Posts filed under 'General News'
In breaking news, it is believed that debris of the missing Air France jet has been found in the Atlantic ocean, although details are incredibly sketchy at this time.
Brazil’s Globo TV quoted a ham radio operator who reported hearing air force radio traffic that debris possibly from the plane, that was carrying 228 people, had been spotted about 435 miles north of the Brazilian archipelago of Fernando de Noronha.
And the Web site of the Folha de S. Paulo newspaper says air force radar has detected signs of oil and metal in the same area.
An air force spokesman says authorities cannot immediately confirm the reports. He spoke on condition of anonymity, in keeping with department policy.
ABC TV’s Lateline (which I was watching for unrelated reasons) reported a few minutes ago that the sighted wreckage includes seats.
I suppose that’s a good sign. If seats have survived, then there is a chance that people have survived.
Samuel
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:59pm
33 dairy jobs are set to be lost in Kyabram following the sale of the Kyabram research centre at the end of next month.
The Brumby government is moving the jobs to Tatura, however the National’s member for Rodney, Paul Weller, says that the decision will have severe consequences for Kyabram.
The Tocumwal Lions club is holding a public meeting this morning to discuss the need to base an ambulance in Tocumwal.
MP John Williams and a member of the New South Wales ambulance service will be in attendance for the 10am meeting at the Tocumwal memorial Hall.
US President Barack Obama’s envoy to Victoria, Consul-General Michael Thurston, wraps up his first tour of rural Victoria today, visiting Echuca, Moama, Rochester, Colbinabbin and Heathcote.
Yesterday Mr. Thurston came under fire over the US government’s decision to prop up their own farmers who are competing for the same market as many Australian farmers.
In Deni Golf, the winners of the 4BBB event were B. Parks and L. Taylor, with S. Cohen and P. Aitken the runners up.
(Today’s headlines are shorter than usual as the bulletins have a large number of sport previews provided by representatives of various local sporting groups).
Samuel
May 29th, 2009 at 09:00am
A new word has been invented and said twice in Fairfax’s 6am pre-feed news today: “majoritily”.
Apparently General Motors will be majoritily owned by the US government.
It looks like Rush Limbaugh was right, it is “Government Motors”.
Samuel
May 29th, 2009 at 06:21am
I just received a press release informing me that no passengers on the P&O boat the Pacific Dawn has tested positive to swine flu. This effectively kills the rumour of there being swine flu in Berrigan as the story was that a couple people who had been on the Pacific Dawn were in Berrigan.
It’s good news, but it means that I need to find another story for tomorrow.
Update:Town name corrected. Following up another story in Conargo, got the names mixed up. End Update
Samuel
May 28th, 2009 at 02:43pm
I’m surprised by the difference in attitude to the pig flu situation between Victorian health authorities and New South Wales health authorities.
For most of the week I have been inundated with press releases about just about every single diagnosis of pig flu in Victoria. The Victorian authorities seem to believe that keeping people informed is a good idea.
Then we have New South Wales. I’m trying to follow up on a tipoff we have received about a diagnosis of pig flu in Berrigan. Greater Southern Area Health’s media rep responded with “oh we don’t talk about individual cases. We have a website with overall numbers which we update daily”.
I have just checked back through all of the emails and faxes which have come in this week, and I can not find a single message from New South Wales health authorities. Apparently keeping people in the dark and fobbing the media off to a website is the way things are handled in New South Wales.
I much prefer the Victorian approach. Whilst it creates more of an uproar and media circus, at least people are informed about what is going on. The New South Wales way just causes confusion.
Samuel
May 28th, 2009 at 12:57pm
Three people were taken to hospital last night after a car accident at the corner of Henry and Fowler Streets. Police believe that a driver failed to stop at a give way sign, causing both cars to roll.
No one was seriously injured in the accident, however the intersection was blocked for two hours.
Campaspe Shire Council have handed down their draft budget for 2009-10, with a cash surplus of $23,000. Rates are, however, on the increase, and will be going up by 6%.
The 4.3 million dollar Echuca library and community hub project has been placed on hold.
The budget can be viewed at www.campaspe.vic.gov.au and at customer service centres, and public submissions are welcome until the 30th of June.
