Vic: Urgent warnings to towns as bushfire flares up=2

AAP General News (Australia)
02-07-2009
Vic: Urgent warnings to towns as bushfire flares up=2

As flames erupted around the property of Graham Kinross, the Tonimbuk resident and
his wife Di Kinross decided to stay and defend their land.

"We would always stay and defend," a visibly shaken Ms Kinross said.

Flames appeared to wipe out parts of their neighbour's property, with the area swallowed
by thick, choking orange and grey smoke.

The fires at Tonimbuk ripped through clumps of woodland, and within seconds reduced
healthy green trees to blackened, charred stumps.

Elsewhere, winds whipped up swirls and eddies of smoke …

WorldPac and Demandforce Form Strategic Partnership for Automotive Aftermarket

Wireless News
06-18-2011
WorldPac and Demandforce Form Strategic Partnership for Automotive Aftermarket
Type: News

Demandforce, Inc., a provider of online marketing and communications, and WorldPac, Inc. a top tier distributor of quality automotive parts and software, announced a three year agreement that will bring Demandforce D3 software to WorldPac customers nationwide.

WorldPac said it saw overwhelming value in Demandforce D3 during a two month pilot program, where, on average, their shops reported $60,000 in increased revenue and 128 new visits. The shops also reported an average increase of 21 percent in valid emails for their customer base, allowing shops to communicate automatically and electronically with their customer base. This ultimately helped the shops gather on average an additional 15 certified reviews and eased the administrative burden involved with phone calls.
"WorldPac always seeks out the highest tier products for our customer base, and Demandforce is just that. During our pilot program, Demandforce continually showed us how they help shops attract new customers and increase retention with existing customers using their innovative and cutting edge technology," said Jim Phillips, Vice President of Marketing, WorldPac . "Demandforce helps the automotive aftermarket stay relevant and current in the changing Internet landscape, and we couldn't be happier to work with them."

The partnership between Demandforce and WorldPac aims to help the automotive aftermarket attract and retain customers, all while measuring performance and customer satisfaction. Additionally, Demandforce noted it will also provide WorldPac customers the tools to help them build their online reputation, including sending up-to- date business information and certified customer reviews to major search engines and Internet directories. Demandforce D3 gives shop owners and managers the ability to spend less time on the telephone and more time delivering better customer service to their customer.

"We partner with companies who have a shared vision and passion for the future, and WorldPac shares our vision," said Rick Berry, President at Demandforce. "Our relationship with WorldPac is integral as we continue to make advancements in the automotive aftermarket and is further testament to our ability to bring overwhelming value to auto shops nationwide. We are very pleased with this agreement and look forward to continued success."

WorldPac, Inc. imports and distributes OE and quality automotive parts directly to the import automotive service community. The company has locations in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico and also offers customer services such as their highly praised technical & business training and targeted customer marketing solutions.

The Demandforce D3 software-as-a-service application is used by thousands of customers to grow revenue, keep clients coming back, and manage operations more effectively.

WorldPac:

worldpac.com

Demandforce:

demandforce.com

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

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

FED:Bail boy family gets govt support

AAP General News (Australia)
12-05-2011
FED:Bail boy family gets govt support

New South Wales Premier BARRY O'FARRELL says he'll seek advice if asked to provide
support to a teenager convicted in Bali of drug possession.

The 14-year-old from Morisset Park, near the NSW Central Coast, has arrived at Sydney
Airport just before 10 this morning after spending two months in detention overseas.

Mr O'FARRELL has told reporters if support from the state government is sought then
they'll seek that advice.

He says this experience should act as a warning to other travellers.

AAP RTV ab/tr/sw

KEYWORD: BOY OFARRELL (SYDNEY)

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

HTC to Deploy EXA Powered Calix E7 for Regional Broadband Stimulus Initiative

Wireless News
03-31-2011
HTC to Deploy EXA Powered Calix E7 for Regional Broadband Stimulus Initiative
Type: News

Calix announced that HTC Communications (HTC) has selected the EXA Powered Calix E7 Ethernet Service Access Platform (ESAP) along with the 700GX/GE family of ONTs for its "Fiber Forward" initiative to bring advanced broadband services to the town of Hospers, Iowa and its surrounding rural areas.

