Australian saltwater crocodiles filmed in slow motion like you’ve never seen before

Showing off for the camera.

Showing off for the camera. Source: YouTube

THIS is the saltwater crocodile, like you’ve never seen before.

Captivating footage of the giant aquatic reptiles have been captured in slow motion as they sway, spin, whirl and twirl, almost as if they are gold medallist synchronised swimmers.

 

Fishing for crocodiles

Captured by Irishman Allan Dixon, who won the role of Outback Adventurer for Tourism Australia’s Best Job in the World competition, the video features the crocs jumping and diving for food, exposing every armoured scale, every detail of their incredibly agile bodies.

“It was amazing getting so close to the crocs,” Dixon told news.com.au.

“You can really feel the power of their jaws. They are like machines of nature … lean, mean killer machines.”

Those are some serious chompers.

Those are some serious chompers. Source: YouTube

Saltwater crocodiles are notorious for being the largest and most aggressive of the crocodile family. It basically preys on anything with a pulse.

The short video was filmed at Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin, where visitors can feed and swim with the family of crocs. Most notable is the ‘Cage of Death’, where brave adventurers are lowered into a croc pen for an “up close and personal” experience with the crocs.

Eek. We’ll pass, thanks.

We would probably react in the same way. Aah!

We would probably react in the same way. Aah! Source: YouTube

Paramedics will struggle to cope as Victoria, South Australia hit with heatwave

Source: News.com.au

PARTS of Australia are in the midst of an extreme heatwave with Western Australia reeling from bushfires as NSW, South Australia and Victoria swelter and prepare for more dangerous conditions.

Adelaide has suffered through its fourth scorching day in a row, as the temperature hit 45.1 degrees yesterday. As the heat peaks, fires are raging across the southern state.

Flames and smoke rise above the trees at McCrae. Picture: Twitter/ @kateinkew

Flames and smoke rise above the trees at McCrae. Picture: Twitter/ @kateinkew Source: HeraldSun

By Thursday, the City of Churches is expected to hit 46 degrees. Sydney is expected to peak in the high 30s today, with Melbourne entering its second day in a week-long heatwave.Other capital cities are enjoying warm but less extreme temperatures.

More: Australians vent their heatwave horrors

The bureau of meterology has for the first time defined a heatwave, saying they are three or more days of unusually high maximum and minimum temperatures in any area, ABC reported.

In the last 200 years, they have taken more Aussie lives than any other form of natural disaster.

BoM.

BoM. Source: HeraldSun

The BoM has also started tracking heatwaves with a new mapping system.

It measures severe heatwaves and extreme heatwaves for today and the next four days.

A similar heatwave struck before the 2009 Black Saturday fires, Australia’s worst natural disaster of the modern era in terms of casualties. An estimated 374 people died during the preceding heatwave, with another 173 fatalities in the firestorm itself.

Smoke billows from the Little River fire.

Smoke billows from the Little River fire. Source: HeraldSun

Capital city temperatures

Melbourne – top of 41C

Adelaide – top of 45C

Canberra – top of 40C

Hobart – top of 26C

Brisbane – top of 30C

Perth – top of 26C

Darwin – top of 28C

Sydney – top of 30C

The heat is on in NSW

Most of Sydney will dodge the force of the heatwave today due to sea breezes, with temperatures staying between a mild-in-comparison 29 to 31 degrees on the coast. In the west, the mercury will rise higher – with temps smashing 37 today and peaking on Friday at an expected 39 degrees.

Sydney gets hit by the heat.

Sydney gets hit by the heat. Source: News Limited

Maximum temperatures in greater Sydney will probably remain in the high 30s until Saturday afternoon when a southerly moves across the city, a BoM forecaster told AAP.

Extreme heat is also in store for large parts of the rest of NSW, the forecaster said, with the town of Deniliquin, in the Riverina, tipped to cop a number of 44C days this week.

The heatwave is the result of a “very slow moving, high-pressure system sitting in the Tasman sea”, according to the bureau.

“It’s been directing steady northerly streams for a number of days now, so it’s been building a lot of heat in the interior of the continent,” she said.

Victorian paramedics are struggling to cope with the influx of heat-related patients despite recalling all available staff for this week’s heatwave.

 

41C at Torquay

Victoria temperatures rising quickly

Melbourne swelters through a day of temperatures in the early 40s. Federation Square.

