NSW:David Hicks takes fight to UN

AAP General News (Australia)
08-21-2011
NSW:David Hicks takes fight to UN

Former Guantanamo Bay detainee DAVID HICKS is going to the United Nations in the hope
of clearing his name and getting compensation.

35-year-old HICKS has made a submission to the UN's Human Rights Committee.

He's seeking an apology from Australia for upholding and enforcing what he claims was
an unlawful charge and penalty as well as compensation.

Adelaide-born Hicks pleaded guilty to providing material support for terrorism and
was sent to Adelaide's Yatala Prison to serve the remainder of a seven-year sentence.

AAP RTV lxs/nap

KEYWORD: HICKS (SYDNEY)

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

Fed: Rudd felt 'progressively uncomfortable' about Burke

AAP General News (Australia)
02-18-2008
Fed: Rudd felt 'progressively uncomfortable' about Burke

CANBERRA, Feb 18 AAP - Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says he felt "progressively uncomfortable"

about a dinner being organised by disgraced former Western Australian premier Brian Burke.

Emails from November 2005 - released yesterday by the prime minister's office - reveal
Mr Rudd initially accepted an offer to dine with Mr Burke and reporters before offering
an excuse for not attending.

The emails appear to contradict Mr Rudd's earlier recollection of events, when he claimed
to have declined the invitation.

"I just felt progressively uncomfortable," Mr Rudd told reporters today.

"Once I got the feeling that this was not the right thing to proceed with, then I communicated
that."

Mr Rudd repeatedly refused to admit he had told a "white lie" to get out of the dinner.

"I ended up in Perth that day and that night. I could have gone," Mr Rudd said.

"If you've initially accepted an invitation to go and then, which I had, you've become
uncomfortable about it then what many folk do, I'm not alone in this, is you find a diplomatic
way to get out of it.

"My intention was not to go, I didn't go."

Mr Rudd said he was now being totally upfront about the communication between himself
and Mr Burke.

"There's a lot of coulda, shoulda and as I've said on more than one occasion, with
the benefit of 20-20 hindsight, I could have handled this a lot better.

"I didn't, but the key thing here is I decided not to attend."

Mr Rudd said there was no log of telephone calls between himself and Mr Burke.

AAP pv/rl/jt/sp

KEYWORD: BURKE RUDD DINE

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

FED:Swan pays tribute to Aussie sacrifice

AAP General News (Australia)
04-25-2011
FED:Swan pays tribute to Aussie sacrifice

Acting Prime Minister WAYNE SWAN has paid tribute to the sacrifice of Australians in
war .. saying Anzac Day honours their service and is a reminder of the values that underpin
the nation.

Mr SWAN says Australians respect the service of their young countrymen and women around
the world.

He says this year .. like every year .. provides significant anniversaries in Australia's
military history .. giving everyone pause to reflect upon what it means to serve overseas.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of a major Australian battle at Kapyong in the
Korean War .. while 70 years ago Australian units fought in Greece, Crete and north Africa.

Mr SWAN will attend an ANZAC Day event at Kedron-Wavell RSL in Brisbane today.

AAP RTV el/jr/psm/

KEYWORD: ANZAC SWAN (CANBERRA)

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

SA:SA police wait for heroin

AAP General News (Australia)
02-10-2011
SA:SA police wait for heroin

Police have taken a 34-year-old man to an Adelaide hospital .. suspecting him of swallowing
balloons filled with heroin.

Offices saw an alleged drug deal at a suburban Adelaide shopping centre carpark early
this morning and stepped in .. causing the suspect to swallow what's believed to be heroin-filled
balloons.

He's been charged with drug offences .. and is expected to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates
Court today.

AAP RTV lk/wf

KEYWORD: HEROIN (ADELAIDE)

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

Main stories in Thursday's 1300 2UE news

AAP General News (Australia)
08-26-2010
Main stories in Thursday's 1300 2UE news

SYDNEY, Aug 26 AAP - Main stories in Thursday's 1300 2UE news:

- A key independent says it's possible Australians could be back at the polls within
weeks if Opposition Leader Tony Abbott doesn't agree to disclose his policies to Treasury
for costings.

- A Sydney man has been refused bail after appearing in court charged with the shooting
murder of a teenager and seriously injuring another man.

- Thirteen people, including several children, have been taken to hospital after a
crash on the Sydney Harbour Bridge involving a bus and a motorbike.

- A Sydney coroner has ruled overstretched hospital resources may have contributed
to the death of a handicapped woman in Sydney's west.

- Sydney police are again appealing for help in finding the mother of a newborn baby
whose body was found dumped in a box in Strathfield.

- Brett Kimmorley has accepted a coaching role with the Canterbury Bulldogs after quitting
the NRL on Thursday.

AAP nep/tr

KEYWORD: MONITOR 1300 2UE NEWS SYDNEY

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

NSW: Preparations under way for Watson's welcome

AAP General News (Australia)
04-19-2010
NSW: Preparations under way for Watson's welcome

SYDNEY, April 19 AAP - Celebrations rivalling other major events on Sydney Harbour
are expected for record-breaking teenage sailor Jessica Watson's triumphant return.

Authorities say the party is expected to mirror the scale of a Sydney to Hobart yacht
race farewell on the iconic harbour.

The 16-year-old Queenslander is tipped to return through Sydney heads early in May,
just ahead of her 17th birthday on May 18.

If successful, she will become the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe solo
and will sail home to fame and fortune, with a book deal already secure.

The NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, which is organising the event, has May 2
pencilled in for the celebrations, pending her completing the final leg of the journey
off Australia's southern coastline.

NSW Maritime says its expects a massive fleet of boats to meet Jessica's 34-footer
Ella's Pink Lady when she heads back into Sydney Harbour.

It's putting safety plans in place to ensure her vessel isn't swamped by well-wishers.

"There is a lot of public interest in welcoming her back, so the planning is to make
sure that over-enthusiastic people don't get too close before she actually crosses the
finish line," a NSW Maritime spokeswoman said on Monday.

A large crowd is expected to greet the Sunshine Coast teenager at Sydney Opera House
- the first time she'll step on to land since setting off from the harbour on October
18.

Jessica is sailing around Australia's west coast and below Tasmania before heading
north to Sydney.

She wrote in her blog on Sunday that the weather was much calmer over the weekend -
a relief after being battered by big swells and strong winds that tore her mainsail 250
nautical miles off Albany in Western Australia last week.

The lighter conditions have allowed her a good chance to get on top of her chores and
given bruised and tender hands a bit of time to recover, she writes.

Besides doing household chores, Jessica spent time relaxing over the weekend - sitting
on the deck with a cup of coffee and a jar of Nutella and lamenting the break-up of Queensland
band Powderfinger.

A book on her adventure is expected to be launched at the Sydney International Boat Show in July.

AAP lm/evt/tr

KEYWORD: SAIL

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

Vic: American woman dies in crash

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2009
Vic: American woman dies in crash

An American woman has died in a car crash in Tasmania's north.

