Latest news with #Hi-Vis
The Age
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Age
The partners who can't live together, or apart
Who are the Liberals? So the federal Liberal Party, not to mention the state Liberal Party in Victoria, is now facing the prospect of its irrelevance as if it was not already apparent before the recent federal election. Party spokespeople repeatedly say they must define and return to their fundamental values. What are they? Small government and respect for personal freedom. Is that it? Could someone flesh this out? What does this mean for state education, for aged care, for workers' rights, for small and middle sized business and so on? The problem is that there is no one among the Liberals with the vision of a Menzies let alone his oratorical ability to sell his vision. There is no one who can move on from this moribund bunch of lightweights and rejuvenate, let alone start another party, as Menzies did in similar circumstances. Yes, that is what he did and this is where they are now. John Whelen, Box Hill Sth Power failure Net zero now describes the chances the Liberals and Nationals have of regaining power until they shed their ideological aversion to renewables. Craig Jory, Albury, NSW Hiding the truth The article ″ Australia rebukes Israel ″ (21/5) is notable for two revelations. One, the timidity of our response to Israel's weaponisation of starvation in Gaza in withholding backing for the direct warning of sanctions by our closest allies. We've been similarly exposed before, and there's not even an election now, as an excuse. The second is even more interesting: as Benjamin Netanyahu pushes on with the plan to take full control of a mostly empty Gaza, in which 'just enough aid to prevent hunger' will flow, the Israeli PM is disarmingly frank about the calculation behind this policy tweak. Dependent on international finance and materiel to further his campaign, he confesses the (limited) renewal of aid is to placate supporters who 'cannot handle images of starvation'. This is surely a new cynical twist to the old maxim: ″the first victim of war is truth″. Hide it if you can – just don't scare the horses. Ken Blackman, Inverloch It's not working for me Premier Jacinta Allan, would you please define 'working people' for us Victorians? I get confused because I forever see you and your colleagues in Hi-Vis vests and hard hats on those major infrastructure projects that have blown budgets and our state's debt levels. Charles Griss, Balwyn No boastful patriots Tim Soutphommasane (Comment, 21/5), rightly invokes ″an ethos of fairness, equality and humanity″ as central to an intelligent framing of patriotism for Australia. For too long, the lazy, reflexive boofheaded values of advertising copywriters embodied in the ″Come on Aussie, come on″ tradition have defined a love of this nation. A humbler Scandinavian-style pride in a society that treats its citizens as deserving of well-funded educational, health and aged resources should be our focus. Decency should be celebrated. If the Anzac martial tradition at Gallipoli is to be acknowledged, it should be in the context of recognising the common values shared in 1915 by young Ottoman Turk country boys with their prayer mats and Korans; and Anglo-Celtic bush lads from a Christian tradition acknowledging each other's courage, as attested in historical accounts of their encounters. Patriotism need not be boastful. Jon McMillan, Mount Eliza Applaud those protesters Well done to the farmers, firefighters and everyone else who protested in Melbourne on Tuesday. They managed to do what so many of us would love to but haven't, and that is to mobilise against the increasing cash grab by this state government to prop up its gross mismanagement. Jan Grutzner, Richmond The wasted years Correspondents to the Letters pages seem divided between the need for major infrastructure and the cost. The current problem is that developments like the Suburban Rail Loop and the North East Link are necessary components for a fast-growing Melbourne, but are seen as unaffordable in the eyes of many due to the state's parlous budget situation. Federal funding, which is really essential, is limited and in recent years has tended to favour the north-eastern states at Victoria's expense. On an Australia-wide basis infrastructure development has been too late, having regard to the speed of growth of the nation this century. It is regrettable that at the height of the mining boom, when federal funds were more than adequate, the financial benefits were dispersed in the Howard years as tax advantages instead of being invested in infrastructure development, which would have been far less costly then, and beneficial to the nation as a whole. Brian Kidd, Mt Waverley Change investment In relation to comments that the proposed changes to superannuation will hinder investment, I ask, why does this investment need to be within the superannuation framework? What's to stop the wealthy from investing outside of superannuation? Since superannuation is intended to provide a reasonable income during retirement, can't we simply stick to that vision, rather than turning self-managed funds into huge investment facilities, with incomes far beyond what most people have in retirement. Eileen Ray, Ascot Vale School parking jam I live opposite a state primary school and can say that the daily 'parking stoush' is not restricted to so-called 'privileged' schools. While I am unable to park outside my house during the 'drop-off' and 'pick-up' times, these restrictions do not seem to apply to some parents. They not only park illegally, but