee.
By the end of the year, Tengelmann plans to raise the number of its minority stakes in such small and newly set up firms to 20, CEO Erivan Haub said. Although the online segment does not yet contribute to the company's profit, these small investments account for extensive know-how, which will benefit Tengelmann's business.

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

(Copyright M2 Communications, 2011)

QLD:Qld councillor must repay $1.37m: court

AAP General News (Australia)
12-07-2011
QLD:Qld councillor must repay $1.37m: court

EDS: Amends amount in first par to read $1.37 million



By Christine Flatley

BRISBANE, Dec 7 AAP - Logan councillor Hajnal Black should have held $1.37 million
in trust for an elderly man with dementia instead of transferring it into her own account,
a court has ruled.

In the Supreme Court in Brisbane, Queensland's Public Trustee on Wednesday won the
right to start pursuing the money taken by Mrs Black in October 2009.

In the hearing late last month, David Jackson, QC, for the Public Trustee, told the
court Mrs Black, who was given power of attorney over the man's affairs in April 2009,
knew he lacked capacity when she transferred the money six months later.

Mr Jackson submitted that that knowledge, along with the nature and size of the transaction,
meant Mrs Black had acted improperly.

However, Mrs Black told the court she was acting in accordance with the 66-year-old
man's wishes when she made the transfer.

She said she had been friends with the man for decades and he was like a father to her.

The transfer of the money - which came from the $2.25 million sale of the man's property
at Park Ridge - was in keeping with his wishes, which he'd made clear over a decade, she
said.

Justice David Boddice ruled in favour of the Public Trustee on the matter and ordered
Mrs Black pay costs.

However Justice Boddice ordered that the issue of whether a second property at Greenbank
was given by the man as a gift to Mrs Black be decided during a separate trial.

That matter will be reviewed later this month.

Mrs Black is also facing criminal proceedings under the Local Government Act of Queensland
over allegations she failed to inform the CEO of Logan Council that she held a joint bank
account with the elderly man.

That matter will go before the Beenleigh Magistrates Court later this month.

AAP cf/mjs/de

KEYWORD: LEGAL: BLACK WRAP

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

FED:Rafters sweeps Logie nominations

AAP General News (Australia)
04-03-2011
FED:Rafters sweeps Logie nominations

ZOE VENTOURA's character may have died in Packed to the Rafters .. but obviously not
in the hearts of Australian television viewers .. with the actress nominated for a Silver
Logie.

Seven of the Seven drama's actors have received Logie nominations this year .. and
VENTOURA's up against former castmates REBECCA GIBNEY and JESSICA MARAIS for the Silver.

ASHER KEDDIE from Offspring and MARGOT ROBBIE have also been nominated.

HUGH SHERIDAN .. who plays VENTOURA's former onscreen husband Ben Rafter .. is up for
Silver Logies in both the most popular and most outstanding actor categories .. as is
castmate ERIK THOMSON.

MICHAEL CATON .. who plays Ted Taylor on the show .. has also been nominated for a Silver Logie.

GIBNEY and MARAIS have also been nominated for the coveted Gold Logie for Most Popular
TV Personality.

The Logie Awards will be announced on May 1.

AAP RTV klw/nb/tm

KEYWORD: LOGIES (SYDNEY)

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

VIC:Jail for carjackers

AAP General News (Australia)
12-13-2010
VIC:Jail for carjackers

A syringe-wielding robber and her accomplice who carjacked a 71-year-old Melbourne
woman have been jailed for a total of three years and nine months.

39 year-old MICHELLE MITCHELL and 29 year-old BIANCA JADE STEPHEN stole more than one
thousand dollars worth of groceries from a supermarket at Burwood Plaza .. before car-jacking
CORAL LEIGH on May 15 this year.

Today in the Victorian Country Court .. MITCHELL .. a mother of four .. was jailed
for two years and three months with a non-parole period.

STEPHEN was jailed for for 18 months with a non-parole period of one year.

AAP RTV mj/tdb/gfr/sw

KEYWORD: MITCHELL (MELBOURNE)

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

QLD:Qld exports record amount of coal

AAP General News (Australia)
08-05-2010
QLD:Qld exports record amount of coal

BRISBANE, Aug 5 AAP - Queensland exported a record amount of coal last financial year,
according to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data.

Treasurer Andrew Fraser told state parliament on Thursday that the state exported a
record 183.1 million tonnes of coal in 2009/10, an increase of 14.9 per cent from 2008/09.

"As the industry grows, so will the businesses that will do the heavy lifting, getting
the coal from mine to port," he said.

"QR's (Queensland Rail) coal and freight business, operating now as QR National, carried
a record 262.3 million tonnes of freight over the last financial year - 14.5 million tonnes
more than the previous year.

"These results underline both the size and scope of QR National's operations, but also
the fact that the world's demand for our goods remains strong, and will be a key driver
of our economy into the future."

Mr Fraser said the value of Queensland's merchandise exports rose by 21 per cent to
$13.3 billion in 2009/10.

"Geographically, we are on the doorstep of Asia. That means we have a suite of customers
from the fastest growing region in the world that stand ready to purchase our goods,"

he said.

"As an export economy, this activity helps drive investment and create jobs.

AAP djb/pjo/jsh

KEYWORD: COAL QLD

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

QLD: Coroner recommends no charges in Goodna rail deaths

AAP General News (Australia)
12-23-2009
QLD: Coroner recommends no charges in Goodna rail deaths

BRISBANE, Dec 23 AAP - A Queensland coroner has recommended no criminal charges be
laid over the deaths of three Aboriginal boys struck by a passenger train in 2006.

Hayden Duncan, 10, and his brother Glen Duncan, eight, of Mount Gravatt East, and their
nine-year-old cousin Reggie Fisher, of Carole Park, died instantly when they were struck
between Goodna and Redbank stations, west of Brisbane, on March 11, 2006.

Coroner Michael Barnes last month ruled Dennis Smith, the driver of the 10M1 Brisbane-bound
special train taking fans to a football match, did not have to give evidence due to his
mental state.

On Wednesday, Mr Barnes handed down his findings, recommending no criminal charges
be laid but labelling Mr Smith's conduct as "dangerous".

He suggested the matter be referred to Queensland Rail (QR) CEO Lance Hockridge for
disciplinary action.

Mr Barnes also recommended QR give definitive rulings for train drivers on terms such
as "proceed with caution" and "proceed with extreme caution".

AAP gd/jl/apm

KEYWORD: DUNCAN

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

Fed: Green groups at odds over decision to reject ETS =6

AAP General News (Australia)
08-13-2009
Fed: Green groups at odds over decision to reject ETS =6

Family First's Steve Fielding maintains there are many scientists who do not accept
that climate change is being caused by human activity.

"There are plenty of scientists ... I've seen 2,000 or more in America that have signed
a document saying that they're disputing it," Senator Fielding said.

Senator Fielding said the Rudd government should wait until after UN climate talks
in Copenhagen in December before settling on a scheme, warning Australia could be worse
off if it acted too early.

"We could lock ourselves in and find ourselves on a bit of an island and then worse off."

AAP kms/sb/mn

KEYWORD: CLIMATE REAX 6 CANBERRA

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

FED: Rudd makes further gains in latest poll

AAP General News (Australia)
04-03-2009
FED: Rudd makes further gains in latest poll

CANBERRA, April 3 AAP - The Rudd government is continuing to surge ahead of the opposition
in the popularity stakes, according to the latest Roy Morgan poll.

The poll, conducted in late March, shows support for the government surged by 4.5 per
cent to 53 per cent, while support for the coalition fell 5.5 per cent to 33.5 per cent.

On a two-party preferred basis, support for Labor is 61 per cent, a gain of four per
cent, while support for the coalition is 39 per cent, down four per cent.

Among the minor parties, support for the Greens rose to eight per cent (up two per
cent), support for Family First was unchanged at 1.5 per cent and independents/others
lost one per cent to be at four per cent.

The poll also shows 53.5 per cent of Australians are confident the country is heading
in the right direction, compared to 28.5 per cent who believe Australia is heading in
the wrong direction.

AAP kms/apm

KEYWORD: POLL MORGAN

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

Mary Murrin, Haskell Elementary School, Wanaque

The Record (Bergen County, NJ)
10-19-2008

Mary Murrin, Haskell Elementary School, Wanaque
Date: 10-19-2008, Sunday
Section: ADVERTORIAL/NORTH JERSEY JOBS
Edtion: All Editions
Column: TEACHER OF THE WEEK
Biographical: MARY MURRIN

Mary Murrin has been teaching at Haskell Elementary School for 25 years. She teaches literature and language to grades six, seven and eight, as well as social studies to grade eight. Mrs. Murrin also helps run the eighth-grade fund-raising activities, Awards Program and Graduation.