The Deniliquin Council met last night and heard about a meeting which was held between senior council staff, and local developers and real estate agents, regarding ways to encourage development in Deniliquin and surrounds. The meeting was widely regarded as constructive and was welcomed by local developers and estate agents. A report will be handed to Council from the meeting in the near future.
Council also approved a fee increase at the Deni swimming pool. Fees are going up by an average of 4% from the first of July. It’s the first fee increase at the swimming pool since 2006.
United States Consul General Michael Thurston is touring Echuca, Barmah and Kyabram with Nationals MP Paul Weller today.
Mr. Thurston is US president Barack Obama’s representative in Victoria, and this is his first visit to rural Victoria since being appointed.
Ferrari defeated Porsche by one point in the final of the Deniliquin mixed netball competition.
And in Men’s basketball
The Vikings defeated the Warriors 41 to 37
And the Maples defeated the Under 19s Giants 33 to 26
Samuel
May 28th, 2009 at 11:16am
Police have arrested a man following a 40 kilometre pursuit from Echuca to Kyabram last night.
The shire of Campaspe has released its draft council plan and draft strategic resource plan.
The documents will guide the future direction of the council, and Mayor Peter Williams is inviting locals to provide their feedback.
A student from Finley High School is spending the day in Sydney, shadowing a senior public servant in the education department.
Year 10 student Rhys Portbury is one of twenty students from across New South Wales to be chosen for the annual “Director-general for a day” program, and will spend the day with the education department’s Director of Legal Services.
Wunghnu rimary school has won a 27,000 litre rainwater tank by taking part in Bluescope Steel’s “tankaday” challenge, which is aimed at teaching students water conservation measures.
Campaspe Council will meet at midday to discuss their draft budget. The meeting will take place at the Echuca Civic Centre Function Room and everyone is invited to attend.
The Deniliquin council is meeting this evening. Items on the Agenda include a potential fee increase at the swim centre, and a public question time.
And Conargo shire residents are being encouraged to have a say at community meetings being held today.
In Ladies basketball, the Demons defeated the Deni Sports 35 to 32. Deni Sports’ Julie O’Brien was the top scorer with 14 points.
And the Gulpa Coachies defeated the Rams 34 to 25. The Rams’ Paula Parsons was the top scorer with 13 points.
Samuel
May 27th, 2009 at 05:16pm
The future of the red gum logging industry remains uncertain, with the Rivers and Red Gum Alliance saying that federal environment minister Peter Garret has not lifted a ban on logging in the forests.
Discussions between the New South Wales government and the Federal government are continuing.
Police are asking for public assistance after a string of vandalism attacks over the weekend.
Windows were smashed at a business in Jerilderie, a business on Perracoota road in Moama and a sporting facility in Finley.
The region experienced some decent rainfall yesterday, with Deniliquin recording 7 millimetres, and Echuca 13 millimetres, however the bureau aren’t expecting any more decent falls this week.
Hay Shire council are meeting today. Items on the agenda include funding for bicycle paths, delays in the reconstruction and sealing of Kangaroo Lane, progress reports on a large number of works which are currently underway, and a public question time.
A 40 year old Tocumwal man will face court at a future date after police allegedly found him in possession of a quantity of Cannabis.
The Central Hot Shots will clash with the Easy Beats in the grand final of Deni mixed netball next week.
The Tocumwal Golf Club champion for 2009 has been announced as Nathan Matthews. This is the second time that Nathan has taken the title.
The venue for this weekend’s clash between Numurkah and Moama in Round 8 of Murray Football has changed. The match will now be played at the Katunga Football Club ground.
Samuel
May 26th, 2009 at 10:24am
A middle aged man was airlifted to Melbourne Hospital on Saturday after a collision between a motorcycle and a ute in Tongala.
Motivational speaker Tom O’Toole visited the Deniliquin Business Chamber on Friday night. Tom, the man behind the famous Beechworth Bakery, said that he came to Deni to inspire local businesses to prosper through the tough times.
Conargo Shire residents are being encouraged to have their say at community meetings being held on Wednesday.
