среда, 29 февраля 2012 г.
QLD:Eddy Groves to face trial in May 2012
AAP General News (Australia)
08-19-2011
QLD:Eddy Groves to face trial in May 2012
Former ABC Learning Centres boss EDDY GROVES will stand trial in May next year on a
charge relating to the collapse of Australia's biggest childcare chain.
GROVES was committed to stand trial earlier this year on one count of breaching the
Corporations Act by dishonestly using his position as a director.
Former ABC CEO MARTIN VINCENT KEMP will also stand trial after being committed last
month on two counts of breaching the Corporations Act.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission alleges the pair engaged in a
dishonest deal just months before the company's collapse in 2008.
During a review of the matter in the Brisbane District Court today, Chief Judge PATSY
WOLFE listed the trial for the week commencing May 14 2012.
The matter will be reviewed again in December.
AAP RTV cf/gd/sw/
KEYWORD: GROVES (BRISBANE)
� 2011 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
Vic: Whaling ship is disaster waiting to happen, says activist
AAP General News (Australia)
02-22-2007
Vic: Whaling ship is disaster waiting to happen, says activist
By Simon Mossman
MELBOURNE, Feb AAP - Captain Paul Watson knows he cannot claim credit for the event
that may have prematurely ended Japan's seasonal whaling operations in Antarctica.
The environmental activist and Sea Shepherd boat skipper says he is happy that several
hundred of the mammals have, for the time being, been spared because of a huge fire last
week which crippled the Japanese whaling fleet's factory ship, the Nisshin Maru.
Of greater concern to Watson, however, is the potential for "a disaster beyond …
VIC:Villawood detainees questioned by police
AAP General News (Australia)
04-22-2011
VIC:Villawood detainees questioned by police
Twenty-two detainees at Sydney's Villawood Detention Centre have been removed and are
being questioned by police .. over the riot that caused extensive damage and chaos to
the facility.
An Immigration spokeswoman says no-one has been arrested or charged at this stage.
The centre erupted in a riot involving up to 100 detainees on Wednesday night .. leaving
nine buildings gutted by fire.
The spokeswoman says while a small number of detainees remain on a rooftop at the centre
.. there were no further reports of disturbances last night.
AAP RTV mok/wf
KEYWORD: DETAINEES (SYDNEY)
� 2011 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
FED:Mining firms spend $20m to fight tax
AAP General News (Australia)
02-01-2011
FED:Mining firms spend $20m to fight tax
By Paul Osborne, AAP Senior Political Writer
CANBERRA, Feb 1 AAP - Mining companies spent more than $20 million to sink a tax on
profits, and Kevin Rudd's Labor leadership.
New figures released by the electoral commission show the Minerals Council of Australia
spent $17 million, BHP Billiton more than $4 million and Rio Tinto more than $537,000
in their battle against the Rudd government's resource super profits tax.
The government wanted to impose a 40 per cent tax on the profits of all miners.
But Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who ousted Mr Rudd as the tax debate entered a stalemate,
negotiated with the biggest companies for a 30 per cent mineral resources rent tax applying
to coal and iron ore only.
However some miners still refuse to accept the tax.
Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese said the miners had waged a misleading campaign.
"We know in the lead-up to the last election there was a considerable amount of advertising
done against the government, much of it very misleading," he told reporters in Canberra
on Tuesday.
The Australian Electoral Commission figures also showed the Liberal Party continued
to benefit from large donations from tobacco companies and the hotels and gaming industry
spent big on both major parties.
But trade unions remained Labor's key financial backers.
The Australian Workers Union and the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association
each gave $200,000 to the ALP's federal branch, which received $7.75 million in total
over the 2009/10 financial year.
Billionaire mining magnate Clive Palmer's Mineralogy Pty Ltd was the largest individual
donor to the federal Liberals, contributing $500,000 out of a total $6.3 million.
Across all states the Liberals received $41.22 million, compared with Labor's $36.22 million.
Tobacco companies Philip Morris and British American Tobacco gave donations totalling
just over $300,000 to the Liberal and National parties, while Labor and the Greens have
banned such donations.
NAB and ANZ bank donated $100,000 each to Labor and the Liberals.
The nation's 60 political parties received $89.5 million over the financial year -
down from $98 million the previous year.
AAP pjo/rl/msk
KEYWORD: DONATIONS
� 2011 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
FED:Police recapture escapee
AAP General News (Australia)
08-24-2010
FED:Police recapture escapee
A man who escaped from Victorian detectives at Brisbane Airport while being extradited
to Melbourne managed to swim across the Brisbane River before he was recaptured several
suburbs away.
Victorian homicide detectives were accompanying 24-year-old KAYD THORP to Brisbane
airport when he escaped around 3pm.
Specialist police units including the dog squad arrested the fugitive more than six
hours later in Cambridge Parade .. Manly .. a suburb on the south side of the river.
The street has rows of shops and a residential area.
THORP is facing a string of charges over two separate assaults in Victoria .. one in
which victim CLINT BASSETT later died.
He'll now likely face a Brisbane court tomorrow charged with escaping custody.
AAP RTV jrd/jkl
KEYWORD: THORP (MELBOURNE)
� 2010 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
Vic: Missing elderly man found
AAP General News (Australia)
04-17-2010
Vic: Missing elderly man found
MELBOURNE, April 17 AAP - Missing 70-year-old Melbourne man Horst Kliche has been located
safe and well.
Mr Kliche had been missing since about midday on Friday from a residential care home
on Main Road, Eltham, in Melbourne's northeast.
