World’s largest passenger plane touches down in #Perth

THE LARGEST passenger plane in the world touched down in Perth overnight.

The A380 Airbus operated by Qatar Airways features a tri-class configuration of seating in first, business and economy class over two decks.

RELATED: Remeber when this giant touched down in Perth?
It’s taken to the skies to upgrade the Gulf-based airline’s daily service to London and Paris, which is good news for Perth travellers planning a European getaway.

It means cheaper airfares and more importantly, more leg room.

The daily service stops over in Doha in the Middle East.

Fellow Gulf Carrier Emirates also flies the Airbus A380 from Perth to Europe.

via World’s largest passenger plane touches down in Perth | PerthNow

Colombian vet charged in US with smuggling heroin in puppies’ bellies

A veterinarian has pleaded not guilty to US charges that he turned puppies into drug couriers for a Colombian trafficking ring by stitching packets of liquid heroin into their bellies.

Key points:
Andres Lopez Elorza became a fugitive in 2005
He’s accused of being part of a barbaric scheme that turned dogs into “animal couriers”
Investigators believe some puppies would have died in the process, but they don’t know how many
Andres Lopez Elorza was arraigned in a US Federal Court on Tuesday (local time) on an indictment of conspiring to import and distribute heroin into the United States, the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York said.

Mr Lopez Elorza, 38, who also goes by Lopez Elorez, became a fugitive in 2005 when authorities arrested about two dozen suspected traffickers in Colombia.

Before he fled, the defendant had “gained some notoriety” from accusations that he was part of a barbaric scheme that turned an undetermined number of puppies and dogs into “animal couriers”.

via Colombian vet charged in US with smuggling heroin in puppies’ bellies – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Ipswich Mayor Andrew Antoniolli charged with fraud by CCC, facing ALP expulsion

Ipswich Mayor Andrew Antoniolli is facing expulsion from the Labor Party after being charged with a number of fraud offences after an investigation by Queensland’s Crime and Corruption Commission.

The 47-year-old was charged at the Ipswich City watch house this afternoon.

He is facing seven counts of fraud for allegedly using council money to purchase auction items from charitable organisations over the past six years.

In a statement, Councillor Antoniolli confirmed the charges “with much disappointment and frustration”.

“Let me be clear — I have never been involved in corrupt or criminal activity and I intend to fight these charges,” he said.

via Ipswich Mayor Andrew Antoniolli charged with fraud by CCC, facing ALP expulsion – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

One of four alleged members of the Finks bikies charged with kidnapping has been refused bail in a Sydney court after allegations of his menacing and violent behaviour.

One of four alleged members of the Finks bikies charged with kidnapping has been refused bail in a Sydney court after allegations of his menacing and violent behaviour.

Key points:
The group is accused of a “relentless” attack on a gang member
Police say the alleged victim wanted to leave the gang, or the club wanted to terminate their membership
The group is accused of detaining the victim for 12 hours, and sexually and physically assaulting them
In refusing bail for 24-year-old Harrison Clarke from Schofields, magistrate Karen Robinson said he posed an unacceptable danger to the community.

In Blacktown Local Court she referred to police allegations of his disturbing, menacing and violent behaviour.

“He is likely to have access to resources that could assist him to flee,” she told the court.

Harrison Clarke is one of four men accused of attacking another gang member in a hotel room at Vineyard in Sydney’s west last December

via Man refused bail over alleged kidnapping and ‘relentless’ attack in Sydney’s west – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Emotional Parents of baby saved by CPR reunited with hero rescuers

BREAKING UK: Schools are told to keep pupils indoors as staff are evacuated from oil refinery

BREAKING NEWS: Schools are told to keep pupils indoors as staff are evacuated from oil refinery

Police are dealing with a ‘major incident’ at an oil refinery in Scotland after staff were evacuated following a suspected gas leak.

Emergency services are on the scene at the site at petrochemical plant in Grangemouth and schools have been ordered to keep pupils indoors.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service sent eight vehicles and more than 40 firefighrers to the scene to support the energy giant’s on-site fire engines shortly after midday today.

A text alert was sent to nearby schools. It read: ‘Major incident at INEOS, Police Scotland advise as precaution to keep all pupils in school over lunchtime. Will update asap.’

It is believed that all 1,300 staff at the Grangemouth petrochemical site have been evacuated from the site.

A spokesman for the fire service said: ‘At 12.12pm on Tuesday May 2, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to reports of a gas leak at the Grangemouth petrochemical site.