consider it OK to straddle private home crossovers and/or nature strips. This is not done just to drop off or pick up their children as they lock their cars, carry their child's bag and cross the supervised crossing to 'deliver/collect' their offspring at the school gate. Parking restrictions may be a nuisance to residents, but they exist to make it safer for the school's students. It is a pity that some parents do not seem to realise, or care, that their illegal parking eliminates this safety feature and causes traffic congestion. Tony Wheeler, Templestowe Lower Stop the heritage loss In ref to ' Melbourne's character and liveability is being bulldozed – we should be alarmed' (20/5) I am alarmed. I was alarmed in 2016 when the first planning zone laws came in. I kicked and screamed, wrote letters to the government and talked with locals about how the state was bulldozing us by rushed decisions to change the zoning on our streets. With no answers to my questions our neighbourhoods were starting to change – 12 apartments here, a high-rise there, a sign of things to come. Not content with this, the state government is coming back determined to take every piece of grass we have left, the air we breath and the safety we had as we walked, biked, and shopped in our local communities. This heritage we have in our very young country should be placed with pride. The pride in our single-fronted cottages, weatherboards, cream brick veneers, Housing Commission flats, and our grand Victorian, Edwardian, and Federation homes. All part of a history that if demolished can never be replaced again. I come again, kicking and screaming, asking the same questions. How do we stop this from happening? Sharon Hendon, Glen Iris Energy alternatives Australia started large-scale mining uranium at Rum Jungle in the Northern Territory in 1954, but has only ever used tiny amounts for medical purposes, exporting the rest. Who knows how much ends up in nuclear weapons? France started building nuclear power plants in 1956, now has 18 supplying much of the country's electric power. In Australia, the conservative parties have had long periods of government, but only now have decided nuclear is the thing. Can anyone believe they are real? Meanwhile, China has become the largest generator of electricity by both hydro and wind in the world. It has also built at least one heliostat mirror array using sun to heat molten salt, which retains heat overnight enough to make the steam to turn the turbines to make electricity just like burning coal and gas, but without adding to rapidly increasing planet overheating. Why does Australia not pay for these facilities by charging those who extract fossil fuels a whole lot more? Loch Wilson, Northcote Some are lucky Yes, some might enjoy seeing white fields covered in frost, but as I turn on our heater with the temperature hovering around 0 degrees, I can't help but feel for those people less fortunate, with no warm place to sleep, through no fault of their own. I feel so privileged living in my cosy and warm house. Pam Christensen, Leongatha North Gift of gratitude The article ″ My resurrection (thank you) cost $7 ″ (21/5) made my heart sing – along with the music the author Fotis Kapetopoulos describes. Gratitude is a wonderful asset and this writer has it in spades alongside his gift for describing eras, lifestyles and our public health system, which is so often criticised. Kay Cole, Hawthorn East AND ANOTHER THING Politics The Nationals remind me of my childhood. When I threatened to run away from home, my mother offered to help pack my bags. Peter Thomas, Pascoe Vale Sussan Ley has made her mark by stating that all policies will be reviewed given the election result. The Nationals, with no review of failed policies, served up a foolish ultimatum and failed. Mike Fajdiga, Beaumaris Backers of the previous coalition will now need to pick which independent party to finance. The Liberals or the Country Nationals. Interesting times ahead. Meg Paul, Camberwell The Nationals couldn't split the atom so they split the opposition. Geoff Allen, Parkdale Nuclear power brought the Coalition partners together on climate policy. But now it seems to have contributed to their split. Nuclear fusion has given way to nuclear fission. Anthea Hyslop, Eltham Forget about the doors being open for a reconciliation between the Liberals and Nationals because the knife drawers will always remain open. Rob Prowd, Box Hill South Have the Nationals finally signed their own death warrant? Chris Burgess, Port Melbourne Bridget McKenzie (″Stupid move: Howard slams Coalition bust-up″, 21/5) doesn't know the difference between reasonable requests and unreasonable demands. Les Aisen, Elsternwick It has taken a woman to stop the tail wagging the dog. Martin Crowe, Fitzroy North
Belfast Telegraph
06-05-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
PSNI releases CCTV images of two suspects after attempted murder of Belfast taxi driver as £20k reward offered
