Weeping South Africans say goodbye to slain captain Meyiwa

Posted on by admin

The mood was in part sombre, with red-eyed fans sobbing or blowing into tissues as a hearse carrying the 27-year-old’s flag-draped coffin drove around the stadium, and at times festive as they blew vuvuzela horns and sang soccer chants.

南宁桑拿

Meyiwa was shot and killed in what appeared to have been a botched robbery at his mistress’s house on Sunday night, highlighting the scourge of gun violence in Africa’s most advanced country.

One suspect, Zanokuhle Mbatha, has been arrested after witnesses picked him out in an identity parade. The 25-year-old briefly appeared in court on Friday and will reappear on Nov. 11. Police had issued identikits of two black men on Tuesday.

“We’ve got every reason to be angry about Senzo,” Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula told the mourners. “Justice is grinding and we will find them. We will never rest until we find all of them.”

Meyiwa’s death came days after the jailing of paralympian Oscar Pistorius for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp thinking she was an intruder lurking in his luxury Pretoria home in the capital of crime-ridden South Africa.

The country remains one of the world’s most violent, although the murder rate been dropping gradually. Police recorded more than 17,000 murders last year, or 31 per 100,000 people – seven times the rate in the United States.

An average 50 guns are reported lost and stolen every day from licensed owners, according to lobby group Gun Free South Africa.

TEARFUL FAREWELL

“Lest we forget, this is not the first time that an icon of this nature departs in the fashion that Senzo departed,” said Kaizer Motaung, founder of the Kaizer Chiefs, the main rivals to the Orlando Pirates club Meyiwa played for.

Thousands of people braved drizzling rain in the 85,000 Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, a short distance from the Umhlazi township where Meyiwa was born.

Most of the crowd wore the Pirates’ red or black colours but there was also a sprinkling of the yellow worn by the Chiefs.

Team mates and mourners wiped away tears as they watched video clips showing father of three Meyiwa training, diving to make saves, or pumping his arms in celebration of a win.

Meyiwa had captained South Africa in their first four African Nations Cup qualifiers over the last two months without conceding a goal.

Two other sporting icons died within days of Meyiwa. Former world 800 metres champion and Olympic silver medallist Mbulaeni Mulaudzi was killed in a car accident last week.

Light middleweight Phindile Mwelase, 31, also passed away last week after a knockout punch in a fight against Liz Butler two weeks ago put her in a coma.

(Writing by Helen Nyambura-Mwaura; Editing by Ken Ferris)

Hussey fires, Vics 3-265 in Shield clash

Posted on by admin

David Hussey has dolled out a first-class cricket lesson, hitting a classy century to put Victoria in a good position at the end of day two of their Sheffield Shield clash with NSW.

南宁桑拿

Hussey finished 107 not out at the MCG on Saturday as the Bushrangers reached 3-265 in response to NSW’s first-innings total of 366.

The 37-year-old attacked debutant spinners Will Somerville and Patrick Jackson, but showed more deference when facing the likes of Josh Hazlewood and Gurinder Sandhu.

Hussey brought up his 18th Shield ton in style, effortlessly crashing offspinner Jackson for a six over the long-on fence.

There was scarcely a false stroke in the three hours preceding.

Captain Matthew Wade (58 not out) was a fine foil in an unbeaten stand of 135 runs, the most productive partnership of the game.

The knock was fitting reward for a hard-hitting batsman who could easily have followed the Twenty20 gun-for-hire path beaten by former teammates Brad Hodge and Dirk Nannes.

“I really enjoy playing first-class cricket,” said Hussey, who played over 100 limited-overs matches for Australia.

“I’ve always said I’ll never stand in the road of someone who is going to play for Australia.

“In this group we’ve got probably four or five young batters who possibly can be the backbone of the Australian cricket team for the next 10 or 15 years.

“I’m just happy playing, scoring a few runs and trying to teach our younger kids how to bat for longer periods of time.”

The innings came two weeks after Hussey’s dad Ted died.

“The last couple of weeks weren’t easy,” he said.

“But it’s probably my utopia, batting. It’s pretty easy to just focus on the ball and not worry about external stuff.”

NSW captain Peter Nevill top-scored against his former side with 87, being one of four Blues batsmen that failed to convert a half-century into a ton.

Rob Quiney (43) and Marcus Stoinis (37) both made starts for the hosts, but failed to go on with it.

“I was lucky enough to get a good partnership with Matt Wade, who probably proves he’s one of the best batters in the country – let alone batter-keepers,” Hussey said.

