Twitter hammered by cyber attack

Twitter says hackers may have gained access to information on 250,000 of its active users. Source: AAP

TWITTER says it was hammered by a "sophisticated" cyber attack similar to those that recently hit major Western news outlets, and that the passwords of about 250,000 users were stolen.

"This attack was not the work of amateurs, and we do not believe it was an isolated incident," Twitter information security director Bob Lord said in a blog post on Friday.

Lord referred to an "uptick in large-scale security attacks aimed at US technology and media companies" as he told of Twitter detecting attempts this week to get unauthorised access to data in the firm's network.

The attack coincided with the revelation of several high-profile security breaches. The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal said this week that they had been hacked, and pointed to attackers from China.

Twitter did not confirm the source of the intrusion.

But Lord noted that "the attackers were extremely sophisticated, and we believe other companies and organisations have also been recently similarly attacked".

He said that Twitter shut down a live attack as it was in process.

But cyber attackers may have gained usernames, email addresses, passwords and other data.

As a precaution, Twitter invalidated passwords of accounts at issue and sent people email messages telling them to create new passwords.

Twitter announced in December that the number of active users of the service had topped 200 million, in a sign of soaring growth.

The one-to-many messaging platform is a popular tool used by people around the world to share thoughts, views and news in real time, typically from mobile phones and sometimes in the heart of protests or upheaval.

It was unknown whether the cyberattack on San Francisco-based Twitter was related to high-powered hacker assaults on the Times and the Journal.

The recent series of brazen cyberattacks on America's most high-profile media outlets has revived concerns over Chinese hackers, who analysts say are likely linked to the secretive Beijing government.

The Times and the Journal reported that their computer networks had been compromised, alleging it was an effort by the Chinese government to spy on news media operating in the country.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Thursday that there has been an increase in hacking attacks on both state institutions and private companies.

"The breach at Twitter is yet another wake up call - have we had enough yet?" said Mike Lloyd, chief technology officer at security firm RedSeal Networks.

"Attackers are clearly a step ahead of most defenders - it's a war between corporations and data thieves, and we're losing."

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US remembers Columbia shuttle disaster

The US has held a ceremony to remember the astronauts who died in the Columbia shuttle disaster. Source: AAP

WITH sombre ceremonies, the United States has commemorated the loss of the space shuttle Columbia and its seven-member crew on the 10th anniversary of the disaster.

Columbia, NASA's first space shuttle orbiter to be put into service, disintegrated during re-entry on February 1, 2003, as it was ending its 28th mission.

All seven astronauts on board died in the landmark incident that triggered the end of the shuttle mission.

"Ten years ago, seven brave astronauts gave their lives in the name of exploration when America's first flight-ready space shuttle, Columbia, failed to return safely to Earth," President Barack Obama said in a statement on Friday.

At a ceremony at the Space Mirror Memorial on the grounds of the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, those remembering the dead included Evelyn Husband Thompson, the widow of the shuttle commander Rick Husband, as well as former astronauts and representatives of the US space agency, NASA.

Meanwhile, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and a delegation gathered at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, where three of Columbia's crew members are buried.

Columbia's demise was triggered when a loose piece of insulating foam from the external fuel tank that had peeled off during the shuttle's launch 16 days earlier struck one of Columbia's carbon composite wings.

After the incident, the administration of former president George W Bush decided to put an end to the shuttle program, allowing the three remaining orbiters to fly only as long as it took to complete the International Space Station - in 2011 - and to honour Washington's commitments to its partners.

Aside from 45-year-old Husband and his co-pilot William McCool, 41, the crew consisted of: Kalpana Chawla (41), Michael Anderson (43), Laurel Clark (41), David Brown (46) and Ilan Ramon (48), Israel's first astronaut.

Six of the seven were married and together they had 12 children.

Friday's annual Day of Remembrance also honours those killed in other space-related incidents.

Three American astronauts died after a fire swept through the Apollo 1 aircraft during a test run in January 1967, and the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger in January 1986 shortly after take-off killed all seven crew members aboard.

"As we undertake the next generation of discovery, today we pause to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice on the journey of exploration," Obama said.

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Son refused bail over mother's death

A 26-YEAR-OLD man has appeared before a Sydney court charged with his mother's murder.

Michael Thomas, 26, appeared before Parramatta Local Court on Friday charged with murder.

Court documents indicate the victim was his 66-year-old mother, Susan Thomas.

