You know what they say: Big trains, little tracks

Too wide ... A new SNCF Regiolis Regional Express Train at the Vaugirard railway station in Paris. France's rail networks have been left embarrassed after ordering new trains that don't fit in many stations, requiring them to "shave" platforms at a cost of $75 million so far. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

France's rail network has been left red-faced after ordering around 2000 new trains that are too wide for the stations — after engineers forgot to double-check their measurements.

The embarrassing mistake has sparked mocking disbelief and anger in France, as well as calls to fire those responsible for the costly error.

The platforms are now too close together for the new trains to pull into the stations.

The train operator has been forced to secretly "shave" down the size of 300 older platforms to make the new trains fit — an operation that has already cost taxpayers 50 million euros ($75 million).

Debacle ... A Regional Express Train waits at a platform at the Saint Lazare station in Paris. Around 1300 stations are too narrow for the new trains. Picture: AP Source: AP

French Transport Minister Theirry Mariani called the mess "comically tragic", reports the Telegraph UK.

The blunder was first reported by satirical and investigative magazine Le Canard Enchaine, which wrote: "The Paris-Frest train is entering the station. Please pull in your stomachs,"

The mix-up began when France's national train operator SNCF ordered the new trains from French manufacturer Alstom and Canada's Bombardier.

It asked the regional train authority, the RFF, to work out the correct measurements for smaller, local train stations.

RFF reported there were currently 10 centimetres to spare on either side of trains — and the SCNF accordingly authorised the new trains to be 20 centimetres wider.

However, the RFF had failed to check its older stations, many of whose platforms were significantly closer together "from an era where trains were considerably less portly," the report said.

"We discovered the problem a little late," said RFF spokesman Christophe Piednoel. "It's as if you bought a Ferrari and wanted to get it in your garage only to discover the garage was not quite the right size because you'd never had a Ferrari before."

The SNCF in a statement put the number of affected platforms at 1300, many of which were built more than 50 years ago.

"SNCF's wise engineers forgot to verify the reality in the field," wrote Le Canard.

The wider trains were a response to public requirements, and in line with international norms, it said.

"It's a question of bringing the platforms in line with the same norms."

The rails themselves will need to be moved in at least one station to avoid collisions, the news reports said.

The RFF has allocated 80 million euros ($120 million) for the work, mainly in the southwest and centre of the country, the reports said.

OTHER EMBARASSING ENGINEERING BLUNDERS:

CITIGROUP CENTRE

Citigroup's New York headquarters is among the most recognisable buildings in Midtown, with its 45-degree slanted roof and 9-story stilts at the base which were designed to accommodate the church that refused to move out. In 1978, a year after the main tenant moved in, its structural engineer got an unwelcome phone call from an undergraduate architecture student who had discovered that the building could blow over in hurricane-strength winds. The engineer worked out a secret evacuation plan with the city, and quietly dispatched teams of welders through the night for weeks to clandestinely fortify the building. The true story emerged years later.

Skyline ... The Citigroup headquarters in New York. The building had to be secretly evacuated and fortified after a student realised it would blow over in a hurricane. Picture: AP Source: AP

TACOMA NARROWS BRIDGE

Known as "Galloping Gertie" during its brief life, the bridge in Washington state became famous for twisting and bending like a ribbon, before collapsing in a windstorm on Nov. 7, 1940, four months after opening. The vertigo-inducing collapse was famously captured on film. Still cited as one of the world's major engineering failures, the wreckage is now among the world's largest man-made reefs. A new, safer version opened in 1950.

"Galloping Gerti" ... A Nov. 7, 1940 photo shows a large section of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapsing into Puget Sound, after bending and twisting in the wind. Picture: AP Source: AP

SQUARE-WINDOWED AIRLANES

Jetliners were just coming into their own, with the pioneering Comet, built by the British company de Havilland. Then, in 1954, two of the jets broke apart mid-flight. The reason? After putting the Comet's fuselage into a giant water tank, researchers figured it out: square windows. Metal fatigue was causing small cracks to form at the edges of the windows, and the pressurized cabins exploded.

MARS ORBITER

Two sets of engineers, one working in metric and the other working in the US imperial system, failed to communicate at crucial moments in constructing the $125 million spacecraft. The result? It crashed into the Martian atmosphere and probably ended up orbiting the sun, lost in space for perpetuity. NASA said the error had probably been causing glitches in the mission for 416 million miles before the spectacularly embarrassing failure on Sept. 23, 1999.

