http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/downunder-news/ en-us Mon, 6 Jul 2009 18:25:42 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2286647/posts Australians at risk of bush fires will getting alerts from the government via their Facebook and Twitter social networking accounts, officials say. In the wake of devastating bushfires in the state of Victoria that killed 173 people in February, the state government is determined to put more emphasis on early warning efforts, and Facebook and Twitter have been deemed a good fit for that, the BBC reported Monday. Victorian Premier John Brumby praised the Internet alert idea, saying, "We'll be providing more information to the community, like Twitter and Facebook -- alternative means of communication to get the information out... UPI http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2286647/posts#comment Mon, 6 Jul 2009 18:25:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285896/posts FOUR US sailors have been assaulted while on shore leave in Perth - with one slashed across the face with scissors. WA police said a group of sailors were walking through Perth train station about 1am (WST) this morning when they were confronted by six people. ` "Three males and three females have yelled abuse at the sailors and as they tried to walk past them, one sailor was punched in the face,'' said police spokeswoman Ros Weatherall ``An altercation occurred and four sailors were assaulted, with one male struck in the face with a pair of scissors.'' news.com.au http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285896/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 13:41:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285783/posts Australia probes navy 'sex game' HMAS Success carries a crew of 220 male and female sailors An investigation is under way in Australia over claims that navy sailors competed with each other to bed their female colleagues for cash prizes. According to Channel Seven news, sailors on board HMAS Success put a cash value on each woman's head. Sleeping with a female officer or a lesbian, or having sex in a strange place, won more money, the report said. The Defence Department confirmed that a number of individuals had been sent back to Australia for interviews. HMAS Success, which has... BBC News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285783/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 05:53:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285722/posts A SCHOOL with just one pupil for 2010 has been given a $140,000 government grant to build a covered playground - even though it already has a new one. Another $110,000 grant from the Rudd Government's $14.7 billion education stimulus package will be used for classroom refurbishment at tiny The Lagoon Public School, 20km from Bathurst in New South Wales central west. But even locals say it is a shocking waste of money. The tiny rural school has one teacher and five pupils, two of whom go to high school next year. The mother of two girls there said she... news.com.au http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285722/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 02:05:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284685/posts PERTH brothels are increasing staff to contend with the arrival of two US warships carrying more than 5400 sailors. Nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington and guided missile cruiser USS Cowpens docked off Fremantle yesterday. Prevalent in groups of five or six on the streets of Perth today, some sailors were asking locals: "Where do you go to party?". Business groups estimate the sailors' arrival will boost the local economy to the tune of $5 million during the ships' five-day stay. The owner of Perth brothel Langtrees, Beverly Clarke, said today she had put on five extra staff for... news.com.au http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284685/posts#comment Fri, 3 Jul 2009 07:38:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284684/posts PERTH brothels are increasing staff to contend with the arrival of two US warships carrying more than 5400 sailors. Nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington and guided missile cruiser USS Cowpens docked off Fremantle yesterday. Prevalent in groups of five or six on the streets of Perth today, some sailors were asking locals: "Where do you go to party?". Business groups estimate the sailors' arrival will boost the local economy to the tune of $5 million during the ships' five-day stay. The owner of Perth brothel Langtrees, Beverly Clarke, said today she had put on five extra staff for... The Australian http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284684/posts#comment Fri, 3 Jul 2009 07:30:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284577/posts VETERAN newspaper columnist and editor Frank Devine has died. He was 77 years old. Friend and former New South Wales Opposition leader Peter Coleman, writing on The Australian website where Devine was a former columnist and editor, described him as the "laughing cavalier of Australian journalism". Devine had been editor of the Chicago Sun-Times and the New York Post, a senior editor at the American edition of Reader's Digest and editor-in-chief of the Australian Reader's Digest. news.com.au http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284577/posts#comment Fri, 3 Jul 2009 02:34:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284146/posts The 1994 discovery of the Wollemi pine growing in a remote gorge in New South Wales, Australia, caused a sensation, because it had previously only been known from fossils said to be millions of years old (as we have previously reported—see, e.g., Sensational Australian tree … like “finding a live dinosaur”). While keeping the exact location a secret, the authorities offered up a single licence to propagate the “living fossil” tree, which was won in 1998 by a government department of the neighbouring state of Queensland. Expecting that people worldwide would jump at the chance to purchase their own “dinosaur... CMI http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284146/posts#comment Thu, 2 Jul 2009 15:42:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283931/posts Board members at an Otaki Catholic primary school have resigned after five- and six-year-olds were made to pick up used condoms from the playground. Four St Peter Chanel board members resigned and walked out of a board meeting last week, saying they had no confidence in the principal, board chairwoman or school management, The Dominion Post reported. Concerns have been also raised about a steady decrease in the school roll and falling numeracy and literacy standards. Kath Doyle resigned after her six-year-old grandson and four other children were forced to pick up used condoms without protective gloves during a playground... 