If Bingle could pay fines with clicks

The romance between Lara Bingle and Sam Worthington has been played out, photo by photo, as an Instagram love story.

LARA Bingle sure knows how to turn heads, and this time she has posted another raunchy photo on Instagram of herself - in the nude.

After appearing in a Sydney court for clocking up more traffic offences, Bingle posted the photograph of herself which has attracted more than 10,000 likes on the social media platform.

Bingle is no stranger to posing for the camera, and she has been raising eyebrows on Instagram ever since she started dating actor Sam Worthington.

The loved-up couple, who are rumoured to be engaged - and even married - have been documenting their romance online.

Bingle also went topless in a photo taken by Worthington while she was in bed, which they also posted on Instagram.

Bingle has been ordered to complete a six-week traffic offenders program, after being hauled before a court once again for driving on a cancelled licence.

The glamorous 26-year-old, made a brief appearance in Waverley Local Court this week to plead guilty to two charges relating to her cancelled licence.

The court heard Ms Bingle was overseas when the notices to attend court were mailed to her.

She had been charged with driving while disqualified.

Bingle was slapped with an 18-month good behaviour bond and $3500 fine in September 2012 after she was caught driving a vehicle while her licence was suspended and failed to give way at an intersection causing her to collide with a motorcycle rider.

She was also ordered off the road for a year.

Supported by a female friend, Bingle sat in the front row of court as her lawyer told the court she agreed to do the six-week program.

Bingle jumped straight in a car driven and double parked by friend afterwards and didn't comment.

She will be sentenced in April.

23.26 | 0 komentar | Read More

The INXS telemovie we had to have

Channel 7 will turn up the sex factor with a stunning tele-movie based on the rise of Australian rock gods INXS. Courtesy Channel 7

SAMANTHA Jade has almost been adopted as a long lost Minogue sister, while the original INXS band members were reportedly reduced to tears by the uncanny casting of Channel 7's hotly-anticipated telemovie, Never Tear Us Apart.

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO MICHAEL HUTCHENCE

The ultimate story of sex, drugs and rock'n roll, with a soundtrack to get you off the couch for some lounge room dancing, the two-part biopic looks set to launch the careers of leading man Luke Arnold (as Michael Hutchence) and the stunning roll call of young stars around him.

The cast ... Andy Ryan, Hugh Sheridan, Ido Drent, Luke Arnold, Alex Williams, Nicholas Masters and Damon Herriman. Source: Supplied

Arnold's profile has skyrocketed since scoring the INXS role, backing up with a break on US television in Black Sails, a TV adaptation of Treasure Island,lead by Transformers director Michael Bay.

Whether ladykiller rock star or swashbuckling pirate John Silver, Arnold oozes charisma on screen, but off it has tweeted about playing Hutchence: "still amazed and humbled that I got to tell this man's story."

Jade, who came to local fame after winning The X Factor, makes her acting debut as Minogue - an opportunity that surely won't be her last.

Even the music is charting again, with each Seven promo pushing sales for the band's classic Kick and greatest hits albums further up iTunes.

Now get to know the key players charged with recapturing the magic that was one of Australia's greatest rock exports and women frontman Michael Hutchence loved:

LUKE ARNOLD PLAYS MICHAEL HUTCHENCE

This WAAPA graduate has been a `gigging' actor on the small screen for almost a decade, but will break through as Michael Hutchence, and as John Silver in Michael Bay's Treasure Island adaptation Black Sails. The INXS singer was famously one of Australian music's most charismatic frontmen with a string of high-profile romances and a tragic end in what was either a suicide or a sex game gone horribly wrong in a Sydney hotel room in 1997.

pressure to perform ... Actor Luke Arnold as Michael Hutchence. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

NICK MASTERS PLAYS TIM FARRISS

NIDA graduate Masters will make his TV debut as INXS guitarist Tim Farriss, scoring on-set instruction from the man himself, who acted as a co-executive producer of the telemovie.

NIDA graduate ... Nick Masters takes instruction from guitarist Tim Farriss, the man he will play in Channel 7 telemovie Never Tear Us Apart. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

HUGH SHERIDAN PLAYS GARRY GARY BEERS

The former Packed To The Rafters favourite plays bass guitarist Garry Gary Beers.

Back on TV ... actor Hugh Sheridan plays Garry Garry Beers. Source: News Limited

ANDREW RYAN PLAYS ANDREW FARRISS

Last seen on the small screen in Underbelly: Squizzy, Ryan returns to Andrew Farriss, a keyboardist, guitarist, percussionist, vocalist and songwriter for INXS.

From Underbelly: Squizzy ... Andrew Ryan who plays Andrew Farriss in the INXS telemovie. Picture: Mark Stewart Source: News Limited

ALEX WILLIAMS PLAYS KIRK PENGILLY

The star of Underground, Ten's acclaimed biopic about Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, Williams plays saxophonist Kirk Pengilly, who was best friends with Tim Farriss at high school. He is married to former women's surf world champion Layne Beachley.

IDO DRENT PLAYS JON FARRISS

Offspring fans will recognise Drent as Nina and Patrick's relationship therapist, now he returns to the small screen as drummer Jon Farriss.

The cast of Never Tear Us Apart ... Back row: Hugh Sheridan as Garry Gary Beers, Luke Arnold as Michael Hutchence, Alex Williams as Kirk Pengilly, Front row Ido Drent as Jon Farriss, Andy Ryan as Andrew Farriss and Nicholas Masters as Tim Farriss. Source: Supplied

DAMON HERRIMAN PLAYS CM MURPHY

The Adelaide-born 42-year-old plays INXS' pioneering manager Chris M Murphy, impressing the band and producers with his note-perfect performance. His TV credits include Laid, Justified and The Elegant Gentleman's Guide to Knife Fighting.

The manager ... actor Damon Herriman in the INXS telemovie. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

SAMANTHA JADE PLAYS KYLIE MINOGUE

The X Factor winner plays pop princess Kylie Minogue, who is said to be a huge fan of Jade's musical talents and performance in this telemovie. It's Jade's first acting role. Minogue and Hutchence were an item from 1989 and 1991, a relationship credited with giving her the `cool' factor she lacked. It's said he wrote Suicide Blonde about her.

On screen .... Luke Arnold as Michael Hutchence and Samantha Jade as Kylie Minogue in Channel 7's telemovie, INXS: Never Tear Us Apart. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

GEORGINA HAIG PLAYS PAULA YATES

Currently starring in US drama series, Reckless, Haig plays Hutchence' lover, Brit TV presenter Paula Yates. Yates and Hutchence had a famously tempestuous and drug-fuelled relationship, with Yates dying of a heroin overdose in 2000, three years after Hutchence's death.

Georgina Haig plays Paula Yates in the INXS telemovie Never Tear Us Apart. Source: Supplied

MALLORY JANSEN PLAYS HELENA CHRISTENSEN

A former model, who got her TV start on Nine mini-series, Howzat, Jansen plays Danish supermodel Helena Christensen, who dated Hutchence in 1991, after he dumped Minogue to be with her. Jansen appears in US drama series, Young And Hungry and a Disney pilot Galavant.

