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Argo preaches caution after hitting record
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Listed investment company Argo Investments reported a record full-year profit yesterday, boosted by strong ordinary dividend income growth, interest and trust distributions.
Net profit rose 5.4 per cent to $78.6 million for the year to June 30, with the company noting the underlying net profit had in fact risen 17 per cent when one-off demerger dividends and special dividends in the 2002-03 year are excluded.
Argo, which invests only in Australian listed companies, said it "continues to be in a strong financial position" and carries zero debt. Total fully-franked dividends for the year amounted to 18c per share.
Managing director Rob Patterson described the result as "particularly good" because the company "had to beat a whole lot of [special] dividends we received last year".
Argo shares closed 4c higher to $5.
The company said higher energy and mineral costs combined with interest rate and currency pressures were reason for a "cautious approach".
Argo is now sitting on a sizeable cash pile as investment opportunities are limited, Mr Patterson said.
Argo has total assets of $2.2 billion and investments in about 170 ASX-listed companies.
Argo said its investment portfolio performance returned 17.7 per cent in the financial year, below the ASX All Ordinaries accumulation index of 22.3 per cent, due to "the particularly strong rise in prices of energy and natural resource stocks, areas where the company has not traditionally had a market weight exposure due to their historical price and profit volatility".
Mr Paterson said he was hopeful of an improved offer from Axa for the takeover of Axa Asia Pacific. "We've got about four million Axa [Asia Pacific] shares and we'll obviously wait and see how that plays out - we're hopeful they might have to improve that bid to achieve full control."
Axa offered $3.75 per share for Axa Asia Pacific Holdings on Friday.


