Kate Hudson slips into Sydney with British rock band Muse - The Daily Telegraph

MUST CREDIT INF DAILY TELEGRAPH SYDCON ONLY jmopics December 13, 2013: Kate Hudson and her son Bing arrive back to their hotel in Sydney, Australia. Mandatory Credit: INFphoto.com Ref: inffausy-12/29 Source: Supplied

KATE HUDSON slipped quietly into Sydney with British rock band Muse yesterday.

Hudson and two-year-old son Bing, her child with Matthew Bellamy, the band's frontman, were spotted shopping in Sydney - the actress, in maxi dress and sandals, spending an hour at Camilla Franks' Paddington store before slipping back to her hotel to give Bing a rest.

Kate Hudson and her son Bing arrive back to their hotel in Sydney, Australia. Picture: INFphoto.com Source: Supplied

The family spent the first half of the week on the Gold Coast. Hudson called the Gold Coast home briefly in 2008 while shooting Fool's Gold with Matthew McConaughey. Muse performed at Allphones Arena last night to a capacity crowd.

Sydney carjacking ends in flaming wreck - ABC Online

Posted December 13, 2013 23:00:35

Police are waiting to question a man after an alleged carjacking in Sydney's north-west ended with the car crashing and bursting into flames.

About 2:00pm (AEDT) a woman was allegedly assaulted and had her car stolen in Richmond.

Police started chasing the car in Richmond but then stopped.

A short time later, the police saw the vehicle again and the chase resumed.

The man allegedly tried to ram police cars before losing control of the car, hitting a pole and bursting into flames.

A number of police suffered smoke inhalation when they rescued the man from the car.

One officer was taken to hospital.

The driver has been arrested and taken to Westmead Hospital for treatment.

Topics: law-crime-and-justice, crime, sydney-2000, nsw

ADP: 'I'm happy in Sydney' - Fox Sports

ITALIAN superstar Alessandro Del Piero denied rumours Friday that he was unhappy at Sydney FC and wanted out, insisting he had no plans to leave.

The former Juventus great, the biggest signing in Australia's domestic league history, has played a major role in increasing attendances, television audiences and media interest in the domestic A-League.

Now in his second season at Sydney, he denied he was looking to move in the upcoming January transfer window.

"I'm happy here,'' the 39-year-old World Cup winner told reporters.

"I'm focused about this season with Sydney and I don't have other thoughts about other teams at the moment.

``For me the future is here until the end of the season, and this for me is only rumours.''

Reports have suggested tension at the club, which has apparently had trouble convincing Del Piero to attend events that are standard for other A-League footballers, such as school clinics, community visits and sponsor events.

Speculation has been growing that the 39 year-old was unhappy at the club and would look at terminating his deal midway through his second year.

But Sydney FC chief executive Tony Pignata has denied claims that the former Juventus star was unhappy and looking for an out as soon as the January transfer window opens.

"I can categorically say (the rumours) are not true. Alessandro will be here in January and he'll be here for the rest of the season," Pignata told Fairfax Media on Thursday.

Del Piero has scored three goals in seven appearances and has missed two matches due to hamstring and calf soreness but will return to face the Heart.

He will be joined by another veteran, former Socceroo Brett Emerton, who has been named to return after being sidelined with a leg injury for the past two weeks.

Sydney wife killer jailed for 21 years - NEWS.com.au

BEFORE stabbing his wife to death, Andrzej Giercyznski had humiliated her, abused her and treated her as a servant for his "exclusive use" for more than 28 years.

Now Giercyznski has been jailed for more than 21 years.

Giercyznski stabbed his wife Danuta 16 times in the head, neck and chest in their Chipping Norton kitchen in Sydney's west in October 2010.

The Polish couple's marriage had been marred by violence, Justice Christine Adamson said.

Tyrannical and "obsessed with his own sexual fulfillment", Giercyznski threw food at Danuta, blamed her if he lost at gambling and continuously accused her of cheating on him, despite having affairs himself.

"He regarded Danuta as a chattel and a servant for his exclusive use," Justice Adamson told the Supreme Court on Friday.

"The offender commandeered Danuta's income as well as her body. He not only used force to control her, but he also humiliated her to subjugate her."

Throughout Gierczynski's trial the jury was shown bizarre videos that had been recorded and secreted around the home by the former carpet cleaner.

In one recording Danuta is depicted coming towards him with two knives.

Justice Adamson found Giercyznski antagonised his wife in the recordings as a contingency for the day he would be charged with hurting her.

Justice Adamson said Danuta must have spent her last minutes in terror, pain, despair and anxiety for herself, and for the couple's disabled adult son Daniel, who was wounded in the stabbing.

"Although his level of planning was not substantial, the apprehension that she would die at his hands had hung over her for almost the entire length of their relationship."