Capturing history ... Mallory Jansen as Helena Christensen and Luke Arnold as Michael Hutchence in the INXS telemovie, Never Tear Us Apart. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

JANE HARBER PLAYS MICHELE BENNETT

The Offspring and Moodys star plays film producer Michele Bennett who plays Hutchence's first girlfriend, moving to Sydney to set up house with the rock star before he went on an extended US tour.

Taking on a tough role ... Jane Harber plays Michael Hutchence's first girlfriend. Source: Supplied

###

23.26 | 0 komentar | Read More

MKR surfer dads cook as war looms

Sunday's episode of My Kitchen Rules is expected to be a fiery clash between the girls. Courtesy Channel Seven.

MY Kitchen Rules' surfer dads impressed the judges and fans as they brought the calm before a storm looming between the show's twins and villains.

At the start of the night, Queensland teachers Paul and Blair showed great teamwork with their preparation, and kept their cool in the kitchen - even when they accidentally left their chocolate at the shop.

Their salt and pepper quail was a huge hit with judges Manu Feildel and Pete Evans who both said it was "cooked to perfection".

Fans fell in love with the guys, tagging them with the hashtag #surferdads on Twitter, as they congratulated and complimented them.

But after they served an average Spicy Indonesian Chicken Curry for main course that was "too small...too dry" and a Rum Chocolate Pot with Salted Caramel Toffee that was dubbed "too rich", they were almost out of luck.

Fans were pouring their hearts out on Twitter, and praised them when they got the first perfect 10 in the competition from the judges for their entree.

Fortunately, they ended up second on the leaderboard under Annie and Jason from NSW, ahead of ACT couple Andrew and Emelia.

But as the dinner continued, fans also expressed their anger towards WA villains Chloe and Kelly, who repeated again that they had been to "42 countries", as if it validated their ability to know what is good food.

A preview of what's to come also aired which shows there will be an upcoming showdown between the twins from Victoria, Helena and Vikki and Chloe and Kelly.

Viewers can't wait.

23.26 | 0 komentar | Read More

Suicide highlights uni rape 'epidemic'

'System failed her' ... the family of former University of Missouri swimmer Sasha Menu Courey says the school and its athletics department failed to properly investigate her alleged off-campus rape. Source: AP

THE case of a former University of Missouri swimmer who said she was raped in an episode that her parents say led to her suicide has underscored the problems higher education institutions in the US face in cracking down on sexual assaults.

The parents of Sasha Menu Courey say the university and its athletics department by now should have investigated her alleged off-campus rape by as many as three football players in February 2010.

University leaders say they didn't learn about the purported attack until after Menu Courey, a Canadian, committed suicide 16 months later. They also said they followed the letter of the law because they didn't have specific knowledge of the attack and no victim to interview.

Schools across the US are spending more time and money fighting campus rape in response to stricter federal enforcement of gender discrimination laws. The White House has called it a public health epidemic, and President Barack Obama last week announced the formation of a new task force on college sex assault, citing statistics that show 1 in 5 female students is assaulted while in college, but only 1 in 8 victims report attacks.

But balancing the needs of individual students - including those who report attacks but don't want a criminal investigation - with protecting the larger community is vexing for many schools.

Colleges and universities are also required to report campus crimes to the federal government under a 1990 law known as the Clery Act.

'We need more than Band-Aids' ... in this photo provided by Mike Menu is his daughter, Sasha Menu Courey, with teammates. Menu Courey struggled with mental illness and committed suicide 16 months after an alleged rape.

At least 50 schools have bolstered their efforts in recent years. Complaints violations related to sexual violence are also increasing, a sign Catherine Lhamon, assistant secretary for civil rights in the US Department of Education, attributes to new vigilance on campus.

"Obviously, there are all too many that still need prompting," she said.

Earlier this week, Ms Lhamon's department announced an investigation of Penn State University's handling of sexual harassment and sexual assault complaints amid the Jerry Sandusky child sex-abuse scandal. The University of Colorado and California State University-Fresno have been ordered by civil courts to pay millions for violations asserted in victim lawsuits.

The University of Missouri's efforts to reduce sexual violence on campus are extensive. A campus equity office led by a lawyer oversees compliance with Title IX, a federal law more commonly known for ensuring equal participation by women in college sports but also has broader discrimination protections. There also is counselling and help available through the campus women's center and the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Centre.

Students who eschew legal intervention can still seek a campus disciplinary hearing. And the university can also help students switch dorms or class schedules or bar contact outright.

Needed help .... Sasha Menu Courey, 20, killed herself in June 2011 in a Boston psychiatric hospital soon after being diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and two months after an earlier suicide attempt.

Menu Courey, 20, killed herself in June 2011 in a Boston psychiatric hospital soon after being diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and two months after an earlier suicide attempt.

"There are many resources out there, but there's not really any (sense) that she was provided with those resources," said Zachary Wilson, development director of the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. "It's difficult for sexual assault survivors to go at it alone."

Missouri didn't immediately investigate the death of Menu Courey, who by then had withdrawn from classes at the university's urging and lost her financial aid. The school said in a statement that a 2012 Columbia Daily Tribune article about Menu Courey's suicide briefly alluded to the alleged assault, but didn't meet the legal standard that the school "reasonably should know about student-on-student harassment that creates a hostile environment."

The school says Menu Courey's parents ignored its request for more information a year ago after it discovered an online chat transcript with a campus rape counsellor in which Menu Courey mentioned an earlier attack.

Missouri initially responded to an ESPN story about the swimmer by defending its handling of the case while criticising the news organisation's "skewed and flawed reporting." But soon after, the university said it was turning over information on the case to local police, since the alleged attack happened off-campus.

A police investigation is underway, and University of Missouri President Tim Wolfe wants the university's governing board to pay for an independent legal review of how officials handled the situation. The Board of Curators is expected to consider that request at its regular meeting on Wednesday.

Other sexual assault cases have been linked to Missouri's athletic department. Former running back Derrick Washington was convicted in 2010 of sexually assaulting a tutor in her sleep, and basketball player Michael Dixon transferred in 2012 after two sex assault claims against him went public, though he was never charged.

In suburban Toronto, Mike Menu and his wife Lynn Courey have channelled their grief into a mental health foundation named in her memory. They want accountability from Missouri, though Mr Menu said the couple hasn't hired an attorney and isn't "looking for money."

"We just want to make sure that changes are made," Mike Menu said. "We need more than Band-Aids. We need a transformation."

If you're feeling depressed, you can contact Lifeline 24/7 at 13 11 14. Call 000 if a life is in immediate danger.

23.26 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mundine wins, but can't get KO

Anthony Mundines inability to put Gunnar Jackson on the canvas calls into question whether he has the big punch for the super-bout he dreams of against one of the world's top fighters.