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All institutions operating in the financial sector will need to ensure that they do not undertake new transactions or enter into new business relationships with the two entities. It is expected that compliance costs for the sector as a whole will be moderate, although any institution with significant links to Bank Mellat or
2 Nov 2009 : Column GC9
Alongside work with our financial sector to implement the restrictions, the Government have also taken steps to ensure that other jurisdictions are vigilant to the risks posed by Iran. We have lobbied a wide range of international partners to highlight the action that we have taken and we have strongly encouraged them to take steps to prevent any business displaced from the UK from being picked up by their financial sector. We have worked with the Crown dependencies and overseas territories to develop legislation equivalent to the Counter-Terrorism Act to address these risks. Atishoo! I beg your pardon.
Lord Myners: I hope that Hansard caught that: it might be the highlight of my parliamentary career as far as the noble Baroness is concerned.
All the Crown dependencies and overseas territories have recognised the importance of tackling these risks and have made progress in this regard. I am pleased to report that the Isle of Man has already put equivalent powers in place and that on 12 October it issued a direction mirroring that of the UK. We will continue to pursue this important work with the other Crown dependencies and overseas territories.
I conclude by emphasising that the order was issued by the Government to address risks to the UK's national interests. We continue, of course, to ensure that any action taken by HM Treasury against Iranian entities is consistent with the wider foreign policy strategy towards Iran and we have worked closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on the issuing of these directions. As such, I am sure that noble Lords will agree that we cannot and will not ignore specific activities undertaken by Iranian companies that we believe to be facilitating activity identified by the United Nations as being of concern and where such activities have the potential to affect the United Kingdom's interests. It is right, indeed crucial, that we take such action. For these reasons, I commend the order to the Committee.
Baroness Noakes: My Lords, I thank the Minister for introducing the order. I should state at the outset that we support the Government in their endeavour to impair the ability of Iran to pursue its dangerous nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
I start with some of the background to the order. My honourable friend Mark Hoban asked the Minister in another place when the Government first became aware that IRISL vessels had transported goods for Iran's ballistic weapons and nuclear programmes. He reminded the Minister that my right honourable friend William Hague wrote to the Foreign Secretary in September 2008 asking him to take action against IRISL. I fear that the Minister did not give a straight answer last week, so I am hoping that the Minister today will take the opportunity of our Grand Committee to set the record straight.
When were the Government first aware that IRISL was involved in transporting goods for Iran's nuclear and ballistic weapons programmes? When were the Government first aware that Bank Mellat had provided banking services to UN-listed organisations connected to Iran's proliferation-sensitive activities and involved in transactions related to the financing of Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes? The Written Ministerial Statementmade on 12 October made categorical statements that these activities had taken place. The Minister was similarly clear today. When did those transactions take place and when were the Government aware of them? What, if any, delay was there between the Government's knowledge of the transactions and their action by way of the order before us this afternoon? To put that another way, how can the Minister reassure this Committee that the Government have acted in the most expeditious way?
I ask these questions because my right honourable friend William Hague raised questions with the Government about IRISL more than a year before this order. Furthermore, the US acted in relation to IRISL last year. The Minister in another place tried to avoid answering these questions on security grounds, but I am asking not about the source or nature of the intelligence but about the timing and timeliness of action by the Government, given that the involvement of IRISL was clearly not a secret.
As to the impact of this order, the Explanatory Memorandum states that no specific information was available on the exposure of the UK's financial sector to IRISL and Bank Mellat. That may well have been the case prior to the making of the order-and I imply no criticism by raising this today-but it is now over three weeks since the order was made and the Treasury must by now have gained some understanding of the transactions that are prohibited by the order and their impact on our financial services sector. The Minister in another place did not answer this question straightforwardly and I hope that our Minister will be more forthcoming. For example, can he tell us the volume and value of transactions with the two organisations that are now prohibited?
Last week, the Minister in another place said that the Treasury had received 17 applications for licences and that two had been granted on a temporary basis. Is that still the position? What is the value of transactions covered by the applications for licence? What sorts of transactions are now being conducted under temporary licence and what is their value? Are these for transactions with IRISL or with Bank Mellat? I hope that the Minister can give more information.
I wish to probe another area that the Minister did not answer very illuminatingly last week. My honourable friend Mark Hoban asked whether any subsidiaries or affiliates of IRISL or Bank Mellat should have been covered by the order and noted that the US Government included IRISL affiliates when they acted against IRISL last year. The Minister in another place said that there was no evidence in respect of other companies in the IRISL or Bank Mellat groups-I use that term colloquially. However, that seems to beg the question: what is the effectiveness of an order against one company if UK financial services firms can carry on similar
2 Nov 2009 : Column GC11
I would also like to ask the Minister about supervision and enforcement. The Explanatory Memorandum states that the impact on the FSA's work is expected to be minimal. Does that imply that the FSA will do no more than ask questions? Will it take no specific action to assure itself that the transactions prohibited by this order are not taking place? On the other hand, HMRC estimates that it will spend upfront costs of £20,000 and ongoing costs of two officers costing around £65,000 in total. If we assume that that cost includes the full employment cost of those two individuals, we are probably not talking about very senior staff. What are these officers intended to do in relation to the programme? Will they carry out individual inspections? How and when will they do this? In what ways are they qualified to do such work?
The order will last for only one year and it is clearly important that Parliament should be given an opportunity to assess its impact, especially if the Government seek to extend it for a further period. The impact assessment notes that a report is made annually to Parliament on the use of the Counter-Terrorism Act powers generally. Will the Minister explain the way in which such a report will deal with this order? Will it be confined to the impact on UK financial services organisations or will it go more widely and assess its impact on Iran's proliferation activities? I am aware that the order is but one in a series of actions taken globally in relation to Iran, which may make the ultimate impact difficult to identify. However, I hope that it will have the effect of prohibiting specific transactions and that the Minister will share with the Committee how Parliament can expect to receive information on what the order has stopped and the costs imposed in achieving that.
We do not oppose the aims of the order-far from it. If anything, our instincts are that action could and should have been taken earlier. However, while we stand shoulder to shoulder with the Government on the fight against Iran's nuclear and missile ambitions, the Minister will not expect us to accept explanations of the Government's actions and the impact of the order that are less than forthcoming. In that light, I hope that he can enlighten us further.
Lord Newby: My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for explaining the background to the order. We agree with the Government that sanctions of this kind are worth while in attempting to rein in Iran's nuclear proliferation activities. Whether they have an impact on Iran's nuclear ambitions more generally is rather moot, but it is clear that making it more difficult for Iran to carry them out must be in the national interest.
I have only two questions. One is about any other operations that the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines might be undertaking in the UK that are not covered by the order, as the order covers relations with the financial services body. Shipping lines are likely to be working with other bodies that are not covered within the remit of financial restrictions, such as other shipping lines and customs bodies. Is there anything to stop the IRISL carrying on relations with other, non-financial bodies in the UK?
The second question has to do with international action against the two organisations. The Minister spoke about efforts to ensure that overseas territories and Crown dependencies were taking similar action, and he mentioned some of them, but is he aware of any action being taken within the rest of the EU? The Explanatory Memorandum mentions other Iranian banks-for instance, Bank Saderat, Bank Sepah and Bank Melli-which are clearly covered by an EU prohibition. Nothing in the documentation explains whether that applies here, or whether, for some reason, this is a unilateral move by the EU. It is not clear to me without having read EU regulation 1110/2008-for which I apologise to the Committee-where this action fits in relation to it. Is there any reason to believe that the organisations are actively engaged in trade elsewhere in Europe and that equivalent action is being taken to stop such trade continuing? With those two minor caveats, however, we support the order and look forward to the Minister's explanation.
Lord Myners: My Lords, this has been an interesting and informative debate. I thank all noble Lords for their attendance and questions today. I hope that all noble Lords will agree that the decision to issue this direction is a proportionate and reasonable response to the threat of proliferation and that this action mitigates the risk of the UK financial system being used to facilitate proliferation-sensitive activities in Iran. It is vital that the UK takes action to ensure that its financial sector is not employed in this manner and the Government are committed to putting in place all necessary steps to ensure that that is the case. I welcome the support expressed by both the noble Baroness, Lady Noakes, on behalf of the Conservative Opposition, and the noble Lord, Lord Newby, for the actions that are being taken by the Government in connection with Iran. We are greatly encouraged by the fact that there is unanimity on the need to take a robust line.
The noble Baroness asked when we first became aware that there were problems with the involvement of Bank Mellat and IRISL in activities related to terrorism and nuclear proliferation. I am afraid that details of the sensitive information underlying the restriction cannot be provided since, in the Government's view, disclosure would be contrary to the public interest. However, I can assure the Committee that we took action as quickly as was appropriate, given the young age of the legislation.
Members will be aware that the Counter-Terrorism Act came into force in November 2008. Immediately following its enactment, HM Treasury initiated discussions with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to consider the most appropriate cases for this use. As noble Lords
2 Nov 2009 : Column GC13
The noble Baroness asked about the level of engagement between UK financial institutions and the two targeted entities. A small number of financial institutions had significant existing business relationships with the two targeted entities. We are working closely with the affected parties to ensure that they are implementing the restriction and that their previous relationship is wound down in an orderly fashion. The majority of UK financial sector companies voluntarily withdrew from business with Iran over the last two or three years.
In answer to a further question from the noble Baroness, since the announcement that 17 applications for licences had been granted, two further licences have been granted. The Treasury continues to work with affected parties to issue licences of exemption where appropriate. It is not possible at this point to place a value-
Baroness Noakes: I think that the Minister said that 17 licences had been granted. Does that mean 17 applications or 17 licences granted? I believe that the Committee in another place was told last week that two temporary licences had been granted out of a total of 17 applications. It is interesting if 17 licences have now been granted.
Lord Myners: Seventeen applications were received; two further applications have been received since. It is not possible, as I was saying, to place a value on these transactions.
The noble Baroness also asked about subsidiaries of Bank Mellat and IRISL. The powers under which the direction was made address specific risks to the UK national interest posed by activities carried out by the Government or persons resident or incorporated in a third country. Subsidiaries are separate legal entities, not subject to the requirements of the direction. We are confident that the direction, as far as it applies to Bank Mellat and IRISL, will be sufficient in itself to achieve the objective that we have in seeking these orders.
The noble Baroness asked about the impact on business volumes and values. As I said, the majority of British financial institutions have already terminated their business activities, that particularly being the case with any UK institution having substantial business activities in the United States of America. We therefore expect the aggregate impact on the UK financial services sector to be quite modest. However, some firms will be more affected than others, which is why we are working closely with those firms to ensure an orderly wind-down of their existing business. We will publish updated impact analysis to include estimated volumes and values when the position is clearer.
The noble Baroness also asked about enforcement. The indication that I have given of the quantum of activities likely to be covered by the order would be
2 Nov 2009 : Column GC14
The order will last for one year. If the Government wish to come back to Parliament with a request for a renewal or a new order, that will no doubt be supported by a much fuller report to Parliament on the experience of the existing order. It is difficult to contemplate the precise form and content of that statement, as it will depend on the experience during the 12-month period. However, it will be entirely reasonable and proper for Parliament to expect as full as possible an explanation at that time of the experience to date, as would be consistent with national security interests.
The noble Lord, Lord Newby, asked about the engagement of UK bodies outside the financial services sector with Bank Mellat and IRISL. That is a perfectly reasonable question, but the scope of this legislation is very specific and focused on financial institutions. Noble Lords can rest assured that the appropriate bodies in the UK are monitoring closely our engagement with those two organisations. No doubt, the order as proposed will lead others to reflect on whether Bank Mellat and IRISL are organisations with which they would wish to continue to conduct business. Importantly, we need to continue to work hard to ensure that other jurisdictions are as determined as the UK is in this respect. I am thinking here of IRISL in the field of reinsurance and insurance, when clearly it would not achieve our ultimate purpose if the business currently transacted through P&I institutions in the UK simply rotated to P&I institutions or insurers elsewhere. Hence, there has to be an element of significant international co-operation.
That takes me to address the specific questions raised by the noble Lord, Lord Newby, in connection with the European Union. These orders are a specific response to a threat to the UK. We will discuss the issue with our EU partners and will support those member states that wish to take similar action. It is clear from the evidence that, inasmuch as we can argue that these two organisations represent a threat to UK national interests, they similarly represent a threat to the national interests of other EU states.
Copy of the SI
21st Report from the JCSI
That the Grand Committee do report to the House that it has considered the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962 (Amendment) Order 2009.
Baroness Crawley: My Lords, the orders before us today relating to elections in Northern Ireland make small but important updates that are necessary to further assist the overall restructuring of local government in Northern Ireland. Noble Lords will be aware that the number of district councils in Northern Ireland is being reduced from 26 to 11. For this reason, this House agreed to the postponement of local elections in Northern Ireland until 2011 to allow time for the new local government wards and boundaries to be redrawn.
The draft Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962 (Amendment) Order 2009 will postpone preparation of the next draft polling station scheme in Northern Ireland until 2010 to take account of the changes to wards and boundaries that I have referred to. Noble Lords may be aware that the purpose of a polling station scheme is to designate suitable buildings as polling stations in electoral wards. By virtue of Section 65 of the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962, the next draft scheme is due to be prepared and published in 2009. I am sure that noble Lords would agree that it would make sense for the next polling station scheme to be based on the new local government wards.
The legislation to implement the new ward boundaries has not yet been approved by the Northern Ireland Assembly. I understand that it is anticipated that this legislation will be in force by the end of 2009. However, this would provide little or no time for a draft polling station scheme to be prepared and published in 2009, as currently required by law. The draft order would therefore postpone publication of the next draft scheme until 2010 and for subsequent schemes to be published every four years thereafter.
I turn to the draft District Electoral Areas Commissioner (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Order 2009. The Local Government Boundaries Commissioner recently submitted his final recommendations on proposed new wards and boundaries to the Minister for the Environment in the Northern Ireland Executive. The next step in the process requires the District Electoral Areas Commissioner, or DEAC, to submit recommendations to the Secretary of State on the grouping of wards within electoral areas for the purpose of holding local government elections under the proportional representation/single transferable vote system.
The conduct of the DEAC review is governed by the District Electoral Areas Commissioner (Northern Ireland) Order 1984. This legislation has not been substantially updated since 1984 and some minor amendments are required to bring the DEAC's procedures into line with the current procedures for other such reviews. The first concerns the period for making representations. The DEAC is required to publish provisional recommendations, and to hold public inquiries in respect of them, if representations are received from either 100 electors or a district council. However, paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the 1984 order provides for representations to be made within one month of the publication of the recommendations. I am concerned that this would not allow sufficient time for the relevant
2 Nov 2009 : Column GC16
Secondly, the 1984 order requires the DEAC to publish a notice setting out his provisional recommendations in newspapers circulating in the district. However, because of the wide-ranging nature of the current review, it is likely that the recommendations will be very detailed and could involve the production of large-scale maps. It would therefore be both costly and unwieldy to publish them in full in local newspapers. The draft order therefore provides the commissioner with the option of either publishing a notice setting out his recommendations or simply providing details of when and where the recommendations may be inspected, or both. This is also in line with the procedure followed by the Local Government Boundaries Commissioner.
Finally, as the number and boundaries of councils are due to change, it is important to clarify that it is existing councils most affected by any changes that can compel an inquiry, not the new 11 district councils that will come into being after the next local election. The draft order therefore provides that the objection of any council that will, in whole or in part, be incorporated by or incorporate the successor council will be sufficient to secure a local inquiry.
I hope that noble Lords will agree that these orders make small but important changes that are essential to ensuring the successful restructuring of local government in Northern Ireland. I beg to move.
Lord Glentoran: My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for explaining these two statutory instruments, which are not as simple as would appear from the two or three pages on which they are written.
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Alumnus wins FulbrightPosted on April 3, 2012Congratulations to Padric Gleason ´10 who has won a competitive Binational Business Grant through the Fulbright Foundation. He will spend next year working and researching in Mexico. More »
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Amy Breckenridge '08Posted on December 12, 2011Amy Breckenridge's foreign language studies (Spanish, French and Italian) prepared her to work with people from all around the world More »
Alexandra PalmerPosted on December 9, 2011I am currently a graduate student in Medical Anthropology and Cross-Cultural Practice at Boston University School of Medicine. I am in the process of figuring out my post-grad plans. I have applied to medical school and am thinking about back-up plans. I have recently focused my interests in child health to child development and the […] More »
Samantha AndreacchiPosted on December 7, 2011I am presently the Inflight Communications Specialist at Virgin America. I work directly with the Director of Inflight, drafting department-wide communications sent out as either emails, newsletters, posters, or onboard resources. I am also responsible for maintaining the Inflight and Team Travel portions of the company Intranet, posting company or policy updates and HTML coding […] More »
Natalie Coca-DucachPosted on December 7, 2011I am completing my Clinical Fellowship in Speech-language pathology at the Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Center at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, New York. The knowledge I gained from majoring in Hispanic Studies continues to play a role in my everyday life as I work with a predominantly Spanish-speaking population. More »
Luís Amaury BáezPosted on December 7, 2011Prior to working in advertising I was a paralegal for the New York Legal Assistance Group, a non-profit group dedicated to providing legal services under-served populations in NYC. As a paralegal I handled cases where clients were wrongfully denied Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, Public Assistance benefits. Speaking Spanish was a critical skill as it allowed […] More »
Daniel SteinPosted on December 7, 2011The two greatest things I have done in my life are travel and learn a second language. Both were made possible in great measure by my Hispanic Studies major at Wheaton. Since studying abroad in Mexico and Argentina, I have had a number of positions, all of which benefited from my knowledge of Spanish. I […] More »


