Ukraine inspectors check Russia aid convoy

RUSSIA has let Ukrainian officials inspect an aid convoy and agreed to let the Red Cross distribute the aid around the rebel-held city of Luhansk, easing tensions and dispelling Ukrainian fears that the aid operation is a ruse to get military help to separatist rebels.

IN violation of an earlier tentative agreement, Russia had sent the convoy of roughly 200 trucks to a border crossing under the control of pro-Russia separatists, raising the prospect that it could enter Ukraine without being inspected by Ukraine and the Red Cross.

Ukraine vowed to use all means necessary to block the convoy in such a scenario, leading to fears of escalation in the conflict.Adding to the tensions, a dozen Russian armoured personnel carriers appeared early on Friday near where the trucks were parked for the night, 28 kilometres from the border.Andriy Lysenko, a spokesman for Ukraine's security council, said some Russian military vehicles crossed into Ukraine - a charge Russia denied.Despite mutual distrust, the two sides reached an agreement on Friday morning, and 41 Ukrainian border guards and 18 customs officials began inspecting the Russian aid at the border crossing, defence officials in Kiev said in a statement.Sergei Astakhov, an assistant to the deputy head of Ukraine's border guard service, said Red Cross representatives would observe the inspections.Both sides also said that the aid deliveries themselves would be carried out exclusively by the Red Cross.Laurent Corbaz, the International Committee of the Red Cross' director of operations in Europe, described a tentative plan in which the trucks would enter Ukraine with a single Russian driver each - as opposed to the crew of several people currently in each truck - accompanied by a Red Cross worker.In line with Red Cross policy, there would be no military escort, he said.Corbaz said the plan foresees the aid being delivered to a central point in rebel-held territory, then distributed through the region.It was unclear how long the operation might last, but "it's not going to be solved in one week," he said.The details were still being negotiated by all sides, including the insurgents, Corbaz said in Kiev, and the Red Cross still had not received the security guarantees it needs to proceed.The presence of aid distribution points in Luhansk and other rebel-held areas could have the effect of dampening the force of the assault by Ukrainian government troops.The German and Russian foreign ministers discussed the possibility of declaring a truce to ensure the safety of the aid convoy, Russia said.In a telephone conversation, Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Sergey Lavrov also discussed broader efforts aimed at political settlement of the conflict.Meanwhile, Ukraine proceeded with its own aid operation in the Luhansk area.Trucks sent from the eastern city of Kharkiv were unloaded on Friday morning at warehouses in the town of Starobilsk, where the goods will be sorted and transported further by the Red Cross.Starobilsk is about 100km north of Luhansk.The aid missions from both Ukraine and Russia come as the eastern rebels appear to continue to lose ground against Ukrainian forces.According to a map released by Ukraine's security council on Friday, the city of Luhansk is now surrounded by Ukrainian forces.The map shows Donetsk, the largest rebel-held city, in a pocket cut off from the larger swath of rebel territory.

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Liberian police seal newspaper office

DOZENS of riot police have sealed the offices of a newspaper critical of the Liberian government while officers attempted to detain its publisher.

POLICE spokesman Sam Collins said the paper's criticisms could "plunge the country into confusion" when the government is struggling to contain an Ebola outbreak.

Philibert Brown's National Chronicle has often accused President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's government of corruption and on Wednesday it called for the government to step down.Brown has been ordered to report for questioning on Friday.Sirleaf's government has come under stiff criticism for its record on press freedoms.Sirleaf has signed the Declaration of Table Mountain, which calls for the Africa-wide repeal of defamation and "insult" laws, but multiple libel convictions have been handed down since she came to power in 2006.

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Mauboy and Sultan win Indigenous awards

DAN Sultan and Jessica Mauboy have landed some major gongs at the National Indigenous Music Awards.

FOR the second year running Mauboy was awarded the NIMA for National Artist of the Year at the ceremony in Darwin on Friday night.

