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Bali Nine families try new plea

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 08 Februari 2015 | 23.08

Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan have been on death row for almost a decade. Here's an overview of the significant events from 2005 to 2015.

Death sentence ... Australian Myuran Sukumaran is being escorted to a court for his trial in Denpasar, Bali. Picture: AFP /Jewel Samad Source: AFP

THE families of Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan will travel from Bali today to Jakarta's presidential palace to plead for a second chance for the condemned drug traffickers.

Sukumaran's mother Raji and his brother Chinthu along with Chan's mother Helen and his brother Michael will be joined by Indonesia's national human rights organisation, Komnas HAM to announce the next legal stage in their battle to save the two Sydney men from the firing squad.

The families' journey to the Indonesian capital comes as the men's former lawyer has revealed that he has potential new evidence which could help save them and one of the judges who sentenced Sukumaran to death has told News Corporation that she never wanted to give him the death penalty and has regretted it every day since.

BALI NINE RINGLEADERS TO BE EXECUTED THIS MONTH

ANDREW CHAN AND MYURAN SUKUMARAN BEG FOR THEIR LIVES

Awaiting death by firing squad ... Bali Nine ringleaders Myuran Sukumaran (right) and Andrew Chan. Picture: AFP / Jewel Samad Source: AFP

On the eve of their trip to Jakarta, Chinthu told News Corporation Australia of the suffering of his family.

"Our days are very difficult, we can't stop thinking of what will happen and the violent way he will be killed. My mum keeps thinking about his and Andrew's dead body being handed to her, she is having nightmares," Mr Sukumaran said.

"It is very difficult to not think about the violent way he will die, trying to work out how much time we have left and thinking about him not smiling again," he said.

"It is a truly awful punishment on my mother who did not do anything to deserve this," Mr Sukumaran said.

BLOOD OF BALI NINE'S FIRING SQUAD ON AFP'S HANDS TOO

He said that his mother gets down on her knees every night to pray that the Indonesian President, Attorney-General and all who hold Sukumaran and Chan's fate in their hands can see how unique their case is and show mercy.

Mr Sukumaran said the family had watched in recent years as Indonesia worked successfully to seek mercy and save its own citizens on death row abroad. The family is now asking for the same mercy for the Australians.

READ MORE: BALI NINE DUO "MEANT TO GET LIFE"

Convicted co-ringleader ... Australian Myuran Sukumaran (right) faces death by firing squad in Bali this month. Source: News Corp Australia

"The crime deserved punishment, a long time in prison but not being taken out and shot dead."

And speaking exclusively to News Corporation, Judge Roro Suryowati, who is no longer in Bali, told how she has been in tears at the news that Sukumaran and Chan will soon be executed. She was on the Denpasar District Court bench which sentenced Sukumaran to death in 2006.

For the past decade Judge Suryowati has carried the regret with her and seeing news of the impending executions on television still causes her to cry. She is now a Judge of the High Court in a different region.

Straight talk ... Judge Roro Suryowati in her former office at Denpasar District Court in Bali. Source: News Corp Australia

Judge Suryowati cried on the day, in 2006, that Sukumaran was sentenced to death. She had not wanted it then and still does not believe it was justified.

It was the first and last time anyone in her court had been sentenced to death and she has never given a death sentence since and never will.

Her two fellow Judges on the bench had voted for Sukumaran to get death but she had argued against it, trying to talk them out of it. It was in vain. She was over ruled by the majority.

She says now she tried her best to seek a different outcome and she regrets she could not influence the outcome.

"My feeling has not changed. I feel pity for them. I feel sorry for them … Now if there is news about them, I often change the channel. It makes me cry."

Judge Suryowati's comments come in the wake of Mr Rifan's unannounced visit to the two men in jail on Saturday.

Devastated ... Raji Sukumaran (right) and Brintha Sukumaran (left) speak to the press after visiting Myuran Sukumaran inside the Kerobokan jail in Denpasar on Bali island on February 6. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

Mr Rifan revealed that at the time his clients were to have been sentenced to life in jail not the death penalty but there was political interference which got them death.

"At that time, they actually will be sentenced to life. There are several factors that caused them to be sentenced to death at that time. We saw there was intervention at that time," Mr Rifan said.

"The panel of Judges, I am very sure, also feel regret. Because after they sentenced them to death, they said to me that actually it was not what they want."

He said he had provided information to Sukumaran that could help in the future legal strategies. Sukumaran undertook to talk to his now lawyers, he said. Mr Rifan spent an hour inside the jail on Saturday talking with his former clients, who he said were "surprised" to see him.

Getting help ... Helen Chan (left) is escorted by Australian Consul-General to Bali, Majell Hind, after visiting her son Andrew Chan. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

Meanwhile, in a last-minute bid to spare the pair, Catholic Archbishop of Sydney Antony Fisher put out a joint statement with Australia's Grand Mufti Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammed to appeal to the world's most populous Muslim nation.

Mr Fisher said more than 100 Indonesians have gained clemency as a direct result of the Indonesian Government's efforts in Saudi Arabia and Malaysia in recent years.

"The Indonesian Government has itself got a commission that permanently work on pleading the cause of people on death row from their own country," he said.

"They understand that even if the strict law directs this (the death penalty) there is still a good case to be made for clemency for particular people."