Capable of delivering broadband speeds of up to one gigabit per second (Gbps), the Calix E7 ESAP combines both gigabit passive optical network (GPON) and Active Ethernet technologies to deliver IP services across the entire network, including voice, video, and high speed data services that will benefit approximately 1,000 households and businesses in portions of Lyon, O'Brien, Osceola and Sioux counties. The HTC Broadband Stimulus award totals $8.3 million in overall funds, including a $5.8 million grant and a $2.5 million loan, for plant engineering, materials, labor, and other costs, including access equipment.
"The rural subscribers of our region will now enjoy the benefits of a world class fiber network infrastructure, greatly expanding the advanced broadband services available to our communities today," said David Raak, president of HTC. "This project will be a strategic investment in the future of our communities, stimulating economic development and allowing the residents and businesses of our region to keep pace with the demands of a global economy. By partnering with Calix, a company that has facilitated advanced fiber access deployments with hundreds of service providers across the country, we are confident that we have the right partner to deliver new opportunity to the deserving subscribers in these communities."

HTC will be leveraging the Ethernet eXtensible Architecture (EXA) Powered E7-2 ESAP, an all-Ethernet, environmentally hardened, high capacity fiber access platform condensed into a highly flexible, small form factor. Because the E7-2 is only one rack unit (RU) high, the platform can be deployed in hard-to-reach places, retrofit into existing cabinets, or deployed modularly as a virtual, highly customizable chassis, where multiple E7-2s are managed via a single Internet protocol (IP) address. In combination with the E7, HTC will deploy the industry's broadest and most advanced optical network terminal portfolio, the 700GX/GE family of ONTs.

"We would like to congratulate HTC and the rural residents of northwest Iowa for their Stimulus award and the enormous opportunity that this award provides," said John Colvin, VP of field operations at Calix. "This project will be transformative to the residents and businesses of this region, providing the advantages that come with having one of the most advanced communications infrastructures in the world at their disposal. Calix is proud to have been chosen to support and enable this initiative, and to be able to further extend advanced broadband access throughout rural Iowa."

With this announcement, aggregate Calix vendor selections by Broadband Stimulus winners for "last mile" and "middle mile" awards have now reached thirty five different projects representing approximately $668 million in Stimulus-related grants, loans, and private investment for plant engineering, materials, labor, and other costs, including access equipment.

Calix is a developer of broadband communications access systems and software for enable communications service providers worldwide.

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

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

QLD:GetUp gets behind Assange

AAP General News (Australia)
12-09-2010
QLD:GetUp gets behind Assange

Internet-based activist group GetUp will advertise in major newspapers in Australia
and the United States .. calling for fair treatment for WikiLeaks founder JULIAN ASSANGE.

GetUp .. which claims 400-thousand members .. wants Australians to sign on to a statement
about Mr ASSANGE .. currently under arrest in Britain and facing sex charges in Sweden.

The ad will run in the Washington Post and New York Times.

The campaign will advertise in Australian newspapers according to the level of support
it receives.

GetUp director of campaigns .. SAM MCLEAN .. says our government should stand up for
the rights of citizens like Mr ASSANGE.

AAP RTV stg/crh/wz

KEYWORD: WIKILEAKS GETUP (BRISBANE)

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

FED:Gillard wants second debate with Abbott

AAP General News (Australia)
08-02-2010
FED:Gillard wants second debate with Abbott

SYDNEY, Aug 2 AAP - Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she is happy to have another
leaders' debate with Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.

In a television interview on Monday, Ms Gillard was asked if she was prepared to go
head-to-head with Mr Abbott for a second time.

The Seven Network asked both leaders to take part in a square-off on Sunday night at
6.30pm (AEST).

Ms Gillard said if Mr Abbott accepted the proposal "it's game on".

"Id be happy to be in it," she told the network.

"I want it to be about the economy, that's at the centre of this campaign."

When asked again if she would commit to the proposed time and date, Ms Gillard said:
"Let's see what Mr Abbott says, but if he is prepared to debate the economy, despite Peter
Costello saying he reckons Tony Abbott doesn't know much about it, then it's on."

Seven said its offer has been relayed to the Liberal Party's federal director, Brian Loughnane.

"We think the voters would appreciate a lively exchange between the two leaders and
an opportunity to see more of their real personality," the network's CEO David Leckie
said in a statement.

