| Designer auction for UNICEF
SIXTY Australian designers are drawing a thin blue line around the epidemic of children with AIDS/HIV. They have created one-off items for a charity auction. International children’s charity UNICEF asked the designers to create a one-off piece for an online auction which will run between May 6-16. The designers’ only brief was that the piece incorporate a length of cyan-blue string – UNICEF’s signature colour and a symbol of unity. The results are amazing – gorgeous party frocks, jeans, jewellery, art, swimwear, pyjamas and much more. WA designers participating include ericaamerica, Aurelio Costarella and Joveeba. National designers include Sass & Bide, Zimmerman, Willow and Cartier. UNICEF’s Designers United initiative is part of its Unite for Children, Unite Against AIDS campaign which will raise funds to help children affected by HIV/AIDS.
Agents defy auction law
REAL estate agents are selling properties at auction across Melbourne far above advertised prices despite state laws designed to stamp out the practice. A survey by The Age of 95 auctions last weekend found that more than 80 per cent went under the hammer at least 10 per cent and in some cases more than 40 per cent higher than the prices quoted by agents. Leading agents have cited a strong, rising property market to explain why it is hard to pick prices accurately. But the data compiled by The Age shows that the problem is endemic, with agents under-estimating final auction prices by an average of more than 20 per cent last weekend. Among the most dramatic examples last weekend was a two-bedroom house in Niddrie that sold for $395,000 46 per cent more than its quoted price of $270,000-plus.
S. Korea solicits foreign bids for fighter jet purchase project
SEOUL, April 18 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's defense procurement agency said Wednesday that it will invite foreign bids again on its plan to procure 20 advanced combat aircraft by 2012, as Boeing Co. of the United States is the only company that has shown interest in the US$2.4 billion contract.
The bid was expected to become a three-way competition, but no other company made a bid for the project before the deadline, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
"Officials from Boeing Co. Lockheed Martin, and Eurofighter attended a presentation session on March 9, but only Boeing submitted a bid proposal by 3 p.m. today," the agency said in a press release. "We plan to invite bidders once again in accordance with related law."
A DAPA spokesman said if Boeing makes the sole bid again, South Korea will enter into price bargaining with the company.
SHEPHERD’S CENTER Auction ahead
Twelve months of flowers, six months of wine and one hour of professional organizing await the right bid Saturday night. These items and more than 150 others will be auctioned at a benefit for the Shepherd's Center of the Northland. The event includes a dinner, a dance, and live and silent auctions. Proceeds from ticket and auction sales will be used to keep the nonprofit's doors open for Northland seniors who use its services and programs to make their lives easier and more fulfilling. Fundraising is necessary, said executive director Rebecca Gordon, because "none of our programs make money." Last year, more than 2,200 individuals used services or participated in programs. Almost all of these were free. Not quite half of the operating budget of $229,600 comes from grants given to support specific programs.
India bids for Asiad 2014
India and South Korea are making one last attempt to outbid each other as the Olympic Council of Asia's General Assembly meet today ( April 17) to decide the host of the 2014 Asian Games. The 45-member OCA, headed by Council President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, will announce their decision tomorrow (April 18) after the conclusion of its two-day general assembly. South Korea's Incheon and Delhi are in fray to win the bid for the games but India sounded confident of bringing back the Asiad after a long gap of 32 years. Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi said, "We are doing our canvassing very well. Many Asian countries are backing us. The next 24-hours will be crucial. We are noting what they are doing and we will do everything needed at the floor tomorrow," .
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