Police charge would-be carjacker

A MAN who allegedly tried to carjack a BMW in central Sydney before hitting a bouncer outside a bar has been charged.

In the early hours of Saturday the 39-year-old allegedly pushed the driver of a BMW, parked on the corner of Sussex and Slips streets, into the passenger seat and tried to start the car, police say.

Security guards from a nearby hotel pulled the would-be carjacker from the BMW but he ran off to a bar on Lime Street.

Leaving the venue, the man allegedly assaulted a bouncer in what police say was an "unprovoked attack."

He tried to run again but was chased by doorman's colleagues, caught and restrained.

Police took the man, who had suffered a head injury, to St Vincent's Hospital.

He was released on Saturday afternoon and charged with carjacking, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault.

Bail was granted and he's due before Central Local Court on Monday.

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Honduran candidate calls for protest

OPPOSITION candidate Xiomara Castro has announced that she won't recognise the result of Honduras' presidential election because of alleged voter fraud and called on her supporters to protest the win by the ruling party candidate.

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Three Qld men charged with murder

THREE young men have been with charged the murder of a man who was bashed outside a Sunshine Coast nightclub.

The 45-year-old sustained head injuries when he was allegedly attacked by the three men in the early hours of Saturday morning, police say.

He was rushed from a Maroochydore nightclub to Nambour General Hospital where he died.

On Saturday night a 24-year-old from North Arm and two men from Buderim and Coolum, both 27, have been charged with murder.

They are due to appear before the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday.

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Tiny fish gives big evolutionary insight

The defence secrets of a leaping fish may give an insight into how life made it from water to land. Source: AAP

THE defence secrets of a tiny, leaping, amphibious fish, unveiled by NSW scientists, may give an insight into how life survived the transition from aquatic to terrestrial habitats.

The Pacific leaping Blenny grows to only eight centimetres and spends its time leaping from rock to rock, defending territory and feeding on the tropical island of Guam.

Dr Terry Ord and Courtney Morgans from the University of NSW first compared the colours of five Blenny populations with the rocks they lived on.

After discovering the colours were almost identical they modelled Blenny lookalikes out of plasticine and placed them in the habitat.

Dr Ord said the models were collected after several days and the incidence of attacks from birds, lizards and crabs recorded.

"We found the models on the sand were attacked far more frequently than those on the rocks," he said in a statement.

"This means the fish are uniquely camouflaged to their rocky environments and this helps them avoid being eaten by land predators."

They also found closely related fish had similar colouration, meaning the Blenny's ancestors were probably rock coloured when they first moved out of the water.

"These species provide an evolutionary snapshot of each stage of the land invasion by fish," said Dr Ord.

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Vic health warning over new Marley drug

Three Victorian men have suffered severe reactions from smoking a synthetic drug named Marley. Source: AAP

BOB Marley once crooned how everything is going to be all right - and three men are hoping it's true after suffering severe reactions from smoking a drug named after the reggae icon.

Victoria has issued an urgent health warning for users of "Marley", a synthetic drug designed to copy the effects of cannabis.

Three men in Melbourne bought the drug this week at the same sex shop in the city's southeastern suburbs and ended up in hospital.

Acting Chief Health Officer Michael Ackland says he's worried the drug could be sold elsewhere, putting others at risk.

"These drugs are dangerous," Dr Ackland said on Friday.

"I strongly urge anyone who has Marley or any synthetic drug in their possession to refrain from using it."

Police found one man, in his 20s, agitated and confused on Wednesday evening before he had a seizure and needed to be taken to hospital.

Two other men, both in their 40s, shared a sachet of Marley and needed to be taken into an intensive care ward on Thursday.

Dr Ackland said he was worried about the rapid spread of synthetic drugs despite new laws that banned products designed to mimic the effects of illegal drugs.

Other synthetic drugs targeting cannabis users are sold under names ranging from K2, Kronic and Ash Inferno to Black Widow and Slappa.

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UN report on trauma of Syrian refugee kids

SYRIAN refugee children are paying a cruel price as civil war rips their country apart, the United Nations warns in a report with heart-rending testimony from youngsters driven from their homes.

