FED: CheckUp medical column for Friday February 6

AAP General News (Australia)
02-06-2009
FED: CheckUp medical column for Friday February 6

A weekly round-up of news affecting your health

By Medical Writer Danny Rose



"SAFE, CHEAP" OPTION FOR MIGRAINE

Migraines can be a headache to treat, says an Australian professor who has identified
simple vitamin supplements that can offer relief.

Professor Lyn Griffiths put 50 long-term migraine sufferers on a six-month course of
vitamin B and folate supplements and said the results were very positive.

Study participants reported a "drastic improvement in headache frequency, pain severity
and associated …

IE 6 MARKET SHARE HIT 34% IN MAINLAND CHINA

AsiaInfo Services
06-14-2011
IE 6 Market Share Hit 34% in Mainland China

BEIJING, Jun 14, 2011 (SinoCast Daily Business Beat via COMTEX) -- Data from IE 6 Countdown show that 10.9% of the world's Internet users are still using IE 6 Internet browser by May 2011 and the proportion slips 7.2% from a year earlier. The figure hit 33.9% in Mainland China and ranks number one worldwide.

The users of IE 6 in the Mainland account for 5.8% of the world's total Internet users and more than half of the IE 6 users globally. The number also takes the first place around the world.

Other countries and territories whose usage rates of IE 6 top 10% include South Korea, Vietnam and India. The usage rates are the lowest in Finland and Norway.

IE 6 was developed and launched ten years ago and once took more than half of the global Internet browser market. However, its market share has been sliding through the efforts of Microsoft.

IE 6 Countdown is a Web site launched by Microsoft to call on Internet users to suspend using IE 6, aiming to keep the Internet browser's global market share below 1%.

Source: www.sina.com.cn (June 14, 2011)

KEYWORD: BEIJING INDUSTRY KEYWORD: Internet & Online Services & Media SUBJECT CODE: Internet & Online Services
Internet Browsers
SinoCast China Business Daily news
IE 6
Internet
user
browser
Mainland
market share

Copyright 2011 AsiaInfo Services (via Comtex). All rights reserved

NSW:Roadside operation after triple collision

AAP General News (Australia)
12-03-2011
NSW:Roadside operation after triple collision

A doctor and paramedics have performed emergency surgery on a man on the side of the
road following a three vehicle collision on Sydney's western outskirts.

Emergency service crews were called to Wallacia at midday today after a small truck,
a car and another truck with a trailer collided.

The driver of the small truck was trapped as a result and the cabin of the truck was
cut away to free the man, aged in his 70's.

A Careflight doctor and paramedics then placed the critically-injured man in an induced
coma on the side of the road, before performing emergency surgery.

A Careflight spokesman says the man was then given a blood transfusion at the scene
before being taken by ambulance to Liverpool Hospital, where he remains in a critical
condition.

Several other patients were taken to hospital with lesser injuries.

AAP RTV ih/sw/

KEYWORD: TRUCK (SYDNEY)

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

IronKey Rolls Out Protection for Banks and Customers from RSA SecurID Data Breach

Wireless News
03-24-2011
IronKey Rolls Out Protection for Banks and Customers from RSA SecurID Data Breach
Type: News

RSA Executive Chairman Art Coviello made a public announcement that cyber criminals had penetrated internal systems at RSA, the security division of EMC, and the resulting data breach could compromise the authentication capabilities of their SecurID authentication tokens.

SecurID tokens are used by tens of millions of users to securely log into online banking and enterprise networks over the Internet.
IronKey announced that their Trusted Access for Banking product is immediately available to allow banks to protect their commercial banking customers from the risk of compromised RSA SecurID authentication tokens.

"Criminals used an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) attack to breach the RSA SecurID infrastructure, and can now combine that information with data-stealing malware in order to compromise high value online banking sites," said Dave Jevans, IronKey's founder and chairman. "IronKey is already working with banks impacted by the RSA SecurID data breach in order to protect their customers. Banks that are using IronKey Trusted Access for Banking in combination with RSA SecurID can be reassured that their online banking users are kept safe from criminals involved in this massive breach."

While law enforcement continues to investigate the breach at RSA, the incident threatens the integrity of bank payment services, enterprise remote access and government systems. It is the focus of ongoing efforts by the U.S. Treasury, FS-ISAC, and other industry bodies tasked with securing global financial services. The most likely scenario proposed by industry experts is that the secret codes, also known as seeds, used to generate one-time passcodes have been compromised or stolen, potentially allowing RSA SecurID authentication to be performed without a genuine token.

Criminals will likely turn to crimeware such as ZeuS and SpyEye to infect the computers of online banking users. These toolkits allow rapid development and distribution of Trojans that can match users to SecurID tokens and capture the additional information needed to successfully takeover online accounts and steal money. Additional data required by criminals include sample one-time passcodes generated by an RSA SecurID device or software token, authentication PINs, and private challenge answers only known to users.

Crimeware toolkit attacks likely to be used include:

- Man-in-browser attack: By modifying browser executables and shared libraries, criminals can present users with fake web pages and requests for information such as one-time password codes entry and private challenge answers

- Keylogging: Capture of keystrokes including one-time passcodes, authentication PINs, and other personally identified information

- Network monitoring: Listening for user access to specific online banking sites to activate attacks and filter for only relevant banking information

- DNS tampering: Modification of computer network settings to redirect users to realistic but fake banking sites used to capture credentials

Aware of the potential for compromise to online banking accounts requiring RSA SecurID authentication, RSA has recommended customers strengthen the security of SecurID deployments. These suggestions include use of strong passwords/PINs in combination with one-time passcodes, closely monitor user databases that could link users with tokens, and reiterate anti-fraud education. While best practice security recommendations, these methods have and can again be compromised using the malware toolkits and attacks described earlier.

IronKey Trusted Access for Banking allows banks to continue using their existing SecurID deployments and banking applications without enabling criminals to make use of the stolen RSA data. IronKey designed Trusted Access for Banking to isolate online banking users from APT attacks using toolkits such as ZeuS and SpyEye rather than trying to detect them.

