Julia Gillard 'not going anywhere'

Kevin Rudd's new Twitter photo. Source: Supplied

Julia Gillard has the support of the union movement over Kevin Rudd ahead of the federal election.

THE only way the Labor leadership crisis will come to a head this week is if Kevin Rudd challenges, key government sources have said today.

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said he still supports Prime Minister Julia Gillard and he believes the majority of caucus does too.

On Meet the Press this morning, Defence Minister Stephen Smith also backed the Prime Minister.

Meet the Press

Meanwhile, Greg Combet has been accused of "double dealing" with Kevin Rudd's supporters with his eye on his own leadership ambitions.

The Gillard backer and Minister for Climate Change and Industry and Innovation has been accused by Labor MPs of hinting to intermediaries he would not stand in the way of a Rudd return, while maintaining public support for the Prime Minister.

The Rudd camp suggests this is not the first time it has happened, accusing Mr Combet of making similar noises during previous disputes.

"What Combet wants is a leadership change on the cheap as fence sitter," a Labor MP said. "The problem with Greg Combet's double dealing is he is actually being more disreputable than Bill Shorten.

"Combet wants a change because he could lose his seat. The Combet strategy is to try to force Rudd into a challenge so he can play the cleanskin."

Jessica proves she's daddy's girl

Employment Minister Mr Shorten is seen by the Gillard camp as having switched sides and working to bring about a Rudd resurrection.

His rival Mr Combet, who was anointed by Bob Hawke as a future Labor Party leader, last week publicly called for Mr Rudd to challenge.

"I mean if he has got the support he is suggesting it's available to him to make a challenge," Mr Combet said.

But Rudd backers claim Mr Combet went "off his nut" when it was suggested last week that he backed Mr Rudd. "Combet is trying to keep his hands clean and force Mr Shorten to do the dirty work with an eye on becoming opposition leader after the election," a Labor MP said.

Rudd hailed as $6m man

Mr Combet said last night the claims were another attempt to put pressure on caucus. "It's all crap. Just designed to put pressure on people to flush them out," he said.

"People say all this shit. I don't give a f ... "

Mr Rudd is prepared to dump his pledge to not challenge for the leadership, but his supporters say he may need to be "pushed".

The former prime minister is under intense pressure from party officials and Labor MPs to launch a strike on Julia Gillard in the final parliamentary sitting week.

On Tuesday Ms Gillard will address Labor MPs at the ALP caucus before attending Hazel Hawke's memorial service, but most MPs expect any spill would occur later in the week.

The mechanism for calling a spill, unless the Prime Minister calls one herself, would likely be a petition of 30 MP signatures under ALP caucus rules.

Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd with his first grandchild Josephine and his daughter Jessica in his Canberra office at Parliament House. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: The Sunday Telegraph

But Mr Rudd has warned supporters he does not want to preside over a divided party.

"Why would he want to walk into a viper's nest," a Labor MP said. But other MPs who have abandoned Ms Gillard said Mr Rudd must "drop his conditions". "The Party won't accept that. And he's got to challenge," a Labor MP said.

Mr Rudd's new Twitter avatar, uploaded yesterday, featured a V for Victory sign.

"He's zen. He has no problems with ticker, cojones, or anything," a Labor MP said. "He's in good shape."

Liberal leader Tony Abbott said yesterday he did not rule out a no-confidence motion if Mr Rudd were anointed, but said he believed it was voters who should decide.

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Elite Digger dies in Afghanistan

The PM has described the latest Australian to die in Afghanistan as an elite soldier and a very brave man.

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard has warned Australians not to "lull themselves" into a false sense of security as the war in Afghanistan winds down after our 40th fatality in a gunfight that also wounded two others.

In the first death since last October, the Special Forces soldier was shot and killed about 3pm (AEST) on Saturday in a firefight with Afghan insurgents in Khod Valley in southern Afghanistan.

An Australian soldier has been killed, and two other ADF personnel have been wounded in Afghanistan.

Immediate first aid was provided to the three soldiers wounded in the firefight.

Special Forces was working with the Afghan Provincial Response Company on an

operation to disrupt an insurgent network known to have direct influences on insurgent activity in Uruzgan province.

Another Special Forces soldier also was shot and seriously wounded while a Royal Australian Air Force airman received minor injuries. Both were being treated at bases in Afghanistan.

Australian Defence Force chief General David Hurley said the deceased soldier, based in Sydney's 2nd Commando Regiment, was described by his colleagues as "one of the most iconic figures" in the regiment.

Meet the Press, Ep18, Seg 1

It was his fifth tour of Afghanistan. He had also served in Iraq and East Timor.

General Hurley said frantic efforts by his colleagues to administer first aid were unsuccessful.

"This man was a decorated soldier," General Hurley said.

"In combat and as a team commander, he was the man to watch and was never happier than when the situation demanded decisive action and courage."

His name has not been released yet as his family have requested privacy.

Ms Gillard said "every death, every loss" in Afghanistan hit the nation hard but noted the longer time period since the last death.

Corporal Scott Smith, of the Special Operations Engineer Regiment, was killed after an improvised explosive device on October 21, last year.

