FED:Greenpeace's sustainable tuna rankings

AAP General News (Australia)
08-10-2011
FED:Greenpeace's sustainable tuna rankings

SYDNEY, Aug 10 AAP - Greenpeace's sustainability ranking of Australian tinned tuna brands.



1 - Fish 4 Ever - Uses selective pole and line fishing method; has established sustainable
tuna fisheries; provides all information consumers need to choose a sustainable product;
BUT still sells a small amount of threatened yellowfin tuna.



2 - Safcol - Dropped purse seine nets in favour of pole and line method; publicly promotes
sustainable fishing and the conservation of overfished species; BUT its pole and line
tuna not available in stores yet.



3 - Coles Tuna Chunks - Has shown leadership by improving the sustainability of its
tuna; does not sell unsustainable Yellowfin tuna; BUT continues to source tuna from purse
seine methods



4 - John West - Has switched to 100 per cent sustainable Skipjack tuna from Western
Central Pacific Oceans; BUT continues to source most of its range from purse seine vessels.



5 - Greenseas - Sources 100 per cent sustainable Skipjack tuna BUT continues to use
purse seine vessels and methods that result in by-kill.



6 - Aldi - Aldi relies heavily on threatened Yellowfin tuna; sources its range from
purse seine vessels; BUT plans to introduce a sustainable range of pole and line caught
Skipjack tuna.



7 - IGA Signature - Doesn't guarantee it won't source fish from proposed conservation
areas; continues to sources its range from purse seine vessels; BUT does source 100 per
cent sustainable Skipjack tuna.

8 - Sirena - Continues to sources its range from purse seine vessels; trades in threatened
yellowfin tuna; makes misleading claims about sourcing fish from local producers.



9 Woolworths - Continues to sources its range from purse seine vessels; its seafood
policy does not include canned tuna and may mislead customers; offers no confirmation
that it can guarantee sourcing from reputable operators; BUT does offer a pole and line
caught Albacore product.



10 Sole Mare - Trades in overfished Yellowfin tuna; does not provide information on
catch method or area; lacks supply chain transparency.

AAP gg/wjf

KEYWORD: TUNA (FACTBOX)

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

Fed: Bird flu could affect 30 per cent of Australians says study

AAP General News (Australia)
02-17-2006
Fed: Bird flu could affect 30 per cent of Australians says study

Australian experts have made chilling predictions about the devastating impact a serious
outbreak of bird flu could have on Australia.

They say such a pandemic would infect about 30 per cent of Australians .. and kill
214 thousand people .. while globally .. up to 140 million people would die in such an
outbreak.

Experts say in a study .. even a mild bird flu pandemic would have a major impact on
the world economy .. costing nearly four and a half THOUSAND BILLION dollars.

The experts say Australia would lose almost 11 per cent of its economic output as the
global economy shrinks by almost 13 per cent.



The study's been co-authored by Professor WARWICK MCKIBBIN .. one of the world's leading
economic modellers .. and Dr ALEXANDRA SIDORENKO .. a health expert at Australian National
University.

AAP RTV tr/was/wz/bart/psm/

KEYWORD: FLU AUST (SYDNEY)

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

ACT:Main stories in Thursday's Canberra newspapers

AAP General News (Australia)
04-14-2011
ACT:Main stories in Thursday's Canberra newspapers

CANBERRA, April 14 AAP - The main stories in Thursday's Canberra Times:

Page 1: Prime Minister Julia Gillard has suggested the May budget will be used to crack
down on welfare dependency; The ACT government is considering a third major hospital for
Canberra; The Australian National University is launching a free online database of death
records; A Canberra soldier has been told to leave the Army because he needs a knee replacement;
Canberra's science festival has been forced to cease due to a lack of local government
funding.

Page 2: Scientists at CSIRO have walked off the job as dispute over pay and conditions continues.

Page 3: Actor Matthew Newton has faced court for allegedly breaking an AVO taken out
against him by his former girlfriend.

World: Egypt's former leader Honsi Mubarak and his sons have been placed in detention.

Finance: Rio Tinto has blamed floods and cyclones for a worse than expected drop in
iron ore production.

Sport: The injury-depleted ACT Brumbies are confident they will win Sunday's match
against the Western Force.

AAP sld/jfm

KEYWORD: MONITOR FRONTERS ACT

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

WA:Two service stations robbed at knife point

AAP General News (Australia)
12-25-2010
WA:Two service stations robbed at knife point

PERTH, Dec 25 AAP - Two service stations have been held up at knife point in southern
Perth, possibly by the same man.

A man brandished a knife and attempted to rob a service station on a naval base in
southern Perth at 11.40pm (WST) on Friday, but left empty-handed.