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Solid Wood & Glass Entry Door New York - Walls require openings for access. Doorways provide access to a space, and doors control access. Door frame and door, usually thought of as a unit, are often manufactured and sold together. The selection and specification of a door can be more complex than might be expected.
As the name implies, these schemes use contrasting hues from opposite sides of the color wheel: reds with greens, oranges with blues, yellows with violets,. The basic hues may be more subtle intermediate colors rather than primary or secondary colors, as long as they face each other across the wheel.
Photo collection includes Drapery banding, fabric walls, floral curtains with pelmet and blind, beautiful velvet drapes, wool curtains and window treatment design photos.
Most window treatment calls for adjustability to deal with night and day, summer and winter and changing conditions of use. A wide variety of blinds, shutters, curtains and drapery techniques have been developed to deal with these problems
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Saltwater Taffeta by Sarah B. Abram
Welcome! You are browsing as a guestWould you like to see 3 projects made from this pattern and much more? create a free account What am I missing?
© Sarah B. Abram
© Sarah B. Abram
Saltwater Taffeta
This pattern is available for $5.50 USD buy it now
Saltwater Taffeta is a shawlette with staggered lace panels and short-rows to give it shape. Yep. Short-rows in the lace pattern. And a sideways cast-on. You're welcome, nerds.
Although the concept seems pretty complex, once you get in the rhythm of the pattern, it will fly by, and the result is gorgeous.


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The onset of lupus may be acute, resembling an infectious process, or it may be a progression of vague symptoms over several years. As a result, diagnosing SLE is often a challenge. A consistent, thorough medical examination by a doctor familiar with lupus is essential to an accurate diagnosis. This must include a complete medical history and physical examination, laboratory tests, and a period of observation (possibly years).
The doctor, nurse, or other health professional assessing a patient for lupus must keep an open mind about the varied and seemingly unrelated symptoms that the patient may describe. For example, a careful medical history may show that sun exposure, use of certain drugs, viral disease, stress, or pregnancy aggravates symptoms, providing a vital diagnostic clue.
No single laboratory test can definitely prove or disprove SLE. Initial screening includes:
Abnormalities in these test results will guide further evaluations.
AntidsDNA antibody or anti-Sm antibody are autoantibodies found only in lupus. Specific immunologic studies, such as those of complement components (e.g., C3 and C4) and other autoantibodies (e.g., anti-La, anti-Ro, anti-RNP), can be helpful in diagnosis.
At times, biopsies of the skin or kidney using immunofluorescent staining techniques can support a diagnosis of SLE. A variety of laboratory tests, x rays, and other diagnostic tools are used to rule out other pathologic conditions and to determine the involvement of specific organs. It is important to note, however, that any single test may not be sensitive enough to reflect the intensity of the patient's symptoms or the extent of the disease's manifestations.
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR), an organization of doctors and associated health professionals who specialize in arthritis and related diseases of the bones, joints, and muscles, has developed and refined a set of classification criteria. If at least 4 of the 11 criteria develop at one time or individually over any period of observation, then the patient can be classified as an SLE patient for research purposes. However, a diagnosis of SLE can be made in a patient having fewer than four of these symptoms.
American College of Rheumatology Criteria for Classifying Lupus for Research Purposes
Lupus is characterized by abnormalities in many laboratory test results. These abnormalities are different for every patient and they vary significantly during the course of a patient's disease. The serial evaluation of an individual's tests along with the physician's observations and the patient's history determine the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), its course, and the treatment regimen. All laboratory values must be interpreted in light of the patient's present status, other correlating laboratory test results, and coexisting illnesses.


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The Details Finally Come, Gov. Walker Gives Budget Address Tonight
Submitted: 02/20/2013
Story By Associated Press
- Is an income tax cut coming soon in Wisconsin? We'll find out tonight. Gov. Scott Walker will deliver his highly anticipated two-year budget plan during a speech to the full Legislature tonight.
The plan will be debated by the Legislature's budget committee over the next four months, then voted on by both the Senate and Assembly sometime before it takes effect in July.
Walker has revealed many of the major parts of his proposal over the past couple weeks, including rejecting a federally funded Medicaid expansion.
While he's promised the budget will include a middle class income tax cut, Walker has yet to give the details of how that will work.
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The Adventure Quest Program connects Chinese and American students
Submitted: 07/23/2017
- During the summer Northland Pines High School is being used as the home base for a foreign exchange program.
The Northwoods Adventure Quest Program brings students from China and America together.
Last year travel rules stopped the program from happening, but this year the students and organizers are more driven than ever to keep their mission going.
"You get to form relationships with people from around the world," said 10- year- old Chase Neubauer.
This is Neubauer's first time joining the two week Adventure Quest Program.
The goal of the program is to do more than just keep kids busy during the summer.
"[It] promotes connections with Wisconsin especially the Northern part [of Wisconsin with] all of China," said WISP Executive Director Xiaodong Kuang.
Kuang is one the organizers of the quest program. He couldn't think of a better way of promoting his goal than starting with young students.
"[So that] the young generation, who will be the future leaders of the world, [can] appreciate cultures and know more about each other," said Kuang.
This is Power Liu's first time coming to America with the program.
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A water sports instructor gives free lessons in Three Lakes
Submitted: 07/23/2017
- One teenager decided to spend a day giving back to the Three Lakes community 18-year-old Maxwell Blanchard lives in L.A but always makes it back to Three Lakes during the summer.
Blanchard learned how to water ski and wakeboard in Three Lakes at five years old.
On Sunday he spent the day giving free water skiing and wakeboarding lessons.
"[To] get someone new out there to ski or at least get them attempting. It's always fun when you get the kids who are a little nervous out there and a little shaky, then they get out there and they love it," said Blanchard.
Blanchard said every year the water sports community chooses a day to give back and participate in "International Pass the Handle Day."
Kylee Swendson decided to help Blanchard this year with the lessons.
"It's great for everybody to get a chance to learn especially people who don't get the opportunity every day," said Swendson.
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Kayaker tries to paddle WI River as fast as possible, stops in Rhinelander
Submitted: 07/22/2017
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- Most people who kayak will go out for a few hours and cover several miles. But one southwestern Wisconsin man is trying to cover more than 400 miles as fast as possible.
Ben Sasse is from Muscoda and is trying to break the speed record for paddling the Wisconsin River.
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Volunteers help clean up Shepard Park for fenced-in dog park
Submitted: 07/22/2017
- In June, the Rhinelander City Council approved a fenced-in dog park at Shepard Park. It's something Tina Werres has been working towards for the last 10 years.
On Saturday, about 30 volunteers gathered at Shepard Park to clean up the south end of the park.
The fence is scheduled to be put up in about three weeks so Werres wanted to get the area cleaned up as soon as possible.
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A fairly new Manitowish Waters event draws crowds through its music
Submitted: 07/22/2017
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- "When you have something like this everybody turns a little bit Irish," said Irish Fest volunteer Ron Troller.
Ye Olde Shillelagh in Manitowish Waters hosted its Second Annual Irish Festival this weekend. The big draw for the volunteers and attendees is the music.
"Who doesn't like professional Irish music," said Troller.
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A group of older adults from all over the country meet to play tennis in Minocqua
Submitted: 07/21/2017
- The tennis courts at Lakeland Union High School usually get filled with students.
If you stop by the courts during the summer, you'll see a different demographic taking over.
A group of senior citizens dressed in all white play with wooden tennis rackets to mimic a Wimbledon, tennis game.
Jerry Sikora never played tennis until the day he decided to get a group together back in 1990.
"It means a lot to a lot of us that don't do activities that much," said Sikora.
Since getting the group together for the first time Sikora has gotten a lot of practice.
He also added about 20 older adults to the team.
The age range of the players is from the 50s to mid-80s.
"The older you get the smarter you get," said 70-year- old Ted Dasler.
The group said they only get better with time.
Sikora said the snowbirds get more practice during warm winters in the south.
"They have no mercy on us when they come back," said Sikora.
Things can get intense on the court at times, but the friendships and entertainment brings everyone back to play.
The players said the most important thing is to always have fun.
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Campanile Children's Theatre Workshop has tenth year in Minocqua
Submitted: 07/21/2017
- "I just find this place so amazing," said actor Noah Venzke, who is in the 7th grade.
The Campanile Summer Children's Theatre Workshop has been running in Minocqua for 10 years now.
"It's a place to meet new friends, and have new experiences, and try new things," said Venzke.
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It may have noodle in the name, but looking through the crowds at the first night of the Night Noodle Market it was almost difficult to spot someone chowing down on the delicacy.
Among the ubiquitous chips on sticks, barbecued skewers and dramatic-looking gelatos being precariously juggled back to tables, the eye-catching fluorescent pink sakura fried chicken burgers and green yuzu squid burgers were definite standouts.
But there were noodles, by the plate full, and judging by the speed at which they were consumed, they were good.
After complaints about lengthy queues at last year's market, the general consensus was 2016's larger footprint, with almost twice the number of stalls, had made a difference.
Erica Collins and Simon Bartles were among the noodle-lovers pleased with the changed layout across both sides of Reconciliation Place.
"[Last time] we had to queue up for a long time… for an hour… this is much better," Ms Collins said.
"We didn't have any problems parking."
Like many market-goers they did the rounds of the all the stalls before settling on their purchases.
But Fairfax Events' head of food James Laing suggested visitors go one step further with some insider tips to get the most out of the market over the next nine nights.
"Split up is one, send people off to get different things, but I think the first thing is to have a look on the website with all the options and work out what you want to try, do your research first" he said.
"There are some really popular stalls and the queues for those can be long but everything here is great."
After sussing out all on offer, Farzana Choudhury and Marijke Welvaert couldn't resist the fluorescent glazing of the Everybody Loves Ramen burgers, although they felt somewhat guilty about shunning noodles.
The pair were newcomers to the market after being put off by reports of big crowds last year, but they weren't disappointed.
"It's a bit like a cupcake with savoury stuff on the inside," Ms Choudhury said.
"It's a nice chance to try something a bit different … The chips on a stick are also very tempting but they're kind of everywhere."
Although it was early days, Mr Laing was happy with the turnout on the first night and said there were more local options than the inaugural event.
"Last year a lot of the locals sat on the fence and wanted to see how it went, but after it was an amazing success and we got 155,000 people they decided they wanted to be part of the action, which was great," he said.
"Hopefully that will then drive people into those restaurants when the event finishes.
"Last year we were very restricted so we were turning people away, so I would expect it to increase fairly significantly especially if the weather holds."
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said Enlighten was on track to surpass Floriade as the biggest event in Canberra with 8000 people in its first year and 300,000 last year.
"It's a nice problem to have, to have so many people wanting to be part of this," he said.
Mr Laing said sharing foods was the best way to enjoy all that was on offer.
"It's not about getting one massive meal … It's about trying different things," he said.