Wade, recalled by Australia for the upcoming one-day series, and fellow wicketkeeper Nevill both performed well under the gaze of national selector Mark Waugh.

Nevill shared a final-wicket stand with Hazlewood worth 89 runs as the visitors added 100 to their overnight total, then pouched a sensational diving catch to remove Quiney.

Virgin Galactic to press on with space tourism after crash

Posted on by admin

Virgin Galactic chief executive George Whitesides said the crash is a tragedy, but has not changed the company’s commitment to developing space tourism.

南宁桑拿

“Space is hard and today was a tough day,” he said.

“We are going to be supporting the investigation as we figure out what happened; and we’re going to get through it.

“The future rests on – in many ways – hard days like this. But we believe, we owe it to the folks who were flying these vehicles, as well as the folks who have been working so hard on them, to understand this and to move forward.

One pilot was killed and another seriously injured when a Virgin Galactic spaceship crashed in the desert, a spokesman for the California Highway Patrol said.

The injured pilot was taken to hospital, a spokesman said.

The flight took off from the Mojave Air and Space Port, about 150 kilometers north of Los Angeles.

The company said a “serious anomaly” resulted in the crash.

“Our first concern is the status of the pilots, which is unknown at this time. We will work closely with the relevant authorities to determine the cause of the accident and provide updates as soon as we are able to do so,” it said in a statement.

FAA investigates crash

The US Federal Aviation Administration is conducting an investigation into the incident, while the US National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) said it is “in the process of collecting information”.

Former senior NTSB investigator Greg Feith told said the NTSB and FAA are likely to treat the investigation in the same way as it would treat a crash involving a commercial airliner.

“They will be looking a rocket fuel. They will be looking at the entire launch sequence. It will be conducted as if the FAA were conducting a major investigation of an aircraft, a commercial airliner,” he told CNBC.

“So there is going to be a lot to be done, but it is too early to even speculate because there is no real solid information at this point.”

Eyewitness reports mid-flight explosion

Photographer Ken Brown, who was covering the test flight, told NBC News that he saw a midflight explosion and later came upon SpaceShipTwo debris scattered across a small area of the desert.

Blogger Doug Messier with space news website Parabolic Arc said he witnessed the crash from a station overlooking the crash site in the Mojave desert.

鈥淲e saw the twin contrails of WhiteKnightTwo overhead. They do that prior to a drop,鈥?he tweeted.

鈥淪paceShipTwo dropped. From what I could tell, motor fired and then stopped then fired again. I think that鈥檚 what happened.鈥?/p>Richard Branson travels to crash site

Part-owner of Virgin Galactic Richard Branson said he is flying to Mojave to be with his Virgin Galactic team in the wake of the crash.

Thoughts with all @virgingalactic & Scaled, thanks for all your messages of support. I’m flying to Mojave immediately to be with the team.

鈥?Richard Branson (@richardbranson) October 31, 2014Concerns over the dangers of space tourism

Former corporate pilot Anthony Roman said the crash underscores the dangers of space tourism.

“The early airlines of the ’20s were a risky endeavour and went down with some regularity; so did the early single engine, single pilot aircraft.

“And it’s a series of technological steps and mishaps; and learning from these mishaps and the sucesses that eventually build to modern and safe technology.”

Retired NASA astronaut Mark Kelly said despite the risks, space tourism will be a reality in the future.

“I know Richard Branson is not doing this so he can bring passengers to an altitude of 68 miles and safely back to the ground.

“You know, ultimately he and others envision the way you would get – let’s say from Los Angeles to London, would not be on an airplane. Somewhere in the future [it] would be on a spaceraft.

“If I was take off in a space shuttle from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida and land in London, I could do that in about 25 minutes. You know the future is that travel around this planet will be in a spaceraft and not necessarily in an aircraft.”

The test flight was part of Virgin Galactic’s long-running program to prepare the SpaceShipTwo for trips in outer space.

More than 800 people have booked flights aboard the spaceship, which takes people 100 kilometres above the Earth, offering them an experience of a few minutes of weightlessness.

The tickets cost as much as $250,000, with actors Angelina Jolie and Tom Hanks among those who have booked a spot.

The spaceship is based on an award-winning prototype that was recognised a deacde ago as the first privately developed manned spacecraft to fly in space.

The accident is the second this week by Virgin airlines. On Tuesday, a cargo ship bound for the International Space Station exploded 15 seconds after liftoff from Wallops Island, Virginia.

Thousands pay respects to slain Nemtsov

Posted on by admin

Thousands of mourners have paid a last homage to slain Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, who was gunned down near the Kremlin in the most stunning assassination of Vladimir Putin’s rule.

