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TRENTON Internet gambling is a step closer to reality in New Jersey after an Assembly panel this morning advanced legislation proponents say is critical to the survival of Atlantic City casinos.

The release of A2578 by the Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee sends the issue of internet gambling to the full Assembly for a potential vote before the state Legislature takes its summer recess in July. But the legislation and a companion bill in the Senate that already passed the committee phase, will most likely be taken up after the break in September, said Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-Gloucester), a sponsor.

"This is another key piece of our effort to boost New Jersey's gaming industry by expanding and modernizing our wagering options," he said later in a release. "This will rejuvenate our tourist industry while increasing employment, capital investment and much needed urban redevelopment."

Only games offered in Atlantic City's casinos would be available online, according to the bill. Responding to Gov. Chris Christie's veto of an earlier version of the bill, A2578 prohibits commercial establishments such as restaurants and bar from hosting or advertising internet gambling. In rejecting the earlier bill, Christie said he wants to keep all forms of gambling inside Atlantic City.

Assemblyman Ralph Caputo (D-Essex) voted against the measure because he said he wants gambling expanded beyond the resort town and believes race tracks such as the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park should be allowed to host internet gaming rooms.

Caputo's rejection of the bill did not sit well with Enid Torok, vice chairwoman of the New Jersey Casino Revenue Fund Advisory Committee, which distributes a portion of the state's casino revenue to 18 programs for senior citizens and the disabled, such as Meals on Wheels.

She said many of these programs have limited or even stopped services because of the cut in funding from the shortage in casino revenue.

"This is gut level," she told Caputo. "We're dealing with real human beings here."

Caputo, a former Essex County freeholder, said he was concerned about the shortage to the programs but was turned off by casinos looking for a 'bail out' from the state. "So don't come here and scold me," he snapped at Torok.

Under this bill, the state would get 20 percent of the gross internet gambling revenue and the casinos would contribute another 5 percent to the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.

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Internet gambling in N.J. rolls one step closer to reality

Supporters of the activist lawyer have kept the torch burning for his release using Internet memes: online pieces of content that spread their message without rousing China's infamous censors.

Chen Guangchengs escape from house arrest has caught the attention of Chinas vast Internet community, despite his name being blocked by the Great Firewall of China, the nations Internet censors. The vehicle that sidesteps the censorship? The Internet meme.

Internet meme is a term that defies easy definition. Generally speaking, it is an idea or concept that rapidly spreads through the Internets population, often fueled by a kind of ironic humor. From lolcats cat pictures juxtaposed with misspelled text to Rickrolling, hundreds of memes exist, with more being created daily by the denizens of the Internet. Indeed, an entire website has been devoted to documenting individual memes rise and fall.

But the Western English-speaking world does not hold a monopoly on Internet memes; every online sphere has its own collection of memes, including China. And some memes have an added function in Chinas heavily censored Internet: vehicle for political critique. Design strategist and meme researcher An Xiao Mina, speaking this past weekend at ROFLcon, a convention about Internet memes at MIT in Cambridge, Mass., called them the street art of the social web.

Overt political criticism remains out-of-bounds for most online Chinese, as automated Internet filtering and alert human censors work to purge sensitive references. But memes allow Chinese Web users to express themselves by using a kind of guerrilla activism avoiding the keywords that flag the automated filters and disguising political messages such that human censors cannot distinguish them from the overwhelming volume of innocuous online speech.

Take Chens captivity and subsequent escape, which have been inspiration for a number of Chinese memes. One of the simplest is the Dark Glasses Portrait, a phenomenon started in China, where Chen supporters take pictures of themselves wearing sunglasses in reference to the blind activists eyewear. In isolation, each photo does not trip the sensors of the Great Firewall the photos are simply photos, the sunglasses simply sunglasses. But in the aggregate, the hundreds of photos send a loud message.

Other memes are more complex, using visual codes, parodies, and satire. An artist supporter of Chen created a satirical KFC ad, featuring a cartoon version of Chen in place of the Colonel, and the slogan Free CGC. The similarity to KFC ads, which can be found all over China, provides a loose disguise, enabling Chens supporters to post the image say, as a bumper sticker despite its political message.

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Seeking Chen Guangcheng's freedom in China via 'Internet meme'

FAIRFAX, Va., May 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- ThinkGeek, a Geeknet (GKNT) company and the premier retailer for the global geek community, is proud to announce that it has risen to the rank of #175 on Internet Retailer's 2012 list of America's 500 largest e-retailers. When told the news, ThinkGeek staff attempted to create a human pyramid in celebration only to have the effort devolve into a discussion about the merits of a right versus oblique pyramid.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120509/SF04293LOGO)

"This is a tremendous company and we have the opportunity to continue growing at a solid pace," states Colon Washburn, President and CEO of ThinkGeek. "Our development of custom products is something others can't do and it has earned our customers' dedication."

In the past year, ThinkGeek has experienced continued growth led by products like the iCADE and the Electronic Rock Guitar Shirt driving steady sales. Not content to simply sell unique items, ThinkGeek takes a great deal of pride in entertaining their customers, as is evidenced by the company's yearly April Fool's shenanigans.

