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Man taken off boat by croc

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 07 Juni 2014 | 21.51

A large saltwater crocodile showing aggression. Source: News Corp Australia

A MAN has been taken off a boat by a crocodile in Kakadu National Park this afternoon.

The 52 -year-old male was at Cooinda when he was attacked by a crocodile and dragged into the water about 5pm.

Police and park rangers are working to find the man.

Police confirmed the man had been on a boat at the time of the attack.

READ: LOCAL WADES INTO CROC WATER HOURS BEFORE ATTACK

Duty Superintendent Bob Harrison said the man is believed to have been with his wife, son and daughter-in-law and they may have witnessed the attack.

Police hold grave fears for the man's safety.

Minister for Parks and Wildlife Bess Price said her thoughts are with the family and friends at this time, as well as the NT police and park rangers who are undertaking the search and investigation.

READ: HUMAN REMAINS OF BOY FOUND IN JABIRU

A 12-year-old Indigenous boy died in January after being attacked by a crocodile in Kakadu National Park.

Authorities found human remains near where the boy had been swimming with friends in a billabong west of Jabiru.

Another 15-year-old boy had been bitten but was released during the attack.

L IST OF CROC ATTACKS

JANUARY 26, 2014: A 12-year-old boy goes missing after he was taken by a crocodile while swimming behind Mudginberri outstation about 20km west of Jabiru. Another boy, 15, was bitten on the arm but escaped.

AUGUST 24, 2013: A crocodile killed a 26-year-old man while swimming in the Mary River near the Mary River Wilderness Retreat, about halfway between Darwin and Kakadu National Park.

DECEMBER 1, 2012: A 4m crocodile killed a nine-year-old boy who was swimming with friends at a Territory beach at Port Bradshaw near Dhania outstation, 100km south of Nhulunbuy.

NOVEMBER 16, 2012: A 3m crocodile killed a seven-year-old girl who was swimming at a waterhole at Gumarrirnbang outstation about 110km southwest of Maningrida.

FEBRUARY 20, 2011: A crocodile killed a 14-year-old boy playing in a creek with his brothers in Milingimbi 450km east of Darwin.

APRIL 2009: Father-of-two Keith Parry, 20, was killed by a 4m croc while trying to swim across the Daly River, south of Darwin.

MARCH 2009: 11-year-old Briony Goodsell was killed at Black Jungle Swamp at Lambells Lagoon in Darwin's rural area while swimming with her sister and two friends.

JULY 2006: A 5m crocodile killed an eight-year-old girl as she fished with her family on the Blythe River.

SEPTEMBER 2005: Darwin man Russell Butel, 55, was killed off the Cobourg Peninsula, while diving with a mate in Trepang Bay.

SEPTEMBER 2005: A 4m croc killed Russell Harris, 37, while he snorkelled off Groote Eylandt in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

DECEMBER 2003: A 4m croc killed Brett Mann, 22, while he cleaned his quad bike in the Finniss River, 100km south of Darwin. His two friends spent 22 hours up a tree waiting to be rescued while the croc stalked them below.

OCTOBER 22, 2002: Isabel von Jordan, a 24-year-old student from Germany, was killed by a 5m saltwater crocodile in Kakadu National Park's Sandy Creek billabong while swimming with a group of tourists.

DECEMBER 23, 1998: Peter Munkara, 34, an artist from Melville Island, was found near the island's Paru boat ramp with crocodile bite marks on his body.

AUGUST 7, 1998: The body of a man in his 20s was found in the Roper River, 500km southeast of Darwin.

DECEMBER 13, 1997: A man was killed trying to swim across the Daly River, 230km south of Darwin.

MAY 11, 1990: Albert Juzelionas, 43, a Jabiru Telecom worker, was killed while swimming off Groote Eylandt.

OCTOBER 1988: Alex Bururru, 25, of Maningrida, was killed in Cato River near Nhulunbuy, NT.

MARCH 17, 1987: Kerry McLoughlin, 40, a Jabiru storeman, was decapitated by a 5.1m crocodile while wading at Cahills Crossing on the East Alligator River in Kakadu. He threw a beer can at its head to try to escape.


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The great divide that’s killing us

More doctors needed ... a lack of medical services is leading to a greater number of deaths in Australia's rural areas. Picture: Thinkstock Source: ThinkStock

THE massive divide in health resources between our cities and rural areas is extracting a deadly toll — if you live in the bush you'll die two and a half years earlier.

Hundreds of millions spent on GP incentive payments, scholarships and mandatory work requirements to attract doctors to the bush have made little difference to health outcomes.

A News Corp Australia investigation has found up to ten per cent of Australia's cancer patients die earlier than they should simply because they live in the bush.

Rural residents are more likely to have, cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

They are more likely to smoke, be obese, and have high cholesterol but they wait longer to see a doctor and are less likely to be bulk billed.

The National Rural Health Alliance has quantified the cost of the health inequity at $2.4 billion a year.

Rural residents get 12.6 million fewer Medicare services, 11 million fewer prescription medicines and $800 million a year less dental and allied health care.

As a result they are 30 per cent more likely to end up in hospital as a result of an avoidable cause than people living in cities.

This inequity in spending and services has a calamitous human impact that is cutting short the lives of those who life outside our capital cities.

Data from the National Health Performance Authority shows the life expectancy of someone who lives in a major city and 82.8 years. If you live in the bush it's nearly two and a half years less at 80.4 years.

Better system required ... Millicent Wells is a fourth year Adelaide University medical student is off to do a placement in Port Lincoln later this year. Picture: Bianca De Marchi Source: News Limited

Rural Doctors Association president Dr Ian Kamerman says city residents who have bulk billing GP clinics on their suburban corners, hospitals and imaging services within a few kilometres drive have no idea how difficult just getting a diagnosis is in the bush.

Some rural residents have to wait up to six weeks just to get in to see their GP, he says.

The doctor will order some tests but a shortage of sonographers means a wait of up to a month for an ultra sound.

If an MRI or a CAT scan is needed the patient may have to travel to another town and also face a wait of around a month.

In any of Australia's major cities you can get to a hospital outpatient clinic and see a specialist for free in the bush you'd have to travel to a major city or pay a $200 gap to see a private specialist.

Some of the of the cost of travel and accommodation to a major city will be reimbursed by various state government assisted travel schemes.

Then, if they have a cancer diagnosis patients face the prospect of leaving their farms and their families for weeks at a time to obtain radiotherapy treatment in a major city.

"I have patients who say they couldn't do that they couldn't be away from home," Dr Kamerman says.

Life expectancy drops ... without better medical assistance. Picture: Thinkstock Source: ThinkStock

'They end up having less effective treatment, they have poorer outcomes," he says.

In Queensland 1998-2007 a study estimated that 470 (eight per cent) premature deaths due to colorectal cancer and 170 (seven per cent) premature deaths due to breast cancer could be attributed to the fact the patient lived in a rural area.

A Medical Journal Australia article this month found men living in rural areas had a poorer survival rate from prostate cancer and ten per cent or 709 deaths " could have been avoided if the urban-rural disparity was eliminated" 1992-2007.

INCENTIVES FAIL, ONE DOCTOR TO THE BUSH IN NINE YEARS

Governments have poured $5.2 billion into fixing the rural health crisis since in the last 15 years but improvements have been slow.

Despite a scheme forcing foreign doctors to work in the bush and more than 50 expensive incentive schemes to keep doctors in rural towns there are half as many medical practitioners per 1,000 population in the country compared to the city.

Governments have set up new rural medical schools and encouraged rural students to train in medicine in the hope they may be more likely to stay in the bush when they graduate.

However, still more than 40 per cent of doctors working in rural areas are foreign trained.

A bonded medical scheme that paid scholarships to 25 per cent of medical students to boost the rural workforce has delivered just one new doctor to the bush after nine years, three other students bought their way out of their obligation.

A telehealth system introduced by the previous Labor government that pays specialists who consult with patients in rural areas via video consultations over the internet has helped 40,000 patients and delivered 71,000 services in 2012-13.

However the program is underperforming, with just one fifth of the forecast money spent in 2012-13 and only 12 per cent of the nation's specialists taking part in the scheme.

The Rural Health Alliance says problems accessing fast internet speeds in the bush is a major issue for the program.

Rural Doctors Association president Dr Ian Kamerman says' the May budget will make matters worse for the bush because it has "multiple arrows hitting the same target — GPs".

When medical courses triple in cost graduates won't work in the budget because they won't earn enough to pay off their debt, low income country patients will find it harder to pay the $7 GP fee and the closure and other changes will make it less attractive to take on GP registrars in the bush.

Rural Health Alliance's Gordon Gregory says it is time to move away from the fee for service model for practices in more remote rural areas and pay doctors that work there a salary.

This model is used in Queensland with doctors receiving a salary from the state government but also given the right to practice privately to earn extra income.

A Grattan Institute report last year said the solution to the crisis is to allow pharmacists in the bush write repeat prescriptions for a drug the doctor has already prescribed and deliver vaccinations.

