It's the end of the long lunch

Jolleys Boathouse sous chef Adrian Semcesen with licorice braised wagu. Picture: Tricia Watkinson. Source: The Advertiser

THE long lunch is on the brink of extinction because many workers choose to eat "al desko" or grab cheap snacks on the run.

The Advertiser Food Guide has teamed up with the Adelaide Food and Wine Festival to revive the tradition and help Adelaide restaurants fight the downturn in lunchtime trade.

Chef Tony Carroll, who owns Jolleys Boathouse restaurant, said lunch trade "has definitely died off".

"Sunday lunch is always popular but on the weekdays ... it doesn't exist anymore, and I know other restaurant owners say the same," he said.

Restaurant and Catering SA chief executive Sally Neville said working days were "more intense", which kept people away from restaurants.

"The days of the long lunch, as we once knew it, have gone," Ms Neville said.

From today until Thursday, Lunch Express offers food lovers the chance to dine in some our finest restaurants, including Jolleys Boathouse, for $40, which includes two courses and a glass of Sidewood wine, from the Adelaide Hills.

To book, go to The Advertiser Food Guide App, or book with participating restaurants.

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Twin bombs explode in Damascus

TWIN bombs exploded outside the Palace of Justice in Damascus overnight as deadly violence raged across the country and Turkey reportedly deployed missile batteries along its border with Syria.

With fighting in the 16-month-old revolt increasingly focusing on the capital, world powers were preparing for a crucial meeting on ways to end the conflict and to discuss a plan by peace envoy Kofi Annan for an interim government.

The meeting in Geneva, only agreed to after wrangling between Moscow and Washington over the agenda and the guest list, is to be attended by some regional governments but not by rival Middle East heavyweights Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Russia poured cold water on tomorrow's meeting, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov saying Moscow backs a political transition in Syria but rejects Western pressure for the ouster of President Bashar al Assad.

Meanwhile, three people were wounded when the bombs exploded in the car park outside the court complex in central Damascus, state media reported.

A police source said two magnetic bombs exploded in two judges' cars and that a third was being defused.

State television showed footage of heavy smoke rising from the site as firefighters battled the flames.

Elsewhere, violence killed at least 69 people, including 38 civilians, overnight after one of the bloodiest days of the 15-month revolt, a watchdog said.

Turkey, meanwhile, has sent missile batteries, tanks and troops to the border with Syria as a "security corridor" after Syria shot down a Turkish military jet last Friday, media reports said.

There was no official confirmation, but state-run TRT television showed dozens of military vehicles loaded with army personnel reportedly on the move for the volatile border, in a convoy that included low-altitude air defence systems and anti-aircraft guns.

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No role for Assad as Syria deal agreed

World powers have drafted a Syria transition plan but debate is ongoing about a future role for Pres Assad.

UN-Arab League special envoy Kofi Annan (right) speaks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during a meeting of the Action Group for Syria at the United Nations office, in Geneva. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

WORLD powers agreed a plan for a transition in Syria that could include current regime members, but the West did not see any role for President Bashar al-Assad in a new unity government.

Russia and China insisted that Syrians must decide how the transition should be carried out rather than allow others to dictate their fate, as the two powers signed up to the final agreement that did not make any explicit call for Assad to cede power.

The deal came despite initial pessimism from participants about the prospects of the Geneva talks amid deep divisions between the West and China and Russia on how to end the violence that claimed at least 53 lives on Saturday.

Rights monitors said most victims were civilians and hundreds more were trapped in Douma as regime forces stormed the town in Damascus province.

While international envoy Kofi Annan did not name names and said it was up to the Syrians to decide who they wanted in a unity government, he added: "I would doubt that Syrians... would select people with blood on their hands to lead them."

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made it clear that Washington did not see a role for Assad in the transition.

"Assad will still have to go. He will never pass the mutual consent test," she said.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius took the same stance, saying, "It's clear that Assad must stand down".

"No one can imagine for a moment that Assad will feature in the (new) government, any more than anyone thinks it possible for him to establish a neutral environment" required by the agreement, he said, adding that the transition government "will exclude murderers."

British Foreign Minister William Hague admitted that the deal was a "compromise agreement" as Russia played up the fact that it had convinced other world powers that it would be "unacceptable" to exclude any party from the transition process.

A long-time Syria ally, Russia is loathe to cast Assad aside, even as relations between Moscow and Damascus have cooled.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said: "How exactly the work on a transition to a new stage is conducted will be decided by the Syrians themselves."

"There are no demands to exclude from this process any one group. This aspect had been present in many of our partners' proposals. We have convinced them that this is unacceptable," Lavrov said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also stressed that "outsiders cannot make decisions for the Syrian people."

As divisions threatened to scupper talks earlier Saturday, Annan warned at the opening of the meeting that history would not look favourably on leaders who failed to chart a strategy to end the bloodshed in Syria.

A failure to unite also raised the spectre that the conflict that has claimed 15,800 lives over 16 months in the strategic Middle East country could spill over to the region and expose the world to fresh threats, said the former UN chief.

"History is a sombre judge - and it will judge us all harshly if we prove incapable of taking the right path today," Annan told the five permanent Security Council members - the United States, Russia, Britain, China and France - as well as regional powers Qatar, Turkey, Kuwait and Iraq.

Meanwhile fighting in Syria has only intensified in recent weeks as both government and opposition forces have received more weapons from their foreign backers.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights warned of a "catastrophic humanitarian situation" in besieged Douma, which "has been subjected to a fierce military campaign since June 21."

Violence has killed "scores and wounded hundreds" there since regime forces escalated attacks on the outlying suburb of Damascus, the group said.

"More than 100 families remain in the town, unable to flee and forced to take refuge in shelters," it said.

An explosion also rocked the Qaboon district of Damascus on Saturday and another blast hit the country's second city Aleppo in the north. A further blast hit an oil pipeline in a rebel-held area of the eastern province of Deir Ezzor.

The latest violence came a day after 73 people were killed nationwide, among them 23 regime troops.

While the violence rages there is also mounting concern about the destabilising impact it has on the region, in particular Jordan and Lebanon.

And the Turkish-Syrian border remains a potential flashpoint.

Turkey has sent tanks, troops and missile batteries toward the frontier, after Syria shot down a Turkish jet just over a week ago.

Meanwhile the head of the rebels' Free Syrian Army told AFP that 2500 Syrian soldiers were "massing 15 kilometres (10 miles) or slightly more from the Turkish border" on Friday.

Egypt's President Mohamed Morsi - elected after a revolution that overthrew strongman Hosni Mubarak - on Saturday called for an end to bloodshed in Syria, in his inaugural address.

"We support the Syrian people. We want the bloodshed to stop," he said.

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Blueprint to deliver cash and services

The Education Department will use population planning to drive the allocation of resources. Source: adelaidenow

HEALTH, academic and behaviour data will be mapped on a population plan for the state that will help determine where money is spent on education and child services.

It is one of 15 "signature projects" under the Education Department's transformation into a larger agency controlling schools, early learning, families and child protection.

Chief executive Keith Bartley will announce the large-scale structural changes today.

They have been in the making since October 2011, when the super department of Education and Child Development was created.

Mr Bartley said feedback from 22 community forums suggested that population planning was needed to drive the allocation of services.

"What they were saying to us is that instead of sitting in this building (Flinders St head office) and saying `we're going to distribute the resources in this way', we need to start with the sum of the needs and then deploy resources to that," he said.

Existing measures and reporting systems to be used include the Australian Early Development Index of five-year-olds, national literacy and numeracy tests, health outcomes and critical incidents in schools.

The plan is intended to provide a suburb-by-suburb picture of the development of a small community to enable programs and services to be moved and strengthened as needed.

The restructure will be in place next year.

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Road Watch: South Rd hassles

SOUTH Rd is the main problem area on an otherwise fairly quiet morning for commuters.

Australian Traffic Network's Nick Green said South Rd was very heavy approaching Richmond Rd,  and near its intersection with Daws Rd.

The freeway around Stirling is also building at city exits.

Speed cameras

Bolivar Rd and Waterloo Corner Rd, Burton

Sir Donald Bradman Dr, Cowandilla

Peachey Rd, Davoren Park

Shepherds Hill Rd, Eden Hills

Philip Hwy, Elizabeth

Midway Rd and Yorktown Rd, Elizabeth Park

Philip Hwy, Elizabeth South

Black Rd, Flagstaff Hill

Henley Beach Rd, Fulham

Lonsdale Rd, Hallett Cove

Martins Rd, Parafield Gardens

Port Wakefield Rd and Whites Rd, Paralowie

Marion Rd, Park Holme

Salisbury Hwy, Salisbury

Anderson Walk and Main North Rd, Smithfield

Holbrooks Rd, Underdale

Old Port Wakefield Rd and Port Wakefield Rd, Virginia

Greenhill Rd, Wayville.