In addition to immediately strengthening an RSA SecurID deployment, Trusted Access also allows banks to address current and draft industry guidelines. Trusted Access allows banks to provide a dedicated online banking experience as recommended by NACHA and the FBI.(1) As well, draft FFIEC guidance that updates 2005 online banking authentication guidelines recognizes that a USB device that securely connects users to online banking is a relevant multi-layer security control to prevent fraud.

IronKey Trusted Access for Banking is available immediately worldwide. With Trusted Access for Banking, users simply connect their Trusted Access USB device to their computer to automatically launch a protected, virtualized online banking environment. The Trusted Access Browser starts at the bank's home page and restricts users to only navigate to bank-authorized web sites. To protect users from ever-changing malware, Trusted Access for Banking does not rely on potentially compromised and vulnerable applications on the user's host computer. Instead, a secure, encrypted connection to online banking is made through the IronKey Trusted Network to lock out man-in-the-middle and DNS attacks. Advanced encrypted keyboard input protects users from keyloggers that can steal user names and passwords.

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

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

VIC:Williams murder hearing adjourned

AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-2010
VIC:Williams murder hearing adjourned

EDS: Changes keyword to Johnson

By Mike Hedge

GEELONG, Vic, Dec 8 AAP - Carl Williams' father is expected to give evidence on Thursday
in the committal hearing for the man accused of bashing his son to death in Barwon Prison.

George Williams was due to give evidence on the opening day of the hearing on Wednesday
but legal argument dominated the day and his appearance was postponed.

Lawyers for alleged killer Matthew Charles Johnson argued they should have access to
sections of affidavits which the government wants suppressed for security and operational
reasons.

Geelong Magistrates Court was told that evidence to be heard during the three-day hearing
will centre on the relationship between Williams and his fellow inmate Johnson and conditions
inside the high security unit of Barwon Prison.

Johnson appeared in court for the first day of his hearing into the killing he allegedly
committed in the prison on April 19.

During legal argument over affidavits supplied by various witnesses, Johnson's counsel
Chris Traill told magistrate Rosemary Carlin that prisoner relationships were central
to the case.

He argued evidence of the relationships contained in the affidavits should be made
available and not excised as requested by counsel for Victoria's Corrective Services Commissioner
who claimed they could damage the relationships between officers and prisoners.

Mr Traill also told the court the affidavits may have relevance as to whether Barwon's
high security unit was run appropriately.

"It may be that an issue arises as to the very nature of the confinement," Mr Traill
told the court.

"(It may be) that the regime is such that it causes behavioural problems in those subjected
to it."

Counsel for the Corrective Services Commissioner also argued that references in the
affidavits relating to the location of surveillance cameras and the location of keys should
be excised for security reasons.

The committal hearing will examine the evidence against Johnson who is not required
at this stage to offer a plea.

Should the evidence be deemed likely to result in a conviction, he will stand trial.

Williams was sentenced in 2007 to four concurrent life terms after he pleaded guilty
to murdering underworld rivals Jason Moran, Lewis Moran, Mark Mallia and Michael Marshall
as well as conspiring to murder Mario Condello.

AAP mh/pmu/jnb/nb

KEYWORD: JOHNSON WRAP (CHANGES KEYWORD)

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

FED:Election on a knife-edge: Newspoll

AAP General News (Australia)
08-01-2010
FED:Election on a knife-edge: Newspoll

MELBOURNE, Aug 1 AAP - Labor has lost its substantial two-party preferred lead against
the coalition in just two weeks, the latest Newspoll has found.

The poll, taken between Friday and Sunday, found Labor and the coalition are split
50-50, The Australian reports.

Only two weeks ago, Newspoll had Labor under Prime Minister Julia Gillard on a 55-45
lead over the coalition following her ascension to the top job.

The latest poll result comes after a bad week for Labor in the federal election campaign,
with Ms Gillard distracted by a series of damaging cabinet leaks.

Ms Gillard still leads Opposition Leader Tony Abbott as preferred prime minister, with
50 per cent report, unchanged from the last Newspoll a week ago, to Mr Abbott's 35 per
cent, also unchanged.

But in the past two weeks, Ms Gillard has lost seven points as preferred prime minister,
while Mr Abbott's rating has risen eight points.

AAP jrd/apm

KEYWORD: POLL10 NEWSPOLL

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

Vic: Worker freed from collapsed toilet block

AAP General News (Australia)
12-18-2009
Vic: Worker freed from collapsed toilet block

MELBOURNE, Dec 18 AAP - A Melbourne worker who was trapped after the roof of a toilet
block he was demolishing collapsed on him, has suffered two broken arms.

Emergency services were called to the site at about 10am (AEDT) on Friday in Springvale
Road, Mulgrave, in Melbourne's east.

Two workers were beneath the roof when it collapsed, a police spokeswoman said.

One man escaped the wreckage while another 52-year-old man had to be rescued, the spokeswoman
said.

AAP md/cjb

KEYWORD: TOILET UPDATE

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

Vic: Mental health body issues injunction against broadcast

AAP General News (Australia)
08-10-2009
Vic: Mental health body issues injunction against broadcast

MELBOURNE, Aug 10 AAP - A TV program on the suicide deaths of four students at a Geelong
school has been withdrawn from screening at the 11th hour following an injunction against
its broadcast by beyondblue, the mental health organisation.

The Nine Network's 60 Minutes was scheduled to show a segment titled "Searching for
Answers" on Sunday but received notice of the injunction shortly before going to air.

A spokeswoman for beyondblue said it would not comment on the matter until after a
hearing in the Victorian Supreme Court on Wednesday.

Sunday's injunction only applied to Victoria, but the segment also was not shown in
any other state or territory.

Nine is expected to issue a brief statement on Monday.

AAP ees/gfr/it/apm

KEYWORD: INJUNCTION

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

NSW: Old folks home plan in fire-risk area to get close scrutiny

AAP General News (Australia)
02-16-2009
NSW: Old folks home plan in fire-risk area to get close scrutiny

SYDNEY, Feb 16 AAP - Plans to house thousands of elderly people in bushfire-prone parts
of NSW will come under close scrutiny, the state government says.

Authorities have labelled a proposed retirement village development at Oxford Falls,
in Sydney's north, as "a disaster waiting to happen", the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Warringah Council has rejected plans for a 60-bed, three-storey nursing home and 500
retirement units on land backing the bush, because of fire and other concerns.