3 News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283931/posts#comment Thu, 2 Jul 2009 09:28:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283921/posts THE missing actor in the tragic and gruesome story of Iran since the stolen election of June 12 has been the Western human rights lobby. Where is it?... ...Apart from ethnic Iranians, there has hardly been a single demonstration in any Western capital in support of the Iranian democrats. Yet isn't there a class, in Australia and in the rest of the West, of people deeply concerned about human rights? The class that Robert Manne and Judith Brett call the moral middle class?... What about the groups explicitly dedicated to human rights?... ...David Menashri, one of the great authorities in... The Australian http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283921/posts#comment Thu, 2 Jul 2009 08:32:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2281769/posts Australian scientists have developed a "trojan horse" therapy to combat cancer, using a bacterially-derived nano cell to penetrate and disarm the cancer cell before a second nano cell kills it with chemotherapy drugs. The "trojan horse" therapy has the potential to directly target cancer cells with chemotherapy, rather than the current treatment that sees chemotherapy drugs injected into a cancer patient and attacking both cancer and healthy cells. Sydney scientists Dr Jennifer MacDiarmid and Dr Himanshu Brahmbhatt, who formed EnGenelC Pty Ltd in 2001, said they had achieved 100 percent survival in mice with human cancer cells by using the... reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2281769/posts#comment Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:10:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2281372/posts This page is devoted to the pre-eminent heroes of the War on Terror. The men who have been awarded their nations very highest decorations for bravery in service in this war. This page will be updated to include all people who receive those decorations. The decorations are: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2281372/posts#comment Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:15:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2280767/posts Water vapour was responsible for 95 per cent of the greenhouse effect, an effect which was vital to keep the world warm, he explained.... The Timaru Herald http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2280767/posts#comment Sat, 27 Jun 2009 18:23:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2280491/posts TWO generations afterwards, World WarII in New Guinea means simply Kokoda to most Australians. Perhaps also Milne Bay, where the Japanese were first defeated. But the memory tends to cloud at mention of Buna, Gona, the Markham Valley, Shaggy Ridge and Scarlet Beach, Finschhafen - all great Australian victories in impossible conditions - and Salamaua. Yet it was in Salamaua, in the early hours of June 29, 1942, that Australian commandos struck the first blow in the Pacific land war. The raid has been acclaimed as a copybook action for its diligent scouting, meticulous planning and audacious, multi-pronged attack against... The Australian http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2280491/posts#comment Sat, 27 Jun 2009 04:32:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2280176/posts Maybe, just maybe, some sense is coming to this global warming nonsense. The Australians are a pretty green so if they’re beginning to question GW hysteria then maybe there’s hope yet. The article a little long but worth skimming particularly if a similar awareness of the stupidity of a “cap and trade” law emerges at a national level in this country. Les ----------------------------------------------------------- RealClearPolitics June 24, 2009 Could Australia Blow Apart the Great Global Warming Scare? By Robert Tracinski and Tom Minchin As the US Congress considers the Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade bill, the Australian Senate is on the verge of rejecting... Email/Real Clear Politics http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2280176/posts#comment Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:08:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2279806/posts QANTAS has cancelled orders for 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and deferred the delivery of a further 15 aircraft, due to turbulent conditions. The airline said it delayed by four years delivery of 15 Boeing 787-8 aircraft and cancelled orders for 15 787-9 aircraft that were scheduled for delivery in 2014-15. The delay and cancellation in the orders "were appropriate in the current climate, and discussions with Boeing, which commenced some months ago, had not been influenced by the announcement this week of a design issue and further delay to the aircraft's first flight," said Qantas chief executive Officer Alan Joyce...... The Australian http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2279806/posts#comment Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:20:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2279592/posts The multiple reports stating that Jeff Goldblum died today in a tragic fall while filming a movie in New Zealand are 100% false. Having been online for longer than we’d like to admit, we caught this story as a fake immediately — because it’s originally from at least 2006. While the story has remained the same throughout the years, the actors names have varied. Last time, it was Tom Cruise. This time, it’s Jeff Goldblum. In six months, it’ll be Zac Efron. Portable Planet http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2279592/posts#comment Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:32:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2279610/posts