Female cyclist dies in Townsville crash

A truck has ploughed into four cyclists, killing one in the north Queensland city of Townsville. Source: AAP

A TRUCK has ploughed into four cyclists, killing one in the north Queensland city of Townsville.

Police say the truck crashed into the cyclists when trying to overtake them on Shaw Road on Saturday morning.

The cyclists, a 62-year-old man and three women aged 58, 59 and 60, were taken to the Townsville Hospital.

The 58-year-old woman later died while her friends have non life-threatening injuries.

15.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Privacy search engines jump after NSA row

INTERNET users are taking a fresh look at "privacy" search engines that do not store data or track online activity, in light of the flap over US government surveillance.

While Google's market share has not seen a noticeable dent, privacy search engines like US-based DuckDuckGo and European-based Ixquick have seen jumps in traffic from users seeking to limit their online tracks.

"I think people are seeking out privacy alternatives," said Gabriel Weinberg, founder of DuckDuckGo, an engine created in 2007, which does not store IP addresses or create profiles of users.

The stored data has become a concern following revelations of a massive surveillance program run by the secretive National Security Agency, with access to data from Google, Yahoo! and other internet firms.

US officials say the information gathered is vital in the fight against global terrorism.

The same data and profiles can be used by the search engine to deliver ads and sold to outside marketers as well.

"What people type in their search engines is their most personal things," Weinberg said. "It's a little creepy that a search engine can know so much about you."

DuckDuckGo had been growing slowly in recent years, but its traffic charts showed a surge after the first news broke June 6 of the government's PRISM surveillance program. By June 20, traffic had hit nearly three million queries, double the level of a year earlier.

More than half of DuckDuckGo traffic comes from outside the United States, Weinberg says.

"This NSA story played into the trend of people's fears" about online tracking, said Weinberg.

Weinberg said another factor is that Google results are being gamed by search engine spammers and other companies trying to rank their results higher."

Dutch-based Ixquick, which also uses the name StartPage, said it too had seen a dramatic jump in usage after news of the PRISM data sharing program.

Last week, the two meta-search engines - which use the results of Google and other search sites and strip out identifying information - served as many as 3.6 million queries.

"This growth has been sustained, it shows no signs of slowing down," said spokeswoman Katherine Albrecht.

The revelations about PRISM "really have woken people up," she said.

"People had heard the message of privacy but hadn't been able to nail it down to how it relates to them."

The company proclaims it "has never turned over user data to any government entity anywhere on earth" and is "not directly subject to US jurisdiction."

Another search engine, California-based Blekko, allows users to select privacy settings and keeps no data if the user selects "do not track."

"Even if you are not a criminal, you probably make searches that you don't want your minister, boss, or spouse to know about," said Blekko's Greg Lindahl.

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Severe weather to strike NSW coast

A SEVERE weather warning is in force for a large swathe of the NSW coast forecasted to suffer gail force winds and rain up to 200mm.

A trough is sitting off the coast, but widespread rains arrived on Saturday at areas from Newcastle to Ulladulla.

On Sunday, the trough will deepen, bringing widespread showers before the system intensifies, the Bureau of Meteorology predicts.

Some areas will experience between 100mm and 150mm of rain.

A low pressure system is expected to form within the trough on Sunday night.

"That will intensify the rainfall, particularly on Monday," bureau meteorologist Rob Taggart told AAP.

Widespread rains are expected from Newcastle to Batemans Bay.

Computer models have yet to pinpoint where the full force of the weather system will strike, but the coastal areas between Sydney and Newcastle are the likely target.

"Which means Sydney will get hit pretty hard (on Monday)," he said.

Localised falls expected between 150mm and 200mm in some areas will also dictate any flood warnings issued.

The bureau has issued a flood watch with minor to moderate flooding predictions for the Wyong, Georges, Nepean, Cooks, Woronora and Paterson and Williams rivers.

Heavy rains combined with king tides may also cause minor flooding in coastal areas.

The bureau has also issued a warning to sheep graziers in the Illawarra, south coast, southern tablelands and central tablelands.

