Madonna fan guilty of resisting arrest

A FORMER firefighter with a crush on Madonna has been convicted of resisting arrest outside her former New York City apartment building as he spray-painted poster boards with love notes.

A jury delivered its verdict on Friday in Robert Linhart's trial. He could face up to a year in jail.

Defence lawyer Lawrence LaBrew told the New York Post that Linhart will appeal.

Linhart was arrested in September 2010. Police say he parked his SUV outside the singer's Manhattan apartment, laid out a tarp and wrote out such messages as "Madonna, I need you".

Jurors told the Post they felt it was fine for Linhart to express himself to the Material Girl, but they said they believed police testimony that he resisted arrest by flailing his arms.

11.51 | 0 komentar | Read More

Elton to become dad again: report

AS Sir Elton John kicks off his Australian tour in Perth on Saturday night a report back in England says he is to become a dad again.

The Sun newspaper says Sir Elton, 65, and partner David Furnish, 50, will become fathers again next year.

The couple already have a 23-month-old son, Zachary, born on December 25, 2010, via a surrogate.

The tabloid newspaper says the couple plan to use the same surrogate who gave birth to Zachary.

Sir Elton's agent refused to comment, the report says.

11.51 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dutch cycling utopia under threat

PROBLEMS familiar to car drivers the world over, from gridlock to road rage and lack of parking, are now threatening to turn the Dutch dream of bicycling bliss into a daily hell.

In a small country where bicycles outnumber people by 1.2 million, the Dutch have simply run out of space to accommodate the five million riders who take to the road every day, turning major city commuting into a nightmare.

In Amsterdam alone 490,000 freewheeling "fietsers" take to the road to cycle a staggering two million kilometres every day, according to statistics released by the city council.

"Bicycles are an integral mode of transport in our city," Amsterdam's council said on Thursday, but, in a worrying trend, "the busiest bicycle paths are too small for the growing stream of daily cyclists."

"Cyclists have increased dramatically over the last few years," Wim Bot of the Dutch Cycling Association agreed.

"In a small country like the Netherlands where almost every square metre is accounted for, we've run out of space," added Bot, whose cyclists' union was founded in 1975 and today represents 35,000 paid-up members.

"It has become a headache."

The Dutch first fell in love with cycling in the late 1880s when the first two-wheeled contraptions appeared in big cities.

Two decades later the first bicycle paths were laid in a country so flat it is often described as "specially created for cyclists".

There are around 18 million bikes or 1.3 bicycles per citizen old enough to ride in a country less than half the size of the US state of Maine.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is often seen cycling to work.

New bike sales topped 1.3 million last year, raking in an estimated 970 million euros ($A1.16 billion) in sales.

Some 35,000 kilometres of bike path now criss-cross the landscape.

But having invested heavily in bicycle infrastructure, the Dutch are now paying the price for pedal-power's rise in popularity.

The Dutch newspaper Trouw recently said in places like Amsterdam and Utrecht, the increase in bicycles is giving rise to new phenomena that include bicycle traffic jams, pile-ups, parking problems and bicycle rage.

Around major stations such as Amsterdam and Utrecht Central, tens of thousands of bicycles parked legally and illegally hog public space and restrict pedestrian access, while leaving cyclists scratching their heads to try to remember where they parked their steeds.

More cyclists on the road means more congestion and "bicycle rage" often flies across the handlebars.

The statistics show just how dangerous it has become: a quarter of all deadly accidents in the Netherlands involve cyclists, the Cycling Association said.

Some 200 died on Dutch roads last year, the majority of them elderly, an increase of 28 from 2010.

And the problem is getting worse since the Dutch authorities decided to broaden bike path use to include over a million mopeds, which are allowed to zoom past cyclists as long as they stay under a speed limit of 25km/h.

11.51 | 0 komentar | Read More

Spanish navy ships head Down Under

AUSTRALIA has finalised a deal for the Spanish navy tanker and supply ship SPS Cantabria to spend much of next year working with the Australian navy.

The Cantabria will deploy to Australia from mid-February to November, a period which covers part of the cyclone season when the Australian navy is short of support ships because of the problems with HMAS Choules.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith said the Cantabria deployment was a unique opportunity for both navies and would strengthen the relationship between Spain and Australia.