Melbournians are set to endure the second day of the longest heatwave in 100 years.

The city reached 42.8C on Tuesday and is now set to endure four days in a row of above-40 temperatures after the bureau upgraded today’s forecast to 41C.

Firefighters tackle blazes.

Firefighters tackle blazes. Source: HeraldSun

It’ll be the first time the city has endured such a heatwave since 1908, when there was a five-day streak above 40C.

People still enjoy beaches along Port Phillip Bay between St Kilda and Port Melbourne at sunset.

People still enjoy beaches along Port Phillip Bay between St Kilda and Port Melbourne at sunset. Source: News Limited

At the Australian Open in Melbourne Park, the heat was too much for one ball boy who collapsed in a heap.

A ballboy faints in the heat, as Melbourne heads towards 43 degrees celsius.

A ballboy faints in the heat, as Melbourne heads towards 43 degrees celsius. Source: Getty Images

Ambulance Victoria operations manager Paul Holman urged those without medical emergencies to think ahead and seek alternative treatment.

“We will be stretched, there’s no two ways about it,” Mr Holman said today.

Victoria faces also some of its most challenging fire conditions since 2009’s Black Saturday, Acting Premier Peter Ryan said.

 

Melbourne

Temperatures are threatening to peak above 40C for the next four days, with wind gusts of up to 100km/h.

People are being cautioned to think before leaving pets and children in cars during the soaring temperatures.

The Bureau of Meteorology says today’s temperatures are rising quickly and would hit 40C in Melbourne just after midday, The Herald Sun reports.

Dangerous fire conditions are expected for the rest of the week with temperatures remaining above 40C tomorrow and Friday. Across the state, the heat was expected to hit 45 degrees.

Lightning off Portsea last night.

Lightning off Portsea last night. Source: HeraldSun

After a stinking hot night, electical storms hit causing chaos for emergency services.

From 5pm to 12am, fire crews responded to 256 fires, CFA state duty officer Scott Purdy told 3AW radio.

They worked throughout the night extinguishing hundreds of fires in the driest parts of Victoria sparked by dry lightning from electrical storms.

Adelaide heats up

In South Australia residents are in day three of a five-day heatwave, with Adelaide expecting 45C again today with the heat rising over the next few days.

Severe fire danger ratings have been declared across the state.

Information: South Australian heatwave and bushfires

Most fires were sparked by lightning strikes and at least 14 grassfires are still burning today.

Adelaide sweltered through 45C on Tuesday, just one degree short of its all-time high of 46.1C set on January 12, 1939.

A large blaze at Krondorf in the Barossa Valley. Picture: Roy Vandervegt

A large blaze at Krondorf in the Barossa Valley. Picture: Roy Vandervegt Source: AdelaideNow

A woman is in hospital with burns after her house was destroyed in one of about 350 bushfires across South Australia during the state’s extreme temperatures.

Last night, the woman was taken to hospital after being burnt while trying to save her home at Rockleigh, near Monarto Zoo, south-east of Adelaide.

The fire at Rockleigh, near Monarto Zoo, is still out of control and has burned an estimated 4500ha of scrub, Adelaide Now reported.

Firefighters near the Point Boston blaze on the Eyre Peninsula.

Firefighters near the Point Boston blaze on the Eyre Peninsula. Source: AdelaideNow

Leigh Miller from the CFS said firefighters were stretched, with hundreds of fires burning at one stage.

“We have not really seen the worst of the weather yet,” he told ABC Radio.

Friday was a potentially very bad day, with significant winds predicted in very high temperatures.

The CFS is at a number of fires, including one at Flaxmans Valley Road, Wilton in the Barossa Valley.

A bushfire near Point Boston on the Eyre Peninsula caused concern for emergency crews as the mercury soared.

A bushfire near Point Boston on the Eyre Peninsula caused concern for emergency crews as the mercury soared. Source: Supplied

The fire is now contained, but a large number of burning trees might pose a risk of the fire escaping control lines.

Other fires are burning on the southern Fleurieu Peninsula near Delamere, while the Rockleigh fire is still out of control.

Cyclist Frank Schleck cooling off in the new Victoria Square fountain in Adelaide.

Cyclist Frank Schleck cooling off in the new Victoria Square fountain in Adelaide. Source: News Limited

Perth ravaged by bushfires

In Western Australia, fire authorities say a devastating bushfire in the Perth hills that destroyed more than 50 properties was probably sparked by a power pole on private land.