MILLENNIUM BRIDGE

It was the first pedestrian bridge to span London's Thames River in a century, and closed two days after opening in 2000 after it developed a wobble under the footsteps of thousands of visitors — first eager, then a little seasick. The error was similar to the one that took down the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, but with a twist — it was caused by a human tendency to match footsteps to the sway of the span to keep balance, magnifying lateral movements. It reopened in 2002 after a 5 million-pound ($9 million) repair.

Footbridge ... The Millennium Bridge over the river Thames in London. It was closed just two days after opening in 2000 after it developed a wobble under the footsteps of thousands of visitors. Picture: AP Source: AP

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Boys ‘poisoned teacher’s water’

Deadly ... Two boys have been arrested for allegedly putting rat poison in their teacher's water. Picture: Thinkstock Source: Supplied

TWO schoolkids have been arrested for putting rat poison in their teacher's water bottle, sources said.

The boys, 9 and 12, put the substance into the fifth-grade teacher's bottle at Brooklyn primary school PS 315 on Monday, law-enforcement sources told The New York Post .

The teacher told police she became nauseous.

While she was sick, another student told her that the two kids had put the poison in her bottle.

She was treated at her doctor's office and was not seriously injured.

The next day, she went to the 70th Precinct station house to report what had happened.

The kids were arrested and charged with reckless endangerment, assault and criminal possession of a weapon.

It was not clear why they did it, and their names were not released.

The school, which has 841 students, is also called the School of Performing Arts.

Despite the scary incident, teachers said it's a wonderful school.

One posted a positive review on the GreatSchools.org website Tuesday.

"My school is an excellent environment for learning. We are well into the 21st century and have Smart Boards, document cameras, desktops, and laptops available in all classrooms," the teacher said. "This is an excellent school!"

The New York City Department of Education did not return a request for comment.

A similar poisoning incident took place earlier this month in England when two 10-year-olds poured a bleach-like liquid into their teacher's coffee cup when her back was turned.

Emma Place, 39, was about to take a sip of her beverage when she was warned by another student that it was laced with a toxic substance, The Sun newspaper reported.

The plot was hatched by a group of kids who called themselves "The Mafia."

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Is this TV’s most adorable wedding proposal?

On tonights Offspring, a very drunk Jimmy proposes to Zara. Courtesy: Offspring/Network Ten

What to expect when Nina's expecting. Courtesy Network 10.

Asher Keddie plays Nina Proudman in Offspring. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

AFTER finally managing to coax Zara to the opening night of Jimmy's new taco joint under instructions from Melbourne's new taco emperor himself, Nina and Billie sit on the sidelines, fearing the worst.

Zara has already spent the whole day defending her status as a former wild child, and announces to the whole family "I'm still a scarlet woman, thank god. Marriage isn't for me."

But she wasn't prepared for this.

Singing That Word (L.O.V.E) by Rockmelons, a mariachi band emerges, followed by Jimmy wearing a sombrero. He begins singing along completely out of tune, with that trademark silly grin plastered across his face.

Now THAT'S how you do a wedding proposal. Source: Supplied

Ignoring any headshaking from Zara, he takes centre stage and declares: "Zara Perkich, I stand here before you on this grand opening occasion, in this elaborate Mexican garb, because I want to tell you that I love you, and I love our little family with all my heart.

"And I know how naff and mortifying you're finding all of this. But that's OK, because that means you'll never, ever forget this moment, and never, ever forget my pledge to you.

"And just to make sure it is absolutely forever burned onto your retinas and ringing in your earlobes for all time, I will now attempt to breakdance."

Jimmy's ridiculous moves on the dance floor have the whole party in stitches. Zara points out: "Jimmy, you're breakdancing to a reggae song, sung by a mariachi band."

But as he kneels down before her offering up an elaborate ring, against all odds, his scarlet woman says 'yes'.

Cue: utter surprise and relief from Jimmy, the Proudman clan, and anxious viewers.

For Offspring fans, it's the most hopeful moment we've seen on the show since Patrick's sudden death last season. Perhaps we can expect an uplifting fifth season, after all.

Just don't break his heart, Zara, because we are fast running out of tissues.

Offspring's Proudman clan is about to add another member, after Zara accepted Jimmy's marriage proposal. Source: Supplied

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Ouch. Shockeroos tipped to come last

Mile Jedinak will captain the Socceroos at the World Cup in Brazil, taking over from long-time skipper Lucas Neill - who didn't make the squad.

Credit to this guy for keeping the silly nose on even as he dies inside. Source: News Limited

HERE'S a thing to fire us all up a little. An American soccer writer has tipped Australia to come 32nd and last in the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Ouch.