Anthony Mundine went for the stoppage but could not get it done against Gunnar Jackson. Source: News Limited

THE haunting memory of his shock 2010 loss to rank outsider Garth Wood guaranteed Anthony Mundine never put himself in danger of being buried Wednesday night by Kiwi drain-digger Gunnar Jackson.

Mundine won convincingly on points, staying out of trouble behind his jab for most of the 10-rounder against the outclassed New Zealander, who answered the call-up to fight on a week's notice with great pluck after two Americans withdrew.

Mundine's inability to put the 8-1 outsider on the canvas again calls into question whether he has the big punch for the super-bout he still dreams of against one of the world's top fighters at super-welterweight later this year.

The Australian rattled off some sharp jabs and his defence kept his face unscarred but he couldn't land a telling shot when the Kiwi was seemingly at his mercy in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.

"I wanted to get the stoppage, I was going for the stoppage, but he's a tough boy," Mundine said.

"If you don't get the stoppage, you can't much better than a shutout."

WALLABY: QUADE COOPER WINS BY TKO

GALLERY: ANTHONY MUNDINE'S FIGHT NIGHT

Anthony Mundine's uppercut was effective all night. Source: News Limited

Mundine desperately craves a main course in 2014 after Wednesday night's entree, which saw him back in the ring just two months after his last fight when aging American legend Shane Mosley was forced to retire with back spasms after six rounds.

The bout at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre was never to be more than a sharpener for the bigger fish that are always on the Mundine horizon. On that score, he got a workmanlike night out in the ring that no gym workout can replicate.

Jeff Fenech tackled his last serious fight at 31. Mutliple word champion Kostya Tszyu was 35 when he hung up his gloves.

Both were far better fighters than Mundine, who, just four months short of his 39th birthday, is teasing us that somehow his best fight is still ahead of him.

Quade Cooper remains undefeated inside the ring after scoring a TKO win over Warren Tresidder.

Fighting Cuba's Erislandy Lara, the WBA superwelterweight world champion, is still two or three massive leaps of faith ahead that only the ever-optimistic Mundine can believe in absolutely.

"This wasn't a money fight and Anthony made that clear. Fighting a Daniel Geale or Danny Green are money fights," Nasser said.

"This was about keeping sharp, being on stage, staying used to the nerves. The big fight down the road is still the goal and the money comes at the end.

"Sportsmen are lasting longer than ever in their chosen games. His best fight is still in him."

Mundine improved his record to 46-5 and his relentless pursuit of a knock down in the 10th round did keep many of the fight fans interested.

For the fourth time, he won over the full distance at the venue.

Re-live the action in the round-by-round blog below

CLICK HERE FOR A BETTER VIEWING EXPERIENCE ON A MOBILE

23.26 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mundine wins, but can't get KO

Anthony Mundines inability to put Gunnar Jackson on the canvas calls into question whether he has the big punch for the super-bout he dreams of against one of the world's top fighters.

Anthony Mundine went for the stoppage but could not get it done against Gunnar Jackson. Source: News Limited

THE haunting memory of his shock 2010 loss to rank outsider Garth Wood guaranteed Anthony Mundine never put himself in danger of being buried Wednesday night by Kiwi drain-digger Gunnar Jackson.

Mundine won convincingly on points, staying out of trouble behind his jab for most of the 10-rounder against the outclassed New Zealander, who answered the call-up to fight on a week's notice with great pluck after two Americans withdrew.

Mundine's inability to put the 8-1 outsider on the canvas again calls into question whether he has the big punch for the super-bout he still dreams of against one of the world's top fighters at super-welterweight later this year.

The Australian rattled off some sharp jabs and his defence kept his face unscarred but he couldn't land a telling shot when the Kiwi was seemingly at his mercy in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.

"I wanted to get the stoppage, I was going for the stoppage, but he's a tough boy," Mundine said.

"If you don't get the stoppage, you can't much better than a shutout."

WALLABY: QUADE COOPER WINS BY TKO

GALLERY: ANTHONY MUNDINE'S FIGHT NIGHT

Anthony Mundine's uppercut was effective all night. Source: News Limited

Mundine desperately craves a main course in 2014 after Wednesday night's entree, which saw him back in the ring just two months after his last fight when aging American legend Shane Mosley was forced to retire with back spasms after six rounds.

The bout at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre was never to be more than a sharpener for the bigger fish that are always on the Mundine horizon. On that score, he got a workmanlike night out in the ring that no gym workout can replicate.

Jeff Fenech tackled his last serious fight at 31. Mutliple word champion Kostya Tszyu was 35 when he hung up his gloves.

Both were far better fighters than Mundine, who, just four months short of his 39th birthday, is teasing us that somehow his best fight is still ahead of him.

Quade Cooper remains undefeated inside the ring after scoring a TKO win over Warren Tresidder.

Fighting Cuba's Erislandy Lara, the WBA superwelterweight world champion, is still two or three massive leaps of faith ahead that only the ever-optimistic Mundine can believe in absolutely.

"This wasn't a money fight and Anthony made that clear. Fighting a Daniel Geale or Danny Green are money fights," Nasser said.

"This was about keeping sharp, being on stage, staying used to the nerves. The big fight down the road is still the goal and the money comes at the end.

"Sportsmen are lasting longer than ever in their chosen games. His best fight is still in him."

Mundine improved his record to 46-5 and his relentless pursuit of a knock down in the 10th round did keep many of the fight fans interested.

For the fourth time, he won over the full distance at the venue.

Re-live the action in the round-by-round blog below

CLICK HERE FOR A BETTER VIEWING EXPERIENCE ON A MOBILE

23.26 | 0 komentar | Read More

Are these gates singing Blur's Song 2?

A VIDEO about a London ticket barrier doesn't sound so funny. But what if that barrier sounded similar to Blur's Song 2?

Ritch Ames said he first noticed that the barrier, located at Canary Wharf's Jubilee line, sounded like the "woo-hoo" in Song 2 about a year ago.

So he mashed together a video of Song 2 and the sound from the barriers when they open.

"On Tuesday, without knowing it was almost the anniversary of this observation, I seized the opportunity while the Canary Wharf tube was relatively quiet, and cobbled together the video on Tuesday night," Mr Ames said. "I'm hoping this evening there will be a larger queue for the fourth barrier from the right."

The video has been seen more than 180,000 times already.

Gates with musicality ... The noise that these London Underground gates make sound very similar to Blur's Song 2.

Even Blur couldn't stop from laughing at the video, with the band's official Twitter account giving a "woo-hoo" of support.

Making noise ... The 'woo-hoo' in Blur's Song 2 sounds very similar to the opening of some London Underground ticket gates.

23.26 | 0 komentar | Read More

McDonald's cashier punches woman

Not so happy meal...McDonald's cashiers in New York City. A Brooklyn McDonald's is being charged after a cashier allegedly assaulted a woman complained about no cheese on her son's cheeseburger. Picture: AP Source: AP

A WOMAN was punched in the face by an enraged McDonald's cashier when she demanded cheese on her young son's Happy Meal cheeseburger, her lawyer told the court.

