Endangered tamarins born in Adelaide

A PAIR of endangered golden lion tamarins have been born at the Adelaide Zoo.

Officials said the twins were born to parents Aurora and Rio on September 6 following the introduction of Aurora from Florida's Palm Beach Zoo in March.

She was introduced to help spread the genetic diversity of the captive population in the Australasian region.

Senior primate keeper Althea Guinsberg says mother and babies are doing well.

"Both babies are a good size and their positions holding onto mum and curled tails are a good sign that they are both healthy and strong," she said.

Golden lion tamarins are found along the coast of Brazil and are an endangered species due to deforestation and the illegal pet trade.

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Indie game development scene targets apps

GAME developers left out of work after some of Australia's biggest studios closed their doors have poured into the growing independent scene.

The unrelentingly high Australian dollar spelt the end of many developers over recent years including Team Bondi, which made the critically acclaimed L.A. Noire, THQ Australia, Pandemic Studios and more recently SEGA Studios Australia.

Sydney-based Leigh Harris - who started Flat Earth Games with his brother Rohan after leaving Grand Theft Auto developer Rockstar Games - said the big developers in Australia had all but vanished, prompting some talented folk to seek work overseas.

But others had embraced the freedoms - and the financial challenges - of independent development.

"Australia has been re-shaping its game development teams for the past four or five years now, away from the big AAA studios and those that were owned by overseas companies, and into indie, so now we have a fairly strong indie scene," Harris told AAP.

"There are a lot of cool start-ups, incubators and things like that that are pushing things along."

Harris said one of the saddest losses was the closure of KMM Interactive, which comprised the remnants of the L.A. Noire team, but a couple of mini studios were formed out of the wreckage.

"So there's, I suppose, a silver lining.

"We managed to get one of their designers and one of the programmers to help us out for a couple of weeks."

Flat Earth's small team can't yet afford to work on games full time, but that's the plan.

The small firm has spent the past two years developing an app-based resource management game called TownCraft in their spare time, so no-one has been paid a wage, but they plan to share the profits.

The Harris brothers agreed it was liberating working on a small project, without needing to jump through hoops to get signed-up by a video game publisher.

And they knew they were on the right track when all who beta-tested their game - which was inspired by city-building hits Caesar, Pharaoh and Settlers - became instantly addicted.

"That's when I knew we were doing OK ... I was playing and almost missed my train."

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Australia has 160,000 toxic sites: expert

THERE are close to 160,000 toxic sites in Australia, says an environmental health expert whose main concerns include mines and old railways.

There's not much people can do about toxic dust or poison leaching into groundwater, says Professor Ravi Naidu.

However, at the very least they should keep away from old railway lines, which are poisoned with herbicides and pesticides that include arsenic.

Prof Naidu's organisation, CRC CARE, is hosting 150 delegates from 40 countries at CleanUp 2013, a Melbourne conference aimed at finding solutions for toxic sites around the world.

Topics discussed at the conference include the world's ever-growing garbage pile of electronic waste and how it is poisoning children.

Delegates are also discussing global contamination and its impact on health, economies and ecosystems.

Poisons like lead and arsenic are big problems in Australia because of past practices in the mining industry, says Prof Naidu.

Electronic waste is also a problem because it used to be disposed in landfill sites before appropriate legislation was passed.

"We have many old landfill sites that have received electronic waste but do not have appropriate barriers.

"As a consequence we have contaminants leaching from the electronic waste and there is evidence of this in ground water."

For children the biggest concern is toxic substances in the air.

These could be from domestic carpets, for example. But children living close to mining areas are at particular risk of being exposed to lead in dust particles.

"The main message for Australians is to be aware of the danger of toxic substances in the air and to be aware that contaminants are present where ever there are old railway tracks.

"Keep your children away from them. They are not always fenced off."

He says the government and industry needs to do more.

"There should be improved mine processing techniques that do not generate as much dust."

Most toxic sites in Australia are in urban environments and people living nearby are often not aware.

"We should be concerned that with so many potentially contaminated sites the pace with we are rehabilitating them is very slow," says Prof Naidu.

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Labor slams Abbott for one-woman cabinet

IT'S a sad day for the nation when the cabinet of Afghanistan has more women in it than the cabinet of Australia, says acting Labor leader Chris Bowen.

Prime Minister-elect Tony Abbott unveiled his ministerial line up on Monday, revealing the only woman in the cabinet is Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop.

The outgoing Labor government had six, Mr Bowen said.

"The cabinet of Afghanistan now has more women (three) in it," Mr Bowen said.

