Bahrain 'man dead after police shooting'

Shining spotlight on Salvos abuse

THE cover-up by the Salvation Army of the abuse of children at its boys' homes and orphanages will be investigated by royal commission.

Emotions high at fatal shooting

"COME ON, I'll take you all on," screamed a man at the police cordon as he arrived at Sydney's latest fatal shooting yesterday.

The Great Australian Dream intact

SYDNEYSIDERS refuse to let go of the great Aussie home ownership dream, with the desire for a house and backyard stronger than ever.

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Uni students want more say on services

STUDENTS still aren't getting enough say in how their money is spent on university services but their union is hopeful that will improve.

A National Union of Students (NUS) report finds the funding situation at three-quarters of student organisations has improved since the introduction of the student services and amenities fee (SSAF) two years ago.

But less than one in four organisations said they'd recommend their university's method of consulting on how to spend the money in 2013.

This was a big drop from the previous year.

As well, only four out of the 31 student organisations surveyed said they got more than half the SSAF money their university collected.

NUS president Deanna Taylor said the guidelines around student consultation on how to spend the money were not clear.

Many universities were putting together committees to decide on spending SSAF funds that were stacked with university representatives at the expense of students.

Other concerns were the lack of transparency and clear timetables for consultation.

"We need students to be having a very loud and clear voice in how their money is spent so that we make sure it goes to what they want it spent on and they get the most out of the fee," she told AAP.

"We just need to keep reminding universities to engage in meaningful consultation and to respect the wishes of student representatives."

But she was hopeful new guidelines starting in 2014 would improve the situation.

The $273 annual services and amenities fee was instituted in 2012.

It can only be spent on certain campus services, not including political causes, and can be added to a student's HECS-HELP debt.

The NUS found the most common student-run services funded were student newspapers, advocacy services, sporting and non-sporting clubs, concerts, and university diaries.

The most common services jointly run by students and universities were orientation activities, international student support, welfare, and bookshops.

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Political unrest unsettles Aus sharemarket

Shining spotlight on Salvos abuse

THE cover-up by the Salvation Army of the abuse of children at its boys' homes and orphanages will be investigated by royal commission.

Emotions high at fatal shooting

"COME ON, I'll take you all on," screamed a man at the police cordon as he arrived at Sydney's latest fatal shooting yesterday.

The Great Australian Dream intact

SYDNEYSIDERS refuse to let go of the great Aussie home ownership dream, with the desire for a house and backyard stronger than ever.

23.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Luminaries speak and Sydney sky lights up

MARIE Bashir has given her final Australia Day address as governor of NSW in a ceremony marking the end of official Sydney festivities for the national holiday.

Tens of thousands of spectators packed Darling Harbour on Sunday night to watch the day's celebrations peak with a dazzling fireworks display.

Professor Bashir, who is set to retire in September, sailed into Cockle Bay aboard the Admiral's Barge before taking a lap of honour in front of cheering children waving Australian flags.

She told the crowd Australia Day was an opportunity to rejoice and give thanks but also to commit to helping those who were doing it tough.

"We should not slip into complacency, for there is still much to do to address the challenges of those who need our additional support: the marginalised, those who are coping with poverty," Prof Bashir said.

"As we have done in the past, we should meet those challenges with joy and with success."

Indigenous footballer Adam Goodes, who on Saturday was named 2014 Australian of the Year for his leadership in the fight against racism, delivered a video address.

The 34-year-old spoke about the hard work, discipline and sacrifice it took for him to go from country kid to AFL superstar and said he hoped others could follow in his footsteps.

"I was shy growing up. I've learnt over time, and a large part of that learning is about standing up for things I believe in," Goodes said.

"I really hope people are inspired and find the courage to stand up for themselves in the way that I was able to do."

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NT police search for boy taken by croc

A crocodile is believed to have taken a 12-year-old boy missing from a Northern Territory billabong. Source: AAP

A CROCODILE is believed to have taken a 12-year-old boy missing from a Northern Territory billabong.

Another boy, also 12, swimming in the billabong was bitten by a crocodile, police say.

Police and Park Rangers are conducting a search and rescue mission by land and boat after being alerted to the incident at Kakadu National Park on Sunday afternoon.

Acting Commander Michael White said police believed the missing boy was taken by a crocodile as he and a number of other young boys were swimming in the billabong.

"One other boy, also aged 12, was bitten on the arm by the crocodile and has received medical treatment from attending St John Ambulance members," Mr White said.

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Richie, Cyrus perform at Clive Davis gala

JOHN Fogerty performed with the Foo Fighters and Jennifer Hudson. R. Kelly debuted a tribal song in tribute to Nelson Mandela. And Miley Cyrus basically called the audience old.

Clive Davis' annual pre-Grammy gala drew stars who are set to shine at the Grammy Awards on Sunday in the US and featured performances from musical dynamos including Lionel Richie and newcomers such as Lorde and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis.

Neil Diamond, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Metallica, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Rod Stewart were among the A-listers who attended the Beverly Hilton for the four-hour event.

Cyrus opened her set with the upbeat Get It Right, which didn't earn a rousing applause.

"I hope y'all feel better than y'all look," said Cyrus, sporting a mini-dress under her fluffy coat.

"Maybe this song is better for this crowd," she said before performing Dolly Parton's Jolene, which earned the 21-year-old a louder applause.

Robin Thicke had the night's funniest moment when he sang Blurred Lines with Pharrell Williams and T.I., who danced happily onstage. Even Jane Fonda danced along.

Most of the performers impressed: Thicke and wife Paula Patton stood up the entire time Fogerty killed on the guitar; Richie got the crowd up during Easy and All Night Long (All Night); and R. Kelly was backed up by African dancers, a drummer and a choir.

Celebrities mixed and mingled: Swift's table included R&B singer Tyrese; Gloria Estefan sat with Cyndi Lauper and the Osbournes; and Alicia Key hung out with Jamie Foxx.

The crowd sang happy birthday to Keys, who celebrated her 34th birthday on Saturday.

Davis, 81, closed the night with videos of performances of Whitney Houston.

"We all know that Whitney was the greatest contemporary singer in the world," said Davis, who discovered Houston and launched her career at his annual pre-Grammy gala.

"I don't want the world to forget that, and I don't know anyone in this room to forget that."

Houston died the night before the 2012 Grammy Awards.

The 56th annual Grammy Awards will air live from the Staples Center on Fox8 with the red carpet arrivals at 10am.

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Vic woman dies in festival accident

POLICE are investigating the death of a woman in a tent at a festival campground in Victoria's north.

Police say a man is helping with their inquires after the Major Collision Investigation Unit were called to the scene to investigate whether the death of the 35-year-old woman from Yarraville.

MCIU Detective Inspector Bernie Rankin says a large number of people had attended the festival on the private property near Rochester, 180 kilometres north of Melbourne, and most had camped for the night.

Det Insp Rankin said the woman had suffered a fair degree of trauma.

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Salvo homes subject to inquiry

Shining spotlight on Salvos abuse

THE cover-up by the Salvation Army of the abuse of children at its boys' homes and orphanages will be investigated by royal commission.

Emotions high at fatal shooting

"COME ON, I'll take you all on," screamed a man at the police cordon as he arrived at Sydney's latest fatal shooting yesterday.

The Great Australian Dream intact

SYDNEYSIDERS refuse to let go of the great Aussie home ownership dream, with the desire for a house and backyard stronger than ever.

23.41 | 0 komentar | Read More