SA:Drugs and cash seized in northern SA

AAP General News (Australia)
08-04-2011
SA:Drugs and cash seized in northern SA

ADELAIDE, Aug 4 AAP - South Australian police have seized drugs, cash and alcohol they
say was destined for the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in the state's
north.

Police said patrols successfully intercepted a car on Wednesday night at Umuwa.

A spokesman said officers found 184 grams of cannabis packed in six plastic bags, a
number of deal bags, $2760 in cash and a quantity of alcohol.

Two men aged 27 and 47 from Wingellina in Western Australia and a woman, 27, from Alice
Springs were arrested and charged with trafficking cannabis, unlawful possession and possessing
alcohol on the APY Lands.

Bail was refused.

AAP tjd/ht

KEYWORD: APY

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

marketing-service agency

marketing-service agency A marketing research firm, advertising agency, marketing consultancy firm, or other service provider that helps a company to promote its products in the market.

VIC:Zoo to help grieving dad care for swan egg

AAP General News (Australia)
04-08-2011
VIC:Zoo to help grieving dad care for swan egg

Police have spoken to three of four teenage boys involved in a deadly attack on a swan
at a Melbourne park.

A police spokeswoman says another youth is expected to be spoken to soon and all four
are expected to be charged with aggravated cruelty.

Witnesses say six youths threw an object at a mother swan in Queens Park in Moonee
Ponds .. on Wednesday .. killing the swan.

The swan and its mate were the only nesting swans at the park and the Melbourne Zoo
has now stepped in to help by agreeing to look after the egg once the father swan voluntarily
leaves the nest.

AAP RTV mok/pmu/ees/sw

KEYWORD: SWAN (MELBOURNE)

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

FED:Family feared lost in Christmas Is tragedy

AAP General News (Australia)
12-19-2010
FED:Family feared lost in Christmas Is tragedy

SYDNEY, Dec 19 AAP - For 25-year-old Sydney man Sami Faeli and his family, the wait
has become unbearable.

For nearly five days they have waited to see if their family from Iraq - Mr Faeli's
three aunts, uncle and two children - have survived the Christmas Island boat disaster.

As of Sunday evening, they were no closer to finding out.

"We don't know if they are dead or alive," Mr Faeli said, as he attended a memorial
service at Fairfield, in Sydney's west.

"For my family this is devastating. We don't understand why the police and the government
can't tell us who has survived."

Mr Faeli said he last spoke to his relatives on Sunday as they prepared to leave their
hotel in Indonesia.

They knew they would be travelling in a wooden boat, he said, but they believed it
was their only option apart from waiting "up to six years" for the UN to relocate them.

"They wanted to get here no matter what," Mr Faeli said.

There was an outpouring of grief and anger at the Iraqi community memorial service
in Sydney, with calls for survivors of the tragedy to be released from detention.

Thirty people - 13 men, nine women, four children and four babies - perished when their
wooden boat struck rocks and broke apart in heavy seas off Christmas Island early on Wednesday
morning.

Rescuers have found 42 survivors but it has been reported the boat was carrying as
many as 100 Iraqis, Iranians and Kurds.

"These people are traumatised," Iraqi community leader Hassan Al Saedy told AAP.

"They need to be with their community."

Mr Faeli said he called the Immigration Department Helpline 14 times, but says no one
could give him information.

He says he now plans to fly to Christmas Island on Tuesday to try to find his relatives.

"They came here for a better life," he said.

AAP ih/pc/cdh

KEYWORD: BOAT CAPSIZE MEMORIAL

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

Lovett committed to stand trial

AAP General News (Australia)
08-11-2010
Lovett committed to stand trial

Sacked St Kilda AFL player ANDREW LOVETT has pleaded not guilty to rape after being
committed to stand trial.

Prosecutors allege LOVETT twice raped a sleeping woman at the home of his former teammates
.. JASON GRAM and SAM FISHER.

After a two-day committal hearing .. magistrate JELENA POPOVIC has determined there's
enough evidence for LOVETT to stand trial.

He'll face the Victorian County Court on September 9 for a directions hearing.

AAP RTV df/rp/ajw/

KEYWORD: LOVETT (MELBOURNE)

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

AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Midday, April 2

AAP General News (Australia)
04-02-2010
AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Midday, April 2
Midday Round-Up: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AAP RTV FILE AT 1130


Easter Pope (ROME)

The paedophile priest scandals rocking the Roman Catholic Church have cast a pall over
pre-Easter celebrations as Pope BENEDICT XVI avoided direct references to the crisis.

Celebrating Maundy Thursday mass at Rome's Saint John in Lateran Basilica .. the pontiff
commemorated Christ's Last Supper by washing the feet of 12 priests representing the apostles
in a symbol of humility.

Earlier .. the pope made an oblique reference to the scandals as he recalled Jesus
preaching to turn the other cheek.

The scandals have engulfed churches across Europe as well as the United States over
the past five months.

BENEDICT himself has come under intense pressure with allegations published in the
New York Times that .. as archbishop of Munich and later as the chief Vatican enforcer
of Catholic doctrine and morals .. he failed to act against priests accused of child abuse.



Easter Hart (MELBOURNE)

In a Good Friday reflection .. Melbourne's Catholic Archbishop DENIS HART says the
cross represents the light of God and triumph over death.

He says today's called Good Friday because of the limitless love of God.

Anglican Archbishop Dr PHILIP FREIER .. in his Easter message .. says at this time
of the year we remember Jesus .. who died on the cross to set us free.

He's singled out youth worker HUGH EVANS and refugee lawyer JESSIE TAYLOR as two people
with a passion to make a real difference in the world.



Easter Sales (SYDNEY)

Sales of Easter eggs are expected to dip this holiday season .. as consumers opt to
buy their loved one gifts instead.

Market research group IBISWorld says confectionary sales are likely to fall by 0.5
per cent, from the same time a year ago.

IBISWorld general manager Australia ROBERT BRYANT says the trend to give gifts rather
than traditional Easter eggs has grown in popularity over the past few years.

The firm has forecast consumers to spend 16.4 million dollars on gifts .. particularly
for small children .. this Easter .. up 3.6 per cent from last year.



Williams Rudd (LOS ANGELES)

Furious Alabama residents have hit out at Australian Prime Minister KEVIN RUDD and
demanded he issue an apology for his redneck comment.

US media organisations .. including the New York Times and FOX News .. picked up RUDD's
remarks .. which followed US comedian ROBIN WILLIAMS joking Australians are basically
English rednecks.

Alabama newspaper .. the Birmingham News .. ran an "Australia vs Alabama" headline
on the most prominent section of its website and asked readers to comment.

They didn't hold back .. with one accusing Rudd of making a "racial epithet" while
another wrote "if it weren't for some Alabamians fighting in the war .. the Australians
would be speaking Japanese".

Another threatened to go to the zoo and punch a kangaroo in protest.



Boat Phone (SYDNEY)

Asylum-seekers floating in a boat off Christmas Island used a mobile phone to alert
WA police to their presence .. it has been claimed.

The vessel was intercepted by Navy patrol ship HMAS Broome on Wednesday night and escorted
to Christmas Island.

It's led to federal Opposition claims that border protection workers are now being
used a taxi service.

Opposition immigration spokesman SCOTT MORRISON says the people smuggling business
has become an absolute machine-like operation.

A Customs and Border Protection spokeswoman wouldn't confirm that a mobile phone onboard
the refugee boat was used to alert authorities.



Bikies (SYDNEY)

Detectives say an alleged multi-million dollar bikie drugs syndicate has been smashed
and a secret narcotics laboratory in Sydney's west closed following a series of raids.

Police found 10kg of methylamphetamine .. commonly known as ice .. with an estimated
value of 5 million dollars during a raid on the alleged drugs factory at an industrial
unit in St Marys on Thursday.