The court heard Giercyznski had been imprisoned in Poland in the 1970s for beating his first wife and threatening to kill her.

The 61-year-old was found guilty in July of Danuta's murder, for which he was sentenced to a minimum of 21 years and four months and a maximum 28 years. For wounding Daniel, he was sentenced to a maximum of three years.

He will be eligible for parole in August 2032.

Lion King storms back in to Sydney - The Australian

Nick Afoa as Simba in The Lion King. Picture: Bob Barker. Source: News Limited

THERE is no better opening in musical theatre: a large claim, but nevertheless true.

A majestic, full-throated chant rings out to signal the entry of the animals. From the wings and through the auditorium come lofty giraffes, a prowling cheetah, leaping antelopes, whirling birds and an elephant with its baby. The song is taken up in stirring call-and-response form and the eyes and ears are saturated with the colours of mother Africa. In Sydney's Capitol the scene is made even lovelier by the backdrop of statuary and ornate architectural detail in the auditorium as images of nature are set against those of high culture.

Since its opening in 1997 The Lion King has been justly loved for its spectacular and inventive uses of puppetry, dance and African-inflected music. It is cemented as one Broadway's most popular shows and exists in 10 productions around the world. Well, it is truer to say it exists in nine reproductions of the original. This is the way of hit Broadway shows. They are restaged around the world to a well-tested formula and The Lion King has more reason to stay exactly the same than most others.

Its story is a simple fable of growth to maturity through adversity and of acceptance of life's inexorable pattern of bloom, decay and rebirth, expressed with wondrous theatricality. In the mix are pop songs from Elton John and Tim Rice (the latter in Thursday's opening night audience), lively if occasionally naff choreography from Garth Fagan and welcome humour from a trio of hyenas and a warthog-meerkat double act who leaven the solemnity.

All this is a well-known quantity. The variables are in the performance, and as seen on Thursday they are variable. Not less than adequate, of course, this being a Disney production, but not all the cast members are forceful enough to compete with the show's visual splendour or banish its longueurs. There is however a fine musical theatre debut as the adult Simba from New Zealander Nick Afoa, who moves with the exuberant grace of youth and is a promising singer. Russell Dykstra (warthog Pumbaa) and Jamie McGregor (meerkat Timon) deliver the knockabout comedy goods and Buyi Zama (Rafiki) is in glowing voice as Rafiki.

Some dialogue scenes need a rocket under them and in Act I children are required to carry more of the show than is reasonable to expect. But this was evident first time around and clearly the producers don't intend to meddle too much with success. Overwhelmingly, the conception and design are king. Director Julie Taymor, who also designed the costumes and co-designed masks and puppets, may have had a recent blow with the tumult of her latest musical Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark, but she will always have The Lion King.

The Lion King

Capitol Theatre, Sydney, December 12

Tickets: $50-$150. Bookings: 1300 558 878. Duration: Two and a half hours, including interval. Until June 8.

Henri Lloyd wins Sydney leg of Clipper Round the World Yacht race - Sydney Morning Herald

Sport Sailing

Britsh boat Henri Lloyd has claimed first place in the tightly-fought Sydney leg of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

After battling more than 3200 kilometres from Albany, Western Australia the 70-footer narrowly beat OneDLL and Chinese boat Qingdao into the Heads early on Friday morning, before crossing the finish line at 3.15am.

Canadian skipper Eric Holden and his crew celebrated their first stage victory with champagne at Rushcutters Bay.

“This win has been a long time coming; we've been the bridesmaid for the last couple of races so it's nice to do one better and win race 5 into Sydney,” he said.

The remainder of the 12-strong fleet will arrive into the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia over the next two days.

The boats are then taking part in the Rolex Sydney Hobart yacht race that begins in December 26.

Clipper Ventures was founded by English sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, who became the first man to sail solo, non-stop around the world in 1968. Sir Robin will also race in the Sydney Hobart.

The Clipper boats take on amateur crew from around the world, including 67 Australians. The 2013-14 edition of the race takes 11 months to visit six continents and will finish back where it started in London in July next year.

Sydney shooting 'out of a western': police - Ninemsn

Police say the gunfight, in which no-one was injured, occurred between two groups of men on Garnet Street at Granville in western Sydney around 4.45pm on July 25.

On Thursday morning, tactical operations police swooped on houses at Merrylands and Guildford, arresting four brothers aged 19, 21, 28 and 34 over the incident.

The fifth brother, 32, handed himself into Parramatta Police Station later in the morning.

Detective Inspector Neil Hallinan told reporters the 32-year-old man had been charged with shooting with intent to murder, while his four brothers had been charged with concealing a crime and affray.

Det Insp Hallinan said police believe the shooting was sparked by a debt, but couldn't give further details.

