Fed: Opp'n to vote against stimulus package

AAP General News (Australia)
02-04-2009
Fed: Opp'n to vote against stimulus package

CANBERRA, Feb 4 AAP - The federal coalition will not support the Rudd government's
$42 billion …

Comcast Launches Xfinity Signature Support in Eastern Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine

Wireless News
05-30-2011
Comcast Launches Xfinity Signature Support in Eastern Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine
Type: News

Comcast Cable announced the Boston area launch of a new 24x7 technical support and equipment protection program.

The program is for home electronics devices -- like laptops, home networking equipment, gaming consoles, Wi-Fi enabled smart phones and tablets.
Called Xfinity Signature Support, this service offers customers a single source for troubleshooting and support for their computers, home networks and many other devices. The new offering enables customers to select an enhanced level of technical support with monthly subscription plans and one-time support options and is offered in addition to the 24x7 support Comcast already provides for its video, high-speed Internet and phone services.

"We want our customers to have a great experience with Comcast, and we've been making significant investments to enhance our products while improving the service and support we deliver," said Steve Hackley, senior vice president of Comcast's Greater Boston Region, which includes eastern Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. "Given the incredible growth and complexity of personal electronic devices, our customers have told us they would like additional choices for technical assistance beyond the support we already provide for their video, Internet and voice services. As we continue to invest in the overall Comcast experience, Xfinity Signature Support lets us provide an end-to-end technical support solution for customers."

In addition to Boston, Xfinity Signature Support is available in several of Comcast's markets, including Atlanta, Chattanooga, Chicago, greater Philadelphia, New Jersey, Houston, Detroit, northern Delaware, Orlando, Savannah and the Twin Cities, with plans to make it available in the remainder of the company's markets in 2011.

Comcast Corp. is a provider of entertainment, information and communications products and services.

More Information:

www.xfinity.com/signaturesupport

www.comcast.com

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

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

VIC:Water restrictions eased in Melbourne

AAP General News (Australia)
12-01-2011
VIC:Water restrictions eased in Melbourne

Melbourne returns to stage one water restrictions from today, which means people can
water lawns with trigger hoses.

Residential and commercial gardens can be watered with manual watering systems between
6am and 8am and between 8pm and 10pm on specified watering days, while automatic watering
systems can be used between midnight and 4am.

Hand-held hoses with a trigger nozzle, buckets or watering cans may be used to water
gardens and lawns at any time, but hosing down concrete and hard surfaces is still banned.

AAP RTV mj/gfr/wf/ar/els

KEYWORD: WATER VIC (MELBOURNE)

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

Members Project Unveils Final Round of Winners to Receive $1 Million in Funding from American Express

Wireless News
03-09-2011
Members Project Unveils Final Round of Winners to Receive $1 Million in Funding from American Express
Type: News

American Express and TakePart announced the final round of Members Project winners, chosen by the public through online voting.

These five organizations will collectively receive $1 million in funding from American Express to advance their missions of serving communities around the country.
"The charities that were selected are doing so much to improve the world around us, and we are pleased to congratulate and recognize their efforts," said Pepper Evans Roukas, VP, Digital Brand & Social Media Development, American Express. "Over the past year, we have been overwhelmed by the dedication that our Members Project community has shown to doing good and getting involved."

Since March 2010, Members Project has enabled its online community to give $4.2 million to 21 non-profit organizations, both domestically and internationally.

The five charitable organizations to receive $200,000 each in funding from American Express for the fourth round of voting include the following:

- Arts & Culture: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Recognized as a vital American "Cultural Ambassador to the World," Alvin Ailey uses the African-American cultural experience and the American modern dance tradition to inspire, enlighten and unite people of all backgrounds. With the help of funding from American Express, more than 300 scholarships will be awarded to talented young dancers, and AileyCamps in 10 cities and other programs will impact over 100,000 students nationally and Ailey's performances will reach 400,000 people around the world.