"I think many had probably lulled themselves into a false sense of security that we would see no more losses in Afghanistan," the PM said.

"This news reminds us that the mission in ongoing, that the danger is ongoing."

Defence said an inquiry officer would examine the circumstances surrounding the death. More than 250 Australians have been wounded in Afghanistan.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott also extended his condolences to the affected family.

"Their work in Afghanistan is about making the world a safer place, so that it never again becomes a base for international terror," he said.

"The death of this soldier is a reminder of the service and sacrifice of the ADF."

General Hurley said it was an indication the war in Afghanistan was not over yet.

"This particular missions still has 18 months to go to the end of next year,'' he said.

"We share their loss and we feel their pain, and we will support them through the difficult days ahead.

"My thoughts and prayers are also with our wounded personnel and their families. I wish them a speedy recovery."

KILLED IN ACTION

There have been 40 operational deaths in Afghanistan.

Soldiers killed in action are:

- Sergeant Andrew Russell, SASR, died of wounds sustained when his patrol vehicle struck an anti-tank mine on 16 February 2002.

- Trooper David Pearce, 2/14 LHR QMI, was killed when his ASLAV was struck by an Improvised Explosive Device on 8 October 2007.

- Sergeant Matthew Locke, SASR, was killed by Taliban insurgent small-arms fire on 25 October 2007.

- Private Luke Worsley, 4RAR (Cdo), was killed by Taliban insurgent small-arms fire on 23 November 2007.

- Lance Corporal Jason Marks, 4RAR (Cdo), was killed by Taliban insurgent small-arms fire on 27 April 2008.

- Signaller Sean McCarthy, SASR, was killed when the vehicle he was travelling in was struck by an Improvised Explosive Device on 8 July 2008.

- Lieutenant Michael Fussell, 4RAR (Cdo), was killed by an Improvised Explosive Device during a dismounted patrol on 27 November 2008.

- Private Gregory Sher, 1st Commando Regiment, was killed in a rocket attack on 4 January 2009.

- Corporal Mathew Hopkins, 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, was killed during an engagement with the Taliban on 16 March 2009.

- Sergeant Brett Till, Incident Response Regiment, was killed by an Improvised Explosive Device during a route clearance task on the 19 March 2009.

- Private Benjamin Ranaudo, 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment was killed as a result of an Improvised Explosive Device on 18 July 2009.

- Sapper Jacob Moerland, 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment was killed as a result of an Improvised Explosive Device strike on 7 June 2010.

- Sapper Darren Smith, 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment died of wounds sustained during an Improvised Explosive Device strike on 7 June 2010.

- Private Timothy Aplin, 2nd Commando Regiment died as a result of a helicopter crash on 21 June 2010.

- Private Scott Palmer, 2nd Commando Regiment died as a result of a helicopter crash on 21 June 2010.

- Private Benjamin Chuck, 2nd Commando Regiment died of wounds sustained in a helicopter crash on 21 June 2010.

- Private Nathan Bewes, 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment was killed as a result of an Improvised Explosive Device on 9 July 2010.

- Trooper Jason Brown, SASR, died as a result of gunshot wounds sustained in an engagement with insurgents on 13 August 2010.

- Private Tomas Dale, 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment was killed as a result of an Improvised Explosive Device strike on 20 August 2010.

- Private Grant Kirby, 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment was killed as a result of an Improvised Explosive Device strike on 20 August 2010.

- Lance Corporal Jared MacKinney, 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, was killed during an engagement with insurgents on 24 August 2010.

- Corporal Richard Atkinson, 1st Combat Engineer Regiment, was killed as a result of an Improvised Explosive Device strike on 2 February 2011.

- Sapper Jamie Larcombe, 1st Combat Engineer Regiment, was killed during an engagement with insurgents on 19 February 2011.

- Sergeant Brett Wood, MG, DSM, 2nd Commando Regiment, was killed by an Improvised Explosive Device during a dismounted patrol on 23 May 2011.

- Lance Corporal Andrew Jones, 9th Force Support Battalion, died of wounds as a result of a small-arms fire incident on 30 May 2011.

- Lieutenant Marcus Case, 6th Aviation Regiment, died of wounds sustained in a helicopter crash on 30 May 2011.

- Sapper Rowan Robinson, Incident Response Regiment, died as a result of gunshot wounds sustained in an engagement with insurgents on 06 June 2011.

- Sergeant Todd Langley, 2nd Commando Regiment, was killed during an engagement with insurgents on 4 July 2011

- Private Matthew Lambert, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, died of wounds as a result of an Improvised Explosive Device strike on 22 August 2011.

- Captain Bryce Duffy, 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, was killed as a result of a small-arms incident on 29 October 2011.

- Corporal Ashley Birt, 6th Engineer Support Regiment, was killed as a result of a small-arms incident on 29 October 2011.

- Lance Corporal Luke Gavin, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment died of wounds as a result of a small-arms incident on 29 October 2011.

- Sergeant Blaine Flower Diddams from the Special Air Service Regiment was killed during a small arms engagement with insurgents on 02 July 2012.

- Sapper James Martin, 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment was killed as a result of a small-arms incident on 29 August 2012.