Actor Jeff Goldblum died while filming a movie in New Zealand early this morning - June 25, 2009. Preliminary reports from New Zealand Police officials indicate that the actor fell more than 60 feet to his death on the Kauri Cliffs while on-set. Specific details are not yet available. The accident occured at aproximatly 4:30 a.m. (UTC/GMT +12). Additional details and information will be forthcoming. jeff.goldblum http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2279610/posts#comment Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:56:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2279336/posts Something important is happening in the debate over man-made global warming. Australia is beginning to rethink its government's own cap and trade scheme while an intellectual sea change is occurring that is giving more weight to legitimate scientific criticisms of the evidence for climate change. Robert Tracinski and Tom Minchin writing in RealClear Politics explain that the government of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has had a series of "climb downs" on climate change legislation that gives hope that sanity may prevail in at least one westernized industrial democracy. Take Australian Senator Steve Fielding who decided to investigate the evidence himself.... American Thinker http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2279336/posts#comment Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:02:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2279535/posts NEARLY 66 years ago, a flotilla of mini-submarines set off to sink or cripple the mighty German battleship Tirpitz. Among the men behind this attack was Max Shean from Perth, a volunteer for one of World War II's most daring and hazardous naval missions. Shean's courage in command of the X-craft submarines in Europe and the Pacific earned him an unrivalled reputation as a leader whose aggressive instincts were always tempered by concern for his crew. He died on June 15, aged 90. Born in July 1918, Shean was in his third year of an engineering degree when news of... The Australian http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2279535/posts#comment Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:57:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2278970/posts IN an unprecedented move, MPs have been locked out of the Upper House of NSW Parliament after the Government shut it down, causing chaos and confusion among members. Upper House leader Tony Kelly walked out of the Legislative Council just before 1am (AEST) today, leaving 15 pieces of Government legislation unconsidered. These included the vote on the Government's plans to privatise NSW Lotteries, which was likely to be defeated. With no minister or parliamentary secretary present, president Peter Primrose closed down the Upper House until the "ringing of the long bell". That long bell could ring at any time of... news.com.au http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2278970/posts#comment Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:55:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2278947/posts ONE'S a pub classic, belted out at top volume by tipsy patrons around closing time. The other is a more dignified affair, a favourite of youth choirs and choral groups. Now, as unlikely as it seems, the classic children's ditty Kookaburra and the Men At Work hit Down Under are set to go head-to-head in court amid accusations part of the rock anthem is a rip-off, The Daily Telegraph reports. Music publishing company Larrikin owns the Kookaburra song and claims the melody that accompanies the line "Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree" is reproduced in Down Under. The case... Daily Telegraph http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2278947/posts#comment Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:08:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2278047/posts TOWNSVILLE has been forced to turn away a US warship and its 3600-strong crew, which would have brought more than $1 million a day to the port city. The USS Essex, a 258m-long amphibious assault vessel, has been diverted to Cairns for an eight-day shore leave, including the popular Fourth of July celebrations. Outraged Townsville tour operators are facing millions in losses, empty hotel rooms, cancelled tours and more than 400 seats booked for the North Queensland Cowboys home game as a result of the embarrassing backdown. Cairns officials yesterday welcomed the big-spending US seamen and the predicted $10 million... Courier Mail (Brisbane) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2278047/posts#comment Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:37:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277530/posts .7 Date-Time Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 14:19:16 UTC Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 12:19:16 AM at epicenter Location 5.261°S, 153.413°E Depth 35 km (21.7 miles) set by location program Region NEW IRELAND REGION, PAPUA NEW GUINEA Distances 179 km (111 miles) SE (130°) from Rabaul, New Britain, PNG 259 km (161 miles) WNW (294°) from Arawa, Bougainville, PNG 389 km (242 miles) WNW (294°) from Chirovanga, Solomon Islands 728 km (452 miles) ENE (77°) from Lae, New Guinea, PNG 829 km (515 miles) NE (56°) from PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea Location Uncertainty horizontal +/- 7.7 km (4.8 miles);... USGS http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277530/posts#comment Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:47:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277266/posts A MOTHER'S selfless devotion to her daughter has seen her make the ultimate sacrifice in a transplant tragedy. Penny Halbish, wife of the former cricket supremo Graham, died a day after giving her daughter Suzanne, 29, the greatest gift - a life-saving kidney. Suzanne returned home in good health last night but is reeling from the shock loss of her 62-year-old mother. A devastated Mr Halbish, former chief executive of Cricket Australia, was by his daughter's side at home in Heatherton in Melbourne. He paid tribute to his soulmate of 40 years. "She made a tremendous impression on everyone she... Herald Sun http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277266/posts#comment Tue, 23 Jun 2009 02:23:41 GMT