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Victims to testify in Afghan war hearing

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 10 November 2012 | 15.02

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Washington, Nov 10 AP - An Afghan National Army guard who reported seeing a US soldier outside a remote base the night 16 civilians were massacred in March said the man did not stop even after being asked three times to do so.

The guard, named Nematullah, testified by live video from Kandahar, Afghanistan, on Friday night during an overnight session for a hearing in the case against Staff Sergeant Robert Bales.

"I told him to stop," the guard said, through an interpreter. "He came towards me ... and then he went inside."

Bales is accused of carrying out the attacks and could face the death penalty if he is convicted in the March 11 massacre. The preliminary hearing will help determine whether he faces a court-martial.

The hearing was also expected to feature testimony from two victims and four relatives of victims about the pre-dawn attack.

The villagers will speak, by video conference and through an interpreter, to a military courtroom at Joint Base Lewis-McChord during an overnight session to accommodate the time difference.

Bales, a 39-year-old Ohio native and father of two from Lake Tapps, Washington, faces 16 counts of premeditated murder and six counts of attempted murder in the attack in southern Afghanistan.

Prosecutors say that Bales wore a T-shirt, cape and night-vision goggles - no body armour - when he slipped away from his remote post, Camp Belambay. He first attacked one village, returned to the base, and headed out again to attack another village, they say.

In between, he woke a fellow soldier, reported what he'd done, and said he was headed out to kill more, the soldier testified. But the soldier didn't believe what Bales said, and went back to sleep.

Nine children were among the victims, and 11 of the victims were from the same family.

Another Afghan National Army guard who reported seeing a soldier return to Belambay and then leave again was also scheduled to testify.

On Thursday, a US Army DNA expert testified that Bales had the blood of at least four people on his clothes and guns when he surrendered.

The blood of two males and two females was discovered on Bales' pants, shirt, gloves, rifle and other items, said Christine Trapolsi, an examiner at the Army's Criminal Investigation Laboratory.

To preserve the evidence, she said she only tested a portion of the bloodstains, and it's possible more DNA profiles could be discovered through additional testing.

Another forensic expert from the Criminal Investigation Lab, fibre specialist Larry Peterson, testified that a small piece of fabric that matched the cape Bales reportedly wore was discovered on a pillow in one of the attacked compounds.

Prosecutors referred to the cape as a blanket, but Peterson said it was more like a decorative covering for a window or doorway.

Bales has not entered a plea and was not expected to testify. His lawyers, who did not give an opening statement, have not discussed the evidence, but say Bales has post-traumatic stress disorder and suffered a concussive head injury during a prior deployment to Iraq.

A US agent who investigated the massacre has testified that local villagers were so angered it was weeks before American forces could visit the crime scenes about a kilometre from a remote base.

By that time, bodies had been buried and some bloodstains had been scraped from the walls, said Special Agent Matthew Hoffman of the Army's Criminal Investigation Command.

Other stains remained, on walls and floors. Investigators recovered shell casings consistent with the weapons Bales reportedly carried.

Hoffman also said Bales tested positive for steroids three days after the killings.

Bales leaned back in his chair at the defence table and did not react as an Army doctor, Major Travis Hawks, gave clinical descriptions of treating the wounded villagers as they arrived at a nearby forward operating base.

One girl had a large bullet wound in the top of her head, he said. She was unresponsive at first, but survived after treatment.

A woman had wounds to her chest and genitals, but she and her relatives insisted that the male doctors not treat her. Prosecutors showed photos of the victims being treated.


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Bikies say arrest figures exaggerated

Rebels national president says there is no organised criminal elements within the outlaw motorcycle club.

THERE is no organised criminal element in the Rebels outlaw motorcycle club, its national president says, and the police have overstated the arrest figures in a recent crackdown on the organisation.

In a rare move, Rebels head Alex Vella has called an emergency press conference at the club's main clubhouse at Bringelly, in Sydney's southwest.

The club is outraged over figures published this week by the Attero taskforce, comprising 14 law enforcement agencies across Australia.

Attero kicked off last February and announced this week its operations had resulted in more than 330 arrests, leading to more than 500 charges being laid against Rebels members.

"My lawyers tell me it was only 77 of them (arrested)," Mr Vella said on Saturday.

He also said most of the offences were minor traffic violations.

There were no organised criminal operations within the club, Mr Vella said, but individual members had been known to break the law.

"I didn't say we we squeaky clean," he said.

"In every family you've got a black sheep."

Police had been targeting the Rebels for the past the three years, he said, and the club expected a backlash from Saturday's media conference.

"I can assure you, in the weeks to come, we're going to pay for this," Mr Vella said.


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Asylum boat with 48 people aboard stopped

AUSTRALIAN authorities have intercepted a boat carrying 48 suspected asylum seekers.

HMAS Childers stopped the boat northwest of Christmas Island on Saturday morning after it was spotted from the air.

Initial indications suggest there are 48 people aboard. The passengers will be transferred to Christmas Island for security, health and identity checks.

On Friday, the government announced two boat arrivals, one carrying 75 people and the other carrying 54 people.

About 950 people have arrived on 18 boats in the first 10 days of November.


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Lynas seeks $200m for rare earths plant

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 09 November 2012 | 15.02

ANALYSTS remain unimpressed by rare earths miner Lynas's financial position despite this week's legal win that will allow it to operate a rare earths plant in Malaysia.

Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan have warned of difficulties and shortfalls in achieving free cash flows and the possibility of further delays to the plant.

The miner said on Friday it will tap investors for as much as $200 million of fresh capital to finish building the facility.

After long delays due to opposition on environmental grounds, Lynas on Thursday received Malaysian court permission to begin operating a controversial processing plant in Gebeng, Malaysia.

The Kuantan High Court ruled against Malaysian activists that had sought an injunction against Lynas' temporary operating licence for the plant.

The extra funds raised will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes during the commissioning and ramp-up at the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant in Malaysia.

Deutsche Bank warned clients that legal proceedings against the Malaysian Atomic Energy Licensing Board's decision were continuing.

Further delays brought downside risks to first cash flow, still an estimated five months away, it said.

Lynas can access only another $80 million in debt, with Deutsche Bank estimating that it requires $120 million to fund the plant.