The singer, who recently made a name for herself on the international stage performing at both the Eurovision song contest and the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, accepted the award from Los Angeles where she is recording her album.Sultan meanwhile took out three awards - for National Album, Song and Cover Art of the Year.He also performed at the live show with his full band while actor Aaron Pederson was the MC for the night.Sultan's fellow Victorian, Briggs, won the New Talent Award as he prepares to release his debut album, Sheplife, on August 22.Munkimuk aka Mark Munk Ross was inducted into the NIMA Hall of Fame for his contribution to the music industry.The event is growing in popularity having sold its most tickets to date for Friday night, according to Mark Smith, executive director MusicNT.* 2014 National Indigenous Music Award WinnersNational Artist of the Year - Jessica MauboyNational Album of the Year - Blackbird, Dan SultanNational Song of the Year - The Same Man, Dan SultanNational New Talent of the Year - BRIGGSNational Cover Art of the Year - Blackbird, Dan Sultan - Artist, Ken TaylorNational Film Clip of the Year - Bright Lights Big City - East JourneyCommunity Clip of the Year - Artists - Desert Sevenz, Song - Fly Back Home, CommunityNT School Band of the Year - Rockstar Band from Gapuwiyak, NTNT Traditional Music Award of the Year - Jaydron Nundhirribala, Roland Nundhirribala and Grant Nundhirribala and Lindsay Gameraidj for his song NangaleNIMA Hall of Fame - Munkimuk aka Mark Munk Ross

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Game Of Thrones inspires baby names

BRAN, Sandor and Khaleesi may not be commonly heard in the classroom yet, but they are all names of characters from hit TV series Game of Thrones given to babies last year.

FIGURES released today show that while Oliver and Amelia were the overall most common names given to babies born in England and Wales in 2013, parents are increasingly taking inspiration from fantasy films such as Twilight and Thor.

According to the UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS), there were 187 baby girls named Arya last year - the same number as called Josephine, while there were 50 Khaleesis - the same that were named Peggy.There were also seven boys called Bran - as were named Brad, while there were three Sandors - the same amount of boys that were given the name Malcolm last year.While the Royal Family appears to have influenced parents with sons, with William, Harry and George all in the top 10 most popular names, it does not seem to have made such an impact on those with daughters, with 147 girls named Kate and just four named Eugenie - fewer than some of the Games of Thrones characters.Mia, the name given to Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall's baby, is the 10th most popular name although as she was only born at the beginning of this year she will not have had any effect on last year's figures.The ONS also said the full impact of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge naming the future king George might not be seen yet as he was only born midway through 2013.

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UK MP wants ban on gay blood doners lifted

When power couples pull the pin

ALL things may be fair in love and war but they seldom are in divorce settlements. Nick and Kathryn Greiner are the latest high-profile couple emerging from a difficult divorce settlement, which threatens to lay bare the personal wealth of the one-time premier of NSW.

Jess Mauboy named artist of the year

JESSICA Mauboy has been named Artist of the Year for the second consecutive year at the coveted National Indigenous Music Awards.

Ronan's day at the beach with the kids

ATTENTIVE father Ronan Keating yesterday put his kids through their paces at Bondi Beach. The 37-year-old judge on The X Factor has admitted he had a media backlash following an extra-marital affair.

Room to move for a big family

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How to turn a jumble into a jewel

COLOUR and pattern move into top gear in this design makeover as Brett Mickan turns a jumble into a true jewel, writes Robyn Willis.

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US couple in Indonesia charged with murder

INDONESIAN police have charged a US couple with murder after the body of the girl's 62-year-old mother was found stuffed in a suitcase on the resort island of Bali.

THE 19-year-old Heather Mack and her 21-year-old boyfriend Tommy Schaefer were arrested on Wednesday in Bali's Kuta area, a day after the body of Sheila von Wiese-Mack was found inside the boot of a taxi parked in front of the St Regis Bali Resort.

