Man dies trying to cross major NSW freeway

A MAN has died after being hit by two cars while trying to cross a major highway in Sydney, causing several other vehicles to crash.

He was walking south across three lanes of the M4 at Parramatta on Saturday evening when he was hit and about seven other cars then slammed into the back of the two vehicles that struck the man, a police spokeswoman told AAP.

The man died at the scene, on M4 eastbound near the Church Street exit in western Sydney.

A crime scene has been established and forensic officers will investigate.

Police aren't sure why the man was trying to cross the elevated highway, which has no footpaths.

The drivers of the cars which hit the man have been taken to hospital for mandatory drug and alcohol testing.

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Vic police search for crash witnesses

How Chinese may rock Clive's boat

THIS wasn't in the script. Clive Palmer's Titanic dream may about to be blown out of the water by a company more than 1000km from the ocean.

Mystery of the body with one shoe

STEVEN Milligan was on the cusp of a career as a pro snowboarder when he was found dead in bushland, naked except for a shoe. Police are still baffled, 14 years on.

Brothel offers pie and Coke with sex

IT'S the kind of lunch deal a red-blooded Aussie bloke would find hard to refuse. A Queensland brothel is offering a pie and Coke with its usual services.

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Missing Vic man's friends fear foul play

FRIENDS of a Melbourne man who went missing while working his delivery route fear he may have met with foul play.

Shiva Chauhan, 27, was last heard from via text message around 11.30pm (AEST) on Thursday.

On Friday morning, it was discovered his deliveries had not been made.

His van was found on Huttong Road in Keysborough in Melbourne's southeast around 3pm on Friday with his belongings, including his wallet, still inside.

A friend of Mr Chauhan identified only as Andy told the Nine Network he feared he had been "taken".

"We personally do believe there was some sort of foul play involved," Andy said.

"All of his personal belongings were left in the car.

"We sort of think that someone's stopped and taken him."

Another friend, Jap, described Mr Chauhan as caring.

"He loves his family too much just to do something," he said.

"He's always on the phone. There's no way he would have actually switched off his phone for three days now."

Police have released a photo of Mr Chauhan, who is described as Indian, 177cm tall, with a slim build and dark-coloured straight hair.

They are urging anyone who may know his whereabouts to contact them.

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Investors want Woodside to look at shale

Woodside shareholders are urging the oil and gas giant to look more closely at shale gas. Source: AAP

AS Woodside Petroleum hammers out a big offshore deal in the politically unstable Middle East, some shareholders have called on the company to drill for shale gas in its own backyard.

The Perth-based oil and gas producer has made a name for itself developing offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in Western Australia, and it is now eager to cement a lucrative long term project in Israel.

But some believe the company should look to unconventional areas, such as the onshore Canning Basin in Western Australia, after the success of the shale gas boom in the United States.

Chief executive Peter Coleman said Woodside's deepwater and sub-sea capabilities were its major strength, and any move to onshore shale would likely involve dedicated unconventional gas players.

"We haven't ruled shale gas out," Mr Coleman told the company's recent annual general meeting.

"We've always said we'll look at all sources of hydrocarbon, and what we need to do is decide whether we've got the capability to go after that.

"Anyone who ignores the shale gas revolution that's happening globally does it at their own peril."

He also acknowledged it could take years before Woodside established itself as a shale gas player.

"We're not chasing what everyone else is doing," Mr Coleman said.

Woodside is yet to commit any serious money to its Leviathan project in Israel, as it needs to finalise tax issues and hold talks with joint venture partners.

It has also left the door open to develop the Sunrise project near East Timor, and is weighing up options in Myanmar, Canada and Ireland.

Mr Coleman said Woodside was also looking at opportunities to boost its oil production, from 10 per cent of the company's portfolio.

He pointed to the company's increased willingness to partner with substantial players, such as Noble Energy in Israel, and BG in Myanmar.

"As you extend that to unconventionals we'll be looking for opportunities with partners who have those particular capabilities as well," Mr Coleman said.

By his own reckoning, relationships with partners require a lot of work, especially after Woodside held off signing a contract which would have sealed a $US2.7 billion deal for a stake in Leviathan.

