Cheerleader thought boy, 12, was man

WHILE you were sleeping a former NFL cheerleader was charged with trying to seduce a 12-year-old boy who "she thought was a man."

Elizabeth 'Leigh' Garner, 42, from Nashville, Tennessee, is facing eight years in prison for sexual battery and solicitation of a minor for child rape.

The former Titans' cheer squad member allegedly followed the boy into a bathroom, fondled his penis and tried to take his pants down, asking if he had "ever been with a woman."

The boy ran from the bathroom and told his mum who was hosting the party.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail reports that the woman travelling with Edward Snowden and currently in transit in Russia is Julian Assange's ex-lover. The paper reports that she became involved with Assange in 2010.

Sarah Harrison is said to be an expert in immigration and extradition matters and was sent by WikiLeaks to help Mr Snowden. It comes as Mr Snowden's dad, Lonnie Snowden, revealed he is trying to broker a deal with the US to bring his son back to the country.

Sarah Harrison, WikiLeaks supporter, speaks to the media outside the Ecuadorian embassy in central London in 2012. Source: AFP

Elsewhere, US President Barack Obama has met with Nelson Mandela's family in South Africa, Mr Obama also said Africans are often getting a lousy deal from foreign investors, Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah escaped uninjured after his car collided with another driven by Israeli settlers in the West Bank and  Iran's president-elect Hassan Rowhani says he wants "constructive interaction" with world powers and wants to build trust.

Bernard Tomic speaks to Adam Peacock about tackling Richard Gasquet, centre court nerves and overcoming injury.

A child look at paintings of President Barack Obama, right, and former South African President Nelson Mandela. Source: AP

Also, a Taiwanese gang leader known as the "White Wolf", who has been on the country's most wanted list for 17 years, has been arrested at a Taipei airport, the French, Singaporeans and British have turned out for gay pride rallies while pro and anti gay protesters in Russia have clashed, mourners have turned out for the funeral of Odin Lloyd, the man who former New England Patriots footballer Aaron Hernandez is alleged to have murdered, and China has denied that it is softening its stance to the Dalai Lama.

Participants form a Pink Dot, right, against a background of downtown Singapore in support of gay rights during a rally. Source: AP

In entertainment news, Alec Baldwin has apologised and said he is not homophobic after an expletive-filled rant at a journalist who accused his wife of tweeting during James Gandolfini's funeral, Courteney Cox is dating her Cougar Town co-star, Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees says he is writing music about US boyfriend-killer Jodi Arias and Justin Bieber says he wants to start a family young.

Courteney Cox (left) pictured with former Friends co-star Lisa Kudrow and current Cougar Town co-star Brian Van Holt, whom she is reported to be dating. Source: Supplied

In sport, Bernard Tomic has moved into the fourth round at Wimbledon with a win over higher-ranked rival Richard Gasquet, Samantha Stosur was unable to keep the Aussie flag flying in the women's draw losing after being one set up, German Marcel Kittel has won the first stage of this year's Tour de France, Valentino Rossi has won his first race since 2010 at the Dutch MotoGP and Lewis Hamilton is on pole for the British FormulaOne GP with Mark Webber fourth and fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who is hoping for a good performance to press for Webber's outgoing Red Bull spot, in sixth spot.

Australia's Bernard Tomic celebrates beating France's Richard Gasquet in their third round men's singles match on day six of the 2013 Wimbledon Championships. Source: AFP

 

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Carbon tax switch will be tough

Greg Combet says switching from the carbon tax to an emissions trading system quickly could be very difficult. Source: News Limited

DUMPING the carbon tax early would be difficult, Greg Combet has warned as Labor seeks to justify abandoning its September 14 election date promise.

The admission which casts doubt on Kevin Rudd's first promise as returned leader came as Mr Combet, who is retiring from parliament, said it had been a "bruising" period in politics and a that there had been a "battle of moralities" within Labor.

He warned that moving the carbon tax, due to rise to $24.15 a tonne tomorrow, early to an emissions trading scheme to fulfil a promise Kevin Rudd made last year will be difficult. Regulators would need to be established and a new round of negotiations undertaken with Europe, where the price is currently around $6.50, in order to link Australia's scheme earlier than 2015. It would also require legislative change.

"There's also fiscal consequences and I think at the end of the day it's a matter of weighing up the policy and political merits of that proposition with the fiscal consequences and some of the practicalities that would have to be dealt with," he said.

Meet The Press Ep19 Seg 1

Mr Combet told Channel 10's Meet the Press he was leaving politics to spend more time with family and friends and to better look after his health.

"It has certainly be a very bruising affair when you reflect over the last three to four years, there has been a set of competing moralities," Mr Combet said.

"That's whats has been so difficult for so many in Labor. Yes it was brutal how Kevin Rudd lost the leadership, the process over the last three years has also been very brutal."

Kevin Rudd's return has improved Labor's chances of winning key seats in Labor heartland, a poll shows.

Mr Combet said he had been encouraged by Labor's poll rebound since Kevin Rudd returned and that his departure from politics was not because of Julia Gillard's ousting.

Deputy Prime Minister Anthony Albanese played down the prospect of parliament returning before an election is called which would mean any promised change to the carbon tax would be taken to an election.

Speaking on Sky' News Australia, Mr Albanese said the September 14 date was only named to stop the Coalition speculating while parliament was still sitting.

Tony Abbott says he isn't surprised that a new poll shows Kevin Rudd closing the gap in the preferred Prime Minister stakes.

"There might be some slight change ... it won't be on grand final day," Mr Albanese quipped.

He said guidelines governing a local government referendum planned to coincide with the federal election were a consideration for determining the poll date.

"It is possible to bring forward the election date and still have the referendum ... you can bring it forward to mid-August," he said.

Tony Abbott fires back at Kevin Rudd's suggestion his asylum seeker policies might cause war with Indonesia. And pays respect to Julia Gillard as a 'formidable opponent'. Bolt Ep 17 Seg2

A decision on the date will not be made "in a rush", he added.

Labor would likely face opposition from the Greens if it attempted to legislate the change.

Mr Albanese, who confirmed Labor would keep the nation guessing on an election date but said late August remained a possibility for the poll.

Meet the Press, Ep19, Seg 4

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott believes Mr Rudd will hold off calling a date.

"I think there's every likelihood (Mr Rudd) will try to hold on to office for as long as possible,'' Mr Abbott told Network Ten.

"I don't think the public want the election delayed a moment longer. I think they are yearning for the chance to choose their prime minister and choose their government.''

he also said he wasn't surprised by a new poll which shows 51 per cent of voters prefer Mr Rudd as prime minister compared with 34 per cent backing Mr Abbott.

"I always have said winning government from opposition is like climbing Mt Everest," he said.

"We've always said that the polls would tighten, they would have tightened under Julia Gillard, of course they have tightened under Kevin Rudd. That's what I would expect."

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Nigella breaks her silence on Twitter

Nigella Lawson has been spotted without her wedding ring. Andrew Styczynski / The Sun Source: Supplied

CELEBRITY chef Nigella Lawson has broken her silence for the first time since pictures of her husband grabbing her neck were made public.

The 'Domestic Goddess' tweeted a picture of a chocolate cake with the words ''Happy Birthday Bruno'' on Friday night - a cake for her son's 17th birthday.

Nigella packs her bags and leaves

It's Lawson's first tweet since June 15, the same day the controversial pictures of her husband Charles Saatchi were published.

The tweet from Nigella Lawson that made her fans happy. Source: Supplied

The tweet has been favourited by more than 450 fans and retweeted more than 110 times.

The tweet was met with welcome reaction from Lawson fans.

''I AM CRYING TEARS OF HEAVEN. THANK YOU JESUS FOR BRINGING @Nigella_Lawson BACK TO US,'' one fan posted.

Another offered a sigh of relief: ''Glad to see a little joy. Happy mommy day''.

For a second day, a removalist van was outside the couple's London home removing everything from clothes and recipe books to cooking utensils, the UK Daily Mail reports, a sign divorce proceedings may be underway.

Nigella Lawson with Charles Saatchi in London last year during happier days. Picture: Dave M. Benett/Getty Images Source: Supplied

Neither Lawson nor Saatchi appeared to be at the house but her sister Horatia was spotted giving the removalists direction.

Saatchi, 70, was cautioned by police for assault.

The advertising tycoon turned modern art mogul was photographed grabbing Miss Lawson by the throat and tweaking her nose outside Scotts restaurant in central London during a 27-minute incident three weeks ago.
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Armstrong: I'm still the record Tour winner

Team Europcar boss Jean-Rene Bernaudeau reacts angrily to Lance Armstrong's latest remarks.

THE dirty past of the Tour de France has come back to haunt the 100th edition of cycling's showcase race, with Lance Armstrong telling a newspaper he couldn't have won without doping.

Armstrong's interview with Le Monde was surprising on many levels, not least because of his long-antagonistic relationship with the respected French daily that first reported in 1999 that corticosteroids were found in the American's urine as he was riding his way to the first of his seven Tour wins. In response, Armstrong had complained that he was being persecuted by "vulture journalism, desperate journalism".

Now seemingly prepared to let bygones be bygones, Armstrong told Le Monde that he still considers himself the record-holder for Tour victories, even though all seven of his titles were stripped from him last year for doping. He also said his life has been ruined by the US Anti-Doping Agency investigation that exposed as lies his years of denials that he and his teammates doped.

The interview was the latest blast from cycling's doping-tainted recent history to rain on the Tour's 100th race. Previously, Armstrong's former rival on French roads, 1997 Tour winner Jan Ullrich, confessed to blood-doping for the first time with a Spanish doctor. French media also reported that a Senate investigation into the effectiveness of anti-doping controls pieced together evidence of drug use at the 1998 Tour by Laurent Jalabert, a former star of the race now turned broadcaster.

