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Weather:                          Sydney weather: Coldest April night in five years as cold snap bites

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Weather:                          Sydney weather: Coldest April night in five years as cold snap bites

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Summary:
Sydney has had its coolest April morning in 5 years. The most intense cold front of the season sent temperatures to an overnight low of 10.2 degrees. Which with the wind chill factor felt a lot more like 7 degrees. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the last time Sydney had a below average month for minimum temperatures was May of 2012.
-Grayson

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Sydney residents have shivered through the city's coldest April morning in five years as the most intense cold front of the season sent temperatures plunging across much of eastern Australia.

The overnight low of 10.2 degrees felt a lot closer to 7 degrees with the wind chill factor. Those up early on Saturday for school sport and other outdoor activities will want to rug up, Brett Dutschke, a senior meteorologist with Weatherzone said.

Bronco charged with casino cheating

"Tomorrow morning will have a similar wind chill in the air, with the wind reasonably brisk," Mr Dutschke said.

Temperatures were as much as 10 degrees below average in northern parts of NSW and Queensland, with a slew of towns such as Toowoomba and Longreach recording their coldest April temperatures in 18 years, he said.

With a low of 11 forecast for Saturday in Sydney and a milder 15 degrees for Sunday, the city will come close to falling below the long-run average minimum temperature for April of 14.7 degrees.

The last time Sydney posted a below-average month for minimum temperatures was in May 2012, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. The transformation in the weather has been more marked for overnight temperatures in the past few weeks after the city set a record high for March minimums just one month earlier.

"High-pressure systems have been much more dominant in April," Mr Dutschke said. Rainfall totals had dropped off notably and were just a quarter of March's, as drier winds from the south-west became much more prevailing.

The good news for those worried their winter doonas won't cope with the onset of cold is that the longer-term outlook points to above average temperatures for Sydney and much of south-eastern Australia for the May-July period, the bureau said in its latest seasonal outlook.

The odds in favour of warmer-than-normal daytime temperatures are also pointing to relatively mild conditions for the nation's south-east including Sydney for the coming three months.

Waters off NSW and Tasmania remain well above average, keeping coastal regions on the warm side, while inland regions won't enjoy the same moderating influence, Mr Dutschke said.

After some excellent "autumn break" rains in the past couple of weeks for many farmers, conditions are likely to shift towards a drier-than-average few months ahead.

(See bureau chart below showing the odds favouring a relatively dry May-July period for much of the country.)

Late-season cyclone

While the official cyclone season is due to end on Sunday, the storms are still forming off Australia's north.

Tropical cyclone Frances reached category-2 strength on Friday morning as it moved away from the Australian mainland and is expected to intensify further. (See bureau chart below.)

Meteorologists are also watching a tropical low that is forming in the Coral Sea off Queensland.

There is the possibility that it may strengthen into a cyclone by the end of next week, Mr Dutschke said.

While the official season has been unexpectedly quiet in terms of declared cyclones in the Australian region, there has been no shortage of storm activity.

Cyclone France is the 29th tropical low to form since October in the Australian region, eclipsing the previous record of 29 set in the 2010-11 season, Mr Dutschke said.
Weatherzone is owned by Fairfax Media, publisher of this website.

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Coldest April night for Sydney in five years (but there is some good news)

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Sydney residents have shivered through the city's coldest April morning in five years as the most intense cold front of the season sent temperatures plunging across much of eastern Australia. The overnight low of 10.2 degrees felt a lot closer to 7 degrees with the wind chill factor.

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Sport:                            Brisbane Broncos forward Joe Ofahengaue charged over an alleged cheating incident at Treasury Casino

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Sport:                            Brisbane Broncos forward Joe Ofahengaue charged over an alleged cheating incident at Treasury Casino

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Summary:
Brisbane Broncos forward Joe Ofahengaue has been charged over an alleged early morning casino cheating incident. A police spokesman said a 21-year-old man was issued with a notice to appear over an incident in Brisbane's Treasury Casino at 5.45am on April 8. Ofahengaue was charged with cheating by fraudulent act, practice or scheme. He was reportedly not expected to appear in court in person. Broncos CEO Paul White said the club are aware of the matter and have notified the NRL Integrity Unit. "We will allow due course to run and then determine if any further action is to be taken", White added.
-Maddi

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Brisbane Broncos forward Joe Ofahengaue has been charged over an alleged early morning casino cheating incident.

