Agreement for US troops in Australia

Australia has pledged support to the United States to ensure further atrocities are not carried out in Iraq.

New agreement to be signed ... Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop arrives back in Sydney with US Secretary of State, John Kerry. Picture: Bradley Hunter Source: News Corp Australia

US Secretary of State John Kerry is set to arrive in Australia for the annual AUSMIN talks.

AUSTRALIA and the United States will sign a landmark agreement in Sydney today to allow American forces greater access to Australian bases and facilities.

The annual AUSMIN talks will include a signing ceremony for a new Force Posture Agreement that will see 2500 US Marines and dozens of US war planes and warships exercising and replenishing at Australian ranges and bases in the Northern Territory and at HMAS Stirling near Perth.

AUSMIM: US Secretary of State John Kerry arrives

IRAQ: Australia could offer US military support

The talks will also open the way for Australia to become part of America's global ballistic missile shield and will focus on the rising tide of Islamic militancy in Iraq and Syria, the Ukraine and Afghanistan.

As Sydney airport's VIP parking area choked up with a US air force C-17 transport jet, a 747 jumbo, 757 and 737 passenger jets carrying dozens of US officials, security personnel and tonnes of equipment, the talkfest kicked off last night with a dinner hosted by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Defence Minister David Johnston for their respective US counterparts John Kerry and Chuck Hagel.

Always a happier man nowadays ... tAustralian Ambassador to the United States, Kim Beazley, greets US Secretary of State, John Kerry. Picture: Bradley Hunter Source: News Corp Australia

OBAMA/ABBOTT DEAL; New US military facilities in Australia

FIRST TIME: Chinese troops to train in Australia

Following talks with Senator Johnston yesterday (MON) Secretary Hagel assured the world that the US was a "Pacific power" and was "not going anywhere".

Countering concerns from some countries about China's growing militancy in the South China Sea, Mr Hagel said the US had 200 warships and 360,000 personnel based in the Asia-Pacific region.

He said five of his country's seven treaty arrangements were with nations in this region including Australia.

"We had Marines on a rotational basis in Australia … we have LCS ship rotation in Singapore and we have just concluded new arrangements with the Philippines to use bases there," he said.

"Yes we are committed."

Senator Johnston said Australia was "delighted" with the increased US presence in the north.

Mr Hagel said there was a great opportunity for Australia to be part of the US ballistic missile defence system.

"We think there is great opportunity and possibility as we go forward and develop some options."

Senator Johnston said any upgrade to Australian warships and land based systems for ballistic missile defence would cost billions of dollars and was a "long, long" way off.

"What we have asked the Americans to do is to send a team over to scope out what the initial steps are in terms of acquisition … and sustainment of a credible ballistic missile defence system.

"It is not something you are going to see this decade."

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gable Tostee: Still looking for love

Qld police have identified a 26-year-old woman who died after falling from a high rise balcony yesterday.

Gable Tostee in an image from his Facebook profile. Source: Supplied

GABLE Tostee is still looking for love on the dating app he used to meet Warriena Tagpuno Wright — even as he expresses "devastation'' at her mysterious death.

The 28-year-old Surfers Paradise man was logged on to his Tinder profile yesterday morning.

He used the same matchmaking application to organise a date with Miss Wright, 26, before she plunged to her death from his 14th floor balcony in the Avalon apartment building on Friday.

He left his apartment following the tragedy, turning himself in to police hours later but declining to speak with investigators.

CCTV COULD BE THE KEY TO BALCONY PLUNGE

SECRET SEX FILES OF TOSTEE

Gable Tostee is still using the dating app Tinder. Source: Supplied

He has not been charged with any offences.

While the Tinder profile does not give away many personal details, it does feature several photos of Mr Tostee.

Among them is a parody image of artist Michelangelo's famous piece Creation of Adam which Mr Tostee has edited to include his face and large genitalia.

He also describes himself as being 190cm tall and weighing 90kg.

But while he has not spoken to police, Mr Tostee has broken his silence on an online bodybuilding forum.

"I've been advised not to go into details but all I will say is that I absolutely did NOT cause this girl to fall and that I am devastated about what happened to her," a poster wrote under the name GT, accompanied by a picture of Mr Tostee.

Warriena Tagpuno Wright was holidaying on the Gold Coast when she met Gable Tostee online. Source: Facebook

It seems Miss Wright was not Mr Tostee's first Tinder conquest, with GT boasting of 150 sexual escapades with different women.

