Australia recorded its hottest month ever in January, with average temperatures exceeding 30C (86F) for the first time. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the extreme heat was “unprecedented” during the country’s summer period. At least five January days were among…
Australian woman bitten by snake in toilet (BBC)
An Australian woman “jumped off her seat” after being bitten by a snake on the toilet, a reptile handler says. Helen Richards, 59, received the non-venomous strike in the dark at a relative’s house in Brisbane on Tuesday. She received…
Yang Hengjun: Australia seeks information on writer ‘missing’ in China (BBC)
The Australian government says it is investigating reports a Chinese-Australian writer has gone missing in China. Yang Hengjun, a blogger and former Chinese diplomat, has not been heard from since flying from New York to Guangzhou on Saturday, a friend…
Electricity firms cut power supply to patients on life support (Punch)
Two electricity companies have each been fined 40,000 Australian dollars (US $28,589) for cutting power to people on life support, it was announced on Tuesday. “The firms Energex and Evoenergy were found to have put lives in danger during planned…
Dingoes attack young boy on Australia’s Fraser Island (BBC)
A young boy has been attacked by a group of dingoes on Australia’s popular tourist spot of Fraser Island. One of the wild dogs bit the six-year old at a beach after he’d been swimming with his parents. He was…
‘Baby formula ring’ leads to six arrests in Australia (BBC)
Australian police say they have arrested six members of an “expansive” criminal gang which has been stealing baby formula for illegal sale in China. Stolen formula valued at more than A$1m (£550,000; $720,000) had been sold in the past 12…
Air steward held over five-year drug ring (BBC)
Australian police say they have busted a “highly organised” drug ring which allegedly used a flight attendant to smuggle drugs into the country. The Melbourne-based Vietnamese syndicate had been operating for at least five years, Australian Federal Police said. Eight…
Thousands stung by jellyfish in Australia (BBC)
Vast numbers of bluebottle jellyfish have been pushed ashore in Queensland, Australia, stinging thousands of people and forcing the closure of swim spots. Surf Life Saving Queensland said over 2,600 people received treatment at the weekend. Bluebottle stings are painful…
Sydney seaplane crash: Passenger photos give clues to final moments (BBC)
Australian investigators have released the final pictures taken on board a seaplane which plunged into a river last year, killing six people. Five members of a British family and a Canadian pilot died in the incident north of Sydney on…
The energy here is different to other African countries –Emma Portaus
It’s Emma Portaus’ first time in Lagos but she can already feel the energy, which she says is far better than anything she has experienced elsewhere in Africa. The producer, who came all the way from Tasmania, Australia should know.…
