Where to live for better health

DID you know you can prevent health problems by simply changing location? 
 
Some medical conditions are better suited to certain geographic regions than others. We take a look at seven health concerns and the best places to avoid them.

Migraines
Triggers: A range of things can bring on a migraine, including stress, smoke, loud noises, sunlight, toxins and extreme weather conditions (such as changes in barometric pressure from storm fronts or extreme cold or humidity). "A lot of migraine triggers are very specific to the person," says Dr Ronald McCoy, spokesperson for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). Talk to your GP about what sets you off.

Move to: any location where your triggers are less common. Unsure? Try shadier, quieter, less polluted areas with more moderate weather patterns.

Appendicitis
Triggers: A Canadian study found that exposure to air pollution might increase your risk of developing appendicitis, as pollutants can cause inflammation. The condition was worse during summer (when people are more likely to be outdoors), and mostly affected men.
Move to: anywhere with lovely, fresh air. Avoid smoggy urban or industrial areas and if you do live there, stay indoors on bad days.

Mosquito-borne diseases
Triggers: Debilitating diseases like Dengue fever and Ross river fever are more prevalent in hot, tropical climates and northern parts of Australia. Mosquitoes also proliferate when wind speed is low and there are pools of water available for breeding. Heavy rainfall or flooding can also cause an outbreak in non-tropical areas.

Move to: a cooler, dryer, less humid area where mosquitoes don't thrive (generally, any state south of Queensland). Avoid mossies during wet weather by staying indoors at dawn and dusk, covering up and steering clear of swamps and ponds.

Arthritis and musculoskeletal problems
Triggers: Some research shows that rheumatoid arthritis symptoms may worsen in colder and/or more humid climates. Others show that environmental exposure to things like pollution, hairspray, cosmetics and airports may trigger autoimmune diseases.

Move to: warm, fresh, less populated areas away from airports, major roads and highways. "Often aches and pains are less of a problem in warmer climates," says Dr McCoy. "That's why when people retire they often got to a climate they find easier to deal with."

Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Triggers: A new Australian study found that greater sun exposure and higher levels of vitamin D may protect against multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic disease of the brain and spinal cord.
Move to: sun-drenched regions where you can't help but manufacture vitamin D. During extended wet periods, boost your D through diet and supplements.

Pneumonia
Triggers: A Canadian university researcher found that prolonged exposure to high pollutant levels from things like car exhaust fumes and industrial air pollution can lead to hospitalisation for pneumonia, especially in older people.
Move to: less polluted regions away from busy roads and industrial areas. Boost your immune system with a healthy diet and exercise.

Stroke
Triggers: We know that the most common risk factor for stroke is high blood pressure (hypertension), which can be exacerbated by obesity, diabetes and stress, but you may not know that getting treatment within 60 minutes of a stroke can prevent disability and lead to better health outcomes.
Move to: an area where you have access to fresh fruit and vegetables, opportunities for exercise (such as parks and gyms) and good hospitals and medical help.

Source : Where to live for better health

The world's happiest country - Gallup Inc Poll

THE world's happiest people aren't in Qatar, the richest country by most measures. 
 
They aren't in Japan, the nation with the highest life expectancy. Canada, with its chart-topping percentage of college graduates, doesn't make the top 10.

A Gallup Inc poll released of nearly 150,000 people around the world says seven of the world's 10 countries with the most upbeat attitudes are in Latin America.

Many of the seven do poorly in traditional measures of well-being, like Guatemala, a country torn by decades of civil war followed by waves of gang-driven criminality that give it one of the highest homicide rates in the world. Guatemala sits just above Iraq on the United Nations' Human Development Index, a composite of life expectancy, education and per capita income. But it ranks seventh in positive emotions.

"In Guatemala, it's a culture of friendly people who are always smiling,'' said Luz Castillo, a 30-year-old surfing instructor. "Despite all the problems that we're facing, we're surrounded by natural beauty that lets us get away from it all.''