He was arrested on Thursday after police were called to a home in Lucas Street, Emu Plains at 10am (AEDT) where they found the mother unconscious with head wounds.

She was rushed to Westmead hospital but died from her injuries.

Thomas, who was at his mother's side, was arrested and charged with her murder.

The 26-year-old was formally refused bail on Friday. The matter is expected to return to court in April.

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26 dead as China bridge collapses

AT least 26 people were killed as a bridge collapsed in central China on Friday after a truck carrying fireworks exploded, state-run media reported.

The lorry "suddenly exploded" as it crossed the expressway bridge outside the city of Sanmenxia in the central province of Henan, China National Radio said, causing sections of it to collapse and sending other vehicles plunging to the ground.

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PM visits flood-hit Bundaberg

Prime Minister Julia Gillard and deputy Wayne Swan will tour flood affected Bundaberg. Source: AAP

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard says she's seen remarkable sights in a visit to communities ravaged by the one-in-200-year flood that hit south-east Queensland.

Ms Gillard on Thursday visited the city of Bundaberg and the townships of Burnett Heads and Bargara, which were smashed by tornadoes at the weekend.

"We've seen some remarkable sights," Ms Gillard said.

"This is a once-in-a-200-year flood.

"It's been good to see with my own eyes and hear from the community their own stories."

At least 20 homes in the worst-hit northern suburbs of Bundaberg have either been completely washed away by floodwaters, lifted off stilts or cut in two.

The area is a designated exclusion zone with 200 army officers helping with the recovery phase.

"Boots on the ground, integrated with this community ... helping with the clean-up," she said of the army presence.

The prime minister said her government has triggered concessional loans for primary producers and small businesses affected by the natural disasters.

Payments of $1000 have been made available to give immediate relief to people affected by the disaster.

As well as hundreds of millions of dollars in disaster relief, Ms Gillard said the federal government had donated $1 million to the Queensland Flood Appeal.

"And we will ensure that people's donations to that flood appeal are tax deductible," she said.

"If you've been moved by what you've seen across Queensland ... then you can do something practical no matter where you are in Australia."

Ms Gillard said she didn't visit sooner because she didn't want to get in the way of the rescue efforts.

"It's always a question of judgment when it's best to come," she said.

"I don't want to come when the emergency, you know, right in the thick of it, when people's attention is getting people off roofs and savings lives."

She said she'd been overwhelmed by the community spirit in Bundaberg.

"It's a great tribute to the local people," she said.

Treasurer Wayne Swan said it was too early to speculate on how much the disaster would cost.

"There are people here who are still putting their lives back together. This river's got a way to go down. Thorough assessments must be done.

"It's far too early to put a figure on the cost of this tragic event, but we will handle it responsibly."

Mr Swan dismissed claims by Queensland Treasurer Tim Nicholls that the federal government was withholding millions of dollars in disaster relief funds.

"I don't think that's so," he told reporters.

"The commonwealth government is providing well in excess of $6 billion to Queensland for the natural disasters that occurred two years ago."

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Tattoo industry revamp to stamp out bikies

The NSW tattoo industry will have to apply for new licences and undergo police checks from February. Source: AAP

TATTOO artists and parlour owners in NSW will have to apply for new licences in a move aimed at cleaning up an industry that has become "a feeding ground" for bikie gangs.

Police Minister Michael Gallacher says parlour owners will undergo stringent police checks and will need new licences from February 1.

Under the new requirements, anyone found to have criminal associations or a criminal history related to bikie gangs will be deemed ineligible for the licence, and therefore unable to operate.

All licences will be regulated by the Fair Trading department before being signed off by the police commissioner.

"For far too long the tattoo industry has been a feeding ground for outlaw motorcycle gangs," Mr Gallacher told reporters in Sydney on Thursday.

"And it's not just about licensing ... operators will be required to keep extensive records. A number of these organisations are a front for money laundering," he said.

"The record keeping, as well as the ability of police to walk onto premises without a warrant, is a significant advancement in terms of the police ability to address the concerns in relation to organised crime".

Businesses caught operating without a licence after October 1 this year face an $11,000 fine, plus a further $11,000 for each day they continue to operate. Tattoo artists will also be fined $5,500.

Acting NSW Police Commissioner Nick Kaldas said police would be on the lookout for tattoo parlours operated by "cleanskins" - people with no criminal record - but run by those associated with outlaw motorcycle gangs.

