Boat firebombed outside family’s home

Upper Coomera couple Peter and Shannon Lewis are offering a $10,000 reward for information about the firebombing of their boat, which was parked in front of their home. The boat is estimated to be worth between $65,000 and $100,000. Picture: Tim Marsden Source: The Courier-Mail

Shannon Lewis, 26, awoke to flames jumping towards her children’s first-floor bedroom at their Upper Coomera home.

Neighbours helped whisk the children – Aiden, 4, and six-month-old Brooklyn – to safety as Mrs Lewis grabbed a fire extinguisher to fight the blaze engulfing the 8m boat parked in the front yard.

Adding to her terror was the fact her husband Peter was away.

“I was over at a mate’s place trying to help him fix a projector and I got a call from my wife just before midnight telling me the boat was on fire,” Mr Lewis said.

“The boat’s only about half a metre from the house and the flames were shooting up as high as the kids’ bedroom. One of the neighbours got them out and Shannon and another neighbour tried to put the flames out, but it was too far gone.

 

“We were extremely lucky – the whole house could have gone up.”

Mr Lewis, who only bought the boat about 10 months ago, has offered a $10,000 reward for information on the firebomb attack that destroyed the boat.

He believes he knows who was responsible and has given a statement to police.

• Call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

New Zealand reporter attacked whilst filming for a story

ATTACKED: Melanie Reid was allegedly thrown to the ground.

Long-serving TV journalist Melanie Reid says she was attacked while filming a story for current affairs programme 3rd Degree.

3News reported that Reid and her colleagues were in Taranaki working on an article about Taranaki farmer Kelvin Grey, who has been refusing to leave his family farm despite receivers being called in.

It is alleged that an employee of the receivers attacked Reid and Janette Walker – a rural debt mediator – forcing their arms behind their backs and throwing them to the ground.

Earlier today Gray had left his Okato farm in a police car.

Receivers, accompanied by police and security guards, arrived at Gray’s 300-acre Okato dairy farm to serve trespass notices this morning.

Police blocked the entrance to the farm about 8.30am.

Last week, Gray said that Auckland-based receiver Dennis Wood had told him the farm was in receivership on March 6 and gave him until March 24 to get off the land.

Gray said Rabobank had called in loans and fees totalling $5.6 million, some of which was debt on the farm and a further $2m stemming from his involvement with the failed 2005 Taranaki Milk Products factory.

He said the only way they would get him off the farm, which has been in his family since about 1850, was via the crematorium or jail.

This morning, Gray’s daughter, Jacqueline Fisher, was denied entry to the farm, where Gray, his wife, and son Andrew were holed up refusing to leave.

It is understood Gray was arrested, put in handcuffs and taken to New Plymouth Police Station this morning.

He has since been released.

Both Reid and Walker told 3News that they would seek to press charges.

From scavenging for food to a multi-million-dollar lifestyle built on fraud

Joel Barlow. Photo: Katherine Feeney

A boy who was forced to roam the streets looking for food and grew up to splurge millions on Louis Vuitton and holidays has now been sentenced to 14 years behind bars.

Joel Morehu-Barlow, the “fake Tahitian prince” who worked for Queensland Health, has been sentenced for defrauding the state government of $16 million and drug possession charges.

Morehu-Barlow – also known as Hohepa Hikairo – was sentenced to the maximum 12 years on the fraud charges and another two years for possession of drugs and drug utensils.

He will be eligible for parole in December, 2016.

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Wearing a charcoal suit with a white shirt and with closely cropped hair, Morehu-Barlow looked thin as he took the stand to face charges of aggravated fraud as an employee, forgery, uttering a forged document and possessing drugs.

As he pleaded guilty to every charge, the only thing left to argue over was how long he should go to jail.

The defence, Legal Aid lawyer David Shepherd, argued Morehu-Barlow had come from a “difficult” background and the impact on his victim – Queensland Health – was minimal.

He suggested a 10 year sentence for his client.

The prosecution, Todd Fuller SC, countered the scale of the fraud was massive and Morehu-Barlow only did it to fund an opulent lifestyle and should be jailed for up to 16 years.

Mr Shepherd painted a picture of a struggling childhood in New Zealand, shuttled between family members with resentment building in some quarters of his extended family over having to help care for the siblings.

“His father was a violent man but worse when drunk,” he said.

“His mother was often beaten and she often had to leave the house meaning that the children had to fend for themselves, even roaming the street when there was no food….

“Throughout this being the oldest, Morehu-Barlow developed a sense of guilt and shame particularly in relation to the responsibilities for his siblings….

“Perhaps there was a desire to appear as if he had achieved something.”

The defence reminded the court Morehu-Barlow’s criminal record stretched back to 1998 in New Zealand when he defrauded his employer of about $32,000.

He was convicted in 1999 and was given an eight-month, non-residential sentence.

Mr Shepherd said his client began his “downward spiral”, which ended in him defrauding Queensland Health of more than $16 million, when his younger brother committed suicide in 2007.

“This had a profound effect on him,” Mr Shepherd said.

“He felt guilty for not realising the extent of his brother’s depression and because of his childhood experiences felt some responsibility for his death.

“That sense of failure plagued on his mind for some months.”

It was September 2007 when he committed his first fraud at Queensland Health, funnelling a few thousand dollars into his own bank account.

It grew from there with Morehu-Barlow setting up a fake charity called Healthy Initiatives and Choices and authorising Queensland Health grants to this body.

Mr Shepherd ridiculed the checking process, saying all someone in the department had to do was put the Australian Business Number into a free website search and they would have been led to Morehu-Barlow’s name.

He had even listed his own Teneriffe address and phone number as the contacts for the organisation.

Queensland Health came close to busting him when they conducted an audit and one transaction to Healthy Initiatives and Choices was selected at random to be checked.

They requested the documentation from Morehu-Barlow but he just simply did not hand it over and they did not chase it up.

“He must have known he would get caught,” Mr Shepherd said.

“…that behaviour can be seen as compulsive and self destructive.”

Queensland Health has so far recouped about $12 million by selling Morehu-Barlow’s properties in New Farm and Teneriffe and possessions including more than $600,000 worth of Louis Vuitton items.

Morehu-Barlow had explained away his extravagant lifestyle by saying he was a Tahitian Prince who worked in middle management because being employed was a condition of gaining access to his trust.

The department will not get the whole $12 million as sellers’ fees are yet to come out of it but Mr Shepherd argued minimal damage had been done to Morehu-Barlow’s victim.

Though Judge Kerry O’Brien agreed Morehu-Barlow had shown remorse by writing of his regret to a supervisor while police were looking for him, he ultimately could not ignore the huge sums involved in the fraud.

“It could have and perhaps should have been detected,” the judge said.

“But the reality is it was your knowledge of working in the departments and your position in the department that allowed you to carry out your scheme.”

Taking into account time already served, Morehu-Barlow will be eligible for parole in December, 2016.

He has been kept in protected custody not because of specific threats, but because of his “notoriety”.

