WA Senator takes his own advice

Labor senate leader Chris Evans says he will exit politics for personal reasons. Source: AAP

LABOR senate leader Chris Evans says he is taking his own oft-given advice about picking the right time to retire.

"I am making the move now because I know the party is in very good shape and this will allow the prime minister to lead a ministerial team who are ready to serve on into the next term," he told journalists on Saturday as he announced his exit from cabinet immediately, and from politics in a few months.

"I have been fortunate to serve in a range of diverse, challenging and important portfolios since 2007 and I am proud of the reform agendas I have implemented."

Senator Evans, who said he had been thinking of stepping down for some time, is a much-respected politician say his Labor and opposition colleagues, including opposition senate leader, Eric Abetz.

"Senator Evans has been a worthy opponent, both across the dispatch box as leader and in his former role as Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and I wish him well," Senator Abetz said in a statement.

Senator Evans has led Labor in the Senate since 2004 and was acting prime minister on several occasions.

He has served as a minister in the portfolios of tertiary education, skills, science and research, immigration and citizenship and workplace relations.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says that as immigration minister, Senator Evans shaped the temporary and permanent skilled migration system to serve the economy and restored integrity to the 457 visa program.

The West Australian senator says one of the things he is proud of is as science minister helping to bring home Australia's bid to host the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope and to ensure ANSTO remains at the forefront of nuclear medicine through the manufacture of Molybdenum 99.

The veteran politician was first elected to the senate in 1993.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Heartbreaking devastation greets residents

NORM Cox wants to demolish his home. Only four months ago, he and wife Dorothy spent their life savings renovating it.

But looking at the mud-coated, putrid shell of what is left after a raging torrent ripped through his suburb of North Bundaberg, Norm knows his house is unsalvageable.

"It just doesn't seem real and I don't think it will for a while yet," he tells AAP.

As he holds back tears, Dorothy picks through piles of stinking sludge in her garden.

"Nothing matters anymore," she mutters to herself as if it is a simple fact.

The hopelessness and despair is repeated in almost every street that police had cordoned off as an exclusion zone until Saturday.

Roads are now sinkholes big enough to fit buildings inside. Houses just simply aren't there.

A few bricks, some stilts or a single letter box are the only indication a family had once called that spot home.

Just behind the Coxes in Tallon St, Miguel and Marina Velasco are trying to come to terms with just how fast the water must have gushed through their home.

Beds have been throw on top of cupboards. A washing machine and a fridge lie tossed across the living room floor.

Every inch of the house is covered with the same foul mud that permeates the entire suburb.

"We want to clean up, but where do we even start?" an exhausted Marina asks.

"How can we clean with all this wet mud still everywhere?"

But the cries of despair and frustration in the suburb are tempered by sighs of relief.

Tyson Hepi-Tehuia and his pregnant wife Krista had been told their home had gone under.

Most of what was stored under their home had disappeared, but the upstairs, inhabited level remained completely intact.

"We're just so relieved," Tyson says.

"We did lose some stuff, but just look around - we can't complain."

Long-term Bundaberg resident Harry Hartfiel remembers the terror of the 1942 flood as an eight-year-old, but insists this is the worst destruction he's ever seen.

"I'll never forget this for the rest of my life," he says.

And as north Bundaberg residents decide whether to give up or rebuild, it is a statement that almost certainly rings true with them too.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Incoming AG thrilled about the job

Australia's incoming attorney-general Mark Dreyfus says Australia's laws should reflect our values. Source: AAP

AUSTRALIA'S incoming attorney-general believes the nation's laws should protect and care for all Australians.

Mark Dreyfus, QC, will replace Nicola Roxon on Monday as she stands aside for personal reasons ahead of quitting politics at the September 14 federal election.

"I have been sitting in cabinet as the cabinet secretary since the election, so to some extent that will be a familiar environment, but of course the workload will increase and I'm thrilled to have this opportunity," Mr Dreyfus told ABC online on Saturday.

