British Jihadists beg to come home

Burning his British passport

In the last three years, more than 500 radicalized Britons have left home to fight President Bashar Assad in Syria.  But some have had a change of heart and want to come home.

A man representing about 30 British Muslims contacted British authorities and said "We came to fight the regime and instead we are involved in gang warfare.  It's not what we came for but if we go back (to Britain) we will go to jail."

At least 40 of the estimated 250 Britons to have already returned  have been arrested and now face trial on terrorism charges.

David Haines

When Labour leader Ed Miliband suggested a mandatory programme of de-radicalization could be set up, the Jihadists jumped on it and said they would be more than willing to take part but David Cameron isn't buying it because he knows that British man David Haines is next on the list.

Yesterday Mr Cameron told fellow NATO leaders not to pay ransoms for hostages as it only encourages more kidnappings which fund the terror groups.  He is now preparing to personally brief David Haines family on the latest development in his case.

James Packer's new Macau Casino venture

This week James Packer paid Brad Pitt, Leonardo Di Caprio and Robert De Niro $13 million each to appear in a short film for Melco Crown Entertainment.  The filming took two days.

Directed by Martin Scorese, the film with feature at the opening of Packer's Studio City Casino in Cotai in mid 2015 as part of the $2.3 billion launch.

Melco International Development Limited is one of the 100 oldest companies in Hong Kong and has interests in gambling and entertainment.  Chairman of Melco is Lawrence Ho, son of Dr Stanley Ho, a Hong Kong and Macau billionaire.

Lawrence Ho

In 2004, the company entered into a joint venture with Packer's Crown Limited and Melco Crown Entertainment was born.

Muslims rally support for "Team Australia"

Mandouh Elomar (left) and Dr Jamal Rifi

The father of Mohamed Elomar - the man who took a picture of himself holding the severed heads of enemy soldiers - is sponsoring a "Muslims 4 Australia" barbecue organized by Dr Jamal Rifi. 

Mandouh Elomar and Dr Rifi have been good friends for years and think it's about time they let the Australian people know whose side they are on.

From Syria, his son posted a message on social media asking for information about Dr Rifi.  "Any details where he works or knows if hes got kids and which school they attend, I am willing to pay $1000 just for details" he wrote.

Mohamad Elomar

So on Sunday, the 14th of September in Parry Park, Lakemba, Sydney Muslims will have the opportunity to show their support for Australia.

Mr Elomar said his son had once worked in his construction business but he became lazy.  "He was just bludging all the time and said he didn't want to work so I kicked him out.  I haven't heard from him for two years, only what I see on tv, I cannot understand what my son did, it makes me want to vomit."  

He added "We don't want their agenda to tear apart the fabric of our community in Australia, we want this barbecue to show the rest of society that Muslims are part of Team Australia."

Crooked cop arrested during robbery

Hundreds of shoppers were shocked to witness a dramatic scene unfold in the main street of Cabramatta yesterday.  Around 10.30 am, three men dressed as "tradies" tried to rob a woman at a money transfer business.  One of the men involved in the robbery is a suspended police officer - Senior Constable Ashur Oshana - a man who received a bravery award for outstanding service and bravery.

But police already knew what was about to take place and were lying in wait.  Armed officers from the Tactical Response Unit wearing balaclavas quickly had the men hancuffed and on the ground.

The three men, all aged 29, were charged with robbery, refused bail and will appear at Liverpool Court today.

Lake Argyle, city of the future

Boat ride on Lake Argyle

Lake Argyle in the East Kimberley is a beautiful place and taking a boat trip with other tourists was an experience I will never forget. 

The Ord Scheme was finally completed in 1971 and its beauty has to be seen to be believed.  Between 1935 and 1942, drought severely affected the Kimberley pastoral industry and the Ord Scheme came about because of it.

