ASIA: Man on child sex charges facing extradition in weeks

AAP General News (Australia)
02-27-2008
ASIA: Man on child sex charges facing extradition in weeks

Eds: For use in South Australia and on the internet



JAKARTA, Feb 27 AAP - A South Australian man arrested in Indonesia could be extradited
to Australia within weeks to face child sex charges, Indonesian authorities say.

The 66-year-old was arrested by Jakarta police a week ago following a request from
Australian authorities, a police source said.

He is being detained in Jakarta police station but is receiving consular assistance
from the Australian Embassy.

The man is wanted in Australia over alleged sex …

CHINACASHE Q1 NET REACHED CNY3.2MN

AsiaInfo Services
05-10-2011
ChinaCashe Q1 Net Reached CNY3.2mn

BEIJING, May 10, 2011 (SinoCast Daily Business Beat via COMTEX) -- ChinaCache International Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq: CCIH) released its 1st-quarter financial report by March 31, 2011, showing net income up to CNY 136.4 million or USD 20.8 million, 79.6% higher year on year but 10.0% lower quarter on quarter. The net profit was CNY 3.2 million or USD 489,000.

In the same reporting period, the Nasdaq-listed company's cost of revenues hit CNY 93.40 million or USD 14.3 million, a year-on-year growth of 72.3%. Sale & operation expenses reached CNY 13.90 million or USD 2.10 million, 31.6% higher than the first quarter of previous year but 19.9% lower than last quarter. First-quarter operating profits were CNY 5.3 million or USD 806,000. Up to March 31, 2011. Total value of cash and cash equivalent was CNY 578.9 million or USD 88.50 million).

Net incomes in the second quarter are expected to be between CNY 144 million and CNY 140 million (equivalent to USD 22-22.80 million), up 52.5%-57.8% year on year.

Source: www.hexun.com (May 10, 2011)

KEYWORD: BEIJING INDUSTRY KEYWORD: Internet & Online Services & Media SUBJECT CODE: General Industry Information
General Industry Information
SinoCast China Business Daily news
1st-quarter financial report
net profits
net income

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

QLD:Lockyer Valley residents to pay flood levy

AAP General News (Australia)
08-29-2011
QLD:Lockyer Valley residents to pay flood levy

BRISBANE, Aug 29 AAP - Ratepayers in one of Queensland's worst flood-hit regions will
pay an annual $30 levy towards preparations for future disasters.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council on Monday handed down its budget, with more than $108
million to be spent on road and bridge infrastructure alone, after January's floods.

The floods all but destroyed the valley's small towns of Grantham, Murphys Creek and
Spring Bluff, and claimed at least 17 lives.

Mayor Steve Jones said the post-flood spend pushed the council's operating budget into
deficit for the first time in many years.

"We remain unfazed by this position and know that over the coming three to five years
we will be back to a financially strong position again," he said.

Mr Jones said he was aware many in the region were doing it tough after the floods,
and was pleased the council had kept its general rate increase down to 4.98 per cent.

AAP gd/sn

KEYWORD: RECOVERY LOCKYER

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

eGain and WorldManuals Launch Joint Proposition for the Telecom Market

Wireless News
02-18-2011
eGain and WorldManuals Launch Joint Proposition for the Telecom Market
Type: News

eGain Communications, a provider of cloud and on-site customer interaction hub software and WorldManuals, a specialist in mobile device support solutions, launched a joint proposition for the telecom market.

They announced an out-of-the-box, knowledge-powered customer service solution that enables mobile operators to elevate the quality of web self-service and contact centre support experiences in a matter of days. The solution is available through a pay-as-you- serve cloud model, eliminating upfront infrastructure costs and enabling rapid time to benefit.
Andrew Mennie, General Manager of eGain EMEA, said, "In mature telecom markets, operators are on the look-out for a low-risk approach to proving the benefits of self-service solutions, where they can avoid being tied to a long-term contract or a lengthy deployment and evaluation process.The eGain-WorldManuals solution eliminates risk by combining a comprehensive solution with a pay-as- you-serve model, based on how much subscribers use the service. It's a simple, scalable model that provides a fast track to web self- service deployment and utilisation.The pre-configured solution can be up, running, and providing on-demand customer service for subscribers within less than two weeks."

The solution includes:

-Access to FAQs through eGain widgets anywhere on the operator's website.