But the humiliation doesn't end there. Journalist Harrison Stark says the Socceroos have a historically "defeatist" attitude, claims none of our younger players are any good, and says our 2006 golden generation was a "fluke".

Triple ouch. So is there any merit in these views?

Socceroos fans react to Harrison Stark's harsh assessment. Source: News Limited

Well, Stark has compiled in-depth previews of each of the 32 nations contesting next month's football fest in Brazil in his new e-book. His previews are also running daily as a countdown on the website slate.com. He has clearly done his research.

Evidence of this is that Stark makes some insightful points with regard to the recent history of the sport of soccer, or football, or whatever you want to call it, in the Australian context.

He rightly states that the development of the game here is similar to that in America — in as much as the sport continually fights to get a foothold among other sports no one else in the world plays much.

Stark also gets just how well the Socceroos did at the 2006 World Cup, and how unlucky we were to be eliminated by eventual champions Italy on a dodgy penalty.

This fan can't believe what he's just read either. Source: News Limited

And it's not easy to argue with statements like this synopsis of events after 2006:

"Hiddink left and the next generation of internationally ready players never came. Today, Australia's squad still contains many of the same names it did in 2006, though these increasingly bedraggled fellows are now playing their club soccer at elephant's graveyards like the Australian league and the Qatari professional league."

Or his damning synopsis of more recent times:

"A series of high-profile friendlies abroad were intended to boost Australia's soccer standing globally but did the opposite: The Socceroos lost to Brazil and France back to back, both by the embarrassing score of 6—0. In response, it sacked its coach, a move that doesn't normally pay off right before a big tournament."

That last point is perhaps the one thing really worth disputing. We all know that Australia goes to Brazil as the lowest-ranked team in the tournament. We all know we're in a really, really tough group and will struggle to draw a match, let alone win one.

But Holger the Horrible had to go. Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou is trying to build things from the ground up and establish a truly Australian style. This might be a horrible World Cup for Australia, but it could be a good one for us in the long run. Because if we go to Brazil and perform even half well, it will set a precedent to build the game with Australian hands — just like we have with cricket and other sports we excel at internationally.

There there, mate. He could be wrong. We might manage 28th or 29th. Picture: Craig Greenhill Source: News Limited

So on balance, you'd have to say the 32nd ranking is harsh. (Not that teams are actually ranked in numerical order from first to last, but anyway).

At the very least, you'd have to believe we'd do better than Iran, the team Stark tips to come 31st. We should also surpass the feats of Costa Rica, who Stark tips to come 30th. After all, we beat them last year in Ange's first match as coach.

By the way, the title of his story on slate.com was "Why are the Socceroos suddenly so bad at Soccer?". That's not really an accurate question. We've never been great, but we're not that bad now. Or are we?

What do you think? Is this journalist being too harsh or will Australia really be the worst team at the World Cup? Tweet him at @harrisonstark or tweet us at @antsharwood or @newscomauHQ. You can also share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Judge: ‘Forgive your rapist hubby’

No justice ... Mandy Broadman, pictured with her then husband David Wise, says she received no justice for him drugging and raping her. Source: Supplied

A WOMAN was left stunned as a judge gave her husband a suspended sentence for drugging and raping her and advised her to forgive him and get over it.

Mandy Broadman, of Indianapolis, testified that she found three videos on her now ex-husband David Wise's phone of the pair having sex which she did not remember participating in. She also said she woke up once with a pill dissolving in her mouth.

Broadman, who was married to Wise for 12 years and with whom she has two children, said she made copies of the videos but didn't take them to police until 2011 because he was sending threatening texts to her after their divorce.

A jury convicted Wise last month of one count of rape and five counts of criminal deviate conduct.

Home detention ... David Wise, 52, was given eight years of home detention for drugging and raping his wife. Source: Supplied

However despite the crimes punishable by six to 20 years in prison Marion Superior Judge Kurt Eisgruber gave Wise a suspended prison sentence and eight years home detention.

Broadman told the IndyStar that it was what the judge said while handing down the sentence that made her feel like she had been "sucker punched in the gut."

"The judge looked at me before he gave the final decision," she said. "I was told that I needed to forgive my attacker and move on. I received zero justice on Friday"

Marion County Deputy Prosecutor Courtney Curtis said the fact that Broadman was married to Wise should not discount the fact that he raped her.

"There is no difference when a woman knows her attacker and when she doesn't," Ms Curtis said. "I think it is important to remember that this crime is one that was committed in the home and so serving a home sentence in the home is not something this office would ever ask for."

Wise is fighting for shared custody of the couple's two children.

"He will continue to harass me and cause me as much pain in my life as he can," said Boardman, who has since remarried.