AAP gr
KEYWORD: MISSING UPDATE
2010 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
Fed: Gov't wants colluded price investigation before Christmas
AAP General News (Australia)
12-03-2009
Fed: Gov't wants colluded price investigation before Christmas
The federal government's under fire for its slow reaction to anti-competitive behaviour
by fuel companies.
It's ordered the competition watchdog to investigate before Christmas whether anti-competitive
behaviour is pushing up petrol prices.
But fair trading specialist FRANK ZUMBO .. from the University of New South Wales ..
says the government's been aware of the situation for two years .. and it's a bit rich
to be taking action now.
Consumer Affairs Minister CRAIG EMERSON's written to the ACCC asking it to investigate
claims price collusion is taking place in the petrol price cycle.
AAP RTV srj/rl/crh
KEYWORD: PETROL (CANBERRA)
2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
FED: Swan dismisses two decades of debt as 'wild speculation'
AAP General News (Australia)
04-26-2009
FED: Swan dismisses two decades of debt as 'wild speculation'
By Julian Drape
CANBERRA, April 26 AAP - The federal government says it's nothing more than "wild speculation"
to suggest it could take almost 20 years to pay back the debt it's currently accumulating
to help cushion the Australian economy from the global financial crisis.
News Ltd has reported it will take 19 years to balance the national books if Labor
runs a budget deficit of between $35 and $50 billion.
But Treasurer Wayne Swan says that analysis lacks credibility.
"I don't think it's credible at all," he told Network Ten.
"I actually wonder where people get these sorts of stories from sometimes ... (it)
is nothing more than wild speculation."
Mr Swan, speaking from Washington, also denied it was inevitable the government would
have to raise taxes to help pay down the deficit.
Last week, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd hinted the government could target high-income
earners as a way of funding other spending initiatives.
However, Mr Swan said taxes wouldn't rise "on average".
"I'm not going to speculate (on the budget) ... but what I can repeat is our commitment
to keep tax levels below the levels we inherited for 2007-08 on average," he said.
"That's the commitment we took to the Australian people at the last election."
The promise was "very credible", he said.
The treasurer further denied claims the government was wasting money on "cash splashes"
rather than investing in major infrastructure projects.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief economist Olivier Blanchard last week suggested
governments should spend more on infrastructure because it will take years to recover
from the global recession.
"Nobody's playing Santa Claus or Santa Stimulus," Mr Swan said.
"The tax bonuses are out there to support demand until the investment that we've put
in place through the nation building and jobs plan kicks in."
That investment in schools, housing and roads would flow through during the rest of
this year and next year, "supporting demand in the economy", the treasurer said.
"That is the approach that is recommended by organisation like the IMF, the OECD and
the World Bank."
AAP jcd/cdh
KEYWORD: BUDGET09 SWAN
2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
Vic: Twelve youths who overdosed in hospital after rave party
AAP General News (Australia)
12-21-2008
Vic: Twelve youths who overdosed in hospital after rave party
A dozen people have been taken to hospital after overdosing at a rave party at Melbourne's
Festival Hall.
An ambulance spokesman says the young men and women were in their late teens or early 20s.
Nine were taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital .. two to St Vincent's and one to The
Alfred .. in varying conditions.
AAP RTV ees/gfr/jmt
KEYWORD: RAVE (MELBOURNE)
2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
ACT: Canberra woman pleads not guilty to stabbing murder
AAP General News (Australia)
08-15-2008
ACT: Canberra woman pleads not guilty to stabbing murder
CANBERRA, Aug 15 AAP - A Canberra woman has pleaded not guilty to killing another woman
outside a busy suburban shopping centre last month.
Rebecca Anne Massey, 35, has been charged with the stabbing murder of 43-year-old Elizabeth
Anne Booshand.
Police allege the attack occurred after a fight erupted between the two women outside
a Charnwood takeaway shop, in Canberra's north, on July 25.
Seven stab wounds pierced Booshand's chest, heart and a lung and she died shortly after
arriving at Canberra Hospital.
Massey fled the scene and later called police to say she had been involved in a fight
with a woman but did not stab her, it has been alleged.
Massey entered a plea of not guilty in the ACT Magistrates Court today.
She was refused bail and will remain in custody until her hearing on October 2.
AAP sld/rl/apm/de
KEYWORD: MASSEY
2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
NSW: Up to 200 state primary schools falling apart
AAP General News (Australia)
04-07-2008
NSW: Up to 200 state primary schools falling apart
Up to 200 government primary schools in New South Wales say their classrooms are damaged
.. and their buildings are crumbling .. and have health issues caused by flooding, mould
and termites.
News Ltd reports at Wahroonga Public School .. on Sydney's north shore .. parents claim
322 students are sharing two male and two female toilets.
And it says some schools .. which responded to a maintenance survey .. report they've
been waiting for up to 10 years for repairs.
The backlog of works in the state's 22-hundred schools has been reduced from 114 million
to 82 million .. with the state government stating the backlog will fall to about 50 million
by the end of 2008.
` AAP RTV vpm/psm/
KEYWORD: SCHOOLS (SYDNEY)
2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
Qld: Cases adjourned as prisoners strip-searched
AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2007
Qld: Cases adjourned as prisoners strip-searched
Five prisoners facing sentencing in Brisbane have been taken out of court rooms to
be strip-searched in their holding cells .. during a security incident today.
It happened after authorities discovered an 18-centimetre piece of metal missing from
a prisoner transport van.
Four men were being sentenced on drug charges .. while the other was being sentenced
in a separate court room for murder in the Supreme Court in Brisbane.