The current population is around 20 humans and thousands of crocodiles.  An architectural firm called Ecoscape thinks it's a great spot for a future city.  They believe a new city on the banks of the lake could sustain a population of 150,000 people and an international airport would bring tourists to one of the 70 islands that could become luxury resorts. 

Artist's impression of new city

But the locals aren't so sure.  Tour operator Greg Smith said part of the attraction is its remoteness. "Finding people who want to be in the northern part of Australia, who can handle the (hot) climate, I think it would be a tough sales pitch, but it's not impossible" he said.  

But nothing will happen.  We don't have politicians with the foresight to make a bold idea like this one work, we will continue to extend our existing towns and cities and leave most of the country empty.

Nine year old girl kills instructor with Uzi

There was a terrible accident in Arizona this week when a 9 year old girl accidently killed her instructor, Charles Vacca, who was teaching her how to use a machine gun.  It happened at a popular tourist hub at Bullets and Burgers gun range in Arizona and this info is taken from their website. 

The Bullets and Burgers Adventure is a private outdoor range set in a stunning outdoor desert landscape. We separate ourselves from all other Las Vegas ranges with our unique 'Desert Storm' atmosphere and military style bunkers. We are located on the eclectic 30+ acre Arizona Last Stop property surrounded by picturesque mountain views at the edge of the undeveloped Lake Mead Recreational Area.

Our guests have the opportunity to fire a wide range of fully automatic machine guns and specialty weapons. You will choose the guns which you want to shoot from our extensive collection and we provide the eye/ear protection, ammunition, and expert guidance. Our guests have an opportunity to choose from a wide variety of machine guns. Click here to view all of our available guns. Our 50 Cal. selections includes the Barrett Sniper Rifle, the Browning BMG .50 Cal ('the deuce'), and the Desert Eagle. We even have the actual firearms used in several Hollywood hits including The Terminator and Rambo II.

To top it off, lunch is included inside the the World Famous Arizona Last Stop restaurant located onsite. You will be treated with the World Famous All American Hamburger, fresh cut french fries, and a drink. The All American Burger is guaranteed to be the best hamburger you have ever eaten.

The Bullets and Burgers Adventure is approximately 4 - 5.5 hours in length from scheduled pickup to drop-off back at your hotel. Helicopter upgrades are available.  Please see our Helicopter Adventure Page.

I feel very sorry for Americans who sincerely want to change their gun laws, but I fear they are fighting a losing battle.  When the American Constitution was being drawn up and the right to bear arms was included, they had no way of knowing what the future would bring.  But they know now, and there's not a thing they can do about it.

Sydney cafe owner makes racist mistake

Ten days ago when a Brazilian man, Nilson Dos Santos applied for a job as a barista at Forbes and Burton in Darlinghurst, the interview went something like this.

'We sat down and he said "But you're black", I said "yes" and he told me "but my customers are white, I don't think they'd like to have their coffee made by black people, that's not part of the coffee culture, you're African."  

Cafe owner Mr Hu

'So I stood in the middle of the cafe and said "Excuse me, I don't mean to bother anybody but I just asked for a job and and he told me no because I'm black and I shouldn't make coffee for white people."

That's when all the customers and one employee came to stand beside him and walked out.

Cafe owner Steven Hu arrived in Australia from Shanghai nine months ago and needs to run the business for two years to qualify for an Australian visa.  "I didn't ask any questions because I prefer the barista to be local, not from Italy or other countries.  In some people's opinion, African people can't make good coffee" Mr Hu said.

The cafe has since shut its doors and is being investigated by the Fair Work Ombudsman and Mr Dos Santos now has a full-time job making coffee at Coco Cubano in Darlinghurst, just a few minutes walk from Forbes and Burton.

Last weekend Mr Santos decided to walk by the cafe where all the trouble started and was shocked to find it closed and the windows splattered with raw eggs.  "I broke down and cried" he said.

"I always loved Australia and now I'd say I'm in love with this country.  This is my home, this is where I want to be.