"I am very pleased that the project arrangement for this innovative activity has been signed," he said in a statement.

"It is a very sensible sharing of resources with positive training and capabilities for both the armada and for the RAN (Royal Australian Navy)."

The 19,500-tonne Cantabria was launched in 2008 and is capable of supplying fuel, food, stores and ammunition to ships while at sea.

This will be the Cantabria's longest deployment and will allow the Spanish Armada to trial the ship's full range of capabilities, including the operating and maintenance cycle.

Defence Materiel Minister Jason Clare said many of the Cantabria's systems were similar to what would be on board Australia's new landing helicopter dock (LHD) ships and air warfare destroyers (AWDs), both of which are based on Spanish designs.

"This arrangement will provide an opportunity for RAN personnel to train and familiarise themselves with Cantabria before they go on to crew the LHD and AWD," he said.

During the deployment, the Cantabria will provide support to the RAN during domestic and international training and exercises.

The deployment will culminate with the Cantabria's participation in the Australian International Fleet Review in October 2013.

11.50 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ferguson wants state co-operation

ENERGY Minister Martin Ferguson says he's determined to work co-operatively with the states to reform the energy market, particularly on expanding the use of gas.

"I'm not going to pick a fight on this because this is too important," Mr Ferguson told reporters after launching the federal government's Energy White Paper in Melbourne on Thursday.

Gas, along with electricity reforms, will be high on the agenda at next month's Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting, Mr Ferguson said.

Unless the governments work together, win community support and attract gas investment, "we are all losers", he said.

"This is about supply and demand and potential impact on price," Mr Ferguson said.

11.50 | 0 komentar | Read More

Savile nephew backs cremation call

A RELATIVE of Jimmy Savile has called for his body to be exhumed and cremated out of respect for other bereaved families.

Guy Marsden, a nephew of the disgraced DJ, said he "100 per cent" supported families who called for Savile's body to be moved away from the graves of their loved ones in Scarborough's Woodlands Cemetery following claims Savile abused 300 people over six decades.

Mr Marsden, of Leeds, said: "If it was one of mine who was buried there, I wouldn't like it if someone like Jimmy was in the same place.

"Our thoughts are with their loved ones.

"At the end of the day, they say his grave can be exhumed and they can cremate Jimmy Savile and they can put him in a private place known only to the family. But who'd want to visit him anyway? I wouldn't want to know.

"I know that a lot of my family would say the same."

Mr Marsden, a roofer, stressed that no formal plans to exhume Savile had been made and he has not been offered any official guidance on the matter, but said he would support the plans if they went ahead.

Calls to dig up the late BBC star were made public at a Scarborough Borough Council meeting on Monday, during which the council voted to remove his name from its Freedom of the Borough honours list.

Councillor Colin Haddington, for Filey, said the family of a young child buried very close to Savile's grave was particularly distressed.

He said: "I was approached by one of my constituents who informed me that her granddaughter is buried in Woodlands Cemetery and unfortunately Jimmy Savile has been buried very close by this lady's granddaughter.

"This has caused a great deal of distress to the constituent and her family.

"I put it to the council that if Jimmy Savile's body could be exhumed or cremated."

Council leaders said the decision to move the disgraced presenter could only be made by Savile's family and they had no current plans to exhume the body.

Meanwhile, police confirmed that Savile may have been questioned by detectives investigating the Yorkshire Ripper murders.

The revelation came after a senior officer who worked on the inquiry revealed Savile was a suspect in the notorious case more than 30 years ago.

Former West Yorkshire Police detective John Stainthorpe said police approached the Leeds-born presenter after an anonymous tip-off.

Mr Stainthorpe told ITV's Calendar News: "When the Ripper was really active, one of the suspects put forward by the public was, in fact, Jimmy Savile. Obviously, it was not he, but he was interviewed along with many others."

11.50 | 0 komentar | Read More

WA minister defends police pursuit bill

WEST Australian Police Minister Liza Harvey has moved to justify new police pursuit laws, dismissing criticism by the opposition as disingenuous scaremongering.

Ms Harvey last month introduced the new legislation, which is in the lower house and is still to go through the upper house.

It is expected to be passed in the few parliament sitting days that remain this year.

She says the bill is designed to protect officers from prosecution if they injure or kill another person during a chase - as long as they drive reasonably and in accordance with force guidelines.