Gable Tostee in a Facebook picture taken at a Surfers night spot. Source: Supplied

"Fact is I've taken home probably about 150 girls from clubs over the last few years," he wrote.

"When you go out as often to the same places and get drunk and talk to girls you're bound to get noticed and hated on."

The member, who has been active since July 2004, has also previously posted screenshots of explicit Tinder messages featuring Mr Tostee's photo, going into graphic detail about his sexual encounters and describing his love of taking girls out on to his balcony.

Potts Lawyers, who are representing Mr Tostee, said they were aware of the posts but would not comment further or confirm if the account belonged to their client.

The posts were no longer visible on the site yesterday afternoon.

Mr Tostee attended Potts Lawyers in Southport yesterday afternoon with his mother Helene and father Gray around 1pm.

He ran from the offices into a waiting car about 3.30pm and his parents left 15 minutes later and did not speak to waiting media.

His lawyer would not comment on the reason for the meeting.

Originally published as Gable Tostee: Still looking for love

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Grandfather says bring Aussie terror kids home now

The PM says images of a child holding a severed head is evidence of the danger posed by ISIL terrorists.

THE grandfather of a boy pictured holding up the severed head of a Syrian soldier has begged the government to help bring the seven-year-old and his siblings home.

"I'm scared for the children," truck driver Peter Nettleton said at his Panania home last night.

"What life are they going to have now?"

Mr Nettleton thought his jihadist son-in-law Khaled Sharrouf and daughter Tara had taken her five children, two girls and three boys, to Malaysia to stay with Sharrouf's sister while he fought in Syria.

THE MADMAN WHO LED HIS SONS INTO HELL

SICK THREAT TO 'KEEP THE HEADS ROLLING'

MUSLIM RAILWAY WORKER'S HATE POST SCANDAL

GOVERNMENT WARNED OVER USING IMAGE FOR TERROR LAWS

Khaled Sharrouf's son holds the decapitated head of a soldier in the Syrian city of Raqqa / Picture: Supplied Source: Twitter

Now the shocking photo Sharrouf posted on Twitter shows he has taken his family into the war zone. "Can't the government do something to pull these kids away from that man?" he asked.

Mr Nettleton, who has been estranged from his daughter for nine years, said he heard about the shocking photo while listening to the news on radio yesterday.

Khaled Sharrouf and his children / Picture: Supplied Source: DailyTelegraph

"That brought me to tears because I don't know how to handle it," he said. Mr Nettleton, who has remarried and has three daughters, said Tara cut off contact with him after she married her teenage sweetheart Sharrouf and converted to Islam.

"We made a decision a long time ago to part," he said.

"She made that decision easily. I don't know her boys. I don't know their names."

Tara met Sharrouf while they were students at Chester Hill High School and had their first child, a girl, when she was 17.

"She just went with him and converted, she never grew up religious, we weren't religious," Mr Nettleton said.

Despite shocking evidence that his grandchildren are with their Islamist fighter father, Mr Nettleton was still not sure if his daughter was with her husband. Sharrouf, a convicted terrorist, snuck out of Australia late last year using his brother's passport.

Khaled Sharrouf / Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

Mr Nettleton said he believed his daughter left Australia with the children at the same time: "Tara's mother told me she went to Malaysia after Khaled left to stay with Khaled's sister. She told her mother she would be coming back within the month."

Mr Nettleton said his ex-wife Karen remained close to her daughter.

Ms Nettleton would not answer the door of her Peakhurst home yesterday. "I don't want to say anything," she called in a quavering voice.

Khaled Sharrouf's sister-in-law also refused to speak to The Daily Telegraph.

The Sharroufs still living in Sydney have become reclusive in the months since Khaled's shocking jihad came to light.

Neighbour Joel, who said he would be moving from the area after learning about the extremist family, told The Daily Telegraph once-regular visitors had dried up.

Originally published as Grandfather says bring Aussie terror kids home now

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Schapelle why haven’t you got a job?

Channel TEN is set to air an exclusive interview with Schapelle Corby's former cell mate during its 5pm news program.

Life's a beach ... Schapelle Corby en route to her monthly report as the parole condition. Picture: News Corp Australia Source: News Corp Australia

A month after being sacked by the Cronulla Sharks, exiled NRL star Todd Carney has been photographed in Bali with convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby and her sister Mercedes Corby.

SCHAPELLE Corby has told parole officers that she is yet to begin working and has been reading books and visiting the beach.

And she has been admonished for attempting to cover her face with a scarf at her monthly check-in at the Denpasar parole board offices — in sharp contrast to her recent public pose alongside footballer Todd Carney.