南宁桑拿

Crowds thronged the Russian capital to mourn the 55-year-old former deputy prime minister, a long-time Putin critic and anti-corruption crusader who was laid to rest at a Moscow cemetery.

The funeral caused a fresh spat between Russia and the European Union, which condemned what it called “arbitrary” bans after Russia blocked prominent figures from Poland and Latvia from attending.

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was also unable to attend as he is behind bars, but speaking from jail he accused “the country’s political leadership” of ordering a hit on Nemtsov.

Putin himself has branded the killing a provocation and his spokesman said of Navalny’s charge: “I am not going to comment on such lunacy.”

Moscow has pledged a full investigation as speculation swirls about who was behind the assassination.

Clutching flowers and candles, mourners formed a huge queue outside the Andrei Sakharov rights centre in central Moscow where Nemtsov’s body lay in state.

As Bach’s St Matthew Passion played, well-wishers filed past the flower-covered coffin, many crossing themselves and weeping.

Nemtsov’s mother Dina Eidman, who turned 87 on Tuesday, his children, widow, and former partners and friends stood by the casket.

Ordinary Russians were joined by government officials and dignitaries including Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich, former president Boris Yeltsin’s widow Naina and former finance minister Alexei Kudrin.

Ex British prime minister John Major and Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius were among foreign dignitaries to attend.

Putin, who was hosting the authoritarian leader of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, did not attend the funeral at Moscow’s prestigious Troekurovskoe cemetery.

Many mourners blame Putin for the murder, saying the Kremlin – locked in a bitter confrontation with the West over the Ukraine conflict – whipped up hatred against dissenters.

Mealamu to break Super Rugby games record

Posted on by admin

Keven Mealamu’s durability has been hailed after he was named for his record 163rd Super Rugby appearance on Saturday.

南宁桑拿

All Blacks and Blues hooker Mealamu will become the most capped player in the 20 years of the championship when he starts against the Lions on Saturday, surpassing the record held by retired Australian lock Nathan Sharpe, who represented the Queensland and the Western Force.

Mealamu, 35, was rested for the Blues’ first three games, which were all lost, but returns in place of James Parsons in one of five changes for the game in Albany.

Blues coach Sir John Kirwan says the record couldn’t have fallen to a more worthy player.

“Keven is an inspirational character both on and off the field.

“He exemplifies all of the qualities that we strive for at the Blues in desire, hard work, resilience, loyalty and integrity.

“He will bring a real lift to the team and I am sure the boys will want him to celebrate his milestone with a good performance.”

It is another longevity record for Mealamu, who has indicated this year is likely to be his last.

During last November’s All Blacks tour, Mealamu moved past Colin Meads’ New Zealand record of 361 first class games.

His 123 Tests is second behind Richie McCaw for the All Blacks and the fifth-most by any player.

A flanker at New Zealand schoolboy level, Mealamu made his Blues debut in 2000.

He struggled to hold down a regular starting spot during his first two seasons and was picked up in the 2002 draft by the Chiefs, where he played 11 games.

He returned to the Blues in 2003, helping them to the most recent of their three titles.

Mealamu will pack down alongside prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi, who gets his first start of the season in place of rested All Black Tony Woodcock.

Two changes to the backline come at inside centre, where Francis Saili replaces Mike Northcott, and on the wing, where Frank Halai makes his first start of the year following off-season shoulder surgery.

Halai’s return demotes Tevita Li and results in a shift to the left wing for Melani Nanai, who made his debut on the right wing in last week’s 25-24 loss to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

Blues: Lolagi Visinia, Frank Halai, Charles Piutau, Francis Saili, Melani Nanai, Ihaia West, Jimmy Cowan, Jerome Kaino (capt), Luke Braid, Steven Luatua, Patrick Tuipulotu, Josh Bekhuis, Charlie Faumuina, Keven Mealamu, Ofa Tu’ungafasi. Reserves: James Parsons, Sam Prattley, Angus Ta’avao, Hayden Triggs, Brendon O’Connor, Jamison Gibson-Park, Simon Hickey, Hamish Northcott.

Golden Gate bridge jump survivor helping men who struggle

Posted on by admin

When US man Kevin Hines was 19, he made what he describes as his biggest mistake of his life.

南宁桑拿

“I tried to take my own life by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge,” he said.

“And I have always maintained that that was the single worst action I could have taken.”

Against the odds, he survived.

“I prayed that I would live. Because I didn’t want to die.”

He is not alone.

Deaths by suicide have reached a 10-year peak, and there are some men who are particularly vulnerable.

“I prayed that I would live. Because I didn’t want to die.”