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RAAF warns homes face jet noise impact

THE RAAF says a local council in NSW is allowing people to build near one of its busiest bases where they will be blasted with aircraft noise.

Air force chief Air Marshal Geoff Brown said he was disappointed with decisions by Port Stephens Council to provide exemptions to its planning rules for some developments near RAAF Williamtown, north of Newcastle.

He said new developments were inside the contours on the Australian Noise Exposure Forecast (ANEF) map that were deemed unsuitable by the relevant Australian Standards.

"Home owners that purchase these new developments are acquiring properties that will be exposed to high levels of aircraft noise both now with F/A-18A/B Hornets and F-35A in the future," he said in a statement.

Air Marshal Brown said RAAF Base Williamtown was a strategic national asset providing vital training for the next generation of air combat aircraft.

Aircraft noise is a particular issue for RAAF Williamtown and the Salt Ash Air Weapons range where residential encroachment and the operation of Hornet and Hawk jets has produced noise complaints.

The RAAF has taken some measures to mitigate noise including using particular flight profiles and limiting flying periods.

Air Marshal Brown said the continuing trend by Port Stephens Council to approve development in the ANEF "conditionally acceptable" zone undermined the hard work to reduce the impact of aircraft noise.

He said aircraft noise would never be eliminated and it would never be possible for home owners to soundproof their backyards.

"We will continue to work with the Williamtown community through our fly neighbourly policies. However our focus will be on working with existing home owners," he said.

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Indonesia parliament hearing on spy issue

Indonesia says Australia will have to agree to a code of conduct before relations can normalise. Source: AAP

THE Indonesian parliament's defence and foreign affairs committee will hold a special hearing into the spying allegations that has caused a diplomatic rift between Jakarta and Canberra.

It's understood the list of senior Indonesian officials expected to appear at the Commission One hearing includes Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, Defence Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro and the head of the State Intelligence Office (BIN), Marciano Norman.

"The agenda will be phone-tapping," a Commission One official said, while also confirming the list of those asked to attend.

National police chief Sutarman and the head of the National Encryption Body, Major General Djoko Setiadi, have also been asked to attend.

The hearing into the alleged phone-hacking undertaken by Australian spies in 2009, to be held on Thursday morning, comes amid continued dissatisfaction in Jakarta over Canberra's response to the spying claims.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has demanded Australia sign a code of conduct that will address the spying issue, also insisting that an agreement must be ratified before relations between Jakarta and Canberra can return to normal.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Wednesday agreed with Dr Yudhoyono's proposal that trusted envoys meet to start the process to rebuild ties between the two nations, but the Indonesian president has made it clear he believes a "code of ethics and protocols" is needed to map out the future relationship.

He insists an agreement must be signed by him and Mr Abbott before the relationship can be fully normalised.

Mr Abbott embraced the idea of an envoy meeting although he will take time to fully respond to Dr Yudhoyono's statement over the next few days.

"I think that's a good way forward," he told reporters in Melbourne.

The prime minister said he was keen for a quick resolution built "on a strong and lasting basis" and has proposed the establishment of a security round table, so both nations could build greater mutual trust.

"Obviously, that relationship does depend on a great deal of intelligence sharing," he said.

"I want to deepen and extend that in the weeks and months ahead."

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop could be given the delicate job of envoy.

While her appointment as special envoy hasn't been confirmed, it's understood Ms Bishop is a strong candidate given Dr Natalegawa is likely to be the Indonesian counterpart.

Dr Yudhoyono suspended military, security and people-smuggling co-operation last week after revelations Australian spies targeted his mobile phone, and those of his inner circle.

He welcomed Mr Abbott's commitment that "Australia would not do anything in the future" to harm or damage relations with Indonesia, but the president is believed to be upset by the lack of an apology for the 2009 phone-tapping activities.

Indonesian Industrial Minister Mohamad Suleman Hidayat was quoted in the Koran Tempo newspaper on Wednesday as saying Dr Yudhoyono was disappointed the letter from Mr Abbott did not contain an apology.