Source : The world's happiest country - Gallup Inc Poll

Man discovers wife's affair, moves into a tree

A MAN in India has been living in a tree for nine months since finding his wife in bed with a neighbour. 
 
The husband, known only as Sanjay, was shocked to discover the lovers together when he returned home from work in March.

After his wife, Tara, then walked out to live with her parents, Sanjay, 25, climbed a guava tree in the village where his family live.

He has stayed there since and says he will climb down when his wife says sorry and returns to him.
"Whenever we try to bring him down, he threatens to commit suicide," said his mother.
The police have not yet been informed. His sister said: "As long as he is safe there, we are happy for him."
The family have brought him food to eat since guavas went out of season.

Source : Man discovers wife's affair, moves into a tree

Top 10 Tech Innovations of 2012

1. GOOGLE GLASSES
Created under the moniker Project Glass, Google's wearable technology was finally seen in the real world in April on the face of Google co-founder Sergey Brin

2. MINIATURE TABLETS
Small tablets became big business this year, starting with a little something from Google and finishing with a handbag-friendly number from Apple

3. LYTRO CAMERA
It's the camera that lets photographers change a photo's focus after it's been captured and it arrived in Australia this year. The Lytro camera, created by Australian Ren Ng, makes sophisticated technology easy to use, as it contains a series of tiny lenses that capture light from all angles

4. PHONES GO LARGE
Big phones are now big business. The tech trend started last year but went mainstream in 2012. From the HTC One X, with its 4.7-inch display, to Motorola's new 4.7-inch RAZR HD, smartphones edged closer to tablet size. Even Apple joined the trend, upping the iPhone's screen to 4 inches, and Nokia produced its first 4.5-inch screen on the Lumia 920. Samsung retained its crown as size leader, however, with the Galaxy Note II boasting a 5.5-inch screen.

5. 4G SPREADS
Not only did many more smartphones and mobile modems start supporting 4G this year, but Telstra and Optus delivered Long-Term Evolution (LTE) networks to more areas. Telstra's 4G coverage now extends more than 5km outside Australian CBDs and will reach 66 per cent of the population by mid-2013.

6. MACS SEE RETINA
Laptops chips, drives and lids get the most upgrades, but Apple this year focused on the screen. Unveiled in June, the 15-inch MacBook Pro became the first Apple Mac to receive a Retina screen, so-named because users are unable to see individual pixels up close. The screen features more than five million pixels, giving it a resolution sharper than a TV. The technology has since been passed on to the smaller 13-inch MacBook Pro.

7. MUSIC-STREAMING SERVICES
Music no longer has to be stockpiled. From 2012, it can just as easily be streamed. Subscription music service Rdio kicked off the trend with a quiet launch in January, though it was joined by Rara just days later, and by big-name service Spotify in May. Telstra's MOG, Sony's Music Unlimited, Nokia Music and Microsoft's Xbox Music are also dancing to the same tune now, all for a monthly subscription fee.

8. CONNECTED CAMERAS

Cameras finally dropped their pretensions and joined the internet revolution this year. Some fully embraced the trend, including Samsung's Galaxy Camera that offers the latest Google Android software and, for the first time, a built-in 3G connection for instant sharing. Similarly, the Nikon Coolpix S800c features a wi-fi connection and Android apps. Other cameras simply offered an optional wi-fi connection, including the Canon 5D Mk III, while internet-ready memory cards upgraded the rest.

 9. INSTAGRAM BOOM

The future will be documented in vintage photographs, thanks to Instagram. This photo app, launched in 2010, boomed in more ways than one. It launched on the Google Android system, announced it had attracted 30 million users and was bought by Facebook in a $1 billion deal in April. Rather than turning users off, the announcement only boosted its popularity. More than 100 million photographs had been cut into squares, filtered and shared by July and that figure jumped to 150 million by August.