Mr Fisher said the church opposes the death penalty and claims by a lawyer who represented the duo, Mohamad Rifan, that the judges who sentenced them to death were pressured politically to do so meant the Indonesian Government should halt the imminent executions.

"The Catholic Church is against the death penalty, we recognise that at other times in history we have supported the death penalty. Our view today would be there are other ways of containing the danger of dangerous criminals," he said.

Behind bars ... Andrew Chan in Kerobokan prison. Picture: Adam Taylor Source: News Limited

"We've heard in the last day or so there might have been some inappropriate pressure put on the judges in that country.

"To the extent there were failings in the legal processes in either countries is another reason to delay and another reason for clemency."

The pair was men of "great charity" and was no longer a danger to society Mr Fisher said.

"They are reformed characters. They should still pay a price in terms of punishment for what they've done we all agree," he said.

Dr Mohammed said the Australian National Imams Council would contact its counterparts in Indonesia and was considering going to Indonesia to appeal to the government.

Hoping for a miracle ... Myuran Sukumaran who is also on death row. Picture: Adam Taylor Source: News Limited

"I believe the Indonesian Government will consider it seriously that we really hope they will take the right course of action," he said through an interpreter.

"We really believe they have repented and totally understand what they have done."

The statement by the two religious leaders will be sent to the Indonesian and Australian governments.

"Our request is for clemency or a commuted sentence for Andrew and Myuran so as to allow them to be further rehabilitated and to execute would prematurely end these lives, robbing both of them and our communities of the opportunity for ongoing repentance and rehabilitation," the pair said in the statement.


23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bruce Jenner moments before fatal crash

Car crash ... Bruce Jenner has been involved in a fatal collision in Malibu. Picture: Splash News Source: Supplied

California police say ex-Olympian and reality TV star Bruce Jenner is involved in car crash that killed another person. Justin Mitchell reports.

BRUCE Jenner is being questioned by police over his involvement in a fatal three-vehicle crash on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.

Jenner rear-ended a car, causing an accident that killed a woman motorist,The New York Post reported.

Seven other people were injured in the accident, which happened on Saturday afternoon local time.

Jenner's dark blue Cadillac Escalade was towing a dune buggy in a trailer when he rear-ended a white Lexus sedan being driven by an ­elderly woman.

The Lexus spun into oncoming traffic and smashed head-on into a black Hummer. The impact of the horrifying collision killed the woman, sources said.

The woman is reportedly a 69-year-old neighbour.

Scene ... the collision happened on the Pacific Coast Highway near its intersection with Corral Canyon Road in Malibu. Picture: Splash News Source: Supplied

Fatality ... witnesses said Bruce Jenner rear-ended a white car being driven by an old woman. Picture: Splash News Source: Supplied

Officers are investigating why the Lexus stopped or slowed in front of Jenner. They said its driver may have slowed because of the traffic signal at the nearby intersection.

Five paparazzi were following Jenner's car. Sheriff's officers denied reports that the photographers were chasing Jenner, and said the former Olympic gold medallist had been taking no evasive action to avoid them.

Moments after the crash, Jenner, wearing a black baseball cap, a blue shirt and loose, baggy pants, was photographed as he peered into the Lexus. Its driver was slumped across the front seat amid crumpled airbags.

Witnesses said the woman was travelling with a young boy, who was seen crying at the scene, near Corral Canyon Road.

The Sheriff's Department has opened a vehicular manslaughter investigation that will focus on all the surviving drivers, sources told CNN.

TMZ reported that "it looks like Bruce caused the accident".

Motorist Keoni Picerno, 44, told The New York Post he was 10 car lengths ahead of the crash and made a U-turn once he realised what had happened. Jenner, 65, did not appear injured.

"He was up walking around, and he returned to his car once he realised the severity of the accident," Picerno said.

Emergency crews ... police are investigating the circumstances around the fatal crash. Picture: Splash News Source: Supplied

Jenner lives near the scene. Another witness said Jenner texted his son, Brody, who showed up with his girlfriend as cops questioned his father.

The Olympic gold medallist passed a field sobriety test that required him to walk a straight line and touch his nose. He also submitted a blood sample.

"He did not appear intoxicated or under the influence of anything," said Sgt. Philip Brooks of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

The survivors' injuries ranged from slight to moderate, sources said. A rescue helicopter took one victim to a hospital.

Major collision ... one woman was killed and seven people were injured in the accident. Picture: Splash News Source: Supplied

Three children were passengers in the Hummer, including one who is a month old. They were treated at the scene for minor injuries. Jenner's trailer may have been a factor. "

You have think all that weight from the [Jenner] SUV and the trailer — it's going to give quite a push when it hits from the rear," Brooks said.

"The paparazzi were following him but we have no indication he was being chased. Being a celebrity, he is used to that," the sergeant said.

Another sheriff's officer said that as of Saturday evening, Jenner had not been arrested or charged with anything.

Before the crash ... Bruce Jenner gets his morning coffee in Malibu before the fatal collision. Picture: Splash News Source: Supplied

Jenner is in the midst of a sex-change transition, which he'll discuss in May with ABC News' Diane Sawyer.

He's had roadside run-ins with paparazzi before.

On a 2013 airing of the TV show Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Jenner and daughter Kylie were shown being chased by paparazzi.