AAP bzs/tr/apm

KEYWORD: POLL10 DEBATE

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

Eur: Mackillop set to become Australia's first saint

AAP General News (Australia)
12-20-2009
Eur: Mackillop set to become Australia's first saint

Australia's Roman Catholics will be celebrating today as they wake up to news that
MARY MACKILLOP is just a few formalities away from becoming our first saint.

Overnight Pope BENEDICT XVI approved Mother MARY's second miracle .. a key hurdle in
the progress towards sainthood.

Her canonisation must now be set down for approval at a Solemn Consistory .. which
is expected in March.

The decision to canonise will be formally made then and the date of the canonisation
ceremony in Rome will be announced by the Pope.

Sister ANNE DERWIN .. Congregational Leader of The Sisters of Saint Joseph founded
by Mother MARY .. says it's a special day not only for the Sisters but also for Australia
and the universal Church.

AAP RTV vb/ao/crh

KEYWORD: MACKILLOP (SYDNEY)

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

Vic: Ambos call on Brumby to resolve rest break dispute now

AAP General News (Australia)
08-11-2009
Vic: Ambos call on Brumby to resolve rest break dispute now

MELBOURNE, Aug 11 AAP - Victorian paramedics want to reach a deal with the state government
on pay and conditions immediately to avoid compulsory arbitration.

Paramedics want breaks of at least 10 hours between shifts and a pay rise. They average
just six hours sleep a night while on roster, according to a union survey conducted last
year.

Colleagues in most states are allowed 10-hour breaks. Only Victorian and West Australian
paramedics have eight-hour breaks between shifts.

Ambulance Victoria has offered all staff a 2.5 per cent pay rise and increased allowances.

The 21-day conciliation period expires at midnight (AEST) on Tuesday and the dispute
will progress to compulsory arbitration if no deal is struck.

Ambulance Employees Australia state secretary Steve McGhie says a resolution through
arbitration could take nine months.

Paramedics are eager to reach an agreement with the government but will not accept
any deal that excludes decent rest breaks, he said.

"(Premier John) Brumby and his government have pushed paramedic patience to the very
limit," Mr McGhie said.

"They need to take this last chance to resolve this dispute through agreement, rather
than continuing to ignore paramedic and public safety concerns."

Mr Brumby said the dispute had dragged on because the parties were a long way apart.

"From our perspective, we have got a wages policy and a budget that is difficult to
balance in the global financial crisis," he told Fairfax radio on Tuesday.

"I want to see this resolved at the earliest opportunity."

Mr Brumby said his advice was in the last few days the parties had moved closer to
reaching an agreement.

Mr McGhie said paramedics would not compromise on adequate rest breaks because that
would undermine their safety and that of the public.

"Every paramedic can tell you about times they have been dangerously fatigued and about
the near misses they have had," he said.

"A death is inevitable unless proper rest breaks are introduced."

The Australian Greens called on Mr Brumby to give paramedics the "basic human dignity"

of a rest between shifts.

"I can't believe MICA paramedics have had to threaten to resign to get what everyone
else takes for granted - a decent rest break between work shifts," Greens upper house
MP Colleen Hartland said.

AAP mj/pmu/dep/

KEYWORD: AMBULANCE

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

Fed: Govt appoints new board members for ABC and SBS

AAP General News (Australia)
04-01-2009
Fed: Govt appoints new board members for ABC and SBS

CANBERRA, April 1 AAP - The Rudd government has made its first appointments to the
boards of the ABC and SBS, declaring its new selection process removes political interference
in the two public broadcasters.

Former Sydney Opera House boss Michael Lynch and Dr Julianne Schultz, author and former
ABC executive, have been appointed to the ABC board.

Elleni Bereded-Samuel, a former Ethiopian television journalist and presenter, and
Joseph Skrzynski, a former chairman of the Sydney Opera House Trust, will join the SBS
board.

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said the merit-based appointments removed government
political interference in both boards.

"For the first time, applications for positions on each board were open to all Australians,"

he said in a statement.

More than 300 expressions of interest were received for the board vacancies.

An independent nomination panel assessed applications, interviewed selected candidates
and provided a short list to Senator Conroy.

The government intends to introduce legislation to parliament later in the year to
entrench the overhauled appointment process.