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black autonomy network community organization working for economic and social justice in Benton Harbor, MI ...exposing state and local NAACP corruption
Sign the PETITION
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Can Michigan, Especially Berrien Cty., Learn From California?
California's Prop. 5 Will Save Lives and Money
Alternatives to Incarceration
By MARGARET DOOLEY-SAMMULI, Counterpunch.org
2 comments:
- Anonymous said...
There was a large percentage of offenders specified in this article that were "referred and untreated" or "entered but did not complete" the program. It appears there was some cherry picking (results of Proposition 36 participants were only those offenders who wanted to participate). Fifty percent had never received treatment. If a person doesn't want to change, then these opportunities are worthless. I suspect that many in the court system aren't interested in changing. I suppose a person with a substance abuse problem could go on his or her own accord or with family encouragement to Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, the Health Department, Community Healing Center, or the methadone clinic. Why is it that people wait until the government has to intervene and then they complain? It appears that the Berrien County Court refers its drug offenders to treatment on a routine basis. So what is BANCO's gripe? BANCO supports drug abuse as stated in other main postings of this blog. This whole promotion of rehabilitation is contrary to BANCO's core belief system in that substance abuse is okay and the police need to quit picking on the abusers/dealers.
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Claim: Property Tax Rates Rose In Seneca Nation Casino Cities
Rochester, NY -- Casino opponents say new numbers show Seneca Nation casinos in Niagara Falls and Salamanca haven't held down property taxes or crime
Former Rochester Mayor Bill Johnson's consulting firm is doing the research for the No More Casinos Coalition. He says the only year that the tax rates went down in the host communities was the first year of operations.
Johnson concedes many towns without casinos have had even higher tax increases, but he says the casino communities were promised tax rates would be held steady or lowered.
The casino opponents are planning to speak out at the next county legislature meeting May 13th


text: Becky Short is a designer that created an outfit worn by Lady Gaga. 2011 Graduate CollectionEdit (Jul 7, 2011)Add a photo to this gallery Retrieved from "http://ladygaga.wikia.com/wiki/Becky_Short?oldid=171024" Ad blocker interference detected! Wikia is a free-to-use site that makes money from advertising. We have a modified experience for viewers using ad blockers Wikia is not accessible if you've made further modifications. Remove the custom ad blocker rule(s) and the page will load as expected. Categories: Designers Add category Cancel Save


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Father: Larry Dew Farmer b: 30 OCT 1818
Mother: Sarah Dew 'Farmer' b: 10 MAY 1822
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The Municipality of Gloria is located 76 kms away from the province's capital of Calapan City. It has a total land area of 28,029 hectares and is composed of 27 barangays. It is bounded on the north by Pinamalayan, on the south by Bansud, on the west by Occidental Mindoro, and on the east by Tablas Strait.
Gloria has twenty-seven (27) barangays: nine (9) barangays are situated along the national highway; six (6) coastal barangays are located on the eastern side of the municipality while the remaining thirteen (12) interior barangays are on the western side. However, some barangays have combined ecosystems of lowland-coastal or lowland-upland.