‘Eight appliances are currently in attendance.’

Ineos, who run the site, issued a statement on Twitter, saying: ‘Ineos can confirm that an incident has occurred at its Grangemouth site.’

The firm said it was gathering details to provide more information.

Source: Staff evacuated from Grangemouth oil refinery | Daily Mail Online

BIG fire [80 firefighters] has engulfed a go-carting complex in Melbourne’s west.

A large fire has engulfed a go-carting complex in Melbourne’s west.

The blaze is burning out of control at Fun City Go Karts on Ballarat Road in Sunshine North.

About and several firefighting planes are battling the blaze, which began about 7.30pm on Tuesday.

Source: Go-cart warehouse on fire in Melbourne | Perth Now

All Nippon Airways passengers exchange punches

A VIOLENT passenger has been pulled off a flight bound for the US, after a fight broke out before take off.

According to a passenger who filmed the violent encounter, two men started throwing fists on the All Nippon Airways flight from Narita, Japan on Monday night.

“So, 10 minutes before take off a passenger starts a huge fight in his row,” the passenger said on Twitter.

“For the record, ANA staff and passengers handled the situation with grace and respect.

“They did the best they could to diffuse the situation.”

In footage of the fight posted on social media, a baby can be heard crying while airline staff try to intervene.

“Somebody get this guy off the plane,” one of the men shouts.

As the second man, who witnesses say was drunk, is led from the scene, he returns for a second crack at the American passenger.

“Stop, stop,” the flight attendant can be heard saying.

The allegedly intoxicated man was removed from the flight which then departed almost two hours late.

Japan Today reports the 44-year-old American man was arrested after the incident and charged with assault.

VIDEO: All Nippon Airways passengers exchange punches | Perth Now

Donald Trump would probably fail the US citizenship test

Oliver Stone interviews Vladimir Putin in new, uncensored documentary series

A new, four-documentary show will detail a series of conversations between director Oliver Stone and Russian president Vladimir Putin.  Stone interviewed Putin more than a dozen times over the past two years, with those meetings now being turned into The Putin Interviews, to be aired on Showtime in June.

He, and producer Fernando Sulichin, were granted a surprising amount of access both to Putin’s personal and professional life; the series even includes an interview that took place in February, after the US election and under increasing belief it was interfered with by Russia.

Read more

• Oliver Stone predicts ‘the death of this planet’ and our extinction
• How Oliver Stone took revenge on cocaine by writing Scarface
• Oliver Stone’s Snowden puts the spotlight back on the NSA

Showtime announced, “Putin has never before spoken at such length or in such detail to a Western interviewer, leaving no topic off limits”; topics include his views on Trump and the accusations of Russian interference, NATO, and fostering turmoil in Syria, Ukraine, and elswhere.

“It’s not a documentary as much as a question and answer session,” Stone told The Sydney Morning Herald. “It opens up a whole viewpoint that we as Americans haven’t heard.”

“He talks pretty straight. I think we did him the justice of putting [his comments] into a Western narrative that could explain their viewpoint in the hopes that it will prevent continued misunderstanding and a dangerous situation – on the brink of war.”

Stone has a history of interviewing controversial and powerful leaders; he’s sat down in the past with the likes of Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez, and Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Putin Interviews

TRAILER HERE: Oliver Stone interviews Vladimir Putin in new, uncensored documentary series | The Independent

Kangaroo speeds past horses as it joins race at Cessnock

Surfer Matthew Bryce rescued after more than 30 hours in water

A surfer has been found and rescued after more than 30 hours in the water.

Matthew Bryce, 22, had been missing since around 9am on Sunday in the St Catherine’s area of Argyll, believed to be heading to Westport Beach near Campbeltown.

Mr Bryce, who is from Glasgow, was found by the Coastguard 13 miles from the Argyll coast on Monday evening.

Video shows the moment Matthew Bryce is plucked from his surfboard 13 miles out to sea more than a day after he went missing.

VIDEO:

http://ift.tt/2qzmv0y

Video revealed the moment he was plucked from his surfboard by a Prestwick-based Coastguard helicopter crew.

In the footage, a crewman is winched down into the water as the aircraft nears the surfer before they are pulled back inside leaving the board behind.

A spokesman for the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald has told Sky News Mr Bryce is in a stable condition.

He was wearing a full wetsuit, which has been credited with saving his life, and had managed to stay with his board to keep him out of the water.