 10. OLED TELEVISION SCREENS

Unveiled in January and seen at tradeshows ever since, organic light-emitting diode televisions represent a giant leap in TV technology. The OLED screens offer significantly brighter pictures, higher contrast, smaller screen borders and significantly thinner forms. Samsung's 55-inch screen was just 4mm thin, while LG's was just 9mm. Neither TV arrived in large numbers before the end of the year, however, making this one to watch in more ways than one.

 Source : Top 10 Tech Innovations of 2012

How soon could U.S jobless rate reach 6.5%?

The Federal Reserve says it will keep interest rates near zero until unemployment reaches 6.5%, but some economists say the central bank may have to consider changing its policy sooner than it thinks.

The Fed's economic forecast suggests that the U.S. jobless rate won't hit its new target until mid-2015, which most economists think is close to the mark.

That's 30 months out. The unemployment rate now is 7.7%, so the Fed's target rate is 1.2 percentage points away. That's how much the rate has fallen in 14 months, from September 2011, when it was 9%.

If the unemployment rate takes 30 months to reach 6.5%, that would be more than twice as long as it's taken for the rate to fall by the same amount, points out Dean Maki, U.S. economist at Barclays.

If the Fed's economic forecast proves right, it will be because many of the 4 million-plus people who have left the labor force since 2007 begin looking for work again, says Maki.

Source :  How soon could jobless rate reach 6.5%?

23 keys to build healthy financial habits

While you're assessing career, relationships and parenting these holidays, don't forget to add improving your financial decision-making to the list.

Money doesn't buy happiness but it can certainly help. And the key is building healthy financial habits.
Have a look through some of our top thought-starters to help create a new financial you.

1. Create a financial plan and spend some time each week reviewing it to make it happen. With every transaction, top of mind should be "how does this fit in with my financial goals?"

2. Take five minutes to review your main accounts each day. Ensure all charges are accurate and review any purchases you may regret later.

3. Every week, review all transactions to maintain goals.
 
4. Review accounts monthly to make sure all bills are paid on time. If the funds aren't there, alert the institution to an expected payment date or work out a payment plan.

5. When creating an annual financial plan, create quarterly milestones. For example, if the plan is to pay off $10,000 from the mortgage in 12 months then by month three, you should have $2500 paid off. If not, readjust the plan, move the goal or play catch-up.

6. Set your finances on autopilot. Set up every recurring expense using BPay or via direct debit.

7. Create a goal statement: My intention is to ... in order to achieve financial freedom.

8. Save 10 per cent of income for savings and retirement.

9. Cut non-mortgage debt to less than 15 per cent of income.

10. Read or watch the financial media to keep abreast of emerging financial issues.

11. Be mindful of emotional impulse spending.

12. Spend more time with those who are where you want to be financially. It helps you compare how you operate while helping you make changes along the way.

13. Every day, daydream and feel what it will be like when you reach your financial goals: debt free, 6-12 months of emergency fund savings ... whatever it is, dream about it, talk about it, write about it and make it happen.

14. Give back. This can be with your time or money. Give back to others less fortunate than you to maintain a good sense of priorities.

15. Declutter your finances. What are some things that you're paying for (magazine subscriptions, extra trips to the make-up counter, techie impulse buys) that leech money?

16. Don't stress about the past. Leave financial regrets behind. Commit to learning from mistakes to avoid making them again.

17. Don't compare yourself to others who are in a better position. They had to work to get where they are and if you take anything from their situation, it should be you can one day be financially free yourself.

18. Make some hard decisions about spending. The more insight you have, the better decisions you'll make.

19. Find ways to earn more money. Develop multiple streams of income. Things like a part-time job or a home-based business.

20. Sell anything you haven't touched in six to eight months and use the proceeds to pay down debt or plug into savings.

21. Discuss your financial plans for the coming year with your partner or spouse. Make sure you are both onboard with goals and how you will address setbacks.