Roadworks

Cormack Rd / Davis St - Wingfield

Happy Valley Drv / Taylors Rd West - Happy Valley

John Rice Ave / Haydown Rd - Elizabeth Vale

Port River Expressway / Hanson Rd

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Two held over London Olympics terror plot

TWO Muslim converts suspected of planning an attack on the Olympic Games canoeing venue were arrested in London on Thursday.

Sources told The (London) Daily Telegraph the pair, aged 18 and 32, were seen acting suspiciously close to the venue in Waltham Abbey earlier this week.

Metropolitan Police Counter-Terrorism Command officers arrested the men on terror charges at two residential addresses in east London early Thursday.

A friend of one of the men, Mizanur Rahman, 29, said the arrests "might have had something to do with the fact that they recently went canoeing" on the River Lee, a branch of which runs through the Olympic site in east London.

Police had reportedly combed the banks of the river earlier in the week.

The opening ceremony of the Games takes place on July 27, with the canoeing events being held at both the Lee Valley White Water Centre and Eton Dorney.

Read more about the two men arrested over London Olympics terror plot at The (London) Daily Telegraph

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Prostate surgery evolves for the better

Cvjetko Milanovic, 82, of Rostrevor, was back in his garden the day after undergoing a new prostate surgical procedure. Picture: Calum Robertson Source: The Advertiser

SOUTH Australian men suffering from an enlarged prostate can now undergo a revolutionary new laser surgical procedure treatment.

A group of six Adelaide surgeons are trialling surgery using a $250,000 German-developed device, known as Evolve, that allows them to operate on men taking blood-thinning medication.

One in two men aged over 60 suffer from the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or benign enlarged prostate. That number rises to three in four men aged over 75.

Dr Jehan Titus has performed surgery about 15 times using the new vaporising laser treatment and said patients were home within 24 hours as opposed to an average stay of two to three days for more traditional surgery.

The Advertiser sat in on a procedure performed by Dr Kim Pese.

It took 45 minutes for him to finish vaporising the offending tissue, ensuring his patient's urethra was no longer blocked.

"There is significantly less bleeding, so much so that we can treat people who are on medication to thin the blood," Dr Pese said.

"The usual issue is that we are dealing with an older man, so it is not uncommon problem for them to be on blood thinners and have prostate blocking of the bladder."

Cvjetko Milanovic, 82, of Rostrevor, recently had the surgery. He said he was back in his garden pain free the following day.

He has had traditional surgery on two previous occasions after which he was in hospital for up to a week.

"This time I didn't feel a thing," Mr Milanovic enthused. "There was no pain, no suffering. It was like I hadn't been touched, it was easy. I feel excellent."

Dr Titus said doctors across Adelaide would carry out an average of about 15 procedures a week to alleviate the symptoms of BPH.

"It can be used safely in patients on anti-platelet or anti-coagulant medications," he said. "(These) are usually necessary in some cardiac patients with coronary stents or those that have an increased tendency for developing life threatening blood clots."

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Non-English church services on the rise

Demand for church services in languages other than English is growing, reflecting the multiculural mix of congregations. AFP PHOTO/Thony BELIZAIRE Source: AFP

GROWTH in the number of non-English church services is bucking the trend of declining church attendance, the Uniting Church of SA says.

Uniting Church of SA multicultural and cross-cultural officer Dave Williamson says national surveys report that multicultural services are growing.

"The Uniting Church in SA is definitely increasing the number of non-English services it delivers to meet growing demand," he said.

"As the demographic of society changes and communities change, we aim to meet the needs of our multicultural and cross-cultural communities."

The National Church Life Survey revealed a 5 per cent drop between 2001 and 2011 in the number of Australian-born respondents attending church.

But there were rises in the proportion of respondents born in non-English-speaking countries and those whose parents were born in similar countries. There also was an increase among those who were born in another country where English was the main language.

Glenunga Uniting Church has been running a weekly Spanish church service for the past year. It was set up by a small group of church members who had arrived in Adelaide from overseas.

Lead Pastor Mark Schultz said it soon ballooned in popularity, attracting couples and families from across metropolitan Adelaide.

"It seems to be growing and going pretty well," he said. "It started off with a really small number - a couple of families decided to get it going.

"We ended up having other Spanish-speaking couples and families joining them."

Mr Schultz said numbers fluctuate but about 40 had been attending the services recently. He said they were of particular benefit for those who came to Australia who did not speak English.

Those who came for work were more likely to speak English but often their family members did not.

"It's an easy way for them to fit in," he said.

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Council bans sex in medieval church grounds

A COUNCIL in central England was forced to issue an injunction to stop drunken locals cavorting in a historic church cemetery.

Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Police acted after receiving reports of men and women having booze-fuelled sex sessions in the grounds of 607-year-old St. Mary's Church, the Birmingham Mail reported.

Officials have now issued a Section 222 order, which means that anyone caught having sex in public could be fast-tracked to jail.

Christine Williams, local park manager, said, "If any of them come to the church gates now, I can call a number whereas before we were having to get in touch with the police and we couldn't always get through."

Read more at the Birmingham Mail.

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Memorial remembers brothers in arms

SOME 4000 Australians are among the brave airmen honoured by a World War II Bomber Command memorial unveiled by the Queen in London.

And amid the pomp and ceremony, religion and royalty of the overnight dedication ceremony came a story of comradeship from Down Under.

"I couldn't really see the Queen and the Duke (of Edinburgh)," said 89-year-old Canberra veteran Frank Ward from his wheelchair toward the rear of the crowd.

"But seeing the memorial and being surrounded by all these old codgers, it made me feel nostalgic.

"We came from all over the world, the members of Bomber Command: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa.

"Today my thoughts turned to a bloke I met all those years ago while training in Canada, a lovely Maori bloke. I don't even remember his name.

"We were great mates and he was my protector. Like so many of the great men I met during the war, I don't know what happened to him (or) whether he even survived."

Stories like that of the 467 squadron navigator were aplenty overnight, and for some the emotion was too great, as tears flowed freely during the Last Post.

The STG3.5 million ($5.4 million) stone monument in London's Green Park that includes statues of Bomber Command airmen poised in battle pays tribute to the 55,573 who lost their lives during the strategic raids on enemy territory.

More than 10,000 Australians, with an average age of 22, signed up for Bomber Command. Only about 6000 returned home.

One hundred Command veterans from across Australia travelled to London for the memorial dedication.

"There is a sense of relief that there has been a special recognition of their significant contribution to the defeat of the Axis powers during the war. They played a key part," General Mark Kelly said of the Australian contingent present overnight.

Dressed in lilac, the Queen met two Australian veterans, Norman Deady and Dudley Hannaford, after unveiling the memorial.

"What an honour," said Mr Hannaford, 88, from Sydney. "And the fly-past by that old Lancaster (aircraft). Such a privilege to see."

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Iraq PM threatens early elections

IRAQ'S prime minister has threatened to call early elections that could tighten his grip on power if the nation's political factions fail to break an impasse that has all but paralysed the government.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's gambit is the latest in a months-long political crisis in Iraq that has Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds alike calling for his resignation. The impasse also has fuelled fears of a possible flare-up in violence by insurgents seeking to take advantage of the chaos.

Bombings targeting a Shiite cleric and an anti-al-Qaeda militia fighter killed at least 11 people overnight in Baghdad.

Mr al-Maliki, a Shiite, said continued refusals by his political opponents to negotiate a resolution to the impasse would leave him little choice but to call for a new vote. He did not mention a date.

"When the other party is refusing to sit down at the negotiating table and insists on the policy of creating continued crises ... then the prime minister finds himself obliged to call for early elections in which the Iraqi people will have the final say," he said on his official website.

Mr al-Maliki's threat to hold snap elections comes in response to months of demands for his resignation by Sunni, Kurdish and some Shiite leaders who said they have been sidelined from power. It's unclear whether they have the political will or enough support in parliament to oust Mr al-Maliki in a no-confidence vote.

The influential anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr this week joined Mr al-Maliki's opponents in calling for his resignation, raising the stakes against the prime minister.

By countering with a threat to call for early elections, Mr al-Maliki is betting that his popular support nationwide would hand him a clear-cut victory and assure him undisputed executive authority.

The crisis began when the government issued terrorism charges against the nation's highest-ranking Sunni politician, Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi, as the last US troops withdrew from the country. That prompted Sunni politicians to briefly boycott the cabinet, and government work came to a standstill.

