Three Diggers wounded by bomb in Afghanistan save

THREE Australian soldiers have been wounded by a roadside bomb in southwest Afghanistan.

The special operations soldiers were wounded by an improvised explosive device (IED), which detonated midway through a mission on Thursday in northern Helmand, the Defence Department said.

Two of the soldiers suffered serious blast and fragmentation wounds in the incident.

Chief of Joint Operations Lieutenant General Ash Power said the men were in a satisfactory medical condition.

The third soldier suffered minor wounds and is likely to return to full duties soon.

The two seriously wounded soldiers will return to Australia in the coming days, possibly through the Landstuhl Regional Medical Centre in Germany.

Two coalition soldiers were also wounded in the attack.

Two youths charged over tourist rape attack

POLICE have now charged two more youths over the alleged rape of two tourists in Alice Springs.

The 17-year-old youths were caught  yesterday, one in Alice Springs and the other in Hermannsburg, about 120km west of Alice Springs, the Northern Territory News reports.

Police this morning laid charges against them over Wednesday's shocking attack of two women, aged 21 and 28, who were asleep in their car at Mount Johns in Alice Springs when the vehicle was broken into and three men allegedly forced them to have sex.

Detective Acting Superintendent Travis Wurst said one of the youths was charged with sexual intercourse without consent, acts of gross indecency, deprivation of liberty, assault and threaten with a firearm along with numerous other offences.

He said the other youth has only been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle, but that police expect to lay further charges as the investigation continues.

A third 17-year-old youth was charged yesterday and has made his first appearance in Alice Springs Magistrates Court on sexual assault charges over the attack.

BY CROOK: Abbott hooks recluse MP to outnumber Labor in parliament

    * Tony Crook will now sit and vote with Coalition
    * Gillard controls parliament with help of Greens
    * Crook strongly criticised the carbon and mining taxes

OPPOSITION Leader Tony Abbott's parliamentary numbers have won a boost, with Nationals MP Tony Crook formally joining the Coalition.

The West Australian MP, who has been on the cross benches, will sit with his party's colleagues in parliament from Tuesday, The Nationals say.

The move by Mr Crook, who has voted with Labor more than 30 times in the lower house since the last election, puts the Coalition's numbers at 72 members to Labor's 71.

While Prime Minister Julia Gillard still controls the house through her deals with the independents and Greens, Tony Abbott now has bragging rights for which major party has more members, and more discipline over Mr Crook's vote.

Nationals Leader Warren Truss welcomed Mr Crook's move today following the WA Nationals' central council meeting in Perth.

"After extensive consultation with his constituency and his Nationals WA colleagues, Tony has made a decision that I am certain is in the best interests of his electorate of O'Connor and the nation," Mr Truss said.

Mr Truss said Mr Crook's decision to sit on the crossbenches after the 2010 federal election had "raised a few eyebrows", but that the party understood he was simply trying to get the best possible results for his electorate.

Read more: ht

NRL Late Mail - round nine

The first eight rounds of the season have proven that NRL tipping is a tough caper.

But never fear, we've called on the crew at Fox Sports Stats to provide you with a valuable statistical insight into round nine.

Read our predictions based on the key numbers and tell us whether you agree or disagree on the selections by posting a comment below.

The Adjudicator
The Adjudicator NRL

    * R9: 'Not much chop but he tries hard'

Canterbury-Bankstown v Parramatta, Friday, 7.35pm (EST), ANZ Stadium

TAB Sportsbet: Bulldogs $1.45, Eels $2.85

Despite their perilous position, this fixture offers a glimmer of hope for embattled Parramatta. The Eels have won eight of their past 11 clashes against the Bulldogs, and they will be encouraged by scoring 83 points in their past three games compared with the Bulldogs' 56. But that's where the good news ends. Pick any number of stats and it makes for some pretty ugly reading for the Eels. Lose this game and the Eels fall to their worst start to a season since 1960, when they went 0-9. If that isn't bad enough, they have also lost 15 of their past 16 away matches. And they have been held scoreless in at least one half of football in six of their eight matches this season. Enough of the Eels bashing, though. The Bulldogs, themselves, have hardly been in great form of late. They have won only one of their past five matches and have only scored a total of 32 points in their four loses this season. Looking for a first tryscorer? Look no further than Josh Morris, who has scored six tries in his past six ANZ Stadium appearances.

