New test may help with Bladder cancer

A SIMPLE urine test may be able to distinguish between aggressive and low-grade bladder cancers, allowing doctors to tailor personalised treatments, say scientists.

Researchers measured levels of a protein shed by bladder tumours in 600 patients. They found that higher amounts of the protein, EpCAM, in the urine were associated with more aggressive cancers.

Study author Dr Douglas Ward, from the University of Birmingham, said: "This protein could be used to help doctors to decide what the best course of investigation or treatment for the patients is, and may prevent unnecessary delays.

"We've known for some time that the protein EpCAM is released from some tumour cells but it wasn't clear whether it would be useful as a way to decide the best investigation and treatment for patients suspected of having bladder cancer. We are now planning further studies to test the benefits of urine biomarker testing to patients and the NHS."

Each year around 10,300 bladder cancers are diagnosed in the UK and 5,000 people die from the disease.

In many cases, the tumours are superficial and do not pose a significant risk to life. Invasive cancers that spread into the surrounding muscles of the bladder are less common but can be fatal.

Martin Ledwick, head information nurse at Cancer Research UK, which funded the study, said: "This research has shed new light on a protein that we've known for some time is linked to certain types of cancer. Developing a urine test to work out how aggressive or advanced a patient's tumour is could replace the need for more invasive and costlier tests used by doctors at the moment."

The research is published in the British Journal of Cancer.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Aust set to assume chair of G20

AUSTRALIA will assume the chairmanship of the G20 on Sunday, giving it the key role in setting the agenda and managing the summit to be held in Brisbane next November.

The G20 is the top global forum for examining the world's economic and financial challenges, with member countries representing 85 per cent of world GDP and 80 per cent of global trade.

The Brisbane summit, from November 15-16, is expected to attract 4000 delegates and 3000 journalists.

The first ministerial-level event leading up to the leaders' summit will be the finance ministers and central bank governors meeting in Sydney on February 21-23. Canberra will host a deputies-level meeting in January.

Cairns will host a second meeting of finance ministers and bank governors from September 20-21.

Beyond the G20 nations, Spain, Myanmar, the chair of the African Union as well as another African country and an yet-to-be-named Asian country will be invited to attend the summit.

Australia assumes the chairmanship role from Russia, with Turkey to host the 2015 summit.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pakistan PM in Kabul to discuss Taliban

PAKISTAN'S prime minister says that the recent release of a senior Taliban leader shows he is committed to helping bring peace to Afghanistan.

Nawaz Sharif said after meeting in Kabul with Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Saturday that an agreement had been reached for members of an Afghan peace council to continue talks with Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who was released from Pakistani detention last September.

The Taliban's former No. 2 was set free after years in detention and some officials hope he can help jumpstart the peace process, while others have their doubts. An Afghan delegation met with him last week, officials said, the first such encounter since his release.

"A few days ago Salahuddin Rabbani, the head of the peace council, visited Pakistan so we once again discussed the peace process," Karzai said after meeting Sharif. "We discussed how Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United States can work together to bring peace to the region."

Both men made very short remarks after their meeting and provided no other details. Both expressed their general desire for closer ties, trade and regional peace and agreed to work toward those goals.

Pakistan is beset by its own Taliban insurgency that has claimed the lives of thousands of soldiers and civilians in recent years.

It was Sharif's first visit to Afghanistan since being elected. Karzai has been pushing Pakistan for help in talking to the Taliban, where of its leaders are thought to be based. Kabul has sought Islamabad's help to bring the militant group to the table.

Sharif also said they discussed trade and energy issues.

The topics under discussion included a plan to expand an electricity distribution network to ship surplus power from the Central Asian states of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan through Afghanistan and into Pakistan, which suffers massive power shortages that threaten its industrial production and economy.

Another project is a planned natural gas pipeline from Turkmenistan that will pass through Afghanistan to Pakistan and end up in India.

Relations between the two countries have been testy and Afghanistan has often accused Pakistan of aiding Taliban leaders sheltering across the border. Sharif has nonetheless made improving ties with Afghanistan a priority.

Karzai was in Pakistan last August and the two leaders again met in October, where they agreed during a London meeting for Islamabad to allow an Afghan peace delegation to meet with

Pakistan has released around four dozen Taliban prisoners over the last year in an attempt to help peace talks, but there is no sign they have made any difference.

The Taliban have refused to talk directly with Karzai, his government or its representatives. US-backed talks between Afghanistan and the Taliban failed in June after Karzai accused the militants of setting up a government in exile. The Taliban have since closed their office in the Gulf state of Qatar.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

No Aussies caught in helicopter pub crash

IT appears that no Australians were in a Glasgow pub when a police helicopter crashed into the roof on Friday night killing at least one person.

There were more than 100 revellers in the Clutha pub when the incident occurred and the death toll is expected to rise.

Thirty-two people had been taken by ambulance to three Glasgow hospitals. Rescuers are still searching through the ruins of the pub.

"We are not aware of any Australians involved," a spokeswoman for the Australian High Commission in London said on Saturday morning.

"We remain in contact with the Scottish authorities."

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond called it a "black day" for Scotland as he sent his condolences to the bereaved on Saturday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said UK authorities had not advised it of any Australians affected "at this stage".

"The rescue operation is still underway," a spokeswoman told AAP in a statement.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

NRL's Russell Packer charged with assault

Newcastle Knights recruit Russell Packer has been charged with assault over a fight in Sydney. Source: AAP

NRL player Russell Packer has been charged over a fight in which he allegedly fractured a man's eye socket.

Packer, 24, and a 22-year-old from Summer Hill in Sydney's inner west allegedly fought in Martin Place in central Sydney early on Saturday morning after they were booted from a hotel, police say.

The younger man was found unconscious at the scene and taken to St Vincent's Hospital with a fractured eye socket.