"I've had a long career in the law and it's a career that's given me ... a number of deep beliefs about the Australian legal system, such as Australian laws are there to protect and care for all Australians - our elderly, our workers, our injured, outspoken journalists."

Australian laws need to reflect national values of fairness and equality of opportunity, he says.

Mr Dreyfus was first elected to the seat of Isaacs in Victoria in 2007. He's been cabinet secretary and parliamentary secretary for climate change and energy efficiency since the last election.

He was born in Perth and studied law in Melbourne where he became a ministerial adviser to Victorian attorney-general Jim Kennan in 1985.

Mr Dreyfus became a barrister in 1987 and a Queens Counsel in 1999.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Train crash not due to mechanical fault

Cranes have removed the wreckage of a derailed passenger train from a station in Brisbane's east. Source: AAP

QUEENSLAND Transport Minister Scott Emerson says preliminary investigations suggest Brisbane's passenger train crash was not the result of a mechanical fault.

Mr Emerson has also asked Australia's transport regulator to run its own inquiry into the spectacular derailment.

Queensland Rail and police are already investigating the cause of the crash, which saw the train run up onto the platform and smash into a toilet block at Cleveland station on Thursday.

Mr Emerson says the train underwent a full inspection on January 9.

"This train had been fully inspected just a matter of weeks ago," he told reporters on Friday.

"There was a routine inspection earlier that day.

"There's no evidence, no indication that there was anything wrong with the train at all, and there were no reports from the driver on the journey from Doomben to Cleveland of any problems with the train."

It was also not the first train on that line that day.

Mr Emerson declined to comment on the actions of the train driver and said he did not want to pre-empt findings.

He also ruled out that it was a slippage.

"Slippages occur often in the system when there's water on the line," Mr Emerson said.

"That occurs probably every week on a train system ... but that has no connection to what happened in Cleveland."

The ATSB's probe is expected to be much quicker than Queensland's emergency services investigation.

Instead of three months, the ATSB will release interim findings within a month, Mr Emerson said.

The wreckage of the train was removed overnight, and work is underway to repair the station, the track and up to 300 metres of overhead wiring.

A woman who was in the toilet block was lucky to have escaped with her life, while passengers on the train suffered only minor injuries.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Aust bond prices drop on weak US lead

AUSTRALIAN bond futures prices are lower, following the lead from a weakening US treasury market.

At 1630 AEDT on Friday, the March 10-year bond futures contract was trading at 96.500 (implying a yield of 3.500 per cent), down from Thursday's local close of 96.570 (3.430 per cent).

The March three-year bond futures contract was at 97.130 (2.870 per cent), down from 97.190 (2.810 per cent).

Commonwealth Bank head of debt research Adam Donaldson said local movements had partly reflected those in the US, where 10-year bond prices dropped and yields jumped from 1.99 per cent to 2.01 per cent during Friday's session.

"We've seen a tone of weakness through most of the day," Mr Donaldson said.

"There was some brief respite when positive Chinese PMI (manufacturing) data came out earlier in the day and futures rallied back for a little while then, but they haven't been able to hold that tone overall."

Mr Donaldson said conditions were a thin ahead of the release of US non-farm payrolls figures for January on Friday night AEDT.

"The preference typically, I think, is to be going in square at the moment," he said.

"There is obviously a concern that strong data could extend the sell-off in the US and US traders want to stay away from that risk at the moment."

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Life sentence for gay love-triangle killer

A QATARI man who was convicted of murdering his gay love rival will stay behind bars for at least 15 years, a Perth judge has ruled.

Justice Lindy Jenkins on Friday handed Mohammed Ahmed Almansouri a life sentence with a non-parole period of 15 years after he was found guilty of fatally stabbing love rival Kenny Horack in August 2011.

Mr Horack, from Texas, was stabbed 14 times by Almansouri after tensions surrounding their complicated relationships with shared lover Ben Campbell spilled over into a brutal attack at the home the trio shared in Perth's western suburbs.