The proposal is now before NSW Planning Minister Kristina Keneally, who has rejected
claims her department can sidestep important planning considerations to approve developments.

She says the proposal was lodged in 2005, prior to her time as planning minister, but
she has familiarised herself with its details.

"I did not open the door to this application but it is on my desk," Ms Keneally told
Macquarie Radio on Monday.

"What I'm going to do with it is subject it to clear scrutiny, the scrutiny that's
required by law in terms of the Rural Fire Service and bushfire protection, as well as
all the other scrutiny that's required - RTA (Roads and Traffic Authority), Department
of Environment and Climate Change."

Only one road runs through Oxford Falls and opponents of the proposed development say
it would be inadequate for evacuation of the elderly residents in case of fire.

Ms Keneally said she had met Warringah Mayor Michael Regan and visited Oxford Falls
to gain an appreciation of the concerns.

"What is asserted today in the paper, that somehow a developer can make their project
a state project and bypass these essential assessment criteria when it comes to bushfire-prone
land, it's simply not the case," she said.

Ms Keneally added that such proposed developments needed to meet a range of guidelines,
from authorities including the Rural Fire Service, the RTA, and the Department of Environment
and Climate Change.

The proposal is currently open for public exhibition and Ms Keneally encouraged parties
with concerns to make a submission.

AAP ad/wjf/cdh

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES NSW PLAN

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

WA: Labor and Liberals vying for best education policy

AAP General News (Australia)
08-27-2008
WA: Labor and Liberals vying for best education policy

The major parties are vying for the education vote in the West Australian election
campaign .. promising large spending commitments on school buildings and upgrades.

Premier ALAN CARPENTER says Labor's spending 1.5 billion dollars on public schools
in the next four years .. of which 300 million is new money.

Fifteen of the schools on the government's list of 36 will open next year and another
21 have been planned for over the next four years.

Opposition leader COLIN BARNETT has promised a 500 million dollar upgrade of schools
.. over and above money allocated in the state budget .. to build 14 new schools over
six years.

Unlike Labor .. the Liberals support private-public partnership building projects ..

where the commercial sector builds the schools and leases them back to the government.

Mr CARPENTER says the Liberals haven't properly costed their program.

AAP RTV jp/was/tm/crh

KEYWORD: POLLWA SCHOOLS (PERTH)

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

NSW: Earthquake-like vibrations from desal pipe works: Stoner

AAP General News (Australia)
04-22-2008
NSW: Earthquake-like vibrations from desal pipe works: Stoner

SYDNEY, April 22 AAP - Pipeline construction work associated with the desalination
plant in Sydney's south should be halted until residents' concerns have been addressed,
the NSW opposition says.

Nationals Leader Andrew Stoner says residents at Kurnell have experienced earthquake-like
vibrations in their homes, related to the construction of the pipeline needed for Sydney's
planned desalination plant.

"It seems the desal disaster is coming true," Mr Stoner told reporters today.

"Here we've got residents having their houses moved around like by an earthquake.

"We've got pollution occurring as a result of glitches in the construction.

"This should be halted. We've seen what can happen as a result of this government's
project management."

Mr Stoner then referred to an incident in November 2005 during the construction of
the Lane Cove Tunnel, when a hole opened up, causing the evacuation of an apartment complex.

"We had a unit block falling in a hole ... I think (Kurnell) residents have got every
right to be concerned about what is going on and to seek assurances," he said.

AAP dr/wjf/jnb/bwl

KEYWORD: DESAL STONER

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

NSW: Crash driver collapses at feet of alleged victim's mum

AAP General News (Australia)
12-18-2007
NSW: Crash driver collapses at feet of alleged victim's mum

SYDNEY, Dec 18 AAP - A learner driver charged with crashing into a Sydney bus queue
and killing a young woman has collapsed at the feet of her alleged victim's mother following
a Sydney court hearing on her mental fitness.

Rose Deng, 42, faced court today where her solicitor said she had lived with "debilitating
trauma" since migrating to Australia from an African nation in 1994.

Solicitor Chris Hoy said Deng had required ongoing medical treatment, along with counselling
provided by the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Survivors.

"(She is) a woman hanging by a thread to, in some semblance, an ordinary existence
in raising a family," Mr Hoy told the Downing Centre Local Court.

Deng is charged with negligent driving occasioning death following a crash in Railway
Parade at Kogarah, in Sydney's south, in March.

Fashion student Emma Hansen, 20, from Orange, in the state's central west died in hospital
as a result of injuries she received when Deng's car mounted the curb.

Deng broke down outside the court today, falling at the feet of her victim's mother
and repeatedly stating that she was sorry.

Under NSW criminal law, a defendant's mental condition can be considered by a magistrate
whose options include dismissing a charge.

Prosecutor Matthew Fordham said the Crown would oppose such a move as he said there
was no evidence to show Deng's mental state had led to the crash.

Magistrate Ian Barnett has reserved his decision on Deng's mental fitness until January 30.

Mr Hoy also told the court the accident was a result of Deng's accidental pushing of
the accelerator as she turned a corner during a driving lesson.

"She tried to hit the brake but hit the accelerator by mistake," he said.

AAP dr/sg/hn/ht/bwl

KEYWORD: DENG

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

Vic: Woman escapes house fire

AAP General News (Australia)
08-07-2007
Vic: Woman escapes house fire

Eds: Updates circumstances of fire: occupant was outside house and conscious when fire
crews arrived, on updated CFA advice.



MELBOURNE, Aug 7 AAP - A woman has escaped a fire that severely damaged her house in
Melbourne's outer west overnight.

The woman, 65, was treated by ambulance crews for minor smoke inhalation from the fire,
which broke out in her home in Lawson Road, Melton South, about 9.15pm (AEST), Country
Fire Authority spokesman Scott Hamilton said.

She was the sole occupant of the house.

The fire took about 40 minutes to control, and caused about $150,000 in damage to the
single-storey brick veneer house.

AAP jrd/rs/mn

KEYWORD: BLAZE LEAD

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

SA: Man charged over cyclist Matthew Rex's accident

AAP General News (Australia)
02-13-2007
SA: Man charged over cyclist Matthew Rex's accident

ADELAIDE, Feb 13 AAP - A 27-year-old man has been charged with dangerous driving after
Adelaide cyclist Matthew Rex was knocked from his bicycle on Saturday night.

