Clipmarks | tabsey's 'apec' clips

Sydney brothels say Pope's visit will give business a leg-up

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:14:26 GMT

clipped by: tabsey
clipper's remarks: They hit the news big time during the APEC conference.

SYDNEY (AFP) — As Sydney prepares for a visit by Pope Benedict XVI and hundreds of thousands of Catholics, the city's brothels are readying themselves for an expected surge in demand for sex.

Any time Australia's biggest city hosts a major event -- from the 2003 Rugby World Cup to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit last year -- it is boomtime for the sex industry, insiders say.

And with 225,000 foreign and Australian pilgrims expected in Sydney for six-days of events celebrating the Catholic faith from July 15-20, they expect World Youth Day to be no different.

Sydney brothel Xclusive is putting on extra workers to provide sexual favours to lonely tourists and Sydneysiders during event.

"We will get a lot of tourists, pilgrims and we will still get the curious," a spokeswoman for the Bondi Junction bordello told AFP.

"The World Council of Churches, when they had their congress in Canberra back in the 1990s, that was the best business period ever.

Tags: man, can, not, live, on

Youth Day laws 'undermine basic rights'

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:46:06 GMT

clipped by: tabsey
clipper's remarks: Seems the Catholics feel more threatened than the APEC mob. "If I were to wear a t-shirt proclaiming that World Youth Day is a waste of public money in a World Youth Day-declared area, and I refuse to remove it when an officer, an authorised officer of the Rural Fire Service asks me to do so, then I'm potentially committing a criminal offence," she said.

Clip Source: www.abc.net.au

The New South Wales Bar Association says new regulations for World Youth Day undermine basic rights and are an affront to freedom of speech.

Under the new regulations, people who refuse to stop engaging in conduct that causes annoyance or inconvenience to pilgrims can be arrested and fined up to $5,500.

The same provision did not apply during last year's APEC Summit in Sydney.

The association says the terms are too vague and the penalties are excessive.

It says if existing laws are considered sufficient to regulate conduct at events like the Mardi Gras or the Rugby World Cup, they should be good enough to cover World Youth Day.

The Bar Association has also accused the Government of avoiding public scrutiny by creating a criminal offence by regulation, rather than making it an Act of Parliament.

It says the NSW Government is trying to restrict freedom of speech.

Tags: peace, on, earth, (from a cattletick)

Howard's fault, says Costello

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 11:04:25 GMT

clipped by: tabsey
clipper's remarks: Don't you love the unselfish way they slaughter each other after an election loss.

Clip Source: www.smh.com.au

THE Liberals were continuing to play the blame game last night as Peter Costello handed John Howard responsibility for the party's massive electoral defeat.

The Treasurer, who aspired to be prime minister, was denied his opportunity after Mr Howard refused to retire despite diminishing support in cabinet.

Mr Costello never challenged for the Liberal leadership and, a day after the Coalition's big election defeat, retired to the back bench, declining to lead the Liberals in opposition.

Mr Costello said on the ABC the Coalition could have "neutered" Kevin Rudd's message of new leadership if Mr Howard had stepped aside. "We could have neutered that appeal of Labor if we had a fresher face, but we didn't," he said.

He also questioned why Mr Howard had asked the outgoing Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, to canvass cabinet ministers about their support for the Prime Minister during the APEC meeting in Sydney.

Tags: politics

The Gentlemen's Club

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 11:15:03 GMT

clipped by: tabsey
clipper's remarks: A clip from Manic Times, which is a new Australian site. May appeal to Onion readers and those who have had enough onions.

Clip Source: www.manictimes.com.au

You wouldn’t want to piss off John Coatsworth in the playground. Coatsworth, Acting Dean for the School of International and Public Affairs at New York’s Columbia University, has managed to incite controversy this week by allowing the President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to speak at the Ivy League institution.

With most Americans in uproar about Ahmadinejad’s ideas – he has declared the Holocaust a “myth” and that Israel should be “wiped off the map” - it strikes us here at the Village Idiot as rather big words from a little man. And little men usually get their comeuppance. You hear me, Tom Cruise?

On the plus side, arrangements for Ahmadinejad are less stringent than what Sydney had to endure during APEC. Idiot assumes the Americans have figured that one dangerous world leader isn’t worth the hassle that twenty-two were.

Tags: political satire

Australia-Japan-US alliance worries Russia

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 04:09:53 GMT

clipped by: tabsey
clipper's remarks: Both Russia and America become totally paranoid when they sense the other getting an upper hand

Clip Source: www.abc.net.au

A senior Russian official has expressed concern about growing military cooperation between Australia, Japan and the United States.