-Hosted access to help and support content for the top mobile handsets.

-Ongoing maintenance of content in multiple languages.

-A real-time management information dashboard for monitoring usage and trend analysis.

-A pay-for-use investment model.

Pedro Abreu, Head of eCare at Vodafone Portugal, explained, "The combination of eGain's market-leading knowledge management capabilities with WorldManuals' tailored device support content, delivers an friendly user experience that is proven to maximise first contact resolution for complex device enquiries for contact centre and self-service users. Deployed for agent and subscriber self-service, the combined solution has increased self-service adoption by as much as 80 percent for device-related support enquiries."

Thomas Thrane, CEO of WorldManuals, said, "Supporting the sophisticated features and applications of today's smartphones is complex. While web self-service is proven to reduce cost-to-serve and enhance customer satisfaction, it must be integrated with up-to- date support content in order to be effective. The joint proposition combines the power of flexible content access and up-to-date and relevant content for superior subscriber experience and reduced service costs for the operator."

Upon validating the benefits of the joint solution in the cloud model, mobile operators can seamlessly expand and scale up the deployment in line with subscriber demand and adoption. This might include initiatives such as adding users and languages, expanding the knowledge base by federating in-house content, and delivering embedded support through the mobile devices.

"While the proposition addresses the demand for web self-service adoption in mature markets, it is equally applicable in emerging markets where internet penetration is lower," Mennie explained. "This model can also be utilised in the contact centre environment to offer agents comprehensive, simple and flexible access to that all important content.Like the web self-service model, the contact centre option maximises a mobile operator's precious customer support resources, improving first-contact resolution, and reducing the burden on agents."

WorldManuals is a privately owned company that specialises in delivering mobile device support solutions.

eGain is a provider of cloud and on-site customer interaction hub software.

More Information:

www.eGain.com

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

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

FED:No Xmas penalties for Vic, SA workers

AAP General News (Australia)
12-02-2010
FED:No Xmas penalties for Vic, SA workers

Workers in Victoria and South Australia will be the only ones in the country to miss
out on penalty rates for working Christmas Day .. while other states have declared it
a public holiday and workers will receive penalty rates.

Unions have applied to Fair Work Australia to allow penalty rates in states where Christmas
Day isn't a public holiday .. but Fair Work says it isn't a prevailing standard in a number
of modern awards.

Meanwhile Australian Greens MP ADAM BANDT has called on the government to ensure a
common standard across the nation .. regardless of what day Christmas falls on.

AAP RTV ah/sb/jr

KEYWORD: XMAS PENALTIES (CANBERRA)

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

Qld: Female pedestrian dies after being struck by vehicle

AAP General News (Australia)
04-27-2010
Qld: Female pedestrian dies after being struck by vehicle

A female pedestrian has died after being struck by a vehicle southeast of Brisbane.

A Department of Community Safety spokeswoman says the accident happened in Alexandra
Hills around 5.10 this morning (AEST).

She says emergency crews performed CPR on the woman .. but she died at the scene.

Police are investigating and have advised motorists to expect traffic delays.

AAP RTV djb/psm/

KEYWORD: TOLL QLD (BRISBANE)

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

NSW: Operation Unite sends a strong message

AAP General News (Australia)
12-13-2009
NSW: Operation Unite sends a strong message

SYDNEY, Dec 13 AAP - The NSW government hopes more than 600 arrests in a weekend police
crackdown on alcohol-related crime will ram home one simple message ... "don't get smashed
and behave like a moron".

More than 1400 extra NSW police took part in Operation Unite across the state, as part
of a two-day nationwide blitz.

NSW Police nabbed 307 people on Saturday night, with 509 charges laid.

Over the course of the weekend, there were 640 arrests and 1025 charges laid, 374 for
drink driving.

The other charges ranged from assault and affray to drug possession.

Three police officers were also injured during the high-profile operation, including
an officer whose nose was fractured when king hit in Ryde on Friday night.

Notable incidents in Sydney on Saturday night included several brawls, a naked man
allegedly attempting to strangle his partner at The Rocks and a serious glassing in Ultimo.

Deputy Commissioner Dave Owens said he was disappointed at the numbers of people who
had clearly ignored police warnings in the lead up to the operation.

But he stressed that arrests were not the sole object of the operation.

"I can't arrest myself out of this problem," he told reporters in Sydney on Sunday.