"Any other funding will need to come from forward sales or equity in our view," it said.

It has a sell recommendation on the stock, while JP Morgan warns Lynas needs to finalise new working capital imminently.

Lynas said in a statement on Friday that the capital raising would give it positive cash flows to meet capital expenditure requirements and provided a significant cash buffer to allow for unforeseen events.

The capital raising will involve a fully underwritten institutional placement to raise up to $150 million and a partially underwritten share purchase plan available to all existing shareholders to raise up to $50 million.

The plant on the country's east coast would be the biggest outside China and is considered important to breaking China's 95 per cent stranglehold on global supply, with rare earths having a range of hi-tech uses such as in hybrid cars and computers.

Lynas rejects opponents' claims that radioactive waste from the plant would be harmful to humans.

Malaysia previously hosted Mitsubishi's rare earth processing plant until 1992, which some residents say has caused health problems including birth defects and cancer.

Lynas shares are in a trading halt and due to resume trading on Monday.

The raising is underwritten by JP Morgan.

Lynas last traded at 80.5 cents.


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Pike River mine re-entry possible: experts

A TEAM of international mining experts say it's possible to get back into the Pike River coalmine to recover the bodies of 29 men killed in explosions at the mine almost two years ago.

British experts Bob Stevenson and David Creedy, along with Kiwi Dave Feickert, were brought together by the families of the victims to review the possibility of re-entering the mine.

This week they've been in Greymouth, where they've met with Solid Energy and mines rescue.

The group visited the mine itself and walked up to a temporary seal about 170 metres along the underground coalmine's tunnel.

"It is our belief as a group that yes, we can in fact effect a re-entry into these workings and we can do it safely," Mr Stevenson said.

"It's not without problems, but we believe those problems are solvable."

However, the plan needs support from Solid Energy, mines rescue and the government, Fairfax reports.

Spokesman for the families Bernie Monk said he was cautiously optimistic a body recovery operation would go ahead.

Mr Monk said he plans to present the experts' re-entry plan to Solid Energy and Prime Minister John Key.


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MacMahon receives first strike on pay

SHAREHOLDERS have delivered MacMahon Holdings its "first strike" over executive pay amid widespread anger over a recent earnings downgrade and a forecast first-half loss.

More than 28 per cent of shareholders voted against the mining contractor's pay report on Friday as it undertakes a major review of costs and sheds up to 50 jobs.

A commitment from executives to take a 10 per cent salary cut for the remainder of the 2012/13 financial year was not enough to stem the backlash on Friday.

Despite flagging a loss early next year, MacMahon's new chief executive Ross Carroll said further executive pay cuts would not be necessary.

"I don't think so," Mr Carroll said after the company's annual general meeting in Perth on Friday.

"MacMahon is quite a big, complex company, and sure it's underperformed profit wise but you're talking about a company of 4500 employees operating in six countries and I don't think our pay is out of step with our peers."

Mr Carroll said pay was a function of the mining industry and competition for resources.

"Sure we're well paid but the industry we're in, people are very well paid."

If at least 25 per cent of shareholders vote against the company's remuneration report again in 2013, it could pave the way for a board spill.

In September, MacMahon said cost overruns at its Hope Downs 4 rail project in Western Australia as well as the expectation of fewer contract wins, meant its profit for 2012/13 would be about half that of the previous year.

But retail shareholders were sceptical about the timing of the company's announcements.

Mr Carroll said the company knew the project was in a "little bit of trouble" and booked a loss on June 30.

"The position escalated very quickly during July and August and it was really when we got the August financial results early in September that we saw the deterioration was there," he said.

He said the company initially thought it had enough contingency to cover the loss and meet guidance.

The Hope Downs project would almost be completed by Christmas and Fortescue's Solomon Spur project, also in WA, was nearly finished.

Mr Carroll also conceded MacMahon was close to breaching its debt covenants and would require careful management during the next six months.

Over the past three months almost 50 employees have been made redundant but there were no plans for more redundancies, he said.

MacMahon has introduced a hiring freeze, reduced its office space and cut discretionary spending in a bid to save more than $10 million.

Chairman Ken Scott-Mackenzie said the company could expect to return regular profit margins in the second half in line with the company's earnings guidance.

"There does remain ongoing risk over the major construction projects, however many of these projects are currently near completion," he said.

MacMahon will look to "claw back" short-term incentives for executives and eliminate time-based long-term incentive awards.

MacMahon shares closed flat at 30 cents on Friday.


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NSW inquiry into church abuse 'not enough'

A SPECIAL commission set to investigate allegations of child sex abuse by Catholic Church clergy in NSW's Hunter region does not go far enough, opposition parties say.

The commission, announced by Premier Barry O'Farrell on Friday, will be headed by NSW Deputy Crown Prosecutor Margaret Cunneen.

It will examine claims made by Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox alleging child sex abuse at the hands of Catholic priests in the Hunter Valley.

It will also look into alleged cover-ups by members of the church and the police force.

Mr O'Farrell said the inquiry would not interfere with, or "corrupt", existing police investigations into child sex abuse in NSW.

He said while he had "full confidence" in Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione and the police force, the matters raised were serious.

"They go to the question about whether there has been interface, either within the police force, or by the Catholic Church, in relation to specific allegations of pedophile activity in the Hunter," he told reporters in Sydney on Friday.

In an open letter to the premier published on Thursday, Det Insp Fox called for a full royal commission into alleged Church child sex abuse.

Mr O'Farrell, while stopping short of announcing a royal commission, said the inquiry would have the same powers.

However, Opposition Leader John Robertson said the inquiry does not go far enough.

"Any inquiry should look at how to better encourage victims and witnesses to come forward, how to better support victims and whether investigation processes are satisfactory," he said in a statement on Friday.

Greens MP David Shoebridge said the announcement was an "insult" to victims and failed to address wider issues.

"For the premier to limit his inquiry to the police's handling of sexual abuse claims in the Hunter region shows that he still doesn't understand the full extent of the problem," he said.

"This is a half-baked inquiry which will not silence those victims and survivors who are calling for justice from the state and the church."

The inquiry's terms of reference will be published early next week.

Mr O'Farrell said he would then decide whether further action would be taken.