Detectives investigating the attempted murder of a man in west Belfast in February have released CCTV images of two suspects as they appeal for information. The appeal is backed by a reward of up to £20,000 from the charity Crimestoppers. Sean O'Reilly (49) was shot as he sat inside a white Skoda Octavia taxi in the Bell Steel Manor area on Sunday February 23. PSNI Detective Inspector Gina Quinn said: 'The attack took place on a Sunday morning, 23 February, just before 10.30am. This was a ruthless and targeted attack, which was intended to take a man's life. It took place in broad daylight when anyone – any passers-by, including children – could easily have been injured or killed. 'Today, I'm releasing still images of two suspects. My hope is that the images will jog a memory or touch a conscience, and that anyone with information or footage will be encouraged to come forward.' Detective Inspector Quinn continued: 'We believe the two gunmen approached the vehicle on foot from a path that runs between the Glenwood and Laurelbank areas. Having fired a number of shots at the victim, the two made off, again on foot, heading back via the same path, crossing the Stewartstown Road, and entering the Glasvey area. They then crossed the Twinbrook Road and entered the Gardenmore Road area. 'I'm asking you to take a look at the still images. The first image shows the two gunmen, one of whom is wearing a High-Vis yellow jacket. This image shows the men at around 9.50am. They're on their way to carry out the attack, which took place at approximately 10.25am. 'The second image was taken at around 10.35am and shows the two men just after the shooting. Here, the yellow jacket has been discarded. 'We carried out searches in the Glasvey area and, on 27 February, seized a number of items including firearms, a Hi-Vis yellow jacket and dark-coloured baseball cap. We believe this is the jacket worn by one of the gunmen. All items are currently undergoing forensic testing.' Detective Inspector Quinn said she was making a 'direct appeal' to local people to share any footage, whether CCTV, dash cam or mobile phone footage. 'If, for example, you have CCTV, please check your footage between 9am and midday on Sunday 23 February. Might you have captured images similar to the ones released today? We know the gunmen waited in the Bell Steel Road area prior to the shooting. Did you see them, or indeed notice anything untoward?' Watch: Forensics at the scene of shooting in west Belfast She added: 'The independent charity Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information received directly that leads to the arrest and conviction of any person or people linked to this attack. With Crimestoppers, calls are never recorded, there's no caller line display or 1471 facility, and computer IP addresses can never be traced. 'I am appealing to you to do the right thing and speak up. You can contact Crimestoppers directly, or share information with detectives on 101 or via the Major Incident Public Portal.'
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Yahoo
Austin Police search for 3 suspects in commercial burglary investigation
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department asked for help identifying three burglary suspects related to a March 21 commercial burglary. According to police, the incident occurred at approximately 7 a.m. in the 300 block of San Antonio Street. APD said the three suspects arrived in a dark four-door pickup truck, broke into a storage unit and stole multiple items by loading them onto the truck before leaving the scene. The first suspect was described as a man last seen wearing dark pants and a dark sweater. APD said the second suspect was a man last seen wearing a green Hi-Vis vest, a dark cap, an orange balaclava mask, and blue jeans. Police said the third suspect was a man last seen wearing a green Hi-Vis vest, a red cap, a dark balaclava mask, and dark pants. The suspect vehicle was described as a possible recent model, four-door Chevrolet Silverado that was dark in color. Anyone with information related to this burglary was asked to contact APD's Commercial Burglary Unit at APDCommercialBurglary@ Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting or calling 512-472-8477. APD said a reward of up to $1,000 may be available for any information that leads to an arrest. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Independent
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Nike release remake of iconic Premier League ball for rest of season
The Premier League will use a remake of a classic Nike football for the rest of the current season. Nike have released a new version of the T90 Aerow I, which was used during the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons and became iconic for it's blue rings surrounding the Nike swoosh on a white background. The Premier League uses multiple designs of football across the course of each campaign and this new take on an old classic will replace the current Hi-Vis winter ball as the country heads into spring. It will make its debut on Wednesday night when league leaders Liverpool travel to Champions League-chasing Aston Villa and will be the final ball created for the Premier League by Nike. Having designed the footballs for the English top tier for the past 25 years, Nike will be replaced by Puma as the official ball supplier from the 2025-26 season, so they've decided to go out in style. The classic T90 blue rings have had some new details added to bring them in line with the Nike Flight balls currently used, including grooves in the casing which according to the current jargon that comes every time a new football is released 'allows the air to travel seamlessly around it delivering truer flight' while a shorter seam length allegedly 'allows for a sweeter touch.' Fans will be far more interested in the looks of the ball, which mirrors those 2004-05 and 2005-06 campaigns that saw Jose Mourinho's Chelsea win back-to-back Premier League titles. Legends of the game such as Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo, John Terry and Steven Gerrard were strutting their stuff at that time, ensuring a nostalgia-fest for those old enough to remember. The Nike T90 Aerow I in action:
