Roman gladiator school unearthed

Recreated ... A digital reconstruction model of the Roman school of gladiators at Carnuntum with a view from the north into the courtyard with the training arena. Source: AFP

A TEAM of archaeologists says they have discovered the almost complete remains of a Roman school of gladiators on the banks of the Danube in Austria and virtually recreated the site using sophisticated techniques.

The so-called ludus "is on a scale to rival the famous ludus magnus, the gladiatorial school behind the Coliseum in Rome," the archaeologists said on Wednesday in a statement.

The team, announcing their findings in the journal Antiquity, said the "spectacular" find at Carnuntum was mapped and virtually reconstructed using non-invasive techniques such as aerial surveys, electromagnetic induction and ground-penetrating radar.

"The resulting archaeological maps and plans of individual buildings, streets and Roman infrastructure allow the virtual reconstruction of the city layout and the development of ancient land and townscapes in two and three dimensions," they said.

"Although some 100 ludi are thought to have existed in the Roman Empire, almost all have been destroyed or built over," said the team, from Austria, Belgium and Germany.

Excavations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries revealed many elements of the Carnuntum complex including a legionary fortress and town but the ludus was only discovered in 2011.

Carnuntum was the capital of Upper Pannonia in Roman times and a major trading centre for amber.

A digital reconstruction model of the Roman school of gladiators at Carnuntum with a view from the South.

Its archaeological park contains the ruins of amphitheatres, Roman baths and the remains of a monumental arch known as Heidentor.

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Editor attacked with cleaver

Attacked...Kevin Lau, former editor of the Ming Pao newspaper, was brutally attacked with a cleaver. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

THE former editor of a Hong Kong newspaper whose ouster triggered protests over media freedom and Beijing's influence, is in a critical condition after being attacked with a cleaver, authorities say.

Kevin Lau, former editor of the liberal Ming Pao newspaper, was hacked in broad daylight on Wednesday by two men who escaped on a motorbike in the Chai Wan district where the newspaper's headquarters is located, police said.

Lau, who was known for hard-hitting political investigations before being reassigned as chief editor in January, was confronted when he got out of his car.

"One of them alighted from the motorcycle and used a chopper to attack the victim," police spokesman Simon Kwan told a press conference outside the hospital where Lau was being treated.

"He suffered three wounds, one in his back and two in his legs," Kwan said, adding that the wound to his back was deep.

Injured...Kevin Lau, former editor of the Ming Pao newspaper, being wheeled in on a stretcher after he was attacked with a cleaver in broad daylight. Picture: AFP/Apple Daily Source: AFP

A government spokesman said Lau was in a critical condition.

Lau was replaced by a pro-Beijing editor from Malaysia, prompting protests by staff who feared the move was an attempt to stifle the paper's strong track record of investigative reporting.

Critics said the sidelining was politically motivated as the city undergoes a debate over the future of its political system, 17 years after the handover from British rule, and as concerns mount that Beijing is seeking to tighten control.

Protesters took to the streets again on the weekend over what they said was the erosion of press freedom.

Earlier this month two reports from international media watchdogs said self-censorship was becoming commonplace.

Fight...Pro-democracy protesters hold a picture of former Ming Pao editor Kevin Lau during a demonstration outside a hospital in Hong Kong. Picture: AP Source: AP

Under a deal struck between London and Beijing, the semi-autonomous territory of seven million is guaranteed freedom of speech among other liberties that China's mainland residents are denied.

Media groups, which have raised concerns over a series of sackings of high-profile media figures, called on the police to pursue Lau's attackers.

"We strongly condemn violence and urge the police to take action," said Hong Kong Journalists Association chairman Sham Yee-lan.

The Foreign Correspondents' Club said it was shocked over the incident and urged authorities to address the growing number of attacks against members of the press.

"Hong Kong's reputation as a free and international city will suffer if such crimes go unsolved and unpunished," it said in a statement.

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Refs stuff up huge call then flee

With just five seconds remaining in a Texas schoolgirls regional basketball final, the match's referees have inexplicably run off the court after being unable to decide the conditions under which a late foul occurred, and declared the game over!