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Late Mail: Bulldogs 1-12

North Queensland Cowboys v St George Illawarra, Friday, 7.35pm (EST), Dairy Farmers Stadium

TAB Sportsbet: Cowboys $1.65, Dragons $2.30

St George Illawarra have certainly had the measure of North Queensland in recent years, but that has been away from Townsville. The travel-shy Cowboys have been no match for the Dragons in Sydney since 2009, conceding 87 points while scoring only 34. But it's a completely different story at Dairy Farmers, where the home side have won six of their past eight matches. The Dragons, in fact, haven't picked up two points in Townsville since 2005. But they do enter this clash in good heart after consecutive wins and with the knowledge the Cowboys have lost three of their four home games this season. Interestingly, the team that has led at half-time has won all of the Cowboys' matches this season. Brett Morris has dominated this fixture, scoring eight tries in his past four games, including four on his only appearance in Townsville.

Late Mail: Dragons 1-12

Warriors v Brisbane Broncos, Saturday, 5.30pm (EST), Mt Smart Stadium

NRL: Round Nine
NRL Weekly Preview

    * Greg Alexander's NRL round nine preview

TAB Sportsbet: Warriors $2.30, Broncos $1.65

Something has to break here. The irresistable home force against the road warriors. Home is certainly where the heart is for the Warriors, who have won 16 of their past 22 matches at Mt Smart Stadium, including their past two. They also boast seven wins from their past 10 matches against the Broncos. That success has been built on a solid foundation of defence, defence and more defence; in 13 of those wins, they have conceded 12 points or less. And they'll need to be on their game against a team that averages almost 24 points per game - second only behind Melbourne this season. The Broncos have won all four of their away matches this season and have not conceded more than 14 points in any of those games. Manu Vatuvei could become the leading all-time try-scorer at the venue - ahead of Stacey Jones - if he scores one try.

Late Mail: Broncos 1-12.

Gold Coast Titans v West Tigers, Saturday, 7.30pm (EST), Skilled Park

TAB Sportsbet: Titans $3.75, Tigers $1.28

Tim Sheens has every right to be concerned! Wests Tigers' recent record against Gold Coast Titans certainly doesn't inspire great confidence. They have not only lost two of their past three games against the Titans, but also four of their past five at Skilled Park. Add to that the fact the Tigers are making the equal-fewest linebreaks in the competition and are busting the fewest tackles, then two points, even against a team whose struggles are more pronounced, is no guarantee. There is no certainly no respite from the mediocrity for Titans fans, though. The home side have lost their past five matches at home - and 11 of their past 12. They have also scored the fewest points (106) and fewest tries (18) in the NRL this season, and they have been held scoreless in the first 40 minutes in three of their matches this season. Maybe the home fans can look to David Mead for some salvation. The flying winger has scored 11 tries in his past 11 matches at home.

NRL Line-ups
NRL Lineups new logo

    * Round nine: NRL line-ups for the weekend

Late Mail: Tigers 1-12.

Penrith v Melbourne Storm, Saturday, 7.30pm (EST), Centrebet Stadium

TAB Sportsbet:  Penrith $6, Storm $1.14

Penrith haven't beaten Melbourne since 2005, when they did the double. That's six years of struggle - and this year promises to be no different. Home or away, Melbourne are proving unstoppable. They have won their past three matches at Centrebet Stadium, and five of their past nine. Nine of their past 17 wins against the beleaguered Panthers have been by 20 points or more. To make matters worse for the home side, defeat on Saturday will create an unwanted record of eight consecutive losses at home. The Panthers have lost their past four matches and 12 of their past 15. Worryingy, they have been outscored 94-14 in their past three matches. They looked to have picked the wrong game to try and find some form. Billy Slater, unbelievably, hasn't scored a try in his past three matches after scoring nine in his first five of the campaign.

Late Mail: Storm 13+.