"The president is not embarrassed, he's angry. Tell Australia, I'm angry," Mr Hidayat reportedly said.

Mr Abbott has refused to comment on the contents of his letter to the president.

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Mining boom waste will haunt PM: Windsor

Former MP Tony Windsor (pic) says mismanagement of the mining boom will return to haunt Tony Abbott. Source: AAP

RETIRED MP Tony Windsor says Howard-era mismanagement of the mining boom will return to haunt Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

The former key federal independent has backed a union report's calls for a sovereign wealth fund to help share the benefits of the resources industry among more Australians.

Mr Windsor launched the report, commissioned by the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, at an event in Sydney on Tuesday.

The report found that although the resources boom had helped shelter Australia from the worst of the global financial crisis, governments had "squandered" a chance to efficiently share its profits.

It argued Norway had done a better job of maximising the permanent gains from oil and gas extraction in the North Sea.

The report called for Australia to follow the Norwegian model and establish an Australia Development Fund to use some of the proceeds of resources development for long-term projects.

Mr Windsor said it was a sensible approach.

"During the Howard years we really didn't take advantage of the boom, we created a lot of middle-class welfare," Mr Howard said.

"I think a lot of people are aware now that you can't just go through boom cycles, issue currency to the community, and then when the bust comes - and Abbott's going to face this exact problem ... it's very difficult to take it back.

"The concept of a fund is that it does take advantage of the good times and smooth out the ripples."

The report found that the thriving resources sector had boosted jobs but the fly-in fly-out (FIFO) nature of much of the employment did not help mining towns.

It did however increase cost-of-living pressures for the towns' permanent communities.

And the share of income going to employee compensation has declined over the past 20 years, the report found, from 30 per cent to 20 per cent.

CFMEU president Tony Maher said the profits from Australia's mining boom had largely been exported.

"Too much has gone into the pockets of shareholders and management, overwhelmingly based overseas, and too little to the Australian community that owns the resources," he said.

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More beach monitoring after shark attack

Surveillance will continue in WA's south west during school levers week after a fatal shark attack. Source: AAP

A LARGE patrol vessel from Perth and aerial surveillance will continue in Western Australia's south west while school leavers are in the area after a fatal shark attack.

Police will be in control of a school leavers party at Meelup beach on Wednesday night but the Department of Fisheries will work with them to monitor the water.

Fisheries Shark Response Unit spokesman Tony Cappelluti said while people needed to be cautious, there was no suggestion that the event should be cancelled.

Chris Boyd, 35, was surfing at the popular surf break Umbies off Gracetown when a shark, believed to be a great white, bounced off another surfer's board and attacked him on Saturday morning.

Beaches were closed and authorities searched unsuccessfully for the shark, which was deemed an imminent risk, but the search was called off on Monday night and the beaches were re-opened.

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New "selfie stick" named after Zuckerburg

• From: AAP
• November 26, 2013 7:23PM

IT is the ultimate statement of 21st century self expression - with the selfie so ubiquitous it's even recognised by the Oxford English Dictionary.

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Stealth experts wins defence science prize

AN expert in stealth technology has won the 2013 Minister's Award for Achievement in Defence Science.

Assistant Defence Minister Stuart Robert said the work of Andrew Amiet from the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) had made military vehicles and vessels harder for an enemy to detect.

Dr Amiet is a fine example of the brilliant scientific minds that make a significant contribution to Defence capability, he said.

"Dr Amiet is responsible for developing and evaluating materials with stealth capabilities for use on submarines, ANZAC ships and Army vehicles to minimise their detection by radar, sonar, infrared and other electronic systems, thus significantly improving their operational capability," he said in a statement.

Chief Defence Scientist Alex Zelinsky said Dr Amiet's outstanding research had delivered a range of stealth products, from very light radar absorbing materials to high-density structural systems.

Dr Amiet said he wanted to reduce the probability of Australian Defence Force vehicles and vessels being detected, increasing the effectiveness of countermeasures.

