A bird? A plane? It's a bulldozer

The John Deere 450 Bulldozer was airdropped as part of a trial to certify it as a suitable aerial delivery by an Air Force transport aircraft / Pic: Brad Hunter Source: The Daily Telegraph

The John Deere 450 Bulldozer was airdropped as part of a trial to certify it as a suitable aerial delivery by an Air Force transport aircraft / Pic: Brad Hunter Source: The Daily Telegraph

DROPPING a 10-tonne bulldozer from the back of an aeroplane is easy. Getting it to land in one piece is the real challenge.

Five 30m descent parachutes eased a John Deere bulldozer safely to the ground at Londonderry, in Sydney's west, yesterday after it was dropped from the back of a low-flying Hercules by the RAAF.

The plane was just 350m above the ground as the huge payload was pulled backwards out of the cargo bay as a trial to certify the bulldozer as being suitable for aerial delivery.

The bulldozer, which has been specially designed by Defence to handle the stresses involved in airdrop delivery, will be used to clear areas, repair runways, and prepare drop zones where road access is impossible.

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Guy fumes at X Factor viewer vote

Nathaniel Willemse has left the X Factor. Source: Supplied

• Nathaniel Willemse eliminated
• Guy Sebastian lashes out at viewers
• Jason Owen the surprise package

THE X Factor top five has been decided with the elimination of Nathaniel Willemse.

The Collective, Shiane Hawke, Jason Owen, Bella Ferraro, and Samantha Jade are through to the final weeks of the Channel 7 talent show.

Mentor Guy Sebastian lashed out at viewers after both of his acts, Willemse and Jade, were thrown into the bottom two.

The pair endured a sudden-death sing-off, Willemse singing Marvin Gaye's Sexual Healing and Jade covering Etta James classic At Last.

"I'll be honest, I just think its stupid," a shocked Sebastian bleated. "It's dumb that they're here."

Judge Ronan Keating agreed, saying he was "embarrassed" by the viewer voting.

Judges Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Mel B voted for Jade to go, but Keating picked Willemse for elimination.

Willemse was sent packing after Sebastian threw the judging into deadlock. The wedding singer had the lowest viewer vote.

"Its not the end of me, that's for sure," Willemse said after he was eliminated.

Owen is The X Factor's biggest surprise package. Few would have predicted early on that the 18-year-old country kid would have made the final five.

He has shed a pack of weight, found a new rocker wardrobe and cut his hair and has won plenty of female fans.

Hawke, the talent show's youngest contestant, was the first to make it through to the final five.

The 14-year-old won votes with her version of Vanessa Amorosi's Shine.

The Collective survived despite a less-than-impressive version of Timomatic hit Incredible.

Ferraro brushed off the haters that attacked her for surviving last week's sing-off with boy band Fourtunate, with a powerful rendition of The Temper Trap's Sweet Disposition.

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From life at sea to VCE

Matilda Ballinger has become a dedicated student on the high seas. Picture: Andrew Tauber Source: Herald Sun

MATILDA Ballinger is more comfortable studying in a cabin than a classroom.

The year 12 student has spent almost all her schooling years sailing the world with her family.

And it's taken VCE exams - starting today - to bring this young adventurer back to dry land.

Matilda will tackle the English exam in her home town of Apollo Bay, on Victoria's southwest coast.

But most of the hard yards have been done in the family yacht, which her fisherman father, Warrick, has navigated from the likes of South Africa to Singapore.

"I used to think (living on a boat) was normal, because that's what I'm used to," Matilda, 17, said.

"But then I went to boarding school for one year, and I thought, 'no, normal life is boring'."

Apart from completing prep and year 10 at regular schools in Apollo Bay and Geelong, Matilda has become a dedicated student on the high seas.

VCE student Matilda Ballinger studies on the family yacht. Picture: Andrew Tauber Source: Herald Sun

Along with siblings Gillian, 15, and Rip, 12, Matilda sticks to a Monday-Friday study timetable, with material from the Distance Education Centre Victoria.

After classes, they enjoy socialising with locals and fellow "cruisers".

The Ballingers spend many months at a time moored at different countries, mainly across South-East Asia.

The most recent long-term stop was Bali, while other destinations have included the Philippines, Borneo, Brunei, Malaysia and New Zealand.

And they have lost count of how many nautical miles they have covered since they bought the 20m schooner Anitra May, when Matilda was in kindergarten.

Matilda's mother, Sonja, a surveyor, said if there were any negatives to her family's unusual lifestyle, they were more than outweighed by the positives.

"It's been very, very rewarding," Sonja said.

Matilda hopes to study geoscience at the University of Melbourne next year.

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ANZ bank manager plundered $5m

AN ANZ bank manager who stole more than $5 million and spent it on luxury cars, homes and the stock market has been jailed for six years.

Michael Phan, 29, was earning a base salary of $130,000 and average annual bonuses of $20,000 when he launched his elaborate multi-million-dollar rip-off.

When an internal investigation revealed the missing millions last year, Phan told bosses he had been trying to provide for his parents.

He had supported them for 10 years but had lost their retirement funds in bad investments and had been trying to recoup his losses without telling them, he said.

But in jailing him yesterday for at least four years, a County Court judge said he did not accept this had been the only motive behind Phan's "well planned, systematic" crimes.

Judge Frank Saccardo said the purchase of a luxury BMW and Mercedes Benz at a cost of more than $200,000 had made it hard to believe that protecting his parents was Phan's sole concern.

"Your offending also involved some activities which were motivated by a desire to have access to the trappings of wealth, and basking in the recognition of your family and, no doubt, peers that you were a shrewd and successful investor," he said.

Judge Saccardo said Phan, who was authorised to approve loans of up to $1.5 million, had set up a number of false accounts between 2006 and 2010, and approved loans for his own use.

He said Phan also used colleagues' personal details and forged signatures on bank cheques to approve the loans.

In his four-year spree, Phan stole $5,142,000 from the bank in eight transactions of between $132,000 and $1.5 million.

Phan pleaded guilty to six charges of theft and two of obtaining a financial advantage by deception.

Judge Saccardo said Phan had not only abused his position but had used the training and expertise that had been provided by the ANZ to steal from it.

"Your behaviour involves an inexcusable and ultimate breach of faith on your part as you plundered funds of the bank," he said.

The court heard Phan still owed the bank more than $500,000 following the liquidation of assets and the recovery of money held by him in various accounts.

He has begun repaying the debt at $100 a week.

Phan must serve at least four years of his six-year jail term before becoming eligible for parole.

shannon.deery@news.com.au

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Jason is now on Cruise control

Tom Cruise looks menacing as Lee Child's Jack Reacher. Picture: Paramount Pictures Source: Supplied

Honest mistake ... Jason Sullivan / Pic: Angelo Soulas Source: The Daily Telegraph

IT may not have been the way he planned to make his international splash but it seems Jason Sullivan, the man tasered outside Tom Cruise's house, is set to translate his high-profile indiscretion into a big Hollywood break.