They also found 4kg of the precursor substance pseudoephedrine and a rifle with ammunition.

In co-ordinated raids three men were arrested at properties in and around St Mary's
and in Rockdale .. in Sydney's south.

A fourth man was arrested early this morning in central Sydney.



Assaults (SYDNEY)

Police say an alleged serial sex attacker accused of carrying out a string of indecent
assaults in Sutherland Shire .. Sydney's south.

The 34-year-old man was arrested outside a house in Renwick Street .. Marrickville
.. about 9pm (AEDT) yesterday.

He was charged with aggravated indecent assault .. theft .. and kidnap and is due to
front Parramatta Local Court today.

It follows four attacks on women in Woolooware .. Sutherland .. Kirrawee .. and Gymea
dating back to October.

During one of the alleged incidents a woman was shoved to the ground .. indecently
assaulted then robbed.




Briefly in other news ..



US Abortion (Wichita)

Born-again Christian SCOTT ROEDER who said he killed a prominent US abortion doctor
to save the lives of unborn babies has been sentenced to life in prison with no chance
of parole for 50 years.



Afghan Karzai (Kabul)

Afghan president HAMID KARZAI has launched a stinging rebuke of the international community,
blaming widespread fraud in last year's Afghan elections on embassies and UN and EU officials.



US Floods (Framingham)

US President BARACK OBAMA has made an unannounced visit to the water-logged northeastern
United States, where he met disaster officials responding to the region's worst floods
in decades.



in Sport ..



Surfing World (MELBOURNE)

Competition is finally underway again at Bells Beach after two lay days in the Rip
Curl Pro surfing event.

The women are into their third round in two-foot conditions.

Organisers say the surf forecast looks challenging so they're making the most of the conditions.

World number one STEPHANIE GILMORE and defending champion SILVANA LIMA of Brazil will
be in action.



Golf PGA (HOUSTON, Texas)

Australian CAMERON PERCY is only one stroke from the lead late in the opening round
at the Houston Open in Texas.

PERCY, a US Tour rookie, has coped with a stiff afternoon breeze to go four-under after
13 holes at Redstone, while American KEVIN STADLER leads after a five-under 67 earlier
in the day.

Best of the other Australians is ADAM SCOTT on three-under 69, with STUART APPLEBY on 70.



Tennis US Men (MIAMI, Florida)

Czech giant-killer TOMAS BERDYCH has continued his great run in the Miami Open, defeating
Spain's FERNANDO VERDASCO in the quarter-finals.

BERDYCH rallied after dropping the first set to book his spot in the last four with
a 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 victory over VERDASCO.

BERDYCH, who upset world number one ROGER FEDERER in the previous round, will face
either fifth seeded Swede ROBIN SODERLING or Russia's MIKHAIL YOUZHNY in the semi-finals.

The other men's semi-final has already been set, with world number four RAFAEL NADAL
due to take on American ANDY RODDICK.



ENDS MIDDAY ROUND-UP

Broadcast Desk inquiries 24 hours: 02 9322 8714

AAP RTV klw

KEYWORD: MIDDAY ROUND-UP

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

Fed: Clean energy laws pass the Senate =2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-20-2009
Fed: Clean energy laws pass the Senate =2

The laws will see 20 per cent of electricity come from renewable sources by 2020.

The government and the opposition on Wednesday struck a deal to amend the Renewable
Energy Target (RET) scheme and pass it through parliament.

On Thursday they made good on that deal, with the scheme passing the Senate without
any opposition.

The vote was taken on voices alone, with most senators not required to attend. No Nationals
senators were present for the vote.

The Senate made minor technical amendments to the RET so it now has to go back to the
House of Representatives for final approval. This is expected on Thursday.

The major changes to the scheme agreed to by the government and the opposition were
not made to the bills in the Senate. It is understood they will be made separately, by
regulations that do not have to go through parliament.

A bid by the Nationals to give more support to food processing companies under the RET failed.

And a bid by the Greens to "green up" the scheme, giving less assistance to industry
and increasing the renewable target to 30 per cent, also failed.

The Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment Bill 2009 and the Renewable Energy (Electricity)
(Charge) Amendment Bill 2009 are expected to pass the lower house within hours.

AAP ca/sb/apm

KEYWORD: CLIMATE PASS 2 CANBERRA

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

NSW: Bikie charged after being found with cash: police

AAP General News (Australia)
04-10-2009
NSW: Bikie charged after being found with cash: police

Police say they've charged a bikie gang affiliate after a large amount of cash .. suspected
of being the proceeds of crime .. was found in a car in Sydney's south last night.

They say officers made the discovery when a car was stopped for a random breath test
about 10 pm (AEST) on the Princes Highway at Heathcote.

They say checks revealed the 46-year-old driver was in breach of bail for driving a
motor vehicle.

It's alleged searches of the man and the vehicle then located a large sum of cash ..

a small quantity of steroids and other property.

He's been refused bail to face Parramatta Bail Court tomorrow charged with drug ..

property and traffic offences.

AAP RTV ad/wjf/tm

KEYWORD: BIKIES CASH (SYDNEY)

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

NSW: Three charged over bashed body in river: police

AAP General News (Australia)
12-06-2008
NSW: Three charged over bashed body in river: police

CANBERRA, Dec 6 AAP - Three members of one family have been charged over the death
of a man found in a southern NSW river nine months ago.

Father of four Danny Ralph, 46, was found on the bottom of the Queanbeyan River - below
a blood-stained suspension bridge - by police divers on March 29.

He was last seen in the early hours of the same day, leaving the licensed club in Queanbeyan
where he worked.

Mr Ralph, a chef from the south coast town of Ulladulla, was beaten before being pushed
off the bridge, police say.

Police arrested a man and two women, from the same family, during simultaneous dawn
raids on two homes in Queanbeyan on Friday.

Forensic teams examined the homes and seized three cars for inspection.

A 25-year-old man has been charged with murder and two women, aged 20 and 50, have
been charged with being accessaries after the fact to murder.

The case was mentioned in Queanbeyan Local Court on Saturday morning. The three people
charged did not appear in person, and did not apply for bail.

They remain in custody and will appear in court on Monday morning.

AAP ca/jm/cdh

KEYWORD: RALPH

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

Today's birthday, August 6, 2008

AAP General News (Australia)
08-03-2008
Today's birthday, August 6, 2008
For pictures please call AAP Images on 9322 8708 or visit the website at www.aapimage.com
(trans reference number (PD101))



Today's birthday August 6: Elliott Smith (1969-2003), American musician.



Elliott Smith was a crooning singer and guitarist, prominent at the turn of the century,
but apparently committed suicide in the prime of his career.

Born on August 6, 1969 in Nebraska, Steven Paul Smith was raised in Texas with his
mother before moving during high school to live with his father in Oregon.

He learnt to play the piano and guitar as a youngster, and began calling himself Elliott,
as Steve was "too jockish".

In 1991, Smith graduated from Hampshire College in Massachusetts with a degree in philosophy
and political science.

He was part of punk band Heatmeiser, and recorded his first solo album, Roman Candle, in 1994.

Smith was still a small-time act when his self-titled second album was released in 1995.

His breakthrough came when director Gus Van Sant asked him to use his music in the
film Good Will Hunting.

Smith was nominated for an Academy Award in 1988 for his contribution to the film.

XO, his 1998 album, was received warmly in mainstream circles, and Smith followed it
up with Figure 8 in 2000.

He battled with depression, alcoholism and drug addiction throughout his career, and
he attempted to take his own life at least once and was admitted to rehab in early 2003.

Aged 34, he was found dead at his Los Angeles apartment on October 21, 2003 with stab
wounds to the chest in an apparent suicide, but an inquest into his death left the cause
of his death unresolved.

Two albums have been released since his death - From A Basement On A Hill in 2004 and
New Moon in 2007.