"It drives me nuts," Jenner said. "I don't get mad very often but these guys are really ticking me off. I don't want them following my daughter. That's just dangerous."


23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Who’s the first out of I’m A Celebrity?

He seems particularly skilled in annoying his fellow celebrities with his loud and crude alpha male-like behaviour. Courtesy: Channel Ten

Oh Merv ... cricket legend Merv Hughes' jokes and larger than life personality are starting to grind. Source: Supplied

SHE was one of the hot favourites to win but Leisel Jones has been sent home in the shock first elimination on I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!

The former Olympic swimmer, 29, was considered by many on the production to have a good shot at taking out the Network Ten reality series, set in South Africa, but it's thought her lack of screen time impacted her ability to connect with fans over more prominent celebs.

Despite her brief stint, Jones said prior to joining the show that any length of time in the jungle would be a positive experience.

Sent packing ... Olympic swimmer Leisel Jones has been eliminated from I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! Source: Channel 10

"The older you get, the more comfortable you get and I was looking for this type of challenge, something to test myself with," she said. "I picked a big and very public one."

It's understood model and former Miss Universe Australia Laura Dundovic and children's entertainer Laura Brant were also in the firing line after receiving a low number of saves.

At the end of the first week of camp life, tempers are beginning to flare and Brant might've been hoping it was Merv Hughes who was sent packing.

The cricket legend's comments about women "knowing their place" riled up the former Hi-5 performer, who gave him a few swift punches to the arm for his seemingly sexist jokes.

Dodgy jokes ... Merv Hughes' remarks about women riled up a few in the camp. Leisel Jones and Merv Hughes. Source: Supplied

"Merv the perve says whatever he wants and in every bit of joke he says I feel like there might be a bit of truth," Brant said.

There were a few glances exchanged around the campfire when Hughes congratulated the females for cleaning up after dinner, saying "it's a bloody good woman who knows her place" and that washing up was what "women do best".

But the retired fast-bowler insisted he was just joking and toned things down when he realised Brant wasn't laughing anymore.

Not laughing ... Lauren didn't find Merv's jokes about women very funny. Source: Supplied

Comedian Joel Creasey has also stopped seeing the funny side of things.

"That's all Merv talks about, sport," he said. "I don't think Barry (Hall) wants to talk about just sport all the time. But that's all (Merv) talks about."

The moustached retired cricketer isn't the only one getting on Creasey's nerves — he's struggling to bite his tongue about most of his fellow campers.

"I'm someone with a really short fuse and I'm a selfish, snobby person, and I'm starting to get sick of other people in the camp.

"That's not good because they've done nothing wrong — it's just me going 'I want to kill you'."

Losing patience ... a few campers, but especially Merv Hughes, are getting on Joel's nerves. Source: Supplied

While the elimination saw the camp shrink, two new intruders — reality stars who share a connection — are about to be lobbed in. Their arrival will air on Monday night's show.

I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm and Sunday at 6.30pm on Network Ten.


23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Abbott faces worst poll figures

Potential Liberal leadership contender Malcolm Turnbull has said he supports the prime minister.

PRIME Minister Tony Abbott is already facing a backlash over his decision to move forward a vote on a leadership spill to tomorrow morning.

Is he making a move? ... Malcolm and Lucy Turnbull leave a Liberal party fundraiser in Woollahra, Sydney today. Picture: Britta Campion Source: News Corp Australia

PRIME Minister Tony Abbott is facing an uphill battle after a Newspoll has revealed the Coalition's worst polling ­figures, and Liberal MPs are divided on the leadership spill.

The latest Newspoll, taken ­exclusively for The Australian, the Coalition's primary vote down three points to an eight-month low of 35 per cent. Labor is up two points to 41 per cent.

In two-party terms, the government's vote went to 43 per cent with Labor on 57 per cent, which is the Coalition's worst result since November 2009.

More on the Newspoll results at The Australian.

ABBOTT ADMITS HE COULD LOSE

Tony Abbott has admitted he could be removed as leader on Monday but says he respects the party room and expects the result will accurately reflect their views.

"I would expect that if a minister was incapable of supporting the government that the minister in question would have spoken to me, and none of them have," he told ABC TV.

"We will see tomorrow what my colleagues believe.

MORE: ABBOTT'S POLITICAL GAFFES AND SLIP-UPS

MOBBED: ABBOTT WANTED FOR SELFIES IN CHINATOWN

MALCOLM TURNBULL: OPENS DOOR FOR LEADERSHIP RUN

LIVE STREAM: LEADERSHIP SPILL VOTE FROM 9AM MONDAY

Prime Minister Tony Abbott gives a statement to media at his Sydney Office ahead of tomorrows Liberal leadership spill. Picture Cameron Richardson. Source: DailyTelegraph

"What I'm saying to them is the last thing our country needs now is to see another government go into meltdown.

"I will not let this country down and I will not let my party down."

Mr Abbott promised his Government would be "different and better this year than we were in every respect last year".

"It's a pretty chastening experience to have a spill motion moved on you after just 16 months in government - a very chastening experience," he said.

"And I am determined that my Government, if it continues after tomorrow, will learn from this experience, will be different and better."

LIBERAL TRIO IN PRIVATE TALKS

His comments come as Malcolm Turnbull, Julie Bishop and Scott Morrison conducted a private conversation earlier today to discuss the party's future leadership.