Not surprising in Armstrong's interview was his claim that it was "impossible" to win the Tour without doping when he was racing. Armstrong already told US television talk-show host Oprah Winfrey when he finally confessed this January that doping was just "part of the job" of being a pro-cyclist. The banned hormone erythropoietin, or EPO, wasn't detectable by cycling's doping controls until 2001 and so was widely abused because it prompts the body to produce oxygen-carrying blood cells, giving a big performance boost to endurance athletes.

Armstrong was clearly talking about his own era, rather than the Tour today. Le Monde reported that he was responding to the question: "When you raced, was it possible to perform without doping?"

"That depends on which races you wanted to win. The Tour de France? No. Impossible to win without doping. Because the Tour is a test of endurance where oxygen is decisive," Le Monde quoted Armstrong as saying. It published the interview in French.

Revelations about the scale of the Lance Armstrong doping scandal stunned the cycling world in 2012.

Some subsequent media reports about Le Monde's interview concluded that Armstrong was saying doping is still necessary now, rather than when he was winning the Tour from 1999-2005. That suggestion provoked dismay from current riders, race organisers and the sport's governing body, the International Cycling Union or UCI.

"If he's saying things like he doesn't think that it's possible to win the Tour clean, then he should be quiet - because it is possible," said American rider Tejay van Garderen of the BMC team.

UCI President Pat McQuaid called the timing of Armstrong's comments "very sad".

"I can tell him categorically that he is wrong. His comments do absolutely nothing to help cycling," McQuaid said in a statement. "The culture within cycling has changed since the Armstrong era and it is now possible to race and win clean."

"Riders and teams owners have been forthright in saying that it is possible to win clean - and I agree with them."
 

Lance Armstrong has said he deserves his spectacular fall and hopes he can earn forgiveness from his fans and family.

Lance Armstrong has said it was not possible to win the Tour de France without doping.

Tour de France riders are angry that Lance Armstrong has been interviewed about his past doping episodes.

In this July 24, 2002, photo, Lance Armstrong walks out of the Tour de France's anti-doping control bus after the 16th stage of the Tour de France.

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Life lessons from a dying man

Denis Wright, who is battling brain cancer, and his wife Tracey married in 2010. Source: news.com.au

• Denis battles "impossible to cure" brain cancer
• Beat odds to live longer than most patients
• He shares 10 important life lessons
• His blog will remain available for perpetuity

DENIS Wright wasn't meant to live this long. He's had birthdays - 66 of them - but he's also had plenty of deathdays - the dates he thought he would "cark it".

"Every date we've estimated so far has been wrong ... I've embarrassed myself by staying alive," the historian from Armidale in country NSW told news.com.au.

Mr Wright doubted his two daughters and partner's son would see him marry Tracey, the woman who has loved and cared for him, after the "longest engagement in history".

But they did, in 2010, and he said he is "so emotionally close" to his wife "you couldn't separate us with cigarette paper".

Mr Wright has a death sentence named GBM 4 (glioblastoma multiforme). It's an extremely aggressive brain tumour that's been trying to kill him since December 2009.

Dr Charlie Teo, high-profile Australian neurosurgeon, has said the condition is "impossible" to cure.

Mr Wright doesn't know how much longer he has to live. His life is sustained by a drug called Avastin - but this time, he says, "there are no more arrows to fire".

Since his diagnosis, Mr Wright has written hundreds of posts on a blog, called My Unwelcome Stranger , about his experiences.

He writes about his troubled health, why he would rather call someone than send them a text (it's too slow to say anything other than "OK") and how he missed the true importance of a wedding (and that is "the receipt of as many and as expensive a range of gifts as possible," he joked).

Mr Wright wanted to share his life lessons, learned over his 66 years, with news.com.au readers. He provided 10 tips via email as his vocal cords have been significantly damaged by an increasing number of seizures.

Life lessons by Denis Wright:

1. Don't spend your life in a job you hate. Life is too short to live it only in the evening and at weekends.

2. If there's something bad happening in your life you genuinely have no control over, learn all you can about it and how to live with it. Beating your head against a brick wall is unproductive.

3. If you think you can change it, then go all out to do so. Try to understand its nature and work with it where you can.

4. There are no 'good' and 'bad' decisions. If you made what you think might have been a poor choice in life, learn from it, and you might make a better one next time. You don't know what's going to turn out good or bad in the long run, so regrets are a waste of time.

5. Don't agonise about the past, in the sense that you can't change it. Live in the slice of time that's the now. You can't live in the moment; it's too short. The slice is richer. It contains a little of past, present and future.

6. Apologise as soon as you can when you think you've hurt someone. Don't try to pretend you're perfect. Accept responsibility where it's due.

7. Keep your options open for as long as possible. Don't close them unnecessarily.

8. Try to keep your sense of humour if you can, though it's not always possible.

9. Carpe Diem ... Or, for a change, seize the day!

And there's one more.

10. Do not be afraid of death. "If you're not more afraid of your own death than you need to be, then you need have little fear for anything life can hand out."

Mr Wright's blog, which has been visited more than 250,000 times by people from around the world, will be archived by the National Library of Australia online.

You can read the blog here.

Contact this reporter on Twitter @drpiotrowski @newscomauHQ | or email Daniel.Piotrowski@news.com.au

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Abbott would still win election - poll

New federal Treasurer Chris Bowen is not ruling out a change to the carbon tax.

Kevin Rudd as Prime Minister is greeted by Tony Abbott and Julie Bishop in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra. Source: News Limited

A NEW opinion poll shows the Coalition still on track for an election win.

The poll of 3000 respondents, taken last night, still has the Opposition leading the Government despite a big improvement in the Labor vote.

The Coalition leads 52-48 per cent after preferences.

If that result was repeated at an election, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott would be able to form government with a comfortable majority of about 20 seats.

Mr Rudd is preferred Prime Minister in the 7News Reachtel poll, leading Mr Abbott 52-48 per cent.

Voters were evenly split on the merits of the Labor leadership change with 44 per cent agreeing with the decision to replace Julia Gillard with Mr Rudd, while 42 per cent disagreed.

It follows a Morgan Poll - conducted in the hours after Mr Rudd won the leadership battle - that showed his return had lifted Labor by five points to a two-party vote of 49.5 compared with 50.5 per cent for the Coalition.

Labor cabinet minister Jason Clare today said Mr Rudd's return as leader had spooked the Coalition, which thought it would have an easy win at the Federal Election.

"The Liberal party has been very cocky for three years; they weren't cocky yesterday,'' the Home Affairs Minister told the Nine Network.

"They know now that the fight is on and there's a real competition at the next election.''

Mr Clare said he switched his vote from Ms Gillard to Mr Rudd at Wednesday's leadership ballot because he believed Labor was heading to a massive defeat under her leadership.

"This makes us more competitive. I can tell that just from yesterday in the Parliament.''

Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop said the return of Mr Rudd did not mean the Liberal Party would need to change its tactics.

"Why do we need to change our tactics? We've been expecting this,'' Ms Bishop said.

She also disputed the new leader has boosted Labor's chances at the polls.

"I don't accept that because the policies are still the same.''

Carbon tax high on agenda

The results come as business leaders and Victorian voters in the nation's most marginal seat have pleaded for Mr Rudd to call an election now, amid reports he is expected to dump the controversial carbon tax in favour of an emissions trading scheme.

The Daily Telegraph reports that the carbon tax, which is due to rise by $1.15 per tonne to $24.15 next week, will top the agenda when Mr Rudd convenes his first cabinet meeting on Monday.

"This is a priority issue," a source close to Mr Rudd said.

Mr Rudd is widely expected to move forward the end of the fixed carbon price period by a year to 2014 - easing pressure on business, but lowering the money reaped by the scheme.

However, in a signal that he would conduct a consensus government, Mr Rudd indicated to colleagues no changes would be made without approval of the cabinet.

Election date game

Mr Rudd has indicated Ms Gillard's nominated date of September 14 was unlikely because it clashed with Yom Kippur. If it is held earlier that would also mean the controversial local government referendum will be shelved.

Mid to late August were last night seen as the most likely poll dates.

Mr Rudd suggested he would return to the practice of John Howard and others by keeping the date his strategic secret until he was ready but said "it's not going to be a huge variation one way or the other".

Mr Abbott said: "We should have an election as soon as possible because it's really the people's job to choose the Government and the Prime Minister."

Voters in Corangamite, Australia's most marginal seat, also demanded an election.

Business groups warned that patience with the Government's "anti-business policies" was close to breaking point and a poll was needed to get shoppers spending again.

There also was anger in corporate Australia that one of the first pieces of legislation passed under the new PM was a crackdown on 457 visa rules for foreign workers

Business Council chief executive Jennifer Westacott said Mr Rudd had "missed a vital opportunity" to restore business confidence.

Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Mark Stone said it was time to clear the air and have an election.

"The change in leadership and resignation of a third of the Cabinet will not produce the stability business needs, nor will it reverse the anti-business policies this Parliament has delivered," he said.

Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox said: "The quicker an election date is decided the better it is for the country."

New cabinet

Mr Rudd is due to name his cabinet today, which will include Senator Penny Wong, Science Minister Don Farrell and Defence Minister Stephen Smith - who's planning to retire from politics at the election.

Shadow treasurer Joe Hockey said the Rudd government was already in disarray, with a third of the cabinet having resigned and major policies up in the air.

"This is a joke, it's a bad joke. The Australian people are paying a price, that's the problem,'' he told Seven this morning.