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Abbott, Hockey GP fee blunders

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten attacks the Liberal Party's new healthcare charges saying 'Labor will not support taxes on Medicare, full stop'.

Hear no evil, see no evil - but most of all - speak no evil... Embarrassing blunders over the detail of the $7 GP payment have raised doubts about Treasurer Joe Hockey and Prime Minister Tony Abbott understanding their own Budget. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia

EMBARRASING bloopers by Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Treasurer Joe Hockey have revealed they don't understand who will be forced to pay their controversial new $7 GP fee.

And their mistakes have undermined the government's attempt to sell a tough budget to angry voters.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott told Melbourne radio listeners yesterday an average person would only have to pay the $7 GP fee ten times and then they would be bulk billed.

In fact the government has put no limit on the number of times an ordinary worker will pay the $7 charge, however, there is a ten visit safety net just for pensioners and children.

Radio 3AW host Neil Mitchell asked the Prime Minister yesterday: "If I am the average person going along to the doctor what is the safety net on the $7 co-payment?"

The Prime Minister replied :"Well, it is 10 visits and then the standard bulk-billing arrangements will apply."

Mr Abbott's office ammended his statement late yesterday. "The safety net of ten visits applies to concession card holders and people aged under 16", it said.

The Australian Medical Association accused Treasurer Joe Hockey of also getting it wrong when he says the chronically ill won't be hit by the $7 GP fee.

The Treasurer told Korey Gunnis who suffers from eight chronic illnesses on Monday: "You wouldn't be hit by the so-called Medicare co-payment. You wouldn't be affected."

Mr Hockey, on the ABC's Q&A program, went on to say: "No, you wouldn't, because you'd be on a care plan with your doctor. Obviously you've got a number of chronic diseases. In that situation you are not affected by the co-payment,"

RELATED: Treasurer - "Enough with the photos"

While it is true that Medicare's chronic disease management item will be exempt from the $7 GP fee, this is only for one doctors visit a year where the GP plans the patients care for their chronic illnesses.

Australian Medical Association GP spokesman Dr Brian Morton says every other visit the patient with a chronic illness makes to the GP or medical test that is ordered would be hit by a $7 GP fee.

"He either doesn't understand or is misusing the statistic or is lying," Dr Morton told News Corporation.

"The chronic disease management items are one off, they are not for treatment," he said.

A diabetic patient would have to see their GP every three months and pay the $7 fee and regular tests of their blood sugar levels and kidney function would also attract a $7 charge, Dr Morton said.

A spokeswoman for Mr Hockey said yesterday "his comments stand".

When asked whether the government would be introducing new chronic disease treatment items exempt from the $7 charge she said "the legislation was still being drafted…I can't give any detail".

The budget makes no provision for such a chronic disease item nor does it provide any funding for it.

In further confusing signals from the government, Liberal National Party backbencher Steve Ciobo also told ABC radio listeners 'if they have a chronic disease they are exempt from making the co-payment".

A spokesman for Health Minister Peter Dutton conceded the chronically ill could face the $7 GP fee.

"They could, it's up to the doctor," he said.

And he confirmed the exemption for chronic disease applied only to the preparation of a GP management plan or the preparation of a team care arrangement.

Opposition health spokeswoman Catherine King described Mr Ciobo's and Mr Hockey's claims on the copayment and chronic illness as a "lie".

"This is a blatant lie. If you have a chronic disease you are not exempt from the this cruel GP tax," Shadow Minister for Health Catherine King said.

The Australian Medical Association says it will be asking Health Minister Mr Peter Dutton to modify the $7 GP fee when it meets him on Friday at its annual conference.

AMA president Dr Steve Hambleton said the government needed to look at extending the 10 visit safety net to low income people with a chronic illness, and end of life care.

Vaccinations should not attract the $7 fee, he said.

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Bulls in historic knockout victory

Take that ... Spanish bullfighter Jimenez Fortes, is tossed by a Los Chospes ranch fighting bull during a bullfight at Las Ventas bullring in Madrid, Spain. Source: AP

HALF-TONNE fighting bulls skewered or trampled all three matadors in an extraordinary upset at Madrid's prestigious Las Ventas bullring, forcing the entire spectacle to be cancelled.

For the first time in 35 years, the San Isidro festival, which opens the bullfighting season in Spain, had to be suspended on Tuesday evening because all the matadors had been injured.

"Drama in Las Ventas" ran the front page headline of conservative daily ABC over a full-page photograph of a huge bull plunging its right horn into the side of the most seriously injured matador, David Mora, before he fell to the ground.