After a two-week trial late last year, in which Almansouri claimed self defence and that he'd been bullied by Mr Horack, the jury took less than two hours to convict him of murder.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pharmaxis takes a beating after US review

PHARMAXIS had $175 million wiped off its market value after suffering a setback in getting its cystic fibrosis drug approved for use in the United States.

Advisers to the powerful US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave a negative review of Bronchitol, which aims to improve pulmonary function in cystic fibrosis patients aged over six.

The independent expert advisory panel gave the thumbs down on all three areas of a review for the treatment.

"The committee vote is disappointing," Pharmaxis chief executive Alan Robertson said in a statement on Thursday.

"However, we are aware that these recommendations are not binding on the FDA and we will continue the process of working with the FDA to bring Bronchitol to patients in the US."

Shares in Pharmaxis plunged 57 cents, or 45.6 per cent, to close at a 15-month low of 68 cents, with more than 19 million shares having changed hands.

The FDA is expected to make a decision on Bronchitol on March 18.

The drug is already available to patients in Australia and Europe.

Cystic fibrosis affects about 30,000 people in the US and is the most common life-limiting genetic disease.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

ACCC says yes to Virgin's Skywest takeover

The ACCC has cleared Virgin Australia's $98 million plan to buy regional airline Skywest. Source: AAP

VIRGIN Australia has moved a step closer to seizing control of regional airline Skywest after receiving the go-ahead from the competition watchdog.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on Thursday cleared the deal, saying it was unlikely to lead to a substantial lessening of competition.

"The message that we received from the market was broadly supportive of the proposed acquisition," ACCC chairman Rod Sims said in a statement.

"The services that Virgin and Skywest supply are seen as largely complementary, rather than competitive with each other."

Virgin surprised the market last October when it announced a $98 million bid for Skywest and a 60 per cent buy-up of another budget carrier, Tiger Airways, for $35 million.

Virgin is paying 22.5 cents for every Skywest share.

The ACCC said it had considered competition issues involving services offered by Qantas and other regional airlines operating in Western Australia, including transfer flights between Perth and Broome as well as charter services.

However, it has not yet made a decision on Virgin's plan to buy a major stake in Tiger, saying it expected to make an announcement on February 7.

Virgin welcomed the ACCC's decision, saying it hopes the deal will allow it to accelerate its expansion in regional areas and the growing fly-in, fly-out market for miners in Western Australia.

"It will also be very positive for business and tourism, particularly in Western Australia and regional Australia, as we will invest to support the growth of Skywest," Virgin chief executive John Borghetti said.

The ACCC's approval of the Skywest takeover came six weeks after Singapore's corporate regulator gave the nod to the deal.

Skywest, which serves the West Australian market, is incorporated in Singapore.

The Foreign Investment Review Board, Singapore's High Court and Skywest shareholders are yet to approve the acquisition.

Virgin hopes its Skywest takeover will give it a slice of the lucrative fly-in, fly-out market in mining-rich Western Australia.

Skywest also has flights to Darwin, Melbourne and Denpasar in Bali.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

US gunman menaced his neighbours

THE gunman holed up in a bunker with a five-year-old hostage in the US state of Alabama was known around the neighbourhood as a menacing figure.

Neighbours said Jimmy Lee Dykes, a 65-year-old retired truck driver, once beat a dog to death with a lead pipe, threatened to shoot children for setting foot on his property, and patrolled his yard at night with a flashlight and a shotgun.

Mike and Patricia Smith, who live across the street from Dykes and whose two children were on the bus when the shooting happened, said their youngsters had a run-in with him about 10 months ago.

"My bulldogs got loose and went over there," Patricia Smith said. "The children went to get them. He threatened to shoot them if they came back."

"He's very paranoid," her husband said. "He goes around in his yard at night with a flashlight and shotgun."

Patricia Smith said her children told her what happened on the bus: two other children had just been dropped off and the Smith children were next. Dykes stepped on to the bus and grabbed the door so the driver couldn't close it. Dykes told the driver he wanted two boys, six to eight years old, without saying why.