Bali deputy police chief Brigadier General Gusti Ngurah Raharja Subyakta said on Friday the charges are based on testimonies from witnesses and evidence from the scene.Subyakta says the couple refuses to speak to investigators without a lawyer present.He says both are being tested for illegal drugs.Wiese-Mack lived with her daughter in Oak Park in Chicago.

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Funeral for Game Of Thrones actor Murphy

GAME Of Thrones actor J.J. Murphy saw theatre as a labour of love, his funeral mass has been told.

THE 86-year-old was cast to portray Ser Denys Mallister, the oldest member of the Night's Watch military order, and began filming scenes in the HBO series last week. He died on Friday at his home.

Friends and family attended the service at St Brigid's Catholic church in his native city of Belfast. Fr Edward O'Donnell said he offered a helping hand and had real concern for others.The priest said: "JJ knew from his earliest days in the old Group Theatre what his path in life was to be and so all he did in the theatre was a labour of love - that doesn't mean that it was without its difficulties and frustrations."The thespian's film credits include Cal (1984), Angela's Ashes (1999) and Mickybo and Me (2004). He has a character role in the forthcoming film, Dracula Untold and, just days before his death, filmed his first scenes for Game of Thrones, also shot in Northern Ireland.J.J. Murphy is perhaps more familiar to Northern Ireland audiences through his wide range of stage work, including Sam Cree's Don't Tell the Wife (1967) at the Belfast Arts Theatre, Martin Lynch's Lyric Theatre production of Dockers (1981), and Tinderbox Theatre Company's production of Convictions (2000), a site-specific work at Crumlin Road, Courthouse, Belfast.He trained with the Ulster Group Theatre and worked for many years at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast, where he helped mentor a younger generation of local actors including Ciaran Hinds and Liam Neeson.Fr O'Donnell said he was a fixture at his parish and his sudden death came as a surprise."Last Friday morning JJ wasn't feeling so well so he lay down on his bed, closed his eyes and didn't waken."He said the actor had continued to play an active part in the life of the congregation."His sudden death, therefore, comes as a great shock to us all and even more so for the love of his life, Mary."She and JJ would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary in September."He had a son, Joe, daughter Jane and granddaughter Sarah-Jane.Fr O'Donnell said he strove to put his faith into action through service to others.He told mourners: "JJ not only serve the parish as reader, sacristan and trainer of altar servers, but he also had a real concern for others, his was a helping hand."We in the parish know that, as you from the theatre world do also."The cleric added: "Life is at its brightest and best when lived in the service of others. Service is love made visible."Northern Ireland's Arts Council has said his concern for his fellow actors was well-known and described him as a spirited and redoubtable advocate for improving the pay, conditions and career opportunities of actors in the country.

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Palmer dismisses nepotism claims

Clive Palmer has refused to name PUP's Queensland executives and defended the recruitment of mates. Source: AAP

CLIVE Palmer has angrily refused to name the executives of his party in Queensland and defended the recruitment of mates amid claims of nepotism and jobs for friends.

THE mining magnate turned federal MP held a media conference on Wednesday, a day after Alex Douglas went public about his reasons for quitting as the Palmer United Party's Queensland parliamentary leader.

Ironically, it was held at Paradise Point on the Gold Coast, which falls within the state seat of Broadwater.Dr Douglas alleges the PUP executive fast-tracked the preselection of Mr Palmer's brother-in-law George Sokolov, a party photographer, for that electorate.He also says that Mr Palmer's son Michael, an unsuccessful Liberal National Party state candidate in 2009, has been chosen as a candidate along with Queensland senator Glenn Lazarus's wife Tess.The PUP is yet to confirm any preselection.But Mr Palmer refused to answer a question on who ran the PUP's Queensland executive."It's not for me to answer your questions and follow your agenda. I won't do that," he told reporters."You tell me who the executives are of the Liberal Party."He said the PUP website had information on its office bearers but AAP was unable to find any details of executive members.Dr Douglas has described the PUP as a shell organisation with only Mr Palmer making decisions.The Gold Coast MP, who defected from the LNP in late 2012 before joining the PUP last year, said Mr Palmer's party had no formal state party structure and "no commitment to policy formation".Mr Palmer defended his party's structure."It's not really outstanding to think that people who join the Palmer United Party won't be some of my friends, some of the people I work with because we all think the same way," he said.