"There is a high risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions," the bureau website states.

The State Emergency Service (SES) has urged residents to clear gutters and downpipes on their homes, fix any roof damage and secure any loose items in yards or on balconies.

On Tuesday, Sydney will see more rain, but weakening, as the weather system moves north.

Higher rain totals are expected for the mid-north coast and Hunter on Tuesday.

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Latvia's Riga Castle damaged by fire

Firefighters have been called to a massive roof fire at the centuries-old Riga Castle in Latvia. Source: AAP

A MAJOR fire has caused extensive damage to Riga Castle, the medieval fortress that houses the National History Museum of Latvia.

Viktorija Sembele, a spokeswoman for the State Fire and Rescue Service, said on Friday that the overnight fire damaged the roof and the second and third floors of the castle.

She says some significant items in the museum suffered water damage but none was destroyed.

The castle is normally the residence of the Baltic state's president, Andris Berzins, but he has not been living there since reconstruction of the building started.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Sembele says one firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation.

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European stocks hold firm after slump

EUROPEAN stock markets edged higher in opening deals on Friday, as investors paused after a steep slump on Thursday driven by the Federal Reserve's plans to cut easy-money stimulus.

In initial trading, London's benchmark FTSE 100 index added 0.50 per cent to 6,190.47 points, Frankfurt's DAX 30 gained 0.23 per cent to 7,946.32 points and in Paris the CAC 40 advanced 0.59 per cent to 3,720.70.

"Markets are expected to rebound today, as investors ... go bargain hunting," said Gekko Markets trader Anita Paluch.

"The real interesting question though is, how big the rebound is going to be. So far the mood is mildly up, markets have calmed, but remain sceptical."

All three main indices had tumbled on Thursday by around 3.0 per cent after the Fed signalled it may begin winding down its massive bond-buying policy, known as quantitative easing.

Investor sentiment was also rocked by more poor Chinese economic manufacturing data.

"European markets opened cautiously today after optimism was dealt a severe blow as investors continued to grapple with the announcement that stimulus measures from the US could end in the middle of 2014," said Spreadex trader Shavaz Dhalla.

"Investors seemed to be astonished by the announcement despite the fact that officials have been alluding to the possibility in recent times."

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Ministers rally behind Gillard leadership

Cabinet minister Bill Shorten rejected reports he was excluded from Julia Gillard's inner circle. Source: AAP

A SENIOR Labor minister has told Kevin Rudd to stop the confusing mumbo jumbo and challenge for the Labor leadership if he thinks he has the numbers.

Resources and Energy Minister Gary Gray urged Mr Rudd to "put up or shut up" over the leadership as ministers rallied behind Prime Minister Julia Gillard to lead Labor to the September election.

"He should stop this confusion and the mumbling and the mumbo jumbo," Mr Gray told ABC radio.

"He should test his level of support or he should get on with the campaign to ensure Labor's vote is as strong as it can be and to ensure the government wins the election."

The Gillard supporter and former ALP national secretary said Mr Rudd's supporters' chatter about the leadership "deliberately undermines the political platform the prime minister has created".

Mr Rudd said he did not "believe there are any circumstances" under which he would return to the leadership.

The former prime minister said Ms Gillard was experiencing the same kind of leadership speculation that surrounded John Howard in 2007 and himself in 2010 before she deposed him in a leadership coup.

"There's something almost inevitable in the political cycle about these things," Mr Rudd told the Seven Network.

Shadow treasurer Joe Hockey said Mr Rudd was subtly altering his stance.

"He said previously 'there are no circumstances', now he says: 'I believe there are no circumstances'," Mr Hockey said.

"These are weasel words."

Mr Rudd's office hit back at Mr Hockey and also had a dig at Mr Gray.

"Mr Rudd's position remains unchanged from that of February last year and March of this year," a spokesman said.

"As one of the co-authors of the 2010 leadership coup - it is hardly surprising that Mr Gray has chosen to continue his public attacks on Mr Rudd's character."

