‘I saw my first dead body at 6’

For funeral director Ian Allison death is a big part of his career life. Source: Supplied

THERE'S got to be no better way to remind yourself that life is short than by dealing with death every day.

As a sixth generation funeral director, Ian Allison, 34, is acutely aware of how fragile life can be. "I looked at my first deceased body when I was six years old," he says. "I've always remembered that and I think my attitude and philosophy about life has been different to others because of growing up in this industry."

These days, Allison is the Victorian general manager of John Allison Monkhouse, the family's funeral parlour business, and says you never stop learning as you deal with grieving families and the wishes of those who have passed away. Here he shares the key lessons he's learnt about life from death.

1. Be true to yourself

There's only one of you. Allison says a life well lived is an authentic one.

"When people share stories at funerals, you often find out whether the person has been true to themselves or whether they have been trying to be something they weren't," he said.

"It's important to aim to be genuine and act in accordance to your beliefs. Life definitely doesn't last forever."

2. Share your stories

It wasn't until his grandfather was dying that Allison learnt just how respected he was in the community. He was disappointed he hadn't known more about this when he was still around, and said this often happened when families were planning their loved ones' funerals.

"We don't know enough about people when they have died," he said.

"Australians are often too shy to talk about their achievements, and as a result those around them don't know how wonderful they are. Everyone is so different and therefore every funeral should be too."

Funeral director Ian Allison. Source: Supplied

Funeral director Ian Allison. Source: Supplied

3. Be inquisitive

Not only do we need to share more about our own experiences we need to take more time to check in with those around us, Allison said.

"There are a number of questions people need to be asked before they die such as, 'What was your fondest childhood memory? What has been the most important day in your life looking back? Do you have any regrets?'" he says.

"These questions are too often left unanswered."

4. Let things go

Sure your friends and family are going to get on your nerves at times, but Allison said we've got to let trivial frustrations pass.

"It is important to love friends and family unconditionally — that includes loving the things you like about them as well as loving the things you really dislike about them."

After all it's these stories that often make funerals most interesting.

"Sometimes it's a joke made about a dad being particular about certain things.

"It's good to celebrate these differences," he said.

Funeral director Ian Allison at work. Source: Supplied

5. Look after your health

Every day we're bombarded with messages about the best diets and exercise plans to boost our health, but considering obesity is the leading cause of premature death in Australia, the message is clearly not getting through.

Perhaps we all need to see death up close and personal like Allison does to get the message. "That's another learning from being a funeral director — being fit and healthy leads to a longer life."

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Are those singlets on NRL players?

So, are singlets in the NRL a great or a terrible idea? Source: Supplied

WESTS Tigers came out all guns blazing in Auckland today, making the unusual choice to wear singlets.

The Tigers held off the Canberra Raiders 16-10 in a close game, but it was their sleeveless tops that caused the biggest buzz.

They had already warned fans about the new look, encouraging supporters to expose their biceps too and "show your support in style".

Singlets are nothing new for AFL fans, but the Tigers' kit certainly had some NRL devotees up in arms. "These @Wests_Tigers @NRLAKL9s singlets look ridiculous as a footy jersey," tweeted Davo FB, with others calling it "odd".

"Not sure what to make of this," tweeted one confused fan.

But some were firmly in favour of the "gun show".

"I know it's against the grain but I LOVE those singlets!" tweeted Kellie Warner.

It's not just the Tigers who were hoping a display of muscle would propel them to victory.

Melbourne Storm also debuted singlets for their Auckland Nines match against the North Queensland Cowboys this afternoon. Unfortunately, their streamlined look was less successful, with the side losing 17-8.

So, are singlets in the NRL a great or a terrible idea? Or are you simply shrugging your bare shoulders over the whole controversy?

Originally published as Are those singlets on NRL players?

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Does wearable fitness gear work?

So if I keep staring at this screen, I just end up fit, right? RIGHT??? Source: Supplied

FITBITS, wearables, call them what you will. Just don't expect your wearable fitness technology to, you know, actually make you fitter.

The theory is that you strap a Fitbit or Jawbone Up or equivalent device to your wrist. The ability to monitor your sleep, exercise regimen etc encourages you to then pursue a healthier lifestyle.

But a new piece of research kind of debunks that connection. Writing in the Journal of the American Medical Association, a researcher at the University of Pennsylvania, Mitesh Patel, found that strapping a rubbery piece of tech to your wrist and recording all that data doesn't necessarily drive behavioural change. Sure, it makes you feel all techie and fitness-obsessed. But it doesn't actually make you fitter.

The red ones make you extra fit. Or maybe not. Source: Supplied

"The gap between recording information and changing behaviour is substantial, however, and while these devices are increasing in popularity, little evidence suggests that they are bridging that gap," the author writes.

"Most health-related behaviours such as eating well and exercising regularly could lead to meaningful improvements in population health only if they are sustained," he continues.

"If wearable devices are to be part of the solution, they either need to create enduring new habits, turning external motivations into internal ones (which is difficult), or they need to sustain their external motivation (which is also difficult).

"This requirement of sustained behaviour change is a major challenge, but many mobile health applications have not yet leveraged principles from theories of health behaviour."

In other words, the purveyors of assorted fitness tech devices have found a way to lead horses to water, but not to make them drink.

Eyes on the road, buddy. Source: Supplied

The conclusion to the piece pretty much rams home this point.

"Although wearable devices have the potential to facilitate health behaviour change, this change might not be driven by these devices alone. Instead, the successful use and potential health benefits related to these devices depend more on the design of the engagement strategies than on the features of their technology.

"Ultimately, it is the engagement strategies — the combinations of individual encouragement, social competition and collaboration, and effective feedback loops — that connect with human behaviour."

We're interested in what you think on this issue. Is wearable fitness technology the equivalent of the clunky exercise equipment we used to buy which then lies rusting and unloved in the shed?

Or does it work for you? Let us know in the comments below.

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Top cops in all-out warfare

NSW Deputy Police Commissioner Nick Kaldas has slammed the handling of a police bugging inquiry.

Deputy Commissioner Nick Kaldas gives evidence at Emblems inquiry at NSW State Parliament today. Picture: Cameron Richardson Source: News Corp Australia

DEPUTY Police Commissioner Catherine Burn has admitted running a covert bugging operation against fellow police deputy Nick Kaldas when they were both mid-ranking officers.

Ms Burn worked as a team leader within the Police Special Crime and Internal Affairs department and ran Operation Mascot, a secret bugging operation that was set up to investigate allegations of police corruption in the late 1990s but which now threatens to tear the state's police force apart.

Speaking to a Parliamentary inquiry into the bugging scandal, Ms Burn confirmed she was in charge of an undercover officer codenamed M5 who approached Mr Kaldas wearing a listening device at least three or four times during the investigation.

Mr Kaldas, the then head of the homicide squad, was one of around 114 police officers and a small number of journalists who were targeted during Operations Mascot and Florida, which have since been the subject of allegations that it was run to settle personal vendettas within the police.

Mr Kaldas was in dispute with two senior officers within the SCIA at the time the bugging operations began.

"Mascot was an investigation into serious allegations of crime and corruption involving serving and former NSW Police officers," Ms Burn told the inquiry.

KALDAS BLASTS PHONE TAP BAD BUGGERS

Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn gives evidence today. Picture Cameron Richardson Source: News Corp Australia

Deputy Commissioner Burns arrives. Picture Cameron Richardson Source: News Corp Australia

Journalist Neil Mercer gives evidence at the Emblems inquiry at State Parliament. Picture: Cameron Richardson Source: News Corp Australia

The Daily Telegraph. Source: DailyTelegraph

"It was extremely serious, the allegations were extremely serious.

"We had an opportunity with M5 to do something I think was actually unusual for the time and that was to attempt to gain corroboration for allegations that may have been made in the past or at the time."

Ms Burn said M5 knew Mr Kaldas but had never worked with him. She denied further allegations that some of the warrants obtained under Operations Mascot/ Florida were improperly sourced.

Mr Kaldas quickly realised M5 was an undercover officer and sent him packing.

He slammed the state's Ombudsman for its role in the bugging scandal during his appearance at the inquiry on Friday morning.

Mr Kaldas also aired extraordinary claims of racism, grossly unfair targeting and improper conduct by some of the state's most senior officers during Operations Mascot/ Florida.

Mr Kaldas's phones, home and office were bugged and M5 allegedly tried to entrap him during the operation.

A subsequent Ombudsman investigation is reviewing the entire process and Mr Kaldas said he fears its intentions towards him, having appeared before the authority on a number of occasions.

"My experience with the Ombudsman was that having made a complaint in late 2012 and providing a material and a written submission in 2013 I was called down for a hearing on the 5th of September 2014," Mr Kaldas said.

Deputy Commissioner Nick Kaldas made explosive allegations this morning. Picture: Cameron Richardson Source: News Corp Australia

Deputy Commissioner Kaldas arrives this morning. Picture: Cameron Richardson Source: News Corp Australia

"I faced an onslaught, a concerted attack on my integrity and credibility.

"My emails, phone records, diary, notebooks etc were invaded and quoted to me.

"I felt that the horrors of Mascot/ Florida were happening to me again.

"It felt like this was a well-planned attack to silence me as one of the main complainants."

Mr Kaldas said he was grossly and unfairly targeted during Operations Mascot/ Florida, overlooked for promotion, racially abused and suffered more a decade of angst that had deeply affected himself and his family.

"We the police, would not treat criminals this way," Mr Kaldas told the inquiry, adding that the operations had been illegal and improper.

"My appearance here is the culmination of over a decade of angst, of me complaining about misconduct, suffering reprisals and discrimination."

Mr Kaldas outlined how in the late 1990s and early 2000s he had a "well documented and well known conflict" with senior SCIA officers, including former commander Mal Brammer, Detective Sergeant John Dolan and Ms Burn.

"This conflict was so deep that it should have precluded those individuals and that unit from targeting me – it was simply too big a conflict of interest," he added.

"I now know that I was intensely targeted by that unit using the full resources of Special Crime and Internal Affairs and its partners the NSW Crime Commission and the Police Integrity Commission, using a corrupt rollover police officer codenamed M5 as their tool."