The perma-tanned, lantern-jawed blond who relocated to LA from Sydney in July is said to have been inundated with media offers since his highly publicised arrest in Beverly Hills on Sunday night outside Cruise's home.

And Confidential hears that the 41-year-old model is taking his time to consider all offers because he is also in the midst of launching his TV career in the US under the watchful eye of pal and housemate Kevin Huvane, who lives next door to Cruise.

One of Hollywood's uber-power agents who counts Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt and Cruise among his client list, Huvane is said to be advising Sullivan on a handful of potential TV projects and has put the ex-Sydney boy up in his multi-million-dollar pad since his arrival in La La Land.

And already Sullivan has the support of his good pal and actress Erika Heynatz, who told Confidential this week: "I have great faith that Jason Sullivan will be a big star."How Sullivan came to be scaling Cruise's fence after a few drinks is yet to be fully revealed but he told police he mistook the property for his own.

And he informed Confidential exclusively that the matter was an "honest mistake".

Cruise bears no hard feelings and his lawyer Bert Fields has no plans to press charges, a given considering Sullivan is bunking with Cruise's agent.

All eyes now will be on just how well Sullivan can turn the embarrassing incident into a career positive.

His Aussie rep Sharon Finnigan told Confidential the model and interior decorator is weighing up his options before doing any interviews.

But don't be surprised if Nine's Karl Stefanovic gets first bite of the cherry.

Like Sullivan, he too is managed by Finnigan.

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Son's tonsils in court's hands

A COURT has been left to decide whether a four-year-old Melbourne boy should have his tonsils removed.

The boy's parents were locked in a dispute about who should have the final say in his medical treatment.

The Federal Magistrates Court heard there had been a history of "considerable tension" between the pair about medical matters relating to their son.

It began when the mother, 29, wanted her son immunised but it had been strongly opposed by the father, who had never been vaccinated himself.

The court heard the mother then took the child for his injections without her partner's knowledge and that had caused conflict between them.

The boy then began suffering with sleep apnoea because of his "rather large tonsils", which a specialist advised should be removed.

But the father, 30, did not accept the intervention was needed and told the mother: "You will not cut anything out of my son."

The father told the court he had researched inoculation and now agreed it was necessary.

He agreed his son snored, but claimed he knew nothing about his sleep apnoea and another specialist had said the boy's tonsils did not need to be taken out.

The mother said she did not believe her former partner's claims that he now approved of immunisation and antibiotics.

She said the father was very angry when he discovered the boy had been immunised and "continued to harangue her on this issue to this day".

The mother said the father had "flatly rejected" the need to take their son's tonsils out

Federal magistrate Evelyn Bender said the pair's inability to agree on medical issues could put their son at risk so she would have to empower one to be solely responsible for the decisions.

"I have no doubt that both parties only want what they think is best for their much-loved son," she said.

"However, it is apparent that the parties have quite differing views on the medical interventions necessary. It cannot be in (his) best interests for when a decision is needed."

Ms Bender found the mother was better placed to make the medical decisions, and ordered she have sole responsibility but keep the father advised of all medical matters.

katie.bice@news.com.au

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Stairs collapse under kids on Halloween

The front stairs of a house at Hawthorne collapsed during Halloween trick-or-treating. Picture: Marc Robertson Source: The Courier-Mail

The front stairs of a house at Hawthorne that collapsed during Halloween trick-or-treating. Picture: Marc Robertson Source: The Courier-Mail

A GROUP of trick-or-treaters received the fright of their life after a set of wooden stairs suddenly fell away at a two-storey house in Brisbane's east last night.

About 10 children - aged between six and 15 years old - had stopped in at the two-storey Queenslander on Amy Street at Hawthorne about 7.45pm, the third home on their Halloween route.

The group said they were standing on the stairs and began to make their way down when the structure suddenly fell away from the porch, sending the children tumbling down in a heap into the garden bed three metres below.

Emergency services said the children escaped with minor injuries. A girl, 9, was driven to Mater Children's Hospital by a parent "as a precaution".

Two ambulances and a fire crew attended the scene.

Eight-year-old Tyson Smith, from Hawthorne, told The Courier-Mail he felt like he was "in a dream" when the accident happened.

Cassie Stefan, 15, who lives at Kangaroo Point, said the children were "just in shock at the moment".

"It was one of our first houses. We were on the stairs when they started coming down under us and all got pushed down the bottom," she said.

"Some people hit their heads...while another little girl was at the bottom of the pile and started crying so she was rushed to hospital."

Senior Sergeant Ian Cameron said it was "lucky no one was seriously injured."

"The kids just fell down on top of each other down into the garden bed, which was about three or three and a half metres."

He dismissed rumours the house had been recently renovated.

"We need to make some enquiries into the cause," he said.

"But it might still be difficult to say (how it happened). It might be an issue for the building authority."

The house is being rented and the owner was not available for comment.

The home on Amy St, Hawthorne. Picture: Google Street View Source: Supplied

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Handwriting 'will clear Craig Thomson'

Craig Thomson's lawyer Chris McArdle on Sky News. Source: Supplied

CRAIG Thomson's lawyer has told Tony Abbott to "shut his mouth" after the Opposition Leader commented on the police raids on the house and electoral office of the member for Dobell.

Chris McArdle told Sky News Opposition Leader Tony Abbott was alleging his client had committed criminal wrongdoing.

"If Mr Abbott has evidence of that he should come forward forthwith, or he should shut his mouth," he said.

"We will not tolerate our client being condemned by innuendo or ageing student politicians mouthing off.

"This is unacceptable conduct. Our client is an innocent man."

Speaking to reporters in Adelaide earlier today, Mr Abbott encouraged Mr Thomson to fully co-operate with the police .

"I think it's very important this member of parliament fully co-operates with police," Mr Abbott said.

"The police have shown a lot of diligence in trying to ensure that low paid workers' money is not misused."

Craig Thomson's lawyer defends him after continuing allegations of rorting union credit cards.

And a top Victorian police officer expressed anger at the media tip-off.

In a statement this afternoon, Detective-Supt Brett Guerin of the Serious Crime Operations said:  "I share Mr McArdle's outrage at the media's apparent knowledge of these activities this morning. The last thing our detectives need is to be knocking on someone's door with a media scrum watching. It helps no one but the media. Victoria Police is very conscious of the high-profile nature of this investigation and has been resolute in the information they have provided to the media. I would love to know how the media knew what was happening."

This morning, police raided Mr Thomson's home on the NSW Central Coast and left several hours later carrying sealed evidence bags.

Detectives then seized a computer hard drive, documents and other items from Mr Thomson's electoral office at Tuggerah.

But while Mr Thomson praised police handling of the search, his lawyer, Chris McArdle, lashed out, saying it was "scandalous" that news crews arrived around the same time as police, adding ii was like "something out of a Kafka novel".

"Mr Thomson knew nothing about this, but every journalist in the country did,'' he said.

He said the police were not supposed to be a public relations agency for those in politics with an interest in seeing Mr Thomson fall.