"Going into Israel on March 27 with a view that we were going to finalise the agreements and then not being able to do that was a very very hard decision," he said.

Mr Coleman believes the company is in a strong position in Myanmar, with the recent awarding of offshore exploration territory.

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Dairy company plans $127m expansion

The owner of the Devondale dairy brand is spending 127-million dollars to expand its operations. Source: AAP

THE owner of the Devondale dairy brand is spending $127 million to expand its baby food, cheese and beverages operations.

Murray Goulburn Co-operative will make the new investments in the next 18 months, adding to its current operations at sites in Victoria and Tasmania.

"These investments secure sustainable, skilled jobs in regional Victoria and Tasmania and add to higher farmgate returns which, in turn, funds regional growth with the vast majority of money spent by farmers in their local communities," chief executive Gary Helou said.

But the expansion of its sites at Cobram and Koroit in Victoria, and Edith Creek in Tasmania, will need upgrades to regional infrastructure, particularly energy.

The company said it would seek to work with the government and energy providers to deliver those upgrades.

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NSW man who stabbed neighbour gets 8 years

Last updated: May 03, 2014

A SYDNEY man has been sentenced to at least six years imprisonment for stabbing his "loud and aggressive" neighbour to death.

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Nervous breakdown claims MP

Sarah Vogler, Kelmeny Fraser EMBATTLED MP David Gibson is quitting politics at the next election, saying recent controversy has triggered a nervous breakdown.

How to spot a drug house

IS SOMEONE cooking something they shouldn't be in a property near you? Here are the key signs your tenants or neighbours could be running a drug lab.

Sharks end RSA's touring drought

THE Sharks have become the first South African side to win in Australasia in 2014 following a tough 22-16 victory over the Rebels at AAMI Park.

How Gina Liano beat TV bullying

SHE'S unwittingly become the target of TV bullying but Real Housewives of Melbourne star Gina Liano is no victim.

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Inquiry to look at bank debt guarantee

Last updated: May 02, 2014

THE head of an inquiry into Australia's financial system says government backing of the big four banks during the global financial crisis may have given them an unfair advantage over smaller rivals.

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Boy, 10, goes missing in pyjamas

POLICE have appealed for assistance from the public in locating a 10-year-old boy who went missing in his pyjamas in Brisbane's north.

Pedestrian hit by 4WD in inner city

A PEDESTRIAN is in a critical condition after being hit by a four-wheel-drive in Brisbane's CBD.

LNP dobs in Ben and Jerry's

UPDATE: THE consumer watchdog confirms it is considering a request to investigate ice cream giant Ben and Jerry's over its Great Barrier Reef campaign.

Botched scheme devised on napkin

KEVIN Rudd may have brainstormed the costings for the botched insulation scheme on the back of a napkin, a royal commission has heard.

Drug accused 'had links to Rebels'

A "WANNABE bikie'' accused of hiding $10,000 of ecstasy in his mother's house also had photos, memorabilia linking him to the Rebels.

Super Rugby expansion plans unveiled

PLANS for an expanded Super Rugby competition have been rolled out while Australian rugby chiefs were still locked in a meeting discussing its merits.

Will these cock-ups ever go away?

THESE pranks sure have lasted the test of time. These schools have been haunted by graffiti visible from space for a very long time.

Why 54 is the magic number in travel

IT'S the airlines little secret and now it's all yours. We reveal why the number 54 will get you the most bang for your buck.

Why is this mistress wearing a visor?

SHOULD we call this look Darth-Vader-chic? The woman who outed disgraced LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling for his racist remarks this week has been acting very strangely indeed.

Don't get dudded on refunds

YOUR chances of getting a refund are greatly improved if you keep good records. But some companies won't budge — even when presented with irrefutable proof.

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MH370 relatives to be sent home

RELATIVES of those on board the missing Malaysia Airlines flight will be checked out of hotels and sent home to await updates on the search.

In a statement on Thursday evening, the airline said relatives would be sent home and Family Assistance Centres around the world would close on May 7.

"From past experience, we understand the continuing search and investigation would be a prolonged process," it said.