AAP pbc/jmc

KEYWORD: TODAY'S BIRTHDAY 6/8

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

Fed: Canberra mums getting older

AAP General News (Australia)
12-31-2007
Fed: Canberra mums getting older

By Kate Corbett

CANBERRA, Dec 31 AAP - Teenage mothers are almost unheard of in Canberra where many
women are holding off child birth until they are well over 30, a new report shows.

The average age of women who gave birth in the ACT rose to 30.5 years in 2004, up from
28.6 years in 1991.

Teenage mums accounted for just 2.8 per cent of all births in the ACT in 2004, almost
half the national average.

ACT Health Minister Katy Gallagher said the report - Maternal and Perinatal Health
in the ACT 2000-2004 - released today, showed Canberra women were increasingly delaying
starting a family with 2004 fertility rates peaking among women aged 30 to 34 years.

"This is a significant change from the 1995 peak which occurred in the 25 to 29 years
age group," Ms Gallagher said in a statement.

"ACT women aged 35 years and over were also more likely than women in the rest of Australia
to give birth for the first time."

In 2004, there were 4,926 babies born in the ACT to 4,799 mothers.

That was a rise of 2.5 per cent over four years, a trend mirrored nationally.

Just over half of the babies born were male - 51.9 per cent - following the national trend.

Almost all mothers - 99.5 per cent - gave birth in a hospital or birth centre and 58
per cent had a normal vaginal birth.

About a third had a caesarean section.

"The caesarean section rate was significantly lower for the ACT than for Australia,
with elective caesarean section rates increasing slightly at ACT public and private hospitals
between 2000 and 2004, but remaining significantly lower than the Australian rate," Ms
Gallagher said.

In 2004, the ACT also had the highest percentage of multiple births in Australia, accounting
for 2.6 per cent of all births, compared with 1.7 per cent nationally.

But 2.4 per cent of babies were born with birth defects, with the most common anomalies
being with genital organs, urinary system, cardiovascular system or musculoskeletal system.

There were 33 foetal deaths, 23 neonatal deaths and fewer than five post-neonatal deaths.

AAP kc/rl/jfm/nf

KEYWORD: BABIES

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

Vic: Two die in car crash at Henty

AAP General News (Australia)
08-22-2007
Vic: Two die in car crash at Henty

Two people in a car have been killed in a collision with a truck at Henty in south west Victoria.

An ambulance spokeswoman says the accident happened at 20 past 10 this morning .. on
the Portland-Casterton Road.

Minutes later at Somerville on the Mornington Peninsula .. a man was killed when his
light tray truck collided with a passenger train at a rail crossing.

The deaths take Victoria's road toll to 198.

AAP RTV jxt/gfr/jmt

KEYWORD: TOLL VIC (MELBOURNE)

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

NSW: Parents should decide about smacking children: poll

AAP General News (Australia)
04-06-2007
NSW: Parents should decide about smacking children: poll

SYDNEY, April 7 AAP - Australians believe parents should be able to decide whether
to smack their children, a News Limited online poll shows.

The result follows advice from the federal government-funded Australian Childhood Foundation,
which has released guidelines recommending against smacking.

As part of its $2.5-million campaign, the foundation says smacking children teaches
them violence is acceptable later in life.

The News Ltd poll of 2000 people on The Daily Telegraph website revealed 92 per cent
of people who responded said they supported the view that smacking was "sometimes" necessary,
while 8 per cent said it was never acceptable.

Several child welfare and parenting experts have said they supported the guidelines.

AAP krc/rs

KEYWORD: SMACK POLL

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

SA: Lawyers in Federal Court bid to free Hicks

AAP General News (Australia)
12-06-2006
SA: Lawyers in Federal Court bid to free Hicks

Lawyers for Guantanamo Bay detainee DAVID HICKS .. have applied for an urgent hearing
in the Federal Court in Sydney .. to bring him home by Christmas.

HICKS' Adelaide-based lawyer DAVID MCLEOD says papers will be filed against the federal
government .. for failing to provide adequate assistance to an Australian citizen abroad.

Mr MCLEOD'S told ABC radio it's a unique approach .. and he hopes the Federal Court
will hear the matter in the next few weeks.





HICKS has been in custody since he was captured in Afghanistan in 2001 after the US invasion.

He's been charged with attempted murder .. conspiracy to commit war crimes .. and aiding
the enemy.

He's expected to face a revised form of military commission .. after recent moves in
the US to change the laws governing their operation.

AAP RTV tjd/rt/jmt

KEYWORD: HICKS (ADELAIDE)

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

Fed: Budget is designed to steady interest rates

AAP General News (Australia)
04-30-2006
Fed: Budget is designed to steady interest rates

The government says the May 9 budget is designed to steady interest rates.

Treasurer PETER COSTELLO says any looming threat of an interest rate rise .. is countered
by the government's family tax benefit.

He's refused to speculate on a possible rate rise .. but the Reserve Bank meets on
Tuesday to decide whether to raise rates.

The central bank has held rates at 5.5 per cent since March last year.

AAP RTV pv/wf

KEYWORD: RATES (CANBERRA)

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

Fed: Gooley living a dream with Oscars nomination

AAP General News (Australia)
02-01-2006
Fed: Gooley living a dream with Oscars nomination

Sydney make-up and hair stylist NIKKI GOOLEY says she thought she was dreaming when
she was woken in the middle of last night .. to be told she was nominated for an Academy
Award.

GOOLEY's nomination is for achievement in make-up for her work on Star Wars: Episode
III Revenge of the Sith.

It's the first Oscars nomination for GOOLEY .. although she's worked on many big budget
films and received several awards.

Her film credits include Paradise Road .. The Matrix .. Vertical Limit .. Queen of
the Damned .. Ghost Ship .. Peter Pan .. and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion .. The
Witch and the Wardrobe.

AAP RTV jwm/drp/bart

KEYWORD: OSCARS GOOLEY (SYDNEY)

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

Hanuman

Hanuman South and Central Asia In Hindu mythology, the monkey chief and son of Vayu, was an ally of Rama in his battle with Ravana. His divine nature was very versatile, permitting dramatic changes in shape and size as well as the power of flight. When Hanuman leapt across the sea to Sri Lanka, the stronghold of Ravana, a female demon named Surasa tried to swallow him bodily. To avoid this interception Hanuman distended his body, forcing Surasa to elongate her mouth enormously, then he suddenly shrank to the size of a thumb, shot through her head, and emerged from her right ear. Landed safely on the island, he dealt the forces of Ravana mortal blows and burned down the capital. For his many services Rama rewarded Hunuman with the gift of perpetual life and youth.

In Buddhist mythology the story of the monkey deity is reproduced with many embellishments. The most celebrated account of his exploits is found in the Chinese novel Pilgrimage to the West by Wu Cheng-en (1505–80); it tells of Hanuman's assistance to Tripitaka on his long journey to India in order to obtain the Buddhist scriptures.

Girl’s change in attitude dismays father’s fiancee

D ear Abby: I am in my late 30s and have been dating "Rick" for six years. The problem is his daughter, "Janet." We used to get along, but now she hates me. She calls me awful names and says she wishes I would go away.

I recently asked Rick to marry me. Now Janet says I am "desperate" and she refuses to talk to either of us. I don't know what to say to her. I'm appalled at her attitude toward me, the language she uses and the things she's saying about me to her friends on the Internet. She won't listen to her dad. Her mother is encouraging her behavior and has been threatening me.

I can't get Janet to understand that her dad and I love each other, that it's all right for a woman to ask a man to marry her and it's not out of "desperation." Please help.

Not Desperate in Louisiana

Dear Not Desperate: Toughen up. Recognize that for all of the joy Rick brings you, Janet is his extremely immature daughter and she's part of the package. How old is the girl? She appears to have years of growing up to do. You can't change her behavior, so go on with your life without seeking her approval. Unfortunately, nasty ex-wives are nothing new. If the ex does anything beyond "threaten" you, file a police report and let them deal with her.