It also suggests producing an army of three year trained physician assistants who, working under a GP, could order blood tests, X-rays and write prescriptions to ease the rural workforce shortage.


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Top cop flags civilian roles for WA police beat

A Police Community Support Officer in London. Photo: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

CIVILIANS could be put on the frontline to walk the beat under a proposal that one of WA's top cops says needs to be looked at.

Documents obtained by The Sunday Times reveal that Deputy Police Commissioner Stephen Brown wants the force to consider introducing Police Community Support Officers, which do not have powers of arrest.

It's just one of the ideas Mr Brown brought back from a study trip to the UK in advance of Frontline 2020, the major reform program to make the force "leaner" and operate "more efficiently" as WA's population swells.

The Sunday Times obtained Mr Brown's comprehensive notes, in the form of emails, from his meetings last year with officials and senior officers across England.

They show British cops raved about the value of PCSOs and told him they were "the face of policing" and "the community love them".

Deputy Police Commissioner Stephen Brown Source: Supplied

In one email, Mr Brown – considered one of the favourites to become the next Police Commissioner – writes "we really need to look at this model of PCSO". The force's head of operations then asks: "Would we convert our auxiliary officers into PCSOs?"

WA Police's auxiliary officers currently only support officers with backroom functions, such as custody and forensics.

The PCSOs in the UK were mocked as "plastic policemen" when introduced more than a decade ago, but there are now more than 15,000 of them. PCSOs wear similar uniforms to police, but are civilian staff with only limited powers, such as issuing fines for minor infringements.

They get less training and pay than regular officers, but their foot patrols on the frontline free up police time and provide a highly visible presence on the streets.

In his notes, Mr Brown says Britons have accepted the need for belt-tightening, but warns that too many West Australians still think the "economy is booming". He also says some in the force won't "be able to cope" with the overhaul needed to take policing into the future.

Other UK initiatives raised by the Deputy Commissioner in his notes include:

BETTER use of mobile technology, such as body-worn cameras, to keep officers on the street.

OUTSOURCING some functions such as holding cells and call handling to the private sector.

RATIONALISING the police estate through station closures and relocations.

He told The Sunday Times: "Community Support Officers have proven successful in other jurisdictions and may prove an additional resource to frontline officers."

But he said WA Police was not "currently" considering introducing this measure as part of Frontline 2020. He pointed to the Kimberley, where the force recently introduced community liaison officers who have limited powers and work with agencies on social issues.

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Man escapes Serco guard in Perth

AUTHORITIES are searching for a Vietnamese man who escaped Serco guards at Perth Airport this morning.

AUTHORITIES are searching for a Vietnamese man who escaped Serco guards at Perth Airport this morning.

A five-hour search involving officers from the Australian Federal Police, WA Police from the Kensington, Belmont and Cannington stations and the dog squad failed to locate the missing man.

An AFP spokeswoman said the man escaped while under escort in the international departures terminal.

A spokesman for Immigration and Border Protection Minister Scott Morrison confirmed the man was still on the run. However, the spokesman would not say why the man was being deported.

"At about 9.15am local time a Vietnamese national absconded while on escort at the departures check-in area within the Perth International Airport," he said about 6pm.

"AFP and WA Police were advised and police assisted Serco in the search for the individual. The man has yet to be located.

"Efforts to relocate the individual will continue to be made by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection."

The spokesman said the man was "an illegal maritime arrival".

Serco last night referred all inquiries to the department.

At about 2pm, Kensington Police tweeted: "Sorry 4 the lack of tweets 2day. Kenso, @BelmontPol and @CanningtonPol assisting with a five hour search. Can't disclose too much right now".

The escape was the latest in a spate of embarrassing blunders by Serco.

Two maximum-security prisoners, including a violent rapist, kicked their way out of a prison van at Geraldton Airport on January 3.

The escape prompted a 36-hour manhunt, which resulted in the private contractor having to pay more than $720,000 towards the search and an upgrade to its prison van fleet.

The high-profile incident prompted the WA Prison Officers' Union to call for Serco to be stripped of its prisoner transport contract.

The Opposition also called for Corrective Services Minister Joe Francis to be dumped from the portfolio because of "his appalling management and string of failures".

At the time, Mr Francis said he had had a "very open, firm and frank" conversation with the company's Asia Pacific boss where he said Serco should foot the bill for the massive manhunt.

Two weeks later, a dangerous prisoner escaped from Serco's custody while being treated at Joondalup Health Campus.

And just a few days later, a Vietnamese detainee, under the watch of Serco guards, escaped while receiving medical treatment at Royal Perth Hospital, leading police on a two-hour manhunt across the CBD.

Last month, Serco was embroiled in another embarrassing escape when a convicted armed robber slipped away from two guards during a routine hospital visit.

Darren John Goldsworthy, 22, was handcuffed but still managed to outrun Serco staff, who had escorted to a radiology appointment at Royal Perth Hospital.

Goldsworthy was arrested about an hour later.


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Abbott’s D-day with heroes and royals

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 06 Juni 2014 | 21.51

Six Aust WWII veterans have been awarded France's highest honour at 70th anniversary D-Day commemorations.

TONY Abbott joined seven Australian veterans who fought in the D-day landings to pay respects to their former comrades who fell in battle 70 years ago.

The Prime Minister walked with 92 year old Stuart "Snow" Davis through the Bayeux Cemetery, pausing at two graves of the 14 Australians buried there.

They laid small plywood crosses made by schoolchildren at the Australian War Memorial at the graves of Flight Sergeant Malcolm Robert Burgess and Pilot Officer Roland Gilbert Ward.

Robert Ward, from Queensland, and Malcolm Burgess, from Sydney, both died in the Omaha Beach landing in the Allied invasion of Normandy.

The 70th anniversary of the largest seaborne invasion in history is likely to be last that many veterans can attend.

Paying respects ... Prime Minister Tony Abbott places a cross at the grave site of Flight sergeant M.R. Burgess while attending the 70th anniversary of D-Day in Bayeux, Normandy. Picture: Jake Nowakowski Source: News Corp Australia

Six of the Australian veterans were awarded the French Legion of Honour during their visit to France to take part in the historic commemorations.

Bayeux is the largest British cemetery of the Second World War, with over 4,500 soldiers buried there.

Mr Abbott led the Australian veterans through the cemetery after attending the Royal British Legion and British Defence Ministry Service at the Bayeux Cathedral.

On foot ... Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott arrives at Bayeaux, Normandy for the 70th anniversary of D-day. Picture: Jake Nowakowski Source: News Corp Australia

The seven Australians were among about 3000 veterans who took part in the commemorations in Normandy that included reactions of landings and parachute drops.

In a day of formal commemorations, Mr Abbott joined leaders including UK prime minister David Cameron and the Queen in Commonwealth ceremonies.

He was later due to attend a lunch with 17 other leaders at the 18th century Chateau de Benouville.

Honouring the fallen ... Prime Minister Tony Abbott pays his respects at the graves of two Australian RAAF personnel during his visit to the 70th anniversary of D-Day in Bayeux, Normandy. Pic: Jake Nowakowski Source: News Corp Australia

The lunch was set to be a tense affair, with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's president-elect Petro Poroshenko to sit around the same table for the first time since Moscow annexed Crimea.

All leaders were due to attend an international ceremony at one of the landing sites at Sword Beach.

D-day heroes ... Australian veterans arrive Bayeaux for The 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Photo: Jake Nowakowski Source: News Corp Australia

Leaders from countries that were once opposing sides of the war took part in the solemn day's events, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel joining others including US President Barack and French President Francois Hollande to mark the sacrifice of soldiers on D-day.

Mixing with the royals ... Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, British Prime Minister David Cameron and French Prime minister Manuel Valls walk in Bayeux, Normandy. Source: AFP

Mr Abbott said the battle that led to the defeat of Nazi Germany should be remembered as one that changed the course of history for the better.

"D-day was a day that changed the world," Mr Abbott said.

Meeting HRH ... Prime Minister Tony Abbott meeting the Queen at the Queen's Birthday Tea Party in Paris. Picture: Josh Wilson Source: News Corp Australia

"It was the beginning of the liberation of Europe and it helped to set up a post war world which for all of its difficulties and problems has been unprecedented in terms of the prosperity of humanity and the freedom of humanity."

"It is very important that we honour the people who did so much to make this possible."

Up to 2,500 Australians participated in the D-day landings, mainly flying missions in Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force Squadrons.

Eighteen Australians died in the battle, including the airmen killed during the night, according to the Australian War Memorial.

Mr Abbott will also visit Australian war memorials from World War I at Pozieres and Villers-Bretonneux.

After arriving in Paris, the Prime Minister attended a garden party with the Queen at the British embassy to celebrate the monarch's birthday.

Describing the Queen as "a remarkable woman", Mr Abbott said she provided "a sign of the continuity and stability in our national life and a sign of the continuity and the stability that the United Kingdom has brought to the wider world."

