Police move in to Central Station

NSW Police Minister Mike Gallacher has opened a new police command in Central Station. Source: AAP

SYDNEYSIDERS can expect an increased police presence on public transport with the opening of a new command in the heart of the city.

The Police Transport Command at Central Railway Station will control transport operations in Sydney's central and northern suburbs, as well as acting as a base for 120 officers.

At the official opening on Wednesday, NSW Police Minister Mike Gallacher said the public would welcome more police on public transport.

"The winners, of course, will always be the travelling public," he told reporters.

"The losers are going to be those people who, for far too long, have embarked on criminality and thought that the public system was theirs to abuse."

NSW Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian said she could rest easier knowing police were in charge of security throughout the entire network.

The Police Transport Command has made almost 2900 arrests since it started in May last year.

NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said police and government were on track to have 610 frontline officers across the entire network by the end of next year.

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Greenpeace members in 'serious' situation

Russian agents will detain the "most active" of the protesters on the Greenpeace Arctic Sunrise. Source: AAP

RUSSIAN authorities have put 30 arrested activists from environmental group Greenpeace in pre-trial jails after questioning several campaigners over a protest against Arctic oil exploration, the group says.

On Tuesday, Russia opened a criminal probe into suspected piracy by four Russian and 26 foreign Greenpeace activists who could face up to 15 years in jail if the case comes to trial.

They had been on board the group's Arctic Sunrise icebreaker, which the Russian security service seized last week and towed to the far northern port city of Murmansk with all 30 activists under arrest.

However they were taken ashore Tuesday evening for questioning and then put in detention centres where suspects are held before trial, known in Russia as Investigative Isolators (SIZO).

"They have been transferred to pre-trial detention centres," Yevgenia Belyakova, a Greenpeace activist, said on Wednesday.

The 30 activists have been taken to various detention centres in and around Murmansk after being questioned until the early hours of Wednesday, she said.

A representative of the regional investigators in Murmansk confirmed to AFP that the activists had been questioned on Tuesday night.

The official requested anonymity as the high-profile case was overseen by Moscow-based colleagues.

"That means it is all very serious," she said.

Greenpeace confirmed its activists had been interrogated Tuesday night after the team was first questioned by investigators aboard the Dutch-flagged vessel.

"The Greenpeace International activists and crew came off the ship at the end of the day and were taken by two buses to the offices of the Investigative Committee in Murmansk," another Greenpeace spokesman, Aaron Gray-Block, said in emailed comments.

"Only five crew were interviewed before a halt was called for the night. No formal charges have been laid yet."

The group had been trying to highlight the dangers of Russian-led efforts to develop the Arctic as ice floes break up due to global warming.

It sent a team of inflatable boats to the Gazprom platform in the Barents Sea earlier this month from the Arctic Sunrise icebreaker and hitched two activists to the side of the rig.

The icebreaker is anchored off the coast of Murmansk after being towed from the scene of the incident by Russian border guards, in a voyage lasting several days.

Greenpeace has condemned Russia's actions and said its supporters had already sent more than 415,000 emails and letters of support for the "Arctic 30" to Moscow's embassies around the world.

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Forrest spends big on Fortescue shares

Fortescue Metals chairman Andrew Forrest has increase his majority stake in the iron ore miner. Source: AAP

ANDREW Forrest has spent close to $24 million increasing his majority stake in iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group.

The Fortescue founder and chairman bought more than 5.2 million Fortescue stocks on the share market between September 17 and 23, for a total price of $23.61 million.

That takes his ownership stake to 33 per cent, which is currently worth more than $590 million.

Meanwhile, Fortescue has taken control of ore processing at its Christmas Creek mine, where a worker died in an accident in a crushing plant last month.

Fortescue says it has exercised its step-in rights to immediately take over the management and supervision of ore processing from contractors Crushing Services International.

The company stepped in to ensure the safe and hazard free operation of the ore processing facilities, Fortescue said.

Crushing Services International's owner, Mineral Resources, said it was confident the issues would be resolved shortly.