Not giving up ... Spanish bullfighter David Mora is tossed by an El Ventorrillo ranch fighting bull during a bullfight at Las Ventas bullring in Madrid, Spain. Source: AP

Spanish media devoted broad coverage to the bloody turning of the tables in Las Ventas, reputed to be the most important bullring in the world.

"The festival had to be suspended ... because of the gorings suffered by the three matadors," said a statement issued by the Las Ventas bullring.

"In the 68-year history of San Isidro, two bullfights have been suspended for gorings of matadors, both in 1979," it said.

The first bull on the program, a black, 532-kilogram animal named Deslio, knocked over Mora during a pass as his yellow-and-pink cape swirled in the wind.

Tossed around ... Spanish matador David Mora is gored by a bull during a bullfight of the San Isidro Feria at the Las Ventas bullring. Source: AFP

Mora tumbled to the sand beneath his cloak but the bull immediately returned to its prey, head down, ramming its horn deep into his leg and tossing him over repeatedly.

"The somersault was horrific, shocking, chilling, impossible for the human eye to witness yet evident to the mind," wrote El Pais bullfighting correspondent Antonio Lorca.

Mora suffered two gorings including a 30-centimetre gash in the thigh and another in the armpit, a medical report from the bullring said, describing his prognosis as serious.

The second matador, Antonio Nazare, appeared before the shocked audience to finish off the animal with the sword.

Next ... Spanish matador Antonio Nazare was the next bullfighter to take on the beast. Source: AFP

Nazare then faced his own opponent, however, a 537-kilogram brown bull named Feten.

The animal dragged the matador along the sand, injuring his knee and forcing him to seek treatment in the bullring hospital, the medical report showed.

Finally, the third matador, Saul Jimenez Fortes, entered the ring to fight the same bull.

The animal skewered him in the right leg and the pelvis, leaving three 10-centimetre deep injuries, the bullring doctor said.

Taken down ... Spanish matador Jimenez Fortes is gored by a bull during a bullfight of the San Isidro Feria at the Las Ventas bullring in Madrid. Source: AFP

Fortes managed to kill the beast before he, too, sought medical treatment.

In a Spanish bullfight, three matadors spar with a total of six bulls — two each — before putting the animals to the sword. With all three fighters out of action at Las Ventas, the rest of the event was called off.

Bullfighting has been on the decline for years in Spain, with a 2010 survey in leading daily El Pais showing 60 per cent of respondents opposed the practice.

Barcelona's ring held its final bullfight in September 2011 after the Catalonia region banned bullfighting, the second Spanish region to do so after the Canary Islands.

Feeling the pain ... Assistants help Spanish matador David Mora after he was injured during a bullfight of the San Isidro Feria at the Las Ventas bullring in Madrid. Source: AFP

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Cancer hero teen Stephen dies

Gone too soon ... Stephen Sutton, who has been battling cancer since he was 15, has died. Pic Facebook Source: Supplied

THE terminally ill British teenager who inspired many and was thought to have made a "miraculous recovery" after coughing up a tumour has died.

Stephen Sutton, 19, who inspired celebrities like Robbie Williams, Chris Martin and Steve Coogan to post pictures on Twitter as part of a fund-raising campaign #thumbsupforstephen, died peacefully in his sleep from bowel cancer, his mother Jane said.

"My heart is bursting with pride but breaking with pain for my courageous, selfless, inspirational son who passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of this morning, Wednesday 14th May," she wrote on Facebook. "The ongoing support and outpouring of love for Stephen will help greatly at this difficult time, in the same way as it helped Stephen throughout his journey.

"We all know he will never be forgotten, his spirit will live on, in all that he achieved and shared with so many. Love, His mom x"

Inspiring ... Stephen Sutton, 19, garnered hundreds of thousands of followers with his 'thumbs-up'. Source: Facebook

Sutton, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer at age 15, raised more than $5 million for the Teenager Cancer Trust after posting an image of himself giving his "final thumbs-up" from his hospital bed in Birmingham, believing he was a "goner."

Then, amazingly, Sutton was discharged from hospital after he coughed up a tumour.

He told Facebook followers on Sunday that he had to be readmitted after having trouble breathing.

"Unfortunately I've ended up back in hospital. I had some breathing difficulties starting last (Saturday) night and after going to A&E have been admitted back to a ward for monitoring," he wrote. "There's no immediate panic and I'm currently quite stable – I have been put on nebulisers and other meds which are currently helping my symptoms hugely."

"The doctors think there may be something restricting my airway again, they're not sure exactly what yet though (tumour regrowth, infection, inflammation, are all potential reasons mentioned), but are currently discussing the possibilities and my scan results to decide what to do next," he wrote.

