Criminals are driving alcohol policy: AHA

A hotel industry body says NSW is making alcohol policies based on the actions of a few criminals. Source: AAP

NSW is making alcohol policies based on the actions of a few criminals, says a hotel industry body.

Opposing Newcastle-style 1am lockouts and 3am last drinks, the Australian Hotels Association's John Green says a combined effort is needed to deal with the problem.

This includes harsh prison sentences that show society will not tolerate "coward punches".

Mr Green also suggests looking at high-visibility policing.

"The licensees have a role to play, patrons have a roll to play, mates have a roll to play," Mr Green, NSW policing director of the association, told Network Seven on Saturday.

Shutting people out at 1am would drive people into late-trading venues earlier, he said.

Earlier lock-outs and closing times would cause crowds of people to be on the street at a time when there was no transport and insufficient police.

"We are making policy based on the actions of a few criminals," said Mr Green, whose association has has been accused of being in bed with the NSW government on the issue.

He said the New Year's Eve Kings Cross assault on Daniel Christie, 18, happened between 9pm and 10pm, as did the 2012 fatal attack on Thomas Kelly.

Mr Christie is in a critical condition in hospital.

Mr Kelly's parents have called for tougher sentences for alcohol-related crimes.

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Vic principals to get more expulsion power

The state government says Victorian principals will be given more discretion to suspend students. Source: AAP

VICTORIAN school principals will be given more discretion to suspend and expel misbehaving students, the state government says.

Education Minister Martin Dixon said a new ministerial order would simplify the process for suspension and expulsion, as well as creating an expert group to help principals where needed.

New grounds for suspension and expulsion - including bringing weapons to school and dangerous behaviour - have been added to the guidelines.

The new regulations mean a meeting between the student, a parent and the school must take place before an expulsion can take place, Mr Dixon said.

"Suspensions and expulsions are the absolute last resort when it comes to a schools disciplinary tools," he said on Saturday.

"The new ministerial order simplifies the process and gives school principals, who know their students best and who are accountable to their parents and the local community, the ability to make the decisions themselves."

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Truck driver charged over Sydney crash

A CEMENT truck operator faces dangerous driving charges following a road crash in Sydney's southwest that left a young boy with spinal injuries.

The 24-year-old truck driver from Lethbridge Park is facing a series of driving charges following the December 19 crash that left a six-year-old boy with head, spine and leg injuries.

A 13-year-old girl and a 34-year-old woman sustained minor injuries.

Police allege that the cement-pumping truck entered a breakdown lane and crashed into the back of a stationary Toyota Tarago van.

Police on Thursday charged the truck driver with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and other driving offences.

The man was granted conditional bail to appear in Mount Druitt Local Court at a later date.

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BlackRock snaps up Forges's shares

EMBATTLED Perth company Forge Group has received a much needed boost with investment giant BlackRock buying a 5.3 per cent stake.

The mining services group revealed on Friday that BlackRock, the world's biggest asset manager, was now a substantial shareholder following a mystery spike in its share price between December 20 and 31.

The price rise from 62 cents to $1.74 in that time.

The jump followed a horror day on November 28 when it's shares plummeted 84 per cent after a three week trading halt, amid cashflow and debt problems.

Forge has received two official price queries since Christmas Eve from the share market operator about the spike and trading volumes in its shares.

It responded that it knew of no other reason other than two recent positive announcements: the go-ahead for another component of its largest ever project, worth $830 million at Gina Rinehart's Roy Hill iron ore mine, and $40 million worth of work in North America.

The company's shares dropped 10 cents, or 6.6 per cent, to $1.42 on Friday, still well below the $4.18 they were at at the start of November.

BlackRock's stake is worth $7 million at the current share price.

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US tanker train burns for second day

Tanker cars carrying crude oil continue to burn for a second day after a collision in North Dakota. Source: AAP

AT least two tanker cars of crude oil from the collision of two freight trains are still burning in the US state of North Dakota, authorities say.

There were no casualties in the Monday afternoon accident, in which one train with more than 100 carriages derailed and was struck by an oncoming train. The collision set off a series of explosions.

Tara Morris, spokeswoman for the Cass County Sheriff's Office, said that two to three cars were still burning on Tuesday at the site, about 40 kilometres west of Fargo, North Dakota. The fires were being allowed to burn out.

Billowing black smoke from the fires prompted local authorities to urge residents within an 8km radius to evacuate the area. About 1500 people chose to leave the adjoining town of Casselton, population 2400, in the hours after the disaster, Morris said.

Home video after the initial collision showed towers of flame bursting out of exploding cars.

A team of investigators was dispatched from the US National Transportation Safety Board in Washington and is already at the scene, Morris said.

