Prisoner exchange 'a big Taliban win'

Taliban leader says the exchange of Guantanamo Bay inmates for US soldier was a big achievement. Source: AAP

A RECENT controversial exchange of five Taliban commanders for one US soldier was "a spectacular achievement", said Taliban supreme leader Mullah Omar in his annual Eid festival message.

"EXCHANGE of the detainees with America as a result of the efforts of the representatives of the political Office of the Islamic Emirate is a spectacular achievement," Omar said in a statement, released late on Friday.

In May, the insurgent movement exchanged US soldier Bowe Bergdahl, held captive for five years by the Taliban-linked Haqqani network, for five top Taliban commanders, incarcerated at Guantanamo Bay prison.The insurgent leader also said the group was able to gain prominence thanks to the deal."Many entities that used to oppose us now have come around to accept the Islamic Emirate as a reality."Islamic Emirate is the official name of the Taliban movement.It was also the group's name for Afghanistan when it ruled the country between 1996 and 2001, until its ouster in a US-led invasion.In his Eid message, the reclusive leader also warned that a bilateral security agreement to allow US and the NATO troops to stay in Afghanistan would prolong the fighting."Presence of limited number of troops, under whatever title it may be, will mean continuation of occupation and the war," he said.Omar also said that the struggle was domestic, "aimed only at forming an independent Islamic regime and obtaining independence of our country".Afghanistan is set to sign the security deal with the US to allow thousands of foreign troops to remain in training and advisory roles, as well as to conduct counterterrorism operations.President Hamid Karzai has delayed the signing. However, both the run-off candidates in the recent election have said they would sign it.

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New Game of Thrones actors revealed

The cast of Game Of Thrones remained tight-lipped about spoilers during their visit to Comic-Con. Source: AAP

THEY travelled a long way from Westeros to get there, but cast members of HBO's Game of Thrones remained tight-lipped about spoilers during their visit to Comic-Con in the US.

FANS in San Diego were told they would not get any plot details about the coming fifth season.

However, the cast did play a blooper reel and a video introducing nine actors who have been added to the series.Among the new faces are relatives of the late Oberyn Martell, also known as the Red Viper, played by Pedro Pascal.Alexander Siddig is Doran Martell, the lord of Dorne and older brother to Oberyn.Toby Sebastian has been cast as Prince Doran's son, Trystane Martell, the heir to Dorne.Jessica Henwick will play Nymeria Sand, Rosabell Laurenti Sellers is Tyene Sand, and Keisha Castle-Hughes is Obara Sand.Game of Thrones leads the pack of Emmy nominations with 19, including best drama series.It's based on the best-selling book series by George RR Martin.

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NSW Labor adopts new stance on Palestine

A FUTURE Labor government may consult like-minded nations about recognising a Palestinian state, after the NSW branch of the party voted to adopt a motion critical of Israeli settlements.

THE draft resolution, moved by former foreign minister Bob Carr, was passed without debate at the NSW Labor conference in Sydney's Town Hall on Saturday.

"NSW Labor welcomes the decision of the Palestinian Authority to commit to a demilitarised Palestine with the presence of international peacekeepers, including US forces," the amendment said."If, however there is no progress to a two-state solution, and Israel continues to build and expand settlements, a future Labor government will consult like-minded nations towards recognition of the Palestinian state."The amendment also applauded the previous Labor government for opposing Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land, and for branding the settlements illegal under international law."NSW Labor recognises a Middle East peace will only be won with the establishment of a Palestinian state," the amendment said."The state of Palestine should be based on 1976 borders with agreed land swaps and with security guarantees for itself and Israel."As foreign minister, Mr Carr rolled then prime minister Julia Gillard and pushed for Australia to abstain, instead of oppose, a vote that augmented Palestinian status at the United Nations.Federal Labor leader Bill Shorten is expected to address the conference on Sunday.

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SA police view 'horrendous' abuse material

POLICE investigating the case of a Families SA worker accused of sexually abusing seven children and producing child pornography are supported by a psychologist due to the "horrendous" nature of the material.

STEPS are also being taken to limit the exposure of the 10 officers to the thousands of images and video files seized from the home of the 32-year-old accused man, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

"Each officer is limited to viewing the material for two hours per shift due to their horrendous and graphic nature," South Australian Police (SAPOL) Assistant Commissioner Paul Dickson said in a statement issued on Saturday."Those officers include detective investigators, victim management and computer specialists and intelligence officers."They have been selected to perform these duties due to their experience and specialised skill sets which assist them in this task and are supported by a police psychologist."Mr Dickson also said he understood the "deep anger" the case had triggered in the South Australian community, and so the demand for more information to be made public.He said police had cautioned the state government to ensure its public statements on the case did not identify possible victims, or witnesses, as this could impede the investigation or the running of a fair trial."SAPOL understands the public's deep anger and desire for further details of this case to be forthcoming," Mr Dickson said."However, it must be remembered that the accused will face court to answer these allegations, and so it must remain SAPOL's priority to protect the integrity of the judicial process so that justice can be served."Mr Dickson also confirmed the investigation would examine the man's work history.There have been reports he was the subject of an earlier investigation into alleged inappropriate behaviour involving a female toddler in his care, though he was cleared to again work with children.Premier Jay Weatherill has flagged setting up a royal commission into the case.

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Man charged over NSW toilet filming

A MAN has been charged after he allegedly filmed inside a women's public toilet in Broken Hill in far western NSW.

POLICE say a woman reported a man filming her inside the toilet block on Thursday, however there was no sign of the man when officers arrived.