Labor backbencher Ed Husic, who has previously backed Mr Rudd's return, said Mr Gray's words were "provocative" when Labor needed to focus on defeating Tony Abbott.

"Instead of triggering a fight, trigger a turnaround," Mr Husic said, adding that he supported Ms Gillard taking Labor to the election.

Right powerbroker Bill Shorten rejected reports he had been sidelined by the prime minister amid fears he could shift support to Mr Rudd as "baseless and inaccurate", saying his working relationship with Ms Gillard was strong.

"I have supported the prime minister, I continue to support the prime minister," he said.

"I continue to campaign for this prime minister."

Fellow minister Anthony Albanese, who has previously backed Mr Rudd, said the claim about Mr Shorten was "ridiculous", while frontbencher Stephen Conroy also reaffirmed his support for Ms Gillard.

"That hasn't changed," he said.

The ALP national executive held a regular meeting in Canberra on Friday, but the leadership was not discussed, a source told AAP.

Ms Gillard will address the final caucus meeting of the term on Tuesday, when parliament sits for the last week before the winter break and the election.

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Gay marriage debate reignites in parly

A LIBERAL senator who crossed the floor to vote in favour of recognising same-sex couples who wed overseas has been praised for acting "with her heart and her mind", even though the bill was overwhelmingly defeated.

Senator Sue Boyce's support wasn't enough to carry the bill to amend the Marriage Act, so that same-sex marriages in foreign countries including New Zealand were recognised under Australian law.

The private member's bill, moved by the Australian Greens, was shot down in the Senate on Thursday by 44 votes to 28.

DLP senator John Madigan again called for a federal referendum on same sex marriage after the vote.

"We're often told that a majority wants same-sex marriage, well I'm saying put it to the people," Senator Madigan said.

He vowed to push for a referendum to define the definition of marriage as just between a man and a woman.

Senator Boyce said such a referendum would fail because it was a "disgusting and immoral idea".

She said she didn't favour the "backdoor" approach the Greens were taking to build groundswell support for same-sex marriage.

But she supported gay marriage, and as this bill would bring that closer to reality, she defied the party line to support it.

"There is no reason not to allow same-sex mariage in Australia," she said.

"I believe that this bill will assist us in moving towards that, and if we are to vote on this bill I will be supporting it."

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said he didn't counsel Senator Boyce against voting for the bill, and defended her right to cross the floor even though the coalition does not support changes to the Marriage Act.

"People on our side of the political fence have always had the right if they feel strongly enough about something to make their own decision," Mr Abbott said.

Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said Senator Boyce's decision to cross the floor was an important step, and congratulated her for voting with "her heart and her mind".

Finance Minister Penny Wong said Mr Abbott had ensured the legislation would fail by refusing to allow opposition MPs a conscience vote.

Senator Wong, who is in a same-sex relationship, also hit out at the "hurtful and divisive" debate on gay marriage but said she respected that some people held different views.

"What I do disagree with however is their right to impose that opinion on me and upon others in my situation," she told the upper house.

"It (marriage) is special, it is unique ... and that is why those of us who are in same-sex relationships also want to be able to demonstrate our love and commitment through marriage."

Senator Wong's home state of South Australia introduced a bill in state parliament on Thursday to allow same-sex marriage.

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$A dealt a triple blow this week

FARMERS, local tourism operators and manufacturers are getting better news everyday as the Australian dollar falls even further.

The currency has dropped 3.5 per cent so far this week, driven by the strange combination of the US economy needing less help and the Australian economy possibly getting more help.

The days of the Australian dollar being above parity, or 100 US cents, are well and truly over.

The currency's fall began back in early May when financial market players started to realise that a string of positive US economic figures could mean an end to the US Federal Reserve's $US85 billion a month bond purchase program, designed to stimulate the American economy.

In the past two years the Fed's series of stimulus programs has seen the US dollar weaken against all the major currencies and has been one of the factors why the Aussie dollar has been above parity for most of the past two years.