- Lance Corporal Stjepan Milosevic, 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (QMI), was killed as a result of a small-arms incident on 29 August 2012.

- Private Robert Poate, 6th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment was killed as a result of a small-arms incident on 29 August 2012.

- Private Nathanael Galagher, 2nd Commando Regiment was killed in a helicopter crash on 30 August 2012.

- Lance Corporal Mervyn McDonald, 2nd Commando Regiment was killed in a helicopter crash on 30 August 2012.

- Corporal Scott Smith, Special Operations Engineer Regiment, was killed as a result of an Improvised Explosive Device on 21 October 2012.

- A 2nd Commando Regiment soldier was killed as a result of a small arms incident on 22 June 2013.

###

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Gandolfini died of natural causes

The day's top showbiz news and headlines including James Gandolfini's autopsy shows he died of natural causes, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West name their baby North West, and Barbra Streisand performs in Israel. Bob Mezan reports.

THE results of James Gandolfini's autopsy have confirmed the star died of natural causes, amid a report he drank and ate heavily on the night of his death.

The 51-year-old Sopranos star died in Italy earlier this week, and local officials have now confirmed his cause of death was a heart attack.

The results of the actor's autopsy, which was carried out on Friday, were made public by a family friend, Michael Kobold, who held a press conference in Rome.

''Today we received the results of the autopsy, which stated he died of a heart attack, of natural causes,'' Kobold said.

Actor James Gandolfini from the TV program 'The Sopranos' in 1999. Picture: AP

''The autopsy further states that nothing else was found in his system,'' he added.

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Asked if Gandolfini had a known pre-existing heart condition, Kobold replied: ''No, he was healthy,'' industry website Variety.com reported.

A reserved sign sits on the booth where the last show of The Sopranos was filmed at Holsten's ice cream parlour, in Bloomfield, New Jersey.

The star's family are now waiting to take his body home, a process which can take as long as 10 days.

They are working with Italian authorities to move things along sooner, and are hopeful Gandolfini's body will be flown back to America on Wednesday or Thursday.

Kobold said Gandolfini's funeral would be held in New York no earlier than Thursday, June 27, Variety reported.

Tony Sirico, Michael Imperioli, James Gandolfini and Steven Van Zandt in 'The Sopranos'.

Kobold said Gandolfini's body had been turned over to a funeral director.

A van with Gandolfini's relatives reportedly arrived at the Umberto I hospital morgue in Rome on Friday.peGandolfini died in Rome on Wednesday local time while on holiday with his 13-year-old son, Michael.

Gandolfini's friend and fellow cast member of The Sopranos, Vince Curatola, speaks about the death of the 51 year old actor. Credit: Fox News

''James came here on a vacation with his family,'' Kobold told the press conference on Friday.

''He had a wonderful day. He visited The Vatican and had dinner at the hotel with his son awaiting the arrival of his sister.''

Michael summoned help after finding his father collapsed in the bathroom of a hotel room, with staff attempting to resuscitate the star as they waited for an ambulance.

James Gandolfini and his wife Deborah Lin at the 2008 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

At Friday's press conference, the hotel manager Francesca Caracciolo denied reports that Gandolfini had downed lots of cocktails and eaten heavily at the hotel shortly before his death, Variety reported.

''I can tell you categorically that those reports are not true,'' she said.

''This was apparently a mix up; whoever leaked this information to the press must have gotten something mixed up,'' Kobold confirmed.

Actors Robert Iler (C), with Edie Falco (L) and James Gandolfini toasting with drinks at the dinner table in The Sopranos

The New York Post reports that the Emmy Award winner had attended several Alcoholics Anonymous meetings on Perry Street in New York's West Village, but people who saw him there "didn't think that he was serious about getting sober," said a source familiar with the matter.

"I can confirm he has been known to blow lines and drink like an Irish sailor on weekend leave," said another source.

james Gandolfini with then-wife Marcy at the 2000 Emmys where he won a best actor award. AFP / Scott Nelson

Photos of Gandolfini in Rome show the actor looking haggard in the days leading up to his death - and he spent a lot of the time with a drink in his hand.

Hours before he keeled over from a massive heart attack, the actor sat down for a 7pm meal with his son, Michael, 13, at the Boscolo Exedra Roma hotel's outdoor restaurant.

Gandolfini, 51, first ordered a pina colada with two additional shots of rum on the side.

He followed that up with an identical round - a pina colada and two shots - and then downed two beers, the source said.

About three hours later, Michael discovered his dad in cardiac arrest in their fourth-floor room.

Six men carried the barechested actor - who was wrapped in a blanket - out of the room, a hotel source said.

Paramedics frantically worked on him on the ride to Umberto I hospital, where doctors spent 40 minutes trying to save him before pronouncing him dead.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff on Monday in memory Gandolfini.

The governor's order says Gandolfini was an iconic actor who "left a timeless impact upon television and film in the state of New Jersey and across our nation."

Gandolfini was born in Westwood, New Jersey, grew up in Park Ridge and attended Rutgers, the state's flagship public university.