"We cannot keep arresting people and think we're going to solve the problem.

"What it was about was starting a debate."

Mr Owens said he hoped people would start to change their behaviour and attitude towards alcohol.

"Friday night and Saturday night was about sending a message. It was about getting
people to start talking," he said.

"Now I know 640 people that are going to start talking.

"I know 640 families that have now got a message that to drink drive, to assault people
and anti-social behaviour is unacceptable."

Police Minister Michael Daley said while there were not enough resources to repeat
the operation every weekend, police will continue to focus on alcohol-related crime.

"We know that the community want us to keep doing more and we will," Mr Daley said.

"There's a very simple message from the community and from the government - go out,
have a few drinks and have a great time, but don't get smashed and behave like a moron
on your way home."

AAP sg/it

KEYWORD: BLITZ NSW UPDATE

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

Fed: Presecutors given extra time to question terror suspect

AAP General News (Australia)
08-04-2009
Fed: Presecutors given extra time to question terror suspect

Prosecutors have been granted extra time to question a man they believe is involved
in a terrorism plot.

SANEY AWEYZ was one of five people arrested during counter-terrorism raids early this
morning across Melbourne and in Colac in Victoria's southwest.

Police allege the men were planning a suicide attack on a military base .. one has
been charged with conspiring to commit an act in preparation for or planning a terrorist
act.

Prosecutors were granted more time to question AWEYZ in the Melbourne Magistrates'
Court today .. and he'll now be interviewed from six tonight.

Prosecutors will also apply for an extension of time to interview two other people
arrested in the raids.

AAP RTV mi/gfr/ka

KEYWORD: TERROR VIC AWEYZ (MELBOURNE)

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

FED: National parks could be making fires more deadly: Boswell

AAP General News (Australia)
02-10-2009
FED: National parks could be making fires more deadly: Boswell

Debate's already started about the causes of Victoria's savage bushfires .. as authorities
warn the death toll of 173 will rise as the grim search of fire-ravaged areas continues.

Bushfire researchers say fuel reduction policies need to be examined by a royal commission
set up by the Victorian government.

Nationals senator RON BOSWELL says the practice of locking-up areas as national parks
must be looked at .. as fire thrives among such a build-up of fuel.

Greens leader BOB BROWN says climate change is part of the problem as Australia's getting
hotter and drier.

His party's climate change spokeswoman CHRISTINE MILNE says national parks and forests
are crucial to help combat climate change because they act as carbon stores .. but outspoken
Liberal backbencher WILSON TUCKEY says state governments should consider removing some
trees to reduce the fire risk.

Meanwhile Liberal MP JAMIE BRIGGS says the royal commission needs to took at early-warning
systems and the construction of purpose-built housing .. including special bunkers ..

in high risk bushfire zones.

AAP RTV mb/jcd/af

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES VIC PARKS (CANBERRA)

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

Ath: Hooker vaults into Olympic history = 3

AAP General News (Australia)
08-23-2008
Ath: Hooker vaults into Olympic history = 3

Despite the intense pressure of having to clear 5.90m on his final jump to win gold,
Hooker said he felt confident.

"I took a moment before jumping at 5.90m and just realised that I was doing something
that every kid dreams of," Hooker told reporters.

"I had my destiny in my own hands - Evgeny was out of the competition, if I clear that
bar I am an Olympic gold medallist.

"I did think that I was the kind of person that could stand up and take that kind of opportunity.

"To have done it is a dream come true."

Hooker said the magnitude of his achievement would take time to comprehend.

"It's amazing, the reality of it hasn't sunk in," he said.

"Sailing over that bar with a clean clearance, I really got to enjoy it.

"I knew I was over it and that is the good thing about my event - you get that opportunity
to fall to earth and that is an experience that probably other people rarely get to happen
in their events or sport or anything.

"I'm lucky to be a pole vaulter, I'm lucky to be an Aussie gold medallist and an Australian
and all sorts of things, I'm a very lucky guy right now."

Hooker could have easily accepted his gold medal after clearing 5.90m, but said he
was determined to continue jumping so he could claim the Olympic record set by Mack in
Athens.

"The Olympic record is really special to me. Tim Mack who jumped the Olympic record
at the last Olympics is a really good friend of mine and an idol of mine," said Hooker.

"What he did four years ago was so amazing and I was really hoping to replicate what
I did and I actually can't believe that it has come true.