Council’s draft 2009-10 budget and proposed roadworks are among items set to dominate discussions.
South Australian artists Terry and Lorraine Letwitzka visited the Edward River Art Society yesterday for some workshops.
President of the society, Helen Lostroh, says they hope to have Terry and Lorraine back in the future.
The red cross is running a workshop at Deniliquin High School aimed at giving students the skills to cope with mental illness.
In the Picola Netball league:
Wunghnu defeated Yarroweyah 56 to 42
The Deni Rovers scraped home over Picola United 32 to 23
Strathmerton were too good for Berrigan 53 to 31
Mathoura downed Blighty 46 to 25
And Jerilderie had the bye
In Football, The Dookie United South East league saw:
Katunga thrash Rennie 113 to 65
Shepparton East defeated Katamatite 102 to 96
Tungamah downed Katandra 141 to 97
and Waaia defeated Dookie 127 to 60
And in the North West:
Berrigan had a narrow win over Strathmerton 68 to 61
Mathoura defeated Blighty 70 to 56
The Deni Rovers were too good for Picola United 69 to 32
and Yarroweyah downed Wunghnu 129 to 63
Jerilderie had the bye
In Golden Rivers Football:
Moulamein downed Hay 97 to 85
Murrabit defeated Quambatook 86 to 78
Nullawil thrashed Ultima 135 to 66
and Wandella obliterated Wakool 144 to 21
In Kyabram district football
Murchison had a narrow win over Ardmona 94 to 91
Girgarre scraped home over Avenel 64 to 60
Lancaster were too good for Merrigum 117 to 69
Rushworth downed Violet Town 101 to 81
Stanhope defeated Tallygaroopna 83 to 68
And Undera and Nagambie drew on 80 points each
And in Murray Valley Football
Sunraysia downed North Central 179 to 68
Yarrawonga defeated Bellaraine 129 to 62
Wimmera were too good for Western Border 132 to 67
Bendigo won a high scoring encounter against Ballarat 138 to 117
Horsham downed Mallee 147 to 106
and Murray thrashed Central Murray 146 to 58
May 25th, 2009 at 09:51am
The poll on the KXNT website has been running for a while and I must say that I find the results interesting. The question:
The [police] officer who was killed in a crash last week was driving 109 mph [175 km/h] with no lights, sirens or seatbelt. The other driver who turned in front of him had been drinking, but was not legally DUI. Who is at fault?
The results at the time of writing:
The Officer. He was totally reckless. ( 57% )
Mostly the officer, but the driver contributed. ( 24% )
Both of them. It was a “perfect storm”. ( 15% )
Mostly the driver, but the officer contributed. ( 2% )
The driver. He was still impaired. ( 2% )
I voted for “The Officer. He was totally reckless” the other day, as I don’t think the other driver’s legal amount of alcohol contributed to the situation, however as any amount of alcohol can impair judgement, I can understand the thinking behind “Mostly the officer, but the driver contributed”, but I can’t comprehend the thinking behind the other answers.
Would anyone like to fill me in?
Samuel
May 23rd, 2009 at 09:58am
I’ve noticed on the news today some quotes from Barack Obama about how Guantanamo Bay was a bad idea because it was a policy based on ideology rather than a decision based on evidence…this made me wonder what that makes his socialist ideology policies of “government intervention in as much as possible and then some”?
Surely if ideology is a bad basis for policies for one side, it should be bad for the other as well.
Samuel
May 22nd, 2009 at 02:44pm
A belated happy fifth birthday to GrodsCorp, which turned five on Sunday.
GrodsCorp is one of those blogs that I don’t always agree with, but usually find quite amusing. I’m proud to be able to say that I have been a part of their five years on the Internet, as one of their subjects on a few occasions.
Incidentally, this blog isn’t far behind, as it will be celebrating its fifth birthday in April of next year, and I will be sure to make a big deal of it, just like I did for the blog’s first birthday.
Happy birthday to Scott and the team at GrodsCorp!