The 65-year-old woman was a passenger in a Kia sedan .. which collided with an empty
school bus in the centre of Ulverston near Devonport just before 4pm (AEDT).

The Kia's 71-year-old male driver .. also an American .. suffered minor injuries and
was taken to the Mersey Community Hospital in Latrobe.

The bus driver wasn't hurt.

AAP RTV cdh/goc/ajw

KEYWORD: TOLL TAS (MELBOURNE)

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

FED: Wear a face mask in public now, expert says

AAP General News (Australia)
04-28-2009
FED: Wear a face mask in public now, expert says

Australians are being urged to wear face masks in crowded places to protect against swine flu.

Infectious diseases epidemiologist RAINA MACINTYRE .. of the University of New South
Wales .. says it's a highly effective way to keep flu away.

She recommends face masks for people on buses .. trains .. planes and in other confined
public spaces .. as well as anyone who cares for sick people.

Professor MACINTYRE says that until a human vaccine is matched to the strain of swine
flu that's killed nearly 150 people in Mexico .. we should use whatever protection's available.

AAP RTV dr/it/cdh/jmt

KEYWORD: FLU AUST MASK (SYDNEY)

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

FED: AFP accepts findings of Haneef report

AAP General News (Australia)
12-23-2008
FED: AFP accepts findings of Haneef report

CANBERRA, Dec 23 AAP - The Australian Federal Police have accepted the findings of
an inquiry into the bungled handling of the Mohammed Haneef case.

The inquiry into Dr Haneef's arrest on terrorism-related charges has found he should
not have been charged and the cancellation of his visa and his deportation should have
been deferred.

"The AFP agrees with the description given by the attorney general that the Clarke
report is balanced, thorough and constructive as well as considering it to be a comprehensive
account of the events and circumstances of this particular investigation," the AFP said
in a statement.

"The AFP is strongly committed to working with the Australian government to ensure
all the inquiry's recommendations are implemented."

But the AFP also defended its actions.

"All actions of police were undertaken in good faith and in the best interests of public
safety, given the circumstances at the time," the statement said.

The AFP said the inquiry, headed by former NSW Supreme Court judge John Clarke, QC,
had found no evidence of corruption or politicisation of the AFP, or of any mistreatment
of Dr Haneef by AFP members.

Some of the issues raised by Mr Clarke had already been addressed, the statement said.

The AFP was now working better with partner agencies, and sharing information in a better
way.

The AFP said Mr Clarke was confident that actions taken by authorities since the Haneef
case would prevent such a situation happening again.

The AFP said it had appointed a senior advisory team to review and implement all the
recommendations in the Clarke report.

AAP ca/kms/it/de

KEYWORD: HANEEF AFP

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

NT: Police investigate man's death

AAP General News (Australia)
08-17-2008
NT: Police investigate man's death

ALICE SPRINGS, Aug 17 AAP - Police are investigating the death of a man whose body
was found at a town camp in Alice Springs.

Police received a report just before 11am yesterday that a body of a 48-year-old Aboriginal
man was found at Hidden Valley Camp.

A crime scene was established and members of the police Regional Investigations Division
attended the scene.

An autopsy will be conducted next week to determine the cause of death.

Meanwhile, a woman died when she was hit by a falling tree branch in the Aboriginal
community of Titjikala, south of Alice Springs.

Police were called to the community at 2am yesterday after the death of the 49-year-old woman.

AAP gr/imc

KEYWORD: BODY

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

NSW: Community mourns shark victim

AAP General News (Australia)
04-09-2008
NSW: Community mourns shark victim

Eds: Reissuing to correct surname in fourth par to Curtis



SYDNEY, April 9 AAP - Schoolmates of the teenager killed by a shark on the NSW north
coast are undergoing counselling today as hundreds of people visit a lookout near the
beach where Peter Edmonds was killed.

Ballina's popular Lighthouse Beach, where the attack occurred, remained closed today
and the sand was deserted while hundreds of people gazed across the murky ocean from a
nearby lookout, a lifeguard spokesman said.

Peter, 16, died from massive blood loss after being attacked by a shark while bodyboarding
with a friend about 8am (AEST) yesterday.

His friend Brock Curtis, also 16, dragged his motionless mate to shore, but Peter could
not be revived.

"Probably about 20 kids rolled up (at the beach) at dusk yesterday afternoon, obviously
very upset," Northern NSW Lifeguard Coordinator Stephen Leahy told AAP.

"A number of them had bunches of flowers, which were thrown into the ocean."

Overcast conditions and heavy rain had created a dark atmosphere at the beach today,
Mr Leahy said.

"The beach is empty, although there are a number of people at a large lookout to the
north of the beach, that's full with lots of people just looking out over the water,"

he said.

At nearby Alstonville High School, where Peter was a student, staff and pupils were
being offered counselling, but an Education Department spokesman said classes were operating
as scheduled.

Principal David Silcock made a brief address to media this morning, offering the school's
support to Peter's family and friends.

NSW Police yesterday praised Brock's bravery in attempting to help Peter, indicating
he would be considered for a bravery medal.

"If the NSW Police Force were to nominate Brock for a bravery award, we would fully
support that," Mr Leahy said today.

"There is no doubt that Brock and his actions are incredibly brave. While he is very
humble and says, `Anyone would have done it', when you are in the water and risking your
life around sharks, that's awe-inspiring."

The shark that attacked Pater has not been identified and Mr Leahy said the lifeguard
service would not pursue the creature.

"The kids haven't done anything to pre-empt this attack, it's simply a tragic accident," he said.

The Lennox Longboarders group, of which Peter was a member, is planning a special event
on Sunday, when boarders wearing black armbands will paddle out to sea and observe a minute's
silence.

AAP ad/wjf/apm/mn

KEYWORD: SHARK DAYLEAD (REISSUING)

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

Fed: Mother tries suicide after bashing death of daughter

AAP General News (Australia)
12-05-2007
Fed: Mother tries suicide after bashing death of daughter

By Kate Corbett

CANBERRA, Dec 5 AAP - The mother of a four-year-old girl who was bashed to death in
Canberra has attempted suicide twice and been unable to work since the death two years
ago, a court heard.

Trinaty Monique Howarth died in November 2005 after a brutal assault with a saucepan
and stick in the back of a car.

Her mother's partner Darren Lee Cassidy was originally charged with Trinaty's murder,
but has now pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Cassidy was due to be sentenced in the ACT Supreme Court today but a decision was adjourned
until tomorrow morning as the pre-sentencing hearing went on longer than expected.

In court today, statements were read from Trinaty's mother, Alicia Wilson, and her
maternal grandmother, while her paternal grandmother gave evidence, as did Cassidy's step-sister
and a psychiatrist.

Ms Wilson said her world fell apart after her daughter's death.

She became delusional and started drinking two bottles of vodka a day and, unable to
eat or sleep, dropped into a deep depression and tried to commit suicide twice.

"Trinaty was my soulmate, we did everything together, even slept together. She was
my best friend," the statement said.

"My life will never be the same."