Mr Rudd was yesterday sworn in as PM by Governor-General Quentin Bryce at Government House with wife Therese Rein, his children and granddaughter, 1. Anthony Albanese became Deputy PM and Chris Bowen Treasurer.

On her last day in Parliament, Ms Gillard came close to tears as independent Rob Oakeshott said he sent her a message that her late father "would be proud of her."

phillip.hudson@news.com.au

With Stephen McMahon

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Gillard gets teary on backbench

Former prime minister Julia Gillard is flanked by former ministers Greg Combet (left) and Wayne Swan during outgoing MP Robert Oakeshott's speech. Source: Getty Images

Outgoing Independent MP Rob Oakeshott brings the former PM to tears as he tells the House of Representatives about a text he sent her shortly before she was ousted last night.

Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard fights back tears during a round of applause in Parliament today. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: Getty Images

Julia Gillard is comforted by Labor MP Kirsten Livermore. Source: Supplied

JULIA Gillard fought back tears when she sat in Parliament as a backbencher for the first time since her leadership challenge last night.

The emotional moment came when the former prime minister entered the chamber to listen to outgoing Independent MP Robert Oakeshott's valedictory speech.

After an awkward moment when Mr Oakeshott mistakenly said, "thank you, prime minister" as she entered, he described the moment he sent a text message to Ms Gillard minutes before the party meeting.

"We all get a bit of a sense about what's going on in the joint. I sent the prime minister a text and it was to say: Y'our father would be proud of you.'"

As applause erupted throughout the room, including the public gallery, Ms Gillard struggled to fight back her emotions.

He continued to speak of the abuse Ms Gillard copped during her three years as prime minister.

"I have been shocked, frankly, over the last three years, to meet ugly Australia and just to see the width and depth of ugly Australia."

Former prime minister Julia Gillard and Labor MP Kirsten Livermore. Source: Getty Images

Julia Gillard is comforted by Kirsten Livermore. Source: Supplied

Independant MP Peter Slipper shakes hands with former prime minister Julia Gillard. Source: Supplied

Earlier this morning, Ms Gillard, who was last night ousted from the job that had been hers for three years and three days, was spotted having a coffee with Mr Swan at Parliament House's Aussies Cafe.

Observers said Ms Gillard looked relaxed. She's smiling in the photo below, snapped by columnist Miranda Devine, who added that Mr Rudd was being sworn in on the monitor behind her. "They're ignoring it," Ms Devine said.

A relaxed Julia Gillard talks with friends, including Wayne Swan. Source: news.com.au

Julia Gillard was spotted having a coffee at Aussies Cafe this morning. Picture: Twitter Source: news.com.au

LIVE: RUDD'S RETURN TO POWER

Ms Gillard last night reflected on her government's achievements and her historic role as the country's first female prime minister.

She said it had been a privilege to have been elected to the role and that being a woman does not explain everything or nothing about her position.

"I do want to say the reaction to being the first female prime minister does not explain everything about my time in the prime ministership, nor does it explain nothing about my prime ministership," she said.

READ MORE: JULIA GILLARD REFLECTS ON HER HISTORIC LEADERSHIP

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LIVE: Rudd's first day back on job

PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd could call an election date as soon as August 3 or as late as November 30.

Stephen Smith earlier announced his resignation from politics, but says he will continue to serve as defence minister until the election.

Follow the events as they unfold below, in our live blog.

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How the leadership spill unfolded

Will she turn up? Prime Minister Julia Gillard during House of Representatives question time on June 24, 2013 in Canberra, Australia. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard has called a leadership spill at 7pm AEST this evening, which Kevin Rudd will contest.

The development comes after Rudd backers circulated a petition today calling for a special Caucus meeting to be held on the leadership.

"(The ballot is) in the best interests of the nation and the best interests of the Labor Party," Ms Gillard said.

The Prime Minister laid down a tough set of rules for the ballot, which Mr Rudd has accepted: "If you win you should be Labor leader, if you lose you should retire from politics."

LABOR LEADERSHIP LIVE: JULIA GILLARD OR KEVIN RUDD?

ANALYSIS: WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING - EXPLAINED

On Twitter they were being called "Thunderdome" rules and she was being compared to a do-or-die wrestler.

Earlier, an action-packed Question Time came to an end, with Opposition Leader Tony Abbott demanding Ms Gillard announce an early election.

Ms Gillard did not directly respond to Mr Abbott's questions: "I can assure the Australian people I am getting on with the job," she said.

Mr Abbott invoked Ms Gillard's historic status as the country's first female head of Government in his speech to Parliament decrying the party's apparent leadership woes.

"We all wished the Prime Minister well when she came into office on the 24th of June 2010," he said. "I was very conscious, as the father of three daughters."

"I was conscious of the significance of the occasion - while I deeply regret it."

Read our rolling coverage of the parliamentary sitting below.

Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd smiles as he sits in parliament during question time. Picture: AAP

EARLIER LIVE QUESTION TIME UPDATES:

3.31pm : The leadership situation is fluid.

Both Rudd and Gillard supporters believe they have the votes, says Sky News political editor David Speers.

Here's News Ltd Sunday papers political editor Samantha Maiden's take. She points out that we still haven't heard directly from Kevin Rudd.

3.22pm: The Speaker has welcomed her mum to the House. Not a bad day to visit.

3.20pm: What's happening? The House is voting on an Opposition motion to suspend standing orders. (UPDATED: The motion failed to pass.)

3.15pm: Abbott's leadership speech was a good move for him, writes Malcolm Farr.

Anthony Albanese is still rattling off positive statistics about the Government's management of the economy.

"He has to stand up and put forward his alternative vision," he said.

3.12pm: Labor's Leader of the House Anthony Albanese says Tony Abbott trying to suspend standing orders is the "longest dummy spit" in Australian political history.

Meanwhile, national political reporter Patrick Lion points out Abbott was talking to one person during his speech: you.

3.10pm: "Lady Macbeth"... "the hunter has become the hunted..." ... "Madame DeMarge..."

Abbott frontbencher Christopher Pyne is throwing around some flowery metaphors in condemnation of Julia Gillard.

3.00pm: Abbott has brought up his daughters while discussing Prime Minister Julia Gillard's leadership.

"We all wished the Prime Minister well when she came into office on the 24th of June 2010," he said. "I was very conscious as the father of three daughters.

"I was conscious of the significance of the occasion, while I deeply regret it... Nevertheless I thought it was an opportunity for our country."

2.57pm: Tony Abbott is hammering away at the Prime Minister, demanding parliamentary standing orders be suspended.

"No one is interested in the proceedings of this Parliament," he announced - only what Labor wheelers and dealers are doing in the backrooms. "Let's bring on the election."

2:50pm: FINALLY. A question about the leadership - and today's events.

Tony Abbott took the stand and asked, given the crisis: "Will (the PM) bring forward the election date to August the 3rd and ask the people who should run our country?"

Prime Minister Gillard said to that: "Thank you very much, and to the Leader of theOpposition's questions, it's a pity he didn't listen to some of the answers from earlier in Question Time.

"I can assure the Australian people I am getting on with the job. That is what the Government is doing.

"That's why I can come into Parliament today to say we have legislated a system to improve school funding," Ms Gillard said. She then continued to discuss the Government's achievements with the Gonski laws.

2.48pm: Kevin's STILL headed to China tomorrow, our political editor Malcolm Farr says. Think the Prime Minister might want him to stay there.

2.42pm: Meanwhile, Lanai Scarr has noticed a few suspicious departures from the House: key members of the Kevin Rudd fan club.

2.40pm: If you were an alien tuning in to Question Time from Outer Space today, you probably wouldn't realise there's actually something going on behind the scenes. Here's our explainer about the leadership crisis.

2.35pm: The Prime Minister has shown no signs of being under stress today, despite the leadership crisis. This isn't the first time she's faced a spill.

ABC political correspondent Latika Bourke is mystified about what's really happening.

Meanwhile, the PM says the Victorian Premier has written to her about the Gonski reforms, which have passed the Senate and will be placed into law.

2.30pm: It's clear there's some wheeling and dealing occurring while the Prime Minister answers questions about education reforms, lakes and climate change.

Joel Fitzgibbon, one of Rudd's most prominent supporters, has just handed Rudd a piece of paper. Rudd has otherwise been tapping away on his iPad, Lanai Scarr reports.

2.25pm: Disgraced ex-Labor MP Craig Thomson has stood up to ask the PM about the state of the Tuggerah Lakes on the central coast of NSW.

2.24pm: The Herald Sun's political editor, Phil Hudson, says key Rudd backer Joel Fitzgibbon has arrived and is having a deep-and-meaningful chat with retiring MP Tony Windsor.

2.22pm: Sophie Mirabella, a Victorian Liberal MP, asks another question about the carbon tax. News.com.au understands the temperature has risen quite a bit on the Labor side of the House.

2.19pm: Not a single mention of the leadership crisis so far. Right now the Treasurer is being asked about what the Government has done to support jobs.

MORE: WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON IN FEDERAL POLITICS?

News Limited columnist Peter Van Onselen says talk of a 9am Labor caucus meeting is an attempt to expose Rudd supporters.

2.14pm: Our political editor Malcolm Farr says he can't see key Rudd supporters in the House, including Joel Fitzgibbon, who is well known to be in the former PM's corner.

Daryl Melham, another Rudd backer, is also absent from the chamber.

2.11pm: Bill Shorten has his head in papers on the front bench, Lanai Scarr reports. Wonder what he's thinking.