"He is in Beijing as well ... I hope I get to catch up with him and have a beer with
him. We can compare war stories or something."

He said dedicating his life to his sporting discipline had paid off with the ultimate reward.

"So much time and so much planning and so much effort, so many sacrifices - so much
has gone into this for me," he said.

"There have been so many people supporting me through this, this is not just for me,
it's for all of them.

"It's an amazing feeling and I just hope they are feeling half as amazing as I am because
it's cool, it's a really cool thing.

"I feel like I deserve this, and I'm going to enjoy it."

AAP sl/gab/tb

KEYWORD: OLY08 ATH AUST N/L 3 BEIJING (REOPENS)

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

Vic: Environment ministers begin plastic bags talks

AAP General News (Australia)
04-17-2008
Vic: Environment ministers begin plastic bags talks

MELBOURNE, April 17 AAP - Federal and state environment ministers will tackle the issue
of a proposed levy on plastic bags at a key meeting in Melbourne today.

The issue will top the agenda at the meeting of the Environment Protection and Heritage
Council, which groups environment ministers from Australian federal, state and territory
governments and New Zealand.

Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett spoke briefly to reporters as he headed
into the meeting.

"We're just going to aim to have a constructive meeting on the issues that are on the
agenda," he said.

"The commonwealth and states together... are environment ministers who recognise how
important the environment is for all Australians."

Queensland has said it would not support a levy that would add to costs on families,
but has called for an eventual ban on plastic bags.

Mr Garrett said earlier the discussion on plastic bags would be robust.

"We'll sit down with ministers and have that discussion, it is on the agenda," he told
reporters today.

"We want to really chew over these issues in a thorough way, and when we have that
meeting you will know the outcome."

The council meets twice a year and includes representatives from all over Australia
and New Zealand.

"When you look at the issues that Australians count as the most important, the environment
is right up there," Mr Garrett said.

The meeting will also look at container deposit legislation, recycling, and electronic
waste issues.

AAP kb/gfr/jl/mn

KEYWORD: PLASTIC MEETING

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

Qld: Barrister says judge was not out of line in gang rape case

AAP General News (Australia)
12-13-2007
Qld: Barrister says judge was not out of line in gang rape case

A Tasmanian barrister says a District Court judge in Queensland was RIGHT not to jail
nine males .. who pleaded guilty to the gang rape of a 10-year-old girl in 2006.

GREG BARNS is a barrister of 20 years with a special interest in prison reform.

He says he believes the outrage over the sentences and controversial remarks of Cairns-based
District Court judge SARAH BRADLEY is unwarranted.

Judge BRADLEY didn't record convictions against six teenage attackers .. and gave three
others aged 17 .. 18 and 26 suspended sentences over the rape.

Mr BARNS says it's right to regard jail as inappropriate .. for the six defendants
under the age of 16.

And he says custodial sentences aren't the way to rehabilitate people .. particularly
Aboriginal Australians.

Mr BRADLEY says Judge BRADLEY's controversial remarks .. saying the girl had probably
agreed to the sex .. is simply stating that the accused hadn't physically struggled.

He says she's not implying there was legitimate consent on the part of the victim.





Mr BARNS says the true outrage in this case is the over-representation of indigenous
people in prisons.

He says as at 30 June 2006 .. indigenous prisoners represented 24 per cent of the total
prisoner population.

AAP RTV gd/lc/tm/wz/crh

KEYWORD: GANG BARNS (BRISBANE)

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

Qld: Beattie jets out on latest trade mission

AAP General News (Australia)
04-30-2007
Qld: Beattie jets out on latest trade mission

BRISBANE, April 30 AAP - Queensland Premier Peter Beattie will jet out today for a
two-week trade mission to Asia and the United States.

Mr Beattie, who also holds the trade portfolio, said he would be touting Queensland's
cancer research industry during his visits to Hong Kong, and Boston and South Carolina
in the US.

He said he would discuss the cervical cancer vaccine, Gardasil, by University of Queensland
Professor Ian Frazer and his team, research into a prostate cancer vaccine at the Mater
Medical Research Institute, and Queensland company Peplin, which is trialling a compound
derived from weed sap to treat skin cancer.

Mr Beattie said he would use the examples to push Queensland biotechnology at the BIO2007
convention in Boston, where he will be joined by State Development Minister John Mickel.