Packer turned himself in to Newcastle police on Friday afternoon.

The 112-kilogram Newcastle Knights recruit, who played several seasons at prop with the New Zealand Warriors, was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and failing to leave a licensed premises.

He was granted bail and is due before the Downing Centre Local Court on January 6.

The charges against Packer come days after Manly prop Richie Fa'aoso fronted court after allegedly smashing furniture, kicking a door off its hinges and breaking a window during a drunken domestic dispute.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Drugs, gun powder seized from south Sydney

DRUGS, gun powder, fireworks and air rifles have been seized from a home in Sydney's south.

Police found the prohibited goods while searching a Peakhurst home on Friday morning.

Ammunition, nine cannabis plants, ecstasy, magic mushrooms, prescription drugs, gun powder, fireworks and three air rifles were taken.

A 38-year-old man has been charged with several offences including cultivating prohibited plants and possessing unauthorised firearms.

Police say he's due before court "at a later date".

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Female serial killer stands by pleas

A BRITISH female serial killer who admitted to murdering three men will stand by her guilty pleas.

The bodies of Lukasz Slaboszewski, 31, Kevin Lee, 48, and John Chapman, 56, were found in ditches in Cambridgeshire, England, in March.

Joanna Dennehy, 31, pleaded guilty to the murders at the Old Bailey, but lawyers were granted time to apply to change these pleas after the court heard they were "unexpected".

They have now confirmed to the court that no application will be made.

After entering her pleas, Dennehy told judge Justice Sweeney: "I've pleaded guilty, and that's that."

But her barrister, Nigel Lickley QC, said: "The course of the arraignment is not one we had anticipated."

The bodies of the victims were found in March and April. All three had been stabbed.

Dennehy also admitted "preventing the lawful and decent burial" of all three murder victims and two charges of attempting to murder two other men.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Brazilian city loses ground to squatters

Squatters in Brazil's biggest city, faced with a lack of housing, are taking over old buildings. Source: AAP

SAO Paulo's housing department estimates this Brazilian city of more than 11 million people is short of adequate homes for at least 230,000 families. As a result, thousands of people are living in abandoned buildings downtown or in tents and flimsy shacks put up on any empty plot of land they can find.

Maria de Moraes, a 58-year-old widow, is one of 300 squatters who've fashioned tiny apartments in an old 12-storey building once occupied by offices on a busy pedestrian street just a block from the chic Municipal Theatre.

"This was my only option," said Moraes, whose six-square-metre room is almost filled by a double bed with multicoloured bedspread, a chest of drawers and a single chair.

"I was paying about 600 reals ($A286) a month for a small room on the outskirts and earning about the same in social security payments. ... I had nothing left over for food or medicine and would always have to ask neighbours for help."

She has to share a communal bathroom and kitchen with fellow squatters, but she does not pay rent.

About 700 people seized a hill next to the posh Morumbi neighbourhood in late October, and set up tents in neat rows. They hope authorities will expropriate the land for housing.

"Rats and cockroaches have always occupied this land and now it is our turn," said one of squatters, who would give only his first name, Leandro.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Indonesia not rushing to restore ties

Julie Bishop described talks with Indonesia over the spying controversy as a positive step forward. Source: AAP

INDONESIAN Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa has cast doubt over a quick resumption of conventional relations with Canberra, saying there are issues to be addressed before official talks on a code of conduct can start.

Speaking on Thursday after a five-hour hearing on the spying scandal in front of the Indonesian parliament's foreign affairs and defence committee, Dr Natalegawa warned that drafting a code of conduct was merely the first step on a long road back to normal diplomatic relations.

It has also become clear the letter from Prime Minister Tony Abbott, delivered to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Saturday, has done little to quell Indonesia's anger over the spying revelations and Australia's response to the demands for an explanation.

An official at the closed-door hearing said Dr Natalegawa told those present he was not able to divulge details of the correspondence from Mr Abbott.

Dr Natalegawa also warned he must be assured by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop that Australia was committed to signing up to a code of conduct, including protocols around spying, before official discussions could take place.

"Having this first step of communication will be very important to see whether there is sufficient reservoir of potential for us to be moving to the next step, namely the discussion on the code of conduct itself."

Ms Bishop said on Thursday she hoped the early discussions with Dr Natalegawa would be a first step towards normalising relations.

"We're doing it in a spirit of co-operation, it's a very positive step forward," she said in Sydney. It is believed Ms Bishop will be heading to Jakarta soon to begin negotiations.

But Dr Natalegawa later warned that drafting a code of conduct was only the beginning.

"That road map has been very clearly laid out by the president. There is nothing mysterious here. Australia needs to sit together with Indonesia and show good intention," Dr Natalegawa said.

The next bilateral leaders' meeting is not scheduled until late 2014, meaning it could be almost 12 months before the code of conduct - which at Mr Yudhoyono's insistence must be signed by himself and Mr Abbott - is ratified.

It would take even longer, Dr Natalegawa warned, for Indonesia to evaluate Australia's response and compliance.

Dr Natalegawa warned the re-establishment of co-operation in areas such as the military and police, including joint efforts aimed at combating people smuggling, would remain contingent on Australia adhering to the agreement.

"Most importantly, the fifth and the sixth steps, the protocol and code of ethics must be implemented and there must be time to allow for evaluation that it has been implemented," he said.

"The sixth step (is) that there is a re-establishment or revival of a sense of trust before we can proceed to look at the bilateral co-operation between the two countries."

Dr Natalegawa also confirmed Indonesia's ambassador to Australia, Nadjib Riphat Kesoema, would remain in Jakarta while bilateral issues remained unresolved.

"He is still here and I've told him to make himself comfortable in Jakarta and there's no need to rush to go back to Australia," Dr Natalegawa said.

