Headlines Saturday 17th January 2009

I'm no hero, says Australia's VC super soldier
The first Australian soldier to be awarded the Victoria Cross for 40 years - Trooper Mark Donaldson - denies he is a hero, saying he was just doing what any of his comrades would have done.
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Toddler drowning prompts pool fence plea
Life savers are pleading parents to fence backyard pools, following yet another toddler drowning in Sydney's West.
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I'm blessed to be alive: Aussie crash survivor
An Australian woman who survived a plane crash into New York's Hudson River has told how she was told to choose between her purse and a life jacket as she escaped the sinking plane.
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Violence a turn-off for video gamers
Violence is not a major reason why people play computer games, new research shows, while for many players gore is actually a turn-off.
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Israel hammers Gaza as Hamas offer truce
Israeli troops again pounded Gaza on Friday as the Islamists offered a conditional truce and Israel said the end of the conflict could be approaching.
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Death threats follow call for hijab ban
The Brisbane radio announcer who suggested the hijab be removed in banks and shops has received death threats.
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Bail refused for mastermind of ATM raids
'Grim reaper' grandfather jailed for spreading HIV
Severe bushfire risk to return next week
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PEACE ON THE MARCH
Tim Blair
Screaming “Allah Akbar!” and “run, you poofs!”, peaceful Islamic protesters peacefully chase massively outnumbered British police through London streets while peacefully throwing things. “Come on, then,” shouts one agent of peace. “Let’s have a f**king war!”
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THE FACE OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Tim Blair
Lee M. emails: “Somebody please tell me this picture (presently at the Drudge Report) was photoshopped.” Behold California Democrat Henry Waxman, currently promising quick action on climate change:
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WORLD’S FASTEST FORKLIFT
Tim Blair
This baby must be dynamite on the loading docks:
A forklift based in Invercargill, on the southern tip of New Zealand’s southern island, has been booked for speeding at 119km/h on the Kapiti Coast, at the southern end of the northern island.

Police had identified the forklift belonging to Lindsay Carrying Co as the offending vehicle, despite it never having left Invercargill and having a top speed of 19km/h.