The standoff also has raised fears that insurgents could use the political chaos to try to reignite the sectarian animosities that drove Iraq to the brink of civil war five years ago.

Overnight, bombs targeting the Baghdad homes of a Shiite cleric and a member of a Sunni militia that fights al-Qaeda killed at least 11 people. The attacks on two of al-Qaeda's favourite targets brought Iraq's death toll for June to at least 186, making it the bloodiest month since January.

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Cops serve Assange with extradition notice

Bob Carr insists Julian Assange's asylum application to Ecuador has nothing to with the Aust govt.

BRITISH police served an extradition notice today on WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has taken refuge in Ecuador's embassy in London and requested asylum.

Scotland Yard said they had served a "surrender notice" on the 40-year-old Australian requiring him to appear at a police station, adding that failure to do so would make him further liable to arrest.

Assange faces extradition to Sweden over sex crime allegations, having exhausted his options under British law when the Supreme Court overturned his appeal against extradition earlier this month.

Fearing Stockholm would pass him on to the US, he sought refuge at Ecuador's embassy in London on June 19, asking the South American country for political asylum.

Scotland Yard has "served a surrender notice upon a 40-year-old man that requires him to attend a police station at date and time of our choosing," a spokesman said.

"This is standard practice in extradition cases and is the first step in the removal process.

"He remains in breach of his bail conditions. Failing to surrender would be a further breach of conditions and he is liable to arrest."

The embassy declined to comment on the serving of the police notice.

Assange fears he will be extradited from Sweden to the United States to face possible espionage charges, after releasing more than 250,000 US diplomatic cables on the WikiLeaks anti-secrecy website.

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Egypt swears in first freely elected president

Mohamed Morsi takes the oath of office but his day of triumph is unlikely to mark end of political strife in Egypt. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

ISLAMIST Mohamed Morsi promised a "new Egypt" as he took the oath of office to become the country's first freely elected president, succeeding Hosni Mubarak who was ousted 16 months ago.

At his inauguration before the Supreme Constitutional Court, Morsi also became the Arab world's first freely elected Islamist president and Egypt's fifth head of state since the overthrow of the monarchy some 60 years ago.

He took the oath before the court's 18 black-robed judges in its Nile-side seat built to resemble an ancient Egyptian temple.

"We aspire to a better tomorrow, a new Egypt and a second republic," Morsi said during a solemn ceremony shown live on state television.

"Today, the Egyptian people laid the foundation of a new life - absolute freedom, a genuine democracy and stability," said Morsi, a 60-year-old US-trained engineer from the Muslim Brotherhood, a fundamentalist group that has spent most of the 84 years since its inception as an outlawed organisation harshly targeted by successive governments.

Hundreds of soldiers and policemen guarded the building as Morsi arrived shortly after 11am local time in a small motorcade. Only several hundred supporters gathered outside the court to cheer the new president and, in a departure from the presidential pomp of the Mubarak years, traffic was only briefly halted to allow his motorcade through on the usually busy road linking the city centre with its southern suburbs.

Morsi's inauguration signals a personal triumph. He was not the Brotherhood's first choice as president, and was thrown into the presidential race when the group's original candidate, chief strategist and financier Khairat el-Shater, was disqualified over a Mubarak-era criminal conviction.

Derided as the Brotherhood's uncharismatic "spare tyre", his personal prestige has surged since his victory and his delivery of a Friday speech that tried to present him as a candidate not just of Islamists but of all those who want to complete the work of the 2011 uprising against the authoritarian Mubarak.

"Egypt today is a civil, national, constitutional and modern state," Morsi, wearing a blue business suit and a red tie, told the judges in the wood-panelled chamber where he took the oath of office. "It is a strong nation because of its people and the beliefs of its sons and its institutions."

Morsi later travelled to Cairo University where he was to make his inauguration address. He was given an official welcome by an army band that played the national anthem as he stood to attention. Military ruler Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi was in attendance. His arrival was greeted with chants of, "The army and the people are one hand", from the hundreds gathered in the university's main lecture room.

Established in 1908 as a bastion of secular education, Cairo University later became a stronghold of Islamist student groups in the 1970s. Many of those student leaders have gone on to become senior members of Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, the nation's oldest and most powerful Islamist movement.

A handover ceremony hosted by the military generals who ruled Egypt since Mubarak's ouster follows.

Morsi took a symbolic oath on Friday in Tahrir Square, birthplace of the uprising that ended Mubarak's authoritarian rule last year, and vowed to reclaim presidential powers stripped from his office by the military council that took over from the ousted leader.

But by agreeing to take the official oath before the court, rather than before parliament as is customary, he is bowing to the military's will in an indication that the contest for power will continue.

Morsi's speech in Tahrir Square was filled with dramatic populist gestures. The 60-year-old president-elect staked a claim to the legacy of the uprising and voiced his determination to win back the powers stripped from his office by the generals.

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Woman reported for high alcohol level

A WOMAN has been reported for high range drink driving after allegedly registering a blood alcohol reading of .330 at Happy Valley this afternoon.

Police were called to Reynell Rd at 3.50pm after reports of a vehicle collision.

The female driver of a Ford sedan involved in the crash submitted to a breath test, which returned an alleged reading of 0.330

A 57-year-old, of Happy Valley, was reported for exceeding the prescribed concentration of alcohol, driving under the influence and reversing without due care.

She was issued a 12-month instant loss of licence notice, and her car was impounded for 28 days.

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Square tree plan: Silly, plane and simple

Young Grace Tucsok hugs a spotted gum tree in the Botanic Gardens. Picture: LUKE HEMER Source: adelaidenow

• TELL US: What street trees should we have?

THE Adelaide City Council has been warned to cut back plans to plant plane trees in Victoria Square and, instead, consider a mix of native and exotic trees better suited to the state's climate.

Experts argue that two key options the council has been looking at - lemon-scented gums and plane trees - are not the best choices.

The council is grappling with a decision on which tree type best suits the site, with a decision likely at a full council meeting on April 16.

About 100 native lemon-scented gums were to be planted until a council committee overruled the plans at the last minute, pushing northern hemisphere plane trees instead.

An artist's impression of the revamped Victoria Square, which will be able to host events for up to 10,000 people and include new trees and pedestrian and cycle paths.

Tree specialist David Lawry, co-director of Treenet at the Waite Arboretum, cautioned against plane trees, suggesting spotted gums - an Australian native - were the perfect alternative for its beauty and safety.

"It's also more structurally stable (than the lemon-scented gum)," he said. Mr Lawry also suggested kurrajongs and jacarandas as another option.

Gardening expert Jon Lamb said the council should consider climate change and the state's hot, dry climate when making their final decision.

"The trees that we grow should be tall, wide and deciduous," he said.

"They can provide shade for people to come together during the summer period and, if they're deciduous, it will allow the sun to shine through in the winter so people can use the square all-year round," he said.

Mr Lamb said the right tree had the ability to cool Victoria Square with its shade canopy by up to 10C in summer. He said European and American oak trees, Moreton Bay figs, SA blue gums or smooth-barked gums were better options than what was being proposed.

"The lemon-scented gum would be a very poor choice as it would survive but only if we provide it all the water that it needs," he said.

District Council of Mt Barker urban forest officer Chris Lawry agreed the ACC should be looking beyond plane trees for the Square.

"They're not going to give Victoria Square identity because there are planes everywhere already," he said.

Despite this, Mr Lawry named plane trees as the perfect tree for soaking up pollution, dust and diesel fumes, which other exotic trees such as maples and oaks are also good at.

He said Adelaide had "overdone" plane trees and should look for a better alternative. "We don't want to be boring, we need some diversity in our tree planting," Mr Lawry said.

By Katrina Stokes

PLANE trees provide shade in the summer months, sun in winter and take pride of place on the streets of Paris and London - but can cause serious allergies.

Lemon-scented gums are beautiful and uniquely Australian but are known for dropping limbs and bark all year round.

The pros and cons of both species are causing major headaches for the Adelaide City Council's $100 million Victoria Square redevelopment as councillors debate which tree should feature in the city's new major tourism and recreation hub.

About 100 lemon-scented gums were set to be planted until - at the 11th hour - an Adelaide City Council committee meeting overruled the decision, pushing plane trees instead.

The final decision will be made in coming weeks, but it raises the question - which trees are most suitable for Adelaide's streets?

Confusion over which kind of trees councils should be planting has been watched with interest by researchers at Adelaide's Botanic Gardens, who are spearheading a new website to help people with tree selection.

The website, to be named The Tree Selector, will aid residents, city planners, builders and developers in determining the correct trees they could be planting in their council area.

Botanic Gardens green infrastructure project officer Sheryn Pitman said the new website, partly funded by the Local Government Association and SA Water, would help people plant the right trees in the right places.

