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2 Ford units to be shut in Australia in Oct 2016

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:26:07 -0400

MELBOURNE - Ford Motor Company Wednesday announced plans of closing its local manufacturing operations in Broadmeadows and Geelong in October 2016 thereby forcing 1,200 people out of work. Spelling the end of the iconic Ford Falcon in the country, Ford Australia president Bob Graziano announced that the carmaker would shut its Victorian facilities in October 2016, bringing an end to nearly ...

Isla Fisher had near to death experience on sets of Now You See Me

Fri, 24 May 2013 07:40:02 -0400

Australian actress Isla Fisher, who will be seen in Louis Leterrier's Now You See Me, recently revealed her near to death experience on the sets. Fisher is playing the role of an escape artist in the movie and is seen doing death-defying stunts, including her main stunt inside a water tank. "On the third day, in one of the last shots, there was a problem with the safety and my chain caught ...

Harris picks out chief weapon Starc to rip through English top-order at Ashes

Fri, 24 May 2013 02:50:03 -0400

Australian bowler Ryan Harris has singled out his pace counterpart Mitchell Starc as the team's potentially ' chief weapon' for the Ashes series in England. According to Harris, the Australians had been training with the ball that would be used for the series, with the bowlers achieving significant swing, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. Harris further said that if Starc kept going at his ...

Flintoff to return to cricket duty with yesteryear stars T20 clash with Oz

Fri, 24 May 2013 02:30:01 -0400

Former England captain Andrew Flintoff is set to make a comeback to cricket with two Twenty20 matches involving yesteryear English and Australian cricket stars, with the back-to-back Ashes series underway. Flintoff, who has been victorious in his one-bout boxing career, which he adopted following his retirement from cricket, will be back on more familiar territory and will join former Test ...

Racist Oz broadcaster Morrow spared the sack but banned from marquee events this season

Fri, 24 May 2013 02:10:01 -0400

Veteran Australian sports commentator David Morrow will not be sacked by ABC Radio for his racist remarks, but will be banned from working during this season's marquee rugby league events so that he can complete training and cultural awareness programs. Morrow, Rugby League caller and the voice of National Rugby League (NRL) for ABC Radio, was suspended by the national broadcaster management ...

Prince Harry names himself ginger queen

Fri, 24 May 2013 01:30:03 -0400

Prince Harry dubbed himself the "Ginger Queen" in a bowling match against Australian singer Natalie Imbruglia on Friday. The 28-year-old royal, who snuck with Imbruglia into a bowling alley to have some fun, mocked his own strawberry-blond hair when he inputted 'Ginger Queen' as his name on the electronic scoreboard, the Daily Star reported. Later Sam Branson, 27, playboy son of billionaire ...

Oz cricketer apologises for calling woman accusing rugby star Teo of assault as psycho bad news

Fri, 24 May 2013 01:30:03 -0400

An Australian cricketer has offered an apology for a tweet in which he called a woman accusing Australian rugby league star Ben Te'o of assaulting her, as 'bad news' and 'psycho'. Following on the footsteps of the David Warner Twitter fiasco, batsman Chris Lynn, who plays for the domestic Queensland Bulls, became the centre of another firestorm following the tweet in which he insulted the woman ...

Twitter ranting Warner calls for ban on IPL spot-fixers

Fri, 24 May 2013 01:10:03 -0400

Australian Test batsman David Warner has said that the Indian players caught in the Indian Premier League (IPL) spot-fixing scandal should be banned from cricket. In a candid interview with Malcolm Conn, one of the journalists, whom Warner insulted on Twitter along with another journalist Robert Craddock for an article by Craddock on the seedier side of the IPL, the cricketer appeared to move on ...

How asylum seekers escaped immigration centre went to casino and checked into hostel in Cairns.

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:22:37 -0400

AUTHORITIES are investigating how seven Vietnamese asylum seekers escaped an immigration centre on Cape York, flew 810km south, visited the casino and checked into a backpacker hostel in ...

Respect is the key for cyclists on rides in Cairns

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:22:36 -0400

The South Australian-based Ironman competitor and full-time firefighter finished fourth in last year's Cairns Ironman event and will arrive in the Far North this week to race both the Coral Coast and 70.3 Half Ironman events.But he said since the birth of daughter Elodia last year, his priorities have completely changed and with this in mind he has gladly thrown his support ...

Cairns fans go crazy for Daryl

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:22:36 -0400

DARYL Braithwaite is no stranger to the Far North in fact, he'll be missing his son's birthday to perform to hundreds of Carnivale-goers at Port Douglas ...

Lack of halfway housing for sex offenders in Cairns a public disgrace says judge

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:22:35 -0400

A SUPREME Court justice has labelled the lack of halfway housing for sex offenders in Cairns a "public disgrace" that is costing taxpayers money and putting the community at risk as the rehabilitation of criminals becomes increasingly ...

Charges laid in Cairns ram-raid cases

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:22:34 -0400

Cairns detectives have charged an 18-year-old Manoora man with two counts each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, unlicensed driving and four counts of enter premises with intent.Police allege the man, who will face court on June 12, was involved in two break and enters of businesses at Westcourt and Woree where a quantity of alcohol was stolen.It is alleged a black Ford Utility was used to ...

Billionaire seeks 100 hectares prime land in Far North Queensland

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:22:33 -0400

The investor is due in Cairns next week to inspect potential properties.Cairns Re/Max real estate agent Mat Foley said he was looking for properties which fitted the criteria."It has to have mountain or ocean views," he said."I have one property of 97ha at Wongaling Beach north of Cairns but I'd like to find more."Mr Foley said the Guangzhou-based developer, who wanted to ...

Limbless Aussie preaches in Vietnam

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:09:11 -0400

CSG laws too little too late

Fri, 24 May 2013 14:07:05 -0400

AT A community meeting on coal and gas in the Hunter Valley last weekend, the crowd was dotted with woollen beanies and Akubras alike. I attended the meeting as the Greens' environment and mining spokesperson and I was pleased to see all types of folk there - some were locals, some had come from Sydney or Melbourne, others had driven for hours from properties that provide this nation with ...

Argio Park measures up

Fri, 24 May 2013 14:07:04 -0400

STRUCTURE PAYS: Glennister and Roelf DeKoning, Glencoe, won the supreme exhibit in the Square Meater judging with 11-month-old heifer Argio Park Reanna held by Heidi Cory, Eight Mile Creek. Sashing the heifer is Stock & Land beef journalist Jamie-Lee ...

Welsh Black stands out

Fri, 24 May 2013 14:07:04 -0400

BIG DAY: Supreme interbreed exhibit and senior champion interbreed female went to Buchanan Park Nicole from Buchanan Park Welsh Black stud, Tynong, Victoria. Allan and Jill Furborough are pictured with Stock & Land stud stock representative Struan Pearce (far left) and one of the three interbreed judges Kerri ...

Price hike for Mt Pleasant

Fri, 24 May 2013 14:07:03 -0400

PRICES rose - compared with the previous sale - at the Landmark Anderson & Fawcett Mount Pleasant sheep and cattle market on Wednesday last week, where prime lambs topped at $126. The 17 top-price lambs were from Michael and Teresa Saegenschnitter, Keyneton, who were very pleased with the price for their White Suffolk-Merino, May/June-drop lambs. Landmark Anderson & Fawcett agent Colin ...

Deregulation vital for dining boom

Fri, 24 May 2013 14:07:02 -0400

GRAINCORP chief executive Alison Watkins said farmers have nothing to fear from the pending acquisition of her company by Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) as she criticised politicians for inward-looking agricultural policies. In an address to the Committee of Economic Development of Australia in Sydney on Thursday, Ms Watkins said that further deregulation is essential if Australia is to ...

Flyover to mark Blue Mountains crossing

Fri, 24 May 2013 13:58:00 -0400

The flyover on Saturday celebrates the 1823 crossing of the mountains by Gregory Blaxland, William Lawson and William Wentworth and will include gyrocopters, warbirds, Cessnas and even an RAAF Hercules.Thousands of spectators are expected to watch the flyover from 11 sites set up for the event along the route.The fleet starts out at Emu Plains at 11.30am (AEST) and is due to fly through the Blue ...

Northern Tablelands residents go to polls

Fri, 24 May 2013 13:57:59 -0400

RESIDENTS in the NSW state seat of Northern Tablelands are going to the polls in a by-election triggered by the resignation of sitting MP Richard ...

Rugby Lions ready for what Aussies hurl at them

Fri, 24 May 2013 13:30:06 -0400

The Lions are ready for widespread rugby battles across Australia and have pledged to continue those tussles with reasoned arguments during their off-field skirmishes too. The tourists leave on Monday and take with them a promise to match the propaganda delivered by the Australian media. "I understand the Australian psyche a fair bit and [assistant coach] Andy Farrell helps me ...