Dr Yudhoyono earlier this week demanded Australia sign up to the "code of ethics and protocols", saying they were needed to map out the future bilateral relationship.

The president has insisted that the code of conduct must address the spying issue and contain protocols to ensure similar espionage activities do not occur again.

Dr Yudhoyono suspended military, security and people-smuggling co-operation this month after revelations Australian spies targeted his mobile phone, his wife's phone and those of his inner circle, in 2009.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tourist forced oral sex, court hears

A BRITISH tourist accused of forcing a woman to perform oral sex on him on Bondi Beach told her he had a lot of money and if she told the police it wouldn't go anywhere.

Gregory Charles Cox, 32, is facing two charges of having sexual intercourse without consent with a then-21-year-old Bermuda woman he met at beachside bar The Bucket List on January 22, 2012.

He has pleaded not guilty.

Crown Prosecutor Elizabeth Wilkins SC told the jury at the opening of his trial on Thursday that the woman had kissed and exchanged numbers with Cox's friend Christopher Galea.

But she also talked to Cox about the private school he had attended in England.

After several hours of drinking the pair walked on the beach together.

That is when the woman remembers having her back to the water and Cox being with her with his back to a concrete wall, Ms Wilkins told the jury at the Sydney District Court.

"She recalls being on her knees, trying to stand up but not being able to," Ms Wilkins said.

"She recalls being held down, she recalls crying and being terrified."

The crown alleges Cox then forced her to perform oral sex on him twice.

"Make it worth my while. There's nothing you can do about it," he had allegedly said to her.

He was also accused of saying, "I have a lot of money" and told the woman if she went to the police or told anyone "it would go nowhere".

The woman left the beach crying and sought the help of a couple who took her to Bondi Police Station, the jury heard.

Meanwhile, Cox had handed in her handbag to Kings Cross Police Station and told officers that a woman he had met at a bar had left it there.

The jury also heard that he told a friend that he had the woman give him oral sex on the beach but she then "freaked", left her bag behind and left.

The trial continues.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Abbott backs Bishop over China dispute

Tony Abbott says Australia will speak its mind on China's territorial dispute with Japan. Source: AAP

PRIME Minister Tony Abbott says Australia will speak its mind on China's territorial dispute with Japan, after his foreign minister was accused of finger-pointing over the East China Sea stand-off.

Julie Bishop expressed concern this week over China's moves to impose an air-defence zone over what it calls the Diaoyu Islands, saying the provocative action was done without consultation and could increase tensions in the region.

That strained diplomatic ties with China, which has described her comments as irresponsible.

But the prime minister says while the issue has to be treated reasonably and proportionately, it is important for Australia to speak out when its interests are at stake.

"We believe in freedom of navigation, navigation of the seas, navigation of the air, and I think there is a significant issue here - that's why it was important to call in the Chinese ambassador to put a point of view to him," Mr Abbott told reporters in Canberra on Thursday.

"We're a strong ally of the United States, we're a strong ally of Japan, we have a very strong view that international disputes should be settled peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law and where we think that's not happening, or it's not happening appropriately, we'll speak our mind."

Mr Abbott dismissed suggestions trade relations with China could be damaged.

"China trades with us because it's in China's interests to trade with us," he said.

"I think China fully understands that on some issues we're going to take a different position to them."

Ms Bishop said Australia was not taking sides in the territorial dispute, but pointed out other countries had expressed concerns about China's actions.

"This is a matter of long-standing Australian policy. We've raised it before and the response from China was to be expected," she told Sky News.

"Australia has a key stake in the region and we would oppose action by any side that we believe could add to the tensions or add to the risk of a miscalculation in disputed territorial zones in the region."

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said the government had a "rocky start" to foreign affairs after China emerged as a new diplomatic hot-spot as it also tried to rebuild trust with Indonesia following spying revelations.

"We accept that they've had a rocky start in foreign affairs, we want them to get it right," he told reporters in Canberra.

Chinese Ambassador to Australia Ma Zhaoxu issued a statement overnight criticising the federal government's "finger-pointing" and defending Beijing's actions.

"The move is aimed at safeguarding national sovereignty and security of territory and territorial airspace and maintaining the order of flight," he said.

"It is not directed against any specific country or target. China does not accept Australia's groundless accusations."

The United States has also criticised Beijing's establishment of the air-defence zone and Vice President Joe Biden will address the controversy during a trip to Beijing next week.

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera that China's move "is a potentially destabilising action designed to change the status quo in the region, and raises the risk of misunderstanding and miscalculation."

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tears, cheers for shark victim

Shark attack victim Chris Boyd (R) has been remembered in an emotional service in the WA waves. Source: AAP

CHRIS Boyd - the surfer killed by a shark in the waters off Gracetown - has been remembered in an emotional service in the West Australian waves.

Mr Boyd's parents and his partner Krystle Westwood were joined near the spot where he died last weekend by dozens of well-wishers and mourners who remembered the 35-year-old's life.

About 100 surfers paddled out into the ocean at Gracetown Beach, where there were cheers and tears.

Mr Boyd's parents Charlie and Barbara set off a flare in their son's memory, while a wreath sent from his friends at the Coolum Boardriders Club in his native Queensland was laid.

A paddle-out in Mr Boyd's memory is planned in Queensland for December 8.

Through Christian Surfers Australia, an appeal has been launched to raise money to help cover Mr Boyd's funeral costs.

Donations can be made through the Christian Surfers Australia Facebook page.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

NSW MP flags inquiry into Currawong sale

THE NSW Parliament has flagged an inquiry into the controversial sale of a former union-owned retreat on Sydney's northern beaches.

Nationals MP Trevor Khan gave notice in state parliament on Wednesday night he would move a motion on the next sitting day to see a committee investigate the sale of the holiday property Currawong.