District Council of Mt Barker urban forest officer Chris Lawry said there were three factors councils and developers should look at when deciding on the perfect tree to plant - environment, economics and aesthetics.

"It's about the environmental function that the tree will provide in that situation, its shade, aesthetics and the functionality of that tree to the locality of it," he said.

"Wherever there are trees in shopping malls, you get people hanging around spending more money ... people shell out more dollars in leafy suburbs (like Burnside and Norwood)."

Mr Lawry said the decision to plant either exotic or native plants was often a personal one.

He said elms and maples were a popular choice throughout the Adelaide Hills for their shade in summer and beautiful autumnal leaf colours.

"We're going to entice more people to the hills in terms of autumn colour and all the things that autumn colour brings ... that is an economic decision," he said.

Mr Lawry said councils too often got "caught up" in tree fads.

"Plane trees have been a fad since the '90s ... we should be saying `let's get some variety', otherwise our landscape ends up all the same," he said.

His thoughts were echoed by Treenet co-director David Lawry, who said it was important for councils to branch out when thinking about tree options.

"We need to have a mixture of Australian and exotic trees - it would be wrong to pick the top 10 trees and just choose those," he said.

Ideal South Australian tree species suggested by the experts include the Chinese pistachio, spotted gum, jacaranda, Moreton Bay fig, South Australian blue gum, crow's ash, kurrajong and European and American oaks.

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Arsonists light series of small fires at Aldinga

POLICE are investigating a series of deliberately lit fires in Aldinga this morning.

A resident called 000 just before 3am after spotting a group of youths lighting a bush in the front of a display home on Wild Orchid Drive.

Police discovered up to six small fires had been lit along the road after arriving a short time later.

The fires burned out before taking hold.

Anyone who may have seen youths acting suspiciously in the area or has information about the fires are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.sa.crimestoppers.com.au

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Man wanted over suspicious behaviour

POLICE are seeking to speak to a man who behaved suspiciously towards a young girl at Davoren Park.

Between 6pm and 7pm on Wednesday, the young girl was out the front of her Broster Street home when the suspect allegedly approached her, reached for her hand and asked her to go with him.

The young child ran into her home and was uninjured. The man is described as having a thin build, wearing black pants and a yellow high visibility jacket.

While no offences were committed, police would like to speak with this man.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.sa.crimestoppers.com.au

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Investigation into Kingscote fire

POLICE are investigating two suspicious house fires on Margaret Street at Kingscote.

Sometime between January 30 and 4 April, a vacant house was damaged when the wooden supports of the house were set alight as was paper which was pushed through the windows.

The second fire occurred sometime between March 25 and today, where entry was gained and the blinds in two rooms were set alight.

The damage is estimated to be between $10,000-$20,000 on each home.

Police ask anyone with information to contact Kangaroo Island Police on 85532018 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

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Pair 'fled armed robbery, set car alight'

A PAIR of 20-year-olds have been arrested in the Barossa Valley after allegedly fleeing an armed robbery in a stolen car which they then set on fire.

Police allege a man armed with a knife threatened staff at the Cockatoo Valley General Store on Williamstown Road about 3.45pm yesterday before fleeing with cash and cigarettes in a stolen red Nissan Pulsar, driven by another man.

Police rushing to the store saw the car on fire nearby and then found the duo trying to start up another car near the junction of Rosedale Road and Barossa Valley Highway.

The men, from Reeves Plains and Karoonda ,were refused police bail and will appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Monday.

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$8m Gawler Town Hall upgrade in doubt

Gawler Mayor Brian Sambell out the front of the Gawler Town Hall. Picture: Roy Van Der Vegt Source: adelaidenow

AN $8 million plan to create an arts and social hub at Gawler Town Hall is in doubt because of a lack of federal funding.

Gawler Council's application for a $5 million grant was rejected late last month.

The project would include renovating the heritage Town Hall and Institute buildings to include an expanded multi-media library, performance space, heritage exhibition gallery, business services, tourism centre and cafe.

Gawler Deputy Mayor David Hughes said the council was still hopeful of securing funding.

"There may be another funding round announced," Cr Hughes said.

"We're looking to see what other funding opportunities come up.

"We really do need a major grant to assist with the project."

He said about a third of the buildings were in active use and once renovated would provide a perfect space for the hub.

"It's a fantastic project," Cr Hughes said.

He said about 80,000 people used services in the town and the project would "bind our main street".

"It will bring the whole of the town centre alive."

The council has pledged $1 million to the project and was hoping to secure a further $1.5 million in partnership with local business and government groups.

For more news on the north, pick up a copy of the Northern Messenger, read our digital edition online, or become a fan of our Facebook page.

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Feds reject Modbury to Gawler bike path bid

Tea Tree Gully Mayor Miriam Smith has backed plans for a 20km bike path from Modbury to Gawler. Picture: Luke Hemer Source: adelaidenow

PLANS for a cycling trail linking Adelaide's northeast suburbs to the Barossa Valley have failed to win Federal Government support.

Tea Tree Gully Council's bid for $4.5 million Regional Development Australia funding for the project was rejected by the government last month.

The grant would have funded a 20km bike path from Modbury to Gawler which connected to the existing trail from Gawler to Tanunda.

Gully Mayor Miriam Smith said the project would provide a missing link for cyclists riding from Adelaide to the Barossa.

"I've been driving this project because the River Torrens Linear Trail ends on the eastern side of Tea Tree Gully with nowhere else to go," Ms Smith said.

"There's a gap between Modbury and Gawler.

"If we connected them it would make the track one of the largest in the world."

Early plans for the trail indicated it would pass through Golden Grove and along One Tree Hill Rd to Gawler.

Ms Smith said Gawler and Playford councils had already given in principle support to the project.

She said she would lobby the State Government to support the proposal and urge the council to again apply for federal funding.

For more news on the north-east, pick up a copy of the Leader Messenger, read our digital edition online, or become a fan of our Facebook page.

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Outdoor dining bid for Kensington pub

The Rising Sun Inn hotel owner/head chef, Tom Savis. Picture: Noelle Bobrige Source: adelaidenow

A KENSINGTON pub's bid to extend its liquor licence to an outdoor dining area has been opposed by the local council.

Licensees of the Rising Sun Inn at Kensington will lodge an application with the Office of Liquor and Gambling Commissioner this week asking to be allowed to serve alcohol in the outside dining area on Bridge St.

But Norwood, Payneham & St Peters councillors objected to the extension at a Tuesday, April 2, meeting.

This follows complaints from Bridge St residents who say allowing patrons to consume alcohol outdoors will lead to unreasonable noise and disruption.

The Liquor Commissioner has the final say, but the council was given an opportunity to comment on the application. The council granted owners Michael and Thomas Savis a permit to set up an unlicensed outdoor dining area last December and voted last week to renew the permit in June.

Councillor Vincent Tarzia told the meeting it would be inappropriate to allow alcohol in the outdoor area.

"It's entirely surrounded by residential properties and I believe something like this would cause residents an enormous amount of harm," Cr Tarzia said.

Bridge St resident, John Legg said he was happy with the council's decision. "We are all delighted the council will not be supporting the landlord's application for the serving of alcohol on the footpath outside the Rising Sun Inn," Mr Legg said.

"We hope that this clear message is heeded when the application goes to the Liquor and Gambling Commission."

Thomas Savis declined to comment last week because he was yet to be notified of the decision.

For more news on the east and inner-south, pick up a copy of the Eastern Courier Messenger, read our digital edition online, or become a fan of our Facebook page.

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Prospect residents want limit on building heights

The Prospect High Rise Protest Group has started a petition to lobby State Government to rethink inner metropolitan growth. (LtoR) Kate Barrett, Noles Beddome, Anna Pigliacelli, Peter Langhans, Margaret Prideaux, Stathis Avramis and Bronwyn Newett. Picture: Luke Hemer Source: adelaidenow

THE debate over new building height limits through Prospect has taken a new twist, with more than 600 people signing a petition against high density living.

It comes as a leading developer and the local council endorse moves the raise the local skyline.

The petition, started by the Prospect High Rise Protest Group, follows the State Government release of plans to increase building heights to up to 10-storeys in city fringe suburbs.

Buildings along Churchill Rd could be raised up to five-storeys from the existing three with one eight-storey development.

Along Prospect Rd it could rise from two to four storeys and, along Main North Rd, from three to five.

Group co-ordinator and Prospect resident Bronwyn Mewett said 630 residents already had signed the petition.Government to cater for the state's projected 560,000 population increase during the next 30 years.

Prospect Council acting chief executive Deb Richardson said the community concerns needed to be investigated.