New York woman Gui Ying Shi, 35, sued a Brooklyn McDonald's franchise after cashier Marisol Acosta hit her for complaining that her young son's Happy Meal contained a hamburger instead of a cheeseburger, lawyer Lawrence Glynn said in the Brooklyn Supreme Court trial.

"She starts cursing at her, calls her stupid, said, 'You need to learn to speak English,' " Mr Glynn said, reports the New York Post.

"Ms. Acosta throws a left cross to Ms. Shi's right jaw. Knockout! Knocks out a tooth."

The McDonald's franchise is liable for Ms Acosta's actions, Mr Glynn said, because none of the three managers present tried to stop the violence.

But defence attorney Michael Stonberg argued that the "punch" was more of a lunge or a slap - and that the franchise responded by immediately firing Acosta, who was charged with assault.

23.26 | 0 komentar | Read More

Murray no match for Federer

Roger Federer angles for a big backhand return. Picture; AP Source: AP

ROGER Federer's career resurrection took another defining step last night when outlasted Andy Murray to book a place in his 11th consecutive Australian Open semi-final.

Written off by many coming into the tournament the 32-year-old continues to snub his nose at the doubters and he was at times sublime against the No.4 seed, prevailing 6-3 6-4 6-7 (6) 6-3 after 3hr 20min on Rod Laver Arena.

The Federer revival will face an even tougher test next against long-time rival and the world's best player Rafael Nadal.

"I'm looking forward to it," he said about the blockbuster semi-final. 'It will be a good match, it will be tough, brutal and all those things.

"We have had some epics over the years. He has made an amazing comeback last year after seven months being out with injury and it's great to see him back."

Federer, who was troubled by a back injury last year, admitted his confidence had finally returned.

GALLERY: FEDERER MASTERCLASS

"I am much higher (confidence wise) than last year and that is very satisfying to have confidence in my movement," he said.

"It really has become a game of movement out there and last year it just wasn't quite right. You can play but it's just not quite the same and it's just not enough against the big players.

"But I kept playing, kept doing the work and I'm happy the past four months have paid off."

Murray said he was proud of how he hung tough in the match given his limited match play in the lead-up following back surgery in September.

"I was proud of the way I fought," he said. "In the first two sets I thought he played great tennis.

"When he was serving for the match I felt like I raised my level because I had to basically, and obviously prolonged the match a bit further.

"I was OK (physically) but obviously that's the highest level I've played at in a long time. My serve slowed down a bit in the fourth set, especially the first couple points when I was getting up after the change of ends.

"But, you know, I hung in well. I pushed through it. You know, almost got myself back in the match."

For the first time there are two Swiss players in the final four after his good friend Stanislas Wawrinka upset reigning champion Novak Djokovic on the same court 24 hours earlier.

Federer was in total control for large sections of last night's match before tightening up late in the third set, dropping his serve for the first time and then blowing two match points.

Murray, playing in just his second tournament since back surgery, came to life after a controversial call during a crucial service game in the third set where it appeared the ball bounced twice before Federer was able to get his racquet underneath it.

Andy Murray plays a backhand return to Roger Federer. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Limited

The subsequent shot ended up winning the point with Murray then going on to drop his serve. He continued to argue with chair umpire at the change of ends before focussing his anger to break Federer's serve for the first time in the match.

An inspired Murray, who had looked fatigued, then saved two match points in the tie-break before claiming the epic third set to stay alive.

He continued to fight for everything and saved six break points in his opening service game of the fourth set which lasted an incredible 19 minutes.

But the Federer fairytale rise was to eventually have a happy ending with the 17-time Grand Slam champion steadying again to claim a memorable victory.

On current evidence Federer, the No.6 seed, is clearly the form player of the tournament given the ease with which he handled Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the fourth round and then Murray who 12 months earlier had been his conqueror at Melbourne Park.

That five-set semi-final loss to the Scotsman last year started the whispering campaign about his decline and when he lost in the second round and Wimbledon and then didn't get past the fourth round at the US Open, many saw it as fact.

But Federer arrived in Australia a rejuvenated man with a new coach - two-time Australian Open champion Stefan Edberg - a new bigger racquet and a new physical outlook given he'd been plagued by a back injury for the second half of last year.

His brilliant serving was a feature last night and it was the weapon which propelled him to a remarkable 34th Grand Slam semi-final.

Federer in action at Melbourne Park. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

Murray, the reigning Wimbledon champion, had come to Australia underdone after missing the end of last season and that was exposed by the ruthless Federer.

There had been an avalanche of money on Federer - who was incredibly rated a $20 outsider at the start of the tournament - in the hours leading up to last night's match and those punters were happy early as he raced out to a 4-1 lead.

He did it on the back of some brilliant serving - he won 17/19 points on his first serve which was going at 76 per cent - and didn't lose a point in his final service game to end the set after 31 minutes.

The query coming in about Murray had been his preparation given he was this was just his second tournament since the back surgery in September.

He hadn't really been pushed in the opening four rounds so it was no surprise that he was on the back foot when confronted by a red-hot Federer who'd jumped out of the blocks.

There were signs early in the second set that he was starting to find rhythm but two sloppy unforced errors resulted in him dropping his service in the fifth game.

Murray didn't get a look-in after that with the second set all Federer's after 48 minutes.

There was no change in proceedings in the third with Murray forced to save three break points in his opening service game. He was constantly under pressure on his serve whereas Federer hadn't had a break point against his serve in the opening two sets.

It got too much in the ninth game of the third set although there was controversy surrounding whether Federer had legitimately reached a ball - he looked like it may have bounced twice - during a crucial rally early in the game.

Murray was fuming and dropped his serve two points later before harnessing the anger in a good way the very next game.

For the first time Federer found himself down two break points serving for the match and out of nowhere he faltered.

23.26 | 0 komentar | Read More

Curvy Instagram star gets sports deal

Moneymaker...Jen Selter's bum has attracted 2 million followers on Instagram and now she's signed a lucrative sports management deal. Picture: Instagram Source: Supplied

JEN Selter, the Instagram fitness star who has amassed nearly 2 million followers with photos of her shapely rear, has signed a lucrative sports management deal and is being dubbed "the next Jillian Michaels."

Selter signed with The Legacy Agency, which represents baseball stars Carl Crawford and ­Johan Santana, NFL players Osi Umenyiora and Reggie Bush.

"We believe she can be the next Jillian Michaels," said TLA agent Andrew Witlieb, even though Selter, 20, has no formal fitness training, compared to experienced trainer Michaels, 39, who's a judge on the US version of The Biggest Loser.

"Jillian didn't get to where she is until her mid-30s. Jen's going to grow as a person, as a fitness expert, in these next years. She's here for the long term," Mr Witlieb added.

Selter was working at a gym in March 2012 when she started taking photographs of herself working out. Since then, Selter's gathered 2 million Instagram followers, more than half a million Facebook fans and 200,000 Twitter followers, including 2013 Heisman Trophy winner and soon to be NFL pro Johnny Manziel, basketball player Amar'e Stoudemire and Shaquille O'Neal.