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Books report: Despite e-books' swift rise, print still dominates market
Amazon's now selling more e-books for its Kindle e-reader than paperbacks or hardcovers. Barnes & Noble's Nook e-reader is making gains. Bankrupt Borders is closing brick-and-mortar stores. Yet there's surprising life left between physical books' covers.
Providing insight into print and e-books' standing are the following excerpts from the Trib's phone conversation with Kelly Gallagher. He's vice president, publisher services, for New Providence, N.J.-based R.R. Bowker ( bowker.com ), which conducts market research for publishers and traces its more-than-130-year history to Publishers Weekly's founding.
On e-books' pros and cons:
Obviously there is this "e-nirvana" that awaits publishers, where ... all things "e" make their lives much simpler; they focus less on supply chain management and more on content development. ... (T)here's savings to be had (with e-books) and the profitability is certainly there ... yet nobody wants to walk away from a world that still has 20 percent hardcover print books that people demand, and so ... publishers will become more profitable with "e," but the challenge of how they get there is a real big issue. ... And the bet that retail and publishing are taking is that ... people ultimately will buy more. At this point, we see it as more units, but because of (e-books') lower price point and not significantly more units, we see more cannibalization going on, or substitution purchasing, vs. them suddenly now buying twice as much as they used to buy in print.
On music-industry analogies:
Who in the world would have been caught dead with a cassette when CD came out• So literally, the new technology "obsoleted" the old technology. I don't see that happening with books. Print books are still a very good hardware device. You can drop them in the ocean and they don't short out, they don't run out of battery life and, you know, they still are ... and will always be a very functional way of communicating concepts, content and ideas.
On e-books in the overall market:
We're definitely on the sharp side of ... the curve right now, so (e-books) will continue to grow, but ... 86 percent of all titles sold today are in print. ... Textbooks, college textbooks and business books ... have had a much slower uptick because of the technology and even just the reluctance of the potential buyer to want to engage digitally. ... (I)t's very hard to still take notes in e-books, it's not the easiest thing to flip from section to section or page to page. ... For the younger generation ... they're just not used to learning in that environment, so we really can't assume, just because they're technology junkies, that they want to learn that way, too. ... We're beginning to see some signs, especially in a study we did just recently of young adults, of "digital fatigue." ... When we say that young adults don't read, well, it's just that they don't read what we want them to buy, but literally their whole day is spent reading -- text messages, Facebook -- they read more than we ever dreamed or ever did ... when we were their age. ... But the reality is that they're reading all the time, and so those that do like to read, actually we still see that they have a strong preference for print, because they're just digitally tired and they see a special comfort in print books, that it's nice to just unplug for them for a while.
On which e-reader has the upper hand:
Well, certainly the Kindle does ... they were first to market and they certainly are in the dominant position, although ... if you looked at the last couple months, who's gained the most market share, it's been Nook. ... (W)e recently did a customer satisfaction survey, and the Nook scored higher than the Kindle as far as overall customer satisfaction and functionality and the like ... and so I think the Nook has really taken some good strides but they're really ... up against a Goliath at this point. ... While price of books is the No. 1 reason why people switch over (to e-books), price of device is the No. 1 reason why people still have not switched over.
Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan
by Del Quentin Wilber (Henry Holt and Co.)
This high-profile release -- a prize-winning police reporter's minute-by-minute account of the events of March 30, 1981, and their aftermath -- has been excerpted in The Wall Street Journal. It's the subject of an overwhelmingly positive "Amazon Exclusive" review by Bill O'Reilly, plus numerous other reviews and media reports. And it's endorsed by Bob Woodward and George F. Will, among other luminaries. Incorporating the Secret Service code name for America's 40th president in its title, "Rawhide Down" draws on exclusive new interviews to add exhaustive detail to the story of how Ronald Reagan became the only serving U.S. president to survive being shot in an assassination attempt. Del Quentin Wilber makes more vivid than ever just how close Reagan came to death, how one Secret Service agent's quick thinking and skilled surgeons saved Reagan's life, and how the shooting left White House figures scrambling to determine whether the nation was under attack.
The False Promise of Green Energy
by Andrew P. Morriss, William T. Bogart, Roger E. Meiners and Andrew Dorchak (Cato Institute)
Concise at 224 pages, "The False Promise of Green Energy" should equip any reader who's properly skeptical with plenty of ammunition to shoot down the arguments of those who buy into what the free-market Cato Institute calls the "alluring future" of "more jobs in a cleaner environment" promised by green-energy proponents. Its four academic authors -- who are in the fields of law, business and economics at the University of Alabama, Maryville College, the University of Texas at Arlington and Case Western Reserve University -- examine such proponents' claims and find them wanting, exposing the "underlying politics and gamesmanship lurking below the surface" of a "large, vocal alliance" of "corporations, politicians, and environmentalists" advocating "huge taxpayer subsidies ... under the rubric of green jobs." It would be better, they say, for America to rely on "competitive forces ... to provide ever greater environmental quality and energy efficiencies."
However eternal fans' hopes spring with the Pirates' season opener on Friday, baseball both influences and reflects societal trends when it falls short of the values "America's pastime" supposedly embodies -- teamwork, fair play, sportsmanship, hard work.
The Negro Leagues, racial segregation personified, were rendered moot when Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball's color barrier, which encouraged the broader civil rights movement. Pirates legend Roberto Clemente heralded an influx of Latin players that spotlighted issues still echoing in immigration debates.
The legal demise of baseball's reserve clause led to free agency, with implications for all big-league pro sports -- witness today's NFL labor dispute.
Taxpayer financing of stadiums, including PNC Park, remains a topic of debate. And baseball's antitrust exemption gives Congress license for such meddling as its controversial 2005 hearings on players' steroid use.
However the Pirates fare, readers can win with these titles about baseball and society, selected especially for A Page of Books readers by manager Karen Rossi and her staff at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's Downtown & Business branch.
Labor and Capital in 19th Century Baseball
by Robert P. Gelzheiser (McFarland & Co., 2006)
Shades of Glory: The Negro Leagues and the Story of African-American Baseball
by Lawrence D. Hogan (National Geographic Society, 2006)
Maz and the '60 Bucs: When Pittsburgh And Its Pirates Went All the Way
by Jim O'Brien (J.P. O'Brien, 1993)
Kiss It Good-Bye: The Mystery, the Mormon, and the Moral of the 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates
by John Moody (Shadow Mountain, 2010)
Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball's Last Hero
by David Maraniss (Simon & Schuster, 2006)
Forbes Field: Essays and Memories of the Pirates' Historic Ballpark, 1909-1971
edited by David Cicotello and Angelo J. Louisa (McFarland & Co., 2007)
Ball Four: My Life and Hard Times Throwing the Knuckleball in the Big Leagues
by Jim Bouton (World Publishing Co., 1970)
Foul Ball: My Life and Hard Times Trying to Save an Old Ballpark
by Jim Bouton (Bulldog Publishing, 2003)
Owners Versus Players: Baseball and Collective Bargaining
by James B. Dworkin (Auburn House Publishing, 1981)
A Whole Different Ball Game: The Sport and Business of Baseball
by Marvin Miller (Carol Publishing, 1991)
American Icon: The Fall of Roger Clemens & the Rise of Steroids in America's Pastime
by Teri Thompson, Nathaniel Vinton, Michael O'Keeffe and Christian Red (Knopf, 2009)
A Page of Books, written and compiled by Alan Wallace, appears on the last Sunday of each month.Additional Information:
Get your Kindle


text: Lahore : A joint venture agreement has been finalized between a Pakistani company and an Omani trading firm. This agreement has been signed between Green Spring Fruits, a Pakistani SME which manufactures value added products from fruits such as fruit leather and fruit pulp etc, and Al Kharusi Trading, Oman. According to agreement, Green Spring Fruits will supply its products to the Omani firm. It is worth mentioning that PBIT sent a delegation comprising of businessmen from the food and agriculture sector to World Trade Bridge Summit 2013 in Istanbul. The delegation also comprised businessmen from Green Spring Fruits.Turkey hosted international business summit, the 19th World Trade Bridge 2013, organized by the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists in Istanbul. Turkey-World Trade Bridge 2013 had a sectoral focus and covered sectors of food, agriculture, fast moving consumer goods and related machinery.


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On Sun, 2005-05-22 at 19:08 +0200, Michael Schwendt wrote: > On Sun, 22 May 2005 18:51:07 +0200, Jean-Luc Fontaine wrote: > > > moodss only requires sqlite-tcl via explicit requirement and is > > compatible with both SQLite 2 and 3 versions. > > moodss-20.0-fc3 no longer requires sqlite-tcl as it is disabled in the > > sqlite 3 update for FC-3 (according to Ville), although now that I > > checked only sqlite 2 is in FC3 extras. Thoughts? > > There is no SQLite v3 update for FC3 Extras. The src.rpm imported into CVS > was a mistake. Unless somebody really wants to backport FC4's sqlite into > FE3, such a release should not be done just for fun. I fully acknowledge that importing the sqlite 3 package was a hasty action, and am not currently interested in building it for FC3. > My willingness to go through this "sqlite v2 vs. sqlite v3" once more > is not immense. I've examined the dependencies before in an older > message to this list. E.g. "kannel" has not been built for FE3. > > Let Ignacio rename sqlite-2.8.16 to sqlite2-2.8.16 and adjust the existing > BuildRequirements accordingly. Whether to build "kannel" for FC3 for the > first time, should be left to Matthias. In that case I will request a FC-3 branch for sqlite2 and the other maintainers can do as they please. -- Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams <ivazquez ivazquez net> http://fedora.ivazquez.net/ gpg --keyserver hkp://subkeys.pgp.net --recv-key 38028b72
Description: This is a digitally signed message part


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|From: Chris Warrington (chrisw at rice.edu)
Date: Sat Jun 10 13:32:48 EDT 2006
Prabhakar Ragde @ 2006-6-10 12:33:42 PM "[plt-scheme] Re: Timespans" <mid:448AF466.6070605 at uwaterloo.ca> > You might be able to fake it with Chapter 15 of the MzScheme manual > and Chapter 14 of the MzLib manual. Thanks for the pointers. I saw those before and they didn't look all that helpful, but I'll look again. > But I give things like this as programming exercises to my > first-year class -- surely it won't take you that long to write what > you need? No, it shouldn't take that long. But why reinvent (and re-test) the wheel? Admittedly, sometimes it's fun... -- Chris Warrington <chrisw at rice.edu> In an office: WOULD THE PERSON WHO TOOK THE STEP LADDER YESTERDAY PLEASE BRING IT BACK OR FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: application/pgp-signature Size: 185 bytes Desc: not available URL: <http://lists.racket-lang.org/users/archive/attachments/20060610/76c028ed/attachment.sig>
|Posted on the users mailing list.


text: My wife got Bon Jovi tickets half price on the Internet. They were lawn tickets. I saw a booth that said we could upgrade to chairs under the tent for $10 extra. Big improvement. The concert began. Everyone stood up. I didn't. I think I would have recognized more of the songs if I had been 40 and had ovaries. Is that Rick Springfield? Then the hurricane came. Got so bad that they suspended the concert while the lawn people were swept away by a flashflood. During the rain delay, this large man took off his shirt, to the delight of the assembled middle-aged women. To remind them of the hunks of man flesh waiting for them at home, I took off my shirt, too. Then the concert resumed. There were lots of pretty lights. I was listening to Alabama that decade, so I missed Bon Jovi. But it was clear he and the audience were sincerely fond of one another. It was truly a sweet and touching thing to see. Folks had a great time. Here's my date for the evening, the lovely Mrs. Lonsberry. She put up with me pretty well. And when we got home, we found our little angels happily asleep. Here are Scott and Blue-eyed Ellie. Photo 1 of 1 Continue Gallery