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Cell attack 'cold and savage'

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 08 November 2012 | 15.02

A FATAL attack on an elderly man in the holding cell of a NSW court was "cold and savage", a court has been told.

Gang Kaewklom, 20, faced a sentencing hearing in the NSW Supreme Court on Thursday for murdering Frank McGregor, 69, in the holding cell of Liverpool Court House in February 2011.

CCTV footage of the incident was played at the hearing, showing Kaewklom grabbing McGregor from behind and repeatedly kicking him.

The final kick was described by the crown as "callous and directed at the head".

McGregor, who was in custody for breaching his bail conditions, died ten days after the attack.

Kaewklom was in custody after handing himself in over allegations he had assaulted a 15-year-old girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

At his trial in September, Kaewklom pleaded not guilty to murder, but guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of substantial impairment.

Two days into his trial, he instead asked to be re-arraigned and pleaded guilty.

In closing submissions, Crown Prosecutor Gina O'Rourke said at the time the offences were committed, there was no evidence Kaewklom was suffering mental health problems.

"There was no action that amounts to provocation on the part of the deceased in any form - he basically stuck to himself," Ms O'Rourke told the court.

"These acts were committed out of anger and frustration.

"He murdered the victim in a cold and savage attack ... there is very little, if any, evidence of remorse."

Defence counsel Janet Manuell SC told the court that Kaewklom was reacting to the behaviour of McGregor and was frustrated with his situation at the time of the incident.

"This was a spontaneous outburst in response to what can be described as annoying behaviour by the victim," Ms Manuell said.

"It is clear that he has anger management problems that need to be addressed."

She said it was significant that her client hadn't been involved in any violent incidents in the nearly two years that he has been in custody.

"The offender is maturing and getting some insight into the need to contain his anger and deal with his frustration."

Justice Peter Johnson will sentence Kaewklom on February 8 next year.


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Syrian opposition elects all-male leaders

SYRIA'S main opposition bloc has elected an all-male leadership team, undermining its own bid to showcase itself as a more diverse group that can represent all those trying to oust President Bashar al-Assad.

The Syrian National Council's (SNC) general assembly of some 420 members chose a 40-member leadership body after hours of voting at a conference held at a hotel in the Qatari capital of Doha. The 40-member group is to choose an 11-member executive body and an SNC president later on Thursday.

The SNC, largely made up of exiles and heavily influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood, has been criticised as ineffective and out of touch with those trying to topple Assad. The US wants a more cohesive and representative opposition, suggesting the SNC's leadership days are over.

When the SNC election results were announced, women delegates jumped up in protest. Some of the male delegates joined their demands that several women be added to the leadership group retroactively.

"This is a big problem," Rima Fleihan, a Syrian writer and women's activists, said of the marginal role of women in the political opposition in exile, noting that women in Syria are key activists in anti-regime protests.

SNC officials said on Wednesday that the internal election may not be enough to deflect criticism of the group and halt US-backed efforts to set up a broader opposition leadership council in which the SNC's influence would be diluted.

Under that plan, Syrian dissident Riad Seif proposed the SNC would receive only 15 out of 50 seats in the new group, to make room for activists from inside Syria. Seif's plan is to be discussed on Thursday at a wider meeting of opposition groups.

SNC spokesman George Sabra said he believes the US and Qatar support a new opposition leadership along those lines, even if the final details still need to be sorted out. He said the opposition is under intense pressure to conclude a deal before leaving Doha.

SNC leaders met on Tuesday with US diplomats on the sidelines of the Doha conference, said Sabra, who attended the discussions.

The diplomats, including the US ambassador to Syria, Robert Ford, told the SNC that Washington wants to see a unified opposition negotiate a political transition with members of the Syrian regime who don't have blood on their hands, said Sabra and another participant, SNC political strategist Louay Safi.

The US diplomats reiterated that Washington would not intervene militarily, either by sending weapons or enforcing a no-fly zone to assist the rebels, said Safi and Sabra. Assad and members of his inner circle would have to leave before such talks can begin, they said of the US position.

British Prime Minister David Cameron has suggested that Assad could be allowed safe passage out of the country if that would guarantee an end to the nation's civil war.


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Qld jobless rate still at GFC levels

QUEENSLAND'S jobless rate is continuing to hover at levels not seen since the global financial crisis.

The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show that Queensland's seasonally adjusted jobless rate for October eased to 6.2 per cent from 6.3 per cent in September.

Unemployment in the state peaked during the global financial crisis at 6.3 per cent in September 2009.

Opposition treasury spokesman Curtis Pitt said the employment figures had taken a king hit from the Newman government's first budget, which detailed 10,600 redundancies in the public service.

Mr Pitt said the state's unemployment rate had gone up only after the Liberal National Party (LNP) government was elected in March.

"That's hardly surprising when we have a state government that has focused entirely on mass sackings, savage cuts to frontline services and funding cuts for community organisations," he said in a statement.

"That slash-and-burn approach does nothing to instil confidence in local and regional economies."

Treasurer Tim Nicholls is not downbeat over the result and has described the state's economic outlook as bright.

Mr Nicholls said the Queensland economy was forecast to grow by four per cent this financial year and his budget, released in September, predicted 15,000 jobs would be created.

But he said difficult economic circumstances were facing all states.

"Sticky unemployment data is not unique to Queensland," he said in a statement.

"We are seeing other states, resource and non-resource, experience increases in unemployment.

"This demonstrates the difficult economic conditions."

The jobless rate nationally held steady at 5.4 per cent in October.


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Whale calf still entangled off Sydney

NSW wildlife officers have suspended until morning a bid to disentangle a whale calf seen dragging ropes and buoys as it swam with its mother off Sydney.

The pair were spotted in Sydney Harbour on Thursday afternoon, prompting a National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) operation to free the calf.

A crew assessed the calf off Long Reef, on the city's northern beaches, but the presence of the protective mother and a third whale, along with fading light and approaching stormy weather, forced them to call a halt to the operation.

The whales are expected to head south along the coast on the annual humpback migration.

NPWS marine fauna program co-ordinator Geoff Ross told AAP the ropes tangled around the whale's flukes were not life threatening at this stage.

Disentanglement crews along the coast have been alerted to be ready for an intercept on Friday.