TODD CARNEY: Why I was with Schapelle and Mercedes Corby

Why so shy ... Schapelle Corby covers her face as she arrives for her monthly report at the Denpasar parole board offices. Picture: News Corp Australia. Source: News Corp Australia

Parole officer Ketut Sukiati, who spent about 10 minutes with Corby, said she had asked her why she had covered her face. Corby had replied that the media was trying to photograph her.

"I told her that it is not polite to cover her face like that, especially because she is in the Government office,' Ms Sukiati told News Corp Australia.

Ms Sukiati said Corby had told her she was still living at the home of her brother-in-law, Wayan Widyartha, and had not yet started working, instead spending her time reading books and going to the beach.

She also met briefly with the Bali parole board chief, Ketut Artha and the two exchanged pleasantries in Indonesian.

Ms Sukiati said Corby had not explained why she was not working yet but ensured her that she was not bored.

It is now six months since Corby was released from Kerobokan jail on parole.

ON PAROLE: Schapelle Corby rekindles relationship with boyfriend

ON PAROLE: Schapelle Corby set free after nine years' jail

She and sister Mercedes were photographed recently partying with Carney who was on holiday in Bali, following his latest indiscretion in Australia which saw him lose his contract with the Cronulla Sharks.

Those photographs were in contrast to Monday's visit to the parole office when she attempted to hide her face from the media with a black scarf.

Corby arrived at the office on the back of a motorbike driven by an unknown male.

She is required to report each month to the parole office and prosecutors, who monitor her progress on parole.

Corby must remain in Bali and on parole until her sentence expires in 2017.

SCHAPELLE CORBY BEHIND BARS

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

What’s wrong with this picture?

Moira Geddes chats with Australian Red Cross CEO Robert Tickner about the organisation a century on.

OK so their crosses are white, not red ... An example of how the Red Cross symbol is often misused. Source: ThinkStock

IT'S one of the most familiar symbols in the world. But is it becoming a bit too familiar?

The Red Cross, a symbol synonymous with humanitarian and medical aid, is being misused by a range of individuals and companies.

It might be a medical or veterinarian centre wrongly using the cross.

This is so wrong ... The Red Cross has nothing to do with this. Picture: Supplied Source: NewsComAu

Or something outside the medical realm like an appliance fix-it business. It might even be something as simple, not to mention saucy, as a naughty nurse outfit.

Wrong again ... Something has to be done to rptioect the Red Cross's wonderful reputation. Source: NewsComAu

Whatever the case, Australian Red Cross officials warn that any time the Red Cross is misused, it potentially jeopardises everything the iconic symbol stands for.

Really, really, really wrong ... Cashing in on a symbol synonymous with humanitarian and medical aid. Source: NewsComAu

"The Red Cross basically means 'don't shoot'," says Phoebe Wynn-Pope, Director of International Humanitarian Law and Movement Relations at the Australian Red Cross.

"It means that this person or building or vehicle or whatever is not part of the fight. It is a neutral entity providing medical or humanitarian assistance."

This week is the 100th anniversary of the Australian Red Cross. The Australian chapter formed at the outbreak of World War I.

WORLD WAR I: The five key moments that brought conflict

WAR DIARIES: 100 Years of Untold Stories

One of the focuses of this week's centenary celebrations is to promote awareness of the importance of the symbol. The Australian Red Cross says its emblem has come to mean health care to many people, however it specifically means humanitarian aid in war and emergency zones.

This is right . The Red Cross at work. Source: Supplied

"People don't understand what the Red Cross actually means," Wynn-Pope explains. "We find again and again that people are quite surprised when we tell them."

The Australian Red Cross is constantly dealing with people who misuse the symbol, unaware they were doing the wrong thing.

"We find in Australia that if someone misuses it is not such a drastic thing. But if we think of someone in Syria misusing the emblem, there can then be real confusion about what the symbol means. We can't afford even in peacetime to misuse it."

Wynn-Pope's advice to anyone thinking of using the Red Cross symbol is to think twice.

"It's actually illegal to use the symbol. Its use is protected by the Geneva Convention."

Play Doh Red Crosses are acceptable. Source: News Corp Australia

Founded in the 19th century by Swiss businessman Henry Dunant, the Red Cross uses as its symbol an inverse representation of the Swiss flag, which features a white cross on a red background. The Red Cross is often misinterpreted as the Christian cross, which is not the case.

