NSW:Sydney 'bomb' woman now safe from device

AAP General News (Australia)
08-04-2011
NSW:Sydney 'bomb' woman now safe from device

SYDNEY, Aug 4 AAP - Sydney police having safely removed an 18-year-old woman who was
collared to what they thought was a bomb are now working to fathom the bizarre event and
arrest the person or persons behind it.

After the incident on Sydney's lower north shore entered its 10th hour on Wednesday
night, Assistant Commissioner Mark Murdoch said the woman had been released from the device
and reunited safely with her parents.

The device is still intact and was being examined by the bomb squad.

Police were called to the girl's Mosman home about 2.30pm (AEST) on Wednesday.

She was attached to the "elaborate, sophisticated" device by a person who entered her home.

There was some interaction between the girl and that person before they left the house.

Mr Murdoch declined to detail any demands made by the person who has so far evaded police.

He said it was too early to say whether the device had been placed in the teenager's
home as part of an extortion attempt.

"Certainly the family are at a loss to explain this, but you wouldn't expect someone
would go to this much trouble if there wasn't a motive behind it," he said.

"What this motive is, we are still not aware.

"The family have endured something no one needs to endure ... but they have held up
remarkably well."

Mr Murdoch said police kept a tight lid on public information throughout the ordeal
so as not to agitate those responsible, who may have been following the news.

The teenager was now doing well and was with her parents, he said.

"She's good - she's been kept in a very uncomfortable position," Murdoch said.

"She has been and will be uncomfortable for a little while to come."

Mr Murdoch said it was too early to say what kind of device it was, except that it
was "very elaborate, sophisticated".

"It's taken us 10 hours to get to grips with it," he said.

"We still don't know if it was explosive.

"It is a testament to the skills of our NSW bomb technicians who have worked tirelessly
to secure the young lady's released."

Mr Murdoch said there was still no evidence as to a motive and that police had had
no contact with whoever put the device in place.

But he said the girl had had some interaction with her attacker and had given "a lot
of information" to police.

AAP pc/ih/goc/

KEYWORD: BOMB UPDATE

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

Suspects named but bomb anger lingers.

Provided by 7DAYS.ae

Police said yesterday they were closing on suspects after bombs killed 21 people in India's capital at the weekend, but anger grew over the failure to prevent recent attacks.Police identified Abdul Subhan Qureshi, a convent-educated computer expert and member of a banned Islamic students' group, as the chief suspect in the New Delhi attack, and said he was also involved in bombing the city of Ahmedabad in July.They are also looking for a man named as Qayamuddin, also known as Ashfaque."We are close to cracking the case," Delhi police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said. "We have picked up some people."The Indian media did not echo the optimism of the police after bombings in four major cities killed more than 150 people in recent months. In each case, suspects were named and Muslims were rounded up, but the attacks continue."What's changed ;" asked an editorial in the Indian Express newspaper yesterday.

Police are massively understaffed and under-resourced. There is no central database of militants and little time for meticulous investigations."We have not had a dedicated task force to look into the deficiencies in our counter-terrorism mechanism," said B Raman, a former head of India's spy agency RAW."We need a central investigation agency for counter-terrorism to build up a cadre of investigation officers."Others say part of the problem stems from a sense of alienation among India's minority Muslims, many of whom feel government efforts to stamp out Islamist militancy often victimise the entire community.Alienation was also fuelled by communal riots in the western state of Gujarat in 2002, when around 2,500 people, mostly Muslims, were hacked and burnt to death. "Immediately after the Delhi blasts, the government has again started persecuting innocent Muslims by dragging them from their homes for questioning," Maulana Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the chief cleric of Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque, said.

2007 Al Sidra Media LLC

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company

--Le Grand Robert launches online dictionary version

Internet Business News
04-08-2011
--Le Grand Robert launches online dictionary version

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

8 April 2011 - French publisher Editions Le Robert, which publishes language dictionary Le Grand Robert, announced yesterday that a new online version of the dictionary is now available.
The initiative is meant to celebrate the company's 60th anniversary.

The new version features 1,500 additional words compared to the previous one, which was launched in 2001, as well as additional quotations from contemporary authors.

By paying a yearly subscription of EUR48 (USD70), users will be able to access the dictionary from any kind of digital support.

The current demand is not sufficient to finance a new paper version of the dictionary, according to Marianne Durand, Le Robert's managing director in charge of dictionaries.

Digital business currently accounts for 10% of Editions Le Robert's total revenue. This share may increase to 25% in the mid- term.

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

(Copyright M2 Communications, 2011)

QLD:Bouncers acquitted over bashing death

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-2010
QLD:Bouncers acquitted over bashing death

Two bouncers jailed for the bashing death of a man outside a popular Gold Coast tavern
have been acquitted.

30-year-old MORNE LOMBAARD and 32-year-old DENIS LEGRADI were found guilty in June
by a Brisbane jury of the manslaughter of TERII TARARO in May 2008 .. and jailed for seven
years.

The pair won their appeals against their convictions in the Brisbane Supreme Court
of Appeal today .. based on evidence about the injuries sustained by the deceased.