"It is one of the Smart State's strengths and we will be building on that reputation,"

Mr Beattie said.

Queensland's aviation and power industries will also be promoted in Hong Kong, he said.

On the South Korea leg, the focus would be on education, tourism, and energy, including
a possible research collaboration on clean coal technology and climate change initiatives.

It is Mr Beattie's third overseas trip since being re-elected for a fourth term last September.

AAP jmm/pjo/maur/bwl

KEYWORD: BEATTIE

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

Qld: 70yo swimmer owes life to chance rescue: lifesavers

AAP General News (Australia)
12-30-2006
Qld: 70yo swimmer owes life to chance rescue: lifesavers

By Jessica Marszalek

BRISBANE, Dec 30 AAP - An elderly man has been rescued at a Queensland beach by a lifesaver
who happened to be in the right place at the right time.

The 70-year-old man was dragged from the water unconscious at Mudjimba Beach on the
Sunshine Coast by lifesaver Gavin Brown at about 7.45am (AEST) today.

Mr Brown, 21, said he noticed a boogie board floating out to sea 70 metres outside
a flagged area and went to investigate.

"When I got closer, I saw there was someone attached to the boogie board, I called
out but got no response," Mr Brown said.

"You try not to think worst case scenario but when I got closer and reached out I saw
he was not breathing."

Mr Brown dragged the man onto a sled at the rear of his craft where he regurgitated
water and regained consciousness.

He was given oxygen on the shore and taken by ambulance to Nambour Hospital.

Sunshine Coast duty officer Dave McLean said had Mr Brown not been at the right place
at the right time, the man would have died.

"Had the RWC (rescue water craft) not been conducting routine patrols, the man most
likely would have drowned," he said.

"It is also a reminder that the safest place for people visiting the beach is between
the red and yellow flags."

South-east Queensland beaches were quieter over the past week due to record cool weather,
but lifesavers have reported swelling crowds as the weather improves for the new year.

Lifesavers have appealed to swimmers not to let crowds discourage them from using the
flagged areas.

AAP jmm/apm/de

KEYWORD: RESCUE

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

WA: Main stories in The West Australian

AAP General News (Australia)
08-22-2006
WA: Main stories in The West Australian

PERTH, Aug 22 AAP - Main stories in The West Australian newspaper today:

Page 1: Education Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich says it is not important for students
to know key historical dates, saying they can find the information using the internet
search engine Google. Pic: Three of the Bali bombers, who have had their death sentences
delayed.

Page 3: Music videos featuring images of semi-clad women in dog collars, strippers
and raunchy bedroom scenes are being served up to children as standard breakfast television
fare.

Page 5: Ambulance-chasing lawyers will no longer be able to promote "no win, no fee"

services without disclosing all potential costs after a landmark case in which a personal
injury lawyer was found guilty of unprofessional conduct for misleading advertising.

World: Any chance of long-term peace between Lebanon and Israel has all but vanished
after Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz said his country was preparing for another
round of fighting with Hizbollah.

Business: Coles Myer's board meets today to consider the $15 billion-plus takeover
approach by a Kohlberg Kravis Roberts-led consortium amid speculation the retailer is
considering its own break-up plan to fight off a bid.

Sport: West Coast stars Adam Hunter and Ashley Hansen took big steps towards western
derby selection yesterday morning with impressive training performances at Subiaco Oval.

AAP ag/ks

KEYWORD: MONITOR FRONTERS WA

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

Fed: Federal govt opposes adult internet domain

AAP General News (Australia)
04-15-2006
Fed: Federal govt opposes adult internet domain

The federal government has reportedly written to the international internet domain
name body .. to protest against moves by a US company to establish the adult content domain
.xxx.

Fairfax newspapers say Communications Minister HELEN COONAN wrote to the body .. saying
the domain will increase the availability of pornography.

She also says people could use it to force public figures to pay to prevent their name
becoming an adult site.

A Florida-based company has applied to set up the .xxx internet address .. saying it
would make it easier to identify and block adult sites .. which may currently use .com
or .net.

AAP RTV nr/lb/wf

KEYWORD: DOMAIN (SYDNEY)

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

Athens Stock Exchange

Athens Stock Exchange The only stock exchange in Greece. It was established in 1876 and privatized in 1990, with a new supervisory board and central depository.

Help4Life Launches PortEP, a New System to Assist Schools in Improving Services for Students with Special Needs.