"It is a disappointing day when Australia goes so backwards, so backwards."

But equally worrying were the large sectors of the community that will be ignored by Mr Abbott's decision not to have a minister for disability care, seniors/ageing, tourism, resources, energy and the financial services sector, Mr Bowen said.

Mr Bowen also criticised the coalition for an emerging pattern of promising one thing before the election and then doing another thing after.

He highlighted reports Mr Abbott's government would not release their mid-year economic forecast until the January holidays.

He said it was a cynical breach of the promise Mr Abbott gave at his campaign launch last month to show the state of the books within 100 days of winning office.

"There will not be the normal scrutiny that you get in this building in other months of the year," Mr Bowen said.

Mr Bowen also slammed Mr Abbott for not visiting Indonesia within a week of winning the election to discuss key issues between the neighbouring countries.

"Now we're told (Foreign Affairs) Minister Bishop will catch up with (Indonesian Foreign) Minister Marty Natalegawa in New York for coffee," he said.

Australian Greens Senator Richard Di Natale said Mr Abbott's frontbench ignored the major challenges of the 21st century.

"Tony Abbott has made an art out of ignoring the science of climate change so it's no surprise that he has failed to include science or research," Senator Di Natale said.

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Shots fired in abandoned Melbourne factory

Police are investigating after shots were fired into a factory in Melbourne's southeast. Source: AAP

SHOTS have been fired into a factory in Melbourne's south-east.

It is believed 70 shots were fired into the empty factory in Clayton South just before 11.30pm (AEST) on Saturday.

Shots were also fired into a number of vehicles outside the factory.

No one was injured and a crime scene guard has been established.

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Comedian Simon Pegg in Perth for film

Shaun of the Dead star Simon Pegg has arrived in Perth to film Kill Me Three Times. Source: AAP

ENGLISH actor and comedian Simon Pegg has arrived in Perth to work on the Australian film, Kill Me Three Times.

The star of Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead and the recently released The World's End tweeted on Friday: "G'day Perth. Let's make a film."

Pegg seemed to enjoy Perth's sunshine on Sunday too, tweeting: "Beautiful day in Perth, WA. I might even leave the hotel, if I can find the exit."

An hour later he joked: "People keep recommending a bar called The Lucky Shag. Australia, you beautiful bitch, I don't think I could love you more at this point."

The Lucky Shag is a waterfront bar in Perth's CBD.

Written by James McFarland and steered by Red Dog director Kriv Stenders, Kill Me Three Times is a crime thriller set in the Australian surfing town of Eagle's Nest.

It tells the story of a young woman linked to three tales of murder, blackmail and revenge.

Pegg will play a murderer in the film, in stark contrast to his previous good guy roles.

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Worst over in Vic baby illness mystery

More than a dozen babies in Melbourne's Royal Women's Hospital have fallen ill to a mystery bug. Source: AAP

VICTORIAN Health Minister David Davis says the worst is over after more than a dozen babies in a hospital nursery came down with a mysterious infection.

Fifteen newborns being cared for in The Royal Women's Hospital's intensive and special care nursery were quarantined when the illness emerged nine days ago.

Two babies had to have surgery for an inflammatory bowel condition.

Mr Davis said the outbreak was a challenge that had been well-managed.

"An infection in neonatal has been worked through and followed up with the support of the chief health officer of Victoria," he said.

"We are now eight days since any further infection. This can happen from time-to-time but has been handled appropriately and carefully."

Mr Davis said state opposition allegations that funding cuts were to blame for stress in neonatal units were false and bed numbers were at record numbers.

He said adequate bed numbers in neonatal units was a long-term challenge for government that was separate to the infection.

"From time-to-time there are peaks in demand (of beds) and there is pressure. However the state government is working to ensure their sufficient capacity," he said.

A hospital spokeswoman said there was no danger to new arrivals and that the babies are getting better.

Australian Nursing Federation state secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said she was concerned about the stress on neonatal care units across the state.

"There is continuing pressure put on those units and we know that there has been an issue this week with 20 babies still being barrier nursed," Ms Fitzpatrick said.

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

London mayor Johnson backs UK fracking

London Mayor Boris Johnson says wind farms are a "disease" and the UK should embrace nuclear power. Source: AAP

WIND farms are a "disease" which have blighted Britain's countryside and the country should embrace nuclear power and fracking to meet its energy needs, London Mayor Boris Johnson says.

Johnson accused the energy companies of "ruthlessly exploiting" a shortage of supply as he insisted the UK must stop "pussy-footing around" and start exploiting shale gas reserves.