According to Smith, Dykes started down the aisle of the bus and the driver put his arm out to block him. Dykes fired four shots at Poland with a handgun, Smith said.

"He did give his life, saving children," Mike Smith said.

Patricia Smith said her daughter, a high school senior, began corralling the other children and headed for the back of the bus while Dykes and the driver were arguing.

Later, Smith's son ran inside his house, telling his mother: "The crazy man across the street shot the bus driver and Mr Poland won't wake up."

Patricia Smith ran over to the bus and saw the driver slumped over in his seat. Her daughter used another child's mobile phone to call emergency services.

Another neighbour, Ronda Wilbur, said Dykes beat her 54-kilogram dog with a lead pipe for coming on to his side of the dirt road. The dog died a week later.

"He said his only regret was he didn't beat him to death all the way," Wilbur said. "If a man can kill a dog, and beat it with a lead pipe and brag about it, it's nothing until it's going to be people."

Dykes had been scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday to face a charge of menacing some neighbours as they drove by his house weeks ago.

Claudia Davis said he yelled and fired shots at her, her son and her baby grandson over damage Dykes claimed their pickup truck did to a makeshift speed bump in the dirt road. No one was hurt.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Qld floods have now claimed six lives

Fears are growing that Queensland's flood death toll could rise as authorities search for two men. Source: AAP

THE death toll in the Queensland floods has risen to six with the discovery of a second body in the Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane on Wednesday.

The body of a 34-year-old man was found in a car submerged in Sandy Creek at Glen Cairn, near Gatton, on Wednesday morning.

The body of a 25-year-old man was found nearby by police divers several hours later.

Their cars were swept off the road by floodwaters as the two men drove from Gatton to Mulgowie to start work at a farm at 5am (AEST) on Sunday.

Three other men have died in floodwaters and three-year-old boy died after a tree fell on him in Brisbane.

A young man who went missing while swimming in floodwaters at Maryborough was found alive.

Meantime, hundreds of soldiers are on their way to floodstricken Bundaberg, while Brisbane faces water supply dramas.

A convoy of 61 military vehicles carrying more than 200 soldiers is on its way from Brisbane to Bundaberg where about 2000 homes were flooded, many up to their roof tops.

The floodwaters are slowly dropping, but with so much water coming down the Burnett River it's expected to be some time before around 7500 residents can return home.

About 1200 people remain in official evacuation centres, with thousands of others bedding down with family and friends.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith says the defence force personnel will stay in Bundaberg for as long as they are needed.

Brisbane residents have been told to limit water use after flooding forced the shutdown of the city's main processing plant.

Premier Campbell Newman told reporters on Wednesday the Mount Crosby plant should be back up and running within 36 hours, but he warned some suburbs could run out of water before then.

He did not name the areas that would be affected but said the Brisbane City Council had drinking water ready to supply them.

Water coming into the plant at Mt Crosby is four times more turbid than what it was during the 2011 flood, he said.

Floodwaters are dropping slowly in Logan, south of Brisbane.

Logan Mayor Pam Parker says eight homes in Logan Reserve have had water through them, 7500 are without power, and about 200 residents in the suburb of Buccan are isolated.

A large body of water is heading towards the central Queensland city of Rockhampton with residents preparing for flood peaks to hit this weekend.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Elderly brought out of digital dark ages

MORE than 1.3 million seniors, including those in regional NSW, will get help to become familiar with computer and internet technology.

NSW Ageing Minister Andrew Constance says the Tech Savvy Seniors program - a partnership with Telstra - provides low cost or free training in community colleges and libraries covering computers, tablets, smartphones and the basics of social media.

"We have a digital divide and it's something we must close the gap on," Mr Constance told AAP on Wednesday.

"We do not want to see seniors in our state left in the technology dark ages."

Gordon Ballantyne, Telstra's Chief Customer Officer, said the ease with which smartphones and computers can access online shopping, paying bills and connecting to family, friends and the broader community would be of great benefit to older people.