Their cases were suddenly adjourned and the prisoners removed to their holding cells
about 11 o'clock (AEST) this morning for the search.
Corrective Services officers haven't confirmed if the item's been recovered.
AAP RTV cf/pjo/tm/wf
KEYWORD: METAL (BRISBANE)
2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
what Australian newspapers say on Saturday, April 21, 2007
AAP General News (Australia)
04-21-2007
what Australian newspapers say on Saturday, April 21, 2007
SYDNEY, April 21 AAP - Labor's industrial relations choke-hold has been a manoeuvre performed
to satisfy union demands while giving the appearance of charting a new era for bosses
and workers, The Weekend Australian says in its editorial today.
Big and small business have easily seen through the charade, and as a result Prime
Minister John Howard is armed with the perfect weapon with which to turn the tables on
the resurgent Labor Party.
The Work Choices laws are now undoubtedly the keystone of the coming federal election
campaign, but it is still not possible to say whether they are a vote-changer or will
merely reinforce the allegiances already felt by voters.
The ACTU has three key demands of Labor besides scrapping Australian Workplace Agreements:
reintroduce industry awards and a national safety net of 10 minimum conditions; scrap
the fair pay commission, giving back responsibility for minimum wage determinations to
the Australian Industrial Relations Commission; and introduce collective bargaining, forcing
workplaces to negotiate collectively by majority vote.
The plans jeopardise Labor's economic credibility and re-arms the Prime Minister, who
is prepared to fight with conviction over his record on jobs.
The Sydney Morning Herald says the problem in the Murray-Darling Basin for Mr Howard
is that drought and climate change have become messily entangled in the public mind --
a perilous confusion for the government in an election year and one that Labor will happily
encourage.
Inevitably, the big dry will touch all Australians as the slowdown reverberates across
the continent and into all those corners of the economy reliant on Australia's most important
agricultural region.
Immediately, the government must substantially increase drought relief -- already costing
$2 billion a year -- from its handsome budget surplus.
Its $10 billion plan for the Murray-Darling system and other waterways is likely to
prove conservative over the next decade as the government seeks to reduce demand on river
systems to a sustainable level.
Like the drought itself, this process will mean painful adjustment for many rural communities.
In the meantime, there's prayer.
Brisbane's The Courier-Mail says the Queensland and federal government approach to
building and implementing a sustainable water policy owe too much to political expediency
and not enough to common sense and foresight.
Whether it is a $10 billion "save the Murray-Darling" plan cooked up in the Prime Minister's
Office or a desalination plant that will consume enough electricity to power a couple
of suburbs, the announcements from Canberra and George Street have an air of hurriedness
about them that weakens any promotion of their economic credibility.
Granted, the drought is unprecedented in its duration and scope, but why are south-east
Queenslanders still paying less than $1 for a tonne of water?
Both governments should have managed demand for water years ago by charging a realistic
price for its use.
Sydney's The Daily Telegraph says it's too easy for new drivers to get a licence.
Young drivers are chronically and tragically over-represented in the road accident
figures. As much as tough licensing standards have been set and strict limits imposed
once they are licensed, young people continue to kill themselves in great numbers on the
roads.
Yet NSW's Road Transport Authority has formed the view that tougher licence tests to
be introduced on July 1 should be "dumbed down" to ensure pass rates do not change.
Its concern, apparently, is that if the new tests result in lower numbers of passes
for learner drivers, they would suffer a public backlash.
But the new regime is supposed to be harder for learners -- because too many have demonstrated
by their appalling lack of competence and should not have been licensed in the first place.
The Weekend Australian Financial Review says Melbourne University's wholesale revamp
of its undergraduate and postgraduate courses is a revolution higher education has to
have.
Many overseas students come to Australian universities to gain permanent residency.
To them, Melbourne University's attraction may slide as the length of study increases,
and this could hit revenues.
On the flip side, those interested in research will value the graduate focus.
The Melbourne model is yet to prove itself. If it lifts the higher education bar, meet
Australia's needs and delivers an edge in the global market for talent, imitation will
be inevitable.
AAP rs
KEYWORD: EDITORIALS
2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
Qld: Rallies call for sacking of DPP
AAP General News (Australia)
12-20-2006
Qld: Rallies call for sacking of DPP
BRISBANE, Dec 20 AAP - Rallies will be held across Australia today to call for the
sacking of Queensland's chief prosecutor over her decision not to charge a police officer
over the death of an Aboriginal man in custody.
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie will also travel to Palm Island today to talk with
community leaders about state Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Leanne Clare's decision
last week not to charge Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley with any criminal offences over the
death of Mulrunji Doomadgee.
Mr Doomadgee, 36, died in a police cell in Palm Island following his arrest for public
drunkenness in November 2004.
Ms Clare's decision comes despite a ruling in September by Deputy Coroner Christine
Clements that Mulrunji's fatal injuries were caused by Snr Sgt Hurley.
Ms Clare has insisted there is not enough evidence to support criminal charges.
A rally and march will be held in Brisbane's Queen's Park at midday (AEST), and coincide
with protests in Townsville, Sydney and Melbourne.
Organiser Sam Watson said people were angered over the DPP's decision and were calling
for her sacking.
Meanwhile, Palm Island chief executive Barry Moyle said he expected the Palm Island
community to be peaceful and law-abiding when Mr Beattie visits today.
Mr Beattie will address a rally on Palm Island.