The 21-year-old Tongan national representative returned to the Broncos NRL side this year after he was dropped to the Queensland Cup toward the end of 2016.

His case is due to be mentioned in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday.

A police spokesman said a 21-year-old man was issued with a notice to appear over an incident in Brisbane's Treasury Casino at 5.45am on April 8.

Ofahengaue was charged with cheating by fraudulent act, practice or scheme.

It is understood to be related to an incident at a blackjack table, according to a report in the Courier Mail.

He was reportedly not expected to appear in court in person.

Broncos CEO Paul White said the club are aware of the matter and have notified the NRL Integrity Unit.

"We will allow due course to run and then determine if any further action is to be taken", White added.

Only last week, Wayne Bennett welcomed back Ofahengaue from the rugby league wilderness for Friday night's NRL clash with South Sydney after revealing the young forward had "got ahead of himself". He also took on the Panthers on Thursday night.

The 21-year-old appeared for the Broncos for the first time since Round 21 last year after replacing bench forward Tevita Pangai Jr, who is out for up to two months with a finger injury.

Before the game, Bennett said Ofahengaue now knew what it took to be an NRL player after losing his way in 2016.

"Joe probably got a bit ahead of himself and he had to go back and appreciate what playing the NRL really means," the Brisbane coach said.

"He's done a great job of himself in the last couple of weeks.

"His form's good and he's ready to go".

After a dream debut season, Ofahengaue played in the 2015 grand final before his form dropped off last year but still managed 17 games.

Asked if Ofahengaue had needed an attitude adjustment after his 2015 success, Bennett said: "I don't think it was an attitude thing.

"They just get opportunities and get ahead of themselves and think they have really made it when they haven't.

"You never really make it. Every week you have to prove whether you are up for the game regardless of whether you have played one or 100 games."
with AAP

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Brisbane Broncos forward Joe Ofahengaue charged over an alleged cheating incident at Treasury Casino

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Brisbane Broncos forward Joe Ofahengaue has been charged over an alleged early morning casino cheating incident. The 21-year-old Tongan national representative returned to the Broncos NRL side this year after he was dropped to the Queensland Cup toward the end of 2016. His case is due to be mentioned in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday.

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Entertainment:                      Kim Kardashian after robbery: 'I'm such a different person'

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Entertainment:                      Kim Kardashian after robbery: 'I'm such a different person'

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Summary:
Kardashian-West was robbed of over $10 million worth of jewellery. On the Ellen DeGeneres show, Kim Kardashian explains how the Robbery changed her into a different person. "I know this sounds crazy, but I know that was meant to happen to me. I don't want to start crying, but I feel like that was so meant to happen to me" Kim.K continues to say "I just don't care about that stuff anymore. I really don't." She concludes "I'm happy that my kids get this (different) me."
-Perenise

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The reality star spoke with Ellen DeGeneres on Thursday about her traumatic experience.

"I know this sounds crazy, but I know that was meant to happen to me. I don't want to start crying, but I feel like that was so meant to happen to me," Kardashian said. "I'm such a different person. I don't want to start crying anymore. It was meant to happen to me. I really feel like things happen in your life to teach you things. It was probably no secret -- and you see it on the show -- I was being flashy and I was definitely materialistic before."

Kardashian-West was robbed of over $10 million worth of jewelry.

"I just don't care about that stuff anymore. I really don't," she said. "I don't care to show off the way that I used to. Even though there's nothing wrong, truly, it's okay if you're proud of that and you work so hard and you get something. It's just not who I am anymore."

Kardashian-West added, "I'm so happy that my kids get this me."