After an investigation, police arrested a 31-year-old Broken Hill man on Friday.He has been charged with committing an act of indecency, filming a person engaged in private act, photographing a person engaged in private act and stalking.The man was granted conditional bail to appear at Broken Hill Local Court on July 29.

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Gazans survey destruction during pause

Ricki-Lee bares all in first nude shoot

IN her ten years in the business, Ricki-Lee Coulter has been called everything. Too fat, too thin, too dowdy, too sexy - and now she's laying herself bare in her most revealing shoot yet.

Songbird Sia finally facing her fears

SIA Furler is the queen of pop. She has written songs for Beyonce, Rhianna and Lily Allen. She's also dealt with fame, drugs and near-death. Now she wants babies and a normal job.

The best worst films ever

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Party boy Burgess no longer scene

THIS is the untold story of Sam Burgess's social separation and the stunning impact his shunning of red carpets has delivered to his team.

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House prices still booming, led by Sydney

THE house price boom shows no sign of cooling despite the onset of winter.

PRICE growth in almost all capital cities in the three months to June has helped the median Australian house price soar almost 11 per cent in just 12 months.

Sydney is leading the surge, where the median house price climbed by more than $100,000 in the year to June, or 17 per cent, to hit a record $812,000.Melbourne recorded 10 per cent growth to $608,000, according to the latest report from Australian Property Monitors (APM).June quarter prices showed capital city housing markets are showing no signs of slowing down, APM senior economist Dr Andrew Wilson said."Most capital cities are maintaining or exceeding the solid to strong prices growth levels recorded during the previous quarter," he said."Other leading indicators of housing market activity such as home loan activity and auction clearance rates point to continued solid buyer activity through 2014."Canberra was the only capital city not to have an increase in house prices in 2013/14, dropping by 0.5 per cent to a median price of $576,000.Despite strong growth in median house prices, unit prices were more varied.Sydney's 13.3 per cent growth did pull the national average up to 8.3 per cent, but Brisbane, Canberra and Hobart all fell.CAPITAL CITY MEDIAN HOUSE PRICES* Sydney - $811,837, up 17 pct* Melbourne - $607,721, up 10.3 pct* Brisbane - $477,352, up 6.9 pct* Hobart - $329,186, up 6.0 pct* Adelaide - $462,129, up 5.8 pct* Perth - $619,532, up 5.1 pct* Darwin - $655,615, up 1.3 pct* Canberra - $576,367, down 0.5 pct* National - $627,940, up 10.3 pctSource: Australian Property Monitors

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Pepsi's second-quarter profit drops

PEPSICO Inc says its profit fell by 2 per cent on restructuring charges in its second quarter, but that sales volume ticked up for its snacks and drinks.

THE company, which owns Frito-Lay, Gatorade and Quaker, raised its earnings-per-share outlook for the year and now expects the figure to rise 8 per cent from 2013, instead of the 7 per cent increase it previously forecast.

Globally, sales volume rose 1 per cent for both its snacks and beverages.In its closely watched North American beverage business, soda volume fell 2 per cent while non-carbonated drinks rose 1 per cent.On Monday, Coca-Cola also said non-carbonated drinks rose 1 per cent, while soda volume was flat.The two companies have been struggling to boost beverage volumes in the region, given the growing competition from smaller players and the shift away from soda that has been underway for years.In its Frito-Lay North America division, PepsiCo said revenue was up 2 per cent on stronger volume.In a phone interview, Chief Financial Officer Hugh Johnston said the company didn't raise prices on snacks during the period, but he noted that the new Lay's potato chips flavours that are currently rolling out will be more profitable for the company.That's because bags of such special flavours typically have slightly fewer chips in them, even though they cost the same as regular flavours."There might be an ounce or two less," Johnston said.The new flavours, which include Cappuccino, Mango Salsa and Wasabi Ginger, are part of the company's annual contest that lets people try to develop a new flavour for the brand.For the quarter, the Purchase, New York-based company said net income fell to $US1.98 billion ($A2.14 billion), or $US1.29 ($A1.40) per share.Adjusted for one-time gains and costs, earnings were $1.32 per share, topping the $1.23 analysts expected, according to Zacks Investment Research.Revenue edged up to $16.89 billion, matching Wall Street forecasts.PepsiCo shares have increased $6.23, or 7.5 per cent, to $89.17 since the beginning of the year, while the Standard & Poor's 500 index has climbed 7.3 per cent.The stock has risen $2.97, or 3.4 per cent, in the last 12 months.

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Planes with MH17 bodies touch down

This is Sydney's dumbest thief

AN accused thief has spent the night behind bars after he returned to his broken-down getaway car — only to find police waiting for him.

Kissing cousins and the baby bonus rort

TWO first cousins in an arranged­ marriage are being investigated for immigration and Centrelink fraud and rorting the baby bonus by returning to Australia from Lebanon for the births of their seven children.

Sydney's top 10 hook-up joints

Is the love of your life lurking in a laundromat? Sydney singles take note, aside from the obvious destinations, the best hook-up spots might be under your nose.

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Alert: Taiwan plane crash 'kills 51'

A PLANE has crashed in a failed emergency landing, killing 51 people in Taiwan, according to a report.

THE country's Central News Agency cited the head of the fire department in the Taiwanese county of Penghu as saying that seven people were also injured in the crash.

The report cites the Civil Aviation Administration as saying the flight crashed on Wednesday with 54 passengers and four flight crew and was operated by a Taiwanese airline, TransAsia Airways.The plane is believed to have crashed while attempting to make an emergency landing in the city of Magong.

