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Thursday, February 22, 2007
Monday, February 19, 2007
Howard's ancentors
Howard's secret criminal past
By Melissa Stevens
February 14, 2007 12:00
DURING his almost 11 years as Prime Minister, John Howard has had his fair share to say about law and order.
But our nation's leader is among the many Australians who can lay claim to having ancestors in his family tree who arrived in Australia in chains.
Mr Howard is descended from convicts through both his father and mother's lines.
His father Lyall Howard's maternal great-great-grandfather William Tooley was convicted of complicity in the theft of a tortoiseshell watch and transported for life on the Fanny in 1816.
Mr Howard's mother's maternal ancestry also began in Australia through a convict forebear – Thomas Barker was transported for life after being convicted of two counts of robbery, arriving on the Bengal Merchant in 1835.
By Melissa Stevens
February 14, 2007 12:00
DURING his almost 11 years as Prime Minister, John Howard has had his fair share to say about law and order.
But our nation's leader is among the many Australians who can lay claim to having ancestors in his family tree who arrived in Australia in chains.
Mr Howard is descended from convicts through both his father and mother's lines.
His father Lyall Howard's maternal great-great-grandfather William Tooley was convicted of complicity in the theft of a tortoiseshell watch and transported for life on the Fanny in 1816.
Mr Howard's mother's maternal ancestry also began in Australia through a convict forebear – Thomas Barker was transported for life after being convicted of two counts of robbery, arriving on the Bengal Merchant in 1835.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
exploring the ancient times
Pearl took this picture in the Gold Museum, Ballarat. There are so many interesting things that we can see here.
Relaxing in the V-line ...from Ballarat to Melbourne
Relaxing in the V-line ...from Ballarat to Melbourne
Friday, February 16, 2007
Ballarat and Gold Mining
Said, Icha, Pearl, Florence are on the tunnel to see how Gold is mined.....
Short trip to Ballarat
This picture wsa taken in Ballarat Gold Mining, Victoria, 16 Feb 2007. We have a nice trip...Thx Jane and Greg.Wnat to know more Ballarat, chek this www.ballarat.vic.gov.au
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Why are Dutch children so happy?
Why are Dutch children so happy?
By Kathryn Westcott BBC News website
Dutch children have been rated the most fortunate children in Europe. Their parents go out of their way to please them, and teachers expect less of them than some of their European counterparts.
Dutch society is very child-centred The Netherlands has come top of a league table for child well-being across 21 industrialised countries.
The study by the UN children's organisation, Unicef, looked at relative poverty, educational and health standards, sexual behaviour and the children's relationship with friends and parents.
"The Netherlands has always been a very child-centred society," says Paul Vangeert, professor of developmental psychology at the University of Groningen. "In particular, there is a lot of focus on young children."
He says he is not surprised by the report. "On the one hand you have objective indicators in the report like, health, income and education. The Netherlands is a very rich country. On the other hand, and perhaps more importantly, are the subjective indicators, young people's own subjective sense of well-being."
CHILD WELL-BEING TABLE
1. Netherlands
2. Sweden
3. Denmark
4. Finland
5. Spain
6. Switzerland
7. Norway
8. Italy
9. Republic of Ireland
10. Belgium
11. Germany
12. Canada
13. Greece
14. Poland
15. Czech Republic
16. France
17. Portugal
18. Austria
19. Hungary
20. United States
21. United Kingdom
Source: Unicef
By Kathryn Westcott BBC News website
Dutch children have been rated the most fortunate children in Europe. Their parents go out of their way to please them, and teachers expect less of them than some of their European counterparts.
Dutch society is very child-centred The Netherlands has come top of a league table for child well-being across 21 industrialised countries.
The study by the UN children's organisation, Unicef, looked at relative poverty, educational and health standards, sexual behaviour and the children's relationship with friends and parents.
"The Netherlands has always been a very child-centred society," says Paul Vangeert, professor of developmental psychology at the University of Groningen. "In particular, there is a lot of focus on young children."
He says he is not surprised by the report. "On the one hand you have objective indicators in the report like, health, income and education. The Netherlands is a very rich country. On the other hand, and perhaps more importantly, are the subjective indicators, young people's own subjective sense of well-being."
CHILD WELL-BEING TABLE
1. Netherlands
2. Sweden
3. Denmark
4. Finland
5. Spain
6. Switzerland
7. Norway
8. Italy
9. Republic of Ireland
10. Belgium
11. Germany
12. Canada
13. Greece
14. Poland
15. Czech Republic
16. France
17. Portugal
18. Austria
19. Hungary
20. United States
21. United Kingdom
Source: Unicef
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Dealing With NegativityBy Brian Houston
Dealing With NegativityBy Brian Houston
Are you ruled by what 'might' happen or what you 'think' you can't do? Do you see the container 'half empty' or 'half full'? Human nature tends to focus on the negative. For example, the public sits up and takes notice when a businessman, minister or politician fails morally or financially. But of course for every leader who falls, there are thousands of faithful men and women who, over a lifetime, diligently live by good ethics.A great percentage of people are unaware of the impact that negativity has on their lives but it can literally sabotage their destiny and rob them of a fulfilling, abundant life.
Negativity has the power to hold you down well below your potential, and cause you to miss out on God's plan for your life.