Still severely affected by Trinaty's death, Ms Wilson said she still cannot work or
go out socially, as she feels as if people are judging her.

Ms Wilson said she felt let down by Cassidy and "very bitter" about what he allegedly
did to Trinaty.

Both of Trinaty's grandmothers detailed how heartbroken their families were from the
loss and how it had pulled family ties apart.

Cassidy's step-sister Leanne Joy Payne also detailed their tough upbringing, much of
which was due to their treatment by his father.

"I describe him (Cassidy's father) as an animal - he beat us regularly, he beat my
mum regularly," she told the court.

Ms Payne told of instances where Mr Cassidy had held a pillow over his son's face and
tied a rope around his neck.

"When I heard what happened to Trinaty I blamed his father," she said.

"When we were growing up his father had been this close to doing that to us and no-one
did anything."

The court also heard from psychiatrist Daniel Bonner, who treated Cassidy during the
first year he was in prison.

Dr Bonner diagnosed Cassidy with bipolar disorder and said he had serious substance
abuse problems and a borderline personality disorder.

But he said Cassidy responded well to treatment and said it was highly unlikely that
his illness would have been a major contributor in Trinaty's death.

Dr Bonner said it was important that Cassidy control his illness and treat it effectively.

The matter resumes at 9.30am (AEDT) tomorrow.

AAP kc/sb/sp

KEYWORD: CASSIDY

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

NSW: Man suffers burns during power station explosion

AAP General News (Australia)
04-23-2007
NSW: Man suffers burns during power station explosion

SYDNEY, April 23 AAP - A man has suffered serious facial burns during an explosion
at a power station in the NSW Hunter Valley.

The blast happened at the Redbank power station on Longpoint Road at Singleton at about
9.20am (AEST) today.

The NSW Ambulance Service said initial reports indicated the man suffered serious facial burns.

Ambulance crews and a rescue helicopter are en-route to the scene.

Power from the plant is exported to Energy Australia's Singleton sub-station and the
surrounding region.

AAP kjd/cdh

KEYWORD: POWER

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

Fed: Business seeks further tax reforms in 2007/08 budget

AAP General News (Australia)
12-21-2006
Fed: Business seeks further tax reforms in 2007/08 budget

CANBERRA, Dec 21 AAP - Australian businesses think tax reform must remain a priority
when the government delivers its next budget, saying some of the forecast surplus should
be returned as tax cuts.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), the country's largest representative
business organisation, said today the budget should remain in surplus, but some of this
could be returned to taxpayers to boost the economy.

Treasurer Peter Costello lifted his forecast for the 2006/07 budget surplus by $1 billion
to $11.8 billion in yesterday's mid-year budget review, aided by stronger-than-expected
employment growth and large tax receipts from profitably companies, particularly in mining.

In its 2007/08 pre-budget submission, the ACCI said the top 45 per cent marginal tax
rate should be reduced over a number of years to equal the 30 per cent company rate, and
that tax thresholds should be cut to no more than two.

Other reforms include a further reduction in the capital gains tax.

"Larger tax cuts can be funded by reducing the size of government," the ACCI said in a statement.

"ACCI is concerned that the public service grew by 9.6 per cent in the year to July
2006, much faster than general employment growth."

It argues that surpluses are not required to restrict consumption growth. Instead the
government should restrict the growth in its own spending.

It also believes the Australian tax system needs to be more competitive and that surpluses
passed on to the Future Fund is a very poor use of government money.

The Future Fund was set up by the government to cover its unfunded public sector superannuation
liabilities by around 2020.

AAP cb/sb/jt/de

KEYWORD: BUDGET ACCI

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

Fed: Aussie troopers praised for fast and efficient action

AAP General News (Australia)
08-15-2006
Fed: Aussie troopers praised for fast and efficient action

The commander of Australian forces in Iraq .. Brigadier MICK MOON .. has praised his
troops in their handling of a bombing this morning near Australian quarters in Baghdad.

Brigadier MOON says Australia had a tough and resolute team who delivered an effective
response to the rocket attack which seriously injured a female soldier.

He's told the Nine network the female soldier named by media reports as Corporal Signaller
S. WEBSTER .. is in a stable and satisfactory condition in a US facility .. while three
other soldiers who suffered minor injuries are already back at work and in good spirits.

Brigadier MOON says the team performed very well .. reacting fast and effectively to
get their people out and in the very best of care within minutes of the explosion .. and
were back on the streets almost immediately after the explosion.

Defence Minister BRENDAN NELSON has said there'll be a review of the operation of the
Australian security detachment in Baghdad .. but doubts there'll be any changes.

Signaller WEBSTER is likely to be evacuated to Germany before being transported home.

AAP RTV psm/

KEYWORD: IRAQ AUST MOON (CANBERRA)

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

Fed: Sydney refugee has links to bin Laden: report

AAP General News (Australia)
04-08-2006
Fed: Sydney refugee has links to bin Laden: report

SYDNEY, April 8 AAP - A Syrian-born refugee living in Sydney's south-west is allegedly
connected to the international terrorism web of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

Living for a decade in the suburb of Riverwood, Ahmad al-Hamwi has been accused of
being a senior al-Qaeda bagman linked to the 1993 World Trade Centre bomber, Ramzi Yousef,
The Australian says.

Also known by the alias Abu Omar, Mr al-Hamwi was given asylum in Australia in June 1996.

Mr al-Hamwi has allegedly admitted he was a confidant of some of Osama bin Laden's
closest lieutenants, and he is a relative by marriage to the world's most wanted man.

According to Philippines police documents obtained by The Australian, Mr al-Hamwi was
allegedly a key figure in the Manila-based Islamic charity called the International Research
and Information Centre (IRIC) that funded Yousef's terrorist cell which conspired to blow
up US airliners and assassinate Pope John Paul II.

Research by world-renowned terror expert Zachary Abuza alleges Mr al-Hamwi was an "important
money man for the cell".

"He was the hand-picked executive director of the IRIC which had little in the the
way of charitable works and I refuse to believe he did not know what was going on," Professor
Abuza told The Australian.

The newspaper said it put detailed questions to Mr al-Hamwi but he declined to respond.

AAP ag/lb

KEYWORD: ALHAMWI

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

ring trading

ring trading

Embattled Lodi, Calif.-Based High-Tech Financial-Service Provider May Fold.

By Joe Goldeen, The Record, Stockton, Calif. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Sep. 17--For the second quarter in a row, Lodi-based PayStar Corp. said in a federal filing that "there is substantial doubt concerning the company's ability to continue as a going concern."

In its latest filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, PayStar, facing numerous civil lawsuits and actions brought by state agencies around the nation, reported a net loss of $2.7 million for the six months ended June 30.

"Losses incurred in prior years have contributed to a stockholders' deficit of $7,279,874. Further, current liabilities exceed current assets by $9,873,575," said the report, filed Wednesday for PayStar's second quarter, which ended June 30.

"Management is currently in the process of seeking additional funding, changing its business model, reducing expenses and decreasing human resources," the provider of prepaid wireless banking services, content-based Internet kiosks and cashless automated teller machines said in the SEC filing. "However, there can be no assurances that management's efforts to restore the company to profitable operations will be successful."