Mr Shepherd said when there was no mention of Morehu-Barlow in the media he was left alone. But as soon as stories about him appeared again, it would trigger comments from other prisoners.

He singled out The Courier-Mail, saying printing Morehu-Barlow’s photo with a photoshopped crown on his head “ridiculed” him.

He also scolded the use of “fake Tahitian prince” and “Queensland Health fraudster” in the wider media.

Source: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au

Kendrick Lamar ft. Jay-Z “B**ch, Don’t Kill My Vibe” (Remix)

“B*tch Don’t Kill My Vibe” (Remix) with new verses from Kendrick and a verse from Jay-Z. You can listen to the audio below.

Lil Wayne Still In Intensive Care

Despite a tweet from Wayne (or so we think), stating that he’s ok, come to find out Lil Wayne is still in the intensive care unit at an L.A. hospital after being admitted for seizures stemming from a suspected drug overdose.

According to TMZ, Wayne’s condition has not improved and he continues to be monitored very closely by staff at L.A.’s Cedars-Sinai hospital.

Sources say his condition is very serious.

Drake, Chris Paul, Nicki Minaj, Birdman and other family and friends are by the rapper’s bed side to show support.

via TMZ

Get well soon Lil Wayne!

Mayor orders costly new bid for FIFO base

UP to $1 million was spent on a botched bid to make the Gold Coast a fly-in fly-out hub — and now Mayor Tom Tate wants to take the proposal back to the drawing board.

Council sources last night revealed the stunning cost of the failed exercise, among it $400,000 of state and federal government money for a FIFO co-ordinator, $68,000 in ratepayers’ funds for a FIFO liaison officer, plus additional expense for a survey, reports and workshops.

The Bulletin has also learned council is set to spend up big, enlisting the help of one of Australia’s top demographers to make a case for mining companies and charter operators to use Coolangatta airport as a FIFO base.

High-profile expert Bernard Salt is understood to be in the box seat for the job. Council refused to say how much the latest exercise would cost, but demographers said the figure would be considerable.

Council and the Gold Coast Airport more than two years ago started working on the project — to secure regular flights for mine workers out of Coolangatta to places such as Emerald, Mackay and Gladstone.

Terminal 2 was earmarked as a FIFO hub and space was also set aside for mining services companies to operate out of the facility.

But the proposal failed to progress because key parties — property consortium the Mentors group and Gold Coast Airport — couldn’t come to an agreement.

However, Cr Tate yesterday said the research was a necessary step because the city lacked the “hard data” mining companies wanted before they would commit to using Gold Coast Airport rather than Brisbane or Sunshine Coast airports.

“I am absolutely confident there is a strong business case for a FIFO hub here,” he said. “But we have not had the details about how many mine workers live here and travel elsewhere to support our argument.

“Data is going to be at the core of this business case.

“I have asked council officers to consult with the top tier of demographers to fill in the blanks.”

Connecting Southern Gold Coast chief executive Peter Doggett has backed the council’s argument about the need for more research to progress FIFO plans.

“The progress on FIFO has been slower than most people thought it would be,” he said.

“One reason for that is that we don’t know exactly how many people are living here and working in the mines.

“That is the first step before we can go to the mining companies and make our case.”

Solo mums in New Zealand stealing to feed children

Photo / Thinkstock

A Whangarei, New Zealand solo mum has resorted to stealing to feed her children, while another gets more money on the benefit than any job she can get in the region, a beneficiary support worker says.

Carol Peters, from Whangarei advocacy group One Double Five Community Law, said stigma, lack of jobs and training were among the difficulties Northland’s long-term beneficiaries faced in getting off state dependency.

The comments come after the Ministry of Social Development revealed that Northland’s five longest-serving beneficiaries have been receiving a state allowance for between 28 and 32 years, with all getting a domestic purposes-related benefit.

An Official Information Act request revealed that the ministry is working closely to support the five beneficiaries’ return to employment. All are women with children.

Work and Income deputy chief executive Debbie Power said the five were all in receipt of DPB-related allowances, including sole parents, care of sick or infirm, women alone and emergency maintenance allowance.

However, Carol Peters said July’s welfare reforms would hit DPB recipients particularly hard, with many already struggling on the benefit, which starts at $293 a week then increases for each additional child.

 

“We know of one woman on the DPB who has had to resort to stealing to feed her children. It’s not stealing luxuries, it’s food for her and her children because the DPB doesn’t provide enough to do so after she’s paid her rent and other incidentals,” Mrs Peters said.

“She’s under a budgeter and after paying the bills [rent, power etc] she has about $100 a week for food, medical and school expenses and clothes, etc, that’s not a lot when you’ve got five kids. It’s not that she’s spending her benefit on cigarettes or alcohol or any luxuries. And she’s the second one we’ve seen in a week who’s had to steal to make ends meet.”

She said another solo mum the group works with recently applied for a minimum wage job.

There were a handful of positions, but more than 300 people applied, many with experience in the field.

“If she gets it, by the time she’s paid transport and other costs [associated with the job] she’ll be earning less than on the DPB,” Mrs Peters said. “These are low-paid, minimum wage jobs and people on the DPB do not receive vast amounts of money as some people seem to think.”

Ms Power said the clients faced many challenges which present barriers to their ability to secure full-time employment.

“Four of these clients have a child or children under the age of 14 years in their care. One is caring for a child with severe special needs,” she said.

“Work and Income is working closely with these clients to support them into employment. Two recently completed training courses through external education providers and are currently undertaking volunteer work with local community organisations.

“This experience will help them find paid work opportunities with welfare reform changes are implemented in July.”

Mrs Peters said with Northland having an unemployment rate of around 10 per cent, the highest in the country, she challenged the Government to show her where all the jobs were for the women it was going to “force” off the DPB and other benefits with its welfare reforms.

– NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Historic Brisbane mansion goes up in flames

A man is assisting police with their investigation into a fire which destroyed at least half of one of Brisbane’s oldest mansions overnight.

The owner of Hanworth House in East Brisbane, Marisa Vecchio, has spoken of her devastation as a result of the fire which started at 12.30am on Tuesday and took about 30 firefighters hours to extinguish.

“Probably around 80 per cent to 100 per cent of the original house is gone,” she told ABC 612 Brisbane.

Hanworth House on fire. Photo: Seven News

“It’s the most devastating news for us and for Brisbane.”

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Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk echoed the sentiment.

“It is very, very sad to see a building of that age that has suffered such severe fire damage,” C Quirk said.

Hanworth House damaged by fire overnight. Photo: Jenna Hudson, Nine News

‘‘Clearly the owners have put in an enormous amount of personal and financial capital, not to mention the emotional capital into restoration work on that home.’’

Cr Quirk said it was unclear if council could offer any help to the owners.

‘‘At this stage I think the owners are still determining the level of damage,’’ he said.

Hanworth House in 1982. Photo: National Trust of Queensland.

Brisbane City Council does offer some heritage grants.

A man is assisting police with their investigation into the fire but police stressed he is not being formally interviewed.