Negativity always reflects inner defeatJesus said, 'For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.' (Matthew 12:34 NKJV). You can easily tell the content of a person's heart by listening to the words they speak.In your day-to-day life do you ever listen to yourself speak? Do you notice the anxiety you express or the hopelessness you confess? This shows up in even the simplest comments. Negativity will reflect inner defeat. It often lashes out at circumstances, people, the environment or the government. It may cast blame on a father, mother, leader, boss or spouse. I believe that in every circumstance negativity is not about any of these things. It is about the individual and what's going on inside.
Negativity always justifies itself'All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits.' (Proverbs 16:2 NKJV) We can generally justify the way we think and act. There are usually good reasons for us to feel hurt or perhaps victimised, but justifying won't change anything. It simply gives us a reason to accept mediocrity or failure.Negativity attempts to justify its stance by quoting experience. Religion sometimes justifies itself through tradition and experience. However we must stand firm in our determination to succeed, because the moment we begin to justify ourselves we'll cut off opportunities to change and grow.Negative people draw on negative experiences and build their beliefs and opinions around them. Then they justify their position because of what happened to them. Positive people are more likely to change themselves to line up with their potential.
Negativity chooses your friends for you'He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.' (Proverbs 13:20 NKJV) We need to be very careful who we spend our time with, and who we allow to give us advice. Are they people who are moving onward and upward, or are they wallowing in negativity, self-pity and mediocrity, going nowhere fast? Are their words inspiring you to become the person you were intended to be, or are they deflating and distracting you? Whatever direction your friends are heading in, will have a major influence on your future ... if you allow it. A person determined to overcome negativity and fulfil their destiny cannot afford to be held back by leadweight relationships.
Negativity magnifies and distorts the truthAnxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad. (Prov 12:25 NKJV) Anxiety is built on what MIGHT happen. It affects every area of your life, and thrives on 'What ifs ...?' What if I get sick? What if I lose my job? What if my children have an accident?Negativity and anxiety work closely together. An anxious or depressed person cannot see straight. Their perspective on life is blown out of all proportion. Small things seem huge, molehills turn into unbeatable mountains.If you are looking at the world from a heart full of cynicism and bitterness, your perspective of the truth more than likely, will become magnified and distorted in a destructive way.
Negativity makes sweeping statements and harsh judgmentsWhen King David began to dance with joy and happiness in the midst of a great crowd, his wife Michal watched with disdain. Embarrassment fuelled her caustic and sarcastic retort. "How inglorious was the King of Israel today." Was David's dancing the real issue? Or was it the negative condition of Michal's heart that prompted her to make such harsh judgments?It is easy to watch people from a distance and make sweeping judgments about them. Sadly, the need to criticize or pull down comes from a negative condition within.Negativity will rob you of the great future God intends for you, so challenge the negativity in your life. You can begin to change things by building a good foundation and living by God's Word.
©2005 Brian Houston. Adapted from the series 'My Deadly Seven' by Brian Houston.
http://www.hillsong.com/brianbobbie/default.asp?pid=669
Are you ruled by what 'might' happen or what you 'think' you can't do? Do you see the container 'half empty' or 'half full'? Human nature tends to focus on the negative. For example, the public sits up and takes notice when a businessman, minister or politician fails morally or financially. But of course for every leader who falls, there are thousands of faithful men and women who, over a lifetime, diligently live by good ethics.A great percentage of people are unaware of the impact that negativity has on their lives but it can literally sabotage their destiny and rob them of a fulfilling, abundant life.
Negativity has the power to hold you down well below your potential, and cause you to miss out on God's plan for your life.
Negativity always reflects inner defeatJesus said, 'For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.' (Matthew 12:34 NKJV). You can easily tell the content of a person's heart by listening to the words they speak.In your day-to-day life do you ever listen to yourself speak? Do you notice the anxiety you express or the hopelessness you confess? This shows up in even the simplest comments. Negativity will reflect inner defeat. It often lashes out at circumstances, people, the environment or the government. It may cast blame on a father, mother, leader, boss or spouse. I believe that in every circumstance negativity is not about any of these things. It is about the individual and what's going on inside.
Negativity always justifies itself'All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits.' (Proverbs 16:2 NKJV) We can generally justify the way we think and act. There are usually good reasons for us to feel hurt or perhaps victimised, but justifying won't change anything. It simply gives us a reason to accept mediocrity or failure.Negativity attempts to justify its stance by quoting experience. Religion sometimes justifies itself through tradition and experience. However we must stand firm in our determination to succeed, because the moment we begin to justify ourselves we'll cut off opportunities to change and grow.Negative people draw on negative experiences and build their beliefs and opinions around them. Then they justify their position because of what happened to them. Positive people are more likely to change themselves to line up with their potential.
Negativity chooses your friends for you'He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.' (Proverbs 13:20 NKJV) We need to be very careful who we spend our time with, and who we allow to give us advice. Are they people who are moving onward and upward, or are they wallowing in negativity, self-pity and mediocrity, going nowhere fast? Are their words inspiring you to become the person you were intended to be, or are they deflating and distracting you? Whatever direction your friends are heading in, will have a major influence on your future ... if you allow it. A person determined to overcome negativity and fulfil their destiny cannot afford to be held back by leadweight relationships.