"While Malaysia Airlines is committed to continuing its support to the families during the whole process, we are adjusting the mode of services and support.

"Instead of staying in hotels, the families of MH370 are advised to receive information updates on the progress of the search and investigation and other support by Malaysia Airlines within the comfort of their own homes, with the support and care of their families and friends."

The airline said it would keep in close touch with the families via phone calls, messages, the internet and face-to-face meetings, and Family Support Centres would be established in Kuala Lumpur and Beijing.

The detailed plan of follow-up support and services would be passed on to families in person, Malaysia Airlines said.

The relatives of the 153 Chinese passengers on board the ill-fated flight have been up in arms about the airline's handling of the disaster, staging protests, threatening hunger strikes and labelling it a murderer, saying they would not accept the assertion that all on board are dead until physical proof is found.

MH370 went missing 55 days ago on the way from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, with 239 passengers and crew on board.

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Slow NDIS roll-out: audit tells govt

The commission of audit has urged the government to slow down the roll-out of the NDIS. Source: AAP

AUSTRALIANS with a disability might have to wait a little bit longer for the complete roll-out of a landmark scheme designed to cover their care and needs, if the Abbott government accepts advice from its commission of audit.

A day before Prime Minister Tony Abbott meets with state and territory leaders to discuss progress of the national disability insurance scheme, the commission warns the implementation timetable is highly ambitious.

The NDIS is scheduled to be fully operational in 2018-2019, covering about 450,000 people with disabilities.

The commission acknowledges the worthiness of the scheme and the fact that it enjoys widespread community support and bipartisan political backing.

But it's concerned about early cost blow-outs at the four trial sites that began in July 2013, noting average package costs of $46,000 per year exceeded the $35,000 figure factored into the scheme's initial design and costing.

The NDIS Agency on Thursday insisted it was operating within its budget and had the capacity to meet the roll-out schedule.

The commission is not so sure, saying there was a risk of inadequate delivery of services to participants as well as significant financial risks to the scheme.

It recommends there is merit in pursuing a slower roll-out schedule.

It also wants government to take control of the scheme's budget, which it estimates will exceed $25 billion after 2019, arguing such an amount was too great a responsibility for an independent board.

The commission also questions whether the assessment of potential participants should be outsourced as it is now.

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Tenants sign on for Barangaroo tower

Two firms have signed up as tenants for the tallest building at Sydney's Barangaroo development. Source: AAP

PLANNING for the tallest office tower at Sydney's Barangaroo development will commence after the developer secured two tenants for the 49-storey building.

PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia will take 12 floors of the tower and HSBC Bank Australia three and a half floors, under new leases signed with developer Lend Lease.

Lend Lease will now commence development and funding of the building, and intends to introduce co-investors into the tower "at an appropriate time in the future", it said in a statement on Wednesday.

Construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2014, and is expected to be completed in the 2016/17 financial year.

Barangaroo South is planned to be a major financial district of Sydney's CBD, and will include an exclusive casino and hotel to be operated by Crown Resorts.

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Gold dazzles at refurbished Perth Mint

THE biggest, heaviest and most valuable coin in the world is the centrepiece of a new permanent exhibition at the refurbished Perth Mint.

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Tunisia uses Star Wars to rescue tourism

IMPERIAL stormtroopers are set to march through Tunisia's capital as part of a new effort to attract tourists and burnish the image of the North African country.

Tunisia's national tourism office is collaborating with the local Star Wars fan club to hold a convention starting on Wednesday in the country, which boasts sets from the popular science fiction film franchise deep in the desert.

The campaign also features a Star Wars-themed online video set to the tune of Pharrell Williams' popular hit Happy, involving characters from the films.

Tunisia's beach resorts were a popular destination for European tourists but many stayed away after the 2011 overthrow of dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Tourists have been slowly returning and the new campaign seeks to promote lesser-known Tunisian attractions.

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Partial eclipse ruined by cloud

IT was billed as the "super fat banana".

But Tuesday's rare partial solar eclipse was more like a rotten tomato.

Thick cloud blanketed most of the continent for much of the day, ruining any sustained view of the eclipse for astronomers and enthusiasts from Perth to Port Arthur.