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Dutch play down 'missing' MH17 bodies

DUTCH investigators and Australia's special envoy have downplayed suggestions there could be up to 100 bodies still at the MH17 crash site or otherwise missing.

THE first 40 recovered bodies are on their way to Eindhoven on board a Dutch C130 Hercules and an Australian C17 transporter following a solemn ramp ceremony at Kharkiv airport.

Ukrainian guards symbolically passed four bodies in coffins to Dutch military personnel.The head of the Dutch forensic investigation team on Tuesday told reporters it wasn't known how many bodies had been recovered from the crash site."As far as we know at this moment, we are talking about 200 victims, which means there are probably remains left in the area where this disaster took place," Jan Tuinder said.There were 298 passengers on Malaysia Airlines flight 17 which led many to reason up to 100 could be unaccounted for.But a spokeswoman for the Dutch forensic investigators has told AAP that's not correct.Esther Naber explained the bags the bodies were originally placed in at the crash site in rebel-controlled territory hadn't been opened in Kharkiv.When they arrived from Torez on a refrigerated train, the bags themselves were placed in new body bags, which were in turn put into coffins."During the identification process (in the Netherlands), it will gradually become clear how many people we can identify," Ms Naber told AAP."We feel confident that we have at least 200 bodies. But we don't know the exact amount because at this stage the (original) bags have not been opened."Asked if it was possible there were indeed close to 300 bodies recovered, Ms Naber replied: "That's possible."We hope so because obviously we hope to identify everybody who was on the plane," she said.Australia's special envoy in Ukraine says talking about body numbers is "premature" until the identification process is finished."Speculating on the numbers is not helpful," retired Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston told reporters at Kharkiv airport.He also noted that Malaysian experts were at the crash site on Tuesday and at no time did they find any bodies or any body parts.However, according to the European security body OSCE, human remains are still being found."There were human remains that had not been picked up," Ukraine mission spokesman Michael Bociurkiw said following a site visit.Mr Houston acknowledged it was crucial to scour the 50 square-kilometre area to make sure no human remains are left behind.Australia also wants to gather personal effects and every last piece of the wreckage."We will go into the site sometime in the near future," the envoy said."We need to do that obviously to recce the area and just see what some of the challenges are."Asked if that could happen within days, he replied: "In the near future."Mr Houston said security was currently being provided by OSCE and unarmed civilian escorts."They are doing a very fine job, but it's probably necessary to have something a little bit more than that. We just have to work out how that might be done."Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman on Wednesday was asked about the possibility of international forces securing the area."We are ready for those kinds of co-operation that are approved by the highest officials of the country," he said through a translator.Earlier, the C130 Hercules left Kharkiv carrying 16 victims at midday local time. A short time later, another 24 bodies departed for the Netherlands aboard the RAAF plane.Dutch ambassador Hans Docter said of the victims: "Today your journey home begins - it still will be a long journey." The bodies remaining in Kharkiv will be transported to the Netherlands over the coming days in a series of shuttle flights.It could take months to identify the bodies in Eindhoven, but Mr Docter promised the Dutch would move "as quickly as possible".Up to 39 Australian citizens and residents were on MH17.

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High hopes for new knee operation

SURGEONS have pioneered a new knee operation that could prevent the development of arthritis and extend sporting careers.

THE procedure, which is currently being trialled at Southampton General Hospital, involves coating damaged cartilage with stem cells, taken from a patient's own hip, and surgical glue.

Known as Abicus (Autologous Bone Marrow Implantation of Cells University Hospital Southampton), the technique, if successful, will regenerate the remaining tissue and create a permanent "like-for-like" replacement for the first time.Around 10,000 people a year in the UK suffer cartilage damage serious enough to require treatment due to pain, "locking" and reduced flexibility.If left untreated, it can progress to arthritis and severely impair leg movement.Currently, the most commonly used procedure to repair the injury - microfracture - involves trimming any remaining damaged tissue and drilling holes in the bone beneath the defect via keyhole surgery to promote bleeding and scar tissue to work as a substitute.However, the technique has variable results.Patients who undergo the Abicus operation have the cartilage cut and tidied and undergo microfracture, but their cartilage tissue is then coated with a substance made up of bone marrow cells, platelet gel and hyaluronic acid.During the 30-minute procedure, the bone marrow sample is spun in a centrifuge in the operating theatre to give a concentrated amount of the patient's own stem cells.These cells are then mixed with the gel and acid to create a "glue" substance which is placed over the cartilage defect and allowed to set."The development of this technique and the study we are conducting could revolutionise the treatment of common cartilage injury by creating a like-for-like, identical cartilage replacement for the first time," Gorav Datta, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Southampton General Hospital and the study's principal investigator, said.The study at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust will compare the results of 40 patients aged between 18 and 65 years, half of whom will undergo Abicus and half microfracture alone.

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Identifying MH17 victims to take 'months'

Last Updated: July 23, 2014

A REFRIGERATED train carrying the remains of Australian and other victims of downed Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 has arrived in Kharkiv amid tight security.

Abrams teases the Star Wars tragics

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Aussie labels on fire in Miami

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Is this what you look like eating alone?

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Music and money: an impossible mix

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Kissing cousins and a Beirut bonus

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Bumper returns for super members

IT'S not just super, it's terrific. Australian-based superannuation funds have recorded double-digit growth for the fifth consecutive year.

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Joko named Indonesia's next president

JOKO Widodo has officially won Indonesia's presidential election, while his rival dramatically withdrew from the contest, claiming "massive and systematic cheating".

THE country's electoral commission on Tuesday night announced Jakarta's popular governor had won with 53 per cent - or more than 70 million votes - in the hard-fought July 9 poll.