In Australia’s construction industry, for example, suicide rates are nearly 2.4 times higher than in the rest of the population.

Peter McClelland, CEO of suicide-prevention charity Mates in Construction, said many men in that industry struggled to ask for help.

“Construction workers like to see themselves as tough and able to fix problems,” he said. “And, like a lot of men, we’re not very good at seeking help.”

Retired Highway Patrol Officer Kevin Briggs said communication was important.

“What I’ve found is folks haven’t been listened to a lot of times,” he said. “The mental illness, the depression, the bipolar is with them. They’re just not being listened to.”

Mr Briggs said police were trying to prevent the deaths and are working to target vulnerable communities, including Indigenous Australians.

“What I’ve found is folks haven’t been listened to a lot of times.”

“A lot of studies have shown that they have higher levels of suicidal behaviour,” he said.

“We need to be able to open up. And if we can do that, life much, much easier.”

Kevin Hines agrees, and he’s using his experience to help other men speak up.

“Every day I’m happy to be alive,” he said.

* Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 or follow @LifelineAust @OntheLineAus @kidshelp @beyondblue @headspace_aus @ReachOut_AUS on Twitter.

Technology doesn’t judge: using the web to address domestic violence

Posted on by admin

By Laura Tarzia, University of Melbourne and Kelsey Hegarty, University of Melbourne

For every woman who speaks out about her experiences or reports the abuse, many more remain silent through fear, shame, or simply because they don’t know who to turn to.

南宁桑拿

Many don’t even tell their closest friends, family members, or general practitioner, let alone pick up the phone to call a domestic violence hotline or counselling service.

This reluctance to seek help is alarming when we consider the grim statistics on domestic violence. One in five women in Australia have experienced physical or sexual abuse at the hands of an intimate partner. One woman is killed each week by her current or ex-husband, partner, or boyfriend. Seventeen women have already died this year, and it’s only March.

Thanks to activists such as Rosie Batty, there has been a renewed focus on challenging gender stereotypes and men’s attitudes towards women in an attempt to prevent violence from occurring. While this is certainly a vital piece of the puzzle, the patriarchy is unlikely to be dismantled overnight.

The proposed terms of reference for the Victorian government’s Royal Commission into Family Violence argue that domestic violence requires a coordinated response across government, services, and the community. But this will be difficult and time-consuming to achieve, particularly in light of the Abbott government’s cuts to critical domestic violence services.

Clearly, we need to think more innovatively about how we respond to this hidden epidemic. Technology – specifically, the internet and smartphone apps – may provide part of the solution.

Existing technology

The internet and smartphone apps are readily available to large numbers of people. They allow users to access help, information, or support anonymously and privately.

In the context of domestic violence, women who may not yet be ready to name their experiences as “domestic violence” can use the web or smartphone apps to assess their relationships and figure out the next steps. Most importantly, women can access help without the need to disclose the abuse to anybody, which may reduce concerns about judgement and stigma.

Globally, many countries are beginning to explore the possibilities for web- and smartphone-based applications to respond to domestic violence. In the United States, South Africa, and New Zealand, for example, interactive tools are being developed and evaluated to help women make decisions and learn about respectful relationships.

In Australia, we are also starting to recognise the potential of technology, with several domestic violence apps such as Aurora and iMatter already helping women connect to formal services and access practical information. iMatter, which is targeted at younger women, also promotes self-respect and empowerment.

Towards tailored support

Technology has the potential to do more than inform and link to services; it can help provide the individualised, tailored support women need when experiencing abuse at the hands of an intimate partner.

Our research team is developing a web tool called I-DECIDE, which allows women to reflect on an unhealthy or unsafe relationship and manage their situation.

I-DECIDE uses validated tools to identify the type of abuse (emotional, physical, or combined) a woman may be experiencing, as well as her level of danger and risk, and provides feedback. It also incorporates reflective exercises around relationship health and safety.

Drawing on a face to-face counselling program for general practitioners, I-DECIDE uses motivational interviewing and non-directive problem-solving techniques. These help women determine their own needs and the steps they might take to improve their safety and well-being, acknowledging that the step chosen may not always be leaving the relationship.

I-DECIDE responds to women’s individual priorities by providing strategies and resources that are unique to her situation, rather than general standardised links to information and resources. Perhaps most importantly, the program culminates in an individualised “action plan”.

Preliminary testing has been positive. One woman commented that after using I-DECIDE: “I feel affirmed and deserving. I feel it helped me recognise what I had been prioritising over my own health and well-being, and reminded me to keep perspective about my partner’s behaviour.”