Barack Obama has paid tribute to the men who breached 'Hitler's Wall' to liberate Europe on D-Day.

OBAMA AND HOLLANDE HONOUR TROOPS ON D-DAY

President Barack Obama said "the tide was turned in that common struggle for freedom" on D-Day and now lives on in a new generation.

"America's claim - our commitment to liberty, to equality, to freedom, to the inherent dignity of every human being - that claim is written in blood on these beaches, and it will endure for eternity," Obama said in remarks prepared for delivery on a morning that dawned glorious and bright over the sacred site he called "democracy's beachhead."

Obama spoke from the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, where nearly 10,000 white marble tombstones sit on a bluff overlooking the site of the June 6, 1944, battle's most violent fighting at Omaha Beach. He described D-Day's violent scene in vivid terms, recalling that "by daybreak, blood soaked the water" and "thousands of rounds bit into flesh and sand."

Honouring troops ... US President Barack Obama speaks with a US veteran during a joint French-US D-Day commemoration ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-mer, Normandy. Picture: Damian Meyer Source: AFP

"We come to remember why America and our allies gave so much for the survival of liberty at its moment of maximum peril," Obama said. "And we come to tell the story of the men and women who did it, so that it remains seared into the memory of the future world."

Obama's speech at the morning ceremony came after he met privately with some of the dwindling number of surviving troops who fought Adolf Hitler's Third Reich, along with those who have served since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

He told the D-Day veterans, "Your legacy is in good hands."

The president mentioned that his grandfather served in Patton's Army and his grandmother was among the many women who went to work supporting the war effort back home, in her case on a B-29 bomber assembly line.

Coming together ... US President Barack Obama and French President Francois Hollande stand during a joint French-US D-Day commemoration ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. Picture: Damian Meyer Source: AFP

Obama also singled out from the audience Sgt. 1st Class Cory Remsburg, an Army Ranger who served 10 deployments and was severely wounded by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. Obama recognized Remsburg at the emotional high-point of his State of the Union address earlier this year, after first meeting him five years ago at the Normandy commemoration. The two reunited Friday as Obama met with veterans at Omaha Beach before his speech.

"For in a time when it has never been more tempting to pursue narrow self-interest and slough off common endeavor, this generation of Americans, our men and women of war, have chosen to do their part as well," Obama said.

never forgotten ... US President Barack Obama stands with US veterans during a joint French-US D-Day commemoration ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. Picture: Damian Meyer Source: AFP

"And someday, future generations, whether seventy or seven hundred years hence, will gather at places like this to honor them - and to say that these were generations of men and women who proved once again that the United States of America is and will remain the greatest force for freedom the world has ever known," Obama said.

France will never forget what it owes the United States for the role American forces played in liberating the country from the Nazis, President Francois Hollande said.

"We celebrated today a memorable date in our history where our two peoples came together in the same fight for liberty," Hollande said in a speech at the American cemetery at Omaha Beach on the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings


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Saba’s parents 'massively relieved’

Saba Button pictured in her bed at home with parents Mick and Kirsten. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Limited

THE parents of a WA girl who has been awarded millions in damages after a defective flu jab left her severely disabled say they it's a "massive relief" the legal battle is over.

Mick and Kirsten Button's daughter Saba was just 11 months old when she received the Fluvax shot in April 2010.

The then toddler suffered a hypoxic brain injury, kidney, liver and bone marrow failure. She can now no longer walk and talk and needs round-the-clock care.

Three days after Saba was admitted at Princess Margaret Hospital, Fluvax was recalled. It is now banned for children under five.

Her parents launched legal action against the vaccine's manufacturer CSL which then launched a cross-claim against the State of WA and the Minister for Health.

Today the Federal Court of Australia approved a settlement which had been reached between the parties. While the details of the payout have been sealed, legal experts have previously said it could be more than $10 million.

Saba Button with her mum Kirsten. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper. Source: News Limited

Speaking at their Scarborough home today, the Buttons said they were pleased they could not put the legal battle behind them and move forward with Saba's treatment.

"I suppose today is a bittersweet feeling for us," Mr Button said. "It's a relief to have the legal case behind us but we now have the ability to supply Saba with the care, therapy, the equipment, all the things she needs to give her the best quality of life we can.

"She is an amazingly strong little girl who is inspiring us every day.

"Again we would like to thank all our family and friends who have helped us through the last four years. It's been a long, tough road, so we certainly couldn't have done this without them.

"But this doesn't just stop now. Once all the cameras are gone we're back to business and we have a lot do with Saba."

The now five-year-old will need extensive therapy for the rest of her life.

Mrs Button said it was relief knowing they can now afford to give their daughter the best care possible.

But, she said, they were realistic about what it could achieve.

"Saba cannot be left alone," Mrs Button said.

Saba Button with parents Mick and Kirsten at their Scarborough home. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper. Source: News Limited

"By not having those other pressures on us makes it easier and having the funds there now to access and support that we need is amazing. And not just once or twice a week, every day.

"We are realistic as well with Saba that we are just looking for those one percenters, but they are huge for Saba if she achieves those things."

In the claim the Button's alleged Fluvax was defective after testing conducted by the company prior to April 2010 identified fever as a serious side effect of the 2010 batch.

However the company denied liability then filed a cross-claim against the State of WA and the Health Minister. In return the State of WA filed a defence to the cross claim denying any liability.

Settlement was reached between CSL, the State of WA and the family during recent mediation.

Today, Justice Michael Barker agreed to allow the settlement to proceed.

Mick and Kirsten Button with daughter Saba and son Cooper. Picture: Karin Calvert Source: News Limited

"Her life expectancy has been significant shortened," he said. "Her disabilities are profound and permanent. She will require constant care for the remainder of her life."

He also said he was pleased the parties reached the agreement saving the youngster and her parents the cost and stress of a lengthy trial.

Health Minister Kim Hames today issued a statement following the settlement saying he was please the matter was over and that he wished the Button family well.

After Saba was admitted to hospital in 2010, it emerged there had been more than 100 adverse reaction presentations to the vaccination at PMH that flu season.

But this information wasn't passed on to the general public until after Saba was in the intensive-care unit.

An independent inquiry found "serious deficiency'' in reporting processes and slow responses by both state and federal authorities.

It also concluded the Department of Health's Communicable Disease Control Directorate was "informed of a significant rise in adverse reactions in early April 2010, but did not take any further action while they gathered data''.

In 2012, the federal Health Department's Therapeutic Goods Administration released data revealing Fluvax was four times more likely to trigger side-effects in adults than two rival vaccines.


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Nine years’ jail for drug mule con

Justice John McKechnie. Source: News Corp Australia

A CANADIAN man has been sentenced to nine years in jail after admitting to an elaborate con that involved duping a Perth couple into becoming drug mules.

The woman in her 60s and man in his 70s were told they had won an all-expenses-paid trip to Canada, including new luggage.

But when they returned from the seven-day holiday in October 2013, customs officers found several kilograms of methamphetamine worth an estimated $11.5 million hidden in the lining of the luggage.

Farbod Ahmadi, 38, pleaded guilty in Perth's Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on Friday to importing a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug.

The court heard Ahmadi developed an opiate addiction after an injury and racked up $60,000 in debt as a result.

He agreed to take part in the scam to pay it off and was promised $10,000 for every suitcase he brought into Perth.

But his victims became suspicious of the suitcases and told customs on arrival in the West Australian capital.

They called police, who had to chase an agitated Ahmadi — who was waiting for the suitcases at Perth Airport — after he tried to flee.

Ahmadi's defence lawyer told the court he had admitted his guilt in interviews with police and was remorseful for his crime.

She said the fact Ahmadi was running showed he was "by no means a cool, calm criminal" and at the bottom of the drug trade hierarchy.

But Justice John McKechnie disagreed, saying he was instrumental to the operation and took part in the scam for financial gain.

The prosecutor said Ahmadi was complicit in a plot that put the victims at great risk, especially considering they travelled through Hong Kong, where drug penalties are harsh.

"It makes the blood run cold to think of what might have happened," Justice McKechnie said.

Ahmadi will be eligible for parole after serving five years in jail.


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Register breeders, stop puppy farms

Opposition leader Mark McGowan is calling for a puppy breeder register to oust dodgy dealers from the industry. Source: News Corp Australia

WEST Australian Opposition Leader Mark McGowan is calling for the immediate introduction of a puppy breeder register to drive out dodgy dog dealers.

His comments come after Katherine Lisa King, 43, was found guilty of three animal cruelty charges yesterday for keeping a dozen dogs in an underground bunker at her South Doodlakine property.

• ROGUE BREEDER FINED $11,000, BANNED

The RSPCA rescue puppies from a bunker on a Wheatbelt property. Breeder Katherine King was fined $11,000 over the cruel puppy farm and banned from the industry.

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Siege over: Gunman Clavell dead

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 05 Juni 2014 | 21.51

All the news you need to know.