Source: Surfer Matthew Bryce rescued after more than 30 hours in water

23 Environmental Rules Rolled Back in Trump’s First 100 Days

Overturned

1. Approved the Dakota Access pipeline. Feb. 7

Who wanted it changed? Republicans in Congress criticized Mr. Obama for delaying construction of the pipeline — which they argued would create jobs and stimulate the economy — after protests led by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Mr. Trump ordered an expedited review of the pipeline, and the Army approved it.

2. Revoked a rule that prevented coal mining companies from dumping debris into local streams. Feb. 16

Who wanted it changed? The coal industry said the rule was overly burdensome, calling it part of the war on coal. Congress passed a bill revoking the rule, which Mr. Trump signed into law.

3. Cancelled a requirement for reporting methane emissions. March 2

Who wanted it changed? Republican officials from 11 states wrote a letter to Scott Pruitt, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, saying the rule added costs and paperwork for oil and gas companies. The next day, Mr. Pruitt revoked the rule.

4. Approved the Keystone XL pipeline. Mar. 24

Who wanted it changed? Republicans, along with oil, gas and steel industry groups, opposed Mr. Obama’s decision to block the pipeline, arguing that the project would create jobs and support North American energy independence. After the pipeline company reapplied for a permit, the Trump administration approved it.

5. Revoked an update to public land use planning process. March 27

Who wanted it changed? Republicans and fossil fuel industry groups opposed the updated planning rule for public lands, arguing that it gave the federal government too much power at the expense of local and business interests. Congress passed a bill revoking the rule, which Mr. Trump signed into law.

6. Lifted a freeze on new coal leases on public lands. March 29

Who wanted it changed? Coal companies weren’t thrilled about the Obama administration’s three-year freeze on new leases on public lands pending an environmental review. Ryan Zinke, the interior secretary, revoked the freeze and review, though he promised to set up a new advisory committee to review coal royalties.

7. Rejected a ban on a potentially harmful insecticide. March 29

Who wanted it changed? The company that sells the insecticide, Dow Agrosciences, strongly opposed a risk analysis by the Obama-era E.P.A., which found that the insecticide Chlorpyrifos poses a risk to fetal brain and nervous system development. Mr. Pruitt rejected the E.P.A.’s previous analysis and denied the ban, saying that the chemical needed further study.

8. Overturned a ban on the hunting of predators in Alaskan wildlife refuges. April 3

Who wanted it changed? Alaskan politicians opposed the law, which prevented hunters from shooting wolves and grizzly bears on wildlife refuges, arguing that the state, not the federal government, has authority over those lands. Congress passed a bill revoking the rule, which Mr. Trump signed into law.

9. Withdrew guidance for federal agencies to include greenhouse gas emissions in environmental reviews. April 5

Who wanted it changed? Republicans in Congress opposed the guidelines, which advised federal agencies to account for greenhouse gas emissions and potential climate impacts in environmental impact reviews. They argued that the government lacked the authority to make such recommendations, and that it would be impossible to plan for the uncertain effects of climate change.

Under Review

10. Ordered review and “elimination” of rule that protected tributaries and wetlands under the Clean Water Act. Feb. 28

Who wanted it changed? Farmers, real estate developers, golf course owners and many Republicans opposed this clarification of the Clean Water Act, arguing that it created regulatory and permitting burdens. Mr. Trump called it a “massive power grab” by the federal government and instructed the E.P.A. and the Army to conduct a review.

11. Reopened a review of fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks. March 15

Who wanted it changed? Automakers said it would be difficult and costly to meet fuel economy goals they had agreed upon with the Obama administration and noted rising consumer demand for sport utility vehicles and trucks. A standards review had been completed by the Obama administration before Mr. Trump took office, but the auto industry argued that it was rushed. The E.P.A. and Department of Transportation have reopened the review.

12. Ordered “immediate reevaluation” of the Clean Power Plan. March 28

Who wanted it changed? Coal companies and Republican officials in many states strongly opposed the plan, which set strict limits for carbon dioxide emissions from existing coal- and gas-fired power plants. Republicans argued the plan — Mr. Obama’s signature climate change policy — posed a threat to the coal industry, and had mounted a legal challenge. Mr. Trump signed an executive order instructing the E.P.A. to review and reevaluate the rule. An appeals court recently approved the Trump administration’s request to put the lawsuit on hold during the review process.

13. Rolled back limits on toxic discharge from power plants into public waterways. April 12

Who wanted it changed? Utility and fossil fuel industry groups opposed the rule, which limited the amount of toxic metals — arsenic, lead, and mercury, among others — power plants could release into public waterways. Industry representatives said complying with the guidelines would be extremely expensive. The E.P.A. has delayed compliance deadlines while it reconsiders the rule, which had been challenged in court.

