Smithsonian names Aussie museum director

THE Smithsonian has named Australian Melissa Chiu, a museum leader for the Asia Society in New York, as the next director of the Hirshhorn Museum for modern and contemporary art in Washington.

Darwin-born Chiu joins the Smithsonian in September. She succeeds Richard Koshalek who resigned last year after a dispute with the museum's board over funding to build an inflatable pavilion at the museum for special performances and programs.

Chiu has served as director of the Asia Society Museum since 2004 and previously was curator for contemporary Asian and Asian-American art.

Smithsonian officials say Chiu is a prolific fundraiser, securing 80 per cent of the Asia Society Museum's $US29 million ($A31.38 million) budget.

The Hirshhorn has an $US8 million budget, and the Smithsonian provides $US10 million in operating support.

20.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Moo-ving tale as cow saved from pool

Last updated: June 07, 2014

A COW has been saved from drowning by firefighters who helped it out of a backyard swimming pool in the NSW Hunter Valley.

Deputy Premier refers Palmer to CMC

Jason Tin DEPUTY Premier Jeff Seeney has referred Clive Palmer to the CMC over allegations he demanded special treatment from the Newman Government for his mining interests.

Why celebs are ganging up on one company

A GROWING group of celebrities are using their influence to start a war with one of the world's biggest companies. What's all the fuss over?

', gcseBox = '

'; if (drawLightForm) { gcseBox = '

'; } if (isResultPage) { $(resultsContainer).append(gcseResults); } if (pre) { $(container).prepend(gcseBox).length; } else { $(container).append(gcseBox).length; } // Always load on results page of or light form option it toggled off if (cx && ! drawLightForm || isResultPage) { gcse = document.createElement('script'); gcse.type = 'text/javascript'; gcse.async = true; gcse.src = (document.location.protocol == 'https:' ? 'https:' : 'http:') + '//www.google.com/cse/cse.js?cx=' + cx; s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(gcse, s); } }); })(ndm.jQuery || window.jQuery, ndm.gcse || false); //]]>

20.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Police search new area for Madeleine

Police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann have focussed their attention to drains. Source: AAP

BRITISH police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are focusing their attention on a new patch of scrubland close to where she went missing in Portugal seven years ago.

Officers in Metropolitan Police uniform were seen on Friday studying a flat area of ground at the opposite end of the area which has seen activity over the past week.

The area of scrubland in Praia da Luz on the Algarve has been marked in various places with tape to highlight areas of interest to police.

Officers could be seen examining the uneven ground inside one marked-out area, which was covered with long grass.

The search entered its fifth day, with officers previously focusing on a hole which had been covered in undergrowth.

Forensics officers sifted through soil in large sieves inside a white tent set up to cover the void, which was thought to have been used as a children's den.

An item of clothing, believed to be a man's sock, was removed from the scene but was thought to have been ruled out of the investigation.

Madeleine's parents on Thursday said they were "encouraged" by the progress made by police as they search for clues as to what happened to her after she disappeared from the resort in May 2007, aged three.

Writing on the Official Find Madeleine Campaign Facebook page, Kate and Gerry McCann thanked their followers for the support they have received.

"We are being kept updated on the ongoing work in Portugal and are encouraged by the progress," the message said.

"Thank you for continuing to stand by us and supporting our efforts to get Madeleine home."

20.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Thousands affected by Adelaide lockdown

A 13-hour siege caused a lockdown in parts of central Adelaide, causing disruption to thousands. Source: AAP

THOUSANDS of commuters, workers and residents were barred from several blocks in central Adelaide as dangerous fugitive Rodney Clavell was holed up in a nearby brothel.

The 13-hour siege caused major disruption in peak hour traffic, as trams, buses, cars and pedestrians were diverted from King William Street.

Four blocks south of Victoria Square were cordoned off, with reporters and camera crews placed in an area which gave no view of the building housing the massage parlour.

Replacement public transport went around the cordoned-off area, just up the road from the court precinct - a place not unfamiliar to Clavell, a former prison officer and prisoner.

A few interested members of the public waited at the cordon line.

