标签： Oceania

John Laws, the iconic Australian radio host renowned for his distinctive voice and dubbed the ‘Golden Tonsils,’ has died at the age of 90. Laws, whose broadcasting career spanned over seven decades, passed away peacefully at his Sydney home on Sunday, as confirmed by his family. His illustrious career included interviews with 17 Australian prime ministers and numerous celebrities, making him one of the highest-paid commercial radio hosts during his peak. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and actor Russell Crowe were among those who paid tribute, with Crowe describing Laws as a ‘mischievous mate’ and a ‘legend in the most Australian sense.’ Laws’ career was not without controversy, including a ‘cash-for-comment’ scandal in the 1990s and various breaches of broadcasting regulations. Despite these challenges, he remained a dominant figure in Australian radio, particularly in rural New South Wales, where his morning show attracted two million listeners at its height. Laws retired in November 2022 after a final 13-year stint at 2SM, capping off a career that also saw him inducted into the Australian Media Hall of Fame and awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, announced that Laws’ family will be offered a state funeral.

Since late August, tens of thousands of Australians have been captivated by ‘Nest-flix,’ a 24-hour reality channel showcasing the dramatic lives of peregrine falcons nesting atop a Melbourne skyscraper. This avian saga, often likened to ‘Game of Thrones,’ features airborne battles, courtship rituals, births, and even the occasional earthquake. The stars of the show are the falcons themselves, whose lives unfold 34 storeys above the bustling city streets. Currently, viewers are eagerly awaiting the moment when this year’s chicks, hatched in late September, take their first flight. Dr. Victor Hurley, founder of the Victorian Peregrine Project, explains that the mother falcon teases her chicks by flying past with prey, encouraging them to take the plunge. ‘She’s essentially saying, ‘You wanna eat? Well, you gotta fly,’ he remarks. This deliberate reduction in food helps the chicks develop the strength and agility needed for their first flight. The story of these falcons began in 1991 when Dr. Hurley discovered their nesting site on an office building at 367 Collins Street. Initially, the falcons struggled due to their eggs being laid in a metal gutter, which acted as a heat sink. Dr. Hurley recommended installing a nest box, which led to the successful hatching of three chicks the following year. In 1993, a CCTV camera was installed to observe the nest, and in 2017, a webcam was added, allowing ‘Nest-flix’ to be broadcast live on YouTube. The falcons’ Facebook fan page has since amassed over 50,000 members, creating a supportive online community. Kylie Humrick, a moderator of the group, notes that the page exploded in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering people a sense of connection to the natural world. Over the years, the nest has been home to six or seven different pairs of falcons, each fiercely territorial. The site is highly prized for its abundant food supply, including pigeons and sparrows. However, this desirability has led to dramatic conflicts, with ‘floaters’—unpaired falcons—attempting to claim the territory. In 2022, a male falcon was replaced by a younger bird after a weeks-long battle, and in 2023, the resident female sustained brain damage after a fight with another female. Despite these challenges, the falcons continue to thrive, symbolizing resilience in the urban environment. The chicks are expected to fledge soon, marking a significant milestone in their lives. Dr. Hurley hopes they take their time, as a rushed first flight could lead to accidents. Once they make their first kill, they will be on their own, potentially chased out of the territory by their parents. With a 60% mortality rate in the first year, life is tough for young peregrine falcons. Yet, those that survive can begin breeding at three years old, continuing the cycle of life. As the fledging approaches, excitement builds among the online community, with many eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this high-flying urban drama.

A recent incident at Melbourne International Airport has reignited concerns over the safety of lithium power banks during air travel. A man in his 50s suffered burns to his leg and fingers after a power bank in his pocket ignited in the Qantas business lounge. The device overheated, burst into flames, and filled the area with smoke, leading to the evacuation of approximately 150 people. Quick-thinking staff assisted the man by placing him under a shower until paramedics arrived. He was hospitalized in stable condition and later released. Witnesses reported seeing ‘battery acid flying everywhere,’ according to The Age newspaper. The lounge was cleaned and reopened two hours later. Australian film producer Leanne Tonkes, who was present during the incident, shared an image of the burnt power bank on Instagram, expressing concern for the injured man and praising the swift response of staff and bystanders. This incident has prompted Qantas to review its policies regarding passengers carrying lithium batteries, including power banks. The airline is expected to announce updated guidelines soon. The incident is not isolated. In July, a fire on a Virgin Australia flight from Sydney to Hobart was attributed to a power bank stored in an overhead locker. The airline is now advising passengers to keep power banks ‘in sight and within easy reach’ during flights. Earlier this year, a fire believed to be caused by a power bank destroyed a passenger plane in South Korea. In response to these safety concerns, several international airlines, including Emirates, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Korean Air, and Singapore Airlines, have banned the use and charging of power banks during flights. Additionally, many airlines have imposed limits on the number and capacity of rechargeable batteries passengers can carry. For example, some airlines restrict passengers to two power banks with a capacity between 100Wh and 160Wh. These measures aim to mitigate the risks associated with lithium batteries, which are known to be prone to overheating and combustion under certain conditions.

A 19-year-old Australian teenager, Amelia Vanderhorst, has been brought to court for allegedly defacing a prominent public sculpture by attaching googly eyes to it. The incident, which occurred in September, involved a large blue sculpture of a mythical creature, locally nicknamed the ‘Blue Blob,’ located in Mount Gambier, South Australia. Vanderhorst appeared via phone at the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court on Tuesday, facing one count of property damage. She did not enter a plea and cited illness as her reason for not participating fully, with the magistrate advising her to seek legal representation before her next court appearance in December. The local council reported that CCTV footage captured the act, and the artificial eyes could not be removed without causing further damage to the artwork. The mayor, Lynette Martin, condemned the act as ‘inappropriate and disrespectful,’ emphasizing the costly repairs required. The sculpture, officially named ‘Cast in Blue,’ was inspired by an ancient marsupial ant-eater and cost A$136,000 ($89,000; £68,000) to create. While it initially received mixed reactions from the community, it has since become a cherished piece of public art. The council intends to pursue the responsible party for the significant repair costs.