- Community Development: Kiva: As the world's first personal lending marketplace, Kiva enables socially conscious Internet users to connect with and make personal loans to entrepreneurs and students around the world. Kiva has raised $190 million in loans that have supported nearly 500,000 borrowers in 58 countries. The funds from American Express will allow Kiva to expand its reach in 2011 with a goal to raise an additional $87 million in loans to 241,000 entrepreneurs.

- Education: A Better Chance: Since 1963, A Better Chance has been opening the door to educational opportunities for thousands of young people of color in this nation. The funding from American Express will support The College Preparatory Schools Program that will place another class of approximately 450 new Scholars and support nearly 2,000 Scholars enrolled in some of the nation's most prestigious independent schools during this academic year.

- Environment & Wildlife: Defenders of Wildlife: For more than 65 years, Defenders of Wildlife has led the fight to save threatened and endangered species with new and emerging approaches that help imperiled wildlife survive in an ever-changing world. The $200,000 from American Express will help Defenders continue to conserve native plants and animals and to develop science-based solutions to the many challenges facing wildlife and wild lands.

- Health & Wellness: AIDS Healthcare Foundation - The funding awarded by American Express will support AIDS Healthcare Foundation in its mission to provide medicine and advocacy, regardless of a person's ability to pay, and help the agency to continue delivering lifesaving HIV/AIDS treatment, care and prevention services to the neediest and most underserved populations in the U.S. and globally.

Members Project is an online initiative that provides everyone with the opportunity to take small steps to make a big difference by linking up with volunteer opportunities to earn Membership Rewards bonus points, from American Express sharing stories about good things being done in communities across the country, or contributing money or Membership Rewards points to worthy causes.

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

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

QLD:Too soon to link Gold Coast shootings

AAP General News (Australia)
12-06-2010
QLD:Too soon to link Gold Coast shootings

By Tony Bartlett

GOLD COAST, Dec 6 AAP - Police say they're working on new leads in two shooting cases,
warning it's too early to say whether the incidents are linked.

The most serious attack has left a 42-year-old father in a serious but stable condition
in hospital after he was gunned down in front of his family.

The man was struck by one of two shots fired as he walked with his family along the
esplanade at Surfers Paradise about 9pm (AEST) on Saturday.

An hour earlier, shots were fired from a dark coloured BMW into a blue Commodore on
the M1 near Oxenford, showering a woman passenger with broken glass.

Police said the BMW had been tailgating the Commodore before the shots rang out.

In a third shooting on Sunday night, an unoccupied car on Bundall Road at Bundall just
a couple of minutes drive from Surfers Paradise, was hit by three shots.

Detective Superintendent Dave Hutchinson said in at least two of the shootings different
firearms were used.

"We have received some information overnight (on both the Oxenford and Surfers Paradise
shootings) but we're still following up those enquiries," he told reporters on Monday
afternoon.

"The investigations are obviously continuing in relation to all three at this stage
and I'm not prepared to divulge exactly which way we're going, or what we've ascertained,
other than to say we're still seeking the public's assistance."

The detective superintendent said police talked briefly with the father and have not
yet formally interviewed him.

He said there was no need for public alarm.

"Thousands of people come to the Gold Coast every day ... and they leave without being
confronted by crime," he said.

"This sort of incident can occur at any time, in any place. But in saying that it's
very concerning; these are very serious incidents and we are treating them as such."

Police could not confirm if the shots fired in the esplanade incident came from a nearby
high rise building.

Det Supt Hutchinson said police were still trying to establish a motive for that crime,
and appealed for public information.

"I'm firmly of the belief that there is somebody out there who knows what occurred,
and why it occurred, and who did it," he told reporters.

A team of at least 20 detectives from Gold Coast and Coomera CIB and the State Crime
Operations Command is working on the case which has been code-named Operation Ice Shining.