Mr Ross said the NPWS would be helped by the police air wing, other aircraft and whale spotters on the shore.

"We would hope to be able to mount a disentanglement operation as soon as we find out the location in the morning."

Mr Ross said disentanglement crews would likely use a technique employed by whalers in the past.

"That is to attach a length of 100-metre line on the existing entanglement and to that attach inflatable buoys.

"That slows the animal down and tires it out and allows our boat crews to approach, put cameras under the water and have a look at the entanglement."

Mr Ross said the crews could then pick which ropes needed to be cut off first to ensure they fell away safely from the animal.

Shona Lorigan from the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans of Australia (ORRCA) said the group's volunteers would be "on the headlands" along the coast early on Friday to spot the whales.


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NZ champ accused of dealing steroids

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 07 November 2012 | 15.02

A CHAMPION body builder has been remanded in custody accused of dealing performance and image enhancing drugs, including anabolic steroids.

Phil Musson, 44, appeared in Christchurch District Court on Wednesday afternoon, following his arrest earlier in the day.

Court documents allege Musson, a personal trainer, was selling his own brand of performance and image-enhancing products that he made himself and packaged up in pills and vials.

Crown prosecutor Anselm Williams said Musson first appeared in court in May on 291 charges possession and supplying performance and image enhancing drugs.

He was due in court on Thursday on those original charges, brought by the Ministry of Health and police, APNZ reports.

However, police intercepted two packages sent by him in October, and it's alleged they contained more drugs.

Musson faces seven new charges relating to the sale of unapproved Phoenix Biotech brand tablets and vials.

Judge Gary Macaskill refused Musson bail, saying the alleged offending occurred while on bail for other matters which he said amounted to "blatant behaviour".

Musson was remanded in custody without plea until Thursday when he will appear in court on the original 291 charges.


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Barnett wants $1 billion lawsuit dropped

PERTH businessman Len Buckeridge should drop his billion-dollar lawsuit against the state government over a private port development and get on with the project, West Australian Premier Colin Barnett says.

Lawyers for Mr Buckeridge have lodged a claim in the WA Supreme Court, blaming the government for his consortium's decision to abandon the private bulk shipping and container port near Kwinana, in Perth's south.

Mr Barnett told ABC radio on Wednesday that it would cost the state millions of dollars in legal fees if it were sued for $1 billion.

"Where would that billion dollars come from?" he said.

"In reality, if he was successful, it would come out of education, health (and) services for disabilities.

"I don't think for a moment Len Buckeridge wants to do that."

Mr Buckeridge claimed several state governments had failed to honour a 2000 agreement allowing a consortium led by the Buckeridge Group of Companies (BGC) to build and operate the port at James Point.

His lawyers say the government's decision to prevent construction of a container-handling facility makes the project unviable.

Mr Barnett said he supported the construction of the berth but not the offshore container facility.

He said he did not want a "huge chunk" of Cockburn Sound turning into a parking area for ships and containers.

"I would hope Len would drop all this nonsense and get on and build his bulk products port, or berth, because it is needed," Mr Barnett said.

The premier said his government had offered Mr Buckeridge land to buy, as well as some of the transport, road access and rail access.

"But I'm not going to be giving Len Buckeridge land at zero price or heavily discounted prices," he said.

"He'll pay a proper price for land and that offer has been on the table for quite some time."

James Point spokesman Michael Hotchkin said the premier's comments on the radio were as offensive as they were untrue.

"(The company) wants to build a port in a manner consistent with the 2000 contract. No more, no less," he said.

Mr Hotchkin said if the government did not change its position, the matter would be concluded in the courts.


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2 US states back legalising gay marriage

VOTERS a continent apart have made history on two divisive social issues, with Maine and Maryland becoming the first states to approve same-sex marriage by popular vote, while Washington state and Colorado legalised recreational use of marijuana.

The outcome in Maine and Maryland on Tuesday broke a 32-state streak, dating back to 1998, in which gay marriage had been rebuffed by every state that voted on it. They will become the seventh and eighth states to allow same-sex couples to marry.

"For the first time, voters in Maine and Maryland voted to allow loving couples to make lifelong commitments through marriage - forever taking away the right-wing talking point that marriage equality couldn't win on the ballot," said Chad Griffin of the Human Rights Campaign, a national gay-rights group.

Washington state also was voting on measures to legalise same-sex marriage, while Minnesota voters were considering a conservative-backed amendment that would place a ban on same-sex marriage in the state constitution.

The marijuana measures in Colorado and Washington set up a showdown with the federal government, which outlaws the drug.

Colorado's Amendment 64 will allow adults over 21 to possess up to an ounce (28 grams) of marijuana, though using the drug publicly would still be banned. The amendment would also allow people to grow up to six marijuana plants in a private, secure area.

Washington's measure establishes a system of state-licensed marijuana growers, processors and retail stores, where adults can buy up to an ounce (28 grams). It also establishes a standard blood test limit for driving under the influence.

The Washington measure was notable for its sponsors and supporters, who ranged from public health experts and wealthy high-tech executives to two of the Justice Department's top former officials in Seattle, US Attorneys John McKay and Kate Pflaumer.

"Marijuana policy reform remains an issue where the people lead and the politicians follow," said Ethan Nadelmann of the Drug Policy Alliance, which opposes the co-called "war on drugs".

"But Washington state shows that many politicians are beginning to catch up."

Estimates show that pot taxes could bring in hundreds of millions of dollars a year, but the sales won't start until state officials make rules to govern the legal weed industry.

In Massachusetts, voters approved a measure to allow marijuana use for medical reasons, joining 17 other states. Arkansas voters were deciding on a similar measure that would make it the first Southern state in that group.

Maine's referendum on same-sex marriage marked the first time that gay-rights supporters put the issue to a popular vote. They collected enough signatures over the summer to schedule the vote, hoping to reverse the outcome of a 2009 referendum that quashed a gay-marriage law enacted by the state Legislature.

In both Maryland and Washington, gay-marriage laws were approved by legislators and signed by the governors earlier this year, but opponents gathered enough signatures to challenge the laws.

In Minnesota, the question was whether the state would join 30 others in placing a ban on gay marriage in its constitution. Even if the ban is defeated, same-sex marriage would remain illegal in Minnesota under statute.