It is understood Communications Minister Mr Turnbull was poised to make a statement later today to clarify his position on the leadership.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop was also understood to have been prepared to make a statement.

But a spokesman for Mr Turnbull said he was: "not going to say or put out anything tonight".

It is understood Mr Turnbull changed his mind about making a statement after speaking with his advisory team.

News of the conversation comes as Tony Abbott has been meeting with at least two of his backbench MPs in a last ditch attempt to stop a successful leadership spill.

Touchdown in Canberra ... Mr Abbott with his wife Margie as they get off the plane. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia

Last minute talks ... PM Abbott with his wife Margie at RAAF base Fairborn in Canberra today. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia

The Prime Minister had meetings scheduled with maverick Queensland MPs Warren Entsch and Mal Brough to discuss their concerns over the party's future.

Mr Entsch told News Corp Australia he was still undecided on whether or not he would vote for a spill tomorrow and hoped that his concerns would be genuinely listened to in his meeting with Mr Abbott.

"My final decision won't be made until I am in the party room," Mr Entsch said.

Talking to the PM ... Warren Entsch arrives at Canberra Airport this afternoon. Picture: Ray Strange Source: News Corp Australia

"I don't think the media should be doing the numbers."

Mr Entsch who has publicly expressed his concerns over the future of the Liberal party previously, said the Prime Minister's decision today to bring forward the party room meeting to 9am had "upset a lot of people".

"This meeting is something I had arranged when I had concerns before, but it is still going ahead this afternoon," he said.

It is not yet known if Mr Abbott will meet with more MPs concerned about the party's future direction.

Selfies all round ... Tony Abbott is mobbed by crowds on a walk through Chinatown. Picture: Damian Shaw Source: News Corp Australia

Margie, Bridget and Tony Abbott receive flowers in Chinatown in Sydney on the eve of a leadership spill. Picture: Damian Shaw Source: News Corp Australia

WHAT MAL BROUGH WANTS

Mal Brough told News Corp Australia he had been trying to meet with the Prime Minister face to face since December.

He said that the meeting was not due to the spill motion but that "obviously" leadership issues would be discussed.

Mr Brough said he had been driving to Canberra from his Sunshine Coast home in Queensland to give him "plenty of time to think".

When asked if he would vote in favour of a spill motion or if the meeting with Mr Abbott would influence his decision he said: "I don't know yet".

"I might have something more to say about all of this later today," Mr Brough said.

In face-to-face meeting with PM ... MP Mal Brough. Picture: Glenn Barnes Source: News Corp Australia

HOCKEY WILL RESIGN IF ....

Treasurer Joe Hockey said this afternoon that he would resign from the frontbench if he was to support anyone other than Mr Abbott in what will be seen as a pointed threat to his Liberal colleagues.

"The Prime Minister is not going to lose, he's going to win," Mr Hockey told Sky News.

Mr Hockey said the best way forward for the nation was to continue with the current leadership team.

"Tony Abbott and Julie Bishop and the entire team are providing strong leadership," he said.

"I haven't seen any alternate policies by anyone that will fix up the mess that Labor's left."

Mr Abbott this morning surprised the party by moving forward a scheduled party room meeting to 9am tomorrow but a backlash has already begun against the move, with MPs saying it is "desperate" and does not afford the party the right level of respect.

PEACE PROPOSAL: TURNBULL READY TO BE TREASURER

WAITING GAME: MALCOM'S CLEVER TACTICAL PLOY

LIBERAL MPS WANTS SPILL MOTION DEFEATED

Fellow Tasmanian Andrew Nikolic called on West Australian MPs Luke Simpkins and Don Randall to withdraw their spill motion.

"I think what we're getting at the moment is the sort of introspection that the Australian people explicitly rejected in September 2013," he said.

Quizzed about another opinion poll showing the coalition would be better off with Malcolm Turnbull as leader, Mr Nikolic said: "So, let's blow the joint up every six months because the polls are bad? What a ridiculous assertion."

Abbott supporter ... Liberal backbencher Andrew Nikolic arrives at Canberra Airport. Picture: Ray Strange Source: News Corp Australia

At Canberra airport, Speaker of the House Bronwyn Bishop also said she would be voting to oppose the motion for a leadership spill.

Senator Cory Bernardi also said he would not "betray" his Prime Minister, and enter a "moral abyss".

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said there was a "dark cloud" hanging over parliament as a result of the leadership tensions.

"The last time we had this dark cloud hanging over parliament was during the Rudd-Gillard years," Mr Dutton told Sky News.

He appealed to his colleagues to vote down the spill motion.

Mr Dutton said that it was the right move by Mr Abbott to move forward the party room meeting.

Abbott supporter ... Finance Minister Mathias Cormann arrives at Canberra Airport. Picture: Ray Strange Source: News Corp Australia

"It was untenable to go into Question Time without this issue being resolved," he said.

Attorney-General George Brandis said that Mr Abbott had the "unanimous" support of cabinet.

"I believe all of my cabinet and frontbench colleagues will observe the appropriate conventions as they should," he told ABC News.

"I do believe the spill motion will be defeated tomorrow as it should be. We don't want to be like the Labor party."