A select committee would scrutinise the property's long and chequered history, including the offer slain businessman Michael McGurk made when Unions NSW had the property up for sale.

A committee would also examine the Land and Property Management Authority's (LPMA) purchase of the property in 2011 from company Eco Villages Australia, which bought it from Unions NSW.

Opposition Leader John Robertson has come under fire recently after he revealed Mr McGurk offered him a $3 million sweetener in exchange for the sale of Currawong.

Mr Robertson, who was then head of Unions NSW, flatly rejected the bribe, but did not report it to police.

Mr Khan's notice of motion states the select committee would also examine "the ministerial propriety" of Mr Robertson's actions and statements.

The piece of Pittwater real estate has already been at the centre of an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) inquiry.

ICAC found former NSW lands minister Tony Kelly acted corruptly when he backdated a letter LPMA used to buy the property two weeks before the March 2011 election.

19.00 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Give Kiwis fair go in Australia'

A NEW Zealand politician has urged Australia to give Kiwis living in the country a "fair go".

Opposition Leader David Cunliffe has used a high-level meeting in Sydney to lobby for New Zealanders to be treated the same as Australians living in New Zealand.

"For all sorts of historical reasons, New Zealanders living in Australia are not treated the same as Australians living in New Zealand," he told the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum on Wednesday.

"For example, Australians studying in New Zealand can access our student allowances and loans after two years, while most Kiwis studying in Australia are denied similar payments.

"New Zealanders living in Australia are also forced to pay public disability insurance, but most will get no support if a tragedy occurs.

"In contrast, Australians living in New Zealand pay into our ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) system and are given that support if the need arises."

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has signalled there'll be no significant change to rules enacted in 2001 that deny new Kiwi arrivals some key benefits of permanent residency while keeping the right of abode in Australia.

The one concession so far to New Zealand lobbying on behalf of its so-called "second-class citizens" is that - subject to legislation being passed in Canberra - student loans will be available from January 1, 2015 for Kiwis who've lived in Australia for 10 years.

Mr Cunliffe, who is leader of the NZ Labour Party, said another fundamental area where there wasn't a fair go both ways was citizenship.

"Australian nationals who come to live in New Zealand can eventually become full participants in New Zealand life, but many New Zealand nationals in Australia cannot become fully-fledged Australians."

He said there was a widespread misconception that New Zealand migrants to Australia had lower than average skills and were more likely than average to be unemployed.

"New Zealanders moving to Australia, of whom we have regrettably had over 200,000 in the life of our current government alone, tend to have higher than average skill levels and to be from younger than average age cohorts.

"In many cases they bring with them the benefit of years of investment from the New Zealand education system, including at tertiary level."

19.00 | 0 komentar | Read More

Police search WA property for missing teen

Several people are being questioned over the disappearance of WA teenager Hayley Dodd 14 years ago. Source: AAP

A PROPERTY is being forensically examined and several people are being questioned over the disappearance of West Australian teenager Hayley Dodd 14 years ago.

Hayley was 17 when she was last seen in July 1999 walking along North West Road near Badgingarra, north of Perth, after picking up a lift while hitchhiking from Dongara.

But in what is shaping as a major breakthrough, a re-examination of evidence has led police to return to a property just minutes from where Hayley disappeared.

Commander Scott Higgins from WA Police said ground-penetrating radar technology would be used to search the property, while several persons of interest were being quizzed.

"Hayley's disappearance has long been a case that has proven difficult, but one that WA Police remain committed to solving," Commander Higgins said.

"We know the family members of long-term missing persons and unsolved homicide victims suffer, and we want to find the answers that may bring them some comfort."

The search could take up to a week, he said.

Police were reluctant to give details of the people being questioned, only to say there was more than one and some of them had been interviewed before.

They also confirmed they had visited the property before, but had not searched it in detail.

No one has been charged with her disappearance, although the movements of Bradley John Murdoch - the infamous killer of Peter Falconio - were examined in relation to her disappearance.

A coronial inquest into the teen's disappearance had been provisionally set to take place in January, after a concerted appeal by Hayley's mother, Margaret Dodd.

She was informed of the developments on Wednesday, and was said to be happy at the new information provided.

19.00 | 0 komentar | Read More

Navy show off sub rescue capability

The navy has shown it can rescue crew members from a sunken submarine in its latest rescue exercise. Source: AAP

THE navy has shown it can rescue crew members from a sunken submarine, should that ever be necessary.

The submarine escape and rescue exercise involved flying a special rescue submersible from Henderson, Western Australia to the east cast, where it was loaded onto Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Ocean Shield.

The 21.5 tonne LR5 submersible then docked with submarine HMAS Farncomb bottomed in 112 metres of water, "rescued" crew members and returned them to the surface where they were transferred into a decompression chamber.

Australian navy submarine force commander Captain Mark Potter said it was unlikely this equipment would ever be needed.

"Should the unthinkable happen, it is essential that we have established and well practiced procedures in place to rescue personnel," he said in a statement.

During Exercise Black Carillon, the navy worked closely with contractor James Fisher Defence to test the equipment on the east coast.

This was the first time that ADV Ocean Shield was used as a mother ship.

Australia is a member of the International Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Organisation which would provide international support should one of the six Australian submarines be disabled.

19.00 | 0 komentar | Read More

Shark protection laws could change in WA

WA is considering changing laws so sharks that stay close to southwest beaches can be killed. Source: AAP

HE is not labelling it a shark cull, but Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett says the state government may change laws so sharks lingering near the southwest coast can be killed.

Some surfers have demanded a shark cull after another fatal attack at the weekend and Mr Barnett says options are being considered.