* In what extracurricular activities at the school or in the community are you involved?

In my community, I have served as Library Liaison for the mayor and was a founding member of St. Mary's School Fundraising Committee. While serving on this committee, I helped organize and run the carnival that has now become an annual event for the school and Pompton Lakes. More recently, I have started to become involved with Passaic County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for Children. This organization is still in its beginning stages in Passaic County, but it has a strong foundation in other New Jersey counties.

* When and why did you decide to become a teacher?

As a child, I enjoyed "playing" school and, of course, I was always the teacher. When I was in eighth grade, I was asked to assist in a third-grade Sunday School (CCD) class and, eventually, I became the teacher of the class. Throughout high school and college, I worked with remedial students and continued teaching Sunday School. I volunteered as a tutor for high school dropouts who wanted to pass the GED to get their diplomas. Being a teacher is really the only occupation I ever considered and I have never regretted that choice.

* What school(s) did you attend? What degrees or certifications do you hold?

I attended DePaul High School in Wayne. My freshman year of college was spent at Cardinal Stritch College in Milwaukee, Wis., and then on to Montclair State College for my undergraduate degree. I completed my master's degree at William Paterson College. Some of my post-master's work (45 credits) was done through Jersey City State and RTC programs.

I hold a B.A. in English and a master's in reading. I have a Teacher of Reading (K-12) certification, a Reading Specialist license, Teacher of English (K-12) certification, Elementary School (K-8) certification and Pre-School certification.

* List education-related awards or achievements.

I was named Haskell School Teacher of the Year (Governor's Recognition Program) for 2007. I was a member of the writing team that applied for and won a Star School Award and a Best Practice Award for Haskell School. I have had two articles published in the New Jersey Journal of Reading and served for four years on the editorial board of the same publication.

* What was your favorite subject as a student?

In elementary school, I loved all subjects, but especially reading and social studies. High School defined my love of literature and enhanced my knowledge of history and introduced me to Latin. I started college as a Latin major but switched in my sophomore year to English.

* Who has been the most inspirational teacher to you and how did he or she influence you?

It may sound like a clichbut my parents were my first and my most inspirational teachers. Their love of reading inspired me as a child. When we went on our annual vacation to Long Beach Island (LBI), the first thing we did was not go down to the ocean, but to the library to get our visitor's ID cards and take out a number of books to read on the beach. My parents valued a good education and worked very hard to ensure that their children had just that. The importance of the foundation that they gave me cannot be measured.

* What do you like most about being a teacher?

There are so many wonderful aspects of this profession, it's hard to pick just one. I think the moment when a child's face lights up with understanding, when he realizes that he actually knows the answer that is an unbelievable sight.

* What is the most challenging part of being a teacher?

Dealing with a disassociated student a child who just doesn't care about school can be very trying. Motivation can't be taught but it can be encouraged and nurtured. These are difficult lessons for both the teacher and the learner.

* What challenges do teachers today have that did not exist years ago?

Technology has been a boon to education and, at the same time, presents a host of problems for teachers. Cell phones are used as tools for cheating, the Internet provides facts and fallacies, and young students cannot differentiate between the two. Web sites allow children to "express" themselves but, at the same time, exposes them to the evils of our society. Teachers must be on guard all the time to make sure their students are learning in a safe, truthful environment.

* What is your most memorable moment as a teacher?

There have been too many to just pick one, but I'll try. Several years ago, I had the pleasure of teaching a very bright girl in my eighth-grade Advanced Literature class. It was the first year the school had this particular class and I was chosen to create a course of study and teach the class. After graduation, I lost touch with this student, but I always looked for her name on the honor roll of Lakeland Regional High School. In her senior year, she earned the title of Salutatorian for her class and she sent me an invitation to her graduation and a copy of her speech. In it, she thanked me for being her teacher and encouraging her love of literature and learning. I felt so honored to be remembered in this way.

* What is the most important lesson that one can be taught?

They say that we teach by example. If this is true, then I believe the most important lesson I can give my students is to love learning. I always tell my students about courses I've taken, teachers I've had, educational experiences I've enjoyed. I talk about shows like "Jeopardy" and "Quiz Bowl" all to stress the importance I place on learning new things.

***

ESSAY:

Mrs. Murrin makes the grade

BY ADRIANNA K.

When you enter the classroom of Mrs. Murrin, you enter a place where each of your ideas will be deeply valued, a place where there is no shame in what you share and an open place where you're free to make good-natured jokes and share experiences with your classmates that other teachers might not care about. Sometimes, I find that I can open up in Mrs. Murrin's presence more so than other teachers' rooms. In her class, we're free to say that we don't understand something without being laughed at and, when we ask, Mrs. Murrin will take time to show us how to do something, even if its something simple in a giant sea of foreign concepts.

Mrs. Murrin never pressures us to do anything, but she does guide us along in a positive way. Her humor and attitude is also a thing that all of her students enjoy. She makes jokes and tells stories to make what we're learning about more interesting; her wit makes it easier to remember key concepts in mundane subjects, such as mythology, and helps us understand classic literature, mainly because she puts situations into terms we can all understand.

Being in Mrs. Murrin's class has helped me improve my writing skills by helping me put more of me in what I write, as well as helping me prepare for the pressure I will be subjected to when taking my NJASK 8. She has taught me to approach writing from different angles and to take risks with words, as well as the way I phrase things.

Although I have not spent more than two marking periods with Mrs. Murrin, I have been taught so many things from this admirable woman. I'm more than glad that she became my teacher.

***

Illustrations/Photos: PHOTO - Mary Murrin
Keywords: WANAQUE, TEACHER

Copyright 2008 Bergen Record Corp. All rights reserved.

Vic: One dead, four injured after head-on collision

AAP General News (Australia)
04-26-2008
Vic: One dead, four injured after head-on collision

MELBOURNE, April 26 AAP - A man was killed and four others injured in a head-on collision
in Victoria this evening.

A Holden sedan veered across one lane of traffic and a median strip on the Moorooduc
Highway, Mornington, south-east of Melbourne shortly after 6.30pm (AEST).

It collided head-on with two oncoming vehicles.

The male driver and sole occupant of the Holden, believed to be in his 40s, died instantly.

Inquiries are continuing into his identity.

A Mercedes sedan caught fire following the impact, with the three occupants safely removed.

All three, an elderly couple and a woman, were taken to the Alfred Hospital with non-life-threatening
injuries.

A man had to be free from another Holden sedan and was also taken to the Alfred with
minor injuries.

The highway was closed for several hours as police cleared the scene and reopened about
10pm. Police are investigating whether speed and alcohol were involved.

Anyone who saw the accident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

AAP kb/cjh

KEYWORD: TOLL VIC

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

1300 2ue Sydney Headlines

AAP General News (Australia)
12-22-2007
1300 2ue Sydney Headlines

- Eastern parts of NSW are being warned to brace for wild weather.



- The consumer watchdog has begun an investuigation into recent petrol price hikes.



- A neighbour is being praised for dragging a child to safety after a house fire.



- Australia's remaining combat troops in Iraq are being promised they'll be home before
Christmas.



- Customs has seized 15 tonnes of undeclared tobacco.



- There are warnings about the dangers of Christmas lights.



SPORT: Cricket.

AAP RTV jec/

KEYWORD: 1300 2UE (SYDNEY)

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

Fed: PM to override Qld ban on council referenda =3

AAP General News (Australia)
08-16-2007
Fed: PM to override Qld ban on council referenda =3

Mr Howard said the commonwealth had been given legal advice that it can act in this way.

He said the "arbitrary jackbooted fashion" in which Queensland sought to impose amalgamations
was "beyond the pale".

"We're going to act to prevent that occurring," he said.

"And we have legal advice that we can do so."

Mr Howard said the commonwealth was not expressing a view as to whether any individual
mergers should occur.

"We accept that in some parts of Queensland there will be strong support for particular
mergers," he said.

MORE ag/sb/sp

KEYWORD: COUNCILS HOWARD 3 CANBERRA

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

Fed: Customs delay all a misunderstanding, says Stallone

AAP General News (Australia)
02-17-2007
Fed: Customs delay all a misunderstanding, says Stallone

SYLVESTER STALLONE has dismissed the confiscation of several items by Customs officers
at Sydney airport .. as a misunderstanding.