LIVE UPDATES: RUDD GETS READY FOR SHOWDOWN

2.09pm: "I remind the Prime Minister of her promise before the election that there will be no carbon tax under the Government I need..." Tony Abbott continues to hammer away on the issue. On that issue we're all thinking about, well, the silence is deafening.

2.07pm: Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has asked a question about the effects of the carbon price. We didn't expect that.

2:05pm (all times AEST): Prime Minister Julia Gillard has taken the stand in Parliament to discuss Yirrkala bark petitions. She did not mention the Labor leadership fiasco. Kevin Rudd is present.

Awkward: It's Question Time in Parliament this afternoon. Meanwhile, MPs backing Kevin Rudd are circulating a petition for a fresh leadership challenge against Julia Gillard. LIVE UPDATES HERE.

You can cut the tension in the air with a knife.

Thank you very much Speaker. I remind members of an important anniversary in coming weeks. Early in 1963.

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LIVE: 'I will quit if I lose'

There will be a leadership spill and Kevin Rudd's supporters say this time he has the numbers. Source: News Limited

KEVIN Rudd has confirmed he will challenge Julia Gillard for leadership of the Labor Party in the last sitting week of Parliament before the federal election.

"For the nation's sake it is time for this matter to be resolved," he said.

"We are on course for a catastrophic defeat unless there is change," he added.

He said the truth was "many, many MPs" had requested him to return to the leadership, including ministers.

He said he would contest "for the nation's sake", saying many Australians had also asked him to return.

Earlier, Prime Minister Julia Gillard called a ballot for the Labor leadership for 7pm (AEST) to resolve the issue.

"All of these issues need to be resolved tonight," she said.

"We cannot have the Government or the Labor Party go to the next election with a person leading the Labor Party and a person floating around as the potential alternate leader."

That was why the loser must retire, she said.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said the federal election should be brought forward to August 3 to give voters a chance to decide who runs the country.

Mr Abbott tried to suspend standing orders during a fiery Question Time exchange to allow a motion calling on the government to sort out the leadership tensions.

He said the government was divided and the chaos could not continue.

The motion was lost.

Meanwhile Rudd backers have told Simon Benson that the have the numbers to win after a petition circulated among Labor MPs to call for a leadership spill.

Earlier this morning, Independent MP Bob Katter said he will back Kevin Rudd and protect his government from a no-confidence vote even though he hasn't spoken with the member for Griffith.

Mr Rudd's backers have brushed off the threats of a key independent Tony Windsor to consider a no-confidence motion in the Gillard Government if there is a leadership change as another Independent Andrew Wilkie declared he had an "open mind".

"The problem is that no one is driving the bus," Mr Katter told reporters today.

Mr Katter's comments come after key independents Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott announced they will not stand for re-election in September.

RUDD SUPPORTERS SOUND OUT WILKIE, CROOK

RUDD'S ATTACK OF THE BLUES

COALITION READY TO FIGHT RUDD

WINDSOR EXCEEDED ALL EXPECTATIONS

ONE AMIGO LEFT STANDING

RUDD HAS THE NUMBERS: SUPPORTERS

KATTER BACKS RUDD

WINDSOR AND OAKESHOTT CALL IT A DAY

PM'S STRATEGY TO EXPOSE ENEMIES

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Daughter bills dad for fixing his computer

The invoice a daughter issued her dad for fixing his computer. Source: Imgur. Source: Supplied

PARENTS. They just don't get it. If it's not questions about how to work the internet, it is how do I make "the skype" work or get pictures off my phone.

One daughter, known as Clem Honeybutter online, has taken this unofficial work to the next level, by sending her dad an invoice for services rendered.

She posted it on imgur with the title: "The bill I gave my dad for replacing his laptop hard drive."

It comes with all cheques payable to "your awesome daughter" and the tagline "Have you tried turning it off and on again."

Granted, the bill is only for dinner at a local pizza restaurant, including fountain drink and parmesan twists, but the daughter, who works in tech support, said she thought going to an "amazing Italian" restaurant in the neighbourhood could be considered overcharging.

The invoice is part of a deal the pair share where her father, who works as a mechanic, will often "charge" her a meal at a local diner for fixing her car.

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Bus magician's secret revealed

Trickster Illusionist Dynamo must think we're all a bunch of suckers.

After footage showing him to be "hovering" on the side of a double-decker bus hit the headlines, it's had heads scratching across the globe.

From first glance all seems fairly legit, as he rises above the ground and levitates, holding onto the bus as it rides along the streets on London, but all is not what it seems.

So, how'd he do it?

Thanks to a bunch of sleuths on the news.com.au Facebook page, we've figured it out.

And it's fairly simple, really.

Look at the arm holding onto the bus in the footage. Look at it closely.

It's a FAKE!

The arm is infact a metal pole that has been fastened to the bus and is supporting Dynamo's weight while he holds on.

Dynamo's real arm is in tucked inside his chest.

A few signs from our social media sleuths include the fact that his fingers don't move in the clip and there are no people around when he hovers up and down the bus.

In fact, at second glance the arm attached to the bus looks pretty phony.

Dynamo isn't the first to accomplish this "phenomena of perception".

German street performer Johan Lorbeer has been recorded hanging off walls in all sorts of impossible locations, including the sides of street buildings and shop facades since 2002.

Magician Dynamo stopped London traffic as he levitated next to a double-decker bus

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Non-organic veggie burger 'dirty'

Wellness Warrior Jessica Ainscough tucks into a Big Burger from Manna Haven Cafe in Byron Bay. Image: Instagram. Source: Supplied

AN holistic wellness coach who says she felt "dirty" after eating a non-organic veggie burger at a Byron Bay cafe has apologised after an online "rant" about the food she was served.

'Wellness warrior' Jessica Ainscough vented on her blog after eating a burger she believed was 100 per cent organic, only to later discover it was 'not totally' chemical-free.

The holistic health coach, who was in Byron Bay last week, follows a strict organic diet after overcoming cancer without using modern medicine.

In a June 18 post titled 'BEWARE OF ORGANIC CAFES THAT LIE TO US', Ms Ainscough said she was 'pissed off' that Manna Haven Cafe falsely claimed to be 'vegan, raw and organic'.

The 26-year-old said she had initially been excited to find somewhere 'safe' for lunch and ordered the veggie Burger thinking it was organic.

The not-for-profit cafe's menu describes its Big Burger as being 'cancer fighting rather than cancer causing' and vegan, low glycaemic index and a superfood.

After posting a picture on Instagram of herself tucking into the burger, a follower tipped her off that the ingredients may not have been completely organic.

Ms Ainscough called the cafe and was told that 'not all of it' was.

"I felt dirty. I felt like I needed to give my insides about 10 showers. I was so shocked that I just hung up the phone, but I wish I'd told her that since her 'cancer fighting' burger contains pesticides it is actually cancer causing," she wrote.

"If a cafe claims to be organic and charge prices that reflect this, we should be able to trust that what they're serving us is just that. Otherwise, it's false advertising and on par with green washing."

In comments posted on Ms Ainscough's blog, her followers overwhelmingly supported her stance but some urged her to be a `wellness warrior' not a 'wellness worrier'.

"The amount of stress this situation has caused you (worrying) is likely to cause more havoc on your body than the fact that your lettuce on the bun was not 100% organic," posted Tess.

Manna Haven, which is managed by volunteers and donates its profit to charity, responded to the online criticism with one of the cafe's founders Anita Carvill saying she was shocked by the backlash.

"There was nowhere that said the burger was 100 per cent organic so I'm not sure how she got that impression," Ms Carvill said.

"The options on the sign are just options, there is no false advertising.

"I think it is important before people get too upset to ensure they have not made a mistake in assuming or misunderstanding things. At Manna menu options are dependent on produced sourced and cooked on the day. For any inconvenience we may have caused we apologise."

The popular cafe, which is Ranked #2 of 96 restaurants in Byron Bay, also apologised to Ms Aincough personally for the 'silly misunderstand' and is spending thousands of dollars on rebranding as a result.

Sunshine Coast writer Ms Ainscough is a cancer success story after being told four years ago that her entire left arm was riddled with a rare form of cancer, epithelioid sarcoma, and that it had to be amputated.

Instead of accepting her doctor's solution she radicalized her diet and 'systematically detoxified my body'.

"I'm living proof that doctors aren't always right, that wellness starts in your mind, and that YOU are the most important authority on your own health &body," her blog says.

Ms Ainscough has also since apologised, saying her original "rant" was "a bit harsh".

"I want to publicly apologise for any harm that my blog may have caused your business. Although I still believe that the loose use of the word "organic" is a massive issue in the health world, I can see with hindsight that my rant could have been handled better," she wrote yesterday.

She says she has learnt from her burger experience and will now always ask more questions when ordering meals.

"I feel like it's my responsibility to share the mistake I made with those who may make the same one," she said.

"I know that not everyone cares whether they eat organic food 100% of the time, but for some of us we don't have the luxury of being complacent. Organic food is our medicine, and if we can't eat organic we go without.

"The word 'organic' is the green light that tells us it's safe to eat. It doesn't matter if some of the ingredients are organic - if they're mixed with conventional ingredients the whole dish is rendered poisonous to those of us who have to be so pedantic for the sake of our health and lives."

Join the conversation on Twitter @itsKShort @newscomauHQ @JessAinscough

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Pup quits as selector; Arthur axed

Robert "Crash" Craddock slams Australia's players and administrators following the sacking of Mickey Arthur.

UPDATE: A DAY of crisis in Australian cricket with Michael Clarke quitting as a national selector while Darren Lehmann will replace Mickey Arthur as coach.

Arthur was dumped after a meeting with chief executive James Sutherland and high performance manager Pat Howard in Bristol last night, where Australia A beat Gloucester.