The governor says the actor acclaimed for his role as mobster Tony Soprano was also an advocate, in two documentaries, for US servicemen and women and veterans.

Gov. Christie has called Gandolfini a "New Jersey treasure."

- with Agencies

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People should choose PM: Abbott

Julia Gillard has the support of the union movement over Kevin Rudd ahead of the federal election.

OPPOSITION Leader Tony Abbott hasn't absolutely ruled out moving a no-confidence motion in the government should Kevin Rudd topple Julia Gillard during the final sitting of Parliament next week.

But he indicated little confidence such a motion could get up without support of independent MPs.

Speaking in north Queensland following the latest leadership speculation, Mr Abbott said as Labor's soap opera rolled on, the Australian people were sick of their shenanigans.

''In the end the Australian people should be choosing the next Prime Minister not the faceless men. So I rule nothing out and we will respond appropriately in the Parliament top whatever happens this week,'' he told reporters in Cairns.

Mr Abbott said the Opposition always said it would only move a motion of no confidence if there was a reasonable prospect of success.

But he said the ''so-called independents, the Labor independents, the Labor supporters masquerading as independents'' had always indicated they fully supported Ms Gillard.

Tony Abbott has indicated little faith a no-confidence motion in the government could get up without support of independent MPs.

In the finely balanced Parliament, Mr Abbott needs the backing of independents to achieve the absolute majority needed to ditch the government.

LABOR QUESTIONS IF RUDD IS THE ANSWER

OH, JUST TRY TO ACT LIKE GROWN-UPS!

LABOR FEARS ABBOTT COUP IN THE SENATE

LABOR'S BIG MISTAKE IN KNIFING RUDD

Kevin Rudd beds down for the night in the CEO Sleepout for St Vincint De Paul this week / Pic: Marc Roberston

UNIONS SET TO ABANDON FLOUNDERING PM

RUDD'S CONDITIONS FOR A POSSIBLE RETURN

KRUDD THE WINNER IN THE TWITTER WAR

Mr Abbott particularly singled out NSW independents Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott who both hold seats the Coalition is intent on reclaiming.

''It seems the people in the Parliament who most support Julia Gillard as Prime Minister are no longer her own caucus but people like Mr Oakeshott and Mr Windsor,'' he said

Mr Abbott said it was clear whoever led a divided and dysfunctional Labor, it still would not provide good government.

''It's poisonous inside the party and the sooner they have some time out to rediscover what they stand for, what they believe, who they represent the better for everyone,'' he said.

Mr Abbott promised he would provide strong and stable government.

''I am confident that a couple of years into the terms of any Coalition government, the last few years will seem like a bad dream that has passed in the night,'' he said.

The refusal by the Coalition to be dragged into the government's leadership crisis has crippled a key argument being used by Gillard's camp to keep MPs loyal to her - that a change could spark a constitutional crisis.

Three senior backers of the Prime Minister conceded privately yesterday that they no longer believed Ms Gillard could be certain of commanding a majority in the caucus if a challenge was mounted.

Senior MPs once loyal to Ms Gillard, including several of her most senior backers, confirmed they were now prepared to shift on the word of numbers man Bill Shorten - for the good of the Labor Party.

"There is a phalanx now looking to Bill," one Gillard backer said.

"It is now up to him. If you want to be king, then sometimes you are called upon."

With Ms Gillard's leadership hanging in the balance, the momentum is now building for the issue to be resolved as early as Wednesday or Thursday, rather than next Friday as has been suggested.

One of the key arguments being used on MPs to remain loyal to the PM - fear that the Federal Government would be forced to an election by a no-confidence motion should there be a change - has now been demolished.

Three independents have confirmed that they would not necessarily support a no-confidence motion in the government if Mr Rudd was returned.

Craig Thomson said he would support a Rudd government and Tasmanian Andrew Wilkie has said he could not be counted on to support a no-confidence motion.

This alone would be enough to deny an absolute majority, with Mr Rudd likely to command the numbers in the house if tested.

But sources in the Greens have also confirmed that the minor party would not support a no-confidence motion in the government which could potentially put Mr Abbott in as a caretaker Prime minister.

Coalition sources have also confirmed the Opposition Leader had abandoned the idea of a no-confidence motion, on the basis that he believed the Coalition should not be dragged into the saga.

It is believed discussions were held between Mr Abbott and Coalition colleagues this week and that, while it would still be retained as an option, it was unlikely the opposition would pursue it.

Pressure yesterday mounted on Mr Rudd to declare his intentions, with the Minister for Resources and Energy Gary Gray challenging him to contest the Labor leadership if he believed he really had the numbers.

He said that Mr Rudd's changed language on the leadership - indicating he would be willing to challenge again - was far from a categorical denial that he was still interested in the job.

"It's confusing. And I think Kevin is confused," Mr Gray said.

"I genuinely think that, if Kevin Rudd wishes to challenge, he should do so. He should stop all this confusion, and the mumbling and the mumbo jumbo.

"He should test his level of support or he should get on with the campaign to ensure Labor's vote is as strong as it could be and to ensure that Labor wins the election."

On the eve of the anniversary of Mr Rudd's political knifing three years ago, the former PM accused Mr Gray of being one of the faceless men who had been part of the coup against him on June 24, 2010.