The police regularly updated the media and pleaded with Clavell - who they believed had access to TV and radio - to end the siege peacefully.

Billie Morrison said she was riding her bike to the law firm where she works when she was told the area was cordoned off.

"It was very daunting and nerve-wracking, as you can see the streets are very empty and quiet," she said.

"There would be hundreds of offices closed down. There are barristers' chambers, there are medical centres, a chemist. There are a lot of buildings and businesses in this area."

Ms Morrison said she had never seen anything like it in Adelaide.

"You hear about it all over the world but you don't expect it to be at your doorstep first thing in the morning."

Just before 2pm it was over when police found Clavell's body and a firearm in the building.

20.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Uproar over O'Neill plan

Last updated: June 06, 2014

PAPUA New Guinea's opposition has lashed out at a plan by Prime Minister Peter O'Neill to restrict nominees for the top job to members of his own party in the event of a motion of no-confidence.

', gcseBox = '

'; if (drawLightForm) { gcseBox = '

'; } if (isResultPage) { $(resultsContainer).append(gcseResults); } if (pre) { $(container).prepend(gcseBox).length; } else { $(container).append(gcseBox).length; } // Always load on results page of or light form option it toggled off if (cx && ! drawLightForm || isResultPage) { gcse = document.createElement('script'); gcse.type = 'text/javascript'; gcse.async = true; gcse.src = (document.location.protocol == 'https:' ? 'https:' : 'http:') + '//www.google.com/cse/cse.js?cx=' + cx; s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(gcse, s); } }); })(ndm.jQuery || window.jQuery, ndm.gcse || false); //]]>

20.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Red Cross staffer killed in Libya

ARMED men have killed a 42-year-old Red Cross staffer in the coastal Libyan city of Sirte, firing at his car after he left a meeting, the organisation says.

Michael Greub, a Swiss national, died in the attack on Wednesday, the International Committee of the Red Cross said in a statement on its website.

"We are devastated and outraged," said ICRC Director-General Yves Daccord on Thursday.

"Michael was a devoted humanitarian who spent many years of his life helping others."

Greub was in his car with his driver and another man, neither of whom were harmed, the Red Cross said.

Driver Ali Mohamed told The Associated Press that three masked attackers wearing civilian clothes stopped them at gunpoint at a checkpoint as they were on their way back from the meeting.

"They started shouting 'put your hands up,' and we put our hands up but they started shooting," he said.

"We just crumpled to the car's floor but all of the firing was at the back seat where Michael was sitting."

Since the fall of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, there has been a spike in targeted killings with attacks on government employees, activists, clerics and security officials.

It was unclear who was behind Wednesday's attack, but Libyan military officers have said that hard-line Islamic militias including the extremist Ansar al-Shariah have stepped up their presence in recent months in Sirte, once Gaddafi's stronghold.

Greub worked for the ICRC for more than seven years, with assignments in Iraq, Sudan, Yemen and Gazi. He had been head of the organisation's delegation in Misrata since March, the ICRC said.

The ICRC has had a permanent presence in Libya since 2011, providing humanitarian services for detainees, tracing missing persons and working with local organisations to help injured or displaced people.

20.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Putin slams Obama as he meets Poroshenko

PRESIDENT Barack Obama has met Ukraine's president-elect Petro Poroshenko, in a show of US support for Ukraine's right to chart its own future, before an encounter with Russia's Vladimir Putin.

Obama sat down with Poroshenko on Wednesday in Warsaw, during a trip designed to assuage security concerns in eastern Europe following Russia's annexation of Crimea and what Washington says is an effort to destabilise Ukraine.

Obama said he had "been deeply impressed" by Poroshenko's vision for his troubled country.

"The United States is absolutely committed to standing behind the Ukrainian people not just in the coming days, weeks, but in the coming years," Obama told reporters.

The talks on day two of Obama's European tour come after the president met central and eastern European leaders in Warsaw and before he heads to a G7 summit in Belgium.

The summit takes place against a backdrop of signs that Western unity over how to handle Russia is fracturing.

Obama will come face to face with Putin during 70th anniversary commemorations of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France on Friday, but officials in Washington and Moscow say there are no plans for a formal meeting.