Negativity magnifies and distorts the truthAnxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad. (Prov 12:25 NKJV) Anxiety is built on what MIGHT happen. It affects every area of your life, and thrives on 'What ifs ...?' What if I get sick? What if I lose my job? What if my children have an accident?Negativity and anxiety work closely together. An anxious or depressed person cannot see straight. Their perspective on life is blown out of all proportion. Small things seem huge, molehills turn into unbeatable mountains.If you are looking at the world from a heart full of cynicism and bitterness, your perspective of the truth more than likely, will become magnified and distorted in a destructive way.
Negativity makes sweeping statements and harsh judgmentsWhen King David began to dance with joy and happiness in the midst of a great crowd, his wife Michal watched with disdain. Embarrassment fuelled her caustic and sarcastic retort. "How inglorious was the King of Israel today." Was David's dancing the real issue? Or was it the negative condition of Michal's heart that prompted her to make such harsh judgments?It is easy to watch people from a distance and make sweeping judgments about them. Sadly, the need to criticize or pull down comes from a negative condition within.Negativity will rob you of the great future God intends for you, so challenge the negativity in your life. You can begin to change things by building a good foundation and living by God's Word.
©2005 Brian Houston. Adapted from the series 'My Deadly Seven' by Brian Houston.
http://www.hillsong.com/brianbobbie/default.asp?pid=669
Five Things Money Can't Buy
Daily Recharge with Mal Fletcher
Perhaps you are waiting for some new breakthrough, or some answer to a persistent prayer. Stir up your sense of expectancy. Get hold of a sense of wonder. And make a commitment to take hold of every blessing God gives you – without hesitation.
'Lord, help me to live on the edge, with an attitude of expectancy. Forgive me if I've grown a little tired or doubtful. Help me to be ready for whatever you're about to send my way!'
www.nextwaveonline.com/recharge/accrecharge.asp
Five Things Money Can't Buy
by Marilyn Skinner
http://www.hillsong.com/conferences/colour/default.asp?pid=1199&hidetitle=yes
Perhaps you are waiting for some new breakthrough, or some answer to a persistent prayer. Stir up your sense of expectancy. Get hold of a sense of wonder. And make a commitment to take hold of every blessing God gives you – without hesitation.
'Lord, help me to live on the edge, with an attitude of expectancy. Forgive me if I've grown a little tired or doubtful. Help me to be ready for whatever you're about to send my way!'
www.nextwaveonline.com/recharge/accrecharge.asp
Five Things Money Can't Buy
by Marilyn Skinner
http://www.hillsong.com/conferences/colour/default.asp?pid=1199&hidetitle=yes
Five Things Money Can't Buy
Daily Recharge with Mal Fletcher
Perhaps you are waiting for some new breakthrough, or some answer to a persistent prayer. Stir up your sense of expectancy. Get hold of a sense of wonder. And make a commitment to take hold of every blessing God gives you – without hesitation.
'Lord, help me to live on the edge, with an attitude of expectancy. Forgive me if I've grown a little tired or doubtful. Help me to be ready for whatever you're about to send my way!'
www.nextwaveonline.com/recharge/accrecharge.asp
Five Things Money Can't Buy
by Marilyn Skinner
http://www.hillsong.com/conferences/colour/default.asp?pid=1199&hidetitle=yes
Perhaps you are waiting for some new breakthrough, or some answer to a persistent prayer. Stir up your sense of expectancy. Get hold of a sense of wonder. And make a commitment to take hold of every blessing God gives you – without hesitation.
'Lord, help me to live on the edge, with an attitude of expectancy. Forgive me if I've grown a little tired or doubtful. Help me to be ready for whatever you're about to send my way!'
www.nextwaveonline.com/recharge/accrecharge.asp
Five Things Money Can't Buy
by Marilyn Skinner
http://www.hillsong.com/conferences/colour/default.asp?pid=1199&hidetitle=yes
Monday, February 12, 2007
nice spot
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Monday, February 05, 2007
HIV/AIDS is ubiquitous
I want to join other people in the world to eliminate the AIDS stigma which has made people living with HIV marginalized from their life. We should not discriminate them. Actually, there are several disease that more dangerous than AIDS itself, such as TB. So, why should we discriminate them. They have suffered a lot from the development of HIV in their body. We should not make them more suffering. They need our support. They need friends to share stories. Therefore, in celebrating AIDS World day, I want to tell my people that people living with HIV really need us. We have to fight the disease not the people. Our support will make them live strong."
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Journalist debunks Libby claims
Journalist debunks Libby claims
Correspondents in Washington
February 01, 2007
A FORMER New York Times reporter, who spent almost three months in jail to protect her source - US Vice-President Dick Cheney's ex-chief of staff I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby - directly contradicted Mr Libby in his perjury trial yesterday.
Judith Miller told a federal court jury that Mr Libby spoke to her about CIA agent Valerie Plame, wife of a prominent critic of the Iraq war, weeks before Mr Libby told investigators he first heard about Ms Plame from another reporter.
Miller spent 85 days in jail for refusing to co-operate with Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald's investigation into who leaked the CIA agent's identity to reporters. She refused to break her promise not to disclose conversations she had with Mr Libby until he personally released her from their confidentiality agreement, after which she was released from jail and testified.
Disclosing a CIA officer's name without authorisation can be a criminal offence.