AAP bart/crh/jh

KEYWORD: DRIVEBY WRAP

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

FED: Windows launch new messenger

AAP General News (Australia)
04-29-2010
FED: Windows launch new messenger

By Angela Harper

ADELAIDE, April 29 AAP - Microsoft will take advantage of the popularity of social
networking with the launch of its new web messenger.

Windows Live Messenger is just the first of a range of new services launching in Australia
over the coming months.

"The new Windows Live focuses on aggregating social networks to help individuals and
their friends facilitate more meaningful conversations and social experiences," the company
said in a statement.

The new version will link updates from social networking favourites such as Twitter,
Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn.

Australian general manager of Nielsen Online, Matt Bruce, told AAP Messenger is a hugely
popular tool in Australia.

"Along with email, it's one of the big assets of NineMsn here, so they continue to
upgrade it to keep their users happy," Mr Bruce said.

In Australia about 125 million messages are sent each day using Messenger.

AAP ahe/tr

KEYWORD: TECH MESSENGER (WITH FACTBOX)

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

Fed: Gov't outlines 130 ways to improve aviation sector=4

AAP General News (Australia)
12-16-2009
Fed: Gov't outlines 130 ways to improve aviation sector=4

Air access to regional and remote locations will be better supported by merging a number
of different schemes, programs and funds into one.

Slots and pricing arrangements for regional airlines at Sydney Airport will also be maintained.

"Aviation isn't just about the major commercial airlines," Mr Albanese said, adding
the government was committed to growth in general and sports aviation.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) will establish a sport and recreational
policy, strategic framework and a Sport Aviation Office.

The organisation would be given an additional $3.8 million to improve oversight of
foreign operators in Australia, overseas aircraft maintenance by local operators and the
helicopter sector.

CASA's direct regulatory charges to the industry will be capped in real terms for at
least five years.

MORE bsb/rl/tr

KEYWORD: AVIATION 4 CANBERRA

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

NSW: One dead in fiery petrol tanker smash

AAP General News (Australia)
08-07-2009
NSW: One dead in fiery petrol tanker smash

Eds: Changing keyword from Petrol



SYDNEY, Aug 7 AAP - One person is dead after a fiery smash between a car and a petrol
tanker near Parkes in NSW's central west.

The car was incinerated and police believe the driver, who died, was the sole occupant.

An investigation is under way to identify the remains of the driver.

The driver of the fully-laden truck managed to escape his vehicle before it exploded
and caught fire on Orange Road about 1am (AEST) on Friday, police said.

He was taken to Parkes Hospital with minor injuries.

The blaze took three hours to bring under control, with 20 firefighters attending from
the Rural Fire Service (RFS).

An RFS spokesman said a series of explosions coming from the tanker made it difficult
to fight the blaze.

A number of firefighters were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene, he said.

Police, paramedics, State Emergency Service and HAZMAT officers were at the scene and
crash investigators were also sent.

Orange Road was closed and local traffic diversions were in place on Friday morning.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or who has information which may assist investigators
is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

AAP bzs/evt/srp

KEYWORD: TOLL NSW (CHANGING KEYWORD)

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

Vic: Mansfield fire was arson, Brumby

AAP General News (Australia)
02-12-2009
Vic: Mansfield fire was arson, Brumby

HEALESVILLE, Feb 12 AAP - Victorian Premier John Brumby has added a fire at Mansfield
to the list of blazes blamed on arsonists.

Mr Brumby said there was every indication that the Mansfield fire, which started on
Wednesday, was deliberately lit.

"There would seem to be no doubt at all that that fire's been deliberately lit. It's
devastating," he said at the Healesville Memorial Hall east of Melbourne, which has become
the town's emergency relief centre.

"Again what do you say about this except that we have a huge police team which is out
there trying to track down any of these people responsible."

Police apprehended two men near Yea on Thursday over possible arson offences. The men
are assisting police with inquiries.

"I'm pleased that police are making progress," the premier said.

"There are some other issues across the state that they're also investigating."

