Police: Obey all traffic signals

The Police have warned motorists that people caught speeding through temporary traffic lights will be punished.

A spokesman said yesterday: "Temporary traffic lights must be obeyed just as permanent traffic lights are.

"There are an increasing number of motorists who, after the light turns red, speed through causing blockages and traffic hazards for other road users.

"Police will be vigilant in these areas and anyone found committing an offence will be ticketed."

Burglar chased away

The resident of a home in Salt Kettle Road, Paget, was woken by a burglar around 5 a.m. on Tuesday.

The man chased the intruder out of the residence, and he ran off empty-handed.

Inquiries are underway.

Household awakened by burglar

Residents of a Swansville Drive, Warwick home awoke to find a burglar in their apartment early yesterday.

The man fled with cash and a pink handbag containing a Sony digital camera, a Motorola cellular phone, Prada sunglasses, an iPod Nano and personal items.

The victims called the Police shortly after the incident at 4 a.m. Inquiries are said to be ongoing.

Handbag snatcher charged

A St. George's man appeared in Magistrates' Court yesterday for allegedly stealing a woman's handbag containing more than $1,000 worth of items.

Royston Anthony Place of Cut Road, was arrested December 13 in Southampton and charged with stealing a handbag containing a Palm Pilot, a Motorola cell phone, seven credit cards, sunglasses, a DVD and a Bermuda driver's licence all worth $1,217.

The defendant was not required to plea as he elected to have his case heard in Supreme Court. He was remanded into custody until February 19.

Australia changes its visa application process

Obtaining visas to Australia has become easier for Bermudians, thanks to a treaty signed by the Minister of Finance.

The Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, Paula Cox, announced that because Bermuda signed a tax information exchange agreement with Australia, Bermudians would no longer have to send their passports abroad to obtain a visa.

Previously Bermudians had to mail their passports to Australian High Commission in Ottawa, Canada, to apply for a visa label to be affixed to their passport.

Now they will no longer have to do that and can apply for label-free visas, like many other countries.

Bermudians can apply by sending their application form, a photocopy of the bio-data page of their passport and any necessary supporting documentation to the following address:

Immigration Section, Australian High Commission, 50 O'Connor St, Suite 710, Ottawa K1P 6L2, Canada or by fax to: 1-613-236-0026 or via e-mail: immigration.ottawa@dfat.gov.au.