LABOR HINTS AT TURNBULL'S 'TRUE COLOURS'

In an email this afternoon, Shadow Minister for the Environment Mark Butler criticised Malcom Turnbull for his so-called commitment to climate change. He even cheekily referred to Mr Turnbull as "possibly your next Prime Minister".

"That's Communications Minister (and possibly your next Prime Minister) Malcolm Turnbull...As you read this email, there are reports that Turnbull will ditch his so-called climate change convictions just to get the top job."

Mr Butler's email claims Mr Turnbull is untrustworthy and his promises were "as useless as Tony Abbott's".

"If you can't trust Malcolm Turnbull on climate change, you can't trust him on anything. His promises are as useless as Tony Abbott's," the email stated.

Back in the capital ... Foreign Minister Julie Bishop arrives at Canberra Airport. Picture: Ray Strange Source: News Corp Australia

PALMER, XENOPHON WANT PARTY MESS OVER

Key independent senator Nick Xenophon has labelled the Liberal leadership crisis an embarrassing mess. "And I think that the entire nation is fed up with it," he told reporters in Canberra.

"It's as though they can't hear the rest of the nation screaming at what's going on," Senator Xenophon said, adding Australians had seen Labor tear itself apart and were now watching the Liberals do the same thing.

"This is no way to run a country."

Palmer United Party leader Clive Palmer described the saga as a storm in a tea cup.

"What's more important is not individuals, but getting this country going with the right policies," he told reporters.

SINODINOS SUPPORTS A SPILL

Respected NSW Senator Arthur Sinodinos told News Corp Australia just moments after Mr Abbott's statement that the party room meeting should remain on Tuesday.

"I think we should stick with Tuesday and give the party room the respect it deserves," Senator Sinodinos said.

Senator Sinodinos said that he supported a spill.

Supporting a leadership spill vote ... Senator Arthur Sinodinos. Picture: Jeremy Piper Source: Supplied

OTHER LIBERAL MPS STILL RESTLESS

Tonight, Wyatt Roy has confirmed he will be voting in favour of the spill taking place.

Victorian MP Sharman Stone also she believed there needed to be a spill and would vote for it in a ballot tomorrow.

"I believe there should be a spill," Ms Stone said.

She said that she didn't have a problem with it being moved forward a day.

"It doesn't change the way that I'm going to vote," Ms Stone said.

West Australian MP Dennis Jensen also confirmed that he would be voting in favour of a spill motion.

"Yes I will," Dr Jensen told News Corp Australia.

Dr Jensen said that he believed Mr Turnbull would stand as a leadership candidate.

MORE: HOW A LEADERSHIP SPILL WORKS

FALLOUT: THE CASUALTIES IF TONY ABBOTT LOSES

One Liberal backbencher, who has been critical of Mr Abbott's leadership style, said the numbers on a spill motion remained "very close".

The backbencher said Mr Abbott's decision to make yet another "captain's call" and fast-track a meeting of the Liberal party room was being interpreted by many as evidence the Prime Minister was incapable of a more consultative approach.

Another Queensland backbencher said the decision to move the party room meeting forward had weakened the Prime Minister and could galvanise numbers against him.

"All he has done is signal to people that he is not in control, and some people are irate that Monday has been taken away from them."

Who should be Prime Minister?

The MP said that Mr Abbott would remain under a significant amount of pressure even if the spill motion was defeated but as many as 20 members of the Liberal party supported it.

A report that a deal could be struck to head off a leadership challenge by installing Mr Turnbull as Treasurer, were being hosed down by the anti-Abbott camp.

"I don't think it's a viable option, I don't think it's something Malcolm would consider, it sounds like a desperate ploy to me," one MP said.

Wants to be heard ... Teresa Gambaro arrives at Canberra airport. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia

Teresa Gambaro, a former Howard government minister, said MPs deserved to have their views heard in a parliamentary democracy.

"We cannot govern ourselves in an internal climate of fear and intimidation," she said in a statement on Sunday, adding that was the "unacceptable situation we have endured for the past five years".

"Equally we cannot govern the country through belligerence and hubris."

Desperate measures ... Prime Minister Tony Abbott gives a statement at his Sydney office ahead of tomorrow's vote for a leadership spill. Picture: Cameron Richardson. Source: News Corp Australia

Privately other MPs have also spoke of their surprise of the move.

"This shows he's desperate and can't win," one MP said.

Another MP said it showed Mr Abbott didn't have the numbers.

"People are quite rattled by this," the MP said.

"I mean does he have the numbers or not?"

Parliament was due to move a motion of condolence for the victims of the Lindt cafe siege at 11am tomorrow and some MPs are saying moving the party room meeting to before that is not a good look.

"So we're going to be focused on all this leadership stuff instead. That's not a good look," one MP said.

RUDDOCK SPEAKS TO ABBOTT AND TURNBULL

Chief Whip Phillip Ruddock this morning said he believed MPs would have enough time to consider the leadership issues before tomorrow's meeting.

He said he spoke with Malcolm Turnbull this morning as well as the Prime Minister about the meeting being brought forward.

"I spoke to Malcolm as well," Mr Ruddock told Sky News.

"The view in the Prime Minister's mind is it is better to have the issue resolved quickly."

The PM and his accuser ... Tony Abbott talks with Western Australian MP Luke Simpkins, who has proposed the leadership spill motion, during Question Time. Source: News Limited

He said his colleagues were all "mature adults" and had plenty of time to reflect on the vote before it occurred.