Dear Abby: Can common sense be learned or taught? Some people seem to be born with it. Others have "book smarts" but struggle with everyday common sense.

I fail to grasp simple connections, and I sometimes ask questions that have obvious answers — for someone else. I know other people who share the same problem, and I admire those who simply seem to "get" what's happening around them.

Is there any way to improve? I'm 38 and married to a man who has strengths in both areas.

Bookworm in Montana

Dear Bookworm: Nobody has everything. Your strength is your intellect. Not everyone is a good student, and it can affect their self-esteem as much or more than your worry about not having common sense. If it's any comfort, people usually acquire common sense in the school of life. In other words, they learn from the mistakes they make. I'm sure you have done that and will continue to do so.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Write Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Dear Abby: My 34-year-old daughter blames me for her poor penmanship. When she was a baby, she started grabbing things with her left hand. Her pediatrician advised me to force her to use her right hand. Could she have had better penmanship if she had not been forced to use her right hand?

Guilty Mom in Madison, Ala.

Dear Guilty Mom: Probably. Your pediatrician must have been very old or very "old school." I am also left-handed, and when I was a child, educators had stopped forcing children to write in a way that was unnatural for them. I was taught to properly hold a pencil, we practiced printing and cursive penmanship, and I am told my handwriting is beautiful.

American Airlines Vacations Offers 10,000 AAdvantage(R) Bonus Miles for Your Caribbean Vacation.

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Now there are 10,000 reasons to book an American Airlines Vacations package to the Caribbean.

American Airlines Vacations is offering 10,000 AAdvantage Bonus miles per booking on packages booked now through March 31, 2002 for travel between April 15 and Nov. 15, 2002. Purchase an American Airlines Vacations Caribbean vacation to Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands or Puerto Rico at select properties for five or more nights (four nights for Bermuda) and earn 10,000 bonus AAdvantage miles. It's as simple as that. In addition to accommodations at leading hotels, specially priced airfares are available when booking an American Airlines Vacations Caribbean package. Plus, Hertz car rental and optional sightseeing tours are available on select islands.

"The AAdvantage bonus miles make our wide variety of Caribbean vacation options even more attractive," said Dan Westbrook, president of American Airlines Vacations. Reservations and information available from local travel agents, American Airlines Vacations at 1-800-321-2121 or by visiting http://www.aavacations.com/ .

    Participating Hotels:               Aruba                                   Barbados    Allegro Resort and Casino Aruba                Almond Beach Club    Aruba Grand Beach Resort and Casino            Almond Beach Village    Aruba Sonesta Beach Resort                     Tamarind Cove Hotel    Holiday Inn Sunspree Beach Resort and Casino   Turtle Beach Resort    Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort and Casino          Colony Club    La Cabana All Suite Beach and Resort Casino    Discovery Bay Beach Hotel    Radisson Aruba Resort and Casino               Fairmont Royal Pavilion    Divi Aruba Beach Resort and Casino             Fairmont Glitter Bay     and Mega All-Inclusive                        Sam Lord's Castle Resort    Tamarijn Aruba Beach Resort and Mega           Southern Palms Beach Club     All-Inclusive                                 The Savannah    The Mill Resort Suites                         Bougainvillea Beach Resort    Wyndham Aruba Beach and Resort Casino    Bucuti Beach Resort    Bushiri Beach Resort        British Virgin Islands                       Bermuda    Bitter End Yacht Club, Virgin Gorda        Elbow Beach Bermuda    Little Dix Bay, Virgin Gorda,              The Fairmont Hamilton Princess     British Virgin Islands                    The Southampton Princess    Long Bay Beach Resort and Villas, Tortola  Grotto Bay Beach Hotel and    Peter Island Resort, Peter Island           Tennis Club    Prospect Reef Resort, Tortola              Harmony Club    Lambert Beach Resort, Tortola              Sonesta Beach Resort Bermuda    Biras Creek, Virgin Gorda                                  Cayman Islands    Hyatt Regency Grand Cayman Resort and Villas   Treasure Island Resort    Sunshine Suites Hotel                          Villas of the Galleon    Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort             Beach Club Colony    The Westin Casaurina Resort and Spa            Spanish Bay Reef    Holiday Inn Grand Cayman                                 Puerto Rico    Condado Plaza Hotel and Casino        The Ocean Villas at the Westin    Wyndham El Conquistador Resort         Rio Mar Beach     and Country Club                     Inter-Continental San Juan Resort    Las Casitas Village                    and Casino    Wyndham El San Juan Hotel and Casino  San Juan Marriott Resort &    Wyndham Old San Juan and Casino        Stellaris Casino    Hotel El Convento                     Palmas Del Mar    Hyatt Dorado Beach Resort and         Embassy Suites Dorado     Country Club                         The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan Hotel,    Hyatt Regency Cerromar Beach Resort    Spa & Casino     and Casino                           Caribe Hilton    Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort,          Ponce Hilton and Casino    Country Club and Ocean Villas         Copamarina Beach Resort   Restrictions: Five-night minimum stay required (four nights for Bermuda).   Valid for new bookings only.  Miles are awarded per booking, not per   person.  No back-to-back bookings allowed.  Miles will be awarded   6-8 weeks after travel has been completed.  Blackout dates and other   significant restrictions apply. 

American Airlines Vacations is the most successful airline-owned tour operator in the United States. As a market leader in the travel industry with more than 50 years' experience, American Airlines Vacations offers its customers a choice of more than 1,500 hotels and resorts to more than 300 destinations worldwide. Visit the company's Web site at http://www.aavacations.com/ .

The world's largest carrier, American Airlines, together with its regional affiliate American Eagle, serves more than 240 cities in more than 50 countries and territories with more than 4,000 daily flights.

MORE ROOM FOR MORE COACH PASSENGERS ... ONLY ON AMERICAN Current AMR Corp. news releases can be accessed via the Internet.

                  The address is http://www.amrcorp.com .                   MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT -  Click Here              http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X85038213 

Contact: Corporate Communications of American Airlines, +1-817-967-1577

Website: http://www.aavacations.com/ http://www.amrcorp.com/

Tickets.com Announces Three New Ticketing and Distribution Partnerships.

Business Editors

COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 4, 2000

Tickets.com Signs Exclusive Ticketing Agreement with

Station Casinos; Develops New In-home and Out-of-home Distribution

Channels with Mail Boxes Etc., and Cox Communications Cable

Tickets.com today announced three new additional partnerships in the Southern Nevada area to further enhance its ticket inventory and distribution network.

Effective April 4, 2000 Tickets.com, will be the exclusive ticketing service provider and distributor for Station Casinos, Inc., and has formed distribution alliances with Mail Boxes Etc.(TM) Clark County, Nevada and Cox Communications cable.

"Las Vegas is such an important live entertainment destination that Tickets.com wants to create wall-to-wall ticket coverage for consumers, throughout the city. This way people will have access to tickets - at their local Mail Boxes Etc(TM) or even right from their own homes through Cox Communications cable," said W. Thomas Gimple, co-chairman and chief executive officer of Tickets.com.

More than 25 million customers visit Station Casinos, Inc. annually. Station Casinos owns and operates Palace Station, Boulder Station, Sunset Station and Texas Station, which have multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada, giving event-goers quick and easy access to purchasing tickets to its own, as well as to other Las Vegas events. Station Casino customers will also be able to purchase tickets online 24 hours a day seven days a week at www.tickets.com.

"With Tickets.com's venue clients including the Thomas & Mack Center, Sam Boyd Stadium, the future Cox Pavilion, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and now Station Casinos, we have an impressive array of ticketing inventory and distribution points in the market," said Gimple.