"We are thankful there have been no injuries as a result of the derailment near Casselton, North Dakota, and are terribly sorry for the inconvenience this derailment has caused residents in the area," Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad said.

The company, based in Fort Worth, Texas, and owned by billionaire investor Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc, said that its claims officers were already on the scene on Tuesday to begin compensation for people who suffered damage or loss of business, including a claim centre already opened at a Casselton hotel.

BNSF hazardous materials specialists worked through the night with North Dakota authorities to assist in the response.

A westbound grain train with 112 cars derailed at 2.10pm on Monday, less that 2km west of Casselton. It was struck by an eastbound train with 106 cars hauling crude oil, BNSF said.

The railroad estimated that more than 20 cars burned after the collision. The train crews escaped uninjured.

Most of the more than 200 cars remained on the rails, and many have been hauled to safety away from the scene, BNSF said.

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Alleged king hit attacker refused bail

A MAN accused of king hitting a teenager in an "horrific" attack that left him fighting for his life punched four other victims during the same assault, a Sydney court has heard.

Daniel Christie, 18, is in a critical condition in St Vincent's Hospital after he was punched in the face in Kings Cross during New Year's Eve celebrations.

The court heard Mr Christie was shielding other alleged victims when he was punched by his alleged attacker, Shaun McNeil.

McNeil, 25, faced Parramatta Bail Court via videolink on Wednesday where he cried as he was refused bail.

He has been charged with one count of causing grievous bodily harm to Mr Christie, one count of assaulting Mr Christie's brother, Peter Christie, and two counts of common assault.

Wearing a forensic suit, he said little during his court appearance on Wednesday.

According to facts tendered in court, McNeil had just left the Punchbowl bar in Kings Cross on Tuesday with his girlfriend when he got into a verbal altercation with two young men and an unidentified boy.

After allegedly telling them he was a mixed martial arts fighter, McNeil struck the boy before punching both of his friends, causing them to fall to the ground, the facts said.

As the boy ran one way, the two men ran down the street and attempted to hide behind Mr Christie, who was then allegedly targeted by McNeil.

"The victim has fallen backward and struck his head on the pavement, causing immediate life-threatening injuries," the facts said.

When Peter Christie tried to intervene, McNeil then turned on him, allegedly punching him and splitting his lip.

McNeil was arrested by police shortly afterwards.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Lisa McEvoy said McNeil, who has a history of violence, was celebrating in the city from 9am and had drunk around eight beers and one glass of wine.

"At the end of his time in town, there's a man on the floor with a fractured skull and suspected brain injury and other people with cut lips," she said.

McNeil has several convictions for violence and dishonesty, the court heard.

Sgt McEvoy said the police facts in the case were "horrific".

"This was completely unprovoked," she said.

The alleged assaults occurred on the same street on the late-night strip where teenage king hit victim Thomas Kelly was killed in 2012.

"Mr McNeil does not live in a box," Sgt McEvoy said.

"He is aware of the circumstances surrounding the recent death of a young man, not to mention the few other young men who ended up in hospital (in similar circumstances)."

The court heard McNeil told police he was acting to "protect" his girlfriend.

His lawyer said the young men tried to sell him drugs.

McNeil was "very sad" when he heard about Mr Christie's life-threatening injuries, the court heard.

Registrar Steptoe refused bail, noting the "current climate" of unprovoked assaults in Sydney.

McNeil will face court again on Monday.

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Scooter company on track for first profit

SCOOTER maker Vmoto expects 2013 will be its first profitable year, thanks to growing sales in China.

The company makes electric and petrol scooters in China, and distributes them to more than 30 countries.

Vmoto also owns 10 retail outlets in China, with four of those stores having opened in the last two months.

On Monday, the company said November was another profitable month, and the company still expects to make its maiden annual profit, of between $300,000 and $600,000, in the 2013 calendar year.

Vmoto listed on the Australian share market in 2002.

It expects to have had made 42,000 scooters in the year, and had sold 3,197 of its own scooters in China by the end of November.

"The gradual buildup in sales month-on-month are testament to the Vmoto brand becoming increasingly recognised as a premium product for electric scooter riders in China," it said.

The company's shares gained 0.1 of a cent to 3.1 cents.

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Man arrested over double murder

A 19-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested on suspicion over the double murder of a mother and her daughter in Perth.

The bodies of Tamara Alexandra Horstman, 26, and her mother Maureen Anne Horstman, 67, were found on Sunday afternoon after Tamara failed to arrive at work.

The parents of one of her friends went to the Warwick address to check on her and alerted police, who arrived about 2.30pm (WST).

Police have not revealed how the women died but it is believed Maureen suffered chest injuries and Tamara suffered head injuries.

Tamara's twin brother, who also found the pair, was questioned by police but was cleared as a suspect on Tuesday morning.