Heading into the election, gay marriage was legal in six states and Washington DC - in each case the result of legislation or court orders, not by a vote of the people.

In California, voters were deciding whether to repeal the state's death penalty. If the measure prevailed, the more than 720 inmates on death row there would have their sentences converted to life in prison.

While 17 states have ended capital punishment, most did so through legislative action. Only in Oregon, in 1964, did voters choose to repeal the death penalty; they later reversed themselves to reinstate it.

In all, there were 176 measures on the ballots on Tuesday in 38 states, according to the Initiative and Referendum Institute at the University of Southern California.

Other notable ballot measures:

- Maryland voters approved a measure allowing illegal immigrants to pay lower in-state college tuition, provided they attended a state high school for three years and can show they filed state income tax returns during that time. About a dozen other states have similar laws, but Maryland's is the first to be approved by voters.

- In Oklahoma, voters approved a Republican-backed measure that wipes out all affirmative action programs in state government hiring, education and contracting practices. Similar steps have been taken previously in Arizona, California, Michigan, Nebraska and Washington.


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World leaders welcome Obama win

LEADERS across the world have congratulated US President Barack Obama on winning a second term.

In Canberra, Prime Minister Julia Gillard offered Australia's congratulations to Obama after he triumphed over Republican challenger Mitt Romney to win a second four-year term.

Gillard said she looked forward to continuing to work with the Obama administration.

"On behalf of the government and people of Australia, I offer warm congratulations to President Barack Obama on his re-election and wish him every success for his second term in office," she said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Australia has worked closely with President Obama and his administration over the past four years.

"I look forward to continuing this friendship."

British Prime Minister David Cameron said he was looking forward to working again with his "friend".

"Warm congratulations to my friend @BarackObama," Cameron wrote on his Twitter account. "Look forward to continuing to work together."

Europe will find it easier to work with a re-elected US president than with a new leader in Washington, the head of the Eurogroup of finance ministers said on Wednesday.

Jean-Claude Juncker, who is also the prime minister of Luxembourg, told journalists in Singapore that "it's always easier to establish a closer work relationship with a US president when he's starting his second mandate".

Juncker was speaking shortly before President Barack Obama emerged as the winner of the bitterly contested election.

"During his first mandate, the president normally is focusing on turbulent domestic issues. The second mandate, US presidents normally are rediscovering the entireness of the European identity, and we need for the US and for Europe to be close, to work closely together," Juncker added.

European Union President Herman Van Rompuy on Wednesday expressed joy at Barack Obama's re-election to the White House.

"Very happy about the reelection of President Obama," Van Rompuy wrote in Dutch on his Twitter account.

German Defence Minister Thomas de Maiziere predicted there would be "no changes" in German-American relations. The Christian Democratic Union politician is one of the biggest experts on trans-Atlantic relationships in the cabinet.

De Maiziere also predicts no change in the relationship between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the president, who have both worked well together and share mutual consideration and respect. Merkel was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom last year.

There have been some strains between the two, however. The slight of Merkel forbidding Obama to appear in front of the Brandenburg Gate during his first presidential campaign, in 2008, has not been forgotten. He hasn't visited Berlin since.

In Ramallah, the Palestinian Authority said on Wednesday it hoped that Obama's second term would see an end to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

"We hope his second term will be a term for peace, stability and democracy during which the two-state solution will be implemented and Israel will withdraw to the 1967 borders," Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat told Voice of Palestine Radio.

"Our decision remains to go to the UN and we hope Obama will stand by this Palestinian right and on the side of the two-state solution."

The US and Israel oppose the Palestinian bid to become a non-member observer state at the United Nations.


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Plan to enter NZ's Pike River mine

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 06 November 2012 | 15.02

THE families of the 29 men killed in New Zealand's Pike River mine disaster almost two years ago are working out if it's possible to get back into the first part of the mine.

A group of mine experts has been brought to New Zealand by the families and they're gathering information about the prospect of re-entry.

The experts met with the mine's new owners Solid Energy and mines rescue on Tuesday afternoon, 3News reports.

Former UK principal mines inspector Bob Stevenson said there are precedents.

"Re-entering sealed mines isn't new. It's not an impossible situation, but it's a situation fraught with risk and emotion."

For it to be successful, the experts will need to work out whether to ventilate the mine or make it inert, Mr Stevenson said.

They'll also need to find out how badly damaged the mine is.

Spokesman for the families, Bernie Monk, said acting Labour Minister Chris Finlayson had offered to provide a government representative to liaise with the families about re-entry plans.

The experts said they'll know by the weekend if it's possible to go back in.

Mr Monk said the families will listen to the advice of the experts.


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Two men die in car crash at Bulleen

TWO men have died after their car left the road and hit a tree at Bulleen, in Melbourne's northeast, on Tuesday.

Investigators believe the Holden Commodore was travelling west on Manningham Road when it lost control on a bend and hit a tree at about 4pm (AEST) on Tuesday.

The driver and passenger both died at the scene.

Police will prepare a report for the Coroner.

Their deaths take the state's road toll to 239, six more than for the same period last year.


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ABC sheep program fuels export ban calls

HORRIFIED reactions to an ABC TV report on the brutal slaughter of Australian sheep in Pakistan have prompted the Greens, veterinarians and animal rights groups to renew calls to ban live exports.

The Four Corners report entitled Another Bloody Business, aired on Monday, has prompted the Australian Greens to step up their campaign calling for an end to the trade, with the party's leader Christine Milne starting a petition overnight.

Former Greens leader Bob Brown urged both sides of politics to back the Live Animal Export (Slaughter) Prohibition Bill 2012, introduced by Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon, but conceded it appeared destined to fail in the Senate.

"Both Labor and the coalition have indicated that they will oppose this legislation to bring this cruel trade to a halt," Dr Brown told reporters in Perth on Tuesday.

"It's the Greens who are standing up against it, and we'll continue to do so.

"People need to get behind that."

Mr Brown dismissed as "bunkum" claims by federal Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig and the Australian Livestock Exporters' Council that the cull was an isolated incident.

The big parties were again defending disgusting treatment of Australian livestock overseas, he said.