AAP jvb/goc/de
KEYWORD: MULRUNJI DAYLEAD
2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
WA: Red Bull race cleared for Perth take off
AAP General News (Australia)
08-13-2006
WA: Red Bull race cleared for Perth take off
By Liza Kappelle
PERTH, Aug 13 AAP - A high-speed obstacle race for some of the world's best air pilots
has been cleared for take off in Australia for the first time.
In what is known as the world series for pilots, contestants in the global Red Bull
Air Race will streak across Perth skies in November following approval for the event from
the nation's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
West Australian Tourism minister Sheila McHale said CASA's approval had removed the
last hurdle for the spectacle that above Perth's Swan River from November 17 to 19.
"The Red Bull Air Race has never been held in Australia and it was a real coup for
Perth to win the bid last year," Ms McHale said.
"It will see some of the world's top pilots undertake precision manoeuvres through
a series of inflatable `gates' at speeds of up to 400 kph while withstanding forces of
about 10G," Ms McHale said.
Pilots, hand selected for the race, fly individually against the clock through a "slalom
course" consisting of specially designed 20 metre pylons, known as air gates, the race
website says.
The event has drawn massive crowds in cities including San Francisco, Berlin, Barcelona
and Istanbul.
In Istanbul recently, 1.5 million spectators lined the banks of the Golden Horn estuary
to watch American pilot Kirby Chambliss win that leg of the race.
The next event takes place on the River Danube in Budapest, Hungary, on August 20,
before it comes to Perth.
Pilots will fly a practice run on November 17, a qualifying round on November 18 before
they are selected for the race itself on November 19.
AAP lk/pe
KEYWORD: REDBULL
) 2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
Vic: Man dies in car crash
AAP General News (Australia)
04-06-2006
Vic: Man dies in car crash
MELBOURNE, April 6 AAP - An elderly man died when his car hit a tree in Melbourne's outer-east.
The driver, 70, of Wandin, lost control of his car, which left the road and struck
a tree on Beenak Road at Seville about 6.15am (AEST), police said.
Local police will prepare a report for the coroner.
The man's death took Victoria's road toll to 87, 21 fewer than at the same time last year.
AAP jrd/ce/jas/jlw
KEYWORD: TOLL VIC LEAD
2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
понедельник, 27 февраля 2012 г.
product orientation
Comprehensive Solutions Key to Success in eMarketplace Services Market, IDC Says.
FRAMINGHAM, Mass., April 30 /PRNewswire/ --
Competition in the emarketplace services market is getting tougher. Not only are customer expectations increasing, so too is the variety of companies vying for the market's revenues. According to IDC, to survive in this market, emarketplace service providers must be able to provide comprehensive solutions.
"It's no longer acceptable to simply build an emarketplace that matches buyers and sellers or that has a simple interface that requires manual entry of all information. Value-added services and integrated systems are fast becoming the norm," said Leo Lipis, Ph.D., senior research analyst for IDC's Supply Chain Services research. "For emarketplaces and emarketplace service firms, the ability to provide these types of services is not a method to increase competitive advantage, it's the minimum to remain competitive in this crowded market."
According to IDC, the rapid growth of the market and the increasing complexity of projects have created opportunities for all types of players. Vendors with backgrounds in system integration, software and hardware, electronic data interchange, and management consulting are all competing in the emarketplace services market. To ensure their offerings cover the spectrum of services needed, all emarketplace services firms are partnering with service providers from different backgrounds.
While many emarketplace service firms are well positioned to help implement an emarketplace, they are just now beginning to expand their skills to maintain and manage the emarketplace once it's established - and for good reason. A recent IDC survey of 16 emarketplace services firms revealed that revenue derived from operational services for emarketplaces is growing more quickly than that from implementation services.
The survey also revealed that emarketplace service firms recognize they will have to look toward markets outside North America to grow their revenues. Respondents said they expect a 19-24% revenue increase from Europe and 6-9% increase from Asia/Pacific.
"Future leaders in the emarketplace service market will have to provide a wide array of technical, operational, and industry-specific expertise to North American, European, and Asian customers," Lipis said.
IDC's new report, eMarketplace Services Leadership Study: A Competitive Segmentation and Analysis (IDC #B24221), presents more findings from IDC's survey. It also examines emarketplace service firms from different backgrounds, including system integration, IT products, electronic data interchange, Internet services, and management consulting. Additionally, the report profiles the following vendors: Accenture (formerly known as Andersen Consulting), Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, Commerce One, Computer Sciences Corporation, Deloitte Consulting, Electronic Data Systems, Hewlett-Packard, IBM Global Services, Inforte, Lante, Metiom, NerveWire, Oracle, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Proxicom, and Sterling Commerce.
To purchase this report, contact Jim Nagle at 1-800-343-4952, extension 4549, or at jnagle@idc.com.
For more information on IDC's eMarketplace Services program, please contact Jill Toole at jtoole@idc.com.
About IDC
IDC is the foremost global market intelligence and advisory firm helping clients gain insight into technology and ebusiness trends to develop sound business strategies. Using a combination of rigorous primary research, in- depth analysis, and client interaction, IDC forecasts worldwide markets and trends to deliver dependable service and client advice. More than 700 analysts in 43 countries provide global research with local content. IDC's customers comprise the world's leading IT suppliers, IT organizations, ebusiness companies and the financial community. Additional information can be found at www.idc.com.
IDC is a division of IDG, the world's leading IT media, research and exposition company.
All product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
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http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X85642871
Executone Information Systems Announces Preliminary First Quarter Results; Preferred Shares Converted into Common Stock in Anticipation of eLottery Separation.
MILFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 14, 1999--
Executone Information Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq NM:XTON), today announced preliminary results for the quarter ended March 31, 1999.