Firefighters arrived at Hanworth House in the early hours of the morning to find at least half of the 19-bedroom mansion on fire.

Hanworth House in 1930. Photo: State Library of Queensland and John Oxley Library

A spokeswoman for Department of Community Safety said it took about 2½ hours for the blaze in the Lytton Road mansion to be brought under control.

Lytton Road was closed in both directions until about 5.30am as the area was made safe.

Fire investigators are on the scene trying to determine the cause of the fire but Australian Traffic Network Reporter Jay Lane said there should be no hassles on the road for morning commuters.

“Traffic at the moment is non-existent but the road has been re-opened so there should not be any trouble,” he said.

“We were expecting some issues if the road remained closed.”

No one was in the mansion when the fire started.

Construction started on Hanworth House in 1864 and it was finished in 1865.

It was home to Brisbane’s first port master for more than two decades before a bank manager moved in and after his tenancy it was sold to a philanthropist who turned it into a hospice.

The Theosophical Society eventually took it over and in 1995 it was bought by the Anglican Church, which renamed it the Hanworth Home for the Aged.

It was sold for $2 million last year and renovations began soon after.

It was believed the renovations were still ongoing up until the overnight fire

Source: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au

Hope Island beauty up for auction

 

ONE of the Gold Coast’s most expensive homes is heading for auction after languishing on the market for more than four years.

The incredible five-bedroom, 10-bathroom home in Gracemere Circuit, Hope Island — which once had a $25 million price tag — is owned by former Fraser Island barge and resort operators Sid Melksham and Angela Burger.

The property, on the edge of the Broadwater, was first placed on the market in March 2009, but has failed to sell despite its price dropping to $16.5 million in June last year.

The home is now part of the prestige line-up at Ray White Surfers Paradise’s auction on April 9 at Palazzo Versace.

The 2709sq m house boasts six separate living rooms, a tiered theatre and fully self-contained penthouse on the top level.

It is also one of few homes on the Coast that has room for a superyacht to be moored out the front and bridge-free access to the Broadwater.

Ray White Surfers Paradise boss Andrew Bell said the home was a landmark property, located in the best position available at Hope Island.

Several open houses are expected in the lead-up to the auction but only those with photo identification will be allowed in the door.

The property was reportedly the Gold Coast’s most expensive when then-owner businessman Gary Chuck advertised it for sale with a listed price of $25 million in 2007.

It was sold to Ms Burger and Mr Melksham’s company Jaigear Pty Ltd for just $9.75 million in May 2008, after Mr Chuck got into financial trouble and administrators moved in.

They put it back on the market less than a year later.

Other properties on the list for next month’s auction include 2 Wildash St, Southport, owned by retired cotton farmer Tom Hadley. He paid $3.8 million for the riverfront home basement and gym — in 2002.

An impressive home in Admiralty Drive, Paradise Waters, owned by Maree Anderson, is also expected to attract attention.

Ms Anderson paid $2.65 million for the house almost three years ago.

Source: goldcoast.com.au

Parents risk $55k fine for boozy parties

PARENTS selling alcohol to teenagers risk a $55,000 fine and jail time if caught by authorities.

Liquor licensing officers have launched an investigation after a string of Gold Coast parties at which parents charged teenagers to cover the cost of drinks.

Concerned families contacted the Bulletin after a weekend event at Bonogin where teenagers were asked to pay $15 if they consumed alcohol at a 16th birthday party.

Once the fee was paid, the teenagers were given a wrist band allowing access to a full bar.

“It’s concerning that parents think it’s cool to supply alcohol to 15-year-olds,” an outraged father said.

“I certainly had no idea there would be alcohol and I’m betting a lot of other parents had no idea not only that there was alcohol, but that it was encouraged.”

He said the party was well organised and registered with police but he was stunned when his daughter was charged $15 to pay for alcohol.

“I wouldn’t mind betting that someone actually made a profit from the night.”

Veteran criminal lawyer Bill Potts said it was a legal minefield and parents could face charges under the Liquor Act and be exposed to further legal action.

“Under the responsible service of alcohol act, adults are not allowed to supply alcohol to minors,” Mr Potts said.

“This is not a matter where a parent allows a sip of champagne at a celebration — it is a matter of context.

“This is a situation where parents appear to be charging teenagers in a bid to defray the cost of alcohol — which is an offence. There is also the added danger if a child is injured at the party, or leaving the party while under the influence, the parents could find themselves in trouble.”

He said the parents were not trained in the responsible service of alcohol and had no way of knowing the age and history of every guest.

A Liquor Licensing spokesman said it was an offence to sell liquor without a licence.

“The Liquor Act 1992 defines ‘sell’ as including supply in circumstances where the supplier gains a direct or indirect pecuniary benefit; and gratuitous supply to keep or gain custom,” the spokesman said.

“There is a maximum penalty of $55,000 for a first offence and penalties of up to $110,000 or 18 months’ imprisonment may apply for subsequent offences.”

The spokesman said parents could also face an additional $8800 fine for supplying liquor to a minor in a public place.

“Adults need to ensure any liquor supplied to minors for whom they are responsible is done so in a responsible way.

“Responsible supply of liquor requires the adult involved to be either a parent or guardian.”

Police have the power to seize the liquor if the officer reasonably suspects it is associated with irresponsible supply to a minor.

Souce: goldcoast.com.au

Champion skier Lindsey Vonn says she’s dating golfer Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods confirmed he is dating Lindsey Vonn and posted this picture of the pair on Facebook. Source: Supplied

TIGER Woods, the 14-time major golf champion whose infamous sex scandal led to a 2010 divorce, is dating ski star Lindsey Vonn, the two US sports icons have announced.

“I guess it wasn’t a well-kept secret but yes, I am dating Tiger Woods,” Vonn said in a Twitter posting and a longer statement on her Facebook page that included pictures of the couple.

“Our relationship evolved from a friendship into something more over these past few months and it has made me very happy. I don’t plan on addressing this further as I would like to keep that part of my life between us, my family and close friends. Thank you for understanding and your continued support! xo LV”

Woods posted a Twitter message that said, “Just posted some pictures of @Lindseyvonn and me on Facebook” and wrote his own statement revealing his relationship with Vonn on his Facebook page.

 

“This season has been great so far and I’m happy with my wins at Torrey and Doral,” Woods said. “Something nice that’s happened off the course was meeting Lindsey Vonn. Lindsey and I have been friends for some time, but over the last few months we have become very close and are now dating.

“We thank you for your support and for respecting our privacy. We want to continue our relationship, privately, as an ordinary couple and continue to compete as athletes.”

Kath & Kim star Gina Riley treated for breast cancer at Melbourne’s Cabrini Hospital

Gina Riley, on right, with Kath & Kim co-star Jane Turner. Riley has been treated for breast cancer after a routine health check. Picture: Jim Trifyllis Source: News Limited

Gina Riley and Jane Turner in the hit TV series Kath & Kim. Picture: Matthew Bouwmeester Source: News Limited

KATH & Kim star Gina Riley is having treatment for breast cancer.