Water bombing aircraft were used to quell the 15-hectare Mansfield fire, which broke
out in a pine plantation southeast of the town.

Police have already confirmed the giant Churchill fire, which has burnt out 40,000
hectares in Gippsland, was deliberately lit.

The fire that virtually wiped out Marysville may also have been the work of arsonists.

AAP ees/gfr/tnf/mn

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES VIC ARSON THIRD UPDATE

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

NSW: Bird stood down =2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-25-2008
NSW: Bird stood down =2

Bird has been charged with assaulting his girlfriend, Katie Milligan, 24, who suffered
a fractured eye socket when she allegedly was hit in the face with a glass yesterday morning.

The NSW Origin and Kangaroos representative player today faced a charge of maliciously
inflicting grievous bodily harm on Ms Milligan, who was due to undergo surgery today for
glass wounds to her eye, police said.

Bird was granted bail by Sutherland Local Court magistrate Bev Schurr, who ordered
he comply with the conditions of an interim apprehended violence order (AVO) issued against
him yesterday.

He was also ordered not to make contact with any of his neighbours, who may have heard
the alleged attack or witnessed Bird and Ms Milligan leaving the Boorima Place unit.

Bird spent the night in custody after being refused bail by police, and can be released
after an "acceptable person" posts a $5,000 surety.

The matter was adjourned for mention in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on October 8.

AAP slb/sj/cdh

KEYWORD: BIRD CLUB 2 SYDNEY

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

Fed:Labor's tax cuts to be the last: Bishop

AAP General News (Australia)
04-20-2008
Fed:Labor's tax cuts to be the last: Bishop

The federal opposition says the RUDD government's planned 31 billion dollars worth
of tax cuts will be the last under Labor.

Deputy Opposition Leader JULIE BISHOP says the ALP was forced to commit to tax cuts
during the election campaign .. but has said that'll be it.

Ms BISHOP's told the Nine Network she thinks that's a retrograde step .. after the
coalition consistently delivered tax cuts so people had money in their pocket.

She says it'll be interesting to see how may many .. if any .. of the ideas from the
2020 summit turn up in the May budget or become Labor policy.

AAP RTV cb/jmt

KEYWORD: TAX BISHOP (CANBERRA)

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

AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Midday, Dec 16

AAP General News (Australia)
12-16-2007
AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Midday, Dec 16
Midday Round-Up: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AAP RTV FILE AT 1130


Porn (SYDNEY)

Australian police have arrested seven men during an investigation into a child porn
ring with international links.

Six were nabbed in raids in NSW and Victoria overnight .. following a covert operation
by a special strike force set up in February.

A seventh male .. a 17-year-old youth .. was arrested in Queensland in August.

It's alleged the syndicate produced and distributed child porn .. and groomed more
children for future abuse.

Six of the arrested men face child pornography charges .. and one's been charged with
drug-related offences.



Soil Carbon (SYDNEY)

Some scientists and farmers say managed farmlands could help mop up much of the carbon
emitted into the atmosphere.

The scientists say Australia has the largest greenhouse gas emissions per capita in
the world .. and carbon storage in soil has been largely overlooked as a solution for
cutting the carbon footprint.

Biological Farmers of Australia agrees that soil managed under organic and other regenerative
farming systems could be a key tool to combat greenhouse gases.



Turkey Illegals (ANKARA)

Turkish police have arrested seven suspected human traffickers .. following the deaths
of at least 50 illegal migrants in a boat tragedy in the Aegean Sea.

Local media say one suspect has been identified by six survivors as the ringleader of the group.

Officials believe up to 85 illegal migrants were on board the boat .. which capsized
in bad weather last week heading for Greece.



Pakistan Rauf (ISLAMABAD)

A British suspect in an alleged plot to blow up trans-Atlantic jetliners has escaped
from police custody in Pakistan.