Hours before the declaration, which had already been predicted by several credible surveys, rival candidate Prabowo Subianto rejected the election process.The ex-general said he and his vice presidential candidate would exercise their right to reject the "legally tainted" election."With this, we withdraw ourselves from the ongoing process," he said.Consequently, his coalition's witnesses walked out of Indonesia's electoral commission, where tallying was in its final stages.More than 3000 riot police fortified the building in central Jakarta, but supporters of the divergent camps heeded advice to stay at home.The close result and polarising nature of the candidates raised fears of riots, particularly for Jakarta residents with memories of the trouble that came with the fall of former president Suharto in 1998.Mr Joko, known better as Jokowi, was visiting a Jakarta dam when chaos was breaking out in the opposition coalition."I'm sure Prabowo, as a statesman, will put the national interest above all," Mr Joko told the Jakarta Globe newspaper.The formality caps a remarkable rise for Mr Joko, 53, whose journey from bamboo shack to president has shaken Indonesia's establishment and inspired millions of ordinary citizens.As mayor of the central Java city of Solo and governor of Jakarta, he has been lauded as a hands-on reformist.His vice president will be the experienced Jusuf Kalla, 72, who was President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's VP during his first term.Mr Joko is tipped to retain Dr Yudhoyono's foreign policy flavour.In a debate during the campaign, he spoke up for strengthening people-to-people links with Australia to build trust and respect for Indonesia.It was unclear on Tuesday whether Mr Prabowo, 62, was reserving his right to challenge the election in the constitutional court.Most analysts doubt he would have the grounds to succeed.There was also speculation of repercussions for Mr Prabowo personally with pundits pointing to a little-known electoral law that could see him face up to five years' jail and fined up to Rp50 billion ($A4.6 million) for withdrawing from the race.The former son-in-law of Suharto was popular with voters feeling some nostalgia for the past and who liked his strong nationalist rhetoric.But he was also dogged by claims of human rights abuses from his time in East Timor and in the chaos that came with the collapse of Suharto.Dr Yudhoyono on Monday hinted that the losing party on Tuesday should accept defeat graciously."Admitting defeat is noble. Congratulating the winner is noble," he said in a speech, according to reports.Mr Joko is expected to be inaugurated on October 20.

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Marlboro maker Altria's profit flat

MARLBORO maker Altria Group has posted flat second-quarter earnings as higher prices helped to offset decline in the number of cigarettes it sold.

THE owner of the United States' biggest cigarette maker, Philip Morris USA, also announced a new $1 billion share buyback program to be completed by the end of 2015 and narrowed its full-year earnings guidance.

The Richmond company reported earnings of $US1.26 billion ($A1.36 billion), or 64 US cents per share, in the quarter ended June 30, compared with $US1.26 billion, or 63 US cents per share, a year ago.Excluding one-time items, earnings were 65 US cents per share, matching projections from analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research.Revenue, excluding excise taxes, rose about 1 per cent to $US4.57 billion.Analysts expected $US4.62 billion, according to Zacks.Cigarette shipments fell 5 per cent to 32.1 billion cigarettes.Volumes of its premium Marlboro brand fell nearly 5 per cent but its share of the retail US market rose 0.3 percentage points to 44 per cent.The company's share of the US retail market rose 0.3 percentage points to 51 per cent.The Marlboro brand has been under pressure from competitors and lower-priced cigarette brands amid economic uncertainty and high unemployment.That's on top of the tax hikes, smoking bans and a social stigma that have made the cigarette business tougher.Altria Group Inc and others are focusing on cigarette alternatives - such as electronic cigarettes, cigars, snuff and chewing tobacco - for future sales growth because the decline in cigarette smoking is expected to continue.Shipments of its smokeless tobacco brands such as Copenhagen and Skoal grew 1.6 per cent and volumes for its Black & Mild cigars rose nearly 9 per cent. Both segments gained retail market share.For the full year, the company said on Tuesday that it expects adjusted earnings of between $US2.54 and $US2.59 per share.Analysts with the research data firm FactSet have projected earnings of $US2.56 per share.Altria also owns a wine business, holds a voting stake in brewer SABMiller, and has a financial services business.

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Joko to be named Indonesia president-elect

JOKO Widodo will be named Indonesia's president-elect after his rival dramatically quit the race, claiming "massive and systematic cheating".

THE country's electoral commission on Tuesday afternoon finished counting more than 130 million eligible votes and was ready to give the election to Jakarta's governor.