That came to an end on Thursday morning, after the Fed's two-day policy meeting, when chairman Ben Bernanke said if good economic growth continues he would taper the program later this year and bring it to a close by mid 2014.

Adding to the local currency's woes on Thursday was the release of another batch of weak Chinese economic data, bad news for Australia's mineral and resource exporters.

A HSBC survey showed that manufacturing activity in China fell for a second consecutive month to a nine-month low.

The Australian dollar also dropped earlier in the week, after the release of the Reserve Bank of Australia's June 4 board meeting minutes.

While the central bank kept the cash rate unchanged at a record low of 2.75 per cent in June, it flagged the possibility of one or two more cuts by the end of the year.

When the RBA cuts the cash rate it is generally a negative for the Australian dollar and the comments from the RBA minutes sent it almost one US cent lower.

Forex.com research analyst Chris Tedder while the Aussie dollar has been dealt a blow it could be good for the economy as it transitions from being an economy powered mainly by mining investment to one that is more evenly balanced.

"The question is, will a lower Australian dollar be enough to spur growth in non-mining sectors of the economy, so that the transition away from mining investment is smoother than current economic data suggests it will be?"

15.22 | 0 komentar | Read More

Internet provider iiNET fined for bus ads

INTERNET services provider iiNET has become the first publicly-listed company to be fined for failing to properly display total minimum charges in an advertisement.

In February and March, iiNET spruiked a $59.95 monthly charge for its naked DSL service on the back of Sydney buses.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has fined iiNET $102,000 for failing to prominently display the total minimum price in those ads.

"If the total minimum price is not prominent or cannot be easily seen, businesses run the risk of being in breach of the Australian consumer law," ACCC chairman Rod Sims said in a statement.

An ACCC spokesman said that while private companies had previously been issued infringement notices, this was the first fine for a publicly-listed company.

The telephone-derived internet service comprised $59.95 a month over two years plus a $79.95 connection fee, which amounted to total minimum price of $1,518.75.

Later on Thursday, iiNet chief regulatory officer, Steve Dalby said his company was committed to meeting its obligations under Australian consumer law.

"When advised by the regulator that our interpretation of 'prominence' was not adequate, we immediately took steps to rectify the advertisement in question," he said in a prepared statement.

"Although there are no specific guidelines in the law outlining what is adequate prominence, we have a comprehensive compliance program in place to help us meet this continuing challenge."

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Tokyo stocks close 1.83 per cent higher

TOKYO stocks closed 1.83 per cent higher on Wednesday, after official data showed Japan's exports soared in May thanks to a weaker yen, while eyes are also on the conclusion of the US Federal Reserve's policy meeting.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 index jumped 237.94 points to 13,245.22, while the Topix index of all first-section shares rose 1.86 per cent, or 20.17 points, to 1,106.57.

The headline index firmed on selective dip-buying, while investors await the Fed's policy board meeting and chairman Ben Bernanke's remarks soon after, brokers said.

Markets have been speculating about when the Fed would start tapering off its $US85 billion-a-month bond-buying program, known as quantitative easing and which is credited with helping buoy global equities.

"There is a sense of hope that Bernanke won't disappoint the market," said Kenichi Hirano, operating officer at Tachibana Securities.

"Investors appear to be mostly betting the Fed won't cut back on its bond-buying for a while."

Japan's latest economic data showed the country's trade deficit widened last month as the weak yen pushed up import costs.

But exports jumped 10.1 per cent from the same month a year earlier as the cheaper currency helped make Japanese exporters more competitive overseas.

The data comes as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe works to stimulate the economy with a big-spending growth plan dubbed "Abenomics".

SoftBank's Tokyo-listed shares rose 4.20 per cent to 5,460 yen after a rival bidder for Sprint Nextel dropped its takeover offer.

US satellite television provider Dish Network said it had cancelled plans to submit a revised bid for the US-based wireless carrier.

SoftBank has offered to pay about $US21.6 billion for the company, in what could be one of the biggest foreign acquisitions by a Japanese firm.