Rex suffered serious head injuries and remains in a serious but stable condition at
the Flinders Medical Centre, police said.

A past competitor in the Tour Down Under, Rex was riding with another person along
Main South Road at Normanville, south of Adelaide, about 9pm (CDT) when the accident occurred.

The other rider was not injured.

Police charged a man from north suburban Para Hills last night with numerous traffic
offences including causing injury by dangerous driving.

Investigators are still awaiting blood tests from the accused driver after he was breath-tested
for alcohol at the scene.

The man was bailed and ordered to appear at the Adelaide Magistrates' Court on February 20.

AAP tkc/sl/maur/cdh

KEYWORD: CYCLIST

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

Qld: Explosives cause traffic stoppage

AAP General News (Australia)
08-27-2006
Qld: Explosives cause traffic stoppage

BRISBANE, Aug 27 AAP - Police closed an intersection ten kilometres from the city for
about four hours this afternoon after finding an explosive device on a traffic island.

The device was found at the intersection of Old Cleveland Road and Creek Road, Carindale,
shortly before 2.30pm (AEST), prompting police to close the road in both directions.

Traffic remained blocked until 6.15pm (AEST) when the unidentified device was rendered inactive.

Both roads have been reopened except for one lane either side of the traffic island.

Police are investigating the incident.

AAP ews/jmm/de

KEYWORD: EXPLOSIVES

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

FED: Fear is the enemy in the fight against infectious disease

AAP General News (Australia)
04-20-2006
FED: Fear is the enemy in the fight against infectious disease

SYDNEY, April 20 AAP - Fear is Australia's worst enemy in the fight against bioterrorism
and infectious disease such as Avian flu, a federal scientist says.

Dr James Robertson, of the Australian Federal Police, told a forum on infectious diseases
and international security that there was need for greater collaboration between health
and security agencies to raise public awareness.

"It seems to me that in this area our worst enemy is fear and it's fear of the unknown,"

Dr Robertson told the forum in Sydney.

"It's really vital that meaningful information is available to the public."

Security clearances presented a barrier for sharing sensitive public health information
and much of what was supported in the media was sensationalised and misleading, he said.

One of the greatest challenges in preparing for a possible sustained terrorist campaign
or a pandemic was Australia's relative inexperience in such matters until now.

"We have never tested how (Australians) would react in that situation," he said.

"It's important that we do understand what the community awareness is ... and raise
that awareness to appropriate levels.

"What we don't want to do is create fear."

The federal government recently had established a $20 million Chemical Biological Radiological
and Nuclear Data Centre to streamline the collection and sharing of such information,
he said.

Professor Tony Cunningham, of Westmead Hospital's Millennium Research Institute, said
it was important to keep bird flu in perspective.

"We need to balance what is a sensational disease which captures headlines and which
is likely to be an acute event," Professor Cunningham said.

"We shouldn't lose track of the insidious growth of HIV in our region."

Professor Cunningham said the federal government had recently committed $7 million
to strategic research to develop a rapid diagnostic test for Avian flu.

AAP ajc/cj/hn/pe/de

KEYWORD: DISEASE

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

allotment

allotment n. A method of acquiring previously unissued shares in a limited companyin exchange for a contribution of capital. An application for such shares will often be made after the issue of a prospectus on the flotation of a public company or on the privatization of a state-owned industry. The company accepts the application by dispatching a letter of allotment to the applicant stating how many shares he has been allotted; he then has an unconditional right to be entered in the register of members in respect of those shares. If he has been allotted fewer shares than he has applied for, he receives a cheque for the unallotted balance (an application must be accompanied by a cheque for the full value of the shares applied for). See also authorized capital; return.

Triumph Over Fridge Invaders by Observing Whirlpool Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day -- Wednesday, Nov. 18.

Tips and Tricks to Make Your Fridge Less Frightening

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The Blob is back. So is the Swamp Thing and the creature from the Black Lagoon. Unfortunately, they're not playing at your local drive-in theater. They're growing inside your refrigerator and millions of Americans seem powerless to stop them.

To help holiday cooks confront and ultimately conquer their fear of fridge invaders, Whirlpool has designated Wednesday, Nov. 18, as Whirlpool Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day(TM). This national holiday, celebrated one week before Thanksgiving, was created by the home economists at Whirlpool Home Appliances to help Americans alleviate the terror that often sets in during the holiday season, the time of year when the refrigerator gets the most exercise.

"From Thanksgiving through New Year's, refrigerators are used more often than at any other time of the year," said Carolyn Verweyst, Doctor of Refrigeratorology for Whirlpool Home Appliances. "And the more the refrigerator is used, the more it is going to be abused. While cleaning out the refrigerator won't be the most fun you'll have during the yuletide, it's extremely important for health and safety."

To encourage Americans to face their refrigerators, and to help answer any refrigerator cleaning questions, Whirlpool has established a toll-free hotline staffed by home economists, and other "refrigerator specialists." Consumers can call 1-888-CLEAN-OUT, from Nov. 16-20, during that crucial week before Thanksgiving. The hotline is open Monday-Friday between the hours of 9 a.m.-5 p.m. EST.

Verweyst and the experts at Whirlpool Home Appliances have developed useful tips for cleaning out the refrigerator.

How to Clean Out a Refrigerator:

-- Take out all removable parts and wash with warm water and mild soap or

detergent. Rinse and dry.

-- Wash walls with a solution of two tablespoons of baking soda to one

quart warm water. Rinse thoroughly and dry.

-- Wash gasket and door liner with warm water and mild soap or detergent.

Rinse well and dry.

-- For refrigerators with removable drain plugs, remove plug and force

warm water mixed with baking soda through the drain. A meat baster

works well.

-- Wipe down jars, bottles and containers before returning to

refrigerator.

-- The defrost drip pan underneath the refrigerator is out of sight, so

special effort must be made to clean it. Remove it and wash thoroughly

with warm, soapy water.

-- Vacuum condenser coils two to six times a year (more often in homes

with pets).

What Causes Odors in Refrigerators?

