A notorious magpie whose habit of swooping on passers-by in Sydney led to dozens of complaints was shot dead, prompting an outcry from magpie lovers. The local council defended shooting the “particularly aggressive” bird, saying the decision was “not taken…
Vegan Australian parents who left baby girl malnourished avoid jail (BBC)
An Australian couple who put their baby daughter on a strict vegan diet that left her severely malnourished have avoided serving a jail sentence. The couple in their 30s, who cannot be named, were sentenced to an 18-month jail term…
UK ski instructor jailed for rape and assault in Australia (BBC)
A British ski instructor has been jailed for 10 years for raping a woman and physically assaulting her male friend in a resort town in Australia. Matthew James Williams, 29, attacked the pair on a street in Jindabyne, south of…
Pacific forum turns into row with Australia over climate goals (BBC)
Critics have blamed Australia for undermining a joint statement from Pacific island nations which called for stronger action on climate change. Regional leaders met at the Pacific Islands Forum in Tuvalu this week, where smaller island-dominated states sought a consensus…
China condemns Australian MP’s Nazi Germany parallel (BBC)
China has sharply rebuked an Australian government MP for comparing the West’s approach to China to what he called the “catastrophic” failure to hold back Nazi Germany. Andrew Hastie, the head of a parliamentary security committee, said on Thursday that…
Strong 6.6 quake hits off northwest Australia (Guardian)
A strong 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck off northwest Australia Sunday, shaking buildings over a wide area but causing no immediate reports of damage or injuries. The shallow quake hit early Sunday afternoon 10 kilometers under the Indian Ocean 203 kilometers (126…
Sperm donor is child’s legal father, Australian court rules (BBC)
An Australian sperm donor is the father of an 11-year-old girl because it was understood he would be involved in her life, the nation’s top court has ruled. The man had fought to stop the girl’s biological mother and her…
Australian wins lottery using numbers from a dream (BBC)
A man in Australia has scooped a $1m (£536,000) lottery prize after dreaming the winning numbers 13 years ago. The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, said he had dreamt the numbers one night and had been playing them ever…
Edinburgh International Festival launches 2019 programme (Chinadaily)
Edinburgh International Festival returns for its 73rd year on August 2 – 26, 2019, bringing the best of theatre, music and dance from across the world to Scotland’s capital. The programme features 93 events, with 293 performances across 17 venues…
UK man arrested fleeing Australia on jet ski, police say (BBC)
A British man wanted on drugs charges has been arrested off a remote island in Australia while trying to flee the country on a jet ski, authorities say. The 57-year-old was taken into custody on Saibai Island, just 4km (2.5…