While there has been disruption at Christmas Creek, Fortescue does not expect its full year production target range of 127 million tonnes to 133 million tonnes of ore, to be affected.

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Nine buys back Perth station

The Nine Network has finalised its purchase of WIN television in Perth. Source: AAP

THE Nine Network has bought back its Perth broadcaster from wealthy businessman and WIN Television owner Bruce Gordon.

The deal comes as its parent, Nine Entertainment, readies for a $3 billion listing on the Australian share market, potentially before the end of the year.

Nine Entertainment will buy Nine Perth, which has been owned by WIN Corporation since 2007, in a deal believed to be worth up to $200 million.

It comes after Nine's purchase of WIN Adelaide for $140 million earlier this year, and means it now owns the Nine Network in five capital cities.

"Following detailed discussions with WIN proprietor Bruce Gordon and the completion of due diligence requirements, we are now in a position to finalise the contracts on this pivotal deal for the Nine Network," Nine Entertainment chief executive David Gyngell said in a statement.

David Mott, the former head of programming at Network Ten, has been appointed Nine Perth's managing director.

"He's coming home to help us build this market and really make an impact," Mr Gyngell said.

Meanwhile, Nine Entertainment's owners, US hedge funds Apollo Global Management and Oaktree Capital Management, are reportedly eyeing early December as the most logical time for a $3.3 billion float of Nine.

In January this year, Nine and its shareholders agreed to a $3.4 billion recapitalisation plan, which ended private equity group CVC Asia Pacific's stewardship of Nine.

While the timing and value of a public listing of Nine is yet to be confirmed, the proceeds would be used to repay shareholders and reduce the company's debt.

Nine Entertainment also owns NBN Television and Ticketek.

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NZ stocks dip ahead of Meridian listing

NEW Zealand shares have fallen as investors prepare for the Meridian Energy sale and mull the potential end of US monetary stimulus.

On Monday, the NZX 50 fell 29.003 points, or 0.6 per cent, to 4701.374. Within the index, 39 stocks fell, seven rose and four were unchanged. Turnover was $117 million.

The government is expected to raise between $1.9 billion and up to $2.3b from the sale of 49 per cent of Meridian next month in what will be the nation's largest ever initial public offering.

Sky TV fell 0.2 per cent to $5.56 and was the most heavily traded stock by value, with about $39m in shares changing hands. Contact Energy declined 1.3 per cent to $5.27.

"Share prices will come back as people move money to prepare for Meridian," said James Lee, head of institutional equities at First NZ Capital.

The New Zealand market got a reasonably negative offshore lead and more volatility is expected until it is clear when the Federal Reserve will begin tapering its stimulus programme.

"The market is very sensitive currently to changes in macro policy," Mr Lee said.

Fonterra units fell 1.2 per cent to $7.18 ahead of its full-year results on Wednesday. In July it said earnings would miss last year's prospectus forecast.

Michael Hill International fell 3.3 per cent to $1.49, leading a decline among consumer related companies. Warehouse Group dropped 2.1 per cent to $3.76 and Trade Me declined 1.5 per cent to $4.62.

Kathmandu fell 1 per cent to $2.85. Hallenstein Glasson Holdings fell 1 per cent to $5 while Pumpkin Patch gained about 1 per cent to $1.03.

Rural services company PGG Wrightson fell 2.6 per cent to 38 cents after announcing that John Anderson will retire as chairman at the annual meeting next month.

OceanaGold, the operator of the Macraes gold field, fell 6.7 per cent to $1.95 and Steel & Tube Holdings dropped 2 per cent to $2.88.

Fletcher Building slipped 0.7 per cent to $9.51, Auckland International Airport fell 0.8 per cent to $3.315 and Telecom gained 0.4 per cent to $2.28.

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NT men unite against domestic violence

IN the face of shocking domestic abuse statistics in the Northern Territory, indigenous men from the Tiwi Islands to Alice Springs have signed a memorandum of understanding to say enough is enough.