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kim kardashian cries and tells ellen degeneres paris robbery changed her for the better - cnn.com

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Kim Kardashian says robbery was 'meant to happen'

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The reality star spoke with Ellen DeGeneres on Thursday about her traumatic experience. "I know this sounds crazy, but I know that was meant to happen to me. I don't want to start crying, but I feel like that was so meant to happen to me," Kardashian said.

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Human Interest:       Australians worry about alcohol abuse, survey says

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Human Interest:       Australians worry about alcohol abuse, survey says

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My chosen and article details the effects/public response to the consumption of alcohol in AUS Society in an objective and non biased manor. However 'FARE' have considered the study to be baseless 'most Australians use alcohol in moderation'
-Darcy

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The vast majority of Australians worry that national drinking habits are excessive, according to new research.

An online poll commissioned by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (Fare) also found 92% of Australians believe alcohol is linked to domestic violence.

Fare surveyed 1,820 people across Australia.

However one alcohol industry lobby group rejected the study as "all spin and no substance".

Key findings from the report

78% of respondents believe Australia has a problem with excess drinking or alcohol abuse.

44% of Australian drinkers consume alcohol to get drunk - up from 37% in 2016.

Bottled wine is Australia's drink of choice (29%) ahead of regular-strength beer (21%).

92% of Australians think there is a link between alcohol and family and domestic violence.

35% of Australians have been affected by alcohol-related violence (up from 29% in 2016).

Source: Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education

Fare chief executive Michael Thorn told the BBC the research suggested Australians were concerned about the harm caused by alcohol, but that many were resistant to changing their own behaviour.

"Australians should think about the annual alcohol toll: 5,500 deaths, 160,000 hospitalisations, 70,000 assaults," he said.

"We know what the solutions are. Fix the way alcohol is taxed, reduce its availability, and cut back on the way it is promoted including phasing out sports sponsorship."

The survey also found most people believe the alcohol industry should be held responsible for harm cased by drinking.

Alcohol Beverages Australia dismissed the poll as sensationalist and lacking in evidence, and that most Australians used alcohol in moderation.

"The focus should be on properly establishing and addressing the causes of family and domestic violence, not simplistically blaming alcohol for its prevalence," said the body's executive director, Fergus Taylor.

The World Health Organization ranks Australia 19th on the global alcohol consumption ladder, ahead of Ireland at 21, the UK at 25, New Zealand at 31, Canada at 40 and the United States at 48.

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Australians worry about alcohol abuse, survey says - BBC News

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The vast majority of Australians worry that national drinking habits are excessive, according to new research. An online poll commissioned by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (Fare) also found 92% of Australians believe alcohol is linked to domestic violence. Fare surveyed 1,820 people across Australia.

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Politics:                               North Korea threatens nuclear strike against Australia if it doesn't stop 'blindly toeing US line'

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Politics:                               North Korea threatens nuclear strike against Australia if it doesn't stop 'blindly toeing US line'

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Summary:
Korea believes that Australia is blindly following the U.S. Korean accuses Australia of "spouting a string of rubbish" about isolated regime. Julia Bishop suggested that North Korea should help its "long-suffering. citizens", not invest in arms.
-Medaea

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Updated April 23, 2017 17:18:40

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has hit back at North Korea after the reclusive state warned Australia could be the target of a nuclear weapons strike if it continued to "blindly" follow the United States.

The threat from a spokesman for the North Korean Foreign Ministry came days after Ms Bishop used an ABC interview to warn North Korea's nuclear weapons program posed a "serious threat" to Australia.

The Pyongyang spokesman warned Ms Bishop to "think twice about the consequences to be entailed by her reckless tongue-lashing before flattering the US".

"What she uttered can never be pardoned," the spokesman said.

"The present Government of Australia is blindly and zealously toeing the US line," he said, accusing Australia of "spouting a string of rubbish".

"If Australia persists in following the US' moves to isolate and stifle North Korea ... this will be a suicidal act of coming within the range of the nuclear strike of the strategic force of North Korea."

In response to the comments, Ms Bishop said Pyongyang's threat "underlines the need for the regime to abandon its illegal nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs".