Lehmann is currently in England coaching Australia A and is the current Queensland coach. Cricket Australia has called a press conference for 9pm AEST where it will address the coaching and selector situation.

And in another development to rock Australian cricket, Michael Clarke has resigned as a selector.

As part of a review of Australian cricket two years ago, the coach and captain were granted selection powers.
But Clarke has repeatedly come under pressure to step aside from the role.

Revisit some highlights of Darren 'Boof' Lehmann's on-field career.

News Limited has written on several occasions that Clarke's selection role was causing to much angst. One one hand he had to be a confidant to his players yet on another he had to sit in judgement on them at the selection table.

And Clarke's relationship with some of his senior players - particularly his deputy Shane Watson - has been rocky for some time.

The first Test of the Ashes series begins on July 10 at Trent Bridge.

WATCH THE PRESS CONFERENCE LIVE HERE FROM 9PM.

Michael Clarke has stepped down as a selector, while Mickey Arthur has been sacked as coach on a dramatic day in Australian cricket.

Players to blame for Arthur's demise

Arthur is the victim of Australia's poor performance on the field and lack of discipline off it.

His dismissal continues a tumultuous year for Australia.

Why Boof is right man for the job

The Test team lost 4-0 in India and failed to win a match in the recent Champions Trophy in England.

Just as bad was the homework fiasco in India, when four players including vice-captain Shane Watson were suspended for the third Test in Mohali.

Queensland Bulls coach Darren Lehmann will take over the reins of the Australian team. Picture: Glenn Barnes

How the world is reacting to Mickey's sacking

Watson returned home for the birth of his first child but was then remarkably appointed Australia's 44th Test captain when Michael Clarke was unable to play the last Test with ongoing back problems.

Following the Test Watson, 32, was forced to resign as vice-captain with Brad Haddin, 35, appointed Clarke's deputy for the Ashes tour.

Steve Smith added to Ashes squad

During the past month or so David Warner set what must be a record after he was twice charged with bringing the game into disrepute. He pleaded guilty to both charges.

The first charge was for an expletive-laden twitter rant against two cricket writers during the IPL and the second was for punching England's Joe Root in a Birmingham bar at 2.30am, after Australia had lost its Champions Trophy match to England.

Mickey Arthur's career record

Warner was fined $5750 for the first offence and was suspended for a month and fined $11,500 for hitting Root.

Sutherland was furious over Warner's attack on Root and equally angry that five other Australian players were out late drinking with the old enemy after losing to the team it needs to beat to regain the Ashes.

Warner will be a better man: Ponting

During the latter stages of the IPL Warner told Arthur and other CA officials that he was not drinking as he prepared for the Ashes but CA has since found this is not the case.

 - Addiitional reporting by Ben Dorries

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NSW coast warned of flash floods

Terrible winter weather at Circular Quay in Sydney this afternoon. Picture: Ruttyn Sam Source: The Sunday Telegraph

Plenty of people were sharing umbrella's in the city last night in an attempt to remain dry. Picture: Gordon Mccomiskie Source: The Daily Telegraph

There is a trick to two people using an umbrella but many seemed to have sorted it out last night. Picture: Gordon Mccomiskie Source: The Daily Telegraph

Even driving becomes a chore when the weather turns this bad. Picture: Gordon Mccomiskie Source: The Daily Telegraph

NSW residents are being urged to brace for flash flooding, gale force winds, dangerous surf and heavy rain as extreme weather lashes large swathes of the state.

A severe weather warning is in force for Sydney as well as the mid-north coast, Hunter region, Illawarra, south coast, central tablelands, southern tablelands and Snowy Mountains, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said on Sunday afternoon.

A trough sitting off the coast brought widespread rain on Sunday to central and southern parts of the coast, BoM said on its website.

Currarong near Jervis Bay recorded the most rain, with 129mm falling by 3pm (AEST).

The bureau said heavy rain would become more widespread on Sunday night into Monday morning, with gale force winds, damaging surf, and flash flooding also forecast.

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) said it had so far responded to 50 calls from residents hit by the extreme weather.

Georgia Lewington, 19, (white dress) and Annie Fainsbur,y 21, from Waiheke Island New Zealand, take cover from the heavy rain under Annie's jacket. Picture: Gordon Mccomiskie Source: The Daily Telegraph

Deputy Commissioner Steve Pearce says the SES is preparing for flood rescues.

"With the deluge of rain that's predicted later on today and tomorrow, the risk is quite severe for flash flooding and possible rescues," he told the Seven Network on Sunday.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a flood watch for the Wyong, Georges, Nepean, Cooks, Woronora and Paterson and Williams rivers.

No umbrella? Hmmmm maybe some sort of sign could be utilised. Picture: Gordon Mccomiskie Source: The Daily Telegraph

Heavy rains combined with king tides may also cause minor flooding in coastal areas.

Rain north and south of Sydney from Newcastle to Batemans Bay is expected to intensify through to Monday.

Sue Pritchard from the SES said the worst was to come.

"It hasn't really started for us, we've had a few jobs but we're certainly expecting more as the day continues," she said.

"We're expecting that rain to come through steadily through the day and progressively get worse over the next day or two."

Getting a taxi when everyone else in the city is doing the same thing to avoid the rain can be quite a chore... probably should have brought along an umbrella. Picture: Gordon Mccomiskie Source: The Daily Telegraph

On Tuesday, Sydney will see more rain, but weakening, as the weather system moves north.

Higher rain totals are expected for the mid-north coast and Hunter on Tuesday.

"It's looking like there will be quite widespread rain which will be heavy at times along the coast,'' Rob Taggart, from the Bureau of Meteorology, said.

"Intense rainfall is predicted on Sunday but Monday is looking to be the bigger day.

"Rainfall is predicted to be 100-150mm on Monday in those areas and some thunder.

"On Sunday night a small low-pressure system will form and on Monday that trough will deepen and move around the central part of the NSW coast.''

Sydneysiders battle rainy winter weather at Circular Quay this afternoon. Picture: Sam Ruttyn Source: The Sunday Telegraph

Mr Taggart said gale force winds are predicted along the coast at about 40 knots between Ulladulla and Newcastle during Monday.

"The worst will hopefully have passed by midday on Tuesday,'' he said.

Becky Gollings, from NSW State Emergency Service, said residents in these areas should prepare for a battering from Mother Nature.

Oh no, just missed this one. Picture: Gordon Mccomiskie Source: The Daily Telegraph

"Monday is going to be the main danger day for coastal areas,'' Ms Gollings said.

"People should prepare by doing things like cleaning their gutters, putting away loose items around the yard and parking under cover so their car is away from trees or power lines.''

Ms Gollings also warned people should avoid low-lying areas and other places prone to flash flooding such as rivers, creeks and storm water drains.

The Bureau of Meteorology said there is a 70 per cent chance of flooding along several rivers including Paterson and Williams River, Nepean River, Georges River and Wyong River.

Anyone in need of emergency assistance during the storms should contact the SES on 132 500.

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Julia Gillard 'not going anywhere'

Kevin Rudd's new Twitter photo. Source: Supplied

Julia Gillard has the support of the union movement over Kevin Rudd ahead of the federal election.

THE only way the Labor leadership crisis will come to a head this week is if Kevin Rudd challenges, key government sources have said today.

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said he still supports Prime Minister Julia Gillard and he believes the majority of caucus does too.

On Meet the Press this morning, Defence Minister Stephen Smith also backed the Prime Minister.

Meet the Press

Meanwhile, Greg Combet has been accused of "double dealing" with Kevin Rudd's supporters with his eye on his own leadership ambitions.

The Gillard backer and Minister for Climate Change and Industry and Innovation has been accused by Labor MPs of hinting to intermediaries he would not stand in the way of a Rudd return, while maintaining public support for the Prime Minister.

The Rudd camp suggests this is not the first time it has happened, accusing Mr Combet of making similar noises during previous disputes.

"What Combet wants is a leadership change on the cheap as fence sitter," a Labor MP said. "The problem with Greg Combet's double dealing is he is actually being more disreputable than Bill Shorten.

"Combet wants a change because he could lose his seat. The Combet strategy is to try to force Rudd into a challenge so he can play the cleanskin."

Jessica proves she's daddy's girl

Employment Minister Mr Shorten is seen by the Gillard camp as having switched sides and working to bring about a Rudd resurrection.

His rival Mr Combet, who was anointed by Bob Hawke as a future Labor Party leader, last week publicly called for Mr Rudd to challenge.

"I mean if he has got the support he is suggesting it's available to him to make a challenge," Mr Combet said.

But Rudd backers claim Mr Combet went "off his nut" when it was suggested last week that he backed Mr Rudd. "Combet is trying to keep his hands clean and force Mr Shorten to do the dirty work with an eye on becoming opposition leader after the election," a Labor MP said.

Rudd hailed as $6m man

Mr Combet said last night the claims were another attempt to put pressure on caucus. "It's all crap. Just designed to put pressure on people to flush them out," he said.

"People say all this shit. I don't give a f ... "

Mr Rudd is prepared to dump his pledge to not challenge for the leadership, but his supporters say he may need to be "pushed".

The former prime minister is under intense pressure from party officials and Labor MPs to launch a strike on Julia Gillard in the final parliamentary sitting week.

On Tuesday Ms Gillard will address Labor MPs at the ALP caucus before attending Hazel Hawke's memorial service, but most MPs expect any spill would occur later in the week.

The mechanism for calling a spill, unless the Prime Minister calls one herself, would likely be a petition of 30 MP signatures under ALP caucus rules.

Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd with his first grandchild Josephine and his daughter Jessica in his Canberra office at Parliament House. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: The Sunday Telegraph

But Mr Rudd has warned supporters he does not want to preside over a divided party.

"Why would he want to walk into a viper's nest," a Labor MP said. But other MPs who have abandoned Ms Gillard said Mr Rudd must "drop his conditions". "The Party won't accept that. And he's got to challenge," a Labor MP said.

Mr Rudd's new Twitter avatar, uploaded yesterday, featured a V for Victory sign.

"He's zen. He has no problems with ticker, cojones, or anything," a Labor MP said. "He's in good shape."

Liberal leader Tony Abbott said yesterday he did not rule out a no-confidence motion if Mr Rudd were anointed, but said he believed it was voters who should decide.

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Gandolfini died of natural causes

The day's top showbiz news and headlines including James Gandolfini's autopsy shows he died of natural causes, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West name their baby North West, and Barbra Streisand performs in Israel. Bob Mezan reports.

THE results of James Gandolfini's autopsy have confirmed the star died of natural causes, amid a report he drank and ate heavily on the night of his death.

The 51-year-old Sopranos star died in Italy earlier this week, and local officials have now confirmed his cause of death was a heart attack.

The results of the actor's autopsy, which was carried out on Friday, were made public by a family friend, Michael Kobold, who held a press conference in Rome.

''Today we received the results of the autopsy, which stated he died of a heart attack, of natural causes,'' Kobold said.

Actor James Gandolfini from the TV program 'The Sopranos' in 1999. Picture: AP

''The autopsy further states that nothing else was found in his system,'' he added.

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In pictures: Sopranos star James Gandolfini

James Gandolfini and Edie Falco as Tony and Carmella Soprano.

Leigh Paatsch: Gandolfini changed television

Sopranos stars pay tribute to Gandolfini

Asked if Gandolfini had a known pre-existing heart condition, Kobold replied: ''No, he was healthy,'' industry website Variety.com reported.

A reserved sign sits on the booth where the last show of The Sopranos was filmed at Holsten's ice cream parlour, in Bloomfield, New Jersey.

The star's family are now waiting to take his body home, a process which can take as long as 10 days.

They are working with Italian authorities to move things along sooner, and are hopeful Gandolfini's body will be flown back to America on Wednesday or Thursday.

Kobold said Gandolfini's funeral would be held in New York no earlier than Thursday, June 27, Variety reported.

Tony Sirico, Michael Imperioli, James Gandolfini and Steven Van Zandt in 'The Sopranos'.

Kobold said Gandolfini's body had been turned over to a funeral director.

A van with Gandolfini's relatives reportedly arrived at the Umberto I hospital morgue in Rome on Friday.peGandolfini died in Rome on Wednesday local time while on holiday with his 13-year-old son, Michael.

Gandolfini's friend and fellow cast member of The Sopranos, Vince Curatola, speaks about the death of the 51 year old actor. Credit: Fox News

''James came here on a vacation with his family,'' Kobold told the press conference on Friday.

''He had a wonderful day. He visited The Vatican and had dinner at the hotel with his son awaiting the arrival of his sister.''

Michael summoned help after finding his father collapsed in the bathroom of a hotel room, with staff attempting to resuscitate the star as they waited for an ambulance.

James Gandolfini and his wife Deborah Lin at the 2008 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

At Friday's press conference, the hotel manager Francesca Caracciolo denied reports that Gandolfini had downed lots of cocktails and eaten heavily at the hotel shortly before his death, Variety reported.

''I can tell you categorically that those reports are not true,'' she said.

''This was apparently a mix up; whoever leaked this information to the press must have gotten something mixed up,'' Kobold confirmed.

Actors Robert Iler (C), with Edie Falco (L) and James Gandolfini toasting with drinks at the dinner table in The Sopranos

The New York Post reports that the Emmy Award winner had attended several Alcoholics Anonymous meetings on Perry Street in New York's West Village, but people who saw him there "didn't think that he was serious about getting sober," said a source familiar with the matter.

"I can confirm he has been known to blow lines and drink like an Irish sailor on weekend leave," said another source.

james Gandolfini with then-wife Marcy at the 2000 Emmys where he won a best actor award. AFP / Scott Nelson

Photos of Gandolfini in Rome show the actor looking haggard in the days leading up to his death - and he spent a lot of the time with a drink in his hand.

Hours before he keeled over from a massive heart attack, the actor sat down for a 7pm meal with his son, Michael, 13, at the Boscolo Exedra Roma hotel's outdoor restaurant.

Gandolfini, 51, first ordered a pina colada with two additional shots of rum on the side.

He followed that up with an identical round - a pina colada and two shots - and then downed two beers, the source said.

About three hours later, Michael discovered his dad in cardiac arrest in their fourth-floor room.

Six men carried the barechested actor - who was wrapped in a blanket - out of the room, a hotel source said.

Paramedics frantically worked on him on the ride to Umberto I hospital, where doctors spent 40 minutes trying to save him before pronouncing him dead.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff on Monday in memory Gandolfini.

The governor's order says Gandolfini was an iconic actor who "left a timeless impact upon television and film in the state of New Jersey and across our nation."

Gandolfini was born in Westwood, New Jersey, grew up in Park Ridge and attended Rutgers, the state's flagship public university.

The governor says the actor acclaimed for his role as mobster Tony Soprano was also an advocate, in two documentaries, for US servicemen and women and veterans.

Gov. Christie has called Gandolfini a "New Jersey treasure."

- with Agencies

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People should choose PM: Abbott

Julia Gillard has the support of the union movement over Kevin Rudd ahead of the federal election.

OPPOSITION Leader Tony Abbott hasn't absolutely ruled out moving a no-confidence motion in the government should Kevin Rudd topple Julia Gillard during the final sitting of Parliament next week.

But he indicated little confidence such a motion could get up without support of independent MPs.

Speaking in north Queensland following the latest leadership speculation, Mr Abbott said as Labor's soap opera rolled on, the Australian people were sick of their shenanigans.

''In the end the Australian people should be choosing the next Prime Minister not the faceless men. So I rule nothing out and we will respond appropriately in the Parliament top whatever happens this week,'' he told reporters in Cairns.

Mr Abbott said the Opposition always said it would only move a motion of no confidence if there was a reasonable prospect of success.

But he said the ''so-called independents, the Labor independents, the Labor supporters masquerading as independents'' had always indicated they fully supported Ms Gillard.

Tony Abbott has indicated little faith a no-confidence motion in the government could get up without support of independent MPs.

In the finely balanced Parliament, Mr Abbott needs the backing of independents to achieve the absolute majority needed to ditch the government.

LABOR QUESTIONS IF RUDD IS THE ANSWER

OH, JUST TRY TO ACT LIKE GROWN-UPS!

LABOR FEARS ABBOTT COUP IN THE SENATE

LABOR'S BIG MISTAKE IN KNIFING RUDD

Kevin Rudd beds down for the night in the CEO Sleepout for St Vincint De Paul this week / Pic: Marc Roberston

UNIONS SET TO ABANDON FLOUNDERING PM

RUDD'S CONDITIONS FOR A POSSIBLE RETURN

KRUDD THE WINNER IN THE TWITTER WAR

Mr Abbott particularly singled out NSW independents Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott who both hold seats the Coalition is intent on reclaiming.

''It seems the people in the Parliament who most support Julia Gillard as Prime Minister are no longer her own caucus but people like Mr Oakeshott and Mr Windsor,'' he said

Mr Abbott said it was clear whoever led a divided and dysfunctional Labor, it still would not provide good government.

''It's poisonous inside the party and the sooner they have some time out to rediscover what they stand for, what they believe, who they represent the better for everyone,'' he said.

Mr Abbott promised he would provide strong and stable government.

''I am confident that a couple of years into the terms of any Coalition government, the last few years will seem like a bad dream that has passed in the night,'' he said.

The refusal by the Coalition to be dragged into the government's leadership crisis has crippled a key argument being used by Gillard's camp to keep MPs loyal to her - that a change could spark a constitutional crisis.

Three senior backers of the Prime Minister conceded privately yesterday that they no longer believed Ms Gillard could be certain of commanding a majority in the caucus if a challenge was mounted.

Senior MPs once loyal to Ms Gillard, including several of her most senior backers, confirmed they were now prepared to shift on the word of numbers man Bill Shorten - for the good of the Labor Party.

"There is a phalanx now looking to Bill," one Gillard backer said.

"It is now up to him. If you want to be king, then sometimes you are called upon."

With Ms Gillard's leadership hanging in the balance, the momentum is now building for the issue to be resolved as early as Wednesday or Thursday, rather than next Friday as has been suggested.

One of the key arguments being used on MPs to remain loyal to the PM - fear that the Federal Government would be forced to an election by a no-confidence motion should there be a change - has now been demolished.

Three independents have confirmed that they would not necessarily support a no-confidence motion in the government if Mr Rudd was returned.

Craig Thomson said he would support a Rudd government and Tasmanian Andrew Wilkie has said he could not be counted on to support a no-confidence motion.

This alone would be enough to deny an absolute majority, with Mr Rudd likely to command the numbers in the house if tested.

But sources in the Greens have also confirmed that the minor party would not support a no-confidence motion in the government which could potentially put Mr Abbott in as a caretaker Prime minister.

Coalition sources have also confirmed the Opposition Leader had abandoned the idea of a no-confidence motion, on the basis that he believed the Coalition should not be dragged into the saga.

It is believed discussions were held between Mr Abbott and Coalition colleagues this week and that, while it would still be retained as an option, it was unlikely the opposition would pursue it.

Pressure yesterday mounted on Mr Rudd to declare his intentions, with the Minister for Resources and Energy Gary Gray challenging him to contest the Labor leadership if he believed he really had the numbers.