"And it's very clear the big parties are not going to stop it because they are under the pressure of money - better than ethics - when it comes to this trade," Mr Brown told reporters in Perth.

"It's got to stop. Time's up."

However, pastoralists argued that a ban would not prevent cruelty to animals as importers would simply look to other suppliers with inferior slaughtering practices.

NT Country Liberal Party senator Nigel Scullion said Australia had an opportunity to influence slaughtering practices in places like Indonesia and therefore prevent more animals dying cruel deaths.

Meanwhile, the owner of the company that exported the sheep to Bahrain, then Pakistan - Fremantle-based Wellard - said one incident shouldn't bring down the live export trade.

"There are laws and regulations in place that are meant to deal with situations like this, and we are fully confident they would be applied correctly, so an accident should not shut out an industry," Mario Balzarini told ABC radio on Tuesday.

WAFarmers president Dale Park said the industry had voluntarily committed to not send Australian sheep to countries that did not want to take them.

However, the ABC program claimed Elders planned to send about 2000 breeding cows to Pakistan.

Mr Park rejected assertions from Animals Australia and Vets Against Live Export (VALE) that the federal government's Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System - brought in after the Indonesian abattoir scandal last year - was not working.

He said there had been a substantial improvement in animal welfare across Australia's export markets.

"Australia is the only country that actively works in overseas markets to help improve animal welfare conditions, so our departure from live export will see a decline in global animal welfare standards," Mr Park said.

"WA agriculture relies on live export and WAFarmers will be doing everything possible to ensure the future of industry is strong and the high animal welfare standards currently in place are maintained."


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Pell asks priests to quit St Johns council

CARDINAL George Pell says he has lost confidence in the St Johns College council at the University of Sydney and has asked priest members to resign following continued bad behaviour by students.

He says he will be asking the NSW government to review governance arrangements at the Catholic college and the need to amend outdated laws covering the institution.

Reports of loutish behaviour at the 150-year-old college have continued despite an incident in March that resulted in a female student being hospitalised.

The college suspended 33 students over the incident, in which male residents surrounded a girl and encouraged her to drink a toxic concoction as part of an initiation process.

In a statement on Tuesday, Cardinal Pell said he no longer had confidence in the capacity of the college council to ensure reform, "despite their good will and the dedication of the chairman".

"I have therefore requested the priest fellows of the council to resign.

"I will also be contacting the New South Wales government to discuss a review of existing governance arrangements and the need to amend the nineteenth century Act of Parliament, which is no longer adequate" Cardinal Pell said.

It's understood the six priests on the council sent in their resignations on Tuesday.

Cardinal Pell's office said he had spoken to the university vice-chancellor and the college council chairman about the problems.

There have been ongoing reports of widespread vandalism at the college and first-year students being forced into initiation rituals involving toxic drinks.

Professor Roslyn Arnold, formerly one of the 18 fellows who governed the college through its council, on Monday called for police to be brought in to stamp out the bad behaviour.

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell said the government will consider changing the laws governing the college.

"Given the reports of appalling behaviour at the college, I fully support his (Cardinal Pell's) efforts to change the culture there," he said in a statement on Tuesday.

"I will not allow the behaviour of a few to tarnish the global reputation of the University of Sydney."


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Police seek witnesses to Vic train crash

Written By Unknown on Senin, 05 November 2012 | 15.02

SPIRALLING construction costs are holding back the removal of dangerous level crossings from Victorian roads, Premier Ted Baillieu says, following a fatal crash in suburban Melbourne.

One man is dead and 13 people remain in hospital after Saturday's crash in Dandenong South in which a truck went through the boom gates at a crossing.

The crash has intensified calls to remove the 170 level crossings in Melbourne, while there are 1900 across Victoria.

Mr Baillieu said the government would like to remove all level crossings in the state, but the costs would be prohibitive.

"If a grade separation is costing $200 to $250 million, there's obviously a limit as to how many of those we can do," Mr Baillieu told reporters on Monday.

"We'd all love to have level crossings eliminated ... but we have to be realistic about it. We have put the funds in to increase the number of grade separations and to increase the number of level crossings that are being upgraded."

Mr Baillieu said the government had funded five grade separations and had more than 50 upgrades planned across country Victoria.

But he repeated his call for a "fully independent productivity commission national inquiry into construction costs" which he says are limiting the ability to invest in major infrastructure projects such as grade separations at level crossings.

Police are seeking further details about incidents just before a white Western Star prime mover and the train collided at 11.42am (AEDT) on Saturday.

Police want particularly to speak with passengers who left the scene after the crash and the driver of a truck believed to have overtaken the Western Star truck shortly before impact.

"There was a white Kenworth cab-over prime mover with white curtain covering a semi-trailer that was seen crossing the railway intersection just prior to the collision," Inspector Bernie Rankin told reporters on Monday.

He said the driver of the Kenworth truck may have significant evidence that could assist police.

The premier said the Dandenong South crossing had protection measures, including boom gates, bells, lights and traffic lights, but the government would wait for a full police assessment of the accident before considering how to act.

Police also want to speak to anyone who may have seen the driver of the Western Star truck as it travelled on the South Gippsland Freeway or Abbott Road just before the crash.

Killed in the crash was a 43-year-old Cranbourne West man, who was found trapped under rubble in the front carriage.

The 30-year-old train driver was trapped in his crumpled cabin for an hour before paramedics could take him to hospital. He remains in The Alfred hospital in a serious condition.

The truck driver, a 69-year-old Narre Warren man, was interviewed and released pending further inquiries.


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US election fascinates Chinese

WHERE can a pop star score a hit by talking about the US Electoral College for 33 minutes? In China, where Gao Xiaosong's straightforward explanation of the system drew more than 1 million hits in four days.

Chinese have long been fascinated with US presidential elections, but interest is particularly high this year because Americans are voting at the same time Beijing is going through its own political transition. A generation of Communist Party leaders will step down next week to make way for younger colleagues after a highly secretive selection process.

For many ordinary Chinese, comparisons are irresistible.

In a political cartoon circulated online, an American voter covers his ears as the candidates verbally attack each other on TV, while a Chinese man struggles to hear anything from the party congress, taking place behind closed doors.