AAP srj/rl/ldj/mn

KEYWORD: ABC BOARD UPDATE

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

NSW: Mahale makes eventful Sydney zoo debut

AAP General News (Australia)
08-28-2008
NSW: Mahale makes eventful Sydney zoo debut

A new baby lowland gorilla has made his public debut at Sydney's Taronga Zoo today.

Hordes of photographers and visitors have jostled to see MAHALE .. which is Swahili
for "event" .. as his mother MOUILA tenderly carried him in her arms around the zoo's
gorilla enclosure.

The 10-day-old naturally conceived bub is MOUILA's sixth offspring .. and his father
KIBABU's fourteenth.

The birth brings the total number of gorillas at Taronga Zoo to nine.

AAP RTV pbc/evt/tm

KEYWORD: GORILLA (SYDNEY)

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

Vic: Brumby questions ASIC role in Chartwell collapse

AAP General News (Australia)
04-23-2008
Vic: Brumby questions ASIC role in Chartwell collapse

HORSHAM, April 23 AAP - Victorian Premier John Brumby has questioned whether federal
regulators have been doing enough to monitor investment firms, following the collapse
of Chartwell Enterprise.

The Geelong-based company has folded, with investors losing an estimated $70 million.

Mr Brumby said Geelong was a large, strong city that could cope with the financial fallout.

"Geelong will move on from this. I think it's a bigger issue just about the regulatory
environment which is in place now at federal level and whether in fact it's working properly
to protect consumers," Mr Brumby told reporters.

Mr Brumby said the Victorian government could do nothing to prevent future collapses,
but federal financial authorities should examine whether they should do more.

"I think now you've had Chartwell, Opes Prime, some others, I think there are some
real issues here about how well the national system of regulation is working," Mr Brumby
said.

He referred to reports that Chartwell was offering massive interest rate returns.

"I think it raises the question as to whether APRA and ASIC (the Australian Prudential
Regulation Authority and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission) should
have been a bit more involved, I think, in this market," he said.

"We are having a look at this in the context of federal regulation - are the federal
regulators adequately doing the job they're meant to do?"

AAP kl/gfr/jnb/bwl

KEYWORD: CHARTWELL BRUMBY

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

WA: Better funding model key COAG priority, Carpenter

AAP General News (Australia)
12-19-2007
WA: Better funding model key COAG priority, Carpenter

Premier ALAN CARPENTER says Western Australia will push to head up a review of the
current funding model between the commonwealth and the states .. which he says is a mess
.. at tomorrow's COAG meeting.

Mr CARPENTER says his top priorities for the Melbourne meeting are a national approach
on beating skills shortages .. infrastructure .. health .. education and skilled migration.

He says he'd like WA to chair a review or a taskforce to see a change in the current
funding model.

Mr CARPENTER says he'll also push for an overhaul of the skilled migration system ..

which requires more flexibility to suit the booming state's needs.

AAP RTV ah/tm/bart

KEYWORD: COAG CARPENTER (PERTH)

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

Qld: Oppn backs Howard move to allow council votes

AAP General News (Australia)
08-07-2007
Qld: Oppn backs Howard move to allow council votes

The Queensland opposition's called on the Beattie government to withdraw threats to
fine councillors who push ahead with local ballots on shire mergers.

The Prime Minister announced today the Australian Electoral Commission will be allowed
to run local referendums on amalgamations .. and the federal government will pay for them.

The Queensland government today introduced laws which will cut the number of councils
by half .. and impose fines of more than a thousand dollars on councillors who hold local
ballots on mergers.

State Opposition Leader JEFF SEENEY's welcomed JOHN HOWARD's move .. and says PETER
BEATTIE's government has shut down democracy in Queensland.

AAP RTV pjo/imc/bart

KEYWORD: COUNCILS HOWARD (BRISBANE)

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

NSW: Police investigating shooting death in Gulgong

AAP General News (Australia)
02-14-2007
NSW: Police investigating shooting death in Gulgong

A man's been found shot to death at Gulgong in central western New South Wales.

Officers were called to a property at seven o'clock this morning .. where they found the body.

They're now searching for a 48-year-old man who they believe can help them with their inquiries.

AAP RTV nr/hn/jmt

KEYWORD: SHOOTING (SYDNEY)

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

Vic: Youth allegedly run down by taxi driver "drunk and abusive"

AAP General News (Australia)
08-28-2006
Vic: Youth allegedly run down by taxi driver "drunk and abusive"

The Melbourne Magistrates Court has been told a youth .. who died after a Melbourne
taxi driver allegedly ran him down .. had been abusive and had thrown beer bottles at
the cab.