Two policemen are being questioned about how RASHID RAUF got away .. after appearing
before a judge at a court in the capital Islamabad.

RAUF .. who also has a Pakistani passport .. was arrested by Pakistani intelligence
agents in August on a tip-off from their British counterparts.

At the time .. Pakistan identified him as a key suspect in an alleged terror plot ..

sparking a security alert in Britain that saw mass cancellations of flights to and from
Heathrow airport for several days in August.



US Obama (WATERLOO)

US Democratic presidential candidate BARACK OBAMA says he doesn't think his campaign
will be hurt .. by another dig at his admitted teenage drug use.

Rival HILLARY CLINTON has personally apologised to OBAMA for comments made by one of
her advisers .. that the senator's past drug use could jeopardise the Democrats' election
chances.

The adviser has since quit.

OBAMA says he doesn't think the average American believes that what somebody does when
they're a teenager .. has any bearing on how they're going to perform as the country's
commander in chief.



Iraq Basra (BASRA)

Britain is transferring responsibility for security in Basra province to Iraqi forces today.

The move will effectively mark the end of nearly five years of British control in the
country's south.

The handover of Iraq's main oil export hub will be the biggest test yet of the Iraqi
government's ability to maintain security without troops from the United States or its
main ally.

Breast Men (SAN ANTONIO)

Doctors are encouraging a new group of people to consider getting tested for genes
that raise the risk of breast cancer .. men.

Male relatives of women with the genes .. BRCA 1 or 2 .. often don't realise they may
also carry them.

New research suggests such men may face greater odds of developing breast .. prostate
.. pancreatic and skin cancer.

Dr MARY DALY .. of the Fox Chase Cancer Centre in Philadelphia .. says people don't
realise the genes can be inherited from the father's side of the family.

They're most prevalent among those of eastern European Jewish descent.



BRIEFLY IN OTHER NEWS:


Health Vic (MELBOURNE)

The Australian Medical Association is seeking a 116-million dollar injection from the
Victorian government .. to address doctor shortages in rural areas.



Ambulance (BRISBANE)

The Queensland government will slash office jobs and put more paramedics on the road
.. after an audit into its ailing ambulance service revealed it's top-heavy with bureaucracy.



Germany Ship (HAMBURG)

Germany's launched the first commercial merchant ship pulled by a giant kite .. which
helps its engines cut fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.



Iran Music (TEHRAN)

Iranian authorities have approved a plan for Irish pop singer CHRIS DE BURGH to hold
a concert there next year.



NZ Worms (WELLINGTON)

A New Zealander .. who invented a toilet that uses worms to produce compost .. says
he had to prove the worms weren't traumatised .. to get the tick.



IN SPORT:


Cricket Aust (SYDNEY)

New Zealand vice-captain BRENDON McCULLUM has told Australian fast bowler SHAUN TAIT
to stop mouthing off .. until he has the international statistics to back it up.

McCULLUM made 96 for the Kiwis on Friday night in Adelaide as Australia scored a seven-wicket
win to go one-up in the three-match Chappell-Hadlee Series.

Game two will be played at the SCG today .. starting at 2.15pm (AEDT).



Soccer AL Wrap (SYDNEY)

Sydney FC coach JOHN KOSMINA says getting thumped 4-2 by the A-League's bottom club
Perth Glory last night was the wake-up call his men needed in the run to the finals.

With five games left .. Sydney are one point outside the top four .. but the fourth-placed
Newcastle Jets have the chance to extend the gap when they visit Melbourne Victory at
Telstra Dome today.

Glory striker BILLY CELESKI scored a hat-trick at the Sydney Football Stadium last
night .. capitalising on some terrible Sydney errors in one of their worst defensive performances
of the season.



Golf Aust (SYDNEY)

Two-time winner ROBERT ALLENBY is preparing to play the final round of the Australian
Open as he seeks a third title.

ALLENBY and young Newcastle professional JAMES NITTIES will tee off shortly before
1pm (AEDT) at The Australian club in Sydney.