In front of Parliament House in Darwin on Monday, they declared their intention to fight family violence by entreating other men to tackle the problem.

"Aboriginal men have been disenfranchised since colonisation," said Deputy CEO of the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, Des Rogers.

He pointed to statistics showing the NT homicide rate is five times the national average, and Aboriginal women are 80 times more likely to be hospitalised due to assault.

The group, drawn from five regions, has been galvanised by NT Chief Minister Adam Giles' announcement last month that he wants to be an ambassador for the effort.

"I believe some Aboriginal men need a greater supportive framework in place to help them break away from welfare, stay out of the justice system and avoid alcohol abuse," he said in a statement.

Indigenous men's campaigner Charlie King said the commitment had buoyed the group.

"You try to get men to fix men's problems and they can do it; you try to fix it from outside, it doesn't get fixed," he told AAP.

"We want to change the attitude of men to say, 'this is unacceptable behaviour, this is not what men do'."

Mr Rogers said indigenous men were often left out of community programs, which necessarily tend to focus on women and children.

"In order to stop it we need to empower men to do more about it, we can't leave them out of the picture," Mr King said.

The group have declared their intention to bring men together to reduce family violence, and engage with educational, medical and social support providers.

"We think the Territory can lead the way here, we want to surf in front of the wave if we can," Mr King said.

He will convene a forum of men's groups representatives in Darwin in October.

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New Sea World addition too cute to 'bear'

The first polar bear to be born in Australia in 28 years debuted at Sea World on the Gold Coast. Source: AAP

HE'S so cute he melts women's hearts and even grown men can't bear it.

Meet Henry - an adorable 19-week-old polar bear who is about to make a big splash at Sea World on the Gold Coast.

Staff at the theme park have fallen in love with Henry and he's sure to capture the hearts of hundreds when making his public debut on Saturday.

"Even the males who don't have an emotional bone in their body go 'oooh aaah'," Sea World's Director of Marine Sciences Trevor Long told AAP.

"Some staff members have been brought to tears when they see Henry.

"He is very cute and it is so special that people on the Gold Coast can look at a polar bear because there aren't many zoos in the world which have one."

Mr Long says Henry will captivate crowds as he explores his new exhibit 'Polar Pre-School' which he inhabits with his mother Liya.

However, those wanting to catch a glimpse of the cub should be prepared to fit in with his schedule.

"He plays for about 40 minutes, gets tired, goes for a sleep and then comes out again," Mr Long said.

Mr Long says Henry is about the size of a grown samoyed dog with the energy of a four-year-old child charged up on red cordial.

"He's about 12kg to 15kg," he said.

"He's very adventurous. Being a male he's very inquisitive and wants to learn new things."

Henry's cuteness also won't last forever as he is expected weigh between 550kg and 600kg once fully grown.

Sea World built its polar bear exhibit in 2000 with the aim of breeding the vulnerable species.

The first and last polar bear successfully bred in Australia was born in Adelaide in 1985.

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Pakistan releases senior Taliban detainee

PAKISTAN has released its most senior Afghan Taliban detainee, Abdul Ghani Baradar, a senior official of the interior ministry told AFP.

"Yes Baradar has been released," Omar Hamid, a spokesman for interior ministry told AFP, without elaborating.

The decision to release him on Saturday came after Afghan President Hamid Karzai urged Islamabad, during an official visit in August, to help set up talks with rebels allegedly based in Pakistan.

The ministry has been vague as to whether Baradar would be handed over to Afghan authorities or sent to another country to revive stalled negotiations.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said this week in an interview that Baradar might be sent to either Turkey or Saudi Arabia.

There are reports that talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban might take place in one of the two countries.

Baradar is the most senior of 34 Afghan Taliban detainees Islamabad had released so far.

He was the group's second-in-command until his arrest in 2010 from the southern city of Karachi in a joint raid by Pakistani and US intelligence agencies.

Islamabad said its decision to set free Afghan Taliban officials was aimed at boosting international efforts to end the 12-year-old conflict in Afghanistan.