Hours before the declaration, which had already been predicted by several credible surveys to the order of 53 per cent, rival candidate Prabowo Subianto rejected the election process.The ex-general said he and his vice presidential candidate would exercise their right to reject the "legally tainted" election."With this, we withdraw ourselves from the ongoing process," he said.Consequently, his coalition's witnesses walked out of Indonesia's electoral commission, where tallying was in its final stages.More than 3000 riot police were fortifying the building in central Jakarta, with supporters of the divergent camps urged to stay at home.The close result and polarising nature of the candidates raised fears of riots, particularly for Jakarta residents with memories of the trouble that came with the fall of former president Suharto in 1998.Mr Joko, known better as Jokowi, was on one of his trademark "blusukan" - impromptu visits - at a Jakarta dam when chaos was breaking out in the opposition coalition."I'm sure Prabowo, as a statesman, will put the national interest above all," Mr Joko told the Jakarta Globe newspaper.The formality caps a remarkable rise for Mr Joko, 53, whose journey from bamboo shack to president has shaken Indonesia's establishment and inspired millions of ordinary citizens.As mayor of the central Java city of Solo and governor of Jakarta, he has been lauded as a hands-on reformist.His vice president will be the experienced Jusuf Kalla, 72, who was President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's VP during his first term.Mr Joko is tipped to retain Dr Yudhoyono's foreign policy flavour.In a debate during the campaign, he spoke up for strengthening people-to-people links with Australia to build trust and respect for Indonesia.It was unclear on Tuesday whether Mr Prabowo, 62, was reserving his right to challenge the election in the constitutional court.Most analysts doubt he would have the grounds to succeed.There was also speculation of repercussions for Mr Prabowo personally with pundits pointing to a little-known electoral law that could see him face up to five years' jail and fined up to Rp50 billion ($A4.6 million) for withdrawing from the race.The former son-in-law of Suharto was popular with voters feeling some nostalgia for the past and who liked his strong nationalist rhetoric.But he was also dogged by claims of human rights abuses from his time in East Timor and in the chaos that came with the collapse of Suharto.Dr Yudhoyono on Monday hinted that the losing party on Tuesday should accept defeat graciously."Admitting defeat is noble. Congratulating the winner is noble," he said in a speech, according to reports.Mr Joko is expected to be inaugurated on October 20.

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Eurovision singer 'covered up abuse'

EUROVISION Song Contest winner and former Irish presidential candidate Dana Scallon covered up her brother's sexual abuse of two under-age girls for decades, a court has been told.

JOHN Brown, 60, is accused of five counts of indecent assault against two girls under the ages of 13 and 16 at different times and locations in Northern Ireland and England during the 1970s.

He denies the alleged abuse or that his 62-year-old sister helped him to cover up the allegations.But prosecutor Claire Howell told the jury at the London court that the pair had both lied during Brown's three-week trial."This defendant says that the complainants are lying, he says that this is a wicked conspiracy involving both women," Ms Howell said during her closing speech."He says that all the witnesses who have given evidence for the prosecution are part of an evil conspiracy to accuse him of abuse that he did not commit."The prosecution say that the people who have agreed to lie to you in this case are the defence witnesses."It's no sophisticated conspiracy, it's a cover-up from many years ago, at a time when you might think that cover-ups of this sort did happen for various reasons."Howell said Brown and his sister had given a "slick presentation" to the court, with exact dates and details.But she said that what the complainants remembered most was how they felt when they were allegedly abused.And she claimed that the defendant, from Berkshire, had confessed the abuse to several people."This family, the defendant and his sister, have known about this for years," Howell said."They have all known about this for a very, very long time."

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Verizon profit rises 93% in second-quarter

VERIZON'S second-quarter earnings have nearly doubled after securing full ownership of Verizon Wireless.

PROFIT jumped to $US4.32 billion ($A4.7 billion) from $US2.25 billion, or 78 cents per share.

Net income per share grew, but at a lower rate, to $US1.01 per share from 78 cents per share, after Verizon issued shares in February to pay Vodafone shareholders for Verizon Wireless.Adjusted for non-recurring gains, earnings were 91 cents per share, just edging out the 90 cents per share that analysts were expecting, according to a survey by Zacks Investment Research.Revenue rose 5.7 per cent to $US31.48 billion from $US29.79 billion last year.Analysts expected $US31.09 billion, according to Zacks.Shares of Verizon Communications Inc. dipped more than one per cent on Tuesday before the opening bell.

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Botox-maker Allergan to cut 1500 employees

BOTOX-MAKER Allergan says it is cutting about 13 per cent of its workforce, or roughly 1500 employees, as part of a push to become more efficient and productive.

THE Irvine, California, company also says it will eliminate about 250 vacant positions.

The company says its restructuring plan will yield annual pre-tax savings of about $US475 million ($A513.93 million) in 2015, but costs tied to it will total between $US375 million and $US425 million.Allergan also says its second-quarter earnings grew 16 per cent to $US417.2 million, or $US1.37 per share. Its revenue also climbed more than 16 per cent to $US1.86 billion.Allergan is fending off acquisition bids from Canadian drugmaker Valeant Pharmaceuticals International in an aggressive takeover battle that has drawn complaints from Valeant over statements Allergan has made about its business.

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Assassination of UK PM remembered

THE only British prime minister to be assassinated has been remembered as Parliament revived the spot near where he was shot.

SPENCER Perceval is said to have uttered "Oh, I have been murdered" after he was gunned down by John Bellingham on May 11, 1812 in the lobby of the House of Commons while on his way to attend an inquiry into the recent Luddite riots.

Four patterned floor tiles in Parliament thought to mark where Perceval fell were removed by workmen during recent renovations, leaving the historic event unmarked in the Palace of Westminster.In another quirk of parliamentary history, North West Norfolk MP Henry Bellingham is a descendant of the assassin.And on Monday, House of Commons Speaker John Bercow insisted no grudges were held against Bellingham as he helped unveil a new plaque in St Stephen's Hall, near to the location thought to mark the spot of the assassination.Bercow also joked it would be wrong to suggest the wicked behaviour of John Bellingham had been passed on to Henry.The plaque was installed following efforts by Northampton North MP Michael Ellis, as Perceval was previously an MP for Northampton.Northampton South Tory Brian Binley joined Ellis, Bellingham and a gathering of parliamentary officials to unveil the new plaque.Ellis said the new memorial was a "fitting tribute" and long overdue in memory of Perceval's public service."People know more about the assassination of (US presidents) John F Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln than they do about our own prime minister - maybe because it was so long ago, perhaps because he was short-lived as prime minister but it's right near where he fell we do mark that occasion," he said.Speaking at the unveiling, Bercow said: "Fully 214 years before Michael Ellis was elected for his Northampton constituency, Spencer Perceval was elected to represent not Northampton North or Northampton South but, as I understand it, the entirety of Northampton."So in terms of political and historical lineage, Michael and also (Mr Binley) can lay claim and say there is a link between Spencer Perceval and themselves."For those of you who don't know the significance of Henry Bellingham, it is said that John Bellingham - and I assume the evidence is pretty watertight - was responsible for the assassination of Spencer Perceval, the only prime minister in office to be assassinated."Henry is a descendant of John Bellingham. However, I think it would be wrong to suggest moral turpitude afflicted family or should be regarded as a hereditary, immediately transmissible characteristic. No grudges bore."Even if you think Henry has been afflicted by part of the gene, I've seen no evidence of it myself."Michael, in the best traditions of parliamentary forgiveness and possible intra-party cordiality, forgives you, Henry, if you need to be forgiven.