They are 10 under par .. one ahead of STUART APPLEBY .. with CRAIG PARRY and NICK O'HERN
a shot further back in an all-Australian top five.

American BRANDT SNEDEKER is at seven under.



ENDS MIDDAY ROUND-UP

Broadcast Desk inquiries 24 hours: 02 9322 8714

AAP RTV ibw

KEYWORD: MIDDAY ROUND-UP

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

Events Diary for Saturday, August 4, 2007

AAP General News (Australia)
08-04-2007
Events Diary for Saturday, August 4, 2007
EVENTS LISTED IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER AND LOCAL TIME UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED:


ADELAIDE


No items listed.


BRISBANE


No items listed


CANBERRA


0930 - Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile will celebrate the 200th Coles Express and Shell
branded service station to carry ethanol-blended fuel. Coles Express Manuka, Cnr Canberra
Ave and Flinders Way, Manuka. Contact: Tanya Cleary 6277 7680.

1030 - Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile will address the Nationals' Federal Council, National
Press Club, 16 National Circuit, Barton. Contact: Tim Langmead 0421 584 990 or Tanya Cleary
0418 615 280.


DARWIN


No items listed.


PERTH


No items listed.


MELBOURNE


1300 - Civil Rights Defence rally calling for the restoration of Dr Mohamed Haneef's visa.

State Library. Contact: Colin Mitchell 0409 615 924 or Lisa Farrance 0418 415 155.

1500 - Fred Hollows charity Aboriginal art auction, featuring works from artists of Ampilatwatja
and Ngurratjuta Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre. Australia Dreaming Art, 116 Gertrude Street,
Fitzroy. Contact: Mike Sill 9416 2961 or 0413 087 263.

- Victorian Poker Championships. Crown Poker Room, Southbank. Contact: Natasha Stipanov
9292 7317 or 0434 187 828.


HOBART


No items listed.


SYDNEY


1000 - Sydney Design 07 opening day. Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris St, Ultimo. Contact:
Sally Quinn 9217 0365.

1000 - Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown will be campaigning with the Wentworth candidate
Susan Jarnasan and local Green members. Bondi Pavilion, Bondi Beach. Contact: Prue Cameron
0408 473 379 or Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603.

1130 - Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown will be campaigning with Sydney candidate Jenny
Leong and local Greens members. 380 King St, Newtown. Contact: Prue Cameron 0408 473 379
or Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603.

1200 - Rally calling for justice for Dr Mohamed Haneef with speech from Greens Senator
Kerry Nettle. Town Hall, Sydney. Contact: Shannon Price 0422 802 984, James Supple 0438
718 348 or Kristian Bolwell 0411 638 320.

1215 - Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown will launch Grayndler campaign with candidate
Saeed Khan and local Greens members. Marrickville Post Office, Marickville Rd. Contact:
Prue Cameron 0408 473 379 or Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603.