Tributes flow in ... Celebrities and politicians alike have taken to social media to express their sadness at the death of Stephen Sutton. Source: Facebook

Tragically, doctors had initially diagnosed Sutton with constipation for six months before they discovered he had cancer.

The cancer quickly spread to other parts of his body.

Tributes have already started pouring in, including from British Prime Minister David Cameron.

"I'm deeply saddened to hear that Stephen Sutton has died. His spirit, bravery and fundraising for cancer research were all an inspiration," he wrote.

Comedian Ricky Gervais called him "a true hero & inspiration to us all."

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Offspring premiere drops first bombshell

Watch the emotional first scene of the eagerly anticipated new season

Offspring's Nina Proudman (Asher Keddie) and Patrick Reid (Matt Le Nevez). Source: Supplied

AFTER what felt like one of the most painful mourning periods in the history of Australian television, Offspring finally returned to our screens tonight.

Sure, fans are still a little hostile due to the fact that season five is sans Patrick, but we're rejoicing in the show's return all the same.

The season premiere of Ten's hit drama kicked off six months after the death of Matthew Le Nevez's beloved character and Nina (Asher Keddie) is focused on launching herself back into life with her adorable baby girl, Zoe.

Nina's coffee date with Lawrence wasn't quite what she thought it would be. Source: Supplied

Here are the biggest bombshells the first episode delivered:

1) Patrick still appears. Not so much a bombshell, but for fans who broke up with Offspring last season, it's a reason to hang in there.

2) Billie (played by Kat Stewart) pulls herself together in a big way and is focused on fighting to get partner Mick back.

3) It's not going to happen for Nina and her hot shrink, Dr. Lawrence Pethbridge (played by Ido Drent). Why? Because he's into Billie!

4) Nina admits that she "doesn't know" if she ever wants to find love again. But we noticed she's not wearing her wedding ring, so there might be hope yet.

5) Zara and Jimmy are expecting their second child together. Jimmy lets it slip that the unborn bub was conceived the night after Patrick's funeral. Rough.

6) Nina's biological father, Phillip (Gary McDonald) reveals that he married Dr. Nadine Samir four months ago. Geraldine is not impressed.

7) Jimmy is no longer the dud Proudman sibling. He is now a super successful businessman and the owner of three pop-up taco joints. Hoorah!

Martin Clegg is in fine form this season. Source: Supplied

What did you think of the first episode of Offspring? Share with us below.

Offspring airs Wednesdays, 8:30pm on Network Ten.

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PM flags early poll if Senate thwarts Budget

Liberal senator Cory Bernardi defends the Federal Budget's cuts to welfare when he goes head to head with Political Editor Tory Shepherd.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has warned of an early election if the Senate changes key aspects of the Budget. Source: Getty Images

PRIME Minister Tony Abbott has raised the prospect of an early election if key Budget measures are blocked in the Senate and has warned minor-party senators they are likely to lose their seats at an early poll.

Key crossbench senators yesterday said they would oppose contentious measures announced in the Budget, including the introduction of new medical fees and changes to pensions.

Labor plans to vote against "broken promises'', including the debt levy and fuel excise increase.

Mr Abbott said a certain amount of horsetrading was inevitable in politics but warned independents and minor parties against frustrating the Government's agenda.

PM Tony Abbott has defended his government's unpopular first budget, saying it's 'fundamentally honest'.

"I don't believe that they will try and completely frustrate the business of government because if there was an election again, hardly any of them would win their seats,'' the Prime Minister told Sydney radio 2GB.

Mr Abbott was optimistic the Government could persuade minor party senators to support its reforms.

"I think in the end they will sit down with the Government and work out a way of getting this legislation through,'' he said.

Incoming South Australian senator Bob Day said he would oppose increases in fuel excise and the debt levy on incomes over $180,000.

"I'd vote against all tax measures because they don't work,'' Mr Day said.

Mr Day said he was also opposed to the $7 Medicare co-payment because families were already struggling with cost-of-living pressures. But he praised the Government for cutting spending in the Budget.

Independent SA Senator Nick Xenophon backed the debt levy on high-income earners but was concerned about other measures in the Budget.

"I think it has been a ham-fisted Budget,'' Senator Xenophon said.

"It doesn't seem to be a Budget which thought through the implications it will have on ordinary families.''

Clive Palmer said his Palmer United Party would lead community resistance to many of the changes announced in the Budget and had nothing to fear from an early election.

"I think for honesty in government an election is not uncalled for because people thought they were voting for one thing and (got) something else,'' Mr Palmer said.

