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Image Antoinette Lattouf said the Australian Broadcasting Corporation unlawfully dismissed her amid outside pressure. Credit... Peter MorrisThe ABC, publicly funded and with an obligation to represent all stripes of Australian life, is confronting the collision of two contentious issues. First, how do news outlets and their employees cover hot-button topics in a time of stark political divides and strong personal brands? And second, as its journalists allege, has Australia’s beleaguered public broadcaster been so weakened by underfunding and right-wing political attacks that it will not stand up for its journalists, especially people of color and women? “I was embarrassed that a group of 156 lawyers could laugh at how easy it was to manipulate the ABC,” Mr. Lyons said, according to multiple sources.

Persons: Antoinette Lattouf, Peter Morris, underfunding, John Lyons, Lyons, ABC “, Mr, David Anderson Organizations: Australian Broadcasting Corporation, ABC, Melbourne Locations: Israel

☆ Giant guinea pig-sized rats that climb trees and chomp coconuts were photographed for the first time by researchers
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Jenny Mcgrath | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Vangunu giant rat is a species that exists only on one of the Solomon Islands. They were trying to capture evidence of the Vangunu giant rat, Uromys vika. It's been known to eat green coconuts , but researchers had never seen a live rat. Despite its large size, the giant rat was difficult to spot. The Vangunu giant rat is critically endangered, and logging has destroyed its habitat.

Persons: —, Tyrone Lavery, It's, Lavery, vika, it's, " Lavery, Vika Organizations: Service, University of Melbourne, Solomon Islands National University, Solomon, Australian Broadcasting Corporation Locations: Solomon Islands, Vangunu, Zaira, Solomon, New Guinea

☆ Sam Neill has a rare cancer, but is more afraid of retirement than dying
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Sam Neill is in remission and back to doing what he loves. The 76-year-old actor shared a health update with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation regarding his non-Hodgkin blood cancer, angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma. “I know I’ve got it, but I’m not really interested in it,” Neill said. His doctors switched courses to try “a rare anti-cancer drug” and it’s had some success, Neill said. He said he’s “not remotely afraid” of dying and instead finds the idea “annoying” as he has so many things he wishes to do.

Persons: Sam Neill, angioimmunoblastic, I’ve, I’m, ” Neill, ‘, don’t, ”, it’s, Neill, “ I’m, he’s “, Annette Bening, Liane Moriarty’s Organizations: CNN, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, National Institutes of Health

☆ Australian Voice referendum: Australians vote No in referendum that promised change but couldn't deliver
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-14 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

“It is as Australians together that we must take our country beyond this debate without forgetting why we had it in the first place. “This is a referendum we should never had had because it was built on a lie that Aboriginal people do not have a voice,” he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Yes campaigner Marilyn Trad told CNN that volunteers making calls to prospective voters had to break the news to some – this week – that there was indeed a referendum. The result means no constitutional change, but the referendum will have lasting consequences for the entire nation, according to experts. “So that power, to change, to modernize, to update the constitution has been put in the hands of the Australian people.

Persons: Anthony Albanese, ”, Warren Mundine, –, Martin Ollman, MC Hammer, John Farnham, “, Marilyn Trad, Kevin Argus, Argus, Mick Tsikas, Australia’s, Pat Dodson, ” “ We’ve, ” Maree Teesson, Teesson, Paula Gerber Organizations: Australia CNN —, Nations, Australian Electoral Commission, CNN, Sky News, SBS, Torres Straight Islanders, Torres Strait, ”, First Nations, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Constitutional, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, RMIT, House, National Press Club, Aboriginal, Matilda Center for Research, Mental Health, University of Sydney, Law, Monash University Locations: Brisbane, Australia, Canberra, Old

☆ Australia Voice referendum: Voters urged to 'choose love' as polls show referendum poised to fail
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

A No campaign worker hands out leaflets outside an early voting center on October 4, in Ballina, Australia. “But it’s also about love of ourselves, whether we have the courage to love what Australia is. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty ImagesNo love for Yes campaignHowever, a leading No campaigner mocked Pearson’s speech, accusing the Yes campaign of promoting empty slogans. “The Yes campaign, it’s the vibe. If the referendum fails, Albanese said he will respect the democratic vote of the nation and won’t legislate a Voice to Parliament.