The Minister's Award for Achievement in Defence Science has been presented annually since 1988, recognising outstanding and original contributions capable of enhancing Australia's defence effectiveness and efficiency.

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More gases erupt from Indonesian volcano

POWERFUL bursts of hot ash and gravel have erupted from a rumbling volcano in western Indonesia, sending panicked villagers streaming down the sides of the mountain.

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Almost 90% of Indons want harsher action

ALMOST 90 per cent of Indonesians want their government to deliver an even harsher warning to Australia over spying revelations, although less than eight per cent support a military strike.

A survey published by Indonesia's biggest selling national newspaper, Kompas, also shows 63 per cent of people agree with the decision to recall ambassador Nadjib Riphat Kesoema from Canberra.

Mr Nadjib, who said in an interview also published on Monday that the decision to recall him was necessary to send a strong message to Australia, is yet to return to Canberra.

"We're now showing that there's something going on that does not please Indonesia," he said.

"There are lots of diplomatic instruments that can be used ... and the ambassador being called back for consultation, that shows that something's happening.

"I don't want to talk about the relationship degradation because the Indonesian embassy is still there (and functioning) and the Australian embassy is also still here.

"But I was recalled to express (our anger)."

An official with the Indonesian Foreign Ministry confirmed to AAP on Monday that Mr Nadjib would remain in Jakarta until after the spying issue was resolved.

The Kompas poll, published on Monday, comes in the wake of relations between Jakarta and Canberra slipping to their lowest level since the East Timor crisis in 1999, following revelations Australian spies bugged the phones of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his wife.

According to the poll of Indonesians in 12 of the largest cities across the archipelago, 89 per cent of people support Australia being given a "harsh warning", while 39 per cent of people want further cuts to diplomatic ties.

The poll also showed 7.6 per cent of people would support some sort of military action, while an overwhelming majority of 91.5 per cent were against such a move.

The vast majority of those surveyed (87 per cent) also believe Indonesia's intelligence capabilities have been proven to be weak as a result of the eavesdropping revelations.

Indonesia has already suspended military co-operation with Australia, as well as calling a halt to joint efforts in the areas of law enforcement and measures aimed at combating people smuggling.

Dr Yudhoyono is yet to respond to a letter from Prime Minister Tony Abbott, written in response to demands for an explanation of Australia's spying activities and delivered to him in Bali on Saturday.

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Three-year-old Vic boy missing

A THREE-YEAR-OLD boy is missing on a property in rural Victoria.

Police say he was last seen playing on the edge of a dam in Digby, about 350km west of Melbourne.

Family members raised the alarm after finding his shoes stuck in the mud on the bank.

Local police and SES personnel are searching for the boy.

A search and rescue team and the dog squad have also been sent to help.

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No let up as more storms forecast this evening

Ruthless Aussies take Ashes lead

AUSTRALIA has won a spiteful first Ashes Test amid claims from England captain Alastair Cook their hosts had disrespected them.

Harry cool as ever in Antarctica

PRINCE Harry has been getting used to life in the sub-zero conditions of the Antarctic ahead of his charity trek with wounded servicemen and women.

Deli owners try to fleece Lotto winner

IT WAS a plan that backfired, badly. Two shop owners tried to convince a Lotto winner his $1 million ticket was worth just $1000. Find out what he did next.

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Crowds search for NATO trucks in Pakistan

PROTESTERS are roughing up drivers as they seek to stop trucks carrying NATO troop supplies and equipment passing through northwest Pakistan.

The demonstration on Sunday comes a day after the party led by politician and cricket star Imran Khan said it would prevent NATO supply trucks making their way to and from Afghanistan from travelling through Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to protest US drone strikes.

Close to 100 party activists on the outskirts of Peshawar city were checking the documents of truck drivers headed toward Afghanistan.

Pakistan's GEO TV showed video of protesters wielding wooden batons dragging a driver out of his truck who apparently refused to co-operate.

Khan's Tehreek-e-Insaf party, which controls the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, said on Saturday it would stop the trucks until the US ends drone strikes.

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