AAP lpm/crh/jr

KEYWORD: LEGRADI (BRISBANE)

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

NSW:Alleged $17m loan scam lasted 7 months

AAP General News (Australia)
08-10-2010
NSW:Alleged $17m loan scam lasted 7 months

A Sydney court has been told a mortgage broker allegedly made fraudulent applications
for home loans .. worth 17-million dollars .. over a seven-month period.

30-year-old YAN LI of Wolli Creek is charged with 27 fraud offences .. involving numerous
home loan applications with Suncorp Bank .. with the intention of obtaining a commission.

North Sydney Local Court has continued his conditional bail .. adjourning the matter
until August 31.

AAP RTV ev/klm/ajw/

KEYWORD: LI (SYDNEY)

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

Fed: Water buyback scheme just a 'flashy statement': Joyce

AAP General News (Australia)
04-01-2010
Fed: Water buyback scheme just a 'flashy statement': Joyce

Opposition water spokesman BARNABY JOYCE says the government is using its water buyback
scheme as a flashy statement with negligible benefit to the environment.

The Productivity Commission yesterday released a report on the scheme .. which found
problems with its design and questioned spending on water saving infrastructure.

Water Minister PENNY WONG says she'd consider the recommendations .. but is unlikely
to adopt all of them.

Senator JOYCE says the 303 million dollar purchase of Twynham Pastroral Company licences
.. which are reportedly 40 million dollars overpriced .. shows an ad-hoc scheme.

He's told Sky News that the Australian people ended up borrowing the money from overseas
to pay for it .. and the result was negligible for the Murray-Darling Basin.

AAP RTV gd/klw

KEYWORD: WATER JOYCE (CANBERRA)

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

Tas: Chinese student murder accused plead not guilty

AAP General News (Australia)
08-19-2009
Tas: Chinese student murder accused plead not guilty

By Paul Carter

HOBART, Aug 19 AAP - Two men charged with murdering a Chinese university student in
Hobart have pleaded not guilty.

Police say accountancy student Zhang Yu, 26, was murdered inside a Hobart unit after
a chance meeting with the men during a night out on June 25.

Hobart men Stavros Papadopoulos and Daniel Williams, both 21, each entered pleas of
not guilty on Wednesday during brief appearances in the Hobart Magistrates Court.

Magistrate Michael Hill remanded the men in custody until their next court appearance
in the Hobart Supreme Court on September 21.

Detectives say they were led to Ms Yu's body, in a river 60km west of Hobart, five
days after she went missing.

Police allege Ms Yu was struck on the head.

Her family took her ashes home to Wenzhou, China, after inviting the people of Hobart
to her funeral on July 11.

AAP pc/ash/mn

KEYWORD: YU

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

Fed: Paid maternity leave is affordable

AAP General News (Australia)
04-09-2009
Fed: Paid maternity leave is affordable

Federal government costings reportedly show paid maternity leave remains affordable
despite the global financial crisis.

The Australian newspaper reports the Rudd government is weighing up the cost for the
plan ahead of the May budget.

The Productivity Commission has recommended working mothers be paid the adult minimum
wage of 544 dollars a week for 18 weeks.

Productivity Commissioner ROBERT FITZGERALD said yesterday the community could without
question deliver the scheme .. even amid the current economic problems.

AAP RTV ka/tm

KEYWORD: MATERNITY LEAVE (SYDNEY)

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

NSW: man charged over 17-year-old murder

AAP General News (Australia)
12-05-2008
NSW: man charged over 17-year-old murder

SYDNEY, Dec 5 AAP - Homicide detectives will seek the extradition of a man arrested
in Tasmania over an unsolved murder in inner Sydney 17 years ago.

NSW unsolved homicide detectives and Tasmanian police arrested a 45-year-old man at
9pm on Thursday at Launceston Police Station.

He was was interviewed and charged with the murder of 27-year-old Felipe Flores who
was found at a wharf near Lincoln Crescent and Mrs Macquaries Chair, Woolloomooloo, about
3am on Monday September 2, 1991.

He had sustained severe head injuries and was found partially clothed.

Mr Flores was last seen leaving the Exchange Hotel on Oxford St, Darlinghurst, about
2am that day.

The 45-year-old man has been refused bail to appear at Launceston Magistrates Court
on Friday where NSW detectives will apply for his extradition to Sydney.

AAP krc/it

KEYWORD: FLORES

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

NSW: Murdered teenager's parents break down in court

AAP General News (Australia)
08-01-2008
NSW: Murdered teenager's parents break down in court

SYDNEY, Aug 1 AAP - The parents of murdered teenager Tania Burgess have broken down
in court while telling the judge who will decide her killer's sentence about the "searing
pain" they have lived with since her death.

Tania, 15, was stabbed 48 times on her way home from school while walking through the
car park of the Forresters Beach Resort on the Central Coast in July 2005.

As she lay dying, Tania managed to utter her attacker's first name, his school and his class.

In March, a NSW Supreme Court jury took only 90 minutes to find the "gentle" youth
- who cannot be identified as he was 16 at the time - guilty of her murder.

As part of sentencing submissions in front of Justice Robert Hulme today, victim impact
statements from Tania's parents Chris and Mandy Burgess were read to the court.

Tania's killer sat impassively in the dock as the statements were read out.