Miller is the first of several prominent journalists to testify in a trial that is providing the jury - and the US public - a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the Bush White House, which prided itself on privacy.
The appearance of Miller as someone forced by the Government to testify against a source emphasised how the case had changed relations between journalists and Washington officials.
Mr Libby's charges of perjury and obstruction of justice are the only criminal counts to come out of Mr Fitzgerald's investigation into the CIA leak.
The prosecutor says Mr Libby discussed CIA officer Plame with reporters, then lied about those conversations. Mr Libby has pleaded not guilty.
Miller is a major witness in Mr Fitzgerald's case because she describes two conversations with Mr Libby regarding Ms Plame before Mr Libby told investigators he had been surprised to learn about Ms Plame from NBC reporter Tim Russert.
Ms Plame is the wife of a former US ambassador, Joseph Wilson, who was intensely disliked by the White House because of his public accusations that President George W. Bush and Mr Cheney manipulated intelligence reports to build a case for invading Iraq in 2003.
Mr Libby has claimed under oath that he learned about Ms Plame on July 10, but Miller became the sixth person to testify that he had identified Ms Plame before then. Miller testified yesterday that Mr Libby discussed Ms Plame on June 23, 2003. He said Mr Wilson's wife worked for the "bureau", Miller recalled.
"Through the context of the discussion, I quickly determined it to be the CIA," she testified.
She said Mr Libby told her at the meeting that it was Ms Plame who sent Mr Wilson to Niger to see if Iraq bought uranium for nuclear bombs from the African country. Mr Wilson returned from Niger and said that the uranium report - a key piece of evidence in Mr Bush's rationale for going to war - was false.
Miller said Mr Libby was "agitated, frustrated and angry" when they met in a White House office. Mr Libby was upset over Mr Wilson's comments and by press reports he had been ordered to Niger by Mr Cheney.
Miller told of a second meeting with Mr Libby, this one on July 8, 2003. She said Mr Libby had mentioned that Ms Plame worked for a division specialising in weapons of mass destruction.
In a speech on Monday night, Russert said he did not tell Mr Libby about Ms Plame.
Journalism groups have criticised Mr Fitzgerald for calling reporters as witnesses and demanding they discuss conversations with sources. Mr Fitzgerald is expected to call two other reporters - Russert and Matthew Cooper of Time magazine - during the trial.
Mr Fitzgerald has said Ms Plame's name was leaked by Bush administration officials trying to discredit Mr Wilson's finding that there was no proof Iraq was attempting to buy uranium in Niger for its nuclear weapons program.
Mr Libby has pleaded not guilty, contending he did not remember conversations he had with reporters about Ms Plame amid the crush of his work on national security issues.
Miller left The New York Times in November 2005 after a 28-year career at the newspaper. Her reporting came under attack after articles she wrote suggested Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction - coverage that helped the Bush administration build its case for invading Iraq, but turned out to be wrong.
Correspondents in Washington
February 01, 2007
A FORMER New York Times reporter, who spent almost three months in jail to protect her source - US Vice-President Dick Cheney's ex-chief of staff I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby - directly contradicted Mr Libby in his perjury trial yesterday.
Judith Miller told a federal court jury that Mr Libby spoke to her about CIA agent Valerie Plame, wife of a prominent critic of the Iraq war, weeks before Mr Libby told investigators he first heard about Ms Plame from another reporter.
Miller spent 85 days in jail for refusing to co-operate with Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald's investigation into who leaked the CIA agent's identity to reporters. She refused to break her promise not to disclose conversations she had with Mr Libby until he personally released her from their confidentiality agreement, after which she was released from jail and testified.
Disclosing a CIA officer's name without authorisation can be a criminal offence.
Miller is the first of several prominent journalists to testify in a trial that is providing the jury - and the US public - a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the Bush White House, which prided itself on privacy.
The appearance of Miller as someone forced by the Government to testify against a source emphasised how the case had changed relations between journalists and Washington officials.
Mr Libby's charges of perjury and obstruction of justice are the only criminal counts to come out of Mr Fitzgerald's investigation into the CIA leak.
The prosecutor says Mr Libby discussed CIA officer Plame with reporters, then lied about those conversations. Mr Libby has pleaded not guilty.
Miller is a major witness in Mr Fitzgerald's case because she describes two conversations with Mr Libby regarding Ms Plame before Mr Libby told investigators he had been surprised to learn about Ms Plame from NBC reporter Tim Russert.
Ms Plame is the wife of a former US ambassador, Joseph Wilson, who was intensely disliked by the White House because of his public accusations that President George W. Bush and Mr Cheney manipulated intelligence reports to build a case for invading Iraq in 2003.
Mr Libby has claimed under oath that he learned about Ms Plame on July 10, but Miller became the sixth person to testify that he had identified Ms Plame before then. Miller testified yesterday that Mr Libby discussed Ms Plame on June 23, 2003. He said Mr Wilson's wife worked for the "bureau", Miller recalled.
"Through the context of the discussion, I quickly determined it to be the CIA," she testified.
She said Mr Libby told her at the meeting that it was Ms Plame who sent Mr Wilson to Niger to see if Iraq bought uranium for nuclear bombs from the African country. Mr Wilson returned from Niger and said that the uranium report - a key piece of evidence in Mr Bush's rationale for going to war - was false.