Run, refs, run! Source: YouTube

That was clearly the only thought going through the heads of these three basketball referees when they stuffed up a pivotal call in double overtime.

There was a lot riding on the game — it was a regional final between two girls' high school teams. Basketball doesn't get any bigger.

The Celina Ladycats were trailing Argyle by just one point with 4.8 seconds left. Kynese Davis, otherwise known as the miniature, female reincarnation of Michael Jordan, was racing up the court with the ball. She snapped a last ditch shot from behind the three point line.

FOUL! Davis was fouled as she shot the ball, with time still left on the clock. She strolled to the free throw line, ready to sink two buckets and win the game.

There was just one problem. The referees hadn't called the foul. They got it all wrong.

As both teams looked on, completely dumbfounded, the three officials fled the court. Or, as ocker Aussie rugby star Nick Cummins might say, they scarpered from the scene like rats up a drainpipe.

We haven't seen a finer set of Forrest Gump impersonations in years.

Their Forrest Gump impersonations were very convincing. Source: News Limited

The missed call was so ridiculous that the Ladycats' coach, Jordan Davis, ran after the fleeing referees yelling, 'Are you kidding me!?"

Obviously, the officials were too busy scarpering to explain their decision at the time. A statement was released later, implying they'd made a judgment call that time had run out before the foul.

It hadn't. And that still doesn't explain why they left the court so briskly.

One veteran referee said it was "the worst ending to a basketball game I've ever seen in my many years of officiating".

That just about sums it up.

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Kylie’s ‘surprise’ gig wows fans

Love at First Sight ... Kylie Minogue posted this picture to Instagram after her surprise gig at the Beresford Hotel. Source: Supplied

Kylie Minogue created gayhem with a surprise performance in Sydney last night.

Minogue announced her appearance at the Beresford on her Twitter feed, confirming a badly kept secret.

Fans queued immediately at the venue before being allowed in at 8pm.

She appeared on stage at 10.30pm after DJ sets from the Presets and Sveta and chants of 'Kylie! Kylie! Kylie!"

"It was great fun to surprise the fans pre mardi gras and be part of the build up and excitement for mardi gras," Minogue told News Corp yesterday.

Minogue thrilled fans with the first Australian performance of new single Into the Blue. The short and sweet appearance saw Minogue take to the stage as a remix of her hit Slow primed the lucky hundreds who gained entry.

KYLIE OPENS UP ABOUT MICHAEL HUTCHENCE: "I STILL LOVE HIM"

Minogue made the visit in lieu of a mardi gras set this weekend. "You've always supported me and I want you to know I'm always here for you," she told the mainly gay crowd.

Wearing a red PVC dress, Minogue pulled one fan on stage to take a selfie with her.

While some fans were expecting more songs, the last-minute appearance was always planned as a brief affair.

Her album Kiss Me Once is out in March.

Minogue has resumed coaching duties on The Voice in Sydney, with co-stars Ricky Martin and Will I Am on the impromptu invite list for the Beresford show.

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Late bills could haunt you for life

Changes to the Privacy Act mean lenders will be able to tell when you're late with a bill payment. Source: Supplied

ON MARCH 12, a new comprehensive credit reporting system (CCR) will come into effect in Australia that will change the way lenders assess risks when taking new clients.

At present, a person's credit file — the detailed collection of their financial history — is governed by the Privacy Act and only provides limited negative information, like defaults and bankruptcies to lenders.

However under the new system, known as CCR, a much wider range of information will be available, from details of credit cards and personal loans to monthly bill repayment history.

The information will also be able to be shared among credit providers, but not with telecommunications and utility companies at this stage.

Credit reporting agency Veda's marketing manager Belinda Diprose said the changes are designed to provide a clearer picture of consumer behaviour.

"It's really about making sure people aren't overextending themselves and lenders have best possible picture when it comes to making a credit decisions," she said.