17-year-old XAVIER SALMON had been drinking heavily and was involved in a slanging
match with Test cricketer SHANE WARNE .. before the taxi driven by RAJBINDER SINGH SHAHI
hit him in Port Melbourne last December.

SALMON and some of his friends had been passengers in the taxi before the incident.

The committal hearing of a murder charge against SHAHI has heard the driver left the
group after the fare was paid .. but returned to the scene after beer bottles were thrown
toward his cab as it drove away.

After stopping the cab .. SHAHI then allegedly accelerated at SALMON and two friends
.. striking him and causing fatal head injuries.

The court heard SHAHI left the scene without stopping.

He later reported the bottle-throwing and told police he might have hit a pedestrian
who'd stepped in front of the cab.





One of the youths at the scene .. JAMES FARDELL .. told the court he paid the fare
and advised SHAHI to drive away to avoid a confrontation.

Another member of the group .. JORDAN SEMMENS .. told the court SHAHI taunted SALMON
and SEMMENS as he initially drove away .. yelling that he'd kick their heads in.

One of the other passengers in the cab said SALMON was continually abusive toward SHAHI
during the taxi ride .. and his friends had tried to calm him down.

The court heard the altercation with WARNE began when the cricketer pulled up beside
the cab during the trip.

After one of the girls in the cab started chatting with him .. her friends began abusing
WARNE .. and threw lollipops at his car.

WARNE allegedly suggested to SHAHI that his passengers were out of line and he should
let them out of the cab.

WARNE won't be called to give evidence at the committal hearing .. which continues tomorrow.

AAP RTV mh/dk/ibw/wjf

KEYWORD: SHAHI (MELBOURNE)

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

Fed: Dismissal justified over worker's rape threats: AIRC

AAP General News (Australia)
04-21-2006
Fed: Dismissal justified over worker's rape threats: AIRC

(EDS: Attention to language in sixth and last pars)



By Samantha Baden, Industrial Reporter

SYDNEY, April 21 AAP - An insurance company was right to sack a Sydney worker after
he twice threatened to punch a senior manager in the face and rape her, an industrial
tribunal has ruled.

Greg Fox, a former risk engineer at Allianz Australia Services Pty Limited, took his
employer to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) after he was sacked
over the exchange, which he said he could not remember.

Mr Fox and his colleagues had been attending a trivia night at a central Sydney bowling
club on September 3, 2004.

It was alleged that Mr Fox threatened a senior Allianz manager late in the evening
when she approached him to ask why he was not accompanying his colleagues onto another
pub.

Mr Fox, who claimed he consumed a large amount of alcohol during the night, allegedly
twice told the female manager that everyone hated her and he could punch her in the face.

"I could fucking punch you in the face and when you are on the ground, rape you," it's
alleged Mr Fox said.

AIRC commissioner Michael Roberts said Mr Fox's "evasive" manner in the witness box
and failure to remember details of the exchange had led him to favour the woman's version
of events.

The female manager lodged a complaint with Allianz's human resources department the
following working day in which she claimed she felt threatened by Mr Fox, especially since
she often worked late at night.

She was advised "it is probably best if you don't work late for the next couple of weeks".

Mr Fox was sacked by Allianz on September 29, 2004, but claimed he was denied procedural
fairness because the alleged event occurred after a work function had already concluded.

He also claimed Allianz's investigation had been biased against him.

However, Mr Roberts found Mr Fox's termination was not harsh, unjust or unreasonable
and he was satisfied the trivia night was a workplace event.

"It is not necessary for me to determine the exact terms of the verbal exchange," Mr
Roberts said in his judgment.

"But I am confident in the view that Mr Fox, at the very least, launched an unprovoked
verbal assault on (the manager) telling her words to the effect, everyone fucking hates
you ... and uttered either the words fuck you or fuck off."

AAP smb/tam/jas/pe/sd

KEYWORD: FOX

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

Diary for Friday, December 23, 2005

AAP General News (Australia)
12-23-2005
Diary for Friday, December 23, 2005

EVENTS LISTED IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER AND LOCAL TIME UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED:


ADELAIDE
No items listed.