Riley, who rose to fame in the late-80s on sketch comedy series Fast Forward and is one of Australia’s most-loved entertainers, was diagnosed before Christmas.

She has since had the cancer removed and is preparing for further treatment described as “insurance” to ensure she returns to full health.

Medical specialists at Cabrini Hospital have devised Riley’s treatment program and have said the prognosis is excellent because the cancer was detected early.

Riley, who was most recently seen in the movie Kath & Kimderella, is having a break from work to focus on her health.

It was as a result of a number of friends battling breast cancer in recent years that Riley had become vigilant about having regular check-ups.

In a statement to the Herald Sun, she said: “During my regular yearly breast check, a cancer in my breast was discovered. I know whenever I read of other women finding breast cancer I want to know, how it was found and were there any warning signs?

“So here it is. For me there was no lump that could be felt by either me or my doctor. It was only that I went to my regular mammogram and ultrasound appointment that it was found.

“The cancer has been found early and is treatable and for that I feel lucky and grateful. I am being looked after by an amazing medical team. I encourage woman to have regular breast checks, as the earlier it is found the better the outcome.”

True to her style, Riley’s statement suggests she sees the importance of trying to maintain strength and humour through treatment.

“So ladies, get your breasts checked out. Preferably by a health professional,” the statement ended.

Riley has made it known she will be making no further comment and asks that her and her family’s privacy is respected at this time.

Source: perthnow.com.au

Congo warlord Ntaganda turns himself in

Bosco Ntaganda. Photo / AP

A Congolese warlord accused of conscripting child soldiers who had lived as an international fugitive for years surrendered to the United States Embassy in Rwanda and asked to be transferred to the International Criminal Court, a US State Department spokeswoman said.

The move marks a major advance in efforts to prosecute Bosco Ntaganda, who had become a symbol of impunity in Africa as he played tennis and lived in an upscale villa in eastern Congo despite the international warrants for his arrest.

State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland confirmed that Ntaganda walked into the US Embassy in Kigali today and asked to be transferred to the International Criminal Court at The Hague, Netherlands. She said the US was consulting with the Rwandan government.

“We want to facilitate that request,” she said. “We strongly support the work that the ICC is doing to investigate the atrocities committed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. And we are going to continue to work with the ICC on this matter.”

The ICC first indicted Ntaganda in 2006. However despite that warrant, he went on to become a general in the Congolese army, living freely in eastern Congo.

 

The ICC has no police force and has to rely on member states to detain those it indicts. Congo failed to apprehend him for years, and the United States is not a member.

“If he’s actually handed over to the International Criminal Court or a court that would prosecute him, that would be a huge step forward in the fight for justice in eastern Congo,” said Carina Tertsakian, a senior researcher for Human Rights Watch.

The allegations against Ntaganda date back to crimes allegedly committed a decade ago in northeastern Congo. However, human rights groups say he has been implicated in other attacks on civilians in eastern Congo during his time as a fugitive.

News of Ntaganda’s surrender first came in a Tweet and later in an official communique from Rwandan Foreign Minister and government spokeswoman Louise Mushikiwabo.

While Ntaganda was long believed to have enjoyed Rwanda’s support, his relationship with the country where he was born has been unclear ever since his rebel movement split into two different factions earlier this month.

It was unclear why Ntaganda choose to surrender, and to turn himself into the U.S. embassy, after years at large, though the split within his group may have left him more vulnerable. The move comes days after Ntaganda’s ally Jean-Marie Runiga was detained by Rwandan authorities. The leader of a rival faction within the M23 movement at the time vowed to go after Ntaganda next.

The news of Ntaganda’s surrender was hailed by Congolese government spokesman Lambert Mende.

“We are confident they will hand him over to justice,” he said of the U.S. officials in Kigali.

Nicknamed “The Terminator,” for his ruthless actions, Ntaganda was born in Rwanda in 1973, and moved to the neighboring nation of Congo as a teenager.

He was first indicted in 2006 by the International Criminal Court for conscripting and using child soldiers during his time as a senior commander in a Congolese rebel group accused of terrorizing the Ituri region of eastern Congo between 2002 and 2003.

He later joined and rose through the ranks of a different rebel group, the National Congress for the Defense of the People, which signed a peace accord with the Congolese government on March 23, 2009.

That accord paved the way for Ntaganda and his fellow rebels to join the ranks of the regular Congolese army.

Then last spring, he and his men began defecting from the Congolese army by the hundreds, claiming that the government had failed to uphold their end of the 2009 deal.

They started a new rebellion, dubbed the M23, in honor of the March 23 signing of the now-defunct 2009 accord. And in November last year, the rebel group marched into and seized control of the provincial capital of Goma.

Ntaganda’s exact role in the M23 rebellion remained murky. Human rights groups accused him of leading it, while other M23 leaders attempted to distance themselves from the fugitive general.

Rights groups on Monday called for Ntaganda’s swift prosecution.

“Bosco Ntaganda is not called `The Terminator’ for nothing. The U.S. should immediately hand him over to the International Criminal Court for trial,” said Sasha Lezhnev, senior analyst for the Enough Project in Washington, who closely follows Congo. “This would send serious signals to current and future warlords who continue to perpetrate atrocities in eastern Congo.”

In Congo, Henri Bora Ladyi, who works at the Conflict Resolution Center which helps demobilize child soldiers, including some who fought in Ntaganda’s rebel army, said: “It’s a relief, but justice must be done. We fear that he will be kept in Rwanda and won’t be extradited. Now what is important is to create space so that children in the M23 can leave the movement.”

– AP

Man, 68, charged with murder over Mt Lawley stabbing

FATAL WOUNDS: A 68-year-old man has been charged with murdering a 58-year-old man in Mt Lawley last night. Source: PerthNow

A 68-year-old man will face Perth Magistrates Court this morning over the stabbing death of another man in Mt Lawley overnight.

Police and ambulance were called to the Forrest Street home about 7.30pm last night, where they found a 56-year-old man dead. He had been stabbed several times.

The 68-year-old man was at the scene.

He was taken into custody and charged later in the night with murder.

Juveniles at adult Hakea Prison ‘unacceptable’ – legal advocates

ADULT JAIL: Hakea Prison, in Canning Vale, where 73 juveniles were sent after a riot at Banksia Hill.   Source: PerthNow

LEGAL and youth advocates have labelled the detention of convicted juveniles in Hakea Prison as “unacceptable”, “unhealthy” and “gravely concerning”.

The concerns come from submissions to the Banksia Hill Inquiry by the Inspector of Custodial Services into the riot at the juvenile detention centre in January this year.

On Sunday, January 22, about 60 young offenders armed with rocks and other improvised weapons smashed nearly 100 cells at the Banksia Hill Detention Centre, reportedly forcing some staff to barricade themselves into a part of the facility to avoid being attacked.