It's understood the WA Police Union is seeking urgent advice on the legislation amid concerns it will have the opposite effect.

Opposition justice spokesman John Quigley, a QC, told parliament late on Tuesday that the legislation put the burden of proof on police officers, who would now have to prove in court they believed they were driving safely.

On Wednesday, Ms Harvey rejected his comments.

"Mr Quigley is scaremongering in putting this out there," she told Fairfax radio.

"The legislation that we are trying to get through actually provides an additional defence to police officers."

She said the state government had obtained "the best" legal advice that the legislation would provide officers with "what they required to go about their business".

"He's (Mr Quigley) saying that the officers need to prove ... defence beyond reasonable doubt - that's not true," Ms Harvey said.

"The defence is a balance of probabilities.

"For John Quigley to come out today and suggest we've done police over somehow ... is disingenuous."

Ms Harvey said she refused to table the police commissioner's guidelines for pursuits in parliament on Tuesday because it was an operationally sensitive document.

The proposed legislation also hands drivers who kill or injure other road users while being chased by police a minimum 12 months in jail.

A minimum six months' detention will apply to those charged with reckless driving while fleeing police, which is defined as exceeding the speed limit by 45km/h or more or driving over 155km/h.

The maximum penalty for such an offence is five years jail.

Opposition spokesman for state development and energy Bill Johnston had earlier told parliament that the legislation made "some small changes around the edges that allows the minister to say that she's acting".

11.50 | 0 komentar | Read More

US economy holds Australia's interest

AMERICA'S economic ills hold the greatest implications for Australia, according to academics examining the closely fought US presidential race.

Professor Bates Gill, CEO of Sydney University's US Studies Centre, said he was slightly pessimistic about America's near-term economic prospects.

"It's possible that America could grow itself out of this, but the economy could continue to be a drag and for Australia that's a real concern in the near term," said Prof Gill.

He said that despite President Barack Obama's re-election, both sides of politics faced extreme difficulties without a serious mandate.

"Both face continuing divisive politics, a divided Congress and a divided America, quite frankly," he said.

Prof Gill said the US was still the biggest investor in Australia, by a factor of five.

"So don't write us off as your economic partner," he said.

David Weisbrot, professor of legal studies at the centre, warned: "If the US economy tanks any further it could have a deep effect on Australia."

He said he was concerned that Republican austerity plans, including cuts to budgets and government programs, could deepen the US recession.

Experts felt there was little difference between the two sides on defence and foreign policy, but an Obama win was probably more in Australia's interests.

The Obama team had put more time into thinking through the importance of the Asia-Pacific, said Prof Gill.

"So you can have a higher degree of confidence that Obama will keep America's focus here and see Australia as a key ally," he said.

11.50 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bodies of elderly couple found in Qld home

THE bodies of an elderly couple have been found at a house in central Queensland.

Police found the bodies in a home at Rockhampton about 10am (AEST) on Tuesday.

They say the death of a 79-year-old woman is being treated as suspicious, but there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of a man, aged 83.

Investigations are continuing and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

11.51 | 0 komentar | Read More

Concern about synthetic dope on APY lands

SYNTHETIC cannabis may be the source of medical problems, including hallucinations and seizures, suffered by people in Aboriginal communities in South Australia's far north.

In a statement on Tuesday, police said they and the communities were concerned about recent reports of what appears to be synthetic cannabis being distributed on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) lands.

"At least half a dozen people have presented to health clinics recently with medical problems including ailments such as vomiting, stomach cramps, imbalance, hallucinations, disorientation, nausea, seizures, fits, and unconsciousness," police said.

They warned that synthetic cannabis should not even be touched because it can enter the skin through the pores.

Like cannabis, the possession, sale and distribution of synthetic cannabis or a substance that imitates cannabis is illegal.

Police are working with the local community and agencies to identify the source of the drug.

Synthetic cannabis looks like cannabis, is smoked and is sold under a range of brand names including Spice, Kronic, Northern Lights and K2.

11.51 | 0 komentar | Read More

Car industry issue set to be resolved

CAR maker Ford expects to be back in production on Wednesday with issues surrounding a key component supplier set to be resolved.

Autodom Limited, which operates manufacturing facilities in Adelaide and Melbourne, was placed in voluntary administration at the weekend after closing its doors and standing down about 400 workers last week.