He said that Mr Rudd's changed language on the leadership - indicating he would be willing to challenge again - was far from a categorical denial that he was still interested in the job.

"It's confusing. And I think Kevin is confused," Mr Gray said.

"I genuinely think that, if Kevin Rudd wishes to challenge, he should do so. He should stop all this confusion, and the mumbling and the mumbo jumbo.

"He should test his level of support or he should get on with the campaign to ensure Labor's vote is as strong as it could be and to ensure that Labor wins the election."

On the eve of the anniversary of Mr Rudd's political knifing three years ago, the former PM accused Mr Gray of being one of the faceless men who had been part of the coup against him on June 24, 2010.

Mr Rudd, who on Thursday spent the night sleeping rough in Brisbane in support of measures to combat homelessness, said through a spokesman that his position on the leadership remained unchanged from that of February last year and March of this year.

"As one of the co-authors of the 2010 leadership coup, it is hardly surprising that Mr Gray has chosen to continue his public attacks on Mr Rudd's character," the spokesman said.

Mr Rudd denied he had been in recent conversations with Mr Shorten.

However, senior MPs have confirmed that the two had previously had discussions about the leadership issue.

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The boy who just wanted to fit in

BEFORE: Miles is segregated from the rest of his classmates in the photo that broke his parents hearts. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

IT WAS the school portrait that Miles Ambridge's parents vowed never to show him for fear of hurting the seven-year-old's feelings.

As his classmates at Herbert Spencer Elementary School in British Columbia sit together in three neat rows, Miles, who has muscular dystrophy, is seen stranded in his wheelchair to the group's left, straining his body to get closer to the other children.

The photo made world headlines earlier this week after his heartbroken parents posted it on Facebook to raise awareness of discrimination against disabled children in schools.

Mother Anne Belanger told local media she couldn't bear to look at the photo.

"Look at the angle that he was in," she said.

"He's ostracised, he wants to be part of the gang so much."

Miles' father Don Ambridge added: "For some reason, it makes me feel even worse that he's so happy in the picture. I think it's because he's still innocent … He's still naive to how other people can treat him."

Thanks to their campaign, Lifetouch, the company who took the original photo agreed to a reshoot - with amazing results.

This time Miles sits in the front row, minus his wheelchair, sporting a proud grin.

"You can't pick him out this time," an overjoyed Ms Belanger told local newspaper The Province. "For him, to fit in, this is what it should be."

Incredibly, the new photograph has been criticised as "sending the wrong message" because it shows Miles out of his wheelchair.

But Mr Ambridge disagreed.

"All you've got to do is look at the kid sitting on the bench with a grin on his face and that's why we do it.

"He's a happy little guy."

Miles was never shown the original photo, but his parents have kept a copy in case he ever wants to see it.

On Wednesday, Ms Belanger showed her son the new class photo.

His response: "Oh, mummy, that's so nice!"

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LeBron leads Heat to NBA finals win

Miami Heat have defeated the San Antonio Spurs 95-88 to take the NBA Finals Series 4-3 and win back to back NBa Championships.

THE Miami Heat, led by NBA MVP LeBron James, has won the NBA Finals for the second consecutive year by defeating the San Antonio Spurs 95-88 in Game 7.

James had 37 points and 12 rebounds for the Heat, while Dwyane Wade added 23 points and 10 rebounds and Shane Battier scored 18 points on 6-for-8 shooting from 3-point range.

James made 5 of 10 3-point attempts, all the while hounding Spurs star Tony Parker on defence.

Best pictures from the game

Tim Duncan had 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Spurs, who were trying to become the first road team to win a finals Game 7 since Washington in 1978. Kawhi Leonard added 19 points and 16 rebounds.

Parker had 10 points on 3-for-12 shooting and four assists, and Manu Ginobili scored 18 points for San Antonio, which lost for the first time in five finals appearances.

The Heat led just 72-71 going into the fourth quarter but edged that out to an eight-point lead with 7:30 to play.

King James comes up with a clutch two-pointer to put Game 7 beyond the Spurs

The Spurs missed seven of their first 10 shots and turned the ball over five times in the first seven minutes of the fourth quarter.

Duncan's turnover led to Battier's sixth 3-pointer, a corner dagger that gave Miami an 88-82 lead with 3:21 to go. The delirious Heat crowd leapt to its feet, and they didn't sit down for the rest of a thrilling finish.

The Spurs were not done with, and Leonard's 3 made it 90-88. Tim Duncan had an opportunity to tie the scores but missed a simple putback, and James knocked down a 19-foot jumper with 27.9 seconds to go, effectively sealing the victory.

San Antonio's Danny Green, for five games the favourite for finals MVP thanks to his record-setting 3-point shooting, missed his first eight shots and finished with five points on 1-for-12 shooting, while Game 6 hero Ray Allen was 0 for 4 with three turnovers for Miami.

The Heat have been to three straight finals, just like they envisioned when Pat Riley brought James, Wade and Bosh together three summers ago. But it's been anything but easy for the NBA's latest super team.

They lost to Dallas in 2010, suffering the final defeat in Game 6 on their home floor, then rebounded to steamroll the Oklahoma City Thunder last season.

A costly turnover by San Antonio's Danny Green results in a dunk by the Heat's Dwyane Wade in Game 7.

This regular season was shaping up as a coronation more than a competition, with the Heat rattling off 66 victories, including a staggering 27 in a row. They entered the playoffs with an air of invincibility, but were pushed as hard as they've ever been.

In the proud Spurs, they faced an ageing core that simply wouldn't give in, which had to make this victory their most satisfying yet.

The Heat were all but eliminated in Game 6, down 13 points at the start of the fourth quarter and five with 21 seconds to play but somehow they managed to force overtime and win it to keep their back-to-back hopes alive.

"It's like you have a second chance on life,'' Bosh said. "You're not going to waste it. We were revived. We were dead. We brought ourselves back to life.''

The Heat made the most of the kind of second chance that the Spurs have so rarely given over the years. James found the perimeter shooting that had been lacking for most of the series, hitting consecutive 3s in the third quarter to get Miami going after a ragged start.

The reigning MVP also locked down Parker, the focal point of the Spurs offence, forcing him to give the ball up earlier in the shot clock than he wanted.

LeBron James of the Miami Heat celebrates after defeating the San Antonio Spurs 95-88 to win Game Seven of the 2013 NBA Finals.

Had the Heat lost, James would have fallen to 1-3 in the NBA's championship rounds, and his legion of critics would have been banging on his door with more "He's no Jordan'' vitriol.

Instead, James delivered with the clutch performances that have now become the norm for him.

He rescued the Heat in Game 6, scoring 16 points in the fourth quarter, then he followed that up with a sterling Game 7.

James missed four of his first six shots, but started to find a rhythm late in the second quarter. He converted a three-point play on an acrobatic drive to the rim and hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key for a 33-27 lead, bringing the white-clad home crowd to their feet.

Duncan just wouldn't let the Spurs fade. The 37-year-old had a three-point play, four free throws and another layup that tied the game at 40 and Ginobili's two free throws gave the Spurs the lead again at 42-40.

He scored 10 straight point in the third quarter to keep the Heat in it, hitting consecutive 3-pointers.

LeBron James reacts after making a basket against the Spurs.

It was a heartbreaking way to end it for these Spurs, who were 21 seconds from title No. 5 when everything went wrong in Game 6. Now, once again, they will face proclamations of their demise. Only this time, it may be harder to hold those off.

Duncan is 37, but coming off an All-NBA First Team season and a vintage performance in the finals. The 31-year-old Parker is nearing his apex after one of his finest seasons. But Ginobili will turn 36 next month and will be a free agent, perhaps marking the end of the three-person core that helped put the Alamo City on the NBA map, and keep it there for 10 years.

Back in 2007, when the Spurs swept James and the Cleveland Cavaliers for the franchise's fourth title, Duncan found the young superstar for a quiet moment to tell him that the league would one day be his.

Now James has four MVPs, two Olympic golds and back-to-back titles on his resume. Duncan has been right so many times throughout his career. This time, it's at his own expense.

Replay our rolling coverage with basketball expert Boti Nagy below

On a mobile device? Click here for a better viewing experience

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Sopranos star James Gandolfini dies

Gandolfini's friend and fellow cast member of The Sopranos, Vince Curatola, speaks about the death of the 51 year old actor. Credit: Fox News

JAMES Gandolfini, best known as TV mob boss Tony Soprano, has died in Italy at the age of 51.

There are conflicting reports as to whether the US actor suffered a stroke or heart attack.

Gandolfini's managers Mark Armstrong and Nancy Sanders, said he died Wednesday while on holiday in Rome. No cause of death was given.

"Our hearts are shattered and we will miss him deeply. He and his family were part of our family for many years and we are all grieving,'' said Armstrong and Sanders.

In pictures: Sopranos star James Gandolfini

Leigh Paatsch: Gandolfini changed television

James Gandolfini in his role as Tony Soprano, head of the New Jersey crime family portrayed in HBO's The Sopranos.Gandolfini has died in Italy. He was 51.

Already a well-travelled actor, Gandolfini shot to fame in 1999 as the head of a mob family on HBO TV series The Sopranos, the show that changed TV's reputation into a destination for quality drama and in turn, film actors.

HBO confirmed the star's death, saying Gandolfini was on vacation in Rome and was expected to make an appearance at the Taormina Film Festival in Sicily later this week.

"We are all in shock and feeling immeasurable sadness at the loss of a beloved member of our family. He was a special man, a great talent, but more importantly a gentle and loving person who treated everyone no matter their title or position with equal respect," HBO said in a statement.