He said the family is known to police, but the men have no known links to gangs or bikies.

"It seems to be a very targeted attack between the two groups," he said.

Mr Hallinan described the shooting as "very concerning".

"It's like something akin to a scene out of a western movie," he said.

"At 4.30 in the afternoon in a residential street in Sydney, we've got young children coming home from school... and two groups of men are firing guns in the street, it's ridiculous."

Police expect to make more arrests over the shooting.

The five brothers are all due to front Parramatta Local Court on Thursday.

Macquarie Group is ending its long standing association with Sydney's airport - Sydney Morning Herald

Macquarie Group is ending its long standing association with Sydney's airport

Macquarie Group will end its long-running relationship with Sydney Airport, after the investment bank’s shareholders approved a plan to offload its $1.3 billion stake in the country’s largest airport.

Investors today voted in strongly favour of a proposal to distribute the 340 million shares in Sydney Airport held by Macquarie to its shareholders. More than 99 per cent of shareholders supported the resolutions.

The decision, which is expected to enhance Macquarie’s return on equity, brings to an end an 11-year tie that has delivered the bank millions in fees and dividends.

A former Macquarie satellite fund first bought an 83 per cent stake in Sydney Airport when it was privatised in 2002, delivering Macquarie Group lucrative management fees until it stopped managing the asset in 2009.

Since then, Macquarie has retained a residual stake in the airport, but it will now distribute this to its shareholders.

Under the move, Macquarie shareholders will receive one share in Sydney Airport for each share held in the bank.

Market analysts have supported the distribution as a fair way of passing the asset to shareholders, which will also deliver the bank a $265 million gain, based on its share price earlier this week.

Before the vote, Macquarie chairman Kevin McCann urged shareholders to support the plan, saying it was likely to improve the investment bank’s return on equity and would reduce its surplus capital by about $250 million.

‘‘The board believes the proposed transaction is an equitable way of delivering the value of the Sydney Airport investment to Macquarie shareholders and is in the best interest of Macquarie shareholders,’’ Mr McCann said.

The distribution would not increase the profit pool from which bonuses are paid any more than if it had sold the shares, Mr McCann said in response to questions.

Sydney FC deny Alessandro Del Piero about to fly out the window - Sydney Morning Herald

Walk-out: Injured Sydney FC skipper Alessandro Del Piero (right), who substituted himself moments later against Newcastle. Photo: Brendon Thorne

Despite growing rumours that Alessandro Del Piero is ready to leave Sydney FC, club chief executive Tony Pignata claims his marquee star is committed to seeing out the season.

Speculation has been building for weeks that Del Piero has decided he won't continue with Sydney next year and that he might even seek a new club as soon as the January transfer window opens.

The 39-year-old has scored three goals in seven appearances this season but the rumours suggest his enthusiasm for staying in the A-League has begun to wane.

However, Pignata went on the front foot on Thursday, assuring fans Del Piero was happy in Sydney and was not seeking a return to Italy.

“I'm not sure where these rumours are starting but I've seen them on social media, and I can categorically say they are not true,” he said. “I can say with total confidence that Alessandro will be here in January and that he'll be here for the rest of the season.”

Talk of dissatisfaction began to spread after the nature of his exit from the 2-0 win over Newcastle, when he bizarrely substituted himself – earning a yellow card in doing so – before half-time.

It is no secret the club has had trouble convincing Del Piero and his support staff about the need to attend events that are standard for other A-League footballers, such as school clinics, community visits and sponsor events.

There was also some tension when Del Piero insisted on making the long trip to Perth to appear at a function despite battling a calf injury. He was only able to come on as a substitute for the match against the Glory.

However, Pignata said he felt people might have been misinterpreting Del Piero's body language in recent times.

“I think if Alessandro is showing his frustration it's only because he wants to play. That's all that is, it's not because he wants to leave,” he said. “He's not got a problem with the club or we'd know about it. He's happy and jovial at training and with the other players. Injuries are the only thing that's bothering him.”

While the chief executive admitted he had met with the Italian's agent – Del Piero's brother Stefano – this week, it wasn't to discuss the former Juventus star's departure.

“It was more about promotional and merchandise opportunities,” Pignata said.

Del Piero has long maintained he wouldn't make a decision on his playing future until Christmas, and Pignata confirmed he expected an answer “some time in late January”.

As expected, the Italian icon was named in Sydney's squad to face Melbourne Heart at Allianz Stadium on Sunday.

He missed last Saturday night's 1-0 defeat at Central Coast after suffering fluid on his hamstring.

The club's Australian marquee player, Brett Emerton, has also been named to make his return to the first team after being sidelined with a leg injury for the past two weeks.

Meanwhile, former Sydney FC left David Carney has sought a return to the club that transformed him into a Socceroos mainstay.