The senior Tory said turning to a new generation of nuclear plants and fracking would cut energy bills and boost the economy.

Writing in The Sun on Sunday he said he was shocked by the number of wind turbines he saw on a recent drive to Scotland.

"It is a good 20 years since I last drove all the way to Scotland, and in the interim something unbelievable has been done - in our name - to our green, pleasant and precious countryside," he said.

"I mean the windmills, the turbines - whatever they are called. I mean the things that look like some hideous Venusian invasion, marching over the moors and destroying the dales; the colossal seaside toys plonked erratically across our ancient landscape; the endless parade of waving white-armed old lunatics, gesticulating feebly at each other across the fields and the glens.

"They seemed to be everywhere, and I asked myself, when were we consulted? Was there a referendum? Did someone ever warn the British people that these moaning seagull slicers were going to be erected on some of the most sensational scenery that God ever called into being?

"The answer is that no one warned us, because no one really took the decision to do it. It just sort of happened. We have contracted these mills like a disease, because of our pathetic apology for an energy policy."

Claiming that the turbines would not meet the UK's needs he blamed the last Labour administration for failing to get to grips with the issue, leaving the UK facing an energy crisis.

"It is time to take the fight to the energy companies, who have been ruthlessly exploiting their position - and the best answer is an enormous increase in supply. We can do it, and we can do it in a way that is as clean and green as any technology on earth," he said.

"First we need to grow some collective cojones and launch the nuclear energy programme that this country has too long delayed. Do you know how much of their juice the French get from their nuclear programme? Almost 80%. They are laughing at us - us, the nation that split the atom!"

He added: "Next, we must stop pussy-footing around, and get fracking. Even if we have 100s of fracking pads, they are nothing like as ugly as windmills, and they can be dismantled as soon as the gas is extracted."

Mr Johnson said shale was "clean and green" and would help the UK secure its own energy supply without relying on gas from countries such as Russia.

15.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Woman found unconscious in toilet critical

A 31-YEAR-OLD woman found unconscious with serious head injuries in a toilet remains in a critical condition in a Cairns hospital.

Investigators have spent the day combing the scene of her discovery around 8am (AEST) on Friday - an external toilet at a business on Draper Street in Cairns' CBD.

However, they are still piecing together what happened.

The injured woman's condition remained critical, a spokeswoman for Cairns Base Hospital said late on Friday afternoon.

15.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Taliban bomb US consulate in Afghanistan

A truck bomb killed at least one person and wounded 18 outside the US consulate in Afghanistan. Source: AAP

HEAVILY armed gunmen in suicide vests have detonated a truck bomb outside the US consulate in the Afghan city of Herat, sparking a shootout with American forces, officials say.

US State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf said there were no American casualties and the US embassy in Kabul confirmed on Twitter that all consulate staff were safe after the attack early on Friday.

Afghan officials said at least one person had been killed and 18 others wounded.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying there were several casualties on the Afghan and US side, but the militia is known to exaggerate its claims of deaths and injuries.

The front gate of the US consulate was "extensively" damaged, Harf told reporters.

An AFP reporter at the scene said one vehicle had been completely destroyed.

Four Afghan policemen were among the wounded, Herat hospital spokesman Mohammad Rafiq Sherzai said.

The US State Department said the attack started at 5.30am local time when the gunmen, dressed in suicide vests, drove up to the front gate in a truck, opened fire and then detonated the truck bomb.

American and contracted security personnel reacted to the attack but the assault is over, Harf said.

"It appears American and contract security personnel addressed any attackers who managed to enter the compound," she added, giving no further details.

Taliban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi told AFP in a telephone call that the militia carried out the attack.

"Our mujahedeen, armed with heavy and light weapons, attacked the US consulate in Herat. There are several casualties to Afghan and US forces," he said.

Herat, in western Afghanistan near the Iranian border, is considered one of the cities in Afghanistan least troubled by the 12-year Taliban insurgency.

US-led NATO troops who have supported the Afghan government against the Taliban are due to end their combat mission next year, after Afghanistan holds key presidential elections.

The Afghan government has called on the Taliban to engage in peace talks but the militia publicly refuses to deal with President Hamid Karzai, branding him a puppet of Washington.

Roughly 100,000 foreign troops now serve in Afghanistan, two-thirds of them from the United States.

Obama has pledged to the war-weary US public to end the country's longest-ever war, which was launched to fight Al-Qaeda and their Taliban allies after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

15.03 | 0 komentar | Read More