Gillard to visit Sydneys west

Fri, 24 May 2013 13:09:14 -0400

Prime Minister Julia Gillard is visiting Sydney's politically crucial west for the second time in less than a week.Ms Gillard will on Saturday attend an event at Rosehill with western Sydney Labor MPs and ALP candidates for September's federal election, a spokeswoman from the Prime Minister's office says.Ms Gillard plans to fly out of Sydney on Sunday morning.On Wednesday, the ...

3D-printed gun malfunctions ‘will kill at both ends’ – Australian police

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:53:41 -0400

An officer from the NWS Police holding the remnants of a Liberator pistol after it exploded upon testing. Image taken from NSWPolice YouTube ...

Northrop adds Australian suppliers

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:32:57 -0400

Three Australian companies have joined Northrop Grumman's global supply chain network, gaining $7.4 million in contracts. The U.S. company said the companies selected under the Australian Defense and Materiel Organization's Global Supply Chain Program are Electro Optic Systems, CEA Technologies and Insitec. Those companies, with expertise in aerospace hardware and software, will ...

Hedge funds bet on Aussie dollar slide

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:12:47 -0400

By Laurence Fletcher LONDON | Fri May 24, 2013 12:12pm EDT LONDON May 24 (Reuters) - Hedge funds hungry for trade ideas after the success of their bets on Japan's recovery have been turning their attention to the Australian dollar, betting the end of the commodities boom will drive down the currency. Funds have been watching for signs of weakness in the Aussie dollar, which was one ...

Evans to lead BMC in Le Tour

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:53:42 -0400

Cadel Evans will lead BMC Racing at the 2013 Tour de France, team president Jim Ochowicz has announced.The 36-year-old Australian has been chosen ahead of team-mate Tejay van Garderen, despite the fact that the American finished ahead of him in last year's Tour.Evans, who in 2011 became the first Australian to win cycling's most famous event, finished seventh last time out, with the ...

Canberra to host vital FIBA Oceania Championship matches

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:45:49 -0400

May 24 - Canberra will host the decisive 2013 FIBA Oceania Championships between Australia and New Zealand this August - ahead of 17th FIBA Basketball World Cup to be held in Spain and Turkey next year, it has been announced. The double header - to take place in the nation's capital as part of Canberra's centenary - will feature the Australian Boomers and Jayco Australian Opals taking ...

New clues about location of Ontario hiker missing in Australia

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:35:04 -0400

Rescuers searching for a missing Brampton, Ont., man in the mountains of southeastern Australia have clues he may have taken a different route than originally thought. ...

Sydney beat Collingwood in AFL clash

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:30:35 -0400

Sydney's Adam Goodes was visibly distressed after an apparent racial taunt from a fan marred his side's 47-point victory over Collingwood in the AFL round-nine clash at the MCG on Friday night. Sydney won 15.12 (102) to 8.7 (55) with Goodes in tremendous form in the opening match of the AFL's Indigenous Round, kicking three goals and gathering 30 possessions. However the dual ...

Video refs baffle Cowboys after NRL loss

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:30:34 -0400

North Queensland coach Neil Henry was left "bitter and twisted" after a series of overturned video referee decisions cruelled his side in the Wests Tigers' last-gasp 22-20 NRL win on Friday night. The Tigers snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 78th minute David Nofoaluma try in horrendous wet weather at Leichhardt Oval. It was a brave victory for an injury-hit Tigers outfit ...

ASX pointed higher despite soft leads

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:47:52 -0400

Bears waking up? ... The market lost more than $50 billion in two days. Australian shares reversed early gains to post another big sell-off as faltering banks and market volatility around the region hit investor sentiment. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index fell 76.5 points, or 1.5 per cent, to 4964.3, ending below 5000 points for the first time since April 22. The broader All Ords slumped ...

Not appy mobile parking system dials up driver ire

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:47:50 -0400

Frustrated city drivers have challenged Melbourne's smartphone car parking application, complaining the system lacks dispute-resolution channels and the city council is stonewalling appeals against fines. Fined motorists say there is a lack of communication between the Parkmobile app providers and city parking officials, and procedures to resolve disputed fines are unclear, time consuming ...

Man charged over child pornography seizure

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:47:48 -0400

A Shepparton man has been charged with possessing child pornography, after police seized computers and hard drives allegedly containing more than 6000 images and videos of illegal material. The 44-year-old man has been charged with using a carriage service to access and make child pornography available to others. The man is expected to face the Shepparton Magistrates Court on Friday. The ...

Canberra Mornings Live Friday May 24

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:47:47 -0400

That was the last Canberra Mornings blog for this week. Hope you have a great weekend. The live blog will be back at 6.30am on Monday, with the fabulous Lucy Rickard in the driver's seat. I'll leave you with a quick wrap of the major headlines. - The soldier killed in the alleged terrorist attack in ...

Urgent evacuation of Russian Arctic post

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:47:45 -0400

Moscow: Russia has ordered the urgent evacuation of the 16-strong crew of a drifting Arctic research station after the ice floe that hosts the floating laboratory began to disintegrate. Natural Resources and Ecology Minister Sergei Donskoi on Thursday set a three-day deadline to draft a plan to evacuate the North Pole-40 station. "The destruction of the ice has put at risk the ...

Lost Australian cruise ship passenger remembered as hero who died attempting to rescue girlfriend

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:41:33 -0400

Two police officers check for fingerprints on the balcony of the cabin of two passengers who fell overboard from the cuise ship Carnival Spirit as it returned to Sydney from a Pacific cruise, on May 9, ...

Is Australia the Face of Climate Change to Come

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:39:14 -0400

leaving 24 people dead. Each of these one-off traumas was bad enough, wreaking havoc, but in Australia such events seem to be becoming commonplace. The Lucky Country has experienced a major spike in extreme weather in the past few years, with a string of devastating incidents just since January. That has people wondering if the island continent is somehow a perfect bellwether for the ...

Discredited vaccination claims injected into GP training

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:37:25 -0400

General practitioners are receiving government-mandated training by doctors who claim vaccines are linked to autism and temper tantrums can be treated by delaying immunisation. The body that oversees doctors will investigate how the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), which represents more than 20,000 GPs, could have approved the course as part of its ...

Piccoli fires back in Coalition bust-up over education

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:37:25 -0400

NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli has returned fire at his federal Coalition colleagues over education funding, warning schools in this state would be worse off under Tony Abbott's policy and defending his own government's decision to sign up to the Gonski deal. He also urged other states to sign up for Labor's funding offer. Federal opposition education spokesman Christopher ...

Artists flag fresh symbols of a nations hope and ideals

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:37:23 -0400

Asking a country to change its flag is like asking a country to change its name - so bonded is a nation to its flag, it's rarely changed except in circumstances of upheaval, says the editor of the literary ...

Retracing the fall of the car industry

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:37:22 -0400

An Australian classic: the 1971 Ford Falcon XY GTHO. In the mid-1960s, when Australia's trade minister Sir John McEwen was urging Holden and Ford to seek export markets in Asia, the leader of one of Asia's poorest countries decided his country needed a car industry. Defying the advice of economists, he ordered the country's biggest company to start making cars - with Ford's ...

On the wings of a departing Falcon

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:37:20 -0400

A few years later the company invented the ute. The 1934 Ford Coupe Utility was - as legend has it - spurred into development by the wife of a farmer who wrote to Ford asking for a "vehicle to go to church in on a Sunday, and which can carry our pigs to market on Mondays". The Falcon arrived in 1960. The first Falcon, the XK, was derived from a US product, but hit the right note with ...

Joyce seeks bail as wife pleads for accuser to set record straight

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:37:19 -0400

''Life sentence'': Matt Joyce. Condemned to a ''life sentence'', in the words of his wife, Matt Joyce will plead with Dubai authorities to extend his bail while he appeals against a 10-year jail term and $25 million fine for property fraud. Angela Higgins is calling on her husband's main accuser, fellow Australian David Brown, to have the courage ...

Hazel - a rock stars rock a nations role model

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:37:18 -0400

indicating whether or not the specified user agent represents a smart phone. * If any of the regular expressions are updated then they should be updated in ...

Hollow promises an enduring tragedy

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:37:18 -0400

John Pat's death was to be the catalyst for the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. Begun in 1987, the inquiry spent almost four years and more than $40 million investigating 99 deaths, 32 of them in Western Australia. Twenty-five years later, Kwementyaye Briscoe's death was to prove that, far from breaking the vicious cycle of indigenous abuse and neglect in detention, ...

Gaming the politics of TV sports bet reform

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:37:17 -0400

Tom Waterhouse is an object of rage for opponents of TV sports betting. Run a cursor across the acres of comments on stories about sports betting and the trumpeting of live odds on TV and an unmistakable message for government emerges: Stop this now. In a letter published in Fairfax Media on Thursday, Lynne Poleson put it like this: ''Stephen Conroy and his cohort are fond of talking ...