Samuel
May 19th, 2009 at 02:46pm
My household received a call from NewsPoll yesterday, about two hours before Malcolm Turnbull delivered his budget reply. The call contained the standard questions about who you would vote for if there was an election today, your preferred prime minister, etc, and then moved on to the federal budget. Whilst there were questions about Wayne Swan’s budget, there were no questions about Malcolm Turnbull’s reply (thankfully).
Keep an eye out for the next NewsPoll. If they claim that the preferred prime minister figures and the like have anything to do with the budget reply, then you know they’re lieing.
Oh, and I didn’t receive the call, I was just listening in.
Samuel
May 15th, 2009 at 01:27pm
2UE’s Jim Ball came across an interesting little video from The Free Congress Foundation about the history of political correctness, and its base in statism (that is, the political systems which believe that power should be centralised in a governing body (the state) rather than distributed amongst the people).
In introducing the video, Jim quotes from “Political Correctness Must Die” by James Hudnall:
Marxists have murdered many times more people than the Nazis. They have destroyed the livelihoods of people the world over and imprisoned many millions in gulags and work camps. The last thing we want to do is let them win here or anywhere else.
While it may seem communism is dead, communism, socialism, fascism are all part of a many headed hydra called statism. These are political systems which are all about empowering the state as much as possible. The name they go under now is “progressive.” Many progressives on the ground think they are fighting for equal rights and social justice. The progressive elites know better. They want power and control over people’s lives. Political correctness is a tool to accomplish these goals.
The video goes for 22 minutes, but it is well worth finding some time over the weekend to sit down and watch it.
Samuel
May 15th, 2009 at 01:05pm
After months of silence, we finally hear that Obama isn’t going to kill off Gitmo in the way he planned to during his campaign:
President Obama is expected to announce the administration’s decision to restart Bush-era military tribunals for a small number of Guantanamo detainees Friday, U.S. officials said Thursday.
Obama suspended the tribunals within hours of taking office in January, ordering a review but stopping short of abandoning President George W. Bush’s strategy of prosecuting suspected terrorists.
An administration official familiar with Obama’s decision said between 10 and 20 of the 241 detainees currently at the detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, would be tried by military commissions.
Thirteen other detainees — including five charged with helping orchestrate the Sept. 11 attacks — already have been moved into the system and are expected to be tried there, FOX News has confirmed.
The rest of the detainees would either be released, transferred to other nations or tried by civilian prosecutors in U.S. federal courts, an official said. It’s also possible that some could continue to be held indefinitely as prisoners of war with full Geneva Conventions protections, according to another senior U.S. official.
[..]
Obama’s decision to resume the tribunals is certain to face criticism from liberal groups, already stung by his decision Wednesday to block the court-ordered release of photos showing U.S. troops abusing prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan — a reversal of his earlier stand on making the photos public.
[..]
In February 2008, during his presidential campaign, Obama described the Guantanamo trials as “a flawed military commission system that has failed to convict any one of a terrorist act since the 9/11 attacks and that has been embroiled in legal challenges.” Critics, including many Democrats, cited the tribunals in assailing Bush, who had pushed Congress to create the system. They accused him of violating U.S. law by limiting the detainees’ legal rights.
The new decision will delay the trials for several more months, the officials said. Obama is adding some changes to the commissions before they are restarted, including expanding the detainees’ legal protections by restricting hearsay evidence that can be used against them, according to two officials.
The delay would give the administration time to adjust the system and allow Congress to review any rule changes or pass legislation altering the military commission law.
[..]
Obama’s decision also amounts to an admission that delivering on his promise to close Guantanamo is easier said than done. Since he ordered the prison closed, Republicans have focused on the issue of where the detainees would go — and the new Democratic administration’s lack of a plan to deal with them.
On Capitol Hill Thursday, the House approved war-funding legislation that says detainees from Guantanamo must not be released on U.S. soil — though it would allow some of the prisoners to be transferred to the United States to stand trial or serve their sentences.
It’s funny how much changes when you take the reigns and realise just how unworkable your plans are, and just how close to being right the plans of your opponents were.
I’m pleased to see Obama coming to a correct decision despite pressure from his own side of the political divide to do the opposite, however I am disappointed at the amount of time we have had to waste on making minimal changes to an almost correct system.
Samuel
May 15th, 2009 at 10:59am
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