Stephanie Bock, 27, walks past her burnt out neighbour's house with a bag of her personal belongings. Picture:...

Stephanie Bock, 27, walks past her burnt out neighbour’s house with a bag of her personal belongings. Picture: Colin Murty. Source: PerthNow

Residents have returned to inspect the devastation caused by Sunday’s inferno in the Perth Hills, Perth Now reported.

Firefighters battle against the devastating bushfire in Perth's Hills. Picture: Department of Fire and Emerge...

Firefighters battle against the devastating bushfire in Perth’s Hills. Picture: Department of Fire and Emergency Services. Source: PerthNow

As firefighters continue to mop up in Stoneville, Parkerville and Mt Helena, authorities have confirmed the toll of properties lost at 52, with more than $13 million in damage already reported by insurers.

A fire in Stoneville has led to evacuations and loss of property. A house on Narla Retreat is lost to the flames.

A fire in Stoneville has led to evacuations and loss of property. A house on Narla Retreat is lost to the flames. Source: PerthNow

The fire is also being blamed for the death of one man, 62-year-old Ron Shaw, who collapsed as he stood on the roof of his Hovea home to prepare for the arrival of the flames.

The blaze, which tore through 650ha in the Shire of Mundaring on Sunday, is now contained.

The aftermath of a bushfire is pictured in Perth's hills on January 13.

The aftermath of a bushfire is pictured in Perth’s hills on January 13. Source: Getty Images

Power remains out for about 450 homes in the region, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) said.DFES said residents in the “zone where home have been lost” would be prevented from returning to the area today because it was “hazardous due to damaged infrastructure, downed powerlines and the risk of falling tree limbs”.

“People outside this zone are allowed to start returning to their homes, however they are required to register for a permit and access will be restricted,” DFES added in a statement.

Pregnant resident Sian Musgrove, 31, doesn't know if her family house of 50 years is still standing. Picture...

Pregnant resident Sian Musgrove, 31, doesn’t know if her family house of 50 years is still standing. Picture: Colin Murty Source: PerthNow

The agency said a watch and act alert remained in place for the eastern part of the Parkerville, Stoneville and Mount Helena. “Firefighters will continue to strengthen containment lines and ensure the area is 100 per cent blacked out throughout,” DFES said. Counselling services have been made available to the dozens of people whose homes were razed in the fire.

Fire authorities have confirmed the blaze was most likely sparked by a fallen power pole on private property.

IBIS World releases list of best and worst industries for 2014

Source: News.com.au

The world is your oyster, unless you want to own a DVD store, according to IBISWorld. Picture: Thinkstock

The world is your oyster, unless you want to own a DVD store, according to IBISWorld. Picture: Thinkstock Source: ThinkStock

IT’S a great time to be in gemstones or online shopping, but if you dream of starting your own video store, look out.

That’s according to the latest list of industries set to fly and fall in 2014 released by research company IBISWorld.

General manager Karen Dobie said it’s forecast to be a great year for diamond and gemstone mining, which is set to receive a 24 per cent boost taking revenue to $821.9 million, amid strong demand from South-East Asia.

“High-quality stones as a share of total output is expected to increase, which will have a positive impact on total industry revenue,” she said.

Superannuation funds will also be big business as sharemarkets return to levels seen before the financial crisis. The sector is expected to grow 23 per cent to take revenue to $356.6 billion due to the increased super guarantee and stable labour market.

“Characterised by a growing labour force, the conditions in our employment market mean more people are contributing to superannuation than before,” Ms Dobie said.

Aussie super funds are in for a good year as sharemarkets recover and the labour force stays steady. Picture: Thinkstock

Aussie super funds are in for a good year as sharemarkets recover and the labour force stays steady. Picture: Thinkstock Source: ThinkStock

Organic farmers will also be in for a boost as organic products become more mainstream. Revenues in the sector are expected to rise nearly 14 per cent to more than $707 million.

“A broader selection of organic foods in supermarkets, independent retailers and markets should assist in increasing sales and driving revenue for primary producers. This will include more private-label organic products available at lower pricepoints”, Ms Dobie said.

Online shoppers and internet publishing are also expected to take off as people increasingly live their lives online.