Damage caused by the rampage prompted the temporary relocation of 73 young offenders ­– including some not involved in the riot – to the nearby Hakea prison, an adult remand centre.

Soon after the debacle, Inspector of Custodial Services Neil Morgan was asked to carry out a full investigation into all aspects of the incident, with submissions due on March 8.

The submissions are now available to the public on the inquiry’s website.

Staff and students at Murdoch University’s School of Law with the Southern Communities Advocacy Legal Education Service made a submission challenging the conditions the young offenders were facing in the adult prison.

The group were given access to some of the juveniles and their families in preparing for their submission and Murdoch’s director of clinical legal programs Anna Copeland said their findings were worrying and “unacceptable.”

She said the youths were in a 24-hour lock-down when they were first moved to Hakea, were not always able to see family because of restrictive visiting hours, had limited access to education and rehabilitation programs and family were worried about visible weight loss and potential mental health issues.

“The inappropriate nature of the facilities at Hakea has resulted in many negative impacts on the young people now detained there,” Ms Copeland said.

Legal Aid WA said tensions were already high among detainees because they were spending too much time locked in cells at Banksia Hill before then being moved to Hakea.

“For a two week period after their transfer to Hakea Prison, young people were detained in a 24 hour lock down,” the Legal Aid submission read. “This is unhealthy.”

The Youth Affairs Council of WA (YACWA) chief executive Craig Comrie made a submission that the council had heard the juveniles had been subjected to restraints, violence and intimidation from other inmates, and increased strip searches that could potentially breach significant child rights.

He called for the youths to be removed from Hakea immediately.

“YACWA believes that the best interests of children deprived of liberty has not been the primary consideration of our State Government in temporarily placing all male detainees at Hakea Prison,” Mr Comrie said.

Amnesty International wrote to the Inspector to say the detention of juveniles in Hakea was “gravely concerning” and understood only a wire fence separated them from the adult population.

“Amnesty International considers it unacceptable that the Western Australian Government has indicated that these young people may remain at the Hakea Prison for up to one year,” national director Claire Mallinson wrote.

The Commissioner for Children and Young People, Western Australian Council of Social Service, Alliance for Future Health and the Community and Public Sector Union also made public submissions to the enquiry.

In their submission, the union called for the re-establishment of a second juvenile facility in WA.

Tom Waterhouse believed to have been offered $500m for bookmaking business

From a bookmaking dynasty, Tom Waterhouse said he had no intention of selling his bookmaking operation in an interview last year. Picture: Stuart Walmsley Source: Herald Sun

BETTING’S “everywhere man” Tom Waterhouse is believed to have been offered at least $500 million to sell his thriving bookmaking business.

A leading UK-based betting operator is rumoured to have made the substantial offer to buy out the nation’s biggest individual bookmaker.

But Waterhouse, 30, is remaining tight-lipped about the industry speculation and his spokesman gave only a firm “no comment” when asked by News Limited about the takeover bid.

“We get at least one call a week about this (takeover bids),” the spokesman added.

Waterhouse’s online business TomWaterhouse.com is estimated to have betting turnover of more than $500 million a year, giving him a decent chunk of Australia’s $20 billion a year betting industry.

In an interview late last year, Waterhouse said he has no intention of selling his bookmaking operation.

“I still want to be doing this business in 50 years,” Waterhouse said.

“What do I need to sell it for? I wouldn’t want to change my lifestyle. If I had the choice of lying on the beach or being a bookie, I’d be a bookie.”

Waterhouse has a dual bookmaker’s licence in Victoria and Northern Territory but spends the majority of his time running his business out of Melbourne.

Born to be a bookie, Waterhouse is continuing the family tradition of his grandfather Bill and father Robbie.

Bill was once the world’s biggest bookmaker and although retired, he retains an active role in family’s betting operations. Robbie remains one of Sydney’s leading rails bookies and a form expert.

Unlike his grandfather and father, Tom is rarely seen calling the odds on racetracks.

He spends most of his time at his Moonee Valley office where he takes bets either online or over the phone.

His television advertising campaigns have become omnipresent on the nation’s television screens this year, particularly with his association with Channel 9’s NRL coverage this season.

Waterhouse has forged a deal worth more than $10 million a season over the next five years to be the NRL’s official wagering partner.

Keyshia Cole Responds To Beyonce’s New Single “Bow Dow/I Been On”

We’re back at Point A. Keyshia Cole took to twitter to react to Beyonce’s out-of-nowhere “Bow Down/I Been On” song. Beyonce tapped into her ratchet side (though she grew up in quite a nice neighborhood but loving/super supportive family and friends) to deliver a message plain and simple: Bitch you not on my level. The Bey stans are rejoicing in the unfiltered track but everyone else seems to be pretty confused but more shocked. Keyshia said what a lot of people were thinking, but the Twitter world has been on a rapid rampage since her tweet. This is not the first time Keyshia came for someone in the DC3 tribe. Just a few months back, she blasted Michelle Williams for her shaky super bowl performance; and again while everyone agreed, it’s the fact that it’s coming from Keyshia. Read her rant here:

Amber Rose Releases Her Own Post-Baby Pics

After some not so good pictures of the new mom surfaced the internet(pictured below), Amber Rose has officially released her own picture.

We all know women struggle to get back into shape after having a baby. Amber, who just gave birth to her little one with Fiance Wiz Khlifa just 3 weeks ago. The model took to her Instagram to sort of brush off those bad pics. Amber’s version of her 3 weeks after giving birth:

Shape Magazine Drops More Pictures From Beyonce’s April 2013 Fitness Spread

And there’s more! If you thought last week’s photographs of Beyonce (57lbs later) in Shape Magazine came for your self-esteem, brace yourself there’s more where that came from. Shape magazine just dropped 10 more photos of King Bey where she proudly flaunts her near-perfect, post-baby body. Beyonce revealed she gained a total of 57lbs (exactly) with her Blue Ivy pregnancy but lost it all in 60 days; Yes, 1/3 of her pregnancy time. Check out her flicks and accompanying quotes that Shape found appealing to women:

“The most important thing about creating a healthy lifestyle is figuring out which workout makes you happy.”

“The most alluring thing a woman can have is confidence.”

“Don’t focus on the bits you don’t like. Look at yourself in a different way and work out what it is you do like.”

I want to have my own passions and do thing that challenge me. I believe showing my daughter that side of me makes me a better mother.

“The pressure to be thin is unbelievable. You should be thinking about building up your character and having fun.”

“I used to be afraid of people thinking I was difficult or too critical, and you know, I don’t really care about that anymore.”

“I love my husband, but it is nothing like a conversation with a woman that understands you. I grow so much from those conversations”

“Some people prefer the gym, but when I have to put on workout clothes and run on a treadmill, I get bored.”

Source: Shape

Jennifer Love Hewitt Gives Sway A Hand Massage And Talks Vejazzling Her Private Area

Jennifer Love Hewitt stopped by Sway in the Morning recently, and along with taking a walk down memory lane about her past movies, she spoke about her new role in, The Client List a show about a mother of two who gives happy ending massages. Also she talks “vejazzling” her downtown area, to make it sparkle and look pretty.