Carney was recently released by New York Red Bulls after a challenging spell in Major League Soccer, making just nine appearances.

With 48 international caps to his name, the 30-year-old is desperately seeking a club for the next six months to rekindle his fading hopes of going to the next World Cup.

“One of his representatives made contact with me last week and we had a brief chat about David,” Pignata said. “However, the problem is that we're full in our squad. We've got 23 players, and he's simply not an option for us right now. The only way it would be possible would be if we released somebody, and we're not looking to do that.”

Longer walk to buses in Sydney's future - NEWS.com.au

SYDNEY commuters may have to travel further to reach their bus stops next year and pay more to climb aboard following a raft of transport changes.

The NSW government's 20-year plan to redesign Sydney's bus system aims to streamline more than 600 bus routes.

The plan, Sydney's Bus Future, will introduce a three-tiered network and see more rapid routes, like the existing metrobuses.

The rapid routes will link major centres and create a "turn up and go service" with a bus every 10 minutes on weekdays.

However, routes will see fewer stops and commuters may have to walk further to reach them.

Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian announced the plan on Thursday, along with a public transport fare increase to start on January 5.

Opposition Leader John Robertson slammed the plan, saying it would create longer queues at fewer bus stops.

Customers on "suburban" routes will get a bus at least every 10 minutes in peak times and every 15 minutes during the day on weekdays.

"Local" services will have buses stopping every 400 metres.

The new plan's 13 "rapid" routes will link Sydney's hubs, but will only stop every 800 metres to one kilometre.

The government says the bus route changes will see 1.5 million Sydneysiders living within a 10 minute walk to "turn up and go" services on rapid or suburban routes.

Sydney Business Chamber executive director Patricia Forsythe said the government recognised that increasing buses was the problem, not the solution, for traffic congestion.

"The metro bus routes have been very popular and the development of more rapid services that have reduced stopping patterns, but faster trips, will be very attractive to passengers who travel over longer distances," she said.

The Tourism & Transport Forum supports the plan, but deputy chief executive Trent Zimmerman wants more services to Olympic Park.

"We are disappointed the plan does not include express bus services from Strathfield to cater for a growing workforce and we encourage the government to keep the door open on improving bus links to Olympic Park," he said.

While the government says it will not increase MyZone fares in line with an IPART recommendation, there will be an increase in line with CPI.

The hike will range between a 20 cent increase on single adult tickets up to a $2 increase for MyMulti weekly tickets.

However, Opal fares will remain unchanged.

Patients of Sydney hair replacement clinic warned of HIV risk after treatment - ABC Online

Updated December 12, 2013 09:54:22

Hundreds of people may have been exposed to HIV and other infectious diseases after being treated at a hair replacement clinic in Sydney's CBD.

The South Eastern Sydney Public Health Unit has found there was poor infection control at Doctor Angela Campbell's Macquarie Street clinic between December 2010 and February this year.

An investigation by authorities found there were problems with the cleaning and sterilisation of surgical instruments and equipment at the clinic, and concerns had been raised by neighbours in the building about the disposal of medical waste.

Dr Campbell's medical registration was suspended in late February and the case is being investigated by the Medical Council of New South Wales.

Professor Mark Ferson from the South Eastern Sydney Public Health Unit said there could be a few hundred people who need to be tested.

"We believe the risk is low but this is precautionary measure to warn patients of Dr Campbell's clinic they need to go to their doctors to be tested for Hep C, Hep B and HIV just as a precaution," he said.

He said anyone treated at the clinic between December 2010 and February of this year should consult their GP, or contact the public health unit to discuss the recommendations.

Topics: environmental-health, sydney-2000

First posted December 12, 2013 08:47:58

The Lion King of musicals roars into Sydney again at the Capitol Theatre - The Daily Telegraph

Picture: Bob Barker Source: News Limited

HAKUNA matata indeed - The Lion King musical has proved so popular over its 16-year life that its box office takings eclipse both the Lord Of The Rings and all six Star Wars films combined.

ANGELINA JOLIE AND THE KIDS ENJOY THE LION KING IN SYDNEY

Picture: Bob Barker Source: News Limited

And when Sydney feels the love tonight as a new Aussie production of the smash hit Disney musical opens at the Capitol Theatre (where it was last seen in 2005), it will be the tenth Lion King musical currently showing across the world, including versions in the US, Brazil, Japan, Germany, Spain and the UK.

Picture: Bob Barker Source: News Limited

Since it first opened in 1997, the cumulative box office gross has topped $US5 billion, with more than 60 million tickets sold.

And associate director John Stefaniuk, who oversees productions across the world, is dead proud of what our local performers have done with the piece, which stars Home And Away alumnus Josh Quong Tart as Scar alongside relative unknowns Rob Collins as Mufasa and Nick Afoa as Simba.