SPORT


GALLOPS -
Rosehill
Caulfield
Doomben
Victoria Park
Wangaratta
Kembla Grange
Belmont
Gold Coast
Toowoomba
New Zealand
England
TROTS -
Newcastle
Cranbourne
Albion Park
Globe Derby
Parkes
Gloucester Park
GREYHOUNDS -
Wentworth Park
The Meadows
Cannington
GENERAL SPORT FOR SATURDAY, AUGUST 4
AFL -
Round 18 - to August 5
1410 - Carlton v Collingwood, MCG
1410 - Geelong v Richmond, Skilled Std
1910 - Brisbane Lions v Kangaroos, Gabba
1940 (AEST) - Adelaide v Port Adelaide, AAMI Std
RUGBY LEAGUE - NRL -
Round 21 - to August 6
1730 - Gold Coast v Wests Tigers, Carrara Std
1930 - Nth Qld v Canberra, Dairy Farmers Std
1930 - Penrith v Sth Sydney, CUA Std
SOCCER - A-League Pre Season Cup - to August 12
Playoffs - to August 5 -
1800 - Central Coast Mariners v Perth Glory FC, Bluetongue Std, Gosford
1930 - Sydney FC v Newcastle Jets FC, Parramatta Std
1930 - Melbourne Victory FC v Wellington Phoenix, Olympic Park
SOCCER (Women's) - Olympic qualifier - to August 12
1400 (AEST) - Australia v Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
SOCCER - Weifang Cup - to August 4
Young Socceroos complete in their first international matches
1100 (AEST) - Australia v South Korea, Weifang, China
BASKETBALL (Women's) - FIBA World C'ships - to August 5
Bratislava, Slovak Republic
BASKETBALL (Men's) - Tour of Europe - to August 12
Semi final and playoffs (& August 5)
Pentagona Sport Hall, Bormio, Italy
GOLF (Women's) - US LPGA Tour - to August 5
Women's British Open - Old Course, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland
ATHLETICS - Red Bull X-Alps 850 kms Endurance Race - to August 13
Dachstein, Austria to Monaco, France
MOTORSPORT - World Rally C'ships -
Rally Finland - to August 5



AAP RTV sg/cp/tm/wz

KEYWORD: DIARY EVENTS SATURDAY AUGUST 4, 2007

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

Vic: Our vulnerable children exposed to low-lifes

AAP General News (Australia)
02-11-2007
Vic: Our vulnerable children exposed to low-lifes

Victoria's most vulnerable children are reportedly being exposed to poor role models.

They're seeing a plethora of bad habits .. including drugs .. alcohol .. crime and
sexually active youths.

The Sunday Age reports the revelation comes as hundreds of children .. as young as
12 .. live in units which are described by their staff as frighteningly inadequate homes.

Department of Human Services staff and leading welfare agencies say the children are
left to fend for themselves in in often violent environments.





Victorian Child Safety Commissioner BERNIE GEARY has defended the system.

He says there's nothing simple about working with young people who need to be in residential
care.

AAP RTV jat/ibw

KEYWORD: CRISIS (MELBOURNE)

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

Fed: Kevin Smith content and looking to the future

AAP General News (Australia)
08-24-2006
Fed: Kevin Smith content and looking to the future

By Jonathon Moran and Stephanie Gardiner

SYDNEY, AAP - To most, American director Kevin Smith's life is anything but boring.

He's best mates with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon and is credited with writing, directing
and starring in some major cult Hollywood films.

But on his website, Smith says he leads a "boring-ass life".

Fanatic audiences have closely followed the antics of Smiths' characters Jay and Silent
Bob, played by the director himself, for more than a decade.

His cult credits include Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy and Dogma.

Promoting his latest flick, Clerks II, Smith is content, saying he is looking forward
to a new chapter in his life.

"Clerks to Clerks II is a really nice book end," said Smith, 36.

"It feels like I have kind of told one very long story that is interlaced by way of
Jay and Bob or the references to the other flicks ... there is a sense of closure to it.

"It really feels like I have told one complete tale."

Smith is famous for his outrageous sense of humour and has had to defend his comedy
style in past films.

In 1999, Smith faced religious backlash over his film Dogma and was forced to cut scenes
in the 1995 film Mallrats.

Clerks II follows suit, picking up 10 years after the first Clerks, featuring actors
from the original flick Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Jason Mewes.

It also stars Rosario Dawson with cameos from Ben Affleck and Jason Lee.

Fans of Smith's offbeat and sometimes crass sense of humour won't be disappointed.

"I never thought of this stuff as being offensive," says Smith.

"I realise it may not be some people's cup of tea.

"But I always assume that nobody who would be taken aback by that sense of humour would
be there in the first place."

Smith writes comedy for himself, and perhaps strange to some, his sense of humour has
resinated around the world.

"I don't sit there thinking I am going to write something really offensive that alienates
people," he said.

"I just write what I think is funny.