Mr Palmer dozed off during question time after earlier using a lunchtime address to supporters to accuse the Government of starving the states of funds so that they would have to privatise services.

"They're putting pressure on the states to sell our hospitals, sell our schools,'' he said.

The Greens will support the re-indexation of fuel excise but oppose the debt levy.

It is not yet clear which Budget measures could be included in appropriation bills in order to make it difficult for the Senate to block them without forcing the entire government to shut down.

When asked about the possibility of a double dissolution election if the Government could not get its Budget reforms through the Senate, Treasurer Joe Hockey said it was a matter for the crossbenchers.

"Look, that's up to them, the crossbenchers. I don't have the capacity to psychoanalyse them. I would not encourage anyone else to try," Mr Hockey said.

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Wanderers secure famous ACL victory

Western Sydney became just the second A-League club to progress to the AFC Champions League quarter-finals after securing a remarkable 2-0 win over Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Wednesday night.

Western Sydney Wanderers players, led by Shinji Ono, thank the fans. Source: AAP

THE Wanderers' fairytale is still alive after second-half wonder strikes from Shannon Cole and Brendon Santalab against Sanfrecce Hiroshima at Pirtek Stadium gave Western Sydney a night to remember.

Needing a 2-0 victory to overturn last week's 3-1 defeat to the same opposition, the Wanderers managed to manufacture exactly that. They may still be hurting from losing the grand final to Brisbane Roar, but the Wanderers showed admirable resilience to progress to the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League in their first ever campaign.

And Shinji Ono couldn't have asked for a better finale to his two-year stint at Western Sydney - named player of the match for his excellent performance.

Shinji Ono played his last match for Western Sydney on Wednesday night and the Japanese midfielder bowed out in style, playing a starring role as the Wanderers moved into the AFC Champions League quarter-finals.

The 34-year-old will return to Japan to play for second division side Consadole Sapporo and Wanderers coach Tony Popovic says Ono has left his mark on the Wanderers' legacy.

"I thought Shinji was outstanding," Popovic said.

"He was disappointed after the grand final, like everyone was, but he was special tonight and you can see the quality he has against the champions of Japan, to play like that. We'll always remember this night, that's for sure."

Departing Western Sydney marquee Shinji Ono believes confidence was the key for the Wanderers as they claimed a remarkable 2-0 victory over Sanfrecce Hiroshima to reach the AFC Champions League quarter-finals.

It wasn't only Ono's last game for the Wanderers, with Youssouf Hersi moving on to Perth Glory, Aaron Mooy off to Melbourne Heart and Jerome Polenz likely to leave the club too.

The rebuilding will begin in earnest during the off-season, but Popovic says that's all part of football.

"They were all outstanding, but you've got players who are leaving the club and they performed to that level," Popovic said.

"It just shows the bond these players have. They will always be remembered, but that's part of football - you move on."

The Fox Sports panel dissect Western Sydney's remarkable 2-0 victory over Sanfrecce Hiroshima to progress to the ACL quarter-finals.

The Wanderers began the second half with a flurry of shots. Two from Labinot Haliti and a left-footed follow-up by Iacopo La Rocco, but they were all saved. La Rocca had another chance moments later when he rose to meet Shinji Ono's corner, only to head the ball over the bar.

But the Wanderers finally had something to show for the pressure in the 55th minute when Cole, who had only come on moments earlier for Antony Golec, powered his shot into the back of the net with his first touch of the ball.

The 11,000 strong crowd at Pirtek Stadium erupted. Job half done.

Cole was in action again minutes later, when his sizzling cross reached Hersi, but the winger could only manage to stab his attempt wide. Hersi, playing in his final game for the Wanderers, missed a similar chance later on.

With Western Sydney chasing another goal, coach Tony Popovic brought on the club's top scorer Tomi Juric for Haliti and played his final card by replacing Jason Trifiro with Kwabena Appiah.

Yojiro Takahagi of Sanfrecce Hiroshima is tackled by Michael Beauchamp. Source: Getty Images

But it was Santalab's thunderous 84th minute strike that finally completed the job for the Wanderers.

The home side spent most of the first half walking a tightrope. Some uncharacteristic defensive errors from Matthew Spiranovic on the day he was selected in the Socceroos World Cup squad put Ante Covic under pressure.

The Wanderers goalkeeper pulled off a good save early on to keep Notsuda Gakuto out, and luck was certainly on Covic's side a few minutes later when he got away with bringing the same player down in the box. It looked a clear penalty, but the referee waved play on.