"Every political system has its pros and cons, but I do think it will be great if I get to participate and get to make a decision after the candidates tell me what their platforms are for the next four years," said Guo Xiaoqiao, a freelance worker in human resources.

Chinese delight in speculating whether President Barack Obama will fend off Republican challenger Mitt Romney, but they are more captivated by Americans' ability to vote for their leader. Their own leaders are distant figures whom they have no way of replacing.

"The 18th Party Congress is a meeting for the party. We ordinary people can only watch it as an audience," said Wang Xiaojian, a 21-year-old Peking University student. "The US presidential election is a campaign that gets everyone involved."

As Gao, a pop singer known for his syrupy ballads, found out, many Chinese are even interested in the US Electoral College, the often perplexing system in which the president is elected not by individual votes, but by the candidates' state-by-state performance.

In a video from his online talk show that was posted on the popular video-sharing site Youku.com, Gao explained that the college is an attempt to balance the rights of states with the will of the majority.

"The opinion of the state is important; so is that of the people," Gao said. He called America's founding fathers the "greatest group of people in history."

As a public performer used to censorship, Gao was careful not to draw direct comparisons to China's system or its leaders. But even explaining America's election system is somewhat at odds with Beijing's practice.

For decades, China's public knowledge of US elections was limited to state propaganda, which depicts the election as a money game controlled by Wall Street. Campaign finance scandals and vote fraud dominate coverage. Even if Chinese don't wholly believe it, the repetitive line of state media has an impact on how they view US politics.

"The coverage is to serve the internal propaganda needs but not explain how the US election works," said Chinese media critic Zhao Chu. "You hardly see any reports that can clearly explain how the US election works."

The less-censored internet has changed the game, giving Chinese space to comment and exchange opinions. Videos of the presidential debates are available online.

Censorship on the US election has mostly been in form of guidance from censors. State media have been told to play down reports on the election and keep them short and factual, according to editors at two media outlets.

Amateur translator Guo Xiaohui, who has produced Chinese captions of US political programs, said he believes giving the public an unfiltered look at American politics could get them thinking more about their own government, though he added that it also reveals the negative aspects of the US system.

"The two sides are very confrontational and uncompromising," he said. "It would be better off if they can soften a bit, like the Chinese do."

Others see the US system as clearly superior.

"I admire the voting rights protected by the US Constitution. I pay attention to the fairness and seriousness in the election procedure," said Li Youli, a retired manager in a commerce regulatory agency in Beijing who learned about US elections through an English language class.

"China's political system is so backward that it should implement one thing first: to unconditionally ensure the basic political right for citizens in a republic: the voting rights," he said.

Admiration for the US political system does not necessarily extend to the US itself. US-China relations have been buffeted by tiffs over trade, nuclear proliferation and global hotspots like Syria and Iran. Romney has promised to label China a currency manipulator if elected, a step that could lead to a trade war between the world's two largest economies.

Many Chinese resent what they see as scolding by US presidents, politicians and media about China's human rights lapses and its authoritarian system.

A Pew Global Attitudes Project survey released last month found that nearly half of Chinese have a negative view of the United States. Still, the survey registered a small increase among Chinese who like American democracy, up to 52 per cent, from 48 per cent in 2007. More dramatic was a decrease in Chinese rejecting American democracy, down to 29 per cent from 36 per cent in 2007.

Xu Chunliu, a content editor for the microblogging site Tencent Weibo, said he has observed little criticism of the US election system among Chinese web users.

"I don't think Chinese people are holding their own political system in such high esteem that they feel they can criticise others," said Xu.

But he added that even being able to have conversations about voting and democracy is a positive step.

"From the Taiwan election to the US election, the Chinese are always thinking and debating among themselves," Xu said. "I think China is developing into a more normal country."


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Moses Obeid claims plot to destroy family

CLAIMS that former NSW Labor minister Eric Roozendaal received a discounted car in return for political favours are part of a campaign to "destroy" the Obeids, a corruption inquiry has been told.

At the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in Sydney, Moses Obeid accused a key witness of doctoring evidence against his family, including his father, former Labor MP Eddie Obeid.

The alleged action was part of a vendetta against the family over a soured business deal involving a Sydney marina development, Moses Obeid said.

Panelbeater Peter Fitzhenry, a one-time associate of the Obeids, last week told the ICAC that Moses Obeid had told him to find Mr Roozendaal a car in return for favours done for his father.

On Monday, the flamboyant Mr Obeid repeated his family's version of the story of how Mr Roozendaal in 2007 came to own the new Honda CRV for just $34,000 - $10,800 less than its market value.

He said Mr Roozendaal, who is still a Labor backbencher, bought the Honda after Mr Obeid's friend and associate Rocco Triulcio had paid for the car, but refused delivery after a falling out with Mr Fitzhenry.

Describing Mr Obeid's account as rubbish, counsel assisting the inquiry Geoffrey Watson SC produced contracts and receipts from car dealer Peter Warren showing 'Amanda Rosendale' - a misspelling of the name of Mr Roozendaal's wife - was intended as the original owner.

However, the car was first registered in the name of Mr Triulcio's sister Nata Re, before ownership was eventually transferred back to Mrs Roozendaal weeks later.

In a bizarre outburst, Moses Obeid lashed out at his one-time friend and business associate Mr Fitzhenry, accusing him of doctoring the documents from Peter Warren with the help of "accomplices" at the Warwick Farm dealership.

"Your boy Fitzhenry has motive and he has form in doctoring evidence," Mr Obeid said.

"Peter Fitzhenry had said to a number or people that we both know that he would destroy the Obeids.

"Peter Fitzhenry, as a result of the fallout of Elizabeth Bay Marina, concocted some story. The entire story about the Roozendaal, Triulcio car and CRV, Honda-gate ... has been concocted as a get-square with me."

Mr Watson suggested: "The involvement of the Triulcios and Nata Re was just an elaborate concoction so that you could present a gift to Eric Roozendaal".

"You could suggest it but I don't agree with it," Mr Obeid replied.

"The idea of a gift for Eric Roozendaal - Eric's a great guy. I like him. I thought he was competent minister, but I don't think he did that good a job that he deserved gifts or bonuses."

Also appearing at the inquiry, a belligerent Eddie Obeid denied any knowledge of the car deal, saying he only found out about it when the matter was investigated by a newspaper years later.

