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Courts can cancel licence for any crime

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 26 November 2013 | 18.16

Victorian courts can now cancel the licence of any person convicted or found guilty of any offence. Source: AAP

NEW laws give Victorian courts the power to cancel licences even if the offence has nothing to do with driving.

Changes introduced on September 30 allow courts to suspend or cancel the licence of any person convicted or found guilty of any offence.

Sergeant Sherril Handley said about 50,000 offenders could potentially be penalised.

"A court or a magistrate can suspend or disqualify a person's driver's licence for any offence under any act," she said on Tuesday.

Sgt Handley said drivers who returned to court to be relicensed could be forced to use a vehicle interlock device if drugs or alcohol were found to be a factor.

"This is just another option provided to magistrates for those occasions that don't fall under those current road safety offences," she said.


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SA hit by federal cuts: premier

SOUTH Australia is feeling the brunt of the new federal government's fiscal conservatism, with funding cuts to various projects worth $2 billion, Premier Jay Weatherill says.

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Electricity usage drops, prices increase

ABS figures show electricity usage per household fell 14 per cent from 2008-09 to 2011-12. Source: AAP

THE good news is you're using less electricity than you were four years ago. The bad news is that power is costing Australians about 50 per cent more.

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Tuesday show electricity usage per household remains on a downward trend, falling almost 14 per cent from 2008-09 to 2011-12.

But don't expect that to translate to hip pocket savings, with the statistics also showing the consumer price index (CPI) for electricity rose 45.6 per cent over the same period.

Assuming the trends have continued to date, Australians would be paying more than double the price for electricity than ten years ago, despite using about 25 per cent less.

The statistics also showed Australians were using 1.7 per cent less energy overall per household in 2011-12 than they were in 2008-09.


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Police appeal for video of NSW ski crash

Written By Unknown on Senin, 25 November 2013 | 18.16

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

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

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

Her parents rushed to her bedside.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ski Racing Australia did not return calls on Monday.

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

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


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Bomb attacks in Iraq kill 5 troops

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

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

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

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

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

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

Medical officials confirmed the causalities.


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Drug lab uncovered in Sydney's north

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 24 November 2013 | 18.16

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

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

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

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

No one was injured in the explosion.


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No let up as more storms forecast this evening

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

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

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

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

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

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

Send us your wet weather pics - MMS 0428 258 117

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Send us your wet weather pics - MMS 0428 258 117

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Send us your wet weather pics - MMS 0428 258 117

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A drier air mass should dominate to the south.

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

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

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

Send us your wet weather pics - MMS 0428 258 117

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"The main trigger is the upper trough."

Send us your wet weather pics - MMS 0428 258 117

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Send us your wet weather pics - MMS 0428 258 117

- additional reporting by Kate McKenna


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ACT house shatters Christmas lights record

  • From: AAP
  • November 24, 2013 8:36PM

MORE than half a million Christmas lights have been switched on in Canberra, smashing a Guinness world record for the largest number on one house.


18.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

Abbott coy on spy letter to SBY

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 23 November 2013 | 18.16

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has sent the Indonesian president a letter addressing the spy scandal. Source: AAP

PRIME Minister Tony Abbott is remaining tight-lipped about the contents of his letter to the Indonesian president about the spy scandal.

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had written to Mr Abbott demanding an official apology and a full explanation as to why Australian spies in 2009 targeted his mobile phone, as well as his wife's and some of his closest confidants.

Indonesia has halted all co-operation with Australia on people smuggling following the phone-tapping controversy.

Mr Abbott told reporters in Sydney on Saturday that he had written to Dr Yudhoyono.

"The letter is now in the process of being delivered," he said.

"I think it would be wrong of me to talk about what I've said to the president before the president has actually received it."

Mr Abbott reiterated the government's commitment to a strong relationship between Australia and Indonesia.

"Obviously there will be good days and there will be better days but my determination is to ensure that the relationship is constantly improving," he said.

Tear gas was used to repel protesters on Friday during demonstrations in Jakarta over the spy row.

An Australian flag and pictures of Mr Abbott were set alight.

The Australian embassy was pelted with rocks and eggs, and a mock coffin bearing a photo of Mr Abbott was left on the road in front of the compound.

Dr Yudhoyono tweeted on Saturday that social relations are closer when there is mutual trust, care and co-operation.


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Latvia mourns roof collapse victims

The death toll from a supermarket roof collapse in Latvia reached 49, with 30 people still trapped. Source: AAP

LATVIA is mourning its dead after rescuers spent a second night looking for survivors in the rubble of a Riga supermarket whose roof collapsed, killing at least 52.

The latest body was hauled out at dawn and hopes of finding anyone alive were dwindling nearly two days after the worst disaster since Latvia's 1991 independence.

The small Baltic state of two million began three days of official grieving over the Thursday tragedy as officials began probing the causes of Europe's third worst roof disaster in 30 years.

"The latest body was found this morning at 6am, bringing the total to 52, including two bodies that are still unidentified," said police spokesman Toms Sadovskis.

Rescuers continued to comb the mangled Maxima supermarket's wreckage of steel and concrete as morning mists rose after a second night of work in near-zero temperatures.

Riga mayor Nils Usakovs said on Friday five people were feared trapped inside but it was unclear how many were still believed to be missing on Saturday.

Forty people survived the catastrophe, according to rescue services.

A ring of thousands of glowing candles and heaps of flowers decked the perimeter crash barriers surrounding the disaster site, placed by a constant stream of shell-shocked members of the public.

Flags were being flown from houses across the country with a black sash attached - a traditional sign of mourning.

Just days after November 18 independence celebrations, the tragedy snuffed out an upbeat mood in Latvia, with 2014 set to mark its entry in the eurozone and showcase Riga as the European capital of culture.

Child Protection Inspectorate director Laila Rieksta-Riekstina told Latvian Radio on Saturday that "16 children lost one parent and one child has unfortunately lost both parents" in the tragedy.

The website of the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) paid tribute to three firefighters who were among the dead, describing them as "more like family members than colleagues".

Books of condolence have been opened at Latvian embassies abroad including Russia, Poland, the USA, Canada, Britain and Ireland while world leaders have also expressed sympathy.

A disaster fund set up for the victims has already collected 86,000 lats ($A176,755) from public donations, the Ziedot charity announced on Saturday morning, with central government and Riga city council both promising compensation to victims.

Part of the roof of the Maxima supermarket crashed down during peak shopping hours around 6pm on Thursday, in the Zolitude district of the Latvian capital, with a second collapse crushing to death rescuers who had already entered the building.

Latvia will also observe a moment of silence on Monday while police probe what caused the cave-in at the two-year old supermarket.

Speculation has centred on plans to build a rooftop garden and the possibility that building regulations may not have been followed in full.

A photograph published by Latvia's Diena daily on Friday showed an aerial view of the roof prior to the collapse, covered in soil, shrubbery, a children's playground and construction material.

Run by the Lithuanian-owned Maxima chain - Latvia's number two retailer after Rimi - the supermarket was built in 2011 and was named one of the country's top three architecture projects that year.


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