Doubling of indigenous in prisons alarms leaders

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:37:16 -0400

Aboriginal leaders have warned of a crisis in the justice system with an explosion in the black prison population, a spike in the number of juveniles being detained and continuing high numbers of deaths in custody. A report released on Friday by the federal government has confirmed the number of indigenous Australians in prisons and police custody over the past two decades has more than ...

Army takes to the streets to battle poverty

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:37:13 -0400

More than 100,000 volunteers will spend this weekend knocking on doors to help the Salvation Army address Australia's rising rate of poverty. The two-day Red Shield Appeal Doorknock aims to raise $10.2 million, part of an overall fund-raising target of $79 million. The Salvation Army's Major Bruce Harmer said the funds would help more than one million people living in poverty. ...

Hawkes deep affection for former wife Hazel

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:37:12 -0400

Former prime minister Bob Hawke has paid tribute to his late ex-wife Hazel for being a ''constant support'' through difficult times. Mr Hawke said he remembered Hazel ''with deep affection and gratitude''. ''She was more than a wife and mother, being father as well during my frequent absences as I pursued an industrial then political ...

Outnumbered by the girls hes the last man standing

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:37:12 -0400

With the death in Barbados on Thursday of James Emmanuel ''Doc'' Sisnett, at the age of 113 years and 90 days, Jiroemon Kimura, of Japan, has become the last man alive to have been born in the 19th century. Literally the last man. There are, according to the Gerontolgy Research Group at UCLA, 21 women born before New Year's Day, 1901, who are still with us, most of ...

Sydney school fails to report doping

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:37:11 -0400

Pumped: School boys are hitting the gym and supplements in the quest to be fitter and stronger. Serial steroid abuse by a Cranbrook School student was investigated by the police and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority after the boy admitted taking performance-enhancing drugs while representing the private school in rowing and rugby. But Cranbrook failed to inform sports authorities of ...

Ford pullout sparks worry industry is finished

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:37:09 -0400

Concerns about Australia's remaining car industry have escalated after Ford's decision to pull out, prompting calls for a return to higher import tariffs, moves to deflate the Australian dollar, and even the appointment of a ''car tsar'' to stop the industry from sinking altogether. Industry sources have hinted that Holden and Toyota could be gone from Australian ...

Cosy moments may fail to keep the home fires burning

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:37:08 -0400

Warming up: Maya Rose Pickles, 3, and Izzy Tapia, 6, with their grandmother Denise Pickles. Ms Pickles says she uses her fireplaces in her Mosman home ...

Banks among top companies making use of tax havens

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:37:07 -0400

Almost two-thirds of Australia's top 100 companies listed on the sharemarket have subsidiaries in tax havens or low-tax jurisdictions, a new report shows. Further, 13 of the top 20 companies have entities in well-known tax havens such as the Cayman Islands, Luxembourg, the British Virgin Islands and Bermuda, including two of the big four ...

Odds favour change to TV gambling ads

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:37:06 -0400

Run a cursor across the acres of comments on stories about sports betting and the trumpeting of live odds on TV and an unmistakable message for government emerges: Stop this now. Lynne Poleson, of Kingsford, put it like this on Thursday: ''Stephen Conroy and his cohort are fond of talking about 'working families'. Have they not seen the figures on compulsive gambling and what ...

Stedman wins Book of the Year

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:35:19 -0400

Recently the film rights to her book were snapped up by Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks Studios and now it's been awarded Book of the Year at the 2013 Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIAs).Stedman's debut novel was also awarded Literary Fiction Book of the Year and Newcomer of the Year at the awards, held in Sydney as part of the Sydney Writers' Festival.Brisbane-based writer ...

Freight train hits kills Melbourne driver

Fri, 24 May 2013 09:42:10 -0400

Melbourne man was struck and killed by a speeding freight train in Brevard County early Friday morning.Aaron Thomas Imes was headed east on Eau Gallie Boulevard in his 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis just before 3:45 a.m. Friday, Melbourne police said in an statement.At the same time, a freight train was crossing at the same location. As Imes tried to cross the tracks, police say, he hit a small ...

Going bush First Bloke heads back to his roots

Fri, 24 May 2013 09:41:53 -0400

Four months ago, Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s partner Tim Mathieson quietly bought a bush block on the banks of the Goulburn River near Jamieson, in north-east Victoria. Mr Mathieson has since placed a caravan on the secluded and partly forested block, which backs on to the river as it enters Lake Eildon. Between periods in residence at The Lodge in Canberra, Mr Mathieson – known ...

Swans way too strong for Magpies

Fri, 24 May 2013 09:41:52 -0400

Dual Brownlow Medallist Adam Goodes kicked three goals in a brilliant all-round performance and clashed with a fan as Sydney claimed a 47-point AFL win over Collingwood on Friday night. The Swans won 15.12 (102) to 8.7 (55), thanks in large part by holding Collingwood to a combined tally of 1.3 in the second and third quarters. Indigenous superstar Goodes gathered 30 disposals in a dazzling ...

Market dives below 5000 points

Fri, 24 May 2013 09:39:46 -0400

It tumbled to a five-week low, with $26 billion wiped from the value of the bourse. This continued the sour mood from yesterday, when investors fretted over the prospect US and Japanese central banks might in future withdraw their support for the two economies through bond purchases. The fall today was the fourth straight day of losses, and it was the worst weekly performance on the local market ...

Australia gives $11.5 million for Syrian refugees in Lebanon

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:59:45 -0400

Bob Carr said Friday following a meeting with Prime Minister designate Tammam Salam.Carr said Australia supports Lebanon's disassociation policy from the Syrian crisis and his country is committed to ...

AFL Adam Goodes leads Sydney Swans to imerious win over Collingwood Magpies

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:56:33 -0400

Collingwood 3066 Sydney's 47-point win over Collingwood has been marred by a spectator being evicted from the MCG following an incident involving Adam ...

Wests Tigers steal NRL win over Cowboys

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:48:01 -0400

A 78th-minute David Nofoaluma try sealed a controversial 22-20 NRL win for the Wests Tigers over North Queensland on Friday night and ended a seven-game losing streak. In atrocious conditions at Leichhardt Oval, the Cowboys were below their best against a brave Tigers outfit but were desperately unlucky not to leave with the competition points. The home side showed far more fight than last ...

Solid Bulldogs beat Broncos 24-14

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:48:00 -0400

Canterbury bounced back from their last-start thrashing to Newcastle with a solid 24-14 NRL win over Brisbane at ANZ Stadium on Friday night. The Bulldogs had begun to resemble the side that surged to last year's grand final with three successive wins before crashing 44-8 to the Knights last week. But they returned to the winners' circle with a grinding four-tries-to-three win over ...

Rebels upset Waratahs 24-22

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:47:59 -0400

The Melbourne Rebels put a serious dent in the Waratahs' surge to the Super Rugby finals with a 24-22 upset win on Friday night. The Rebels finally got a taste of victory against the Stormers last round following a series of close defeats and made it two from two at AAMI Park with their first-ever win over NSW. The loss could be a near fatal blow to the Waratahs' finals hopes given ...

You wont believe what kids do online

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:43:32 -0400

Researchers warn many young children and engaging in dangerous online activities such as posting their address on the web, selling or swapping passwords, sharing images with strangers and even meeting in real life people who contact them via the internet. Picture: ...

Eddie McGuire apologises to Adam Goodes after a Magpie fan racially vilified the Sydney champion

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:39:03 -0400

A RACIAL slur directed at Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes by a Collingwood supporter soured Sydney's 47-point win at the MCG. Angered Pies president Eddie McGuire sought out Goodes in the Swans rooms immediately after the game to apologise "on behalf of Collingwood and on behalf of football". The AFL this week is celebrating Indigenous Round. SuperCoach scores, stats and more Goodes ...

Nadal Djokovic in same half of French Open draw

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:34:07 -0400

Rafael Nadal, shown giving the 2012 French Open men's singles championship trophy a bite -- as is his tradition -- will be seeking a record-tying eighth French Open title when the tournament begins Monday. The pairings for the event were released Friday. UPI/David ...

Driver dead after car crashes into train in Melbourne

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:03:34 -0400

The crash happened on Eau Gallie Boulevard near U-S 1. Melbourne Police say the sole occupant of the vehicle was killed after it crashed into the side of the moving train. (PHOTO/Jerry Hume, ...

Super Rugby Melbourne Rebels record first-ever win over Waratahs Chiefs beat Crusaders to stay top.

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:01:17 -0400

Melbourne 3000 A Tom English double saw the Rebels pip the Waratahs 24-22 for the first time in Super Rugby history in an enthralling Melbourne clash on Friday ...