Internet Retailer's definitive ranking and analysis of America's 500 largest e-retailers is based on annual 2011 Internet sales, researched by Internet Retailer and confirmed by retailers. This report includes company financial, operational and performance data, as well as vendors in key categories.

For more information, visit http://www.ThinkGeek.com or contact Steve Zimmermann at 703-259-8423 or Steve@thinkgeek.com.

ABOUT THINKGEEK

ThinkGeek is the premier retailer for the global geek community. A wholly owned subsidiary of Geeknet, Inc. (GKNT), ThinkGeek was founded in 1999 to serve the distinct needs and interests of technology professionals and enthusiasts. Today, ThinkGeek has grown to become the first choice for innovative and imaginative gifts that appeal to the geek in everyone. For more information, please visit http://www.thinkgeek.com or call 1-888-GEEKSTUFF.

ABOUT GEEKNET

Geeknet is the online network for the global geek community. We serve an audience of approximately 50 million users* each month and provide the tech-obsessed with content, culture, connections, commerce and all the things that geeks crave. Want to learn more? Visit geek.net

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ThinkGeek Ascends to #175 in Internet Retailer's 2012 Top 500 List

POMPANO BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Clearband Hi-Speed Internet Service has debuted in South Florida and today announces a major expansion in coverage area and the creation of a number of professional positions at all levels. Clearband, with headquarters in Pompano Beach, currently offers premium Internet services to residential and small business customers in the Margate area, with significant expansion scheduled to take place in Broward and Palm Beach counties throughout 2012-13.

In gearing up for its expansion, Clearband is looking to fill a number of positions, including Field Sales Executives, Field Technicians, Customer Service Representatives, Engineers, Data Analysts, Network and Operations Managers and IT Project Managers to name a few.

This is a great time to launch a high-tech company in South Florida, said Darren Nichols, Clearbands Regional Director. We have a great pool of candidates in the area who are ready and eager to work, and a rapidly growing demand for premium Internet services at affordable prices. Its definitely a recipe for success.

Clearband offers a modern alternative to standard wire-line technologies: a high-bandwidth state-of-the-art wireless delivery system that is engineered from the ground up for Internet service. Customers receive a direct broadband signal from Clearbands tower transmitters to their homes. Clearbands wireless bandwidth is extensive and the electronics are optimized for Internet service, resulting in Internet speeds that are significantly faster today with plenty of headroom for tomorrow. Clearband offers premium performance at competitive pricing for homes and small businesses.

About Clearband

Clearband Hi-Speed Internet is a broadband wireless Internet services company that offers residential and small business solutions. Led by veterans of the telecommunications industry, its state-of-the-art wireless technology provides secure, premium service to meet the varying needs of its customers.

For additional information, visit http://www.clearband.com.

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Clearband Hi-Speed Internet Services Launches in South Florida

RAMAT GAN, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Internet Gold Ltd. (NASDAQ Global Select Market and TASE: IGLD) ("Internet Gold" or "The Company) today reported its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.

Bezeq - On-Track Performance: The Bezeq Group reported another stable quarter, delivering revenues of NIS 2.7 billion ($ 738 million) and operating profit of NIS 850 million ($ 229 million) for the period. Bezeqs EBITDA for the first quarter of 2012 totaled NIS 1.2 billion ($ 323 million), representing an EBITDA margin of 44.1%. Net profit attributable to Bezeq shareholders for the period totaled NIS 582 million ($ 157 million).

Dividend from Bezeq: On April 24, 2012, the general meeting of Bezeq's shareholders approved a dividend distribution of NIS 1,074 million ($ 289 million) to Bezeq's shareholders of record on May 4, 2012. The dividend, which is in line with Bezeqs stated dividend distribution policy, is expected to be paid on May 21, 2012. Internet Golds subsidiary, B Communications Ltd., is expected to receive approximately NIS 334 million ($ 90 million) representing its share of the dividend.

On May 21, 2012, Bezeq is also expected to distribute the third NIS 500 million installment of the NIS 3.0 billion special dividend that was approved by its shareholders on January 24, 2011. Accordingly, B Communications expects to receive an additional NIS 155 million ($ 42 million) on the payment date, representing its share of the special dividend. On March 29, 2012 and on April 4, 2012, objections were filed with the Economic Division of the Tel Aviv District Court, opposing the continued payments of such distribution. Both objections were filed by holders of B Communications Debentures (Series 5), who filed similar objections in the second half of 2011. Bezeq denied the arguments set forth in the objections and asserted that there is no basis for the relief sought. The Court heard the closing arguments on the objections on May 2, 2012.

Cash Position: As of March 31, 2012, Internet Golds unconsolidated cash and cash equivalents totaled NIS 325 million ($ 87 million), its unconsolidated total debt was NIS 1.1 billion ($ 304 million), and its net debt totaled NIS 806 million ($ 217 million).

Internet Gold Unconsolidated Balance Sheet Data*

(US dollars in millions)

* Does not include the balance sheet of B Communications

Internet Golds First Quarter Consolidated Financial Results

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Internet Gold Reports First Quarter 2012 Financial Results