Persons: Anthony Albanese, –, James D, Morgan, Albanese, Stringer, ” Albanese, it’s, Noel Pearson, ”, Pearson, Amar Singh, Rachel Perkins, Lisa Maree Williams, they’ve …, Nyunggai Warren Mundine, Mundine, “, you’ve, ’ ”, there’ll, we’ve, ” Mundine, “ We’re Organizations: Australia CNN, Nations, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islanders, Voice, Australian, Getty, National Press Club, Australian Broadcasting, Indigenous Locations: Brisbane, Australia, Ballina, Uluru, AFP, Sydney

[1/3] Then Newscorp chairman Rupert Murdoch and son Lachlan Murdoch in the crowd before Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, U.S., February 5, 2017. In 1999, Lachlan Murdoch assumed responsibility for print operations in the U.S. Lachlan Murdoch founded Illyria Pty, a private investment company, whose acquisitions included a network of Australian radio stations. The newly constituted Fox was reduced to a handful of assets, including the Fox broadcast network, Fox News, Fox Sports and Fox Business, with Lachlan Murdoch serving as its executive chair and chief executive officer. While Rupert Murdoch built his legacy pursuing the television, movie and newspaper businesses with equal abandon, Lachlan’s legacy is still taking shape.

Persons: Rupert Murdoch, Lachlan Murdoch, Robert Deutsch, Murdoch, Rupert Murdoch’s, Anna, Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s, Paddy Manning’s, “, Lachlan, James, Dalton, Manning, Walt Disney, Brother James Murdoch, Lachlan Murdoch doesn’t, Chris Mitchell, ”, Fox, Donald Trump, Dawn Chmielewski, Helen Coster, Kenneth Li, Nick Zieminski Organizations: News Corp, Fox Corp, Wall Street Journal, Fox News, Sun, Fox Sports, Fox Entertainment, Australian Broadcasting, New, New York Post, The New York Times, Daily News, Wall Street, San Antonio Express, Monopoly, Trinity School, Trinity Conservative Society, News, New York, Century Fox, Walt, Fox, Fox Business, Disney, New York Times, Dominion Voting Systems, Thomson Locations: NRG, Houston , Texas, U.S, Australia, United States, London, New York, Princeton, Illyria, Los Angeles

☆ Tennant Creek: Huge bushfire sweeps through central Australia near popular tourist town
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Tara Subramaniam | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A huge bushfire raging for over a week in central Australia has come dangerously close to the popular tourist town of Tennant Creek, as authorities warn that changing wind conditions could pose a risk to residents. Home to about 3,000 people, Tennant Creek is a popular place for travelers to stop and rest as they drive through the outback along the Stuart Highway between Alice Springs and Darwin. Back-burning operations aimed at slowing the fire's spread have caused increased smoke within the Tennant Creek Township. Extra crews from South Australia arrived in Tennant Creek Wednesday afternoon, Fuller told ABC. Earlier this week, the Bureau of Meteorology forecast extreme fire danger for several areas within the Northern Territory.

Persons: Nicole Manison, Tennant, Tony Fuller, ” Manison, Fuller, James Gray, Spence, Gray, ”, ” Gray, “, “ We’ve, ” Fuller Organizations: CNN, Northern, Authorities, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Northern Territory, South Australia, ABC, Northern Territory Police, Emergency Services, Australian Defence Force, Alice, Australasian Fire Authorities Council, Meteorology Locations: Australia, Tennant, Alice Springs, Darwin, Barkly, Northern, South, New Zealand, Northern Territory

☆ Australia government to introduce bill barring 'wage theft' on Monday
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( Kirsty Needham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Australia's Labor government will introduce legislation to close "loopholes" in workplace law, a move opposed by employer groups fearing higher costs, when parliament returns on Monday. Workplace Minister Tony Burke said on Sunday he would introduce the bill making it a criminal offence to deliberately underpay workers, with a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail and a maximum fine of A$7.8 million ($5.0 million). Penalties would not apply to employers who make honest mistakes, Burke said in a statement. Burke said in a speech last week that in addition to criminalising "wage theft", the bill would make it easier for casual workers to gain permanent roles, scrutinise the use of labour hire firms to undercut minimum pay rates, and introduce minimum standards for "gig economy" workers, including in food delivery and rideshare apps. ($1 = 1.5504 Australian dollars)Reporting by Kirsty Needham; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Tony Burke, Burke, Jennifer Westacott, Kirsty Needham, William Mallard Organizations: Australia's Labor, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Business, of Australia, Sky News, Australian Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Thomson