Revenue for the first quarter is expected to be approximately $31.7 million compared to revenue of $33.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 1998. The Company expects a net loss in the range of $0.05 to $0.07 per share based on approximately 49.4 million shares outstanding.
Executone also announced that in anticipation of the Company's transformation into eLottery, Inc., it has completed the redemption of its outstanding preferred stock by converting it into common stock. With the conversion, the preferred shareholders now own 21% of Executone's common equity or approximately 13 million shares and Executone now has approximately 63 million shares outstanding. This preferred stock was created when Executone purchased eLottery's predecessor company, Unistar Gaming Corp., in 1995.
Stanley J. Kabala, Executone Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "The results for the first quarter are in-line with our expectations for the quarter and the full year. The conversion of the preferred stock into common stock is a significant milestone in the Board of Directors' plan to separate the core businesses and transform the Company into eLottery, a pure eCommerce company. We continue to make progress on this strategy and are working to complete the separation as soon as possible."
Executone previously announced that it will separate its core telephony and healthcare businesses from its eLottery subsidiary and, at the conclusion of the transaction, Executone Information Systems, Inc. will be renamed eLottery, Inc. The Company has also announced that the Special Committee of its Board of Directors has engaged Wasserstein Perella & Co. to assist in the separation.
Earlier, Executone's Board of Directors announced that it received an offer for the core businesses from a group led by Stanley J. Kabala, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Executone, in the range of $70 million. Under the terms of the offer, the separation of the businesses would be accomplished through a transfer of all the assets and employees of the telephony and healthcare businesses to a new company to be privately held by management and selected outside investors. The proceeds of any sale will remain in the public company to help it accelerate the achievement of eLottery's business plans. The sale is subject to several conditions, including financing, negotiation of a definitive agreement and shareholder approval.
eLottery is a web-based retailer of governmental lottery tickets. Using its past experience and market tested and secure products, eLottery is committed to leading the governmental lottery industry into the eCommerce market. As a web-based electronic ticket retailer, the company's electronic tickets can be sold through, and are compatible with, current on-line systems. eLottery has positioned itself to become a leader in the area by helping governmental lotteries address the legal, political and social issues they face as a result of the rapid growth in Internet sales. The Company has developed, installed and processed over 10 million eCommerce lottery ticket sales and transactions. It has operated Internet, Intranet, telephone, communications, accounting, banking, database and other applications and services that facilitate the electronic sale of new and existing lottery products worldwide.
eLottery, Inc. is on the World Wide Web at http://www.elottery.com with demonstration games at http://www.elotteryworld.com.
Executone Information Systems, Inc. develops, markets and supports voice and data communications and information systems. Products and services include telephone systems, voice mail systems, inbound and outbound call center systems, and specialized healthcare communications and workflow management systems. Executone's products and services are sold under the EXECUTONE, INFOSTAR, IDS, LIFESAVER, and INFOSTAR/ILS brand names. Executone is on the World Wide Web at http://www.executone.com.
This news release contains forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to certain factors, which may cause Executone's plans to differ or results to vary from those expected including the risks associated with the development of new products and the uncertainty of product acceptance, the competitive nature of the Company's industry, rapid technological change, legal uncertainties, the Company's dependence on key personnel, and a variety of risks set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
воскресенье, 26 февраля 2012 г.
HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO $4.4 MILLION VOIP FRAUD SCHEME.
TRENTON, N.J. -- The following information was released by the United States Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey:
A man who pretended to be an Internet telephone service wholesaler today admitted his role in a scheme to steal more than $4.4 million from multiple Voice Over Internet Protocol service providers, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced
Vinod Tonangi, 32, of Guttenberg, N.J., pleaded guilty this morning to an Information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Tonangi entered his guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan in Trenton federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Voice Over Internet Protocol ("VOIP") services transmit telephone calls over high-speed Internet connections rather than over traditional land-based telephone lines. They do not usually travel directly from a caller to a recipient's computer, but rather through computers belonging to several layers of intermediary VOIP service providers, or wholesalers. VOIP wholesalers charge different rates, typically by the minute, to transmit VOIP calls.
Tonangi, Harjeet Bhambhani, 39, of East Stroudsberg, Pa., and others held themselves out as the owners and operators of Paradise Communications ("Paradise"), Reach Communications ("Reach"), and Airtel Holdings ("Airtel") - companies that purported to be established VOIP wholesalers. The companies were shell companies with no operations, the sole purpose of which was to induce companies that sold VOIP services - including ATandT, Cordial Communications, Digerati Networks, France Telecom, Iristel, Keywest Communications, Maxcom Telecomunicaciones, Pipeline Telecom, Primus Communications, Surfcreek Communications, and Verizon - into providing those services to Tonangi and his co-conspirators on credit.
Tonangi and his co-conspirators ultimately sold the VOIP services that they stole to legitimate VOIP wholesalers and shared the profits.
To make it appear as if the shell companies were legitimate VOIP wholesalers and to induce the victim providers to extend credit to the companies on favorable terms, Tonangi and his co-conspirators took several fraudulent steps, including establishing fake business addresses for the shell companies at prominent New York locations, including the Empire State Building.
The co-conspirators also used Internet-based answering services that purported to connect callers to the shell companies' various departments, such as accounts receivable and marketing, but really connected to cell phones controlled by the co-conspirators.
Tonangi and his co-conspirators created shell company e-mail accounts in the names of non-existent employees for communicating with victim providers; websites that contained false information, such as the names of non-existent employees and the companies' fabricated qualifications to serve as VOIP wholesalers; and aliases to negotiate the purchase of VOIP services.