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Philippine leader faces impeachment bid

TWENTY-EIGHT Filipinos, including prominent activists, have filed an impeachment complaint against Philippine President Benigno Aquino III for implementing a major economic stimulus program that the Supreme Court has declared partly unconstitutional.

THE complaint, filed on Monday in the House of Representatives, accuses Aquino of violating the constitution and betraying public trust by funding projects outside the Congress-approved budget.

Lawmakers from three left-wing political parties endorsed the complaint, but it's unclear whether it will get enough support in a Congress dominated by Aquino allies.Aquino has said that under the Disbursement Acceleration Program, enforced from 2011 to last year, government savings and non-allotted revenues were used to provide electricity to remote villages, build schools and finance other projects.He has stressed that the funds were not stolen, as alleged by critics.

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Assassination of UK PM remembered

THE only British prime minister to be assassinated has been remembered as Parliament revived the spot near where he was shot.

SPENCER Perceval is said to have uttered "Oh, I have been murdered" after he was gunned down by John Bellingham on May 11, 1812 in the lobby of the House of Commons while on his way to attend an inquiry into the recent Luddite riots.

Four patterned floor tiles in Parliament thought to mark where Perceval fell were removed by workmen during recent renovations, leaving the historic event unmarked in the Palace of Westminster.In another quirk of parliamentary history, North West Norfolk MP Henry Bellingham is a descendant of the assassin.And on Monday, House of Commons Speaker John Bercow insisted no grudges were held against Bellingham as he helped unveil a new plaque in St Stephen's Hall, near to the location thought to mark the spot of the assassination.Bercow also joked it would be wrong to suggest the wicked behaviour of John Bellingham had been passed on to Henry.The plaque was installed following efforts by Northampton North MP Michael Ellis, as Perceval was previously an MP for Northampton.Northampton South Tory Brian Binley joined Ellis, Bellingham and a gathering of parliamentary officials to unveil the new plaque.Ellis said the new memorial was a "fitting tribute" and long overdue in memory of Perceval's public service."People know more about the assassination of (US presidents) John F Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln than they do about our own prime minister - maybe because it was so long ago, perhaps because he was short-lived as prime minister but it's right near where he fell we do mark that occasion," he said.Speaking at the unveiling, Bercow said: "Fully 214 years before Michael Ellis was elected for his Northampton constituency, Spencer Perceval was elected to represent not Northampton North or Northampton South but, as I understand it, the entirety of Northampton."So in terms of political and historical lineage, Michael and also (Mr Binley) can lay claim and say there is a link between Spencer Perceval and themselves."For those of you who don't know the significance of Henry Bellingham, it is said that John Bellingham - and I assume the evidence is pretty watertight - was responsible for the assassination of Spencer Perceval, the only prime minister in office to be assassinated."Henry is a descendant of John Bellingham. However, I think it would be wrong to suggest moral turpitude afflicted family or should be regarded as a hereditary, immediately transmissible characteristic. No grudges bore."Even if you think Henry has been afflicted by part of the gene, I've seen no evidence of it myself."Michael, in the best traditions of parliamentary forgiveness and possible intra-party cordiality, forgives you, Henry, if you need to be forgiven.

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UK deputy PM under fire over cooking show

Britain's deputy prime minister is feeling the heat for appearing on a TV cookery program. Source: AAP

BRITISH Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has brushed off criticism for appearing on a TV cookery program during the international crises over Ukraine and Gaza.

CLEGG has come under fire for his appearance on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch, with one Lib Dem activist quoted in the national press as saying: "As the world burned, Nick Clegg cooked."

But the Liberal Democrat leader said the show - during which he made an avocado cake and enjoyed a tequila tasting - gave him an opportunity to reach out to voters.Asked at a regular Whitehall press conference about his participation, Clegg said: "It's a show which is watched by lots and lots of people, lots of young people."We talked about Ukraine, we talked about politics, we talked about government policies."I think it's important for politicians to get through to people who care about what is going on in the world as much as anyone else."Is the suggestion that people who watch Sunday Brunch don't care about Ukraine? That's not my experience."I think it's right to always reach out to people as best we can."

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Govt should help pay for nannies: inquiry

THE government should give parents a spoonful of sugar for their nannies, the Productivity Commission recommends.

EXTENDING government subsidies to qualified nannies and other in-home care would provide the sweetener many parents need to work more hours.