☆ U.S. military personnel in Australia air crash, no deaths reported
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A V-22 Osprey from Marine Rotational Force Darwin comes into land to conduct a troop insertion as part of Exercise "Talisman Sabre 21" on July 27, 2021 in Townsville, Australia. An aircraft incident involving U.S. military personnel occurred mid-morning on Sunday during an exercise in Australia's Northern Territory, Australia's Defence Ministry said, while a broadcaster said there were no reports of deaths. Sky News Australia reported a v-22 Osprey helicopter with about 20 U.S. Marines on board had crashed off the coast of Darwin. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) said multiple military personnel had been rescued from an aircraft crash on the Tiwi Islands, north of Darwin, and that there were no reports of fatalities. "Initial reports suggest the incident involves United States defence personnel and that Australian Defence Force members were not involved," the ministry said in an emailed statement.

Persons: Force Darwin, Anthony Albanese Organizations: Force, U.S, Australia's Defence Ministry, Sky News Australia, Marines, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, ABC, Northern Territory Police, Australian Defence Force Locations: Townsville, Australia, Northern Territory, Darwin, Melville, States

☆ Women's World Cup: Australia dares to dream of win as Matildas mania sweeps the country
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Sydney CNN —Two matches stand between Australia and a historic Women’s World Cup win, and the nation – perhaps prematurely – is debating the pros and cons of a national holiday should the squad defeat Spain on Sunday. Soccer mania has swept the country in a culture where rugby, cricket and the local “Aussie Rules” football usually dominates. Australia players celebrate after winning their quarterfinal match against France in Brisbane, August 12. Zara Borcak beams as she holds the jersey Sam Kerr gave her after Saturday's match against France, August 12, 2023. Maybe it’s because the last time the country came together to fight a common cause, they were desperately trying to stay apart.

Persons: Tertius Pickard, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Sam Kerr, “, ‘, ”, Zara Borcak, Selma Borcak, Anthony Albanese, Albanese, Andrew Cornaga, Ben Crowe, Crowe, Eleanor Roosevelt, Ash Barty, it’s, ” Mackenzie Arnold of Australia, Norvik, that’s, Mackenzie Arnold, I’ve Organizations: Sydney CNN, Spain, Sunday, England, Australia, France, FIFA, Reuters Sporting, – Basketball Australia, AFL, Australian Football League, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, ”, NRL, ’, Sweden, Wimbledon, Richmond AFL Locations: Australia, France, Australia’s, United States, Brisbane, Sydney, Green, Brazil, Zara, Spain, Eden, Auckland, Denmark, Melbourne

☆ Australia Women's World Cup: After Barbie, the Matildas became the new heroes in cleats
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

But now, seemingly in the blink of an eye, we’re all wearing green and gold for our newest heroes, Australia’s Women’s World Cup hopefuls, the Matildas. Sam Kerr takes the ball during a FIFA World Cup 2023 round of 16 match between Australia and Denmark at Stadium Australia on August 7. “A lot of people just frankly don’t want to believe women’s sport is doing well,” Lassey told CNN. Football Australia said part of the rationale for bringing the Women’s World Cup to Australia was to use it to grow the women’s game – backed by a 357 million Australian dollar ($232 million) FIFA legacy fund. Argus says the World Cup is a turning point for women’s sport because the turnout and viewing numbers have proven that there’s an enthusiastic audience.

Persons: Barbie, Margot Robbie, Greta Gerwig, Australia’s, they’ve, Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler, Caitlin Foord, Hayley Raso, Daniela Porcelli, “, ”, Jackie Schougaard, Alfred Hotel, “ Everyone’s, It’s, Jason Lassey, –, ” Lassey, Matildas, —, “ I’m, Hannah Mckay, Bruce McAvaney, I’m, Maddie Meyer, Kevin Argus, ” Argus, we’ve, Lassey, We’re, Robbie, Gerwig, Barbie ”, ” Gerwig Organizations: Australia CNN, Neighbours, Hollywood, Chelsea, FIFA, Stadium Australia, France, Brisbane, Caxton, Footy Industry, –, AFL, Australian Football League, CNN, Denmark, Sydney, Football Australia, team, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, RMIT, Socceroos, ”, “, Australian Broadcasting Corporation Locations: Brisbane, Australia, Denmark, Melbourne