-- Foods stored uncovered or wrapped improperly

-- Poor maintenance -- spills not wiped up right away

-- Foods left in the refrigerator too long

-- Power or mechanical failure that causes food spoilage

-- Cleaning agents which leave a strong chemical or fragrant odor

Different Ways to Remove Odors

-- Wash interior walls thoroughly with a solution of two tablespoons of

baking soda to one quart warm water.

-- Pour box of baking soda in jelly-roll pan and place on shelves to

absorb odors.

-- Buy activated charcoal (available at pet stores and hardware stores),

spread onto jelly-roll pans, and place on shelves inside the running

refrigerator.

-- Place freshly ground coffee in cereal bowls inside the running

refrigerator for several days. A slight coffee odor may remain but

will disappear after washing the inside of the refrigerator.

-- While the refrigerator is running, pack each refrigerator shelf with

crumpled newspaper. Set a cup of water on the top shelf, or sprinkle

the newspapers lightly with water. This method takes five to six days,

but strong odors will be eliminated.

-- There are several commercial products available for odor removal. Some

may not rid the odor, but simply mask it while others are not safe for

use around food. Read product labels carefully to determine if a

cleaner or deodorizer is safe to use in a refrigerator; then follow

instructions for use carefully.

How to Prevent Odor Problems:

-- Discard refrigerated leftovers, vegetables and dairy products that are

beyond safe-keeping. They can create odor problems if left too long.

-- Promptly wipe up any spills that occur.

-- Clean refrigerator out every two weeks.

For more cleaning tips, recipes using common leftovers and food storage lifetimes, send for Whirlpool's complimentary brochure, "Whirlpool Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day." Send a self-addressed, business-size envelope to Whirlpool Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day, 2000 N. M-63, Maildrop 4300, Benton Harbor, MI 49022.

Or, for personalized attention to your cleaning problem, e-mail Whirlpool's Doctor of Refrigeratorology at doctor@whirlpool.com. Additional refrigerator information will also be available on the Internet at http://www.whirlpool.com.

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances. Headquartered in Benton Harbor, Mich., the company manufactures in 13 countries and markets products under 11 major brand names in more than 170 countries.

Revolutionary road.

Thirty years after the shah's departure, Iran still maintains an anti-American stance Thirty years after the Islamic revolution, Iran retains its ambition to emerge as a regional power, but unlike the US-backed shah, it is now using an anti-American policy to achieve the same goal. "One of the slogans of the revolution was independence, and this has been achieved 100 per cent," Mohammed Sadegh al-Hosseini, an expert on regional issues said. "The Shah also wanted to emerge as a regional player with the backing of the United States but today, decisions... good or bad, are made in Tehran." The United States had stationed thousands of soldiers and advisers in Iran during the regime of the shah, who was also one of the biggest buyers of American weaponry. But with the revolution of 1979 and the subsequent severing of diplomatic relations following the capture of the US embassy in Tehran by students, Iran turned its back on Washington. Thirty years later the oft-chanted slogan "Death to America" remains relevant, especially since the ascent to the presidency in 2005 of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a vocal advocate of anti-Americanism. Several attempts by his two predecessors - the conservative Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and the reformist Mohammad Khatami - to normalise relations with the West have now been forgotten. The focus once more is on the ideals of the revolution. Ahmadinejad did write letters to former US president George W Bush and he also congratulated his successor Barack Obama, but at the same time he has often announced that the "American empire is on the slope to disappearance". Such comments have served only to widen the gap between the West and Tehran. "The Islamic regime has based its identity on anti-Americanism. President Ahmadinejad has only strengthened it," said one European Union diplomat who did not wish to be identified. The Islamic republic's regional ambitions have raised concerns not only in Washington but also among European and Arab countries. "The current political power has actually isolated Iran from the other great nations on the international stage," said well-known Iranian journalist and analyst Mashallah Shamsolvaezin. "To compensate, he (Ahmadinejad) plays the card with countries such as Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia and also with Russia and China." Iran's desire to be recognised as a powerful nation has led it to pursue nuclear and missile programmes, graphically illustrated by this week's launch into orbit of the country's first home-built satellite called Omid (Hope). Tehran has also adopted a policy of intervention in the Arab world. Its vocal support for the Lebanese militant Shia movement Hezbollah and the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza is the most visible sign of this. "Iran does enjoy a certain popularity on the Arab street where Ahmadinejad is quite popular after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, but local authorities there are worried about this influence," said al-Hosseini. A Western diplomat said the way Iran reacted to the recent 22-day Israeli onslaught on the Gaza Strip ended up "showing its isolation in the Arab world which refused to acknowledge the role it played in helping end the crisis." It now remains to be seen whether after three decades Iran can set aside its revolutionary slogans and accept Obama's offer to start a dialogue that could open a new chapter in Tehran-Washington relations. Soon after he became president, Obama extended the hand of diplomacy in a bid to tackle Iran's nuclear programme that has set it on a collision course with the West, which accuses Tehran of wanting to develop atomic weapons. Iran says its nuclear programme is purely for civilian purposes. "The present (Iranian) leaders seem to be reluctant," said Shamsolvaezin. "Iran could again miss a golden opportunity to become a country like the others and thus strengthen its presence."

2009 Al Sidra Media LLC

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company

Netflix fee hike upsets customers getting movies via mail, online.(Business)

Byline: Ben Fritz; Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES -- Netflix users who like to receive both a DVD and watch movies online through the service are about to pay 60 percent more a month in subscription fees.

In a sign of the more challenging economics the company faces to acquire digital content and ship DVDs, Netflix announced Tuesday it will no longer offer combined DVD and streaming plans. Instead, its more than 22.8 million U.S. consumers will have to pay separately for each service.

Unlimited streaming will cost $7.99 per month, as will taking out one DVD at a time. The combined cost is $15.98 per month, a huge price increase for those who pay $9.99 for a combined streaming-plus-one-DVD plan.

In a blog post, Netflix positioned the price increase as a way to bolster its DVD business, which executives had previously de-emphasized.

"Given the long life we think DVDs by mail will have, treating DVDs as a $2 add-on to our unlimited streaming plan neither makes great financial sense nor satisfies people who just want DVDs," the corporate blog post said. "Creating an unlimited DVDs by mail plan (no streaming) at our lowest price ever, $7.99, does make sense and will ensure a long life for our DVDs-by-mail offering."