The former Labor MP and party heavyweight also dismissed suggestions he had received any favours from Mr Roozendaal when he was roads or ports minister.

"To your personal knowledge did Mr Roozendaal ever make any decision that favoured your family because you asked him to?" Mr Obeid's lawyer Stuart Littlemore QC asked him.

"No," Mr Obeid replied.

Mr Roozendaal will appear before the inquiry on Tuesday.


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New hope for key car parts maker

AUSTRALIA'S carmakers are breathing more easily, with a troubled key component supplier expected to restart production.

Ford and Holden both faced a shutdown later this week if parts maker Autodom Limited could not kick-start production.

The company supplies all three Australian car producers - Ford, Holden and Toyota - but was placed in voluntary administration at the weekend after closing its doors last week and standing down about 400 workers at plants in both Victoria and South Australia.

Talks involving the administrators, the company, car producers and banks centred on resuming operations as soon as possible and details on just how and when that would occur were expected by Tuesday morning.

Ford said it believed a resolution would be finalised and there would be no disruption to its production schedule, set to resume on Wednesday.

The company had already scheduled a down day on Monday and would again be closed on Tuesday for the Melbourne Cup.

Holden said it expected a solution to be announced on Tuesday.

"It's our belief that an industry-led solution will be announced tomorrow that will see (Autodom company) AI employees back at work and the continuation of critical parts supply to Holden with minimal impact on our own employees or operations," a spokesman said.

Toyota was less affected by Autodom's shutdown after previously indicating it had enough parts to last until Christmas.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) was also hopeful of a resolution that would minimise the impact on Australia's car industry.

"The best-case scenario is obviously all our members back at work and the company is able to trade out of this current administration," AMWU Victorian sectary Leigh Diehm said.

The problems with Autodom emerged just a day before Holden's announcement on Friday that it would cut 170 jobs at its assembly plant in Adelaide in response to falling demand for locally produced cars.

The company said the job losses were necessary to ensure its manufacturing operations in Australia remained viable over the next decade in the face of a high Australian dollar and a highly competitive domestic car market.

Official sales figures released on Monday highlighted the problem facing Holden and Ford, with demand for their Australian-produced vehicles falling this year in a total market that rose almost 10 per cent.

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries said to the end of October this year sales of Ford's locally built cars were down by 10.1 per cent, while Holden had suffered a 5.6 per cent slide.

Toyota bucked the trend, posting a 13.3 per cent rise in demand for its Camry and Aurion models produced in Melbourne.


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France's Hollande in Beirut for talks

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 04 November 2012 | 15.02

FRENCH President Francois Hollande has arrived in Beirut for a short visit during which he will hold talks with his Lebanese counterpart Michel Sleiman.

Lebanese officials had earlier said Hollande and Sleiman would have breakfast together and then hold a press conference. The Syrian crisis is on top of the agenda.

Hollande's trip to Lebanon will be the first by a French president since the previous head of state, Nicolas Sarkozy, visited in June 2008.

The visit comes two weeks after Lebanon's opposition called on Prime Minister Najib Mikati to resign, accusing the government of complicity with the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The resignation call followed a massive car bombing in central Beirut which killed three people in October, including top security official Wissam al-Hassan, in an attack the opposition blamed on Syria and its allies in Lebanon.

A French government source said the visit was "a strong political gesture of backing for Lebanon's sovereignty and the preservation of its integrity in the face of destabilisation threats".

Hollande later goes on to Jeddah for talks with King Abdullah on the international standoff on Iran's contested nuclear program and the Syrian crisis, French officials said.


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Aust, Philippines bolster military drills

THE Philippine defence chief says his Australian counterpart plans to visit early next year to discuss ways to bolster security co-operation and the entry of Australian forces for military exercises under a new pact.

The Philippine Senate in July ratified an accord that would allow Australian troops to train in combat exercises with Filipino forces in the country.

It was a long-delayed pact that got backing from MPs alarmed by Manila's recent territorial spats with Beijing.

Defence Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said on Sunday he and Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith would discuss how to enhance joint exercises, including those that would help their forces better deal with natural disasters, terrorism and other threats.

Washington is the only other country with a similar visiting forces agreement with the Philippines.


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More Sri Lankan asylum seekers return home

ANOTHER 11 Sri Lankan men have abandoned their refugee claims and opted to return to their homeland, the immigration department says.

This brings the total number of Sri Lankans who have returned home in 2012 to 126.

Five of the men left Perth on Friday while the other six departed Christmas Island on Saturday.

"Regular transfers to Nauru and more Sri Lankans returning home is further proof that there is no advantage engaging with people smugglers," an immigration department spokesman said on Sunday.

People arriving by boat without a visa since August 13 have run the risk of being transferred to processing centres in Nauru or Papua New Guinea.


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Wildlife safe passage plan launched

WILDLIFE corridors stretching across state borders could be given funding priority under a federal government plan to help Australian fauna adapt to climate change.

The corridors will help connect the dots between protected areas, including national parks, according to Environment Minister Tony Burke.

Mr Burke on Sunday unveiled the National Wildlife Corridors Plan, which outlines processes for communities to nominate areas to become part of a national network of wildlife pathways.

"An area that meets the criteria and is declared as a National Wildlife Corridor may be eligible for priority funding under a range of Australian government funding programs," Mr Burke said in a statement.

"This is about setting priorities for conservation funding. The plan does not, of itself, lock up any land."

Greens leader Christine Milne welcomed the initiative as crucial to saving Australian native animals.

"As the world warms, species are going to have to move or else they are going to go extinct, and already some of our alpine species are faced with extinction because they can't go any higher," Senator Milne told AAP.

"We need to make sure we've got wildlife corridors right from the coast to the mountains, the north to the south, so species can move over time."

She challenged Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to commit to funding wildlife corridors under a coalition government, adding that the price on carbon was a logical funding option.

"It's actually the polluters paying for the consequences of their action," she said.

"They're the ones driving global warming, so now, part of the money raised from carbon pricing is to go to set up a capacity for adaptation for wildlife."

The Gillard government said its plan would help guide future government investment through initiatives such as Caring for our Country and the Biodiversity Fund.


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