Kim Kardashian Opens Up About Pregnancy At Temptations Premiere In Atlanta; ‘It’s Getting More Difficult”

Kim Kardashian flew down to Atlanta this weekend from Los Angeles for the premiere of her new feature film, “Temptation”; a Tyler Perry creation. There, she showed off her baby bump in a lace black piece paired with leather pants and black pumps. On the read carpet, Kim revealed that being pregnant was becoming increasingly difficult as the days passed.

‘It’s a little painful at times….I’ve gotten sick a couple of times and that puts you out especially when you travel. It’s getting a little more difficult.’

Kim also revealed that her pregnancy cravings are rather healthy: ‘I’m craving carrots and ranch dressing,’ she said. ‘I used to love sweets, I used to love chocolate, can’t even eat chocolate!’

Yes, Kim pregnancy is no walk in the park. Supposedly, her baby father Kanye West surprised her at the Tyler Perry premiere but no photos were captured of the two, together. Kim flew back to LAX looking visually uncomfortable  in a sheer black top:

Ice T and Coco Celebrate Coco’s Happy Birthday In New York City

Despite the dreadful rumors of a martial split and circulating nude pictures of vixen Coco, the couple of over a decade celebrated Coco’s birthday in bliss this weekend. The two started the weekend at NYC’s hotspot, Greenhouse. There they were photoed booed up sharing smiles and plenty (lap) dances. Then the two hit up Gordon Ramsey’s BurGR at Planet Hollywood restaurant on Sunday where they continued the celebration with cupcakes, bottles of Ciroc and one big pink cake. It looked pretty peachy to me. Looks like Ice forgave the voluptuous dancer:

First Look: Amber Rose Surfaces For The First Time Since Delivering Baby Sebastian.

Oh Amber! Amber Rose has been knee-depth in diapers, changing bibs and breast feeding- the beginning stages of motherhood. The new mom and wife surfaced this weekend with her supportive mother to do a little shopping for baby Sebastian. Amber’s still rocking her buzzed cut but looked super tired and not as put together as she usually is but this is not a surprise. Amber looks considerable larger than usual (of course) but from the looks of it, she will be loosing that weight pretty soon. Check out her St.Patrick’s day ensemble:

Source: Daily mail

Twins who are Amsterdam’s oldest prostitutes retire At 70-years-old after having sex with 355,000 Men

Twin sisters believed to be Amsterdam’s oldest prostitutes have retired after more than 50 years each in the sex trade.

Louise and Martine Fokkens, 70, have finally decided they are too old for the business after claiming to have slept with 355,000 men between them in a combined 100-year career.

Louise, a mother of four, has said her arthritis now makes some sexual positions ‘too painful’.

And mother-of-three Martine admits she is finding it hard to attract new punters – except one elderly man who still comes for his weekly sado-maschism session.

She said: ‘I couldn’t give him up. He’s been coming to me for so long it’s like going to church on a Sunday.’

The pair were the subject of a documentary film last year called Meet the Fokkens, and have now written a book about their combined 100-years of sexual exploits called The Ladies of Amsterdam.

Both women – who usually dress in identical red clothes – became prostitutes before the age of 20 to survive financially after escaping violent relationships.

They now look back on the ‘golden years’ of the profession before the Netherlands legalised prostitution and the sex trade was invaded by ‘eastern European mafia’.

Louise said: ‘It is very different now. We used to sit in the windows with clothes on. Today they are totally naked.

‘There are few Dutch women and no sense of community these days.’

Martine added: ‘The legalisation of brothels in 2000 has not improved prostitutes’ lives.

Source: DailyMail

Bow Wow Ordered To Pay $80,000 To A French Pornstar For Using Her Image Without Permission!

As if Bow Wow needed any more negative press about his mula. The rapper – who has been stormed with rumors of financial hardship – dropped a “Drank In My Cup” viral video a while back that featured a French adult model that goes by the name Celine Tran aka “Katsuni”.

Celine caught on to the visuals and decided to take action and hit him with a $80,000 bill for her unsuspected cameo.

Bow Wow has been in the industry long enough to know that you can’t use images/videos of people with out their permission. Then again in his defense who would really expect to be sued for a viral internet video? Times are changing fast.

TMZ reports:

Adult film star Celine Tran – known as “Katsuni” — sued Bow Wow back in July 2012, claiming he stole clips of her pole dancing in a music video for a French band called Electronic Conspiracy and then used a ton of the footage in his music video “Drank in My Cup” … sans permission.

Bow Wow didn’t even respond to the lawsuit, so a federal judge ordered him to pony up $79,346.07 (damages + attorneys’ fees) … and stop with the footage STAT.

Welp, sucks to be you.

This is the chica who is laughing all the way to the bank with Bow’s $80,000:

Source: TMZ

Double tragedy as father follows son off mountain

 

WORRIED DAD: Peter Saunders on the phone to emergency services when he fell from the mountain.

 

SLIPPED: Charles Saunders died after falling off a mountainside in the Swiss Alps.

 

A British father watched his son fall hundreds of metres off a mountain only to die himself while trying to raise the alarm.

According to the Guardian, Charlie Saunders, 12, and his father, Peter, 48, died at the weekend while exploring a trail in the Couloir des Bossons on the Mont Blanc range above the Chamonix valley in the French Alps.

It is thought Charlie fell first and then his father called for help before searching for his son, and fell to his death while trying to help him.

The Guardian reported the rescue centre at Annecy received a brief call from the father about 3pm on Saturday (Sunday NZT), saying that his son had fallen and disappeared.

“He said he could no longer see him and couldn’t get to him,” said Captain Patrice Ribes, the deputy commander of the mountain rescue gendarmerie at Chamonix.

“We think the father tried to find his son after he called us and asked for rescue. We believe he fell as he tried to find his son.”

The gendarmerie – a military force tasked with civilian policing – said the father told them he was near Les Houches, a village next to Chamonix.

The gendarme who took the call said he tried to ask Peter Saunders some questions to find his exact location but “he was very, very panicked and then the line was cut”.

The gendarme tried to call back, but was immediately diverted to voicemail.

“The conversation was very brief. We believe the father died very quickly after his son, possibly trying to rescue him,” a gendarmerie spokesman told British Press.

A rescue mission was launched but it took some time to establish whether the pair were skiing, walking with snowshoes or on foot.

They were found a day later and had to be identified through Interpol with British police. Charlie had fallen about 300 metres into the couloir while Peter had fallen 200 metres.

According to locals the walking route they chose was popular in summer, but not in winter, when it needed to be traversed with special equipment and only experienced hikers would dare tackle it.

Source: stuff.co.nz

Iraq war cost US more than US$2 trillion

Reuters

A US Chinook helicopter drops Marines in an undisclosed location in the Iraqi desert at the start of the war in 2003.