In other trading, Toyota rose 1.21 per cent to 5,870 yen, Sony slipped 1.03 per cent to 2,015 yen, and Mitsubishi UFJ, Japan's biggest bank, gained 2.42 per cent to 593 yen.

In currency markets, the US dollar was at 95.11 yen in Tokyo, against 95.37 yen in New York late Tuesday.

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ACTU tells MPs to get behind Gillard

Speculation over who will lead Labor to the September federal election is expected to continue. Source: AAP

THE ACTU boss has called on Labor MPs to back Prime Minister Julia Gillard in the run up to the national election, despite successive polls showing huge swings against the government.

ACTU president Dave Oliver said Ms Gillard's government had a great record on jobs and workers' rights.

"All of the government's MPs should get behind that record, and Julia Gillard, and go to the election united against Tony Abbott," he told AAP in a statement on Wednesday.

Mr Oliver was speaking after confidential polling confirmed Labor was facing huge swings in a raft of government seats at the election.

A run of other polls unfavourable to Labor had sparked renewed speculation MPs backing former prime minister Kevin Rudd might again make a push for him to take over from Ms Gillard.

While many MPs concede a change of leader doesn't guarantee an election victory, others believe he might be the best chance to save seats that would otherwise be lost under Ms Gillard.

However, Ms Gillard's inner circle continued to stand firm on Wednesday.

"I don't think the prime minister is going to step down and I don't see my colleagues heading off to ask Kevin Rudd to return either," cabinet minister Greg Combet told Fairfax Media.

Meanwhile, Ms Gillard continues to pursue the states and territories that haven't signed up to Labor's new schools funding model, as the deadline for their cooperation nears.

Ms Gillard on Wednesday homed in on the Country Liberal-led Northern Territory, telling chief minister Adam Giles the plan will deliver an extra $300 million to NT government and non-government schools over six years.

"I call on the chief minister of the Northern Territory to join with conservatives like Premier O'Farrell in endorsing this direction for our country's kids," she told parliament.

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell is the only state Liberal leader to sign up to the schools plan, along with the Labor-government led ACT and South Australia.

The NT remains opposed to the new model, as do Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia.

The states have until June 30 to get on board, so the funding is available for the 2014 school year.

During question time, the opposition pursued Ms Gillard over her failure to stop the flow of asylum seeker boat arrivals.

But Ms Gillard said Opposition Leader Tony Abbott had "lacked the guts" to discuss his tow-back policy during a meeting with Indonesia's president in 2012 because he knew the policy wouldn't work.

Elsewhere in parliament, the government had a legislative win when the Senate passed new laws allowing greater scrutiny of the impact of coal seam gas (CSG) projects on water reservoirs.

Despite concerns about the impact on business, the coalition ended up supporting the legislation after acknowledging there were "genuine" community concerns about the potential impacts of CSG.

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NSW candidate claims Terminator support

THE Gladiator has endorsed Julia Gillard, but a new federal election contender reckons he has support from the Terminator.

Gladiator star Russell Crowe tweeted this week that Ms Gillard was his choice of political leader through tough times.

Now Jamie McIntyre, founder of the 21st Century Australia Party and candidate for the NSW seat of New England, is claiming endorsement from Terminator star and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Mr McIntyre has issued a statement with a video link showing Mr Schwarzenegger thanking Mr McIntyre for inviting him to a Financial Education Summit last week.

"Jamie McIntyre is an extraordinary human being," Mr Schwarzenegger says.

"I love that he says he has a PhD in results .. as I am a professor of action myself we are going to get along very well".

Mr McIntyre says he is popular in the New England electorate ahead of the September 14 election.

He said an online poll on the Armidale Express website found 35.3 per cent voters would vote for him, 29 per cent for incumbent Independent MP Tony Windsor and 27 per cent for Senator Barnaby Joyce who is seeking to move to the lower house for the Nationals.

Ms Gillard also met Mr Schwarzenegger last week.

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Hospital wing cleared of legionella

THE WESLEY Hospital is tonight accepting new patients following the return of clear legionella test results from the hospital's East Wing.