In contrast, the leaders of Britain, France and Germany will hold one-on-one talks with Putin, who said Wednesday he could not understand Obama's stance.

"It is his choice, I am ready for dialogue," Putin said in an interview with French broadcasters Europe1 and TF1 conducted at his dacha in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

Putin went on to accuse the US administration of hypocrisy in its "aggressive" attempts to isolate Russia over its conduct in Ukraine.

"We have almost no military forces abroad yet look: everywhere in the world there are American military bases, American troops thousands of kilometres from their borders. They interfere in the interior affairs of this or that country. So it is difficult to accuse us of abuses."

The accelerating diplomacy over Ukraine comes as a seven-week pro-Russian insurgency in Ukraine's eastern rust belt grows only more violent after Poroshenko swept to power in a May 25 presidential ballot.

Hundreds of separatist gunmen on Monday attacked a Ukrainian border guard service camp in the region of Lugansk on the border with Russia.

Obama said Tuesday that US commitment to eastern European security was absolute.

"Our commitment to Poland's security as well as the security of our allies in central and eastern Europe is a cornerstone of our own security and it is sacrosanct," Obama said after inspecting a joint unit of Polish and US F-16 pilots.

He proposed a "European Reassurance Initiative" of up to $1 billion (730 million euros) to finance extra US troop and military deployments to "new allies" in Europe.

NATO defence ministers also agreed Tuesday a series of steps to bolster protection in eastern Europe after the Ukraine crisis, but insisted they were acting within the limits of a key post-Cold War treaty with Moscow.

20.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

New home for Perth's wandering peacock

Union man booted from Parliament

YESTERDAY a host of interest groups held press conferences on the grounds of Parliament for the Budget — but today it was a different story for one union official.

5 scariest stories on the internet

TELLING a scary story is as old as human civilisation. With the internet, tales of horror now have a wider audience. Here are our top five.

Doc's poignant tale from hospital bed

IN one his last interviews, Doc Neeson spoke from his hospital bed about the incredible story behind the Angels' classic 'Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again'.

20.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

PM vows to resolve Indon spy row

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has arrived in Indonesia for long-awaited talks with the president. Source: AAP

PRIME Minister Tony Abbott has pledged to resolve the spying row with Indonesia to the mutual benefit of both nations, and has told the outgoing president that his policy on asylum-seeker boats means they shouldn't be a problem for much longer.

Mr Abbott on Wednesday met President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for the first time since the president last year learned Australia had tapped the phones of his wife and other confidants under the previous Labor government.

The president wants to mend severed ties before he leaves office in October, and Mr Abbott is keen to seize the opportunity before a new administration takes over.

Following their brief meeting in Batam, Indonesia, Dr Yudhoyono told reporters he believed the partnership could be stronger in future, with "mutual benefit and mutual respect".

"We have always thought in Indonesia that in time, cooperation between our two great countries can truly be implemented, and even better," the president told reporters.

Foreign ministers Marty Natalegawa and Julie Bishop are expected to complete a code of conduct within weeks, with Mr Abbott confident of a resolution to the "mutual benefit" of both parties.

"Intelligence sharing in dealing with common problems is the way forward for both of us," he said.

On the other thorny issue in the relationship - turning asylum-seeker boats back to Indonesian territory, Mr Abbott said there were now so few boats: "I believe this is an issue which will not substantially further trouble us".

Before they met for dinner, the prime minister praised SBY as the leading statesman of the ASEAN region.

"I believe when the history of Indonesia is written, the Yudhoyono presidency will be a watershed," Mr Abbott said.

"Marked by peace abroad, prosperity at home, the consolidation of democracy and the strengthening of national unity.

"This is a marvellous legacy that you, Bapak President, leave your country and I have to say I have been proud and thrilled and honoured to get to know you over the last few years and I will be very pleased and proud and honoured to call you a friend in the months and years and decades ahead."

Dr Natalegawa has been dampening expectations of a quick fix, pointing out that Australia's "unilateral" approach on asylum seeker boats would continue to be a problem.

