Sydney

Manus issue: Hundreds to rally in Sydney

Similar rallies are being held in Brisbane and Melbourne as thousands of people stand in solidarity with the refugees.  

According to the Refugee Action Coalition, authorities began removing the perimeter fencing of the detention centre late yesterday afternoon (Thursday 9 Nov), leaving the refugees even more vulnerable.

“Overnight a new notice was distributed in Port Moresby, where over 120 Manus refugees and asylum seekers being held, has made it obvious there are no plans for providing permanent resettlement,” says spokesman Ian Rintoul.  

Vivid Sydney uses sounds, touch to bring light festival to vision impaired people

Vivid transforms landmarks across the city using light, colour and sounds and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

But making the spectacle accessible for people with limited or no vision is a challenge, particularly when it comes to what is arguably the highlight of the show, the lighting of the sails at the Opera House.

Sydney Film Festival's Screenability puts spotlight on people living with disabilities

For the first time, films that have been made and acted by people living with disabilities will be a key part of the program.

It has been made possible by Screenability — an arts initiative in New South Wales to help more people with disabilities break into the film industry.

"I think it's really important that you have creatives with disability in charge of that narrative," Sydney Film Festival's Screenability programmer Sofya Gollan said.

Kumuls triumph over Cook Islands with 32-22 win

It was a controlled start for both teams in the opening minutes of the first half.

The Kukis looked to have registered the first points as early as the sixth minute when David Munro grounded a deflected Isaac John grubber.

But the try was disallowed after the Bunker ruled Munro offside.

Two consecutive penalties brought the Kumuls out of their own half and within striking distance 10 metres out from their opponent’s try line.

Skin-whitening uptake sparks concern among Australian dermatologists

"Chinese people like whitening, [they consider it] beautiful — whitening and brightening because it's good," she says, smiling.

The smile is genuine, as Amanda is a fan herself.

"I use this one in the morning and at night … it can make your skin look very healthy, very clear," she says.

"It's very popular."

And this popularity is on the rise with the market for skin lighteners projected to reach $US23 billion ($30.5 billion) by 2020, according to market intelligence firm Global Industry Analysts.

Australian reporter faces child pornography charge

Ben McCormack, 42, a well-known reporter for the local A Current Affair programme, was arrested in Sydney.

Police searched an apartment and the offices of his employer, the Nine Network, seizing computers, a mobile phone and an electronic storage device.

The Nine Network immediately suspended Mr McCormack from his reporting duties.

Police released images of Mr McCormack's arrest, showing his face blurred, and charged him with using a carriage service for child pornography material.

PNG boxers to fight tonight

 

The event which is a being promoted as a commemorative event for the 75th Anniversary of the Kokoda Track will feature PNG’s Katua (60kg), Charles Keama (52kg), Beupu Noki (56kg), John Ume (64kg) and female Laizani Soma (60kg) who will put on their gloves to face boxers from New South Wales and other states.

Assistant coach, Mark Keto said he has been relishing the opportunity he has been given in the weeklong training camp leading up to tonight.

Man survives 20m fall down cliff in Sydney

The 25-year-old man was on his parents' property in Sydney when he plunged into dense bushland late on Sunday night, sparking a complex rescue operation.

He was winched to safety almost five hours later and treated for shoulder and chest injuries, paramedics said. The man remains in a stable condition.

New South Police Sergeant Peter McMaugh said it was remarkable the man was alive.

Pukpuks beaten by Scotland and NZ

The Pukpuks showed fight in their opening match against the Scots despite going down 26-12 at Allianz Stadium.

The Pukpuks’ points came from tries to Gairo Kapana, Emmanuel Guise and a try conversion from Arthur Clement.

The second game against the Kiwis proved much harder for them, with the Pukpuks losing 31-7.

However, the men’s team did manage to cross the line with Nathan Baramun scoring in the first half, with Clement adding the extras.

The Pukpuks still have one game tonight against Australia at 8.35pm (7.35pm PNG time).

Palais lose to NZ and Canada in Women's 7s Series

In their first match against the Kiwis at Allianz Stadium, the Palais were handed a 34-5 beating.

The Palais’ only points came from Joana Lagona who scored late in the second half.

Their second match against Canada saw a similar score line with PNG losing 39-5. It was Lagona again who scored the points with a try in the opening minute of the first half of play.

The Palais’ still have one more match left in the day against France at 7:22pm local time (6:22pm PNG time).