"He touched so many of us over the years with his humour, his warmth and his humility. Our hearts go out to his wife and children during this terrible time."

Tony Sirico, Michael Imperioli, James Gandolfini and Steven Van Zandt in 'The Sopranos'.

Gandolfini lived in New York with his wife, former model Deborah Lin. The couple had a daughter, Liliana, last October. Gandolfini also had a son, Michael, from a previous marriage.

Gandolfini won three best actor Emmys and a Golden Globe for his depiction of mob boss Tony Soprano, who constantly questions his identity and purpose.

The bear-like actor eventually earned $US1 million per episode in the HBO series and Entertainment Weekly listed him as the 42nd Greatest TV Icon of All Time.

Tributes for James Gandolfini

As a tribute to James Gandolfini, this weekend Foxtel's SoHo channel will present The Top 10 Episodes of The Sopranos – as chosen by TIME magazine. This countdown will air from 1pm EST on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday's episode line up:
Where's Johnny (Season Five – Episode 5003)
Funhouse (Season Two – Episode 2013)
Long Term Parking (Season Five – Episode 5012)
Whoever Did This (Season Four – Episode 4009)
Join the Club (Season Six – Episode 6002)

Sunday's line-up:
Employee of the Month (Season Three – Episode 3004)
Whitecaps (Season Four – Episode 4013)
The Sopranos Pilot (Season One – Episode 1001)
Pine Barrens (Season Three – Episode 3011)
College (Season One – Episode 1005)

James Gandolfini, most known for his role as Tony Soprano, has died in Italy at the age of 51. Credit: Fox News

Meanwhile, fans, actors and many celebrities around the world have paid tribute to Gandolfini.

Steve Van Zandt, member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street band and Gandolfini's co-star in The Sopranos, has tweeted his sadness at Gandolfini's passing: "I have lost a brother and a best friend. The world has lost one of the greatest actors of all time."

David Chase, the show creator who cast Gandolfini in The Sopranos, has released a statement saying: "He was a genius. Anyone who saw him even in the smallest of his performances knows that.

"A great deal of that genius resided in those sad eyes. I remember telling him many times, 'You don't get it. You're like Mozart'. There would be a silence at the other end of the phone.

"For Deborah and Michael and Liliana this is crushing. And it's bad for the rest of the world.

James Gandolfini and his wife Deborah Lin at the 2008 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

"He wasn't easy sometimes. But he was my partner, he was my brother in ways I can't explain and never will be able to explain."

Chase also wrote and directed one of Gandolfini's final movie performances, in last year's coming of age drama Not Fade Away.

Gandolfini told the LA Times in December that his performance in that film was a "homage" to his own late father, James Snr.

"My father … was old school – Brooklyn, cement mason, bricklayer. He didn't understand me or my generation. He took care of his family, took care of his children," Gandolfini told the paper.

"What we as children didn't realise is our father was a man who had dreams, aspirations and maybe there were things he wanted to do and he couldn't because he had a family. When I realised that … I wished I was a better son."

Actors Robert Iler (C), with Edie Falco (L) and James Gandolfini toasting with drinks at the dinner table in The Sopranos

Australian director Andrew Dominik described Gandolfini as "one of THE great actors" and a "deeply sensitive guy" after working with the late actor on last year's hitman drama Killing Them Softly.

Opinion from movie aficionados on Twitter this morning was that, while universally revered for The Sopranos, Gandolfini's film work was highly underrated.

The New Jersey native, who began his acting career on stages in New York, was one of Hollywood's first-choice supporting players.

His breakthrough came as the hitman Virgil in Tony Scott's 1993 crime hit, True Romance, with Christian Slater and Christopher Walken.

He went on to roles in films such as Killing Them Softly alongside Brad Pitt, as a creature voice in the Australian-shot Where the Wild Things Are, in Kathryn Bigelow's acclaimed Zero Dark Thirty and comedy In the Loop.

james Gandolfini with then-wife Marcy at the 2000 Emmys where he won a best actor award. AFP / Scott Nelson

It is believed the last film he shot was Animal Rescue, a crime drama co-starring Tom Hardy and Noomi Rapace.

He also recently filmed Enough Said, a comedy with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Toni Collette.

Gandolfini said he was reluctant to take on another gangster role in Killing Them Softly, directed by Australian Andrew Dominik, but eventually found a way to play his doomed hit-man.

He told US television: "I started thinking, 'I've done a bunch of these guys and this is kind of the final nail in the coffin. This is where you are at the end'. So maybe if I played it that way in my mind, this is the last one, then it got interesting."

Dominik said "He does very little, when you're shooting, that's not usable or believable. There's not much that I did except encourage him. It's not like he needs hand-holding."

He said Gandolfini gave himself "a hard time" during the shoot. After seeing the movie, Gandolfini believed one of his scenes was "s---" and told the director just that.

"Sometimes it's difficult to even get a word in because he's beating himself up so bad. He's a really nice guy, really, deeply sensitive guy, and I guess that's why he's so affecting. When [his character] Mickey's talking about his wife or some girl he's in love with, I feel like I can see his soul or something."

Rod Lurie, writer and creator of the TV show Commander in Chief (starring Geena Davis as the first female President), directed Gandolfini in the 2001 film The Last Castle.

Lurie recalled on Twitter complimenting his leading man, Robert Redford, on his acting during the shoot. Lurie said Redford "smiled, pointed to James Gandolfini and said, 'That's an actor'."

Lurie also revealed "inside" information via tweet that Gandolfini was to return to working with Lurie and HBO for a project called Sacco and Vanzetti.

Sacco and Vanzetti were real life anarchists who were executed in the US in 1927 – the Italian immigrants convicted of murder in a high profile trial which is today considered a miscarriage of justice.

Russell Crowe has joined in the outpouring of grief for Gandolfini on Twitter.

"Sad to hear about James Gandolfini ," tweeted the Aussie actor.

"First met Jimmy back in '94.He was roommates in NY with Lenny Loftin. Lovely man. RIP Jimmy."

Crowe co-starred with Loftin in one of his first big Hollywood movies, LA Confidential.

Mourning his loss on Twitter were fellow actors including Albert Brooks who wrote, "RIP James Gandolfini. One hell of an actor."

Jonah Hill said he was "truly heartbroken to hear that James Gandolfini has passed away. He is one of my all time favourite actors. Tragic loss."

Tom Sizemore tweeted that Gandolfini would "forever" be "the dude in True Romance to me. RIP. Damn."

Steve Carell said the loss was "unbelievably sad news. A fine man".

Lost creator and Star Trek into Darkness screenwriter Damon Lindelof tweeted: "James Gandolfini. You created an icon. And you cut to black way too abruptly. Thank you, and rest in peace."

Actor Kirstie Alley tweeted: "James Gandolfini … this sucks!!! You are so loved and admired … I hope somehow you know that."

Read more tweets about James Gandolfini

 

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Man stands up to cops. Literally

Anti-government protesters in Turkey stage another round of silent protests. Paul Chapman reports.

Take that, goverment. Oof!

• Turkish protests take a non-violent turn
• Man stands in protest. Just stands.
• Authorities unsure what to do
• Turkish protests now in their third week

THIS is an outstanding story, in every sense of the word.

To be precise, this is a story about a guy out standing in Taksim Square in Istanbul, Turkey.

All day long, Turkish man Erdem Gunduz has been standing. That's it. And his stand, if you'll excuse the pun, has quickly become one of the strongest symbols of resistance to the government in the current wave of Turkish protests.

Any resemblance to Mark Knopfler, lead singer and excellent guitarist from '80s band Dire Straits, is purely coincidental. Source:

After violence flared up at several protests across Turkey, Erdem Gunduz chose a different approach. An approach which evokes comparisons with famous peaceful protests like those of Mahatma Ghandi, and the protestor who stood up to the tank in China's Tiananmen Square.

It started at twilight on June 17, 2013, when Mr Gunduz walked across Istanbul's Taksim Square and stood facing toward the Ataturk Cultural Center. You could have mistaken him for a tourist. Except tourists generally mill about and then go somewhere.

Not Mr Gunduz. He was going nowhere. Not only that, but he barely moved a muscle. He just stood there, hands in pockets. And continued standing some more. And kept standing.

His face gave away little. His expression was nonchalant. Defiant but not aggressive. Determined rather than angry.

Standing is the new sitting Source: news.com.au

As protests against the Turkish government enter their third week, activists are trying to show the government that violence is neither their aim nor their preferred method of making a point.

Mr Gunduz has now been joined by many of his countrymen and women. Not everybody is sympathetic. Some people have tried to poke him and provoke an angry response. He won't stand for that. His response is simply to stand some more.

Perhaps he passed his time listening to Elton John's "I'm Still Standing" Source:

Across Turkey, people are now standing alongside him, emulating his peaceful protest.

Turks have even created a Twitter hashtag, #duranadam, which translates as "standing man".

Prime Minister Erdogan has previously labelled the protesters terrorists, but that's become a pretty hard line to peddle given the non-violent nature of the standing protests.

Careful. Standing can lead to holding hands. Source:

The protests in Turkey originally started over a plan to build a mall on one of the rare areas of green space in Istanbul.

Protests soon grew into a movement of both right- and left-wing activists, plus regular citizens, who were angry at a government which is viewed as increasingly Islamist and authoritarian.

But many Turks remain extremely supportive of the government, which has eradicated a culture of corruption in many sectors of public life, and helped make the Turkish economy one of the strongest in Europe.

In an overnight development, the Turkish government has approved the peaceful resistance which is spreading through Turkey.

"This is not an act of violence," Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said. "We cannot condemn it."

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