"Increased traffic flow, public transport and potential health impacts are just some of the issues which need to be investigated," Ms Richardson said.

"However, the council does not think the heights are excessive ... but we understand the community's concerns."

Maras Group managing director Steve Maras, whose company wants to build a cinema on Prospect Rd, said the group hoped building height limits could be raised to allow his development to go ahead.

Mr Maras said a four-storey development within the Prospect Rd Village Heart was "more than reasonable and appropriate".

"We strongly believe in delivering sustainable, long-term, mixed-use developments that create something special for the local community and assists in increasing the vibrancy and attractiveness of the precinct," he said.

Mr Maras said the group had received "strong support" from most local residents.

A timeframe on a decision had not been made by Planning Minister John Rau when the City North Messenger went to press.

For more news on the inner-north, pick up a copy of the City North Messenger, read our digital edition online, or become a fan of our Facebook page.

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Bushwalker's explosive discovery in gorge

A BUSHWALKER in Onkaparinga Gorge has stumbled across more than 25kg of high explosives abandoned near a carpark.

Police said the man found the Orica Powergel explosives under a tree about 60m from the carpark off Piggott Range Rd, Onkaparinga Hills, on Monday, April 1, about 5.50pm.

A South Coast Police spokesman said bomb technicians cordoned off the area and seized 26 high explosive cylinders, which each weighed about 1kg.

"The situation was dangerous and we urge anyone finding explosives not to touch it and do not use mobile phones close to it," he said.

"Do not pick it up and put it in your car and drive it from the location - let police know immediately."

The explosives were taken to the police range at Echunga in the Adelaide Hills and detonated.

An Orica spokesman said Powergel explosives were used to blast rock in mines and quarries and he had no idea how they could have ended up in the gorge.

"If they are not used by experts it can have untoward consequences," he said.

"We take the obligation about the safety of the materials that we make very, very seriously.

"SA Police have contacted us and we are assisting them with their enquires."

The explosives are grey, with a firm putty-like consistency, packaged in plastic film with wire clips.

Police urge anyone with information on the Powergel explosives to contact them on Crimestoppers: 1800 333 000.

For more news on the south, pick up a copy of the Southern Times Messenger, read our digital edition online, or become a fan of our Facebook page.

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Spate of car thefts from driveways

Holden Hill Police are warning residents to lock their cars after a spate of vehicle thefts Source: NewsLocal

HOLDEN Hill Police are urging residents to lock their cars, following 22 vehicle thefts in a week.

Police said the spate of thefts, between March 28 and April 3, occured mostly from unlocked cars in driveways.

Holden Hill Chief Inspector Tony Crameri said theft from motor vehicles could be reduced dramatically if members of the community would ensure all windows were up and their car was locked.

"Unfortunately the days when we could trust people not to take things from unlocked cars in our driveways have long passed," chief-insp Crameri said.

Police urged car owners to ensure their windows were up and cars were locked at all times to deter thieves.

To report a theft contact your local police station or for assistance call Police Assistance on 131 444.

Anyone with information on crimes in the area should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at sa.crimestoppers.com.au

For more news on the inner-north, pick up a copy of the City North Messenger, read our digital edition online, or become a fan of our Facebook page.

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Road Watch: Smooth run for commuters

MOTORISTS can expect a largely hassle-free commute for the end of the working week.

Nick Green from the Australian Traffic Network said a car had broken down on an arrester bed on the South Eastern Freeway downtrack, reducing speed to 80km/h on approach to the Heysen Tunnels.

Mr Green said traffic was building on the Southern Expressway, Main South Rd and Marion Rd.

Country Fire Service crews are working to clear a crash on Dashwood Gully Rd at Meadows.

Speed cameras

Marion Rd and Sir Donald Bradman Dr, Brooklyn Park

Yorktown Rd, Craigmore

Peachey Rd, Davoren Park

South Rd, Edwardstown

Philip Hwy, Elizabeth

Uley Rd, Elizabeth Downs

Goodman Rd, Elizabeth South

Tapleys Hill Rd, Glenelg North

Cross Rd, Kingswood

Duthy St, Malvern

Henley Beach Rd, Mile End

Main South Rd, O'Halloran Hill

Ryans Rd, Salisbury Hwy and Shepherdson Rd, Parafield Gardens

Bolivar Rd and Kings Rd, Paralowie

Womma Rd, Penfield

Richmond Rd, Richmond

Clayson Rd, Salisbury East

Brighton Rd, Seacliff

Diagonal Rd, Warradale.

Roadworks

Adelaide Rd/Alexandrina Rd, Mount Barker.

Adelaide Rd/Morphett St, Mount Barker.

Anzac Hwy/Greenhill Rd, Keswick Terminal.

Beach Rd/Majorca Rd, Morphett Vale.

Beach Rd/Southern Exp, Hackham West.

Beach Rd/Southern Exp, Morphett Vale.

Bolivar Rd/Port Wakefield Rd, Bolivar.

Bridge Rd/Barker Rd, Gulfview Heights.

Brighton Rd/Grantham rd, Somerton Park.

Brighton Rd/Jetty Rd, Glenelg.

Brighton Rd/Jetty Rd, Glenelg East.

Brighton Rd/Melton St, Glenelg East.

Brighton Rd/Oaklands Rd, Somerton Park.

Brighton Rd/Pier St, Glenelg East.

Brighton Rd/Thomas St, Seacliff Park.

Churchill Rd/Albert St, Prospect.

Churchill Rd/Dudley Ave, Prospect.

Churchill Rd/Rose St, Prospect.

Clark Tce/Arthur St, Woodville West.

Cormack Rd/Davis St, Wingfield.

Crittenden Rd/Broadford Ct, Findon.

Cross Rd/Rugby St, Kingswood.

Daws Rd/Wingfield St, Clovelly Park.

Diagonal Rd/Oaklands Rd, Glengowrie.

Findon Rd/Esk St, Findon.

Frederick Rd/Cooke Cr, West Lakes.

Fullarton Rd/Dulwich Ave, Dulwich.

Fullarton Rd/Fisher St, Fullarton.

Grand Junction Rd/Arthur St, Pennington.

Grange Rd/Winall St, Findon.

Grants Gully Rd/Luke St, Clarendon.

Greenhill Rd/Fullarton Rd, Adelaide.

Hackney Rd/Athelney Ave, Hackney.

Hackney Rd/Bundeys Rd, Gilberton.

Hampstead Rd/Sarnia Ave, Clearview.

Happy Valley Dr/Taylors Rd West, Happy Valley.

Hart St/Carlisle St, Glanville.

Heaslip Rd/Pellew Rd, Penfield.

Henley Beach Rd/Holbrooks Rd, Underdale.

Henley Beach Rd/Marion Rd, Torrensville.

Henley Beach Rd/South Rd, Mile End.

Holbrooks Rd/Ashley St, Underdale.

Holbrooks Rd/Beatty St, Flinders Park.

Holbrooks Rd/Cranbrook Ave, Underdale.

Holbrooks Rd/Garden Tce, Underdale.

Holbrooks Rd/Grange Rd, Flinders Park.

Holbrooks Rd/Hartley Rd, Flinders Park.

Holbrooks Rd/Henley Beach Rd, Underdale.

Holbrooks Rd/Howard St, Underdale.

Holbrooks Rd/Isley Rd, Underdale.

Holbrooks Rd/Jellicoe St, Flinders Park.

Holbrooks Rd/Vintage Rd, Underdale.

Holbrooks Rd/Westall Ave, Flinders Park.

John Rice Ave/Haydown Rd, Elizabeth Vale.

Kings Rd/Walpole Rd, Paralowie.

Lander Rd/Matthew St, O'Halloran Hill.

Lonsdale Rd/Oval Rd, Hallett Cove.

Lower North East Rd/Garden Ave, Campbelltown.

Lower North East Rd/Mahogany Ave, Dernancourt.

Main North Rd/Potts Rd, Evanston Gardens.

Main North Rd/Preston St, Blair Athol.

Main North Rd/Tiver Rd, Evanston Gardens.

Main South Rd/Old South Rd, Reynella.

Manton St/South Rd, West Hindmarsh.

Marion Rd/Allchurch Ave, North Plympton.

Marion Rd/Allington Ave, Netley.

Marion Rd/Anzac Hwy, Plympton.

Marion Rd/Barker St, Torrensville.

Marion Rd/Bickford St, Richmond.

Marion Rd/Desmond Ave, Netley.

Marion Rd/Dudley Ave, North Plympton.

Marion Rd/Henley Beach Rd, Torrensville.

Marion Rd/Hounslow Ave, Torrensville.

Marion Rd/Keith Ave, North Plympton.