14. Ordered review of rule limiting methane emissions at new oil and gas drilling sites. April 18

Who wanted it changed? Lobbyists for the oil and gas industries petitioned Mr. Pruitt to reconsider the rule, which went into effect last August, limiting emissions of methane, smog-forming compounds, and other toxic pollutants from new and modified oil and gas wells. They argued the rule was technologically infeasible.

15. Ordered review of national monuments created since 1996. April 26

Who wanted it changed? Congressional Republicans said the Antiquities Act, which allows presidents to designate national monuments on federal land, had been abused by previous administrations. Mr. Obama used the law to set aside more than 4 million acres of land and several million square miles of ocean for protection.

16. Ordered review of offshore drilling policies and regulations. April 28

Who wanted it changed? Lobbyists for the oil industry were opposed to Mr. Obama’s use of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to permanently ban offshore drilling along the Atlantic coast and much of the ocean around Alaska, as well as regulations around oil rig safety.

 

‘Star Wars’ 7,200 km/h electromagnetic railgun blows a truck to pieces

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Driver flees after crashing into PERTH house

POLICE are searching for the driver who ran off after crashing a utility into a home in Perth’s north.

Seven News reported the allegedly drunk driver crashed into two cars and went through a fence before coming to a stop in the front of a house on Kinglassie Circle in Kinross about 2.15pm.

Police are trying to locate the driver who fled.

No one was injured in the crash and the damage to the house has been described as “minor”.

Source: Driver flees after crashing into house | Perth Now

Gallery: 2017 Met Gala red carpet

PREPARE for the amazing and the weird at the 2017 Met Gala celebrating ‘Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between’.

 

CLICK HERE FOR THE GALLERIES: Gallery: 2017 Met Gala red carpet | PerthNow

Cassandra Sainsbury 5 countries in 6 months: ‘work holiday’ in China + LA before Colombia

Polar bear cubs born at Sea World on the Gold Coast | VIDEO

Cassie Sainsbury: Colombian police were tipped off Australian woman could be carrying cocaine

Colombian police have said they were tipped off Australian woman Cassandra Sainsbury could be carrying drugs out of the country, adding the cocaine’s intended destination could work against her.

Ms Sainsbury was arrested on April 12 at Bogota’s international airport after an X-ray machine detected 5.8 kilograms of cocaine hidden in 18 different packages stashed in her luggage.

The 22-year-old was preparing to board a flight to London on her way back to Australia.

Her family contends she was set up, but Colombian police said her arrest was undistinguishable from a growing number of drug cases involving foreigners.

“In this case, and with information we previously received, we received [information] about a citizen of this nationality [Australian], with an identification, could possibly be a drug mule,” anti-narcotic police ports and airports director Jorge Mendoza said.

“In going through security, we found that she had 18 packets inside her luggage, which even before opening it, we found it covered in plastic.”

Mr Mendoza said he was confident the seizure would lead to jail time, and said the cocaine’s intended destination could also affect Ms Sainsbury’s sentence.

“Depending on the qualities, but we believe that the maximum could be 20 years, and the punishment for the quantity could be between eight to 12 years,” he said.

“Let’s keep in mind that of the countries in the world, Australia is the one with the highest per kilogram of cocaine.

“This cocaine that the traveller carried was possibly worth about $US1 million.”

The case has garnered media attention in Australia and her family has raised more than $4,000 online to fund her defence.

Joanna Adams, the daughter of the lawyer representing Ms Sainsbury, told ABC’s AM program her father had given the family some free legal advice.

“She [Ms Sainsbury] has her up and downs, and some days she’s good and some days she’s very bad,” Ms Adams said.

“He [Ms Adams’ father] has been able to give the family some free legal advice into her situation.”

Ms Sainsbury worked as a personal trainer in Adelaide and is a former volunteer firefighter. According to her sister Khala, she was in Colombia on a working holiday.

Khala told The Australian newspaper that while in Colombia, her sister went with a male friend she met before traveling to South America to buy headphones for her upcoming wedding party.

The merchandise was purchased from a contact in a pre-wrapped package, her sister said.

Ms Sainsbury has been transferred to a women’s penitentiary in Bogota.

VIDEO HERE: Cassie Sainsbury: Colombian police were tipped off Australian woman could be carrying cocaine – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)