Manly v Canberra, Sunday, 2pm (EST), Brookvale Oval

TAB Sportsbet: Manly $1.18, Canberra $5

If Manly could hand-pick an opponent, Canberra would be a runaway winner. The Sea Eagles, who have won only two of their past six matches, take into the match a record of eight wins from their past 10 against the Raiders. The positives don't stop there for the home side, either. Seven of their past eight wins over the Raiders have been by 13 points or more, while they have also won 16 of their past 19 Sunday afternoon matches at Brookvale. Canberra enter the match desperate to arrest an alarming form slump. They have picked up two points in only two of their past nine matches, and four of their last 16 away games. In the first half of their last three defeats at Brookie, Canberra have leaked 38 points without scoring. Brett Stewart, who has scored six tries in his past four Brookvale appearances against the Raiders, has not played on a losing side at Brookvale since 2008.

Late Mail: Manly 13+.

Sydney Roosters v Newcastle Knights, Sunday, 3pm (EST), Allianz Stadium

TAB Sportsbet:  Roostes $1.57, Knights $2.45

If the alternating win/loss pattern of the past five seasons continues, then you want to be on the Roosters in this one. No team has got a run of consecutive wins since 2007 - and that's nine games. The Roosters may have been ordinary in recent weeks, but they do enjoy facing the Knights at Allianz Stadium. The Knights may be doing the business at home, but they have lost five of their past seven matches on their travels. Points have been hard to come by in this fixture in recent times. Last season, only 50 points were scored in two games - Roosters won 12-10 in round 11, and the Knights won at home 18-10. Anthony Minichiello, who signed a new deal with the club on Friday, has scored 13 tries in 18 games against the Knights.

Late Mail: Roosters 1-12.

South Sydney v Cronulla, Monday, 7pm (EST), ANZ Stadium

TAB Sportsbet:  Roosters $1.57, Knights $2.45

Cronulla may be riding high but they have traditonally struggled to tame South Sydney. The Rabbitohs' best winning percentage (64.3 per cent) over the past eight years has been against the Sharks. To make matters worse for the visitors, they haven't picked up two points at ANZ Stadium against Souths since 2008. But records are meant to be broken, and Cronulla will have no better opportunity to claw back some respect on Monday night. The third-placed Sharks will not only be chasing seven consecutive wins for the first time since 2002 but also four wins in a row on the road. Interestingly, the Sharks have lost their past four matches - and seven of their past eight - after scoring 40 points in their previous match. Greg Inglis has never lost a match against the Sharks - winning five out of five.

Bikie boss faces nervous wait to see if his bail will be revoked

HELLS Angels bikie Scott Orrock faces a nervous wait until Tuesday, when a court will decide if his bail is to be revoked.

Orrock is charged with torching a police car outside Newtown police station two weeks ago, but was granted bail in court last week- a decision met with stinging criticism of the judiciary by Premier Barry O'Farrell.

Police allege Orrock stormed into the police station and told them to remove a police car parked outside his King St tattoo parlour within 10 minutes "or I'll burn it down."

The car was discovered, destroyed by fire,  on the street a short time later.

The DPP took carriage of the Orrock matter and appealed the decision to grant him bail to the Supreme Court.

When the prosecution attempted to bring up the recent spate of drive-by shootings in south western Sydney, he was scolded by Justice Peter Garling for "grandstanding."

"This is not trial by speculation or suspicion," Justice Garling said.

Orrock's barrister Deone Provera tried to submit it was not a strong case, suggesting it may have been someone the 47-year-old knew who did it "without his knowledge or consent."

But Justice Garling noted that Orrock had handed himself in to police the day after the torching.

The Crown submitted that Orrock is "a volatile and aggressive individual", but the court heard he had no prior convictions relating to assaulting police or resisting arrest.

Justice Garling has reserved his decision on bail until Tuesday.

The former Nomads boss will remain on bail until then.

Outed - the man who made chips inaccessible

T

HERE'S a couple of issues at play in the story you're about read.

One involves wtf chip companies were thinking when they make their bags so goddamn hard to get into.

The other centres around the type of people who struggle to open a chip packet.

An undisclosed number of years ago, John Spevacek was working for a company called Hercules in Delware, US, which specialised in chemicals and gunpowder.