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov says the strengthening of ties between Australia, Japan and the US has got Russia's attention. He says it is a narrow alliance and as such is a worry.

The three countries held their first tri-lateral meeting on the sidelines of the APEC summit earlier this month.

Among the issues discussed were the Middle East and cooperation on defence.

The security dialogue set off fears that it would be seen as a move to contain China. That suggestion was dismissed by the Prime Minister John Howard.

Russia says it is not hiding its concerns about the talks and has discussed the matter with officials from Australia and the United States.

Tags: politics, russia

Commissioner defends APEC arrest of 52yo dad

Sun, 09 Sep 2007 11:19:57 GMT

clipped by: tabsey

Clip Source: www.abc.net.au

New South Wales Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione has defended officers who arrested a 52-year-old man after he walked in front of an APEC motorcade on Friday.

The Commissioner says accountant Greg McLeay was arrested after he allegedly assaulted a police officer.

But Mr McLeay has told the Sun Herald he was taking his 11-year-old son to lunch in the city and a police officer began yelling at him as he crossed the street to avoid a security cordon.

"I was pushed up against the wall and then I was thrown to the ground and they kept telling me to put my hands behind my back. There must have been four of them pinning me to the ground.

"I was frogmarched down to the hotel's underground car park and then they tried to put another pair of cuffs on me. I was just crossing the road. Never have I felt so mortified, embarrassed and invaded. I feel violated."

In television footage aired last night, a police officer is seen repeatedly punching a protester.

Tags: apec, politics, police brutality

Oops, Dubya picks wrong PEC

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 11:10:15 GMT

clipped by: tabsey
clipper's remarks: Who needs the "Chaser" when Bush is speaking. Pure comedy at its best.

Clip Source: www.smh.com.au

United States President George Bush made one of his characteristic pronunciation bungles this morning welcoming business leaders to the "OPEC" meeting instead of the APEC meeting.

But with a dose of Texan charm Mr Bush grinned and said OPEC - which stands for Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries - was a meeting he is due to attend next year.

Later in his speech, Mr Bush recounted how Mr Howard had gone to visit "Austrian troops'' last year in Iraq. There are, in fact, no Austrian troops there. But Australia has about 1500 military personnel in and around the country.

Mr Bush described the ongoing war in Iraq as "the calling of our time" saying the fight to spread democracy must never be abandoned.

Tags: apec, politics

Police question Chasers over second APEC stunt

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 10:33:47 GMT

clipped by: tabsey
clipper's remarks: Another great video clip coming from the Chaser

Clip Source: www.abc.net.au

Three staff and a film crew from ABC TV's program The Chaser's War on Everything have been questioned by police after being involved in second stunt in central Sydney this afternoon.

The three were released by police after being briefly questioned for carrying around black cardboard boxes dressed up as limousines in Sydney.

The Chaser's Craig Reucassel, speaking moments after being released by police, says the event happened well away from the APEC lockdown zone.

Tags: apec, chaser, politics, humour

Chaser busted at APEC

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 09:24:05 GMT

clipped by: tabsey
clipper's remarks: The team has done brilliantly. They had the Canadian flag flying and even though the Canadians aren't participating in this event, they got through two security points with one of them claiming to be Osama. Bloody ripper mate!!!

Clip Source: www.smh.com.au

The Chaser team's arrest after driving a fake motorcade into Sydney's restricted zone - with one member dressed as Osama bin Laden - proves APEC security is a success, the NSW Police Minister says.

An angry David Campbell denied he was embarrassed by the comedians' ability to penetrate APEC's restricted zone - rather, he was pleased the "multi-layered'' security had worked.

He said the prank was inappropriate and he "did not see the funny side at all''.

The Chaser's production team had been specifically warned by police to behave responsibly during the APEC security lockdown, he said.

"[The police] said: 'We understand that parody and satire are entertaining and fun, many people watch the program and enjoy it, but please understand the seriousness of this matter and please take caution as you go about making your program.'

Tags: politics, apec, comedy

We're kicking ass: Bush

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 10:41:58 GMT

clipped by: tabsey
clipper's remarks: http://www.smh.com.au/specials/apec/index.html is a site you can get info on APEC and it's various sideshows.

Clip Source: www.smh.com.au

George Bush has arrived in Sydney in a good mood - a very good mood.

At this morning's press conference, the US President was animated and humorous and far from a leader portrayed by some as a lame duck.

He believes, or would have us believe, that things are going better there now. And, he is a man relishing the opportunity to impart some positive news - the withdrawal of some troops after he returns to Washington next week.