The commission released its draft report into child care on Tuesday, indicating for the first time the direction it wants government to take.It recommends streamlining government assistance for child care into a single early care and learning subsidy.The per-child payment would be means- and activity-tested, paid directly to child care providers and cover up to 100 hours a fortnight.There would be a top-up for children with extra needs.The commission suggests the government pay 90 per cent of costs for families on less than $60,000 a year and tapering down to 30 per cent for families bringing in more than $300,000.Families where neither parent works or studies for at least 24 hours a fortnight wouldn't get any payment.But families employing nannies - as long as they meet quality standards - could get government subsidies for the first time.The commission also recommends the government let au pairs on working holiday visas work for 12 months instead of six. Au pairs still wouldn't attract any government subsidies.There was broad support for the national quality framework Labor established but it could be tweaked to reduce costs without compromising quality.If the federal government takes up the commission's recommendations, the significant changes would affect every child care user and provider.But the commission says it's worth it.Its plans would lead to a drop in the proportion of fees parents pay, increase the number of hours used per week and encourage up to 47,000 more mothers back to work.The new system would cost the government about $8 billion a year - roughly $1 billion more than child care assistance costs now.Many of the 1000-plus submissions to the inquiry suggested redirecting some money from Prime Minister Tony Abbott's planned changes to the paid parental leave scheme.The commission agrees there may be a case for this, saying it's unclear whether increasing paid parental leave would bring significant additional benefits.Opposition early childhood spokeswoman Kate Ellis cautioned that if no extra money was put into the system then any expansion to cover nannies would mean cuts to existing services.Assistant Minister for Education Sussan Ley said she didn't want to pre-empt the commission's final report, due in October.WHAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO ABOUT CHILD CARE* Streamline payments into a single per-child subsidy* Means-test and activity-test subsidies* Extend subsidies to in-home care, including nannies, that meet national quality requirements* Let au pairs on working holiday visas work for 12 months* Remove cap from occasional care places* Direct all primary schools to provide out of school hours care* Encourage all states to extend schooling to cover preschool year (as in WA and ACT)* Keep National Quality Framework* Calculate required early childhood teachers based on number of children aged three and over.(Source: Productivity Commission)

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WA schools mourn MH17 victims

THE Perth schools of three children and two teachers killed on flight MH17 are preparing to support staff and students returning to class this week.

MO, 12, Evie, 10, and Otis Maslin, 8, and their grandfather Nick Norris were among the seven West Australians who lost their lives in the Malaysia Airlines plane tragedy.

The children were travelling back to Perth for the start of the school term.A special school assembly will be held at Scotch College, where Mo had attended since last year, to offer pastoral care for Year 6 and 7 students on Tuesday.Headmaster Alec O'Connell said separate assemblies would be held for Year 7 students and Mo's class to help them understand how to process any feelings they were experiencing.Dr O'Connell said staff returning to work on Monday would attend a private chapel service in honour of the Maslin and Norris families.At Evie and Otis' school, Deanmore Primary in Karrinyup, principal Jeanette Metcalf and lead school psychologists have been preparing for students to return on Monday.A spokeswoman for the Department of Education WA said teachers would be keeping an eye out for students who may be particularly distressed.She said counselling would be available to students, staff and the wider school community.The schools of two WA teachers killed on the ill-fated flight are also preparing to support their communities.A Catholic Education WA spokeswoman said Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School in Kelmscott, where bursar Edel Mahady worked for 14 years, would offer counselling to those who needed it.John Calvin School principal Pete Witten said a special church service to remember teachers assistant Yvonne Ryder, who worked at the school for more than 10 years, was held on Sunday.Mr Witten said staff and students returning to school on Monday and Thursday respectively would be looked after.

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PM offers condolences at AIDS conference

PRIME Minister Tony Abbott has expressed his deep condolences to the colleagues and friends of the six HIV researchers and lobbyists who died on Malaysia Airlines flight 17 while travelling to Melbourne for an international conference.

"AUSTRALIANS share with you the pain you feel as this conference commences," Mr Abbott said via a video message at the opening ceremony of the 20th International AIDS Conference on Sunday.

"The terrible circumstances surrounding the loss of MH17 are a challenge to us all."298 men, women and children are no longer with us and their passing defies our sense of justice."We honour all who have died."Mr Abbott also highlighted the death of AIDS humanitarian Jonathan Mann, who died in a plane crash on the way to an AIDS conference in 1998."Another world leader in the fight against AIDS, Dr Jonathan Mann, who also died in a plane crash, said when speaking of his work - and your work - "we will prevail together - for we will refuse to be split"."We will prevail together".He urged everyone "to rededicate ourselves to the work of those who were lost".Mr Abbott was unable to travel to Melbourne due to commitments in Canberra as part of the federal government's response to the tragedy, including a meeting of National Security Committee of Cabinet.Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss attended the opening ceremony in place of Mr Abbott.

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Nation begins mourning MH17 victims

THEY are your neighbours, your friends and your children.

IT was a solemn reminder from Prime Minister Tony Abbott of the national impact of the death of at least 36 Australian citizens and residents on board downed flight MH17.