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 1 /PRNewswire/ --

Nashville-based Help4Life announces the launch of PortEP(SM), a new collaborative education system that will change the way schools provide services to students with special needs.

PortEP enables educators to help students with behavioral health and learning needs achieve improved results by reducing administrative and logistical barriers so educators can identify, assess and provide interventions more efficiently and with lower costs.

PortEP offers three performance modules for general education intervention, online team evaluations, and special education tracking. The general education component delivers a data-based, problem-solving process that helps teachers identify and quickly help children before major problems develop.

PortEP also enables educators, for the first time, to coordinate student evaluations online, including input from parents, teachers, psychologists and physicians. The evaluation module makes collecting, organizing and acting on information more efficient, leaving more time for educators to work directly with students and families. The tracking module makes monitoring progress and making corrections less time consuming and allows administrators to manage resources more effectively.

"PortEP provides a cohesive process for identifying and supporting students with behavioral or learning needs from pre-referral to monitoring," said Tammy Gibbs, Help4Life's educational consultant. "Although our system streamlines the assessment and intervention process for educators, the true beneficiaries are the students. The system reduces the administrative work, which means teachers and psychologists can spend more time helping students."

Using PortPlatforms(SM) technology and the power of the Internet, PortEP dramatically reduces the administrative and communications burden on school psychologists, teachers and administrators. This easy-to-use system has enabled some psychologists to see a 40 percent reduction in administrative time. More time and attention from these professionals mean better results for the students.

PortEP's tracking system provides feedback on each student's intervention plan to help generate the best results for that student. In addition, teachers and school psychologists will have complete access to online news, studies and articles on behavioral health and learning disorders.

"As a director of special education, I talk daily with families who call and ask questions about their children's learning needs," said Michael Remus of the Williamson County (Tennessee) School System. "PortEP gives an integrated report with a lot of information about the totality of the child, which really helps parents understand what is exactly going on. With PortEP, parents feel like they are part of the team.

"This system has allowed our educators to spend less time doing administrative work and more time helping kids. And, that's our major goal. Today, assessments can be done in days with PortEP, rather than weeks."

Help4Life, Inc. is a privately held company based in Nashville, Tenn., specializing in developing proprietary software technology that facilitates efficient, effective collaborative tools for professionals and parents. With school contracts in Wisconsin, Illinois and Tennessee, PortEP offers schools the ability to quickly assess and identify student's individual needs. For more information about Help4Life please visit http://www.Help4Life.com or email info@Help4life.com.

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Murray quick to qualify.

Murray quick to qualify for Qatar quarters A near faultless display saw Britain's Andy Murray ease into the quarter finals of the Qatar Open, with a routine dispatching of Germany's Phillip Petzschner 6-2 6-4. Some colossal forehands and well-judged dropshots made sure the world No.4 dominated from start to finish, setting up a last-eight clash with either Alexander Peya of Austria or Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky for the defending champion. It was Murray's first ever meeting with the 24-year-old Petzschner, ranked 66 in the world, and he won the first set in only 37 minutes. The Scot then broke in game three of the second set to put the game to bed. But while it was good news for Murray, world No.5 Nikolay Davydenko suffered a real blow when he was forced to pull out of the Australian Open because of a persistent heel injury. The Russian was knocked out of the Capitala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi last week in the semi-finals by Rafael Nadal and there was more bad news in the new year as he said: "The pain in the left heel started last year. It also bothered me during the Masters Cup in Shanghai in November where I reached the final. Last week when I was in Abu Dhabi, the pain became worse. Now I cannot run, so there is no way I can play tennis. "There is no pain when I am not playing. But if I play for a few days, it increases. I don't know what is happening. I need to get my heel checked. So there was no way I can play at the Australian Open." "I usually do not miss big tournaments, but the pain left me with no option." Meanwhile, last season's Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga survived a scare before edging out Jarkko Nieminen in the Brisbane event. The second seed almost followed Novak Djokovic out the door but had just enough to beat the Finn 0-6, 7-6 (7-1), 7-6 (7-5). In the women's event Ana Ivanovic kept her Australian Open preparations on track with a gruelling 6-7 (4-7), 7-5, 6-1 win over Italy's Roberta Vinci in Brisbane. She next faces former world No.1 Amelie Mauresmo.

2007 Al Sidra Media LLC

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