But there are doubts whether the move can achieve the desired goal.

A member of Afghan High Peace Council, a body Karzai set up to spearhead dialogue with the militant group, last week said Pakistan's release of Taliban leaders has so far had no impact.

Diplomatic and intelligence sources said Baradar may not have the same influence within the militia as before the arrest.

"This is how it happens in insurgencies. Once you are arrested, your loyalty is in doubt," said a Pakistani diplomat.

"This may be true about Baradar."

A spokesman for the Taliban had already announced those who were in custody either in Afghanistan or Pakistan would not have any role in negotiations.

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Cooking fire claims Qld toddler's life

A TODDLER has died in a house fire west of Brisbane after his 15-year-old aunt accidentally started the blaze during a cooking mishap while babysitting.

The single-storey house in Toowoomba was well alight when emergency services arrived on Thursday about 6pm (AEST).

Firefighters searched the burning house and found a two-year-old boy's body.

Two other boys and two girls aged between seven and 15 were taken to Toowoomba Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

It's been widely reported a 15-year-old girl was babysitting her siblings and nephew and had left cooking oil unattended on the stove, which caught alight.

She attempted to put it out with water, which only exacerbated the problem.

Detective acting Senior Sergeant Scott Stahlhut did not dispute the cause when it was put to him by reporters, but was reluctant to confirm or elaborate.

"Police are preparing a report now which will be provided to the coroner," Sen-Sgt Stahlhut told reporters on the scene.

"Full details of how this terrible event unfolded will be made known in that report, so I can't comment at this stage (about) what's transpired."

Neighbours tried to rescue the toddler, but the blaze, which had entirely engulfed the house within minutes, was too strong.

"A girl came out saying her nephew was still inside and as I went to break through the window to see if I could try to rescue him, I just thought 'nah', because the smoke was too big," neighbour Terrance Mann told reporters.

"At that moment we realised there was just nothing we could have done."

Police also wouldn't confirm the children were left at home unsupervised.

Fire investigators remain at the scene on Friday.

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NT alumina refinery curtails production

PACIFIC Aluminium has told staff that it's considering curtailing production at its alumina refinery at Gove, throwing into question the future of the neighbouring town of Nhulunbuy.

The Northern Territory's Chief Minister Adam Giles on Friday said he was disappointed the company has "chosen to scare its employees by discussing curtailment of its Gove refinery before all its options have been exhausted and a final decision has been made".

Nhulunbuy, a town of about 4000 people, is facing major unemployment if the diesel-run alumina refinery is forced to close due to high operating costs and the low price of alumina.

Pacific Aluminium is a subsidiary of Rio Tinto.

In February, former Country Liberal Party chief minister Terry Mills announced a deal to keep the refinery open by releasing 300 petajoules of gas to help it with running costs.

But in July, Mr Giles said the deal had never been signed and instead made a series of offers, first for 195 PJ, then for 175 PJ, and now says there's an additional 30 PJ available from a potential mobile gas facility from 2015.

The offer is contingent on the refinery remaining open for 20 years.

"I implore the company to thoroughly consider all the options that have been presented to them as quickly as possible," Mr Giles said.

"(We) want the residents of Gove to know the Territory government and a range of companies have been doing all they can to source gas to meet Rio Tinto's energy needs."

The new coalition government has also confirmed it's willing to underwrite the funding for the building of a pipeline from Katherine to Gove.

But Mr Giles said Rio Tinto executives have admitted their issues with the refinery weren't about the terms of the gas offer but the scale of financial losses over the past five years, which the company had failed to correct.

"Rio Tinto should leave no stone unturned in its search to find a solution to Gove's energy needs," Mr Giles said.

Labor's Member for Nhulunbuy Lynne Walker accused the NT government of letting the fate of the town hang in the balance.

"Uncertainty created by Mr Giles has plunged our community into crisis, is threatening the livelihoods of Territorians and the economic viability of our region, yet the man still refuses to have the decency to come and explain his actions to our community and provide details," she said.

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