Marion Rd/Long St, North Plympton.

Marion Rd/Lydia St, Plympton.

Marion Rd/McEwin Ave, North Plympton.

Marion Rd/Mooringe Ave, North Plympton.

Marion Rd/Mulga St, Brooklyn Park.

Marion Rd/Pembroke Ave, North Plympton.

Marion Rd/Ralph St, Bedford Park.

Marion Rd/Ralph St, Richmond.

Marion Rd/Richmond Rd, Richmond.

Marion Rd/Shierlaw St, Richmond.

Marion Rd/Sir Donald Bradman Dr, Brooklyn Park.

Marion Rd/Southern Exp, Sturt.

Marion Rd/Talbot Ave, North Plympton.

Montacute Rd/Newton Rd, Newton.

Morphett Rd/Lawson Ave, Glengowrie.

Mount Barker Rd/Gould Rd, Stirling.

O G Rd/Tregoweth Ct, Klemzig.

Oaklands Rd/Beauford Ave, Park Holme.

Oaklands Rd/Brighton Rd, Somerton Park.

Oaklands Rd/Hendrie St, Morphettville.

Oaklands Rd/Marion Rd, Park Holme.

Oaklands Rd/Melanto Tce, Park Holme.

Oaklands Rd/Morphett Rd, Warradale.

Old Port Rd/Frederick Rd, Port Adelaide.

Payneham Rd/Stephen Tce, St. Peters.

Port River Expressway/Hanson Rd.

Port Rd/Cheltenham Pde, Cheltenham.

Port Rd/East Ave, Allenby Gardens.

Port Rd/Grand Junction Rd, Port Adelaide.

Port Rd/Rowley Tce, Woodville.

Port Wakefield Rd/Salisbury Hwy, Dry Creek.

Prospect Rd/Fitzroy Tce, Fitzroy.

Prospect Rd/Gloucester St, Prospect.

Prospect Rd/Kintore Ave, Prospect.

Prospect Rd/Methuen St, Prospect.

Prospect Rd/Milner St, Prospect.

Prospect Rd/Olive St, Prospect.

Regency Rd/Main North Rd, Prospect.

Regency Rd/South Rd, Regency Park.

Salisbury Hwy/Port Wakefield Rd, Mawson Lakes.

Salisbury Hwy/Shepherdson Rd, Parafield Gardens.

Seacombe Rd/Main South Rd, Darlington.

Shepherds Hill Rd/Parham Rd, Eden Hills.

Sherriffs Rd/Brodie Rd South on/off ramp, Reynella.

Southern Expressway/Beach Rd North on/off ramp, Christie Downs.

Southern Expressway/Brodie Rd North on/off ramp, Reynella.

Southern Expressway/drain over Panatalinga Creek, Reynella.

Southern Expressway/Lander Rd, O'Halloran Hill.

Southern Expressway/Main South Rd, Bedford Park.

Southern Expressway/Majors Rd, O'Halloran Hill.

Southern Expressway/Majors Rd Overbridge, Trott Park.

Southern Expressway/Marion Rd, Sturt.

Southern Expressway/O'Sullivan Beach Rd Overbridge, Lonsdale.

Southern Expressway/Seacombe Rd, Sturt.

Southern Expressway/Seacombe Rd Overbridge, Sturt.

Southern Expressway/Sherriffs Rd, Reynella.

Tapleys Hill Rd/Dewey St, Fulham.

Tapleys Hill Rd/Trimemr Pde, Seaton.

The Parade/Osmond Tce, Norwood.

Torrens Rd/Actil Ave, Woodville North.

Torrens Rd/Cheltenham Pde, Cheltenham.

Torrens Rd/Drayton St, Bowden.

Unley Rd/Charles Lane, Unley.

Waterloo Corner Rd/Kensington Way, Burton.

Woodville Rd/Russell Tce, Woodville.

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Petrol stations hit - two arrests, one on run

TWO men have been arrested after an attempted robbery at a Davoren Park service station, while another man remains on the run after raiding a Para Hills service station.

In the first robbery, a man armed with a knife threatened staff and stole cash from the Mobil Quix service station on Bridge Rd, about 12.10am.

He fled on foot towards Williamson Rd and was last seen heading towards McIntyre Rd.

The robber was described as aged about 40, with grey hair and wearing a grey hooded top, grey tracksuit pants and a dark-coloured cloth over his face.

In the second incident, two men - one allegedly armed with a pair of scissors and the other with a knife - entered the BP On the Run service station on Peachey Rd, about 2.15am.

They threatened a staff member, who suggested to the would-be robbers that "it's not worth it", police say.

One of the men threatened to jump the counter before both left empty handed.

Police found  two men nearby and a search allegedly found one in possession of a knife.

The suspects - a Davoren Park man, 20, and a man of no fixed address, 19, - were arrested after police checked CCTV footage.

They were both charged with attempted aggravated robbery and were refused bail.

They are expected to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court today.

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Voting challenge to go to High Court

Adelaide man Anders Holmdahl is challenging compulsory voting. Source: adelaidenow

VOLUNTARY voting advocates have been granted a Full Court of the High Court hearing in seven days time.

The move is unusual because the High Court has bypassed an application for special leave to appeal in favour of a full court hearing, which is done only for cases of special importance or constitutional significance.

South Australian man Anders Holmdahl failed last June in a Supreme Court bid to overturn an Australian Electoral Commission fine for not voting in the 2010 federal election.

Acting for Mr Holmdahl, Kevin Borick, said "I think it means they consider the case important and we have a chance".

Mr Borick said lawyers would argue that the Australian constitution gives electors the right to make their choice fully, unforced and freely.

The Australian Electoral Commission and The Attorney-General for the State of South Australia versus Anders Holmdahl will be heard at on 12 April 2013 in Canberra with a video link to the Angas Street offices of the court from 9am Adelaide time.

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Memorial remembers brothers in arms

SOME 4000 Australians are among the brave airmen honoured by a World War II Bomber Command memorial unveiled by the Queen in London.

And amid the pomp and ceremony, religion and royalty of the overnight dedication ceremony came a story of comradeship from Down Under.

"I couldn't really see the Queen and the Duke (of Edinburgh)," said 89-year-old Canberra veteran Frank Ward from his wheelchair toward the rear of the crowd.

"But seeing the memorial and being surrounded by all these old codgers, it made me feel nostalgic.

"We came from all over the world, the members of Bomber Command: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa.

"Today my thoughts turned to a bloke I met all those years ago while training in Canada, a lovely Maori bloke. I don't even remember his name.

"We were great mates and he was my protector. Like so many of the great men I met during the war, I don't know what happened to him (or) whether he even survived."

Stories like that of the 467 squadron navigator were aplenty overnight, and for some the emotion was too great, as tears flowed freely during the Last Post.

The STG3.5 million ($5.4 million) stone monument in London's Green Park that includes statues of Bomber Command airmen poised in battle pays tribute to the 55,573 who lost their lives during the strategic raids on enemy territory.

More than 10,000 Australians, with an average age of 22, signed up for Bomber Command. Only about 6000 returned home.

One hundred Command veterans from across Australia travelled to London for the memorial dedication.

"There is a sense of relief that there has been a special recognition of their significant contribution to the defeat of the Axis powers during the war. They played a key part," General Mark Kelly said of the Australian contingent present overnight.

Dressed in lilac, the Queen met two Australian veterans, Norman Deady and Dudley Hannaford, after unveiling the memorial.

"What an honour," said Mr Hannaford, 88, from Sydney. "And the fly-past by that old Lancaster (aircraft). Such a privilege to see."

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Islamist Morsi elected Egypt's president

ISLAMIST Mohammed Morsi was declared the winner in Egypt's first free presidential election in history, closing the tumultuous first phase of a democratic transition and opening a new struggle with the still-dominant military rulers who recently stripped the presidency of most of its powers.

In Tahrir Square, the birthplace of the uprising that ousted autocratic President Hosni Mubarak, joyous supporters of Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood wept and kneeled on the ground in prayer when they heard the announcement on live television. They danced, set off fireworks and released doves in the air with Morsi's picture attached in celebrations not seen in the square since Mubarak was forced out on Feb. 11, 2011.

Many are looking now to see whether Morsi will try to take on the military and wrestle back the powers they took from his office just one week ago. Thousands vowed to remain in Tahrir to demand that the ruling generals reverse their decision.

In his first televised speech, the 60-year old US-trained engineer called on Egyptians to unite and tried to reassure minority Christians, who mostly backed Morsi's rival Ahmed Shafiq because they feared Islamic rule.

He said he carries "a message of peace" to the world and pledged to preserve Egypt's international accords, a reference to the peace deal with Israel.