Crown prosecutor Margaret Cunneen, SC, had to read Mr Burgess' statement when he became
too emotional to continue.

In it he described the hardest day of his life as when he had to carry his daughter's
coffin, and one of his greatest laments was he would not be able to walk her down the
aisle.

"I know other families have losses, some even have the unthinkable tragedy of losing
a child, but to lose a child to murder shattered one's belief in humanity," his statement
read.

"The thoughtless and selfish act took Tania from us forever and put an end to the bright
future that would have been Tania's."

Mandy Burgess wept as she spoke about her passionate, artistic daughter who loved surfing
and summers on the beach and had wanted to be a lion tamer.

She said she was only grateful the family had enjoyed a holiday together only a week
before the murder.

"What was to happen a week later would shatter our lives forever," she told the court.

"We have had to endure (a journey) of hell, frustration and pain - searing pain that
still to this day rips through my body.

"I will live with the pain and heartache for the rest of my life.

"Just day to day life of trying to keep my family together is a nightmare."

Mr Burgess rested his hand on his wife's shoulder in support while she read her statement.

Both spoke of the devastating effect Tania's death had had on their relationship and
on their other children, who were struggling to cope.

Mrs Burgess said she had been on psychiatric medication since 2005.

"This should never have happened. Nothing has been achieved by this senseless death," she said.

"There is a hole in my family - a hole that can never be filled.

"A piece of my family has been taken away."

Forensic psychiatrist Dr Stephen Allnutt also addressed the court during sentencing
submissions today.

He said the boy found guilty of Tania's murder, who is now 19, suffers from depression
and anxiety symptoms and had some symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder, but there
was no evidence he was suffering from psychosis at the time of the attack.

"(But) something distorted his thinking," he said.

"For something to drive that behaviour there must have been some significant stuff
going on in his head."

AAP kaj/kd/evt/cjh/de

KEYWORD: BURGESS

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

NSW: NSW holiday road toll rises to six

AAP General News (Australia)
12-30-2007
NSW: NSW holiday road toll rises to six

EDS: AAP's Xmas/New Year road toll figures are for the period 0001 December 21 to 2359
January 4. Some state and territory police forces may use different road toll periods.

SYDNEY, Dec 30 AAP - The NSW holiday road toll has risen to six with the death of a
man in a four-car collision near Chinderah on the North Coast.

Police say the 27-year-old man from Guyra was driving a Holden sedan north in the south-bound
lane of the Pacific Highway at Chinderah at about 10pm (AEDT) last night when he collided
with a Mitsubishi being driven south.

Another Mitsubishi sedan then collided with the first Mitsubishi, and a Volkswagon
hatchback received minor damage when it hit debris from the accident.

The driver of the Holden died at the scene while a 20-year-old man from Queensland
driving the first Mitsubishi was trapped for a short time before being freed and airlifted
to the Gold Coast Hospital in a serious condition.

A 29-year-old man from Armidale, who was a passenger in the Holden, was also trapped
for a short time before being freed and taken by ambulance to Tweed Heads Hospital in
a serious condition.

Anyone who witnessed the accident or has information that may assist police is urged
to contact the Ballina Crash Investigation Unit on 02 6681 8618 or Crime Stoppers on 1800
333 000.

AAP ao

KEYWORD: TOLL NSW (REISSUING)

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

Qld: Court quashes Haneef visa decision

AAP General News (Australia)
08-21-2007
Qld: Court quashes Haneef visa decision

BRISBANE, Aug 21 AAP - A Federal Court judge has quashed a decision by the federal
government to cancel the work visa of former terror suspect Dr Mohamed Haneef.

MORE ews/pjo/apm/sp

KEYWORD: HANEEF

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

HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 14:45, April 5 = 2

AAP General News (Australia)
04-05-2007
HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 14:45, April 5 = 2

SAN FRANCISCO - The parents of "American Taliban" John Walker Lindh have called on
US President George W Bush to free their son, contrasting his 20-year jail term with the
nine-month sentence given to Australian Guantanamo Bay detainee David Hicks. (Hicks US
Lindh N/L)



AUCKLAND - Roofs were blown off houses and school children narrowly escaped a mudslide
through their school as Tropical Cyclone Cliff struck Fiji yesterday. (Cliff Fiji)

Cliff Nightlead to come



SYDNEY - Google has opened its map making application to millions of net users wanting
to customise their own maps for personal use and sharing on the web. (US Google Nightlead)



BRISBANE - A team of Queensland animators are putting the final touches on a 3D animated
children's series to launch to the global television and trade market in Cannes, France,
this month. (Animalia)



CANBERRA - The federal government has defended its decision to allow British firebrand
Yvonne Ridley, who has reportedly praised suicide bombers as martyrs, to enter Australia.