22. Give children gifts that will last long past the next birthday. Create, or add money, to an education fund.

23. Consolidate your super funds

Source : 23 tips to get your finances in order

Neither side can win: Syria Vice president

SYRIAN Vice President Faruq al-Sharaa says neither his government nor the rebels fighting to overthrow it can win a decisive victory in the 21-month conflict. 
 
His comments came as the regime launched air strikes for the first time against a Palestinian refugee camp in Damascus, drawing condemnation from both Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and the Hamas rulers of Gaza.

"No opposition can end the battle militarily, just as the security forces and army cannot achieve a decisive conclusion," Sharaa told the pro-Damascus Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar on Sunday.

"Every day that passes, we are moving further away from a military or political solution, " said Shara, who is the most prominent Sunni Muslim in the Alawite minority-dominated regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

"We must position ourselves to defend Syria's existence. We are not in a battle for an individual or a regime.
"The various opposition forces, whether armed or civilian, or linked to foreign powers, cannot claim they are the sole legitimate representatives of the Syrian people," he added, referring to the decision of Arab and Western governments last week to recognise the armed opposition.

Full Story: Neither side can win: Syria Vice president

3 Secrets to Celebrate Christmas Without Stress

CHRISTMAS isn't always fun. Depending on the year you've had, the relationship with your family and how much money is in the bank, lots of us find it easy to feel stressed out and overwrought at this time of year.  [Lucy Kippist news.com.au]

According to what Dr John Demartini a Human Behavioural Expert shared,  below are secrets to avoiding the most stressful parts of the festive season.


Ignore the pressure to buy lots of presents

Be realistic to yourself about how much you want to spend this year and also, how much you can really afford. Don’t exaggerate what is not within your means. Figure out a budget and then make a list of the people that you want to buy for and then divvy it up

 

 

Keep some time for yourself

 

Schedule some time in for yourself over the Christmas break and try not to say yes to everything. Also, be specific about your availability. There is nothing wrong with telling people ahead of time that you’re planning to drop by and only stay for an hour, or even less. Fill your day with inspiring stuff, don’t just commit to other people’s plans. You’ll enjoy the season a lot more

 

Avoid awkward conversations

 

Come up with a witty remark or two, so that you can greet the question without feeling pressured to open up. You can also list the benefits or the positives of this area of your life and the year you’ve had.

For example, you might not have a partner this Christmas but it has freed you up for seeing lots of friends and given you greater flexibility with your plans,” he said.

Christmas isn’t always a happy time for everyone, particularly if you have lost a loved one during the year. And while you can never replace that person, and you will always feel a gap where they have been, it’s important to remember them in a positive way.

 

Demartini suggests giving yourself time to think about the parts of that person that you really miss and the types of things that they brought to your Christmas celebration. Then try and bring those things to the event yourself, or just talk about them.

“You can also spend a bit of time thinking about what you’d like to say to them if they were still here and have a quiet conversation with them in your heart and your head. It’s like sending them a Christmas wish.”

*****MERRY CHRISTMAS****** 

 

Dad dies dancing Gangnam Style in UK

A FATHER-OF-THREE has died in front of his wife after dancing to Gangnam Style at his office Christmas party in the UK. 
 
Eamonn Kilbride, 46, was performing the energetic dance by Korean popstar PSY at the Thwaites Brewery party in Blackburn, Lancashire when he suddenly fell to the ground.
His wife Julie, who was there celebrating her birthday, tried to perform CPR but to no avail. He died of acute heart failure.

Mrs Kilbride told The Sun newspaper that her husband was "a great family man" who she had been married to for 23 years.

“I want people to know how he would help anybody whether it was a life-long friend, or someone he had just met," she said. “Eamonn was always the life of the party and loved dancing.

“We were having a fantastic time at the Christmas party and Eamonn had just finished dancing to Gangnam Style. He was up on stage and entertaining everybody.

“He said he had a bit of a pain and just collapsed," she said. “I tried to revive him until the ambulance got there, but by the time he got to the hospital he was gone.”