The good wife who paid a high price

Fri, 24 May 2013 07:52:56 -0400

The cost was huge: an abortion allowed Bob to fulfil his destiny as a Rhodes Scholar; his drinking and philandering shattered the family; two daughters had drug problems, their son refused to have anything to do with his father for years; she had three facelifts to improve her sense of esteem. And hovering off-stage was the other woman, Blanche d'Alpuget. Australians knew all this but kept ...

Hayne has grown into Eels captaincy Burt

Fri, 24 May 2013 07:00:13 -0400

Parramatta legend Luke Burt says Eels captain Jarryd Hayne has emerged as capable of leading the NRL club to a new era of success. Burt, a member of the Eels coaching staff after retiring last year, said he had reservations when Hayne was first named as skipper by new Parramatta coach Ricky Stuart. But the Eels' most prolific try-scorer said Hayne has grown into the leadership role ...

ASIC appeals Storm class action settlement

Fri, 24 May 2013 07:00:13 -0400

The corporate watchdog has appealed the Federal Court's recent decision to approve an $82 million settlement between former Storm Financial clients and Macquarie Bank Ltd. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) deputy chairman Peter Kell said the settlement should be in the interests of the class action group as a whole. "ASIC's appeal raises the question ...

Body found in WA may be missing snorkeller

Fri, 24 May 2013 06:57:58 -0400

The 48-year-old has been missing since May 15 when the body of his 41-year-old partner Kathreen Ricketson washed up on the same shoreline at Elle's Beach.They had been snorkelling at the idyllic holiday spot when something went terribly wrong.Their two children, a 13-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy, watched the tragedy unfold from the beach.A member of the public found the ...

With fleeting reference to God Australian evangelical draws big audience in Communist Vietnam

Fri, 24 May 2013 06:53:56 -0400

In this Thursday, May 23, 2013 photo, a Vietnamese girl sells headbands printed the name of Nick Vujicic, a Serbian Australian evangelist outside My Dinh national stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam. Vujicic was born with tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare disorder characterized by the absence of all four limbs. Amid childhood bullying, he once tried to drown himself. (AP Photo/Na Son ...

PM orders auto industry crisis meeting

Fri, 24 May 2013 06:14:45 -0400

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard has ordered a crisis meeting to examine the future of the nation's automotive industry in the wake of the shock decision by Ford to quit manufacturing in Australia. In Sydney for a National Panel for Economic Reform meeting, the Prime Minister said she had agreed to union requests for a meeting "for strategic discussion" on the future of the ...

Food plan forgets small growers alliance

Fri, 24 May 2013 06:10:14 -0400

The federal government's vision for the future of the food industry focuses too much on big business and not the smaller players who employ the most people, an alliance of community farm groups say. The first-ever National Food Plan will be released on Saturday, outlining the government's long-term strategy for securing a sustainable and globally competitive food supply. The ...

Pell should concede failings Vic priest

Fri, 24 May 2013 06:07:27 -0400

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Homicide squad looks into boys death

Fri, 24 May 2013 06:05:31 -0400

The boy was found dead inside his Oatley home, in the city's south, about 6.30am (AEST) on Tuesday.Members of his family told police he had fallen off a pogo stick the previous day and hit his head in the fall.Police have been treating the boy's death as suspicious.The Seven Network has reported that the family is known to the NSW Department of Family and Community Services.On Friday ...

Damaging winds forecast for Gold Coast

Fri, 24 May 2013 06:05:30 -0400

The weather bureau has issued a severe weather warning for southerly winds of up to 90km/h about the southern border ranges and Gold Coast hinterland.The wild weather is likely to affect places including Springbrook, Lamington National Park and Mount Tambourine into the early hours of Saturday morning before easing.For emergency assistance, call the State Emergency Service on 132 ...

Hope Pell will reveal truth at Vic inquiry

Fri, 24 May 2013 06:05:30 -0400

ANTHONY Foster hopes an uncomfortable and unfamiliar environment will open cracks in the armour of Australia's most senior Catholic, bringing out the truth about the decades-long child sexual abuse ...

Australian preacher takes on Vietnam

Fri, 24 May 2013 06:03:55 -0400

THE 25,000 people at the soccer stadium and the millions more watching at home waited 90 minutes before the Australian evangelical preacher got to the message he had come to Communist-ruled Vietnam to deliver. "Do you know why I love God?" Nick Vujicic asked a young girl on stage who, like him, was born without arms and legs. "Because heaven is real. And one day when we get to heaven, ...

Govts want generous Ford contribution

Fri, 24 May 2013 05:58:17 -0400

Ford is under pressure to cough up significant cash to help employees set to lose their jobs in Geelong and Melbourne retrain for other work.Ford has pledged to contribute to the government fund to help the 1200 workers at its Broadmeadows and Geelong plants, which will close in 2016.Ford president and chief executive Bob Graziano hasn't said how much cash will be coming, but Prime Minister ...

Ford Australia announces shut down of car production

Fri, 24 May 2013 05:19:45 -0400

Ford Motor Company's Australian subsidiary announced yesterday it is shutting down all manufacturing operations by 2016. The closures will mean sacking about 1,200 workers at Ford's two plants at Broadmeadows and Geelong in Victoria. These two working-class areas, already afflicted by widespread unemployment, will be devastated.Thousands more jobs will be destroyed in the auto ...

Rangers stay alive in NHL playoffs

Fri, 24 May 2013 05:15:52 -0400

The New York Rangers arrested two deficits to edge the Boston Bruins in overtime to prolong their NHL Eastern Conference semi-final series.The Rangers trailed 2-0 and 3-2 in Game 4 at Madison Square Garden, but showed plenty of grit to force a Game 5 back at Boston's TD Garden.Two penalty goals had Boston on the brink of a series sweep, as Nathan Horton and Torey Krug made the most of the ...

Indians thrash Red Sox

Fri, 24 May 2013 05:15:46 -0400

The Cleveland Indians began their four-game series against Boston with a thumping 12-3 win at Fenway Park on Thursday.The game was the first time ex-Red Sox manager Terry Francona had returned to Fenway Park with an opposing team, and the Indians showed his former side no mercy in a dominant display.Cleveland led 6-3 after five innings, but a six-run sixth blew the game open.Mark Reynolds and ...

Indigenous Australians facing psychological distress

Fri, 24 May 2013 05:15:16 -0400

A new report by the Council of Australian Governments Reform Council has found over nearly one-third of Indigenous Australians are experiencing high psychological ...

Brisbane man charged over girls death

Fri, 24 May 2013 05:15:13 -0400

A man has been charged in a major breakthrough in a two-month-old investigation into the death of a three-year-old Brisbane girl.The 28-year-old man, who has been charged with manslaughter and cruelty to children under 16, will appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday.Kyhesha-Lee Joughin's body was found at the home she shared with her father in suburban Petrie on March 30, over the ...

Gillard to convene summit on car industry

Fri, 24 May 2013 05:15:12 -0400

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has agreed to a summit on the future of car making, as she resists pressure from unions and Labor MPs to raise tariffs after Ford's decision to stop manufacturing in Australia.Ford says about 1200 workers will lose their jobs at its two plants in Victoria by October 2016.The company's profits have been squeezed by the high Australian dollar, making exports ...

Adult obesity rates on the rise in Australia

Fri, 24 May 2013 05:14:19 -0400

Governments are being urged to tackle the growing problem of obesity, as a new report finds increased number of Australian adults suffering from the condition. The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Reform Council will on Friday release its fourth report on the National Healthcare Agreement, showing an improvement in some areas such as smoking rates, but other areas deteriorating. Adult ...

Australian coal firms steel themselves for lean years closures and job cuts

Fri, 24 May 2013 05:10:17 -0400

- Australian coal miners are steeling themselves for years of production cuts, job reductions and asset sales as swelling shipments from international rivals lower hopes of a recovery in prices for coal. Prices have slumped around 30 percent since their peak two years ago as coal flooded global markets, especially from the United States where cheap gas has cut domestic demand and led to a ...

Holden and Toyota dismiss speculation that they will exit Australia

Fri, 24 May 2013 05:09:51 -0400

Holden and Toyota have recommitted to manufacturing cars in Australia, with Holden suggesting that more government support could be necessary. Holden ...

Smith to tackle NRLs illicit drug policy

Fri, 24 May 2013 04:59:55 -0400

After introducing blood passports to bolster the NRL's anti-doping measures, chief executive Dave Smith says he will now consider a more transparent approach to stamping out illicit drug use.Smith wouldn't go so far as to say the NRL will mirror the AFL's policy, in which they publicly reveal the number of failed tests.However he promised to continue to take steps towards ...

Landcare grants bolster ag projects

Fri, 24 May 2013 04:59:38 -0400

AGRICULTURAL and community groups will share in more than $10.7 million in Landcare Grants as part of the Sustainable Agriculture stream of Caring for our Country. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig launched the grants with Labor Candidate for Wright Sharon Murakami in Kalbar yesterday. Senator Ludwig said the program provides support for agricultural innovation ...