"We were attracted to Tickets.com as a ticketing partner because they offer expanded marketing opportunities. Tickets.com also provides a truly integrated ticketing solution that utilizes the Internet, retail, IVR (interactive voice response), box office and phone sales," said Judy Alberti, corporate vice president of entertainment for Station Casinos, Inc.

The new partnerships with Mail Boxes Etc.(TM) and Cox Communications of Las Vegas provide the consumer with more convenient ticket purchasing opportunities.

Mail Boxes Etc.(TM) of Clark County, Nevada has 28 locations in Southern Nevada, including Las Vegas, Parumph, and Boulder City where customers can pick up their tickets, at their convenience, after having purchased them online.

"We are very pleased to enhance our services to the community by adding Tickets.com," said Carl DiGennaro, the Mail Boxes Etc.(TM) Area Franchisee. "Our quality customer service coupled with the high visibility of Tickets.com and their event offerings will be of great interest to our customers."

Cox Communications cable customers can see Tickets.com event listings on channel 60 for analog cable or channels 800-807 for the new digital cable. Once they have chosen an event to attend, they can call a toll-free number and order their tickets.

"When it comes to ordering tickets, today's busy consumers who don't have Internet access want convenience too," said Steve Schorr, vice president of public/government affairs for Cox Communications. "Partnering with Tickets.com has helped us to broaden our reach, giving everyone easy ticket purchase opportunities right in their own homes."

About Mail Boxes Etc.(TM) of Clark County, Nevada

This year marks the twentieth anniversary of Mail Boxes Etc. ("MBE"), the largest retail business, communication and postal services franchiser in the world. MBE is a wholly owned subsidiary of US Office Products Company, with more than 4,100 MBE locations operating worldwide, and master license agreements in 67 countries around the world. In the United States, MBE centers are owned and operated by licensed franchisees of Mail Boxes Etc., USA, Inc. Outside of the United States, MBE centers are owned and operated by MBE master licensees or their franchisees. MBE maintains a Web site at www.mbe.com.

About Cox Communications

Cox Communications, Inc. is the nation's fifth largest broadband communications company, serving approximately six million customers. Cox's Southern Nevada cable system offers an array of services, including cable television, advanced digital video programming, high speed Internet access via EXPRESS, and commercial data services. Cox is an investor in several programming networks including the Discovery Channel, the Learning Channel and Outdoor Life. Cox is also the largest cable provider in Southern Nevada.

About Tickets.com

Tickets.com is a leading online provider of entertainment, sports and travel tickets, event information and venue ticketing solutions. The company sells tickets through retail outlets, call centers, IVR systems and the Internet. At www.tickets.com, consumers can obtain information on thousands of events and entertainment organizations, purchase tickets and shop for related products and services. Tickets.com's automated ticketing solutions are used by over 4,100 entertainment organizations and venues such as leading performing arts centers, professional sports organizations and various stadiums and arenas in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia and Latin America. All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of the companies with which they are associated.

The statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements under the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. Tickets.com, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Among the important factors that could cause Tickets.com, Inc's. actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements herein are the company's ability to control changes in general economic conditions, increased or unexpected competition, fluctuations in customer demand and other matters disclosed in Tickets.com, Inc.'s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Trend Micro Delivers Updated Microsoft Exchange Email Virus Protection with New Content Filtering and Spam Blocking Functionality.

CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 26, 1999--

ScanMail for Microsoft Exchange 3.0 Provides Comprehensive

Internet Content Security Solution

Trend Micro, Inc. (Nasdaq:TMIC), the leader in server-based virus, malicious code, and Internet content protection, today announced a new version of its award-winning ScanMail(R) virus protection software product for Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT) Exchange Server, ScanMail for Microsoft Exchange Version 3.0.

ScanMail for Exchange 3.0 not only scans email attachments for viruses at the Exchange Server before they reach users' in-boxes. It now provides server-based email content filtering and spam blocking capabilities for the Microsoft enterprise messaging and collaboration environment.

ScanMail for Exchange 3.0 is also the first true cluster compliant antivirus solution, provides a new file-blocking feature for emergency virus alert situations, and boasts a totally re-designed Windows and web-based administrator interface. These and other new features make the program more powerful and even easier to use.

With ScanMail for Exchange 3.0, administrators now have a more comprehensive and reliable solution for protecting enterprise Exchange email environments from viruses, malicious code, inappropriate email content and spam.

Administrators who wish to determine the extent of email-borne virus infiltration into their Exchange Server mail boxes can access Trend Micro's free online scanning service for Microsoft Exchange, HouseCall for Microsoft Exchange at http://housecall.antivirus.com/smex_housecall/.

"We're excited to see services like Trend Micro's HouseCall being made available to customers," said Dave Malcolm, Group Product Manager, Exchange Marketing at Microsoft Corporation.

"HouseCall will give administrators a quick report on the number of infected files hiding in their Exchange store. And installing an antivirus product designed specifically for Exchange, such as Trend Micro's ScanMail for Exchange, gives customers more tools for ensuring a virus-free mail environment."

Organizations increasingly rely on Microsoft Exchange for mission-critical communications -- integrated email, group scheduling, electronic forms, groupware and Internet capabilities -- to collaborate on vital projects.

Always leading the industry with innovative antivirus technology solutions for customers, Trend Micro was one of the first companies to recognize the threat posed by Internet-borne viruses traveling in email attachments and in November, 1996, announced the first server-based antivirus solution specifically designed for the Microsoft Exchange environment.

Today, ScanMail for Exchange is one of the most stable and scalable antivirus solutions on the market with powerful central management capabilities that make the product easy to manage and contribute to a lower total cost of ownership.

"With the exponential growth of the Internet and email, it only takes a few seconds for viruses to travel across the world. The Melissa virus and the ExploreZip worm are both good examples of how viruses and other malicious code increasingly use email to rapidly infiltrate organizations contributing to data damage and network downtime," said Eva Chiang, CTO for Trend Micro.

"With the increasing popularity of email in the workplace, email also has the potential to become the source of junk mail which can dramatically decrease both network performance and worker productivity. ScanMail for Exchange counters all of these threats at the server, before virus-laden email attachments or spam mail can be accessed by end users."

Integrated with the Microsoft Exchange server using MAPI, and fully compliant with Microsoft's cluster API, ScanMail ensures that information distributed through groupware and email systems is virus free by detecting and removing viruses and malicious code in all attachments -- even compressed files.

In addition, inappropriate content and spam mail is filtered out and mission-critical data is protected with fail-over and disaster recovery through full compliance with cluster and non-cluster versions of Microsoft Exchange.

ScanMail for Microsoft Exchange 3.0 -- What's New

Microsoft Outlook Administer Interface -- ScanMail has a totally redesigned Windows interface so it's easy to configure and manage. Single console management enables remote management from any NT desktop or Exchange server. ScanMail also includes a Web interface with the same features and functions for Web-based remote management and configuration.

Fully Compliant with Microsoft Exchange Cluster Technology -- ScanMail is seamlessly integrated with Microsoft Exchange Cluster API to provide 24x7x365 protection of mission critical Exchange servers. ScanMail provides the only true cluster compliant antivirus solution.

ScanMail eManager Plug-In -- The content filter portion of ScanMail eManager allows administrators to filter out "offensive and inappropriate" email at the Exchange Server. The anti-spam component filters out spam or unsolicited junk email before it has a chance to reach user inboxes. eManager provides a list of key words and phrases and scans email traffic to block messages with inappropriate content from entering the network. It includes a Windows-based interface that can be accessed remotely from any NT server on the network.

Emergency File Blocking -- For virus alert situations, administrators can use this feature to block incoming files by file name, type, etc., (the recent ExloreZip worm file attachment, for instance) while still permitting other non-threatening email to pass through. Blocked files can either be deleted or quarantined. An extensive log of all blocked files is automatically generated for later analysis and inspection.