The US war in Iraq has cost US$1.7 trillion with an additional US$490 billion in benefits owed to war veterans, expenses that could grow to more than US$6 trillion over the next four decades counting interest.

The war has killed at least 134,000 Iraqi civilians and may have contributed to the deaths of as many as four times that number, according to the Costs of War Project by the Watson Institute for International Studies at Brown University.

When security forces, insurgents, journalists and humanitarian workers were included, the war’s death toll rose to an estimated 176,000 to 189,000, the study said.

The report, the work of about 30 academics and experts, was published in advance of the 10th anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq on March 19, 2003.

It was also an update of a 2011 report the Watson Institute produced ahead of the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks that assessed the cost in dollars and lives from the resulting wars in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq.

The 2011 study said the combined cost of the wars was at least US$3.7 trillion, based on actual expenditures from the US Treasury and future commitments, such as the medical and disability claims of US war veterans.

That estimate climbed to nearly US$4 trillion in the update.

The estimated death toll from the three wars, previously at 224,000 to 258,000, increased to a range of 272,000 to 329,000 two years later.

Excluded were indirect deaths caused by the mass exodus of doctors and a devastated infrastructure, for example, while the costs left out trillions of dollars in interest the United States could pay over the next 40 years.

The interest on expenses for the Iraq war could amount to about US$4 trillion during that period, the report said.

The report also examined the burden on US veterans and their families, showing a deep social cost as well as an increase in spending on veterans.

The 2011 study found US medical and disability claims for veterans after a decade of war totalled US$33 billion. Two years later, that number had risen to US$134.7 billion.

FEW GAINS

The report concluded the United States gained little from the war while Iraq was traumatised by it.

The war reinvigorated radical Islamist militants in the region, set back women’s rights, and weakened an already precarious healthcare system, the report said.

Meanwhile, the US$212 billion reconstruction effort was largely a failure with most of that money spent on security or lost to waste and fraud, it said.

Former President George Bush’s administration cited its belief that Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’s government held weapons of mass destruction to justify the decision to go to war.

US and allied forces later found that such stockpiles did not exist.

Supporters of the war argued that intelligence available at the time concluded Iraq held the banned weapons and noted that even some countries that opposed the invasion agreed with the assessment.

“Action needed to be taken,” said Steven Bucci, the military assistant to former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in the run-up to the war and today a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative Washington-based think-tank.

Bucci, who was unconnected to the Watson study, agreed with its observation that the forecasts for the cost and duration of the war proved to be a tiny fraction of the real costs.

“If we had had the foresight to see how long it would last and even if it would have cost half the lives, we would not have gone in,” Bucci said. “Just the time alone would have been enough to stop us. Everyone thought it would be short.”

Bucci said the toppling of Saddam and the results of an unforeseen conflict between US-led forces and al Qaeda militants drawn to Iraq were positive outcomes of the war.

“It was really in Iraq that ‘al Qaeda central’ died,” Bucci said. “They got waxed.”

– Reuters

 

 

Game over: Lohan accepts plea deal

Reuters

GAME OVER: Lindsay Lohan is heading to rehab.

Lindsay Lohan has accepted a plea deal on a misdemeanor car crash case that includes 90 days in a locked-down rehabilitation facility that she won’t be able to leave.

The 26-year-old actress, who has struggled for years with legal problems, pleaded no contest to reckless driving, lying to police and obstructing officers who were investigating the accident involving the actress in June.

She was also found in violation of her probation in a 2011 necklace theft and sentenced to 180 days in jail.

However, she will be able to avoid jail time if she complies with the conditions of her plea deal that also includes 30 days of community labour and 18 months of psychological therapy.

Before the Mean Girls actress left the courtroom, Superior Judge Superior Court Judge James R. Dabney offered her a suggestion.

“Don’t drive,” he said.

The hearing had been set to begin at 8:30 am, and Lohan arrived after 9 a.m. looking slightly frazzled in a cream ensemble.

Her lawyers and a prosecutor met with the judge in chambers for more than two hours before Lohan entered the plea.

Attorney Mark Jay Heller, who represents Lohan, left the chambers several times to confer with her in a courtroom hallway.

Lohan previously pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Lohan reportedly missed her original Sunday night flight from New York to Los Angeles, instead travelling on a private plane provided by a Los Angeles-based energy drink company for which she has made promotional appearances.

“Thanks Mr. Pink for the private jet see you all in a few hours in LA,” she tweeted early Monday.

Since a pair of arrests for driving under the influence in 2007, Lohan has resolved her numerous court problems without ever going to trial.

Instead she has faced judges who have sentenced her to rehab and counseling, which even her current attorney acknowledges have not completely helped the troubled actress.

Lohan entered Monday’s hearing with a lawyer whose competence has been questioned by a judge, and another set of attorneys waiting in the wings to take over.

She did not, however, have her longtime advocate, Shawn Holley, present. Holley left the case this year after keeping the actress out of jail for significant periods of time on probation violations and the allegations in 2011 that she took a US$2,500 necklace without permission from an upscale jeweler.

The former Disney star has been under some form of probation since 2007, and her court troubles have stifled a once-promising career.

Lohan’s return to acting last year in the Lifetime movie Liz & Dick was widely panned by critics and viewers. Her upcoming film by Bret Easton Ellis, The Canyons, co-stars porn star James Deen.

Prosecutors decided last year that Lohan would not face criminal charges after being accused of clipping a man with her car outside a Manhattan nightclub.

Prosecutors wouldn’t elaborate on their decision about the Sept. 21 episode involving Jose Rodriguez, 34, of Jersey City, New Jersey.

– © Fairfax NZ News

Hacker jailed for stealing iPad user data

NO BARS: Andrew Auernheimer was sentenced to three years and five months in prison for stealing the personal data of about 120,000 iPad users

A computer hacker has been was sentenced to three years and five months in prison for stealing the personal data of about 120,000 Apple iPad users, including big-city mayors, a TV network news anchor and a Hollywood movie mogul.

Andrew Auernheimer, 27, had been convicted in November by a Newark, New Jersey, jury of one count of conspiracy to access AT&T servers without permission, and one count of identity theft.

The sentence imposed by US District Judge Susan Wigenton in Newark was at the high end of the 33- to 41-month range that the US Department of Justice had sought.

Prosecutors had said prison time would help deter hackers from invading the privacy of innocent people on the Internet.

Among those affected by Auernheimer’s activities were ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Hollywood movie producer Harvey Weinstein, prosecutors said.

“When it became clear that he was in trouble, he concocted the fiction that he was trying to make the Internet more secure, and that all he did was walk in through an unlocked door,” US Attorney Paul Fishman said in a statement. “The jury didn’t buy it, and neither did the court in imposing sentence.”

Auernheimer had sought probation. His lawyer had argued that no passwords were hacked, and that a long prison term was unjustified given that the government recently sought six months for a defendant in a case involving “far more intrusive facts.”

The lawyer, Tor Ekeland, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday. He has said his client would appeal.

Ekeland is also a lawyer for Matthew Keys, a deputy social media editor at Thomson Reuters Corp who was suspended with pay on Friday.