Under the new system lenders will be able to share information on credit cards and loans. Source: Getty Images

"Previously they were able to share some information [like] credit applications you made as well as if you have an overdue debt, default, bankruptcy, court judgments."

However the changes mean companies will be able to access additional information around the types of credit, limits and how often people pay their bills on time.

"If you miss a repayment by more than five days that will be marked on your file under the new system, However a default is not marked just because you missed a repayment," Ms Diprose said.

Credit defaults are when a payment of $150 is more than 60 days overdue.

Ms Diprose said although the changes mean more information will be collected, they will allow people to establish a positive credit rating quickly and show they have recovered from negative events.

However people will need to remember to be vigilant with bill payments in order to keep their file clean — which could be a struggle considering 80 per cent of Australians don't keep track of their credit history.

Paying bills on time will become more important under the new system. Source: Supplied

Ms Diprose said the changes will bring Australia more in line with the US and UK, where consumers actively use their credit score to seek out a good deal from providers.

"A good credit history makes you more attractive to credit providers … It's a really important piece of that lending decision so you can get credit you want," she said.

Veda's top tips for managing your credit rating:

• Set up direct debits to ensure bills are paid on time

• Schedule loan repayments for payday

• Keep track of credit commitments and only apply for credit when you really need it

• Credit includes things like store finance so don't neglect payments on your fridge or car

• Close any accounts you don't need

• Get your bills via email and flag them to make sure they're paid on time

• If you're having trouble meeting payments, ask for an extension or negotiate new terms

• Get a copy of your credit report so you know where you stand

To get a copy of your credit score visit Veda.com.au 

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Conroy under fire for ‘brain snap’

A number of the government ministers took the opportunity in Question Time to have a go at Senator Conroy's accusations during Senate Estimates.

Unapologetic ... Opposition defence spokesman Stephen Conroy says the Federal Government should be saying sorry to the Australian people for keeping secrets. Source: News Corp Australia

LABOR defence spokesman Stephen Conroy is clinging to his job after refusing to apologise to the decorated Army General he accused of conducting a political cover-up.

During a Defence Estimates hearing on Tuesday Senator Conroy deeply offended the commander of Operation Sovereign Borders, former SAS officer and Afghanistan war commander Lieutenant General Angus Campbell, by calling into question his integrity.

The government's day two charge against the Labor head kicker was led by Prime Minister Tony Abbott who demanded an apology for the "brain snap".

"I think that uniformed officers of our country should be treated with our deep respect," Mr Abbott said.

The issue escalated into a full-blown political debate when former army officer and Independent Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie, who opposes the government's policy, moved a motion in the House of Representatives to ``admonish'' Senator Conroy for attacking General Campbell's integrity.

Mr Wilkie, who was at Duntroon with General Campbell in 1984, said he was disappointed that the debate became so political and that his motion was opposed by Labor.

The motion was seconded by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop who described the Conroy attack as a "despicable slur".

"If he [Senator Conroy] does not [apologise], the leader of the opposition should remove him from the role of shadow minister for defence. He is unfit for that role," she said.

Predictably it was opposed by Labor on party political lines with Opposition leader Bill Shorten accusing the government of using the general as a political football and of smearing the military.

Tough day at the office ... Commander of Operation Sovereign Borders Lt-Gen Angus Campbell during the fiery Senate Estimates hearing. Source: News Corp Australia

The motion was carried on the voices.

In an unprecedented intervention, the Chief of Defence General David Hurley used a Senate Estimates hearing to defend the man he promoted to three-star status to take the Operation Sovereign Borders Job.

Treading a fine political line given the sensitivity of the issue, General Hurley said he was pleased that the accusations were withdrawn.

"But unfortunately once said the shadow will linger," he said.

"Lieutenant General Campbell has a reputation in Canberra, more widely in Australia and overseas, of integrity, intellect and studied impartiality."

A visibly subdued but unrepentant Senator Conroy told the Senate that he was not criticising General Campbell for simply following orders.

"No Australian wants to see the politicisation of the military," Senator Conroy said.