MP Craig Thomson faces the media after police seized documents from his Bateau Bay home . Picture: Peter Clark

''The police are an independent statutory force with an objective to investigate matters,'' he told reporters.

''They are not a public relations agency for political parties. People should not use the independent force as some sort of stunt squad.

Mr McArdle said his client would eventually be cleared.

''He's not going to be charged with a criminal offence and he's going to win the civil case. End of story,'' he said.

Mr McArdle said his client was being hounded only because his vote mattered in a hung Parliament.

"This is a person whose life has been trashed. If the government had a majority of five seats, no one would have ever heard of Craig Thomson except his constituents,'' he said

"Obviously, as is the normality in these things, the target of the search warrant was taken completely by surprise,'' he told the ABC.

Embattled cross-bencher says he does not expect to be charged after a police raid on his Bateau Bay home.

"The scandalous aspect of this, is that press arrived almost at the same time as the police and a camera crew was outside at almost the same time as the police."

Mr McArdle queried whether the purpose of the raid was the administration of justice or a continuing campaign against Mr Thomson.

"We are supremely confident that there will be no charge brought before a court by the police against our client.''

Earlier, Mr McArdle said the MP was very distressed and worried by the raid although he appeared calm when confronted by reporters outside his home.

"His family are obviously very distressed,'' Mr McArdle said.

"Police have an obligation to investigate matters and we understand and appreciate that. However, we anticipate that no charges with be laid.''

Mr McArdle went on to say that he believes the raid "will be one more brick in the wall of Mr Thomson's innocence".

Police leave MP Craig Thomson's Bateau Bay home with seized documents . Picture: Peter Clark

Jackson slams Thomson's 'mantra'

Meanwhile, HSU National Secretary Kathy Jackson has criticised Mr Thomson for not taking questions from the media and "repeating his mantra" after his home and electoral office were raided by police earlier today.

"All this morning reinforces in my mind is that there has been criminal activity within that NSW HSU branch and it continues," she told Macquarie radio.

Ms Jackson rejected Mr Thomson's claims the police investigation was into the HSU branch and not himself personally.

"My understanding is that Victorian police are looking at Craig Thomson, there is no other reason they raided his house today," she said.

"For him to come out and say, he gave them a few documents, well they raided his house and they took the documents ...

"He has not co-operated with the police, this is why they have executed warrants and this was why they have gone down this path."

Fraud squad officers have raided the home of embattled federal MP Craig Thomson.

Electoral office and house raided

Earlier today police took samples of Craig Thomson's handwriting, which his lawyer says will prove he did not use union funds to pay for prostitutes, during raid on the MP's home and electorate office today.

Officers raided Mr Thomson's NSW Central Coast  home just after 7.20 am (AEDT) on behalf of Victoria Police who are investigating allegations Mr Thomson improperly used Health Services Union (HSU) funds to spend on prostitutes, air travel, entertainment and cash withdrawals in excess of $100,000.

They spent about two-and-half hours at the house after arriving in a convoy of vehicles. About eight officers left shortly after 10am (AEDT) carrying sealed evidence bags which they loaded into five police cars.

They then headed to Mr Thomson's electoral office at Tuggerah where detectives seized a computer hard drive, documents and other items.

NSW detective-inspector David Christey said the operation resulted from an ongoing investigation in Victoria.

"The warrant has been issued with information that has been provided by the Victorians," Mr Christie said outside the electoral office.

Fraud squad detectives raid MP Craig Thomson's house. Picture: Channel 7

"The items that have been seized will be returning to Melbourne with them."

Victoria Police are reportedly in the final stages of their investigation but would not comment on the operation.

But both Mr Thomson and his lawyer Chris McArdle maintain the former Labor MP has done nothing wrong.

Mr McArdle said police took samples of  Mr Thomson's handwriting and at least one computer from his home.

"The samples of handwriting will prove that he did not sign these infamous dockets, these credit card receipts at houses of ill repute,'' Mr McArdle said.

Mr Thomson emerged from the house around 10.30am (AEDT) and told media police had taken a "couple of documents" during the search that he had volunteered.

"I've done nothing wrong and we are fully co-operating with police in relation to the Health Services Union investigation,'' Mr Thomson said.

Fraud squad detectives raid MP Craig Thomson's house. Picture: Channel 7

"`We think there is still some time for this investigation to go before it's concluded.

"But I'm very much looking to it concluding, hopefully, before the end of this year.''

Mr Thomson said he had not been charged with anything.

He said there was not much more he could add, given the investigation was ongoing.

Under intense questioning reporters, Mr Thomson said he did "not expect to be charged in relation to this matter''.

"I expect that at the end of the day, the position I have taken, where I spoke for over an hour in parliament, which I have said in the last four years that I have done no wrongdoing, will be vindicated,'' he said.

Faced with a barrage of questions from reporters, Mr Thomson cut short his press conference and went back inside his house.

Fraud squad detectives raid MP Craig Thomson's house. Picture: Channel 7

Shortly after, Mr Thomson's wife ran over camera equipment belonging to a Sky News team as she tried to leave the house.

Zoe Arnold, Mr Thomson's wife, was trying to avoid a media pack when the accident happened.

Police from two states in raid

NSW Police confirmed they assisted Victoria Police in executing a search warrant on Mr Thomson's property.

In a statement, Victoria Police said a warrant was executed in Bateau Bay on Wednesday morning with the assistance of NSW police, as part of the Operation Vespine investigation.

"Fraud and extortion squad detectives would like to thank NSW police Strike Force Carnarvon for their ongoing assistance,'' the statement said.

"As the investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further.''

Detectives raid the home of Craig Thomson at Bateau Bay, NSW. Picture: Channel 7

The joint operation was not without controversy, with Victoria Police this afternoon issuing a statement questioning who tipped off the media about the raid.

''The safety and security of investigators when executing search warrants is of the utmost importance to Victoria Police,'' the statement said.

''To alert the media of such warrants prior to them being executed, and keeping in mind the privacy of those concerned, is not the practice of Victoria Police.''

The Thomson accusations

The Victorian Police investigation focuses solely on allegations Mr Thomson, while national secretary of the HSU based in Melbourne between 2002-2007, spent more thann $6000 on prostitutes using union credit cards and took more than $100,000 off the cards in cash withdrawals - some of which is alleged was spent on personal items. Fair Work Australia also alleges alleged some of that money was also used on prostitutes.

A separate NSW Police investigation is looking at broader allegations of fraud of the HSU allegedly involving former HSU boss Michael Williamson and also Mr Thomson.

That investigation is looking into claims both men received credit cards from a printing firm contracted by the union as "secret commissions".

Last week Fair Work Australia (FWA) launched civil action against Mr Thomson alleging he breached workplace laws 37 times and misused almost $500,000 when he was national secretary of the HSU from 2002 to 2007.

Federal Police carry evidence from the office of Craig Thomson's electorate office. Picture: Waide Maguire

The former Labor MP, now an independent, faces fines of up to $450,000 if the court finds, among other things, he spent thousands of dollars of union funds on prostitutes.