He selected a few items at the Better Choice Service Station on Rockingham Road, Naval
Base and then approached the counter brandishing a large knife while demanding cash.

The man left the store with nothing and ran towards Lee Road to a waiting vehicle.

He is described as being fair skinned, in his mid-20s, approximately 178cm tall and
of stocky build with short cropped fair hair.

At the time of the offence he was wearing dark pants and a black T-shirt with white
lettering. He used a tea towel or similar to cover part of his face.

Just before midnight (WST) a man entered the Gull Service Station on Rockingham Road,
Munster and placed a number of items on the counter.

He also took out a large knife and demanded cash.

He left the store with some money and was last seen running north on Rockingham Road.

The description provided of the second man is similar to that of the first incident
and given the time and distance between the two incidents it seems likely that it's the
same offender, police say.

Anyone with information relating to these two incidents is asked to contact Crime Stoppers
on 1800 333 000.

AAP dmg/apm

KEYWORD: STATION

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

FED:New kits helps kids to eat healthy

AAP General News (Australia)
08-17-2010
FED:New kits helps kids to eat healthy

Eds: Embargoed until 1000 AEST, Tuesday August 17



SYDNEY, Aug 17 AAP - Children are being encouraged to explore a `rainbow' of fruit
and vegetables in a bid to improve the diet of Australian youngsters.

Avocado growers on Tuesday launched a national resources kit for early childhood educators
to encourage better eating among three to five-year-olds.

Eating My Colourful Vegies and Fruit is designed to equip carers with information to
help sway kids' dietary preferences and lay the foundations for healthy eating patterns.

It has a special focus on green plant foods and avocado, a rich source of dietary fibre
with little sugar.

Author and childhood educator Shelley Woodrow says it's critical children are taught
from a young age the importance of nutrition.

"Seventy per cent of food habits (are) established by three years old," she said.

The kit, which will be available in early childhood centres, recommends offering children
small bites of fruits and vegies to build up to a full serve, and creating pleasant meal-time
settings which include discussions about the food on the table.

It also suggests being imaginative by listening to songs and reading books about food,
and engaging helpers in the kitchen to peel or scrub vegetables.

For more tips included in the book, visit www.avocado.org.au

AAP bzs/jfm/de

KEYWORD: FRUIT (EMBARGOED)

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

SA: Youngest female elected to SA parliament

AAP General News (Australia)
04-08-2010
SA: Youngest female elected to SA parliament

(EDS: Updates youngest elected MP information)



By Angela Harper

ADELAIDE, April 8 AAP - The death of a South Australian disability candidate has led
to the election of the nation's youngest female parliamentarian.

Dignity for Disability's (D4D) Kelly Vincent, who is aged 21 years and 186 days, has
cerebral palsy and is wheelchair bound, won the last seat in SA's March 20 election in
the upper house.

Not only is she the youngest female, but she is also believed to be only the second
wheelchair-bound person elected, after former federal MP Graham Edwards who lost his legs
to a landmine in the Vietnam war.

Ms Vincent was second on D4D's list but won the seat after top candidate 46-year-old
Paul Collier died during the campaign after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

Dr Collier became a public advocate for the disabled after being made a quadriplegic
in a road accident on the way to his 21st birthday party.

When her victory was confirmed at the SA Electoral Commission on Thursday, Ms Vincent
could not hold back the tears and paid homage to Dr Collier.

"My biggest thank you is to D4D's late president Dr Paul Collier," she said through
tears to journalists after the win.

"His vision, intelligence and hard work have paved the way for the journey the disability
sector is now undertaking.

"It is essentially because of Paul, and his encouragement, that I am here today."

She said the election of a person with a disability and the changes made to accommodate
them, were steps towards a more inclusive state.

There were some worries about parliamentary access for her wheelchair but Ms Vincent
said it was not as unwelcoming as people thought and adjustments were already being made
for her.

Adelaide University's head of politics, Clem Macintyre, told AAP the win was a sign
the voters wanted better support for those with disabilities.

"The parliament is going to have to make some changes to accommodate her," Dr Macintyre said.

"Seeing her going in and out of the building and the chamber on TV is going to bring
to the fore the problems that people in equivalent positions frequently encounter."

Although she got less than two per cent of the vote, other parties preferenced the D4D Party.

The Labor Party's Paul Holloway said the changes to Legislative Council voting made
in the 1970s, making it proportional representation, gave minority groups a voice.

The Liberal's David Ridgeway gave special recognition to Ms Vincent describing her
election as a "landmark".

