New arrivals strain asylum services

The Australian Customs Vessel Triton. Source: PerthNow

ELEVEN more Sri Lankans have decided to return home instead of staying in offshore processing - but the government will have to make room for another two new boat arrivals carrying 15 times that amount of people.

The news came as refugee groups yesterday claimed 300 of the 380 asylum seekers on Nauru were prepared to die in a hunger protest that forced 35 people to seek medical aid after the first four days.

But the immigration department insisted the figures were exaggerated because the food being consumed was consistent with only about 100 people protesting and that less than a dozen had required medical assistance.

A department spokesman said the decision by the 11 asylum seekers to return home took the total of Sri Lankans to do so this year to 126.

Five left Perth on Friday while the other six departed Christmas Island on Saturday.

"Regular transfers to Nauru and more Sri Lankans returning home is further proof that there is no advantage engaging with people smugglers," the spokesman said.

But the decision emerged as Customs and Border Protection confirmed the latest boats - the 103rd and 104th since Labor's backflip and return to offshore processing - had been intercepted over the weekend.

Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare said a boat carrying 49 people was discovered northwest of Cocos Keeling Islands on Saturday.

Another 105 people were onboard a boat intercepted in the same spot yesterday.

"People arriving by boat without a visa after August 13, 2012, run the risk of transfer to a regional processing country," he said.

Australia's territorial waters. Graphic: Matt Pike

Opposition customs spokesman Michael Keenan said Labor had lost all credibility on border protection since undoing the Howard government's procedures.

"They gave the kiss of life to a people smuggling trade that had been defeated and they have provided incentives for these criminals to continue with every failed policy," Mr Keenan said.

Refugee Action Coalition spokesman Ian Rintoul said the asylum seekers were demanding the closure of the centre, a trip to Australia and the processing of their cases.

He said one Iranian man had not eaten for 24 days.

"It is going to be a long hunger strike. Some people are saying they are willing to strike to the death," Mr Rintoul said.

The department said people in immigration detention could request their removal from Australia at any point.

"Those who choose to depart voluntarily can be provided with individual reintegration support to assist with their sustainable return, through the International Organisation for Migration," the spokesman said.

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Gillard leads historic talks in Laos

Prime Minister Julia Gillard is scheduled to attend the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) on Monday and Tuesday. Picture: AP Source: AP

JULIA Gillard has arrived in one of the poorest countries in South-East Asia as she begins a week of diplomatic meetings in which she will promote her new commitment to reach out to the region.

The Prime Minister will today join leaders from across two continents at the Asia Europe Meeting summit in Vientiane, Laos.

After the two-day summit, Ms Gillard will turn her attention to Indonesia - one of the key countries singled out by the Asian Century white paper - where she will co-chair the Bali Democracy Forum with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

The PM's six-day overseas trip is her first since the release of the white paper, which sets ambitious targets to make Australia more Asia-literate by 2025, including giving every student the chance to learn Mandarin, Hindi, Indonesian or Japanese.

Formal talks in Laos will range from the European financial crisis and free trade to counter-terrorism and global security.

The Bali talks will revolve around democratic reforms in the region.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard arriving at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, Laos, on Sunday. Picture: AP Source: AP

For Ms Gillard, the summits will provide an opportunity to showcase her government's new plans to engage with Asia.

She is planning a series of bilateral meetings, including with European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso, European Council president Herman Van Rompuy and French President Francois Hollande.

Ms Gillard will also hold historic talks with Burma President Thein Sein, which will be the first meeting between the leaders of Australia and Burma for almost three decades.

The meeting comes after Australia eased economic sanctions against the isolated country in April after by-elections that saw Aung San Suu Kyi elected as Opposition leader.

The Bali Democracy Forum was set up by Indonesia to encourage other countries in Asia to embrace democratic reforms.

This will be the second time an Australian prime minister has co-chaired the forum after Kevin Rudd helped run the first meeting in 2008.

The meeting in Laos will give Ms Gillard the chance to talk with European leaders about financial instability on the continent which, together with problems in the US, is threatening further global economic turmoil and could imperil her government's promised Budget surplus.