Mr Rudd, who on Thursday spent the night sleeping rough in Brisbane in support of measures to combat homelessness, said through a spokesman that his position on the leadership remained unchanged from that of February last year and March of this year.

"As one of the co-authors of the 2010 leadership coup, it is hardly surprising that Mr Gray has chosen to continue his public attacks on Mr Rudd's character," the spokesman said.

Mr Rudd denied he had been in recent conversations with Mr Shorten.

However, senior MPs have confirmed that the two had previously had discussions about the leadership issue.

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The boy who just wanted to fit in

BEFORE: Miles is segregated from the rest of his classmates in the photo that broke his parents hearts. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

IT WAS the school portrait that Miles Ambridge's parents vowed never to show him for fear of hurting the seven-year-old's feelings.

As his classmates at Herbert Spencer Elementary School in British Columbia sit together in three neat rows, Miles, who has muscular dystrophy, is seen stranded in his wheelchair to the group's left, straining his body to get closer to the other children.

The photo made world headlines earlier this week after his heartbroken parents posted it on Facebook to raise awareness of discrimination against disabled children in schools.

Mother Anne Belanger told local media she couldn't bear to look at the photo.

"Look at the angle that he was in," she said.

"He's ostracised, he wants to be part of the gang so much."

Miles' father Don Ambridge added: "For some reason, it makes me feel even worse that he's so happy in the picture. I think it's because he's still innocent … He's still naive to how other people can treat him."

Thanks to their campaign, Lifetouch, the company who took the original photo agreed to a reshoot - with amazing results.

This time Miles sits in the front row, minus his wheelchair, sporting a proud grin.

"You can't pick him out this time," an overjoyed Ms Belanger told local newspaper The Province. "For him, to fit in, this is what it should be."

Incredibly, the new photograph has been criticised as "sending the wrong message" because it shows Miles out of his wheelchair.

But Mr Ambridge disagreed.

"All you've got to do is look at the kid sitting on the bench with a grin on his face and that's why we do it.

"He's a happy little guy."

Miles was never shown the original photo, but his parents have kept a copy in case he ever wants to see it.

On Wednesday, Ms Belanger showed her son the new class photo.

His response: "Oh, mummy, that's so nice!"

###

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LeBron leads Heat to NBA finals win

Miami Heat have defeated the San Antonio Spurs 95-88 to take the NBA Finals Series 4-3 and win back to back NBa Championships.

THE Miami Heat, led by NBA MVP LeBron James, has won the NBA Finals for the second consecutive year by defeating the San Antonio Spurs 95-88 in Game 7.

James had 37 points and 12 rebounds for the Heat, while Dwyane Wade added 23 points and 10 rebounds and Shane Battier scored 18 points on 6-for-8 shooting from 3-point range.

James made 5 of 10 3-point attempts, all the while hounding Spurs star Tony Parker on defence.

Best pictures from the game

Tim Duncan had 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Spurs, who were trying to become the first road team to win a finals Game 7 since Washington in 1978. Kawhi Leonard added 19 points and 16 rebounds.

Parker had 10 points on 3-for-12 shooting and four assists, and Manu Ginobili scored 18 points for San Antonio, which lost for the first time in five finals appearances.

The Heat led just 72-71 going into the fourth quarter but edged that out to an eight-point lead with 7:30 to play.

King James comes up with a clutch two-pointer to put Game 7 beyond the Spurs

The Spurs missed seven of their first 10 shots and turned the ball over five times in the first seven minutes of the fourth quarter.

Duncan's turnover led to Battier's sixth 3-pointer, a corner dagger that gave Miami an 88-82 lead with 3:21 to go. The delirious Heat crowd leapt to its feet, and they didn't sit down for the rest of a thrilling finish.

The Spurs were not done with, and Leonard's 3 made it 90-88. Tim Duncan had an opportunity to tie the scores but missed a simple putback, and James knocked down a 19-foot jumper with 27.9 seconds to go, effectively sealing the victory.

San Antonio's Danny Green, for five games the favourite for finals MVP thanks to his record-setting 3-point shooting, missed his first eight shots and finished with five points on 1-for-12 shooting, while Game 6 hero Ray Allen was 0 for 4 with three turnovers for Miami.

The Heat have been to three straight finals, just like they envisioned when Pat Riley brought James, Wade and Bosh together three summers ago. But it's been anything but easy for the NBA's latest super team.

They lost to Dallas in 2010, suffering the final defeat in Game 6 on their home floor, then rebounded to steamroll the Oklahoma City Thunder last season.

A costly turnover by San Antonio's Danny Green results in a dunk by the Heat's Dwyane Wade in Game 7.

This regular season was shaping up as a coronation more than a competition, with the Heat rattling off 66 victories, including a staggering 27 in a row. They entered the playoffs with an air of invincibility, but were pushed as hard as they've ever been.

In the proud Spurs, they faced an ageing core that simply wouldn't give in, which had to make this victory their most satisfying yet.

The Heat were all but eliminated in Game 6, down 13 points at the start of the fourth quarter and five with 21 seconds to play but somehow they managed to force overtime and win it to keep their back-to-back hopes alive.