Miller said Mr Libby was "agitated, frustrated and angry" when they met in a White House office. Mr Libby was upset over Mr Wilson's comments and by press reports he had been ordered to Niger by Mr Cheney.
Miller told of a second meeting with Mr Libby, this one on July 8, 2003. She said Mr Libby had mentioned that Ms Plame worked for a division specialising in weapons of mass destruction.
In a speech on Monday night, Russert said he did not tell Mr Libby about Ms Plame.
Journalism groups have criticised Mr Fitzgerald for calling reporters as witnesses and demanding they discuss conversations with sources. Mr Fitzgerald is expected to call two other reporters - Russert and Matthew Cooper of Time magazine - during the trial.
Mr Fitzgerald has said Ms Plame's name was leaked by Bush administration officials trying to discredit Mr Wilson's finding that there was no proof Iraq was attempting to buy uranium in Niger for its nuclear weapons program.
Mr Libby has pleaded not guilty, contending he did not remember conversations he had with reporters about Ms Plame amid the crush of his work on national security issues.
Miller left The New York Times in November 2005 after a 28-year career at the newspaper. Her reporting came under attack after articles she wrote suggested Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction - coverage that helped the Bush administration build its case for invading Iraq, but turned out to be wrong.
Journalist debunks Libby claims
Journalist debunks Libby claims
Correspondents in Washington
February 01, 2007
A FORMER New York Times reporter, who spent almost three months in jail to protect her source - US Vice-President Dick Cheney's ex-chief of staff I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby - directly contradicted Mr Libby in his perjury trial yesterday.
Judith Miller told a federal court jury that Mr Libby spoke to her about CIA agent Valerie Plame, wife of a prominent critic of the Iraq war, weeks before Mr Libby told investigators he first heard about Ms Plame from another reporter.
Miller spent 85 days in jail for refusing to co-operate with Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald's investigation into who leaked the CIA agent's identity to reporters. She refused to break her promise not to disclose conversations she had with Mr Libby until he personally released her from their confidentiality agreement, after which she was released from jail and testified.
Disclosing a CIA officer's name without authorisation can be a criminal offence.
Miller is the first of several prominent journalists to testify in a trial that is providing the jury - and the US public - a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the Bush White House, which prided itself on privacy.
The appearance of Miller as someone forced by the Government to testify against a source emphasised how the case had changed relations between journalists and Washington officials.
Mr Libby's charges of perjury and obstruction of justice are the only criminal counts to come out of Mr Fitzgerald's investigation into the CIA leak.
The prosecutor says Mr Libby discussed CIA officer Plame with reporters, then lied about those conversations. Mr Libby has pleaded not guilty.
Miller is a major witness in Mr Fitzgerald's case because she describes two conversations with Mr Libby regarding Ms Plame before Mr Libby told investigators he had been surprised to learn about Ms Plame from NBC reporter Tim Russert.
Ms Plame is the wife of a former US ambassador, Joseph Wilson, who was intensely disliked by the White House because of his public accusations that President George W. Bush and Mr Cheney manipulated intelligence reports to build a case for invading Iraq in 2003.
Mr Libby has claimed under oath that he learned about Ms Plame on July 10, but Miller became the sixth person to testify that he had identified Ms Plame before then. Miller testified yesterday that Mr Libby discussed Ms Plame on June 23, 2003. He said Mr Wilson's wife worked for the "bureau", Miller recalled.
"Through the context of the discussion, I quickly determined it to be the CIA," she testified.
She said Mr Libby told her at the meeting that it was Ms Plame who sent Mr Wilson to Niger to see if Iraq bought uranium for nuclear bombs from the African country. Mr Wilson returned from Niger and said that the uranium report - a key piece of evidence in Mr Bush's rationale for going to war - was false.
Miller said Mr Libby was "agitated, frustrated and angry" when they met in a White House office. Mr Libby was upset over Mr Wilson's comments and by press reports he had been ordered to Niger by Mr Cheney.
Miller told of a second meeting with Mr Libby, this one on July 8, 2003. She said Mr Libby had mentioned that Ms Plame worked for a division specialising in weapons of mass destruction.
In a speech on Monday night, Russert said he did not tell Mr Libby about Ms Plame.
Journalism groups have criticised Mr Fitzgerald for calling reporters as witnesses and demanding they discuss conversations with sources. Mr Fitzgerald is expected to call two other reporters - Russert and Matthew Cooper of Time magazine - during the trial.
Mr Fitzgerald has said Ms Plame's name was leaked by Bush administration officials trying to discredit Mr Wilson's finding that there was no proof Iraq was attempting to buy uranium in Niger for its nuclear weapons program.
Mr Libby has pleaded not guilty, contending he did not remember conversations he had with reporters about Ms Plame amid the crush of his work on national security issues.
Miller left The New York Times in November 2005 after a 28-year career at the newspaper. Her reporting came under attack after articles she wrote suggested Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction - coverage that helped the Bush administration build its case for invading Iraq, but turned out to be wrong.
Correspondents in Washington
February 01, 2007
A FORMER New York Times reporter, who spent almost three months in jail to protect her source - US Vice-President Dick Cheney's ex-chief of staff I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby - directly contradicted Mr Libby in his perjury trial yesterday.
Judith Miller told a federal court jury that Mr Libby spoke to her about CIA agent Valerie Plame, wife of a prominent critic of the Iraq war, weeks before Mr Libby told investigators he first heard about Ms Plame from another reporter.