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News Corp shareholders have warned of weakness in divisions outside of the powerhouse cable television business as the global media and entertainment conglomerate prepares to split into two separately listed companies.
"The new media, cable, is doing well, but the old stuff is doing really, really bad," said UBS Global Asset Management portfolio manager Jakov Males. "The market should understand you're buying weak divisions except cable. I think the market is focusing on the positive."
Cable posted a 16 per cent increase in revenue in the first quarter of the 2013 financial year to $US2.45 billion and a 23 per cent jump in operating income to $US953 million, generating 69 per cent of group operating income.
The division underpinned a 2 per cent rise year-on-year in total revenue to $US8.14 billion and a 3 per cent rise in adjusted operating income to $US1.45 billion. "It's a pretty good result outside of some of the traditional forms of media," Perpetual deputy head of equities Charlie Lanchester said.
The cable division "has gone from strength to strength", Arnhem Investment Management managing partner Neil Boyd-Clark said. But "there's always question marks about areas such as Sky Italia and the publishing business."
Operating income for Sky Italia plummeted 81 per cent to $US23 million, while the struggling newspaper and book publishing division slumped 48 per cent to $US57 million. Advertising revenues for all newspaper units were lower.
Chief operating officer Chase Carey said the decline in display advertising in Australia had "clearly hit our businesses". Management expects the overall publishing division to be down this financial year.
While television operating income rose 17 per cent, largely due to a "more than doubling" of retransmission revenues, Mr Carey warned the US TV ad market still had limited visibility. "You've got a market that is pretty reserved at this point," he said. Film revenue dipped 2 per cent but operating income was up 15 per cent.
Net income jumped to $US2.23 billion, up from $US738 million in the prior corresponding period, boosted by a $US1.38 billion pre-tax gain on the sale of News's 49 per cent stake in pay TV security software company NDS.
Management said it would release some detail on the proposed demerger into two separately listed companies by the end of December, and that the split would occur around June. Mr Carey declined to specify what the balance sheets of the individual companies would look like, saying it was more appropriate to do so after News split mid next year.
Chairman and chief executive Rupert Murdoch was not present on the analysts' call, the fourth successive quarterly results call he has missed.
The Australian Financial Review


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Oscar buzz for Bardem
Page Tools
To portray a real-life quadriplegic in The Sea Inside, Javier Bardem decided to focus on "the voice and the eyes."
"I tried to calm myself and forget the anxiety you get due to the fact you must be motionless, so I could bring up the energy to the right place," he told The Associated Press during a recent interview.
"I also wanted to achieve a feeling of dynamism inside the static. Due to how (the character) talks and behaves, there is something that moves while the body remains motionless, it is like a kind of balance between energies," he said.
The Sea Inside is based on the true story of Ramon Sampedro, a ship mechanic from Spain, which is also Bardem's homeland. Sampedro is paralysed in a diving accident and fights for his right to die for the next 30 years.
Bardem and The Sea Inside - written, directed and produced by Alejandro Amenabar (The Others, 2001) - are getting Oscar buzz after being nominated for Golden Globe awards for best actor and best foreign movie. The cast also includes well-known actresses such as Lola Duenas - the nurse in Pedro Almodovar's Talk to Her - and TV celebrity Belen Rueda in her first big-screen role.
Bardem, who comes from a family of Spanish actors, appeared in his first movie at age six. His breakout role came in 2000, when he received an Oscar nomination for his role as the persecuted Cuban writer Reinaldo Arenas in Before Night Falls.
Last year, he appeared with Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx as drug lord Felix in the thriller Collateral, and he's set to play Pablo Escobar in the upcoming Killing Pablo.
During the interview, which was conducted in Spanish, a relaxed Bardem sat on a hotel sofa, informally dressed in a blue shirt and jeans. He did his best not to appear bored during an exhausting day of back-to-back interviews, maintaining eye contact and smiling throughout.
In order to make the 35-year-old Bardem look like the 55-year-old Sampedro, British makeup artist Jo Allen (The Hours, Gladiator) shaved him bald and held daily makeup sessions of up to five hours each.
"I spent three months in bed, because the shooting took 10 hours and then I went to sleep to my own bed. You feel your body change, it gets a different gravity, a weight," Bardem said. "But I did not worry too much with all this because it helped me understand the character."
Before shooting began, Bardem read two books written by Sampedro and stayed for a month with four quadriplegics at a specialised hospital in Spain.
"None of them agreed with Ramon Sampedro's decision," he said. "All of them fought in the opposite direction, they wanted to live, but curiously they were very tolerant with Sampedro's wish. They are even more tolerant that the (Roman Catholic) Church, because they understand someone in that situation could wish to die."
Amenabar said Bardem sank so deeply into his role, sometimes "it was really difficult to talk to Bardem right after we cut, because he still was more Sampedro" than himself.
Amenabar also said Bardem "had a very hard time physically and emotionally shooting the last sequence - the last one we shot - because he was saying goodbye to the character. It was very hard on him."
Although he is the only Spanish actor ever nominated for an Oscar, Bardem says winning an Academy Award "is not important for me. Not at all. It is more important that bombings stop in Iraq, that United States respect the Kyoto Accord, or that international observers be allowed to Guantanamo."
Does he expect American audiences to embrace The Sea Inside like those in Spain?
"Maybe with this new government, half the country would not want to see it. The half that voted for Bush," he said. "But honestly, I do not need them to go see it."
The Sea Inside is scheduled to open in Australia on April 21.
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Here are the winners in the Magazine caption competition.
This week, the Dalai Lama held an audience in New York City spell-bound as he took part in a panel discussion on "Ethical Revolution and World Crisis". But what's being said?
6.Joe Lyus, UKThe Dalai Lama demonstrates the one hand clapping.
5.Michael Brown, Ottawa, CanadaThen I told the mugger: "See? No bling-bling."
4.Joe Gant, UKWise men say... don't play with Stanley knives.
3.Chris Pritchett, Bristol, UKThe delegation regretted serving Hula-Hoops on the snack tray.
2.Damiel Massey, UKNo-one can resist doing an air guitar solo with a Jimi Hendrix tape playing in their personal stereo.
1.Eddie H, UKSinging... once... twice... three times a deity.


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Herbie and his assistants are a means to receive immediate reassuring communication with a fully trained member of our staff who are on hand to manage any situation which may arise. It may be medical situation, a safety concern or simply that practical reassurance is required, we are here 24 hours of the day, every day of the year. Simply knowing that you are able to speak directly with one of our sympathetic assistants anytime of the day offers the comfort, peace of mind and feeling of complete security.
Herbie is a small unit connected to your existing telephone line, simple to fit, easy to use and discreetly designed to fit into the home environment. Preconfigured on delivery, ensures that a simple connection and test cycle is all it takes for the system to be ready for action.
Each system comprises of a base unit and 1 wireless pendant, easy start up guide and full operation instructions. The system also comes with advice for your supportive relatives or friends, to ensure that we always have the right information to maintain the effectiveness of the response.
The systems also allows for additional devices to be added to enhance the scope of cover required. Such as monitored Smoke & Carbon monoxide detectors, flood & fall detectors, bedside emergency buttons and bogus caller buttons. All of the devices are wireless, offering complete freedom in the home without messy cables or installations worries. By us being able to offer these additional services ensures that everyday incidents around the home are fully covered.
With Herbie Assist, you are in control of the right devices for the right level of remote assistance you require. Herbie is available 24 hours a day 365 days a year through a dedicated response team, ensuring peace of mind is delivered direct to the home.