"If they continue to do this business, they're going to find it very hard. They will struggle to get a licence under this regime and they're going to have to get out of business," Mr Kaldas said.

The Fair Trading department has welcomed the move and says the licensing will support legitimate operators by removing criminal elements from the industry.

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Locals isolated at flooded Logan

PARTS of Logan, south of Brisbane, are isolated by floodwaters.

Major flood levels are now easing slowly downstream from Yarrahappini to Logan Village and homes and businesses have escaped major damage.

Mayor Pam Parker says about 200 residents in the suburb of Buccan are isolated.

"We're discovering people who are isolated, without power, without water, and we're going to be getting some long life milk and bread supplies in through four wheel driver later today.

"I know there's other pockets that are isolated; if you can communicate to council, we'll try to get boats to you."

Queensland Rail said floodwaters had forced it to suspend rail services between Bethania and Beenleigh stations.

Gold Coast line train services will continue to run from Varsity Lakes to Beenleigh.

Beenleigh line trains will continue to run from Bethania to the CBD.

Buses will shuttle customers between Beenleigh and Bethania stations.

As well as the 200 people isolated at Buccan, Ms Parker says eight homes in Logan Reserve have had water through them and 7500 are without power.

She says the council has found a goat track into Buccan but it can only be accessed by 4WD.

Ms Parker says the suburb will be isolated for another 24 to 48 hours.

She's devastated some in her community have lost so much.

"And we'll make sure these eight homes that have gone under get all the help they need," she told AAP.

"It's saddening but you know what, we'll bounce back."

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Lawyers of 9/11 accused seek Gitmo access

Lawyers for alleged 9/11 plotters want to experience the conditions their clients are being held in. Source: AAP

LAWYERS for five alleged 9/11 plotters have urged a military judge to give them two days to visit the super-secure prison and cells where their clients are being held.

The defendants, meanwhile, boycotted proceedings on the second day of preparatory hearings at the Guantanamo Bay prison camp for their trial on charges of murdering nearly 3000 people on September 11, 2001.

"You want to sleep with your client?" Colonel James Pohl, the military judge presiding over the case, retorted.

"What would be the purpose of spending two days in the facility?"

Lawyers said they wanted to experience firsthand the conditions in which their clients were being held.

No lawyer or journalist has ever been inside the Camp 7 maximum security facility.

David Nevin, the lawyer defending self-proclaimed 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, said it would be "for us to be able to observe exactly what life in this camp is like, particularly for a person that was tortured".

"It would be the best way to have a better understanding of their conditions of confinement," said Major Walter Ruiz, the military lawyer defending Saudi national Mustapha al-Hussawi.

Prosecutor Major Robert McGovern responded by proposing a two-hour tour of the facility, calling it "the safest way" to meet the requirement for a "confinement visit".

But defence lawyer Kevin Bogucki, who represents Yemeni national Ramzi Binalshibh, called that "unacceptable".

A two-hour tour, he said, would be "like a Jungle Cruise at Disney World, you're not allowed to leave the boat".

Jim Harrington, another lawyer for Binalshibh, said: "Being in the place is the only way to feel it."

He alleged that in other prisons he had seen "corners where you could take people and beat them".

"Forty-eight hours is the very minimum," insisted Cheryl Bormann, who is defending Yemeni national Walid bin Attash.

Mohammed and the four other accused 9/11 plotters appeared on Monday, but chose not to leave their cells on Tuesday, as is their right.

An officer from the prison at Guantanamo, where the accused and other terror suspects are detained, said the defendants informed him verbally and in writing that they would not attend the proceedings on Tuesday.

One of the suspects, bin Attash, said at Monday's hearing that the defendants had no "motivating factor" to come to court.

"Our attorneys are bound and we are bound also," he said.

"The government doesn't want us to say anything, to do anything."

Pending the judge's decision on their overnight visit, the lawyers have obtained the release of International Red Cross documents considered to be classified.

The humanitarian agency is the only group able to enter Camp 7.

Hearings at the maximum security court are broadcast over closed-circuit television with a 40-second delay to journalists and observers in a nearby room, a media centre and at Fort Meade in Maryland, outside Washington DC.

But a portion of the hearing was censored on Monday and the feed was cut off, much to the surprise of the judge, who admitted on Tuesday that three minutes of the exchange should not have been censored.