Mr Kaldas said his disagreement with Mr Brammer, Det Sgt Dolan arose partly after he made a complaint about Mssrs Dolan and Bramer about them plagiarising some of his work to restructure the force's undercover operations.

Deputy commissioner Nick Kaldas. Picture: John Grainger Source: News Corp Australia

Journalist Neil Mercer enters State Parliament for the Emblems inquiry today. Picture: John Grainger Source: News Corp Australia

He revealed that he later nearly came to blows in a car park with Det Sgt Dolan.

Mr Kaldas said M5 visited him a number of times but he quickly realised it was a ruse and that M5 was carrying a listening wire.

He later learnt that police had given him a the codename "guido" during the bugging operation – a racist epithet that Mr Kaldas said referred to his ethnic backround.

Mr Kaldas and his family are Coptic Orthodox – a Christian minority in Egypt.

Mr Kaldas said he began complaining, along with "many others" after the full extent of Operations Florida and Mascot came to light. He said there was absolutely no justification for him being bugged.

NSW Police launched an internal investigation into the bugging scandal, called Strike Force Emblems,

"What happened next was that I was dragged through a series of harrowing hearings and interviews by the Crime Commission and the Police Integrity Commission and my career was derailed for some four years," Mr Kaldas added.

"I was denied promotion, ignoring merit, and a dark cloud hung over me.

Originally published as Top cops in all-out warfare

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Millions of dollars for nothing

How much would you pay for ones and zeros? Source: Supplied

HOW much would you be willing to spend on an imaginary item — a collection of pixels and polygons sitting inside a computer? For some video gamers, the sky is the limit.

While most people worry about paying off their mortgage and keeping food on the table, others are splashing mortgage-level sums on virtual items housed on game servers half a world away.

We're not talking about spending 99c on extra lives in Candy Crush — there are cases of people spending millions of dollars on fake things.

These digital distractions can be purchased directly from the game company itself (sort of like buying personalised numberplates from the RTA), or within virtual marketplaces where players determine their own rules of supply and demand. However you purchase them, they're big business.

A World Bank report from 2011 estimated that the trade in virtual items — everything from spaceships, weapons, clothing and hats, to even entire cities — was worth around $3.7 billion globally.

The man tipped to become Greece's new finance minister, Yanis Varoufakis, until recently worked as a consulting economist with video game giant Valve, researching player-driven digital economies.

Highlighting how the lines between digital and real-world value are blurring, in 2013 an Australian World of Warcraft player sued her insurance company after it refused to pay out a claim for $75,000 worth of gold bullion stolen from her home.

Kristina Fincham had built up her real-world stash through 'gold farming' — performing mundane tasks within the game, such as repeatedly killing the same monster, to collect items which can then be sold for real-world money.

In some cases, a lot of real-world money. If you haven't played a video game since Pong, brace yourself. Here are 10 ridiculous virtual items:

1. HORSE ARMOUR

$US2.50

THE ELDER SCROLLS: OBLIVION

Yes, it was this stupid. Source: Supplied

In 2006, a video game company called Bethesda released The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion, a sort of high-fantasy, choose-your-own adventure, role-playing adventure game. Not long after, it began rolling out small packages of extra 'downloadable content', or DLC, the most notorious of which was the $2.50 'Horse Armour' DLC, which does exactly what it says on the tin. While $2.50 doesn't sound like much, it was a testing of the waters, and largely seen as a precursor to the current, incredibly profitable, industry model.

2. BLUE PARTYHAT

$US1680

RUNESCAPE

These things are worth a lot of money. Source: Supplied

Runescape is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game, or MMORPG. The Blue Partyhat is a highly rare, discontinued item that was given out to players as part of a Christmas event in 2001. Since most people destroyed theirs at the time, and no more will ever be created, the Blue Partyhat has become one of the most valuable items in Runescape, and a medium of exchange in itself. Its in-game price is 2,147,483,647 — the maximum number of 'coins' that can be held — which is roughly $US1680 in real money.

Correction: A Runescape player writes in to say, "The Blue Partyhat doesn't cost 2.147B but rather, this is the maximum Java integer limit, the real price is somewhere at around 5,000,000,000, we call this the 'Street Price'."

3. JAVELIN

$US2500

STAR CITIZEN

The new model: pay before you play. Source: Supplied

In the olden days, it went something like this: company makes product, customer buys product. Today, thanks to the joys of crowd-funding, it's more like: company begs customer for money to make product, customer eventually gets product several years later. US* company Roberts Space Industries has raised millions of dollars for the development of its upcoming space simulator Star Citizen by selling the virtual spaceships ahead of time. The most expensive was the limited-edition, $US2500 Javelin. If you think nobody would ever pay that much, don't — it reportedly sold out within seconds.

4. DRAGON SLAYING SABRE

$US16,000

AGE OF WULIN

They say it's a one-of-a-kind. Source: Supplied

In 2011, an avid Chinese gamer made headlines when he splashed out $US16,000 on a one-of-a-kind virtual sword for a martial arts game that hadn't even been released yet. The unnamed man was the winning bidder in an online auction held by the developers of the highly anticipated Age of Wulin, an online role-playing game set in medieval China. Others purchased items at the same event for $US2500 and $US1600. It's unclear whether the 'Dragon Slaying Sabre' slays actual dragons, or whether 'dragons' is a euphemism for 'children's inheritance'.

5. NIGHT ELF

€7,000

WORLD OF WARCRAFT

If you don't have a real life, buy a virtual one. Source: Supplied

When a World of Warcraft character changed hands for €7,000 back in 2007, at the time it made headlines for setting the record for the sale of virtual items. How far we've come. So notable was the sale that even the BBC reported on it, explaining that the night elf rogue called 'Zeuzo' was so valuable because it possessed magical items owned by only a handful of the game's millions of players. A friend of the seller said the only reason he had sold the account was "financial hardship". A better reason would have been "because someone was actually willing to pay me €7,000".

6. REVENANT SUPER CARRIER

$US10,000

EVE ONLINE

Value is in the eye of the beholder. Source: Supplied

Massively multiplayer online game Eve Online, in which players buy, pilot, trade and fight with giant spaceships, is one of the most complex and long-running online games — its developers even hired a full-time economist, Dr. Eyjólfur Guðmundsson, to monitor the player-driven economy. Last year, a player lost the equivalent of around $US10,000 when his super-rare spaceship, called a Revenant Super Carrier, was ambushed and destroyed by a rival faction. The ship, which can only be constructed when the player finds the right 'blueprint', was believed to be one of only three in the game.

7. ECHOING FURY

$US12,000

DIABLO III

It's 'legendary'. Is that a good thing? Source: Supplied

Created by the makers of World of Warcraft, Diablo III is another popular game where players kill monsters, to collect items that allow them to kill more monsters, to collect more items, in a never-ending treadmill. When it was first released, it included an in-game 'auction house', where players could sell items they had found to other players, either for real money or in-game currency. It was eventually shut down when the game company realised they had "short-circuited" the carefully balanced reward structure of the game — but not before one player sold an ultra-rare weapon for more than $US12,000 ($A15,120).

8. BURNING FLAMES TEAM CAPTAIN HAT

$A24,380

TEAM FORTRESS 2

Roughly the cost of a uni degree. Source: Supplied

Continuing the theme for absurdly expensive imaginary headwear is something called the Burning Flames Team Captain Hat, reportedly the most expensive item ever sold in the virtual marketplace for the team-based shooter Team Fortress 2. Its buyer paid 540 'buds' — another in-game item used as currency — which translates to around $A24,380. Asked on internet forum Reddit whether he regretted paying so much, he said it was "actually cheaper than what I was expecting, so not at all". So is he just rich? "More or less."

9. AMSTERDAM

$US50,000

SECOND LIFE

This cybersex district was sold as a going concern. Source: Supplied

In 2007, a user of online game Second Life sold an entire virtual recreation of the Amsterdam's red light district on eBay for $US50,000. Why so expensive? Adult entertainment entrepreneur Kevin Alderman, aka 'Stroker Serpentine', had created, in addition to painstaking reproductions of streets, shops and canals, hundreds of animations of Second Life prostitute avatars performing sex acts, for which real people paid real, actual money — the equivalent of around $A60, in some cases.

10. PLANET CALYPSO

$US6,000,000

ENTROPIA UNIVERSE

It looks nice, but it's full of microtransactions. Source: Supplied

In 2011, a company called SEE Virtual Worlds set the Guinness World Record for most expensive virtual property purchase when it bought an entire planet in a game called Entropia Universe for $US6 million. SEE bought the rights to the planet from the game's Swedish developer, MindArk, as a virtual investment — the 'planet' was actually home to a thriving community of players making hundreds of millions of dollars worth of transactions every year. Entropia broke its previous record from 2010, when a man sold a popular virtual nightclub in the game for $US635,000.

Have you ever spent money on virtual items? Leave your comments below or email the writer at frank.chung@news.com.au

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Is this the most offensive video game ever made?

Could this be the most controversial game ever? Source: Facebook

A CONTROVERSIAL video game simulating a killing spree has come after under fire for its extremely graphic content.

The game called "Hatred" holds the dubious distinction of being the second only game to receive an adults only rating for extreme violence.

This is not surprising considering the aim of the game is to massacre as many people as possible in a 'genocide crusade'.

Making matters worse, the game's main character is a psychopathic Goth dressed in a long black trench coat — all too similar to the same outfit worn by the Columbine killers.

In a bold move, the game's developers have been outspoken on their website about the rating.

"Well, I'm not quite convinced why Hatred got AO rating while it lacks any sexual content," they wrote.

"It's still some kind of achievement to have the second game in history getting AO rating for violence and harsh language only."

A screenshot released showing gameplay Source: No Source

Fuelling the hype surrounding the game, creators have released a trailer showing footage of the main character walking the streets with a collection of weapons before performing a series of gruesome executions on innocent civilians.

In the cut scene leading the trailer, the character can be heard expressing his disgust with the world.

"'I just hate this world and the human worms feasting on its carcass," the character said.

"My whole life is just cold, bitter hatred, and I always wanted to die violently. This the time for vengeance and no life is worth saving — and I will put in a grave as many as I can."