They also fabricated year-end financial reports that bore the logo of a national accounting firm in order to give the appearance that the shell companies' financial reports had been reviewed by that firm.
When the victim providers sold VOIP services to the shell companies on credit, Tonangi and his coconspirators would "bust out" the account by causing the companies to use substantially more VOIP services than the companies had been approved to buy in such a short period of time. The co-conspirators would do this over weekends and holidays so that the providers would not notice.
When the invoices for the services came due, the co-conspirators would send fake wire transfer confirmations via e-mail or submit small payments to keep the victim providers from cutting off service.
If victim providers sued or threatened to sue the shell companies, Tonangi and his co-conspirators would respond in legal pleadings or letters that they prepared in the name of a non-existent attorney, Frank Soss. Tonangi and Bhambhani created and used a fraudulent United States passport in the name Frank Soss by downloading and altering a exemplar passport image and photograph from the Internet.
As a result of their conspiracy, Tonangi and his co-conspirators defrauded the victim providers of more than $4.4 million in VOIP services.
The charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Bhambhani pleaded guilty before Judge Sheridan to the same conspiracy charge on April 26, 2011. Both defendants are currently scheduled to be sentenced on August 24, 2011.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Ward in Newark, with the investigation leading to today's guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Kosto of the U.S. Attorney's Office Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.
Torturers to face trials.
Provided by 7DAYS.ae
IraqeCOs human rights ministry says it wants to put on trial torturers who benefit from full immunity despite what it says are dozens of proven cases of abuse in the countryeCOs prisons.eC[pounds sterling]We call on the government and judicial authorities to ensure the protection of prisoners, to punish torturers and not to include them on amnesty lists,eC[yen] said Saad Sultan, head of the ministryeCOs prisons supervision service.Iraq, which on Sunday announced it has ratified the UN convention against torture, has no law against the practice.eC[pounds sterling]IteCOs true that there is no specific law but they (torturers) could be charged for voluntary blows and injuries,eC[yen] the senior official said.He said 121 eC[pounds sterling]proven caseseC[yen] of detainees - including three women - being tortured had been unearthed in 2007. Two-thirds of them were in interior ministry facilities and the rest in centres run by the defence ministry.eC[pounds sterling]The culprits are being investigated but this type of case takes time,eC[yen] said Sultan, without reporting any arrests.
eC[pounds sterling]We doneCOt have statistics for previous years but there were definitely hundreds of cases of torture in 2004 and 2005, before the number started to decline in 2006,eC[yen] he said. SultaneCOs supervision team was set up in 2006 with a complement of 82 investigators. Funded by the European Union, they were trained in Germany and by the International Committee of the Red Cross.It started work in earnest in 2007.The United Nations Special Investigator on torture, Manfred Nowak, says he has been granted authorisation to visit Iraqi prisons in October.
The mission would follow allegations in 2006 from some quarters that torture in Iraq was now even worse than during the iron-fist rule of toppled dictator Saddam Hussein.According to Sultan, last year eC[pounds sterling]68 inmates died in prison for various reasons such as illness or mortar attacks, but 14 cases are still under review because the death probably occurred under torture.eC[yen]The majority of death have occurred in holding cells controlled by the interior ministry.Excluding the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq, the number of detainees in the country is 47,445, of whom 23,229 are in prisons controlled by US forces, according to figures from the committee.The justice ministry has 14 central prisons under its control, including one for women and four for minors, while three others are under the authority of US forces, said Kamel.
The army and police run an additional 35 holding centres.Sultan said the reasons behind the frequent use of torture were varied, including revenge such as in the case of suspects in the killing of security personnel.eC[pounds sterling]There is also torture during interrogations carried out by inexperienced investigators who want to extort information or those who want to steal money,eC[yen] Sultan said.In 2004, various means of torture were still being carried out, including the use of hot pokers, electricity, beatings with bats as well as hanging by the arms or feet.eC[pounds sterling]Today, it has declined but also changed. They prefer to use ill-treatment which leaves no traces, such as electricity or cold water,eC[yen] he said.sf/bms/hc
A[umlaut] 2007 Al Sidra Media LLC
Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company
Boingo Wireless Reports First Quarter 2011 Financial Results.(Financial report)
LOS ANGELES -- Boingo Wireless, Inc. (NASDAQ: WIFI), the world's leading Wi-Fi software and services provider, today announced the company's financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011.
For the first quarter, Boingo Wireless reported revenue of $21.0 million, compared to $18.5 million for the first quarter of 2010, an increase of 13.7 percent.
During the first quarter, the company generated $5.7 million in cash from operating activities and ended the first quarter with overall cash and investments of $33.9 million. This excludes cash received from its IPO, which was completed on May 3, 2011.
Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter was $5.0 million, compared to $4.2 million for the first quarter of 2010, an increase of 18.8 percent. Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, is defined below and reconciled to net income (loss), the most comparable measure under GAAP, in the section entitled "Use of non-GAAP financial measures."
Net loss attributable to common stockholders for the first quarter was $329,000, or ($0.06) per diluted share, compared to a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $127,000, or ($0.02) per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2010. The net loss attributable to common stockholders for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 is inclusive of $1.2 million and $1.3 million of accretion of convertible preferred stock, respectively.