Active Update Technology -- ScanMail now automatically updates and installs new scan engine, pattern file and program files simultaneously to multiple Exchange servers via a single button click without the need to reboot enabling a quick response to new virus threats. Updates can also be scheduled to occur automatically without any administrator intervention, reducing the overall maintenance and cost of support.

Built in Online Support -- ScanMail links directly to Trend Micro's Solution Bank, a database of the latest questions and answers to any product issue or virus problem. A built-in debug tool, eDiagnostic, allows administrators to send problems directly to Trend engineers for analysis and automatically collects the troubled server and ScanMail settings.

ScanMail Server Status -- Using this feature, administrators can see the real-time status of each ScanMail server running on the network. The monitor displays what scan engine, pattern file and product version is running on a particular server and automatically notifies the administrator if any of the ScanMail servers is inactive or has stopped functioning.

ScanMail for Exchange can be centrally deployed to multiple Exchange servers, which can all be configured updated, and managed from Trend Micro's web-based central management console, Trend Virus Control System (Trend VCS). Trend VCS also provides central logging and reporting of virus events.

Pricing and Availability

ScanMail for Exchange 3.0 is available in beta now at www.antivirus.com and is expected to ship in 3rd quarter, 1999. The U.S. suggested retail price for ScanMail 3.0 without eManager is $5,000 for 250 users.

ScanMail for Exchange with ScanMail eManager has a U.S. suggested retail price of $6,250 for 250 users. For existing ScanMail customers, ScanMail eManager can be purchased as an upgrade for a SRP of $5.00/seat for up to 250 users.

About Trend Micro

Trend Micro provides centrally controlled server-based virus and malicious code protection. By protecting information that flows through file servers, e-mail servers and Internet gateways, Trend Micro helps major companies worldwide stop viruses and other malicious code from a central point before they ever reach the desktop.

Trend Micro's award-winning products have been chosen by Check Point Software Technologies, Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, ISS, Lotus, Lucent Technologies, Microsoft, Netscape, Oracle, Pilot, and Sun Microsystems as a part of their server security solutions.

Trend Micro's corporate headquarters is located in Tokyo, with business units in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. North American headquarters are located in Cupertino. Trend Micro's products are sold directly and through a network of corporate and value-added resellers.

Evaluation copies of all of Trend Micro's products may be downloaded from its award-winning site, http://www.antivirus.com. Web site visitors may also test-drive products online through Trend Micro's Virtual Lab.

1999 Awards include: -0-

  --   PC-cillin 6: WinList, Windows Magazine --   HouseCall for Microsoft Exchange: Finalist for `Best New      Technology,' PCWeek's Best of Comdex --   Trend Virus Control System: Highly Commended, SECURE Computing --   InterScan VirusWall: Editor's Choice Award, Network Week Magazine --   Trend Virus Control System: Product of the Year Award, Network      Magazine --   Trend NeaTSuite: Editor's Choice Award, PC Magazine --   InterScan VirusWall: Editor's Choice Award, Network Computing      Magazine --   Trend Micro's network anti-virus solution -- declared "Solution      of the Year" by InfoWorld --   OfficeScan Corporate Edition: Recommended by SC Magazine 

-0-

Note to Editors: ScanMail is a registered trademark of Trend Micro Incorporated. Other product and company names may be registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.

Ronnie deal will have to wait.

Provided by 7DAYS.ae

BARCELONA have indicated Ronaldinho's future at the club will not be decided until the end of the season. The Brazilian ace looks set to leave the Nou Camp in the summer after a turbulent campaign has seen the 28-year-old start only 13 games. AC Milan and rivals Inter have both stated their intention to bring the former World Player of the Year to the San Siro.

But Barcelona board member Albert Perrin said: "We're not interested in listening to offers. We're interested in winning. At the moment he is a Barcelona player. I hope he will be playing for us in the Champions League final." Meanwhile, struggling La Liga side Levante face a player strike. The squad have threatened the move because of several months' unpaid wages.

[c] 2007 Al Sidra Media LLC

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company

Hubzi.com Introduces Online Marketing Tools.

Hubzi.com, an advertising platform and online marketplace, has launched a set of new online marketing tools to help small to mid-sized businesses promote services and products as well as find new customers.

"There are several ways to promote a business online today. But it's a vast and expensive space and many SMBs are either too busy managing their operations to focus on marketing or limited by their marketing budgets to engage in an internet marketing campaign," said Bob Khanpour, founder of Hubzi.com, in a release.

"That is where we can help. Our goal is to help SMBs define an affordable yet efficient online marketing strategy, and then implement the plan to their target audience.

"Our new features are affordable and allow SMBs to promote their services and products at their own pace. In addition, we also make sure that the businesses that are signed up with us are prepared to handle the volume of new customers."

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

ATTORNEY GENERAL DEWINE'S OFFICE MARKS NATIONAL MISSING CHILDREN'S DAY.

COLUMBUS, OH -- The following information was released by the office of the Ohio Attorney General:

A balloon launch marking the 781 children currently missing in Ohio will be among the events at a ceremony recognizing the 28th annual National Missing Children's Day Wednesday, May 25.

The Crime Victim section of Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine's office is participating in the ceremony hosted by the Columbus Preparatory Academy, 3330 Chippewa St., Columbus. The ceremony begins at 1 p.m.

"If a child goes missing, it's devastating," said Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. "That's why we work hard every day to help keep kids safe, and to help find them if they are separated from their loved ones."

The latest step taken by Attorney General DeWine is to include photos of missing children on envelopes used by sections of his office. Upwards of 100,000 envelopes sent monthly will feature the pictures, helping to increase the chances that the missing are found.

In addition to the balloon launch organized by academy students, parents and staff, and the attorney general's office, students will give a presentation and Brent Currence, manager of the Missing Persons Unit of the Crime Victims section, will speak about child safety.

May 25 also marks the release of Ohio's Missing Children Clearinghouse Annual Report, available at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov. In 2010, there were 19,019 documented reports of missing children in Ohio. Of those, 98 percent were recovered safely.

Among the safety tips the Ohio Attorney General's Office and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children recommends:

Make sure children know their full name and address.

Children should know how, and when, to call 911.

When home alone, kids should keep doors locked and not open the door for anyone.

Know how your child is able to access the Internet - at home and elsewhere.

Practice "what if" situations. For example, "What if you fell off your bike and needed help?"

National Missing Children's Day began in 1983 following a series of high-profile and shocking cases of child abduction, abuse and murder. The day continues to focus the nation's attention on the dangers faced by children and ways to help keep them safe.

-30-

Media Contacts:

Lisa Hackley 614-466-3840

Mark Moretti 614-466-3840

L'Oreal Paris.(BRAND NEWS)

L'Oreal Paris added hair expert and Internet sensation Johnny Lavoy to the company's roster of beauty experts in the U.S. Lavoy's recent rise to fame in the beauty industry was fueled by his How to Get the Look videos that appear online via Ford Models.

CompUSA Makes Recommitment to Apple

CompUSA Computer Superstores to Feature Apple 'Store Within a Store'

CUPERTINO, Calif., Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Apple Computer, Inc. and CompUSA Inc. today announced that they are partnering to launch a new "store within a store" retail format for selling Apple products and technology within CompUSA Computer Superstores (SM) nationwide. CompUSA Computer Superstores will be dedicating significant retail space to Apple computers, software, peripherals and supplies as well as staffing the areas with Apple-trained employees.

"We believe in the future of Apple, and we are making a large investment to show our recommitment to Apple," said Jim Halpin, president and CEO of CompUSA. "These specialized departments within our Superstores will offer a superior buying experience for the Apple customer."