(Muslims)



CANBERRA - Australian troops in southern Iraq won't have to expand their area of operations
now that Britain has passed responsibility for another province back to the Iraqi authorities,
Army chief Lieutenant General Peter Leahy said today. (Iraq Aust)



CANBERRA - Nationals senator Barnaby Joyce says the federal government should overlook
Treasury's advice more often when making policy decisions. (Water Joyce)



CANBERRA - The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) says it will not help fund an advertising
campaign to promote the federal government's controversial Work Choices laws. (Workplace
Industry)



CANBERRA - Education Minister Julie Bishop has urged all states to follow NSW's lead
and support reforms to school teachers' pay. (Teachers)



CANBERRA - Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull is travelling to the United States
and Indonesia over Easter to discuss Australia's global forests initiative. (Climate Turnbull)



CANBERRA - Using timeless Anzac imagery and a rousing soundtrack, the army has moved
to differentiate itself from the other services which sail ships and fly aeroplanes. (Army
)



SYDNEY - Newly appointed NSW Liberal Leader Barry O'Farrell says providing solutions
to fix Sydney's transport problems will be a top priority for his party. (OFarrell)



SYDNEY - Talkback host Alan Jones will fight to avoid paying damages to defamed former
NSW Police assistant commissioner Clive Small at a court hearing later this year. (Jones)



SYDNEY - A Sydney eye surgeon who downloaded more than 10,000 images of child pornography
to his home computer over a six-year period has been allowed to continue practising medicine.

(Wingate)



SYDNEY - More than 35,000 exhibits, from livestock and domestic animals to art and
a belly-dancing midget, are on display at Sydney's Royal Easter Show from today. (Show

Daylead)



SYDNEY - A man has been charged with attempting to abduct a teenage girl on the NSW
central coast. (Abduct)



MELBOURNE - The younger brother of fugitive drug lord Tony Mokbel has been ordered
to stand trial for allegedly blackmailing and threatening to kill a property developer
and his wife. (Mokbel Nightlead)



MELBOURNE - Victoria's health authorities are investigating two confirmed cases of
legionnaires' disease in Melbourne's west. (Legionnaires)



MELBOURNE - Victorian Premier Steve Bracks today admitted that a health department
bungle over a man charged with deliberately spreading HIV could have been handled better.

(Neal)



MELBOURNE - A funding shortage has forced nine Victorian hospitals to close for elective
surgery for at least two weeks, prolonging the state's waiting lists, the state opposition
claims. (Hospitals. N/LL to come)



MELBOURNE - A 19-year-old Scottish tourist who sparked a major hunt in the rugged Otway
Ranges south-west of Melbourne has been found. (Hike. N/L to come)



MELBOURNE - Former mining executive Hugh Morgan says there should be an internationally-owned
and run nuclear waste facility in Australia, with the ideal site an area of land across
the South Australian and West Australian border. (Nuclear Morgan)



BRISBANE - The father of Brisbane student and champion ice skater Morgan Innes, who
died in the Sydney Harbour ferry disaster, has offered words of comfort to his daughter's
school mates. (Ferry Innes)



BRISBANE - Doctors and the Queensland opposition say a move by the state government
to send public patients to private hospitals for elective surgery is a band-aid solution
to cut waiting lists. (Surgery Nightlead)



BRISBANE - A hotel bouncer has been charged with murder after a fatal incident in Brisbane's
south on the weekend. (Titoa)



BRISBANE - Queensland Premier Peter Beattie has urged boaties to be careful over Easter,
saying the recent tragic Sydney ferry crash was a reminder accidents can happen on the
water. (Easter Boats)

BRISBANE - Volunteer surf lifesavers have issued a warning to Queensland beach goers
in the lead up to Easter, to swim only between the flags during patrol hours and not venture
out past their depth. (Easter Beaches)



BRISBANE - Australian chocolate lovers may soon be able to eat home-grown Easter chocolate
treats with the establishment of a cocoa industry in north Queensland. (Cocoa)



ADELAIDE - David Hicks would be allowed to stand as a candidate for the South Australian
Democrats after his release from jail, the party's leader says. (Hicks Democrats)



ADELAIDE - South Australian unions are taking their campaign to end exploitation of
child workers to the state Industrial Relations Court in Adelaide. (Children)



PERTH - A parliamentary inquiry into the Esperance lead contamination crisis is likely
to be a government whitewash, the West Australian opposition MP who proposed the inquiry
says. (Birds)



HOBART - The grey headed albatross could become extinct in Australia if funding delays
continue for pest eradication on the World Heritage listed Macquarie Island, conservationists
warned today. (Macquarie)

AAP jlw

KEYWORD: HIGHLIGHTS NATIONAL 2 SYDNEY

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

ACT: Man arrested after murder in Canberra flat =2

AAP General News (Australia)
12-05-2006
ACT: Man arrested after murder in Canberra flat =2

Det Supt Mcdonald said the alleged offender, also aged in his mid-fifties, was initially
taken to hospital after the incident at the flats, but was released from hospital and
is now in police custody.

He said both the victim and the accused were residents in the flats.

He could not say what injuries the dead man had sustained, saying this was a matter
for a post-mortem examination.

"I wouldn't like the pre-empt any of the findings of that examination," he said.

"We are undertaking forensic examination of the scene and it would be inappropriate
for me to make any comments in relation to that examination."

AAP dep/sb/imc/bwl

KEYWORD: INCIDENT LEAD 2 CANBERRA (REOPENS)

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

FBI sought information on 3,501 people last year using powerful investigative tool

MARK SHERMAN, Associated Press Writer
AP Worldstream
04-28-2006
Dateline: WASHINGTON
The FBI secretly sought information last year on 3,501 U.S. citizens and legal residents from their banks and credit card, telephone and Internet companies without a court's approval, the Justice Department said Friday.