Mr Bush complained that al Anbar province, which he visited, had been "written off by the experts as lost to al-Qaeda".

"The province I saw wasn't lost to the extremists. The place I went to had changed dramatically," he said.

"The security situation is changing. That is the briefing I have received from David Petraeus, our general on the ground."

Mr Bush perhaps summed it up best when the Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile greeted him at the airport and asked "How was Baghdad?"

"We're kicking ass," Mr Bush responded.

Tags: apec, bush

Russia safe for N-fuel: Downer

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 09:36:52 GMT

clipped by: tabsey
clipper's remarks: Russia safe for nuclear energy? I'd like to see that. Priceless?
This minister will say anything to make the organ grinders happy.
Chernobyl, uranium on the black market, and I thought Bush had organized a new "cold War" with his rocket bases. Safe for n-fuel? No furries!

Clip Source: www.theage.com.au

RUSSIA is a safe destination for Australian nuclear fuel, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has declared, before the signing at APEC of a landmark safeguards agreement with Moscow.

Mr Downer confirmed yesterday that a nuclear agreement allowing Australian uranium to be used as fuel in Russian nuclear reactors would be signed during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

But it remains unclear whether Australia will conclude a deal with the US, in which Australia would join an alliance of countries known as the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership.

Prime Minister John Howard and US President George Bush are expected to discuss nuclear issues during their meetings.

But Australia has difficulties with full membership of GNEP because it could involve Canberra having to make politically sensitive commitments, such as agreeing to store radioactive waste from the rest of the world.

Tags: uranium, australia, russia

Bush speaks out on Burma

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 09:20:49 GMT

clipped by: tabsey
clipper's remarks: I didn't know Burma had oil and minerals?

Clip Source: www.abc.net.au

US President George W Bush has urged APEC leaders to express their concerns about the military regime in Burma.

Mr Bush says the Burmese democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi simply wants to live in a free society.

He has made a point of raising the issue of Burma in his first public remarks in Australia.

"It is inexcusable that we've got this kind of tyrannical behaviour in Asia," he said.

"It is inexcusable that people who march for freedom are then treated by a repressive state and those of us who live in comfort of a free society need need to speak out about these kind of human rights abuses."

Tags: bush, burma, politics

Court rules APEC protest has to move

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 08:56:02 GMT

clipped by: tabsey
clipper's remarks: They seem to be really pushing the protesters.

Clip Source: www.abc.net.au

The Supreme Court in Sydney has upheld an application made by New South Wales Police to move the route of a protest march through the city on Saturday.

The 'Stop Bush Coalition' had planned to march through along Martin Place so they could demonstrate outside the US Consulate.

This afternoon, Judge Michael Adams has granted a prohibition order to prevent the Stop Bush Coalition from marching near the declared APEC zone.

Instead, the group must follow the route suggested by police.

Tags: apec, politics, protesters

First APEC protest peaceful

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 12:38:50 GMT

clipped by: tabsey
clipper's remarks: Round one has been easily won by the protestors.

Clip Source: www.worldnewsaustralia.com.au

The first protest action against this week’s APEC summit has been met by a heavy police presence at Sydney’s Central Station.

A small group of around 100 protesters gathered at one of the city’s busiest intersections ahead of tonight’s arrival of US President George W Bush.

Police and media easily outnumbered the activists who have called for Mr Bush to withdraw from Iraq and do more to address climate change.

It’s understood that restrictive bail conditions have kept many protesters away as they would be held in custody if arrested until next week.

Tags: apec, protestors, bush, politics

Downer plays down climate change rift with Malaysia

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 09:28:35 GMT

clipped by: tabsey
clipper's remarks: Downer is our Foreign Minister who refuses to believe his ideas are not perfect. He is also pushing the Bush line on everything. A proper lackie. Australia has arrogantly set itself to be the leader and decision maker for all in this area. It is what business has told them to do. There will be a push on nuclear energy before the meeting finishes. When Downer says fruitful, he means business connections have been set up for his cronies.

Clip Source: www.abc.net.au

Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer has played down reports of a rift between Australia and Malaysia over climate change talks at APEC.

The Federal Government has put global warming at the top of APEC's agenda.

But Malaysia's Trade Minister says Australia lacks the credentials to deal with the issue because it still refuses to sign the Kyoto Protocol and has accused Australia of "hijacking" the debate.

Mr Downer says Australia's climate change discussions with Malaysia in the lead up to APEC have been extremely fruitful.

Tags: apec, global waring, malasia