A call to PayStar Chief Executive Officer William D. Yotty on Monday was not returned. Gregory Goehring, a Lodi attorney representing PayStar, declined to comment Monday about the quarterly report, citing pending litigation against Paystar.

As of June 30, PayStar reported in the SEC filing that it had $11,440 in cash and $504,584 in accounts receivable, 27 percent of which was considered doubtful accounts, also known as bad debts. It listed current assets of almost $700,000 and total assets of almost $3.8 million.

Under liabilities, the company reported a $147,391 bank overdraft and $4.6 million in accounts payable, the category representing day-to-day expenses. It listed current liabilities of $10.5 million and total liabilities of $11 million. Its current liabilities are more than 15 times its current assets.

For the second quarter, PayStar reported a gross profit of $177,000, compared with a gross profit for the same quarter of 2001 of $2 million.

Also for the latest quarter, PayStar reported an operating loss after expenses of $1.2 million compared with a $159,000 loss for the same quarter last year.

PayStar reported an accumulated stockholders' deficit of almost $20.7 million as of June 30. The deficit was reported as $17.9 million at the end of 2001. A significant jump occurred after the quarter ending Sept. 30, when PayStar's accumulated deficit was reported as $192,853.

To see more of The Record, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.recordnet.com

(c) 2002, The Record, Stockton, Calif. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

Offering The Best In Technology Products.(Brief Article)

204 Your guests can have full Internet access with prodacinternet. The guests can use the keyboard surf the Internet on the guestroom television and send or read e-mails. Prodac Media AG, Cologne, Germany, Internet: www. prodacmedia.com

206 NetHotel [R] Sales is designed to provide maximum support for sales representatives and sales departments in the hotel industry and boost their daily success. Specially developed for the hotel environment, it allows your staff to distribute comprehensive customer data, contract details and prices for all linked hotels. Serenata IntraWare AG, Munich, Germany. Internet: www.serenata.com

203 Mitsubishi's Commercial Media Systems Division new DiamondGuest television series (25" and 27") is designed to elevate the guestroom environment for all major hotel properties. The series features high resolution picture quality, two high performance audio speakers, V-chip lock, built-in closed caption decoding, smart plug connector for maximum connectivity, spill-proof cabinet enclosures and a flexibility of up to 125 channels. Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA, Cypress, Calif., USA Internet: www.mitsubishi-ids.com

202 Guestlink welcomes you to the future of interactive communication by offering a practical and easy-to-use e-mail service in every guestroom. The hotel guest can send and receive e-mail messages through the interactive TV in the room without the need of additional equipment. Guestlink, Turku, Finland. Internet: www.guestlink.net

201 Increase your revenue and reduce your costs with Bartech's automatic minibars. Bartech is proud to announce the introduction of their PR 09. The new microprocessor board allows Bartech to interface with door locking, safe, light and HVAC devices, depending on the hotels' needs. This is an open door to the intelligent room. Bartech System Corp., Millersville, Md., USA. Internet: www.usabartech.com

207 Introducing Kinetico's innovative TS Series Reverse Osmosis (RO) System to the lodging industry. This system is ideal for providing clean, high-quality water with low operating costs and little maintenance. Kinetico, Newbury, Ohio, USA.

209 Introducing Smart Electronic, a new, intelligent electronic control panel linked to four temperature probes. A normal refrigerator incorporates only two probes, for the internal storage area and evaporator only. The Smart Electronic makes it easier to select the ideal storage conditions for different types of food. The precise temperature and humidity are already pre-programmed for five different food categories. Electrolux Foodservice Equipment, Conegliano TV, Italy. Internet: www.foodservice.electrolux.com

208 New from Teledex is the CL1106/11 1.8 GHz digital cordless guestroom telephone, for use in countries where the 1.8 GHz band is approved for use (currently in over 70 countries.) Designed with the same look and feel of the popular CL2900 cordless series (deployed in the Americas), the new Teledex 1.8 GHz cordless enables the establishment of global standards for cordless guestroom telephones. Teledex LLC, San Jose, Calif., USA. Internet: www.teledex.com

212 More than 40 models of Mobile Bars in solid wood, wood veneer (eight finishes in stain or gloss) or seven H.P.L color finishes are offered by Forbes. Most include a stainless steel work counter, insulated sink with drain, speed rails and sections for glass racks and storage. The Mobile Bars are built to be durable, functional and attractive. Custom designs also are available. Forbes Industries, Ontario, Calif., USA. Internet: www.forbesindustries.com

2116 Pamper your preferred guests with Miroir Brot's luxurious and superb wall-mounted, illuminated cosmetic mirror Vision. It features an exclusive optical, distortion-free, .39- 10mm-thick glass lens. Miroir Bret, Paris. Internet: www.brot.com

215 Available in a variety of colors and patterns, Milliken's Embassy [R] damask table linens combine formal elegance with unparalleled performance. Milliken & Company, Spartanburg, S.C., USA. Internet: www. millikentablelinen.com

210 Economic and affordable, the Food Waste Reduction Systems from SBM make it easy for the foodservice industry to handle organic food waste problems with no difficulties. Waste disposed into the System will be pulped into slurry, then processed and separated by a liquid extractor, reducing the volume of food waste up to 85%. SBM Maschinen GmbH, St. Leon-Rot, Germany. Internet: www.steinbeck.de

230 The Faema full line of espresso and cappuccino super-automatic machines feature a new model, the X5 START, a compact machine specifically designed for medium-sized premises that have constant coffee and cappuccino services during the day. The X5 START is more user-friendly thanks to its push-button panel, which uses clear images and descriptions, and its simplified programming procedures. Faema, S.p.a., San Donato Milanese (MI) Italy. Internet: www.faema.com

231 StoreSafe Food Rotation Labels provide a safe labeling solution for owners, kitchen managers and health inspectors. Labels are made of FDA approved material and is safe for use in coolers, freezers and dry storage. They are 100% biodegradable and are safe for all sewer and septic systems. Cambro Manufacturing, Huntington Beach, Calif., USA. Internet: www.cambro.com

Edited by Sally Wolchuk, products editor Circle numbers on the Reader Service Card for product information.

MAPPING OUT DINING PLANS WITH ZAGAT.(TIMEOUT)

The clever folks at Zagat have three handy city dining maps newly out, for New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. These maps, small enough to slip into a breast pocket when folded, unfold to about two feet square, with an overview map on one side and inset maps of neighborhoods on the other.

Alphabetical listings surrounding the map cover about 220 of the top-ranked restaurants in each city's Zagat Survey, and more restaurants are pinpointed by name in the neighborhood maps.

The restaurants are color-coded by type of cuisine, and each listing has ratings from the current Zagat Survey for food, decor, service and cost.

The maps, which also include points of interest and clearly marked street names, are so well-designed and user-friendly they'd be useful for visitors to these cities even without the restaurant listings.

They're $5.95 in bookstores, or order direct from Zagat by phone at (800) 333-3421 or via the Internet at www.zagat.com.