But the higher prices could encourage some users to abandon DVDs and use only streaming.

In either case, Netflix could end up with more money to pay for the rising costs of content for its digital service.

If some users switch to DVD-only plans, that may also help Netflix access more digital content. It recently lost films from Sony Pictures that it acquired from Starz because its subscriber total exceeded a cap established by the studio.

The price changes are effective immediately for new subscribers but take effect in September for current ones.

Consumers who want two DVDs out at a time will pay $4 more for the additional disc. There are also surcharges for access to Blu-ray discs.

Netflix isn't changing the $7.99 monthly price for an Internet streaming-only option, which the company began offering late last year.

Its willingness to risk alienating subscribers signals that it needs to bring in more money to cover rising costs.

The company's earnings would likely be squeezed if it continued to cover the overhead for buying and shipping the discs while also spending heavily to license more video for its streaming library.

In the first three months of this year, Netflix spent $192 million on streaming rights after pouring $406 million into the library last year.

Jessie Becker, Netflix's vice president of marketing, wrote Tuesday that charging just $2 more for a bundled plan "neither makes great financial sense nor satisfies people who just want DVDs."

On the flip side, Netflix customers who haven't embraced Internet streaming will get a price break. They can subscribe to a DVD-only plan for $8 per month for one DVD at a time, a 20 percent reduction from the current package that included streaming.

Investors seemed to welcome the higher prices. Netflix's stock rose 53 cents to close Tuesday at $291.27.

Netflix's market value has increased by sevenfold and created about $13 billion in shareholder wealth during the past two years largely because its total subscribers have more than doubled during the same stretch.

As of March, Netflix had 22.8 million subscribers in the U.S., about 34,000 more than the number of households subscribing to Comcast's cable-TV service.

Subscribers rankled by the latest price increase vented their outrage in comments on Netflix's blog as well as its Facebook page, where there were about 5,000 comments, mostly negative, by Tuesday afternoon.

Some of the posters were promising to leave Netflix to try out rivals such as Apple and Hulu.com, which is looking for a buyer.

Although it's preparing to deliver DVDs through the mail for many more years, Netflix sees Internet streaming as its main lure for new subscribers as Internet connections become faster and mobile devices make it easier to watch video on the go.

The company is only selling streaming packages in Canada, where it expanded last year, and in Latin America, where it will enter 43 countries by the end of this year.

Material from The Associated Press is included in this report.

Copyright (c) 2011 Seattle Times Company, All Rights Reserved.

GOVERNOR APPOINTS FIVE TO KPERS STUDY COMMISSION.

TOPEKA, Kan. -- The following information was released by the office of the Governor of Kansas:

Kansas Governor Sam Brownback announced his appointments to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) Study Commission today. The five appointments are Edward Condon, Leawood; Christopher Long, Mission Hills; Paul Seyferth, Fairview; Richard Stumpf, Wichita; and. Brian Winter, Dodge City. KPERS faces a nearly $8 billion shortfall.

Signed into law by Governor Brownback last month, Senate Sub. for House Bill 2194 establishes the 13-member KPERS Study Commission to consider alternative retirement plans, including defined contribution plans, hybrid plans that could include a defined contribution component, and other possible plans. Other members will be appointed by Legislative leadership.

"I am pleased these Kansans have agreed to share their expertise and experience and will work with me and the Kansas Legislature to address the KPERS shortfall and ensure Kansas families who rely on KPERS have a retirement system they can depend upon," Gov. Brownback said. "Independent analysts have found the structure of KPERS remains unsustainable. The commission needs to protect existing beneficiaries and move towards a defined contribution system for all new state employees in order to restore balance and security to KPERS. Adoption of such recommendations will be a top priority for the next legislative session."

Edward Condon has more than 26 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently the Chief Operating Officer of Sterneck Capital Management, LLC. He earned a Bachelor of Economics degree from Fairfield University.

Christopher Long has more than 14 years of experience as a financial analyst and investor and is the president and founder of Palmer Square Capital Management LLC. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Princeton University and a Masters in Business Administration degree from Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration.

Paul Seyferth is a founding member of Seyferth Blumenthal and Harris, LLC, representing management in labor and employment litigation. He earned his undergraduate degree in political science and economics from Michigan State University and his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School.

Richard W. Stumpf, has been with Financial Benefits, Inc. since 1988 where he is a certified financial planner and a certified Employee Benefits Specialist. A frequent seminar speaker on financial planning topics, he has taught employee benefits, retirement plan and CFP Ethics classes at Wichita State University, Tallahassee Community College, California Lutheran University, Metro College in Denver and University of Hawaii.

Brian Winter manages and owns Winter Livestock, Inc. which markets 550,000 cattle annually in four states and on the internet as well as manages the company's commercial feed yard in Hanston, KS and the family's ranch. He is serving his second term on the Dodge City USD 443 School Board.

The Commission will report its recommendations to the 2012 Legislature who will consider two identical bills in each chamber. Each chamber must vote on the identical bills in 2012 before other provisions in HB 2194 will be implemented. Those provisions require:

Increased employer contributions;

Increased employee contributions;

Increased benefit multiplier for future service; and

Transfer 80% of the proceeds from the sale of surplus state real estate to KPERS to reduce the unfunded liability.

The new law also requires a decision from the Internal Revenue Service as to whether current state employees can choose to change their retirement benefits.

###

INDIA'S POSTS OFFICES TO LAUNCH MOBILE MONEY TRANSFER.

CHANDIGARH, June 2 Asia Pulse - India's Department of Posts (DoP) on Wednesday launched the mobile-based Money Transfer Service by post offices in the country for quicker transfer of money from one city to another.

Launching the service, Union Minister of State for Communications, Information Technology and Home Gurudas Kamat said the aim of launching this service was to help those who were unable to avail banking services. The service will be operated by DoP with technological support from BSNL.

He said to begin with the service has been launched between Punjab and Bihar Postal Circles for transfer of money up to Rs 50,000 (US$1,113). The complete roll out throughout the country would be completed in eight weeks, he added.