The Hollywood star's whistlestop trip to Australia got off to a rocky start last night
.. when he and his entourage of about five were quizzed about some suspect items found
in their luggage.

They were delayed for about two hours .. after routine X-rays of their luggage revealed
several prohibited items.

Tonight as he strutted the red carpet at the harbourside premiere of his latest film
.. STALLONE laughed when he was quizzed about the incident.

Customs won't confirm the nature of the items .. which are being held for further examination.

However they're believed to include body-building drugs.

AAP RTV bt/ibw

KEYWORD: STALLONE (SYDNEY)

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

Qld: Labor to launch state election campaign

AAP General News (Australia)
08-31-2006
Qld: Labor to launch state election campaign

BRISBANE, Aug 31 AAP - Queensland Premier Peter Beattie will be joined by federal Labor
leader Kim Beazley to officially launch the party's state election campaign in Brisbane
today.

Mr Beattie said he would use the launch to unveil his vision for the future, as well
as a $50 million plan to improve literacy.

"Obviously, I will be spelling out our plans for the implementation of the health action
plan, water and education," Mr Beattie told ABC Radio.

"We will also have a program there to encourage grandmothers and senior citizens to
read to young Queenslanders.

"We see that as a way of improving literacy and that's a very important part of building
the planks of the smart state."

Mr Beazley is expected to attack the federal government's industrial relations changes,
which Mr Beattie said would be an issue at the September 9 state poll.

"What Queensland workers are saying to me (is) ... they don't like the uncertainty
of the federal government's Work Choices laws," he said.

Nationals deputy leader Jeff Seeney will lead the coalition's campaign in north Queensland
as Lawrence Springborg comforts his family following the death of his father-in-law.

Mr Springborg abruptly ended campaigning in Cairns yesterday to console his wife Linda
over the loss of her father, Ernest Kullrich, 77, who died at his Ipswich home yesterday
morning.

The Nationals leader is expected to return to the campaign on Saturday.

Labor has pulled its election attack ads from television, but the coalition is continuing
to run its ads lampooning Mr Beattie.

AAP pjo/cjh/sd

KEYWORD: POLL QLD DAYLEAD

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

NSW: Business group denies youngster neglect

AAP General News (Australia)
04-24-2006
NSW: Business group denies youngster neglect

Australia's largest business lobby group denies employers are guilty of disregarding
the safety of young workers.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports more than 310 thousand under 25s have suffered work-related
injuries or diseases .. in the past 10 years.

It also says 500 young workers have lost their lives in that period.

PETER HENDY .. chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry ..

has rejected claims employers are exposing young casual and part-time workers .. to an
increasing risk of injury and death.

He says workplaces have actually become safer over the past decade.

AAP RTV ae/hn/cp/bart

KEYWORD: WORKERS ACCI (SYDNEY)

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

FED: Carr calls for health care reform

AAP General News (Australia)
04-17-2005
FED: Carr calls for health care reform

New South Wales Premier BOB CARR has called on the federal government to reform health
care delivery in Australia.

Under the current system, the state government runs hospitals and the federal government
is responsible for doctor numbers, health insurance and aged care beds.

Mr CARR says he wants former NSW Premier NICK GREINER and former Queensland Premier
WAYNE GOSS to investigate ways of reforming the overlapping roles.

He says a taskforce set up by Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD to examine how to make health
services work better is yet to report back.

But he says its report risks gathering dust on the shelf unless there's an implementation plan.

Mr CARR says that reforming the dysfunctional relationship between the state and federal
governments on health care would be a good way out of the political disaster created by
the HOWARD government's broken Medicare promise.

AAP RTV kjd/jmt

KEYWORD: HEALTH CARR (SYDNEY)

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

Caird, John

Caird, John (1948–) Canadian-born director who first worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1978. Known for irreverent interpretations which have seen Puck enter on stage reading the text of A Midsummer Night's Dream (1989), and an As You Like It (1989) in a set devised to resemble the Royal Shakespeare Theatre foyer. His other Shakespeare productions include Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night (1983), The Merchant of Venice (1984), and Antony and Cleopatra (1992, all Royal Shakespeare Company), and for BBC television Henry IV, adapted from Parts 1 and 2 (1995).

Run out for a pair of toeless hose

THIS ELECTRONIC VERSION MAY DIFFER SLIGHTLY FROM PRINTED VERSION

Toeless pantyhose have two ringlike openings to achieve a more polished look with slides or sandals.(PHOTO) (Scripps Howard photo)

To pump up flagging sales, hosiery designers have gone back to their drawing boards in an effort to introduce exciting new products. One such innovation: toeless pantyhose.The idea, said Hanes Hosiery spokesman Caroline Wilkes, is to achieve a more polished look during warm weather months by wearing slides or strappy sandals with hosiery.

Sounds like a great idea, but does the concept work? And is today's woman willing to wiggle into pantyhose with cutout feet and a ring-like opening that wraps around the big toe to keep the darn things from riding up? (Note: There is nothing sexy about these stockings.)

To find out what some women think, we recruited a trio of volunteers from the Naples, Fla., area for a toeless pantyhose run-off. All recruits frequently wear pantyhose, except when wearing sandals.

"There is nothing as unattractive as stockings with open-toe shoes," one tester said, "so this new product really appeals to me."

Each women was given three pair of unmarked hose -- which ranged in price from $6.95 to $18 per pair -- and a questionnaire to complete over a 10-day period.

Stockings tested included Berkshire Hose Without Toes, style 5115, $6.95, purchased via the Internet; Hanes Silk Reflections Beyond Bare Toeless Hose, style 0A085, $9.95, purchased at Dillard's; and Donna Karan Toeless Control Top, style 0A069, $18, purchased at Jacobson's.

Here's the verdict in Q&A format.

Q: Describe fit and comfort level.

A: Comments concerning Hanes Silk Reflections ranged from "very comfortable" to "reasonably comfortable."

One tester wrote, "My pair must have been an irregular because there was a hole in one leg and one of the toe holes was sewn too tight."

The least expensive brand, Berkshire, fared worse. "Waist band rolled slightly and was binding after a few hours," one tester said. "No support in legs," noted another.

"Not as comfortable as the other two," said the third.

Donna Karan was the clear winner -- and went on to best the competition in all categories.

Remarks ranged from "perfect fit and extremely comfortable" to "made my legs look more shapely."

Surprisingly, none of the testers found the flip-flop, between-the-toe style uncomfortable, at least after initially pulling on a pair. ("You quickly get used to the feeling," one woman said, "the way you do after wearing a new pair of thong sandals for the first time.")

Q: Describe looks. Were hose flattering? Did toe seam show?

A: Hanes was rated "very average" by one woman. "The Berkshire brand," she added, "was too pale and not fitted, so it was obvious I was wearing pantyhose."

Berkshire also lost points for "unpleasant texture" and "lack of silkiness."

"The waistband kept rolling down on these," noted one wearer.

When it came to the Donna Karans, "Most people couldn't tell I was wearing hose," echoed our trio of testers.

They also applauded the wearability of this brand. "Did not snag or run easily," reported one woman. "Neither did they stretch," added another.

Since all brands have basically the same type toe seam, they all worked well with slides or any open, airy shoes with a band across the top.

Most strappy-style shoes were less forgiving. Regardless of maker, a bit of the toe seam peeked out -- a rather unsightly line of demarcation.

When testing the hosiery, we also evaluated color in an effort to determine the most natural looking pair. All stockings tested were chosen in neutral shades designed to blend with a fair to medium complexion. They did, but women with suntans or darker skins may have a problem finding the right color.

According to manufacturers, all our test products are enjoying brisk sales.

"In fact, toeless hosiery is going out faster than we can keep it in," said Karen Woodfields, spokesman for Berkshire.

When the Donna Karan line was introduced at Jacobson's in February -- replacing an inexpensive toeless import from Brazil, sales took off and haven't slowed down, according to Christine Gorton, director of special events.

However, even though our testers all said their hose wore well, Gorton added a caveat.

"This product is part of Donna Karan's Nudes Collection, which was developed to complement the leg and look like you are not wearing hosiery at all. The important thing to remember is that they are very sheer and should be treated with care. They are not bulletproof like opaques."