He also paid tribute to nearly 900 protesters killed in last year's uprising.

"I wouldn't have been here between your hands as the first elected president without ... the blood, the tears, and sacrifices of the martyrs," he said.

In the lengthy and redundant speech, Morsi appeared to be struggling to compose his sentences. Wearing a blue suit and tie, he looked stiff and uncomfortable and did not smile throughout as he read from a paper. He was non-confrontational and did not mention the last-minute power grab by the ruling military, instead praising the armed forces.

The White House congratulated Morsi and urged him to advance national unity as he forms a new government. White House press secretary Jay Carney said Morsi's victory is a milestone in Egypt's transition to democracy after decades of authoritarian rule under Mubarak. The Obama administration had expressed no public preference in the presidential race.

Left on the sidelines of the political drama are the liberal and secular youth groups that drove the uprising against Mubarak, left to wonder whether Egypt has taken a step towards becoming an Islamist state. Some grudgingly supported Morsi in the face of Shafiq, who was Mubarak's last prime minister, while others boycotted the vote.

Morsi will now have to reassure them that he represents the whole country, not just Islamists, and will face enormous challenges after security and the economy badly deteriorated in the transition period.

Pro-democracy leader Mohammed ElBaradei urged unity after the results were announced.

"It is time we work all as Egyptians as part of a national consensus to build Egypt that is based on freedom and social justice," he wrote on his Twitter account.

The elections left the nation deeply polarised with one side backing Shafiq, who promised to provide stability and prevent Egypt from becoming a theocracy. Because of his military career, many saw him as the military's preferred candidate.

In the other camp are those eager for democratic change and backers of Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood who were persecuted, jailed and banned under Mubarak but now find themselves one of the two most powerful groups in Egypt.

The other power center is the ruling military council that took power after the uprising and is headed by Mubarak's defense minister of 20 years.

Just one week ago, at the moment polls were closing in the presidential runoff, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) issued constitutional amendments that stripped the president's office of most of its major powers. The ruling generals made themselves the final arbiters over the most pressing issues still complicating the transition- such as writing the constitution, legislating, passing the state budget- and granted military police broad powers to detain civilians.

"I am happy the Brotherhood won because now the revolution will continue on the street against both of them, the Brotherhood and the SCAF," said Lobna Darwish, an activist who has boycotted the elections.

Also, a few days before that constitutional declaration, a court dissolved the freely elected parliament, which is dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood, leaving the military now in charge of legislating.

Brotherhood members and experts said the results were used as a bargaining chip between the generals and the Brotherhood over the parameters of what appears to be a new power-sharing agreement. The country's new constitution is not written and the authorities of the president are not clear.

This is the first time modern Egypt will be headed by an Islamist and by a freely elected civilian. The country's last four presidents over the past six decades have all came from the ranks of the military.

"Congratulations because this means the end of the Mubarak state," said Shady el-Ghazali Harb, a prominent activist who was among the leaders of the protests in January and February last year.

The results of the elections were delayed for four days amid accusations of manipulation and foul play by both sides, raising political tensions in Egypt to a fever pitch.

The delay plunged the country into nerve-wrecking anticipation and pushed tensions to a fever pitch. Parallel mass rallies by Shafiq and Morsi supporters were held in different parts of Cairo and cut-throat media attacks by supporters of both swarmed TV shows. In the hours before the announcement of the winner, the fear of new violence was palpable.

Heavy security was deployed around the country, especially outside state institutions, in anticipation of possible violence. Workers were sent home early from jobs, jewelry stores closed for fear of looting and many were stocking up on food and forming long lines at cash machines in case new troubles began.

Morsi narrowly defeated Shafiq with 51.7 percent of the vote versus 48.3, by a margin of only 800,000 votes, the election commission said. Turnout was 51 percent.

Farouk Sultan, the head of the commission, described the elections as "an important phase in the end of building our nascent democratic experience."

Sultan went to pains to explain the more than 400 complaints presented by the two candidates challenging counting procedures and alleging attempts of rigging. It appeared to be an attempt to discredit claims that the election commission was biased in favor of Shafiq, the candidate perceived as backed by the military rulers.

The country is deeply divided between supporters of the Brotherhood, liberals and leftists who also decided to back them as a way to stand up to the military, and other secular forces that fear the domination of the Brotherhood, and grew critical of it in the past year. The small margin of victory for Morsi also sets him for a strong opposition from supporters of Shafiq, viewed as a representative of the old regime.

Naguib Sawiris, a Coptic Christian business tycoon who joined a liberal bloc in voicing opposition to the Muslim Brotherhood a day before the results were announced, said he expects the new president to send a reassuring message to Egypt's Christian minority who represent around 10 percent of the population of 85 million.

"There are fears of imposing an Islamic state ... where Christians don't have same rights," Sawiris told the private TV station CBC. Morsi "is required to prove the opposite. ... We don't want speeches or promises but in the coming period, it is about taking action. ... He was not our choice but we are accepting it is a democratic choice."

Hamdeen Sabahi, a leftist presidential candidate who came in a surprising third place in the first round of elections, asked Morsi to live up to his pledges to form a national coalition government and appoint presidential aides from different groups "that express the largest national consensus."

Khaled Abdel-Hamid, a leading leftist politician, said Morsi must fight to get his powers back or he will lose any popular support he may have garnered.

"If he fights to get his power back, we will support him. But if he doesn't fight back, then he is settling for siding with the military," he said.

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Where there's smoke, there's cannabis

A SUSPECTED fire has led to the discovery of a cannabis crop at Royal Park.

Police and Metropolitan Fire Service crews were called to a vacant business at the intersection of Cedar Ave and Pine St, about 11.30pm, after reports of smoke in the area.

Firefighters took about 20 minutes to clear the smoke, believed to have been caused by an electrical fault, and a search of the premises found 12 large cannabis plants in two rooms.

Anyone with information about this incident should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.sa.crimestoppers.com.au

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Road watch: Burst water main slows flow

A BURST water main at Plympton is likely to cause delays for motorists this morning.

Nick Green from the Australian Traffic Network said the burst water main on Marion Rd was causing traffic to build near the Cross Rd intersection.

He said diversions were in place at Galway Ave.

Mr Green said Main South Rd was also starting to get busy on the run down to South Rd at the Sturt Rd intersection.

Speed cameras

Goodwood Rd, Colonel Light Gardens

Port Wakefield Rd, Dry Creek

Tapleys Hill Rd, Glenelg North

One Tree Hill Rd and The Grove Way, Golden Grove

Muller Rd, Greenacres

Lonsdale Rd, Hallett Cove

Belair Rd, Hawthorn

Lyons Rd, Holden Hill

Awoonga Rd and Grand Junction Rd, Hope Valley

Montague Rd, Ingle Farm

Churchill Rd, Kilburn

Duthy St, Malvern

Reservoir Rd, Modbury

Cross Rd, Myrtle Bank

Main South Rd and Majors Rd, O'Halloran Hill

Main North Rd, Para Hills West

Bridge Rd, Pooraka

Daws Rd, St Marys

Holbrooks Rd, Underdale

Nelson Rd, Valley View

Wright Rd, Walkley Heights

Diagonal Rd, Warradale. 

Roadworks

Adelaide Rd/Alexandrina Rd, Mount Barker.

Adelaide Rd/Morphett St, Mount Barker.

Beach Rd/Majorca Rd, Morphett Vale.

Beach Rd/Southern Exp, Hackham West.

Beach Rd/Southern Exp, Morphett Vale.

Bolivar Rd/Port Wakefield Rd, Bolivar.

Bridge Rd/Barker Rd, Gulfview Heights.

Brighton Rd/Grantham Rd, Somerton Park.

Brighton Rd/Jetty Rd, Glenelg.

Brighton Rd/Melton St, Glenelg East.

Brighton Rd/Oaklands Rd, Somerton Park.

Brighton Rd/Pier St, Glenelg East.

Brighton Rd/Thomas St, Seacliff Park.

Cheltenham Pde/Buller Tce, Cheltenham.

Churchill Rd/Dudley Ave, Prospect.

Churchill Rd/Rose St, Prospect.

Commercial Rd/Geraldton St, Port Noarlunga South.

Cormack Rd/Davis St, Wingfield.

Cross Rd/Rugby St, Kingswood.

Darley Rd/Hardy St, Paradise.

Darley Rd/Jennifer St, Paradise.

Daws Rd/Wingfield St, Clovelly Park.

Diagonal Rd/Oaklands Rd, Glengowrie.

Findon Rd/Esk St, Findon.

Fitzroy Tce/Prospect Rd, Fitzroy.