EU quota boosts market options

Fri, 24 May 2013 04:59:37 -0400

IF YOU run a closed cattle herd, why aren't you European Union (EU) accredited? That's the question that has been posed by a number of industry heavyweights speaking at breed conferences in the past month. With domestic cattle prices remaining at depressed levels - a fortnight ago, heifers in Longreach, Queensland, sold for as little as $18.50 a head - the global outlook is for beef ...

AACo cops $46.5m hit

Fri, 24 May 2013 04:59:37 -0400

Cattle sales and wholesale beef revenues up Profit adversely affected by non-cash $43.2 million mark-to-market herd revaluation due to low domestic prices Darwin abattoir a priority for capturing higher global cattle prices AUSTRALIA's largest beef cattle producer, the Australian Agricultural Company Limited (AACo), has announced a net loss after tax of $46.5 million for the three months to ...

Dont sell port Farmers

Fri, 24 May 2013 04:59:36 -0400

NSW Farmers is formally asking Canberra to require one of the State's two grain export terminals to be excluded from the GrainCorp sale if the Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) deal is allowed to proceed. The association's executive council last week called for either GrainCorp's Newcastle or Port Kembla grain elevator sites to be divested from the $3.4 billion takeover, enabling ...

Moylan re-signs with Panthers

Fri, 24 May 2013 04:52:43 -0400

Penrith have re-signed fullback Matt Moylan, one of a handful of youngsters that coach Ivan Cleary says has helped power the NRL side to back-to-back wins amidst their injury crisis. Moylan was named man of the match when he made his NRL debut in the Panthers' 44-12 thumping of Parramatta in round seven. Over the past fortnight, the 21-year-old was influential in a shock win over reigning ...

WA parents of Saudi detainee meet DFAT

Fri, 24 May 2013 04:50:46 -0400

THE parents of a Perth-born man jailed in Saudi Arabia on accusations of terrorist-related offences have met with Australian government officials in a bid to assist their ...

Wayward croc divides Qld outback town

Fri, 24 May 2013 04:50:45 -0400

"Maybe this is the cause, because that's all this creature eats - fish."Mr Rowlands believes a fisher in north Queensland probably caught the croc as a baby and placed it in the river downstream some time ago "for a lark".The one to two metre croc was first spotted about a month ago by a tourist who failed to convince anyone of what he'd seen, Mr Rowlands ...

Australias politicians look to master social media strategies in time for federal election

Fri, 24 May 2013 04:10:24 -0400

Australia As the federal election sweeps closer, the pressure to sell the politicians and their parties is intensifying - and the strategists are turning to digital technologies like never before to give candidates an edge.The huge growth in social media and data analytics over the past three years means this election campaign will be like no other in Australian history. But Australian ...

Souths icon says Teo should be stood down

Fri, 24 May 2013 04:01:24 -0400

indicating whether or not the specified user agent represents a smart phone. * If any of the regular expressions are updated then they should be updated in ...

$A finishes the day higher

Fri, 24 May 2013 04:01:23 -0400

The Australian dollar has finished the day higher, despite falling back from its earlier levels amid uncertainty about the future of the US Federal Reserve's stimulus program. The currency rose as high as 97.50 US cents early on Friday, up sharply from 96.23 US cents on Thursday afternoon. But the currency fell back during the morning and by the end of the local session at 1700 AEST the ...

NW health worker charged with stealing

Fri, 24 May 2013 03:59:30 -0400

A WA public servant who allegedly used a government credit card to buy electrical goods has been charged with 19 stealing ...

Giddings defends Tas deficit blowout

Fri, 24 May 2013 03:59:25 -0400

Lara Giddings, who's also Tasmania's treasurer, says the $426 million deficit for the current year, revealed in Thursday's budget, equates to 4.5 per cent of total expenses.She says that's much less than the 10 per cent the state's last Liberal government presided over in the early 1990s."The reality is that Tasmania's finances are in a far better position than ...

Harsher terms urged for genital mutilation

Fri, 24 May 2013 03:59:24 -0400

A NATIONAL review into female genital mutilation laws has recommended South Australia and NSW more than double their maximum penalties for anyone performing it to at least 15 years in ...

Borbidge to chair CommGames committee

Fri, 24 May 2013 03:59:23 -0400

FORMER Queensland premier Rob Borbidge will chair a new group tasked with getting the most out of the 2018 Commonwealth Games for the Gold ...

Qld teen charged over fatal crash

Fri, 24 May 2013 03:59:22 -0400

A 52-year-old male driver was killed and his female passenger seriously injured in the collision on the Cooroy-Noosa Road at Tinbeerwah in August.The force of the collision was so great one of the vehicles was propelled into a third car and then a tree before it came to rest.An 18-year-old Ipswich man had been charged with manslaughter and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing grievous ...

Offshore processing threat to gas plants

Fri, 24 May 2013 03:59:21 -0400

BOTH major West Australian political parties fear Shell's Prelude floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) project will trigger a departure from onshore processing, slashing state royalties and denying local ...

Qld investor sold shares to himself

Fri, 24 May 2013 03:59:21 -0400

Thai Quoc Tang, 57, is accused of manipulating the stock market in an attempt to increase the share value of Brisbane-based biomedical technology company Tissue Therapies Ltd.Tang was the company's sixth-largest shareholder over the 13 months to January 2012 when he allegedly conducted the illegal trades, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission says.He appeared in the Brisbane ...

Public servant charged with $19000 theft

Fri, 24 May 2013 03:52:34 -0400

A WA public servant who allegedly used a Government credit card to buy electrical goods has been charged with 19 stealing offences.The Corruption and Crime Commission alleges Robert James Prasloski was working for the WA Country Health Service as the acting facilities manager in the Kimberley region when he allegedly committed the 19 offences.The 51-year-old was charged with 10 stealing offences ...

Access to healthy food vital PHAA

Fri, 24 May 2013 03:47:20 -0400

AN accessible, healthy food supply is urgently needed to tackle the rising and costly problem of obesity, the Public Health Association of Australia says. The health care system cannot tackle the problem alone and strategies to prevent obesity should include shielding children from promotion of unhealthy foods during their peak television viewing times, the PHAA says. The Council of Australian ...

Coalition govt would review Medicare Local

Fri, 24 May 2013 03:26:17 -0400

THE coalition will conduct a formal review of Medicare Local if it's elected in this year's federal election. Speaking at the Australian Medical Association (AMA) conference in Sydney on Friday, opposition health spokesman Peter Dutton said questions remained over the role of Medicare locals, the 61 organisations set up by Labor to co-ordinate primary care. "Some Medicare locals ...

Echo sale packed with Crown confidence

Fri, 24 May 2013 03:08:38 -0400

James Packer's exit from Echo Entertainment is a signal the Crown boss no longer sees the rival casino company as a threat to his plan for a luxury Sydney gambling resort. Echo shares plunged 11.9 per cent to a record low of $3.03 on Friday after Crown confirmed it had sold its 10 per cent stake. Crown dumped the 82.6 million shares on Thursday night at $3.20 a share, a discount to ...

Man who stalked AFL player jailed

Fri, 24 May 2013 03:08:37 -0400

A man who stalked AFL player Alex Rance and organised a "gay orgy" at Rance's family home because he could not cope with being rejected has been jailed for one year. Scott Thomas, 35, befriended the Richmond defender in 2011 after creating a fake profile on Facebook using photos of a UK-based male sports model, the Melbourne Magistrates Court heard on Friday. Thomas pleaded ...

Force keen to fend off Super wooden spoon

Fri, 24 May 2013 03:08:36 -0400

Western Force coach Michael Foley says his team's best chance to avoid the Super Rugby wooden spoon is simply not to dwell on it. The Force have made important strides this year under Foley, beating the Reds in Queensland and the Crusaders in Perth, while also pushing a host of other teams right to the edge. But their inability to convert good territory into points has seen them slip to ...

Bombers Hird at AFL club for long haul

Fri, 24 May 2013 03:08:35 -0400

Essendon coach James Hird won't be leaving the AFL club any time soon if it's up to him. Thursday's resignation of chief executive Ian Robson over their supplements saga prompted suggestions that football department bosses such as Hird deserve an even greater share of the blame. But the Essendon favourite son has no intention of following Robson out the door. "I'm the ...

Stocks to watch at close on Friday

Fri, 24 May 2013 03:08:34 -0400

Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange at close on Friday: AAC - AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURAL COMPANY LTD - down two cents at $1.08 Australia's largest beef cattle producer has blamed the suspension of live exports to Indonesia for a $46.5 million March quarter loss. CWN - CROWN LTD - down 23 cents at ...