AdForce Means Business -- Achieves Best System Performance in Internet Ad Technology Industry.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 13, 2000

AdForce Maintains 99.999% Uptime for Past Six Month Period, Delivers

Impressions Significantly Faster than Major Competitors

AdForce, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of CMGion and a leading online provider of centralized, outsourced ad management and delivery services, today announced that it has achieved virtually perfect system availability in the previous six month period. With an average ad delivery uptime of 99.999%, AdForce's customers can count on their sponsorship-based business running at full capacity. AdForce's current average impression delivery speed has been recorded at less than 0.5 seconds, significantly faster than its major competitors.

AdForce's stellar system performance is supported by an extensive global ad serving architecture, enhanced considerably by strategic relationships with Akamai and Digital Island that effectively augment AdForce's infrastructure with 2,000 additional servers located in over 100 countries.

"Our distributed architecture has enabled us to achieve the best system performance in our industry," said Harish Rao, chief technology officer of AdForce. "We count among our customer base some of the most heavily trafficked sites, portals and ad networks on the Internet. Our ad delivery and management technology has scaled seamlessly in the face of our customers' dramatic growth, while maintaining the system availability that they depend on."

To report performance speed analysis on its technology, AdForce relies on Keynote, the world's leading supplier of Internet performance measurement, diagnostic and consulting services to companies with e-commerce websites. Keynote is based on an extensive network of strategically located customizable software measurement agents. This network is connected to the major Internet backbones in dozens of metropolitan areas worldwide and also includes a sophisticated operations center for collecting, analyzing and disseminating Internet performance data. Keynote reports show that AdForce consistently delivers ads faster than the Keynote Business 40 and other ad serving providers. From May 2000 through the present, AdForce averaged a 0.42 second response time for ad delivery.

"Keynote's Internet performance measurement services show that AdForce often serves ads faster than websites can load pages," says Gene Shklar, vice president of public services at Keynote.

AdForce's industry leading performance is a tribute to the company's technology focus. AdForce has developed the most versatile digital advertising infrastructure in the world, and technological superiority has allowed the company to take the lead in digital marketing beyond the PC-based Internet. As part of the AdForce EveryWhere program, AdForce can deliver and manage electronic promotions to a broad range of digital media, including cell phones, personal digital assistants, interactive television portals, kiosks, point of sale devices and consumer electronic devices.

"We are extremely proud of our technology and our industry leading system performance," said Chuck Berger, CEO of AdForce. "AdForce's customers can concentrate on their core competencies, knowing that AdForce's primary concern is to provide them with the most customizable, efficient and reliable digital ad management and delivery service available in our industry."

About AdForce EveryWhere

AdForce EveryWhere is a new media advertising program to deliver targeted, interactive advertising messages to new digital platforms beyond the PC, including wireless, interactive television, broadband devices, kiosk, point-of-sale environments. The service provides digital content providers, ad networks, advertisers and agencies with innovative marketing options for delivering advertising and promotional content, thereby creating new opportunities for increasing revenues for partners, customers and future prospects. AdForce EveryWhere enables advertisers to reach the digital audience in any medium with a single creative theme, and effectively creates and sustains a revenue model to support the distribution of digitized content.

About AdForce (www.adforce.com)

AdForce Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of CMGion, is the Force in Digital Marketing(TM) and a leading provider of centralized advertising services, enabling online publishers, rep firms and advertisers to leverage the unique advantages of the Internet as the first fully interactive medium. Deploying advanced scalable technology and backed by robust data centers, the AdForce service delivers billions of impressions monthly for some of the Internet's most prominent advertisers. AdForce provides a comprehensive suite of products, which allow advertisers and publishers to target, deliver, measure and analyze Internet advertising programs for the best results. AdForce has offices in Cupertino, CA, Costa Mesa, CA, New York, NY, Europe and Hong Kong. CMGion is a majority owned operating company of CMGI, Inc. For additional information, see http://www.adforce.com.

AdForce, the AdForce logo, AdForce EveryWhere and Force in Digital Marketing are trademarks of AdForce, Inc. All other products and services mentioned may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.

This release contains forward-looking statements which address a variety of subjects including, for example, the expected benefits, features and functionality of the AdForce EveryWhere. The following important factors and uncertainties, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements: AdForce's products and technologies may not successfully interoperate with those of third parties; adoption of new laws and regulations affecting the provision of Internet advertising services, including laws and regulations covering privacy, pricing and content; AdForce's success depends on the advertising needs of its customers and the continued demand for Internet advertising in general; and increased competition and technological changes in the markets in which AdForce competes. For a detailed discussion of these and other cautionary statements, please refer to CMGI's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including CMGI's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year.

Default Proof Credit Card System Inc. Announces Timely Completion of its Web Site Domain Name UBUYDEBITCARDS.COM - Patent Pending.

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 23, 1999--Default Proof Credit Card System Inc. (OTC BB:DPRS), announced Tuesday the timely completion of its Web Site Domain Name UBUYDEBITCARDS.COM(tm)(c)(Patent Pending), developed to provide the most private, safe and reliable way for users of debit cards to obtain them through the convenience and speed of the Internet.

This prepaid stored value debit card, purchased and paid through the Internet, can be used for merchandise purchases, and to secure cash advances from ATMs by entering a personal PIN number at the point of sale. It will not require new POS terminals.

The consumer buys and pays through the Internet the prepaid stored value for the debit card with an initial balance decided and designed by the applicant ($300 minimum, $5000 maximum) with a click of the mouse.

Consumers will be able to purchase a prepaid stored value debit card from the privacy of his/her residence or office by visiting the ubuydebitcards.com(tm)(c)(Patent Pending) Web Site. Purchasers will answer only three or four questions: the amount of balance desired for the new debit card, how the payment for this balance will reach the issuer (transfer from a bank account or charged to a credit card or to another bank card) and security related questions. From this point on, the applicant will continue dealing in absolute privacy and confidentiality with the issuing bank or financial institution.

The ubuydebitcards.com(tm)(c)(Pantent Pending) program will provide almost instant approval. Turn Downs would be asked to change the method of payment and to re-apply. Once approved, the issuing bank will follow the purchaser's instructions for delivery of the debit card.

When the card is used up it can be reloaded. More than one card can be issued to any purchaser. A processing fee, similar to the fee charged for travelers checks will be deducted from the prepaid balance of the stored value card at issue.

Default Proof Credit Card System Inc. has received satisfactory comments and favorable reception in both of the exploratory presentations made to two financial institutions. Additional pages will be added to the Web Site translating the program to different foreign languages like Spanish, Japanese, German, etc.

The company is confident that the ease and safety of this new way to obtain a debit card that soon will be offered through the Internet will appeal to millions of consumers who for whatever reason do not have a card now. The confidentiality will appeal to all; however, the Sub Prime market will have a convenient, speedy way to obtain a debit card, where no credit report, employment or income information are required.

The company reminds the reader that there is no assurance of a successful impact of this new method and system patent pending and that this release contains forward looking statements of the company and that a variety of factors could cause results to differ from the anticipated or the expectations expressed.

Nationwide celebrations.

Provided by 7DAYS.ae

The country was awash with patriotic festivities yesterday as the impoverished nation celebrated A"Dear LeaderA" Kim Jong-Il's 66th birthday with rallies, gala events and flower shows, state media said. Streets were festooned with banners and residents enjoyed special rations of sweets and shoes during the two-day holiday, as official reports trumpeted Kim's achievements.

Synchronised swimmers saluted Kim with a special performance, including numbers entitled 'Our General is Best', and 'Veneration for General'. Meanwhile the official Rodong Sinmun newspaper called for unity under Kim as he strives to turn the destitute nation into an economic powerhouse. A"The resolution to protect the leader with all our might is the core of the spiritual powerAA" it said.

[c] 2007 Al Sidra Media LLC

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company

IANA LAUNCHES NEW RESOURCE TO BENEFIT INTERMODAL INDUSTRY IANA INTERMODAL MARKETPLACE MATCHES PRODUCTS AND SERVICES WITH DECISION-MAKERS.

Calverton, MD -- The following information was released by the Intermodal Association of North America:

The Intermodal Association of North America today launched a valuable new information resource to benefit the intermodal freight transportation industry. The new IANA Intermodal Marketplace is an online buyer's guide that uses powerful search technology that allows users to more easily locate a wealth of intermodal-related products and services.

The IANA Intermodal Marketplace provides an efficient and effective way to browse intermodal offerings. Potential buyers can search within the parameters of the intermodal freight transportation industry by either a keyword-driven search that mirrors traditional search engines, or a category-specific search using a company name, exact phrase or geographic location. Both methods will produce the most relevant results available on the Internet, saving potential buyers valuable time and resources. Enhancing the effectiveness of the IANA Intermodal Marketplace, a downloadable search tool allows users to access the guide right from their desktop.