Shinji Ono of the Wanderers went out on a winning note. Source: Getty Images

Jason Trifiro and Ono were the standout players in the opening 45 minutes, with Trifiro covering well in the midfield and Ono providing the creative spark - as he has done so magically for two seasons.

The Japanese star, playing in his last ever game for Western Sydney, narrowly missed the target with an attempt from outside of the box that went inches over the bar. Moments later it was the departing duo of Ono and Youssouf Hersi who combined well, but Hersi's skewed attempt flew over the net.

Neither Hersi nor Ono may have scored, but both have been instrumental to the Wanderers' success and won't be easily replaced.

Re-live the famous victory in our blog below.

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Wanderers secure famous ACL victory

THE Wanderers' fairy tale is still alive after second-half wonder strikes from Shannon Cole and Brendon Santalab against Sanfrecce Hiroshima at Pirtek Stadium gave Western Sydney a night to remember.

Needing a 2-0 victory to overturn last week's 3-1 defeat to the same opposition, the Wanderers managed to manufacture exactly that. They may still be hurting from losing the grand final to Brisbane Roar, but the Wanderers showed admirable resilience to progress to the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League in their first ever campaign.

And Shinji Ono couldn't have asked for a better finale to his two-year stint at Western Sydney - named player of the match for his excellent performance.

Re-live the drama in our blog below.

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Re-live famous night for Wanderers

THE Wanderers' fairy tale is still alive after second-half wonder strikes from Shannon Cole and Brendon Santalab against Sanfrecce Hiroshima at Pirtek Stadium gave Western Sydney a night to remember.

Needing a 2-0 victory to overturn last week's 3-1 defeat to the same opposition, the Wanderers managed to manufacture exactly that. They may still be hurting from losing the grand final to Brisbane Roar, but the Wanderers showed admirable resilience to progress to the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League in their first ever campaign.

And Shinji Ono couldn't have asked for a better finale to his two-year stint at Western Sydney - named player of the match for his excellent performance.

Re-live the drama in our blog below.

23.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Kidman biopic ‘thoroughly awful’

Check out the first official trailer for 'Grace of Monaco', starring Nicole Kidman as the enigmatic movie star-turned-princess, Grace Kelly.

'Thuddingly earnest' ... Tim Roth as Prince Rainier and Nicole Kidman as Grace, Princess of Monaco. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

THINGS have not started well for Nicole Kidman at the Cannes Film Festival. She's already had to contend with much conjecture over what "work" has gone into her apparently "puffy" face.

Now, though, how puffy her face is seems the very least of her problems. The first reviews for Kidman's Grace of Monaco, which opens the festival, are in. And they haven't been kind.

Peter Bradshaw of the Guardian said that the "film is so awe-inspiringly wooden that it is basically a fire-risk".

'Terrifically talented' ... Nicole Kidman's acting received some accolades in an otherwise 'fantastically silly melodrama'. Picture: Loic Venance Source: AFP

Of Kidman's performance as the former Grace Kelly-turned-Princess, Bradshaw writes that the Aussie spends her time "wafting around the Palace with dewy-eyed features and slightly parted lips which make her look like a grown-up Bambi after a couple of cocktails, suddenly remembering his mother's violent death in the forest". Ouch.

The London Telegraph gave the flick one star, calling the film a "fantastically silly melodrama", and the script "thoroughly awful". Calling Kidman a "terrifically talented actress", The Telegraph said, "this is a role built on naivety: one of the few things she can't convincingly express".

The Hollywood Reporter agreed , branding the film "dull". "It's a stiff, stagey, thuddingly earnest affair, which has generated far more drama off screen than on", the magazine wrote, adding that it is "middlebrow mush" that descends into "soapie banality".

'A good physical match' ... Nicole Kidman in a scene from 'Grace of Monaco'. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

The Hollywood Reporter did, however, give Kidman some props, stating that she's "a good physical match for Kelly, and brings an intensity that elevates even a shallow script with shades of emotional complexity".

In one glimmer of hope for the film, The Independent deemed that Kidman's "star" performance and production design saves the film, adding that the Aussie "excels in a role in which she is called on to project glamour and suffering in equal measure - and is never allowed to be seen in the same outfit twice".

Still, the current Monegasque royals haven't been too impressed, with Princess Caroline calling the film a "farce" and cancelling their annual attendance at this year's event.

Diabolical ... Naomi Watts in a scene from the film 'Diana'. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

Last year, another royal biopic, the absolutely diabolical Diana (starring former Kidman BFF Naomi Watts) opened the festival to monumentally disastrous reviews (comparing the two, the Telegraph wrote "these are thin times for fans of Australian actresses playing European royalty"). Film pundits declared it couldn't get much worse. Until now.

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