Greens candidate Tammy Jennings, who joins fellow Green Mark Parnell in the upper house,
said the election of three new women to the chamber was good news.

She said the Greens had increased its vote in every election since 1997 and was the
only party to do so.

Family First Party's Robert Brokenshire said the election of Ms Vincent was a message
to the government to prioritise money spent on disability services.

The federal parliamentary library says the youngest person elected to any Australian
parliament was Matthew Smith (Liberal, Franklin) who was elected to the Tasmanian House
of Assembly on 29 August 1998 aged 20 years and five months.

AAP ahe/dep/cdh

KEYWORD: POLLSA WRAP (PIX AVAILABLE)

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

News Diary for Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009

AAP General News (Australia)
08-26-2009
News Diary for Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009
Good Morning News Editors and Chiefs of Staff

Here is AAP's preliminary newslist for Wednesday (not for publication).

This is a guide only and stories, local times and locations are subject to change. In
some cases times and locations may not be available. Story coverage is subject to staffing.

TOP STORIES
- Bodies of nine Australians who died in a plane crash near the Kokoda Track begin journey home.

- More on Brendan Nelson's early retirement.

- Outwatching weather stories across eastern seaboard, bushfires in Qld and NSW, and storm
damage in southern states.

- Holden expected to cut about 200 jobs, mainly from its Melbourne headquarters.

COURTS
ADELAIDE
- Verdict in dangerous driving/leaving accident scene case against champion cyclist Chris
Jongewaard, 0930
BRISBANE
- Max Sica triple murder committal hearing continues.

MELBOURNE
1000 - Mention for rugby league star Greg Inglis charged with assaulting his girlfriend,
Sunshine Magistrates Court.

1000 - Sentence for Nicholas Keon who stomped on the head of an apprentice carpenter leaving
him with severe brain injuries.

1030 - Pre-sentence hearing for Hugo Rich found guilty of the murder and armed robbery
of a security guard
1030 - Bail applications continue for three of the terror accused - Saney Edow Aweys,
Nayef El Sayed and Abdirahman Mohamud Ahmed.

SYDNEY
1000 - Poison trial to conclude with psychiatric evidence for defence. Supreme Court 2, King Street.

1000 - Bail application by Comanchero Mick Hawi expected. Central Local Court.

BRISBANE
- Queensland Premier Anna Bligh visiting Cairns.

- Seeking Hendra virus update.

- Seeking update on piggery in quarantine with suspected swine flu.

- Glenn McGrath to launch breast care program, Brisbane.

- Therese Rein to open new William Robinson art gallery, Brisbane.

CANBERRA
1100 - Major General Digger James will launch a new book "With Healing Hands: the untold
story of the Australian civilian surgical teams in Vietnam," Australian War Memorial.

1130 - World Vision CEO Tim Costello will address the National Press Club.

1800 - Australian Chief Scientist Penny Sackett will deliver a lecture: "Our Future Climate
- living with fires now and into the future," Australian National University.

MELBOURNE
0830 - Minister for Trade Simon Crean launches public discussion on the future of Australian
trade at the Trade 2020 conference.

1000 - Bushfires royal commission
1000 - Melbourne Spring Fashion Week, Fashion at Altitude Launch

PERTH
1930 (WST) - Former prime minister John Howard to give the 2009 Menzies lecture on the
proposed charter of rights at the University of Western Australia.

SYDNEY
0840 - Federal Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson to speak at the annual SkillsDMC
National Conference for the resources and infrastructure sectors. Four Seasons Hotel,
199 George Street, Sydney.

0930 - Mark Arbib, Federal Employment Participation Minister, to speak at the National
Employment Conference. Hilton Hotel, Sydney.

1000 - Independent Commission Against Corruption hearing into the security industry continues.

Level 21, 133 Castlereagh St, Sydney.

1100 - GG to launch report on Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal at her Sydney
residence, Admiralty House.

- Woman charged with murder of toddler. Expected to appear in Wyong Local Court.

- Man arrested over two sexual assaults and two other attacks expected to appear in court.

- Man restrained after trying to open door on Qantas flight into Sydney. Seeking more.

MEDICAL
- Launch of a national research initiative to discover the proteins behind multiple sclerosis,
at University of Adelaide.

- Launch of a new tablet that will control Type 2 Diabetes.

- Half of healthcare workers in Hong Kong say they would opt to not be vaccinated against
swine flu because of fears of side effects and doubts about efficacy. Implications for
Australian roll-out of vaccine. Embargoed story from the British Medical Journal.