☆ Six dead in 'tragic' house fire in Australia's Queensland
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Five boys and their father were killed after fire ripped through a house in Australia's Queensland state early on Sunday, police said. These are young boys that could have become men into the future, and a man has lost his life as well," he said. Queensland Fire and Rescue said the house had collapsed due to the fire and some nearby residences were affected. Nine people were treated at the scene, with three taken to hospital, Queensland Ambulance Service said. Reporting by Sam McKeith in Sydney; Editing by Jonathan Oatis, David Gregorio and William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mat Kelly, Kelly, Sam McKeith, Jonathan Oatis, David Gregorio, William Mallard Organizations: SYDNEY, Sunday, Queensland, Rescue, Queensland Ambulance Service, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Investigations, Thomson Locations: Australia's Queensland, Russell, Brisbane, Redland Bay, Queensland, Sydney

“We’re horrified that something like this could happen, not only to us, but to anyone,” Saffrine Duggan told her supporters. Former US fighter pilot Daniel Duggan is in custody in Australia pending extradition to the US on charges including that he trained Chinese military pilots. Courtesy Saffrine DugganTraining Chinese pilotsDuggan doesn’t deny training Chinese pilots, but he maintains they were civilians – plane enthusiasts seeking to improve their skills or prospective members of China’s then rapidly expanding aviation industry. And a spokesperson for New Zealand’s Defence Force confirmed to Reuters that four of its former military pilots had been recruited by the company. It’s the wrong type of approach and landing.”In its statement to CNN, TFASA denied teaching aircraft carrier approach and landing techniques to Chinese military pilots.

Persons: Daniel Duggan, Duggan, Duggan’s, “, ”, Saffrine, “ We’re, ” Saffrine Duggan, Paul Devitt, Duggan –, –, ” Duggan, Saffrine Duggan, TFASA, they’re, Duggan doesn’t, China’s, Glenn Kolomeitz, ” “ Dan, Richard Marles, It’s, Constant, Daniel Duggan's, Mike Burgess, Ben Hancock, ” Hancock, Hancock, hasn’t, Dan didn’t, “ TFASA, he’s, Xi Jinping, reunify, Joe Biden, Ng Han Guan, Xi, Donald Trump, “ Don’t Organizations: Australia CNN —, Marine Attack Squadron, Intelligence, Security, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, Lithgow Correctional Centre, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, ABC, US Marines, US State Department, of Defense Trade, Test Flying Academy of South, CNN, TFASA, Embassy, Former, Saffrine Duggan Training, Australian Defence Force, RAF, UK Defence Ministry, UK Armed Forces, Australia’s, New Zealand’s Defence Force, Reuters, Marles, ASIO, Buckeye, Marine Corps, US Navy, Aircraft, Training Squadron, US Department of Defense, Harrier, Getty, Pacific Locations: Brisbane, Australia, United States, Yuma , Arizona, China, Beijing, Lithgow, Sydney, Australian, Test Flying Academy of South Africa, Tasmania, South Africa, Former US, New South Wales, Persian, Asia, Townsville, Pensacola, Fla, Western, Taiwan, AFP

☆ Chau Van Kham: Australian retiree accused of terrorism freed from prison in Vietnam
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Acting Australian Prime Minister Richard Marles said Chau Van Kham was released on humanitarian grounds and “in the spirit of friendship” between Australia and Vietnam. The Vietnamese government declared the California-based Viet Tan, or Vietnam Reform Party, a terrorist organization in 2016, accusing it of recruiting and training armed operatives. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese traveled to Vietnam last month to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. “We share the happy news that Mr Chau Van Kham is well and has returned to his family today,” the statement said, according to Amnesty. Pearson said Kham was one of more than 150 political prisoners detained in Vietnam for peaceful acts of free expression.