Picture: Bob Barker. Source: News Limited

"I've got to tell you, this (production) really stacks right up at the top, and what I really love about this company is they're so passionate," he said.

"You can feel the weight of the story in each and every moment and I really admire that in this Australian production.

Picture: Bob Barker Source: News Limited

"And when we go to a new country and embrace a new culture we really try and open ourselves up to that culture, so we've been thrilled to have here an Aboriginal Mufasa (Collins) and Nick (Afoa), a Samoan from New Zealand as Simba," he added.

Picture: Bob Barker Source: News Limited

While there are a core group of performers who are South African, the rest of the cast have backgrounds in a range of countries, including Malaysia, The Philippines, China, Ghana, Jamaica, Thailand, Brazil, Puerto Rico, the US and New Zealand.

Picture: Bob Barker Source: News Limited

"It's a simple story of this young boy trying to find himself and that theme and that story, no matter where you are in the world, is universal and people can identify wherever they are in that circle and trying to discover who they are," Stefaniuk said.

Picture: Bob Barker Source: News Limited

Central Coast Mariners invade Sydney FC territory with bus ads for Phoenix game - The Daily Telegraph

Central Coast have been handed a horror draw in next year's Asian Champions League, and the news isn't much better for other A-League teams.

The Mariners are promoting their match against Wellington Phoenix at North Sydney Oval. Source: Supplied

IT'S a whole new take on the football concept of parking the bus - or in this case, marking the bus as the Mariners make another bid to take over Sydney FC territory.

Posters advertising the champions' game with Wellington at North Sydney Oval a week from today have been driving around Sydney this week, noting that "marquee players are not required".

It's not the first time the Mariners have sought to spread southward, but Mariners owner Mike Charlesworth said this will be the most concerted effort yet.

"I've not had a response from Sydney FC yet, maybe they haven't seen it though they will now," Charlesworth told The Daily Telegraph.

"From our point of view it's lighthearted, but also makes the point that we're in town. We're not moving (from Gosford) but we are expanding into the north Sydney region."

America's Cup winning skipper James Spithill forgotten for Sydney to Hobart - Courier Mail

Oracle's America's Cup-winning Australian helmsman James Spithill. Source: AFP

HE may have won the America's Cup by orchestrating one of sports great comebacks but sailing hero James Spithill has revealed he hasn't had a single offer to do this year's Sydney to Hobart.

World sailing's hottest property also confirmed he has been approached by numerous teams to do the next America's Cup - although not Bob Oatley's Australian campaign - but said he is close to re-signing on the dotted line with American billionaire Larry Ellison and his Oracle team.

Oracle Team USA skipper James Spithill celebrates with the America's Cup trophy after this year’s epic win. Source: AFP

"Oracle is where I really expect to be,'' Spithill told The Daily Telegraph.

"I expect to have some news by Christmas.''

But while he is set to sail in the America's Cup again, Spithill has denied scuttlebutt he will be on one of five supermaxis preparing for the 69th Sydney to Hobart.

"I actually haven't had any offers,'' Spithill revealed from the US.

"I plan to be on my couch with a beer in one hand, watching the fleet sail up the harbour and then flicking across to the cricket on Boxing Day.''

Spithill will return to his hometown of Sydney for a brief holiday with family over Christmas before returning to the US.

The man who steered Oracle Team USA to a 9-8 victory over Team New Zealand to win his second America's Cup said he is delighted Hamilton island is the Record of Challenger for the next Cup, at a place and time still to be determined.

Oracle Team USA skippered by James Spithill competes in the final fleet race during the America's Cup. Source: AFP

"It is just great to have them back and it is awesome the Oatleys are the ones behind it,'' said Spithill, whose family home on Sydney's Northern Beaches is not far from patriarch Bob Oatley's.

It is speculated Spithill's close mate Joey Newton and also Newcastle young gun Kyle Langford will rejoin the Oracle team for the next America's Cup.

Spithill's tactician Tom Slingsby, competing in his first Sydney to Hobart this year on Perpetual Loyal this year, has already signed on with Oracle for the next challenge.

Surry Hills man beaten with guitars during inner-Sydney home invasion - ABC Online

Updated December 11, 2013 10:40:30

A man has been treated in hospital after he was attacked with his own guitars during a home invasion in inner Sydney last night.

Three men forced their way into the 42-year-old's Surry Hills property around 11:00pm (AEDT) after he responded to a knock at the front door.

Police say the men began attacking the 42-year-old immediately, and that one of them was armed with a knife.

Police spokeswoman Felicity Jenkins said the victim suffered numerous injuries, when the intruders assaulted him with two of his own acoustic guitars.