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" Genre: Comedy / Theatrical Release: 1995 / Parental Guidance / Director: Beeban Kidron / Actors: Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze, John Leguizamo, Stockard Channing, Blythe Danner ... / DVD released 2005-08-01 at Uca Catalogue / Features of the DVD: PAL "
* Prices may differ from that shown
'To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar' stars Patrick Swayze and Wesley Snipes as you've probably never seen them before... and in roles that you'd never expect them to play! Along with John Leguizamo, they play Noxeema (Snipes), Vida (Swayze) and Chi-Chi (Leguizamo), drag queens on a journey from New York to Hollywood for a drag queen beauty pageant. Along the way, things don't go quite as they'd planned and they end up stuck in the sleepy, Mid West, small town of Snydersville for the weekend. In this drab town, they stand out a mile in their flamboyant and glitzy outfits, but they make the best of the unfortunate situation.
This film was released in 1995, but I have only just got around to watching it... and if you've not watched it then you're missing out! In fact, I'd only heard of "To Wong Foo..." after reading Patrick Swayze's autobiography last year.
This is a feel good film that had me laughing at various points during the film. For a start, you get to see the trasformation of Patrick Swayze and Wesley Snipes as their characters glam themselves up at the beginning of the film, and they actually look pretty good in dresses, especially Wesley Snipes! Who'd have thought it?! The beginning of the film is the only time you'll see them as men.
Voice-wise, the actors have obviously put on softer voices (as they're playing "ladies") and it is done well. Vida Boheme, in particular, is a classy drag queen (as shown in the way he/she dresses) and this comes across well in the way that Patrick Swayze speaks and conducts the character. We do get to hear Swayze's real voice at one point in the film when he shouts "Get your hand off my DICK, buddy!" after a sherriff tries it on with Vida.
All three men seemed very comfortable in the roles and had them down to a T. In fact, not far into the film, I'd pretty much forgotten I was watching Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes and John Leguizamo in drag as they pulled it off so well. I would have never have chosen Swayze or Snipes to act in a film about drag queens (in fact, I've never taken much notice of Snipes, other than seeing him in action films), however this film was cast perfectly and just goes to show how good actors they are.
You may be wondering what the title of the film has to do with anything... Well, early on in the film Vida spots an autographed picture on the wall of a restaurant which reads "To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar" and she decides that she must have it. The autographed picture then goes on the journey with them as inspiration. In fact, Julie Newmar (famous for her role as Catwoman in the Batman TV series) even makes a brief appearance (as herself) in the film.
Other people who appear in the film include Robin Williams, Stockard Channing, Chris Penn (as Sherriff Dullard), Naomi Campbell, Quentin Crisp and RuPaul.
The soundtrack includes classics (and very appropriate songs) such as 'Free Yourself' by Chaka Khan, 'She's A Lady' by Tom Jones and 'Girls Just Want To Have Fun' by Cyndi Lauper.
As I'm sure you'll have guessed by now, this is one film that I definitely recommend! It's a PG rated film, so almost anyone can watch it, though I don't think kids will be too interested in it. However, this is certainly a film I'll be watching time & time again.
As I write this, Amazon are currently selling this DVD including a deleted scenes extra) for £3.99 - A bargain!


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Government's new energy strategy not fit for purpose, WWF
Commenting on the Government's Energy Strategy as it appears on CANA's website, WWF-New Zealand Climate Change Programme Manager Peter Hardstaff said he hoped the document wasn't the final version, because: "there's a massive gap in it, where the strategy part of this strategy should be. This strategy as it stands is not fit for purpose." he said.
"If this is the final version, it's deeply disappointing that the Government has failed to act on nearly 4,000 submissions from the public, many of which called it to account for its emphasis on fossil fuel exploration and lack of ambition in the draft document," said Mr Hardstaff.
Media reports today stated Ministry figures that over public 300 submissions were received on the draft strategy, when the total figure obtained by WWF-New Zealand is 3,844.
The strategy recognises that oil prices will continue to rise, regardless of how much oil is extracted in New Zealand. Worryingly, the Government intends a hands-off approach to increasing oil prices, stating that, "The Government will not pick winners. Ultimately, uptake of new energy sources and technologies will depend on decisions made by investors and consumers as they respond to oil prices."
WWF says this is not the approach the majority of New Zealanders want. In August 2010, opinion polling by Colmar Brunton found that the majority of New Zealanders (72%) think the Government should prepare now for future oil price rises by investing in alternative fuels and in public transport.
Mr. Hardstaff, said: "The Government acknowledges oil prices will increase in future, yet the strategy offers no protection against this. Its plan is to have no plan and hope for the best. As the research shows, the majority of New Zealanders don't believe that is good enough."
Hekia Parata, acting Minister for Energy and Resources, today defended the Government's approach saying that it has been commended by the International Energy Agency (IEA) . However, the Agency's recent review of New Zealand also stressed the challenges we face and called for New Zealand's energy strategy to be strengthened.
Although the IEA review calls the 90% target for renewable electricity generation by 2025, "a step in the right direction" it also says, "the strategy should also include a detailed road-map towards achieving the government's 90% target for renewable electricity,"
Commenting on Strategy as a whole, the IEA says, "The Strategy should include clear priorities and identify firm actions needed to meet them," while on the Energy Efficiency and Conservation part of strategy, the IEA report says, "the draft proposals lack a firm commitment to actions that will contribute to achieving the energy saving goals."
Mr Hardstaff says these comments indicate the current document falls short of what is required of a energy strategy and is not fit for purpose.
At the launch of the IEA report last week, its Executive Director Nobuo Tanaka commented that although energy security remains at the heart of New Zealand energy policy "more investment is needed, however, to build a robust system; one that meets future demand and places New Zealand on a firm path to a low-carbon energy future."
By contrast, in September 2010 Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee said, "The new strategy has our petroleum and mineral resources at the very heart of it. It is a clear message that the government is keen to see those resources developed."
Mr. Hardstaff, said: "The Energy Ministry's continued obsession with fossil fuels is alarming. Digging and drilling for more coal, oil and gas is applying a 19th century strategy to 21st century challenges. As recognised by the IEA, real opportunities exist to build on New Zealand's significant renewable energy potential including wind, geothermal and home-grown biofuels. But without a strategy to promote them, these technologies won't develop fast enough. This leaves New Zealand out of being part of a viable economic and environmental solution to climate change and instead sees us contributing further greenhouse gas emissions to the problem."
• The New Zealand Energy Strategy and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy was published online by CANA on April 3 at: http://coalactionnetworkaotearoa.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/nz-energy-strategy-nzeecs-v12-21-march-11-1.pdf
• The new energy strategy, titled 'Developing our energy potential', sets out in broad terms the government's intentions to develop resources (both fossil fuel and renewable energy), promote energy security, affordability and efficiency, and promote environmental responsibility.
• In email correspondence from the Ministry of Economic Development, 10 September 2010, the total number of submissions to the draft NZES and NZEECS combined was 3844. Email available on request.
• WWF made 22 specific recommendations in the consultation phase, including:
- There should be a clear strategy on liquid fuels that addresses the identified challenges of increasing oil prices and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This part of the strategy should include the Government's objectives on public transport, on transport fuel efficiency and on the development and adoption of alternatives to fossil fuel-based liquid fuels. The document should also set out the strategy for achieving these objectives including existing policies or initiatives (and what they are expected to achieve) and the kind of new policies or initiatives that will be required.
- There should be a clear strategy on electricity generation that can address the challenges of, for example, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, diversifying supply, upgrading electricity infrastructure and the potential impact of increased use of electric vehicles. This part of the strategy should include the Government's objectives on renewable electricity generation, coal fired electricity generation, gas fired electricity generation, distributed generation, fuel poverty, more efficient use of electricity, smart grids and smart meters. The document should also set out the strategy for achieving these objectives including existing policies or initiatives (and what they are expected to achieve) and the kind of new policies or initiatives that will be required.
• As part of Colmar Brunton's omnibus poll in August 2010, New Zealanders were informed that the Government expects oil prices to rise steadily in the future as cheaper, easy-to-reach oil supplies decline around the world, and that increased oil production in New Zealand will have no impact on this trend because the price is fixed to international oil prices. They were asked if they thought the government should:
Invest now in developing public transport and alternatives to petrol and diesel for New Zealand
Or allow consumers and companies to find or develop their own alternative transport methods and fuels when they consider petrol and diesel prices have become too high
Seven out of ten - 72% - said the Government should invest now in alternatives, whilst 24% said the Government should let consumers or companies find their own alternative. The remaining 4% said they don't know.
The research was conducted using Colmar Brunton's telephone omnibus, a survey of 500 New Zealanders aged 18 and over. Interviewing was conducted from 10 to 16 August, 2010. The results are post-weighted to reflect New Zealand population statistics in terms of gender, age and region, and have a maximum margin of error of +/-4.4%.
• The full text of Gerry Brownlee's speech to the 2010 New Zealand Petroleum Conference can be found at: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/opening-address-new-zealand-petroleum-conference
Media contacts: Jenny Riches WWF-New Zealand Marketing & Communications Manager, tel: 04 4714288 / 0274477158
About WWF
WWF-New Zealand is part of WWF, the global conservation organization. WWF-New Zealand works to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. Through WWF's global reach, local presence and scientific rigour, it establishes innovative partnerships and seeks ambitious solutions for a living planet. For more information, visit wwf.org.nz


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Personal Injury Law
Personal Injury Law Question? Ask Personal Injury Lawyers.
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Kindly remember the ONLY WAY experts receive any credit at all for spending time with customers is if you click on OK, GOOD or EXCELLENT SERVICE even though you have made a deposit or are a subscription customer. YOU MUST COMPLETE THE RATING FOR THE EXPERT TO RECEIVE ANY CREDIT, if not the site keeps your money on deposit.
Also remember, sometimes the law does not support what we want it to support, but that is not the fault of the person answering the question, so please be courteous.
If I have 75% or more loss in my neck, then what does it mean "the injured employee shall be deemed to suffered "total industrial disability" and compensated as for total loss of use of the back (neck)? Do I just receive workers comp checks the rest of my life and pay my attorney's my 4th check from here on out, or what? That would not be right? It would be a lot less then what I was making + I did not ask for this injury??