He wouldn't comment on Mr Abbott's view following the meeting, but said he was keen to finish the code of conduct because, "addressing one issue will no doubt help the other one".

The reunion has been months coming and the pair were forced to wait a little longer than planned on Wednesday, when a technical problem on Mr Abbott's RAAF jet delayed him by more than two hours.

From Indonesia, he will travel to France, Canada and the US, for talks with President Barack Obama.

20.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Brown wooed as face of Tasmanian tourism

Greens patriarch Bob Brown is being courted as the face of Tasmania's tourism campaigns. Source: AAP

BOB Brown is being wooed as the face of Tasmanian wilderness tourism.

The former Greens leader has been sounded out by the state's tourism industry to promote Tasmania's World Heritage Area.

The idea builds on the recent Go Behind the Scenery campaign, which sought to make the state's environmental battles a point of interest for tourists.

Tourism Industry Council boss Luke Martin has said Dr Brown defines the state's recent history.

But the Greens' patriarch may not be easily wooed.

Tasmania's new Liberal state government wants to open up national parks to eco-tourism development, a move Dr Brown has called "stupid" and "greedy".

Premier Will Hodgman is also backing a federal government move to cut 74,000 hectares from the World Heritage Area.

Dr Brown says he already pushes destination Tasmania but there would be conditions to him fronting a tourism campaign.

"I'm very woo-able but not unless they get the (balance) right," he has told the Hobart Mercury.

"Private development should be outside World Heritage and outside national parks, and developments inside national parks should be public and they should be well funded."

The Hodgman government has called for potential investors to pitch "sensitive and appropriate" eco-tourism ideas.

Mr Martin says they are the norm in countries such as New Zealand and Canada, where green groups support them.

Greens leader Christine Milne said the tourism industry should oppose the federal government's World Heritage wind-back.

"It's a bit rich for the Tourism Industry Council to be appealing to Bob Brown to help it sell tourism in World Heritage Areas while the Abbott government is trying to destroy them," she said in a statement.

20.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Lucy rejects Malcolm leadership talk

Malcolm Turnbull says claims he might mount a leadership challenge are 'demented' and 'unhinged'. Source: AAP

MALCOLM Turnbull's fluey quest for spicy soup has been miscast as a leadership challenge, the cabinet minister's wife and former Sydney lord mayor Lucy Turnbull says.

Lucy Turnbull told the ABC's Q&A on Monday there was no conspiracy when her husband met Mr Palmer, the leader of the Palmer United Party, for dinner last Wednesday night.

Mr Turnbull sent a text message at 6pm on Wednesday saying he had the flu and needed some spicy soup.

"He sent me a message at 6.30 in the morning saying 'guess what, having dinner and then Clive came along.'"

"It was completely spontaneous.

"It has been completely miscast."

Mr Turnbull on Monday labelled conservative political commentator Andrew Bolt "demented" and "unhinged" for suggesting he's trying to take back the Liberal leadership.

Liberal senator Cory Bernardi, also a guest on the program, said he thought Mr Turnbull went too far in criticising Mr Bolt.

"It was inappropriate, it was unwise to do," he said.

It kicked the whole thing along.

"Malcolm I just think went a bit too heavy today."

On Sunday Mr Bolt asked Prime Minister Tony Abbott at the weekend whether Mr Turnbull's recent dinner with Mr Palmer was an indication Mr Turnbull has designs on the party's top job.

Mr Abbott on Sunday played down Mr Turnbull's actions, saying it was "perfectly reasonable" for senior members of the coalition to talk with crossbenchers to help get the budget passed.

Mr Bolt has written on his popular blog that he is sure Mr Turnbull is not contemplating any imminent challenge.

20.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Better airliner tracking announced: IATA

Seven die over 75 cents in well

SEVEN people have died — one after another — in a well after a man accidentally dropped the equivalent of 75 cents into it.

Aussie girl's skate trick goes global

SHE'S just nine years old, but Aussie girl Sabre Norris has won international acclaim performing a skating trick even professionals find hard. Her reaction when she does it is priceless.