"The men stole two electric guitars from the premises, as well as a quantity of cash from the man's wallet," she said.

"The injured man was attended to at the scene by Ambulance Paramedics and conveyed to St Vincent's Hospital for treatment to injuries to his face, hands and leg."

Police from Surry Hills Local Area Command have established a crime scene and are asking for any witnesses to come forward.

Topics: crime, sydney-2000

First posted December 11, 2013 09:17:20

Anthony Minichiello signs new deal with Sydney Roosters - Sydney Morning Herald

League News Sydney Roosters

Anthony Minichiello. Photo: Anthony Johnson

NRL premiers Sydney Roosters have finally locked in a new one-year contract with their veteran captain Anthony Minichiello.

The deal will keep 33-year-old fullback Minichiello at the club where he's played all 275 of his first grade games until the end of next season - his 15th in the top grade.

He is behind only former player Luke Ricketson (301) for most games for the club and could conceivably pass him in 2014 if he stays fit.

He also holds its record for most tries with 122.

AAP

Woman with alias 'Barbie Rainbow' faces Sydney court over weapons importation - ABC Online

Updated December 11, 2013 18:47:03

A woman who uses the alias 'Barbie Rainbow' has faced a Sydney court, charged over the importation of hundreds of illegal weapons including 'lipstick tear gas'.

The 49-year-old was arrested at St Andrews, in the city's south west, yesterday morning following raids which police say uncovered a stockpile of weapons.

Customs officers stopped a shipment at the New South Wales container examination facility earlier this month and seized a wide range of weapons including more than 200 replica pistols and air soft pistols; batons; knuckle dusters; electronic shock devices disguised as smart phones and flashlights; 200 tear gas 'lipsticks' and an assortment of BB gun ammunition.

Police allege the items were being sold at the Fairfield markets. It follows the arrest of a man and the seizure of a similar weapons haul in November.

The woman, Hong Zhou, appeared in Campbelltown Local Court. The 49-year-old was refused bail and will re-appear next week.

The magistrate said the nature of the charges was "extraordinarily serious", and said the accused posed a flight risk.

Topics: courts-and-trials, police, sydney-2000

First posted December 11, 2013 18:44:47

Sydney hair replacement clinic in HIV warning - Sydney Morning Herald

• NSW Health infectious diseases fact sheets


• NSW news: full coverage

Hundreds of people may have been exposed to HIV and other infectious diseases after they received treatment at a Macquarie Street hair replacement clinic.

An investigation by public health authorities has found evidence of poor infection control practices, including problems with the cleaning and sterilisation of surgical instruments and equipment at the clinic run by Angela Katarina Campbell in Suit 23 at 193 Macquarie Street.

The South Eastern Sydney Local Health District revealed on Wednesday afternoon that Dr Campbell's medical registration was cancelled in late February after an investigation by the Medical Council of NSW.

But the district only became aware of the potential public health threat posed by the clinic months later, when neighbours in her building reported concerns about how medical waste was being stored.

Mark Ferson, the director of the public health unit at the district, said it was still unclear how many patients had potentially been exposed to the risk of disease.

“We don't know the numbers of patients [who went through the clinic], but it's possibly in the low hundreds,” he said.

The hair procedures undertaken in the clinic took many hours, and records from the clinic were no longer available.

“Part of the … delay has been trying to look for an avenue to develop a list of patients,” Professor Ferson said.

He said the overall risk to individual patients seen in the clinic was very low.

“As a precaution, we are recommending that former patients attend their local general practitioner for screening for hepatitis C, hepatitis B and HIV infection," he said. “NSW Health has notified other states and territories, as we believe some patients may have come from interstate and overseas.”

Anyone who was treated at the clinic between December 2010 and February 2013 was advised to consult their GP.

Patients could also contact the public health unit to discuss the recommendations, he said.

A spokesman for the Medical Council said he could give no information on the nature of Dr Campbell's suspension because of privacy laws.

However, the Medical Council had only become aware of the potential public health issues in late April after being contacted by the building manager where the clinic was located. It advised the building manager to contact public health authorities.

South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Public Health Unit: 02 9382 8333

Were you treated at the clinic? Email acorderoy@fairfaxmedia.com.au

Surry Hills man beaten with guitars during inner-Sydney home invasion - Yahoo!7 News

A man has been treated in hospital after he was attacked with his own guitars during a home invasion in inner Sydney last night.

Three men forced their way into the 42-year-old's Surry Hills property around 11:00pm (AEDT) after he responded to a knock at the front door.

Police say the men began attacking the 42-year-old immediately, and that one of them was armed with a knife.

Police spokeswoman Felicity Jenkins said the victim suffered numerous injuries, when the intruders assaulted him with two of his own acoustic guitars.