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Newborn baby dead in front yard

A forensics officer searches for clues where a newborn baby was found dead in the front yard of a Charters Towers home. Photo: Katrina Hinschen, Northern Miner Source: Townsville Bulletin

A NEWBORN baby has been found dead in the front yard of a Charters Towers home.

The infant's body was found by a resident of the house on Mahoney St, Richmond Hill on Sunday morning, The Townsville Bulletin reports.

It is believed the baby was dumped soon after its birth.

Police said forensic tests were ongoing and no further information was available.

Police at the scene where a newborn baby was found dead in the front yard of a Charters Towers home. Photo: Katrina Hinschen, Northern Miner

The mother has not been identified.

An emergency services worker, who attended the scene but wished to remain anonymous, said many people involved in the incident were shocked and upset.

"The lady who saw it was absolutely mortified. She went to feed her dog and she was absolutely mortified," the source said.

Read more  at The Townsville Bulletin

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Can royals handle the outback heat?

Prince Charles and his wife Camilla visit locals at Boera Village, some 20kms west of Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea, ahead of their arrival in Australia. Picture: AFP/Ness Kerton Source: AFP

THE Duchess of Cornwall might want to opt for pants for her visit to Longreach today.

Gusty winds and temperatures as high as 39C are expected to greet Prince Charles and Camilla when they touch down in the outback Queensland town at about 4pm.

It's their first Australian stop on a southern hemisphere tour to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

In September, when Prince William and Kate arrived in Brisbane for a flying visit, the young duchess was caught out when a gust of wind sent her flowing dress skywards.

Forecasters are expecting similar gusty conditions in Longreach on Monday, where Prince Charles and Camilla will spend two hours touring local sights including the Stockman's Hall of Fame.

"We're certainly expecting a hot day out there, with gusty winds and a severe fire danger," forecaster Ben Annells said.

"The maximum temperature will be about 39 degrees and that will be in the afternoon, when they are there."

The Duchess of Cornwall is on her first visit to Australia, and Longreach locals are thrilled they'll be the first to welcome her.

Stan Emslie, 82, spent his weekend polishing his tuba in preparation. He's the oldest member in the Longreach Town Band, which will be playing for the royal couple.

"I think it is a marvellous bloody thing for Longreach, that we are the only place in Queensland (the couple will visit)," he said.

There have also been some logistical hurdles to overcome, including the realisation that the local airport's plane stairs weren't going to be high enough for the royal jet.

But a spit and a polish for an old set of 1950s plane stairs, on loan from the Qantas Museum, has overcome that problem.

"They are hydraulic, so they can be lifted to fit any size of the door. We've given them a bit of a facelift, a touch-up," museum spokesman Tony Martin said.

Longreach horse breaker and stockman John Arnold will treat the royal couple to a whip-cracking display when they visit the Stockman's Hall of Fame.

While there, Prince Charles will name a new plane for the Royal Flying Doctor Service at the town's Qantas museum.

The highlight will be a community barbecue for about 300 invited guests.

Local John Palmer who will be at the event, will no doubt be reminiscing about his own royal encounters which date back more than 40 years.

The royal couple will touch down in Longreach from Papua New Guinea, where the prince impressed many with his command of the local lingo.  The royal couple are then due to head south for the Melbourne Cup.

They will also visit Adelaide, Hobart, Sydney and Canberra on their tour, before heading to New Zealand where Prince Charles will celebrate his 64th birthday on November 14.

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Activated almonds lights up Twitter

Celebrity chef and My Kitchen Rules TV judge Pete Evans has come under fire for his 'My Day on a Plate' food diary which was published in the Sunday Age. Picture: Sam Ruttyn Source: The Daily Telegraph

TWITTER literally went nuts when a TV chef's bizarre diet plan involving "activated almonds" which was published in a Melbourne newspaper, went viral.