During the break in the feed, the lawyers were discussing the CIA prisons where the five accused were detained and interrogated before being transferred to Guantanamo.

The defence maintains that the CIA "black sites," which have classified locations, should be preserved because they constitute potential evidence that the five were tortured at the prisons.

The five suspects underwent harsh interrogations before they were taken to Guantanamo, including waterboarding, or simulated drowning.

Mohammed was subjected to waterboarding 183 times, according to the CIA.

Military prosecutors argue that any discussion of the CIA's detention program has to remain classified to protect intelligence sources and methods that could prevent a future attack.

One prosecutor, Joanna Baltes, explained that the "original classification authority" (OCA) has the power to review the feeds.

As the CIA ran the "black sites," it would seem the agency would be the OCA in this matter.

Defence lawyer James Connell later confirmed that the OCA monitors the feed and has the ability to kill it.

Connell, who is defending Pakistani national Ali Abdul Aziz Ali, said the defence would seek to prove that the accused suffered "pretrial illegal punishment," which is prohibited under the US constitution and military laws.

At the Guantanamo hearing, the judge postponed until mid-February the sensitive debate on the CIA "black sites".

Meanwhile, he is to decide whether the suspects should be excluded from certain portions of their own trial that are deemed "classified".

A closed-door session is scheduled for Wednesday, with the public hearings set to resume on Thursday morning.

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Production falls at Beach Energy

OIL and gas producer Beach Energy still expects to meet its full year production targets despite a fall in the second quarter of the financial year.

Adelaide-based Beach produced 1.84 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe) in the three months to December 31, down 12 per cent from the preceding three months.

The fall was mainly due to naturally declining production from assets Beach part owns with Santos.

Beach's sales were also down, falling 21 per cent from the three months to September to 2.02 mmboe, due in part to reduced demand for gas during the warmer months.

However the company's revenue in the December quarter of $173 million was up two per cent from the September quarter, on the back of higher energy prices.

Beach said it expected stronger production in the second half of the 2012/13 financial year, and maintained its full year production guidance of 8.5 to 9 mmboe.

Beach shares were up 2.75 cents, or 2.0 per cent, at $1.4075 at 1546 AEDT.

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Robert McClelland tipped to retire

FORMER federal attorney-general Robert McClelland will retire from politics at the next federal election.

Mr McClelland, who was dumped from the front bench by Prime Minister Julia Gillard after he supported Kevin Rudd in a leadership challenge in early 2012, confirmed his decision on Tuesday afternoon.

"After almost 17 years in federal parliament my decision has not been taken lightly," he said in a statement.

It follows discussions with family and friend over the Christmas break.

Mr McClelland is the Labor MP for the seat of Barton in Sydney.

"I take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the constituents of Barton," he said.

Former NSW Labor premier Morris Iemma is being touted as a possible ALP candidate for Mr McClelland's seat.

Mr McClelland was elected to federal parliament in 1996 and became the shadow attorney-general in 1998.

He became federal attorney-general in 2007, when Mr Rudd led Labor to victory over the coalition Howard government.

In 2011, he became minister for housing, homelessness and emergency management.

But the Rudd supporter lost his position in March, after Ms Gillard fought off a challenge from Mr Rudd, who had lost the prime ministership in 2010.

Mr McClelland thanked his family, staff, friends and supporters.

"I wish my successor all the very best in the important and tremendously satisfying role that lies ahead for him or her and I look forward to continuing to make a contribution to the Australian community in the next stage of my professional career," he added.

Comment is being sought from Mr Iemma.

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It's 'invasion day' not Australia Day: MP

FEDERAL Labor MP Steve Gibbons has referred to Australia Day as "invasion day", saying it's odd Australians celebrate it by "throwing dead animals on a cooking fire" just as the displaced Aboriginal people did.

But after complaints from left and right, the outspoken veteran MP for Bendigo has now clarified that he doesn't oppose the celebration of Australia Day outright.

"I don't have a problem with people celebrating that day but they should also acknowledge our history," he tweeted on Monday.

During a rant on Twitter on the Australia Day weekend, Mr Gibbons wrote: "Funny how we celebrate invasion day by throwing bits of dead animals on a cooking fire just like the people we dispossessed."

A short time after Sunday's tweet he said: "It seems like I've upset a few Lib rednecks. I'm shattered!".