ENTERTAINMENT
- Story on Thursday's ARIA Hall of Fame awards

FINANCE
ECONOMIC NEWS
Canberra - Department of Employment and Workplace Relations vacancy report (survey of
skilled job vacancies advertised taken on 1 August)
Canberra - Australian Office of Financial Management tender of $500 million May 2012 bonds
Sydney - ABS construction work done data for June quarter

EQUITIES NEWS
Sydney - Babcock & Brown Infrastructure Group annual results
Sydney - Goodman Fielder Ltd full year results
Sydney - Lihir Gold Ltd first half results
Sydney - Seven Network Ltd annual results
Sydney - Sino Gold Mining Ltd first half results
Sydney - Transfield Services Ltd annual results
Sydney - Regional Express Holdings annual results
Sydney - Westfield Group annual results
Melbourne - Australian Infrastructure Fund annual results
Melbourne - Asciano Group annual results
Melbourne - Compumedics Ltd annual results
Melbourne - Pacific Brands Ltd annual results
Melbourne - Healthscope Ltd annual results
Melbourne - IOOF Holdings Ltd annual results
Melbourne - Transurban Group annual results
Melbourne - Infrastructure Australia chairman Sir Rod Eddington addresses Australian Institute
of Company Directors
Brisbane - Arrow Energy Ltd annual results
Adelaide - Australian Vintage Ltd annual results
Auckland, New Zealand - Sky City Entertainment Group Ltd annual results

SPORT
CRICKET
SYDNEY - Australian captain Ricky Ponting returns from Ashes series defeat on flight due
to arrive 1904AEST, presser to follow at Sydney airport
EDINBURGH - News from Australian ODI squad ahead of tour-opening match v Scotland on Friday

AFL
MELBOURNE - Richmond to announce senior coach, Punt Rd, 1030
MELBOURNE - Carlton coach Brett Ratten presser, Princes Park, 1130
MELBOURNE - Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade presser, Whitten Oval, noon
MELBOURNE - St Kilda players media session, Moorabbin, 1330
MELBOURNE - Weekly AFL column

LEAGUE
MELBOURNE - Greg Inglis due back in court on charge of assaulting girlfriend/ Melbourne
Storm training.

SYDNEY - Wests Tigers prop Bryce Gibbs challenges grading of his dangerous contact charge
at judiciary in evening.

SYDNEY - Bulldogs training and media opportunity 0930
SYDNEY - Manly players available 1015.

RUGBY
PERTH - Wallabies team news ahead of Tri Nations Test v South Africa Test on Saturday.

SOCCER
MELBOURNE - Socceroos to be named to play South Korea in a friendly international; coach
Pim Verbeek teleconference 1700AEST
SYDNEY - A-League news

HOCKEY
INVERCARGILL, NZ - Hockey men's and women's World Cup qualifiers, Kookaburras and Hockeyroos
v New Zealand.

BOXING
SYDNEY - Anthony Mundine and Sugar Ray Leonard in presser for video game launch, The Ivy,
320 George St, 1630AEST



AAP bwl

KEYWORD: DIARY NEWS WEDNESDAY AM UPDATE

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

Fed: Cause of explosion to be unknown for "some time" Govt

AAP General News (Australia)
04-17-2009
Fed: Cause of explosion to be unknown for "some time" Govt

Immigration Minister CHRIS EVANS says the cause of a deadly explosion on a boat carrying
asylum seekers is unlikely to be known for some time.

Navy and police are investigating the explosion that killed three people .. left two
missing and wounded dozens more near Ashmore reef yesterday morning.

West Australian Premier COLIN BARNETT has said it's believed the wooden boat was doused
with petrol by those on board before the explosion occurred.

But Senator EVANS has told ABC Radio it's too early to speculate.

He says one thing learnt from the children overboard affair is that politicians shouldn't
be making claims about things they don't know.

AAP RTV sld/tm

KEYWORD: BOAT EVANS (CANBERRA)

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

Vic: Police to quiz euthanasia doctor over journalist's 'suicide'

AAP General News (Australia)
12-11-2008
Vic: Police to quiz euthanasia doctor over journalist's 'suicide'

MELBOURNE, Dec 11 AAP - Police are to question a Victorian doctor and euthanasia advocate
over the apparent suicide of a Melbourne journalist three years ago.

Urologist Rodney Syme advised Steve Guest, who was suffering from cancer of the oesophagus
when he died after taking an overdose of barbiturates in 2005.

Detectives from Melbourne will on Friday interview Dr Syme after reopening an investigation
into Mr Guest's much-publicised death.

The move is likely to spark renewed debate about euthanasia after a bill aimed at legalising
physician-assisted dying was defeated in the Victorian parliament in October.