The game was originally listed on digital game shop Steam, but was removed after the website deemed it too graphic for sale.

The website have since reinstated the controversial game much to the delight of Destructive Creations business developer Przemysław Szczepaniak who described the win as a "victory for creativity or freedom of speech".

While there is no set release date, the game is expected to come out mid-2015.

What do you think of the game?

Let us know in the comments below.

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

Follow Matthew Dunn on Twitter @mattydunn11

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Bali Nine Aussies face execution next

Indonesia plans to execute the Bali Nine pair Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan together.

Australian death-row prisoners ... Myuran Sukumaran, right and Andrew Chan, left, stand in front of their cell in Bali, Indonesia. Picture: AP Source: AP

BALI Nine Australians Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan are among the death row prisoners that Indonesia plans to execute next.

Attorney-General HM Prasetyo says his department is still evaluating the first round of executions held last week.

REVEALED: What keeps the Bali Nine Aussies going

DERRYN HINCH: Slams Celebrity Bali Nine mercy video

BALI NINE: Your questions answered

Bali Nine mastermind ... Myuran Sukumaran in Kerobokan prison. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro Source: News Corp Australia

He didn't reveal the names of the next prisoners, however Chan and Sukumaran are the only Australians on death row, and he has said previously they will be dealt with together.

"We are still finding the right time for the next executions of citizens of France, Ghana, Cordova, Brazil, The Philippines, Australia and one Indonesian," he told a parliamentary committee.

Mr Prasetyo said the next executions would likely again be held on the Central Java prison island of Nusakambangan, but there had been issues that needed attention.

"There were obstacles," he told the committee.

"The intrusion of human rights activists, the efforts of our electronic media reporters, trying to disguise themselves as fishermen.

"We can prevent them from getting close to the execution location.

Bali Nine ringleader ... Andrew Chan pictured in Kerobokan Jail. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro Source: Supplied

"These are all being evaluated." Lawyers for Chan, 31 and Sukumaran, 33, are in Bali preparing to lodge a final court appeal.

The news comes as celebrities and musicians are holding a candlelight vigil for Sukumaran and Chan in Sydney.

Musicians, celebrities and supporters are gathering in Sydney tonight for the Music for Mercy vigil to plea for a stay of execution.

Archibald Prize-winning Australian artist Ben Quilty, who has got to know the men in recent years, says the vigil is being held to send a message.

Australian artist Ben Quilty ... after he visited Bali Nine member Myuran Sukumaran. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro Source: News Corp Australia

He says Sukumaran, 33, and Chan, 31 have been rehabilitated and are not the same men they once were.

Actor David Wenham expects the vigil to be an uplifting community event.

"While there's still time, there's also a potential sliver of hope," Wenham said on Wednesday.

But Indonesian President Joko Widodo was unequivocal when he spoke to CNN on Tuesday.

Mr Joko said he would make "no compromise" on sending condemned drug dealers to the firing squad.

But Quilty has seen a more personal side of the Australians and has witnessed their transformation.

The artist tutored Sukumaran in Bali's Kerobokan prison, and says he is one of the best students he's ever had.

Reformed painter .. Myuran Sukumaran in the art studio at Kerobokan jail in Bali. Source: News Limited

He now counts him as a friend.

Quilty feels Sukumaran and Chan weren't that different when they were imprisoned to how he once was.

"They made stupid, self-indulgent mistakes, but so did I," Quilty said.

"I put my parents through hell. I was arrested, I abused drugs and alcohol," he said.

I Stand for Mercy campaign organiser, Brigid Delaney, said the online petition appealing to Mr Joko for clemency had gathered almost 100,000 signatures.

Australian celebrities unite to call for mercy towards the Bali Nine

More than 20 Australian celebrities, including Alan Jones, Germaine Greer and Bryan Brown, have also appeared in a video calling for mercy.

However, not all celebrities are on board with the campaign. TV and radio personality, Derryn Hinch, said the celebrities involved are hypocritical for only opposing the death penalty when it's used against Australians.

"If you're against the death penalty be against it for everybody," Hinch said.

The Bali Nine ringleaders, who were jailed for trying to smuggle heroin worth about $4 million into Australia, have been on death row in Kerobokan jail since 2006.

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Veronicas snap: ‘Good lord? F... off’

KIIS FM play back the fight Lisa and Jess had in their studio. Watch to see their reaction.

THE Veronicas have admitted they have a "volatile" relationship, saying they can "fire up at any point".

Twin sisters Jess and Lisa Origliasso have laughed off a video of them telling each other to "f... off" in an interview with Sydney's KIIS FM.

Radio hosts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O today made the pair, both 30, watch a video of themselves fighting, taken from a previous interview with the station late last year.
The footage shows the sisters bickering while they rehearsed a live acoustic performance in the studio.

In the footage, Lisa tells a reluctant Jess that they need to rehearse, rolls her eyes, says "good lord" under her breath and puts her hand in the air, while Jess replies with a terse, "Good lord? F... off".

Cracking up ... The Veronicas listen back to their fight. Picture: KIIS FM Source: Supplied

The LA-based Cruel singers, who are Down Under as part of their Sanctified Tour, appeared to cringe, then erupted in laughter, as they were asked to explain the squabble.

"That wasn't too bad, really," Lisa said.

Jess explained: "Look, Lis loves to get the 'good lord' like dig in under her breath and I was sick (on the day)."

Close ... The Veronicas usually get along. Picture: Andrew Tauber Source: News Corp Australia

"I feel like Jess was sick and just not having a good day, obviously," Lisa added.

'Good lord' ... The Veronicas in Sydney's KIIS FM studio today. Picture: KIIS FM Source: Supplied

"And obviously you wanted me to go hard in the practice and I was like saving my voice. And she was like, 'good lord,'" Jess said.

"No, we can fire up at any point ... it's volatile," Lisa said.

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Storm sparks ‘Snow Day Makeouts’

Salt trucks are on standby as New York City gets ready for a potentially historic blizzard that could dump up to 3 feet of snow in the Northeast. Linda So reports.

Blizzard ... commuters wait for a bus during a winter snowstorm on January 21 in Philadelphia. Picture: AP Photo/Matt Rourke Source: Supplied

AS MILLIONS brace for hurricane-force winds and the worst snowstorm to hit northeast US, some savvy love seekers are using the blizzard as an opportunity to find some sexy hook-ups.

Faced with the prospect of being locked inside for days, forward-thinking residents are flocking to Craiglist to find someone who will share their cold and lonely bed.

From cuddling to making out — and other NSFW requests — New Yorkers and other east coast dwellers are reaching out.

One 26-year-old man writes: "As we sit on the brink of a major snowstorm and prepare for a nearly shutdown NYC, I'm seeking a single 20- or 30-something female who shares my excitement for snow days and wants to create the semi-romantic, mildly productive yet equally fun adult version".

Others want a little more than just "adult" fun. Thirty-six year old "Snow schmoe", from Brooklyn, asks if anyone "wants to do brunch" — but only if they are willing to be "long-term potential".

Silence ... New York City prepares for lockdown head of major blizzard. Source: AFP

New York becomes a ghost town

Meanwhile, services have shut down across affected states, including the New York subway.

All subway, bus and commuter rail services on Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road were suspended from 11pm local time, the first time the subway system has ever been closed due to snow, Reuters reported.

Although open before 11pm, services — including the subway- will be limited, officials said.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a travel ban for all but emergency vehicles on every road in 13 counties in southern New York State, including New York City, suburban Westchester and Long Island

He warned that violators would be hit with a $300 fine.

"If you are in your car and you are on any road, town, village, city, it doesn't matter, after 11 o'clock, you will technically be committing a crime," Mr Cuomo said.

"It could be a matter of life and death so caution is required."

Deserted ... The normally bustling Times Square is looking empty as residents brace for a major winter storm. Source: AFP

The warnings come as New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts prepare for lockdown, with New England also told to prepare for a potentially deadly blizzard.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is warning more than 50 million people to "prepare for something worse than we have ever seen before", urging residents to snap up supplies and burrow at home until the danger passes.

"Don't underestimate this storm," Mr de Blasio warned.

State officials from the four states are gradually rolling out plans to manage what is looking to be "one of the largest blizzards in the history of New York City," Mr de Blasio said.

Blizzard shuts down New York

With deserted train stations and eerily empty streets, winter storm Juno has emptied New York, the "city that never sleeps".

The mad rush of workers pouring out of offices and onto subway platforms, cramming into trains, buses and cars has halted, leaving behind an eerie ghost town which would not look out of place in a post-apocalyptic film.

Samantha Soh, an Australian accountant living in New York, said the mad rush of the afternoon has given way to the "occasional plough".

"The streets are empty," she told News Corp Australia.

"The warnings have never been this serious before ... everyone's taking it pretty seriously."

Eerie ... Union Square, Manhattan, during Winter Storm Juno. Picture: Samantha Soh, Facebook Source: Facebook

Ghost town ... Union Square, New York, completely empty during the blizzard. Picture: Samantha Soh, Facebook Source: Facebook

Joseph Burke, a lawyer who lives in the suburbs, was waiting in the frigid lobby of Grand Central Terminal.

The station is one of the hubs of public transport in New York, but on Monday evening — the usually frantic rush hour — the famous terminal was nearly dead.

"Usually I go back home about 6 to 6.30pm, but today I'm leaving a couple of hours earlier," said Burke, seemingly one of the few left in the mad dash to avoid the worst Mother Nature could hurl at the Big Apple.

The arrival of the mega snowstorm was billed by authorities in New York as one of the most severe ever seen.

At Union Square, in the heart of usually bustling Manhattan, the vast underground station was empty — as was the above-ground park, which was closed at 6pm local time until further notice.

In addition to disrupting the lives of New Yorkers, the rapid snowfall and plunging temperatures of minus 2C shook up the plans of tourists in the city.

Blizzard ... A woman heads to a subway station in New York's Times Square during one of the city's worst-ever snow storms. Source: AFP

Sightseeing hot spots such as the Brooklyn Bridge, usually thronging with camera-wielding visitors and locals, were devoid of people.