Mr Kilbride had three children, Laurajade, 22, Jack, 21, and Conor, 18, who are all at university.

Source: British father dies after dancing to Gangnam Style at Christmas party

Justin Bieber targeted in murder-for-hire plot

Two New Mexico men arrested in a murder-for-hire plot were planning to strangle and castrate pop star Justin Bieber and his bodyguard, according to KRQE-TV.

Mark Staake, 41, and his 23-year-old nephew Tanner Ruane were arrested late last month in Vermont. They were accused of plotting to kidnap and kill four people on behalf of Dana Martin, who is serving two life sentences for the 2000 rape and murder of a Vermont girl in 200. Staake met Martin in Las Cruces state prison.

Tuesday, KRQE, citing investigators, said the Canadian performer and his bodyguard were two of the targets.

Investigators told the station Staake and Ruane allegedly planned to first travel from New Mexico to Vermont and kill two witnesses to Martin's crime, then hit Bieber.
The plot allegedly was planned for when Bieber performed sold-out concerts at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Nov. 27 and 28. Police said the 45-year-old Martin was obsessed with Bieber and has a tattoo of him on one of his legs.

Police said Martin directed the would-be hit men to strangle Bieber and the others with a paisley tie, Martin's "calling card," KRQE said. But he apparently changed his mind and ratted out Staake and Ruane before they could act.

Staake was arrested in Vermont on outstanding warrants, but police let Ruane go. Police recorded phone calls Ruane made to Martin from New York, telling him "disappointed he couldn't carry out the murders," KRQE writes.

New York police arrested Ruane, who had pruning shears and what the CBS affiliate describes as "murder tools."

Source :  Justin Bieber targeted in murder-for-hire plot

Impersonation of Serena Williams was 'racist'

CAROLINE Wozniacki has shocked fans by performing what is being called a "racist" impersonation of Serena Williams. 
 
During an exhibition match against Maria Sharapova in Brazil, Wozniacki stuffed her chest and skirt with padding and pranced out onto the court, inciting laughter from the crowd.
She said at a press conference later that day that she was poking fun at her friend and fellow tennis player, Grand Slam champion Serena Williams.

"I really love the crowd here, they're open and they have a lot of fun," Wozniaki, 22, told reporters.
While some members of the crowd lapped up the performance, others are calling the Dane's performance a "racist" attack.

One blogger on Tumblr posted: "...this isn’t 'harmless fun' as one article described it. its racist. out and outright racism. mocking and making fun of the bodies of black women for a laugh? real funny, stupid white girl. real real funny."

Full Story :  Impersonation of Serena Williams was 'racist'

NORTH KOREA LAUNCHES ROCKET OVER JAPAN

NORTH Korea has carried out a widely criticised rocket launch, seen by many in the international community as a disguised ballistic missile test, just days before the first anniversary of the death of Kim Jong-il. 
 
North Korea confirmed that it had launched a long-range rocket, saying it had succeeded in its mission of placing a satellite in orbit, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
"The launch of the second version of our Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite from the Sohae Space Centre... on December 12 was successful,'' KCNA said "The satellite has entered the orbit as planned,'' it added.

The New York Times said the launch demonstrated that new leader Kim Jong-un was pressing ahead to master the technology needed to deliver a nuclear warhead on intercontinental ballistic missiles,

Source :  NORTH KOREA LAUNCHES ROCKET OVER JAPAN

Obama says U.S. will recognize Syrian opposition

WASHINGTON — President Obama announced on Tuesday that he was recognizing the new Syrian opposition council as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people, tightening U.S. ties to the group as Syrian President Bashar Assad's grip on power appears to be slipping.

Obama, who announced the move in an interview with ABC News, made the decision ahead of an international conference on the crisis scheduled to start on Wednesday in Morocco.

"We have made the decision that the Syrian opposition coalition is now inclusive enough, is reflective and representative enough of the Syrian population that we consider them the legitimate representatives of the Syrian people in opposition to the Assad regime," Obama said.