"I don't know if it's a cull as such - and maybe that means different things to different people - but I certainly acknowledge that the public is demanding that sharks, where they stay around popular swimming or surfing areas, should be destroyed. I'm in that camp," he said.

However, such a measure was not necessarily going to be implemented, Mr Barnett said.

"I want to reassure people that the shark patrols using helicopters have been effective in spotting sharks and if you swim at beaches that are patrolled and stay within those areas, you are safe."

"The risk is for people going out and surfing ... or going and diving on reefs off the coast. That is where the real danger is."

Mr Barnett said the state government would need to seek federal government approval to kill great white sharks because they were a protected species.

"Where it's deemed to be an imminent danger, we can proceed if it's a matter of destroying the shark," he said.

"It may be that we will widen the definition of imminent danger."

But Fisheries Shark Response Unit spokesman Tony Cappelluti said culling had not been researched.

Mr Cappelluti said the department had tagged 338 sharks - 140 of which were great whites.

He said the department would also keep a closer eye on beaches in the southwest while school leavers were there this week.

Chris Boyd, 35, was surfing at popular surf break Umbies off Gracetown when a suspected great white shark bounced off another surfer's board and attacked him on Saturday morning.

Anaesthetist Dennis Millard, who was surfing near Mr Boyd, said it was all over very fast and there was not much he could do to help the 35-year-old father of two.

"I think it would have been very painless and quick," he told reporters.

The doctor has since bonded with the Boyd family.

"He was an absolute water man, who was a warrior of the ocean."

An imminent threat order issued after the shark attack was rescinded on Monday night after the department failed to catch a shark potentially responsible for the attack.

Mr Boyd's death is WA's first fatal shark attack this year.

It comes weeks after abalone diver Greg Pickering was bitten by a five-metre great white while diving off the coast of Esperance.

There have been three fatal shark attacks in Gracetown in the past 10 years.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Vic govt criticised for project secrecy

THE Victorian government has been criticised for its secrecy about the cost of new major projects in the auditor-general's report on the state's finances.

The report, which looks at the state's financial performance for 2012-13, says changes introduced by the Victorian Liberal government resulted in it no longer revealing the budgets of major projects when they were announced, citing commercial sensitivities and the potential to increase tender prices.

In the 2013-14 Victorian budget, six major infrastructure projects were announced without specifying their total end costs.

"The absence of project cost information limits the availability of parliament and the public to hold the government to account for the efficient and economic delivery of projects," the Annual Financial Report of the State of Victoria says.

It recommends that once tender processes for a project are completed and contracts signed, expected project costs should be revealed to the public.

Opposition scrutiny of government spokesman Martin Pakula said the government's approach to costings transparency was the exact opposite of what it promised voters at the election.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

No post-poll sales boost for Harvey Norman

Harvey Norman's CEO says the retailer hasn't seen a rise in sales since the federal election. Source: AAP

RETAILER Harvey Norman says a rise in consumer confidence since the federal election has not provided a boost in its sales.

"We were expecting after the election that there might be some huge jump but there wasn't," chief executive Katie Page told the company's annual general meeting.

Several measures of consumer confidence and spending have shown improvements since the September 7 election, but Harvey Norman is the latest big retailer to say that has not benefited its business.

Ms Page said trading conditions for Harvey Norman's Australian stores were "just steady as she goes", though its New Zealand business continued to performing strongly.

The electronics and furniture retailer is hoping for a stronger Christmas period, she said.

"We're all hoping for a great Christmas but every retailer is always optimistic for Christmas," Ms Page said.

The company's chairman and founder Gerry Harvey said the company was looking for other ways to grow its business, including building apartments on its existing properties.

"Because we've got such a lot of properties there are some things we can do to make them more profitable," he said.

"There are a number of properties we can build residential towers on, that will probably happen."

Harvey Norman shares gained seven cents, or 2.2 per cent, to $3.29.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Qld oppn gets even on CMC saga

Queensland's opposition has reinstated three sacked members to the Crime and Misconduct Commission. Source: AAP

QUEENSLAND'S opposition got mad, but now they've got even in a tussle with the government over the latest Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) saga.

Three members of the Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Committee (PCMC) sacked by the state government last week have been reinstated by Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Labor MPs Jackie Trad and Jo-Ann Miller and independent Peter Wellington had been accused of prejudging acting CMC chair Ken Levy.

An investigation was underway into whether Dr Levy misled the committee over contact he had with the government before penning an opinion piece in support of contentious anti-bikie laws.

Ms Palaszczuk says she's standing up to the Newman government's bullyboy tactics, and protecting one of the most important committees in the parliament.

"We will not be dictated to about who we put on that committee," she told reporters on Tuesday.

The government now has four of the seven MPs on the replacement committee, including chairman Steve Davies.

Ms Palaszczuk says she has no faith in Mr Davies as PCMC chair, considering his inexperience and past involvement with organised criminal gangs.

It's reported he had contact with a bikie gang Sergeant At Arms to discipline a gang member that he was in a dispute with.

Mr Davies told AAP that before he was an MP he'd worked at the biggest motorcycle dealer in Brisbane and had many contacts with bikies.

"We dealt with them all the time actually, of all different ilks - outlaw ones, Bandidos, Black Ulysses, you name it, there's no big deal," he told AAP.

"I've never had a BBQ with them or anything, I just worked in the motorcycle industry."

Premier Campbell Newman warned the public would judge the opposition harshly for the reappointments, but conceded he would not move to sack the committee again.

"This is a remarkable lack of leadership from the leader of the opposition," Mr Newman said.

"She's perfectly entitled to do that ... but she has reappointed people who participated in a tainted, corrupt process."

Independent MP Liz Cunningham, who chaired the former committee, said last week was traumatic and voters are now questioning the government's integrity.

"I believe we were sacked for indefensible reasons," she told AAP.