Chef and My Kitchen Rules judge Pete Evans became the butt of hundreds of Twitter jokes for his 'My Day on a Plate' food diary in yesterday's Sunday Age magazine, in which he claimed to start the day with "alkalised water" and "sprouted millet".

The full Pete Evans 'Day on a Plate' column. Picture: Facebook Source: Supplied

"7am: Two glasses of alkalised water with apple cider vinegar, then a smoothie of alkalised water, organic spirulina, activated almonds, maca, blueberries, stevia, coconut keffir and two organic, free-range eggs," Evans wrote.

An increasingly pretentious list of ingredients followed, including "sorghum", "chia and buckwheat bread" and "cacao nibs", but it was Evans' mention of "activated almonds" that really captured the imagination of the Twittersphere, with the hashtag #activatedalmonds quickly becoming a trending topic.

"Has anyone thought of ASKING the almonds if they'd like to be activated first? #activatedalmonds," tweeted @fuddlemark.

"Went to eat a snack but my almonds are just sitting there, lifeless. What to do now? #activatedalmonds," tweeted @jendudley.

" 'Activating your almonds' - Aussie slang for being a wanker #activatedalmonds," tweeted @thecyclingcook.

Activated almonds are raw almonds soaked in water.

Evans' mention of "cultured vegetables" was also turned into a source of amusement, as Twitter users debated what they actually were.

"You can tell a cultured vegetable because they talk proper," tweeted @ThatEmilyLady.

"While my almonds were being activated I took my vegies to the ballet to ensure they're cultured," tweeted @bturbott.

Many Twitterers retweeted the column to Weight Watchers, for which Evans is a brand ambassador, complaining his diet plan was expensive and near impossible to follow.

Meanwhile Evans' Wikipedia page was altered, describing him as "an Australian chef, author, television personality and proud owner of activated almonds.".

This morning an angry Evans took to Facebook to defend his diet choices.

"I'm occasionally ridiculed because I choose to eat a nutrient dense diet, and I find it so bizarre as to why people sometimes find my food choice's so offensive," he wrote.

"All I know is that I'm well aware of the consequences of eating 'dead' food, and also I'm a father, and I take that privilege very seriously, so for me striving for optimum health whenever I can so that I can be a responsible role model for my daughters, and still be able to surf right up until the end, is the obvious choice for me."

PETE EVANS' - MY DAY ON A PLATE

7am: Two glasses of alkalised water with apple cider vinegar, then a smoothie of alkalised water, organic spirulina, activated almonds, maca, blueberries, stevia, coconut keffir and two organic, free-range eggs.

8.30am: Sprouted millet, sorghum, chia and buckwheat bread with liver pate, avocado, cultured vegetables plus ginger and liquorice root tea.

12.30pm: Fresh fish, sauteed kale and broccoli, spinach and avocado salad, cultured vegies.

3pm: Activated almonds, coconut chips, cacao nibs, plus green tea.

6.30pm: Emu meatballs, sauteed vegetables, cultured vegetables plus a cup of ginger and liquorice root tea.

 Petra Starke is the National Social Media Reporter

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Gunmen on the loose after siege

A woman has been arrested and is being questioned following a shopping centre siege in the NSW Illawarra.

THE woman allegedly seen with two men involved in a cinema siege south of Sydney has been arrested by police.

The gunmen have reportedly escaped.

Earlier, police were called to the Westfield Shopping Centre at Warrawong, at Port Kembla at 6.10am after security reported two people had entered the building.

 A woman who was with the men was held by security guards and taken away by police for questioning.

Armed police take up position at Westfield Warrawong. Picture: jenni_hunt / Instagram

 NSW police confirmed a 27-year-old woman, who was arrested outside the Warrawong Westfield, was being questioned.

``She is currently with police ... assisting them with their inquiries,'' a spokeswoman said.

Lake Illawarra police Sergeant Jason Harrison said police had no information leading them to believe the gunmen had any hostages.

Police cordon the Westfield Shopping Centre at Warrawong, Sydney. Picture: @Simon_Davie / Twitter

PolAir, dog squad, state protection support unit, rescue squad, detectives and general duties officers are at the scene.The security guards are said to have told police the two men were armed with rifles.