Today, the Red Crescent is used by 33 countries instead of the Cross symbol. Both organisations are part of the same body, known as the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. A new symbol, the Red Crystal, has also recently been approved.

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Kendall ‘threw cash at waitress’ face’

Diva in the making ... Kendall Jenner is said to have thrown a tantrum after being refused alcohol. Source: Getty Images

KENDALL Jenner allegedly stormed out of a New York restaurant after the 18-year-old was refused alcohol.

The reality show star was with her best friend (and daughter of Stephen Baldwin), Hailey Baldwin, when waitress Blaine Morris says the two left without paying the $US60 ($65) they owed or leaving a tip.

Apparently, Jenner was unhappy when "the staff wouldn't serve her [alcohol] because she's underage," a source told the New York Post .

"Kendall got up and left and didn't pay for all the food … about $60 worth, and without a tip."

According to the Post, Ms Morris chased the model down the street only to have an annoyed Jenner throw money in her face. "Kendall and Hailey started laughing," a witness said.

"Kendall took a couple of $20 bills out of her wallet, threw them at the server and walked away, not even counting if it was enough or if it included a tip."

Ms Morris then tweeted, "That horrible moment you chase a Kardashian down the street because she forgot to pay her bill to be thrown money in your face."

A rep for Jenner has yet to comment, but a Baldwin rep said, "They thought everything was paid for. Kendall was polite and asked 'Does this cover it?' They didn't run."

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Momma Miley welcomes baby pig

Rock star lifestyle ... Bubba Sue is already getting used to the rock star lifestyle, with Cyrus seemingly cradling the little piglet on a private jet. Picture: Instagram Source: Supplied

MILEY Cyrus has added a new member to her vast menagerie, a piglet named Bubba Sue.

The 21-year-old took to Instagram to show off her cute little mate, peppering little Bubba Sue with a big kiss.

And it looks as if Bubba Sue is already getting used to the rock star lifestyle, with Cyrus seemingly cradling the little piglet on a private jet.

Cyrus, of course, is a well-known animal lover, and in 2012 a piglet named Nora was sponsored by PETA for the singer's 20th birthday.

Tracy Reiman, Executive Vice President of PETA, told E! Online of the sponsorship: "PETA knew that sponsoring a rescued pig was the perfect birthday present for a young woman who spends so much time encouraging others to help animals.

"From promoting animal adoption to speaking up for cows who suffer on dairy farms, Miley never stops letting her millions of fans know what they can do to make the world a kinder place."

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Aussie couple ‘knew of surrogate son’

An Australian couple left their Down Syndrome baby with his surrogate mother in Thailand, while taking the boys healthy twin sister. WSJs Ramy Inocencio talks to Sam Everingham, director of Families Through Surrogacy, on the backlash in Australia.

THE Australian husband in the Thailand surrogacy row has served a sentence in jail for indecently dealing with a child under 13, it has been claimed.

Channel Nine reported that the man, who lives in Western Australia, was convicted of indecent dealing with a child under the age of 13 in 1998 and served a prison sentence.

The development came as the Thai mother of the abandoned surrogate baby boy with Down syndrome, Gammy, rejected claims his Australian parents knew nothing of their son.

LEFT BEHIND: Funds raised for abandoned baby with Down syndrome

MOIRA'S PLEA: Kelly pleas for Gammy to be treated in Melbourne

The biological parents of seven-month-old Gammy are accused of leaving him in Thailand after he and his healthy twin sister were born to a local surrogate.

His sister was brought back to Australia.

The couple, who have not been identified but live in Western Australia, deny the allegations and claim they had no knowledge of a second child.

GAMMY CASE PREVENTABLE: Lawyer says government should act

"I will not allow them to come to take my baby away" ... Thai surrogate mother Pattaramon Chanbua holds her baby Gammy. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

Gammy's 21-year-old Thai surrogate mother, Pattaramon Chanbua, is now his full-time carer and says those claims are wrong.

"This is not the truth," she told ABC's 7.30 program.

Ms Chanbua said the Australian couple asked her to abort the boy after he was diagnosed with Down syndrome in the womb.

She cried, refused and told them she would take care of both the babies if they did not want them. They eventually agreed to take the girl.

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison today labelled Ms Chanbua a "saint" and an "absolute hero" and said the outpouring of support was a strong indicator of the way Australians felt about the situation.

"All the money will be spent for the best of the baby" ... Pattaramon Chanbua, 21, with her sons Game, 7, and baby boy Gammy. Picture: AP Source: AP

Gammy's story could prompt the Australian government to look closer at surrogacy laws with the Department of Foreign Affairs already examining practices in Thailand.