Persons: Australia CNN —, Richard Marles, ” Marles, Viet Tan, Tan, it’s, Anthony Albanese, Kham’s, Dan Nguyen, Chau, “, ” Elaine Pearson, Pearson, Kham, Pham Doan Trang, Mai Phan, Dang Dinh Bach, Hoang, Hong, ” Pearson Organizations: Australia CNN, Australian, Amnesty International, Amnesty, Vietnam Reform Party, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Human Rights Locations: Brisbane, Australia, Sydney, Vietnam, California, United States, Asia

☆ Chuck Schumer wants the FDA to scrutinize Logan Paul's Prime beverage brand for its marketing and caffeine content. It's nothing new for the energy drink industry.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Other energy drinks boast similar or higher levels of caffeine content, such as Celsius or Bang. "This content and the claims made should be investigated, along with the ingredients and the caffeine content in the Prime energy drink." The company notes under the energy drink product that the beverage is for ages 18+. Prime's beverage is not the only energy drink with high caffeine content on the market. Some energy drinks surpass the caffeine content of Prime.

Persons: Sen, Chuck Schumer, Logan, Schumer, influencers Paul, KSI, William Olatunji, Powerade —, Paul, it's, Red Bull Organizations: FDA, Service, Drug Administration, YouTube, Associated Press, AP, Congo Brands, Gatorade, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, New Zealand Herald, The New York Times, Prime Energy, Times, Red, American Academy of Pediatrics Locations: Wall, Silicon, Louisville, Australia, New Zealand, Swedish

☆ New Zealand national broadcaster launches review after stories altered
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The broadcaster, which first revealed the issues last Friday, said its board decided an independent review was necessary. The panel would review editorial processes and "examine factors and warning signs, which led to international wire stories being subedited with inappropriate content," it said in a statement. Reuters supplied 21 of the altered stories and one came from Britain's BBC, RNZ's list of stories that have been corrected shows. The BBC did not immediately respond to a request for comment on RNZ's move to review its internal processes. The panel includes New Zealand media law expert Willy Akel, public law expert and former journalist Linda Clark and former director of editorial standards at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Alan Sunderland.

Persons: RNZ, Ukraine impartially, Jim Mather, Willy Akel, Linda Clark, Alan Sunderland, Clark, Lucy Craymer, Lincoln Organizations: Radio New Zealand, BBC, Reuters, Thomson, RNZ, New, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Sunderland Locations: Ukraine, China, Taiwan, RNZ

☆ Stan Grant: ABC Australia apologizes to host as he steps away due to 'sickening' racist attacks
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

He had spoken out Friday in an ABC column, detailing his recent experience of racist attacks and accusing his employer of not offering enough support. I am writing this because I will not have people depict me as a person of hate,” Grant wrote. “No one at the ABC — whose producers invited me onto their coronation coverage as a guest — has uttered one word of public support. As a member of the Australian Aboriginal community, Grant has been vocal about the country’s record on Indigenous rights. Earlier this year, the ABC lodged a complaint with Twitter about the racist comments published about him on its platform.

☆ Australia says Quad meeting could still proceed without Biden
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Renju Jose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY, May 17 (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday a Quad summit could still go ahead as scheduled in Sydney next week without U.S. President Joe Biden, who postponed his trip to Australia due to debt ceiling negotiations in Washington. The leaders had agreed to work to reschedule Biden's visit to Australia "at the earliest opportunity", he added. Albanese said he hoped the Quad summit could go ahead as planned on May 24 with the United States sending a "senior representative" to attend. It was also possible they would meet together with Biden on the sidelines of the G-7 summit in Japan this week, he said. Albanese said he was certain Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi would travel to Australia next week as planned for a bilateral meeting and an event on Tuesday with the Indian diaspora in Sydney.

☆ 'Bluey' edits out scene after fat-shaming complaints
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Hafsa Khalil | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A recent episode of the hit children’s TV show “Bluey” has been edited after its original version sparked accusations of fat-shaming. The episode “Exercise,” first broadcast last month, no longer shows a bathroom scene in which Bluey’s parents weigh themselves in front of their children. “The recent episode of Bluey, Exercise, has been republished by the ABC following a decision by the makers of the program,” a statement from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) said Friday. The opening scene initially showed Bandit, Bluey’s father, weighing himself in the morning and sighing: “Oh man…I just need to do some exercise.”“Tell me about it,” Chilli, Bluey’s mother, said after walking in, before weighing herself to the same reaction. The ABC said: “(This) new version provides families with the opportunity to manage important conversations in their own way.