Police have cordoned off parts of Adelaide's CBD where wanted man Rodney Clavell is believed to be hiding.

Fugitive Rodney Clavell, taken from girlfriend Samantha Farrer's Facebook page Source: Supplied

FUGITIVE Rodney Clavell has been found dead following a 13-hour siege.

South Australia's Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Dickson told a media conference police sent a robot into the building he had been in at 12.55pm (SA time) and discovered what was thought to be Clavell's dead body. Shortly later police entered the building and confirmed the death at 1.40pm.

It brought an end to the siege that had paralysed central Adelaide but Asst Commissioner Dickson said it was not the outcome police wanted.

"It didn't work out the way we hoped."

Clavell stayed at the business, an adult services agency called Marilyns Studio, last night but it's not known if he had been there before.

He revealed Clavell had committed other "serious" offences while he had been on the run, including an incident on May 25 in Elizabeth Park in which a woman was assaulted and Clavell was in possession of a shotgun.

Rodney Clavell Siege - Picture Tom Huntley Source: Supplied

Rodney Clavell hostage. Picture Tom Huntley Source: News Corp Australia

Police also believe he had committed other offences over the past 14 days.

While he was found alone and in possession of a firearm police have stopped short of saying he took his own life.

An investigation had begun as it was now considered a death in custody.

The four women that had been in the building had a "harrowing" experience.

"I think we can all say that the four females who were in that premises had a fairly harrowing experience ... All of that information will come out once we've had a chance to talk to these ladies."

It is understood one of the women had previously worked with Clavell.

Police took necessary action to protect the community.

"There's always a risk to the community, when you have a man that we believe was armed.

He was operating out of the normal community's expectations … All of those reasons are the reasons why we acted as we did.

"Mr Clavell was in those premises and there was a firearm within those premises. We have always treated this incident as what we refer to as high risk.

5.6.2014. Scene of King William St siege where wanted fugitive Rodney Clavell has been holding four women against their will.The third hostage is released. Pic tait schmaal. Source: News Corp Australia

Rodney Clavell Siege - Picture Tom Huntley Source: Supplied

Police vehicles that had surrounded the building have now left and traffic is now moving through city streets that had been cordoned off all day.

Asst Commissioner Dickson said they had been communicating with Clavell through a third party.

Officers had asked relatives to speak to Clavell earlier today but at least one is understood to have refused to co-operate.

Earlier, four women emerged from the building where Clavell has been holed up since 1am (1:30am AEST).

In dramatic scenes, the hostages exited the premises with their hands in the air as gun-toting officers escorted them to safety.

One of the women was so distressed on release that she collapsed to the ground.

Police Superintendent Peter Harvey said the women were safe and uninjured. "The last person was visibly upset, and our indications are she's not hurt but very emotional as you can understand," he said.

LIVE BLOG: ROLLING UPDATES HERE

Rodney Clavell - Facebook Picture Source: News Corp Australia

Detective Superintendent Peter Harvey briefs the media. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Moments before their release a female police negotiator was seen talking on the phone nearby.

Police had been urging him to give up all day. A negotiator had been heard saying: "It's been a long day, a long night. You may feel a bit down but don't forget, there are people to help you.

The events came after a close associate of Clavell told The Advertiser's Nigel Hunt that the fugitive is armed with a .22 rifle and a cache of ammunition and has vowed to kill police if cornered.

"He thinks they have it in for him, he will take police out,'' she said. "He knows he won't survive this alive today."

Press conference with Paul Dickson after Rodney Clavell was found deceased. Pic. Noelle Bobrige Source: News Corp Australia

Rodney Clavell siege in the city. Source: News Corp Australia

Much of the city has gone into lockdown. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia

Supt Harvey said he was aware of Clavell's previous violent encounter with police and wanted him to know they wouldn't hurt him.

"From Rodney's point of view I know his history and police can sympathise which is why we're trying to be as open as we can.

The council of small business of Australia executive director Peter Strong told Adelaide radio station 5AA that many small businesses in the cordoned off area would be feeling its effects.

Mr Strong said cash was king when it came to small business which would be hit hard by having no cash flow. He urged residents and consumers to help them out with workers including taxi drivers and couriers also affected.

Clavell, 46, was being sought for breaching a firearms prohibition order and illegal use of motor vehicles and has been on the run for the past two weeks.

Supt Harvey used media to appeal directly to Clavell to give himself up and to release the people he had with him.

Picture: Tom Huntley Source: News Corp Australia

Scene of King William St siege where wanted fugitive Rodney Clavell was holed up. Source: News Corp Australia

In the past fortnight, police have conducted more than 80 raids in the hunt for South Australia's most wanted fugitive, but up until now he has evaded capture.

The ex-prison guard first captured headlines back in 2004, when he was shot twice and tasered by police snipers following a massive manhunt in the Adelaide Hills.

He was armed with a shotgun and drove a 12-tonne road grader during the chase, The Advertiser reported. Clavell earned four years in prison for the daring crime.

Just four years later, he was involved in a lengthy riot at Port Augusta prison.

He was acquitted earlier this year of a "brutal and cowardly" attack in which a woman was repeatedly punched in the face with a studded leather glove.

In February, he was found not guilty of aggravated assault causing serious harm to a woman at a Tranmere home in December 2012.

The high-profile fugitive has been the subject of one of Australia's most intense manhunts in recent weeks.

Last month, officers came close to snaring him after he was spotted as a passenger in a rental car, which was later found abandoned in Osmond Street following a short police chase.

Clavell did not hesitate in sending his girlfriend Samantha Farrer Facebook public messages while on the run.

It appears Rodney Clavell commented on the post while on the run. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

FROM GOD AND THE LAW TO AN OUTLAW:

Clavell is being sought for breaching a firearms prohibition and illegal use of motor vehicles. Source: Facebook

Meanwhile more details have emerged about Clavell's former life. Advertiser court reporter Sean Fewster has revealed his dramatic fall from grace.

Once a keen sportsman and boxer he married and had 11 children, two of whom have biblical names.

"He became this right-wing Christian guy but he was always pumping iron," another person remembered.

"As he was doing it he had this look, like he was angry underneath."

One former associate said they believed his first run in with the law, at age 35, was sparked by assaults at work and daily contact with inmates.

— with Debra Killalea and Daniel Piotrowski


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Dog dungeon: Puppy farmer fined $11,000

The RSPCA rescue puppies from a bunker on a Wheatbelt property. Katherine King was today fined $11,000 over the cruel puppy farm. Source: Supplied

A WA woman who allowed a dozen dogs to live in a dark, underground bunker and others to suffer illnesses has been fined $11,000 and banned for five years from being within 10 metres of an animal.

Katherine Lisa King, 43, was sentenced in Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday after being found guilty of three animal cruelty offences.

She was also ordered to pay costs of $20,000.

GALLERY: Puppy farm cruelty

RSPCA inspectors, police and council rangers executed a search warrant on her South Doodlakine property, in the state's Wheatbelt region, in January 2012.

They found 50 dogs that were segregated according to breeds such as German shepherds, West Highland terriers, Cavalier King Charles spaniels, labradors and Tibetan terriers.

Many of the dogs suffered from ear mites and secondary infections due to untreated conditions, the RSPCA said.

An underground bunker was also found on the property, with the floor of the bunker just three metres below ground and accessible only through a small circular hole with a metal lid.

The RSPCA rescue puppies from a bunker on a Wheatbelt property. Katherine King was today fined $11,000 over the cruel puppy farm. Source: Supplied

When the lid was opened, there was a stench of animal faeces and urine, and 12 dogs were found inside, the RSPCA said.

While there was food and water, the dogs were confined to total darkness during the day, with little or no ventilation.

The incident was the first time the RSPCA had discovered a puppy farm of this type in WA.


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Turnbull stirs up leadership talk

Appearing on the ABC, Malcolm Turnbull answers the question about ant future ambition to be leader of the Coalition. Courtesy: The 7:30 Report/ABC

COMMUNICATIONS Minister Malcolm Turnbull has infuriated colleagues after stirring up leadership speculation while Prime Minister Tony Abbott was overseas.

In an extraordinary television interview, Mr Turnbull refused to rule out one day being leader of the Liberal party.

"I don't have any plans, any desires, any expectations to be the leader …. Having said that … politics is an unpredictable business,'' he told the ABC's 730 program.

His interview came at the end of a day of relentless media appearances in which Turnbull was repeatedly accused of undermining Mr Abbott, who defeated him by one vote in a contest for the Liberal party leadership in 2009.

Asked on 730 last night if his ambition to be leader was extinguished, he replied: "I don't think there is any member of the House of Representatives who, if in the right circumstances, would not take on that responsibility."

The communications minister said he was very happy in his current portfolio and believed his prospects for the prime minister's job were "somewhere between nil and negligible".

THE SMACKDOWN: Malcolm Turnbull v Alan Jones

His comments exploded across the Liberal party with colleagues baffled as to why he would make the remarks, particularly while the PM was overseas.