Pam and Bob Richards are two certified Tech Savvy Seniors.

Mr Richards, 73, wanted to attract the younger generation to Rotary clubs, but found that the main source of communication was through Facebook and Twitter, not posted mail or printed newsletters.

So he and his wife enrolled into the first Tech Savvy Seniors program at Jannali Community College.

"Now technology is a part of our every day lives," said Mrs Richards, 71.

Nearly 15 per cent of the current population is over the age of 65.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Senator wants disaster insurance scheme

SA Independent Nick Xenophon will push for the introduction of a natural disaster insurance scheme. Source: AAP

INDEPENDENT senator Nick Xenophon has called for the introduction of a federal natural disaster insurance scheme in the wake of the latest floods in Queensland.

Senator Xenophon said those suffering most from the floods were those unable to get insurance or who were under-insured.

He said an insurance scheme had operated successfully in the United States since 1968 and he would now push for a Senate inquiry into establishing a similar program in Australia.

Under such a proposal property owners in designated communities would be able to purchase insurance at a fair and competitive rate from a government-backed entity.

But the insurance would come with broader obligations for flood mitigation measures to be implemented at a community level and also for no new homes to be built in flood-prone areas.

"Given that potentially hundreds of thousands of Australians can't obtain affordable flood insurance, there is no reason why a similar approach shouldn't be adopted here," Senator Xenophon said.

"What we need to do is have a natural disaster approach - a holistic approach - around the whole country.

"That way you spread the risk."

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Elder protests for ill brother's release

AN Aboriginal elder who has chained himself to a government building in Perth over his terminally-ill brother's imprisonment is entitled to a peaceful protest, police say.

Herbert Bropho - a key figure in last year's Heirisson Island "tent embassy" protests against a native title deal for the South West - has chained himself to Dumas House in West Perth, where the state government's main ministerial offices are situated.

He's seeking the release of his brother Richard from the maximum-security Casuarina Prison on compassionate grounds.

Richard Bropho, who was detained for failing to abide move-on notices, was last week diagnosed with liver and kidney failure.

A police spokeswoman said Herbert Bropho was not creating a disturbance and security staff at Dumas House were happy to have him there.

He was entitled to a peaceful protest, she said.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sea Kings sold to Aerospace Logistics

ONE of the Navy's Sea King helicopters will have its proud history celebrated in a museum but the other five "workhorses" will be sold to Aerospace Logistics (ASL).

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare says ASL plans to use the Sea Kings to sustain and support capability of international military and search and rescue fleets.

"The ASL bid provided the greatest return to the commonwealth," Mr Clare said in a statement.

The Sea Kings were known as the workhorse of the Navy and were large enough to pick up loads heavier than a Land Rover, he said.

"They have played a significant role in naval aviation over the last 36 years," Mr Clare said in a statement on Tuesday.

The Sea Kings were withdrawn from service in December 2011 and are being replaced by MRH90 helicopters.

Sea King Shark 07 will be preserved at the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Nowra because it has the most operational history, having served in the Middle East and East Timor.

In 1994, the Sea Kings were involved in one of the largest firefighting efforts in Australia's history - dumping water on fires raging near Grafton, Gosford, Bulahdelah and Sydney's western suburbs.

In 1998, two of the helicopters helped rescue yacht crews in disastrous weather conditions during the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

One of the Sea Kings' last operations was to southwest Queensland to provide response and recovery efforts during the Queensland floods.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Grafton narrowly escapes flood devastation

GRAFTON dodged a bullet when floods "never seen by white man" peaked just two centimetres below the northern NSW town's levee wall.

After 2000 people evacuated their homes and prepared for the worst, the raging Clarence River peaked at 8.08 metres, its highest mark in recorded history and just short of the level that could have caused widespread devastation.

"It does appear as though the worst of it is over," NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell said on Tuesday afternoon.

Mr O'Farrell jointly announced with Prime Minister Julia Gillard the declaration of 10 local government disaster areas to unlock federal and state funds for flood-hit families and businesses.