Selter's rise to Internet stardom was profiled in The Post earlier this month. The story caught the attention of Mr Witleib, who signed Selter to his firm a few days ago.

Selter's rear end will hopefully earn her endorsement deals, while book, TV and fitness video projects will also be pursued "down the road." She will also make appearances at Super Bowl events next week, said Mr Witlieb.

Read more at The New York Post.

23.26 | 0 komentar | Read More

Roy and HG back to medal with Sochi

Some classic commentary from Roy and HG on 'The Ice Dream' during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Courtesy Channel Seven.

VLADIMIR Putin and his Red Army should brace themselves - rampaging Roy Slaven and his comedy partner-in-crime HG Nelson are set to fire up their comedy blow torch and turn it on the Sochi Olympics.

Reuniting for more fun and Games, the Australian comedy duo will take a hi-tech approach to their famously satirical sporting commentary by presenting The Ice Stream, a 30-minute show for Samsung Stadium's Sochi app and Channel 10's digital platform, Tenplay.

The former Triple J radio pairing have already started preparing material for `Roy and HG's Russian Revolution' which will be broadcast as part of the network's daily prime-time program, Sochi Live.

HELLO boys: HG Nelson and Roy Slaven will join Channel 10's team for the Sochi Olympics. Source: Supplied

Nelson, aka Greig Pickhaver, will also join the network's Sochi Tonight panel of Stephen Quartermain and Alisa Camplin, sharing his comedy insights on events each night.

While Putin's controversial stance against homosexuality has already made him the butt of late night talk show hosts the world over, Pickhaver said they would "avoid the `lowest hanging of fruit,,' if I can put it that way.'"

"If you're asking whether we will be screening the Red Army choir singing a version of Sex Bomb, yes probably we'll put that in," Pickhaver added.

From the comedy team which introduced Sydney Games fans to the unexpected and hilarious delights of Greco-Roman wrestling, new sports in the crosshairs for the Roy and HG treatment will include Slopestyle, where skiers are judged for their grace while getting 'big air'.

SOCHI Tonight team of HG Nelson, Alisa Camplin and Stephen Quartermain. Pic supplied/Channel 10. Source: Supplied

Pickhaver said: "I think it's the first time in and I know Roy showed (the IOC) some footage of what he'd done, on a handycam, and the Olympic powers that be were very impressed and decided to take it on board."

Learning from their last appearance at the Salt Lake City Games, Pickhaver shared one of Nelson's key survival tips in the icy conditions.

"Don't wash your hair before you go outside...that's a real trap for the younger players. Don't dry it completely and you go outside, the water in your hair just freezes and it's just weird. Unless you're after that rigid hair look, which I like personally. It's something I'll be looking for on the slopes...`have a look at this bloke's magnificent hair!'"

With Australia poised to post its best result in Winter Games history, Pickhaver for one is backing more gold for the green and gold team.

"I know we're going to beat New Zealand, but hopefully we can get up to clocking the heady heights of Norway. If we can snot Norway, we'll be doing incredibly well and I'm not ruling it out."

MEDAL chance: HG Nelson wants Australia to beat Norway (and their curling team above) in Sochi Source: AP

Roy and HG's Russian Revolution will air from February 8, while The Ice Stream app is free to download today for compatible Android devices, iOS phones and tablets.

23.26 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sisters get lungs from same donor

Irma Myers-Santana, left, and her sister Anna Williamson, right, sing a song as they are filmed on a mobile phone in Houston. Source: AP

THEY quibble, joke and share knowing looks, finishing each other's thoughts and making snide comments - like many sisters. But a recent heated argument was unlike any other they've had, and it ended in a most surprising way.

For months, 71-year-old Irma Myers-Santana and her younger sister, Anna Williamson, 69, had been debating who more urgently needed a lung transplant, each wanting the other to go first. Earlier this month, though, the sisters ended up in the same operating room, each getting one lung from the same donor in what doctors at Houston Methodist Hospital say is a first for their facility.

"It's never happened. ... We've transplanted siblings before, but years apart,'' said Dr Scott Scheinin, who did Myers-Santana's transplant. "It's a little bit of serendipity.''

The sisters both became ill about 10 years ago with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a little-understood scarring of the lungs that often requires a transplant and kills more people than breast cancer every year, said Dr Scheinin.

Doctors, assisted by a computer program, look at blood type, height and severity of illness to match a donor and a transplant patient. The likelihood that Ms Myers-Santana and Ms Williamson would meet all three criteria at the same time was small, Dr Scheinin said.

The sisters' situation was further complicated because they insisted on a "bloodless transplant.'' They are Jehovah's Witnesses and do not believe in receiving blood transfusions.

They live in California, but Houston Memorial is the only hospital in the country that does such transplants.

Anna Williamson, left, clowns around with her surgeon Dr. Matthias Loebe, second from left, as her sister Irma Myers-Santana, right, visits with her surgeon Dr. Scott Scheinin, second from right.

"The irony of this whole thing is that we're sisters, we're both Jehovah's Witnesses, we have the same blood type and we got (the lungs) from the same donor,'' Ms Williamson said, her eyes tearing up as she sat next to her sister, able for the first time in years to complete a sentence without coughing.

"It's a miracle to have all those things lined up like that,'' Ms Williamson said.

Until the transplant, Ms Williamson coughed all day and had to be attached to an oxygen tank constantly. About a year ago, her doctor told her she needed a transplant.

"I couldn't talk; I couldn't laugh,'' Ms Williamson recalled.

So, Ms Williamson and her husband headed down to Houston 10 months ago. Within six months, Ms Myers-Santana, who had a sudden, violent decline in her health and could barely breathe, joined Ms Williamson, hoping she, too, would be a viable candidate for that type of transplant.

Then the waiting began, with the sisters housed just 10 doors apart in a Houston trailer park. On a few occasions, each woman was offered a lung, but they bickered over who should take it.

"If we hadn't had the transplant when we did, she would be dead right now, dead,'' Ms Williamson said adamantly, her sister sitting beside her in the hospital room.

Ms Myers-Santana agrees with that, yet believed Ms Williamson needed to have the first transplant.

"Her coughing just hurt to my core. You can't help someone that coughs like that,'' Ms Myers-Santana said. "It's so hard to watch, and so I felt she needed it more than I did.

"I can live with a cough, but she can't live without oxygen, so I win,'' Ms Myers-Santana shot back, smiling at her sister.

In the end, though, the individual lungs weren't a match.

Now, less than two weeks after the surgery, Ms Williamson has the right lung and Ms Myers-Santana has the left.

They have on makeup, their hair is done, and they joke with their doctors - extending an invitation to Santa Barbara for free manicures and pedicures at Ms Williamson's salon. Their husbands and children linger in the background. Colourful balloons wishing them well float above.

They can talk, joke and laugh without an oxygen tank.

