7 Thursday news bites (11 Aug)

Morning all.  Come hover around our virtual watercooler and catch up on what you need to know this morning. Today’s news bites are brought to you Nicky.

1. London Riots: David Cameron authorises harsh riot control

The UK Prime Minister, David Cameron has authorised police to use plastic bullets, baton rounds and water cannons in an effort to bring the rioting under control. Heading into the fifth night of anarchy, the father of a man who was killed by a speeding car during riots yesterday, has appealed to youths to stop. “Last night we lost three cherished members of our community,” Mr Jahan said.”Today we stand here to plead with all the youth to remain calm … this is not a race issue.”

So far 1100 people have been arrested for looting and violence-related offences, with 251 being charged, including an 11 year-old boy who stole a bin.

2. Wall Street slumps again

European bank shares have dropped overnight as it is rumoured that France could follow the US in losing its Triple A credit rating. US stocks fell more than 4 percent, while gold hit another record price of $US1796.86, as investors move funds into this commodity.  The CEO of French Bank, Societe Generale, Frederic Oudea has said speculation that France’s creditworthiness is in doubt is “absolute rubbish” and President Sarkozy has also cut short a holiday to put an end the rumours.

Closer to home, the impact of the falling stock market could bring interest rates down by as much as 1 percent by Christmas.

3. Gillard announces plans for a National Disability Insurance Scheme

The Prime Minister has announced the Government will form an advisory committee and provide $10 million to work on a National Disability Insurance Scheme, which will be discussed with the states at a Council of Australian Government meeting next week.

Disabilities currently cost the nation as much as $13.6 billion a year and a report released by the Productivity Commission yesterday advocates a non-means tested national insurance scheme with many welfare organisations also supporting the move.

4. Tiger Airways to return to skies

The airline will resume flying tomorrow after a five-week ban by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The CASA is now confident Tiger Airways is safe to fly after it tested pilots and found not all passed the standard required to operate the airline safely.

Flights between Sydney and Melbourne will resume tomorrow with other routes being introduced in September. Many travellers are still waiting for refunds as cancellations the closure is estimated to have cost the airline $14 million.

5. Nothing tastes as good as banned feels

Remember those banned images of an overly airbrushed Julia Roberts? Well, the UK Advertising Standards Authority has just banned another ad campaign, this one for promoting negative body image and eating disorders among children. The ad appeared on e-commerce site, Zazzle and featured children’s t-shirts emblazoned with the slogan, “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.”

A remark Kate Moss made famous (and was highly criticised for) in an interview in 2009 when asked about her lifestyle motto.

6. Qantas says yes to in-flight orgasms

No, not the mile-high club, get your minds out of the gutter. A risqué SBS documentary called, The Female Orgasm Explained is available for in-flight viewing on all Qantas international planes. The documentary which features close-ups and the oohs and aahs normally associated with porn films has already been the most viewed program on The Edge channel, according to a Qantas spokesperson. It will continue to be screened until November.

7. Miss Universe Australia contestant reveals her national costume

Scherri-Lee Biggs has shown off the creation she will be wearing at the Miss Universe pageant in Brazil on September 12.

The design by Nikki Silverthorne of Kooey Swimwear consists of a tiered multi-coloured silk skirt worn over a bright yellow swimsuit, complete with gold metallic headband and belt. The 20-year-old Perth-born pageant hopeful says of the design, “I feel like I can work it.”

What do you think of the national costume?