Zagat plans eventually to publish similar maps for each of the major markets covered by the Zagat grass-roots surveys.

Lufthansa Opens 10,000th Intershop Online Store.

Analysts Confirm Intershop Leads E-Commerce Market Share Growth

SAN FRANCISCO, May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Intershop, the world's leading provider of electronic commerce software, announced that Lufthansa, the largest German airline, has opened the Lufthansa SkyShop ( http://SkyShop.lufthansa.com ). This Internet store marks a major milestone as the 10,000th shop that has gone live with Intershop technology.

SkyShop, based on the popular Intershop 3 Hosting Edition, sells exclusive travel accessories and is operated by Lufthansa LOEWE Druck und Distribution GmbH in Cologne, Germany.

With more than 20,000 store licenses sold to date, Intershop is the number one e-commerce vendor in market share growth (source: Dataquest, April 1999) and the leader in new storefronts deployed for service providers (source: IDC, March 1999).

"We are proud to announce the Lufthansa's SkyShop as live store number 10,000 that was deployed on Intershop technology," said Stephan Schambach, president and CEO of Intershop. "The SkyShop is a symbol for the global acceptance of electronic commerce, its importance for convenient and borderless business and Intershop's vision of Creating the Digital Economy."

The SkyShop's catalog contains 300 products such as hard shell suitcases, cabin luggage, chronometers and airplane models as well as jewelry and gift items made from old airplane parts such as a titanium chess game and necklaces from turbine parts. The store offers log-in dependent discounts to visitors and more than 60,000 Lufthansa employees and accepts convenient credit card payments. The payment transactions are encrypted with SSL technology.

The Lufthansa SkyShop is built on the Intershop 3 Hosting Edition, a technology that allows companies to quickly and easily deploy a large number of fully functional Internet stores with product catalogs, back-office management and electronic payment transactions. The store links to a content management system, developed by Intershop partner Pironet who also helped deploy SkyShop.

About Intershop Communications, Inc.

Intershop Communications, Inc. is one of the world's leading providers of electronic commerce software for complete business-to-business and business-to-consumer solutions. Intershop customers include many of the world's largest, corporations, telecommunications companies and commerce service providers. To date, Intershop is the global leader in Internet commerce licenses with more than 20,000 live licenses.

Founded in 1992, Intershop is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in the U.S., Germany, France, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Sweden and the United Kingdom. For more information, call Intershop at 800-736-5197 or visit http://www.intershop.com.

Accedian Networks: World Premiere of Industry's First 'NIDeo' on Carrier Ethernet Backhaul Hits the Internet.

MONTREAL -- Accedian Networks([TM])-- the number one provider of High Performance Service Assurance([TM]) solutions for Carrier Ethernet mobile backhaul networks--releases the world premiere of its NIDeo--an animated video short depicting the complex challenges facing telecom service providers offering mobile backhaul services over Carrier Ethernet networks. Produced by Epipheo Studios, Accedian's NIDeo uses simple graphics and humorous, easy to understand storytelling scripting to walk the viewer through leveraging the best of Carrier Ethernet to assure backhaul services, monitor network performance, guarantee Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and significantly reduce Operational Expenses (OPEX).

"The Accedian NIDeo is the ideal vehicle to help us explain who we are, what we do and why it's important in a language that can be clearly understood by technical and non tech savvy audiences alike," said Craig Easley, VP of Marketing and Product Management at Accedian Networks. "As a growing technology company, it's important to simplify our message so it can be easily digested by a community that goes well beyond the technical engineers who work on the networks. We believe we've achieved that with our world premier NIDeo."

What the heck is a NIDeo? Find out here . It may change your perspective on Ethernet backhaul!

This unique approach of delivering a simplified message to a technical market follows Accedian Network's successful consumer-oriented advertising campaign. The "Power of the Pink Dress" campaign used a recognizable image to capture attention. The company's strategy with both the NIDeo and the ad campaign is to break free from its industry's typically highly technical, B-to-B advertising and marketing to showcase its products and value-add in the industry. Read Light Reading's Joe Braue's take on the ad campaign in his iBraue blog: The Power of the Pink Dress.

The Accedian Networks NIDeo was released today on Youtube, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter account. You can also view the NIDeo on the Accedian web site.

About Accedian Networks

Founded in 2004, Accedian Networks[TM] is an industry-leading provider of High Performance Service Assurance([TM]) solutions for Carrier Ethernet and IP networks. Today, the Company is the number one provider of performance assurance solutions for Carrier Ethernet backhaul networks in North America with an installed base of over 40,000 cell sites in 2010, and 70,000 platforms sold worldwide. The Company's hardware-based EtherNID([R]), MetroNID([R]) and MetroNODE 10GE([TM]) demarcation and OAM aggregation devices also provide real-world service creation and high-speed, high-performance service assurance for Ethernet business, wholesale access, and carrier exchange services. These solutions--which far outperform more costly switches, routers and test equipment-- enable service providers to establish end-to-end, standards-based OAM over converged multi-technology and multi-provider networks, with value-added services backed by assured SLAs. Accedian's platform is deployed by a global customer base that includes telecommunications providers, cable MSOs and mobile operators offering carrier-grade ethernet platforms. A privately held company, Accedian Networks is headquartered in Montreal, Canada, with regional offices in the U.S., Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Asia. For additional information, please visit: www.accedian.com or call 1-866-685-8181 or +1 (514) 331-6181.

Foreigners continue DFM exit.

Provided by 7DAYS.ae

Foreign investors were net sellers on Dubai's bourse for a third consecutive week last week while UAE nationals snapped up undervalued stocks, official exchange data showed yesterday.Foreigners from outside the Arab region offloaded shares worth dhs440.81 million in selling that pulled Dubai's index to a fresh ten-month low last week, Dubai Financial Market data revealed.Foreign institutional investors have led a sell-off in Gulf

markets this month. The Dubai measure fell 2.1 per cent in the trading week ended Thursday and is down more than 11 per cent from the start of the month.UAE nationals were the only net buyers in the trading week, the data showed, buying approximately dhs549 million worth of shares on a net-trading basis.

2007 Al Sidra Media LLC

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company

Hubzi.com Ramps Up with New Features.

Hubzi.com, the advertising platform and online marketplace for finding, promoting and selling services and products, has launched a set of new online marketing tools to help small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) promote their services and products as well as find new customers in their neighborhood or nationwide.

The Company said Hubzi.com sellers can now define their own discount deals and promotional offerings as well as choose to promote their offerings via email and internet marketing campaigns managed by Hubzi.com.

"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," says Bob Khanpour, founder of Hubzi.com. "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," Khanpour continued.

According to a release, since its inception in 2010, Hubzi.com has offered SMBs the opportunity to create a free business profile as well as post free ads about their services and products to local or national audiences. Building on top of the premise that an online marketplace can be a selling engine as well as a collaborative platform between buyer and seller, the new Hubzi.com marketing tools offer sellers more opportunities to expand their reach.

Hubzi.com is an advertising platform and online marketplace for finding, promoting and selling services and products.

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

Sensory city--convergence and innovation of intelligent industry and intelligent applications.(EVENT REVIEW)

On March 21, 2011, CCID Consulting Co., Ltd. held the "Strategic Emerging Industry and Growth Enterprise Summit Forum" in Shanghai. At the forum, Dr. Lu Kun, CEO of CCID Century Informatization Consulting Co. Ltd., a CCID Consulting subsidiary, delivered a speech with the theme of "Sensing City -- Convergence and Innovation of Intelligent Industry and Intelligence Applications," which aroused high concerns and resonance of the participating government departments, enterprises and experts. Dr. Lu Kun analyzed the background and necessity of sensory city construction in the scenario of global and national development, interpreted the concept of sensory city proposed by CCID Consulting, shared the advanced experience of foreign sensing cities with the participants, clarified the subject with a unique perspective, as well as fully exhibited CCID Consulting's leading capability and professional position in China's sensory city construction.

Currently, the world's development features globalization, green, informatization and service-oriented trends. The globalization process continues to accelerate, represented by the high-speed development of extremely complicated funds, resources, products and consumer demand, which is making the world smaller. Meanwhile, curbing global warming and pursuing low carbon becomes all countries' common mission, making the world greener. The information technology has become an important production tool, and found its way into every aspect of our life, making the world is more intelligent. The service sector is taking an up increasing proportion of the economic structure, making the world "softer." Besides, the aging of the world population, the change of the world's geopolitical situations and the universalizing values are becoming new features of the world's development.

China will further advance its industrialization, informatization, urbanization, marketization, and internationalization, with a focus on adjusting the industrial structure and transforming the economic growth pattern, which requires a stronger independent innovation capability of the country. With the progress in urbanization, more world-class cities will emerge in China. China's urban population is expected to surpass the rural population around the year 2013, and it is estimated to increase by 600 million in next 40 to 50 years. The 12th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development (Draft) requires an active and steady advancement of urbanization, increasing the urbanization rate from the current 47.5 percent to 51.5 percent while improving the urban planning. With the development of its market economy, China is becoming an independent top economy in the world, instead of a manufacturing base of the superpowers, and it is playing a more important role in the global politics and economy.

Meanwhile, China's cities will grow in their sizes; social complexity will increase; urban industrial innovation will accelerate; urban management will be finer and more advanced; urban environment will be better protected. A stronger capability to use advanced technologies will help the cities enhance their competitiveness, so the construction of a sensory city has become strategically important for urban development.

In order to meet the needs of China's urban development and accelerate the implementation of Premier Wen Jiabao's "Sensing China" strategy, CCID Consulting has taken the lead to put forward the concept of sensory city development and launched a series of surveys on sensory city assessment systems, sensory city construction experiences and sensory city planning & design to support the modernization of the Chinese cities.

Sensory city refers to the construction of highly advanced urban sensory infrastructures to realize the city's timely, interactive and integrated information perception, transmission and processing through Internet of things and other information & communications technologies, so as to achieve sustainable development of the city, improved satisfaction of the people and enhanced competitiveness of the enterprises, which is represented by the complete intelligence of the urban environment, the active innovations of the urban economy, the flexible and efficient urban services, the modernization and satisfaction of the urban dwellers accurate and efficient urban governance.

Various factors are important for the construction of a sensory city, including policy guidance, demand stimulation, technical supports and market operations, while a scientific, objective and fair sensory city evaluation system is also in urgent need. China Center for Information Industry Development has constructed a sensory city evaluation index system in collaboration with the Information Industry based on a 10-month research. The design of the evaluation system highly values new public management ideas, the quality of services and user satisfaction, public recognition of the urban public management performance and innovative government governance approach that values development and application of information technologies. It evaluates a sensory city in five dimensions, covering the aspects of government, businesses and citizen and looking into issues including intelligent governance, innovative economy and people's satisfaction to reflect the three types of inter-group relations -- G2B, G2D, and B2D -- between them.

Sensory city's top-level architecture consists of an application supporting platform, four layers, namely the sensory layer, transmission layer, data layer, and application layer, as well as the information security system and management system.

Amway North America #1 in Online Health & Beauty Sales for Eighth Consecutive Year - Internet Retailer.

ADA, Mich., May 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Amway Independent Business Owners (IBOs) have once again earned the company the top spot in online Health & Beauty (H&B) sales. According to Internet Retailer's annual Top 500 Guide to the web, Amway North America is ranked first in the Health & Beauty category for the eighth consecutive year, and 28th in overall web sales.

Amway North America is part of the Amway family, a worldwide leader in direct selling, with more than three million IBOs in more than 80 countries and territories. Amway North America's Top 500 Guide ranking is based on estimates made by Internet Retailer, since Amway does not report sales by individual market. Enterprise-wide sales for Amway North America's parent company, Alticor, were $9.2 billion in fiscal 2010.

According to Internet Retailer estimates, Amway North America's online sales were more than $912 million in 2010.

"To be number one in online health and beauty sales for eight straight years is wonderful recognition of the hard-working Independent Business Owners who drive our sales," says Steve Lieberman, Amway North America's Managing Director. "This ranking also is a great credit to the high quality and appeal of our major health and beauty brands, NUTRILITE nutritional supplements and ARTISTRY skin care and cosmetics."

NUTRILITE is the world's leading brand of vitamin, mineral and dietary supplements, based on 2009 sales, and ARTISTRY skin care and cosmetics is one of the world's top five largest-selling premium skin care brands (Source Euromonitor International Limited; Beauty and Personal Care database, premium cosmetics sector, global 2009 RSP, global brand name classification).

The NUTRILITE and ARTISTRY brands are among more than 450 unique, high-quality products manufactured and marketed by Amway. These exclusive brands are supported by more than 60 Research & Development labs worldwide, approximately 500 patents, and a 180-day 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.

Internet Retailer's definitive ranking and analysis of America's 500 largest e-retailers is based on annual 2010 Internet sales, researched by Internet Retailer and confirmed by retailers. This report includes company financial, operational and performance data, as well as vendors in key categories.

About Amway

Based in Ada, Mich., Amway is part of the Alticor group of companies, founded by the DeVos and Van Andel families. Alticor Inc. is led by Steve Van Andel, Chairman, and Doug DeVos, President. Global sales for the Alticor group of companies, which include Amway, Access Business Group, LLC, and Alticor Corporate Enterprises (ACE) reached $9.2 billion in fiscal 2010.

About Internet Retailer

Published by Chicago-based Vertical Web Media LLC, Internet Retailer is a monthly national business magazine that is at the core of the leading retail information web site, an e-commerce conference and four directories that serve the retailing community. Internet Retailer's 42,500 subscribers and 250,000 monthly web readers represent senior executives primarily from retail chains, independent stores, catalogs, virtual merchants and brand name manufacturers. Internet Retailer's circulation represents the largest multichannel readership base of any retailing magazine.