"The feedback I've got from the community is that it has undermined their credibility. It undermines the community's belief that they are a good and transparent government."

The PCMC's investigation into Dr Levy has now been passed to a new Select Ethics Committee.

He is facing questions after failing to disclose that he met with the government's top media adviser Lee Anderson to discuss the article before it was published.

Dr Levy has denied any wrongdoing and intends to stay in his role until a permanent new chief can be found.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

WA shark threat order rescinded

Some surfers in Western Australia are calling for a cull of sharks larger than three metres. Source: AAP

AN imminent threat order in place following a fatal shark attack in Western Australia's South West has been lifted.

The WA Department of Fisheries has spent the past few days searching the area for sharks, including the one responsible for killing 35-year-old Chris Boyd on Saturday.

Mr Boyd, a father of two, was surfing at the popular surf break Umbies, off Gracetown, when the shark bounced off another surfer's board and attacked him.

Following efforts to capture the shark and aerial surveillance, Department of Fisheries rescinded the imminent threat order at 5pm (WST) on Monday.

Shark Response Unit spokesman Tony Cappelluti said he took the issue of rescinding such an order seriously.

"The attack on 35-year-old Chris Boyd on Saturday was very likely a white shark and, as the shark posed an imminent threat to water users in the area, we had no choice but to issue this order, especially as many school leavers are in the region at the moment," he said in a statement.

"The scientific advice is that some white sharks remain in the vicinity of an attack site for a period while others move on.

"There have been no further sightings of a white shark in the area and it is likely that the shark responsible for the attack is no longer in this general locality."

Mr Cappelluti urged people to be cautious when entering the water at South West beaches.

Mr Boyd's death is WA's first fatal shark attack this year.

It comes weeks after abalone diver Greg Pickering was bitten on the face and body by a five-metre great white while diving off the coast of Esperance.

Gracetown is the site of three fatal shark attacks in the past 10 years.

Surfer Bradley Smith was taken by a great white in 2004 and Nicholas Edwards was killed by a shark at nearby South Point in 2010.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Police appeal for video of NSW ski crash

POLICE are calling for anyone who may have filmed the moments leading up to a tragic waterskiing accident in NSW to come forward.

On Sunday morning a 20-year-old champion waterskier, Sarah Teelow, had just started the Bridge to Bridge Water Ski Classic when she came off her ski on the Hawkesbury River.

Ms Teelow sustained serious spinal and head injuries and was airlifted to the Royal North Shore Hospital.

Her parents rushed to her bedside.

A hospital spokesperson corrected early reports on Monday Ms Teelow's life support had been turned off.

The spokeswoman confirmed as of 8:30pm (AEST) on Monday, she remained in a critical condition.

NSW Police are investigating how Ms Teelow fell off her ski at high speed, including reports she hit wake created by another boat.

Kuring-Gai Local Area Command Inspector David Hogg said police were looking at every possibility.

"We are making inquiries with the driver of the boat and witnesses to the incident," he told AAP.

Insp Hogg urged anyone who may had been filming the race and captured the fall to come forward.

A NSW Roads and Maritime Services spokeswoman said RMS was also assisting police with the investigation.

Ski Racing Australia stated on Sunday it did not know what caused the accident.

Chairman Rick Love said the conditions were good and sea was slight at the time.

Ski Racing Australia did not return calls on Monday.

Ms Teelow's mother, Tania Teelow is also a champion waterskier, the co-owner of Teelow Pools in Dubbo.

According to the University of Technology Sydney website, Ms Teelow, a bachelor of human movement student, is part of an elite athlete scholarship program.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Federal govt relists terror groups

THE federal government has updated its listing of terror groups and their financiers, renewing some and removing others.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said these listings implemented Australia's obligations under a resolution of the United Nations Security Council to suppress the financing of terrorism.

"The threat of terrorism to Australia is real and enduring. The Australian government remains determined to combat and prevent terrorism in all its forms," she said in a statement.

Ms Bishop recently considered whether to renew the listings of 87 of the 93 listed persons and organisations, set to expire soon.

The renewal extends their listing for another three years. Listed organisations include terror groups such as al-Shabab, Tamil Tigers and Real IRA.

Removed from the list were three defunct terror groups and Imad Mughniyah, a senior member of Lebanese militant group Hezbollah killed in a car bomb explosion in 2008.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bomb attacks in Iraq kill 5 troops

A bombing near Baghdad has killed five members of Iraq's security forces. Source: AAP

A SUICIDE car bomb and another bombing near Baghdad have killed five members of Iraq's security forces.

Police say the suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden car against a police checkpoint in southern Baghdad on Monday, killing three policemen and wounding four others.

Earlier in the day, a roadside bomb struck the car with two anti-al-Qaeda Sunni militiamen in Baghdad's northeastern suburb of Husseiniyah, killing them both.

The militia, known as Sahwa, joined forces with US troops at the height of the Iraq war to fight al-Qaeda.

Iraqi troops and Sahwa fighters have been a favourite target for Sunni insurgents, who consider them to be traitors.

Medical officials confirmed the causalities.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Drug lab uncovered in Sydney's north

A DRUG lab has exploded on Sydney's northern beaches.

Police were called to a unit block on Frazer Street at 5pm on Saturday following reports of the blast.

Entering the unit via a balcony, they allegedly found a clandestine laboratory.

NSW Fire and Rescue HAZMAT crews were called to the scene to render it safe.

No one was injured in the explosion.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

ACT house shatters Christmas lights record

CANBERRA'S Richards family have turned on more than half a million Christmas lights, reclaiming a Guinness world record they first held in 2011.

Their 331,038-bulb effort was eclipsed a year later when 346,283 lights were powered up at a home in the hamlet of LaGrangeville, New York.

But on Sunday, they took back the title in style.