The online retailing sector will rise 13 per cent to become a $13.2 billion industry while internet publishing will grow by 11 per cent to become a $1.7 billion sector, IBISWorld forecasts.

Organic farming is set to be a high growth area in 2014. Picture: Thinkstock

Organic farming is set to be a high growth area in 2014. Picture: Thinkstock Source: Supplied

However it’s not such a rosy picture for other industries, with some set to experience major downturns.

Video and DVD hire shops will suffer due to competition online with the industry contracting 15 per cent to $534.2 million, while sugar cane growers will also have it tough due to extreme weather conditions.

After years of booming mineral exploration, this sector will shrink nearly 8 per cent as the Chinese economy slows down and companies shift their focus from exploration to production.

Newspaper publishing will also take a hit with more people getting their news online, IBISWorld reports.

Horse and dog racing will also suffer, with $1.6 billion in revenue down nearly 4 per cent on the previous year due to tighter regulations and falling attendance.

IBISWorld’s industries set to rise in 2014

• Diamond and gemstone mining

• Superannuation funds

• Organic farming

• Online shopping

• Internet publishing and broadcasting

Industries set to fall in 2014

• Video and DVD hire outlets

• Sugar cane growing

• Mineral exploration

• Newspaper publishing

• Horse and dog racing

The Other Woman, the latest film from Greek American director Nick Cassavetes

the other woman trailer

The Other Woman 2014 trailer – Official movie trailer in HD 720p – starring Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann, Kate Upton, Nicki Minaj, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau – directed by Melissa Stack – After realizing that her boyfriend is married and has another girlfriend, she teams up with the wife and the new girlfriend to plot revenge.

“The Other Woman” movie hits theaters on April 25, 2014.

After discovering her boyfriend is married, a woman (Cameron Diaz) tries to get her ruined life back on track. But when she accidentally meets the wife he’s been cheating on (Leslie Mann), she realizes they have much in common, and her sworn enemy becomes her greatest friend. When yet another affair is discovered (Kate Upton), all three women team up to plot mutual revenge on their cheating, lying, three-timing SOB. The Other Woman movie trailer 2014 is presented in full HD 720p high resolution.

THE OTHER WOMAN 2014 Movie
Genre: Comedy
Director: Nick Cassavetes
Cast: Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Kate Upton, Taylor Kinney, Nicki Minaj
Writers: Melissa StackThe Other Woman official movie trailer courtesy 20th Century Fox.

So you find out your fella has a wife. Then you conspire against your fella with said wife, only to discover he has a second mistress as well. Oh, and that mistress happens to be Kate Upton. That’s the tragic predicament that’s befallen Cameron Diaz and Leslie Mann in “The Other Woman.” They play the original mistress and wife, respectively, of the philanderer in question (“Game of Thrones” star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau). BUT WAIT. They spot another mistress as well, and now all three of them are joining forces to sabotage their fella’s life.

It’s the ultimate Broken-Hearts Club, replete with heavy drinking, champagne-brunch toasts to taking fidelity by the horns and strolls through Central Park to plot revenge. Along the way, Nicki Minaj makes her live-action film debut as Diaz’s advice-lending assistant.

“The Other Woman” is directed by Nick Cassavetes (“The Notebook,” “My Sister’s Keeper”). Vengeance will be theirs on April 25, 2014.

Field Museum plans major exhibit of Greek antiquities

Source: ChicagoBusiness.com

The Field Museum's exhibit will include a replica of the golden mask of Agamemnon

The Field Museum’s exhibit will include a replica of the golden mask of Agamemnon

The Field Museum is planning a major exhibition with the government of Greece and 17 museums from that country to showcase some of the world’s oldest antiquities, including a replica of the golden mask of Agamemnon and a bust of Alexander the Great.

“It will be a blockbuster. It will have materials that have never left Greece before. It’s a real coup,” Field Museum President and CEO Richard Lariviere said during a presentation today about the museum’s strategic plan before members of the City Club of Chicago.

The 2015 showcase of Greek antiquities (being done with the National Hellenic Museum) and other upcoming exhibits are part of a larger effort to attract visitors, especially Chicagoans, Mr. Lariviere said. Of the 1.3 million visitors to the museum last year, he said 1 million came from out of state.