Out of bounds ... People in affected states urged to stay away from parks to avoid falling branches during the blizzard, while New York City goes further and closes all parks until further notice. Source: AP

A plough clears Church Square Park as snow falls during the start of a heavy winter storm January 26, 2015 in Hoboken, New Jersey. Source: AFP

Snow, which was already falling across the region, is expected to accumulate steadily throughout the day before turning into a major storm expected to paralyse parts of New York and New England.

Juno has some bite ... people cross a city street in New York as the 'one of the largest snowstorms in the history in this city' begins to take hold. Picture: AFP PHOTO/JEWEL SAMAD Source: AFP

The blizzard, dubbed Winter Storm Juno, is on track to dump up to 90cm of snow in some areas.

The National Weather Service has issued blizzard warnings from New Jersey to the Canadian border, including New York and Boston.

That area encompasses about 29 million people, yet CNN reports that figure could be as high as 58 million.

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo said the National Guard was on standby in the Big Apple and Long Island.

Flight cancellations

More than 6000 flights have been cancelled within, to or from the United States on Monday and Tuesday, according to flightaware.com.

Officials said 50 per cent of flights at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport had been cancelled by Monday afternoon local time, but said JFK and the city's LaGuardia airport would remain open for emergency flights.

Boston's Logan international airport will see no flights from Monday evening until Wednesday afternoon, reports said.

Some airlines have waived change fees as major delays and widespread cancellations were anticipated.

Emirates and Etihad airlines have also announced cancellations, adding to the tally.

Ice ... a crew member de-ices a Frontier Airlines plane at LaGuardia Airport in New York. Picture: Seth Wenig Source: AP

Impact ... airlines cancelled thousands of flights into and out of East Coast airports as a major snowstorm packing up to three feet of snow barrels down on the region. Picture: Seth Wenig Source: AP

Snow falls ... supermarkets reported empty shelves as New Yorkers prepared for a snowstorm that some said could last for 72 hours. Picture: Andrew Burton/Getty Images/AFP Source: AFP

Bringing home supplies ... a shopper heads home. Officials have urged residents to stay home as they prepare for Winter Storm Juno. Source: AFP

Mr Cuomo and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie compared preparations for Juno with those for Super-Storm Sandy in October 2012, which killed more than 200 people, affected 650,000 houses and caused months-long power cuts.

Power outages and falling trees are likely during the storm and in its aftermath, meteorologists warned.

Record snowfall in the city of New York was 26.9 inches (68 centimetres) that accumulated after a 16-hour storm in February 2006.

Mr Christie, a potential Republican candidate for the White House in 2016, said state offices would be closed for non-essential staff and warned that transit systems were unlikely to work on Tuesday.

"We've had Hurricane Irene, Hurricane Sandy. For better or for worse, we know how to deal with these situations," he said.

Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy issued a travel ban for the entire state beginning at 9:00pm on Monday (1am Tuesday AEDT).

Stocking up

The heaviest snow is likely to be in New England. Thunder and lightning could also accompany the heavy snow, meteorologists said.

Gusts of wind are forecast to reach up to 55 miles (about 90 kilometres) per hour and more than 70mph (112km) in eastern Massachusetts, including Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard.

Coastal flooding is also a risk in the early hours of Tuesday, with tides in the New York metro area expected to be 90m above the average, Reuters reported.

President Barack Obama, on a visit to India, has been briefed about emergency preparations for the storm.

"White House officials have been in touch with state and local officials up and down the eastern seaboard to ensure that they have the resources necessary to prepare for and immediately respond to the storm," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.

Residents scrambled to stock up on storm staples such as groceries, shovels, road salt and ice scrapers.

Mr Cuomo said the storm would see 750 snow ploughs mobilised and 50,000 pounds of salt used to make roads safe.

Ominous ... New York City is shrouded in a light snow. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

Stranded ... travellers stand in line at Logan International Airport attempting to get out ahead of the massive storm due to hit the northeast. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

The National Weather Service said up to three feet of snow (90cm) could fall from the New York area into coastal New England, with white-out conditions possible.

"Many roads may become impassable. Strong winds may down power lines and tree limbs," it warned.

"All unnecessary travel is discouraged beginning Monday afternoon."

Aussie travellers hit

Australian travellers in the US have been stranded as airlines cancel thousands of flights and roads become treacherous. American Airlines announced it would suspend operations in New York, Boston and Philadelphia.

The airline has Qantas codeshare flights across the US and Canada.

Qantas codeshare flights to New York, Boston, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, Toronto and Montreal have been cancelled.

Qantas codeshares from New York to Los Angeles and San Francisco have also been cancelled.

Virgin America encouraged customers to remain up-to-date with the status of flights.

Cancelled ... the flight board at Logan International Airport in Boston. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

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Facebook, Insta and Tinder were all down at once

Down, down Facebook is down. Source: Supplied

EVERY commuter's nightmare came true today, as Facebook, Instagram and the dating app Tinder all went down at the same time - during peak hour.

UPDATE: As of 6:10pm AEST it looks like they're back online.

Facebook was first noticed to be offline around 5:15pm AEST. Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, and Tinder, which relies on Facebook to log in and provide users' profile information, were offline as well.

Facebook has servers located in New York, with rumours circulating that the outage could be related to the current blizzard.

MORE: Megablizzard looms over New York

The group responsible for hacking into the Malaysia Airlines website recently has allegedly claimed responsiblity, however, most believe that to be unlikely.

Twitter stayed up throughout the terrifying ordeal, and plenty of people took the opportunity to voice their displeasure at its competitors.

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‘We raised 250 kids in 15 years’

Alan and Pam left their own children in Australia to adopt scores of Mexican boys and girls. Source: Supplied

MEET Alan and Pam, the married couple from Queensland who travelled to Mexico to adopt 250 children. Well, it's not quite that simple.

The pair, both in their 60s, began their adventure after volunteering in 2000 at an orphanage for children who were physically and sexually abused, orphaned, living on the streets or drug addicts.

When the business funding the orphanage pulled out, the couple sold everything but their Sunshine Coast apartment and took ownership of Misión Mexico and the precious little lives of dozens of children.

The faces that love could not leave behind. Picture: Misión Mexico. Source: Supplied

"The sacrifices were endless but the hardest part was the separation from our children and grandchildren," Pam told news.com.au.

She said everything changed when they were presented with a life-changing question: stay or go?

"After six months volunteering in Mexico, teaching the kids to read, caring for them and providing a home for them, the organisation funding the refuge closed, therefore cutting any financial support," she said.

Pam and Alan Skuse have raised and rehomed more than 250 orphans. Picture: Misión Mexico. Source: Supplied

"We were faced with an awful situation; to leave, knowing that the kids will go back to their lives on the streets or abuse, or to make huge sacrifices of our own, with only our own personal resources to support us and give those kids another chance. We agreed their need for a home and care was greater than ours so, as challenging as it was, we stayed."

Their youngest daughter Hannah, 15 at the time, moved to Mexico with her parents but returned home soon after.

From 2000-2015, the pair raised and housed more than 250 children in lieu of being around their own. In typical Sunshine Coast fashion, they also taught them to surf.

Teaching orphaned children to surf gave them a purpose. Picture: Misión Mexico Source: Supplied

"It evolved as a result of the love of surfing from the children (and) we recognise that surfing had become a passion of theirs and that it had an enormous positive impact on their lives," Alan said. Orphan Jose said surfing changed his life.

"When I surf, I don't have to think about anything except the waves. Not my past, not drugs, not anything. There is nothing like it," he said.

Tapachula orphan Jose rides a wave near the orphanage. Picture: Noosa Journal. Source: Supplied

Alan, a former mechanic and Pam, a former volunteer lifesaver, spend 11 months each year at the orphanage, which is located in Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico's main border city with Guatemala.

They visit Australia with the money they receive from renting out their Sunshine Coast apartment, but they always return to Mexico.

"The is an incredible sense of satisfaction and a feeling of achievement as we see these children grow and change," Alan said.

A volunteer looks on from the black sand beach near Misión México. Source: Supplied

"We are making a difference in their lives and this gives us strength to continue."

Those young lives might otherwise be led astray, like hundreds of others from Tapachula. More than 50 per cent of women in the area are believed to be engaged in prostitution and most of them are between 15-19 years of age. Human trafficking is also a problem in Tapachula.

Pam said most orphans come from backgrounds of poverty and neglect.

"Some children were orphaned, others were abandoned and many were physically or sexually abused. There have been some young children who were addicted or dealing in drugs while living on the streets."

Pam and Alan Skuse. Source: Supplied

A pair of young lives saved. Source: Supplied

She said turning around young, troubled lives makes it all worthwhile.

"When you see a child who was once living in a stick hut with a dirt floor, dance with grace and beauty, or a child whose life would've been subject to beatings or sexual abuse sing like an angel, these are the most overwhelming, rewarding experiences one could ever hope for."

Misión México survives through the support of donations.

Mision Mexico provides a loving, secure family home for children of all ages who have been abused, abandoned, neglected and orphaned. Courtesy: Mision Mexico

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‘I was at the bottom point of my life’

Cheryl Strayed, on set. Source: Supplied

PACKING everything up and heading out to find yourself. It's not necessarily a new concept — many people go through a relationship breakup or a tough period at work and decide to take a break from it all — but no-one's done it quite like Cheryl Strayed.

The now 46-year-old author, wife and mother-of-two chronicles her mid-twenties breakdown, and her subsequent restoration, in Wild, a memoir which has just been turned into a film of the same name starring Reese Witherspoon.

"I decided to hike the Pacific Coast Trail in December 1995 when I was 26," she explains to news.com.au of the 1700 kilometre hike that took her three months to complete.

"I did it at the bottom point of my life. My mother had died very suddenly when she was 45 and I was 22, and I was just undone by my grief. I didn't know how to live without my mum — I didn't have a father, he was barely around and he was not a good person. So I did what a lot of people do, and I turned the behaviours inward. I became sexually promiscuous, I became heavily involved in drugs. I decided I needed to save myself."

Strayed and Witherspoon filming Wild. Source: Supplied

Indeed, the movie is filled with confronting drug use scenes and flashbacks to sexual encounters, and it illustrates the slow, often painful unravelling of relationships. In one scene in particular, Witherspoon as Strayed is seen injecting heroin into her ankle in a half-conscious state, until her then-husband bursts into the room and bundles her into the car.