Mr Turnbull is not thought to have any serious support as a potential leader and he appeared to acknowledge that in his interview.

Fired up ... Minister for Communications Malcolm Turnbull in Question Time in the House of Representatives in Parliament House Canberra today. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia

With the Prime Minister out of the country, the former Coalition leader joined an on-air brawl with radio shock jock Alan Jones over last week's dinner with MP Clive Palmer, saying: "I'm not going to take dictation from you, I'm a Cabinet minister."

During the tense verbal confrontation, Mr Turnbull denied destabilising the Government and not backing the Budget, and accused Mr Jones instead of being the bomb-thrower.

A week after criticising Herald Sun columnist Andrew Bolt, Mr Turnbull accused both men of "doing Labor's work'' through their suggestions he wasn't totally behind Mr Abbott and the Budget and had defied his leader by dining with Mr Palmer.

It came a day after appearing on another radio show to claim troublemakers were "literally making things up" and that he had the right to "call a spade a bloody shovel".

He later told reporters he had confronted Mr Jones because he was making "extravagant, outrageous, false, troublemaking allegations''.

"I'm not going to take a backwards step in my job of defending this government, this government's unity, this government's Budget."

The eyebrow-raising exchange, coming just a day after Mr Abbott flew overseas, alarmed some in Coalition ranks.

One suggested he had simply lost his temper and wasn't going to put up with further criticisms from Mr Bolt or Mr Jones - both of whom are close to Mr Abbott.

Alan Jones takes on Malcolm Turnbull on a range of topics from dinner with Clive Palmer to his support of the ABC. Courtesy The Alan Jones Breakfast Show/2GB

"This is just what he does,'' one MP said.

Another of his colleagues suggested he was struggling being out of the limelight, with Treasurer Joe Hockey sucking up most of the political oxygen in the wake of the Budget.

The only bright spot for the Government was the respite it provided from debating the merits of the May 13 budget, which Mr Turnbull acknowledged was "unpopular".

In parliament's Question Time, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten accused Mr Turnbull of "trying to sell his own credentials'' instead of the Budget's and Ministers Christopher Pyne and Julia Bishop frantically tried to wave on another question before Mr Turnbull could answer.

But the articulate former lawyer sprang to his feet and batted away the question, broadly defending the Budget by attacking Labor and their economic legacy.

The interview between Mr Turnbull and 730 host Sarah Ferguson sparked conversation on social media, with viewers wondering if he was still interested in running for the leadership one day.


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Nigerian denies Aussie date scam

Mysteriously found dead ... Australian woman Jette Jacobs, who went to South Africa to find love has been found dead in her rented villa in a suspected romance scam. Source: News Corp Australia

A NIGERIAN man who allegedly conned an Australian pensioner out of $90,000 in an online dating scam has appeared in court charged with deception, the country's anti-graft agency said on Thursday.

"The man was brought to court in Ibadan for conspiracy and obtaining the sum of $90,000 from an Australian woman under false pretence," Wilson Uwujaren, of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), told AFP.

He said Orowo Jesse Omokoh had met 67-year-old Jette Jacobs, a grandmother from Western Australia who lived in Johannesburg, South Africa, on the internet in 2012 with a promise to marry her.

REVEALED: How the alleged scam unfolded

But the accused and others still at large then fraudulently obtained the money from the woman to prepare for the wedding in Nigeria which never took place.

"Jesse left Nigeria to meet the woman on February 4, 2013 and five days later, Jacobs was found dead in her apartment in Johannesburg," he added.

The accused ... Orowo Jesse Omokoh of Nigeria. Source: Supplied

Jesse returned to Nigeria two days after the discovery of Jacobs' body but Uwujaren could not say if the accused was responsible for her death.

The defendant, who was arrested in Nigeria in January this year, pleaded not guilty to the charges and his lawyer asked the court to grant him bail.

But the court instead remanded him in custody until a further hearing of the bail application on July 10.

Ms Jacob's family believe she may have been murdered after leaving her home in Wagin, southeast of Perth, last November on a trip she believed would seal her online romance of four years.

Some of her valuables were missing and Omokoh had returned to Nigeria.

"The South African police, which is investigating the mysterious death, are suspicious that Omokoh has a hand in the demise of Jacobs,'' the EFCC said.

The organisation, which investigates money-laundering and online scams, said Australian Federal Police informed officers in March that Omokoh had allegedly defrauded Jacobs of $90,000.

Jacobs, a grandmother from Western Australia, reportedly sent tens of thousands of dollars to Nigeria during her four-year "romance'' with a man known as "Jesse''.

Tragically, WA police — through their online fraud crackdown called Operation Sunbird — had sent a letter to Ms Jacobs warning her she was the victim of a fraud, but it arrived after she had left for South Africa. Her six children and 14 grandchildren are in mourning.


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Docker Simpson’s footy on hold

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 04 Juni 2014 | 21.51

Fremantle are confident that Nathan Fyfe will be fit to play against the Crows despite being on crutches after their win over the Bulldogs.

Josh Simpson will take a leave of absence at Fremantle. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: News Corp Australia

TROUBLED Fremantle youngster Josh Simpson's playing future is under a cloud after taking an unspecified leave of absence from the club.

The 20-year-old will not be eligible for selection with the Dockers or WAFL affiliate Peel – nor train with either club – until completing his spell away from the game.

FYFE MISSES TRAINING BUT EYES CROWS

Fremantle football operations manager Chris Bond said Simpson would embark on a "personal development program" that would address personal and professional issues outside of the sport.

"Although Josh has been endeavouring to deal with some personal and professional matters, he has not been able to consistently demonstrate the behaviour required of a player at this club," Bond said.

"We believe that it is in Josh's best interests - both personal and professional – that his strong focus be on undertaking and successfully completing the program rather than meeting playing or training commitments during this time.

"Consequently, Josh will not train or play with the club during his leave of absence but instead focus on his personal development program and benefit from the structure, supervision and support it is designed to provide."

The program will be overseen by the AFL Players Association, the Dockers, Simpson's management and counsellors.

Simpson has been fined twice this season by the club after failing to meet requirements, including missing a flight to Sydney in April after refusing to join his teammates as a travelling emergency.

The 2012 first-round draft pick (no.17) has played just two games at senior level.

Follow Chris Robinson on Twitter: @CJKRobinson


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Crewmen guilty of people smuggling

The vessel crewed by Boy Djara and Justhen that capsized between Indonesia and Christmas Island. Source: Supplied

A photo of people on the boat before it capsized. The picture was submitted as evidence during the trial of two crewmen. Source: News Corp Australia

TWO Indonesian nationals have been found guilty of people smuggling after a two-week trial in the Perth District Court.

Boy Djara and Justhen had been fighting to one charge each of assisting a group of five or more unlawful non-citizens into Australia and five charges each of assisting a group of five or more unlawful non-citizens into Australia in a way that gave rise to danger of death or serious injury.

Both men were convicted on the former charge, while Boy Djara was also found guilty of the five more serious charges after the jury returned at 2pm today. Justhen was not guilty on those five counts.

The pair are the only two surviving crew members from a June 2012 capsizing that saw more than 100 men die at sea.

The boat packed with more than 200 men from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran was half way between Indonesia and Christmas Island when it started taking on water.

Australian authorities and merchant vessel were then called in to pluck survivors and bodies from the ocean.

During the trial, the court heard from 12 of the boat's passengers.

One of those passengers, Ali Ahmadi, told the court while he and Mr Djara were waiting for rescue on the hull of the wreck, the Indonesian indicated to him he hoped a plane that had spotted them was Australian otherwise he risked being killed in his homeland.

The two men convicted men have been in custody since they were arrested in June 2012.


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Film studio dream fades to black

Murdoch University has ended negotiation with a British company to build Perth's first film studio. Source: Supplied

MURDOCH University has ended negotiations with a company that planned to build Perth's first dedicated film studio, but the university remains open to other options for its eastern precinct.

Perth producer Stephen Van Mil announced in October his production company, Impian Films, was working with British firm Extraordinary Limited to build the $50 million studio by 2016.

The facility at Murdoch University was expected to include three film studios, a film school and museum, a 260-room hotel, restaurants, bars, a cinema and nightclub.

But the university confirmed a letter of intent it signed with Extraordinary in December was now void, although it was still keen to receive expressions of interest from other parties.

It is understood Mr Van Mil is working on a proposal.

Extraordinary chief executive Chris Samwells said his company's original concept had to be changed to fit Murdoch University's long-term development plans.

WA film producer Stephen Van Mil, who was part of the film studio proposal.

"This increased the budget on the project by a factor of over 30 per cent and practically relinquished control to the university," he said.

But Murdoch's director of commercial services, Karen Schmidt, said the university never received a formal proposal from Extraordinary.

"As detailed in the letter of intent, the formal proposal from Extraordinary Limited needed to include as a minimum a business case, funding model, feasibility study, design specification and development time line," she said.