Mr. Lariviere, who was hired for the top job at the Field in 2012, spent much of last year dealing with the effects of the recession and a goal to cut $5 million in costs from the museum, or about 8 percent of its $65 million operating budget. The museum also has taken heat for borrowing irresponsibility and for selling Western artifacts in 2004 as a result of financial stress. Mr. Lariviere glossed over the museum’s finances today, except to say it was financially healthy and that its bond rating had been boosted.

After the event, he said it was on track to eliminate $5 million from its operating budget, which was reported last year.

In a Q&A period of the discussion, Mr. Lariviere was asked, “Did you do the right thing when you sold the Indian paintings?” The reference was to those works sold in 2004.

“I wasn’t there,” Mr. Lariviere said.

He spent much of his time today talking about the behind-the-scenes work in research that goes on at the museum, which is ranked among the world’s top scientific institutions, next to the Smithsonian in Washington, the American Museum in New York and the London Museum of Natural history.

“The real value, the lasting impact (of the museum) lies in its collections and its efforts to translate science into action,” he said.

He pointed to the Field’s vast collection of peregrine falcon eggs determining that DDT was the cause of the bird’s near demise, which ultimately prompted the federal government to ban the use of DDT. “It was the salvation of the bald eagle and the falcon and who knows how many other birds that were saved as a result,” he said.

And when a panda was born recently at the Smithsonian Zoo, its DNA was compared to the DNA of pandas, snow leopards and other endangered species that were shot by explorer Kermit Roosevelt, son of President Theodore Roosevelt, and stored at the Field.

The costs of such research and the storage of those species are great and require the museum to rethink how it does business.

To address that, the Field is going to open up behind-the-scenes tours for the public into its treasures. Of the museum’s 1.3 million square feet, only 300,000 is open to the public now.

Mr. Lariviere says the Field will open new labs that will allow the public to see scientists in action, similar to ones now open that show DNA sequencing and fossil extraction.

Other additions to the museum include bringing out rare objects in the museum’s collection and a soundscape exhibit that will take visitors on an audio tour back in time. The museum also will continue showcasing exhibits like the recent display of a meteorite that was found in Russia.

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to clarify that the mask of Agamemnon is a replica.

Australian Open R1: Denis Istomin defeats Marcos Baghdatis 6-4 7-5 6-4

Source: ausopen.com

Marcos Baghdatis

Can it really be eight years since Marcos Baghdatis took the Australian Open by storm and, cheered on by every Greek in Melbourne (and there are a lot of them in this town), made his way to the final? Eight years? It cannot be.

As Baghdatis has discovered to his cost since that magical two weeks in 2006, living up to your past is never easy. The loveable Baggy has done his best every year but it has been getting progressively harder – his best result in the intervening years is fourth round appearance in 2009 – and on the opening day of this year’s tournament he was undone by Denis Istomin 6-4 7-5 6-4. Melbourne Park sighed; the owners of a well-known Greek hostelry in Lonsdale Street groaned (they had received two weeks of free publicity back in 2006 when the young Mr B admitted that his run to the final had been fuelled almost exclusively by their souvlakis and they look forward his return every January).

Alas, the Baggy of 2014 is now 28 years old, and his ranking has slumped to No.108 in the world. His supporters are still as enthusiastic as ever – and they were in fine voice in Margaret Court Arena on Monday night – and while he tries as hard as he ever did, age and a string of injuries have taken their toll. Baggy is not what he was.

He ran and he fought and he pulled off the occasional stunning winner, but it was not enough. The crowd tried to lift their man but no amount of cheering, clapping and singing can turn back the clock. Istomin, hardly a spring chicken himself at the age of 27, just did everything a little more solidly, a little more patiently and, ultimately, a little bit better than the crowd’s darling. With a handful more winners and a few less errors, the world No.49 from Uzbekistan was edging his way to a second-round appointment with Dmitry Tursunov, and Baghdatis was facing his first-ever opening-round defeat at the Australian Open.

A couple of years ago while he was losing in the second round here to Stanislas Wawrinka, Baggy blew a gasket and managed to smash four rackets in the space of just 25 seconds. So angry was the Cypriot that he did not even bother to take the last two rackets out of their plastic wrapper. Losing hurt. It hurt lots, and Baggy could not bear it. This time around, Baghdatis could not even dredge up that level of fury and, instead, took his beating squarely on the chin. Istomin was just too good on the night, and there was absolutely nothing the former finalist could do about it.