A chemical engineer, one of Mr Specavek's first tasks at Hercules was making "multilayer polypropelene films" for food packaging.

"It was my first job right out of school," he wrote in a blog post confession yesterday.

"One of our larger clients used our films to make potato chip bags.

"The problem they had with our existing films was that the ... seal was too weak."

Too weak? Yes, there are those among us that remember such a day existed when opening a bag of chips - think Chickadees or Monster Munch - didn't involve using dangerous solvents or spreading a sterile groundsheet first.

Which was wonderful for small children and sun-shy public servants, but not so good for the "larger client" of Hercules who had to transport their chips from the Rocky Mountains to California.

"Some of the seals would open up due to the pressure difference between the high altitude air and the air sealed inside the bag," Mr Spevacek wrote.

"And so they needed a stronger seal from us, which was then passed down to me."

Suffice to say, he succeeded. Anyone who's struggled with a family-sized pack of Doritos knows the feeling when the top seal parts with such force that it splits the entire bag and they've got just three seconds to collect the lot. (Or 10, as the case may be.)

You can blame John Specavek, or "that guy" as he's become known since his last post.

Mr Specavek then details how chips bags are made - which is more interesting than you might think - and why they chose the simple "more glue" option over others, such as reducing the air pressure inside the bag.

(Side note: Whenever someone complains that their bag of chips is more air than chips, you can now tell them that it's to stop the chips from breaking, silly.)

"The best option was to develop an adhesive that sealed at a lower temperature," Mt Specavek wrote.

"Something that was successfully accomplished, or so I'm led to believe from all the complaints that colleagues pile on me now that they know I'm that guy."

More News Chris Paine Chris Paine on life with two black dogs

I have two black dogs. Jethro's an actual dog. Oscar is "the black dog". Jethro is awesome. Oscar's an a---hole.
LET me tell you about my two black dogs: Jethro and Oscar. Jethro's an actual dog. Oscar is "the black dog". I'll start with Jethro.

He's a cocker spaniel. He's six. His jet-black hair smells funky, he rocks a dome-shaped head, and every so often he eats poo. Like actual poo. More importantly, he's amazing. A happy, sweet, cuddle-bomb. He really is a man's best friend, my dad's, but I'd like to think I'm a close second. And he helps me beat the blues - but more on that later.

Oscar is the other black dog. He's like an imaginary best friend, except that to me he's neither imaginary or a friend. I've known him for 12 years and, put simply, he's an arsehole. He follows me around. Everywhere. He makes me cry. He makes me doubt everything about everything. And he's turned me against the one person I need most: myself.

Let's put it this way - he's no Jethro. If you pitted the two of them in a death match in the Cage of Awesome, J-ro would deliver victory with a fly-kick to Oscar's pants. I don't care that Oscar’s been de-sexed, or that he doesn't wear pants or that he’s only a metaphorical dog - that's how it's going to go down.

Life with Jethro is simple, fun and carefree. Jethro is just Jethro. But Oscar isn't like that. Oscar isn't Oscar, Oscar is OCD. Not the glamorous As-Good As-It-Gets kind where you skip over cracks in a flight of whimsy and flirt with Helen Hunt. No, Oscar is the shit, boring, in-your-head-27-hours-out-of-24 kind of OCD. I’m not saying one is better or worse than the other - but Howard Hughes wasn’t crazy and eccentric. He just had a disease no-one, least of all himself, understood: OCD.

I didn’t ask Oscar to come when I moved to Sydney last year, he just invited himself. Like I said: arsehole. Jethro’s still in Brisbane but he’s taught me many things. The most important? To get outside of my head and see life, in the moment, for what it is. And I have to say, it's not half bad.

When I look at his oddly-formed face and his impossible smile, I'm taken away from Oscar and into that moment where I can just chase my own tail. Because it's my tail and I'll chase it if I damn well please. And at times like that, I'm reminded of the simple things we can all do to make our lives a little bit better.

Everyone's different, but here are five things that help me deliver a Jethro-esque fly-kick to Oscar's pants between sunrise and sunset. And beyond, if there's a Scrubs marathon on Foxtel.