The information was supposed to be provided by Extraordinary within three months of signing the letter of intent, but that time frame lapsed in March, she said.

Ms Schmidt said the letter of intent ended in May.

Mr Samwells said there was no ill will between him and the university.

"We are deeply saddened that this wonderful project did not work out," he said.

Mr Samwells said Extraordinary intended to find another studio location in Perth.


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One thing Hawke and Howard agree on

Johnny doesn't appear to be sold on what Bob's saying. Source: News Corp Australia

The body language made clear there were two different men on the podium of the National Press Club although both were from a political style Australian voters probably are yearning to see make a comeback.

Bob Hawke (Labor Prime Minister for eight years, nine months from 1983) slouched across his chair, lips usually pursed when not open in laughter, legs crossed, a picture of cool entering its eighth decade.

John Howard (Prime Minister for 11 years, nine months from 1996) was straight-backed, feet parallel and firmly planted, his hands usually clenched on his lap as he maintained a lifetime of good posture.

Not for the first time in his life, Hawke is unimpressed with Howard. Source: News Corp Australia

The differences couldn't hide the fact these men, the most successful politicians of the past 45 years, represented a period when voters had a confidence in political leaders absent today. Back then, they followed when Labor floated the Australian dollar and removed tariffs, and when the Coalition banned many firearms and introduced a GST.

As one questioner said: "Isn't the fact of the matter that when it came to managing reform weren't both of you simply better at it than the current crop of politicians on either side?".

"Yes," laughed Bob Hawke, easily urging Mr Howard to agree.

They were at the National Press Club in Canberra to mark its 50th anniversary. They had spoken at the club a total of 57 occasions but this was their first appearance together. There was agreement not to talk of current politics and an unpopular Budget, but their feelings came through.

Still not sold. Source: News Corp Australia

John Howard said politicians have sometimes lost the capacity to respect the ability of the Australian people to absorb detailed argument rather than slogans.

"I think the Australian people normally get their politics right. I mean I would say that. I think both of us would," he said laughing with Mr Hawke.

He said voters wanted to be satisfied reform was in the national interest "because they have a deep sense of nationalism, of patriotism".

"They also want to be satisfied that it's fundamentally fair. The Australian people won't over a long period of time support something they don't think is fundamentally fair."

Bob Hawke said he was fortunate in being an Opposition Leader for just three weeks. But he said the job of Opposition was to do more than oppose.

Totally disinterested now. Source: News Corp Australia

"Take the present situation," he said while fending off any suggestion he wanted to deal with "the merits or otherwise" of the Labor Party's performance.

"You can't expect and nor should you expect from the Australian public their support to throw out an existing government and put you in unless you have done them the courtesy and the country the service of working out a coherent policy -- not necessarily of reform, but of adaptation to changing circumstances," he said.

"And that's essential. You will not just get into government by sheer opposition unless the government is going really badly. Recent events of the last couple of years [the Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd governments] support that proposition."

John congratulated Bob on floating the currency; Bob patted John as he said his gun laws were something the United States couldn't do.

In private, they probably would agree the present generation of their parties would not be able to achieve either.


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Armadale, Thornlie trains resume

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 03 Juni 2014 | 21.51

Hundreds of train commuters have been left stranded after a technical issue forced services on the Armadale and Thornlie lines to be cancelled. Picture: Kate Campbell Source: Supplied

TRAINS on the Armadale and Thornlie lines are slowly returning to normal after a 'technical issue' shut down services.

Trains between Perth and Maddington on the Thornlie and Armadale lines in both directions were affected, which caused chaos for commuters as they faced a lengthy wait for replacement buses.

Just after 6pm, Transperth advised that the issue hasd been resolved and trains were moving again, although it would take some time before services were back on schedule.


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Sailor says she saw MH370 on fire

Deputy PM Warren Truss announces to parliament that the current search area is complete, and that the search for missing plane MH370 will move into a different phase.

Painful search ... the Royal New Zealand Airforce looking for objects during the search for MH370 in April. Photo: Getty Images. Source: Getty Images

A SAILOR has told Australian authorities she saw a burning Boeing 777 near Thailand the morning MH370 disappeared.

Katherine Tee said she was sailing across the Indian Ocean in March when she saw what she believes was the missing Malaysia Airlines plane MH370 billowing black smoke across the night sky.

MISSING PLANE: Where on earth is MH370?

GLOBAL TRACKING UPGRADE: Trying to avoid a repeat of MH370

The British woman was sailing from Kochi, India, to Phuket, Thailand, with her husband, Marc Horn, when she saw what appeared to be a large aircraft on fire.

"I thought I saw a burning plane cross behind our stern from port to starboard, which would have been approximately north to south," Ms Tee wrote on sailing website, Cruisers' Forum.

"Since that's not something you see every day, I questioned my mind. I was looking at what appeared to be an elongate plane glowing bright orange, with a trail of black smoke behind it. It did occur to me that it might be a meteorite. But I thought it was more likely that I was going insane."

The plane that just disappeared ... students from an international school in Zhuji, China, pray for the passengers on-board Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. Source: Getty Images

On Tuesday she told Thailand's Phuket Gazette newspaper that she was on night-watch on the couple's 40 foot sloop on the night of March 7-8.

"I saw something that looked like a plane on fire. That's what I thought it was. Then I thought I must be mad. It caught my attention because I had never seen a plane with orange lights before so I wondered what they were," she said.

"I could see the outline of the plane, it looked longer than planes usually do. There was what appeared to be black smoke behind it.

"There were two other planes well above it — moving the other way — at the time. They had normal navigation lights. I remember thinking that if it was a plane on fire that I was seeing, the other aircraft would report it."

The couple arrived in Phuket two days later, on March 10, but Ms Tee didn't report her sighting to the Joint Agency Coordination Centre (JACC) until Sunday.

No closure ... a relative of a passenger on-board Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 cries at Lidu Hotel in Beijing, China. Source: Getty Images

The 41-year-old, who spent 13 months at sea, said she did not report the incident at the time because she was having marital issues and thought she might be going mad.

"So when we hit land everyone was talking about the missing plane and asking if we'd seen anything. Since I doubted what I saw and was emotionally in a bad way, I brushed over what I thought I'd seen … Besides, I thought they'd find it," she said.

But media reports at the weekend about the embattled search for the missing plane prompted the couple to recheck their sailing logs.

"But tonight I heard that they were looking in the wrong place, so HWMO (her husband) and I looked back through our GPS logs and lo and behold, what we saw was consistent with the confirmed contact which the authorities had from MH370," she said.

Mr Horn, 50, then posted maps of their yacht's route on sailing website, Cruisers' Forum, where they discovered that their yacht was in the vicinity of one of MH370's projected flight paths on the night it disappeared.

Ms Tee now believes they were near one of the projected flight paths for the aircraft.

She said a map revealed that the aircraft would have passed the yacht astern.

"This is what convinced me to file a report with the full track data for our voyage to the relevant authorities," she said.

Found no evidence of disappeared plane ... Phoenix Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Bluefin-21 is craned over the side of Australian Defence Vessel Ocean Shield. Source: Getty Images


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Man charged, cops injured in Albany

A 24-year-old man has been flown to Perth with serious head injuries and two police officers were injured after a dramatic incident near Albany. Source: News Limited

TWO police officers were injured in a violent struggle in Albany which left a 24-year-old man in hospital with serious injuries.

A spokeswoman for WA Police said the Perth man tried to grab an officer's gun, and later snatched at their tasers, in the incident at Willyung yesterday morning.

The police officers, a male Constable and a female First Class Constable, were called to the property eight kilometres north of Albany on reports a man was acting suspiciously.

When they arrived, the Perth man allegedly attacked one of the police officers and attempted to take their gun.

He also allegedly attempted to grab one of their tasers.

A 42-year-old man, who had been called to help by a woman who lived in the house, joined the fray and helped police.

The 24-year-old man received serious head injuries and was flown to Royal Perth Hospital yesterday. A spokeswoman from RPH said he was in a stable condition.

The police officers received minor injuries and were treated at Albany Regional Hospital. PerthNow understands they received bruises and cuts.

The 24-year-old man has been charged with two counts of assaulting a police officer, going armed in a way to cause fear and causing damage.

He will have a bedside court hearing at RPH today.


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Socceroos shock: Kennedy, Wilkshire dumped

Luke Wilkshire was perhaps the biggest surprise omission from the Socceroos squad. Source: AFP

EXPERIENCED right-back Luke Wilkshire has been sensationally dumped from the Socceroos' final 23-man squad.

Striker Josh Kennedy and playmaker Tom Rogic had their World Cup dreams dashed through injury, while young Newcastle Jets keeper Mark Birighitti was the fourth player cut.

Wilkshere's omission is a shock and a clear message to the Dynamo Moscow player, considering the huge injury cloud hanging over Ivan Franjic.

The Brisbane Roar player has yet to train since copping the knee knock against South Africa last week and there are no other recognised right-backs in the squad.