Police are focusing their search on the Hoyts cinemas, where they believe the two men are holed up.

A cordon had been set up around the shopping complex and surrounding roads had been closed, police said.

Police tape blocks access to the Westfield Warrawong shopping complex. Picture: jolalalauder / Twitter

Traffic is being diverted away from the scene.

More details to come.

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Man shot dead as wedding turns bloody

A young father has died following a triple shooting at a wedding reception in Sydney's southwest.

Three men have been wounded in a shooting at a wedding reception in Sydney's southwest.

Police at the scene. Picture: Bill Hearne Source: The Daily Telegraph

Police have established a crime scene. Picture: Bill Hearne Source: The Daily Telegraph

Police have established a crime scene at Bareena Street, Canley Vale. Picture: Bill Hearne Source: The Daily Telegraph

Shot dead... Faalau Pisu. Picture: Facebook Source: The Daily Telegraph

FAALAU Pisu killed after being shot twice in the head at a wedding reception was a member of the Comanchero Outlaw Motorcycle Gang.

Police have also revealed that two others who were shot outside the Serbian function centre at Canley Vale this morning also had links to the Comancheros.

A 27-year-old man shot in the leg is an associate of the gang, while a 25-year-old man who was also shot is a member.

Detective Acting Chief Superintendent Arthur Katsogiannis said police have obtained some CCTV footage and they are looking for a blue utility that was spotted in the area at the time of the incident.

He said there were about 100 guests at the wedding, with a "number'' of Comanchero members and associates in attendance.

He revealed that Strike Force Raptor had been monitoring the event earlier in the night, and pulled over a number of guests on their way to the wedding.

"Our proactive arm Strike Force Raptor did some proactive interactions early in the day, so we were monitoring it,'' Acting Chief Supt Katsogiannis said.

"They pulled over a number of Comanchero members on their way to the wedding and spoke to them.''

Acting Chief Supt Katsogiannis said it was a brazen attack.

"Anytime a firearm is used is a concern for us, particularly when it involves the tragic loss of the life of a young man in the prime of his life," he said.

"Certainly it's a concern. Certainly it shows the brazenness and the carelessness of the people involved."

Strike Force Pindamir comprising detectives from the State Crime Command has been put together to investigate the incident together with the Homicide Squad and South West Metropolitan Region.

Earlier today, Mr Pisu was described as a "loving father''.

The 23-year-old was rushed to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition after he was shot twice in the head outside the Serbian National Defence Council - a reception centre.

Mr Pisu family reportedly made the decision to turn off his life support.

His  adopted sister Faimai Faye Ale said her brother was the "joker" of the family who went out of his way to make people laugh.

"He would do anything for you," she said.

"He was the joker of the family and the idol of all the little boys," she said from the family's Mt Pritchard home.

Ms Ale said Mr Pisu, who was a forklift driver, had been "acting strange" in the days leading up to the shooting.

She said her family didn't know the couple getting married.

Ms Ale said her brother would be badly missed.

"We love you Faalau and we wish this didn't happen to you,'' she said.

According to Mr Pisu MySpace page, he was an amateur boxer and was studying to become a personal trainer.

He graduated from Ashcroft High School in southwest Sydney in 2006.

About 50 people gathered at the entrance of Liverpool Hospital overnight, many overcome with grief.

Police were called to the function centre on Bareena Street, Canley Vale at 12.20am, after reports of the shooting.

Police from Cabramatta Local Area Command investigated the incident and a crime scene was established.

Were you at the wedding or did you witness what happened? Tell us: news@dailytelegraph.com.au

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Thousands gather for Cup parade

SuperRacing's Ray Thomas and TAB's Adam Hamilton discuss the major betting moves heading into the Melbourne Cup.

MELBOURNE Cup favourite Americain came behind rival Dunaden in the Melbourne Cup parade but owner Kevin Bamford wasn't worried.

"We can live with it today," he said as the parade got underway in Melbourne today.