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France to send weapons to Iraq

French President Francois Hollande has said France will supply arms to Iraq's Kurdish forces. Source: AAP

FRANCE will send arms to Kurdish forces in Iraq to support their fight against radicals of the Islamic State group, French President Francois Hollande announced.

A STATEMENT Hollande's office said the arms shipment will be delivered "in the coming hours" and has been agreed with authorities in Baghdad.

Citing the "catastrophic" situation in Iraqi Kurdistan, it added that "mobilisation in support of Kurdistan and of all Iraq must continue."The statement did not specify what weapons France was sending.The surprise announcement comes as the United States has also increased its role in fighting back Sunni extremists of the Islamic State group that is threatening the autonomous Kurdish region in the north of Iraq. Senior American officials say US intelligence agencies are directly arming the Kurds who are battling the militants, which would be a shift in Washington's policy of only working through the central government in Baghdad.Other European leaders were also feeling the pressure to respond to the emergency. France called earlier this week for an urgent meeting of European Union foreign ministers to consider Kurdish requests for arms and an aid airlift to northern Iraq.Earlier on Wednesday, France had pledged to deliver a second shipment of humanitarian aid to northern Iraq in a bid to help religious minorities persecuted by advancing radicals.The foreign ministry said in a statement the airlift of 20 tonnes of medicine, tents and water treatment material will arrive in the Iraqi Kurdish capital, Irbil later on Wednesday.The shipment is enough to provide assistance to 50,000 people, it said, and it pledged further operations in the coming days "to aid populations in serious danger."On Sunday French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius travelled to Irbil to deliver an initial shipment of aid. France has taken a strong stance on the need to protect Christians and other minorities being persecuted in northern Iraq.

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Caretaker's death ends whiskey theft case

Lin family murders: Cop's tears in court

ONE of the first police officers to arrive at the bloodied scene of the Lin family murders wiped away tears as he agreed he remains "affected" by the sight of the slain relatives.

Gallacher 'orchestrated' illegal deal

FORMER police minister Michael Gallacher and Port Stephens MP Craig Baumann have been implicated in a scheme to have developers illegally fund disgraced former MP Tim Owen's 2011 election campaign.

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900 French jihadi in Iraq and Syria

FRANCE'S top security official says nearly 900 French citizens have gone to Middle East battlegrounds and some have joined the Islamic State group.

DESPITE efforts to discourage French people from joining militant groups, the figures given on Wednesday by Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve show the numbers of French youth leaving continue to grow.

"There are today nearly 900 from France who are part of this phenomenon, either in the theatre of operations in Syria or in Iraq."There are presumably some in Iraq because the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, which recruited them, takes them to all the places where it is engaged in combat," Cazeneuve told France Info radio.Security officials fear European militants will ultimately turn their skills against their homelands.

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Second S Leone doctor dies from Ebola

A SECOND Sierra Leonean doctor has died after contracting the deadly Ebola virus, health officials say.

EBOLA has killed more than 1000 people in a West African outbreak that has also hit Guinea, Liberia and Nigeria. Many of the dead are health workers, who are often working with inadequate supplies and protection.

Sidie Yayah Tunis, director of communications for the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, announced that Modupeh Cole died on Wednesday.The US-trained Cole was one of the lead doctors working in the Ebola isolation ward in Connaught Hospital in Freetown, the capital.Cole's death comes on the heels of that of another physician who was leading Sierra Leone's fight against Ebola, Sheik Humarr Khan.

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