David Richards says he and his wife Janean and their three kids installed the 502,165 multicoloured streamers, icicles, candy canes, reindeer and other candescent decorations - some more exotic, some less - to raise funds for SIDS & Kids ACT.

"The charity is very close to our heart. We lost a child and SIDS looked after us many years ago," he said on Sunday.

Setting up the lights takes enormous effort and time but Mr Richards had a lot of help this time from family and friends, and when the power comes on and the tent-like streams of lights under a massive tree are revealed it is spectacular.

He says his six-year-old daughter Madelyn thinks everyone has a world record house with lights on it, and his other two kids, Caitlin, 10, and Aidan, 13, just enjoy it "a bit like me".

"I have always loved Christmas. Having the Christmas lights with the community coming in and sharing it is a time when you get to know people you probably should know better, I guess."

But SIDS and Kids is the main reason he does the time-consuming task, to raise money for the work they do.

"It was very important for us," he said.

"Anyone who has been through that sort of loss will probably tell you the worst thing that can happen to you is losing a young child."

People can visit the lights after dark from Nov 30 to December 26 at 3 Tennyson Crescent, Forrest. Entry is via a gold coin donation.

The Richards' last effort raised $78,000 and helped pay for two part time counsellors.

This time, though, they hope to break $100,000.

Trudy Taylor from SIDS and Kids ACT said they get 20 per cent of their funding from the ACT government and donations support the rest of the work they do with people who have lost a child aged six and under for a range of reasons.

About 150 young children die in the region, which includes parts of NSW and Victoria, each year.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

No let up as more storms forecast this evening

NT residents are being urged to make final preparations as tropical Cyclone Alessia heads for the coast.

SEVERE thunderstorm warnings remain in place for several areas across Queensland tonight.

The weather bureau said the Wide Bay and Burnett, and Southeast Coast districts could expect damaging winds and large hailstones.

Areas expected to be affected include the  Gympie, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Rockhampton, and Yeppoon.

At 6.30pm the bureau said there were no longer severe thunderstorm warnings for the southeast of the state, east of Dalby from Rainbow Beach to Stanthorpe.

The Gabba is hit by a quick but intense storm cell that produced small hail during day four of the first Ashes Test. Picture: Adam Head

Send us your wet weather pics - MMS 0428 258 117

Storms that sprang up on the city's doorstep earlier on Sunday produced marble to golf ball-sized hail which damaged some cars at the bayside suburb of Manly.

There also were reports of hail at Mt Tamborine on the Gold Coast hinterland, while a 107 km/hr wind gust was recorded at the Sunshine Coast Airport.

An Emergency Services Department spokeswoman said nine homeowners sought help from emergency services at Jimboomba, Macleay Island, Mt Tamborine, Upper Coomera and Coolum.

"It wasn't too bad,'' she said. "There was no damage of any significance and the calls were for trees down and leaking roofs.''

Mr Knepp said there would be little chance of rain saving England at the Gabba tomorrow despite Sunday's storms stopping play on Day 4 of the first Ashes Test. 

Hail at the Gabba as a storm hits day four of the first Ashes test. Picture: Jono Searle.

The hailstorm left the grounds looking  like a winter wonderland about 2pm.

Earlier, The Courier-Mail reported sunny conditions are forecast for the first cricket Test at the Gabba on Monday while in the north graziers are bracing for storms and showers as the first cyclone of the season pushes moisture inland over the drought-hit Gulf of Carpentaria.

It follows a weekend of storms that started in the Maranoa and Warrego yesterday before sweeping southeast, roughing up the Inglewood, Warwick, Lockyer Valley, Laidley, Rosewood and Ipswich districts.

The Gabba is hit by a quick but intense storm cell that produced small hail during day four of the first Ashes Test. Picture: Adam Head

Weather Bureau forecaster Michael Knepp said there would be little chance of rain saving England at the Gabba.

Send us your wet weather pics - MMS 0428 258 117

"Of course we still might get a storm or showers today,'' he said. "But after that, the whole week should be okay," he said.

At least one home has been destroyed by a tornado that whipped through northern NSW.

"The next round of activity won't be until late Friday or Saturday when a trough comes through.

"There's very little chance of any interruptions with the cricket tomorrow.''

Mr Knepp said Cyclone Alessia was moving east towards Queensland at 20km/hr and - despite being a long way away - its moisture-laden winds were expected to bring showers and storms to the Gulf and northern parts.

Large hail fell in the Tamborine area, south of Brisbane, on Sunday afternoon.

The cyclone was 100km off the coast at 9am and flood warnings had been issued for the NT.

The monsoon trough is expected to drift south through the week, allowing monsoon rain areas to extend from the Gulf Country to Queensland's east north coast and Tablelands.

It will see scattered showers and thunderstorms from the northern interior across to the central coast.

This rainbow was captured at Narangba, following the first storm that swept through the southeast on Sunday.

Rollingstone just north of Townsville had 120mm overnight, the highest falls recorded in the state in the 24 hours to 9am.

"There have been falls of 50mm to 60mm around Normanton, Kowanyama had 28mm, Miranda Downs 30mm but it's likely there were heavier falls around that that,'' he said.

Send us your wet weather pics - MMS 0428 258 117

Storms roll over Brisbane, as seen from Kangaroo Point Cliffs. Pic: Adam Smith

"We don't have a lot of rain gauges out there in the Gulf so we just don't know.

"How much we get up there is highly dependent on the movement of the tropical cyclone. If it moves towards the NT-Queensland border as a low, we could get quite a lot of rainfall.''

Some cumulative rainfall totals over the past week include Bowen 295.3mm, Georgetown 74mm, Richmond 44.8mm and Charters Towers 53.6mm.