Mr Thomson has maintained his innocence and says the case won't go anywhere.

Raid a blow for Gillard government

The police raid on Mr Thomson's house is another blow for the Gillard Government which has also seen its hand-picked Speaker, Peter Slipper, resign in disgrace a fortnight ago over a batch of lewd emails were made public.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard in late April sought to distance her Government from Mr Thomson, announcing that a "line had been crossed'' and that the former Health Services Union boss would resign from the Labor Caucus and sit on the cross-benches in parliament.

In the first reaction to the Thomson raid, Senior Gillard Government Minister and Senate Leader Chris Evans offered cautious support for the suspended Labor MP, saying he was entitled to "the presumption of innocence'' following the police raid.

"Obviously these are matters of huge public controversy. We should let these things run their course,'' Senator Evans told Sky News.

Federal Police carry evidence from the office of Craig Thomson's electorate office. Picture: Waide Maguire

The police, he said, "have to do their job and we should refrain from commenting on it until its clear what the outcomes are.''

Opposition workplace relations spokesman Eric Abetz said the raid was a significant development in "this ongoing saga''.

"It is now clear that despite Mr Thomson's repeated claims to the contrary, he is a person of interest in both the Victorian and NSW police fraud squad investigations,'' Senator Abetz said in a statement.

Manager of opposition business Christopher Pyne said Prime Minister Gillard needed to say whether Labor would continue to accept Mr Thomson's vote in federal parliament.

"We left parliament two weeks ago mired in scandal," Mr Pyne said in Adelaide.

"We go back next Monday continuing to be steeped in scandal.

"And if Julia Gillard wanted to restore integrity to the way Australians think about the parliament she would announce she would not accept Craig Thomson's tainted vote."

Federal Police carry evidence from the office of Craig Thomson's electorate office. Picture: Waide Maguire

The raid comes just one week after the under siege MP sat down exclusively with the Central Coast Express Advocate and pleaded with voters to be judged on his record.

"Judge me on what I have done and want to do and will continue to dedicate myself to doing for this area," he said.

"All the other stuff you can put aside,'' Mr Thomson said.

HSU president charged

Earlier this month, Strike Force Carnarvon charged former HSU national president Michael Williamson with 20 offences.

It's alleged Mr Williamson recruited five former and current HSU officials to hinder police investigations.

In May, Strike Force Carnarvon officers raided the central headquarters of the union's east branch, seizing documents and computers in search of evidence relating to a broader investigation into allegations Williamson and Mr Thomson received secret commissions from a union supplier.

Former Labor MP Craig Thomson's NSW house has been raided by fraud squad detectives. File picture: Kym Smith

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Children traumatised by movie mix-up

Children expecting to see giggling zebras and comedic giraffes in a screening of Madagascar 3 were instead confronted by a terrifying corpse flying towards the screen when Paranormal Activity 4 was shown accidentally. Picture: Supplied Source: news.com.au

OOPS. It's not even Halloween yet and already a bunch of UK children have been given the fright of their little lives.

A cinema full of kids were left traumatised when supernatural horror film Paranormal Activity 4 was accidentally screened instead of animated family film Madagascar 3.

"It opens on the most terrifying scene in the first film - where a body shoots full pelt towards the camera," said parent Natasha Lewis, whose attended the screening with her eight-year-old son.

"It's enough to make grown men jump, so you can imagine the terror in these young faces."

America's Most Wanted: Gloria the Hippo (voiced by Jada Pinkett Smith), Alex the Lion (Ben Stiller), Melman the Giraffe (David Schwimmer), and Marty the Zebra (Chris Rock) from "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted." Picture: AP Source: AP

Lewis said almost 25 families fled the theatre with their screaming children who were terrified at the traumatic images of a corpse hurtling towards the camera.

"Everybody just scrambled for the exits, all you could hear were children crying and screaming. Everyone was very upset. I've watched a few horror films in my time but the Paranormal Activity films are the scariest since The Exorcist.

"It was only about two minutes worth of the film but it was enough to scar them for life," she said.

A spokesperson for the Cineworld cinema in Nottingham blamed a "technical error" on the mix-up and apologised to the families involved.

"We take matters such as this very seriously and are currently working with technicians to ensure this does not happen again," the spokeperson said.

The theatergoers were given refunds as well as complimentary tickets and were invited to attend a later showing of Madagascar 3 free of charge.

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You can kiss your signature goodbye

From April 1 next year all Visa ''card-present'' transactions will use a chip and personal identification number (PIN) at the checkout. Source: Supplied

SCRIBBLING your signature to pay for goods or square off your restaurant bill is set to become a thing of the past.

All plastic transactions on Visa cards will soon require a four-digit code, with customers no longer able to sign for purchases.

From April 1 next year all Visa ''card-present'' transactions will use a chip and personal identification number (PIN) at the checkout, boosting security for customers and reducing the risk of fraud.

Independent Eftpos company Tyro Payments' spokesman Garry Duursma said it's a significant change to the way customers pay for things.

''Everything is going to be done via a PIN number, so when it's a card-present transaction the computer that you enter the card into will force you to use a PIN,'' he said.

''From April 2013 Visa said it will remove the signature from card-present transactions.''

Mr Duursma said the migration to chip and PIN-only transactions would help boost customer security.

''It's clearly harder to fake a PIN than a signature,'' he said.

''By forcing a customer to use a PIN you should be reducing the amount of card-present fraud that occurs in the market.''

Latest statistics from the Australian Payments Clearing Association found in 2011 fraudulent card transactions reached a record $278 million.

Fraudulent transactions on signature-based credit, debit and charge cards and also card-not present transactions doubled in 2011 compared to 2009 and made up 92 per cent of all fraudulent transactions.

Mr Duursma said consumers would notice a significant change when dining out, with the use of credit cards requiring a signature a common way to pay for meals.

He said it was up to the financial institutions to reissue cards with chips in them so customers could use them once the changes start next year.
 

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Tea shower costs instigator $700

Vivienne Harris leaves the Adelaide Magistrates Court yesterday after pleading guilty to tipping a cup of tea on a man's head in June. Picture: Tait Schmaal Source: adelaidenow

VIVIENNE Harris was enjoying an afternoon cuppa in a Blackwood cafe until she was offended by the conversation at the next table.

When that patron refused her request to move, Harris dumped a cup of tea over his head - a move that yesterday cost her almost $700.

Harris, 59, of Brighton, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court charged with one basic count of assault.

She agreed to plead guilty after being told, by Special Justice John McPhail, the most likely outcome would be a fine.

Brevet Sergeant Matt Stones, prosecuting, said the charge arose from an incident at the Artisan Cafe, on July 14.

The Artisan Cafe in Blackwood where the assault occurred. Picture: Stephen Laffer, Messenger Community Newspapers Source: adelaidenow

"The victim was having a conversation about his work with a friend, and Harris was sitting at a table by herself behind him," he said.

"She interrupted their conversation and asked them to move, because she didn't want to listen to them any more.