Assaults up break-ins down in NT

Fri, 24 May 2013 03:07:04 -0400

Quarterly crime statistics for the three months to the end of March 2013 were released by the NT government on Friday.The number of offences against people - which includes homicides, assaults, cases of neglect, robberies and other crimes - was up 6.3 per cent, compared to the prior corresponding period.Acts intended to cause people injury were up 8.4 per cent.But property crime dropped markedly, ...

Budget focus in next parliament fortnight

Fri, 24 May 2013 03:07:04 -0400

While the government's aim will be to pass key budget measures such as axeing the baby bonus, encouraging the early take-up of private health insurance and paying for school and disability reform, the coalition will scrutinise spending and taxes in Senate estimates hearings.Debate on the budget bills will kick off on Monday afternoon, prior to question time.Opposition Leader Tony Abbott is ...

Scouts Australia open to gay members

Fri, 24 May 2013 02:52:47 -0400

OPENLY gay youths have always been welcome to join Scouts Australia, the organisation says, after its American counterpart overturned a decades-old ban. At its annual meeting in Texas on Thursday, the 103-year-old Boy Scouts of America voted to end a ban barring openly homosexual members, but maintained a prohibition on gay adult leaders. Scouts Australia says its door has always been open to gay ...

Australian shares dive to one-month low Japan uncertainty hits

Fri, 24 May 2013 02:47:04 -0400

Fri May 24, 2013 2:47am EDT (Adds details, comments) SYDNEY May 24 (Reuters) - Australian shares reversed early gains to fall 1.6 percent as faltering banks and market volatility hit investor sentiment on Friday, sending the benchmark index tumbling further from one-month lows touched a day earlier. Japan's Nikkei share average turned positive in a volatile session on Friday afternoon after ...

Father jailed over porn depicting babies

Fri, 24 May 2013 02:35:24 -0400

A SYDNEY father has been sentenced to two years and three months in prison after downloading more than 300 videos of child pornography depicting some as young as six months old. German authorities tipped off Australian Federal Police to the activities of the Sydney man after he downloaded a file which included the terms "paedo" and "rape" from a file sharing site. Following a raid ...

Australian shares slide for second day

Fri, 24 May 2013 02:27:03 -0400

Australia Australian shares are set to record their worst weekly performance in a year, with a second straight days of heavy falls.After very brief early gains, the market has been in a downward drift all day, leaving the broad All Ordinaries index down 1.8 per cent at 4,951 by 3:23pm (AEST).The ASX 200 was off 94 points to 4,969, follow yesterday's 2 per cent drop.In total, around $60 ...

Australian shares reverse gains as volatility hits investor mood

Fri, 24 May 2013 02:20:57 -0400

Fri May 24, 2013 2:20am EDT (Updates to close) SYDNEY May 24 (Reuters) - Australian shares reversed early gains to lose 1.6 percent as faltering banks and market volatility hit investor sentiment on Friday, sending the benchmark index tumbling further from one-month lows touched a day earlier. Japan's Nikkei share average turned positive in a volatile session on Friday afternoon after the ...

Civoniceva likes Scott-Shillington combo

Fri, 24 May 2013 02:18:43 -0400

Queensland great Petero Civoniceva says he'd hit NSW's power pack with a Matt Scott-Dave Shillington front-row combination in next month's opening State of Origin match in Sydney. Settling on a replacement for the 33-game Origin prop who retired last year on the back of Queensland's seventh successive series win is an issue for selectors before they reveal their 17-man squad ...

Hawke pays tribute to outstanding Hazel

Fri, 24 May 2013 02:18:42 -0400

Former prime minister Bob Hawke has spoken of his enduring affection for ex-wife Hazel and says she made an outstanding first lady. Mrs Hawke died on Thursday aged 83 after a 12-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. Her family says she passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones. "I remember Hazel with deep affection and gratitude," Mr Hawke said in a statement on Friday. ...

AACo blames export ban for loss

Fri, 24 May 2013 02:18:41 -0400

Australia's largest beef cattle producer has blamed the suspension of live exports to Indonesia for a $46.5 million March quarter loss. Australian Agricultural Company (AACo) managing director David Farley says farmers are struggling, almost two years after footage of overseas abattoir workers torturing cattle sparked public outrage and a temporary ban on live shipments. The latest loss ...

Take a punt on Merritt says Hazem

Fri, 24 May 2013 02:18:40 -0400

The 26-year-old trained lightly this week, completing running exercises from Wednesday away from the main group in a bid to prove his recovery was on track. But Daley is not willing to take injured players into camp, preferring to have his full squad about to train from day one. That re-opens the door for South Sydney's Nathan Merritt, forgotten Newcastle winger Akuila Uate and Manly ...

Dugan at home with us say Dragons

Fri, 24 May 2013 02:18:39 -0400

Josh Dugan's former Canberra teammate Bronson Harrison says the fullback has fitted in seamlessly at St George Illawarra. Dugan starred on his Dragons debut against Parramatta last week after two months out of the NRL after being sacked by the Raiders for repeated discipline breaches. Harrison and Dugan spent four seasons in Canberra before the former Kiwi back-rower joined the Dragons ...

Woman attacked where her body was found

Fri, 24 May 2013 02:18:38 -0400

Police now believe a pregnant woman who was murdered as she walked to work south of Brisbane was attacked where her body was found. "At this time our investigation suggests the initial assault occurred in Leichhardt Street," Regional Crime Co-ordinator Detective Superintendent David Hutchinson told AAP. Joan Ryther, 27, was attacked on her way to work in Logan about 8.30pm (AEST) at a ...

Gillard resists call for car tariff rise

Fri, 24 May 2013 02:18:38 -0400

Prime Minister Julia Gillard is resisting pressure from unions and Labor MPs to raise tariffs or significantly boost industry assistance after Ford's decision to stop making cars in Australia. Ford says about 1200 workers will lose their jobs at its two plants in Victoria by October 2016. The company's profits have been squeezed by the high Australian dollar, making exports more ...

Drugs weapons found in shooting raid

Fri, 24 May 2013 02:16:48 -0400

POLICE investigating three shootings in Kwinana have uncovered weapons, fireworks, ammunition, drugs and cash during a raid on a Baldivis ...

The transformation of Hazel Hawke

Fri, 24 May 2013 02:16:48 -0400

She had the mixed blessing of being married to Bob Hawke, Labor's most successful prime minister and, for many of their years together, a hard drinker and womaniser who was rarely at home.She survived to become, during nearly nine years at the Lodge, perhaps the best loved of all prime minister's wives.This came from her charm, grace and intelligence. It also came from admiration for ...

Craft beer becoming choice tipple

Fri, 24 May 2013 02:14:33 -0400

CRAFT beer has graduated from backyard brew to claim 2.5-3 per cent of the total beer market, according to the Craft Beer Industry Association after CUB-owned Matilda Bays Alpha Pale Ale was last night named as our top brew for ...

Google Glass gets Aussie test run

Fri, 24 May 2013 02:14:32 -0400

GOOGLE'S breakthrough internet-connected spectacles, Google Glass, have finally arrived in Australia, with one workplace health and safety firm testing the glasses in cities around the ...

Australia economy strong despite end to Ford production PM

Fri, 24 May 2013 02:10:20 -0400

SYDNEY (AFP) - Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard moved to allay fears about the economy on Friday saying it had strong fundamentals, after US carmaker Ford announced an end to production in the country.Ford said Thursday it will stop making vehicles at its unprofitable Australian plants in 2016, prompting concern for the manufacturing industry which is struggling due to the high Australian ...

Bag limits introduced due to dwindling crab stocks in South Australias Gulf St Vincent

Fri, 24 May 2013 01:48:28 -0400

COMMERCIAL and recreational crab fishers will face tougher bag limits because of declining stocks in the Gult St Vincent. The State Government has announced commercial boaties will have their quota cut to 196 tonnes - a 20 per cent drop - from July next year. Recreational limits will be halved. The daily individual bag limit will drop from 40 to 20 and a daily boat limit will fall from 120 to ...

Greens propose new energy savings agency

Fri, 24 May 2013 01:45:31 -0400

HOUSEHOLDS generating clean power through solar panels would be rewarded by a dedicated "energy savings agency" being proposed by the Australian Greens. The minor party on Friday said it wanted to set up a new federal government agency to find $1 billion in energy savings and help drive down power bills and the emissions causing global warming. Greens leader Christine Milne said the cost ...

Sydney MMA star conquers his demons

Fri, 24 May 2013 01:27:59 -0400

If ever an opponent was going to give you mental demons, Teixeira would be the man. In many ways, however, Te Huna's come-from-behind February victory over Canadian Ryan Jimmo in London could be the defining moment of his career. For Te Huna, the biggest battle was not surviving a brutal Jimmo head-kick — nor the battle to regain his senses and win the fight. The biggest battle was ...