MORE WORLD CUP NEWS

FULL LIST OF WORLD CUP SQUADS.

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SQUAD SELECTOR: CHOOSE YOUR SOCCEROOS TEAM TO FACE CHILE

The Socceroos had a medical meeting after dinner on Monday night (early Tuesday EST) with Kennedy, Rogic and midfielder Mark Bresciano, who has also suffered back soreness, where the decision was made.

Josh Kennedy got the Aussies to Brazil but he won't be part of the squad. Source: News Limited

But it's understood that coach Ange Postecoglou and his assistants changed their minds after selecting the initial four omissions the previous night - in the end the squad announcement was delayed by three hours.

"Every step of the selection process has been difficult because the players have worked very hard since they came into camp but we have had to weigh up form, fitness and squad balance in coming up with the 23 players who will represent Australia at the 2014 World Cup," Postecoglou said.

"We've selected a squad that can do Australia proud and they will walk out onto the pitch for the World Cup in the green and gold shirt and display the characteristics that define our country.

"Our stated aim is to make our country proud, show the world what Australians are made of and test ourselves against the very best football players in the world and this group of players is capable of doing that."

HOW DOES THIS CHANGE YOUR FANTASY WORLD CUP PLANS? PLAY HERE

Former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer says the task ahead of the Socceroos at the World Cup will be exceptionally challenging, but one the young group will be eager to tackle head on.

Kennedy, who scored the goal that got Australia to Brazil, had his dreams of playing in a third consecutive World Cup dashed with a back injury that's plagued him of late and will return to Australia for treatment.

Meanwhile, a nagging groin injury has also ruled out Tom Rogic, who was hoping to feature in his first World Cup.

Birighitti will stay until the opening game against Chile on June 14 (EST) in the event that Mitch Langerak's knee doesn't hold up.

Kennedy was on course to play in the warm-up game against local second division side Parana Clube before his back seized up at the end of training.

Josh Kennedy, Tim Cahill, Archie Thompson and Tomas Rogic celebrate. Only Cahill will play in Brazil. Source: News Limited

Newcastle Jets striker Adam Taggart took his opportunity by scoring a goal in the 2-0 win and now looms as the beneficiary of Kennedy's injury with inclusion in the 23 and a chance to feature in Brazil.

Kennedy's injury is not thought to be serious, but having missed five weeks for Japanese club Nagoya Grampus on the eve of the World Cup, his back flared up during the Socceroos' high-intensity sessions.

Assistant coach Aurelio Vidmar had claimed Kennedy would be fit.

"He aggravated his back right at the end of training yesterday and he's pulled up quite well this morning so we decided not to risk it and that's why Adam played,'' he said.

"No, we had a chat to him this morning and he's very good, we just thought it was the best thing for him not to take any chances.''

Rogic has had an injury hit season and was forced off midway through the warm-up game.

Tom Rogic was below par in the Socceroos friendly. Source: News Corp Australia

AUSTRALIA WORLD CUP SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Mat Ryan (Club Brugge), Mitchell Langerak (Borussia Dortmund), Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United).

Defenders: Ivan Franjic (Brisbane Roar), Jason Davidson (Heracles Almelo), Matthew Spiranovic (Western Sydney Wanderers), Bailey Wright (Preston North End), Alex Wilkinson (Jeonbuk Motors), Ryan McGowan (Shandong Luneng)

Midfielders: Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace), Mark Milligan (Melbourne Victory), James Holland (Austria Vienna), Massimo Luongo (Swindon Town), Oliver Bozanic (Luzern), Matt McKay (Brisbane Roar), Mark Bresciano (Al-Gharafa)

Attackers: Tim Cahill (New York Red Bulls), Dario Vidosic (Sion), Tommy Oar (FC Utrecht), James Troisi (Melbourne Victory), Ben Halloran (Fortuna Dusseldorf), Adam Taggart (Newcastle Jets), Mathew Leckie (FSV Frankfurt).


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Boy bitten by snake in Bullsbrook

Written By Unknown on Senin, 02 Juni 2014 | 21.51

A boy is in hospital after being bitten by a snake. File picture Source: Supplied

PARAMEDICS have rushed a 12-year-old Perth boy to hospital after he was bitten by a snake.

A St John's Ambulance spokesman said the patient was picked up from bushland in Bullsbrook on the city's northeastern fringe this afternoon and transferred via helicopter to Princess Margaret Hospital.

He said the boy was in a stable condition.


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Death wish driver unlicensed

A man was seriously injured when he was involved in a high-speed police chase which ended when the car hit a tree in Mirrabooka and rolled onto its roof. Picture: Marie Nirme Source: PerthNow

A MAN seriously injured in a horrific car crash while fleeing from police has a lacerated liver and was unlicensed.

The 23-year-old driver slammed into a tree about 2am as police tried to pull him over in Perth's northern suburbs.

Beach Road remained closed in both directions between Alexander Drive and Honeywell Boulevard early today while police investigated the crash.

Police say officers were on patrol in Mirrabooka when they tried to stop the green Holden Commodore on Balga Ave.

A man was seriously injured when he was involved in a high-speed police chase which ended when the car hit a tree in Mirrabooka and rolled onto its roof. Picture: Marie Nirme

When the car did not stop, a pursuit started, but just minutes into the chase the Commodore struck a tree at high speed and rolled on to its roof.

The crash left debris strewn across the road, with bark and branches torn off the tree and a shoe lying discarded on the roadway.

Firefighters were called to free the trapped driver.

A man was seriously injured when he was involved in a high-speed police chase which ended when the car hit a tree in Mirrabooka and rolled onto its roof. Picture: Marie Nirme

Senior Constable Allan Mawdesley from the Major Crash Squad said today the driver was lucky to be alive.

He estimated the Holden was doing twice the speed limit at the time of the crash – about 140km/h.

Sen-Cons Mawdesley added the 23-year-old was unlicensed, but was wearing a seatbelt. He is in hospital with a lacerated liver and a fractured leg. He is yet to be interviewed.

"From what we can ascertain it appears the vehicle was travelling at well in excess of the speed limit. The driver would appear to have lost control, he's gone into a sideways slide and gone backwards into a tree," Sen-Cons Mawdesley said.

"If he had another person in the vehicle that person would not have survived.

"It's a big impact."

Sen-Cons Mawdesley said the car was not stolen but was loaned to the man by a friend.

He said "some items" were seized from the car but he would not elaborate on what those items were.

Firefighters were called in to free the trapped driver and St John Ambulance took the man to hospital with serious injuries.

Both Major Crash and Internal Affairs detectives are now investigating the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.


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Kate’s bottom gets own minder

Kate Middleton minds her own behind at the Warner Bros. Studios in April last year Source: Getty Images

AS the British people slowly recover from the shock of seeing pictures of Kate Middleton's bottom published outside the Kingdom, Buckingham Palace has taken steps to ensure it never happens again.

It's not as if it hasn't happened before — Kate Middleton in a windy moment in Canada way back in 2011 Source: Getty Images

Palace officials have reportedly hired a female minder to stop paparazzi taking pictures of her behind.

The move comes after the Duchess of Cambridge's modesty was compromised during her recent trip to Australia, when a gust of wind from a nearby helicopter blew up her yellow dress in a

Marilyn Monroe-esque moment.

She held onto her dress when visiting Yellow Rock, NSW last year. Source: Getty Images

The picture of her gorgeous, pert buttocks were published last week by German magazine Bild and Sydney's very own Daily Telegraph but the prudish British press have so far refused to touch them.

According to the Daily Star newspaper, the female minder will accompany the Duchess on all of her trips to keep an eye out for any upskirting antics from the press.


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Rolf Harris ‘told deliberate lies’

Footage ... a member of the public contacted police to say they recalled a celebrity TV sports games in Cambridge starring Rolf Harris. Source: AP

ROLF Harris has been accused of telling "deliberate lies" after old film footage was found that placed him in the area where he said he had never been nor sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl.

The 84-year-old entertainer had told Southwark Crown Court last week that he had never been to Cambridge before four years ago and had never taken part in a celebrity sport game show in the UK now or in the 1970s.

But after he made that statement last week a member of the public contacted police to say they recalled a celebrity TV sports games in that city in 1978 that starred Harris.

Prosecutors then found the Thames Television network footage of the show.

A woman had alleged she was a 13 or 14-year-old waitress at a celebrity sports event in Cambridge when she saw Harris on all fours playing with a small dog but when he saw her he jumped up and allegedly groped her, rubbing his hands over her bottom several times.

Harris said he couldn't have assaulted anyone since he had never been to the city nor starred in such a show.

Denial ... Rolf Harris arrives at Southwark Crown Court with his daughter Bindi Harris and wife Alwen Hughes. Source: Getty Images

But he had apparently been in the city in a show which starred numerous British celebrities including Davy Jones from the Monkees and actor Rula Lenska, as well as other stars of cabaret, sport, film and music.