It was the first time the Bush administration has publicly disclosed how often it uses the administrative subpoena known as a national security letter, which allows the executive branch of government to obtain records about people in terrorism and espionage investigations without court approval.

Friday's disclosure was mandated as part of the renewal of the Patriot Act, the administration's sweeping anti-terror law.

The FBI delivered a total of 9,254 NSLs relating to 3,501 people in 2005, according to a report submitted late Friday to Democratic and Republican leaders in the House and Senate. In some cases, the bureau demanded information about one person from several companies.

The department also reported it received a secret court's approval for 155 warrants to examine business records last year, under a Patriot Act provision that includes library records. However, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has said the department has never used the provision to ask for library records.

The number was a significant jump over past use of the warrant for business records. A year ago, Gonzales told Congress there had been 35 warrants approved between November 2003 and April 2005.

Copyright 2006, AP News All Rights Reserved

Tas: Man airlifted to hospital from remote bush track

AAP General News (Australia)
12-31-2005
Tas: Man airlifted to hospital from remote bush track

A man's been airlifted from a remote track in Tasmania's central highlands after becoming
ill on a hiking trip.

Emergency authorities received a call from a member of the man's party on a satellite
phone late this afternoon calling for medical help.

The party was at the Pelion Hut on the overland track near Cradle Mountain, north-west of Hobart.

The man was picked up by a rescue helicopter and taken to Launceston General Hospital
in a stable condition.

AAP RTV jrd/wz

KEYWORD: HICKER (HOBART)

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

QLD:Fenech in court

AAP General News (Australia)
12-30-2005
QLD:Fenech in court

JEFF FENECH has pleaded not guilty in a Gold Coast court .. to stealing three watches
on the tourist strip.

The 41 year old former world champion boxer has been remanded to appear in Southport
Court again on February 9.

58 year old FRANCIS GRECH .. who was charged along with FENECH .. pleaded guilty to
stealing three watches worth 327 dollars and was fined 750 dollars .. but no conviction
was recorded.



AAP RTV djp/bart

KEYWORD: FENECH (GOLD COAST)

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

Qld: Ducks spared from hunting in Qld

AAP General News (Australia)
04-21-2005
Qld: Ducks spared from hunting in Qld

Queensland's government has banned duck and quail hunting this year because of a dramatic
fall in the state's waterbird population.

Environment Minister DESLEY BOYLE says waterbird numbers have fallen from a million
to 200,000 in the past 20 years.

He says the decision to ban their hunting is based on science and fact, and it's aimed
at ensuring the long term sustainability of native species.

Birds Queensland conservation officer MIKE WEST says the government's made a wise decision.

AAP RTV gah/sc/bk/rt

KEYWORD: DUCKS (BRISBANE)

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

BUTTONS OR FRUIT STONES: divination

BUTTONS OR FRUIT STONES: divination
1695 SANSON Present State of Persia (tr. Savage) 24–5. The Great Astrologer … is always very near the King, to acquaint him with his good or bad Fortune … He casts his Hand at random upon his Beads, and counts from thence by way of Even and Odd; so that he rules his Predictions, as the Soldiers are wont to do theirs by their Buttons.

1823 MOOR Suffolk Words 377–8. We have a curious old sortes fibularae … by which the destiny of school-boys is fore-shadowed. On a first appearance with a new coat or waistcoat, a comrade predicts your fate by your buttons, thus: sowja, sailor, tinker, tailor, gentleman, apothecary, plow-boy, thief—beginning at top, and touching a button … at each epithet. That which applies to the lower button is your promised or threatened avocation in life … Young ladies gather similar results as to the station and character of their future husbands; by taking hold, in lack of buttons, of a bead of their own or school-fellow's necklace, touching and passing one onward to the end.

1849 HALLIWELL Popular Rhymes 222. In counting the buttons of the waistcoat upwards, the last found corresponding to one of the following names indicates the destiny of the wearer; ‘My belief— A captain, a colonel, a cow-boy, a thief.’

1858 DENHAM North of England (1895, 46) Button Rhyme. A Tinkler, a Tailor, A Soldier, or a Sailor: A rich man, a poor man, A priest, or a parson, A ploughman, or a thief.

1873 N & Q 4th ser. XII 396 [Notts.] These good folk … make plum-jam tarts for single young women and men to eat at wedding parties. The first tart a person eats … is particularly noticed, for according to the number of plum-stones found, so will be years before the person gets married!

1900 N & Q 9th ser. VI 456. When I was a schoolboy in Herefordshire, 1873–4, we used to cast each other's horoscope by means of plum, or cherry, or damson stones, left on our plates at dinner, ‘Tinker, tailor’ being repeated. A variation was ‘This year, next year, some time, never’. This usually referred to marriage or some other desirable event in life.

1904 R. FORD Children's Rhymes 20–1. Touching … the various buttons on the child's dress … ‘A laird, a lord, A rich man, a thief, A tailor, a drummer, A stealer o' beef.’

1908 FORSTER Room with a View xiii. Freddy played at ‘This year, next year, now, never’, with his plum-stones.

1923 [Martock, Som.] I counted they stones out o' plum pie and said to 'em ‘He loves, He don't, He'll marry me, He won't, He would if he could, But he can't’, and then ‘This year, next year, sometime, never’.