Sydney ferry users to pay more

Fri, 24 May 2013 01:27:58 -0400

About a quarter of all Sydney's ferry passengers will have to pay significantly more after the O'Farrell government dropped the use of a popular travel card on ferry journeys. From September ferry passengers will no longer be able to use MyMulti1 tickets on trips through Sydney, saving the government and costing commuters about $5.5 million a year. Ferry passengers will instead have ...

M2-F3 linkup in NSW to start in 2014 govt

Fri, 24 May 2013 01:26:01 -0400

FEDERAL Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese says he wants to see "shovels in the ground" from next year to guarantee the swift delivery of the M2-F3 road link-up in ...

Indigenous deaths in custody on the rise

Fri, 24 May 2013 01:26:00 -0400

The Australian Institute of Criminology released a report on Friday, which said the number of indigenous deaths had increased over the past five years.In 2011, indigenous people represented just over one in four people in prison and one in five deaths."At the heart of the problem is the over-representation of indigenous people at every stage of the criminal justice system," the report ...

Sword-wielding Vic man holds police at bay

Fri, 24 May 2013 01:26:00 -0400

Police have been negotiating with the man, who is alone in a caravan at Congupna in Victoria's north since around 9am (AEST) on Friday."He's threatening self-harm," a police spokesman said."We're trying to negotiate peacefully with ...

Result $6 million payday for Tumblr staff

Fri, 24 May 2013 01:26:00 -0400

YAHOO'S $1.1 billion acquisition of Tumblr has not only made its CEO David Karp a wealthy man, some of his most loyal staff will rake it in as ...

Youngest MP backs gay marriage

Fri, 24 May 2013 01:25:59 -0400

Queensland Liberal backbencher Wyatt Roy, 23, says he wants coalition MPs to have a conscience vote on the issue."I support the right of same-sex couples to have their loving and committed relationships recognised in state-sanctioned marriage," Mr Roy said in a statement.He represents the conservative seat of Longman north of Brisbane."I remain vigilant in regard to the views of my ...

Dramatic arrest Cops punch men

Fri, 24 May 2013 01:23:25 -0400

The arrests now form part of an internal investigation.Reportedly filmed on May 4 at 12.44am in Bigge Park, in Liverpool in Sydney's west, the two-minute video shows a police car pull up in the park where a group of young men is loitering. Officers jump out of a car and one of them grabs one of the men in a neckhold and wrestles him to the ground.The police officers yells: "D***head get ...

Rolls-Royce recalls more cars in Aus

Fri, 24 May 2013 01:23:21 -0400

SUPER-luxury brand Rolls-Royce is recalling 19 of its Ghost limousines - equivalent to more than one year of sales in Australia - not due to a safety issue but because owners might notice the smell of fuel coming from the ...

Australia economy strong Julia Gillard

Fri, 24 May 2013 01:19:00 -0400

Ford announced an end to production in the country. Ford said Thursday it will stop making vehicles at its unprofitable Australian plants in 2016, prompting concern for the manufacturing industry which is struggling due to the high Australian dollar. Gillard admitted the Ford decision to halt production and cut 1,200 jobs had made people anxious. But she said: "Even with Ford's decision ...

Whites Brumbies desperate for a win

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:34:12 -0400

Brumbies coach Jake White is desperate to avoid what would be a first for him - a third consecutive loss in Super Rugby. It will be anything but easy for White's Brumbies, who will line up against an equally desperate sixth placed Blues side on Saturday night at the intimidating Eden Park. "We're obviously desperate for a win. They want to make sure they keep their campaign ...

Retailer bid to cut horrific costs

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:34:10 -0400

"They (need to) feel comfortable their jobs will be intact and they can go out and spend and buy whatever they need." Mr Gillespie also called for more infrastructure to make the economy productive, to cut red tape, restrain wages and penalty rate increases, and for more transparent national retail tenancy laws. "The cost of doing business in Australia is horrifically high. A big ...

NRL announces new drug measures

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:34:08 -0400

The NRL has announced a number of new steps to outlaw drug cheats from the game, including the immediate introduction of a biological passport program. With the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) currently investigating possible doping violations across the code, the NRL has moved to ensure it is on the front foot in the future. The Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) program ...

AFL players stalker wanted romance court

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:34:07 -0400

A Melbourne man who stalked AFL player Alex Rance organised a "gay orgy" at Rance's family home because he could not cope with being rejected, a court has heard. Scott Thomas, 35, of Prahran, befriended the Richmond defender in 2011 after creating a fake profile on Facebook using photos of a UK-based male sports model, the Melbourne Magistrates Court heard on Friday. Prosecutor ...

CFMEU Vic blockades in contempt of court

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:34:06 -0400

A construction union has been found guilty of contempt of court over a blockade at a building site which choked inner Melbourne. Victorian Supreme Court Justice Anthony Cavanough ruled the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) ignored court orders by blocking Grocon workers from entering the Emporium site last year. Justice Cavanough found the union was in contempt for five ...

PM welcomes Tasmanias education budget

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:32:22 -0400

Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings, who is also the state's treasurer, handed down her third budget on Thursday, earmarking $83 million for education over four years, with the state expected to sign up to the Gonski school reforms.Ms Gillard on Friday told reporters it was a positive step."The premier of Tasmania has said that provision's been made available in the budget," she ...

Labor to run quality candidate in Dobell

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:32:21 -0400

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard says Labor still has time to put forward a blue-chip candidate to take on Craig Thomson at the federal ...

Opposition wants review of Qld breakout

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:32:18 -0400

OPPOSITION immigration spokesman Scott Morrison says an "organised gang" involved in the sophisticated breakout of asylum seekers from a remote Queensland detention centre have taken things "to a whole new ...

Mans body found on Brisbane street

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:32:16 -0400

The body was found at 6pm (AEST) on Thursday on Maynard St in Woolloongabba.Police say it appears he died of a head injury but they are unable to say what caused his death.Officers are investigating whether the death is ...

Hazel Hawke remembered in home state of WA

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:32:13 -0400

BIPARTISAN tributes have flowed for Hazel Hawke in her home state of Western Australia, where she is being remembered as gracious lady who captivated a ...

NSW ferry ticket prices up by nearly 39

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:32:11 -0400

REGULAR Sydney ferry users will pay more than $800 extra each year following plans to hike the price of some journeys by almost 39 per ...

More staff to police bad tenants

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:32:09 -0400

Department of Housing has appointed 35 new staff to deal with bad tenants in public housing after a record number of drug labs found in public ...

Ford what well miss what we wont

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:32:03 -0400

Ford will still export vehicles here and there will still be 1500 staff and 200 dealers sporting that distinctive blue logo. But Ford will no longer be an Aussie car.The question is: is this a good thing or a bad thing? Well, a bit of both. STUFF WE'LL ...

The sweet smell of success for MC’s Sydney Rose

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:28:24 -0400

An account manager with ad agency M&C Saatchi has been crowned the new Sydney Rose of Tralee. Newly crowned Rose, Fiona O’Sullivan (pictured), ...

Foodland failed the public by selling out of date foods Adelaide court told

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:24:39 -0400

A FOODLAND supermarket failed the public and breached the trust of South Australia by selling food 40 days after its use-by date, a court has heard. In the Adelaide Magistrates Court today, the operators of Port Noarlunga South's Foodland outlet pleaded guilty to 57 counts of breaching national food standards. They admitted that between May and October 2012 their staff sold out of date food, ...

Gillard holding summit on Ford closure

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:17:20 -0400

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard and Treasurer Wayne Swan will meet with unions and business leaders on Friday to discuss the fallout from the Ford closure. The meeting of the national panel for economic reform will be held in Sydney at 2.30pm (AEST). Ford announced on Thursday about 1200 workers would lose their jobs at its two plants in Victoria by October 2016. The company's profits have been ...

Sea World bares all as polar bears bond

Thu, 23 May 2013 23:59:18 -0400

IT'S so cute, it's almost too much to bear. Six cameras installed in a polar bear den at Sea World amusement park on the Gold Coast are recording the magical bond developing between mother Liya and her newborn cub. Sea World marine sciences director Trevor Long says they have been monitoring the cub's progress since its birth on May 9. But he says staff have enjoyed it so much, ...

Severe weather warning for Gold Coast

Thu, 23 May 2013 23:54:09 -0400

A SEVERE weather warning has been issued for the Gold Coast and hinterland with gale force winds up to 90 km h expected this afternoon.The Bureau of Meteorology issued the warning this morning, saying a low pressure system offshore from northern NSW was expected to deepen before shifting northeast this afternoon and evening.Damaging southerly winds, with peak gusts of around 90 km h, are possible ...