But scenes like these play out in stark contrast to panning shots of the nine mountain ranges between Mexico and Canada, with a solitary Strayed battling on. She was dreadfully unprepared, with boots that didn't fit and a backpack twice her size, "but I knew that I felt the best when I was in the wilderness, and I knew that solitude was what I needed," she explains.

Reese Witherspoon in a scene from Wild. Source: Supplied

If you've seen the film, you'll know that there's one scene where, halfway through the trek, Strayed meets a man and has a one-night stand. This scene has become a topic of conversation for many — if Strayed went on this trek to rid herself of destructive behaviours, surely a one-night stand is counterintuitive?

"To me, the movie is very true to the book. The book gives the story in a more interior way, but the experience with that man, it was basically like a one-night stand. In some ways it was part of the behaviours or the decisions I left behind — sexual promiscuity, but of a different sort. That experience was joyful, fun, sweet, romantic, but it also taught me that I didn't need to do it anymore. That experience was healing, unlike some of the other things I'd done in my sex life. And you know, 9 days after I finished the walk, I met my now-husband, so…".

Amazing scenery, seen in Wild. Source: Supplied

Now it's one thing to journal your experiences, but another thing entirely to watch them play out on-screen some twenty years later. Was it an uncomfortable experience for Strayed, or was it cathartic?

"It was both — it was funny at times, watching Reese wrestle the backpack, laughing at her and remembering myself in those moments, but others were difficult," she says.

"Having to deal with the sad parts of the story was hard. My daughter Bobbi plays [a young version of] me in the movie, and she's named after my mum Bobbi, so obviously that was incredibly powerful and moving. I went through the full range of emotions. I never felt embarrassed though, and even when I thought, 'What was I thinking?', I could recognise that we all make mistakes, and in so many ways.

Laura Dern as Cheryl's mum Bobbi in Wild. Source: AP

"Memoirs are really not just about the person just writing the book, they're about the other people involved too, and yet you have to go deep into your own truth for it. I have always written from my heart, I've always tried to write my best work from a place of vulnerability and truth, and I never dreamed that my book would be a bestseller and be made into a movie.

"I was so involved in every aspect of the film, and the people who made the movie were so respectful of my story. It's interesting how universal it has now become. I've had many men and women saying yeah, that was me too. It's been extraordinary, and unexpected."

With the dissolution of her marriage and the death of her mother, Cheryl Strayed has lost all hope. After years of reckless, destructive behavior, she makes a rash decision. With absolutely no experience, driven only by sheer determination, Cheryl hikes more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, alone.

Wild is in cinemas now.

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LIVE: Tomic gone, Kyrgios up next

Eugenie Bouchard has prtogressed to the quarter finals of the Australian Open after winning her round four match against Irina-Camelia Begu in three sets.

Maria Sharapova will face Canadian Eugenie Bouchard in the quarter finals of the Australian Open after defeating China's Peng Shway in straight sets.

Tenth seed Ekaterina Makarova continues to fly under the radar at the Australian Open, the Russian yet to drop a set all tournament.

Chris Stubbs previews day seven of the Australian Open.

Bernard Tomic in action against Tomas Berdych at the 2015 Australian Open. Source: Getty Images

NICK Kyrgios is flying the Aussie flag alone in front of a packed Hisense Arena after Bernard Tomic was eliminate from this year's Australian Open.

Kyrgios is taking on Roger Federer's conqueror Andreas Seppi at Hisense Arena for a spot in the quarterfinals.

GET LIVE COURTSIDE UPDATES OF THE KYRGIOS MATCH BELOW

LEAVE HIM ALONE: CASH SLAMS 'FEARFUL CRITICISM' OF KYRGIOS

ROUND 1 TANTRUM: KYRGIOS FINED FOR RACQUET ABUSE

Tomic bowed out earlier today at the hands of No.7 seed Tomas Berdych.

The big-serving Czech was simply too good for the Australian in their fourth-round match, taking it in straight sets 6-2, 7-6, 6-2.

After collapsing in the first set, Tomic put up more of a fight in the second and forced a tie-break. However, Berdych once again took control in the third set, breaking Tomic to claim victory.

In early Day 7 action, Maria Sharapova set up a blockbuster quarter-final with Eugenie Bouchard, easily dismissing the challenge of China's Shuai Peng 6-3, 6-0.

Bouchard survived a second set collapse to beat Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu 6-1 5-7 6-2.

No.10 seed Ekaterina Makarova also continued her good form, defeating Julia Goerges in straight sets.

Originally published as LIVE: Kyrgios our last man standing

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Labor figure investigated for fighting IS in Syria

NT Labor president Matthew Gardiner. Picture: NT News Source: News Limited

A FORMER NT union boss and senior Labor Party figure is being investigated by the Australian Federal Police for having travelled to Syria.

News Corp Australia understands federal police are investigating the possibility that NT Labor Party president Matthew Gardiner — an ex-Australian Army soldier — travelled to the region to assist Kurdish forces.

Kurdish forces are fighting against Islamic state extremists in the war-torn country.

A spokesman for the AFP confirmed authorities were investigating Mr Gardiner's travel to Syria. "The AFP is aware of this matter," the spokesman said.

"As this matter is part of an ongoing investigation it is not appropriate to comment further."

Mr Gardiner is a high profile figure in the Northern Territory, having served as the United Voice union secretary until his recent resignation, as the NT president of the ALP and treasurer of Unions NT.

Mr Gardiner is reported to have defriended most of his facebook connections in recent weeks.

But one friend who hasn't been culled is a man with links to a social media page targeted at recruiting Western fighters in the battle against the Islamic State.

The ABC has reported that NT Labor secretary Kent Rowe confirmed Mr Gardiner was still president of the party, but said he was on leave and had not been heard from for a few weeks.

Mr Gardiner's mobile phone went straight to message bank when the NT News tried to make contact.

Mr Gardiner made a bid to be Labor's candidate to contest the seat of Casuarina when MLA Kon Vatskalis resigned last year but Lauren Moss got the nod instead, and went on to win the by-election.

United Voice union represents workers in industries including hospitality, health and aged care, mining, manufacturing, children's services and property services.

Mr Gardiner, an outspoken secretary, has often been in local media battling for workplace rights for firefighters and paramedics.

The NT News last had contact with him in his union role earlier this month.

Originally published as Labor figure investigated for fighting IS in Syria

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Russians prepared to starve for their country

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said it would be 'a monstrous mistake to return to the past now the country has a Western-style economy,' as he addressed the Gaidar Economic Forum in Moscow, Wednesday. Medvedev was speaking at a session entitled 'Russia and the World - New Direction.' The prime minister stressed that the country had turned a corner since the 1990s and that there was no going back, despite "the ongoing global crisis." The Forum is named after Yegor Gaidar, who was behind some of the economic reforms in the 1990s. It is due to run until Saturday in Moscow.

Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Igor Shuvalov. Picture: AP Photo/Michel Euler Source: AP

RUSSIANS are ready to ride out the current economic crisis, even by eating less food, and to stand by President Vladimir Putin's side regardless, one of the country's top leaders says.

Speaking at the Davos Economic Forum on Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov said Western sanctions had united Russians around their leader, which would make it easier to push through painful reforms.

"We will withstand all hardships in this country, eat less food, use less electricity ... but if we feel that someone outside wants to change our leader against our will ... we will be more united than ever." The West simply "does not understand the Russian mentality", Shuvalov said, denying that the crisis and sanctions would destabilise Putin's grip on political life or sway his position on Ukraine.

EUROPE: Man tackles machete-wielding thief

Russian President Vladimir Putin, centre, meets with the Cabinet in the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Russia. Picture: AP Photo/RIA-Novosti/Yekaterina Shtukina/Government Press Service Source: AP

"If a Russian feels external pressure, he will never give his leader up," said Shuvalov, who is believed to be one of the richest men in the Russian government.

Shuvalov's remarks on austerity went viral, with some in the opposition posting photographs on Twitter of luxury mansions that he allegedly owns.

This year will essentially be a "hard landing" for the economy and people will have to learn to accept a "new reality", Shuvalov said.

The government would be able to introduce crisis measures since "consolidation and tough interior and exterior conditions are a good launching pad" for reforms, he said.

Putin enjoyed unprecedented support last year after the annexation of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula and his popularity has barely ebbed even as the economy has begun to suffer and the rouble has rapidly lost value.

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Flags at half-mast for ‘tyrant’

The flag on the Sydney Harbour Bridge was at half-mast today. Source: News Corp Australia

US PRESIDENT Barack Obama called him courageous. A prominent UK paper has slammed him as a "tyrant".

But Australia has joined the UK in paying tribute to this controversial leader today on our most iconic landmarks.

Flags at government buildings and official landmarks — including the Sydney Opera House and Parliament House in Canberra — flew at half-mast today as a tribute to the late Saudi Arabian King.

A Transport for NSW spokesman confirmed to news.com.au this afternoon that the flags were lowered "as a mark of respect" to Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, who died on Friday.

RELATED: Saudi King dies at 90

He died at age 90 after being admitted to hospital suffering from pneumonia and a lung infection.

King Abdullah, who ascended to the throne in 2005, was one of the 45 sons of the first monarch of Saudi Arabia, Ibn Saud, and amassed a US$18billion fortune from the country's rich oil reserves.

Former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Fraser is among those who have criticised Australia's decision mark King Abdullah's death in this way.

In response to a tweet from NSW Greens MP Lee Rhiannon, Mr Fraser tweeted that the half-mast tribute "should not have happened".

The Transport spokesman said flag notices were usually issued by the Department of Premier and Cabinet's protocol office and that the flags were due to be returned to their normal position about 3pm today.

Similar tributes have been made on official landmarks in the UK.

The UK Government has been criticised by MPs for flying the Union Jack at half-mast at government buildings, including Whitehall and Buckingham Palace.

UK paper The Independent ran with the headline, "Britain mourns a tyrant".

Elsewhere, UKIP MP Douglas Carwell slammed the move as an "extraordinary misjudgement" due to Saudi Arabia's human rights record, according to The Guardian.