Not only does the comprehensive IANA Intermodal Marketplace assist intermodal freight transportation providers, it also furnishes industry service providers and suppliers a unique opportunity as well, offering them the ability to easily present their products and services directly to their target market. Featured companies can further connect with users through an enhanced listing that features contact information, a quick email option, location, and links to the company's Web site and social media pages.

Intermodal industry service providers and suppliers also have the option to highlight specific product offerings in the product spotlight section of the IANA Intermodal Marketplace, where users can learn about new products, innovations and special offers.

For more information on the innovative IANA Intermodal Marketplace, please contact Jim Morrow, assistant vice president, member services at 301-982-3400, ext.314 or jim.morrow@ intermodal.org.

IANA is North America's leading industry trade association representing the combined interests of the intermodal freight industry. IANA's membership includes railroads, water carriers and stacktrain operators; port authorities; intermodal truckers and over-the-road highway carriers; intermodal marketing and logistics companies; and suppliers to the industry such as equipment manufacturers, intermodal leasing companies and consulting firms. IANA's associate members include shippers, academic institutions, government entities and non-profit associations.

INTERNET : PARLIAMENT WANTS MORE RADIO SPECTRUM FOR MOBILE BROADBAND.

The European Parliament has paved the way to opening up radio frequencies to uses other than their present-day allocation, with its adoption by a large majority of a report by Swedish Conservative Gunnar Hokmark, on 11 May in Strasbourg. The main target of the measure is the 800 MHz bandwidth, the golden frequencies' being freed up with the switchover from analogue to digital TV. Like the Commission, Parliament would like to see these frequencies used "from 2013" for mobile internet traffic, particularly to offset access weaknesses in rural areas. The EP nevertheless passed an amendment that gives member states the right to request postponement until the end of 2015, or possibly beyond, if they encounter difficulties in cross-border coordination of frequencies with neighbouring third countries. Some countries fear problems of interference at the EU's external borders with Eastern countries and Russia, in particular.

MEPs also seek a post-2013 allocation of the 1.5 to 2.3 GHz bands to mobile. They consider that at least 1,200 MHz of spectrum should be allocated to mobile data traffic by 2015. Parliament also states that the Commission should monitor the development of technologies and efficient use of the spectrum to determine whether other bands (such as 700 MHz) should also be harmonised and opened up to new users and services.

"The idea is to know whether Europe will be number one or whether we will be content with being third or fourth," commented Hokmark. "In parallel, we encourage innovative technologies (femtocells, cognitive technologies) to respond qualitatively to demand for frequency," explained French Socialist Catherine Trautmann.

The Greens also backed the report. Philippe Lamberts (Germany) nevertheless warned against any risk of appropriation of the spectrum, considered by all as a "shared and rare resource". He called for an in-depth review of all spectrum players, including civil protection and military services, "because today's use is far from optimal". The Commission has proposed an inventory of spectrum resources in other sectors, such as transport and the environment. Lamberts also noted that "the consequences of these waves on citizens' health also deserves our attention, as stated in the report passed today".

According to the Commission, the spectrum represents 2-2.5% of Europe's gross domestic product, ie 250 billion according to its figures. Telecommunications are the source of 3.5 million jobs and contribute 140 billion to Europe's GDP.

The EU's telecommunications ministers reviewed the legislative proposal on 27 May.

U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for May 18.

WASHINGTON, May 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090226/CENSUSLOGO)

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18: CENTER OF POPULATION

Profile America -- Wednesday, May 18th. One of the more famous bits of advice given in American history was "go west, young man." One of the ways the census tracks the continued westward movement of the population is by computing what's known as the center of population after each 10 year census. To understand this concept, imagine a flat, rigid, and weightless map. Then put a uniform grain of sand on the map for every person counted in the census. The point at which this map would evenly balance is the center of population. After the first census in 1790, this point was in Chestertown, Maryland. Now, after the 23rd count, the center of population has been computed to be near the small town of Plato, Missouri - a movement of 873 miles. Profile America is beginning its 15th year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Facts for Features, CB11-FF.10

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button).

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau

GNCMA, ASI, FPIC, ATRC, HVT, SDBT Expected To Be Up After Next Earnings Releases.

M2 PRESSWIRE-May 3, 2011-BUYINS.NET: GNCMA, ASI, FPIC, ATRC, HVT, SDBT Expected To Be Up After Next Earnings Releases(C)1994-2011 M2 COMMUNICATIONS

RDATE:03052011

BUYINS.NET / www.squeezetrigger.com is monitoring the performance of all stocks with earnings being released Wednesday, May 4th 2011 and determining how the stocks have performed After their last 12 quarterly, 6 quarterly and 12 Consecutive Days earnings reports. GENERAL COMMUNICATION INC-A (NASDAQ:GNCMA), AMERICAN SAFETY INS HOLDINGS (NYSE:ASI), FPIC INSURANCE GROUP INC (NASDAQ:FPIC), ATRICURE INC (NASDAQ:ATRC), HAVERTY FURNITURE (NYSE:HVT), SOUNDBITE COMMUNICATIONS INC (NASDAQ:SDBT) are all expected to be Up After their earnings are released Wednesday. The movement of stock prices in the days and weeks leading to and following these earnings announcements may follow a predictable pattern. Most companies stock price histories show random or unpredictable movements around earnings dates. But some seem to repeat the same pattern quarter after quarter, year after year. The # of Reports in the table below shows how many previous quarterly reports comprise the indicator that predicts how a stock will act after its earnings are released. The specific technology used to make these predictions is available for a low monthly fee at http://www.squeezetrigger.com/services/strat/mh.php . The following stocks are expected to go Up After earnings are released Wednesday:

Symbol Company # of Reports Quarter Release Time

GNCMA GENERAL COMMUNICATION INC-A 12 Quarter Q1 After

ASI AMERICAN SAFETY INS HOLDINGS 12 Quarter Q1 After

FPIC FPIC INSURANCE GROUP INC 12 Quarter Q1 After

ATRC ATRICURE INC 6 Quarter Q1 Before

HVT HAVERTY FURNITURE 6 Quarter Q1 After

SDBT SOUNDBITE COMMUNICATIONS INC 6 Quarter Q1 After

This technology is designed to help the stock trader identify those companies that seem to have a consistent pattern of movement before or after the earnings release date, based on the history of earnings releases for that company. It combines a calendar of expected earnings releases with a history of past earnings releases in a way that lets you see if a pattern exists.

GENERAL COMMUNICATION INC-A (NASDAQ:GNCMA) - General Communication, Inc. provides communication services to residential and business customers under the GCI, Alaska DigiTel, and Alaska Wireless brand names in Alaska. The companys Consumer segment provides local/long distance voice services; video services and products, including cable, high-definition television, digital video recorder, premium channel programming, video on demand, and pay-per-view programming services; Internet access; and fixed and mobile wireless voice and data services. This segment also sells handsets, personal computer wireless data cards, and accessories to residential customers. The companys Network Access segment offers interstate and intrastate-switched message telephone, multi-protocol label switching, frame relay, private line and dedicated Internet, and wireless services to carrier customers. The companys Commercial segment provides local and long distance communication, video, Internet, data network, and wireless services to small businesses, governmental entities, and public/private educational institutions. This segment also offers directories services and managed services. The companys Managed Broadband segment offers Internet access and related services to rural schools and health organizations. The companys Regulated Operations segment offers voice and data services and products, including local access, long-distance, and Internet services and products to commercial and residential customers in rural communities. General Communication, Inc. sells its services primarily through direct contact marketing, as well as through local media advertising, and its retail stores and Web site. As of December 31, 2008, it had 100,600 long-distance subscribers, 144,700 local access lines in service, 147,600 basic cable subscribers, 125,400 wireless subscribers, and 110,700 cable modem subscribers. The company was founded in 1979 and is based in Anchorage, Alaska.

