News Brief

Election cycle begins

Incumbent Premier Kristina Keneally kicked off the state election on Sunday with a so called “soft” election launch at the Casula Powerhouse.

Ms Keneally made the first of the election pledges with $913 million promised to combat the costs of living in NSW.

She also promised energy rebates, capping of transportation fares and a cancelation of the $100 power increase.

She also echoed the words of Prime Minister Julia Gillard when she apologised for NSW Labor “losing its way”.

Record heatwave stuns the city

Sydney sweltered this week as temperatures climbing above 30 degrees every day.

Temperatures on Saturday were the hottest in 38 years with many Sydneysiders unable to sleep through the 33.6C night.

NSW Paramedics responded to 213 cases of heat related illness before a cool change finally swept across the city at approximately 2pm Sunday afternoon.

Chinese New Year Parade entertains the city

The cool change came just in time for Sydneysiders gathered to watch the Chinese New Year’s parade in the CBD. George street was closed as hundred of performers and thousands of onlookers gathered to watch the largest celebration of the new year outside of Asia.

Police offer reward for information on CBD bar assault

Police have offered a $1000 reward for information over a serious assault in central Sydney last year that left a man requiring surgery to repair a fractured eye socket.

About 12.30am on Thursday December 18 last year, police responded to reports of a serious assault at a hotel on York Street, Sydney.

During the incident, a man was hospitalised after being punched to the face by an unknown man without provocation.

The attacker has been described to police as being of Caucasian appearance, about 183cm tall with short cropped hair and at the time of the incident was wearing a light blue jumper and jeans.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact The Rocks Police via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.