"I don't think they need more time to reflect on them," Mr Ruddock said.

One of the first MPs to arrive in Canberra after the announcement, Tasmanian Brett Whiteley, says he won't be supporting a spill motion being proposed by two of his backbench colleagues.

"Politics is not about being popular, it's about getting what's right for our kids and our grandkids," he told reporters on Sunday. Mr Whiteley labelled the spill motion a distraction.

TURNBULL AND BISHOP OUT TOGETHER

Malcolm Turnbull later this morning said the PM had made a "captains call" on changing the date of the scheduled party room meeting and would not confirm if he would put his hand up for the party's leadership.

"It is the Prime Minister's decision to hold the meeting on Tuesday — he's the Prime Minister he's made a captains call and changed the date of the meeting," said Mr Turnbull, who added that he was speaking to his colleagues today.

He was speaking as he arrived at a Liberal Party fundraiser in his Wentworth electorate. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop attended.

Colleagues today, perhaps enemies tomorrow ... Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull greets Foreign Minister Julia Bishop at a $100 per head Liberal Party Bellevue Hill Branch fundraiser brunch. Picture: Cameron Richardson Source: News Corp Australia

The Prime Minister moved the leadership spill to 9am Monday morning, an hour after Mr Turnbull praised him for scheduling it for Tuesday.

"This morning, I have asked the Chief Government Whip to call a special Party Room meeting for 9.00am on Monday 9 February to consider the spill motion," he said in a statement.

"It is important to end the uncertainty at the very beginning of the parliamentary sitting week. The normal Party Room meeting scheduled for Tuesday morning will also go ahead in the usual way."

Putting up a fight ... Prime Minister Tony Abbott at his Sydney office today. Picture: Cameron Richardson. Source: News Corp Australia

Mr Abbott gave a brief statement to media this morning urging his colleagues not to mirror Labor and throw out a first term prime minister.

"On reflection and taking to my colleagues, I've come to the view that the best thing we can do is deal with spill motion as quickly as possible and put it behind us," Mr Abbott said.

"The only question is do we want to reduce ourselves to the level of the Labor Party in dragging down a first time Prime Minister."

The news comes as Mr Turnbull said he would support the Prime Minister in voting against the spill motion for the Liberal leadership, but left open the possibility of taking over should the vote succeed.

Speaking to outside his home this morning, Mr Turnbull said he "supports the PM", but insisted "the party room must be respected".

"I believe one of our strengths as a party is we're a grassroots organisation and we've got to respect our members," Turnbull told Sky News.

Malcolm Turnbull greets Julia Bishop as they arrive as guests at a $100 per head Liberal Party Bellevue Hill Branch fundraiser today. Picture: Cameron Richardson Source: News Corp Australia

"I'm in the cabinet, of course I support the Prime Minister, everyone supports the Prime Minister. You don't have to keep on saying that all the time."

Ironically, the decision to move the leadership spill meeting to Monday comes after Mr Turnbull praised Mr Abbott's decision to give party members time to decide.

"Abbott's also, I think, shown great respect for the party room by saying that the meeting should be on Tuesday, which is the normal party room meeting. Now that's very significant because again you've had people in the press saying it's going to be brought forward to Monday in a rush. The virtue of having it Tuesday, and I know Tony Abbott very well you know he's a good friend of mine. And this is why he has said in Townsville it will be on Tuesday because he knows that members coming to Canberra, who will have been getting lots of phone calls and talking to constituents and many of which will be uncertain, will want to have the opportunity to sit down and talk to each other in the nation's capital, in the course of that Monday leading up to the Tuesday."

Privately Mr Turnbull's backers are reading Mr Abbott's surprise party room meeting as a concession by the Prime Minister that he doesn't have the numbers.

"This shows he's desperate and can't win," one MP said.

Assistant Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said it was a sensible decision to move it to Monday morning.

"Malcolm's entitled to his view but I think he is wrong on that," he told Sky News.

"We've got to get on with the job of governing. This has been incredibly distracting. You couldn't imagine the PM going into Question Time with the spill motion hanging over his head."

Mr Turnbull's comments come as reports emerge of a last-minute 'peace deal' plan to install him as Treasurer, with several cabinet ministers urging the Prime Minister to replace him in the role.


23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Lion turns on trainer at circus show

Terrifying ... video shows a lion lunge at its trainer during a circus performance in Egypt. Picture: Ali Attia/YouTube Source: Supplied

A HUGE lion has lunged at its trainer during a circus performance, pinning her to the ground in front of a terrified crowd.

Frightening footage showed renowned lion trainer Faten El-Helw going through the routine at a show in Egypt before the big cat pounced on her.

The crowd, including children, can be heard screaming as the drama unfolded.

The clip, uploaded to YouTube, shows Faten El-Helw dancing and waving to the audience when the lion leapt.

The huge creature wrapped its paws around the circus owner, tackling her to the ground in Thursday night's attack.

Live show ... Faten El-Helw (right) was filmed dancing and waving to the audience as the lion was crouched on a stool (bottom left corner). Picture: Ali Attia/YouTube Source: Supplied

Terrifying ... the audience screamed as the lion leapt off its stool and launched at the trainer. Picture: Ali Attia/YouTube Source: Supplied

Circus attack ... the lion wrapped its paws around the circus owner, tackling her to the ground. Picture: Ali Attia/YouTube Source: Supplied

Incredibly, the brave trainer was filmed jumping to her feet and walking out of the ring with the help of a man.