Potential barriers

There are, however, some challenges that need to be addressed when harnessing technology to respond to domestic violence.

The rise of online abuse and cyber-stalking by partners or ex-partners is a major concern. Appropriate security measures need to be put in place to ensure women’s safety when using websites or apps.

Additionally, it’s difficult to address the whole spectrum of relationship issues with one website or app. Telephone and face-to-face contact will still play an important role in responding to women’s needs.

Any response approach has the risk of alienating women through use of inappropriate language. Many women will not identify with “domestic violence”, “family violence” or “violence against women” language or services. We have carefully called this website “I-DECIDE About My Relationship” in an attempt to reach out to women who may not have named their relationships as abusive.

I-DECIDE is currently being evaluated through a randomised controlled trial, which will determine its effectiveness in addressing domestic violence in the wider population. Women eligible for the trial can access I-DECIDE immediately. It will be made available to all women in 2016.

 

If you or someone you know would like to participate in the I-DECIDE project, visit the website.

Anyone at risk of family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault can seek help 24 hours a day, seven days a week, either online or by calling 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732). Information is also available in 28 languages other than English.

Read other articles in The Conversation’s ongoing domestic violence coverage.

Laura Tarzia is the coordinator of the I-DECIDE project at The University of Melbourne. She receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

Kelsey Hegarty is the Chief Investigator on the Australian Research Council funded project I-DECIDE

The Bali Nine: where are they now?

Posted on by admin

The Bali Nine: then and now

MYURAN SUKUMARAN, 34

THEN: Sukumaran was a uni drop-out working in a Sydney mailroom when the opportunity for a “big pay cheque” – the Bali Nine plan – came up.

南宁桑拿

NOW: On death row in Kerobokan jail, with no appeals left. Sukumaran has lobbied for better rehabilitation options for prisoners, including an art studio and T-shirt screen printing room, where he spends much of his time teaching and studying for a fine arts degree by correspondence.

ANDREW CHAN, 31

THEN: Chan was the self-confessed black sheep of his Sydney family. He and Sukumaran both went to Homebush Boys High School, a few years apart.

NOW: On death row in Kerobokan jail, with no appeals left. Chan has embraced Christianity in prison and is involved in pastoral care for the prison community. He also started first aid and cooking classes, and is trying to launch hospitality courses for inmates.

Chan’s workmates:

MATTHEW NORMAN, 28

THEN: Norman lived in Quakers Hill, Sydney, and worked at the Eurest catering group where Chan worked. He was the youngest member of the Bali Nine.

NOW: Serving life at Kerobokan. Norman had always been into sport and tries to stay fit behind bars. In a 2011 interview, he described Chan and Sukumaran as “nice people, to me, they’re just friends”.

RENAE LAWRENCE, 37

THEN: Lawrence, of Wallsend, in Newcastle’s west, also worked at Eurest. She was down on her luck, having broken up with her partner, and had money troubles.

NOW: Serving 20 years in Bangli, Bali. Lawrence was moved out of Kerobokan jail after her plot to kill a prison guard was discovered. She has since been rewarded reductions to her sentence for good behaviour and may soon be eligible to seek parole.

MARTIN STEPHENS, 39

THEN: From Wollongong, former barman Stephens worked at Eurest and took part in the Bali Nine operation as a mule with Lawrence.

NOW: Serving life at Malang, east Java. He also turned to Christianity in prison and in 2011, married Christine Puspayanti, a woman who had visited Kerobokan with a church group.

SI YI CHEN, 29

THEN: It’s unclear how Chen, from Sydney, met Chan and Sukumaran. His role in the Bali Nine it seems was running errands for them.

NOW: Serving life in Kerobokan, he has learned to be a silversmith and his designs reflect his devotion to the practice of Taoism.

The Queenlanders:

TAN DUC THAN NGUYEN, 31

THEN: Nguyen lived in bayside Brisbane with his family, who ran a bakery. He recruited Rush and Czugaj into the Nine on a night out in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley.

NOW: Serving life in Malang, east Java. He has never given a media interview. He was moved out of Kerobokan with Stephens last year, to ease overcrowding.

MATTHEW CZUGAJ, 29

THEN: Czugaj, from Brisbane’s southwest, was working as a glazier. He met Rush playing football in high school and had never been overseas before the trip to Bali.

NOW: Serving life in Kerobokan. He has suffered mental and physical ailments in jail. In 2010, his mother revealed she had been sending him money in the realisation she was funding his heroin habit.