Miller spent 85 days in jail for refusing to co-operate with Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald's investigation into who leaked the CIA agent's identity to reporters. She refused to break her promise not to disclose conversations she had with Mr Libby until he personally released her from their confidentiality agreement, after which she was released from jail and testified.
Disclosing a CIA officer's name without authorisation can be a criminal offence.
Miller is the first of several prominent journalists to testify in a trial that is providing the jury - and the US public - a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the Bush White House, which prided itself on privacy.
The appearance of Miller as someone forced by the Government to testify against a source emphasised how the case had changed relations between journalists and Washington officials.
Mr Libby's charges of perjury and obstruction of justice are the only criminal counts to come out of Mr Fitzgerald's investigation into the CIA leak.
The prosecutor says Mr Libby discussed CIA officer Plame with reporters, then lied about those conversations. Mr Libby has pleaded not guilty.
Miller is a major witness in Mr Fitzgerald's case because she describes two conversations with Mr Libby regarding Ms Plame before Mr Libby told investigators he had been surprised to learn about Ms Plame from NBC reporter Tim Russert.
Ms Plame is the wife of a former US ambassador, Joseph Wilson, who was intensely disliked by the White House because of his public accusations that President George W. Bush and Mr Cheney manipulated intelligence reports to build a case for invading Iraq in 2003.
Mr Libby has claimed under oath that he learned about Ms Plame on July 10, but Miller became the sixth person to testify that he had identified Ms Plame before then. Miller testified yesterday that Mr Libby discussed Ms Plame on June 23, 2003. He said Mr Wilson's wife worked for the "bureau", Miller recalled.
"Through the context of the discussion, I quickly determined it to be the CIA," she testified.
She said Mr Libby told her at the meeting that it was Ms Plame who sent Mr Wilson to Niger to see if Iraq bought uranium for nuclear bombs from the African country. Mr Wilson returned from Niger and said that the uranium report - a key piece of evidence in Mr Bush's rationale for going to war - was false.
Miller said Mr Libby was "agitated, frustrated and angry" when they met in a White House office. Mr Libby was upset over Mr Wilson's comments and by press reports he had been ordered to Niger by Mr Cheney.
Miller told of a second meeting with Mr Libby, this one on July 8, 2003. She said Mr Libby had mentioned that Ms Plame worked for a division specialising in weapons of mass destruction.
In a speech on Monday night, Russert said he did not tell Mr Libby about Ms Plame.
Journalism groups have criticised Mr Fitzgerald for calling reporters as witnesses and demanding they discuss conversations with sources. Mr Fitzgerald is expected to call two other reporters - Russert and Matthew Cooper of Time magazine - during the trial.
Mr Fitzgerald has said Ms Plame's name was leaked by Bush administration officials trying to discredit Mr Wilson's finding that there was no proof Iraq was attempting to buy uranium in Niger for its nuclear weapons program.
Mr Libby has pleaded not guilty, contending he did not remember conversations he had with reporters about Ms Plame amid the crush of his work on national security issues.
Miller left The New York Times in November 2005 after a 28-year career at the newspaper. Her reporting came under attack after articles she wrote suggested Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction - coverage that helped the Bush administration build its case for invading Iraq, but turned out to be wrong.
back to school
After the horrors of war, a love of learning
Pia Akerman
January 29, 2007
FOR most children, returning to school today is an unwelcome end to summer freedom.
But for others, such as the Pager children, school is a welcome symbol of opportunity in a country that has never known the horror of a civil war.
Kuany Pager brought her five children to Adelaide two years ago while her husband remained in Konger, southern Sudan. "In the Sudan there was no school, no food. A lot of people were dying," Mrs Pager said. "Now it's good because now my children go to school to learn."
Chol, 12, Diing, 10, and Aleek, 5, will be among more than 3.3 million primary and high school students returning to school this week.
In NSW, teachers return to school today but the 740,000 students will say hello to the classroom tomorrow. Victorian students return on Wednesday and in far western NSW towns such as Deniliquin, Wilcannia and Broken Hill they return on February 6.
The NSW Government will begin implementing the final part of its $710million program to reduce class sizes to an average of 20 students in kindergarten, 22 in Year 1 and 24 in Year 2. Parents also will be forced to spend more on schooling this year, as education costs outstrip inflation.
Education costs rose 4.8 per cent in the year to December. While most government schools do not charge fees, the costs of uniforms, sports equipment, school bags and text books are likely to rise.
Private schools such as Cranbrook, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, will charge fees of up to $24,000 this year.
Chol, Diing and Aleek will walk into Nazareth College in Adelaide's western suburbs with more than 1300 students from 40 ethnic groups.
The school officially opens today after the amalgamation of Siena College and Our Lady of the Manger, Mater Christi and Cardinia Parish schools. Co-principal Pauline Murphy said the number of refugee students had increased. "Some of them haven't been to any formal schooling because they've been born in refugee camps," she said. "The African families are very supportive of the school and are keen for their children to get an education."
Additional reporting: AAP http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21133169-5006787,00.html
Pia Akerman
January 29, 2007
FOR most children, returning to school today is an unwelcome end to summer freedom.
But for others, such as the Pager children, school is a welcome symbol of opportunity in a country that has never known the horror of a civil war.