The company supplies parts to all three Australian car producers - Ford, Holden and Toyota.

Talks involving the administrators, the company, car producers and banks have centred on kick-starting production as soon as possible to prevent Ford and Holden having to stand down their own workers.

Ford said it now believed a resolution would be finalised on Monday and there would be no disruption to its production schedule.

The company had already scheduled a down day on Monday and would again be closed on Tuesday for the Melbourne Cup.

Holden was thought to be facing a similar situation, with assembly operations likely to resume on Tuesday, while Toyota was less affected after previously indicating it had enough parts to last until Christmas.

Earlier on Monday, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) Victorian secretary Leigh Diehm said the next 24 hours would be crucial in minimising the impact of Autodom's problems on Australia's car industry.

"The best-case scenario is obviously all our members back at work and the company is able to trade out of this current administration," Mr Diehm said.

"The next 24 hours is crucial and that'll be dependent on the car companies and also the banks, which have been in discussions all across the course of the weekend, and obviously the administrators, being able to find some cash to pay suppliers and get product rolling off the lines again."

11.51 | 0 komentar | Read More

Police concern for taken child

POLICE are seeking urgent public assistance to find a four-week-old boy taken from a Sydney hospital by his father.

Police said 26-year-old Justin Groves walked from The Royal Hospital for Women at Randwick in Sydney's east at 11.40am (AEDT) on Monday with his infant son in his arms.

They said Mr Groves did not have a vehicle and may have left the area on foot or by public transport.

Police said they had concerns for the welfare of the baby boy due to his age and Mr Groves' lack of immediate access to baby supplies.

Mr Groves is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 170cm tall, of slim build and sporting a crew-cut hairstyle. He was wearing a white T-shirt with a blue print, and light blue jeans.

He has distinctive tattoos of skulls on his left arm and has "Ally" tattooed on his neck.

Police are asking the public to immediately report any sightings of Mr Groves and ring triple zero.

11.51 | 0 komentar | Read More

Global economy focus of PM's Laos talks

PM Julia Gillard is to focus on the global economy when she addresses the world leaders in Laos. Source: AAP

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard is to focus on the global economy amid a gloomy outlook for international finances when she addresses Asian and European leaders in Laos.

Ms Gillard was scheduled to arrive in Vientiane on Sunday afternoon ahead of two days of talks at the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) on Monday and Tuesday.

It is her first international trip since the release last week of the landmark "Asian Century" white paper.

The prime minister is also expected to speak about the need to continue free-trade talks as well as the Group of 20 (G20) agenda.

However, the overarching theme of Ms Gillard's remarks, to be given during an address at a plenary session on Monday, will focus on the struggling global economy.

Economists have forecast a gloomy period ahead with global growth predicted to be more sluggish than previously expected as the recession in Europe continues.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cut its forecast for world output to 3.3 per cent for 2012, down from 3.5 per cent, while unemployment across the eurozone has risen to a record 11.6 per cent.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has also forecast slower growth in Australia.

European leaders attending the Laos talks are expected to provide an update on efforts to address tensions in financial market, to restore confidence and to stimulate growth and jobs.

The reform of international financial institutions and protectionism will also be on the agenda.

The second plenary session on Tuesday is to focus on terrorism, piracy at sea and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Energy security, water resources management and food security will also be discussed.

Ms Gillard was to meet with her Laotian counterpart, Thongsing Thammavong, on Sunday afternoon local time and was expected to also hold bilateral talks with British Foreign Secretary William Hague and French President Francois Hollande over the coming days.

Some media reports have suggested Ms Gillard will also meet with Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Pervez.

Ms Gillard will travel to Indonesia later in the week for the Bali Democracy Forum at which she is expected to hold talks with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

11.51 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man burnt, house destroyed in explosion

A MAN has been severely burnt and a house in Sydney's southwest destroyed by an explosion and fire.

Emergency services told AAP a man suffered severe burns from the incident at Kingsgrove on Sunday afternoon.

He was treated on scene and has been taken to hospital.

The man's family was not home at the time of the blast.

It is unclear at this stage what caused the fire, but an emergency services spokesman said liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) was involved.

About 20 firefighters are at the scene, which will shortly be handed over to police who will begin investigations, the spokesman said.

11.51 | 0 komentar | Read More