Frederick Rd/Cooke Cr, West Lakes.

Fullarton Rd/dulwich Ave, Dulwich.

Fullarton Rd/Fisher St, Fullarton.

Goodwood Rd/Valmai Ave, Kings Park.

Grand Junction Rd/Arthur St, Pennington.

Grand Junction Rd/Tarana Rd, Hope Valey.

Grange Rd/Winall St, Findon.

Greenhill Rd/Fullarton Rd, Adelaide.

Hackney Rd/Bundeys Rd, Gilberton.

Hampstead Rd/Sarnia Ave, Clearview.

Happy Valley Dr/Taylors Rd West, Happy Valley.

Hart St/Carlisle St, Glanville.

Henley Beach Rd/Holbrooks Rd, Underdale.

Henley Beach Rd/Marion Rd, Torrensville.

Henley Beach Rd/South Rd, Mile End.

Holbrooks Rd/Ashley St, Underdale.

Holbrooks Rd/Beatty St, Flinders Park.

Holbrooks Rd/Cranbrook Ave, Underdale.

Holbrooks Rd/Garden Tce, Underdale.

Holbrooks Rd/Grange Rd, Flinders Park.

Holbrooks Rd/Hartley Rd, Flinders Park.

Holbrooks Rd/Henley Beach Rd, Underdale.

Holbrooks Rd/Howard St, Underdale.

Holbrooks Rd/Isley Rd, Underdale.

Holbrooks Rd/Jellicoe St, Flinders Park.

Holbrooks Rd/Vintage Rd, Underdale.

Holbrooks Rd/Westall Ave, Flinders Park.

John Rice Ave/Haydown Rd, Elizabeth Vale.

Kenihans Rd/Robbie Dr, Happy Valley.

Kings Rd/Walpole Rd, Paralowie.

Lander Rd/Matthew St, O'Halloran Hill.

Lonsdale Rd/Oval Rd, Hallett Cove.

Lower North East Rd/Garden Ave, Campbelltown.

Lower North East Rd/Mahogany Ave, Dernancourt.

Main North Rd/Baker St, Blair Athol.

Main NorthRd/Montague Rd, Pooraka.

Main North Rd/Potts Rd, Evanston Gardens.

Main North Rd/Tiver Rd, Evanston Gardens.

Main South Rd/Old South Rd, Reynella.

Manton St/South Rd, West Hindmarsh.

Marion Rd/Allchurch Ave, North Plympton.

Marion Rd/Allington Ave, Netley.

Marion Rd/Anzac Hwy, Plympton.

Marion Rd/Barker St, Torrensville.

Marion Rd/Bickford St, Richmond.

Marion Rd/Desmond Ave, Netley.

Marion Rd/Dudley Ave, North Plympton.

Marion Rd/Henley Beach Rd, Torrensville.

Marion Rd/Hounslow Ave, Torrensville.

Marion Rd/Keith Ave, North Plympton.

Marion Rd/Long St, North Plympton.

Marion Rd/Lydia St, Plympton.

Marion Rd/McEwin Ave, North Plympton.

Marion Rd/Mooringe Ave, North Plympton.

Marion Rd/Mulga St, Brooklyn Park.

Marion Rd/Pembroke Ave, North Plympton.

Marion Rd/Ralph St, Bedford Pk.

Marion Rd/Ralph St, Richmond.

Marion Rd/Richmond Rd, Richmond.

Marion Rd/Shierlaw St, Richmond.

Marion Rd/Sir Donald Bradman Dr, Brooklyn Park.

Marion Rd/Southern Exp, Sturt.

Marion Rd/Talbot Ave, North Plympton.

Morphett Rd/Lawson Ave, Glengowrie.

Mount Barker Rd/Gould Rd, Stirling.

O G Rd/Tregoweth Ct, Klemzig.

Oaklands Rd/Beauford Ave, Park Holme.

Oaklands Rd/Brighton Rd, Somerton Park.

Oaklands Rd/Hendrie St, Morphettville.

Oaklands Rd/Marion Rd, Park Holme.

Oaklands Rd/Melanto Tce, Park Holme.

Oaklands Rd/Morphett Rd, Warradale.

Old Port Rd/Frederick Rd, Port Adelaide.

Payneham Rd/Stephen Tce, St. Peters.

Port River Expressway/Hanson Rd.

Port Rd/Cheltenham Pde, Cheltenham.

Port Rd/East Ave, Allenby Gardens.

Port Rd/Grand Junction Rd, Port Adelaide.

Port Rd/Rowley Tce, Woodville.

Port Wakefield Rd/Salisbury Hwy, Dry Creek.

Prospect Rd/Fitzroy Tce, Fitzroy.

Prospect Rd/Gloucester St, Prospect.

Prospect Rd/Kintore Ave, Prospect.

Prospect Rd/Methuen St, Prospect.

Prospect Rd/Milner St, Prospect.

Prospect Rd/Olive St, Prospect.

Redbanks Rd/Holmes St, Willaston.

Regency Rd/Main North Rd, Prospect.

Regency Rd/Prospect Rd, Prospect.

Regency Rd/South Rd, Regency Park.

Salisbury Hwy/Port Wakefield Rd, Mawson Lakes.

Seacombe Rd/Main South Rd, Darlington.

Shepherds Hill Rd/Parham Rd, Eden Hills.

Sherriffs Rd/Brodie Rd South on/off ramp, Reynella.

Southern Expressway/Beach Rd North on/off ramp, Christie Downs.

Southern Expressway/Brodie Rd North on/off ramp, Reynella.

Southern Expressway/drain over Panatalinga Creek, Reynella.

Southern Expressway/Lander Rd, O'Halloran Hill.

Southern Expressway/Main South Rd, Bedford Park.

Southern Expressway/Majors Rd, O'Halloran Hill.

Southern Expressway/Marion Rd, Sturt.

Southern Expressway /O'Sullivan Beach Rd Overbridge, Lonsdale.

Southern Expressway/Seacombe Rd, Sturt.

Southern Expressway/Sherriffs Rd, Reynella.

St. Bernards Rd/Patola St, Rostrevor.

Tapleys Hill Rd/Dewey St, Fulham.

The Parade/Osmond Tce, Norwood.

Torrens Rd/Actil Ave, Woodville North.

Torrens Rd/Drayton St, Bowden.

Trimmer Pde/Newport Rd, Findon.

Trimmer Pde/Tapleys Hill Rd, Seaton.

Waterloo Corner Rd/Kensington Way, Burton.

Woodville Rd/Aberfeldy Ave, Woodville.

Woodville Rd/Russell Tce, Woodville.

View the original article here

Council bans sex in medieval church grounds

A COUNCIL in central England was forced to issue an injunction to stop drunken locals cavorting in a historic church cemetery.

Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Police acted after receiving reports of men and women having booze-fuelled sex sessions in the grounds of 607-year-old St. Mary's Church, the Birmingham Mail reported.

Officials have now issued a Section 222 order, which means that anyone caught having sex in public could be fast-tracked to jail.

Christine Williams, local park manager, said, "If any of them come to the church gates now, I can call a number whereas before we were having to get in touch with the police and we couldn't always get through."

Read more at the Birmingham Mail.

View the original article here

Catholic brother suspect in 37 deaths

A BROTHER at a Catholic institute for disabled boys may have been involved in the suspicious deaths of 37 patients in the 1950s, Dutch prosecutors said.

However, they will not further investigate the deaths because the suspect, identified as Brother Andreas, has died and any alleged crimes happened too long ago to be prosecuted.

The investigation gave no causes of the deaths, but said the boys "were more likely to have died as a result of a crime than of natural causes".

The deaths happened so long ago prosecutors said exhuming bodies of the victims for toxicology tests would likely not have helped pin down a cause of death.

Prosecutors began a preliminary investigation last year after an independent commission of inquiry into sexual abuse in the Dutch Catholic church uncovered an unusually high number of deaths at the now-defunct St Joseph's institute in the southern town of Heel between 1952 and 1954.

Prosecutors said if they had launched a further probe, it would have investigated the actions of Brother Andreas, the St Joseph's institute doctor, identified as Dr Verstraelen, the Congregation of Holy Joseph that ran the institute, the Roermond Diocese and employment inspectors.

Prosecutors said their investigation found Brother Andreas was not qualified to care for disabled boys and the large number of deaths sharply declined after he was transferred to another institution.

The Roermond Diocese called the findings "shocking", in a written reaction, and said it was "incomprehensible" the diocese did not report then the unusually high number of deaths.

The independent inquiry into sex abuse last year reported up to 20,000 children endured sexual abuse at Dutch Catholic institutions over the past 65 years, and church officials failed to adequately address it or help the victims.

View the original article here