SOURCE Amway North America

SECRETARY-GENERAL, AT WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY EVENT, STRESSES OBLIGATION OF STATES TO UPHOLD FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, INFORMATION, ASSOCIATION.

NEW YORK -- The following information was released by the United Nations:

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's remarks at World Press Freedom Day observance in New York, 4 May:

It is a great pleasure for me to join you for this annual observance. I attach the highest importance to press freedom and to article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which proclaims the right of all people to "seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers".

When Governments repress their people, press freedom is among the most powerful vehicles for exposing misdeeds. When people face discrimination, access to media can give them voice. And in an era of pressing global challenges, the free exchange of information and ideas through the media can connect people and countries in networks of common cause.

On this year's observance, we recall the roots of World Press Freedom Day. A generation ago, in the wake of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the crumbling of media restrictions in Eastern Europe, a group of courageous African journalists sought similar advances on their continent. Their aspirations found wide resonance. They worked with UNESCO [United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization] to organize the 1991 seminar in Namibia that produced the landmark Windhoek Declaration on free and independent media. The Declaration inspired the UN General Assembly, two years later, to establish this observance.

Today, it is the peoples of North Africa and the Middle East mobilizing for their democratic rights and freedoms. And they are doing so with a heavy reliance on new media. The Internet, social media and blog posts -- these are among the tools being used so creatively, especially by the vanguard of young people, to help spur change in their societies. And it is working, albeit not without tragic violence at the hands of regimes that fear both the media and the demands they have made possible.

The theme of this year's observance, "New Frontiers, New Barriers", highlights this dramatically changed global media landscape. New media and tools such as cell phones continue to empower individuals and enrich news-gathering. Once largely hidden workings of Government, business and industry are seeing the light of day.

More than 70 countries have enacted laws to protect the right of citizens to various kinds of information -- on parliamentary and individual proceedings, to constitutional decisions and the like. We are working for the day when Governments can no longer shield themselves from full and proper scrutiny.

Yet alongside these benefits stand old challenges. We still see the media used to disseminate hatred and incite violence, including, at times, broadcasters and newspapers of States themselves. New media have also had unintended consequences. States have found them very handy as tools of cyber-surveillance. The very public nature of the new media means that authorities can easily monitor what is being said and who is saying it. Some Governments have simply extended to the Internet the censorship they already practice in traditional media.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least six journalists who worked primarily online were killed in 2010. And in 2008, for the first time, more "online reporters", were in jail than those working in traditional media. On World Press Freedom Day, we remember the journalists, editors and other media professionals who have been killed for their reporting.

The impunity that often follows such murders suggests a disturbing lack of official concern for the protection of journalists, and contempt for the vital role they play. Many other journalists languish in jail simply for doing their jobs. On this Day, we call for justice -- and freedom for those still detained. We pledge to bridge the digital divide, so that all people can benefit from access to new media and communication technologies.

The rights to freedom of expression, information and association are not abstract principles; they are rights that States have an obligation to fulfil. I highlight these rights wherever I travel, most recently and especially in the States whose people are demanding change. And I will continue, publicly and privately, to work to ensure the freedom and safety of journalists.

I look forward to working together to uphold these bedrock principles of democracy, development and peace.

1&1 App Improves Efficiency for Working On-The-Go; Online Storage App is free for download from Apple iOS and AndroidOS; Working documents can be edited and managed from a mobile connection.(Company overview)

M2 PRESSWIRE-April 14, 2011-: 1&1 App Improves Efficiency for Working On-The-Go; Online Storage App is free for download from Apple iOS and AndroidOS; Working documents can be edited and managed from a mobile connection(C)1994-2011 M2 COMMUNICATIONS

RDATE:14042011

London: The mobile internet is booming and millions of Britons are now regularly accessing the Web through mobile devices and Smartphones. 1&1 Internet Ltd., www.1and1.co.uk, a global leader amongst Web hosts, has developed an application that is especially beneficial for businesses using such mobile technology. The new 1&1 Online Storage app provides access to important documents without using a computer and can be achieved via a mobile internet connection.

Business owners on-the-go can use this app to edit and manage documents efficiently while traveling or between appointments. All that is required is a 1&1 Online Office account which is included for free in most 1&1 hosting packages. The app itself is available for free download to iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch devices and mobile phones with the Android operating system.

With the increased demand for mobile Web connections, 1&1 has been working hard to provide our customers with the tools necessary to manage their business from any type of internet connection, said Oliver Mauss, CEO of 1&1 Internet Ltd. Mobile applications have become a dominant force in communication and information management and we welcome the challenge to continue providing customers with tools that support their efforts to effectively conduct business on the go.

The 1&1 Online Storage app is simple to download. Once the app is downloaded from either the "AppStore" or "Android Market, users can enter the e-mail address and password that is associated with the desired 1&1 account. This login will provide them with access to their Online Storage from virtually any location. Various document formats (DOC, XLS, PDF, PPT, JPG, etc.) can be viewed, edited, filed, and saved directly from a mobile device. Also, each account is automatically given 2GB of free space. If additional space is needed, users can increase their storage capacity for an additional cost.

All data is stored on 1&1s servers located in the companys state-of-the-art, high-performance data centre in Karlsruhe, Germany. Storing working documents in Online Storage ensures that only the most recent file versions are available and eliminates the chance for outdated information to be referenced.

The 1&1 Online Storage app can be downloaded for free at:

- Apple iOS: http://itunes.apple.com/uk/app/1-1-online-speicher/id429396710?mt=8

- AndroidOS: https://market.android.com/details?id=de.einsundeins.smartdrive

For more information visit the website at www.1and1.co.uk

About 1&1 Internet Ltd:

1&1 Internet Ltd based in Slough, west of London, is Europe's No.1 web hosting and domain name registration company. 1&1 Internet Ltd is the UK arm of 1&1 Internet AG based in Germany (a subsidiary of United Internet Group, a public company with a market cap of more than 2 Billion GBP). 1&1 was established in 1988 and around 10 million British, German, French, Spanish, Austrian, Polish and US customer contracts and serves some 11 million domain names at its 70,000 server strong Data Centres. 1&1 prides itself on being the one-stop-shop for web solutions.

1&1 Internet Ltd entered the UK domain registration and web hosting market in June 2000. As a well funded profitable company, it is in a strong position to deliver a high quality service at low cost. 1&1 is an accredited Registrar with ICANN (.com), Nominet (.co.uk), Afilias (.info), NeuLevel (.biz) and PIR (.org).

For 1&1 Internet Ltd: Richard Stevenson & Thomas Pluennecke 1&1 Internet Ltd Tel. 01753 490 435 press@1and1.co.uk

((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com)).

South Africa: Internet growth accelerates.(MARKET INTELLIGENCE)

The number of South African Internet users has passed the 5-million mark for the first time, finally breaking through the 10% mark in Internet penetration for the country. This is the key finding of the Internet Access in South Africa 2010 study, conducted by World Wide Worx and jointly sponsored by Cisco.

The headline data shows that the Internet user base grew by 15% in 2009, from 4.6 million to 5.3 million, and is expected to grow at a similar rate in 2010.