"It's like you have a second chance on life,'' Bosh said. "You're not going to waste it. We were revived. We were dead. We brought ourselves back to life.''

The Heat made the most of the kind of second chance that the Spurs have so rarely given over the years. James found the perimeter shooting that had been lacking for most of the series, hitting consecutive 3s in the third quarter to get Miami going after a ragged start.

The reigning MVP also locked down Parker, the focal point of the Spurs offence, forcing him to give the ball up earlier in the shot clock than he wanted.

LeBron James of the Miami Heat celebrates after defeating the San Antonio Spurs 95-88 to win Game Seven of the 2013 NBA Finals.

Had the Heat lost, James would have fallen to 1-3 in the NBA's championship rounds, and his legion of critics would have been banging on his door with more "He's no Jordan'' vitriol.

Instead, James delivered with the clutch performances that have now become the norm for him.

He rescued the Heat in Game 6, scoring 16 points in the fourth quarter, then he followed that up with a sterling Game 7.

James missed four of his first six shots, but started to find a rhythm late in the second quarter. He converted a three-point play on an acrobatic drive to the rim and hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key for a 33-27 lead, bringing the white-clad home crowd to their feet.

Duncan just wouldn't let the Spurs fade. The 37-year-old had a three-point play, four free throws and another layup that tied the game at 40 and Ginobili's two free throws gave the Spurs the lead again at 42-40.

He scored 10 straight point in the third quarter to keep the Heat in it, hitting consecutive 3-pointers.

LeBron James reacts after making a basket against the Spurs.

It was a heartbreaking way to end it for these Spurs, who were 21 seconds from title No. 5 when everything went wrong in Game 6. Now, once again, they will face proclamations of their demise. Only this time, it may be harder to hold those off.

Duncan is 37, but coming off an All-NBA First Team season and a vintage performance in the finals. The 31-year-old Parker is nearing his apex after one of his finest seasons. But Ginobili will turn 36 next month and will be a free agent, perhaps marking the end of the three-person core that helped put the Alamo City on the NBA map, and keep it there for 10 years.

Back in 2007, when the Spurs swept James and the Cleveland Cavaliers for the franchise's fourth title, Duncan found the young superstar for a quiet moment to tell him that the league would one day be his.

Now James has four MVPs, two Olympic golds and back-to-back titles on his resume. Duncan has been right so many times throughout his career. This time, it's at his own expense.

Replay our rolling coverage with basketball expert Boti Nagy below

On a mobile device? Click here for a better viewing experience

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Man stands up to cops. Literally

Anti-government protesters in Turkey stage another round of silent protests. Paul Chapman reports.

Take that, goverment. Oof!

• Turkish protests take a non-violent turn
• Man stands in protest. Just stands.
• Authorities unsure what to do
• Turkish protests now in their third week

THIS is an outstanding story, in every sense of the word.

To be precise, this is a story about a guy out standing in Taksim Square in Istanbul, Turkey.

All day long, Turkish man Erdem Gunduz has been standing. That's it. And his stand, if you'll excuse the pun, has quickly become one of the strongest symbols of resistance to the government in the current wave of Turkish protests.

Any resemblance to Mark Knopfler, lead singer and excellent guitarist from '80s band Dire Straits, is purely coincidental. Source:

After violence flared up at several protests across Turkey, Erdem Gunduz chose a different approach. An approach which evokes comparisons with famous peaceful protests like those of Mahatma Ghandi, and the protestor who stood up to the tank in China's Tiananmen Square.

It started at twilight on June 17, 2013, when Mr Gunduz walked across Istanbul's Taksim Square and stood facing toward the Ataturk Cultural Center. You could have mistaken him for a tourist. Except tourists generally mill about and then go somewhere.

Not Mr Gunduz. He was going nowhere. Not only that, but he barely moved a muscle. He just stood there, hands in pockets. And continued standing some more. And kept standing.

His face gave away little. His expression was nonchalant. Defiant but not aggressive. Determined rather than angry.

Standing is the new sitting Source: news.com.au

As protests against the Turkish government enter their third week, activists are trying to show the government that violence is neither their aim nor their preferred method of making a point.

Mr Gunduz has now been joined by many of his countrymen and women. Not everybody is sympathetic. Some people have tried to poke him and provoke an angry response. He won't stand for that. His response is simply to stand some more.

Perhaps he passed his time listening to Elton John's "I'm Still Standing" Source:

Across Turkey, people are now standing alongside him, emulating his peaceful protest.

Turks have even created a Twitter hashtag, #duranadam, which translates as "standing man".

Prime Minister Erdogan has previously labelled the protesters terrorists, but that's become a pretty hard line to peddle given the non-violent nature of the standing protests.

Careful. Standing can lead to holding hands. Source:

The protests in Turkey originally started over a plan to build a mall on one of the rare areas of green space in Istanbul.

Protests soon grew into a movement of both right- and left-wing activists, plus regular citizens, who were angry at a government which is viewed as increasingly Islamist and authoritarian.

But many Turks remain extremely supportive of the government, which has eradicated a culture of corruption in many sectors of public life, and helped make the Turkish economy one of the strongest in Europe.