After two hours and 36 minutes, the crowd filed out of the arena, making a note in the diaries to come back this time next year for another bout of Baggy-mania, but they know there cannot be many more. Injuries and ranking permitting, their man will be back, but it will never be like it was all those years ago. No, living up to your own past is never easy.

Birmingham City: Darren Ambrose to leave Blues for Greek club

Source: BBC.com

Birmingham City midfielder Darren Ambrose

Birmingham City midfielder Darren Ambrose is set to leave Blues for Greek Super League side Apollon Smyrni.

The 29-year-old has made just 10 appearances since signing for Blues from Crystal Palace on a two-year contract in the summer of 2012.

Subject to passing a medical on Monday afternoon, he will move to Athens on loan until the end of the season.

“For whatever reason, it hasn’t worked out here. That can happen in a player’s career,” said Blues boss Lee Clark.

“I’ve no doubt there’s a talented player there.

“It’s a fresh start for his family and the weather will be a bit warmer there.”

Ambrose’s move, which takes him to the end of his Blues contract, may yet be offset by additions to Clark’s injury-weakened squad.

“We’re still pursuing it. We haven’t given up on hoping that he might come back to us”

Blues boss Lee Clark on Jesse Lingard

The Blues boss is down to using the experienced duo of midfielder Hayden Mullins and defender Paul Robinson in unfamiliar positions, and is hopeful that he will be allowed centre-back Dan Burn back on loan from Fulham later this week.

But he knows that he will have limited funds in the January transfer window.

“I’ve got a budget that’s been set out for me as to what I can do in the January window and Darren’s departure doesn’t really add to it,” he told BBC WM.

“I’m just trying to juggle where we most need to strengthen.

“We’ve only got two fit strikers in Nikola Zigic and Lee Novak and I’ve only got Hayden Mullins and Paul Robinson at centre-half, with Will Packwood as back-up.

“Tom Adeyemi has a back problem and Peter Lovenkrands picked up a groin injury with the last kick of training.

“But I read [Fulham boss] Rene Meulensteen’s comments that Dan will be involved for Fulham in their FA Cup replay with Norwich and that he will probably then go back to Birmingham as his development has come on so quickly.

“Dan has gone back to them and looked a different player. So we’re hoping that he’ll be ready for us against Yeovil this weekend.”

Clark has also not given up on bringing Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard back to St Andrew’s, despite him earning a first-team call-up for his parent club on Saturday evening against Swansea.

“He was in the 18 on Saturday and that makes it a bit more difficult,” said Clark. “But we’re still pursuing it. We haven’t given up on hoping that he might come back to us.”

Bruised Greek Socialists Face Polls Under New Name

Source: Associated Press

Greece’s once-dominant Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement, or Pasok, will participate in May’s European Parliament elections as part of a new center-left alliance and not independently, after popular support for the party collapsed during the country’s painful economic bailout.

Pasok officials said Monday that its candidates would seek election in the May 22-25 polls under a newly formed Progressive Democrats’ Party, created by center-left politicians and academics. A similar alliance is also planned for local government elections, also planned for May.

The Socialists dominated Greek politics for decades, but their popularity has been hammered as voters blamed the party for the country’s severe financial crisis and grew angry at austerity measures imposed under the country’s bailout.

Support for Pasok fell below 5 percent in a December tracking poll, tumbling from nearly 44 percent in a landslide general election victory in 2009.

“We would like to see our cooperation extended to national elections … Our party salutes the decision to create a broader alliance,” Dimitris Karidis, a Pasok spokesman, told the AP.

Pasok is currently the junior coalition partner in government with its traditional rivals, the center-right New Democracy, as the two parties face a growing challenge from anti-bailout political groups.

The Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement was founded 40 years ago by charismatic late prime minister Andreas Papandreou, months after the collapse of a military dictatorship, and swept to power in 1981. The party presided over extended periods of economic growth, spending 24 years in one-party governments and coalitions, but has been criticized for patronage in the public sector and cronyism.

The party currently dominates local government as well as the country’s representation in the European Parliament.

Analyst George Tzogopoulos said Pasok’s decision could limit the extent of its expected punishing defeat in the upcoming elections.

“The more the center-left is united, the better for them,” said Tzogopoulos, a senior researcher at the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy.

“Although the main challenge for them remains their alienation from voters, wider cooperation could soften the expected blow at the ballot box.”