And they can breathe easy.

23.26 | 0 komentar | Read More

Schu's family told hopes are fading

A turn for the worse for Michael Schumacher who has failed to recover from injuries sustained in a skiing accident several weeks ago. The 7-time world champion's condition has not improved sufficiently enough to allow him to be woken from his coma.

DOCTORS have warned Michael Schumacher's family that he may be in a permanent vegetative state but his loved ones say they won't give up hope.

The F1 champion, 45, may be suffering from Apallic Syndrome, a diagnosis that can't be verified until months after an injury. He has been in a coma for four weeks now.

People with the condition show responses like anger, hunger or pleasure but not the same way or in response to the same things that they would if they were awake.

Michael Schumacher was injured in a skiing accident on December 29, 2013 in the French ski resort of Meribel. Picture: AFP

Holding on with hope ... Corinna Schumacher, the wife of German Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, arriving at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre with French surgeon professor Gerard Saillant to visit her husband. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

Dr Colin Shieff, neurosurgeon at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in central London, told the Mirror that the Schumacher family should be prepared for that potential diagnosis.

"In my own professional personal experience it would be too early to put any such label on Michael Schumacher, but it is correct for doctors to warn his family at this stage - and it is absolutely horrible for doctors to watch," he said. "There are situations worse than dying from an injury."

Michael Schumacher's father Rolf, left, and brother Ralf arrive at Grenoble Hospital. Picture: AP Source: AP

Schumacher's wife Corinna, 44, said they family continued to hope for the best.

"We all know: he is a fighter and will not give up!" she said.

The family released a statement saying the level of support they had received had helped them in their darkest hours,

"We are deeply moved that there is no let up in the good wishes for Michael from around the world. That gives us strength. Thank you all of you!"

View of the French Alps ski resort of Meribel, and the rocks between the slopes where former seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher injured his head during a ski accident. Picture: AP Source: AP

Doctors, and undoubtedly Schumacher's family by now, know that the longer he remains unresponsive the less likely it is that he will pull through unscathed.

Jean-Marc Orgogozo, professor of neurology at the University of Bordeaux, said: "Every day, every week in a coma the chances decline that the situation is improving."

Grenoble's University Hospital Centre in the French Alps, where retired seven-time German Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher remains in a coma. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

23.26 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hopping mad over bunny on Mandela

Officials won't hear of it.. Officials want this miniature bunny removed from the Mandela statue, which was unveiled outside the government complex in Pretoria, the capital, on the day after Mandela's funeral. Source: AP

A NEW, 9-metre sculpture of Nelson Mandela is billed as the biggest statue of the South African leader. It also has a tiny, barely visible quirk: a sculpted rabbit tucked inside one of the bronze ears.

South African officials want the miniature bunny removed from the statue, which was unveiled outside the government complex in Pretoria, the capital, on December 16, a day after Mandela's funeral. The department of arts and culture said it didn't know the two sculptors, Andre Prinsloo and Ruhan Janse van Vuuren, had added a rabbit, said to be a discreet signature on their work.

"It doesn't belong there," said Mogomotsi Mogodiri, a department spokesman. "The statue represents what everyone in South Africa is proud of."

His department said in a statement that there are discussions on "how best to retain the integrity of the sculpture without causing any damage or disfigurement."

Translation: pull the rabbit out of the ear without botching the statue. The giant work stands with arms outstretched, symbolizing Mandela's devotion to inclusiveness, outside the Union Buildings, where the body of the prisoner who opposed white rule and became South Africa's first black president lay in state after his December 5 death at the age of 95.

Telephone calls and emails sent by The Associated Press to the artists were not immediately returned.

Earlier this week, South Africa's Beeld newspaper quoted the artists as saying they added the rabbit as a "trademark" after officials would not allow them to engrave their signatures on the statue's trousers. They also said the rabbit represented the pressure of finishing the sculpture on time because "haas" - the word for rabbit in the Dutch-based Afrikaans language - also means "haste."

A giant among men... A 9m bronze statue of South African former president Nelson Mandela is unveiled on December 16.

Paul Mashatile, arts and culture minister, said the sculptors have apologised for any offence to those who felt the rabbit was disrespectful toward the legacy of Mandela.

The government had appointed Koketso Growth, a heritage development company, to manage the statue project. CEO Dali Tambo, son of anti-apartheid figure Oliver Tambo, said he was furious when he heard about the rabbit, and said it must go.

"That statue isn't just a statue of a man, it's the statue of a struggle, and one of the most noble in human history," Mr Tambo said. "So it's belittling, in my opinion, if you then take it in a jocular way and start adding rabbits in the ear."

It would be, he said, like depicting US President Barack Obama with a mouse in his nose.

Mr Tambo said the artists, who belong to South Africa's white Afrikaner minority, were selected for their talent but also in part because the project was a multi-racial effort in keeping with Mandela's principle of reconciliation. He said their signatures could be added on the statue in a discreet place, perhaps on Mandela's heel.

23.26 | 0 komentar | Read More

New twist in Bali holiday deaths

Qld authorities are examining the bodies of Noelene and Yvana Bischoff to determine what killed them.

AN Australian tourist has claimed he fell ill after eating at a Bali restaurant where Noelene and Yvana Bischoff dined before their mystery deaths.

Queensland police contacted relatives of the Bischoffs yesterday to advise that the Victorian man came forward after returning to Australia.

DID FISH DINNER KILL MUM AND DAUGHTER?

SPECIAL REPORT: FINAL DAYS OF BALI PAIR

Ms Bischoff's brother-in-law Kevin Bowe yesterday said the family was seeking more information about the new case of possible food poisoning.

The family was told the complaint may have related to a different day than when Noelene and Yvana were at the restaurant.

``A gentleman from Victoria got in touch with foreign affairs stating he was quite ill … when he ate at the same restaurant,'' Mr Bowe said.

Indonesian authorities say the deaths of a Qld mother and daughter in Bali were not the result of a crime.

``The detective in charge rang my daughter earlier to advise someone else had reported being ill.''

The development comes as the family is this week due to receive the results of Queensland autopsies, which could finally shed light on the deaths.

Ms Bischoff, 54, a Sunshine Coast nurse, and daughter Yvana, 14, became critically ill on the evening of January 3 in their room at the Padang Bai Beach Resort in East Bali.

Hours earlier, they sat down for dinner in the Buddha Bar and Restaurant attached to the resort.

Their meal included grilled mahi mahi fish, which came under early scrutiny after Indonesian police initially blamed food poisoning or an allergic reaction.

However other diners including resort manager Giovanni Bareato ate the dish, from the same whole fish bought that morning, without becoming ill.

Hundreds have gathered on the Sunshine Coast to celebrate the lives of Noelene and Yvana Bischoff who died suddenly last weekend while holidaying in Bali.

The Queensland coroner conducted autopsies at the family's request and is examining all possible causes.

23.26 | 0 komentar | Read More

This is why you don't text and drive

Watch as this texting driver in the US flips out of control and into a tree.