Lucky escape ... Faten El-Helw walked out of the ring with the help of a man. Picture: Ali Attia/YouTube Source: Supplied

Faten El-Helw was taken to a hospital where she was reportedly in stable condition.

She shared a picture on Facebook of her resting in bed with her arm in a sling.

The lion tamer's late husband and fellow trainer, Ibrahim El-Helw, is said to have died in 2004 when one of the animals turned on him, The Mirror reported.

Survived ... renowned lion trainer Faten El-Helw (left) miraculously survived the lion attack. Picture: Facebook/Faten El-Helw Source: Supplied


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What we can learn from celebrities in a jungle

Laura Dundovic could learn a few things in the jungle. Source: Supplied

I'M LEARNING so many life lessons from watching I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, and not just lessons about personal hygiene.

In fact nothing whatsoever about personal hygiene.

I mean, I knew television was educational, but I didn't realise just HOW educational. Except for that bit where Laura Dundovic lights a fire with a flint and some sticks and then says "now we're cooking with gas!". Except for that bit.

What have I learned?

That weight loss is as simple as starving yourself and mostly being too weak to move.

Disappearing physical bulk is a constant theme among the campers, as a restricted diet, muscle wastage and no doubt countless flesh-eating river flukes dissolve body weight.

Even Tyson comments that his shorts are about to fall off him. There is a resulting brief surge in ratings in the women-and-gay-men-who-are-alive-and-have-eyes demographic.

No ... ac ... pectoral ... no activ ... I'm sorry, I lost concentration. Source: Supplied

Tyson, you big hunk of spunk. Source: Supplied

Honestly, if it wasn't for people doing jumping jacks, headstands, and Tyson's shirtless sweaty handstand-push-ups, there'd be no activity ... no ... ac ... pectoral ... no activ ... I'm sorry, I lost concentration.

That Lauren has roughly eight thousand pairs of swimming togs.

Seriously. One cossie for every mood and zero actual shirts.

Someone find Lauren a top. Source: Supplied

That holding your hands as if you're deflecting a knife attack isn't the best way to catch stars.

Determined to improve her previous challenge score of No Stars And A Ruined Manicure On One Hand, Laura heads out of camp to participate in something called 'Screech For The Stars'. Five perspex boxes full of unthinkable muck hang menacingly in the trees as Julia and Dr Chris explain the challenge. Laura must stand underneath the boxes, trying to catch stars as they prolapse cockroaches, maggots, algae and offal onto her head and, as we find out, really quite robustly into her bra.

... that's a lot of unthinkables ... Source: Supplied

Take a big breathe ... Source: Supplied

Eek. Watch the bra. Source: Supplied

Laura's tactic is to hold her flat hands above her head, palms out, in exactly the way that someone who wanted to catch a lot of stars wouldn't. Weirdly, she doesn't catch many stars, and by the time the fifth box, full of offal, is ready to discharge its contents, Laura chickens out and heads back to camp. She just doesn't have the guts for guts, but she does make some meals out of meal worms.

WORDPLAY.

That maggots, cockroaches, algae and offal are only as disgusting as their context dictates.

Only two stars means the usual Great Big Bag Of Farts On A Rope becomes the Disappointing Bag Of Offcuts On A Rope as dinner, ostrich neck, is delivered via pulley system.

Chrissie calls it a 'garnish'.

Lauren may not be able to contain her hunger-rage much longer. The ostrich finds their complaints more than a little trivial.

It's hard to believe that just hours ago, Laura had boxes full of more appealing protein literally at her fingertips. What the campers wouldn't do for a big sizzling pan full of bra-offal right now.

THANKS LAURA.

Clearly, she's impressed. Source: Supplied

Jo Thornely doesn't get enough attention at her day job, so she writes for various outlets, takes up way too much bandwidth on the internet, and loves it when you explain her jokes back to her on Twitter. Follow her on Twitter @JoThornely


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Inside Bobbi Kristina’s secret life

Motives ... Nick Gordon was a brother to Bobbi Kristina Brown. He became her husband and now he's under suspicion for her likely death. Picture: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images/AFP Source: AFP

IT'S A plot straight from a soap opera: Raised by singer Whitney Houston like an adoptive son, Nick Gordon was a brother to Bobbi Kristina Brown. He became her self-proclaimed husband. Now, he's under suspicion for her likely death.

Bobbi Kristina was found facedown in a bathtub on January 31 by Gordon and a friend, a frightening echo of the way Houston's body was discovered three years ago.

According to reports, police are investigating suspicious injuries on Bobbi Kristina, who is brain dead but still on life support.

The relationship between Nick and Bobbi had been a sore spot for her father, Bobby Brown, and the Houston family for some time.

Sibling love ... Bobbi Kristina and Nick Gordon started dating when she was just 15-years-old. Picture: Twitter/BobbiKristina Source: Supplied

Houston opened her home to Gordon when the computer geek was 12 and Bobbi was just 8. Nick was the son of former Houston friend Michelle Gordon, who said she couldn't care for him.

Houston felt sorry for Nick and decided to raise him.