Storms roll over Brisbane, as seen from Kangaroo Point Cliffs. Pic: Adam Smith

Overnight in the southeast, Junction View, southeast of Toowoomba, had 69mm, Nanango 62mm, nearby Brooklands 72mm, Amberley 52mm, Churchill 55mm, Coolangatta 26mm, Currumbin Creek 42mm, North Stradbroke Island 37mm, O'Reilly's 36mm, Tallebudgera Creek Dam 41mm.

Goondiwindi had 31mm while in the north Mareeba had 79mm, Chillagoe 50mm, Ingham 58mm and Coen on Cape York 67mm. Falls around Brisbane were mostly in the teens.

By tomorrow, the monsoon trough should extend from the northwest, across the tropical interior and south to the Fraser Island area with showers and thunderstorms contracting to its north.

Storms roll over Brisbane, as seen from Kangaroo Point Cliffs. Pic: Adam Smith

A drier air mass should dominate to the south.

Last night, forecasters said the line of storms that barrelled through the southeast corner had started to weaken by 10.30pm and were likely to reach the Sunshine Coast by 1am.

"They have weakened over the past hour but we are still seeing some intense bursts of rainfall and the odd significant wind gust," said Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Brett Harrison.

Storm clouds north of Moonie, Western Darling Downs, Saturday afternoon. Pic: Jeff Higgins. Higgins Storm Chasing

Send us your wet weather pics - MMS 0428 258 117

Early reports suggested one house was completely demolished and up to 30 other homes were reportedly damaged in the Rosewood and Pine Mountain area near Ipswich, although this could not be confirmed by emergency services.

"We have dodged three big storms lately, but we really copped it tonight,'' said Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale late on Saturday.

Top of Bunya Mountains looking west out over the Darling Downs. Things are really brewing up out here today! Picture courtesy: Jeff Higgins / Higgins Storm Chasing

"One has collapsed completely and 25 to 30 have got damage at various degrees.

"No-one has been injured so far as we know.''

On Saturday night, the heaviest falls were recorded at Junction View, south of Gatton, with up to 62mm of rain dumped in just over an hour.

Bowen certainly has copped some rain!! Thankfully tide was out bit still water is still through some houses and cars. Picture: Tash Edwards

Wind gusts of up to 92km/h were recorded at Amberley at the height of the storm.

Golf ball-size hail was dropped near Inglewood, Ipswich and Warwick, but senior forecaster Brett Harrison said there had been no reports since 5.30pm Saturday.

Energex reported more than 5000 homes across the southeast were without power at around 10pm.

Bowen certainly has copped some rain!! Thankfully tide was out bit still water is still through some houses and cars. Picture: Tash Edwards

More showers and thunderstorms are expected to brew on Sunday, with the activity likely to be closer to the southeast coast.

Mr Harrison said November had certainly made up for a late start to the storm season.

"This time of year is when we expect there to be a large number of severe thunderstorms," he said.

Bowen certainly has copped some rain!! Thankfully tide was out bit still water is still through some houses and cars. Picture: Tash Edwards

"The main trigger is the upper trough."

Send us your wet weather pics - MMS 0428 258 117

A severe thunderstorm warning had been issued at 10.58pm for damaging wind and heavy rainfall in the Sunshine Coast and Cherbourg Shire areas and for parts of the Gympie, Moreton Bay, Somerset, South Burnett and Toowoomba areas.

Damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding were likely, the Bureau of Meteorology warned.

The warning came after several thunderstorms rolled across southern Queensland throughout Saturday.

Residents reported seeing hail stones, lightning strikes, strong winds and heavy rain across the area.

By 9.15pm, the State Emergency Services had received 47 requests for help through the Rosewood, Hatton Vale, Marburg, Amberley, Ipswich and Brisbane CBD areas.

A spokeswoman said the requests related to structural damage to homes, fallen trees and general storm and flood damage.

"There was significant roof damage to houses in Lower Mt Walker, near Laidley," she said.

A 92 km/h wind gust was recorded at Amberley Airport at 7.45pm, an 87 km/h wind gust was recorded at Gold Coast Seaway at 8.30pm and a 79 km/h wind gust was recorded at Inner Beacon (Moreton Bay) at 8:55pm.

Wild weather also battered northern NSW on Saturday, with a twister destroying at least one home.

Send us your wet weather pics - MMS 0428 258 117

- additional reporting by Kate McKenna

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Yemen court delays elopement case verdict

A YEMENI court has postponed a verdict in the case of a Saudi woman accused of eloping with her Yemeni boyfriend, as the couple's supporters demonstrated outside.

Prosecutors say they need time to see if 22-year-old Huda Abdullah Ali can be registered as a refugee with the UN, which would allow her to remain in the country and marry.

She has become a cause celebre with some youth in Yemen, a traditional society not normally associated with public demonstrations in the name of romance.

Prosecutors say her boyfriend, 25-year-old Arafat Mohammed Taher al-Qadi, told investigators Ali's father rejected his marriage proposal, and the two were forced to elope.

Ali is charged with illegally entering Yemen while al-Qadi is accused of helping her.

"My only demand is to grant Huda humanitarian refugee status so that I can marry her," al-Qadi said as police led him outside the court.

He thanked the people who have come out in his support.

The Yemen Organisation for Defending Human Rights, HOOD, said earlier they have provided the court with all necessary documents for Ali to be registered as a refugee.

HOOD's lawyer Abdul-Raqeeb al-Qadi said the Interior Ministry was still refusing to let the UN's refugee agency see Ali, who is in detention.

The couple's supporters outside the court chanted, "The sit-in continues until the pair are wed."

A group who had been bussed in from the city of Taiz to the south carried banners reading, "Taiz supporters respond to the call of love."

The court has postponed its verdict until December 1.

18.59 | 0 komentar | Read More