CompUSA will be outfitting all of its Computer Superstores with dedicated "store within store" environments. The specialized departments will feature displays and merchandising that tie in with Apple's "Think different" national advertising campaign, resulting in a uniquely appealing and interactive shopping experience. CompUSA will outfit more than 40 locations in key markets prior to the peak holiday selling season and plans to introduce the new environment in its Superstores nationwide within the next three to five months.

"The Apple stores within the CompUSA Superstores will offer our customers one of the best and most informed buying experiences available," said Steve Jobs, Apple's Interim CEO. "To be partnering with CompUSA, the nation's largest and best computer superstore retailer, is really terrific."

CompUSA will also be increasing its promotion of Apple products throughout the holiday season.

"Business and consumer Macintosh users need to know that CompUSA is now equipped to meet their broad range of requirements. Our goal is to get that word out," added Halpin.

Apple Computer, Inc. ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II, and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Apple is now recommitted to its original mission -- to bring the best personal computing products and support to students, educators, designers, scientists, engineers, businesspersons and consumers in over 140 countries around the world.

CompUSA is one of the nation's leading retailers and resellers of personal computers and related products and services. Including the three new locations, the company currently operates 139 CompUSA Computer Superstores, in 62 major metropolitan markets across the United States, which serve retail, corporate, government and education customers and include technical service departments and classroom training facilities. CompUSA also offers its own build-to-order personal computer series, the CompUSA PC(TM), and operates an Internet web site located at http://www.compusa.com.

NOTE: Apple, the Apple logo, and Macintosh, are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the individual companies and are respectfully acknowledged. SOURCE Apple Computer Inc.

     -0-                             11/04/97 

/NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit Apple's website (http://www.apple.com/source/), call Apple's Media Helpline at 408-974-2042, or contact David Krane at our PR agency, Niehaus Ryan Group, Inc., 650-827-7081./

/CONTACT: Katie Cotton of Apple Computer Inc., 408-974-7269, or katiec@apple.com, or Carol Elfstrom of CompUSA Inc., 972-982-4181/

/Web site: www.apple.com/

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

(AAPL)

CO: Apple Computer Inc.; CompUSA Inc. ST: California IN: CPR MLM REA SU: PDT

PC-DM -- SFTU043 -- 7334 11/04/97 08:31 EST http://www.prnewswire.com

QualityStocks.net News - PetroSun Inc. to be featured in Stock Newsletter QualityStocks Daily, The QualityStocks Daily Video and The QualityStocks Daily Blog.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- PetroSun, Incorporated (OTC:PSUD.PK) announced today that they have agreed with QualityStocks to be featured in The Small Cap QualityStocks Daily Newsletter, Daily Internet broadcast with Cathy Rankin and Vanessa Ramirez and QualityStocks Daily Blogs. QualityStocks.net, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a free service that collects data from hundreds of Small-Cap and Micro-Cap online Investment Newsletters into one Free Daily Newsletter Report. QualityStocks.net is dedicated to assisting emerging public companies with their advertising efforts and now has over 250,000+ subscribers that receive The QualityStocks Daily Stock Newsletter.

Mr. Gordon LeBlanc Jr., Chairman and CEO of PetroSun Inc., has the company focused on oil and gas exploration, and the algae-to-biofuels industry. Mr. LeBlanc stated, "PetroSun has a unique and solid business foundation, and appreciates the opportunity to sponsor the Quality Stocks Newsletter, Video and Blogs. QualityStocks is providing a much needed service in the micro-cap and small cap markets."

Michael McCarthy, Director of Business Development for QualityStocks.net, commented, "We are very excited to have PetroSun as a featured company. PetroSun is quickly establishing itself as a category leader."

About PetroSun

PetroSun's current oil and gas operations are concentrated in the Ark-La-Tex region with plans to expand into New Mexico, Arizona and Australia in 2007. Algae Bio-Fuels, a wholly owned subsidiary of PetroSun, is an emerging producer of bio-Diesel derived from the cultivation of algae. PetroSun is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona with field offices in Shreveport, Louisiana and Opelika, Alabama.

Corporate structure and stock capitalization can be viewed on the Company's Web site: www.petrosuninc.com

About QualityStocks

Small Cap Stock Newsletter QualityStocks is a free service that collects data from hundreds of Small-Cap and Micro-Cap online Investment Newsletters into one free Daily Newsletter Report.

To sign up for "The QualityStocks Daily Newsletter" please visit www.QualityStocks.net

The Quality Stocks Daily Newsletter http://Newsletter.QualityStocks.net

The Quality Stocks Daily Video in High Definition http://Video.QualityStocks.net

The Quality Stocks Daily Blogs http://Blog.QualityStocks.net

Forward-Looking Statements:

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or future performance of the company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in this release and matters set in the company's SEC filings. These risks and uncertainties could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.

Owner plans to close Salina, Kan., greeting card shop.

Byline: Darrin Stineman

Dec. 7--And then there was one.

Carroll's Hallmark Shop, a fixture in downtown Salina for 40 years, will be closed at the end of the year at 200 S. Santa Fe.

Owner Chuck Carroll said Tuesday he will consolidate his shops -- which specialize in greeting cards and collectables -- at his Central Mall location. That leaves Carroll, who had owned several businesses in Salina and other Kansas towns, with one retail outlet.

The drawback started in 2002, when it was announced that downtown's Carroll's Books and Video would close because of a slowing retail market. The same year, Carroll's stores closed in Emporia and Great Bend.

In December 2004, the family sold Carroll's Web, a downtown-based Internet service provider.

Carroll cited the "business retail climate the last several years" as a factor in the decision to close the Hallmark shop, adding that he didn't believe larger retail stores are a good fit in today's downtown.

"At one time, we had three Hallmark stores and a large department store in downtown," said Carroll, who owns the downtown Hallmark shop with his wife, Liz, the store manager. "The downtown is changing. The larger stores probably won't work downtown anymore, but the smaller stores work real well."

The past few years, downtown has become more of a specialty store destination, said Gayle Martin, executive director of Salina Downtown Inc. That shift is consistent with a market-based downtown plan from Progressive Urban Management Associates that the city of Salina implemented in 2002, she said.

"The growth that we see is in specialty shops and niche products," Martin said. "Most retailers are looking for 2,500 square feet or less, which is a very different floor plan than what people would describe as a department store."

The idea of the less-is-more philosophy is to offer something nobody else has, Martin said.

"The products they offer are oftentimes products you will not see at the national retailers," she said. "And also, customer service is a factor. Busy professionals like to develop a relationship with a retailer where they can call them and they know they have a quality product and they can assist them with a gift item as far as wrapping it and shipping it."

The decision to do something with Carroll's Hallmark has been in the works for about a year, Carroll said, and it came down to either closing and consolidating with the Central Mall store or downsizing the downtown store.

"If I downsized, I would have to downsize to a 2,000-square-foot store, and I've already got a 2,400-square-foot store at Central Mall," Carroll said. "Even with the trade area we have, it looks to me like we can't support two (Hallmark) stores."

Anderson's Leather Shop, 118 N. Santa Fe, is one downtown store that seems to be bucking the downsizing trend. The 9,000-squre-foot store has grown from three departments to nine since it opened almost 57 years ago.

"Our day after Thanksgiving was 35 percent more than it was a year ago," shop owner Andy Anderson said on Tuesday. "I think there's other (larger) businesses that can work downtown in good shape -- if we don't get too many more bars."

Anderson has been at the forefront of an effort to curb the number of downtown bars because of crime and nuisance problems associated with them.

Carroll said he already has received several inquiries about leasing the space, which is in a prime location at the corner of South Santa Fe and Walnut streets. Two of downtown's biggest draws -- Martinelli's Little Italy restaurant and the Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts -- are at the same intersection.

Carroll owns 100 feet of the building on the south side of Walnut and the part of the building on the north side that includes Martinelli's and Sign Pro.