The Insurance Council estimates about 2,000 claims worth $10 million have already been lodged in NSW.

Concerns remain for some towns downstream, including Yamba, Ulmarra and Maclean, but Mr O'Farrell said he was delighted the river level had gone down to 7.95 metres and was still dropping.

"Now we are in recovery mode," said State Emergency Services (SES) Commissioner Murray Kear, as the low pressure system responsible for severe flooding in Queensland and NSW moved off the coast.

NSW escaped the loss of life suffered in Queensland, although 50 people had to be rescued, 3500 called for assistance, mainly around Grafton, but also as far south as Sydney and the Illawarra.

Nineteen thousand homes were blacked out, from Kempsey on the mid-north coast up to the Queensland border.

Grafton's levee was breached along some parts of the wall but council workers contained it with sandbags and were concentrating on towns downstream, including Iluka, Yamba, Ulmarra and Maclean.

"This is a sight that has never been seen by white man," said Clarence Valley Mayor Richie Williamson.

"The Clarence has never been recorded above 7.9 metres. It's an awesome spectacle.

"On Thursday and Friday we were nearly in drought conditions. Here we are on Tuesday morning talking about the biggest flood on the history books."

Commissioner Kear said the Clarence River had not risen above 7.7 metres since the 1890s.

"It's amazing to be standing in sunshine after what we have seen in the past three days," he said.

But he warned residents to remain vigilant and avoid driving through floodwaters - the main reason for the dozens of rescues.

"A lot of the floodwaters are still moving very swiftly," he said.

Long-time Grafton resident John Pullinger said the Clarence River was "scooting by, hooting past, roaring, you can hear the noise of it".

Roads north and south of Grafton, including the Pacific and Gwydir Highways, were still closed.

SES spokesman Phil Campbell said floodwaters had isolated more than 41,000 people across the state, including 18,000 in the Tweed Valley.

No properties were in danger, he said, and some of those cut off could expect to regain full access to roads and properties by Tuesday night.

Across Sydney and the Central Coast, Ausgrid crews were working to restore power to more than 300 homes after heavy downpours and strong winds brought down trees and branches.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

WA bushfire threatens homes, plantations

HOMES and plantations are under threat from a bushfire burning about 900 kilometres north of Perth.

A watch and act alert has been issued for people in Miaboolya Road, Bibbawarra Road, North River Road and surrounding areas in the north-eastern part of Carnarvon, on Western Australia's north coast.

Authorities say the fire, which started on Monday morning, could impact plantations along North River Road.

"There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is approaching the area and conditions are changing," the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) says.

"You need to leave or get ready to actively defend."

Residents have been advised to put their bushfire survival plan into action.

DFES says the bushfire is moving slowly in a north-westerly direction along Miaboolya Road.

It is out of control and unpredictable.

Burning embers are likely to be blown around and spot fires could start ahead of the fire, DFES warns.

The cause of the blaze is unknown.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Police fear for missing Vic teen

A 14-YEAR-OLD Victorian girl is missing and there are fears for her welfare.

Bonnie McSweeney went missing from a Castlemaine property, north-west of Melbourne, between 1am and 9am on Friday, police said.

Investigators have been told the local girl may have travelled to the Maryborough area.

The teenager does not have a mobile phone and police are concerned for her welfare, given her young age.

Bonnie is described as being about 165cm tall with a stocky build and dark, straight, shoulder-length hair.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Qld premier launches flood appeal

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman (L) has launched the Queensland Flood Appeal. Source: AAP

QUEENSLAND Premier Campbell Newman has launched the Queensland Flood Appeal.

He kick-started the appeal with a $1 million state donation and encouraged all Queenslanders to give to help those in need.

"The destructive force of the weather caused by Cyclone Oswald has affected communities from the Cape to the NSW border," Mr Newman said.

"Financial support at times like these can make a huge difference to the lives of those affected."