AMERICAN SAFETY INS HOLDINGS (NYSE:ASI) - American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd. provides specialty insurance and reinsurance solutions for small and medium sized businesses primarily in the United States and Bermuda. The companys Excess and Surplus Lines segment provides property and general liability coverage across specialty classes of businesses, including environmental business that provides general, professional, and pollution liability to contractors, consultants, and property owners; construction business, which offers commercial general liability insurance coverages for residential and commercial contractors; products liability business that offers general and product liability coverages for manufacturers and distributors, non-habitational real estate and real property owners, and landlord and tenant risks. This segment also provides liability coverage for surety business, which offers payment and performance bonds to the environmental remediation and construction industries; and healthcare business that provides customized liability insurance solutions for long-term care facilities. Its Alternative Risk Transfer segment provides specialty programs consisting of casualty insurance coverages for construction contractors, pest control operators, small auto dealers, real estate brokers, restaurant and tavern owners, and bail bondsmen; and fully funded general and professional liability policies for businesses operating in the healthcare and construction industries. The companys Assumed Reinsurance segment provides traditional specialty property and casualty reinsurance for unaffiliated specialty insurers and reinsurers with a focus on small specialty insurers, risk retention groups, and captives. In addition, the company also involves in other lines of businesses, such as workers compensation; and excess liability insurance for municipalities, real estate, and other ancillary product lines. American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd. was founded in 1986 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda.

FPIC INSURANCE GROUP INC (NASDAQ:FPIC) - FPIC Insurance Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as an insurance carrier in the medical professional liability insurance sector of the property and casualty insurance industry in Florida. Its insurance products provides protection for physicians, dentists, and other healthcare providers against losses arising from professional liability claims and the related defense costs for injuries alleged to have been caused by medical error or malpractice. The company also provides claims and risk management services. It markets its products through a network of independent agents in the United States. The company was founded in 1975 and is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida.

ATRICURE INC (NASDAQ:ATRC) - AtriCure, Inc., a medical device company, develops, manufactures, and sells cardiac surgical ablation systems designed to create precise lesions, or scars, in cardiac tissue. Its primary product line includes Isolator Synergy Bipolar Radio-Frequency Ablation Clamps for open-heart procedures and minimally invasive procedures; ablation and sensing unit, a compact power generator that delivers bipolar radio-frequency energy; AtriCure switch box, a compact switch box providing the technology needed for the dual pulsing electrodes, and the ability to connect and toggle between multiple RF devices; Isolator multifunctional pen, a disposable RF device enabling surgeons to toggle back and forth between temporary pacing, sensing, stimulation, and ablation; and Coolrail linear ablation device, a disposable linear RF ablation device, which allows physicians to create an expanded cardiac ablation lesion set during minimally invasive procedures. The company also offers cryoablation system, which consists of various reusable and disposable devices, including the Frigitronics CCS-200 product line for cardiac ablation; and Cryo1, a disposable cryothermy ablation probe, as well as AtriClip system, which is designed to exclude the left atrial appendage by implanting the device during open or minimally invasive surgical procedures from the outside of the heart. In addition, it sells enabling technologies, including Lumitip dissector to separate tissues to provide access to key anatomical structures targeted for ablation during general, thoracic, and other surgical procedures; and MicroPace ORLab system, a stimulating, mapping, and recording system enabling physicians to confirm the ablation lines being created are forming electrical barriers or lines of block. The company sells its medical devices to hospitals and medical centers in the United States and internationally. AtriCure, Inc. is headquartered in West Chester, Ohio.

HAVERTY FURNITURE (NYSE:HVT) - Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a specialty retailer of residential furniture and accessories in the United States. The companys products include living room furniture, bedroom furniture, dining room furniture, bedding, and other accessories. It offers its products primarily under the Havertys brand name, as well as provides bedding product lines under the Sealy, Serta, and Tempur-Pedic brand names. The company also offers financing through an internal revolving charge credit plan, as well as a third party finance company. As of December 31, 2009, Haverty Furniture Companies operated 121 stores serving 80 cities in 17 states. The company was founded in 1885 and is based in Atlanta, Georgia.

SOUNDBITE COMMUNICATIONS INC (NASDAQ:SDBT) - SoundBite Communications, Inc. provides on-demand, multi-channel proactive customer communications services enabling organizations to design, execute, and measure communication campaigns for various marketing, customer care, payment, and collection processes. The company offers SoundBite Engage platform for clients to communicate with their customers through voice, text, and email messages. It markets its services to business-to-consumer companies in the financial services, telecommunications, media, retail, and utility industries, as well as to companies in the collection industries. The company sells its products and services in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. SoundBite Communications, Inc. was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Bedford, Massachusetts.

SqueezeTrigger.com has built a massive database that collects, analyzes and publishes multiple proprietary trading strategies that predict price moves in stocks, commodities and currencies. The data has then been integrated into an automated trading platform which can be used to connect to a live online broker and automate your trading of each of the strategies highlighted. It is extremely powerful with lightening fast execution at a very low price. Both the trading software and SqueezeTrigger data feed are available at http://www.squeezetrigger.com

www.squeezetrigger.com monitors trading in all US stocks in real time and maintains massive databases of short sale and naked short sale time and sales data, short squeeze SqueezeTrigger prices, market maker price movements, shareholder data, statistical data on earnings, sector correlation, seasonality, hedge fund trading strategies, comparable valuations. Reports include:

REGULATORY & COMPLIANCE NEWS

Friction Factor -- market maker surveillance system tracking Level II market makers in all stocks to determine Price Friction and compliance with new "Fair Market Making Requirements".

RegSHO Naked Shorts -- tracks EVERY failure to deliver in all US stocks and tracks all Threshold Security Lists daily for which stocks have naked shorts that are not in compliance with Regulation SHO.

INVESTMENTS & TRADING

SqueezeTrigger -- 25 billion cell database tracks EVERY short sale (not just total short interest) in all US stocks and calculates volume weighted price that a short squeeze will begin in each stock.

Earnings Edge -- predicts probability, price move and length of move before and after all US stock earnings reports.

Seasonality -- predicts probability, price move and length of move based on exact time of year for all US stocks.

Group Trader -- tracks sector rotation and stock correlation to its sector and predicts future moves in ALL sectors and industry groups.

Pattern Scan -- automates tracking of every technical pattern and predicts time and size of move in all stocks.

GATS (Global Automated Trading System) -- tracks all known trading strategies and qualifies and quantifies which are working best in real time.

About SQUEEZETRIGGER.COM

WWW.SQUEEZETRIGGER.COM is a service designed to help bonafide shareholders of publicly traded US companies fight short selling. SqueezeTrigger.com has built a proprietary database that uses Threshold list feeds and short sale time and sale data from NASDAQ, AMEX and NYSE to generate detailed and useful information to combat the short selling problem. For the first time, actual trade by trade data is available to the public that shows the attempted size, actual size, price and average value of short sales in stocks that have been shorted. This information is valuable in determining the precise point at which short sellers go out-of-the-money and start losing on their short trades.

SQUEEZETRIGGER.COM has built a massive database that collects, analyzes and publishes a proprietary SqueezeTrigger for each stock that has been shorted. The SqueezeTrigger database of nearly 2.5 billion short sale transactions goes back to January 1, 2005 and calculates the exact price at which the Total Short Interest is short in each stock. This data was never before available prior to January 1, 2005 because the Self Regulatory Organizations (primary exchanges) guarded it aggressively. After the SEC passed Regulation SHO, exchanges were forced to allow data processors like SqueezeTrigger.com to access the data.

The SqueezeTrigger database collects individual short trade data on over 7,000 NYSE, AMEX and NASDAQ stocks and general short trade data on nearly 8,000 OTCBB and PINKSHEET stocks. Each month the database grows by approximately 50,000,000 short sale transactions and provides investors with the knowledge necessary to time when to buy and sell stocks with outstanding short positions. By tracking the size and price of each montha'a"s short transactions, SQUEEZETRIGGER.COM provides institutions, traders, analysts, journalists and individual investors the exact price point where short sellers start losing money and a short squeeze can begin.

All material herein was prepared by SQUEEZETRIGGER.COM, based upon information believed to be reliable. The information contained herein is not guaranteed by SQUEEZETRIGGER.COM to be accurate, and should not be considered to be all-inclusive. The companies that are discussed in this opinion have not approved the statements made in this opinion.

Occassionally companies pay $995.00 to purchase data for information provided in reports issued by BUYINS.NET, a company affiliated with SQUEEZETRIGGER.COM. The data service can be cancelled at any time. This opinion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. This material is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities. SQUEEZETRIGGER.COM is not a licensed broker, broker dealer, market maker, investment banker, investment advisor, analyst or underwriter. Please consult a broker before purchasing or selling any securities viewed on or mentioned herein. SQUEEZETRIGGER.COM will not advise as to when it decides to sell and does not and will not offer any opinion as to when others should sell; each investor must make that decision based on his or her judgment of the market.