SCOTT RUSH, 29

THEN: Rush, from a riverside Brisbane suburb, was applying to enter the RAAF before he agreed to go on the trip to Bali. His father Lee suspected his rebellious son was in trouble. The AFP was tipped off but did not intervene.

NOW: Serving life in Karangasem, Bali. Rush is also recovering from drug addiction and has proposed marriage to his girlfriend, London banker Nikki Butler.

Key dates in the Bali Nine saga

Posted on by admin

Key dates in the Bali Nine saga:

2005

April 8 to 12 – Australian Federal Police tip off Indonesian counterparts about the smuggling attempt and tell them to “take whatever action you deem necessary”.

南宁桑拿

April 17 – Andrew Chan and four others arrested at Denpasar Airport; Scott Rush, Michael Czugaj, Renae Lawrence and Martin Stephens have 8.3kg of heroin strapped to their bodies.

– Myuran Sukumaran, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, Si Yi Chen and Matthew Norman are arrested soon after in Kuta, preparing a second shipment.

April 22 – Indonesian police say Andrew Chan was the “godfather” of the operation.

April 26 – Two mules say Chan threatened them with death if they refused to carry the drugs.

April 27 – Indonesian police say they have shot and killed the man they believe supplied the heroin, Nepalese citizen Mann Singh Gali.

Sept 27 – Prosecutors confirm all nine Australians will be charged with possession and trafficking of heroin, carrying the death penalty.

Sept 29 – Australian authorities say the AFP will stop co-operating with the Indonesian investigation given the possibility of firing squads.

Oct 7 – Lawyers for Lawrence and Rush allege the AFP may have acted illegally by handing information to Indonesian authorities.

Oct 11 – Trials of the Bali Nine begin.

2006

Jan 24 – Prosecutors demand death sentence for enforcer Sukumaran.

Jan 26 – Prosecutors demand Chan be sent to the firing squad as well; they ask for life sentences for six others, while Lawrence faces 20 years.

Feb 13: Lawrence and Rush sentenced to life.

Feb 14: Chan and Sukumaran sentenced to death by firing squad; Stephens and Czugaj get life in prison.

Feb 15: Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, Si Yi Chen and Matthew Norman sentenced to life in prison.

Feb 17: All but Rush appeal against their sentences.

April 26: Chan and Sukumaran’s appeals are rejected.

April 27: Sentences for Lawrence, Czugaj, Nguyen, Chen and Norman reduced to 20 years; life sentences for Rush and Stephens upheld.

Sept 6: Prosecutors win appeal against sentence reduction for Rush, Nguyen, Chen and Norman – they are also sentenced to death. Stephens’ life sentence upheld; Czugaj’s term increased again to life.

2007

Jan 30: Rush challenges his death sentence

April 23: Lawyers for Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, Si Yi Chen and Matthew Norman also file for a judicial review of their death sentences.

2008

March 6: Nguyen, Chen and Norman death sentences reduced to life in prison.

2010

April 13: Stephens requests judicial review; it is rejected 10 months later.

August 13: Chan and Sukumaran request judicial reviews.

August 26: Rush appears in court for his final appeal; AFP commissioner Mick Keelty testifies on his behalf.

2011

May 11: Rush’s death sentence reduced to life imprisonment.

June 17: Chan’s request for judicial review rejected.

July 7: Sukumaran’s request for judicial review rejected.

2012

May 13: Chan appeals for clemency from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

July 9: Sukumaran also appeals for presidential clemency.

2014

Dec 11: New president Joko Widodo makes it clear he will not grant clemency to drug traffickers.

2015

Jan 7: Sukumaran’s bid for presidential clemency rejected.

Jan 18: Six drug smugglers executed.

Jan 22: Chan also loses bid for clemency.

Feb 2: It is announced both men will be among the next lot to be executed.

Feb 4: Request for second judicial review rejected.

Feb 7: Indonesian government confirms the men will face the firing squad before end of month.

Feb 8: The men’s lawyer at their first trial alleges judges requested a bribe to reduce their sentence.

Feb 12: 150,000 signatures on a Mercy petition asking for clemency handed to the men’s families; Foreign Minister Julie Bishop makes emotional plea in federal parliament for Indonesia to spare their lives.

Feb 24: Legal appeal fails when Jakarta court says it can’t examine the Indonesia president’s decision to deny clemency

March 2: Chan and Sukumaran’s lawyers work to file an appeal against the administrative court’s decision not to examine the men’s clemency rejection

March 3: Bali prosecutor Momock Bambang Samiarso says the pair will be transferred on March 4 to a penal island to await execution.

March 4: Chan and Sukumaran are moved under police from Kerobokan prison.

