Crimean referendum set for March 16

Article 73 of the Ukrainian constitution says that issues relating to borders must involve a "referendum across the whole of the Ukraine."   And that's why the UN and the US say the Crimean referendum set for March 16 is illegal.

The EU, meeting in Brussels, threatened "serious consequences" if Russia did not act to de-escalate the crisis.  The referendum is expected to reveal that an overwhelming majority of Crimean citizens will chose to become part of Russia.  "We're Russian already"  people in the street are saying.  This will suit Putin very well as it will take the Russian Black Sea Fleet out of Ukranian territory and into his complete control.

Yesterday the Crimean Parliament said it had decided "to enter into the Russian Federation with the rights of a subject of the Russian Federation" and asked Putin "to start the procedure."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy both said the Crimean referendum was contrary to the Ukrainian constitution and therefore illegal.  They would decide on additional measures such as travel bans, asset freezes and the cancellation of the EU Russian Summit.

David Cameron drew parallels with World War II saying "It matters because we know from our history that turning a blind eye when nations are trampled all over and their independence trashed...... that stores up far greater problems in the long run."

To deny that the majority of Crimean citizens want to become part of Russia would be foolish and a democratic referendum will remove all doubt.  And if they do leave, Ukraine will be left to struggle on alone, broke and very vulnerable.  

Meanwhile, Putin does nothing.  He sits back and pretends the situation is beyond his control and he's just overseeing a democratic process being played out in Crimea.  He knows he could defuse the crisis in a heartbeat, but chooses not to.

Ukraine crisis - Putin's side of the story

Crimean beach

Crimea is a beautiful part of Ukraine and a popular spot for tourists. It's also a part of the world most of us know nothing about, until recently.

From Putin's point of view, we were quick to support a coup of a democratically elected government.  Because of Russia's reputation and especially Putin's association with the KGB, we jumped to a conclusion that Russia was about to invade Ukraine.  Not true, says Putin.

Crimea has a long, complicated history.  It was part of Russia until Nikita Khruschev gave it to Ukraine in 1954.  In 1999 Russia received 81.7 per cent of the fleet's ships after paying the Ukrainian government $526.5 million US dollars.  The deal allowed the Russian Black Sea Fleet to stay in Crimea until 2017, later extended to 2042.  Naturally, the fleet is protected by armed forces.

Every year Moscow writes off $97.75 million US dollars of Kiev's debt for the right to use Ukranian waters and radio frequencies and to compensate for the Black Sea Fleet's environmental impact.

Over half the population of Crimea is Russian and they sought Russia's help when the Kiev government introduced a law abolishing the use of any language other than Ukranian.

Russia doesn't recognise the interim government in Kiev and believes Mr Yanukovych is the legitimate president. Putin defends his actions in Crimea as a direct response to a request for help from local citizens who see themselves as Russian.

The US says that by running away to Russia, the ousted president lost his legitimacy and opened the way to a new interim government ratified by Parliament.

Putin intends to punish Ukraine who is in dire economic shape, by cancelling a large discount on natural gas supplies starting in April.

Ukrainian officials say they need $35 billion in new loans and credits over the next two years to avoid default.  The US have offered 1 billion and the UN $15 billion, but it's still a long way short of the required amount.  

Putin backs down on Ukraine crisis

How many people in the Ukraine are pro-Russian and how many want to reach out to the West?  We don't know, and the answer could make a difference to the way Putin thinks.

Yesterday President Putin said he saw no reason for Russian forces to intervene in eastern Ukraine at the moment, but is ready to protect Russian speaking supporters in the east and south of the country, if they are in danger.  "I want you to understand me clearly" he said.  "If we make such a decision, it will only be for the protection of Ukrainian citizens."  That's the crux of his argument.

Secretary of State John Kerry's recent visit and promise of $1 billion in emergency aid to the Ukraine has only deepened Putin's hatred of the US. "They have interfered from across the pond in America as if they were sitting in a laboratory and running experiments on rats, without any understand of the consequences."

A Ukrainian sniper is forced to kneel at a memorial to those killed by the likes of him during the recent protests.

But then he was caught out in a lie and there's video footage to prove it. He said that President Yanukovych did not order snipers to shoot protesters and suggested the snipers were in fact from opposition political parties.

Then another lie.  He warned the ousted President not to withdraw security forces from the protest site, but he ignored his advice and Russia only stepped in to save him from being killed.

President Obama said "I know President Putin seems to have a different set of lawyers making a different set of interpretations, but I don't think that's fooling anybody."  He added that Ukranians should have the right to determine their own fate in elections now scheduled for May.  