The minister launched the service by remitting Rs 1,000/- to Help Age India at Patna.

Kamat said the person intending to use the service would have to go to the Post Office which will provide them a unique PIN code after the transfer of money.

The sender would have to send the PIN to the recipient through a text message who would be home delivered the money after verification of the PIN on his mobile. The recipient could also go to the Post Office and collect the money, he said.

Kamat said India Post is the largest service network for transfer of money and annually about 9 crore money orders are being sent on the postal network.

He said that to speed up the money transfer the DoP had introduced Electronic MO and Internet MO and that the mobile MO was the third such service.

Secretary Posts Radhika Doraiswamy said that the DoP also proposes to interconnect all the 155,000 Post Offices in the country to subsequently introduce Core Postal Service.

She said the department would also introduce the PO Savings Bank for which the mandatory clearances were being sought.

Referring to the high cost of sending money through MO, she said, "We need to reduce the Commission charges. We should be able to do this soon".

The charges for Mobile Money Transfer will be the same as it is on the traditional money order - five per cent of the remitted amount, a departmental spokesman said.

Director of BSNL, R.K Aggarwal said that the BSNL-PO joint venture will help the rural customers in availing of money transfer services. This will also revolutionise the financial inclusion programme of the government, he said.

He said in 1947 the tele-density in the country was 0.47 per cent which increased to 4.7 per cent in 1997 in fifty years. But after that within 14 years the tele-density has now reached 70 per cent.

The total number of mobile connections is 850 million presently and 15 million new connections are being activated in the country every month, he said.

(PTI) ry 02-06 1608

FORMER SUPERINTENDENT PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL PROGRAM THEFT.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. -- The following information was released by the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania:

A resident of North Salt Lake, Utah, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of federal program theft, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Dr. Dennis L. Bruno, 59, the former Superintendent of Glendale School District, and now of North Salt Lake, Utah, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from Oct. 3, 2005, to July 18, 2006, Bruno, in his capacity as Superintendent of Glendale School District, intentionally misapplied $49,600 of federal funds from the Fund for the Improvement of Education program, a program funded by the United States Department of Education. Additionally, in his plea agreement with the United States, Dr. Bruno stipulated and agreed that he was also involved in a conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States relating to the federally funded E-Rate Program of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The E-Rate Program was created by Congress in the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the auspices of the FCC. The program provides subsidies to economically disadvantaged schools and libraries for the cost of internet access and telecommunications services, as well as internal computer and communications networks. Dr. Bruno agreed and stipulated that he conspired with others to obtain E-Rate Program money in the amount of $414,421.92.

Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for Sept. 22, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 10 years in federal prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie L. Haines is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Pennsylvania Office of the Auditor General Special Investigations Office, the United States Department of Education Office of Inspector General, and the Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Bruno.

Watsco Conference Call Announcement.

COCONUT GROVE, Fla. -- Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:WSO) will host a conference call to discuss its 2009 third quarter earnings results on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT).

The conference call will be web-cast by CCBN's StreetEvents at http://www.watsco.com. The earnings results will be released before the market opens on October 27, 2009. A replay of the conference call will be available on the Company's web site.

For those unable to connect to the Internet, you may listen via telephone. The dial-in number is (866) 740-9405. Please call five to ten minutes prior to the scheduled start-time as the number of telephone connections is limited.

Watsco is the largest distributor of air conditioning, heating and refrigeration equipment and related parts and supplies in the HVAC/R industry, currently operating 508 locations serving over 50,000 customers in 36 states, Puerto Rico, Latin America and the Caribbean. The Company's goal is to build a network of locations that provide the finest service and product availability for HVAC/R contractors, assisting and supporting them as they serve the country's homeowners and businesses. Additional information about Watsco may be found on the Internet at http://www.watsco.com.

Fitch Affirms Telefonica Chile's IDR at 'BBB+'; Outlook Stable.

MONTERREY, Mexico -- Fitch Ratings has affirmed the following ratings of Compania de Telecomunicaciones de Chile S.A. (Telefonica Chile):

-Local Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'BBB+';

-Foreign Currency IDR at 'BBB+';

-National-scale IDR at 'AA-(Chl)';

-National scale short-term IDR at 'F1+(Chl)';

-Local bonds series L and F at 'AA-(Chl)';

The Rating Outlook is Stable.

Telefonica Chile's ratings are supported by its leading position in the Chilean market, strong free cash flow generation, and solid financial profile. The ratings reflect increased competition, moderate regulatory risk, weaknesses in local traffic and the policy of returning cash to shareholders via dividends or capital reductions, implemented during 2007. The ratings also incorporate the change in reporting by adopting IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) from Chilean GAAP starting 2009 and the dividend policy of paying 100% of net income.

The strategy of introducing broadband and pay television services to customers as a bundled offering has mitigated declines in lines in service (LIS) and has helped increase customer loyalty. In addition, increases in broadband and pay television services have compensated for pressure in traditional voice services due to increased competition and traffic migration to mobile networks. It is expected that these services, offered in bundled packages of double or triple play, should help maintain relatively stable cash flow generation and the LIS over the next few years as local traffic from fixed lines continues to decline.

Telefonica Chile has lower exposure to regulatory risk related to tariff decrees as a result of its strategy to migrate its customers from regulated plans to flexible unregulated plans. Approximately 19% of revenues are now related to regulated services, compared to 50% in 2004 when the last tariff decree was set, and this revenue is expected to continue to become less important during the next few years as a proportion of total revenues. The new tariff decree for the 2009-2014 period is in its setting process and is expected to become effective by May 2009. As per a request from the regulator 'Subtel', the antitrust authority is reviewing the Chilean telecom industry in order to determine whether Telefonica Chile has a dominant position. The review can result in a liberalization of certain tariffs, other than access charges as they have to be regulated, or for the company to still be considered dominant, resulting in a similar exposure to regulated revenues. The tariff decree includes regulated plans' fixed and measured service charges, along with interconnection and access charges. In June 2008, voice over internet protocol (VoIP) ruling was made in order to give authorization to offer voice services through a broadband connection. With the ruling Telefonica Chile should add this service to its offering to continue strengthening its voice service offering.

