'Terrible' jetski collision rips man's leg off

December 29, 2010

A Perth man who lost his leg during a gruesome jetski accident has told how he had to pinch his own artery in his severed limb to stay alive. Blake Granston, 23, is still recovering in Royal Perth Hospital after the accident at the Belmont water park, near the Ascot Race Course, at 2.40pm on Tuesday last week. "I was jet skiing in the Belmont ski area for a Christmas party for work, I got hit by another jetski on the side," he said. www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/terrible-jetski-collision-rips-mans-leg-off-20101229-19a0v.html

27 people confirmed dead in Christmas Island disaster

December 15, 2010

Rescuers have recovered 27 bodies from the wreckage of a boat that sank off Christmas Island this morning. Customs and Border Protection have just confirmed the number after an all-day search and rescue operation which is still ongoing. A further 41 people have been rescued, while another man made it to shore by himself. www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/27-people-confirmed-dead-in-christmas-island-disaster-20101215-18xkm.html

Julian Assange arrested

December 7, 2010

WikiLeaks chief Julian Assange was arrested in London today on suspicion of rape after surrendering to a Swedish arrest warrant, setting up a possible extradition fight that could drag on for months. Assange, 39, was detained after attending a London police station by appointment at 9.30am London time (8.30pm Melbourne time) and was due to appear at City of Westminster Magistrates Court later in the day, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement. www.theage.com.au/world/julian-assange-arrested-20101207-18ofs.html

QLd Floods 2010 - 2011

December, 2010

The Queensland Premier's Flood Relief Appeal has passed the $14 million mark and there have been offers of help from across the world, Premier Anna Bligh says. More heavy rain is expected in flood-hit parts of Queensland as Rockhampton contemplates a massive clean-up, and St George braces for what's yet to come. www.theage.com.au/environment/weather/qldfloods

NZ mining in doubt after Pike River tragedy

November 19, 2010

The future of New Zealand's entire underground mining industry was in doubt in the wake of a colliery disaster that claimed 29 lives, prime minister John Key said. The industry, which has enjoyed a boom in recent years thanks to surging demand from Asia, could not continue if there was a risk of more tragedies such as this month's Pike River pit explosion, Mr Key told TVNZ. www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/11/28/3078522.htm

Aussies celebrate Mary MacKillop's canonisation

October 17, 2010

POPE Benedict XVI says he hopes Saint Mary MacKillop, the nation's first saint, will continue to inspire Australians. Saint Mary of the Cross, as she is officially known, was canonised in Rome tonight. www.news.com.au/world/theres-something-special-about-our-mary/story-e6frfkyi-1225939672883

Chile mine rescue: We're over halfway there

October 14, 2010

PUMPING fists, or falling to their knees in prayer, over half the 33 miners trapped below ground in Chile for more than two months savoured their first taste of freedom, rising from the depths to a heroes' welcome. www.news.com.au/world/chile-mine-rescue-operation-begins/story-e6frfkyi-1225938146558

Topless sunbather accused of sensuously rubbing in sun cream

August 12, 2010

A TOPLESS sunbather is being investigated by police after being accused of sensuously rubbing sun cream on herself on a public beach. Police were called to a beach at Anzio south of Rome by a furious mother who said the way the “attractive” sunbather was rubbing lotion on her body had “troubled her sons aged 14 and 12.” The mother said she had asked the 26-year-old woman, identified only as Luisa under Italian privacy laws, to cover herself up. But the woman, still topless, refused and an argument broke out and police were called. www.news.com.au/travel/news/topless-sunbather-accused-of-sensuously-rubbing-in-sun-cream/story-e6frfq80-1225904452174

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in Tears After Being Dumped by his own Labor Party

June 24, 2010

Kevin Michael Rudd born on the 21st of September 1957 in Nambour, Queensland, member of Australian Labour Party, from Queensland became the 26th Prime Minister of Australia in December 2007 officially after wining the federal election in November 2007... Deposing Kevin Rudd as the Prime Minister of Australia was a close and brutal betrayal from his so called long loyal deputy Julia Gillard and his own party colleagues. www.theaustralianpost.com/2010/06/australian-prime-minister-kevin-rudd-in-tears-after-being-dumped-by-his-own-labour-party/

Solo sailor Jessica Watson returns to Australia

May 15, 2010

PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd has greeted teen adventurer Jessica Watson underneath the sails of the Sydney Opera House after her seven-month voyage around the world. After 210 days at sea, Watson's boat Ella's Pink Lady today crossed through Sydney Heads, marking the official finish line of her epic journey. www.news.com.au/travel/news/solo-sailor-jessica-watson-returns-to-australia/story-e6frfq80-1225867097824

Oil spill approaches Louisiana coast

April 20,2010

Late on the night of April 20th, 50 miles from the shore of Louisiana, a fire broke out aboard the Transocean Deepwater Horizon oil rig under lease by BP, with 126 individuals on board. After a massive explosion, all but 11 of the crew managed to escape as the rig was consumed by fire, later collapsing and sinking into the Gulf. Safeguards set in place to automatically cap the oil well in case of catastrophe did not work as expected, and now an estimated 5,000 barrels (over 200,000 gallons) of crude oil is pouring into the Gulf of Mexico every day - and could possibly continue to do so for months as complicated efforts are made to stop the leak. www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/04/oil_spill_approaches_ louisiana.html

Iceland Volcano Erupts Again, 800 Evacuated

April 14, 2010

A volcano under a glacier in Iceland erupted Wednesday for the second time in less than a month, melting ice, spewing smoke and steam, closing a major road and forcing hundreds of people to flee rising floodwaters. www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/04/14/tech/main6394180.shtml

Tiger Woods holds a stage-managed press conference

February 20, 2010

Tiger Woods held a press conference moments ago, speaking in public for the first time since his secret life of tawdry sexual liaisons was exposed in late November. The golfer addressed friends, family, fans and business associates today at the TPC at Sawgrass in Florida, expressing regret for "irresponsible and selfish behavior." www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2010/02/tiger-woods-press-conference-speech-apology/

Hundreds feared dead in Haiti earthquake

January 12, 2010

Major buildings including offices, hotels and shops collapsed when a massive earthquake hit Haiti's capital, burying hundreds, possibly thousands of people beneath rubble, an aid worker with a US charity said. www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/01/13/2791129.htm