Detectives arrested another man in Mirrabooka on Tuesday and he is assisting police with their investigation.

Tamara's 2008 model Mazda3 sedan, which had been missing, was found in Mirrabooka on Monday after a member of the public heard about the search via the media and alerted police.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Police search for missing NSW teen

POLICE are searching for a teenage boy missing from Sydney's north shore.

Justin Painter, 15, left his home on Mosman Street in Mosman at about noon (AEDT) on Sunday but has made no contact with friends or family since, police said.

He was seen getting on a ferry at Mosman shortly afterwards.

Justin is of Caucasian appearance, 190cm tall with a thin build, and short light-brown hair.

Police said he has braces and facial acne.

He is believed to be wearing skinny denim jeans and brown suede shoes, and took his wallet and keys with him.

Investigators believe Justin may be in the Balmoral, Georges Heights or Ryde areas and could be travelling by ferry or train.

Anyone with information about Justin's whereabouts is asked to contact North Sydney Police or Crime Stoppers immediately.

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Shares in construction firm Forge soar

SHARES in engineering and construction company Forge Group have soared after it got the go ahead for more work at Gina Rinehart's Roy Hill iron ore mine in Western Australia.

Forge shares gained 56 cents, or almost 55 per cent, to $1.585 on Monday, after already rising by 65 per cent last week.

In November the company's shares were suspended from trade for more than three weeks as Forge reviewed the performance of several of its projects.

The share price plunged from $4.18 to 68.5 cents when they returned to trading on the market on November 28.

The company on Monday said it had received formal notification to proceed with phase three of construction of the $1.47 billion processing facility at Roy Hill.

The contract is worth $830 million to Forge, which is carrying out the work in a joint venture with Spanish construction contractor Duro Felguera.

The contract is Forge's largest ever and, chief executive David Simpson said, it underpins the company's order book for the remainder of the 2013/14 financial year and into 2015.

"It is also encouraging to note that the Roy Hill project is progressing to schedule and that we have now commenced mobilisation to site," he said.

On Friday the company told the Australian Securities Exchange it was not aware of any reason for the strong surge in its share price in the week of Christmas, which took their value from 62 cents to $1.025.

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Quakes sink part of Mexico highway near US

A section of a Mexican highway near the US border has collapsed after a series of small earthquakes. Source: AAP

A 275-METRE section of a Mexican highway near the US border has collapsed, sinking about 30m after a series of small earthquakes.

Mexico's federal highway authority says the collapse occurred about 93km south of the border city of Tijuana.

The road leads to the port city of Ensenada, on the Baja California peninsula.

The agency said on Saturday the road was closed in the early morning hours, after the collapse was detected.

The agency said the collapse was caused by seven small earthquakes ranging in magnitude from 1.3 to 4.3.

It said the roadway runs over a known geological fault in the area, and that it had been raining heavily.

No injuries were reported.

Traffic was being diverted onto a smaller, non-toll highway.

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Icebreaker 100 miles from stuck ship

An Aussie icebreaker is about 100 nautical miles from a ship trapped in sea ice near Antarctica. Source: AAP

AN Australian icebreaker is closing in on a ship wedged in Antarctic sea ice as part of a second rescue mission to free the stricken vessel.

A group of scientists, explorers and tourists has been stuck on the Russian research ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy, about 1500 nautical miles south of Hobart, for the past five days.

Two icebreakers have given up on efforts to push through the thick and dangerous ice floes near Antarctica to try to free the trapped research vessel.

A third icebreaker, Australia's Aurora Australis, is on its way to the ship and is due to arrive about 1am (NZT) on Monday.

It is the last ship in the area that will be able to help.

The Aurora Australis was about 100 nautical miles from the trapped ship at 2pm (AEDT),(4pm NZT), the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said in a statement.

If it can't battle through the ice, AMSA says a second option may be to consider ferrying trapped passengers with a helicopter.

The locked-in ship, with 74 people on board, including several New Zealanders, sent a distress call on Christmas Day after becoming trapped in heavy sea ice.

The ship had been undertaking the Spirit of Mawson voyage, which is retracing Australian explorer Sir Douglas Mawson's Antarctic expedition.

Professor Chris Turney of the University of NSW is leading the expedition, consisting of scientists, explorers and enthusiasts undertaking climate research.

He insisted during several interviews with international media outlets that everyone was in good spirits despite the ordeal.

The Aurora icebreaker is rated at being able to push through ice slightly deeper than one metre thick.

China's Snow Dragon icebreaker, which came within six-and-a-half nautical miles of the stuck ship before turning back out of safety fears, is standing by in case its helicopter will be needed.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said four New Zealanders are on board, but there may be as many as six, according to media reports.

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