Agencies were working with Thai officials on the broader surrogacy issues, the department said.

Mr Morrison said the legalities surrounding international surrogacy were "very, very, very murky" and regulations must be looked at carefully.

"Sure, there are lots of Australians who are desperate to be parents but that can never, I think, sanction what we have just seen here," he said.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has also said the case illustrates the pitfalls of international surrogacy.

Commercial surrogacy, where a woman is paid a fee to carry a child, is illegal in Australia.

However, if there is an agreement for the biological parents to cover just medical and other reasonable costs, the practice is legal.

Rejected because of disability ... Thai surrogate mother Pattaramon Chanbua plays with her baby Gammy, who was born with Down syndrome, at the Samitivej hospital, Sriracha district in Chonburi province. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

Gammy's picture has been beamed around the world and has prompted donations of more than $200,000 to pay for his future in Thailand.

"Our hearts are filled with love for all the people around the world who have taken time out of their lives to give thought to Gammy," his donation page reads.

The donations meant Gammy could be moved to a private hospital with specialist care and Ms Chanbua promises all the funds will go to him, ABC reported.

"I will make sure all the money, every single Baht, is well spent for the best of the baby," she said.

She says even if his biological parents come back for him, she's now his mother.

"I will not allow them to come to take my baby away," she said.

"I love him."

Abandoned but now cared for by his surrogate mother ... Six-months-old baby Gammy. Picture: Hope for Gammy Source: Supplied

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Excavator rams into Jerusalem bus

Attack ... Israeli policemen stand guard at the scene after a Palestinian man rammed an excavator into a Jerusalem bus before being shot dead by police. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

ONE Israeli was killed and five others injured when an excavator rammed into a Jerusalem bus, turning it over before the driver was shot dead by police.

The incident took place on the seamline between east and west Jerusalem and came as Israel pressed a major military campaign in Gaza which has killed more than 1800 Palestinians.

Police said the excavator had overturned a bus, prompting two police officers who were in the vicinity to open fire, killing the driver and foiling what they described as a "terrorist attack".

One dead ... A damaged bus flipped over after attack in Jerusalem. Picture: AP Source: AP

"He hit a bus and turned it onto its side and as a result three people were lightly injured who were on the bus," Jerusalem police chief Yossi Pariente told reporters at the scene, adding that the bus was nearly empty when it was hit.

War ... An Israeli policeman stands guard at the scene. The incident took place on the seamline between east and west Jerusalem and came as Israel pressed a major military campaign in Gaza which has killed more than 1800 Palestinians. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

"Two police happened to be in the area ... they got out of their car and fired at the (excavator) and as a result (the driver) was killed," he said.

Emergency services spokesman Zaki Heller said one person had been killed and five hurt in the attack.

Investigators...Israeli police stand guard at the scene of the attack in Jerusalem. Picture: AP Source: AP

"A 25-year-old man was run over by the excavator and killed, and the bus driver was moderately to lightly injured," he said, saying another four people were lightly hurt in the incident.

Attack...Orthodox Jewish boys climb a wall to watch the scene of an attack in Jerusalem. Picture: AP Source: AP

Police spokeswoman Luba Samri identified the victim as a 25-year-old ultra-Orthodox Jew resident in Jerusalem.

She said the driver was a Palestinian from Jabal Mukaber in annexed Arab east Jerusalem.

At the scene, the driver's body could be seen lying on the ground covered with a white plastic bag and a prayer rug.

Nearby, the bulldozer's windshield was completely destroyed.

On guard ... Israeli police officers stand guard at the scene. Picture: AP Source: AP

Originally published as Excavator rams into Jerusalem bus

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Who knew? Delta can’t dance

No, Wayans! I can too dance. Source: Getty Images

DELTA Goodrem may have the pipes, but does she have the moves? Marlon Wayans thinks not.

He's snapped a selfie supposedly trying to enjoy a Beyoncé and Jay-Z concert with "the most UNRHYTHMIC WHITE WOMAN" dancing next to him - a.k.a Delts.

Suffice to say, it's a picture getting shared and regrammed by the bucket load.

Enjoy!

He captioned the picture:
"Man I got the most UNRHYTHMIC WHITE WOMAN dancing next to me at the jay and bay concert... This (b****) dancing to AC/DC"

Now, we're not buying he doesn't know Delta Goodrem (she's one of his social media followers), but his Instagram post is pure gold.

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More