SQUEEZETRIGGER.COM and SQUEEZETRIGGER are intended for use by stock market professionals. As a member, visitor, or user of any kind, you accept full responsibilities for your investment and trading actions. The contents of SQUEEZETRIGGER.COM, including but not limited to all implied or expressed views, opinions, teachings, data, graphs, opinions, or otherwise are not predictions, warranty, or endorsements of any kind. Please seek stock market advice from the proper securities professional, or investment advisor.

By visiting SQUEEZETRIGGER.COM or using any data or services, you agree

to assume full responsibility for the decisions or actions that you undertake. Global Automated Trading Systems, LLC, its owner(s), operators, employees, partners, affiliates, advertisers, information providers and any other associated person or entity, shall under no circumstances be held liable to the user and/or any third party for loss or damages of any kind, including but not limited to trading losses, lost trading opportunity, direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, or punitive damages. As a user, you agree that any damages collected shall not exceed the amount paid to SQUEEZETRIGGER.COM and/or its owners. As a website user, you agree that any and all legal matters of any kind are to be reviewed and handled in their entirety within the State of California only. By using the services of this website, you are consenting to the terms as outlined, and forfeit all legal jurisdictions in any other State.

Past performance is not a guarantee of future outcomes. Any and all examples are hypothetical and should not be considered a guarantee or endorsement of such trading activity. SQUEEZETRIGGER.COM does not take responsibility for problems of any kind, including but not limited to issues with operations, data accuracy or completeness, contacting issues, technical issues, and timeliness. SQUEEZETRIGGER.COM places great integrity on the data collected and distributed. This information is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. All information and data is provided "as is" without warranty or guarantee of any kind.

Please seek investment and/or trading advice, council, information or services from a securities professional. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and SQUEEZETRIGGER.COM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

"Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected", "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a companies' annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the SEC.

Contact:

Thomas Ronk, CEO

www.squeezetrigger.com

+1-800-715-9999

Tom@squeezetrigger.com

SqueezeTrigger is a registered trademark, Reg. No. 3,120,641

((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied 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)).

THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO GET NEWS ONLINE.(Business)(Column)

Byline: AL FASOLDT CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Online newspapers such as The Post-Standard's Internet presence, Syracuse.com, provide a sit-at-your-keyboard way to catch up on what's going on in your town, your state and the world.

But serious news junkies need more. They're the kind of people who, in pre-Internet days, would buy out-of-town newspapers and airmailed editions of The New York Times, and these days they still need multiple sources for their news.

You can be a news junkie, too, and you can do much more than your print-bound forerunners were able to do. Let's take a look at websites that satisfy that craving, all without charge.

AP, at www.ap.org. The Associated Press is the world's largest news organization. You'll see lists of stories at the AP site with links to full accounts. AP is sometimes preoccupied with political news, but it is serious about other coverage, too.

Reuters, at www.reuters.com. Brits call their treasured news service "Reuter," but plural or not, Reuters is unmatched in providing reports on national and world news.

The Guardian, at www.guardian.co.uk. Possibly the best non-U.S. newspaper for American news junkies. Serious and humorous at the same time, with a touch of whimsy -- British news with a good U.S. and world beat as well.

The Post-Standard, at www.syracuse.com. Good local news. Obituaries are a plus.

The Daily Beast, at www.thedailybeast.com. Often offers an encyclopedic look at news-making events, such as the Bernie Madoff scandal.

PolitiFact, at http://politifact.com. Checks political statements for accuracy, without regard to political leanings. It's run by the St. Petersburg Times and won a Pulitzer Prize. Statements get a Truth-o-Meter rating: True, Mostly True, Half True, Barely True, False, and, yes, "Pants on Fire."

Refdesk, the "Fact Checker for the Internet," at www.refdesk.com. News, facts, interesting tidbits. Reliability is high. Great for settling friendly disputes and for aiding homework.

Altpress, at www.altpress.org. Alternative and usually independent press reports, from mildly critical to way-out-in-left (or right) field. A great tonic for dull establishment news.

Topix, at www.topix.net. A customizable news feed, especially good for following trends.

There's much more, of course. For a cool way to get individualized news reports, set up some Google alerts. I tell how at www.technofileonline.com/texts/tec102608.html.

Al Fasoldt's technology column appears here weekly and is available online at www.technofileonline.com. Write to him at afasoldt@gmail.com or in care of The Post-Standard, P.O. Box 4915, Syracuse, NY 13221.

CAPTION(S):

PHOTO

Screen capture courtesy of Al Fasoldt

"PANTS ON FIRE" is how PolitiFact characterizes news statements that it proves are completely false. The site does not take political sides, skewering everyone with the same sharp probes.

STAR HEALTH & MEDICINE : COMPLETE HEALTHCARE AT THE CLICK OF A BUTTON.

Mysore, May 22 -- Narayana Hrudayalaya: Caring with compassion reaches out to remote centres with Tele-medicine

India has witnessed a surge in healthcare facilities with private players expanding their portfolio and emphasising on the quality of healthcare. However, majority of the healthcare facilities are limited to urban settlements and the services have failed to reach those who are in dire need of it - rural and small city dwellers.

With the advent of Communication Technology combined with Information Technology, Narayana Hrudayalaya has brought out a simple and cost-effective method to make quality health-care available to the areas that are denied infrastructural development.

The Integrated Tele-medicine Project is the first-of-its-kind initiative, jointly sponsored by Indian Space Research Organi-sation (ISRO), Narayana Hrudayalaya in Bangalore and Asia Heart Foundation in Kolkata.

Abhay P. Singavi, Head of Tele-medicine, Narayana Hrudayalaya, said, "Our aim is to synthesise technology with affordable healthcare. The Tele-medicine Department in Narayana Hrudayalaya has taken us one step closer to our goal."

The satellite-based Tele-medicine network by ISRO has linked remote/rural district hospitals with super-specialty hospitals in major cities via INSAT. While ISRO provides the software, hardware and communication equipment as well as satellite bandwidth, the specialty hospitals provide infrastructure, manpower and maintain the system.

Patients requiring specialist consultation in remote centers can interact directly with the specialists sitting at Narayana Hrudayalaya through video- conferencing. It allows two or more individuals to interact at two different locations through audio and video support, using digital communications link.

The organisations have also developed indigenous software to transmit ECGs with the help of Trans-Telephonic ECG (TT ECG) machines using only phone lines from the remote areas to hub hospitals in Bangalore and Kolkata.

The entire procedure to mete out treatment is done free of cost. Narayana Hrudayalaya has the world's largest ECG network spreading across Tanzania, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangla-desh, Mauritius, Malaysia and others countries, covering 253 centres.

Hrudaya Post, yet another brain child of Narayana Hruda-yalaya, connects all the District Head Post offices in Karnataka (25 in number) to Narayana Hrudayalaya through internet and software applications.

A patient can walk into any District Head Post Office with the medical reports and hand it over to the postal staff for uploading the documents (be it paper documents, ECG or even an Angiogram). They would receive the analysed reports within 24hrs which would be handed over the counter or delivered to the doorstep of the patient by post.

Narayana Hrudayalaya also runs the Pan-African e-Network, initiated by former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, focusing on the entire sub-Saharan countries, providing comprehensive Tele-medicine solutions for healthcare. The hospital is connected to 53 City States of Africa and is set to actively deliver healthcare facilities to the masses.

Tele-medicine services at Narayana Hrudayalaya offer solutions for emergency medical assistance, long-distance consultation, administration and logistics, supervision and quality assurance.

The impact of Tele-medicine on health care structures has been significant. The elimination of long waiting periods is crucial when it comes to saving lives. Tele-medicine is fast growing as a tool, instrumental in expanding new healthcare horizons.

Published by HT Syndication with permission from Star of Mysore.

Copyright Star of Mysore

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company

Raptor's Security Solutions Named as Key Components to Compaq's 'Rainmaker' Development Program

WALTHAM, Mass., April 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Raptor Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: RAPT) today announced that its award-winning information security solutions have been named as key components of Compaq Computer Corporation's (NYSE: CPQ) recently unveiled Rainmaker Development Program, a strategic effort to enable value-added services from the Internet.

As the first security solutions provider participating in the Rainmaker Development Program, Raptor will work with Compaq to foster a range of value-added applications, including electronic commerce, via the Internet infrastructure. According to John T. Rose, Compaq's senior vice president and group general manager, Enterprise Computing Group, Raptor's solutions are critical to Compaq fulfilling its role of providing security as a value-added service from the Internet.