"The good news is that we will continue to see strong growth in 2010, and we should reach the 6-million mark by the end of the year," says Arthur Goldstuck, MD of World Wide Worx

"A sustained growth in Internet penetration is a key factor that will positively influence the economy of South Africa", says Reshaad Sha, senior manager for Cisco Internet Business Solutions Group. "The varied range of application services and social networking platforms used by local consumers has fuelled the uptake that we see today."

Growth in the number of Internet users in South Africa was relatively stagnant from 2002 to 2007, when it never rose above 7%. However, this rate almost doubled in 2008, and continued accelerating in 2009.

Factors pushing growth

World Wide Worx found that the landing of a new undersea cable on the South African coast was only one of a range of factors behind the growth. Of greater significance was the granting of Electronic Communications Network Service licenses to more than 400 organizations. This meant that service providers that were previously required to buy their network access from one of the major providers could now build their own networks or choose where they wanted to buy their access.

The result was that a market previously characterized by a limited range of providers and services suddenly exploded as small providers were able to repackage the services provided by the large telecommunications corporations in any way they wished. The large providers, in turn, began to offer far more competitive packages to both customers and resellers.

World Wide Worx found that a second key factor in growth over the past two years has been the continued uptake of broadband connectivity by small and medium enterprises migrating from dial-up connectivity. Each company moving from dial-up to ADSL, for example, extended Internet access to general office staff. This process was found to add an additional one to 20 new users to the Internet user base for every small business installing ADSL.

While the headline findings examine the general numbers of users, the final Internet Access in SA 2010 report, due to be released in March, will highlight the extent of new fiber-optic networks laid down across South African cities and between the cities. It will also examine the impact of the range of new undersea cables that will be in place by the end of 2011, and which is expected to enhance competitiveness even further.

"In the coming year, operators will begin to leverage the combination of new undersea cable capacity and new fiber-optic networks to supply corporate clients and resellers with bigger, faster and more flexible capacity," says Goldstuck. "Almost every large player in the communications industry has realigned its business to take advantage of this relentless change."

"South African consumers and businesses are demanding access to online applications and services that can only be experienced via high speed connectivity, such as fiber-optic networks. The year ahead will see the proliferation of high speed connectivity materializing more widely than ever before", concludes Sha.

Citicorp to Buy Stake in Meca, a Personal Finance Software Company.(Brief Article)

Citicorp agreed Wednesday to buy a nonmajority stake in Meca Software LLC, the Trumbull, Conn.-based company known for its Managing Your Money personal finance software.

The deal, whose financial terms were not disclosed, brings Meca its seventh owner, each holding an equal share.

Citicorp, the largest bank to buy into the company, plans to launch a Citibank-branded Internet service based on Meca technology by the end of the year. "Meca's 15 years of electronic banking and personal finance software experience ... will significantly complement the innovations we've already made at Citibank," said Edward Horowitz, executive vice president of advanced development at the holding company, Citicorp.

Ten banks currently deliver home banking services to personal computers equipped with Meca software. The company expects to add a half-dozen bank customers by the end of this year.

Meca's president and chief executive officer, Paul Harrison, said Citicorp's investment is a vote of confidence in a company that two years ago employed only 75 and was "limping along."

"Now we have 360 staff, new life, and a new direction," he said.

Meca got a new lease on life when BankAmerica Corp. and NationsBank Corp. bought it from H&R Block in July 1995 for $35 million. Royal Bank of Canada, Fleet Financial Group Inc., First Bank System Inc., and a life insurer, The New England, bought stakes last year.

Mr. Harrison said Citicorp decided to sign on after watching how Meca responded to the requirements of its owners and customers. "That gives us a high grade for our performance," he said.

Meca had trouble competing in a part of the software market dominated by Intuit Inc., which makes the popular Quicken personal finance software, and Microsoft Corp., which makes the Money program.

It recently decided to stop selling Managing Your Money in retail stores. Banks have become the primary distributors as part of their home banking offerings.

Freed from retail marketing, Meca is concentrating on developing products and services and providing technical support. It recently launched the Meca Internet Transaction Server, which provides for Internet banking. And it plans to introduce this year a "push" technology product called e.branch.

Drs. Foster and Smith Offers Customers and Their Four-Legged Friends a New Payment Option.

Leading Pet Supply Retailer Enhances Online and Catalog Shopping with the Convenience of Bill Me Later

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Bill Me Later, Inc. today announced that Drs. Foster and Smith, a leading provider of pet supplies and information, is now offering its customers the ability to pay for online and catalog purchases with Bill Me Later[R]. By selecting Bill Me Later at checkout, customers of Drs. Foster and Smith will no longer need to provide their credit card information on the Web or via phone.

For a limited time, Drs. Foster and Smith is offering customers no payments for 90 days on purchases of $150 or more made with Bill Me Later.

"We took many factors into consideration when evaluating alternative payment options, including ROI, ease of implementation, flexibility and marketing opportunities," said Gordon Magee, head of Internet marketing and data analysis at Drs. Foster and Smith. "Bill Me Later was the clear choice. It brings all of these benefits to the table, and is a nimble partner that will meet our payments marketing needs."

Bill Me Later, Inc. allows retailers to simplify the payment experience to capture lost sales, increase customer loyalty and maximize profits. Through a single implementation of its Bill Me Later product suite, merchants gain access to a set of technology solutions, including Bill Me Later and its unique, integrated marketing programs and consumer offers; Bill Me Later[R] Business; and a private label credit card program.

"Drs. Foster and Smith is admired for delivering veterinarian-selected products and information discerning customers have come to rely on," said Vince Talbert, vice president of marketing at Bill Me Later, Inc. "Bill Me Later complements this experience, allowing Drs. Foster and Smith to extend the quality and convenience of their brand through to the checkout process."

About Drs. Foster and Smith

Doctors Foster and Smith, a privately owned company, is the #1 catalog and online seller of pet supplies and pharmaceuticals in the industry. Doctors Foster and Smith is known for empowering pet owners by providing extensive veterinarian-supported advice, proprietary information and quality pet products, serving millions of pet owners from coast to coast. Dr. Race Foster and Dr. Marty Smith have become the nation's foremost authorities on pet wellness, pet care and pet-owner education, earning an unmatched reputation for the scope of their veterinary expertise on dogs, cats, fish, birds, reptiles, pond life, small animals and equine. For more information, visit DrsFosterSmith.com and PetEducation.com.

About Bill Me Later, Inc.

Bill Me Later, Inc. is a rapidly growing technology company helping to connect leading merchants with high value customers by improving the purchase experience. Bill Me Later, Inc.'s payment and marketing technology solutions help establish and maintain trusted relationships between hundreds of top tier retailers and high value customers at the point-of-sale. Millions of consumers rely on the safety and convenience of Bill Me Later, Inc.'s payment solutions when shopping online, via phone and in-store. The solutions are the first new payment methods since credit cards to be so broadly available within the United States. For more information, visit www.billmelater.com.

All trademarks referenced in this press release are the property of their respective owners.