Meanwhile, Brisbane Mayor Graham Quirk needs up to 150 volunteers to help fill sandbags as riverside suburbs prepare for potential flooding.

Mr Quirk said already 1800 sandbags have been handed out since Friday but demand is expected to increase on Monday.

He said about 1500 homes, 2100 units and 1250 businesses would potentially be impacted by flooding.

It is expected to start at Moggill, in Brisbane's southwest, on Monday night, as the weekend's heavy downpours and floodwaters flow into river catchments.

The appeal is being run in conjunction with the Red Cross.

"This is a particularly distressing time for a lot of people as they won't know the extent of damage to their homes until the floods and storms pass through," Red Cross Queensland director Matthew Cox said.

"Coming so soon after the 2010/11 disasters, this is a heavy blow for many communities."

The Red Cross is on the ground assisting flood-affected communities.

Appeal funds will be distributed through an independent committee, with community input.

To donate, go to www.redcross.org.au

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

US woman loses fourth child to gun murder

AT least five people were gunned down in a single day in Chicago, including a 34-year-old man whose mother had already lost her three other children to shootings.

Ronnie Chambers, who was his mother Shirley's youngest child, was shot in the head Saturday while sitting in a parked car on the city's West Side. A 21-year-old man who was also in the car was wounded, police said.

Shirley Chambers, whose two other sons and daughter were shot in separate attacks more than a decade ago, was left grieving again on Saturday, WLS-TV reported.

"Right now, I'm totally lost because Ronnie was my only surviving son," Chambers said.

Shirley Chambers' first child, Carlos, was shot and killed by a high school classmate in 1995 after an argument.

He was 18. Her daughter Latoya, then 15, and her other son Jerome were shot and killed within months of one another in 2000.

"What did I do wrong? I was there for them. We didn't have everything we wanted but we had what we needed," she asked Saturday.

Chambers said despite this latest tragic chapter in her life, she's not bitter or angry.

"They took my only child. I have nobody right now. That's my only baby," she said.

A few hours after Ronnie Chambers was killed, a gunman opened fire on three men near a South Side eatery, killing two of them and wounding the third, police said.

Chicago's homicide count eclipsed 500 last year for the first time since 2008.

As grim as it is, Chicago's homicide rate was almost double in the early 1990s - averaging around 900 - before violent crime began dropping in cities across America.

Last year's increase, though, stood in sharp contrast to New York, where homicides fell 21 per cent from 2011, as of early December.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Elderly man's body found in Qld flood zone

The body of an elderly man has been pulled from the water, northeast of Bundaberg, Qld police say. Source: AAP

QUEENSLAND has recorded its first flood death - an elderly man whose body was pulled from the water at Burnett Heads, northeast of Bundaberg.

Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said the death was connected to the flooding, but with next of kin yet to be advised he would not reveal further details.

Authorities also hold grave fears for two other people.

One is a woman who was last seen driving into floodwaters at Pacific Haven near Maryborough on Sunday.

Swift water rescue teams are searching for her.

The other is a man who was swept away when he and two companions drove into flood waters at Widgee Creek near Gympie.

He remains missing. A man and a woman he was with were rescued early on Sunday.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Schwarzenegger to speak in Australia

Former Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger is to visit Australia for a speaking tour. Source: AAP

WHEN he says he'll be back, he means it.

It's been 23 years but Arnold Schwarzenegger is coming back to Australia as a guest for motivational speaker Jamie McIntyre's 21st Century Financial Education Summits.

Schwarzenegger will be sharing his wisdom at events in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney, where he last appeared in 1980 to win the title of Mr Olympia at the Sydney Opera House.

In a statement on Sunday Schwarzenegger said he was excited about visiting Australia.

"Australia is one of my favourite countries in the world and the people there are always so friendly and welcoming," he said in the statement.

"Sydney will always be special for me as it's the city where I won the title of Mr Olympia for the final time!"

McIntyre says Schwarzenegger is the embodiment of what those attending his summits wish to achieve.

"He is motivated, inspirational, an achiever against all odds."

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More