A picture from October 20, 1987, in Washington shows then Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia listening to then US president George Bush. Picture: AFP/Chris Wilkins Source: AFP

However, Mr Obama has released an official statement paying tribute to King Abdullah as a "candid" leader who had the "courage of his convictions".

King Abdullah is considered a relatively liberal leader in the context of the conservative kingdom, but it is still a country in which women have been forbidden from voting, driving and being in public unaccompanied.

Recently, flags on at sites such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Anzac Bridge and Central railway station have also been flown at half-mast to commemorate the victims of the Martin Place siege, the death of cricketer Phillip Hughes in November and Remembrance Day.

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The moment before 11 people perished

Eleven people lost their lives in a tragic hot air balloon incident on January 12, 2014, New Zealand, when their hot air balloon caught fire and crashed after hitting power lines. Picture: Geoff Walker Source: Supplied

IMAGES showing the hot air balloon that crashed into powerlines before catching on fire and killing 11 people have been released by the Coroner for educational and public interest purposes.

For the first time since the New Zealand tragedy occurred, four images showing the sequence of events which unfolded in minutes and resulted in the brutal deaths of 11 people have been made publicly available.

TRAGEDY: 11 dead in hot air balloon disaster

On January 8, 2012, 11 people boarded a scenic hot air balloon flight in Carterton, New Zealand. Little did they know that the flight — and their lives — would end so horribly.

Warning: The images below might be distressing for some readers.

Eleven people lost their lives in a tragic hot air balloon incident on January 12, 2014, New Zealand, when their hot air balloon caught fire and crashed after hitting power lines. The tragedy is New Zealand's second worst air disaster on record. Picture: Geoff Walker Source: Supplied

About 7.20 in the morning, while attempting to land, the balloon struck a high voltage power line, caught on fire and broke free before plummeting, blackened and ablaze, to the ground.

All five couples and the pilot were dead as police arrived.

Since that fateful day, no one has seen how the tragedy unfolded. Until now.

The balloon crashes into the power lines, causing it to light on fire. Picture: Geoff Walker Source: Supplied

After banning any publication of the images — taken by freelance photographer Geoff Walker — to avoid distressing the families of victims, Coroner Ryan finally agreed to release four out of a series of hundreds after repeated requests from website One News.

Onlookers watch horrified as the hot air balloon continues to burn. At some point, black figures can be seen jumping out. Picture: Geoff Walker Source: Supplied

However, upon hearing the news, Walker immediately challenged the decision, arguing that he opposed the photographs' release based on copyright laws — meaning, he owned them.

The matter went all the way to the High Court, where it was eventually determined that evidence provided at an inquest was open to the public, including "exhibits produced at a hearing".

The blackened and blazing balloon plummets to the ground. Picture: Geoff Walker Source: Supplied

Justice Allan Mackenzie also found that "copyright is not a relevant consideration" when deciding whether to make that evidence public.

Some family members have for years campaigned for the photos to be released in order to help people make an informed decision about safety.

The investigation into the cause of the disaster continues.

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Miracle shot knocks out Federer

Tenth seed Grigor Dimitrov has overcome a spirited performance from crowd favourite Marcos Baghdatis, to advance to the fourth round of the Australian Open.

Madison Brengle is one of six American women in the third round. Source: AFP

Catch up on all the highlights from today's action at the Australian Open from Melbourne Park.

Scroll to the bottom of the page for live scores from the night session or click here

6pm — FEDERER SUFFERS CRUSHING DEFEAT

Roger Federer is out of the Australian Open. Source: News Corp Australia

A DREAM fourth round match-up between Roger Federer and Nick Kyrgios has been squashed after the world number two's shock defeat against Andreas Seppi.

Federer couldn't shake the persistent Italian at Melbourne Park and lost 4-6 6-7 6-4 6-7.

It's the Swiss maestro's earliest exit at the Australian Open since 2001 and the first time he's failed to reach the fourth round of a grand slam since the 2004 French Open.

4.30pm — SEPPI TAKES SECOND SET

Roger Federer has his back to the wall. Source: AFP

ROGER Federer is down two sets to love against Italian world No. 46 Andreas Seppi and in real danger of a third round exit.

The Swiss maestro contines to struggle on serve — he was broken twice during the second set — but battled back to force a tiebreaker.

He led the breaker 4-1 before losing six of the next seven points to now trail 6-4 7-6 (7-5).

3.40pm — FEDERER COUGHS UP FIRST SET

Roger Federer has started slowly for the second match in a row. Source: AFP

ROGER Federer is trailing World No. 46 Andreas Seppi in their third round match at Rod Laver Arena.

Federer failed to convert three break point opportunities in the first set and was made to pay by the plucky Italian, who won the set 6-4.

Follow the live scores at the bottom of the blog.

2.45pm — NO TWIRLING FOR BOUCHARD THIS TIME

Eugenie Bouchard is into the fourth round. Source: Getty Images

FORMER Aussie doubles champ Todd Woodbridge conducted a very business-like post-match interview with Eugenie Bouchard after the Canadian's 7-5 6-0 win against Caroline Garcia.

After all the controversy of Twirlgate, Woodbridge unsurprisingly kept the on-court chat all about tennis.

In the men's, Grigor Dimitrov escaped in five sets against a spirited Marcos Baghdatis 4-6 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-3.

His win sets up a potential encounter with Andy Murray — a match that looms as one of the highlights of the fourth round.

2.20pm — BERDYCH AWAITS AUSSIE IN FOURTH ROUND

Tomas Berdych hasn't dropped a set in the tournament. Source: Getty Images

TOMAS Berdych looms as a scary fourth round opponent for the winner of tonight's match between Bernard Tomic and Sam Groth.

The 196cm Czech is yet to drop a set in the tournament and looked in great nick while defeating Viktor Troicki 6-4 6-3 6-4 in the third round.

Berdych made the semi-final of this event last year and will enter the match a heavy favourite regardless of which Aussie progresses.

1.30pm — BAGHDATIS ONE SET AWAY FROM MAJOR UPSET

Marcos Baghtdatis has seen his world ranking slip to No. 78. Source: Getty Images

CYPRIOT fan favourite Marcos Baghdatis is close to pulling off a surprise win against 10th seed Grigor Dimitrov in the third round.

The 2006 Australian Open runner-up leads two sets to one and is winding back the clock on Show Court Three.

Baghdatis hasn't defeated a top 15 ranked player since defeating Nikolay Davydenko in the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2007.

1pm — MAKAROVA, GOERGES MOVE ON

Ekaterina Makarova has made it to the fourth round of the Australian Open for the fifth year in a row. Source: AP

RUSSIA'S Ekaterina Makarova and Germany's Julia Goerges have set up a fourth round clash with each other after progressing in straight sets this morning.

Makarova, who has enjoyed a lot of success in singles and doubles at Melbourne Park in the past few years, defeated Czech Karolina Pliskova 6-4 6-4.

Goerges defeated 142nd-ranked qualifier Lucie Hradecka 7-6 7-5, ending her fine tournament which began with an upset win against Ana Ivanovic.

Ekaterina Makarova has cruised through to the fourth round of the Australian Open, beating Karolina Pliskova in straight sets.

11.20am — THE ROWDIEST MATCH AT THE OPEN

Marcos Baghdatis is hoping to replicate his run to the final in 2006. Source: Getty Images

WE'RE off to a noisy start to day five of the Australian Open as Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis and Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov — and their raucous fan bases — square off on Show Court Three.

Baghdatis has been a huge crowd favourite in Melbourne since making a fairytale run to the 2006 final but Dimitrov isn't far behind.

The men's 10th seed, the boyfriend of Maria Sharapova, is coached by Aussie Roger Rasheed.

11am — BRENGLE SLIP, SLOP, SLAPS HER WAY INTO THIRD ROUND

Madison Brengle survived a cancer scare to make it to this Australian Open Source: AFP

MOST tennis players, though not all, remember to apply the sunscreen when playing under the often scorching rays at the Australian Open.

Madison Brengle is fanatic about it. She's so pale, she says, "I have a tendency to glow in the dark."

"I like, bathed, in sunblock before I went out there," she added Thursday after her 6-1, 6-3 win over fellow American Irina Falconi in the second round at Melbourne Park.

The 24-year-old Brengle has more reason than most to be careful. Two days before last year's U.S. Open, she noticed a strange spot on her leg and went to the dermatologist to have it tested.

A few weeks later, while at a tournament in Quebec City, she received the diagnosis it was cancerous.

"They only call you if it's bad news," she said. "I had a missed call from my dermatologist in the middle of a practice and I knew."

Brengle had the spot on the inside of her knee removed and spent five weeks off her leg while it healed. Her doctors had also discovered a mass in her jaw, but tests concluded it was benign and she was finally proclaimed healthy enough to travel to Australia.

"I didn't get the all-clear until two weeks before I left for Brisbane," she said.

"I had worked really hard to get myself into the top 100 and this was my goal, I wanted to get into the main draw (of the Australian Open) on my own — and the chance I was not going to be able to come here, I was upset."

Brengle has made the most of her time Down Under. First she qualified for the main draw at the Brisbane International and won a round. The next week, she qualified for the main draw at a tournament in Hobart and upset three higher-ranked players to reach the final, where she fell to Heather Watson.

Ranked a career-high No. 64, she's now having her best Grand Slam tournament by reaching the third round for the first time with an upset victory over the 13th seed, Andrea Petkovic of Germany, and the win over Falconi.

"Every time I go out there, I kind of appreciate it a little bit more than I used to because you're not aware of how lucky we are to be healthy until you have a scare like that," she said. "I'm very appreciative to have my health."

— AP

Following his loss to Benjamin Becker in the Australian Open, Lleyton Hewitt admits he does not know what his future entails.