Greek Orthodox Church’s celebration of Epiphany at La Perouse

Source: SMH

NSW to swelter for most of the week

New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia are set for scorchers this week with all three states expected to hit 40 degrees. Nine News.

Temperatures will top 40 degrees in many parts of NSW this week.

Towns beyond the Great Dividing Range are likely to experience extreme heat as early as Monday.

Residents in Sydney’s western suburbs might be tempted to head to the beach by mid-week, with the mercury in Penrith expected to hit the high 30s from Wednesday.

CaptLeap of faith: Members of the Greek community keep their cool during the Orthodox Church’s celebration of the Epiphany. Photo: Dean Sewell

Respite from the heat won’t be felt until Saturday, when there will be a cooler southerly change.

Weatherzone meteorologist Sam Brown said those on the coast will be spared record temperature highs, with sea breezes keeping temperatures down.

Temperatures for the Australian Open in Melbourne will be about 40 from Tuesday to Friday.

Sydney’s beaches were packed on Sunday. Several thousand members of Sydney’s Greek community turned out for the Greek Orthodox Church’s celebration of Epiphany at La Perouse.

The event is capped by the holy cross event, this year taken out by Theodore Pasialis, who was the first of 150-odd young men to retrieve a cross thrown into the water.

The Greek Orthodox community’s annual Blessing of the Waters yesterday, with the winner Illias Gore, 17, of New Lambton

Source: theherald.com.au

Greek Orthodox church Epiphany blessing of the waters. Illias Gore (17yrs) of New lambton retrieved the cross from the Bogey Hole. Pic: Ryan Osland

Greek Orthodox church Epiphany blessing of the waters. Illias Gore (17yrs) of New lambton retrieved the cross from the Bogey Hole. Pic: Ryan Osland

Greek Orthodox church Epiphany blessing of the waters. Illias Gore (17yrs) of New lambton retrieved the cross from the Bogey Hole. Pic: Ryan Osland

Greek Orthodox church Epiphany blessing of the waters. Illias Gore (17yrs) of New lambton retrieved the cross from the Bogey Hole. Pic: Ryan Osland

Greek Orthodox church Epiphany blessing of the waters. Illias Gore (17yrs) of New lambton retrieved the cross from the Bogey Hole. Pic: Ryan Osland

Greek Orthodox church Epiphany blessing of the waters. Illias Gore (17yrs) of New lambton retrieved the cross from the Bogey Hole. Pic: Ryan Osland

Greek Orthodox church Epiphany blessing of the waters. Illias Gore (17yrs) of New lambton retrieved the cross from the Bogey Hole. Pic: Ryan Osland

Greek Orthodox church Epiphany blessing of the waters. Illias Gore (17yrs) of New lambton retrieved the cross from the Bogey Hole. Pic: Ryan Osland

ILLIAS Gore managed to double his luck yesterday, claiming the top honour in the Greek Orthodox community’s Blessing of the Waters.

Almost a dozen unmarried men from the church took the plunge yesterday, seeking a silver cross hurled into the cliffside pool.

Held at the Bogey Hole since 1957, the ceremony marks Christ’s baptism in the River Jordan where the Holy Trinity appeared for the first time.

Participants pray for Australia’s prosperity and seek safety for those working at sea before the scramble for a silver cross, with the parishioner who retrieves it earning a year of good luck.

New Lambton’s Mr Gore, 17, found the cross quickly in the pristine Bogey Hole.

Diving for the third time, Mr Gore took the honours for the second consecutive year.

He said extra luck would be welcome in an important year ahead.

“Hopefully, it will help me with my HSC and get into what I want to do, which is chiropractic,” he said.

“It means a fair bit to me but I think it means a lot more to my [grandmother] and her family in Greece.”

Among the onlookers were Newcastle councillor Nuatali Nelmes and NSW opposition spokesperson for local government Sophie Cotsis.

Ms Cotsis, who normally attends a blessing of the waters at Yarra Bay in Sydney, said she was blown away by the Newcastle event set in cliffs similar to the Greek landscape.

“We should promote it and get more people to come,” she said.

Father Nicholas Scordilis said the weather was perfect but a mix-up with keys meant only “a fifth” of parishioners could access the pool.

“I’m not blaming anybody, we just had the wrong key,” he said.

“But the weather was beautiful, it went very well.”