1953 Girl, 8 [Manchester] Count the buttons you are wearing and say ‘Lady, baby, gypsy, queen, elephant, monkey, tangerine’.

1954 Girl, 11 [Perth] You count all the buttons that you have on, saying ‘Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor, rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief, ploughboy, cowboy, doctor, dentist’.

1988 Girl, 13 [Liss, Hants.] When you're eating those shrivelled-up things—prunes—you go round the stones saying ‘Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor, rich man, poor man, beggarman, thief’, and that is who you're going to marry. Cf. NAILS, specks on finger nails: divination.

HP Unveils New Linux Solutions for Enterprise, Telecommunications Customers at LinuxWorld.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

LinuxWorld New York 2002

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 29, 2002

Expands Linux Software, Hardware and Services; CEO Fiorina to

Deliver Opening Keynote Address

Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HWP) today expanded its range of Linux-based solutions with new systems, software and services for business and telecommunications customers and network equipment providers.

The company introduced new offerings in its services portfolio for Linux, a pay-per-use utility pricing program for Linux service providers, the availability of Linux-based carrier-grade servers and a developer's platform for HP Opencall software. These announcements further solidify HP's leadership position in delivering comprehensive Linux solutions and reflect its drive to broaden the value and accelerate the adoption of Linux solutions for businesses and consumers.

"Linux is clearly attracting customers in a variety of markets who are adopting this technology to achieve increased productivity, greater efficiency and lower costs," said Carly Fiorina, HP chairman and chief executive officer. "By partnering with the Linux development and open source communities, HP is able to deliver a full set of applications, based on open industry standards, that help customers address real-world business challenges and opportunities."

Fiorina will deliver the opening keynote address at the LinuxWorld conference on Wednesday, Jan. 30. She will discuss the progress of Linux, showcase Linux solutions that customers are implementing today, and highlight the benefits that HP's pending merger with Compaq are expected to bring to Linux adoption.

HP, in collaboration with its partners, provides Linux-based solutions to companies such as Amazon, BMW, Boeing, HSBC's Brazilian bank operations, Nokia, Mexico's Penoles mining company, Speedera, ViaWest and Verizon's India operations.

"HP is working with us to develop and implement a complete Linux solution, including servers, customized software and consulting services, to help us rebuild our branch automation system and seamlessly integrate with our central data center, enabling us to increase time-to-market and better meet our customer needs," said Rumi Contractor, chief information officer, HSBC Brazil. "We chose Linux on HP systems because of HP's support of open standards and the integrated, open source software that gives us flexibility and independence from proprietary platforms, helping reduce our operating costs."

HP customers and partners will be on hand in HP's booth (No. 723) at LinuxWorld, where the company will demonstrate its Linux solutions and services. Featured products include HP's Linux-based compute clusters, Linux-based workstations, carrier-grade servers, Linux solutions for HP Officejet and inkjet printers, and software manageability offerings including HP Servicecontrol Manager, HP Toptools and HP MC/Serviceguard. The company also will demonstrate the HP Opencall Linux software developer's kit (SDK) and show a prototype smart handheld appliance using HP Chai-LX software. In addition, HP experts will be available to discuss Linux support, education services and consulting services.

"To ensure long-term success, Linux needs to gain wider enterprise adoption and an increased presence in Internet infrastructure," said Martin Fink, general manager, HP Linux Systems Operation. "This is precisely where HP continues to focus its R&D efforts and collaborate with other Linux and open standards leaders."

Product Details

Services

To help global businesses maximize the potential and minimize the risks of new Linux deployments, HP has extended its current IT infrastructure consulting to include the Linux platform and enhanced its Linux-based integration and deployment services.

Expanded infrastructure service offerings for Linux include porting and migration services, security services and telecommunications application services. Similar to services programs offered for HP-UX and Windows(R), HP helps customers to capitalize on Linux's potential in the enterprise by offering end-to-end services and support.

HP has extended its outsourcing services program to include Linux for running and managing customer operations and IT infrastructures. In addition, HP will test, deploy and maintain the Linux solutions it installs.

Pay-per-use Program

HP's pay-per-use utility pricing program for Linux, expected to be available in spring 2002, allows service providers to better align information technology costs with revenues as technology use fluctuates over time. With the program they can respond more effectively to unexpected capacity needs and pay for capacity only when it is used. HP also offers pay-per-use programs for HP-UX and Windows systems.

Carrier-grade Servers

HP today unveiled two carrier-grade servers based on open industry-standard technologies, including Linux and the Intel(R) architecture, for the telecommunications industry. This approach enables HP to offer leading performance and density at a low cost.

HP's carrier-grade servers running Linux are designed to reduce time and risk in deploying and managing network infrastructure, while reducing operational costs for maintenance. The servers, along with HP carrier-grade storage, are ideal for network applications and contribute to the ability to generate new revenue streams quickly and profitably. The servers are 1U to 2U, Intel-based and NEBS Level 3 compliant.