"Mr Putin can throw a lot of words out there but the facts on the ground indicate that right now, he's not abiding by that principle" the President said.  "There is still the opportunity for Russia to do so, working with the international community to help stabilize the situation."

Clenbuterol is messing with your health

Not long after bodybuilders discovered that 'clen' or clenbuterol - a drug used to treat horses - can burn fat while increasing muscle mass, personal trainers began pushing it as a fantastic diet pill for their female clients.

"It's not been tested on humans - this is an animal vaccine" said Harvard psychiatrist Dr Harrison Pope.  "Most of the data available is veterinary, and it reveals a lot of bad reactions in rats.  After taking the drug, their hearts started to stiffen so it seems safe to predict that clenbuterol in high doses when taken by humans increases the risk of stroke and heart attack."

But the ladies who lunch aren't listening, they believe their trainers who sell it as a "safe" alternative to steroids. "In looks-obsessed LA, the appeal of this drug to women is obvious" said Professor Charles Yesalis, head of sports science at Pennsylvannia State University.  "It's short-sighted, but they see it as a quick fix to get the lean, toned physique popularised by actresses and models."

Dr Jonathon Brett from Sydney Royal Alfred Hospital said 80 per cent of people who buy it on the internet and take a high dose, end up in hospital.  Overdose symptoms include heart palpitations, dizziness, nausea, diarrhoea, vomitting, chest pains, and other heart problems.

The desire to stay slim is so intense, if famous women are taking these dangerous drugs, ordinary people will too.  You can buy Clen on the internet and it doesn't cost much more than other diet supplements and vitamins. 

But be warned, the drug messes with your natural metabolism.  You can drop weight fast but after a while it stops working.  A woman who didn't want to be identified said "A friend on clen lost weight but after a while it stopped working, she was just eating tuna and told me 'If I eat anything, I just blow up.'"

Losing weight and keeping it off isn't easy, but when people arrive at hospital with cardiac arrest, is it really worth it? Other symptoms of dizziness and palpitations are clear warning signs to stop.  Do it the hard, natural way and stay safe.

Grant Denyer and wife in rehab accusation

There is a well respected rehab facility in Thailand called The Cabin. They call themselves "Asia's best and most respected drug rehab and alcohol addiction treatment centre." 

Editor Fiona Connolly

It's a convenient location for drug addicted Aussies who can pretend to go on holiday, but after reading about Woman's Day's latest scoop, it's a bit too close for comfort because you never know who you will run into, namely other Aussies who might spill the beans.

Grant Denyer is suing Bauer Media over an article in Woman's Day that said Denyer and his wife - his former Channel 7 producer - have a $4000-a-day drug habit.  A 23 year old Victorian personal trainer Askin Karahan, said he was present when they stood up in a group therapy session at The Cabin, and admitted they were addicted to crystal meth.  Here is his story.

Askin Karahan

"Arriving at the rehab centre in Thailand was a blur for me. I was there for help with my drug addiction and didn’t know what to expect.  It was the following day in a roomful of people in group therapy I saw Grant Denyer and his wife stand up and say they were addicted to meth. 

Was I shocked to see him? To hear that? Of course I was. I knew him from the weather. I think anyone would have been shocked, but that’s the thing about drugs. It takes over the best of us. Role models, actors, sportspeople, musicians, your next door neighbour…

Last year was hard for me. My mum passed away and I’d started going out a lot with my friends just to forget about it for a while. Eventually partying wasn’t enough and I started taking cocaine. It just sort of numbed everything but my family knew what was going on and they were worried about me. It’s not really about my mum, though – I don’t want to play the victim here. Plenty of people lose someone and they don’t turn to drugs. That was my choice and I know I’m not blaming anything.
My family told to me get my life sorted out and a friend suggested The Cabin drug rehab, so I called them. I spoke to their psychologist and they said their success rate was high because of their 12-step program, so a couple of days later I went. My family helped me with the $14,000 fees.

I recognised Grant as soon as I saw him. I didn’t expect him to be there – would anyone? But now I understand that ice is pretty big in Australia and a lot of people are users.  Like all of us, Grant had tried and failed to get clean before.  Everyone tries and fails, but his main reason was that drugs in a relationship doesn’t work. It’s too unstable, so of course they wanted to get clean to save that. That’s what they said.
In group therapy, we all shared our experience – what we were going through and what we were struggling with. It helps to hear about other people and what they’re going through. You know you’re not alone and you form a bond.