Following criticism from other Twitter users, he added: "I promise to be much more aggressive towards the Tories on Twitter this year! - No more Mr Nice Guy."

Another tweeter, Andrew Hedge, who listed his location as within Mr Gibbons' constituency, suggested the MP's comment wasn't helping Labor's cause.

"Steve, you may be retiring, but we want to retain Bendigo. This stuff is unhelpful," Mr Hedge wrote.

The MP replied: "Go away Andrew. Have you no sense of humor? (sic).

"If you don't like what I say don't follow me!".

Mr Gibbons declined to comment further when asked by AAP on Monday.

The backbencher has held Bendigo for Labor since 1998.

He was re-elected at the 2010 federal election with 47.65 per cent of the vote, a slightly increased majority.

Liberal candidate Craig Hunter secured 35.84 of the vote.

It's not the first time Mr Gibbons has caused controversy with comments on Twitter.

In November he apologised after branding deputy federal opposition leader Julie Bishop a 'bimbo'.

"Libs are led by a gutless douchebag and a narcissistic bimbo who aren't fit to be MPs let alone PM and Deputy. Both should be sacked," he posted.

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US approves major boost for cyber security

THE US has approved a five-fold expansion of its cyber-security force over coming years to increase its ability to defend critical computer networks, The Washington Post reports.

Citing unnamed officials, the newspaper says the Defense Department's cyber command, which has a about 900 staff, will expand to about 5000 soldiers and civilians.

The decision to expand the cyber command was made by senior Pentagon officials late last year in recognition of a growing threat in cyberspace, the report said.

Last November, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta conceded US cyber security needed more financial support and human capital.

"We've got good people that are involved in it, but, very frankly, if we're going to stay on the cutting edge of what's happening with regards to the changes that are occurring, we have got to invest more in that area," he said during a speech in Washington.

The seriousness of the threat has been underscored by a string of sabotage attacks, including one in which a virus was used to wipe data from more than 30,000 computers at a Saudi Arabian state oil company last summer, the newspaper reported on Sunday.

According to the paper, the plan calls for the creation of three types of forces under the cyber command.

The "national mission forces" will protect computer systems that handle electrical grids, power plants and other infrastructure deemed critical, the paper says.

"Combat mission forces" will help commanders abroad plan and execute attacks or other offensive operations.

The task of "cyber protection forces" will be to shield the Defense Department's own networks, the paper said.

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North Korean leader vows strong action

NORTH Korean leader Kim Jong Un convened top security and foreign affairs officials and ordered them to take "substantial and high-profile important state measures," indicating that he plans to push forward with a threat to explode a nuclear device in defiance of the United Nations.

State media says the meeting of top officials led by Kim makes clear that he backs Pyongyang's defiant stance in protest of UN Security Council punishment for a December rocket launch.

The dispatch in the official Korean Central News Agency did not say when the meeting took place.

Last week, the Security Council condemned North Korea's December 12 launch of a long-range rocket as a violation of a ban against nuclear and missile activity. The council, including North Korea ally China, punished Pyongyang with more sanctions and ordered the regime to refrain from a nuclear test - or face "significant action."

North Korea responded by rejecting the resolution and maintaining its right to launch a satellite into orbit as part of a peaceful civilian space program.

It also warned that it would keep developing rockets and testing nuclear devices to counter what it sees as US hostility. A rare statement was issued Thursday by the powerful National Defence Commission, the top governing body led by Kim.

The US, South Korea and other countries have warned North Korea not to go ahead with a nuclear test, saying that would only deepen the country's international isolation.

After meeting with Chinese officials Friday, US envoy for North Korea Glyn Davies said a nuclear test would set back efforts to restart regional talks on the North's nuclear disarmament.

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Fruitvale, Blood Brother win at Sundance

THE dramatic film Fruitvale and the documentary Blood Brother won over audiences and Sundance Film Festival judges.

Both American films won audience awards and grand jury prizes Saturday at the Sundance Awards.

Fruitvale tells the true story of Oscar Grant, who was 22 years old when he was shot and killed in a public transit station in Oakland, California. Twenty-six-year-old first-time filmmaker Ryan Coogler wrote and directed the dramatic narrative.

Blood Brother follows a young American, Rocky, who moved to India to work with orphans infected with HIV.

The Cambodian film A River Changes Course won the grand jury prize for international documentary, and a narrative film from South Korea, Jiseul, claimed the grand jury prize for dramatic world cinema.

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