As their bodies lay on the fields of eastern Ukraine, the nation began mourning them.A national day of mourning is still weeks away, but Australian leaders including the Governor-General Peter Cosgrove, Mr Abbott, and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten attended a remembrance mass in Sydney in Sunday."The downing of MH17 was not an innocent accident, it was the outcome of a trail of human evil," Sydney Bishop Peter Comensoli told the packed St Mary's Catholic Cathedral.Filling the front pews were friends of Sister Philomene Tiernan, a nun from Catholic school Kincoppal-Rose Bay in Sydney's eastern suburbs, who died in the disaster."Sr Philomene was a beloved religious sister for all of us but a beloved family sister for all of you," Bishop Comensoli said.Details of those who lost their lives continued to emerge, as friends and loved ones took to social media to pay tribute.Jack O'Brien, a 25-year-old NSW man on his way home from a seven-week trip through Europe, was described as a passionate man with a beautiful soul.Albany local and avid cyclist Arjen Ryder, 55, was enjoying a bike ride in the Netherlands the day before he boarded flight MH17.His wife, 54-year-old Yvonne, also died in the crash - leaving behind their three adult children.Mr Abbott said he was committed to bringing the victims home, but warned their families it could be weeks before they were returned.At least two attempts by international investigators to access the site had been frustrated by rebels."The site is chaotic, it's absolutely chaotic," Mr Abbott said.The national day of mourning will be declared in a few weeks, once families have had some time to comprehend their loss.It will be marked by a national commemorative service to be planned after consultation with the families."Then we will come together as a nation in sorrow and in solidarity," Mr Abbott said.The prime minister offered to personally call the families of the Australian victims, but assured them he did not wish to intrude on their grief.His own daughters had recently travelled on the same flight home from Europe."You look at the faces of the dead and they're your neighbours, they're your friends and they could even be your kids."AUSTRALIAN VICTIMSItamar AvnonWayne and Teresa BakerEmma BellMichael and Carol ClancyFrankie and Liam DavisonLiliane DerdenMarco GrippelingRoger and Jill GuardHoward and Susan HorderGary and Mona LeeEmiel Mahler and Elaine TeohEdel MahadyNick Norris and grandchildren Mo, Evie, and Otis MaslinJack O'BrienVictor OreshkinGerry and Mary MenkeAlbert and Maree RizkArjen and Yvonne RyderHelena SidelikSr Philomene TiernanHans Van Den Hende and Shaliza Dewa and children Piers, Marnix, Margaux Van Den Hende

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Four dead in separate WA crashes

OUR people have died in separate crashes on West Australian roads in less than 24 hours.

THE latest fatality came at 12.30pm WST Sunday when a 21-year-old woman was killed on Toodyay Road in Red Hill, northeast of Perth.

At 7.25am WST a 24-year-old woman died after her vehicle rolled over on the South Coast Highway in Jerramungup near Albany.This was followed by a separate crash just before 8am WST when a 72-year-old man died after his truck and trailer rolled down a hill in Dwellingup, southeast of Mandurah.A police spokeswoman said the Pinjarra-Williams Road at Old Williams Road was likely to be closed for most of the day in the aftermath of the crash.On Saturday a 23-year-old died after his Kawasaki motorcycle collided with a 4WD on Julimar Road in Chittering, northeast of Perth.A mother and her two children survived the crash with only minor injuries after their vehicle rolled down a steep embankment and caught fire.

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Reactions to the MH17 tragedy

The world is united in condemnation of the MH17 atrocity, with calls for action. Source: AAP

THE MOURNING AFTER THE DOWNING OF FLIGHT MH17

"THE downing of MH17 was not an innocent accident, it was the outcome of a trail of human evil." - Sydney Bishop Peter Comensoli told a packed St Mary's Catholic Cathedral at a Sunday morning Mass.

"Then the United Nations need to show some backbone for a change and actually do something to make sure this is properly investigated and actions taken against perpetrators." - Victorian Premier Denis Napthine said after calling on NATO and European nations to secure the crash site as soon as possible."My fear is that Russia will say the right thing, but that on the ground interference with the site, interference with investigators, interference with the dignified treatment of bodies will continue. It's not too late for changes of heart. There are excuses. There is blame-shifting. There is handwashing going on, and that's not acceptable, it's simply not acceptable. - Prime Minister Tony Abbott."The site is chaotic, it's absolutely chaotic... The grim truth is that not all the bodies will be intact." - Prime Minister Tony Abbott."I would certainly back a move to say no, he (Putin) shouldn't be coming to the G20." - Greens leader Christine Milne."The site is not secure, and there are multiple reports of bodies being removed, parts of the plane and other debris being hauled away, and potential evidence tampered with. This is unacceptable and an affront to all those who lost loved ones and to the dignity the victims deserve." - US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki."He was a really big part of the church, so we really feel for his parents as well as for Victor." - Pastor Alex Minchenko, on NSW victim Victor Oreshkin."We must turn this moment of outrage into a moment of action. Action to find those who committed this crime and bring them to justice. But this goes much wider than justice. If President Putin does not change his approach on Ukraine, then Europe and the West must fundamentally change our approach to Russia." - British Prime Minister David Cameron."One of the crucial questions is the fate of the black boxes." - Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe spokesman Michael Bociurkiw."We take comfort in the fact they were together and that's how they would have wanted it to be." - Jeanette Seignior of Business and Tourism East Gippsland, about Gerry and Mary Menke, who had won a business award for their abalone pearl company."We in the northeast[of England] are a very special kind of people. We may be divided by rivalry but it seems we are united in grief." - Amanda-Jade Fowler said of her friend Liam Sweeney, 28, who was travelling to watch Newcastle United play in New Zealand with his friend John Alder, 63, who was also killed."We have all necessary equipment to transfer the bodies but we cannot reach that area to take those bodies...We are completely open and ready to invite and to include Australian experts and we are working together." - Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman."The world's eyes will be on Russia to see if she delivers on her obligations in the next couple of hours." - British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond."The DNA data could come from blood samples or from hair on a brush in the bathroom." - Dutch National police forensics spokesman Ad Kraszewski. Dutch police were sent to visit relatives of those killed in Ukraine to collect DNA and other data for identification.

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Wary Aussies can't resist a holiday

Last Updated: July 21, 2014

AUSTRALIANS are becoming more cautious with their income - but don't expect them to stop making trips to Bali.

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