HP Opencall SS7 Linux Development Platform

The HP Opencall SS7 Linux Development Platform is an Intel-based platform that connects to the telecom network and allows developers creating SS7-based solutions with the Linux SDK to live test them in real network environments. The comprehensive HP Opencall line, comprising hardware and software, is a market share leader within the telecommunications industry for signaling, service development and voice-interactive platforms for SS7-based and converged SS7-IP services.

About Linux at HP

Linux is one of three strategic operating systems HP offers to its customers, the others being HP-UX and Windows. HP has a comprehensive Linux and open source strategy based on the understanding that Linux is a preferred platform for a wide variety of business needs. HP believes in developing its Linux solutions by collaborating with the open source community. Furthermore, HP integrates and implements Linux across its businesses to provide customers with industry-leading end-to-end Linux solutions that feature HP Netservers, server appliances, 3D workstations, business desktop PCs, storage products, printers, intelligent devices, developer tools, system management and security software, services and support. More information is available at http://www.hp.com/linux.

About HP

Hewlett-Packard Company -- a leading global provider of computing and imaging solutions and services -- is focused on making technology and its benefits accessible to all. HP had total revenue of $45.2 billion in its 2001 fiscal year. Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com.

HP-UX Release 10.20 and later and HP-UX Release 11.00 and later (in both 32- and 64-bit configurations) on all HP 9000 computers are Open Group UNIX 95 branded products. UNIX is a registered trademark of the Open Group. Windows is a U.S. registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. Intel is a U.S. registered trademark of Intel Corp.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the possibility that the market for the sale of certain products and services may not develop as expected; that development of these products and services may not proceed as planned; and other risks that are described from time to time in HP's Securities and Exchange Commission reports, including but not limited to the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended Oct. 31, 2000, and subsequently filed reports. If any of these risks or uncertainties materializes or any of these assumptions proves incorrect, HP's results could differ materially from HP's expectations in these statements. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

HotJobs.com, Ltd. Launches AgencyExchange, a Recruiting Industry Marketplace for Corporate Hiring Managers and Staffing Agencies.

NEW YORK, Dec. 18 /PRNewswire/ --

HotJobs.com Ltd. (Nasdaq: HOTJ), a leading Internet recruiting solutions provider, today announces the launch of AgencyExchange (www.agencyexchange.com), a unique online exchange between staffing agencies and corporate hiring managers. The new exchange is part of HotJobs' continuing commitment to provide the recruiting industry with premier, pioneering technology and services.

AgencyExchange is a new exchange designed exclusively for hiring managers and recruiters. As a distinct B-2-B exchange, AgencyExchange provides staffing agencies advanced tools to more effectively market candidates to corporate hiring managers. AgencyExchange operates independently of the popular, consumer-focused HotJobs.com site. Headhunters and staffing agencies are still not allowed to post jobs on the HotJobs.com site, nor are they able to search its resume database.

AgencyExchange offers staffing agencies and headhunters access to corporate recruiters at thousands of the world's best companies, thus enabling them to market and place candidates more quickly and efficiently than ever before. Agencies will create profiles detailing contact information, areas of industry focus, working fees, and related facts. Agencies can create folders to organize and store candidate information, track candidate submissions to clients, check on client's needs for candidates, and more. AgencyExchange will enable headhunters to capitalize on their inventory of applicants by marketing them to the 12,000 corporate recruiters using HotJobs' online employment marketplace.

"HotJobs'AgencyExchange presents a win-win solution for all parties," said Jeremy Schulman, Senior Executive Recruiter at Lucas Group, a national recruitment firm. "The Exchange gives corporate recruiters access to agencies' wide range of candidates and enables agencies to market their full scope of candidates in the most effective and dynamic way I've seen. This exchange completely redefines the recruiting landscape and will certainly change the way we -- and corporate recruiters - do business."

AgencyExchange's vendor management tools enable corporate hiring managers to transfer all off-line activities with headhunters to one comprehensive online system and effortlessly track all interactions with vendors. Features include personalized vendor folders, detailed records of all agency interaction, history of activity on job postings, and advanced applicant tracking capabilities.

"Corporate hiring managers have traditionally struggled with managing multiple staffing agencies and headhunters. At the same time, headhunters and staffing agencies continue to use time-consuming, inefficient processes to market candidates. AgencyExchange will offer both parties incredible value and unprecedented efficiencies, making their business more organized and effective," said Richard Johnson, CEO, HotJobs. "HotJobs is committed to providing innovative recruiting solutions that will continue to shape and change the way companies do business."

About HotJobs.com Ltd.

HotJobs.com Ltd. is a leading Internet recruiting solutions company that develops and provides companies with innovative recruiting solutions and services. HotJobs.com (http://www.hotjobs.com), the company's popular consumer job board, provides a direct exchange of information between opportunity seekers and employers. The site is the Internet's largest headhunter-free employment exchange and includes features such as HOTBLOCK, which enables job seekers to block specific companies from searching their resumes. Over 8,100 companies subscribe to the HotJobs.com online employment exchange. HotJobs.com Ltd. also provides employers with progressive recruiting solutions such as its Resumix(R) and Softshoe(R) proprietary hiring management software, Strategic Consulting Services, WorkWorld(TM) career expos, and AgencyExchange, a newly- launched marketplace which provides a direct, business-to-business exchange between corporate hiring managers and staffing agencies.