A VIDEO of a driver flipping his car because he was texting while driving has been released as a warning to other motorists.

Police in Fort Meyers, Florida released the video this week as " a wake-up call to those that text and drive".

In the video taken by a police car's dashboard-mounted camera, a Pontiac Grand Am can be seen drifting out of its lane, before it takes an unexpected turn.

The car then drives over the footpath, a bus stop sign and a tree, before overturning and coming to rest on its roof.

The 23-year-old driver managed to crawl out of the wreck without serious injury. He told police had been texting and driving before the crash that happened about 1am on January 4.

The driver was cited for careless driving and texting while driving.

Be right back... A car flips onto its roof after hitting a tree. The driver has admitted to texting while driving.

"Texting and driving is a serious epidemic," police spokesman Lietenant Victor Medico said.

"We hope the in-car video in this incident is a wake-up call to those that text and drive."
 

23.26 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ford global boss warns Australia

Ford kicked off the 2014 North American International Auto show in Detroit by unveiling its new F-150. Its the first full-body truck to be constructed from aluminum. WSJs Joe White reports.

THE global boss of car giant Ford has warned the Australian economy will suffer "in the long term" with the loss of its auto manufacturing sector.

With Ford and Holden announcing factory shutdowns in 2016 and 2017, and with Toyota likely to follow in 2018, Australia's entire automotive manufacturing base - which employs in excess of 50,000 workers - is destined to collapse, with little hope of a revival.

At an open forum on day two of the Detroit motor show, Ford chief Alan Mulally was asked by a university student about the importance of government assistance in manufacturing.

"No country is ever successful in the long term … without a really strong and vibrant manufacturing base," said Mr Mulally.

"It's the foundation of all economic development. You actually make things that create value. That's why every country around the world is collaborating with the private sector … to figure out how to create an environment where manufacturing (is viable)."

Nineteen of the G20 nations have vehicle manufacturing industries but that figure will fall to 18 once the car industry shuts its doors in Australia.

Alan Mulally, president and CEO of the Ford Motor Company gives his verdict on how the Australian economy will suffer without manufacturing cars. Picture: AP Source: AP

The industry estimates at least $10 billion in economic activity would be wiped from Australia each year once car manufacturing ceases.

Early in Holden's campaign for an increase in government assistance last year, Holden boss Mike Devereux told News Corp that Australia needed to decide if it was content to simply become "a farm, a hotel and a quarry", referring to agriculture, tourism and mining as the big industries once manufacturing dies.

Yesterday, Mr Mulally said 70 per cent of all the research and development in advanced technology and investment is associated with manufacturing, and it was the "foundation of wealth creation".

"You create value and you create jobs," he said.

Ford has had a long history in Australia. Source: News Limited

When asked if this meant Australia was "doomed", Mr Mulally said: "I don't know about that word, but clearly Australia is going where it's going. And what Australia's done with their (low import) tariffs and what they've done (reducing) support of their industry ..."

Mr Mulally wouldn't comment further on what the loss of the manufacturing industry would mean to the Australian economy, but he repeated the message that Ford will continue to sell cars once the Broadmeadows car assembly line closes. "We're going to serve (Australia) with more vehicles ... we're just not going to be making them there," he said.

Workers leave Ford factory's Broadmeadows plant in Melbourne after they first found out further staff cutbacks were in store last year. Source: News Limited

Mr Mulally's comments came a day after the head of international operations for General Motors, Stefan Jacoby, said it was "impossible" to make cars in Australia.

"Since the market is so open, with a lot of Free Trade Agreements coming up, it is fundamentally impossible to produce vehicles in Australia, regardless of what the government is saying," said Mr Jacoby, formerly the boss of Volvo and a high-ranking Volkswagen executive.

Even if the Federal Government were to raise import tariffs it still does not make sense to build cars in Australia, he said.

"If they would make barriers and would truly support their local automotive industry it would lead to an uncompetitive business," said Mr Jacoby. "Local production, even if would be a pure assembly (operation) doesn't make any sense.

"Our business is driven by scale of economics, of productivity, of an efficient supplier industry … optimised logistics … Australia is just too small in these scales."

A statement from Toyota Australia yesterday said: "Recent factors have put our manufacturing operations under unprecedented pressure. We are now studying all relevant business impacts and a decision will be made on future investments sometime this year."

Last week, Toyota Australia's executive director of sales and marketing, Tony Cramb, admitted the situation is dire but insisted "the writing is not on the wall".

But Mr Cramb said Holden's decision to end manufacturing in 2017 "puts unprecedented pressure on Toyota and makes it more difficult for us to be the sole manufacturer here in Australia".

The Toyota factory where the Camry is exported from. Source: Supplied

Mr Cramb confirmed that a decision about investment in the all-new Camry due in 2018 would come from Japan by "the middle of the year".

However, News Corp Australia has been told by Toyota insiders that Japan may delay the announcement until later in the year because the relationship has soured between the global headquarters and the Altona factory floor.

Ford's Alan Mulally is credited with one of the biggest turnarounds in the automotive world. He joined Ford seven years ago after 37 years with Boeing.

The company was tracking so badly, In his first year at Ford it posted a record $17 billion loss.

Mr Mulally sold off assets and other car brands that Ford had acquired, including Jaguar, Volvo, Aston Martin and Land Rover, mortgaged the company to the hilt - including the Ford badge - borrowed $23 billion and began a complete transformation of the company just before the Global Financial Crisis hit.

Struggling to survive in Australia ... it's the end of the locally made Ford Falcon. Source: Supplied

It enabled Ford to keep its foot on the accelerator and develop new models at a time when other brands were forced to stop development and slash costs. Indeed, Ford's rivals General Motors and Chrysler had to be bailed out by the US Government.

Ford has since paid back its original $23 billion loan from the banks, its global sales have increased and the company has been profitable under Mr Mulally's leadership. He recently declined an offer to run Microsoft and says he will continue to lead Ford through to the end of 2014.

This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling

23.26 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sex in the cities: who's getting it?

Sexy and sizzling ... Cairns has the largest number of buyers of adult sex toys by postcode across Australia. Picture: ThinkStock Source: Supplied

DO you live in Australia's sexiest postcode? The weather isn't the only thing heating up this place where locals buy the most adult sex toys.

And believe it or not - it's not one of Australia's capital cities.

It's actually Cairns, where residents living in the postcode of 4870 are now the biggest buyers of sex toys online in the past year, according to 2013 sales data compiled by Australia's leading online retailer of adult toys Femplay.

With a population of more than 66,000, the regional city also has more single people than the national average, according to national Census data.

With Cairns in first place, Queensland's Mackay postcode of 4740 shared second place with Sydney's CBD (postcode 2000), followed by Campbelltown (postcode 2560) in third place and Melbourne CBD (3000) in fourth.

Femplay spokeswoman Lea-Anne Trevillion said they were surprised that Cairns topped the list, as they expected most of their orders would come from Sydney or Melbourne.