☆ Kyrgios says not sleeping much after mother allegedly held at gunpoint
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 4 (Reuters) - Nick Kyrgios said he had not slept much this week and was "battling a little" after police accused a man of threatening the player's mother with a firearm and allegedly stealing a Tesla car from her. A 32-year-old Canberra suspect appeared in ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday to face several charges, including aggravated robbery and driving a stolen motor vehicle. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has said the man pointed a long-barrelled gun at Kyrgios's mother Norlaila and demanded the keys to the green Tesla. "Last couple days has been rough ... haven't slept much and battling a little," Kyrgios wrote on Instagram. World number 26 Kyrgios is yet to make his 2023 season debut after having knee surgery following his withdrawal from the Australian Open in January.

☆ Man charged after stealing Kyrgios' car, threatening player's mother
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MELBOURNE, May 2 (Reuters) - Australian police have charged a man with armed robbery and accused him of threatening Nick Kyrgios' mother at gunpoint before stealing the Australian tennis player's car, local media reported on Tuesday. An ACT policing statement on Monday said police had received a report that a man had threatened a woman with a firearm and allegedly stolen a car. The ABC said the man had pointed a long-barrelled gun at Kyrgios's mother Norlaila and demanded the keys to a green Tesla. Kyrgios helped police track down the car by using a location app on his phone, the ABC added, citing court documents. Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Christina FincherOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Fact Check-Video of Australian news interview featuring Bill Gates edited using AI
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The version of the clip with altered dialogue being shared was created using deepfake technology, which manipulates audio and visuals to make it appear that an individual is saying something (here). There are signs of several techniques used to create the fake video, according to Dominic Lees, an associate professor of filmmaking at the University of Reading. “Voice cloning has been used to create the fake voices of Gates and his interviewer…The fake audio has been applied to a re-edited version of the interview,” Lees told Reuters. So, this analysis suggests the video is likely to be manipulated.”A spokesperson for ABC News told Reuters, “The video is clearly fake. The video shared on social media has been manipulated using deepfake technology and does not show an authentic interaction between ABC News journalist Sarah Ferguson and Bill Gates.

☆ Low dissolved oxygen levels behind mass fish death in Australian river
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Thousands of dead fish have been found this week in the Darling River near the town of Menindee, around 1,000km (620 miles) west of the state capital Sydney. The NSW Department of Planning and Environment's water division said on Twitter that "dissolved oxygen levels remain a concern for fish health" in the area. "There is a large number of fish deaths (predominantly Bony Herring) in the Darling River between Lake Wetherell and Menindee township," the agency said on Friday. Footage posted to Twitter by SBS showed a boat navigating through thousands of dead fish blanketing the entire surface of the river. The state planning and environment agency warned river oxygen levels could fall futher this weekend as temperatures rise, before cooler conditions return next week.

☆ Heavy rain in Australia triggers flood evacuations in Queensland
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY, March 11 (Reuters) - Emergency services in Australia's Queensland state evacuated residents to higher ground on Saturday, as record-breaking floods sparked by heavy rain lashed the region's northwest. Fifty three residents of the isolated Gulf Country town of Burketown, about 2,115 km (1,314 miles) northwest of state capital Brisbane, had been evacuated since heavy rain triggered floods earlier this week, police said Saturday. At Burketown, the flood topped the March 2011 record of 6.87 metres after up to 293 mm of rain fell on Thursday and Friday, the Bureau of Meteorology previously said. Police were co-ordinating the evacuation via helicopter to the mining town of Mount Isa, about 425 km (264 miles) south. Flood alerts were current on Saturday for large swaths of Queensland, and there were also warnings for severe storms, heavy rainfall, and potential flash flooding in many parts, including the Gulf Country.

☆ Australian professor among three hostages released in Papua New Guinea - report
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY, Feb 26 (Reuters) - An Australian professor, held for a week by armed men in a remote part of Papua New Guinea, has been released along with two local colleagues, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported on Sunday. A group of archaeology researchers, including the professor working for an Australian university, two Papua New Guinean university graduates and a programme coordinator were taken hostage by last Sunday by men demanding a cash ransom, officials have said. Release of the three would end days of negotiations and a security operation involving Papua New Guinea police and defence personnel, in consultation with the Australian and New Zealand governments, according to the ABC. The professor is an Australian resident and New Zealand citizen. At that time, Papua New Guinea police said they were working for a "peaceful resolution" to the situation.

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