TODAY'S SCHEDULE

ROD LAVER ARENA

11am

Lucie Hradecka (Cze) v Julia Goerges (Ger)

7-Eugenie Bouchard (Can) v Caroline Garcia (Fra)

Not before 1.30pm

Andreas Seppi (Ita) v Roger Federer (Sui)[2]

7pm

31-Zarina Diyas (Kaz) v 2-Maria Sharapova (Rus)

Dudi Sela (Isr) v 3-Rafael Nadal (Spa)

MARGARET COURT ARENA

11am

22-Karolina Pliskova (Cze) v 10-Ekaterina Makarova (Rus)

7-Tomas Berdych (Cze) v Viktor Troicki (Srb)

Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) v 3-Simona Halep (Rou)

7pm

Malek Jaziri (Tun) v Nick Kyrgios (Aus)

Nick Kyrgios lost in the doubles with Thanasi Kokkinakis yesterday but is back in action in the singles today. Source: News Corp Australia

HISENSE ARENA

11am

14-Sara Errani (Ita) v Yanina Wickmayer (Bel)

Carina Witthoeft (Ger) v Irina-Camelia Begu (Rou)

6-Andy Murray (GBR) v Joao Sousa (Por)

Not before 5pm

Bernard Tomic (Aus) v Sam Groth (Aus)

SHOW COURT 2

Yaroslava Shvedova (Kaz) v 21-Shuai Peng (Chn)

NOT BEFORE 6pm

14-Kevin Anderson (Saf) v 24-Richard Gasquet (Fra)

SHOW COURT 3

Marcos Baghdatis (Cyp) v 10-Grigor Dimitrov (Bul)

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Why we’re all talking about Tomic’s socks

Grey and green should not be seen ... Milos Raonic of Canada plays a backhand in his first round match against Illya Marchenko of the Ukraine during day two of the 2015 Australian Open. Source: Getty Images

WE'RE only two days in to the first Grand Slam of the year, but boy have we seen some weird and wonderful things on the court.

Players are making the most of the simple dress regulations at the Australian Open, and seem to be paying extra attention to an area so many of us often skip over: their socks.

Matching shoes and socks: Bernard Tomic celebrates winning his first round match against Tobias Kamke of Germany. Source: Getty Images

Aussies Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic are leading the way, donning some pretty interesting tie-dyed, fluoro numbers. Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber stands out simply because he chose all-black in a sea of colour.

More: The fluoro trend taking over the Australian Open

Here are some of the socking scenes so far:

Bright yellow: Thanasi Kokkinakis during his match against Ernests Gulbis. Source: News Corp Australia

Nick Kyrgios manages to serve and show off his socks simultaneously during his first round match against Frederico Delbonis of Argentina. Source: Getty Images

Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber plays a shot during his men's singles match against France's Paul-Henri Mathieu on day one of the 2015 Australian Open tennis tournament. Source: AFP

The only woman to take up the charge: Alize Cornet of France. Source: AFP

Nick Kyrgios again, this time during a practice session. Picture: Mark Stewart Source: News Corp Australia

Perhaps they're all just taking a leaf out of Serena Williams' book. Remember this look from 2005? In ten years, not much has changed. ..

Serena Williams and her fancy boot socks versus Camille Pin, Day 1, Australian Open 2005. Source: News Corp Australia

What do you think of the trend? Tell us on Twitter @newscomauHQ

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The unlikely new teenage idol

WALKING into the Seven Network studios this morning, I was confronted by a sea of fans.

No, they're hadn't gathered for Sunrise hosts Kochie and Sam. They were there to meet their idol.

Not a Bieber, a Pink or a Katy Perry but a beauty 'vlogger' named Tanya Burr.

You may not have heard of Ms Burr, but judging by the rock star reception the 25-year-old received in Sydney's Martin Place today, you soon will.

Tanya is part of a breed of powerhouse beauty bloggers (or 'vloggers' when video content is added) who are making a living from sharing their tips with the rest of the world.

As of August, Burr had over 2 million subscribers to her 'Tanya Burr' YouTube channel and over 130 million video views while her second channel 'Tanya's Vlogs!' has over 500k subscribers and 24 million video views, and she puts her success down to one thing: she's authentic.

Tanya Burr. Source: Getty Images

"I'm really honest and what you see is the real me,'' she says.

"As opposed to just posting Instagram pics that have been shot a hundred times, hand-picked then filtered a lot, I guess what you see with my channel is beginning-to-end tutorials and my viewers, hopefully learn something each time.

With over 1.5 million followers on Twitter and around the same on Instagram, Tanya has a social media following that some fellow beauty bloggers can only dream about and she has her own Tanya Burr Cosmetics line and books.

But Tanya hasn't always been so driven and confident.

"I was painfully shy and had no confidence when I was a teenager,'' she says.

"So much so that I would go bright red if someone even spoke to me but it took getting into my twenties to feel happy within myself and realise that the people you try to look up to should be more similar to you as opposed to being six foot skinny girls,'' she smiles.

"I realised that it was ridiculous to be aspiring to 'be' someone who is a polar opposite to what you really are.''

Simply, Tanya is a curvaceous and diminutive dynamo.

"Sure, we all have body hang-ups and to be honest I am not the happiest with my body shape at the moment, but we need to learn to love our own bodies and make the best of what we have,'' she adds.

Tanya Burr at a premiere. Source: Getty Images

It's a refreshing point of view for a young woman and one which many teenage girls would do well to follow, and many Aussie girls are!

"I see where my fan base is and a lot are from Australia, which is great," says Tanya.

Burr grew up in Norwich and attended Long Stratton High School before attending Notre Dame sixth form and completing a short course as a make-up artist in the UK: "When I was five I apparently wrote in a Winnie-the-Pooh book that I wanted to be a make-up artist,'' says Tanya.

"And while I can't remember that, or find the book it's funny how things all work out.''

Burr set up her self-titled YouTube channel in 2009 where she uploaded make-up tutorials providing instructions on replicating 'celebrity' looks before encompassing 'beauty haul' videos (favourite and preferred products) and vlogs.

TANYA BURR SHINES ON SUNRISE

Tanya Burr. Source: Getty Images

In January last year Burr launched a diffusion line of "eye CANDY" cosmetics through UK retailer Superdrug, called Tanya Burr Cosmetics but it is her latest work — a book — she is here to talk about.

It's a book called 'Love, Tanya' and it's a nonfiction beauty guide and part autobiography.

"It goes from being a little bit autobiographical to talking about positivity and being happy with yourself, to how to curb anxiety, beauty and make-up talk, and blogging for beginners,'' she says.

Tanya says a 'balanced' lifestyle has been her saviour from her anxiety attacks.

"I avoid anxiety by trying not to even get to that place so I don't overpack my diary even though that is a tempting thing to do."

Tanya is also in a relationship with fellow YouTuber and vlogger Jim Chapman since 2007, and they are currently engaged.

Tanya is great mates with fellow social media star, Zoe Elizabeth Sugg (aka Zoella on YouTube) whose debut book, Girl Online, broke the record for highest first-week sales and has been tagged one of Britain's 'most influential tweeters'.

Zoe's fictional book — a 15-year-old anonymous blogger and what happens when her blog goes viral — broke the record for the highest ever first-week sales for a debut author since records began in 1998, selling a total of 78,109 copies.

"We have a great friendship and I guess we all 'get' what we are all talking about when we handout together and support each other, which is so important in this social media landscape,'' says Tanya.

"I don't really look at long-term or 10-year-plan in my work world as it's more like, 'what am I doing in the next 12 months' but you just have to remain confident and keep learning all of the time."

'Love, Tanya', $24.99 from January 29, published by Penguin.

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Tomic’s awesome correction

Fifth seed Ana Ivanovic has been stunned at the Australian Open, losing to Lucie Hradecka.

Nick Kyrgios is carrying injury concerns into the Australian Open. Source: News Corp Australia

FOLLOW our live coverage of the Australian Open from Melbourne Park, with all the big moments from day one of the first grand slam of the year.

For live scores scroll down to the bottom of the page

6pm — BERNIE'S AWESOME CORRECTION

Bernard Tomic is winning over the crowd with his personality and his play. Source: AP

BERNARD Tomic played some of his best tennis to claim a four-set win against German Tobias Kamke but it was a humorous exchange with the crowd which was the highlight of the match.

As Tomic served out the third set, the supporter group known as The Fanatics started chanting, "Ber-nard Tomic, Australia's number one'.

But Tomic, ranked 66 in the world, is no longer our number one ranked player. That honour goes to Nick Kyrgios, who enters the Australian Open at No. 53. And Tomic knows it.

"Number two," he called back to The Fanatics, drawing loud applause.

Tomic recorded a comfortable 7-5 6-7 6-3 6-2 victory to move on to a second round date with Philipp Kohlschreiber — a man he defeated in straight sets in Sydney earlier this month.

He was one of three Australian men to win today, along with Marinko Matosevic and James Duckworth — who both got home in five sets.

But the singles tournament is already over for locals Luke Saville, Jordan Thompson and John Millman.

Top 10 seeds Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Tomas Berdych and Grigor Dimitrov all won in straight sets as the men's draw more or less went to script.

The women's draw lost world number five Ana Ivanovic in a three set shocker but saw third seed Simona Halep progress without fuss.

Aussie Jarmila Gajdosova won her first match at her home grand slam in her 10th attempt, but compatriots Arina Rodionova and Storm Sanders lost in straight events.

Continue reading for all the highlights from the day matches at Melbourne Park. You can find coverage of the night session from 7pm here.

4.50pm — TOMIC HAS A FIGHT ON HIS HANDS

Bernard Tomic played a sloppy tiebreak in the second set. Source: News Corp Australia

BERNARD Tomic needs to lift his game on centre court after dropping the second set of his match against Tobias Kamke.

Tomic fell behind 4-1 for the second set in a row and did well to fight back to force a tiebreak.

But he didn't take advantage of the comeback, dropping the breaker 7-1.

In better news for Aussie fans, James Duckworth has matched his best ever result at an Australian Open by progressing to the second round.

Duckworth charged home in a marathon five-setter against Slovenia's Blaz Kavcic, winning 6-2 5-7 7-6 3-6 6-2.

He will now play Frenchman Richard Gasquet on Wednesday, which happens to be his 23rd birthday.

4.40pm — RAFA, BERDYCH MAKE NO MISTAKE

Rafael Nadal made light work of Mikhail Youzhny. Source: Getty Images

RAFAEL Nadal and Tomas Berdych have ticked the first box needed to progress to a quarterfinal against each other at this year's Australian Open.

Nadal faced a solid first round opponent in veteran Mikhail Youzhny but had no trouble recording a 6-3 6-2 6-2 win.