BRISBANE
0930 - Sick children and their families to be flown to Gold Coast airport, before travelling
to Dreamworld as part of the inaugural Virgin Blue Dream Christmas event. Security Gate,
Dreamworld. Contact: Amanda Bolger 0402 137 071 or Rebecca Gordon 0411 704 895.

1045 - Update on Christmas trading from Patrick McKendry, Executive Director National
Retail Association. Level 2, Cinema Entry, Cnr Gympie and Hamilton Roads, Chermside. Contact:
Allan Pidgeon 0433 407196 or Patrick McKendry 0419 716 244.


CANBERRA
No items listed.


MELBOURNE
1130 - Victorian Premier Steve Bracks, Commonwealth Games Minister Justin Madden, Lord
Mayor John So, former Test cricketer Merv Hughes to walk across the William Barak Bridge
to celebrate its opening ahead of the Boxing Day Test. Base of William Barak Bridge, Birrarung
Marr. Contact Brian Hooley 0407 138 680.


PERTH
No items listed.


SYDNEY
0600 - Flight departs Sydney carrying sick children and their families to the Gold Coast,
as part of the Virgin Blue Dream Christmas event. Contact: Amanda Bolger 0402 137 071
or 0411 704 895.

0830 - Ex-Ansett workers to conduct protest carols outside the prime minister's house,
and a group of grandparents to deliver letter asking him to repeal the Work Choices laws.

Kirribilli House. Contact: Daniel Mookhey 0432 816 291.


SPORT
BASKETBALL - NBL 2005 championship -
Round 17 - to December 23 -
1940 - Melbourne v Wollongong, State Netball & Hockey Centre 1940 - Sydney v Adelaide,
Sydney Entertainment Centre
1740 (AEDT) - NZ Breakers v Cairns, North Shore Events Centre, Auckland
2040 (AEDT) - Brisbane v Townsville, Brisbane Convention Centre

GALLOPS -
Moonee Valley
Mackay
Goulburn
Lismore
Yarra Valley
TROTS-
Harold Park
Cranbourne
Gold Coast
Gawler
Kilmore
Wagga
Gloucester Park
GREYHOUNDS -
Richmond
Geelong
Albion Park
Casino
The Gardens
Mandurah
Traralgon



AAP RTV kaf/evt/tm/psm/

KEYWORD: DIARY FRIDAY DEC 23, 2005

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

Predictive Systems' Security Intelligence Services Sold to SAIC; Sale Was Reflected in Company's Previously Announced Acquisition by INS.

Business Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 11, 2003

Predictive Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq SC: PRDS) today announced the sale of the firm's Security Intelligence Services business unit, which includes Information Sharing and Analysis Centers (ISACs) and Open Source Intelligence (OSI) services, to Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC).

Total revenues associated with this business unit represented approximately $1.38 million in fiscal 2002. The closing of the sale to SAIC which is expected to take place early in the second quarter is subject to certain conditions, mainly the receipt of third party consents.

As consideration for the transaction, SAIC will pay Predictive Systems an aggregate of approximately 4.19 million shares of Predictive Systems common stock, and accordingly, Predictive Systems' common stock outstanding after the closing of the sale to SAIC will be reduced by approximately 4.19 million shares. As a result, Predictive Systems expects the consideration per share to be received pursuant to the previously announced INS merger to be approximately $0.46 per share, based on the number of shares and in the-money-options expected to be outstanding on the closing date of the INS merger. If the sale to SAIC does not close for any reason, however, the 4.19 million shares will remain outstanding and will be required to be included in the per share INS merger consideration calculation resulting in a decrease in the estimated price per share of the INS merger to approximately $0.42 per share. Furthermore, as previously disclosed, the consideration to be received by stockholders in the INS transaction is subject to additional adjustment based on Predictive Systems' net assets at closing.

Predictive Systems also announced the resignation of Shawn Kreloff, the company's Senior Vice President of Sales and Business Development who is leaving to pursue other interests. Predictive Systems thanks Mr. Kreloff for his dedicated service.

About SAIC

SAIC is the nation's largest employee-owned research and engineering company, providing information technology, systems integration and eSolutions to commercial and government customers. SAIC engineers and scientists work to solve complex technical problems in national and homeland security, energy, the environment, space, telecommunications, health care, transportation and logistics. With annual revenues of $6.1 billion, SAIC and its subsidiaries, including Telcordia Technologies, have more than 41,000 employees at offices in more than 150 cities worldwide. More information about SAIC can be found on the Internet at www.saic.com.