Dunaden took out last year's Cup while Americain, winner in 2010, finished fourth.

Mr Bamford knows the defending Cup champion is his biggest threat, but he also has his eyes on competitors who have crossed the seas to race.

"All the imports we don't know about," he said when asked who he saw as the biggest threat.

Trainer Peter Moody remains optimistic his two Melbourne Cup runners, Voila Ici and Lights Of Heaven, can figure prominently.

Master trainer Bart Cummings, who has two runners as he chases a 13th Cup win with Sanagas and Precedence, had no such concerns.

"I can't think of any threats," he said.

Mr Bamford and Mr Cummings were among the dozens of members of racing royalty who turned out for the parade that stops a city ahead of the race that stops a nation.

Joining them were tens and thousands of people who had come from all over Australia.

Jockey Glen Boss looks to claim his fourth Melbourne Cup, this time on the back of Kelinni.

Ros Dodd and Jane Savage came from Adelaide to attend the Cup.

Bess and Bryn Savage staked out a front-row spot on the corner of Bourke and Swanston streets just after 10am.

They travelled from Western Australia as part of a group of 16 to watch the 2012 Melbourne Cup.

"We love it and we love Melbourne," Mrs Savage said.

Connections of Dunaden are bullish about his Melbourne Cup chances with David Redvers declaring the French stayer the one to beat.

"We came about five years ago," Mr Savage said.

"We really enjoyed it."

Every year the parade, a prelude to Australia's biggest race, draws tens of thousands of people to the CBD for the chance to see the jockeys, trainers and owners.

Download your free Melbourne Cup sweep

Writer Matt Stewart and leading jockey Michelle Payne pick the horses with the best chance to win the Melbourne Cup

Huge crowds braved the gathering rain clouds to catch a glimpse of racing icons past and present during the parade down Swanston Street that finished at Federation Square.

Trainers and jockeys from the 2012 Melbourne Cup were joined by former champions Saintly, Doriemus and Rogan Josh.

Victoria Racing Club spokesman Marcus Williams said the parade, rivalled only by the AFL Grand Final parade, was becoming a Spring Carnival staple.

"Obviously a lot of people come to Flemington, but not everyone does, so this is a crucial event to let all of the public connect to the Cup," Mr Williams said.

Former Melbourne Cup champion Might And Power at today's parade. Picture: Tim Carrafa

"The international trainers and jockeys are blown away that we close the streets of a capital city to have a parade the day before a horse race. You don't get anything like this anywhere around the world."

A punting frenzy has seen Americain, piloted by champion jockey Damien Oliver, shorten to less than $5 favouritism after the French-trained horse drew barrier 12 - similar to what helped steer him to Melbourne Cup victory in 2010.

TAB's Adam Hamilton said punters were attracted to the six-year-old stayer after renowned French jockey Gerald Mosse was dumped in favour of the two-time Cup winner Oliver.

"Since Damien Oliver got the ride Americain's shortened from $10 into $5. The punters seem to love that they've taken an overseas jockey off and put Oliver on it," he said.

Police horses lead the parade through Melbourne's CBD. Picture: Tim Carrafa

"He's got an incredible record, Oliver, riding international horses in this race."

For Oliver, winner of Saturday's AAMI Victoria Derby on Fiveandahalfstar, Cup Day will mark the 10-year anniversary since his emotion-charged victory on Irish import Media Puzzle.

Hamilton predicted that this year's total TAB betting pool would exceed last year's, which included $91 million on the main race alone.

He said the TAB would process about 1600 bets a second during the peak splurge.

Subzero, a favourite during the Melbourne Cup parade, passes Flinders St Station. Picture: Jason Edwards

One punter splashed $1000 on Mount Athos when it was $71 in June.

The "best weighted horse" is now third favourite as short as $7.50.

Mini jockeys during the parade. Picture: Jason Edwards

Bart Cummings waves to the crowd. Picture: Jason Edwards

Americain has been backed into favouritism for the 2012 Melbourne Cup since Damien Oliver was announced as the six-year-old's new jockey. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

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