He then spent several hours trying to pry political answers from senior defence officers about Operation Sovereign Borders.

General Hurley and Navy chief Vice-Admiral Ray Griggs refused to answer dozens of questions instead referring Senator Conroy to "`on water matters'' and the minister in charge, Immigration Minister Scott Morrison.

During his opening remarks General Hurley also revealed that Australia's main base in the Middle East at Al-Minhad Air Base (AMAB) near Dubai would be named Camp Baird in honour of the nation's latest Victoria Cross winner Commando Corporal Cameron Baird who was killed in action last June.

About 400 Australians are based there to support another 400 still serving in Kabul and Kandahar in Afghanistan.

Defence Minister David Johnston squashed rumours that the navy's two new 27,000 tonne amphibious landing ships would be based at Townsville and not Sydney.

"It will be Garden Island [Sydney]," Senator Johnston said.

Lt General Angus Campbell. Source: DailyTelegraph

ATTACK HAS BROUGHT OUT THE BIG GUNS Comment Simon Benson

STEPHEN Conroy is rapidly running out of friends in the Labor caucus. And so too will Opposition leader Bill Shorten if he doesn't do something about him.

A growing number of senior Labor MPs believe Conroy should resign — and if he doesn't, Shorten should sack him.

His attack on General Angus Campbell was unbecoming of someone with ambitions of becoming Defence Minister.

But it was the Chief of the Defence Force's response that is more problematic for Conroy and ultimately Shorten and the Labor party itself.

General David Hurley's public admonishment of Conroy in defending the integrity of one of his most senior officers was without precedent.

It signalled that the senior brass of the ADF have no confidence in the man.

"Once said, the shadow will linger," he said of Conroy's accusations that Campbell was involved in a government cover-up on border protection.

What General Hurley was saying was that Conroy's attack will not be forgotten.

For that reason alone it is almost impossible for Conroy to ever be considered for a role as Defence Minister in a Labor government.

But it is deeper than that for Shorten's attempts to show leadership.

Shorten needs to demonstrate that he has control over one of his Victorian numbers men — one who is out of control and prepared to engage in factional bully-boy tactics with the military.

Some senior Labor MPs believe Conroy should never have been given the job and it should have gone to David Feeney.

Many had even hoped he would have left parliament at the election, such was the toxicity which many colleagues believe he brings to a factionally fragile Labor caucus.

His behaviour also blunted Labor's attempts yesterday to force the sacking of assistant health minister Fiona Nash. And there are many of Conroy's mates who aren't at all happy about it.

Shadow Defence Minister Stephen Conroy accuses the Commander of Operation Sovereign Borders General Angus Campbell of being engaged in a political cover up during a fiery Senate Estimates hearing.

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Skier paralysed after Sochi crash

Russian freestyle skier Maria Komissarova broke her back after crashing in a training even in Sochi. Source: AP

THE Russian freestyle skier who was hospitalised following an accident at the Sochi Winter Olympic Games says she has no feeling from the waist down.

Maria Komissarova, 23, was flown to Germany for treatment on a fractured spine following a crash in training for the ski cross event at Sochi 2014, by far the worst accident of the Winter Games.

She has undergone several operations in Russia and Germany after the accident but until now there had been no specific information about her condition.

However Komissarova revealed in a message on her Instagram account that she was currently paralysed from the waist down.

"I do not feel my body lower than my belly button," she wrote.

"But I am strong and I know that some day I will definitely be on my feet again."

Russian President Vladimir Putin visits Komissarova in a hospital in Sochi. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

Komissarova posted a picture of herself lying down with her fiance Alexei Chaadayev, also a Russian skier, saying that she would not have stayed sane without his support.

While still hospitalised in Russia, Komissarova received a visit from President Vladimir Putin at her bedside.

It was soon after that visit that the decision was taken to evacuate the injured skier to a clinic in Munich, Germany, which has treated several high-profile Russian athletes in the past.

Ski-cross is one of the most frenetic and risky events of the Games, where several skiers race down a slope filled with jumps, obstacles and banked corners.

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