"The men stole two electric guitars from the premises, as well as a quantity of cash from the man's wallet," she said.

"The injured man was attended to at the scene by Ambulance Paramedics and conveyed to St Vincent's Hospital for treatment to injuries to his face, hands and leg."

Police from Surry Hills Local Area Command have established a crime scene and are asking for any witnesses to come forward.

NBL: Wollongong Hawks suffer injury scare in lead-up to Sydney Kings showdown - Brisbane Times

Wollongong Hawks guard Rotnei Clarke has been in great scoring form this season. Photo: Christopher Chan

Wollongong leading scorer Rotnei Clarke threw a scare into the Hawks camp when injury prevented him from training on Tuesday.

Clarke, third in the NBL in scoring with 20.8 points per game, copped a knock to his calf in Saturday's 73-69 home win over Sydney.

The 24-year-old guard was restricted to manning the scorebench at training but expects to be pain-free for this weekend's rematch with the Kings in Sydney.

Hawks guard Rotnei Clarke was a constant thorn in the Sydney Kings' side in Wollongong last Saturday. Photo: Andy Zakeli

"I've never had a cork in my calf, but it's pretty swollen right now," Clarke said after the two-hour session.

"At the end of the game, [Sydney's] Sam Young tried to get a steal and I don't know if he kneed me or kicked me or what happened, but I definitely felt it right away.

"It's not serious, I'll be fine. We have a day off [today] so I'll rest it and get some ice on it and it should be fine by Wednesday."

Clarke paced Wollongong with a game-high 27 points against the Kings.

"It was good, being in a rivalry game and in front of our home crowd, and we gutted it out," he said.

"We had a slow start but once we got going we finished strong at the end."

Clarke modestly attributed his recent good form to his teammates.

"They've done a great job, because a lot of those shots I make come off Grubes [Dave Gruber] and Laz [Larry Davidson] and those guys freeing me up and getting me open," he said.

"It's just about picking your spots, because Sydney were guarding me pretty tough, but that opens up other guys as well, as long as I get rid of it in time and don't turn it over."

The Hawks (3-7) are still equal-last with Cairns and know they will be in for war in the return clash with Sydney.

"They fought us tough, we fought tough, and it was a great game," Clarke said. "We knew it was going to be a big challenge and it's going to be an even bigger task and bigger challenge going to Sydney and playing in front of their fans. Hopefully we can execute and do what we did in the last game.

"Both teams will make some adjustments. They'll go back and look at the film like we have. We'll tweak some things and hopefully it will help us out going into the next game."

Poll: What sort of impact are NBL referees having on games?

Positive - it's a tough gig, they are doing a decent enough job

36%

Negative - they are not doing well enough, it's affecting the standard of play

64%

Total votes: 141.

Would you like to vote?

You will need Cookies enabled to use our Voting Feature.

Poll closes in 5 hours.

Vote now: Which NBA team has been the most impressive this season?

Disclaimer:

These polls are not scientific and reflect the opinion only of visitors who have chosen to participate.

Woman charged with huge Sydney haul - Geelong Advertiser

A woman will face court after authorities uncovered a cache of weapons including fake guns and ammo. Source: AAP

A WOMAN has been charged after a police and customs found replica guns, electronic shock devices, knuckle dusters, batons, ammunition and tear gas at a Sydney container facility.

Police say they found the cache of weapons at the NSW Container Examination Facility on Friday.

It follows the arrest of a man several weeks ago when police seized hundreds of similar weapons.

Police alleged the items were being sold at Sydney markets.

This recent seizure allegedly included more than 200 replica pistols and air guns, 50 extendable batons, 60 sets of knuckle dusters and more than 70 electronic shock devices.

Also found were 200 tear gas canisters, as well as an assortment of BB gun ammunition.

Police say a woman, 49, was charged on Tuesday with importing prohibited goods.

She was refused bail and is due to front Campbelltown Local Court on Wednesday.

Firearms and Organised Crime Squad Commander, Detective Acting Superintendent Wayne Walpole put recent arrests for importing weapons down to good police and customs cooperation.

He said the seizures "prevented a large number of replica firearms and other dangerous weapons making their way into the community and being used in the commission of crimes".

Man bashed with guitars in Sydney - Yahoo!7 News

Man bashed with guitars in Sydney

A man has been thrashed with his own guitars in a home invasion in the Sydney suburb of Surry Hills.

Three men forced their way into the man's Belvoir Street unit on Monday night and bashed the man with two of his acoustic guitars, police say.

The attackers, one of whom was carrying a knife, stole cash and two electric guitars.

The injured man was taken to St Vincent's Hospital with face, hand and leg injuries.