Neil Francis, chief executive of lobby group Dying With Dignity, said the majority
of Victorians supported euthanasia legislation, adding the society would push for the
referral of the Medical Treatment Act (1988) to the Victorian Law Reform Commission.

"This act is now 20 years old. We would call on the Victorian government to refer the
matter to the Law Reform Commission for full consideration," Mr Francis said.

"Part of the problem in the current environment is that the law is so muddy and ambiguous.

"On the one hand, it says it is absolutely acceptable and, in fact, desirable that
maximum palliation be provided if requested, even if it hastens a patient's death.

"On the other hand, the law says under no circumstances should physicians provide medication
which results in the shortening of life.

"It would be very appropriate for the Law Reform Commission to come up with some options
for guidelines for what's acceptable and what's unacceptable for doctors."

Eight-two per cent of Victorians wanted the option of physician-assisted dying made
legally available, compared with just 13 per cent against, while 45 per cent of Victorian
doctors supported physician-assisted dying being made available, Mr Francis said.

"There is a great deal of support," he added.



* Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline
on 13 11 14 or SANE Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263) or visit www.beyondblue.org.au.

AAP sjm/pmu/de

KEYWORD: SYME

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

Invicta Group Reports 3 New Contracts

Wireless News
08-07-2008
Invicta Group Reports 3 New Contracts

WIRELESS NEWS-August 7, 2008-Invicta Group Reports 3 New Contracts (C)2008 10Meters - http://www.10meters.com

Invicta Group announced that the company has signed thre new contracts for City Book Savings, a direct mailing book.
Invicta Group said the new divisions are helping Invicta diversify its client base while providing additional revenue sources. The new contracts range from 3 months to 12 months and include print advertising in City Book savings for upscale areas in Chicago.

Invicta's CEO Paul Sorkin said, "City Book Savings has instantly helped Invicta increase revenues; we'll be offering additional products and services to clients from this point forward. Over the last few weeks the new management has been able to reduce liabilities, reduce expenses, increase revenues, increase the client base, and turn things around for the entire company. IMAGE Worldwide, (Other OTC:IMGW.PK - News) has also been a great help in providing additional marketing power and sharing many expenses."

Invicta Group is an Internet Media Company that specializes in the travel and entertainment Industry.

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

((Distributed via M2 Communications Ltd - http://www.m2.com))

(Copyright M2 Communications Ltd. 2008)

Fed: Almost 1.4 million tune into Underbelly premiere

AAP General News (Australia)
02-14-2008
Fed: Almost 1.4 million tune into Underbelly premiere

Almost 1.4 million Australians tuned into Nine last night to watch the premiere of Underbelly.

The dramatisation of Melbourne's infamous gangland wars was the most watched show in
every city in Australia .. except Melbourne.

It was banned in Victoria because of a court ruling that it could prejudice an upcoming
murder trial.

About 617 thousand viewers watched in Sydney .. 293 thousand in Brisbane .. 189 thousand
in Adelaide and 226 thousand in Perth.







Despite its popularity .. Underbelly was not the most watched show overall .. it grabbed
1.325 million viewers while Seven News took top spot with 1.436 million.

The premiere of Ten's US comedy show Back To You was second with 1.344 million viewers.

Ten's US drama House .. which was in Underbelly's timeslot .. attracted 1.257 million
to come in eighth for the night.

AAP RTV kaf/bart

KEYWORD: UNDERBELLY RATINGS (SYDNEY)

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

Fed:Most voters have made up their mind on federal poll

AAP General News (Australia)
08-27-2007
Fed:Most voters have made up their mind on federal poll

A new survey indicates most voters have already made up their minds .. and are backing
KEVIN RUDD and Labor in the federal election.

A survey of more than 11-hundred voters has found 76.6 per cent have made their decision
.. and 55.8 per cent are backing Labor.

MICHAEL GILLIES-SMITH .. public affairs director of Burson-Marsteller .. which conducted
the poll .. says Labor is in the box seat to win the election.

He says JOHN HOWARD and the Liberals have the fight of their lives on their hands.





More than 80 per cent of 40-year olds and above are certain about there voting intentions.

65.7 per cent in the 18-to-29 age bracket have decided their vote .. and 68 per cent
in the 30-to-39 age group.

However .. in the 60 and over group .. 49.1 per cent are backing the Liberals .. and
40.4 per cent Labor.

By gender .. 82.9 per cent of males have made made up their mind .. compared with 70.5
per cent of females.

Slightly more women are backing Labor at 59.5 per cent .. compared with 52.5 per cent of men.

AAP RTV cb/sb/ibw/bart

KEYWORD: VOTE (CANBERRA)

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

Qld: Cancer Fund calls for car smoking ban

AAP General News (Australia)
04-12-2007
Qld: Cancer Fund calls for car smoking ban

The Queensland Cancer Fund has used new research to call for parents to be banned from
smoking in their cars.