"We are obviously sad to see a longtime retail store go, but at the same time, Chuck is a major property owner in downtown and will continue to be," Martin said. "Chuck and Liz have done a good job with recruiting a variety of tenants that can add a mix to downtown.

That family has been a positive force for downtown. I see that being continued, just in a different role."

Carroll said he will enjoy continuing to have a presence there.

"Downtown is a fun place to do business," he said.

To see more of The Salina Journal, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.saljournal.com.

Copyright (c) 2005, The Salina Journal, Kan.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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ADI: Only 6% of housing is bought with credit.

MEXICO CITY, Mar 02, 2005 (Notimex/Corporate Mexico by Internet Securities, Inc. via COMTEX) -- In Mexico only 6% of housing is purchased using financing, while in the United States this figure is at 90%, said the president of the Association of Property Developers (ADI), Adolfo Fastlicht.In a press conference, the executive said that low-income housing can be acquired with credit, as can medium-income housing, as loans have become more available in recent years. However, the problem is that many people lack the funds to buy homes which has stimulated many to build their own housing.Jorge Gamboa de Buen, member of the Executive Committee of the ADI, said that this behavior was due to the fact that the commercial banks were out of the mortgage sector between 1994 and 2000. He stressed that in 1993 the banks granted 130,000 mortgages and in 2000 they financed the purchase of less than 1,500. This figure rose to 17,000 in 2004 and this year is expected to double, but is still well below the figures for the last decade.Gamboa de Buen added that the shortage in housing has fallen from 6 million to 4 million units and within the next 20 years the number of homes is expected to rise from 20 million to 40 million.

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Research and Markets: RSS and the Future of Internet-Based Content Syndication.

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com) has announced the addition of RSS and the Future of Internet-Based Content Syndication to their offering.

This report provides a unique perspective on the theory and utility of RSS and other Internet-based content syndication technologies as well as their present and potential uses. The report begins with a comprehensive explanation of the concept of RSS and other technologies that enable Internet-based content syndication. Next, the report features an analysis of applied content syndication and describes how RSS and other technologies are actively used, including Weblog concepts and uses. Case studies of innovative uses of content syndication are featured as well as an analysis of content syndication-related business/ enterprise applications and opportunities. The report concludes with an assessment of possible future directions for the implementation of RSS and other content syndication technologies.

To date, there is a great deal of interest, enthusiasm, and hype about RSS and Internet-based Content Syndication.

Current information exists primarily in the following forms:

--Technical information and tutorials on accessing/ implementing RSS feeds

--Partisan/ biased information advocating a specific direction or vision for RSS and other Content Syndication technologies

--Overly optimistic perspectives on the potential uses for and the future of RSS While these existing resources are useful, this report fills a high-profile and previously unoccupied niche, providing

--A perspective on RSS and Weblogs meant for content creators/ owners, enterprise users, and bigger-picture decision makers, not just early adopters of RSS and Weblog enthusiasts

--A realistic and unbiased perspective on the theory and utility of RSS and Internet Content Syndication that interprets their real-world, long-term viability

--An analysis of the present and potential uses of these technologies in the enterprise

This report provides a comprehensive explanation of the concept of Internet-based Content Syndication ("Content Syndication") and its associated technologies and applications, current and potential.

This report includes:

--An explanation of the theory of Content Syndication and associated technologies such as RSS that enable Content Syndication on the Internet

--An analysis of applied Content Syndication to describe how the technologies are actively used, including

--Weblog ("blog") concepts and associated technologies

--Case studies of innovative uses of Content Syndication

--An analysis of Content Syndication-related business/ enterprise applications and opportunities

--An assessment of the relationship between the future of Content Syndication and the evolution of the Internet

Section 1: Executive Summary

Section 2: RSS and Content Syndication Technologies

Section 3: Applied Content Syndication

Section 4: Content Syndication from a Business Perspective

Section 5: Content Syndication and the Bigger Picture

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c6860

SkyNetGlobal Signs Wi-Fi Roaming Contract With Boingo Wireless; SkyNetGlobal Opens Access to Asian Wi-Fi Network Including 119 McDonalds in Singapore to Boingo, the Leading Wi-Fi Software and Aggregation Company.

SYDNEY, Australia, Feb. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- SkyNetGlobal , today announced it has signed a network roaming agreement with Boingo Wireless, Santa Monica, Calif., to provide Boingo's customers and its Platform Services partners access to SkyNetGlobal's wireless hotspots in Australia and Singapore.

Boingo is the leading Wi-Fi network aggregator worldwide with nearly 6,000 locations in 29 countries and has been aggressively expanding its Boingo Roaming System in Asia. This network is a key asset for Boingo's Platform Services program, a turnkey Wi-Fi service for service providers that also includes award-winning client software and a complete suite of back-office billing and roaming software. Current announced Platform Services partners include EarthLink, Fiberlink, Infonet Services Corp., MCI and Telecom Italia.

Under the agreement, Boingo will buy wholesale network access from SkyNetGlobal across all its 130 wireless hotspots in Australia and Singapore. This network includes hot spots at 119 McDonalds restaurants throughout Singapore.

The CEO of SkyNetGlobal, Jonathan Soon said: "This is a significant agreement because Boingo is North America's leading Wi-Fi aggregator and has been very successful in bringing together both subscribers and network operators. The addition of SkyNetGlobal wireless hotspots to the Boingo network will increase our wireless network revenues."

The President and COO of Boingo, Dave Hagan said: "We're building our network to suit the needs the global business traveler and the major carriers that serve those customers, and that means an emphasis on expanding our network throughout Asia. Working with SkyNetGlobal gives us strong coverage at very convenient sites throughout Singapore and Australia."

ABOUT SKYNETGLOBAL

Listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and headquartered in Sydney, SkyNetGlobal is a leading innovator of wireless broadband solutions specialising in 802.11 wireless (WiFi) & Home Plug powerline technologies. SkyNetGlobal's solutions include a global remote access service called "Connector" providing internet connectivity to 2500 wireless hotspots worldwide, and W Home, a smart home system designed to deliver efficiency, convenience and cost savings for apartment dwellers, offering broadband and home automation products. For more information please visit our website at http://www.skynetglobal.com/ .

ABOUT BOINGO

Boingo Wireless, Inc. is an ultra-high-speed wireless Internet service available in thousands of locations such as hotels, airports, cafes, and other public places, in dozens of countries throughout the world. Both directly and through major carrier and ISP partners, Boingo provides business travellers with a wireless broadband Internet connection to improve productivity while on the road. Through its Wi-Fi software and roaming system, Boingo makes finding and connecting to Wi-Fi networks point-and-click simple and secure. More information about Boingo is available at http://www.boingo.com/ .

For further information, please contact David Rodewald, +1-805-494-9508, david@davidjamesagency.com , for Boingo Wireless, Inc.

CONTACT: David Rodewald, +1-805-494-9508, david@davidjamesagency.com , for Boingo Wireless, Inc.

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

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

Product Recalls: doll clothing sets, Army figures

The following recalls have been announced:

_About 9,200 Groovy Fashions Sassy Jammies doll clothing sets, made in Indonesia by Manhattan Group, because surface paint on the pajama pants contains high levels of lead, which is toxic if ingested by young children. No incidents or injuries have been reported. The recalled doll clothing set includes a two-piece pajama set, eye mask and slippers. They were sold at mail order, Internet and specialty gift stores nationwide from January through October this year. Details: by phone at 800-541-1345; by Web http://www.cpsc.gov.

_About 5,400 toy Army figures, made in China and imported by OKK Trading, because surface paint on the face of the Army figures contains high levels of lead, which is toxic if ingested by young children. No incidents or injuries have been reported. The recall involves plastic toy Army figures that are dressed in Army fatigues. The products were sold at Dollar type retailers and online from June through September this year. Details: by phone at 877-655-8697; by Web at http://www.okktoys.com or http://www.cpsc.gov.