"We knew it's hot in Cairns, but we had no idea it was so sizzling in the bedrooms," she said.

The data - supplied to Femplay by Australia Post as the discreet retailer does not keep details of customer records on file.

Sex and relationship coach Isiah McKimmie, who runs a practice in Cairns, described the regional area as "conservative".

She said the data indicated that people in Cairns are more adventurous in the bedroom than we thought.

"As the Femplay data show, people in Cairns are adventurous - but it's very much behind closed doors," she said.

"There is an air of conservatism in Cairns, and it's such a small town that if you walked out of a sensual boutique there's a good chance you might be spotted by someone you know! Many residents choose to discreetly order their sexy lingerie and fun toys online from Femplay and other outlets."

TOP 10 SEXIEST POSTCODES IN AUSTRALIA:

1. Cairns, QLD 4870

2. Sydney, NSW 2000

2. Mackay, QLD 4740

3. Campbelltown, NSW 2560

4. Melbourne, VIC 3000

5. Launceston, TAS 7250

6. Geelong, VIC 3216

7. Blakeview, SA 5114

8. Devenport, SA 7310

9. Mandurah, WA 6210

10. Jandakot, WA 6164

23.26 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mob boss teaching law behind bars

A former Italian mafia boss serving life in prison for ordering contract killings is set to teach a course on prison law for lawyers. Picture: Thinkstock Source: Supplied

A FORMER Italian mafia boss serving a life sentence will teach a course on prison law for practising lawyers, with classes to be held in the remote facility where he is being held in Sardinia.

"Marcello Dall'Anna has completely changed since the days when he was a leader of the Sacra Corona Unita'' mafia in southern Italy, said Monica Murru, a lawyer who has been helping him organise the course.

"He has distanced himself from his past,'' she said.

Dell'Anna, who is now 46, was convicted at the age of 23 for ordering contract killings and is currently being held near Nuoro in a mountainous part of Sardinia.

The classes will be limited to 20 lawyers "for reasons of space'' in the prison despite the high demand and the course starts on January 24, finishing on March 21.

Two prisoners who acted in the award-winning film Caesar Must Die about the staging of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar in a Rome prison will also attend.

As a maximum-security inmate, Dell'Anna enjoys few privileges but managed to obtain a law degree in prison by taking courses and exams in prison, and was only allowed out for 14 hours in 2012 for his graduation.

He is campaigning for his security status to be lowered - a move that under current regulation would only be allowed if he becomes a state informer, something Murru said he has not done "so as not to expose his family''.

He has a wife and son from before he was jailed.

Dell'Anna is a published author in legal journals and will receive a small payment for the course. Ms Murru said he could stay objective despite his own position.

"He manages to distance himself from his status as a prisoner. It makes him feel needed,'' she said.

"Hopefully, he will teach more courses.''

23.26 | 0 komentar | Read More

New twist in Bali holiday deaths

Qld authorities are examining the bodies of Noelene and Yvana Bischoff to determine what killed them.

AN Australian tourist has claimed he fell ill after eating at a Bali restaurant where Noelene and Yvana Bischoff dined before their mystery deaths.

Queensland police contacted relatives of the Bischoffs yesterday to advise that the Victorian man came forward after returning to Australia.

DID FISH DINNER KILL MUM AND DAUGHTER?

SPECIAL REPORT: FINAL DAYS OF BALI PAIR

Ms Bischoff's brother-in-law Kevin Bowe yesterday said the family was seeking more information about the new case of possible food poisoning.

Indonesian authorities say the deaths of a Qld mother and daughter in Bali were not the result of a crime.

The family was told the complaint may have related to a different day than when Noelene and Yvana were at the restaurant.

``A gentleman from Victoria got in touch with Foreign Affairs stating he was quite ill … when he ate at the same restaurant,'' Mr Bowe said.

``The detective in charge rang my daughter earlier to advise someone else had reported being ill.''

The development comes as the family is this week due to receive the results of Queensland autopsies, which could finally shed light on the deaths.

Ms Bischoff, 54, a Sunshine Coast nurse, and daughter Yvana, 14, became critically ill on the evening of January 3 in their room at the Padang Bai Beach Resort in East Bali.

Hours earlier, they sat down for dinner in the Buddha Bar and Restaurant attached to the resort.

Hundreds have gathered on the Sunshine Coast to celebrate the lives of Noelene and Yvana Bischoff who died suddenly last weekend while holidaying in Bali.

Their meal included grilled mahi mahi fish, which came under early scrutiny after Indonesian police initially blamed food poisoning or an allergic reaction.

However other diners including resort manager Giovanni Bareato ate the dish, from the same whole fish bought that morning, without becoming ill.

The Queensland coroner conducted autopsies at the family's request and is examining all possible causes.

23.26 | 0 komentar | Read More

Woman held captive for six months

Facing kidnapping charges...Jason Greniger allegedly kept his girlfriend captive in a motel room for six months. Picture: AP/Mesquite Nevada Police Department Source: AP

A WOMAN held captive by her boyfriend for six months was freed after posting a desperate plea to Facebook.

Sheena Herschbach was held against her will at a motel in Mesquite, Nevada by her boyfriend Jason Greniger for six months, said Mesquite police Detective Sergeant MaQuade Chesley.

Greniger was arrested on Saturday after Herschbach managed to get to the public library and post a message to Facebook.

"I just want to let everyone one know I'm sarry I whant to come home but he won't let me yes Jason don't knoe im online in desquet novata at the mv motel," she wrote, reports the Las Vegas Sun.

A friend who saw the message reported it to Mesquite police, who rescued Herschbach and arrested her boyfriend on Saturday.

Greniger and is being held on suspicion of kidnapping and an outstanding child abuse charge, reports NBC News.

Police say Hershbach was not physically restrained, but that Greniger threatened to kill her and her family if she left. She was sometimes let out of the motel room to fetch beer and food, police say.

"She had opportunities to contact police, it just took her six months to get the courage to do it," said Mr Chesley.

"She legitimately believed that he would kill her, hurt her or hurt her family if she didn't stay with him."

Herschbach had not had any contact with her family or children for six months, and only learned after being freed that her mother had died last month.

Speaking to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Hershbach told how she gathered the will to finally break free of Greniger, who she said was physically abusive for years.

"He finally pushed me for the last time," she said.

"I just said the heck with it. I went to the library, went online and talked to my sister."

The couple began dating in 2009, but broke up after he began domestically abusing her, Hershbach said.

Greniger pleaded guilty to child abuse charges in 2013, stemming from his abuse of their three children who are now in foster care, said Hershbach. She took out a restraining order against him in 2012 and moved to California, but Greniger followed her and convinced her to take him back.

When she tried to leave him again, Greniger threatned to kill her and her family and began keeping her captive at the MV motel in Mesquite, Herschbach told the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

He watched her constantly, never left her alone, and often hit her, she said.

"He thought we were together," she said. "If I said anything, he threatened to hurt me, so I didn't for a long time."

 

23.26 | 0 komentar | Read More