"They declined and suggested she move herself if she didn't like what she was hearing."

He said the victim turned his back to Harris and resumed talking to his friend.

"He then felt hot liquid run down his head, back and jacket," he said.

"He realised Harris had poured a cup of tea over his head ... he sustained no injuries."

Brevet Sergeant Stones said Harris told police the conversation, which was about the Transport Department, "hit a sensitive button".

"She did not move herself because she was there first," he said.

Harris told Special Justice McPhail she had tried to be polite.

"I spoke to them in a very subservient manner," she told the court.

"I said: 'I can't help but overhear something that really upsets me, and I'm just wondering if you wouldn't mind moving.'

"I said it in a very polite manner, but the gentleman involved did not respond in a polite manner."

Harris said she agreed with the prosecution - save one detail.

"The tea was cold," she said.

"I should not have done it," she added.

She said she was concerned about having a conviction recorded.

"Can I ask a question? If I plead guilty, would there be a conviction lodged against me?" she asked.

"Excuse my ignorance, but would that affect my ability to travel to other countries?

"I'm trying to work out the consequences."

Special Justice McPhail said he would not record a conviction, given the low likelihood of Harris re-offending.

"There's only one offence and it's a small, basic offence," he said.

He fined her $50 and ordered her to pay $634 in court costs.

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Pre-teen sexual activity 'normal'

Flirting and kissing with peers at a young age is no cause for alarm, but more serious sexual activity can be a worry. Source: The Daily Telegraph

SEXUAL activity among 11 and 12-year-olds - including those of the same sex - is normal, a new Federal Government report claims.

The Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault has listed "peer-related sexual activity" as "developmentally appropriate" for pre-teen children aged 11 and 12.

And it states that sexual activity between kids of the same sex does not mean they are homosexual.

The "developmentally appropriate sexual behaviours" are listed in a new report revealing big brothers are five times more likely than fathers or uncles to sexually abuse young children.

But the Australian Institute of Family Studies - which controls the Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault - is insisting that "sexual activity" does not refer to sex.

"Everyone knows that sexual activity does not mean penetrative sex," the institute's head of research, Daryl Higgins, said yesterday.

"Everyone who has done research in the field knows it is a broad range of things, from kissing to flirting."

Dr Higgins said the list of  appropriate and inappropriate sexual behaviours for children of various ages was a summary of research studies, and "not advice to  parents".

However child protection group Bravehearts yesterday said the list was "a  bit misleading".

"They probably needed to explain that a little bit better," Bravehearts research manager Carol Ronken said.

"At that age, exploration is  perfectly normal - it's the  old 'first-base' thing with kissing, but not actual penetrative sex."

The federally funded incest report reveals that most parents usually ignore, deny or downplay sibling sexual abuse as child's play.

Little sisters are the usual victims, but often won't dob in their abusive brothers for fear of "rocking the boat".

"Sibling abuse is an under-reported and hidden crime," the report says.

"(It) has historically been ignored, minimised or denied by parents, professionals and authorities as benign sexual experimentation."

"(But) studies indicate that sibling sexual abuse is more prevalent than other types of intra-familial sexual abuse."

Siblings are three to five times more likely than parents, grandparents or aunts and uncles to sexually abuse a child, the report says.

Brothers are the most common abusers, targeting a sister or brother typically five years younger.

Siblings often used their hands and feet to subdue the victim, or used verbal coercion, threats, bribery or trickery.

About eight in every 10 victims are younger than 13, the study says, but many fear telling their parents.

Dr Higgins urged parents to  seek counselling for all  their children if they suspected abuse.

"The most important thing is not to flip out," he said.

"The first temptation for parents is to turn a blind eye that it's a bit of experimental mucking around.

"Often it takes young people three or four or five times before they're believed and action is taken."

-----

>> What's "developmentally appropriate"

0-5 years - Exploratory touch. Looking at themselves and others.

6-10 years - Playing games such as "doctors and nurses". Telling dirty jokes and using dirty words. Showing interest in changes in their bodies.

11-12 years - Masturbation. Peer related sexual activity. Sexual activity with same gender ... not regarded as indicating homosexuality.

>> What's not

0-5 years - Obsessive preoccupation with sexual behaviour. Re-enacting adult sexual activities. Behaviour involves self injury or coercion, threats, secrecy, violence and aggression.

6-10 years - Sexual penetration, genital kissing, oral copulation, simulated intercourse.

11-12 years - any sexual play with a younger child.

13-18 - Compulsive masturbation, attempt to touch or expose other's genitals, sexual contact with animals and younger children, using sexual themes to degrade others or themselves, chronic preoccupation with sex and pornography.

Source: Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault research summary on sibling sexual abuse.

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Court dissolves forced marriage

THE marriage of a young Indian couple has been declared "absolutely null and void" by a court because the groom was forced to wed.

The Family Court has erased the marriage of the couple, known as "Mr Nagri" and "Ms Chapal", effective immediately.

Justice David Collier said Mr Nagri, 25, married while under duress from his uncle - who had sponsored his immigration.

"I am satisfied that, because of the relationship between Mr Nagri and his uncle, he was the subject of strong feelings of family loyalty," he said.

"He was subject to religious and cultural beliefs (and) believed that his situation was one where his uncle was entitled to demand his obedience.

"Mr Nagri was not acting of his own free will ... his consent to the marriage was not a true full and informed consent."

Documents filed with the court's registry in Parramatta, NSW, show Mr Nagri and his mother moved from India to Australia in 2008.

In August 2011, his uncle announced he had found a woman for Mr Nagri to marry.

"Mr Nagri tried to tell his uncle that he did not wish to be married to Ms Chapal, and that he was in love with somebody else," Justice Collier said.

"His uncle said that the marriage must proceed (because he) had given his word and that arrangements had been made.

"I am satisfied the economic dependence of Mr Nagri upon his uncle (meant he) was not acting of his own free will."

The couple wed in a November 2011 civil ceremony.

One month later, Mr Nagri told Ms Chapal, 26, that he did  not love her. "He confessed that he had married her under compulsion and out of a sense of duty to his family," Justice Collier said.

"He was remorseful and apologised unreservedly to her ... He said that he had acted badly, and he asked for her forgiveness.

"He made it clear, to his mother particularly, that he had hurt Ms Chapal."

Justice Collyer said Ms Chapal did not oppose the application, while Mr Nagri's uncle had apologised.

"It is to his credit that he is now prepared to acknowledge that his behaviour overbore the will of his nephew," he said.

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Hefty fees hit mum and dad investors

WITH fees approaching $150,000 for a high school education at some private schools, it's time to ask: is it worth it?

For many families, sending their kids to a private school is one of the biggest investments they will make, after buying a house and contributing to super.

High school fees are also one of the fastest growing components of household spending after electricity, water and childcare.

With so much at stake - their child's future - parents are prone to making emotional, risk-averse decisions based as much on prejudice as solid evidence.

Which is understandable, given a lack of evidence about the returns from investment in private school education versus a free public education.