"And I kind of hope after a dozen years at this point that there are other people who
find my sense of humour to be in line with theirs."

Behind the dirty jokes and pop culture references that define his films, lie important
life messages.

Smith grew up in New Jersey and spent much of his young adult life behind a cash register
in a convenience store.

That setting inspired his first feature film, Clerks.

The pressure to make a sequel to a well-established film didn't detract from Smith's vision.

"When we first talked about doing a Clerks sequel, a bunch of people went, 'Oh no dude,
don't do it cause that movie rocks and what if you make a sequel that sucks?'.

"But I love the movie."

Smith wouldn't rule out a third Clerks instalment but said it would be unlikely in
the next few years.

"Clerks was a movie about what it felt like to be in my 20s and Clerks II is what it
felt like to be in my 30s," he said.

"So somewhere mid-40s or even mid 50s might be a nice time to check back in after I
have had a bit of living experience.

"Right now I can't imagine living to age 40 so if I make it there, maybe I will have
something to say."

Having enjoyed plenty of successes with comedy, Smith is keen to explore other genre's
including horror.

"I feel like now is the right time to do something different, something I haven't done before.

"I have made seven variations on comedy so I want to go do a horror movie.

"That was a genre I grew up watching as well and it would be kind of nice to do it."

Smith hosted a screening of Clerks II this week, staying for more than three hours
afterwards to chat with fans about his choices.

At a similar session in his home town in 2005, he spent more than seven hours with an audience.

He's also regularly online and can't help checking internet message boards and forums
to see what fans have to say about his work.

"It is a very hardcore fanbase," he smiled.

"There are enough of them to support what I do which is great because the onus of having
to go out to the box office and win an audience is lifted off my shoulders because they
will show up.

"Without that audience, I have no juice. So I am incredibly appreciative of them."

Clerks II opens nationally on August 31.

AAP jwm/cjh/de

KEYWORD: SMITH (AAP FILM FEATURE) (PIX AVAILABLE)

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

NSW: Cut road toll by boosting highway patrol: Debnam

AAP General News (Australia)
04-18-2006
NSW: Cut road toll by boosting highway patrol: Debnam

The New South Wales opposition says cuts to the police Highway Patrol are partially
to blame for an increase in the Easter long weekend road toll.

Nine people have died on NSW roads during the four day long weekend .. up from five
during the same period last year.

Opposition Leader PETER DEBNAM says drivers are continuing to speed .. because a reduction
in Highway Patrol officers means they're unlikely to be caught.

He says numbers have been cut from 12-hundred in 1982 to just over 900 last year ..

and more officers are needed back on the roads.

AAP RTV pj/hn/cp/tm

KEYWORD: TOLL NSW DEBNAM (SYDNEY)

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

Vic: Privacy watchdog to probe latest files leak

AAP General News (Australia)
08-16-2005
Vic: Privacy watchdog to probe latest files leak

Victoria's privacy watchdog will investigate why the confidential police files of up
to 1,000 people were leaked.

Privacy Commissioner PAUL CHADWICK is already investigating an unrelated breach by
the Office of Police Integrity which inadvertently sent police files on more than 400
people to a northern Victorian woman.

In the latest case, a prison officer-turned-whistleblower who applied to see his file
received up to 1,000 files on others who shared his surname.

Police say preliminary inquiries indicate a worker at computer giant IBM, which conducts
audits of the police database, had emailed the information to the man.

Mr CHADWICK says the incident shows there has been an apparent serious contravention
of information privacy principles laid down in the Information Act.

Premier STEVE BRACKS has resisted calls for an independent probe into the new breach,
saying he wants a full explanation from the police chief commissioner first.

AAP RTV nl/gfr/tm/rt

KEYWORD: FILES PRIVACY (MELBOURNE)

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

unfunded pension scheme

unfunded pension scheme A government pension scheme in which contributions from those in employment provide the funds for paying the pensioners.