Immobile double puts Dortmund in Cup last eight

Posted on by admin

The Italian, criticised for a lack of Bundesliga goals this season, pounced on a cross-field pass from Dynamo’s Michael Hefele to snatch the lead five minutes after the break on a bumpy pitch that resembled a ploughed field in parts.

南宁桑拿

Dortmund, last season’s finalists, struggled to play the flowing game that has won their last four league matches and Mats Hummels almost gifted Dynamo an equaliser when his backpass bounced awkwardly and was intercepted before keeper Mitch Langerak cleared.

“You cannot expect to play good football on a pitch like that,” Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp told reporters. “This pitch is quite something and we had to play very simple football on it.”

Dortmund’s substitute striker Adrian Ramos almost got a second but his shot squeezed past a defender and hit the near post before rolling along the line and being cleared.

However, Immobile, who suffered a facial injury in the first half from Hefele’s elbow, scored again when he slotted in from a Jakub Blaszczykowski cutback in the box near the final whistle.

Dortmund winger Marco Reus, who missed much of 2014 with a string of ankle injuries, limped off midway through the first half, though his injury may not be too serious.

“I was told it may just be a knock on the leg. But I don’t know if he will be fit for the league at the weekend,” Klopp said.

LEVERKUSEN RESCUED

Earlier, Bayer Leverkusen’s Hakan Calhanoglu rescued his side from embarrassment with a sensational free kick to steer them to a 2-0 extra-time win over second tier Kaiserslautern.

The Turkey international fired a shot around the wall from 25 metres past keeper Marius Mueller towards the end of the first half of extra-time to break the visitors’ resistance.

Stefan Kiessling added a second goal 10 minutes later after Leverkusen struggled for most of the game.

Fellow Bundesliga club Hoffenheim had a much easier task against second division Aalen with Eugen Polanski and Germany international Kevin Volland on the scoresheet.

In the all-Bundesliga clash, Freiburg got two goals in two minutes early in the first half to win 2-1 at home Cologne, who had opened the scoring when Anthony Ujah put through his own net before they netted a late consolation.

Holders Bayern Munich are in action on Wednesday against Eintracht Braunschweig.

(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; editing by Ken Ferris)

How Indonesia carries out executions

Posted on by admin

How Indonesia carries out executions:

– The convicted must be notified 72 hours before execution

– While waiting, they must be held in a special prison

– If the convicted wants to say something, the statement or the message must be received by the prosecutor

– If the convicted is pregnant, the execution will take place 40 days after the child is born

– Their lawyer can attend the execution

– The execution is not performed in public and conducted in the most modest possible way unless determined otherwise by the president

– The head of local police forms the shooting team, consisting of one non-commissioned officer and 12 privates, under the command of an officer

– The convicted can be accompanied by a spiritual counsellor

– They must dress modestly and orderly

– The commander will blindfold them with a piece of fabric, unless asked not to

– They can stand, sit or kneel

– If necessary their hands or feet will be tied to a pole

– There will be between five and 10 metres between the convicted and the shooting team

– In previous executions, the shooting team has comprised 12 men with rifles – three of them with live rounds – who aim at targets over the convicted’s heart

– Using a sword for the signal, the commander will order “ready” by swinging his sword up, ordering the team to aim at the convict’s heart

– By swinging his sword down quickly, he orders “shoot”

– If the convicted isn’t yet dead, the non-commissioned officer is ordered to shoot his pistol in his/her head, above the ear

– A doctor will confirm the death and a report will be prepared on the execution

– The body is handed to family or friends for burial, or to the state, with attention paid to religious beliefs.

南宁桑拿

Day resumes golf No.1 assault

Posted on by admin

Jason Day believes a more cagey approach to the tough Blue Monster course can help him super-charge his drive for golf’s world No.

南宁桑拿

1 ranking.

The 27-year-old world No.4 aims to capitalise on strong early-season momentum in this week’s lucrative World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship at the Trump Doral resort in Florida.

Having triumphed at Torrey Pines just under a month ago and also notched third and fourth placings in four starts this year, Day is trending heavily toward his goal of becoming world No.1.

Just 74 players make up the field in this week’s no-cut elite event, including every one of the world’s top 50 – the first time since the 2012 US PGA Championship an event has been so stacked.

For Day it represents a chance to jump to world No.2 should he triumph, bringing him closer to Rory McIlroy – as well as claiming a winner’s cheque of over $A2 million.

But he is mindful that the famed Blue Monster course has not been kind to him in the past, with a best finish of tied 20th in 2012.