We do know that private schools, on average, produce higher test scores than Catholic schools, which in turn produce higher test scores than public schools.

But private schools also have more kids from higher socio-economic backgrounds - a strong determinant of educational and life outcomes - so it's a chicken-egg problem. It's not clear the quality of the education is the difference.

It is also true that private school graduates tend to earn higher salaries later in life. But this could be due to an affluent upbringing.

The main proven indicator of a person's future earnings potential is whether they went to university or not - a uni degree adding as much as $1 million to lifetime earnings. A private education or higher test scores may help you get to university, but it's the university education that really counts.

Another way to view school fees is that parents are not buying a better quality of education, but a more affluent peer group for their child.

Because affluence is a key driver of educational outcomes, if you live in a lower socio-economic area and you can afford to send your child to a private school attended by higher socio-economic kids, this could lift your child's performance.

But when it comes to a choice between a private school and a public school attended by relatively affluent children, the difference is more marginal.

Indeed, if the choice of a private school puts financial stress on the family or undue pressure on the kid, the choice of a high fee private school may be very detrimental.

The fact is there are good government schools and there are bad private schools, and vice versa.

It pays for parents to do their homework when shopping around for the best school for their child.

Whether they opt for public or private, becoming an active and informed member of their child's school community is one of the best investments a parent can make.

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Founders' $250m bid for Cubbie rejected

A buy-back bid by Cubbie Station's founders was rejected in favour of selling the irrigator to a Chinese consortium. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen Source: The Australian

Take a flight over Cubbie Station, the 93,000 hectare irrigation farm in Queensland that has been approved for sale to Chinese investors.

AUSTRALIA's biggest irrigator, Cubbie Station, was sold to a Chinese consortium despite a home-grown bid to buy it for more than $250 million.

Cubbie chairman Keith De Lacy, a former Queensland treasurer, yesterday revealed the group's administrator had rejected a buy-back offer from Cubbie's founders, the Stevenson and Brimblecombe families.

But he declared the Australian consortium was still "ready, willing and able" to make another offer if the Chinese contract crashes.

Mr De Lacy said Cubbie's founding shareholders had made a buy-back proposal to administrator McGrathNicol and bankers NAB and Suncorp about six months ago.

"It was long before they announced this last sale," he said yesterday.

"(The administrators) would have got more than the $250m they're talking about (with the Chinese buyer). But that was rejected."

Mr De Lacy said Cubbie's administrators "certainly have an obligation to get the best price for the creditors and shareholders".

"Some of the existing shareholders could be very disappointed if they learned they hadn't maximised the price," he said.

A spokesman for McGrathNicol refused to discuss the sale price or conditions of the Chinese contract.

It signed a sale agreement last week with a consortium led by Chinese-based textiles giant Shandong RuYi Scientific and Technological Group, which will buy 80 per cent, and Australian wool trading company Lempriere.

The Federal Government's Foreign Investment Review Board had pre-approved the sale in August.

Independent senator Nick Xenophon yesterday said he found it "extraordinary" that FIRB had granted approval nearly two months before the sale contract had been signed.

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Cruise ship built with Aussies in mind

The Carnival Spirit arrives in Sydney this morning and will be home ported in Australia in a first for the US company. Picture: Tim Hunter Source: News Limited

WITH VB and Tooheys New on tap, barbecue snags served on the deck and baristas trained by Australia's best, passengers aboard the Carnival Spirit will barely know they're on an American ship.

The newest and largest ship to be home ported in Australia arrived in Sydney for the first time yesterday after a $7 million upgrade to prepare it for its new market.

It will be the first time in the 40-year history of Carnival Cruise Lines that the company has home-ported a ship outside the US year-round - a sign of the growing importance of cruising Down Under.

The 2,680-guest ship has had US power points ripped out and replaced, 14 Australian beers and four ciders added and pokie machines changed.

Workers will spend the rest of the week finalising construction of Fat Jimmy's barbecue restaurant before the first official cruise to New Caledonia on Saturday.

Sydney-based Australian barista of the year Shoji Sasa was also on board yesterday to train the ship's baristas how to make quality coffee the way Aussies like it.

"We wanted to make it more homey for our Australian guests,'' senior vice-president of guest operations Mark Tamis said.

"What's more Australian than having a barbecue experience outdoors?

"And the average Australian is used to a very high quality coffee.''

The Carnival Spirit hunderwent a $7million upgrade to make it ready for the Australian market. Picture: Tim Hunter Source: News Limited

Carnival Spirit is also known for having the steepest and fastest water slide at sea, the Green Thunder, which was also added with the Australian market in mind.

Michael Saros, 22, from Manly, tested out the ship yesterday and was impressed with the ship's "Aussification''.

"I think it's a great idea,'' he said.

"Australia's got good beer and good coffee, so we have high standards.

"We also like to get out and do stuff like sports and activities so the water slide is great.''

Michael Saros 22, Sophie Jones 24, Rachel Winter 24 and Craig Jost 27, enjoy an Aussie beer out on the pool deck. Picture: Tim Hunter Source: News Limited

Craig Jost, 27, from Potts Point, agreed.

"It's a bit of a home away from home,'' he said.

"I enjoy a good latte.''

Carnival Cruise Lines Australia & New Zealand director Jennifer Vandekreeke said the company originally came to Australia because it felt the company would be a great fit with the Aussie personality, being playful, outgoing and fun-loving.

A record half a million cruise lovers are set to travel on ships in Australian waters over the summer season, with experts attributing its popularity to the great value of cruise holidays, more and bigger ships coming to Australia, convenience and accessibility.

The main dining room of the Carnival Spirt, which will call Sydney its home port. Picture: Tim Hunter Source: News Limited

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Armstrong steps down from Livestrong

Disgraced cycling champion Lance Armstrong has stood down as chairman of the Livestrong charity. Picture: Rogerio Barbosa. Source: AFP

LANCE Armstrong is stepping down as chairman of his Livestrong cancer-fighting charity so the group can focus on its mission instead of the doping allegations surrounding the former cycling champion.

Nike also announced tonight that it was breaking ties with Armstrong and accused him of deceiving his sponsor for years.

"Due to the seemingly insurmountable evidence that Lance Armstrong participated in doping and misled Nike for more than a decade, it is with great sadness that we have terminated our contract with him,'' the sporting goods giant said in a brief statement.

Earlier, Armstrong himself announced he was stepping down as chairman of Livestrong.

He said he did not want the controversy over his cycling career to distract the foundation from its mission of helping people with cancer.

"I have had the great honor of serving as this foundation's chairman for the last five years and its mission and success are my top priorities.

"Today therefore, to spare the foundation any negative effects as a result of controversy surrounding my cycling career, I will conclude my chairmanship,'' Armstrong said in a statement on the foundation's website.

The move came a week after the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency released a massive report detailing accusations of widespread doping by Armstrong and his teams when he won the Tour de France seven consecutive times from 1999 to 2005.

Cycling Australia sacks top coach Matt White

The document's purpose was to show why USADA has banned him from cycling for life and ordered 14 years of his career results erased - including those Tour titles. It contains sworn statements from 26 witnesses, including 11 former teammates.