"Safe Harbor" Statement Under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act: Statements in HotJobs.com's release that are not strictly historical are "forward looking" statements which are subject to the many risks and uncertainties that exist in the Company's operations and business environment. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the Company's limited operating history, history of losses and anticipation of continued losses, potential volatility of quarterly operating results, the ability to successfully implement the Company's expansion plans, risks related to the Internet, risks related to legal uncertainty and other risks which are set forth in more detail in the Company's most recent report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 14, 2000, as well as other reports and documents filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Health Update.

Warning to mums

PHARMACISTS are spearheading a campaign to warn pregnant women about toxoplasmosis.

Toxoplasmosis is caused by a tiny parasite and is caught by eating anything infected. This could be raw or undercooked meat, unwashed or uncooked vegetables and fruit, unpasteurised goats' milk, or come from cat faeces or soil contaminated with cat faece s.

It can result in miscarriage, stillbirth or damage to the baby's brain or other organs.

Skin cancer alert

MEN are still ignoring warnings about skin cancer.

Research shows more than a third of men (37 per cent) didn't use a sunscreen and more than a quarter (26 per cent) got sunburnt last year.

Skin cancer is the second most common cancer in the UK with 40,000 new cases each year.

Mothers' guide

MUMS have got together to launch the new UK mums Online internet service.

The website takes the form of a monthly magazine and aims to provide a friendly, frank and funny guide to parenthood.

The website address is: http://www.ukmums.co.uk

Suncream offer

SUPERDRUG has slashed the price of suncream.

The chain's Moving On Up campaign allows shoppers to exchange old bottles of sun lotion in return for pounds 3 off Superdrug's Solait Factor 15 or above.

Link discovered

PVC link to testicular cancer: Scientists in Sweden have found that men with testicular cancer are TEN TIMES more likely to have worn PVC than healthy men.

Researchers believe chemicals called phthalates, often used to soften PVC, could be responsible.

Venom may be heart disease antidote: Deadly snake venom could one day be used to treat heart disease, strokes and even cancer. Viper poison contains disintergrins - toxins which disintegrate blood clots and stop cancer cells spreading.

Male cancer test close: Prostate cancer screening may be possible, thanks to a discovery by scientists at Harvard Medical School in the US.

Blood tests carried out on 304 men between the ages of 40 and 82, half of whom had prostate cancer, found those with cancer were four times more likely to have high levels of natural growth protein, ig.

Article from the June edition on Men's Health.

Escrows and holdbacks.(Mergers, IPOs, and Venture Finance: Equities)

In every acquisition, there's always a nagging doubt about possible skeletons in the seller's closet. Are the receivables really collectible? Is there a lawsuit or product liability case waiting in the wings for a buyer with deep pockets? Because of concerns like these, acquirers are usually reluctant to write a check for the full purchase price at closing. Instead, they may insist on setting aside part of the purchase price to cover post-deal liabilities.

This amount is typically structured either as a "holdback" (the buyer writes another check at the end of the holdback period) or as an "escrow" (the buyer deposits funds in escrow at the closing, to be released at the end of the escrow period). Surprisingly, most CFOs prefer to put money into escrow instead of hanging on to the cash themselves. From their perspective, they've already allocated the funds, which are governed by a separate escrow agreement. When the time comes to settle up, the CFO doesn't have to come up with the cash to write a big check.

From the seller's perspective, the biggest concern about holdbacks and escrows is "death by a thousand cuts"--that is, the risk that the buyer will make many, many small claims that substantially reduce the final payout. To minimize this risk, buyers will usually agree to limit their right to claim funds from the escrow. Buyers generally agree to a "de minimus" threshhold for each claim, typically north of $10,000, along with an aggregate "basket" (anywhere from $50,000 to $500,000). The basket is the amount that the buyer's total claims must add up to before they can go after the holdback or escrow. Sharp-eyed sellers will also want to know whether their basket "tips over." A basket that tips over allows the buyer to recover the full amount of the claim, including the amount of the basket. A basket that doesn't tip over allows recovery for only the amount over the basket. A good-faith buyer will agree to substantial baskets and minimums, because they recognize that recoveries against escrows and holdbacks are their defense against major problems, and not a way to slice up the seller's equity.

Nat Burgess, senior vice president, Corum Group, 10500 NE Eighth St., Bellevue, Wash. 98004; 425/4558281. E-mail: nburgess@corumgroup.com.

 Company/          Acquired by     Price/Terms     Revenues    Multiple Description  Infor Business    Agilisys        $48,500,000   $79,000,000      0.61 Solutions         International     Terms: Cash    * ERP software for the manufacturing industry  Scala Business    Epicor          $78,100,000   $71,400,000      1.09 Solutions         Software          Terms: Cash and stock    * ERP software  SnapGear          CyberGuard      $16,000,000   $8,000,000       2.00                   Corp.             Terms: Stock and earnout    * Embedded Linux security solutions  Data              SPSS            $10,500,000   $4,500,000       2.33 Distilleries                        Terms: Stock and earnout    * Marketing analytic software  PWA Group         Northgate       $7,100,000    $11,900,000      0.60                   Information       Terms: Cash                   Sols.    * Human resources software applications *  * Divested from Microsoft.