1. Don't go it alone. It can be hard but you need to tell someone you're suffering. The best day of my life was the day I bawled my way towards a diagnosis, drove home, and gave Jethro the longest hug of all time. Tell your Mum, tell your best friend, tell your GP. And please, if you're in crisis and feeling overwhelmed, speak to Lifeline.

2. Know your enemy. If the first step is getting help then the second is helping yourself. The only way I'm going to keep Oscar in the doghouse is by learning from the best. It's a continual process, so skill up. Google is your friend. So is your Kindle. Whatever it takes, get reading. Ask questions. Get involved.

3. Smile - inside and out. This isn't about putting on a mask. Sometimes you're just going to have a bad day. That's fine. Laughter might be the best medicine, it might not. But if I can catch up with friends for a cheap Saturday lunch or sit down to Q&A Family Guy after work, I'm going to be in good spirits. As for smiling inside? Meditate. It's not just for Buddhists and hipsters. It clears your mind, improves concentration and boosts energy. It's legit. Google 'Inner Smile Meditation' and it should explain why the tall ranga on the Bondi Junction service is sitting bolt upright with his eyes closed, wearing a smug grin.

4. Log off. I live my life online and it not only keeps me connected - it pays my bills. But if you're too wired in you will burn out. Try this: I have a "no devices" rule during meal times and episodes of Breaking Bad, much to the chagrin of my multi-tasking girlfriend. If you can't switch off you'll miss out on what's happening around you. Take 30 minutes a day to get outside - of your house and your head. That Nyan Cat's not going anywhere.

5. Sweat it out. If I have to peel myself off the gym floor and carry my pasty, pre-pubescent excuse for a torso home and collapse in a sweaty, broken heap, I call that a good start to the day. Exercise is a profound anti-depressant. It gives you energy, purpose, and even a little swagger. Maybe too much, to the point where you're busted checking yourself out in the elevator after lunch. Awkward.

Time for that stroll. I think I can trust Oscar to behave himself.

Please follow news.com.au's onehour|onelife campaign during May and give generously to Lifeline's new Online Crisis Support Chat Service - live on May 8.

If you or someone you know may be at risk of suicide contact Lifeline 13 11 14, beyondblue 1300 22 46 36, or Salvo Care Line 1300 36 36 22.

More News Becks has a birthday. You, ladies, get the present

SEXIEST Man Alive turns 37, so what better way to celebrate his birthday than a gallery of his finest moments? | And now something for the boys

SAFETY NET: How staying connected saves lives

# Can reach 95 per cent of young Aussies online
# One in three online users wouldn't otherwise get help

WE live our lives on the internet. It's what we do.

It's 2012 and, as many lament technology's role in the death of conversation, we must cherish technology's role in bringing us together.

Nine in 10 young Australians use the internet daily. That's a fact. Here's another: Suicide is the leading cause - at a rate of one in four - of death among men aged 15-24.

This is where online mental healthcare, or "e-care", comes in. Services like Lifeline's online crisis chat help people communicate, in 2012 and beyond, in a way they understand and in a manner they feel comfortable.

Young Australians who think about suicide are strongly opposed to seeking help. In fact, one in four young Australians experience a mental illness, yet 70 per cent of them will never seek help. That's why mental health organisations are adapting, and moving the mountain to Mohamed.

Reaching new people

Lifeline's trials revealed that more than a third of those who used their online chat service would not seek help from other modes.

The bottom line is this: services like Lifeline's Online Crisis Support Chat Service are reaching people that would otherwise be at risk of slipping through the cracks. One in three people told us exactly that.

This strong preference for online crisis support is significant but also unsurprising and reiterates the imperative for mental healthcare services to invest in technology.

Lifeline's service can connect people in need for $31. This provides roughly an hour of counselling, which can be enough to save a person's life.

Mark, a Lifeline online crisis supporter, told news.com.au he personally spoke to a high number of people in need who, without an online service, would not have otherwise sought help.

"We're reaching people with some really significant issues who haven't reached out before," he said.