Armstrong, who was not paid a salary as chairman of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, will remain on its 15-member board.

His duties leading the board will be turned over to vice chairman Jeff Garvey, who was founding chairman in 1997.

"This organization, its mission and its supporters are incredibly dear to my heart," Armstrong said in a statement obtained by The Associated Press.

"Today therefore, to spare the foundation any negative effects as a result of controversy surrounding my cycling career, I will conclude my chairmanship."

Foundation spokeswoman Katherine McLane said the decision turns over the foundation's big-picture strategic planning to Garvey. He will also assume some of the public appearances and meetings that Armstrong used to handle.

Armstrong strongly denies doping, but did not fight USADA accusations through arbitration, saying he thinks the process is unfair.

Once Armstrong gave up the fight in August and the report came out, crisis management experts predicted the future of the foundation, known mainly by its Livestrong brand name, would be threatened.

They said Armstrong should consider stepping down to keep the charity from getting dragged into a debate over doping.

Armstrong's inspiring story of not only recovering from testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and brain but then winning the world's best-known bike race helped his foundation grow from a small operation in Texas into one of the most popular charities in the country.

Armstrong drew legions of fans - and donations - and insisted he was drug free at a time when doping was rampant in professional cycling.

In 2004, the foundation introduced the yellow "Livestrong" bracelets, selling more than 80 million and creating a global symbol for cancer awareness and survivorship.

"As my cancer treatment was drawing to an end, I created a foundation to serve people affected by cancer," Armstrong said.

"It has been a great privilege to help grow it from a dream into an organization that today has served 2.5 million people and helped spur a cultural shift in how the world views cancer survivors."

As chairman, Armstrong did not run the foundation's day-to-day operations, which are handled by Livestrong president and chief executive Doug Ulman.

Ulman had said last week that Armstrong's leadership role would not change. Armstrong's statement said he will remain a visible advocate for cancer issues, and he is expected to speak at Friday night's 15th anniversary gala for Livestrong in Austin.

"My family and I have devoted our lives to the work of the foundation and that will not change. We plan to continue our service to the foundation and the cancer community," Armstrong said.

"We will remain active advocates for cancer survivors and engaged supporters of the fight against cancer." 

CharityWatch, which analyzes the work of approximately 600 charities, lists the foundation among its top-rated organisations.

That status normally goes to groups which "generally spend 75 percent or more of their budgets on programs, spend $25 or less to raise $100 in public support, do not hold excessive assets in reserve" and disclose of basic financial information and documents.

Livestrong says it had functional expenses totaling nearly $35.8 million last year and 82 percent of every dollar raised went directly to programs, a total of more than $29.3 million.

The foundation reported a spike in contributions in late August in the days immediately after Armstrong announced he would no longer fight doping charges and officials moved to erase his Tour victories.

Daniel Borochoff, founder and president of Chicago-based CharityWatch, said last week it may take some time for donors to digest the allegations against Armstrong.

"Individuals that admire and support an individual who is later found out to be severely tarnished, don't want to admit it, don't want to admit that they've been duped," Borochoff said.

"People, though, do need to trust a charity to be able to support it."

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Why can't we all just get along?

Religious journey ... singer Guy Sebastian with baby son Hudson. Source: The Daily Telegraph

GUY Sebastian has been forced to defend himself following his recent admission that he has moved away from the fundamentalist Christian movement that shaped his early years.

The Battle Scars singer - who recently admitted his religious beliefs had "changed" as he grew older, married and welcomed a child - posted a lengthy statement on his Facebook page in response to online backlash from some of his devout Christian fans.

He opened up last week about his spiritual outlook admitting his beliefs began to change when a churchgoing friend fled the country after coming out as gay.

"He moved countries, he was that scared about the whole religious thing because he was brought up in the church. My friends and I were like, 'Dude, why did you leave, what did you think we would say?' It became not a big deal at all," Sebastian said in a Daily Telegraph interview, adding; "Look at gay marriage. I don't think anyone has the right to tell someone who they can and can't be in love with."

Yesterday Sebastian elaborated on his position, saying religion was now a "personal thing" and urging his fans to be accepting.

"It saddens and concerns me for the sake of my child that we live in a world still full of intolerance, hatred and prejudice. Hudson is the inspiration for me to write my latest song 'Get Along' as I want to do what I can to make a positive impact in the world," Sebastian wrote.

"I understand how it's possible that a minority of extremist religious organisations had encouraged some members to behave in unreasonable, socially unacceptable and even violent ways.

"Dogmatic teachings invariably lead to such outcomes. However, I do think this is the minority and not what most people in the world want. But it seems societies around the world are becoming more aware, educated and open-minded, and are evolving as I am also evolving to embrace a deeper spiritual understanding about life rather than mere submission to rigid rules."

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8 kids foods packed full of fat

MANAGED CHOICES: Make sure when your kids snack, the food they reach for is healthy. Picture: Dean Marzolla Source: The Courier-Mail

Getting kids to make healthy food choices can be hard for parents who have limited time to spend on persuading them.

Nutritionist and chef Zoe Bingley-Pullin says with one in four children either overweight or obese it's vital to let kids know what foods help them grow strong and healthy as early as possible.

"We can't just put the onus on parents,'' she says.

Bingley-Pullin says there needs to be more emphasis in schools on what foods are the best for growing kids.

"II think it has definitely improved ... (with the) amber, green or red lighting system in tuck shops, that's a great start but it still needs to improve.''

As part of a school resource program for Australian Avocados, Bingley-Pullin recently made a nutritional analysis of eight popular children's snack categories and found most contain a range of hidden sugars and high levels of saturated fat.

She says parents may be selecting the snacks - that include yoghurts, rolled fruit and puffed rice treats - unaware that they also contain a range of additives and preservatives.

The resource program that has been rolled out in childcare centres, Eating my Colourful Vegies and Fruit, has won praise from Bingley-Pullin for engaging youngsters on several levels.

``We had them cooking some little avocado treats and just to see how they looked to the fruit, looked what was on the table, associated the colour and you could just see their brains working.''

The program, developed in 2010 by the growers of Australian Avocados, will soon be piloted in 10 primary schools nationwide.

Bingley-Pullin has some tips for parents who may be confused about how to encourage their kids to eat healthy foods, including starting as you mean to go on.

"If you're giving them white bread to begin with they're going stay with white bread and it's going to be very hard to transition them over to wholemeal and multigrain,'' she says.

She's also wary of associated sweet foods with treats.

"Because we're all very busy we tend to bribe kids with food nowadays,'' she says.

"It is important for kids to know that there are some foods that we just have to eat, that make us big and strong and healthy and give us great energy, and we have to eat them regularly.''

Bingley-Pullin also urges parents to challenge their children's tastebuds by using different textures and temperatures.

"We know that the senses are what actually drive food choices,'' she says.

"It's just really trying to ignite those senses so that they are educated on so much more than a visual point of view.''