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Yinka Shonibare MBE: Magic Ladders
A British artist of Nigerian descent, Shonibare (b. 1962) creates work that cites the artistic and intellectual history of Europe. His sculptures—life-sized mannequins clothed in the Dutch wax fabrics associated with Africa—offer a dramatic, playful, irreverent examination of identity, history, and politics.
This show focused on education, enlightenment, and opportunity, ideals embraced by Albert Barnes. It featured sculptures, paintings, photographs, an installation, and a commission. Catalogue by Gund Family Chief Curator Judith F. Dolkart.
Past Exhibition Programs
Yinka Shonibare MBE: Magic Ladders Member Preview
Wednesday–Friday, January 22–24
Yinka Shonibare in Conversation
Friday, January 24
Philadelphia Welcomes Yinka Shonibare
Friday, January 24
Young Professionals: Global Glam
Friday, January 31
First Friday! Global Patterns
Friday, February 7
Family Day Weekend
Sunday And Monday, February 15–16
Diversities in the Arts of the African Diaspora
Friday, February 28


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Growing global reach is an important tenet of China's quest for comprehensive national power, but it is unlikely that even the Chinese expected the accumulation of $2.3 trillion of foreign exchange reserves -- with US dollar assets accounting for 65-70 percent of these holdings -- to propel them into the heightened global status they currently enjoy. Nonetheless, China certainly can claim a number of wins in its column as a result of concern within the United States and among other developed economies over whether China might diversify its holdings too quickly or dump too many.
Win Number One: The West is not just considering but actually moving toward granting China more say in international financial institutions. At the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh in September, Chinese President Hu Jintao appealed for an increase in the voice and representation of developing countries in international financial organizations, echoing a call he made at the G-20 Summit in November 2008 in Washington. Indeed, the Leaders' Statement from the Pittsburgh summit pledged to move forward on the reform of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank by shifting 5 percent of IMF voting rights and 3 percent of World Bank voting rights from developed countries to developing and transition countries with the goal of benefiting under-represented countries.
Win Number Two: China has successfully persuaded global economies and institutions to consider the creation of a non-sovereign currency to replace the US dollar as the international reserve currency. Zhou Xiaochuan, chief of the People's Bank of China (China's central bank), in March called the acceptance of credit-based national currencies as major international currencies "a rare special case in history." He then called for replacing the dollar as the dominant world currency with an international reserve currency that is disconnected from individual nations, "thus removing the inherent deficiencies caused by using credit-based national currencies." His proposal would create a super-sovereign currency perhaps in the form of the IMF's special drawing rights (SDRs). The feasibility of the plan is certainly open for debate, but Zhou, with support from Russia, effectively put the idea on the table, eliciting a categorical rejection from Treasury Secretary Geithner, Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke, and President Obama who said that he did not believe there is a need for a global currency.
Win Number Three: The G-20 is now the main platform for international economic cooperation, replacing the G-8 and allowing China to continue to avoid the responsibilities that come with membership in the developed world. Indeed, the Leaders' Statement from the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh and a White House press release from 24 September put the G-20 "at the center of efforts to work together to build a durable [economic] recovery." Moreover, President Obama in a speech at the Summit said that "the G-20 will take the lead in building a new approach to [economic] cooperation."
Win Number Four: Washington's seeming desire to avoid any sort of confrontation with China on issues that have consistently caused Beijing to bristle can be regarded as another win for the Chinese. Indeed, Washington appears to be wary of seriously discussing sticky issues like human rights and currency manipulation with Chinese officials out of concern that China could take a step that would damage the fragile global and US economies. Early on in the new administration, Secretary Clinton encouraged China to continue to purchase US Government debt but downplayed human rights issues by saying that pressure on China to improve its human rights record cannot "interfere with the global economic crisis, the global climate change crisis, and the security crisis." President Obama recently postponed a meeting with the Dalai Lama until after his November trip to China, a move perceived by some as one of conflict avoidance. Moreover, the US Administration--for the second time this year--in October stopped short of calling China a currency manipulator, a departure from President Obama's campaign rhetoric.
These wins, which appear to be simply bequeathed to China without requiring much in return, feed into China's longtime foreign policy goal of returning to its middle kingdom status where nations paid tribute out of respect for China's economic, military, and diplomatic prowess. In a modern sense, this tribute comes in the form of countries seriously considering how their decisions might affect their relationship with China and adjusting accordingly so as to avoid any sort of upset with the emerging power. This approach sets a dangerous precedent in one of our most important relationships, and it forgets that good relations with the United States are important to China, too. Damaged ties to Washington are not in China's interest, and Beijing has proved in the past that it expects to have to give a little to ensure the relationship stays on track. Our current approach sends the message that China can continue to rack up wins without having to do anything; we'll do the heavy-lifting, kowtowing as we go.


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Would you like to save as your currency permanently or for this visit only?
It is a really nice and cozy place located in the rural erea, they have a beautiful restaurant called El-PaPa. The owner Carman is a very kindy lady, my partner and I enjoyed staying there a lot! We took the suite with full equipped kitchen, it is absolutely fantastic!
We liked the friendly, relaxed atmosphere. We rather felt being in the home of friends than in a hotel. We loved having breakfast in the courtyard under the mulberry tree. We felt very tampered by Rainer who gave us advice on a wonderful beach where we had Paella and booked us into small family winecellars. We found it quite hard to leave the pool. Wonderful setting.
We all moved it and hope to return next year. This is the perfect place to relax and the perfect base from which to explore the vinyards, pristine sandy beaches and Barcelona and Tarragona. Technically there is no restaurant but tris is not needed when the kitchen, BBQ and patio aré freebsd to use by guests avoiding the leed for expensive meals out. Rainer also cooks a fantastic Bbq once a week in main holiday season. Restaurants are around 5 minutes by car.
Simply loved it. Loved waking up with birdsong and the wind in the trees, loved the rich breakfast, loved reading peacefully at the side of the pool, loved watching the children playing together without having a common language, of all things loved best having a cold Penedes white wine on the new lounge sofa in the courtyard. Will be back soon, promised.
Quiet location No restaurants
The guys who owned the hotel were incredibly friendly and helpful. They suggested some great restaurants and wineries to go to.


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Social networking giant Twitter is being tipped to open its first Australian corporate office "imminently" as part of plans to help combat cyber bullying and deepen ties with the federal and state governments.
Federal politicians have for months been lobbying the company to launch a full-time presence in Australia and make it easier for police officers to engage with the company.
Speaking after a visit to Twitter's US headquarters on Friday, deputy opposition leader Julie Bishop said she understood the move was "imminent".
"That's what they told us today - they'd be opening an office in Sydney," she said.
"Facebook has a presence in Australia and it's clear Twitter is about to establish one."
Ms Bishop said it was "essential" for social networking companies to deepen ties with Australian governments and authorities.
Earlier, Ms Bishop tweeted that she was at Twitter headquarters in in San Francisco as part of the Australian American Leadership Dialogue."There are 400 million tweets/day with most tweets posted in Jakarta!".
Twitter did not immediately confirm the move.
Twitter has seven international offices with the latest being in Paris.
A new Australian corporate presence is likely to have a strong commercial motive, with Australians keenly embracing Twitter over the past six years and currently sending about 1.4 million tweets per day.
But it is also likely to ease cooperation on issues such as cyber bullying and online abuse as well as enhancing relationships with all levels of government.
It comes after a series of high-profile cases of cyber bullying, including rugby league star Robbie Farah being abused by a troll on Twitter.
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy branded the company "arrogant" in September after he unsuccessfully tried to contact the company to discuss the Farah case and ways to combat cyber bullying.
"They just believe they don't have to take any notice of the Australian public, any notice of the Australian laws, and they think they can behave this arrogantly," he told Nine Network last year.
Facebook, too, has come under pressure to extend its relationship with Australian authorities. Victoria police chief Ken Lay this week met with a Facebook executive to discuss his concerns about hate pages, and Facebook's threat to high profile prosecutions.
A spokesman for Senator Conroy told AAP on Friday that he would welcome a permanent Twitter presence in Australia.
But Prime Minister Julia Gillard said an Australian office may not speed up negotiations over taking down offensive material.
"It hasn't been so much a question of location of the organisation, as opposed to the will to address the issue," she told reporters in Sydney on Friday.
"We will be urging the bodies that have some control over content to have policies, not to stop people from having a genuine conversation or anything like that, but some of the extremes that have caused real harm to try and deal with that conduct."
Twitter has had no full-time offices in Australia since launching in 2006 despite launching an official Twitter handle, @TwitterAU, last October.
Senior Twitter executives visited Australia in late 2012 as part of a scoping study.