Reds back to scene of Super triumph

Thu, 23 May 2013 23:39:15 -0400

The Queensland Reds are taking confidence from their best away win in the past decade into Sunday morning's (AEST) crucial Super Rugby clash in Cape Town. The last time the Reds visited Cape Town two years ago they ended a record 10-match home streak by the pace-setting Stormers with a 19-6 upset in front of a packed Newlands crowd. It was the pressure-filled victory that announced Ewen ...

Souths hope Teo investigation is quick

Thu, 23 May 2013 23:39:14 -0400

Ben Te'o's South Sydney teammates say assault allegations levelled against the NRL player haven't impacted their preparations for Monday's clash with Cronulla, but admit they want to see the issue resolved quickly. Te'o is at the centre of an NRL investigation after a Brisbane woman claimed he punched her in the face last month, fracturing her eye socket. Te'o ...

Liberals arrogant about election Gillard

Thu, 23 May 2013 23:37:47 -0400

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard says arrogance within the Liberal party about its prospects of winning the federal election is getting "out of ...

Senators to put budget under microscope

Thu, 23 May 2013 23:37:44 -0400

But just when you thought no more could be said about Treasurer Wayne Swan's sixth budget, senators will spend the next two weeks tearing into it.Upper house politicians will spend 12 hours a day grilling heads of commonwealth departments and their key staff, government agencies and ministerial senators as the budget is put under the microscope during Senate estimates.One of the key events ...

Aussies admired Hazel Hawkes courage PM

Thu, 23 May 2013 23:37:36 -0400

Australia's former first lady died on Thursday aged 83, after a long battle with the disease.Ms Gillard said Australians held Mrs Hawke in high esteem."Hazel Hawke has been a figure of real affection and I believe everybody has admired her dignity and her courage as she's dealt with such a dreadful illness," Ms Gillard told reporters on the NSW Central Coast."With the ...

$10m Powerball winner in Esperance

Thu, 23 May 2013 23:37:34 -0400

LOTTO fever has gripped the south coastal town of Esperance after a winning $10 million Powerball ticket was sold at a local ...

3D guns coming to a street near you

Thu, 23 May 2013 23:37:31 -0400

IT'S only a matter of time before homemade guns turn up on the streets of NSW, thanks to a free blueprint on the internet and 3D printers anyone can ...

New Labor MP linked to Eddie Obeid

Thu, 23 May 2013 23:37:30 -0400

Chinese businessman Ernest Wong was sworn into the upper house this week, taking the seat of former treasurer Eric Roozendaal.He was recruited from the Unity Party into the ALP's right faction by former Labor powerbroker Eddie Obeid, according to News Ltd.Mr Obeid and his family are the subject of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)'s largest ever ...

Carr pledges more support for Syrians

Thu, 23 May 2013 23:37:28 -0400

Foreign Minister Bob Carr says the money will help the efforts of international relief agencies in Syria as well as Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.Speaking from the Faour refugee camp in Lebanon, Senator Carr said the new funding lifted Australia's overall support since the Syrian crisis began to more than $78 million.The Syrian civil war has killed more than 80,000 people and created 1.5 ...

Unions claim victory on Qld workers compo

Thu, 23 May 2013 23:37:23 -0400

QUEENSLAND unions are claiming victory after a state parliamentary committee recommended keeping the majority of the workers' compensation scheme ...

Four years jail for son who strangled mum

Thu, 23 May 2013 23:37:21 -0400

These were the words Terrence David Kain uttered to his sister after killing their mother in their southern NSW home.Now, more than two years later, Kain has been sentenced to a minimum of four years for the manslaughter of his 74-year-old mother Beverly Kain, whom he strangled in her bedroom.In handing down the sentence in the Supreme Court on Friday, Justice Michael Adams said Ms Kain was a ...

UPDATE 1-Australias Crown sells Echo stake focus on Sydney casino plan

Thu, 23 May 2013 23:20:18 -0400

Thu May 23, 2013 11:20pm EDT * Crown sells Echo stake for $255 mln * Crown, Echo in fight to capture Asian gamblers in Sydney * Crown planning VIP casino; Echo seeking exclusive licence (Recasts; adds company, analyst quotes) By Jane Wardell and Maggie Lu Yueyang SYDNEY, May 24 (Reuters) - Australian casino company Crown Ltd sold its 10 percent stake in rival Echo Entertainment Group, ...

Langham Sydney’s makeover in 2014

Thu, 23 May 2013 23:00:52 -0400

The Langham, Sydney's luxury makeover has been set down for 2014. When the property was purchased from Orient-Express in August 2012, Langham Hospitality Group CEO Brett Butcher said the hotel would undergo a significant makeover ...

New South Wales name new CEO

Thu, 23 May 2013 22:58:02 -0400

Andrew Jones, the former Cricket Australia head of strategy, has been named as the new chief executive of Cricket New South Wales. Jones will take up the role vacated by David Gilbert, who spent 11 years in the position ...

NSW police raid Hells Angels clubhouse

Thu, 23 May 2013 22:53:16 -0400

A RAID on a Hells Angels clubhouse in Sydney has turned up evidence of illegal alcohol sales. Police raided the Granville premises, in the city's west, about 8pm (AEST) on Thursday. Officers seized Hells Angels paraphernalia and evidence which suggests the illegal sale of alcohol may have taken place on the property. No one was at the clubhouse but police arrested a 29-year-old rival ...

NSW Police terrified 3D plastic guns will be used in Australia

Thu, 23 May 2013 22:51:00 -0400

POLICE are terrified a frightening new weapon, a plastic gun made from downloading a file off a 3D home computer, will eventually be used in Australia. Known as “The Liberator” more than 100,000 people worldwide including Australia have downloaded the instructions on how to make the gun. The 3D guns are made of thermo-plastic or synthetic material which makes them undetectable in ...

$A in retreat after overnight gains

Thu, 23 May 2013 22:45:16 -0400

The Australian dollar is back on a downward spiral, reversing solid gains made overnight, as markets continue to react to recent statements from US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. The currency rose as high 97.50 US cents early on Friday, up sharply from 96.23 US cents on Thursday afternoon. But by 1200 AEST the Australian dollar had retreated back to 96.65 US cents. ForexCT head of ...

Vic premier sees light for Geelong

Thu, 23 May 2013 22:45:15 -0400

Victorian Premier Denis Napthine has pledged to work with the Geelong community to create opportunities in new industries in the wake of the mass job loss announcement at Ford. Dr Napthine says the only testing facility in the Asia Pacific would remain at Lara in the Geelong region. "That is some light at the end of the tunnel," he told a meeting of a dozen industry, community and ...

Echo shares plunge after Crown pull-out

Thu, 23 May 2013 22:45:15 -0400

Shares in Echo Entertainment have plunged to a record low after Crown sold its stake in its casino-operating rival. At 1155 AEST, Echo shares were down more than 10 per cent to $3.09, a slight improvement on their low of $3.03 shortly after the Australian market opened on Friday. James Packer's Crown on Friday confirmed it had sold its 10 per cent interest in Echo for $264 million, less ...

Stocks to watch at noon on Friday

Thu, 23 May 2013 22:45:14 -0400

Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange at noon on Friday: AAC - AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURAL COMPANY LTD - down 0.5 cents, or 0.45 per cent, at $1.095 Australia's largest beef cattle producer has blamed the suspension of live exports and lower rainfall for a $46.5 million loss. CWN - CROWN LTD - down 13.00 cents, or 0.99 per cent, at ...

Hawke remembers Hazel with deep affection

Thu, 23 May 2013 22:45:10 -0400

Former prime minister Bob Hawke says he remembers his ex-wife Hazel with deep affection. Mrs Hawke died on Thursday aged 83, after a battle with dementia. "I remember Hazel with deep affection and gratitude," Mr Hawke said in a statement on Friday. "She was more than a wife and mother, being father as well during my frequent absences as I pursued an industrial then political ...

Wonderful Aussie Hazel Hawke dies

Thu, 23 May 2013 22:43:41 -0400

FORMER first lady Hazel Hawke has been remembered as a wonderful, gutsy and compassionate Australian who touched the lives of everyday ...

Vic teenager stabbed in robbery

Thu, 23 May 2013 22:43:21 -0400

Police said two men entered the store in Ashwood about 8pm (AEST) on Thursday and demanded staff hand over cash.A scuffle broke out and one of the men produced a knife.Police said the 17-year-old Glen Waverley boy suffered cuts to his torso.An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said the teenager was taken to The Alfred hospital in a stable condition with multiple stab wounds.The thieves stole a phone ...

Poll says Katter wont get a Senate seat

Thu, 23 May 2013 22:43:19 -0400

Polling firm JWS Research sampled the views of 2252 voters in April in regional Queensland, NSW, Victoria and Western Australia, where the Katter's Australian Party (KAP) is most likely to pick up votes.Senate support in the regions averaged two per cent, peaking at five per cent in Mr Katter's home state of Queensland.Support was two per cent in Victoria and one per cent each in NSW ...