Management Commentary
"Boingo Wireless delivered solid revenue and EBITDA growth in the first quarter, marking a strong start to 2011," said David Hagan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boingo Wireless. "We believe our performance highlights the strength and reach of Boingo's global Wi-Fi platform, which currently spans over 325,000 hotspots in 100 countries. During the quarter, we further extended the reach of our platform across new devices, venues and geographies, which helped drive year-over-year revenue increases in both our retail and wholesale businesses. As the leading global provider of mobile Wi-Fi software and services, we feel uniquely positioned to benefit from the significant anticipated increase in mobile data traffic growth over the next several years."
Mr. Hagan continued, "This is an exciting time for Boingo Wireless and our initial public offering on May 3rdmarked a significant milestone in our company's history. With our global Wi-Fi platform already established and mobile data traffic growth at an inflection point, we look forward to increasing the accessibility of mobile Wi-Fi to consumers around the world through Boingo's high-performing, trusted and reliable mobile Wi-Fi network."
Business Outlook
Boingo Wireless is initiating guidance for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011, and the year ended December 31, 2011, as follows:
Q2 2011
* Revenue is expected to be in the range of $22.0 million to $23.0 million
* Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $6.0 million to $6.5 million
* Net income attributable to common stockholders is expected to be in the range of $1.1 million to $1.6 million, or $0.03 to $0.04 per diluted share. This includes $0.4 million of accretion of convertible preferred stock
Full Year 2011
* Revenue is expected to be in the range of $92.0 million to $94.0 million
* Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $26.0 million to $27.0 million
* Net income attributable to common stockholders is expected to be in the range of $3.9 million to $4.9 million, or $0.11 to $0.14 per diluted share. This includes $1.6 million of accretion of convertible preferred stock
Conference call information
Members of Boingo Wireless' management will host a conference call to discuss its first quarter 2011 financial results beginning at 4:30 pm ET (1:30 pm PT), today, June 7, 2011. To participate in the conference call, investors from the U.S. and Canada should dial (877) 941-1427 ten minutes prior to the scheduled start time. International callers should dial (480) 629-9664. In addition, the call will be broadcast live over the Internet hosted on the Investor Relations section of the company's website at http://investors.boingo.com and will be archived online upon completion of the conference call.
Use of non-GAAP financial measures
To supplement Boingo Wireless' financial statements presented on a GAAP basis, Boingo Wireless provides Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure of its performance. The company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders plus depreciation, accretion of convertible and redeemable stock, income taxes, amortization of intangible assets, stock-based compensation expense, non-controlling interests expense and interest expense (income), net.
Boingo Wireless believes Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors in evaluating its operating performance. Boingo's management uses Adjusted EBITDA in conjunction with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP, operating performance measures as part of its overall assessment of the company's performance for planning purposes, including the preparation of its annual operating budget, to evaluate the effectiveness of its business strategies and to communicate with its board of directors concerning its financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative financial measure to net (loss) income, which is the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, or any other measure of financial performance calculated in accordance with GAAP.
About Boingo Wireless
Boingo Wireless, Inc. (NASDAQ: WIFI), the world's leading Wi-Fi software and services provider, makes it easy, convenient and cost-effective for people to enjoy Wi-Fi access on their laptop or mobile device at more than 325,000 hotspots worldwide. With a single account, Boingo users can access the mobile internet via Boingo Network locations that include the top airports around the world, major hotel chains, cafes and coffee shops, restaurants, convention centers and metropolitan hot zones. Boingo and its Concourse Communications Group subsidiary operate wired and wireless networks at large-scale venues worldwide such as airports, major sporting arenas, malls, and convention centers, as well as quick serve restaurants. For more information about Boingo, please visit http://www.boingo.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that involves risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "seeks," "believes," "estimates," "expects" and similar references to future periods. These forward-looking statements include the quotations from management in this press release, as well as any statements regarding Boingo's strategic plans and future guidance. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Since forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include regional, national or global political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory conditions, as well as other risk and uncertainties described more fully in documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including Boingo's prospectus previously filed with SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4) on May 5, 2011. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.
Boingo, Boingo Wireless, the Boingo Wireless Logo and Don't Just Go. Boingo! are registered trademarks of Boingo Wireless, Inc. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.