"These present a grave threat to its neighbours, and if left unchecked, to the broader region including Australia," she said.

"The North Korean Government should invest in the welfare of its long-suffering citizens, rather than weapons of mass destruction."

Could North Korea actually strike Australia?

North Korea reportedly already has missiles which are theoretically capable of hitting Japan and the US military base in Guam, and there are concerns it is trying to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile which could hit targets as far away as northern Australia or the west coast of the USA.

But Professor John Blaxland, the acting head of the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the Australian National University (ANU), said the possibility of a strike hitting Australia remained a long way off.

"The prospect of Australia being struck by a ballistic missile from North Korea remains remote," he said.

"In addition, the prospect of them firing a nuclear weapon in a way that might affect South Korea or Japan, where Australians might reside, is still questionable."

He said experts were sceptical of whether North Korea had the ability not just to detonate a nuclear weapon, but also to project one.

"That's more complicated than just in a test underground ... its fairly sophisticated rocket science," he said.

"The question is whether or not they will in the next couple of years reach the stage where they can miniaturise their nuclear weapons capability and put it on top of one of their ballistic missiles.

"Pundits vary between two and four years, most say [that is] about four years away ... but it's an educated guess."

Last week, former special assistant to George W Bush, Dennis Wilder, told Lateline that North Korea could have that capability within four years.

But ANU professor Leszek Buszynski said it could take longer than that.

"I think a country like this that is working in isolation will find it extremely difficult to overcome these technical problems. I think it will take longer than that," he said.

Instead, he said the threats coming from North Korea were a sign the regime was "desperate".

"This is a regime that fears the United States may launch a pre-emptive strike," he said.

"I think in North Korea they take this very seriously indeed, because they've seen what the Trump administration has done in Syria ... and they would fear that the US would do the same to them."

Pence, after talks with PM, said US would 'deal' with North Korea

Ms Bishop's comments coincided with a visit to Australia by US Vice-President Mike Pence, who continued to condemn Pyongyang's weapons program at a time of heightened tension between the regions.

Mr Pence also thanked Australia for calling on China to exert greater economic and diplomatic pressure on North Korea.

"As President Trump made clear a few days ago, if China is unable to deal with North Korea, the United States and our allies will," he said, following a meeting with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

"Mr Prime Minister, know that President Trump and I are truly grateful to you for calling on China even this week to play an even more active and constructive role in addressing the North Korean threat."

Mr Pence would not rule out the use of military force in North Korea, repeating "all options are on the table", but stressed the US was focused on diplomacy at this stage.

Mr Turnbull meanwhile said it was "self-evident" China had the capacity to bring more pressure to bear on North Korea.

But he brushed off questions about whether Australia would join any military strike on the regime in the future.

"At this stage, the support we are providing is at the level of diplomacy [and] is of critical importance," Mr Turnbull said.

"We are quietly confident, I would say, that China will step up to this challenge and responsibility.

"China has a leverage, an ability to influence North Korea that far exceeds any others.

"As I said earlier this week, the eyes of the world are on Beijing. We seek leadership from China to join the leadership shown by the US and Japan and Australia and other nations around the world committed to peace."

Labor echoes calls for China to act

Federal Labor MP Ed Husic said it was important the Opposition and the Federal Government maintained a bipartisan approach to North Korea.

Mr Husic said North Korean regime was one of the "biggest security threats to Australia" and the Asia-Pacific region.

He repeated Prime Mr Turnbull's call for China to place more pressure on the North Korean regime.

"I think it presents a serious concern," Mr Husic said.

"Their continual testing of missile technology has one end in mind and that is to get the furthest possible reach to where it can cause problems and increase tension."

Topics: unrest-conflict-and-war, foreign-affairs, world-politics, government-and-politics, australia, korea-democratic-people-s-republic-of, united-states

First posted April 22, 2017 19:45:52

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Defiant Bishop fires back over North Korean nuclear threat

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Updated April 23, 2017 17:18:40 Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has hit back at North Korea after the reclusive state warned Australia could be the target of a nuclear weapons strike if it continued to "blindly" follow the United States.