Source :  Obama says U.S. will recognize Syrian opposition

Water-babies: Nine-month-old twins swim backstroke

THEY are too young to walk, talk or even crawl, but tiny twins William and Ellenita Trykush can swim a length of a 25-metre pool at just nine months old.
 
The water babies love gliding up and down on their backs, kicking their legs to propel them along.
And as the video above shows, they even smile while they're swimming. Their achievements are even more astonishing given that they were born by emergency caesarean six weeks early.

The twins' extraordinary talent emerged during a family holiday to Cyprus in October when they began to swim under water, unaided and without armbands.
On their return to Cirencester, Gloucestershire, UK, their mother Charlotte, 35, took them to the local baby pool where they both suddenly set off on their backs.

"First they did five metres, then a width at seven metres, and then a length of 12 metres," said French-born Mrs Trykush, a former swimming coach. "There was hardly anyone in the adult pool, so I suggested to their teacher that we try the big pool. They did an entire length with me swimming underneath them on my back to make sure they were all right."

Mrs Trykush and her husband Victor, 49, are both youth workers. Mr Trykush now has half an eye on the Olympics for his talented son and daughter. He said: "We won't push them but it would be amazing to see them at the 2028 Games."

 

  

 Water-babies: Nine-month-old twins swim backstroke

Australian Police warn: Don't use Apple maps, it's dangerous

POLICE are warning motorists not to rely on Apple's new mapping system on its popular iPhones after a number of motorists were directed into life-threatening situations. 
 
iPhone users who have upgraded to the system’s new iOS 6 operating system are at risk of ending up off the beaten track, police have warned.

The alert follows revelations that the mapping system lists Mildura in the middle of the Murray Sunset National Park, about 70km away from the actual location of Mildura.
Local police have been called to assist distressed motorists who have become stranded within the Murray-Sunset National Park after following directions on their Apple iPhone.

Police are extremely concerned as there is no water supply within the park and temperatures can reach as high as 46 degrees, putting lives at risk.

Some of the motorists located by police have been stranded for up to 24 hours without food or water and have walked long distances through dangerous terrain to get phone reception.
Police have contacted Apple in relation to the issue and hope the matter is rectified promptly to ensure the safety of motorists travelling to Mildura.

Anyone travelling to Mildura or other locations within Victoria should rely on other forms of mapping until this matter is rectified, police warned.

Have you been given bad directions? Write your comment

 

 Australian Police warn: Don't use Apple maps, it's dangerous

 

Japan on alert as window opens for NKorea

JAPAN says it's on full alert over North Korea's planned rocket launch despite a suggestion from Pyongyang that it could delay the much-criticised move. 
 
North Korea says the launch, originally scheduled for December 10-22, could be changed "for some reasons", giving no further details.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency, citing a government official in Seoul, said on Sunday the North had stopped all preparations at the launch site in the country's northwest.
Japan has deployed missile defence systems to intercept and destroy the rocket if it looks set to fall on its territory.

"We are taking all possible measures for vigilance," Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda told reporters as he entered his office on Monday before the launch window opened at 7am (0900 AEDT).
Defence Minister Satoshi Morimoto says Tokyo will keep a close eye on developments despite the comments from North Korea.

"We don't think enough changes are occurring to change our posture," he said.
"We will maintain our current posture unless North Korea issues a formal notice or announcement" on the delay, he said.

Source: Japan on alert as window opens for NKorea

Mexican-American singer killed in crash

THE wreckage of a plane carrying Mexican-American singer Jenni Rivera has been found in northern Mexico and there are no survivors. 
 
The Lear Jet was flying on Sunday from south from Monterrey to Toluca, in the centre of the country and was carrying six other people besides the singer, said Antonio Gonzalez, mayor of the town of Iturbide, near the crash site.