Boingo Wireless | ||||
Consolidated Statement of Operations | ||||
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts) | ||||
(Unaudited) | ||||
Three Months Ended | ||||
March 31, | ||||
2011 | 2010 | |||
Revenue | $21,028 | $18,499 | ||
Costs and operating expenses: | ||||
Network access | 8,337 | 7,189 | ||
Network operations | 3,724 | 3,317 | ||
Development and technology | 2,484 | 2,169 | ||
Selling and marketing | 1,629 | 1,398 | ||
General and administrative | 2,564 | 2,239 | ||
Amortization of intangible assets | 561 | 731 | ||
Total costs and operating expenses | 19,299 | 17,043 | ||
Income from operations | 1,729 | 1,456 | ||
Interest and other (expense) income, net | (66) | 24 | ||
Income before income taxes | 1,663 | 1,480 | ||
Income taxes | 660 | 181 | ||
Net income | 1,003 | 1,299 | ||
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests | 137 | 111 | ||
Net income attributable to Boingo Wireless, Inc. | 866 | 1,188 | ||
Accretion of convertible preferred stock | (1,195) | (1,315) | ||
Net loss attributable to common stockholders | $(329) | $(127) | ||
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders: | ||||
Basic | $(0.06) | $(0.02) | ||
Diluted | $(0.06) | $(0.02) | ||
Weighted average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders: | ||||
Basic | 5,899 | 5,833 | ||
Diluted | 5,899 | 5,833 |
Boingo Wireless | ||||
Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||||
(In thousands) | ||||
March 31, | December 31, | |||
Assets | 2011 | 2010 | ||
Current assets: | (Unaudited) | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | $24,478 | $25,721 | ||
Restricted cash | 1,024 | 1,001 | ||
Marketable securities | 9,373 | 9,373 | ||
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $147 and $107, respectively | 7,873 | 7,946 | ||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 2,707 | 1,306 | ||
Deferred tax assets | 3,572 | 3,572 | ||
Total current assets | 49,027 | 48,919 | ||
Property and equipment, net | 38,408 | 36,024 | ||
Goodwill | 25,512 | 25,512 | ||
Other intangible assets, net | 10,476 | 10,992 | ||
Deferred tax assets | 6,446 | 6,697 | ||
Other assets | 3,907 | 4,891 | ||
Total assets | $133,776 | $133,035 | ||
Liabilities, convertible preferred stock and stockholders' deficit | ||||
Current liabilities: | ||||
Accounts payable | $7,200 | $4,596 | ||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 8,996 | 13,531 | ||
Deferred revenue | 12,293 | 10,829 | ||
Current portion of capital leases | 298 | 420 | ||
Total current liabilities | 28,787 | 29,376 | ||
Deferred revenue, net of current portion | 28,628 | 28,149 | ||
Other liabilities | 1,812 | 2,181 | ||
Total liabilities | 59,227 | 59,706 | ||
Commitments and contingencies | ||||
Convertible preferred stock: | ||||
Series A convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 5,053 shares authorized, issued and outstanding at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, liquidation preference of $22,452 at March 31, 2011 | 22,452 | 22,263 | ||
Series A-2 convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 1,105 shares authorized, issued and outstanding at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, liquidation preference of $6,928 at March 31, 2011 | 6,928 | 6,868 | ||
Series B convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 3,500 shares authorized, and 3,433 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, liquidation preference of $14,077 at March 31, 2011 | 14,077 | 13,948 | ||
Series C convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 10,992 shares authorized, 10,983 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, liquidation preference of $80,707 at March 31, 2011 | 80,707 | 79,890 | ||
Total convertible preferred stock | 124,164 | 122,969 | ||
Stockholders' deficit: | ||||
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 34,900 shares authorized, 7,179 and 7,092 shares issued, 5,922 and 5,835 shares outstanding at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, | -- | -- | ||
Treasury stock at cost, 1,257 shares | (4,575) | (4,575) | ||
Note receivable from stockholder | -- | (103) | ||
Accumulated deficit | (45,173) | (45,159) | ||
Total common stockholders' deficit | (49,748) | (49,837) | ||
Non-controlling interests | 133 | 197 | ||
Total stockholders' deficit | (49,615) | (49,640) | ||
Total liabilities, convertible preferred stock and stockholders' deficit | $133,776 | $133,035 |
Boingo Wireless | ||||
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow | ||||
(In thousands) | ||||
(Unaudited) | ||||
Three Months Ended | ||||
March 31, | ||||
2011 | 2010 | |||
Cash flows from operating activities | ||||
Net income | $1,003 | $1,299 | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net income including non-controlling interests to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment | 2,529 | 1,805 | ||
Amortization of intangible assets | 561 | 731 | ||
Stock-based compensation | 206 | 236 | ||
Forgiveness of notes receivable from stockholder | 103 | -- | ||
Unbilled receivables | (227) | (98) | ||
Change in deferred income taxes | 251 | -- | ||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisition: | ||||
Accounts receivable | 73 | 451 | ||
Prepaid expenses and other assets | 940 | (417) | ||
Accounts payable | 970 | 1,727 | ||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | (2,604) | (3,289) | ||
Deferred revenue | 1,943 | 1,650 | ||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 5,748 | 4,095 | ||
Cash flows from investing activities | ||||
Increase in restricted cash | (23) | (27) | ||
Purchases of property and equipment | (6,361) | (1,937) | ||
Contractual payments related to business acquisition | (47) | (77) | ||
Net cash used in investing activities | (6,431) | (2,041) | ||
Cash flows from financing activities | ||||
Payments of capital leases | (122) | (338) | ||
Payments to non-controlling interests | (547) | (398) | ||
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 109 | 1 | ||
Net cash used in financing activities | (560) | (735) | ||
Net increase (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | (1,243) | 1,319 | ||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | 25,721 | 22,629 | ||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | $24,478 | $23,948 | ||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information | ||||
Cash paid for interest | $5 | $6 | ||
Cash paid for taxes | 937 | 1,001 | ||
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities | ||||
Contractual obligation related to business acquisition in accrued expenses and other liabilities | 38 | 71 | ||
IPO costs in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities | 854 | -- | ||
Accretion of convertible preferred stock | 1,195 | 1,315 | ||
Property and equipment and software maintenance costs in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities | 2,154 | 548 |
Schedule of Non-GAAP Reconciliations | ||||
(In thousands) | ||||
(Unaudited) | ||||
Three Months Ended | ||||
March 31, | ||||
2011 | 2010 | |||
Net loss attributable to common stockholders | $(329) | $(127) | ||
Depreciation | 2,529 | 1,805 | ||
Accretion of convertible and redeemable stock | 1,195 | 1,315 | ||
Income taxes | 660 | 181 | ||
Amortization of intangible assets | 561 | 732 | ||
Stock-based compensation expense | 206 | 236 | ||
Non-controlling interests | 137 | 111 | ||
Interest expense (income), net | 66 | (24) | ||
Adjusted EBITDA | $5,025 | $4,229 |