"It's a first safe step for them to ask for help and for them to take that first step. Often that's a younger demographic."
Generation Tech


On the subject of technology's role in confronting suicide, blogger Mia Freedman wrote:

"(My friend) thinks more public discussion about suicide (and especially the mental illnesses that cause it such as depression) is crucial. According to Michael Carr-Gregg, it can be a powerful medium where marginalised, disaffected, disaffiliated young people at risk of suicide are able to come into contact with support at sites such as Beyondblue.org.au. And psychologists are increasingly moving into cyberspace with counselling sessions by kidshelpline and reachout now available online."

Lifeline shares this desire to innovate and to "provide services in ways that work for people, in ways that people need, in a medium that they feel comfortable in".

"Going online makes sense to us, because we know we can reach a whole new audience of people in crisis," said Lifeline spokesman Chris Wagner.

"Young people like to seek help online. So Lifeline must be there for them."

Let's take this online

Lifeline is not alone.

The Government's roll-out of the National Broadband Network will put high-speed internet into more homes in the country than ever before. This makes it easier for organisations like Lifeline to attract people in remote areas, who may otherwise struggle to reach out for counselling by traditional means.

The Inspire Foundation hopes this will help young Australians to be safer, healthier, happier and more resilient.

"The NBN will enable even more capacity for the development of online technologies, and with it will come further opportunities for improving the wellbeing of young people" wrote Inspire's Doug Millen last year.

The Young and Well CRC (Cooperative Research Centre) is charged with exploring the role of technology in our lives and how it can be used to improve our mental health and wellbeing. They claim 75 per cent of mental illnesses occur in young people.

Ehon Chan founded Soften The F*ck Up as a means of reaching out to men online. The initiative urges men to challenge traditional notions of masculinity by embracing their emotions and reaching out for help.

He says technology and treatment run hand in hand.

"Online counselling helps for people who find it hard to pick up the phone, or where a mobile is not the most accessible," he said.

"What's exciting about the rollout of the NBN is that more people in rural areas will have high-speed internet. Things like Lifeline's counselling service will really help."

Perth-based counsellor Ben Mullings has spent years researching online chat therapy. His studies prove that people feel less vulnerable and more willing to open up from behind a computer screen.

"Doing it from home, where they don't feel so heavily scrutinised was an enormous benefit," he told news.com.au.

"One person said: 'When I cry I can't talk, but I can type'. Somehow they're able to get the words out and make more use of their time.

"Many decided to make the next step and see their GP or a counsellor face-to-face. For some people it helped bridge the gap."

Please follow news.com.au's onehour|onelife campaign during May and give generously to Lifeline's new Online Crisis Support Chat Service - live on May 8.

If you or someone you know may be at risk of suicide contact Lifeline 13 11 14, beyondblue 1300 22 46 36, or Salvo Care Line 1300 36 36 22.

When was the last time you ate off the ground?

    * Cleaning company buys dropped food study
    * Finds three-second rule applies - sometimes
    * Five out of five mums found guilty

HOW long is too long when it comes to eating off the floor?

According to a study of dropped food - and children's dummies - by Manchester Metropolitan University, it depends on what you're eating.

Within three seconds of hitting the ground, a dummy has already picked up traces of E coli.

"We also discovered Pseudomonas - bacteria which could potentially lead to respiratory, tissue and urinary tract infections, for those whose health is already compromised," MMU Technical officer Kathy Lees told the Daily Mail.

Bad news for parents who've had that "how did that get there" moment when opening their little darling's nappy, but good news for cleaning experts Vileda, who paid for the study.

The team also dropped jam, cooked pasta (thrown spaghetti at a wall, anyone?), ham, biscuits and dried fruit.

The pasta and dried fruit picked bacteria up quickest, but the team said you've got a bit longer with food with a high sugar or salt content.

Dried biscuits and processed food took between five and 10 seconds before bacteria started to form, but were still relatively safe to eat.

Vileda followed the study up with their own research, surveying five mums.

Their alarming findings revealed 100 per cent of mums studied returned dropped dummies to their babies' mouths.

"Our advice is to minimise risk and keep your floor clean by regularly mopping," Vileda, which sells the odd mop or two, said.

"Mop heads need to be replaced every three months."