In an overnight development, the Turkish government has approved the peaceful resistance which is spreading through Turkey.

"This is not an act of violence," Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said. "We cannot condemn it."

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Jager stunt goes horribly awry

A partygoer is in a coma and eight others hospitalised after a swimming pool was filled with liquid nitrogen at Jagermeister event in Mexico. Source LiveLeak

A YOUNG man remains in a coma after organisers of a party designed to promote Jagermeister pumped liquid nitrogen into a swimming pool.

Nine partygoers who were in the pool at the time were taken to hospital after four buckets of liquid nitrogen were poured in. Eight of the nine have since been released.

Last Saturday's party, held in Leon, Mexico, was attended by about 200 people, mainly young adults.

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Witnesses told the Daily Mail party organisers, dressed in orange uniforms, had added the substance to the pool to create a smoke effect.

But shortly thereafter, party attendees noticed people in the pool passing out and losing consciousness.

It has been suggested that the liquid nitrogen had a chemical interaction with the chlorine in the pool which created toxic smoke.

A 21-year-old man, identified as Jose Ignacio Lopez del Toro by Univision Noticias, remains in a coma in Campestre Medical Hospital.

Mexican officials have launched an investigation.

In a statement from Jagermesiter headquarters in Germany, company officials said they were working with event organisers and authorities to determine what happened.

"We fully support responsible drinking and adhere to the guidelines within each market in which we operate," the Jagermeister officials said in their statement.

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The 6 biggest money mistakes young people make

MANAGING your money is boring, obviously, but buying things is not.

Taking money stuff seriously from a young age means you will have more of it. Having more money means you can buy more things.

If this sounds patronising, we're sorry. But a lot of the biggest money mistakes young people make are pretty straightforward.

And Gen Xs and Baby Boomers shouldn't get too smug because a lot of these problems ring true for them as well.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission's MoneySmart service has spent 18 months researching and consulting with 18-25 year olds to understand the challenges they face when managing their money.

We asked MoneySmart senior executive Robert Drake to run through the biggest money mistakes they make, and the problems they pose in the long-term.

They get too credit happy

The most obvious mistake young people make when it comes to credit cards is that they think about credit as being free money.

It might sound silly to point this out, because deep down we all know that the money isn't free. Still, every young person has that friend who just keeps adding to their credit card debt.

Most young people have few serious financial responsibilities - they're not yet tied to monthly mortgage payments or a family they have to support.

"That can lead to be people being a little less disciplined about their money but also a lot of young people are really just thinking about today, thinking tomorrow can take care of itself. That approach doesn't always work," Mr Drake said.

Long term it poses big problems. If you get behind of payments it can affect your credit report so later on down the track when you want to get a loan you suddenly find no bank will take you.

They get too excited about their first car

When buying their first car, young people tend to focus on the car they want rather than how they will afford it or what is the best value for money.

Cars are a pretty bad investment - they start depreciating immediately after you buy them and come with a lot of other taxes and on the road costs - which makes it even more important to focus on how you will finance it.

The first thing to think about is the loan. Buying a first car is exciting but once you make a decision don't get swept up in the moment. The loan offered at a car yard is likely more expensive than the loan you could get at a bank or a credit union.

"People want to get it now or think 'Hey it's easy, I can get it all in one place,' and then you find out you've actually paid thousands of dollar extra just to save a few hours checking around," Mr Drake said.

And make sure you get enough insurance.

"Even if you've got an older car, if you run into the back of a Mercedes it's going to cost you a lot more money to get it fixed if you don't have third party property insurance. If you damage your car you could end up in a situation where your car's a write off and you're still paying off the car for five years."

They get overwhelmed by their first job

Most people starting their first job don't know their rights back to front.

They might not know what they should be getting paid, or that they don't have to work "trial shifts" for free, or that they are entitled to penalty rates on weekends.

Nervousness around checking rights at the beginning of a job can end up costing hundreds or thousands of dollars in lost wages over the long-term.

They don't take superannuation seriously

Another big mistake young people make is that they don't pay attention to the superannuation accounts they join. It's too confusing, and retirement is so far away.

But if you move between jobs while studying or while starting your career you can quickly rack up multiple accounts, meaning you're paying multiple fees.

It's also a nightmare to track them all down when you finally do decide to take your superannuation seriously (take it from this reporter).

They're not prepared when they move out of home

When people first move out of home they are aware of the obvious cost of rent, but can be surprised by the one off costs that come along with it. Having to pay bond, connection fees for a phone, big furniture items or the first big grocery shop all adds up.

Mr Drake says young people also need a rough budget to work out how they're going to get by week to week.

"When you sign contracts understand what your obligations are and think ahead about what will happen if something goes not according to plan. What if someone needs to move out? What if you don't get as many shifts at work?"

Or you could find yourself in a situation where the money coming in isn't enough to pay the bills and you're forced to move back home.

"Having to move back home with your parents at 25 is not a thing that most people would look forward to. That's a bit humiliating."

They spend too much on their phone

We all know about bill shock. But another big problem for young people is forking out for an expensive phone only to lose or break it.