Research by the QCF shows 80 per cent of Queenslanders support moves to make it illegal
to smoke .. when carrying passengers under the age of 18.

The Fund's CATHERINE MAHONY says children exposed to smoke in a car are more susceptible
to cancer .. sudden infant death syndrome .. and lung and respiratory problems.

Health Minister STEPHEN ROBERTSON says there'll be a review of Queensland's smoking
laws later this year.

The Queensland Police Union supports the ban .. but has some concerns about how it
can be enforced.

AAP RTV jmm/pjo/paz/bart

KEYWORD: SMOKING (BRISBANE)

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

WA: WA man to face trial accused of murdering mother

AAP General News (Australia)
12-11-2006
WA: WA man to face trial accused of murdering mother

PERTH, Dec 11 AAP - A West Australian man will face trial next year accused of murdering
his mother and burying her in her backyard.

Enoch Samuel Wright, 30, today appeared in the West Australian Supreme Court in Perth
charged with the wilful murder of Patricia Wright, 56, on October 17 last year.

Ms Wright's body was found buried in the backyard of her home in Kalgoorlie, in the
WA Goldfields region.

Wright had previously pleaded not guilty.

He will face a two-day trial by judge, starting on March 26.

He has been remanded in custody.

AAP ag/it/nf

KEYWORD: WRIGHT

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

NT: Beazley says Aust troops should leave Iraq

AAP General News (Australia)
08-04-2006
NT: Beazley says Aust troops should leave Iraq

DARWIN, Aug 4 AAP - Opposition Leader Kim Beazley has repeated his call for Australian
troops to be withdrawn from Iraq.

It comes amid revelations Britain's outgoing ambassador William Patey warned in a leaked
memo that civil war was a more likely outcome for Iraq than a unified democratic country.

"I would have said in response to the British ambassador's comments, the issue of a
civil war (has) started in Iraq, it looks awfully like it has been going for long time
to me," Mr Beazley told reporters in Darwin.

"I do support withdrawing Australian troops from Iraq, they should not have been there
in the first place.

"We shouldn't have been there in the first place and we should be out of it now.

"You, of course, have to have a decent conversation with your allies so you don't inconvenience
them, you don't put timetables and that sort of thing on it, but we shouldn't be there."

The British ambassador made his assessment in his final dispatch - which the BBC says
it has seen - before leaving the Iraqi capital last week.

AAP km/it/bwl

KEYWORD: IRAQ AUST BEAZLEY

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

Fed: Govt to consider changing wheat export arrangements=2

AAP General News (Australia)
02-14-2006
Fed: Govt to consider changing wheat export arrangements=2

The comments came after Iraq decided to temporarily shut out the AWB from its lucrative market.

The Iraqi Grains Board (IGB) has suspended its relationship with the monopoly wheat
exporter, which is being investigated by the Cole commission of inquiry in Sydney over
allegations it paid $300 million in kickbacks to the regime of Saddam Hussein.

Mr Howard said he thought the inquiry would continue for some time.

"He spoke about the AWB and said that there would be no early finish to this, that
the government had established this inquiry, that (inquiry head) Terence Cole was a very
good lawyer (and) that if he wants an extension of the terms of reference he will ask
for it," the spokesman said.

There have been calls from within government ranks for changes to be made to the way
Australia exports its wheat for some time.

Treasurer Peter Costello has indicated in the past he supports change.

Mr Howard appears now to be considering change, but the spokesman said there was no
indication of when that might occur.

"The prime minister also said that he was concerned if there is any damage done to
the wheat market and that he was looking at things which can be done without pre-empting
the result of the inquiry," he said.

"He mentioned things such as alternative arrangements which can be made for marketing
under existing legislation."

The spokesman said between six and seven coalition members spoke about AWB in this
morning's meeting and that no one spoke in favour of the monopoly system.

The speakers voiced the frustrations of other wheat farmers who wanted to export their
wheat themselves, and two of those speakers criticised the monopoly system.

Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile, who does not support changing the single-desk system,
said he thought it was possible the AWB inquiry would continue beyond late March, the
spokesman said.

Australia operates a single-desk system for wheat exports, with AWB having the power
of veto over which companies can export bulk quantities of the grain.

The government is due to review the system by 2010.

The joint parties spokesman said the single desk itself was not mentioned in the meeting today.

Iraq today indicated it could seek wheat from Australian suppliers not connected with
AWB after cancelling a tender with the US.