Keys was indicted last week in California on federal charges of aiding the Anonymous hacking collective by giving a hacker access to Tribune Co computer systems in December 2010.

The alleged events occurred before Keys began working at the website Reuters.com. Ekeland on Friday said Keys “maintains his innocence” and “looks forward to contesting these baseless charges.

INTERNET TROLL

Prosecutors called Auernheimer a “well-known computer hacker and internet ‘troll,'” who with co-defendant Daniel Spitler and the group Goatse Security tried to disrupt online content and services.

The two men were accused of using an “account slurper” designed to match email addresses with identifiers for iPad users, and of conducting a “brute force” attack to extract data about those users, who accessed the Internet through the AT&T servers.

This stolen information was then provided to the website Gawker, which published an article naming well-known people whose emails had been compromised, prosecutors said.

Spitler pleaded guilty in June 2011 to the same charges for which Auernheimer was convicted, and is awaiting sentencing.

Gawker was not charged in the case. In its original article, Gawker said Goatse obtained its data through a script on AT&T’s website that was accessible to anyone on the internet. Gawker also said in the article that it established the authenticity of the data through two people listed among the names. A Gawker spokesman on Monday declined to elaborate.

AT&T has partnered with Apple in the United States to provide wireless service on the iPad. After the hacking, it shut off the feature that allowed email addresses to be obtained.

– Reuters

Electronic Arts CEO to step down

GAME OVER: Electronic Arts Chief Executive Officer John Riccitiello has taken responsibility for the conpany’s failings

Electronic Arts’ Chief Executive Officer John Riccitiello has resigned, saying he was “accountable” for the company missing operational targets.

Riccitiello will step down from his post as CEO and member of the board of directors on March 30, the video game company said on Monday.

Electronic Arts’ stock climbed 1.5 perc ent to US$19 in after-hours trade, from a close of US$18.71 on the Nasdaq.

Outcry over Obama/Satan lookalike

COINCIDENCE: Actor Mehdi Ouzaani, who plays Satan (left) and US President Barack Obama (right)

The producers of the cable TV miniseries on the Bible say internet chatter that their Satan character resembles President Barack Obama is “utter nonsense.”

Mark Burnett and Roma Burnett said Monday the Moroccan actor who played Satan in the History channel series, Mehdi Ouzaani, has played Satanic characters in other Biblical programmes long before Obama was elected president.

The connection got widespread attention after talk show host Glenn Beck last week tweeted: “Does Satan look EXACTLY like Obama? Yes!”

History said in a statement that the network has “the highest respect” for Obama, and that “it’s unfortunate that anyone made this false connection.”

“Both Mark and I have nothing but respect and love our president, who is a fellow Christian,” said Downey, the Touched By an Angel actress who is married to Burnett. “False statements such as these are just designed as a foolish distraction to try and discredit the beauty of the story of the Bible.”

Beck has actually been a big supporter of The Bible. The same tweet that pointed out the actor’s resemblance to Obama urged his followers: “Don’t miss it.”

On Monday, Beck tweeted “Media – relax.”

He said the observation was “funny, nothing more” and that the series “is 1 of my fav shows. Keep watching.”

The five-part miniseries has been a big hit for History, reaching more than 13 million viewers for its first episode.

Source: stuff.co.z

Man dead after building site fall in Pauanui, New Zealand

A 70 year old man has fallen to his death in the resort town of Pauanui. Image/tourpeninsula

A man is dead after falling from a building site in the Coromandel resort town of Pauanui this morning.

Inspector Andy Brill from Police Northern Communications said officers were called to the work site on Opal Place about 7.45am after the 70-year-old man fell.

He had been working on the building.

The Department of Labour and police were at the scene trying to ascertain what happened.

Miranda strikes a pose for Vogue

Vogue Australia

STRIKE A POSE: Miranda Kerr on the cover of Vogue Australia’s April edition

Miranda Kerr has claimed that her “authenticity” is the key to her success.

The 29-year-old Australian supermodel, who is famous for her Victoria’s Secret lingerie campaigns, is on the cover of the April issue of Vogue Australia.

Kerr, who is married to actor Orlando Bloom, was photographed by Miguel Reveriego for the sultry shoot, in which she shows off her famous figure in a range of high-fashion outfits.

Natasha Royt styled the stunning star is some of the major looks from the Fall/Winter 13 season. In one image, the model appears in a black bra with a pale pink jacket wrapped around her shoulders. Her hair is styled in loose waves and she looks glamorous with a slick of dark glossy red lips. In another picture the star lies across some steps with a pussy-bow neck tie covering up her decolletage.

Kerr also took part in a behind-the-scenes video from the shoot, which shows her playfully dancing around to music in between shots with her son Flynn.

In an accompanying interview, she reveals why she thinks she has so many followers on her Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts, saying her fans like to see her being herself.

“I feel like people really appreciate it when you are authentic,” she explained.

The Vogue cover has come out just days after the model was involved in a car crash in Los Angeles which left her wearing a neck brace.

Kerr’s Sydney-based spokesperson Annie Kelly revealed last week: “She is in a lot of pain, but really we are just glad it was not more serious”.

Source: stuff.co.nz

Cheerleading coach on trial over sex charges in New Zealand

File photo / Thinkstock

A cheerleading coach bought two 14-year-olds a bottle of vodka before driving them to Mission Bay where he sexually abused one of them in the back seat of his car, a court has heard.

Nikola Michael Marinovich has denied two charges of unlawful sexual connection with a 14 and 15-year-old.

Marinovich – the former executive director of Total Cheerleading – is on trial at the Auckland District Court where a young woman gave evidence about a night she spent with him when she was a teenager.

The woman, now in her 20s, was a member of Marinovich’s cheerleading squad when she was 14-years-old, and told the court she was flattered by the attention from the older man who was at least 18.

The courtroom was closed to members of the public as she spoke of Marinovich sending her “inappropriate” text messages about her body.

She said she spent some time alone with Marinovich at his house in west Auckland, and on at least two occasions sat on his lap.

“I just wasn’t attracted to him like that. It did make me feel good but I wasn’t sure it was ok.”

 

She said on one occasion she asked her parents to drop her at a party in west Auckland with her friend.

But instead of going to the party, she and her friend walked up the road to the dairy where they were picked up by Marinovich in his car.

Crown prosecutor Tiffany Robertson asked why she didn’t tell her parents she was going out with Marinovich.

“Because they would never let me go.”

She said Marinovich bought them a bottle of feijoa vodka which she and her friend drank in the back of the car while parked at Mission Bay.

The woman said she was drunk but her friend was “really, really drunk” when the alleged offending occurred.

Ms Robertson asked the woman if she had done anything to help her friend.

The woman broke down in tears and said she did “nothing”.

“I was really drunk myself … I don’t know why I didn’t do anything, I just got there and went along with it.”

Marinovich dropped the two girls off at her house and she recalled telling her mother that her friend drank too much at the party.

– APNZ