And if you're signed onto a contract, you still have to keep paying the bills.

"We give the same advice about a car. If you can't afford the car and the insurance then you can't afford the car,' Mr Drake said.

In other words, if you have a cool phone you should probably get insurance. Otherwise make do with your old Nokia 3315.

For more money tips for young people visit the MoneySmart Rookie page

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Braziliant! Socceroos seal Cup spot

The Socceroos have stepped out to meet their fans at Circular Quay, Sydney following their win over Iraq.

The Socceroos book their spot in next year's Brazil World Cup after holding off a brave Iraq side in Sydney.

Socceroos coach Holger Osieck praises his troops and reflects on what it means to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Josh Kennedy celebrates his goal for Australia during the World Cup Qualifier between the Socceroos v Iraq at Stadium Australia, Sydney Olympic Park. Picture: Evans Mark Source: The Daily Telegraph

Australia's Tim Cahill has a shot at goal during the World Cup qualifier between Australia Socceroos and Iraq at Stadium Australia, Homebush, Sydney. Picture: Costello Brett Source: The Daily Telegraph

Sasa Ognenovski heads over the bar during the World Cup Qualifier between the Socceroos v Iraq at Stadium Australia, Sydney Olympic Park. Picture: Mark Evans Source: The Daily Telegraph

• Watch a full replay of the match below on News+ websites (Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph and Courier-Mail)

WELL, you didn't really doubt them did you? The team that likes to do it the hard way is going to the World Cup, but guess what? They did it the hard way.

An 82nd-minute goal from Josh Kennedy punctured Iraq's resistance, earning the Socceroos the narrowest of wins.

But ultimately no one cared about the margin, for the win was enough to confirm a third consecutive appearance at the World Cup finals.

Kennedy had only been on the pitch for five minutes, introduced for Tim Cahill to the latter's annoyance, when he met Bresciano's right-wing cross with a thumping downward header.

Socceroos seal World Cup spot

Every member of the squad and the coaching staff ran with delirium to the corner, bar coach Holger Osieck, who stood with his arms aloft. Minutes later the whole crowd followed suit, and the party was under way.

There was no surprise at Osieck's naming of an unchanged team after the quality of the two most recent performances, and this time there weren't early nerves from the green and gold. The crowd craved an early goal and it so nearly came as Australia hit their stride instantly.

Lucas Neill's astute pass found Robbie Kruse in space and he combined brilliantly with Cahill to work an opening for the latter, only for his goal-bound shot to be turned aside spectacularly by Noor Sabri in the Iraqi goal.

Across the pitch there was good movement, with Brett Holman constantly looking to link with Kruse, and Waleed Salim Edwereag incurring a yellow card for a lunging tackle on Tommy Oar.

The first half from the Socceroos' must-win final game in their FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign against Iraq.

Just before the quarter hour the breakthrough almost came from an unlikely source, as Mark Bresciano found Neill on the right for a cross that Sasa Ognenovski met with a wasteful diving header.

Kruse was the go-to man, flitting constantly to find space and demanding the ball, while Cahill roamed deep and wide to disrupt the Iraqi defence.

Holger hails resilient Kennedy

It was the New York Red Bulls star whose clever pass released Holman into the box, but he was denied by a desperate tackle from Ali Adnan Kadhim.

Then on 35 minutes Cahill was a whisker away with a hooked volley over his own shoulder after Noor spilled Matt McKay's looping cross.

The second half from the Socceroos' must-win final game in their FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign against Iraq.

From Iraq there was little real threat during the opening stanza, bar one glorious cross-field ball from Saif Salman Hashim, and errant backpasses on a surface that invited suspicion were the greatest threat to Mark Schwarzer.

But as the half ended Noor's only real alarm remained the early shot from Cahill, despite long periods of pressure from the home team.

Schwarzer would be tested within seconds of the restart though, thanks again to carelessness in his own defence. Three times the ball was given away and finally Salman took the invitation to let fly with a skidding shot the goalkeeper did well to hold.

As the rain came down, the game opened up.

Relieved Socceroos let off steam

Oar brought the crowd to their feet with a barnstorming run, then Iraq broke with pace and only Neill's astute positioning denied Dhurgham Ismael Dawood.

Emboldened, Iraq began to play with verve through midfield with Salman's vision sparking alarm in the home ranks. The Socceroos' own playmaker, Bresciano, sought to reply in kind with a rasping drive over the bar from 20m, then creating space for a low cross that Noor dived to gather.

On the hour Osieck made his move and Tom Rogic came on to acclaim. Within seconds the 20-year-old was marauding through the Iraqi defence, and from a subsequent corner Australia thought they had the lead.

Wilkshire's delivery was headed up by Cahill and volleyed spectacularly into the top corner by Kruse, only for referee Faghani Alireza to pull up Ognenovski for a foul. 

Australia 1 (Josh Kennedy 83) bt Iraq 0 at ANZ Stadium. Crowd: 80,523 Referee: Alireza Faghani

Party first, down to business later

Hardly beautiful but result is perfect

Replay how the action unfolded on our match blog below.

On a mobile device? Click here for a better viewing experience

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