Kuany Pager brought her five children to Adelaide two years ago while her husband remained in Konger, southern Sudan. "In the Sudan there was no school, no food. A lot of people were dying," Mrs Pager said. "Now it's good because now my children go to school to learn."
Chol, 12, Diing, 10, and Aleek, 5, will be among more than 3.3 million primary and high school students returning to school this week.
In NSW, teachers return to school today but the 740,000 students will say hello to the classroom tomorrow. Victorian students return on Wednesday and in far western NSW towns such as Deniliquin, Wilcannia and Broken Hill they return on February 6.
The NSW Government will begin implementing the final part of its $710million program to reduce class sizes to an average of 20 students in kindergarten, 22 in Year 1 and 24 in Year 2. Parents also will be forced to spend more on schooling this year, as education costs outstrip inflation.
Education costs rose 4.8 per cent in the year to December. While most government schools do not charge fees, the costs of uniforms, sports equipment, school bags and text books are likely to rise.
Private schools such as Cranbrook, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, will charge fees of up to $24,000 this year.
Chol, Diing and Aleek will walk into Nazareth College in Adelaide's western suburbs with more than 1300 students from 40 ethnic groups.
The school officially opens today after the amalgamation of Siena College and Our Lady of the Manger, Mater Christi and Cardinia Parish schools. Co-principal Pauline Murphy said the number of refugee students had increased. "Some of them haven't been to any formal schooling because they've been born in refugee camps," she said. "The African families are very supportive of the school and are keen for their children to get an education."
Additional reporting: AAP http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21133169-5006787,00.html
From what I have heard. it is totally un-Australian, it threatens the very fabric of our community
States want Islamist group outlawed
Imre Salusinszky and Natalie O'Brien
January 30, 2007
WHILE critics on the Left have denounced the curtailing of civil liberties under the federal anti-terrorism legislation, it seems the laws do not go far enough for the state Labor administrations.
Outflanking the Howard Government on the Right on national security, the NSW and West Australian governments yesterday called for the banning of radical Islamic group Hizb ut-Tahrir (Party of Liberation).
On Sunday, about 450 people at a conference convened by the group in Lakemba, in Sydney's southwest, heard speakers call on Australian Muslims to fight to create a pan-global Islamic state.
NSW Premier Morris Iemma yesterday repeated his call for the Howard Government to outlaw the group.
"This is not an organisation that is expressing a difference of opinion ... they're advocating war with Australia, on Australians," Mr Iemma said.
Imre Salusinszky and Natalie O'Brien
January 30, 2007
WHILE critics on the Left have denounced the curtailing of civil liberties under the federal anti-terrorism legislation, it seems the laws do not go far enough for the state Labor administrations.
Outflanking the Howard Government on the Right on national security, the NSW and West Australian governments yesterday called for the banning of radical Islamic group Hizb ut-Tahrir (Party of Liberation).
On Sunday, about 450 people at a conference convened by the group in Lakemba, in Sydney's southwest, heard speakers call on Australian Muslims to fight to create a pan-global Islamic state.
NSW Premier Morris Iemma yesterday repeated his call for the Howard Government to outlaw the group.
"This is not an organisation that is expressing a difference of opinion ... they're advocating war with Australia, on Australians," Mr Iemma said.
HIV tidak menular melalui hubungan seksual??
HIV sceptic backs unprotected sex
Jeremy Roberts and Elizabeth Gosch
January 31, 2007
A MEDICAL physicist at Royal Perth Hospital has declared that she would have unprotected sex with an HIV-positive man, believing she would not be at risk of infection.
Eleni Papadopulos-Eleopulos was giving testimony at the Supreme Court of South Australia during an appeal by a man convicted of exposing three women to HIV.
She was asked by prosecutor Sandi McDonald whether "you would have unprotected vaginal sex with a HIV-positive man".
"Any time," replied Ms Papadopulos-Eleopulos.
The admission came on the last day of Ms Papadopulos-Eleopulos's cross-examination. She is the lead expert witness for Andre Chad Parenzee, 35, who was convicted in February last year on three counts of endangering life. A jury found Parenzee had unprotected sex with three women despite knowing he was HIV-positive. He infected one of them.
He remains in custody awaiting sentencing. His mother, Jeanette Thumlert, has spent $250,000 on her son's defence. Some of that money has gone to flying two expert witnesses from Perth on three occasions since October last year.
The witnesses, Ms Papadopulos-Eleopulos and emergency doctor Val Turner, represent the Perth Group.
The group's key claim is that HIV has never been isolated and identified as a retrovirus. HIV is the result of the misinterpretation of laboratory phenomena and experiments, the group says.
Ms Papadopulos-Eleopulos says AIDS is a disease that results from the oxidising of the inside of the body from repeated exposure to semen resulting from passive anal intercourse. It is not a "virus" and cannot be "transmitted" from one person to another during sex.
Ms Papadopulos-Eleopulos's views are largely ignored by mainstream scientific journals.
She has a bachelor of science and is a medical physicist at Royal Perth Hospital, with Perth Group member David Causer, the head of clinical physics.
A spokeswoman for the hospital said neither worked with AIDS patients or in HIV research. "Their views are not consistent with the hospital's views on HIV-AIDS," she said.