"Compaq and Raptor agree that easy-to-use, sophisticated security is integral to providing value-added services on the Internet," said Robert A. Steinkrauss, chairman and chief executive officer of Raptor Systems, Inc. "Raptor's participation in the Rainmaker initiative expands our already strong strategic relationship with Compaq. Combining award winning Eagle firewall and Eagle Connect secure virtual private networking technology with Compaq NT server platforms will enable Internet Service Providers (ISP) to offer the highest level of security to their customers."

On April 15, 1996, Compaq and Raptor executed a definitive Network Security Partnership Agreement, in which Compaq was granted various OEM rights to distribute Raptor's Eagle NT firewall security product line on Compaq servers. Compaq currently ships Raptor's Eagle NT firewall with each SmartStart optimization and configuration utility for servers.

Raptor's popular Eagle NT application-level firewall was the first Windows NT-based firewall and is dominant in the NT-based security market. Eagle NT provides users with a world class solution for developing and implementing Secure Business Practices in their organizations. Eagle NT is tightly integrated with the Windows NT operating system and supports the NT Domain Controller for user names and attributes. Eagle NT implements Raptor's Five Domains of Security by providing protection at all levels of an organization, including the Internet, Intranet/LAN, mobile PCs and remote sites, all manageable through an enterprise security system.

Raptor Systems, Inc., headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, is a leading developer of network security software products that provide comprehensive, enterprise-wide security for organizational networks. Raptor's award-winning, NCSA-certified products protect corporate databases and networks in government, health care, pharmaceutical, education, utility, telecommunications, technology, manufacturing, and financial services sites worldwide. Raptor has numerous strategic relationships with world-class companies such as Compaq Computer Corporation, Hewlett-Packard, Racal, Siemens-Nixdorf, Sprint, and Shiva Corporation. Product and security information can be accessed via Raptor's World Wide Web site at http://www.raptor.com. Raptor's latest news releases are available at no charge by dialing 800-758-5804, Ext. 110041 or at http://www.prnewswire.com on the Internet. The common stock of Raptor Systems is publicly traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol "RAPT."

NOTE: Raptor and the Raptor logo are registered trademarks of Raptor Systems, Inc. Eagle NT is a trademark of Raptor Systems, Inc.

SOURCE Raptor Systems, Inc.

     -0-                        4/22/97 

/CONTACT: Joyce Radnor or Joye Whitney of Stauch, Vetromile & Mitchell PR, 617-787-0521 or 401-438-0614 or jradnor or jwhitney@svmmarcom.com/

(RAPT CPQ)

CO: Raptor Systems, Inc. ST: Massachusetts IN: CPR MLM SU:

LZ -- NETU007 -- 7903 04/22/97 08:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com

Naming names. (list rental)(Cover Story)

Gut-wrenching postage and paper prices have increased the cost to mail so greatly that mailers are looking to cut the fat out of their mailings. One of the hardest hit areas: list rental.

"People are mailing fewer total names and trying to target even further," explains John Baldwin, vice president of list marketing at Phillips Publishing.

Ed Burnett of Database America agrees, "Everyone is trying to mail smarter--which means less mailings for the same or higher response." This trend has made list selects more appealing.

List selects allow marketers to fine-tune their mailings by whittling down a list to target a very specific audience. Thus, lists that offer a high number of selects have become some of the hottest lists on the market. And many list managers have become more willing to negotiate because they gain maneuverability with more on the bargaining table.

NEGOTIATING THE DEAL

Negotiation has become the name of the game. "Because of the rising costs to mailers, the list industry is getting squeezed into being more open to negotiation," says Tobias Schremmer of 21st Century List Marketing. "You not only have to make smarter recommendations, you have to demonstrate--through free tests, lower net and better terms--that you want the business."

"Almost every list order today has some sort of negotiation attached to it--whether waiving a mag tape charge or allowing volume discounts," says Alan Zamchick, director of list management at Hachette Filipacchi.

In fact, negotiating has become so much a part of list rentals that managers must face the reality that set pricing is a thing of the past or they risk losing list rental revenue. "Plain vanilla pricing is obsolete--all deals are done at the table," claims Baldwin.

Target Marketing's informal survey of list brokers and managers revealed the majority of list managers seem to be willing to negotiate; however, any agreement reached must bring some type of benefit to both parties. For example, "A mailer generally has to commit to a certain volume in order to get a better net or [charges for] selections waived," says Barbara Damon, vice president at Walter Karl.

FINDING A NICHE

As competition in the list industry grows, increasing numbers of mailers are using data enhancement to procure narrow segments. "More segmentation is necessary on each list to help sell," attests Fran Golub, director of list management at Jami Marketing.

According to Rose Harper, chairman emerita of the Kleid Co., if you segment 20,000 lists, you are looking at more like 200,000 separate and distinct lists (See "Rose Harper On Lists").

In addition to segmentation, "today, you are seeing more and more mailers using databases and modeling than ever before," explains Karen Mayhew, vice president of consumer list management at Direct Media.

John Ganis of Edith Roman Associates agrees, noting that he has seen an increase in both private and semi-private database requests.

Another tool being used more frequently is regression analysis--a method to improve response predictions by analyzing relationships within a file. Regression analysis, according to Zamchick, is fast gaining popularity among large mailers who want to identify new segments.

WHAT'S HOT

So what types of lists are renting like hotcakes now? We talked to the people in the know: the list managers and brokers themselves. Here's how they mapped it out.

TECHNOLOGY LISTS are doing a lot of turns due to the huge growth in the high-tech market caused by many new products, the Internet, upgrades to Windows and CD-ROM, according to Mark Smith, vice president of list management at ListLine.

"High technology lists are popular because they have large counts, good segmentation and are highly responsive," adds Rick Buck, vice president of list brokerage at ListLine.

CATALOGS. "Catalog lists that are the most selective are getting a tremendous amount of turns because they offer something to virtually every mailer category," explains Direct Media's Mayhew. "These lists continue to bring something new to the mailer's plate, like new products and selections." For example, Spiegel offers nearly 100 different product categories, and Eddie Bauer alone has up to nearly 40 product selections.

The most popular catalog lists: gift and general merchandise catalogs--garnering the overall highest percentage of the market share in the direct mail business. "These lists drive a high performance," says Susan Zuniga of Mokrynski & Associates.

EDUCATION. "Direct response lists and active association lists are a new source of names of teachers and administrators who buy via mail," points out ListLine's Mark Smith. Another hot market: special education--due to limited school budgets and an emphasis on mainstreaming exceptional individuals.

Also, response lists--of teachers who have responded to direct mail offers--are pulling higher rates than compiled lists in the education market, notes Bill McMillan, national sales manager for CMG Lists.

FUND RAISING. "The belief that `once a donor always a donor' is standard," says Carly Marshall of National List Exchange. "But [when dealing with] people who are known donors to certain types of causes, clean updated names and phone numbers are the most important factors."

HEALTH AND HEALTHCARE are hot markets today. The reason: "People want to take control of this aspect of their lives," states Dave Sokoloff of Phillips Publishing.

"Our health lists have a huge subscriber base with new names being added monthly," Phillips' Phillipe Maman adds.

CONSUMER/LIFESTYLE. A general trend in the consumer arena: recency coupled with selectivity. "Marketers are realizing the power of marketing to consumers at the `time' when they are experiencing a lifestyle change," notes Tracy Finley, director of marketing at Lifestyle Change Communications.

Another trend: `We have seen increased interest in mailing to business addresses from consumer mailers who realize the customer is making more purchasing decisions in the office, rather than at home," observes Libby Kelly, marketing analyst at American List Counsel.

 What You Might Pay  Here are some ballpark figures on what you might pay per thousand names in the following list categories.     Category             Base Price  Business-to-Business     $95/M Catalogs                 $80/M - $100/M Children                 $90/M Education                $80/M - $90/M Financial               $125/M - $195/M Fund Raising             $50/M - $75/M Health                  $100/M - $125/M High-Tech               $100/M - $125/M Lifestyle                $75/M Publishing               $65/M - $100/M 

NOTE THIS INFORMATION WAS COMPILED THROUGH AN INFORMAL SURVEY OF LIST MANAGERS AND BROKERS THESE FIGURES DO NOT INCLUDE SELECT CHARGES WHICH CAN AVERAGE $5 TO $15 PRICES FOR RESPONSE VS. COMPILED LISTS WILL VARY.