20.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Iraq violence killed 799 in May: UN

Last updated: June 02, 2014

VIOLENCE has claimed the lives of 799 Iraqis in May, the highest monthly death toll so far this year, the United Nations says, underlining the daunting challenges the government faces as it struggles to contain a surge in sectarian violence.

'Go time' for Barba as Broncos fire

BEN Barba declared it was now "go time" for his own season as the Broncos ­finally hit their straps to move to the verge of the top four.

Paper plane sends the crowd wild

IT WASN'T the on-field action at this match had the fans going wild. It was a paper plane contest which had an incredible result.

Winter? What winter?

THE first day of the cold season saw Brisbane chalk up 24.8C - 4C above the June average. See what's in store for the rest of the week.

'Oh god SHANE don't do it!!!!!!!'

THE Potbelleez muso Jonny Sonic has warned spin king Shane Warne to steer clear of new girlfriend Emily Scott.

Push for parent booster shots

QUEENSLAND parents are the target of a new push to increase vaccination rates, following recent disease outbreaks and fears unvaccinated parents could pass the diseases on to their newborns.

The Hayne plan: Daley plots switch

BLUES coach Laurie Daley is considering the unthinkable by switching the position of superstar fullback Jarryd Hayne.

Does porn rot your brain?

A NEW study has shown men who watch large amounts of porn tend to have less volume and activity in some regions of the brain.

', gcseBox = '

'; if (drawLightForm) { gcseBox = '

'; } if (isResultPage) { $(resultsContainer).append(gcseResults); } if (pre) { $(container).prepend(gcseBox).length; } else { $(container).append(gcseBox).length; } // Always load on results page of or light form option it toggled off if (cx && ! drawLightForm || isResultPage) { gcse = document.createElement('script'); gcse.type = 'text/javascript'; gcse.async = true; gcse.src = (document.location.protocol == 'https:' ? 'https:' : 'http:') + '//www.google.com/cse/cse.js?cx=' + cx; s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(gcse, s); } }); })(ndm.jQuery || window.jQuery, ndm.gcse || false); //]]>

20.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Shotgun fired at Hobart house

A SHOTGUN has been fired at a house in Hobart.

The occupants were home when the shot was fired on Saturday evening, police said.

Neighbours heard the blast but the occupants of the Bridgewater residence did not report the incident until the following morning.

Police said damage consistent with shotgun pellets was visible at the scene.

No one was injured.

20.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bali flights under cloud but Darwin clear

Flights in Darwin are expected to resume later today as plumes from an Indonesian volcano dissipate. Source: AAP

FLIGHTS to and from Darwin have resumed after they were grounded by an ash cloud from an Indonesian volcano, as Jetstar grounds flights to Bali.

Darwin was cut off to all air services on Saturday as ash plumes billowed from the Sangeang Api volcano off the Indonesian island of Sumbawa. It erupted continuously after an initial blast on Friday afternoon.

The major plume affecting Australian aviation swept southeast over the west side of the Northern Territory and as far south as Alice Springs.

Cyndee Seals of the Bureau of Meteorology's Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in Darwin said Australia was now clear but airlines were meeting to discuss an ash cloud near Bali.

"I can advise that the ash cloud across Australia is dissipating but there are still ash clouds southwest of the volcano and another to the east east-northeast from an earlier high eruption," she said.

The southwesterly ash cloud was nearing Bali but its effects on flights to Denpasar were not yet clear, Ms Seals said.

"Right now, unless the winds change - and they are a little variable - it will take the ash south of Denpasar, away from Bali," she said.

"The airlines are meeting about it."

On Sunday night Jetstar cancelled 12 flights in and out of Bali as the Sangeang Api cloud drifted towards Denpasar International Airport.

Qantas announced it had resumed its flights, while Virgin, Air Asia and Jetstar also resumed operations in and out of Darwin, Darwin International Airport spokeswoman Virginia Sanders told AAP.

But she urged travellers to stay in touch with their airline for updates on flights as some changes might be made.

"Flights are coming back on line but there are some scheduled changes so people still need to check with the airline with regards to what's happening with their particular flight," she told AAP.

20.08 | 0 komentar | Read More