Last year he was fresh off his drought-breaking win in the World Golf Championships Match Play Championship but was forced to withdraw from Doral with the thumb injury that would plague his entire season.

Day said he would have to play smart on the revamped course.

“It is going to be a grinding week. It is a very tough course and, with the wind up, it will be really difficult,” Day said.

“I am hopeful the recent changes to the course will help the way I look at this place but I have also realised attitude is a big issue for me here.

“I need to make sure I stay in the grind and know that anything under par here you are beating the course.

“I have to be cautious and pick the right risks.”

He sees the week as a big opportunity, with the world’s best players present and big ranking points on offer.

“Winning Torrey was great and an awesome way to get the year started but winning a tournament like this, with the calibre of player, could really propel me into the majors,” Day told AAP.

“I want to keep it going, I want to win more tournaments. When you want to be number one you have to win.

“I want to be a guy who wins consistently and wins on the biggest stages and as such I am focused on right now and this week.”

World No.5 Adam Scott will make his debut for 2015 after the recent birth of his first daughter, paired with countryman Day and world No.6 Jim Furyk in the opening two rounds.

Fellow Australians John Senden and Geoff Ogilvy join the field courtesy of making last season’s Tour Championship while Greg Chalmers and Steven Jeffress will also tee up after finishing at the top of the 2014 Australasian Tour Order of Merit.

Two Sydney boys’ path to the Indonesian firing squad

Posted on by admin

One was dubbed “The Godfather”.

南宁桑拿

The other, “The Enforcer”. Whether those tags ever fit Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran is debatable. When they were arrested for their parts in the Bali Nine heroin smuggling effort in 2005, they at least looked the part. 

Chan, then 21, had a shaved head, gold earrings, tattoos and a smug veneer. Sukumaran, 24, loomed a head above him – silent and defiant. Surveillance police initially thought he was Chan’s bodyguard. 

Somewhere in the years after leaving Homebush Boys High School, they drifted away from their supportive working class inner-west families and into Sydney’s underbelly. Chan was the self-confessed black sheep of his Cantonese-speaking family. But he was known as a hard worker at Eurest, the catering company for the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Sukumaran was a university drop-out, the eldest of three children. He wanted to be the guy at the nightclubs who bought the drinks, and had fast cars and hot women, but it seemed impossible in his job in a mailroom.

To their church-going families it was a total shock when they learned their sons were arrested in Bali over an attempt to smuggle 8.3kg of heroin, worth around $4 million. Following an Australian Federal Police tip, Chan was pulled off a Sydney-bound plane around the same time as four others were caught in Denpasar’s departure hall with heroin strapped to their bodies. 

The mules – Renae Lawrence, Martin Stephens, Scott Rush and Michael Czugaj – claimed Chan had threatened to kill them and their families if they ran.

“He said he knew everything about us,” Rush said at trial. “He even said he was carrying a gun.”

Sukumaran was arrested at the Melasti Hotel in Kuta with around 300g of heroin, along with the other three – Matthew Norman, Si Yi Chen and Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen. He earned the worst reputation at trial, criticised by the judges for not co-operating and at one stage claiming he had “amnesia”.

But the mules had fingered him as being one of the ringleaders who, along with Chan, had taped the drugs to their bodies. In 2006, Sukumaran and Chan became the first Australians sentenced to death in Indonesia. 

The sentence was upheld on appeal and again in a 2011 supreme court review. A bid for a second judicial review was knocked back in February 2015. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was considered the pair’s best chance of winning clemency – friend to Australia as he claimed to be – but he left office without granting their application.

Incoming President Joko Widodo then signed their death warrants, denying them mercy and putting them on track to the firing squad. The footage of the pair most often replayed shows them handcuffed together before their sentencing. 

Both clad in black pants and white shirts, a menacing Sukumaran barrels through the media pack, lashing out at photographers. A grimacing Chan is towed along. By 2010, when SBS program Dateline visited them in Kerobokan jail, the defiance had vanished.

Chan joked that he was the only “Godfather” who lived at home and drove a 1999 Hyundai S-coupe.

“The Enforcer” was bemused that he’d become a “martial arts expert” in the media when he’d only done three months of training. By that stage, they admitted their criminality and stupidity. They were showing they had changed.

Sukumaran was studying for a degree in fine arts and had become an accomplished painter. The studio he lobbied for is used for the therapy and training of other inmates. Chan’s more outgoing personality found a home in the prison chapel and kitchen, where he mentored others and gave cooking classes to boost prisoners’ life skills.

Everyone who knew them attested to their transformation. For those who know them, the irony is not lost that Indonesia’s justice system now wants to kill two of its finest examples of rehabilitation.