Berdych also had it mostly his way against world number 101 Alejandro Falla, winning 6-3 7-6 6-3.

Rafael Nadal has cruised through the first round of the Australian Open, beating Mikhail Youzhny in straight sets.

3.55pm — TOMIC'S BRIGHT OPENING

You can't miss Bernard Tomic on centre court today. Source: Getty Images

BERNARD Tomic fought back from 4-1 down to take the first set 7-5 in his match against German Tobias Kamke today.

Kamke served for the set at 5-2 but Tomic hit his straps to reel off the next five games.

"Clearly the pressure got to Kamke when he was serving for the set — four unforced errors," commentator Jim Courier said.

3.20pm — HEWITT TO SHINE AT NIGHT

Australia's Lleyton Hewitt will begin his 19th Australian Open tomorrow night. Source: AFP

TOURNAMENT director Craig Tiley has just released the draw for tomorrow's action.

Lleyton Hewitt's clash against China's Ze Zhang will feature in the night session on Rod Laver Arena along with fellow Aussie Ajla Tomljanovic's match with Shelby Rogers (US).

Sam Stosur, Stan Wawrinka and Novak Djokovic will all play on Rod Laver Arena during the day.

2.45pm — MATOSEVIC FIGHTS HIS WAY THROUGH

Marinko Matosevic has finally broken his duck at Melbourne Park, beating Alexander Kudryavtsev in five sets.

AUSTRALIA'S Marinko Matosevic has set up a second round match against Andy Murray with a five-set win against Russia's Alexander Kudryavtsev.

Matosevic came back from two sets to one down to win 6-4 6-7 4-6 7-5 6-3.

Murray won his first round match agains India's Yuki Bhambri in straight sets, 6-3 6-4 7-6.

2.30pm — WORLD NO. 5 IVANOVIC SENT PACKING

Ana Ivanovic has exited the Australian Open in the first round for just the second time. Source: AFP

THE first big upset of this year's Australian Open has just been completed.

Women's No. 5 seed Ana Ivanovic has suffered a shocking defeat to 142nd-ranked Czech Lucie Hradecka.

After blitzing the first set 6-1, Ivanovic lost the next two sets 6-3 6-2.

The result really opens up this quarter of the draw for No. 3 seed Simona Halep, who can now reach the semis without facing anyone ranked higher than No. 10 seed Ekaterina Makarova.

2pm — MASUR: KYRGIOS 'FEELS PRESSURE'

Nick Kyrgios training at Scotch College in the lead-up to the Australian Open. Source: News Corp Australia

TENNIS commentator Wally Masur says Nick Kyrgios isn't immune to the pressure which comes with being in the Australian Open spotlight.

"We've seen him on court — there's that showman side of him," Masur said.

"But like anybody, with the eyes of the Australian press and the Australian public and of course the Australian tennis fraternity on him, of course he feels pressure.

"I think there's parts of it that he enjoys and other parts he probably feels 'I wish everyone would just get off my back and let me do my thing'."

Kyrgios opens his Open campaign against Federico Delbonis on Margaret Court Arena tonight.

Elsewhere, we've seen our second upset in the women's draw when former world number two Svetlana Kuznetsova was knocked out in straight sets by France's Caroline Garcia.

Australian wildcard Jordan Thompson lost to Joao Sousa 6-4 7-6 6-4 in the men's.

The Australian Open is underway at Melbourne Park. Arguably the most eagerly anticipated match is tonight where Nick Kyrgios opens his campaign against Federico Del Bonis. Our tennis expert Wally Masur expects few problems for the teen.

1.30pm — HEWITT EXPECTS FREE-SWINGING ZHANG

Lleyton Hewitt during a practice session at Melbourne Park yesterday. Source: Getty Images

LLEYTON Hewitt expects his near-unknown first-round opponent Ze Zhang to "swing from the hip" when the pair square off tonight.

While 24-year-old wildcard Zhang, ranked No.187 in the world, is new to centre stage at a grand slam, he is not a stranger to Hewitt.

They have faced off twice in Davis Cup, in 2011 and 2012, with Hewitt victorious both times.

The 33-year-old veteran, embarking on his 19th Australian Open campaign, described Zhang as a "dangerous" player.

"Yeah, he's a dangerous player," Hewitt said. "He swings from the hip on a lot of shots. He's got a good serve, nice forehand, backhand. Likes changing direction off both sides."

- GRANT BAKER

1pm — GAJDOSOVA FINALLY BREAKS THROUGH

Jarmila Gajdosova is through to the second round. Source: AP

JARMILA Gajdosova has broken her Australian Open curse, winning her first game at her home tournament in her 10th attempt.

The 62nd-ranked Australian defeated Alexandra Dulgheru 6-3 6-4 to set up a second round match with another Romanian, third seed Simona Halep.

Gajdosova had exited in the first round every year since making her Aussie Open debut in 2006.

She will face a stern test against Halep, who defeated Karin Knapp 6-3 6-2.

The other Aussie woman who played this morning, Storm Sanders, lost to Klara Koukalova 7-5 6-4.

In the men's, Australia's Marinko Matosevic is a set all with Alex Kudryavtsev after dropping the second set in a tiebreaker.

Matosevic fought back to 6-5 in the breaker after trailing 6-0 before sending a forehand return off a second serve long.

Jordan Thompson is down 6-4 7-6 against Joao Sousa.

Jarmila Gajdosova is through to the second round of the Australian Open for the first time, beating Alexandra Dulgheru in two sets.

12.10pm — 50/50 START FOR AUSSIES

Marinko Matosevic has made a positive start against Alexander Kudryavtsev Source: AFP

THE four matches involving Aussies at the Australian Open went to script in the first set.

Marinko Matosevic and Jarmila Gajdosova are a set up against lower ranked opponents.

Matosevic (ranked 81) took the first set 6-4 against 127th-ranked Russian Alex Kudryavtsev with an impressive serving performance.

Gajdosova (62) hit 11 winners to six while taking the first set 6-3 against Romania's Alexandra Dulgheru (87).

Aussie wildcards Jordan Thompson (274) and Storm Sanders (454) found it tougher.

Thompson dropped his first set 6-4 against Portugal's Joao Sousa (55), while Sanders trails Czech Klara Koukalova (46) 7-5.

Elsewhere, Roger Rasheed-coached Grigor Dimitrov obliterated Germany's Dustin Brown 6-2 6-3 6-2 in just over an hour.

And we've also lost our first seed in the women's draw — 32nd-seed Belinda Bencic (Switzerland) falling to Germany's Julia Goerges 6-2 6-1.

Tenth seed Grigor Dimitrov has cruised through his opening match of the Australian Open, thumping Germany's Dustin Brown in straight sets.

10am - AUSTRALIA DAY COMES EARLY

Bernard Tomic begins his Australian Open campaign against Germany's Tobias Kamke. Source: Getty Images

NO less than 13 local hopes will be in first-round action as the Australian Open gets underway today.

Jarmila Gajdosova, Marinko Matosevic and the woman with one of the best names in sport, Storm Sanders, all begin their campaigns when play starts at 11am.

Bernard Tomic will take to the court later this afternoon, while Nick Kyrgios faces Federico Delbonis on Margaret Court Arena tonight.

Check out the full schedule below.

DAY 1 SCHEDULE

(Australians in italics)

ROD LAVER ARENA

11am

Karin Knapp (ITA) v 3-Simona Halep (ROU)

5-Ana Ivanovic (SRB) v Lucie Hradecka (CZE)

Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) v 3-Rafael Nadal (ESP)

7pm

Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) v 2-Roger Federer (SUI)

Petra Martic (CRO) v 2-Maria Sharapova (RUS)

MARGARET COURT ARENA

11am

Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS) v Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU)

6-Andy Murray (GBR) v Yuki Bhambri (IND)

Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU) v 9-Angelique Kerber (GER)

7pm

7-Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) v Anna-Lena Friedsam (GER)

Federico Delbonis (ARG) v Nick Kyrgios (AUS)

HISENSE ARENA

11am

Julia Goerges (GER) v 32-Belinda Bencic (SUI)

28-Sabine Lisicki (GER)v Kristina Mladenovic (FRA)

Tobias Kamke (GER) v Bernard Tomic (AUS)

Sam Groth (AUS) v Filip Krajinovic (SRB)

SHOW COURT 2

11am

Dustin Brown (GER) v 10-Grigor Dimitrov (BUL)

Caroline Garcia (FRA) v 27-Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)

7-Tomas Berdych (CZE) v Alejandro Falla (COL)

Monica Puig (PUR) v Arina Rodionova (AUS)

SHOW COURT 3

11am

Alexander Kudryavtsev (RUS) v Marinko Matosevic (AUS)

Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) v 23-Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS)

An-Sophie Mestach (BEL) v 10-Ekaterina Makarova (RUS)

Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) v 11-Ernests Gulbis (LAT)

COURT 6

11am

Tatjana Maria (GER) v 21-Shuai Peng (CHN)

Blaz Kavcic (SLO) v James Duckworth (AUS)

14-Sara Errani (ITA) v Grace Min (USA)

Juan Monaco (ARG) v Simone Bolelli (ITA)

COURT 7

11:00am

Storm Sanders (AUS) v Klara Koukalova (CZE)

20-David Goffin (BEL) v Michael Russell (USA)

31-Zarina Diyas (KAZ) v Urszula Radwanska (POL)

Jiri Vesely (CZE) v Viktor Troicki (SRB).

COURT 8

11am

Tatsuma Ito (JPN) v 32-Martin Klizan (SVK)

Polona Hercog (SLO) v Qiang Wang (CHN)

John Millman (AUS) v 26-Leonardo Mayer (ARG)

Kiki Bertens (NED) v Daria Gavrilova (AUS)

COURT 13

11am

Jordan Thompson (AUS) v Joao Sousa (POR)

Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) v Teymuraz Gabashvili (RUS)

Silvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) v Annika Beck (GER)

16-Lucie Safarova (CZE) v Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ)

COURT 20

11am

Renata Voracova (CZE) v Lara Arruabarrena (ESP)

Carlos Berlocq (ARG) v 24-Richard Gasquet (FRA)

Luke Saville (AUS) v Tim Smyczek (USA)

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