UnitingCare Health Executive Director, Richard Royle, this afternoon announced the hospital is a step closer to business-as-usual following today's results.

The hospital is off bypass, meaning they will soon start to fill the 425 beds that remain empty in the 540-bed facility.

Surgery is due to recommence tomorrow.

Mr Royale said today's test results were a significant step forward for the hospital.

"We have turned an important corner," he said.

"We can now progressively admit patients into our east wing.

"Long suffering patients, will now be able to shower…you can probably hear them cheering from here."

Mr Royle said the hospital was committed to ensuring the event is not repeated.

"We have left no stone unturned in our cleansing and treatment regime," he said.

"I am very confident that we will have the safest and the cleanest water in any hospital in Queensland."

The hospital is expected to be back to full service in approximately two weeks if results continue to be clear.

4.15pm: THE Wesley Hospital says it has cleared its east wing of Legionella, having received the latest batch of test results today.

The hospital has been following an intensive treatment program since the outbreak that claimed the life of a 66-year-old man and left a 46-year-old woman in intensive care.

Water systems have been scalded while chemical solutions have been used to ensure any remaining traces of the bacteria are destroyed.

The east wing contains 180 beds and its reopening would be a crucial step towards a return to normality for the emptying hospital.

Management had been waiting for the return of the water test results so it could seek advice from the expert panel assembled following the outbreak.

The hospital has remained on full ambulance bypass since the first incident was reported to Queensland Health and has not accepted new admissions or permitted patients to use the showers. Surgery was also suspended.

A little more than 100 patients yesterday remained at the typically bustling private hospital. It usually services 500 inpatients on a usual day.

UnitingCare Health Executive Director Richard Royle will front a press conference to "outline the next steps and time frames of returning to full services".

A Queensland Health investigation is also currently underway to evaluate whether the incident was properly responded to and whether changes need to be made to water testing and notification requirements.

15.22 | 0 komentar | Read More

Indonesia presses on with fuel hike

INDONESIA has defied popular anger by pressing ahead with its first fuel price hike since 2008, a day after police fought running battles with thousands outside parliament.

Protesters hurling Molotov cocktails clashed with police firing tear gas and water cannons late Monday, as MPs approved measures paving the way for a reduction in crippling fuel subsidies in Southeast Asia's top economy.

As police braced for hundreds to converge on parliament on Tuesday for a second day of protests against the expected 30 per cent increase in fuel prices, ministers said the government would not back down.

"The fuel price will go up," Finance Minister Chatib Basri insisted, saying it was just a matter of finalising the details before an announcement, which is expected in the coming days.

"The hike is very important because of global economic uncertainty," he added, referring to a sell-off on emerging markets this month that has sent Jakarta stocks and the rupiah plummeting.

Vice-President Boediono urged citizens to "stay calm" and not hoard fuel, as reports emerged that people were starting to stockpile subsidised petrol before the price rockets.

Police in West Java and Lampung provinces seized thousands of litres of fuel allegedly bought in anticipation of a price hike and detained several people, while state energy firm Pertamina said sales had increased three to four per cent in recent days.

The price of fuel is expected to increase on average 33 per cent, with petrol jumping from from 4,500 rupiah ($A0.47) a litre to 6,500 rupiah, and diesel from 4,500 rupiah to 5,500.

Following a marathon parliamentary session on Monday, MPs agreed on a revised budget that included a package of measures to compensate the millions of poor people likely to be hit hardest.

Poor households will receive $15 a month each for the next four months to offset the impact of the fuel hike, which is expected to cause the cost of everyday goods to go up as they will be more expensive to transport.

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Nazi war crimes suspect charged in Hungary

TOP Nazi war crimes suspect Laszlo Csatary, accused of overseeing thousands of Jewish deportations during World War II, has been charged with war crimes in Hungary, prosectors say.

The 98-year-old, under house arrest since last year after apparently living for years undisturbed in Hungary, is listed by the Wiesenthal Centre as its most-wanted alleged Nazi war criminal.

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