About Predictive Systems

Predictive Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ SC: PRDS) is a leading consulting firm focused on helping Fortune 1000 companies design, manage, and optimize smart, secure technology infrastructures that focus on measurable, business-driven results. As a full service security systems consulting firm, Predictive Systems addresses all three of the critical needs - business strategy, technical capability, and network management - of network security. Headquartered in New York City, Predictive Systems has regional offices throughout the United States. Predictive has a strong global presence, with offices located in the UK and the Netherlands. For additional information, please contact Predictive Systems at (212) 659-3400 or visit www.predictive.com.

Predictive Systems, the Predictive Systems logo, BusinessFirst, and Global Integrity are trademarks or registered trademarks of Predictive Systems, Inc. All other brands or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Additional Information

In connection with the INS merger, Predictive Systems will be filing a proxy statement and other relevant documents concerning the transaction with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). STOCKHOLDERS OF PREDICTIVE SYSTEMS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and security holders can obtain free copies of the proxy statement and other documents when they become available by contacting Investor Relations, Predictive Systems, Inc., 19 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036 (Telephone: (212) 659-3400). In addition, documents filed with the SEC by Predictive Systems will be available free of charge at the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov.

Information regarding the identity of the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of stockholders of Predictive Systems in connection with the transaction, and their interests in the solicitation, will be set forth in a proxy statement that will be filed by Predictive Systems with the SEC.

This press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature relating to future events or future financial results of Predictive Systems. Investors are cautioned that such statements are only predictions and that actual events or results may differ materially. Statements concerning the completion of the SAIC and INS acquisition, the expected consideration per share to be received in the INS transaction, and whether the purchase price will be adjusted based on Predictive Systems' net assets, among others, are by nature "forward-looking statements" (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that involve a number of uncertainties and risks and cannot be guaranteed. Factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially include the risk that the merger with INS or asset sale to SAIC may not be consummated in a timely manner, if at all, risks associated with estimating cash requirements and closing net assets, employee relations, risks relating to shifts in customer demand, and other risks concerning Predictive Systems that are detailed in its period filings with the SEC, including its most recent filings on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q.

Get Together This Holiday at AE.

American Eagle Outfitters Continues with Strong

Marketing Campaign For Holiday Season

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 18 /PRNewswire/ --

American Eagle Outfitters (AE) today announced that its "Get Together" marketing campaign will remain unchanged for the holiday season. While other retailers and companies are looking to adapt or change their marketing initiatives due to the current tone of the country, AE will proceed with its original campaign, highlighting the importance of friends, family, and getting together.

"The 'Get Together' theme is resonating now more than ever not only with AE's core demographic of 16-to-34 year olds but with the nation as a whole," said Michael James Leedy, chief marketing officer at American Eagle Outfitters. "AE's commitment to the American way of life has always been a focus of our marketing campaigns and our Company's inherent philosophy. Little did we know how relevant our campaign would be when we planned it last spring."

AE began advertising on television this past July for the back-to-school/fall 2001 season. The spots focused on young people hanging out in a group, talking about the importance of friendship, individuality, and living life to the fullest. The theme continues for holiday with :30 and :15 second spots entitled "Get Together." The spots will begin airing mid-November on networks such as MTV and The WB and will include images of an ethnically-diverse group of young people at home sharing the holidays together and grooving to hip-hop band Bad Ronald's soundtrack with the refrain "Get Together". AE's "Get Together" print campaign compliments the TV ads and all in-store marketing materials. Ads, which have already appeared in Rolling Stone's 10.25.01 issue, will also run in November and December issues of Teen People, Seventeen, InStyle, Jane, ESPN, and Maxim.

"AE has a unique understanding of what's significant to our customers," Leedy said. "In light of our nation's recent events, our campaign is more relevant than ever."

About American Eagle Outfitters

Founded in 1977, American Eagle Outfitters (Nasdaq: AEOS) is a leading lifestyle retailer that designs, markets, and sells its own brand of relaxed, clean, and versatile clothing for 16- to 34-year-olds, providing high-quality merchandise at affordable prices. AE's lifestyle collection offers casual basics like khakis, cargos, and denim complemented by fashion tops such as rugbys, polos, and plaids.