Police are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

NBL: Sydney Kings hellbent on redemption against Wollongong Hawks - Sydney Morning Herald

Wollongong Hawks forward Dave Gruber beats Sydney Kings centre AJ Ogilvy for a rebound. Photo: Christopher Chan

The Wollongong Hawks shouldn't under-estimate just how much the Sydney Kings want redemption on home turf on Saturday.

Sydney coach Shane Heal was far from impressed with his team's sloppy performance in last Saturday's 73-69 road loss to the Hawks and is certain to be on the players' backs all week.

Captain Ben Madgen was also filthy with the Kings' display and let his teammates know how he felt.

It all points to Sydney being extremely fired up for the rematch.

"We have to be able to bounce back. We've got three games at home now so it's a great opportunity for us," Heal said.

"It's a real balance in this league and everybody involved understands that. You never go into a game thinking you can't win it, and you never go in thinking you're not going to lose it."

Former NBA player Sam Young was disappointing against the Hawks and the word coming out of Kings headquarters is that he is highly motivated to give a much better account of himself this weekend.

"We let one slip and now we have to regather and get back to the video," Heal said.

"We said we'd take a step backwards as soon as we brought Sam in, and we've done that. Now we have to be able to take a couple of steps forward that we think we can take in the next month."

One of the bigger surprises out of last Saturday's clash was Wollongong out-rebounding the Kings 34-30.

They also had just eight turnovers compared to 16 for Sydney.

"The two areas that really concerned me are the rebounding and the turnovers," Heal said.

"They haven't beaten anyone in rebounding all year, so that was really disappointing.

"That's an effort-based and a mind-based thing.

"For us to have 16 turnovers against a team that traditionally don't cause turnovers is really disappointing. That's an area we've been good at.''

Poll: What sort of impact are NBL referees having on games?

Positive - it's a tough gig, they are doing a decent enough job

34%

Negative - they are not doing well enough, it's affecting the standard of play

66%

Total votes: 124.

Would you like to vote?

You will need Cookies enabled to use our Voting Feature.

Poll closes in 2 days.

Vote now: Vote: Replacing Schwarzer

Disclaimer:

These polls are not scientific and reflect the opinion only of visitors who have chosen to participate.

NBL: Wollongong Hawks suffer injury scare in lead-up to Sydney Kings showdown - Sydney Morning Herald

Wollongong Hawks guard Rotnei Clarke has been in great scoring form this season. Photo: Christopher Chan

Wollongong leading scorer Rotnei Clarke threw a scare into the Hawks camp when injury prevented him from training on Tuesday.

Clarke, third in the NBL in scoring with 20.8 points per game, copped a knock to his calf in Saturday's 73-69 home win over Sydney.

The 24-year-old guard was restricted to manning the scorebench at training but expects to be pain-free for this weekend's rematch with the Kings in Sydney.

Hawks guard Rotnei Clarke was a constant thorn in the Sydney Kings' side in Wollongong last Saturday. Photo: Andy Zakeli

"I've never had a cork in my calf, but it's pretty swollen right now," Clarke said after the two-hour session.

"At the end of the game, [Sydney's] Sam Young tried to get a steal and I don't know if he kneed me or kicked me or what happened, but I definitely felt it right away.

"It's not serious, I'll be fine. We have a day off [today] so I'll rest it and get some ice on it and it should be fine by Wednesday."

Clarke paced Wollongong with a game-high 27 points against the Kings.

"It was good, being in a rivalry game and in front of our home crowd, and we gutted it out," he said.

"We had a slow start but once we got going we finished strong at the end."

Clarke modestly attributed his recent good form to his teammates.

"They've done a great job, because a lot of those shots I make come off Grubes [Dave Gruber] and Laz [Larry Davidson] and those guys freeing me up and getting me open," he said.

"It's just about picking your spots, because Sydney were guarding me pretty tough, but that opens up other guys as well, as long as I get rid of it in time and don't turn it over."

The Hawks (3-7) are still equal-last with Cairns and know they will be in for war in the return clash with Sydney.

"They fought us tough, we fought tough, and it was a great game," Clarke said. "We knew it was going to be a big challenge and it's going to be an even bigger task and bigger challenge going to Sydney and playing in front of their fans. Hopefully we can execute and do what we did in the last game.

"Both teams will make some adjustments. They'll go back and look at the film like we have. We'll tweak some things and hopefully it will help us out going into the next game."

Poll: What sort of impact are NBL referees having on games?

Positive - it's a tough gig, they are doing a decent enough job

36%

Negative - they are not doing well enough, it's affecting the standard of play

64%

Total votes: 141.

Would you like to vote?

You will need Cookies enabled to use our Voting Feature.

Poll closes in 5 hours.

Vote now: Which NBA team has been the most impressive this season?

Disclaimer:

These polls are not scientific and reflect the opinion only of visitors who have chosen to participate.