AAP shh/sb/jm/bwl

KEYWORD: AWB HOWARD 2 CANBERRA

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

Cloning Pioneer Responds to Allegations

BO-MI LIM, Associated Press Writer
AP Online
11-23-2005
Dateline: SEOUL, South Korea

A South Korean official, right, talks with a patient for the application of cloning technology at the Stem Cell Research Center in Seoul, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2005. South Korean cloning pioneer Hwang Woo-suk said in a TV interview that he tried to talk junior scientists at his lab out of donating their own eggs for research, responding to the latest allegations over ethics violations that have plunged his groundbreaking work into controversy. (AP Photo / Lee Jin-man)

South Korean cloning pioneer Hwang Woo-suk said in a television interview that he tried to talk junior scientists at his lab out of donating their own eggs for research, responding to the latest allegations over ethics violations that have plunged his groundbreaking work into controversy.

In the report late Tuesday, the MBC television network also said it obtained documents from Hwang's lab showing possibly hundreds of human eggs had been bought for Hwang's research. The egg buying wouldn't have been illegal at the time, but Hwang has previously insisted all eggs he used were given by donors enthusiastic to see his work proceed.

Hwang has gained worldwide attention for his breakthroughs, such as cloning the world's first human embryos and extracting stem cells from them. But recent controversy surrounding Hwang has prompted his collaborators, including University of Pittsburgh researcher Gerald Schatten, to leave an ambitious international cloning project announced last month that aims to find treatments for incurable diseases.

Hwang has vehemently denied the allegations, saying all the eggs he used for his research were donated voluntarily in line with government guidelines. In the report Tuesday, Hwang admitted junior scientists consulted with him about donating their own eggs for research, but he said he persuaded them not to do so.

"I was very moved," Hwang told MBC. "But in fear of possible misunderstanding, I persuaded them on several occasions it is better to work with what we have even if there aren't enough" eggs.

However, he admitted he didn't check with the researchers to confirm they hadn't donated their eggs later.

MBC showed an interview purporting to be one of Hwang's female scientists _ unnamed and with her image obscured _ but she said she wouldn't comment on the issue until Hwang made an official comment following an internal investigation at his lab.

Repeated calls to Hwang went unanswered Wednesday, and officials at his lab said they couldn't comment.

According to documents MBC said it obtained from Hwang's lab, more than 600 eggs were bought for research. One of Hwang's researchers at Seoul National University was also on the list of egg donors at Mizmedi Hospital, which provided eggs to the lab.

Roh Sung-il, chairman of the board at Mizmedi Hospital, revealed Monday he paid 1.5 million won ($1,400) each to some 20 women in late 2002 to obtain their eggs for research _ contradicting his earlier remarks that none of the bought eggs were used for research.

Roh told reporters he paid for the eggs because there weren't enough voluntary donors, and said Hwang hadn't known about the payments that came out of his own pocket.

The payments weren't illegal at the time. But in January, South Korea enacted a law banning commercial trading of human eggs.

Collecting human eggs is crucial for embryonic stem cell research, which involves cloning embryos to extract stem cells, the master cells that can grow into all kinds of tissues in the body and are seen as a potential source of replacement tissue for people with a variety of ailments.

To do that, a human embryo must first be cloned from a patient's DNA, which is inserted into an unfertilized egg to produce the embryo.

Obtaining eggs is a problem for researchers, especially considering how inefficient cloning technology currently is. South Korean researchers in 2004 used 242 eggs from 16 donors to yield just one cloned embryo, which was destroyed after several days to extract stem cells.

Despite the controversy, South Koreans' support for Hwang remains strong.

A private foundation was launched this week to promote egg donations and more than 100 members of Hwang's Internet fan club have volunteered to donate their eggs.

As the latest report aired on MBC, the network's Web bulletin board was filled with angry viewer messages denouncing the broadcaster for acting against national interests.

Copyright 2005, AP News All Rights Reserved

Qovia Names David Woodall President and CEO

Wireless News
01-20-2005
Qovia Names David Woodall President and CEO

WIRELESS NEWS-20 January 2005-Qovia Names David Woodall President and CEO (C)2005 10Meters - http://www.10meters.com

Qovia, a provider of enterprise Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) monitoring and management products, this week announced the appointment of technology industry veteran David Woodall as President and CEO.
Woodall is succeeding Qovia co-founder Richard M. Tworek, who will continue to work closely with the company in the areas of strategic alliances and technology direction.

"With our recent growth and success in the market, I decided that we needed to bring in an industry veteran like David who could help us grow the company through its next stages," said Tworek. "From the beginning, I wanted to build a VoIP management company that mirrors successful data network management companies like IBM's Tivoli or Hewlett Packard's OpenView. And we have been very successful in our quest to build an industry standard product for managing VoIP networks."