AE's Canadian subsidiary, Thriftys/Bluenotes targets a slightly younger demographic, offering a more urban/suburban, denim-driven collection for 12- to 22-year-olds. American Eagle Outfitters currently operates 616 AE stores in 47 states, 46 American Eagle Outfitters stores in Canada, and 111 Thriftys/Bluenotes stores in Canada. AE also operates via its Internet business, ae.com.

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fashion500.com, the Premier Internet Destination for Fashion and Luxury, Arrives on the Web.

NEW YORK, Oct. 20 /PRNewswire/ --

fashion500.com, the Internet's premier fashion and luxury retail website, today announced its widely anticipated public launch. Defined by elegance, functionality and technological innovation, the site offers consumers an unparalleled shopping experience for apparel, jewelry and accessories by leading designers.

Located at www.fashion500.com, the site features an international roster of today's hottest designers and a visual interface as uncompromising as the styles they create. The site combines the selection and convenience of e- commerce with the personal attention of boutique shopping, through a variety of value-added amenities, including soon-to-be-available personal shoppers.

Collections represented on the site include trendsetters such as Betsey Johnson and Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti, and established masters like Kieselstein-Cord and Fernando Sanchez, with new designers coming on board weekly in addition to the 16 launched today. (For a complete list of fashion500 designers, see below). Categories available include: evening, trend, classic, casual, intimates, accessories, and jewelry.

Each designer maintains an exclusive agreement with fashion500. Under this agreement, these designers are represented in no other solely-online shopping forum; in addition, fashion500.com builds and maintains these designers' individual independent e-commerce websites, and executes warehouse order fulfillment and back office administration for them. These independent sites will be launched in the coming weeks.

Ease and Elegance

fashion500.com was built with the idea that e-commerce must be client- driven in order to succeed. The site lets each user tailor the shopping experience to her or his specific needs, with navigation that is elegant, intelligent and easy-to-use, featuring richly detailed digital photography unsurpassed on the internet, with zoom, examine and rotate functionality.

Additional features of the site include:

-- a wardrobe feature where shoppers can mix and match items, and create ensembles from several designers' collections

-- online personal shoppers who will help customers accessorize, choose a gift, or find just the right outfit for a special occasion. Personal shoppers are coming soon, but appointments can be scheduled now.

-- an Examiner feature that greatly magnifies merchandise, allowing customers to closely inspect and appreciate fine details of fabric and workmanship.

-- coming soon, a search engine that offers more criteria than any other fashion site, so that customers won't need to spend extra time browsing if they know exactly what they are looking for.

Michael Bereck, Chairman and CEO of fashion500.com, said, "We've worked hard to make the fashion500 shopping experience simple and to provide the type of high quality experience that luxury shoppers would expect anywhere they go.

"Visitors have several options as to how they can explore the site: they can shop by categories, as in specialty stores, in areas such as men's, women's, jewelry and accessories; or they can visit individual shop-in-shops for each of the designers we feature. Soon, visitors will be able to take advantage of our sophisticated search technology, and our editorial staff's expertise, by browsing looks they've put together from each season's most promising collections. We will also be adding numerous other exciting features as we move forward, as well as the collections of several other top designers."

The Most Exclusive Collections

In order to join fashion500's roster, designers must maintain a presence at such preeminent luxury retailers as Saks Fifth Avenue, Nieman-Marcus or Bergdorf-Goodman specialty stores.

The designers whose collections are currently represented on the site include: Burma Bibas, Barry Bricken, Temple St. Clair-Carr, Betsey Johnson, Kieselstein-Cord, Alexandra Lind, Manfredi, Mary McFadden, Kevin O'Brien, Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti, Angel Sanchez, Fernando Sanchez, Vicky Tiel, To Boot New York, Carmen Marc Valvo, White + Warren.

Founded in 1998, fashion500.com is positioned to be a leader in the worldwide branded, upscale and luxury goods industries, providing end-to-end business-to-business and business-to-consumer e-commerce solutions. To date, the company has focused on apparel, accessories and fashion jewelry, but is also in the process of expanding its focus to include beauty, designer home collections and other branded, upscale and luxury lifestyle product and service industries. The company has recently registered the fashion500.tv domain name and is in discussions to produce a fashion lifestyle TV show and other content related to its website.