During October 2008, Telefonica S.A. successfully completed a tender offer to increase its ownership in Telefonica Chile to 96.75% from 44.9%. The transaction is consistent with Telefonica's strategy in Latin America in terms of ownership. In addition, the adoption of IFRS should have some accounting effects but should not alter the economic profile of the business. Some expected results should be higher dividend payments as a result of higher net income and the entering into a process of renegotiation of its financial covenants in order to reflect the IFRS adoption, as they were originally set using Chilean GAAP.

The company's strong brand equity, leading market position, and operational experience should allow it to maintain strong free cash flow generation and a stable financial profile, with relatively stable debt levels, despite competitive challenges. Absolute EBITDA levels should remain relatively stable despite an expected decrease in EBITDA margins due to the IFRS adoption and margin pressure associated with growth in pay television and broadband segments. For the last 12 months ended Sept. 30, 2008, funds from operations (FFO) adjusted leverage was 1.7 times (x) and total debt to EBITDA was 1.5x. Coverage ratios of FFO interest coverage and EBITDA to gross interest were 8.8x and 9.7x respectively. The ratings incorporate expectation that total debt to EBITDA should remain stable at or below 2.0x.

Over the next few years Telefonica Chile should generate free cash flow in the range of US$100 million to US$150 million as the company continues investing primarily in its broadband, pay television and data businesses. The company has a strong liquidity position underpinned by strong free cash flow and a manageable debt maturity profile. Total debt is expected to remain relatively stable over the next few years, with upcoming maturities for the next few years most likely being refinanced. As of Sept. 30, 2008 gross debt including hedges totaled US$798 million, composed of US$538 million in syndicated loans, US$129 million in local bonds and US$131 million in other bank loans. The company debt has no exposure to the US$ after hedges; only 16% is exposed to inflation through UF and 84% has a floating interest rate.

Telefonica is one of the largest telecommunications providers in Chile, with US$1.385 billion in revenues and US$570 million in EBITDA for the last 12 months ended Sept. 30, 2008. The company is the largest local-service operator with 2.1 million lines in service, and 695,000 ADSL connections and 251,000 Television customers. Telefonica Chile is now 97% owned by Spain's Telefonica S.A.

Fitch's rating definitions and the terms of use of such ratings are available on the agency's public site, www.fitchratings.com. Published ratings, criteria and methodologies are available from this site, at all times. Fitch's code of conduct, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, affiliate firewall, compliance and other relevant policies and procedures are also available from the 'Code of Conduct' section of this site.

Upscale Spanish clothing franchise opens in Nashua, N.H.

Byline: Karen Spiller

Jun. 18--Richard LeBlanc's new job takes him to Madrid, Spain, twice a year. The Pelham man is owner of the upscale Spanish clothing franchise Amichi -- the first one in the United States.

He opened the store three weeks ago in Nashua on the second floor of the Pheasant Lane Mall.

Amichi, an international design and fashion distribution franchise based in Spain, has stores in Nicaragua, Guatemala, Philippines, El Salvador, Malta and Portugal.

Amichi offers stylish, modern clothing with a European flair for women, men and children, LeBlanc said.

LeBlanc recently returned from a trip to Madrid to pick clothes from the newest Amichi line that he thinks will sell. The company is open to input from franchise owners, and even adjusts their designs to suit them.

"My son told them that, in the U.S., men don't like button flies, so they changed it to zippers," LeBlanc said.

Amichi fashions appeal to people age 25 to 45, LeBlanc said. "It's a target age that's kind of missed in the United States," he said.

After working as a general contractor in Maine for 30 years and owning eight Subway sandwich shops for more than a decade, LeBlanc switched gears after a divorce and chose Nashua to open his first clothing franchise. He found the Amichi brand while doing an Internet search for clothing businesses. Amichi was the only one he found and really liked because of the quality. He also liked that the business is family-owned by people who design their own lines: style, sport and casual.

Initially, he wanted to go to the Copley Place Mall in Boston, but decided to test the store in Nashua first to find his customer base.

"I just thought New Hampshire was a good place to start because it's right on the border," LeBlanc said. "I thought I would have a diverse customer."

During his research, LeBlanc was attracted to Pheasant Lane because he was told that higher-end stores including Coach and Hollister (a division of Abercrombie & Fitch) were coming to the mall, he said.

Ginny Szymanski, general manager at Pheasant Lane, said the mall is in fact looking to add several high-end stores.

"We're looking at a Hollister and Coach for next year," she said Monday.

LeBlanc already has big plans for Amichi. He has set a goal to open eight stores in the next five years and has purchased the territorial rights to open additional stores in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Anyone who wants to open stores in those locations has to go through LeBlanc first, he said.

Amichi, which means friend, is a family-owned company founded in 1982.

Today it has 117 stores in Spain (38 of its own and 79 franchises), and 15 in other countries. The clothes are not Spanish looking at all.

"It's nothing like the flamingo dancers," LeBlanc said. "It's up to date, high-quality clothing. It's all modern and trendy."

The clothing is priced on the higher end, with a children's collared shirt at $36.50, women's jeans and khaki pants for $79.50 and cocktail dresses for $149.50.

"We're not any higher than Banana Republic, but we don't have the name recognition," LeBlanc said.

The entire store is 20 percent off right now as LeBlanc waits for the new line to arrive.

"The colors are bright; different than what you normally see," LeBlanc said.

LeBlanc's daughter, Stacy, 22, said teenagers love the clothes but most of the sizes (all European sizes) don't fit because they're not "low rise."

Amichi also carries an accessories line with bags, scarves and footwear as well as a swimwear line including bikinis and towels.

Om Amichi is a brand created for men. The new spring/summer 2006 collection also has different lines: The Saharans of the Safari line or the marine stripes and sport look of the Navy line. Polo T-shirts, shorts, shirts and swimwear complete the Om Amichi collection for men.

Ami & Chis is the brand created by Amichi for children aged 4 to 10. The new collection has two lines: Safari Chic Look, with cargo trousers and waistcoats specially designed for kids, and "Navy Atmosphere" where the nautical and sport garments are come in red, navy and white.

"If somebody wants something very different or nice, then this is the place to come," LeBlanc said.

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

Copyright (c) 2006, The Telegraph, Nashua, N.H.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business

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