Prosecutor Sasha Wass QC, questioning Harris on his fourth day in the witness box, told the court Harris was categoric in his memory last week because he had been "tailoring" his answers to match evidence that was at hand but hadn't counted on the discovery of the film footage.

Harris agreed that on the show he was not only a participant but a team captain but he told the court no-one knew where they were.

"I was in Cambridge but I didn't know it was Cambridge," he now told the court.

He added: "I don't think any of us knew, none of the performers stars, knew … we didn't know we were in Cambridge.

"I think we all went on a bus, were deposited in this green with changing rooms."

Accusations ... prosecutor Sasha Wass QC, questioning Harris on his fourth day in the witness box, told the court Harris had been "tailoring" his answers. Source: Getty Images

He added: "I don't think you know the showbiz scene at all" before going into a long answer about how as a star he would just sign on a dotted line and his agent would take care of where and when he would have to appear publicly.

He admitted he had a very good memory "for certain things" but not for others.

"I'm going to suggest to you that you are lying," Ms Wass said.

"Is that a question?" Harris responded before denying he had been deliberately trying to mislead the jury.

Mr Harris also said he had "no recollection of the man" Tony Porter who starred alongside him in an ABC show called "Rolf". The Australian actor Porter earlier alleged in court he saw Harris grab the breasts of a makeup artist in the 1980s that was "excessive even by the standards of the era".

Harris maintained he had never heard of Porter but then Ms Wass showed the jury footage of the pair sharing the screen in one of many comedy sketches from the program.

Harris agreed he was there with Porter but said he had no idea why the man would lie about the make up artist.

He said he didn't know why any of the women who are alleging sexual assault by him would lie.

He has pleaded not guilty to 12 charges of indecent assault. The case continues.


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Five injured in balcony collapse

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 01 Juni 2014 | 21.52

The scene of a balcony collapse in Lancelin. Picture: Twitter/Nine News Source: Supplied

FIVE people were seriously injured when a balcony collapsed in Lancelin earlier this afternoon.

A St John Ambulance spokesman said 10 people were standing on the balcony taking pictures when it collapsed about 1.50pm in the small coastal town, about 120km north of Perth.

The property was a holiday rental home on Hawcroft Place, with Nine News reporting the people were at an engagement celebration.

An entire section of the second-storey balcony floor gave way, with the drop about three metres.

The spokesman said five patients had injuries ranging from a spinal injury and an open leg fracture.

He said patients, including a 28-year-old woman and a 39-year-old man – with suspected spinal injuries – were being transported to Joondalup Health Campus, Royal Perth Hospital and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital by ambulance. It is believed three of the five injured have leg injuries.

Police officers and a Department of Fire and Emergency Services crew were also at the scene.

Witness Pio Donato told Seven News said: "I heard a bit of noise and a bit of screaming ... so I come across and I saw all these people there on the ground."

It was reported tonight that all injured are in stable conditions in hospital.


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Brighter vision for Perth city skyline

An artists' impression of Perth's CBD skyline illuminated, as proposed in the draft Lighting Strategy. Source: Supplied

A NEW plan has been created to ensure The City of Lights stops "fading into obscurity" after dark.

Illuminating the outline of landmark buildings in the city centre with dazzling technicolour LED strip lights is proposed in The City of Perth's draft lighting strategy.

The idea is to create a "nightscape postcard image" of the city for tourists that makes a "strong night-time statement that is uniquely Perth".

Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said the plan encourages the owners of landmark buildings to budget for dynamic lighting and to play their part in improving the CBD.

"It shouldn't be that expensive, depending on the size of the building, but it would really add a lot to the landscape picture of the city at night time through such illumination," she said.

"Dare we be so reminiscent to think that we are The City of Lights? "

Perth was dubbed The City of Lights in 1962 when US astronaut John Glenn remarked on the visibility of Perth from space on his orbit of Earth.

But a City of Perth survey in 2010 found more than half of respondents felt unsafe walking after dark due to poorly lit streets and lack of people.

The new strategy says by day the CBD presents a "clean, fresh appeal" which dwindles as offices close for the night, with some areas perceived as deserted.

"It is a paradox that at present, the capital invested in the daytime presentation of the city cannot be revealed at night because of poor lighting in some areas of the city," it states.

The City of Perth led attempts to brighten-up the CBD when it fitted 20,000 energy-efficient LED globes to Council House on St Georges Terrace.

Does Perth need to brighten its CBD skyline?

Perth Town Hall is likely the next landmark to receive the "up lighting" treatment and talks are continuing with other landlords.

Developers of new buildings would also likely be required to comply with the lighting strategy as part of future development conditions.

Tourism Council of WA chief executive Evan Hall predicted the initiative would be a hit with visitors.

"We have got a great skyline, but at the moment you can only see it during the day," he said.

"It would be brilliant to illuminate the nightscape, particularly with it reflected in the river."

Adelaide's night-time economy was boosted by $12 million a year as a result of its lighting strategy and Perth expects a similar lift.

Other proposals include an illumination festival, similar to Vivid Sydney, which transforms Sydney's famous landmarks into colourful canvases once a year.


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Perth Airport’s stunning master plan revealed

Blueprint for the future of Perth Airport. Source: Supplied

THE bold blueprint for Perth Airport's future – including a third runway by 2019, more terminals, an on-site hotel and a driverless train – can today be exclusively revealed.

Leaked plans show passenger numbers are forecast to surge more than 200 per cent from the current 14 million a year to 46 million by 2044.

Due to be unveiled later this month, the Perth Airport Master Plan 2014 outlines how the airport will develop over the next 30 years to meet demand.

The ambitious vision reveals how the airport will look when all commercial domestic flights are moved to the international terminals precinct.

Perth Airport of the future. Source: Supplied

A high-level briefing document prepared by the airport's owners summarising the master plan also includes the following timeline:

2014-15: Virgin Australia's domestic pier to open early next year.

2014-16: Multi-storey car parks around the air traffic control tower.

2016-17: A hotel at the centre of the airport, next to the tower

2016-18: An international pier to cater for airlines such as Emirates.

2019: Construction of the l third runway completed.

2019-20: Forrestfield Airport Link, including two railway stations, to start operating.

2020-23: A new terminal alongside Horrie Miller Drive

2024-2029: Further enhancements as passenger numbers hit 30 million per year.

2034: Automated passenger shuttle looping the airport, similar to those at major international airports such as San Francisco, Heathrow and Singapore.

2044: New terminal opens to replace the existing Terminal 2

A view inside a new international terminal. Source: Supplied

Beyond 2044: Ongoing expansion to handle up to 70 million passengers per year.

The plan, which is updated every five years, will be released for a two-month consultation on June 19. It will then be presented to Federal Transport Minister Warren Truss in late October for approval next year.

Perth Airport officials recently briefed Government MPs on the plans.

Last night, confirmation work would start soon on a third runway was welcomed by the Barnett Government, which has pressured the airport to fast-track the investment.

The 2700m third runway, planned for a site east of the airport, is expected to cost $600 million and take four and half years to plan and build.

Perth Airport has already spent $850 million on a new domestic terminal, revamping and expanding international arrivals and departures and building Virgin's domestic pier.

But it has been criticised for struggling to keep up with demand and in its draft aviation strategy the State Government said a new runway was an "imperative" to "avoid damaging and disruptive" delays.

The leaked briefing document reveals concerns aircraft noise as a result of the extra runway will impact new suburbs including Ferndale, Langford, Lynwood, Middle Swan, Dayton and High Wycombe.

Route of the new Forrestfield Airport Rail Link. Source: Supplied

Homes currently impacted by northbound and southerly departures, such as Shelley, may experience less noise as the new runway will split flight paths.

The runway, which has been planned since 1999, will undergo extensive community consultation and require environmental and Aboriginal heritage approvals.

Transport Minister Dean Nalder yesterday said he was "very supportive" of the third runway. He also said the airport was being consulted on the exact route of the $2 billion Forrestfield Airport Link, which will open in 2020.

Former transport minister Troy Buswell late last year said the State Government was considering building the entire 12km rail line underground.

The document appears to show two options for the rail link route.

One is similar to the State Government's proposed route, beside Tonkin Hwy in Bayswater before diverting through bushland next to Dunreath Dr at the domestic terminals. An alternative route is shown following Tonkin Hwy, but splitting earlier at Brearley Ave in Ascot.

The State Government has said the plans include a tunnel from the domestic terminal, under the runway to the international terminals and on to Forrestfield.

The Barnett Government is also considering a new bus service to the airport, according to the leaked papers.

Another view of the proposed new international pier at Perth Airport. Source: Supplied

Perth Airport is planning for up to 70 million passengers a year to pass through its terminals in the second half of the century. This is despite Transport officials already beginning the search for a suitable site for a proposed second metropolitan airport.

Guildford Ratepayer's Association president Peter Stephenson said the new runway should bring relief for residents currently suffering aircraft noise. He renewed calls for households under the flight path to receive grants for insulation and double glazing and for a curfew on night flights between midnight and 6am.

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