Despite the Perth Group's marginal position, its evidence in the Parenzee appeal has spurred up to seven eminent HIV-AIDS scientists to give rebuttal testimony. The prosecution has told the court that Ms Papadopulos-Eleopulos has misrepresented scientific papers and will call some of the papers' authors to set the record straight.
Renowned immunologist and World Health Organisation public health expert Gustav Nossal is preparing to give written evidence or appear in person debunking the testimony. He has called the HIV sceptics "a very considerable embarrassment to Australian science".
Yesterday, Ms Papadopulos-Eleopulos continued her strident defence of her claims.
She was asked to consider the good record of anti-retroviral drugs in extending the lives of HIV-AIDS patients.
Judge John Sulan asked: "Is it your evidence that it is a waste of resources to give anti-retrovirals to pregnant women?"
"Yes," she said.
The case continues.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21151217-5006787,00.html
Jeremy Roberts and Elizabeth Gosch
January 31, 2007
A MEDICAL physicist at Royal Perth Hospital has declared that she would have unprotected sex with an HIV-positive man, believing she would not be at risk of infection.
Eleni Papadopulos-Eleopulos was giving testimony at the Supreme Court of South Australia during an appeal by a man convicted of exposing three women to HIV.
She was asked by prosecutor Sandi McDonald whether "you would have unprotected vaginal sex with a HIV-positive man".
"Any time," replied Ms Papadopulos-Eleopulos.
The admission came on the last day of Ms Papadopulos-Eleopulos's cross-examination. She is the lead expert witness for Andre Chad Parenzee, 35, who was convicted in February last year on three counts of endangering life. A jury found Parenzee had unprotected sex with three women despite knowing he was HIV-positive. He infected one of them.
He remains in custody awaiting sentencing. His mother, Jeanette Thumlert, has spent $250,000 on her son's defence. Some of that money has gone to flying two expert witnesses from Perth on three occasions since October last year.
The witnesses, Ms Papadopulos-Eleopulos and emergency doctor Val Turner, represent the Perth Group.
The group's key claim is that HIV has never been isolated and identified as a retrovirus. HIV is the result of the misinterpretation of laboratory phenomena and experiments, the group says.
Ms Papadopulos-Eleopulos says AIDS is a disease that results from the oxidising of the inside of the body from repeated exposure to semen resulting from passive anal intercourse. It is not a "virus" and cannot be "transmitted" from one person to another during sex.
Ms Papadopulos-Eleopulos's views are largely ignored by mainstream scientific journals.
She has a bachelor of science and is a medical physicist at Royal Perth Hospital, with Perth Group member David Causer, the head of clinical physics.
A spokeswoman for the hospital said neither worked with AIDS patients or in HIV research. "Their views are not consistent with the hospital's views on HIV-AIDS," she said.
Despite the Perth Group's marginal position, its evidence in the Parenzee appeal has spurred up to seven eminent HIV-AIDS scientists to give rebuttal testimony. The prosecution has told the court that Ms Papadopulos-Eleopulos has misrepresented scientific papers and will call some of the papers' authors to set the record straight.
Renowned immunologist and World Health Organisation public health expert Gustav Nossal is preparing to give written evidence or appear in person debunking the testimony. He has called the HIV sceptics "a very considerable embarrassment to Australian science".
Yesterday, Ms Papadopulos-Eleopulos continued her strident defence of her claims.
She was asked to consider the good record of anti-retroviral drugs in extending the lives of HIV-AIDS patients.
Judge John Sulan asked: "Is it your evidence that it is a waste of resources to give anti-retrovirals to pregnant women?"
"Yes," she said.
The case continues.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21151217-5006787,00.html
TUNA farmers in Port Lincoln have resorted to employing Indonesian fishermen in the face of a labour crisis sparked by the resources boom.
Indonesians get tuna jobs as miners pounce
Verity Edwards
January 29, 2007
Amid claims that mining companies are poaching workers by offering them $10,000 a year more than they earn in the aquaculture industry, Hagen Stehr, who runs Clean Seas, said he had no choice but to employ foreign staff.
TUNA farmers in Port Lincoln have resorted to employing Indonesian fishermen in the face of a labour crisis sparked by the resources boom.
He has taken on four Indonesian fishermen and wants to employ 28 more.
"We're in dire need of workers. (Canberra) said we can get labour from Eyre Peninsula but we can't, because nobody wants to go fishing," Mr Stehr said.
The Australian Fisheries Academy has taken on just two Eyre Peninsula residents in its latest intake of 20 apprenticeships for this year.
The Australian http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21133268-5006787,00.html
Verity Edwards
January 29, 2007
Amid claims that mining companies are poaching workers by offering them $10,000 a year more than they earn in the aquaculture industry, Hagen Stehr, who runs Clean Seas, said he had no choice but to employ foreign staff.
TUNA farmers in Port Lincoln have resorted to employing Indonesian fishermen in the face of a labour crisis sparked by the resources boom.
He has taken on four Indonesian fishermen and wants to employ 28 more.
"We're in dire need of workers. (Canberra) said we can get labour from Eyre Peninsula but we can't, because nobody wants to go fishing," Mr Stehr said.
The Australian Fisheries Academy has taken on just two Eyre Peninsula residents in its latest intake of 20 apprenticeships for this year.
The Australian http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21133268-5006787,00.html
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