Fire danger continues in SA

SEVERAL South Australian districts face extended fire bans as hazardous conditions are predicted to continue over the weekend.

TOTAL fire bans have been declared for 11 of the state's 15 weather districts from midnight on Saturday through to midnight on Sunday.

Senior forecaster Tom Boeck says the north and east of the state will experience the highest temperatures on Sunday, with the mercury tipped to reach the mid-40s.It comes after firefighters battled a number of blazes on Saturday amidst similar hot weather, with catastrophic fire danger predicted in the West Coast.An old, abandoned home was swallowed by a scrub fire that burnt through about 20 hectares at Port Germein, 30km from Port Pirie in the Southern Flinders Ranges.About 55 firefighters and aerial tankers started battling the blaze about 2pm and the threat to safety was reduced within a couple of hours.An earlier blaze at Ceduna, in the West Coast, burnt through about 10 hectares of stubble but firefighters managed to contain it by early the afternoon.About 20 firefighters also battled and contained a smaller paddock fire near Minlaton on the Yorke Peninsula."The CFS advises motorists in all these areas to take care, as smoke will reduce visibility," a CFS spokesman said of the fires on Saturday."Residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any outbreak should they occur."The CFS has predicted extreme fire danger in the Mid North, Mount Lofty Ranges, Murraylands, Upper South East and Lower South East regions on Sunday.Severe fire danger is expected in the Northwest Pastoral, West Coast, Eastern Eyre Peninsula, Flinders, Yorke Peninsula and Riverland districts.The CFS has urged residents in affected areas to prepare to enact their bushfire survival plans.People have also been warned not to carry out any activity which could create a spark, including mowing or using a drill.Total fire bans continued in 13 districts through to midnight on Saturday, including those listed for Sunday as well as the Lower Eyre Peninsula and Kangaroo Island districts.A cool change is expected to slowly sweep across the state later on Sunday, reaching Adelaide by mid-afternoon.

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Profit growth for David Jones

Stronger sales have delivered a 10 per cent rise in profit for department store David Jones. Source: AAP

STRONGER sales have delivered a 10 per cent rise in profit for department store David Jones.

THE retailer's new owners, South Africa's Woolworths Holdings, said David Jones made an operating profit of $107 million in the five months to December 28, and sales rose two per cent on the same period a year earlier.

Profit growth of 10 per cent is based on pro-forma calculations for the same period a year ealier.Woolworths paid $2.2 billion for David Jones in a deal that was finalised in late July, and also took full ownership of clothing retailer Country Road.Sales in Country Road rose 9.2 per cent in the six months to December."In Australia there are early signs of an improved retail environment and we expect sales in both David Jones and the Country Road Group to be ahead of the market," Woolworths said.

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NT govt draws line in sand over infighting

THE Northern Territory government has drawn a line in the sand and is hoping to leave its divisions behind - at least publicly.

CHIEF Minister Adam Giles' latest cabinet was sworn in on Wednesday, marking the leader's 10th reshuffle, and the 14th for the Country Liberals since they won the August 2012 election.

"This is an opportunity to put a line in the sand and say enough is enough of the infighting and the bickering, we're here to represent Territorians," Mr Giles told reporters.He denied that a lack of talent in the CLP parliamentary wing was the reason for a drop to an eight-person cabinet from the customary nine."People can cast stones and rocks as much as they like, but there are eight members standing here. I have full confidence in these members, and in the parliamentary wing," he said.But the sacking of frontbencher Robyn Lambley and the resignation of Infrastructure and Transport Minister Matt Conlan left only three backbenchers to be considered for promotion, who between them have only six years' parliamentary experience.The reshuffle comes after last Tuesday's failed leadership coup, which has resulted in the installation of challenger Willem Westra van Holthe as deputy chief minister.David Tollner has been reappointed treasurer, as well as picking up the portfolios of lands and planning and mines and energy.He said he was thrilled to be back, after resigning six months ago following a homophobic slur scandal."What goes on behind closed doors went public this week, but all government members are very focused on what's best for Territorians," he said of the leadership instability.NT Police Association head Vince Kelly told AAP he didn't think the cabinet reshuffle provided strong and stable leadership, with Mr Giles announcing he would take back the police portfolio once four investigations into alleged rorting of the Pensioner and Carer Concession Scheme were complete.Mr Giles and the NTPA have a rocky relationship, with police demanding he apologise for implicating senior officers in a rumour campaign he said aimed to topple his leadership.Parliament resumes for the year next week.

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Stand-off in Tas home enters second night

NEGOTIATIONS with an armed man inside a Tasmanian home are stretching into their second night.

A 35-YEAR-OLD man who is thought to have access to guns remains holed up inside a home in Cedar Street, Newnham.

On Monday he was holding a woman and two children under threat, but they were later released unharmed.Police have remained in contact with the man inside the home.Commander Brett Smith says the wellbeing of the man and the safety of local residents and police are their primary concerns.An information line has been set up for Cedar Street and Laver Grove residents who were evacuated from their homes as a precaution on Monday.Residents can call 03 6777 3867 for details on returning to their homes.

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Perth Mint coins honour the Anzac spirit

Limited edition collectable coins commemorating the Anzac spirit have been released by Perth Mint. Source: AAP

LIMITED edition collectable coins commemorating the Anzac spirit have been released by Perth Mint.

THE Baptism of Fire 2oz gold coin depicts Australian and New Zealand soldiers scaling the cliffs above Anzac Cove, and features a red poppy and an inscription.

The Making of a Nation 1oz silver coin shows the troops in wooden row boats near the Gallipoli shore, with its rugged terrain in the background.Both coins are part of the five-year Anzac Spirit 100th anniversary coin program, marking Australia's involvement in World War I.About 10,000 Australian and New Zealand troops lost their lives at Gallipoli, and a further 18,000 soldiers were wounded.Perth Mint spokesman Ron Currie said although Gallipoli was considered a costly military failure, it sparked the start of the Anzac legend."The Anzac Spirit coin series recognises this incredible story of valour, mateship and sacrifice, all of which were exhibited at the Gallipoli landing," he said.Only 100 Baptism of Fire gold coins will be released at $5050, while 7500 of the Making of a Nation silver coin will be available at $99.Perth Mint will also soon release a Lest We Forget 1kg silver hero coin and a Goodbye Cobber 1/4oz gold coin.

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Sultry film noir star Lizabeth Scott dies

LIZABETH Scott, whose long tawny hair, alluring face and low seductive voice made her an ideal film noir star in the 1940s and '50s, has died in Los Angeles. She was 92.

THE Los Angeles Times reported that Scott died on January 31 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre.

Her longtime friend Mary Goodstein tells the newspaper the cause was congestive heart failure.Like Lauren Bacall and Veronica Lake, both of whom she resembled, Scott proved a perfect fit for the genre, easily able to play the case hardened siren who snared and sometimes betrayed the anti-hero male star.Her films included Dead Reckoning, I Walk Alone and Dark City.Scott made nearly two dozen films between 1945 and 1957.

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