Linux tool to help fight child porn
Edith Cowan University (Perth) working with Western Australia Police have developed a tool to help fight child pornography. The piece of technology is a Linux based program that can be utilized by front line officers, regardless of computer experience. The device is expected to be stored on a tiny USB drive and can be connected to a suspect’s computer to quickly examine it’s contents for illicit material.
The tool, Simple Image Preview Live Environment (S.I.M.P.L.E.) is planned for release early next year. Cyber liberties advocates have yet to lodge complaints over invasion of privacy as the device could lead to illegal searches and searches without warrants. (news)
Qantas has flight trouble again
During a flight from Singapore to Perth the plane plunged up to 2000 metres over Western Australia, throwing passengers all around the cabin injuring 20 of them.
The plane was a model Airbus A330-300,with approximately 300 passengers onbaord. They encountered a “sudden change in altitude” north of its destination around 1.30pm WST.
The pilots put out a mayday call shortly before making an emergency landing at Learmonth, about 40km from Exmouth on Western Australia’s Gascoyne coast.
Injuries included some spinal injuries and others with broken bones, cuts, and bruises.
Some were transferred by ambulance to local city hospitals. (news)
Dead birds drop from sky
Dead birds are falling from the sky in Australia for the second time in seven months, raising fears of a possible public health threat.
At least 200 seagulls have been found dead in Perth’s popular beachside suburbs of Woodman Point and Henderson this week, baffling local authorities.
Post-mortem examinations have failed to determine the cause of the birds’ deaths. Last December 5,000 birds died in the coastal town of Esperance, 500 km south of Perth, after being poisoned by lead carbonate blowing through the town as it was being exported through Esperance Port.
The latest incident of dropping birds has led to a major investigation of local industries but government officials admit they are at a loss to know what is killing the gulls. A Department of Health spokesman admitted they could not rule out a risk to public health until the cause of the birds’ deaths had been established. (news)
13 yr old admits to attack
A 13 year old girl pleaded guilty today to the train station assault of a woman who died 36 hours later.
The teenager appeared in Perth Children’s Court today on a charge of assault occasioning bodily harm of 39-year-old Tanya Rowe, who died 36 hours after the attack, PerthNow reported.
The case was adjourned until August 5.
Mrs Rowe was involved in a fight with the teenager at the Perth train station early on May 9. (news)
Australian cycling coach arrested for rape
A 15-year-old American girl alleges she was raped by a man matching the description of a 51-year-old Australian cycling coach, who had sent photos of himself to her email address.
Rick Lee, of Perth, who was leading a team of 10 junior cyclists on a tour to Pennsylvania, has been charged with the rape of the girl at her home in Lehigh Township on Tuesday.
He is yet to post bail of $US125,000 ($128,600) and is in custody at Northampton County Jail ahead of a court hearing next Wednesday (local time).
Mr Lee faces 20 years jail if convicted of charges including statutory rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, burglary and trespass. (news)