At 4.14pm the moon nudged in front of the sun - causing a partial eclipse that experts predicted would darken the sky a little and make the sun look like a fat yellow banana.

The sky did turn dark on the eastern seaboard - but only because thick cloud and rain ruined the moment with less than heavenly timing.

"We got clouded-out on the east coast from the absolute moment the moon just touched the sun - it was incredible timing," Melbourne-based astronomer Dr Alan Duffy told AAP.

"The next eclipse in Melbourne of this quality will be 2028.

"So this was very disappointing."

Astronomical Society of Victoria media spokesman Perry Vlahos was equally miffed.

He didn't even go outside to check out the partial eclipse.

"I have given up all hope, the best optical telescope cannot see through rain and clouds," he added.

Tasmania should have given the best view of the eclipse - the further south you were the more of the sun would have been covered.

Members of the Astronomical Society of Tasmania gathered at the rainy Rosny Lookout in Hobart's east.

"We've actually got three telescopes here but at the moment they're sitting in the boots of cars," the society's Bob Coghlan told AAP.

"The committee are telling jokes and saying who brought the cloud-busting laser just to keep their spirits up."

Sydney Observatory had about 150 guests to watch the celestial activity.

Astronomer Andrew Jacobs said the partial eclipse was of little research value - scientists learn far more from full eclipses.

"We saw the very beginning of it, just a couple of minutes before it went into the clouds," he said.

West Australian residents had a slightly better view but only towards the end of the eclipse when some of the cloud cleared.

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Two MPs allege Palmer approach

A Queensland MP has told police an envoy for Clive Palmer offered him an inducement to jump ship. Source: AAP

TWO Queensland government MPs have accused Clive Palmer's team of trying to lure them away from the Liberal National Party.

Mr Palmer says the claims made by MPs Michael Hart and Jason Costigan were made up by premier Campbell Newman, while police have looked at one of the accusations and will take no action.

Mr Newman, however, has stepped up his war with the mining magnate turned federal MP, arguing he needs to reveal the full truth.

Mr Hart on Tuesday alleged a Palmer United Party envoy tried to entice the Burleigh MP with financial sweeteners - an assertion refuted by the party's state leader Alex Douglas.

Also on Tuesday, Whitsunday MP Mr Costigan said a PUP member approached him a week later on April 16, but without a financial incentive.

"They said they could ... help me with my campaign if I was their candidate and rambled on how they needed one more MP to form the official opposition," he told AAP.

Mr Hart took his claims to police who said they had "concluded that, based on current available information, no further action will be taken".

Mr Hart said he cut short a conversation with a PUP official after being made an offer to become one of the party's leading candidates at next year's Queensland election.

"The words that were used I took as a form of inducement or that there was about to be an inducement. I didn't want that to happen," he told AAP.

Mr Hart's allegation has escalated the bitter feud between Mr Palmer and the LNP, with the mining magnate accusing Mr Newman of inventing the story.

"This is just concocted by the premier because he's going to be sued by me," Mr Palmer told AAP.

"He's just trying to mislead the press."

But a spokesman for Mr Newman says Mr Palmer is the one who needs to come clean after Dr Douglas confirmed the party approached Mr Hart.

"Mr Palmer denies inducements were offered to Mr Hart, but Alex Douglas has confirmed that Mr Hart was told that 'we would look after him if he joined us'," the spokesman said.

Dr Douglas says while contact was made, claims about any inducement are entirely false.

"It was basically to say: 'Michael we know you're not going to be preselected or endorsed by the party and if you want to have a career you are welcome to come and discuss that with us'," he said.

The latest claims follow Sunday's allegations by Mr Newman that Mr Palmer had tried to "buy" his government, and had offered inducements to successfully entice three renegade Northern Territory MPs to join his party.

Comment has been sought from Dr Douglas about Mr Costigan's claim.

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Pakistan PM's gas cut off for unpaid bills

Last updated: April 30, 2014

PAKISTANI authorities have disconnected gas supply to the prime minister's official residence and the national parliament secretariat over unpaid bills.

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