I’m not going to go into all the details. They deserve that privacy and I don’t think that’s right. The reason I came forward is because I’m owning up to it. But Grant didn’t own up. He says he was in rehab for exhaustion! Well, that’s true because you don’t sleep when you’re on meth!

Drugs in Australia are worse than people think. It’s a disease and it takes control. You’re a passenger in your own body. When I read the article online I saw some comments from people.

Someone wrote that the story came out because, “Some drug addict is getting paid to tell their story,” which also made me want to come forward. I think it’s disgusting that someone who hasn’t gone through addiction or knows the situation to say “some drug addict”. That’s the reason Grant hasn’t come out – that kind of attitude.

He needs to, though – it’s the only way he’ll get better. That’s what the experts told us. I have bettered my life by admitting it. It’s not a disgrace that affects minorities – it’s going on around you. Your neighbours are addicts, people you walk past in the street every day are addicts. Grant looked like everyone in there – meth addicts, alcoholics, heroin users. We all looked the same. He looked withered away, really tired, skinny, old… He looked like he needed help.

The cabin said they were there for work exhaustion, executive burnout, anxiety, and PTSD – they’re all symptoms and side-effects of methamphetamine addiction. Just Google it and you’ll find out.
Of course it’s hard for Grant. He’s worried about his reputation, his job. And having money is the hardest part because a lot of people are forced to quit because they don’t have the money to buy it. But Grant has money, so temptation is really tough for him.

You have to hit rock bottom before you get better and after that it’s a lifelong battle. If I see someone I used to party with or go into a hotel where I once took cocaine it brings it all back. I have to fight that every day. Grant will be fighting it every day, too.  Look at Ben Cousins. He talks about his addictions. If Grant did it, people would respect that. I don’t care if people believe me. I’ve only come forward because I wanted to set the record straight. Grant is not a bad person. Not at all, no way! It’s a disease of the brain. It’s his reward – it’s how he gets his buzz.
A functioning addict can do anything anyone else can do. Taking drugs doesn’t change who you are that much. People may have noticed a few changes, but not a lot. I don’t want to hurt him. It’s not my motive. But I know people will hate him and me. We are drug addicts. When people hear you’re a drug user they think “bad person” and clutch their purses tight. That’s the reality.
But in therapy I was in a roomful of normal people. Seven Australians from all walks of life and people need to know it goes on everywhere.  Each day we battle a sober life and I know that’s going to be for the rest of our lives.

In a statement released by Grant’s agent, both the former Sunrise star and his wife deny the drug claims.

"Grant and Chezzi Denyer are saddened by the highly defamatory article in this week’s," Woman's Day magazine. "The couple have been under immense stress in recent months due to Grant dealing with chronic fatigue brought on by exhaustion and an ongoing unknown stomach illness. Chezzi has also been dealing with PTSD and anxiety issues resulting from Grant's condition. "The wellness centre they attended in Thailand specialises in the treatment of PTSD and exhaustion and they spent four weeks there to finally address these ongoing health concerns. "With their conditions now under control, they are healthier and happier than they have ever been. Grant, Chezzi and their young daughter Sailor are an extremely tight family unit and the hurtful and irresponsible article has hit them hard. "They wish to thank their family, close friends, Channel 7 and members of the media who continue to support them through these tough times. "Claims that the couple have a drug addiction and that Grant recently lost his Channel 7 contract are both false. "They are currently taking legal advice on what action can be taken against the magazine. "No further comment will be made. We request that you please respect the family's privacy at this time."

Lleyton Hewitt's Palm Beach house for sale

Australian tennis star Lleyton Hewitt and his wife, former Home & Away actress Bec Cartwright, have relocated to the Bahamas with their three children Ava, Cruz and Mia.

They spend most of their time over there now, to be closer to the hectic tennis circuit but still come home on a regular basis. The celebrity couple have decided to sell their beautiful home at Palm Beach.

Lleyton and Bec have had a rough time over the years dealing with our own Aussie paparazzi and are sick of the made-up stories the public are led to believe. They released this statement on their website.

The majority of this “imaginary” journalism includes quotes from insiders. It is important to understand that these “insiders” are actually magazine staff, that try to pass themselves off as journalists! 

In this weeks’ Woman’s Day where they stated Bec had a public meltdown and that we had a major argument in the streets of Paris after Lleyton received a phone call, and this all happened whilst Lleyton was still in the tournament. 

The truth is the photos were taken the night Lleyton had lost to David Ferrer and with Mia we headed to a Starbucks that we had frequented during our time in Paris. Unfortunately it was shut so we headed to another Starbucks nearby. Lleyton’s hip was hurting from his match so Bec walked ahead to check that the other Starbucks was open whilst Lleyton rang his coach, trainer and manager who were organized to meet us at that Starbucks that was closed. 