Radio contact with the plane was lost shortly after take-off.
Rivera, 43, was a Californian of Mexican origin, best known for her music in genres known as Banda and Norteno. Her records have sold 15 million copies.

Her Facebook page has more than 2.4 million 'likes'. On YouTube, one of her videos has been seen nearly five million times.
Rivera also has won several Billboard Latin Music awards.

Source: Mexican-American singer killed in crash

PSY apologizes for viral anti-American lyrics

(CNN) -- Is this the end of "Gangnam Style" mania?

Korean pop star PSY -- who rose to fame through his YouTube record-breaking video "Gangnam Style" -- apologized Friday for anti-American lyrics he rapped back in 2004.

That performance resurfaced on CNN's iReport and then circulated widely online. It included lyrics calling for the death of American troops serving in Iraq, not long after news of the brutal slaying of a South Korean hostage by Iraqi insurgents -- an incident which sparked anti-American sentiment in South Korea.

In his apology, PSY said his performance had been emotionally charged and was a response to events in the war in Iraq.

"I understand the sacrifices American servicemen and women have made to protect freedom and democracy in my country and around the world," he said in a statement.

He said the song "was part of a deeply emotional reaction to the war in Iraq and the killing of two Korean schoolgirls that was part of the overall anti-war sentiment shared by others around the world at that time."

The girls were struck and killed by a U.S. military vehicle.

PSY continued: "While I'm grateful for the freedom to express one's self, I've learned there are limits to what language is appropriate and I'm deeply sorry for how these lyrics could be interpreted. I will forever be sorry for any pain I have caused by those words.

"While it's important that we express our opinions, I deeply regret the inflammatory and inappropriate language I used to do so."

Full Story :  PSY apologizes for viral anti-American lyrics

WARNING - CFA firefighters in Victoria could run out of diesel

A DIESEL shortage has hit Victoria prompting concerns the CFA could be hindered in the fight against fires over the summer months. 
 
Shell's Geelong refinery, one of only two in Victoria, has had production problems since last Tuesday, reducing the state's diesel supply by 50 per cent.

A CFA spokeswoman yesterday said it had enough diesel to fill its tanks and trucks over the weekend but was unable to say what would happen if the shortage continued.
"Plans are in place to manage fuel," the spokeswoman said.

Shell spokesman Paul Zennaro said it had had production issues at the Geelong refinery but that it had quarantined diesel supplies for emergency services.

He apologised for any inconveniences.



Full Story :  WARNING - CFA firefighters could run out of diesel

Man 'leaves pit bull (Dog) to watch over his 10-month-old baby'

DOGS can do many things, but have you ever heard of a pit bull terrier being left to babysit a 10-month-old. 
 
James R Irvine, 41, of Palm Coast, Florida, has been charged with child neglect after he allegedly left his son home alone with the dog, Orlando WESH reported.

Stray dogs learn to drive vehicles

Flagler County Sheriff's Office deputies allege that Irvine went out for a drink. The baby's mother, whose name has not been released, told authorities that she was at work on Friday night (in the US) and had left Irvine, her boyfriend, to care for their child, NBC Miami reported.

The baby's mother has told police that she called Irvine several times before 11pm. When he finally answered, he allegedly said he was "watching the game" before hanging up on her, according to a sheriff's report obtained by the Daytona Beach News-Journal.

The woman came home to find Irvine urinating on himself while attempting to get in through the garage. She told police that Irvine admitted he had been out drinking, but claimed he hadn't really left their son alone because the "pit bull was watching the baby."
The mother reportedly found her child crying alone in a room with the door shut. The dog was reportedly sitting outside.

The woman contacted police and Irvine was arrested about 12:30am on Saturday.
Police said Irvine claimed he had been home all Friday evening but a bartender at a local bar, however, told officers that she saw Irvine at around 9:30pm that night, the sheriff's report states. She also noted that he did not pay his tab.
Irvine was taken into custody. He was released on $1500 bail.

Source :   Man 'leaves pit bull (Dog) to watch over his baby'