She's adamant kids should be vocal about their likes and dislikes - after they've sampled the new tastes a few times.

"The thing is kids don't know what they do and don't like until they've actually tried something."

And she warns parents new tastes might take a while to get used to, but not to worry about it.

"The thing about a child is they're not trying to starve themselves.''

Key Findings from Toddler Snacks Nutritional Analysis

Children's Yoghurts - These yoghurts can be a good source of calcium and in some cases have added Vitamin D and Omega 3s which are beneficial for children. But surprisingly, some of these products were generally higher in sugars (added and from fruit) than some adult options. Be sure to check the nutrition information panel when shopping.

Rolled Fruit Snacks - While the fruit content in these products varies greatly from as little as one per cent fruit, it is usually processed and there are high levels of a range of sugars, additives and preservatives. They are not a substitute for fresh fruit.

Fruit-filled Baked Cereal Bars - Can contain a range of unnatural additives and are very high in energy, carbohydrates, sodium and sugar, both natural and added so read the ingredients lists. It would be better to eat small tubs of real fruit packed in natural juice.

Puffed Rice Sweet Treats - On average these products are high in energy and contain high GI carbohydrates, high in fat (some products have half the fat from unhealthy saturated fat), a range of sugars and sodium.

Cheese and Crackers Snack Packs - On average these contain processed cheese with a high saturated fat and sodium content. The biscuits are loaded with sugar, sodium and processed carbohydrates. A piece of low fat cheddar is a good alternative as a calcium-rich snack.

Sweet Nut Spreads - Hazelnut spreads tend to be high in added sugars and fats (some natural, derived from healthy hazelnuts) including a high percentage of saturated fat (around 30 per cent on average). 100 per cent fruit spreads look to be a better option containing less energy and saturated fat and natural rather than processed sugars. 100 per cent nut butters and pastes with no added fats, sugars or sodium are also a good alternative.

Savoury biscuit snacks - These products tend to have a very high salt content and are up to one third saturated fat. Some popular options also contain MSG (monosodium glutamate).

Fruit Juice Drinks - These drinks are high in sugars (natural and added) and are a dentist's worst nightmare as they can contribute to dental erosion. Water or plain milk are better options for toddlers. Flavoured milks provide a good source of calcium but are still high in sugars (natural and added).

* Analysis conducted by Zoe Bingley-Pullin for Australian Avocados looked at three random product options within each category.

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Nine deal 'a win for the viewers'

Source: The Daily Telegraph

WHILE industry doom-sayers yesterday predicted Nine's new owners would be quick to wield the knife at the already haggard network, its bosses declared the deal would mean one vital thing to TV fans - more money for programming.

Six years ago when CVC bought Nine from James Packer, the programming budget all but arrested and capital expenditure dried up as the network began servicing CVC's massive debt.

Yesterday, with the Willoughby studios falling down around their ears, relieved staff celebrated CEO David Gyngell's success in keeping the receivers from the door.

Senior lenders will own a 95.5 per cent stake in Nine and the Goldman Sachs-led mezzanine lenders, who faced losing the entire $1 billion they had invested, will receive a 4.5 per cent stake valued at about $100 million.

"Nine's back!" Mr Gyngell said. "And back in a huge way with zero debt, which is the best possible news for our stakeholders, Nine's viewers, our clients, our partners and our staff.

"As I've reiterated throughout this process, Nine is a great business with terrific people and outstanding brands."

The jubilant statement was at odds with unsubstantiated industry murmurs claiming Nine still has to find $70 million to $80 million a year to service $1 billion in debt.

The first programming decision for Nine's new executive will be finding money for TV cricket rights, the contract for which is up in March.

Sources claim the deal is close to being finalised, with Nine set to pay slightly more than the previous $300 million contract. Like the network's recently renewed $1 billion rugby league contract, the cricket funds are expected to come from ad revenue.

Industry rivals yesterday said Mr Gyngell's claim that he had just "paid the house off" was wide of the mark.

"The reality is that the banks have just taken the house," one rival said.

"The fact is the company is now much smaller having recently blown off Australia's biggest magazine company.

"There will be no more cross-promotion. Life as they know it has changed forever."

The Nine CEO, for his part, has already indicated there may be a $500 million windfall in 2014 when the Warner Bros programming package from the US autumn is due.

Mr Gyngell has said he will reconsider the value of the expensive output deal which delivers to Nine primetime shows including Two And A Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, and The Mentalist.

Along with the potential sale of Allphones, Ticketek and, possibly more imminently, Channel 8 Darwin, Nine's new owners may also look at selling Nine's Willoughby bunker, valued at about $20 million, if they believe they can make money.

The bloodletting at Nine in the decade since it was the nation's most profitable and highest-rating TV network has penetrated the organisation, with staff also feeling the cuts.

A decade ago the 60 Minutes executive producer earned $900,000 a year. The show's newly appointed EP Tom Malone is believed to earn less than half that sum.

Yesterday Mr Packer moved to quash claims he would buy back into the network that made his family famous, declaring: "I have no interest in buying back into Nine ... and Gyng would probably refuse to work for me."

His father Kerry sold Nine to Alan Bond in 1987 for $1 billion only to rebuy it three years later for a $300 million profit.

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Woman beheaded for refusing prostitution

Najibullah, pictured centre, says Mah Gul's mother-in-law lured him into killing her by telling him that she was a prostitute.  Source: AFP

AFGHAN police have arrested four people who allegedly tried to force a woman into prostitution in western Afghanistan and beheaded her when she refused, officials say.

Mah Gul, 20, was beheaded after her mother-in-law attempted to make her sleep with a man in her house in Herat province last week, provincial police chief Abdul Ghafar Sayedzada told AFP.

"We have arrested her mother-in-law, father-in-law, her husband and the man who killed her," he said.

Gul was married to her husband four months ago and her mother-in-law had tried to force her into prostitution several times in the past, Mr Sayedzada said.

The suspect, Najibullah, was paraded by police at a press conference where he said the mother-in-law lured him into killing Gul by telling him that she was a prostitute.

"It was around 2:00 am when Gul's husband left for his bakery. I came down and with the help of her mother-in-law killed her with a knife," he said.

The murder comes against a backdrop of a world outcry over the shooting by Taliban Islamists of a 14-year-old Pakistani girl, Malala Yousafzai, who had become a voice against the suppression of women's rights.

While Yousafzai's case has made world headlines, people using social media in Afghanistan have made the point that oppression and violence against women are commonplace in Afghanistan.

Abdul Qader Rahimi, the regional director of the government-backed human rights commission in western Afghanistan, said violence against women had dramatically increased in the region recently.

"There is no doubt violence against women has increased. So far this year we have registered 100 cases of violence against women in the western region," he said, adding that many cases go unreported.

"But at least in Gul's case, we are glad the murderer has been arrested and brought to justice," he said.

Last year, in a case that made international headlines, police rescued a teenage girl, Sahar Gul, who was beaten and locked up in a toilet for five months after she defied her in-laws who tried to force her into prostitution.

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