This gives you an idea of what we have to deal with week in week out, reading the lies, manufactured stories and constant attack on our relationship and private lives.
At one stage we did have a contract with Woman’s Day, but even then stories were printed that we had no control over, and the headlines always phrased in a way to create negative innuendo. We didn’t renew the contract, as we decided to take a break from the whole magazine scene, but that hasn’t stopped them. 

We know that their research shows their sales increase if they have either of us on their cover. Therefore sales are much more important to them than providing truthful information for their readers. Their philosophy must be that they will do what ever is necessary and make up what ever they like so long as they can sell copies and not worry about the truth, therefore insulting the intelligence of their readers.

Bec knows Palm Beach very well.  From 1998 to 2005, she played Hayley Smith Lawson on the soap opera Home and Away which was filmed there.  They bought the property in  2005 and it's expected to sell for around $5.5 million.  

The agent is asking for expressions of interest for the three level home at 9 Palm Beach Road, Palm Beach, 44 kms from the Sydney CBD and 50 minutes by car on a good day.  

Robert Hughes sexual abuse trial begins

Sarah Monahan and Robert Hughes

Robert Hughes was extradited from the UK to stand trial for sexual abuse when he was the star of a successful television series Hey Dad in the 1980s. He faces 11 charges including sexual assault and indecent assault on girls aged 6 to 15 during the life of the show. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Sarah Monahan told A Current Affair in 2010 that Robert Hughes had sexually abused her for seven years. Former executive producer Gary Reilly said he didn't know what was going on but did hear rumours that when another child complained about his sexual advances, she was given a chaperon.

Sarah, who now lives in the US said "I guess I was the smallest and I know I wasn't the only one. I remember at school they actually demanded that I see a psychiatrist.  In art classes, I could draw perfect penises, and they said there's something wrong with this girl drawing stuff like that at such an early age. I think I was at the point of being suicidal."

Sarah Monahan today

"They said they didn't know, but they knew, and it was always kept quiet because it was the most successful television show and people don't want to know about that" Sarah said.  The abuse began when she was 6 and continued until she was 13 when she finally had the courage to tell him to stop.  Once he realized he'd lost control, she said, he turned nasty and bombarded her with insults.

This week, Hughes is in court.  In her opening address, Prosecutor Gina O'Rourke said three of the offences were committed when the girls were sleeping over at his family home.

Defence lawyer Greg Walsh told the court his client was a victim of rumour and inuendo and reminded the jury not to be influenced by media reports.  "This case is about specific allegations which must be proven beyond reasonable doubt" he said.

Robert Hughes today

On Tuesday, a woman now in her 40s told a Sydney court she was shocked and scared when Hughes came into the bedroom of his house where she was sleeping when she was 14 or 15.  When she first met Hughes, he was "friendly and interested in our lives" but she began to feel uncomfortable when he swam naked in their family pool and began touching her.

"I woke up to Robert kneeling down on the side of the bed and he had his hand down my pants" she said.  "I could see his face really clearly....he was rubbing around my virgina, just inside."  He stopped when she pushed his hand away but before he left the room, he licked the left side of her face.

Her mother told the jury that just before both families were to go on holiday together, her daughter begged her not to and told her everything.  When her mother confronted Hughes about the allegations, he went "blank."

On Wednesday a witness who appeared by video link said that when she was seven and sleeping at his house, Hughes came into her room and placed her hand on his penis.  "He spoke to me....he told me to roll over.....and after he said good girl.....and told me to go back to sleep." On another occasion, the actor came into the bedroom and forced her to "masturbate him" before handing her a teddy bear.  She heard water running in the bathroom straight after.

Her father said "She was seven years old....she came and said words to the effect of "I don't like the games Robert plays with me.....afterwards she said "Robert put some white sticky stuff on my arm."

She eventually told her parents everything and they went to police but decided not to pursue charges because they didn't want to put their child through a trial.  They took her to a psychologist, sold the house, and moved away. But when sexual abuse accusations surfaced in the media in 2010, her mother went back to police.

One day her mother bumped into Hughes' wife Robyn Gardiner. "She asked me why (my daughter) wasn't allowed to go to their house anymore and I said words to the effect of 'Ask your husband.' She said 'Oh we'll have to get him help' and I told her to get away from me".

Defence Barrister Greg Walsh said Ms Gardiner never spoke of seeking help for Hughes.

The trial continues.