Prior to joining Qovia, Woodall was a partner at Threshold Partners, a team of executives who provide consulting services and business counsel to early and mid-stage growth companies.

Before Threshold Partners, Woodall was President and CEO of Fidelia Technology, an early-stage developer of IT infrastructure and application monitoring software. Woodall also served as President and CEO of Trinagy, which was acquired by Hewlett Packard in 2001.

((Comments on this story may be sent to newsdesk@10meters.com))

((Distributed via M2 Communications Ltd - http://www.m2.com))

(Copyright M2 Communications Ltd. January 20, 2005)

alkaline soil

alkaline soil Any soil, such as a rendzina, which has a pH above 7. This alkalinity usually reflects a high concentration of carbonates, notably those of sodium and calcium.

COX COMMUNICATIONS WORKS TO UPGRADE TO DIGITAL CABLE.(BUSINESS)

Byline: VANDANA SINHA THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT\

NORFOLK -- Cox Communications is digging up its underground web of cable lines and pumping them up to deliver digital cable and high-speed Internet access to family rooms across the city.

By next week, residents in the Larchmont area could call the company to order 100 more cable channels or a cable modem twice as fast as some digital subscriber lines.

Residents in the Ghent area could follow in a few more weeks, and those around Lafayette Park and downtown Norfolk soon after that. By the end of the year, Cox will have squeezed digital cable and Internet access capability into its entire Norfolk network.

It's the third of four South Hampton Roads cities where Cox has been upgrading its fiber in the past two years.

Chesapeake and Virginia Beach residents north of the Pungo area already have access to both services. Portsmouth is budgeted for next year.

Charter Communications plans to switch on digital cable and high-speed data in Suffolk in the middle of this year.

With a slim converter that resembles an audio receiver, digital cable takes television surfing to a Jetsons level. It offers 10 TV screenfuls of program

options, including pay-per-view. It abolishes the need for channel numbers, making the one-time Cox vs. Fox standoff a moot point.

It allows TV watchers to order pay-per-view movies, block R-rated shows with a password, search the electronic TV guide for action-adventure-themed programming and time the TV to turn to your favorite show - all with a new universal remote.

It's enough to warrant ``Channel 116,'' where a half-hour training program on how to operate digital cable runs repeatedly for 24 hours.

Eventually, the upgraded cables will ship digital telephone services and a new program called Movies on Demand, which allows a resident to buy a pay-per-view film for a 24-hour period.

Cox is hoping the more than $300 million upgrade wins the battle against satellite television and deepens the company's local penetration, logged at more than 62 percent of the 635,000 homes its fiber passes.

About 68 percent of that total fiber has been widened to allow two-way transmission necessary for digital services.

As that percentage grows in Norfolk, residents will start to see Cox trucks parked at their street corners and fliers sticking off their doorknobs. They'll hear contractors ring their doorbells with news of updated wires and telemarketers urge them to sign on to the high-tech offerings.

``We just basically inundate you with information,'' said Rhonda J. Cox, senior product manager for digital cable.

Some may hear Cox officials ask for permission to plant a 3-foot-high, dark green generator in their yards to support the cables when they overload or fail.

So far, Cox has won approval to locate 200 of 353 necessary generators on private property or public rights of way in Norfolk. By the end of Cox's upgrade, 2,650 units will have found a home in Hampton Roads, hidden under a tree or behind some brush.

``That's really our toughest issue,'' said Fred Cormier, project supervisor for construction. ``We've been working it out with the cities.''

Fraying cables can also delay matters. In the Red Mill area of Virginia Beach, to the east of the intersection of General Booth Boulevard and Princess Anne Road, lie 1,800 feet of cable too old to upgrade. Replacing that line will take weeks, postponing the arrival of digital services there until next month at the earliest.

Reach Vandana Sinha at vsinha@pilotonline.com or 446-2318.

CAPTION(S):

VP Graphic

THE LOCAL IMPACT

(For complete copy, see microfilm.)

COLOR PHOTO

MARK MITCHELL

...CONTRACT WORKER...

Something's up for Nucleus and Peel Hunt.

Nucleus has created an equities research document in collaboration with London stockbroker Peel Hunt & Company.

Much Ado About Something has been written as a consultancy document offering information about the Internet, e-commerce and retailing opportunities.

"We think that this is a first for a design company, as equities research is usually the preserve of companies such as Morgan Stanley," says Nucleus business development manager Joshua Pert.

The document explores the impact of e-commerce on retail stocks, indicating which may fare best in the short and long term.