Bobbi and Gordon quickly developed a bond, with Gordon looking after her while Houston and Brown continued their careers. Gordon habitually referred to Bobbi as "Li'l Sis" and she affectionately called him "Big Bruh."

When, at 15, Bobbi began dating, Nick, then 20, became angry, a source close to the family said: "Nick was always telling boys that if they mess with his li'l sis, they had to answer to him."

In 2011, he was arrested after allegedly threatening a teenage boy with a gun when he expressed interest in dating Bobbi.

Gordon filled a void in Bobbie's life after her mother past away. Picture: Twitter/BobbiKristina Source: Supplied

Gordon filled a void in Bobbi's life. After Houston's death in 2012, they began a romantic relationship. That same year, Gordon was arrested after totalling a Camaro.

Family members contend the unemployed Gordon spent most days smoking marijuana and being "high all of the time." Houston family members are convinced Gordon "had been counting Whitney's money since she died," the source said.

It was Gordon, they said, who turned Bobbi against the family.

"Krissy (Bobbi) and (Marion "Pat" Houston, who is married to Whitney's brother, Gary) were close at one point, and Pat always looked out for Krissy," the insider said.

Not legal ... Bobbi Kristina confided to her father Bobby Brown that she wasn't married to Nick Gordon. Picture: Twitter/BobbiKristina Source: Supplied

But in April 2014, Pat took out a restraining order against Gordon, whom she claimed had made terrorist threats against her and her husband on social media. Gordon had been demanding more cash from Houston's estate, a police report said.

This was shortly after Gordon and Bobbi announced on social media they were married. Cissy Houston, Whitney's mother, referred to the relationship as incestuous and ties with the family were completely frayed.

Bobby Brown mostly shrugged off the relationship and Bobbi later confided to her father that she wasn't married to Gordon. Brown hoped her infatuation with Gordon would eventually end, the source said.

Whitney Houston welcomed Nick Gordon in to her family as an adoptive son and sibling to her daughter Bobbi Kristina. Picture: AP Photo/Laura Rauch. Source: News Corp Australia

This week, the former New Edition lead singer's lawyer confirmed the marriage never existed, a revelation that leaves Gordon out of any potential inheritance, which a source said could ultimately swell to hundreds of millions of dollars.

Bobbi remains the sole heir to Houston's fortune, currently estimated to be as much as $100 million — and it's not believed that she has a will.

This story originally appeared in The New York Post.


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Ten unanswered siege questions

Sydney siege gunman Man Haron Monis caught on tape giving instructions to hostages as they call the media. Courtesy: 60 Minutes/Channel Nine

Her side of the story ... Marcia Mikhael is one of the Sydney siege survivors. Picture: Channel Seven Source: Channel 7

THEY were the TV tell-alls which finally provided the "inside story."

But more questions have been raised, as well as answered, by the siege survivors who shared their harrowing tales with Seven News and Nine's 60 Minutes.

SURVIVORS TELL: 'Why I stayed, 'How I crawled to safety'

SIEGE FURY: Marcia Mikhael blasts police, 'Why am I the criminal?'

SURVIVORS: How Jared and Joel tried to bring Man Haron Monis down

1. Why did NSW Police respond and not the Army or AFP?

Sydney Siege survivor Marcia Mikhael gives an emotional interview on Inside the Siege: The Untold Story. Courtesy: Channel Seven

2. Why didn't Tony Abbott take Monis' call, or at least reassure hostages with a message?

Calling for Mr Abbott ... Man Haron Monis, the gunman inside the Lindt Cafe in Martin Place, Sydney. Picture: AAP Source: AAP

3. Why didn't snipers take a shot at the gunman from their Seven News vantage point?

Sniper in place ... inside the Seven newsroom. Picture: Channel 7 Source: Channel 7

4. What took so long to get the street lights turned off in Martin Place?

Held hostage ... a Muslim flag at the window of the cafe. Picture: Channel 7 Source: Channel 7

5. Why didn't police try to enter via the side door left open by Elly Chen and Jieun Bae when they escaped early afternoon?

Sydney siege survivors ... Elly Chen and Jieun (April) Bae on Seven's Inside The Siege: The Untold Story. Picture: Channel Seven. Source: Supplied

6. Why didn't police enter after he shot at Viswa Ankireddy and others as they escaped, and before Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson were killed?

Sydney siege survivor ... Viswakanth Ankireddy in Seven's Inside The Siege: The Untold Story. Picture: Channel Seven. Source: Supplied

7. Did police negotiators ever speak directly to Monis? If not, why not?

On the scene ... the siege ended in casualties and gunfire at the Lindt Cafe at Martin Place, Sydney. Picture: Bill Hearne Source: News Corp Australia

8. Was the use of flash grenades and gunfire overkill?

Flash grenades ... the Sydney siege has rasied more questions about how police handles it. Picture: Channel Seven Source: Channel 7

9. If the city was in 'lockdown,' why were bystanders (not media) allowed to linger on and watch?

Media with an onlookers ... in Martin Place at the scene of the siege at the Lindt cafe. Picture: Cameron Richardson. Source: News Corp Australia

10. Why didn't police cut off telecommunications to the CBD, given it was the only way Monis was reaching the media?

Gunman's plans ... a video made by terrorist Man Haron Monis using hostages to repeat his demands. Picture: YouTube Source: YouTube


23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More
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