A controversial US-based website has sparked widespread concern after publishing the private phone numbers of several prominent individuals, including Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Donald Trump Jr. The platform, which leverages artificial intelligence to scrape and compile data from various online sources, has listed personal contact details that remain publicly accessible. The BBC, while verifying the authenticity of the numbers, has opted not to disclose the site’s name. The issue was first brought to light by Ette Media, an independent Australian outlet, prompting Prime Minister Albanese’s office to acknowledge the situation and initiate an investigation. Similarly, the office of Australia’s opposition leader, Sussan Ley, whose private number was also exposed, described the incident as ‘obviously concerning’ and has requested the removal of the information. The website, which claims to possess contact details for hundreds of millions of professionals, is reportedly utilized by recruiters and sales representatives. While it remains unclear how the site obtained the data, Australia has recently experienced a series of significant data breaches. Users can access a limited number of contacts for free or subscribe to a paid service for broader access. According to its website, the platform aggregates public information, such as filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and employs AI to gather data from social media networks, web crawlers, and job portals.
标签： Oceania
大洋洲
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Cummins ‘unlikely’ to be fit for first Ashes Test
Australia’s cricket captain, Pat Cummins, has cast doubt on his availability for the first Ashes Test against England in Perth next month, citing ongoing recovery from a back stress injury. The 32-year-old fast bowler, who last played competitively in July, has resumed running but has yet to incorporate bowling into his rehabilitation. Cummins described his chances of playing in the opening Test as “less likely than likely,” emphasizing the need for at least four weeks of bowling preparation to ensure match readiness. With the first Test scheduled for November 21, Cummins’ tight recovery timeline raises concerns about his participation in the series. Australia’s coach, Andrew McDonald, echoed these concerns, stating that Cummins would require significant preparation to be fit for the high-stakes contest. Should Cummins miss the Test, former captain Steve Smith is expected to lead the team, with Scott Boland stepping into the bowling attack. Cummins’ injury woes are a recurring theme in his career, dating back to his Test debut at 18, when he suffered a heel injury. Despite his challenges, Cummins has established himself as one of cricket’s most formidable bowlers, with 309 Test wickets and a legacy of leading Australia to victories in the World Test Championship, World Cup, and Ashes series. His potential absence could significantly impact Australia’s bid to retain the Ashes urn, which they have held since 2018. Meanwhile, England faces its own fitness concerns, with captain Ben Stokes nursing a shoulder injury. As both teams grapple with key players’ fitness, the upcoming Ashes series promises to be a fiercely contested battle.
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‘Australia break new ground to leave Healy one mountain to climb’
In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Alyssa Healy led Australia to a historic victory against India in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025. The match, held on Sunday, saw Australia complete their first-ever ODI chase of over 300 runs, reclaiming the record for the highest chase in women’s 50-over cricket. Healy’s masterful century was the cornerstone of this remarkable achievement, showcasing her resilience and competitive spirit.
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Labuschagne boosts Ashes case with another century
Marnus Labuschagne has reignited his chances of reclaiming a spot in Australia’s Test squad for the upcoming Ashes series, following a stellar run of form for Queensland. The 31-year-old top-order batter notched his third century in four innings, scoring 105 off 91 balls in Queensland’s One-Day Cup defeat to Tasmania. This performance comes just days after he hammered 160 runs against the same opponents in the Sheffield Shield, Australia’s premier red-ball competition. Labuschagne’s recent exploits also include a 130-run knock off 118 balls in Queensland’s One-Day Cup opener against Victoria in September. Despite being dropped from Australia’s Test squad for the July series against the West Indies, Labuschagne has been in scintillating form, attributing his resurgence to a back-to-basics approach. ‘I felt good out there,’ Labuschagne remarked after his Shield century. ‘I’ve really stripped it back, and my focus is just on scoring runs. It’s not too technical—just what I need to perform.’ Labuschagne faces stiff competition from the likes of Travis Head, Sam Konstas, and Nathan McSweeney for a place in the Ashes squad, potentially as Usman Khawaja’s opening partner. Australia has yet to announce their squad for the Ashes, with the first Test scheduled to begin on November 21 in Perth. England, meanwhile, have already named their squad for the highly anticipated series.
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‘Being gay in men’s football is a very toxic place’
Josh Cavallo, the first openly gay male professional footballer in top-flight football, continues to face relentless homophobic abuse and death threats since publicly revealing his sexuality in 2021. Despite the challenges, Cavallo remains steadfast in his mission to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion in the sport. Speaking to BBC Sport, Cavallo shared the emotional toll of daily harassment, stating, ‘It broke my heart to read those messages. I’m here to play football and be the best I can be, yet I’m targeted for who I am as a person.’
Cavallo’s journey began in Adelaide United, where he made history by coming out with the support of his teammates. Now playing for Peterborough Sports in England’s National League North, he uses his platform to advocate for equality. With over one million Instagram followers, Cavallo amplifies his message, emphasizing that football still has ‘mountains to do’ in addressing homophobia. ‘I don’t go a week without hearing about an issue,’ he reveals.
The 25-year-old has faced physical attacks and verbal abuse, including a chilling incident at an Australian petrol station. Despite these hardships, Cavallo’s courage has inspired others, such as Blackpool’s Jake Daniels, who came out in 2022. However, the Premier League still lacks openly gay or bisexual players, a milestone Cavallo believes would ‘move mountains’ but remains fraught with challenges.
Cavallo also criticizes FIFA for hosting World Cups in countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia, where LGBTQ+ rights are criminalized. ‘It’s scary that people like me could be imprisoned just for existing,’ he says. Yet, Cavallo remains committed to fostering change within football, using his voice to educate and create safer spaces for LGBTQ+ athletes. ‘My purpose is to create change. That’s what I’m here for,’ he affirms.
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No decision on Cummins as fitness fears grow
Australia’s cricket captain, Pat Cummins, faces uncertainty over his participation in the upcoming Ashes series as ongoing back issues threaten to sideline him. Recent scans revealed that Cummins’ lumbar bone stress, sustained during Australia’s Test tour to the West Indies in July, has not yet healed. While the Australian camp has not officially ruled him out, reports suggest he may miss the first Test in Perth on 21 November and potentially the entire series. Cummins, 32, has been undergoing rehabilitation and remains optimistic about his recovery. Former Australia coach Justin Langer confirmed Cummins’ determination to play, stating that the captain’s mindset remains unchanged since his initial diagnosis. Meanwhile, former England cricketer Stuart Broad expressed hope for Cummins’ fitness, emphasizing the importance of facing the best in Ashes cricket. Cummins’ absence would be a significant blow to Australia, with Scott Boland likely to step in as his replacement and Steve Smith potentially taking over the captaincy. Cummins’ injury history, including recurring back problems earlier in his career, adds to the concern. His potential unavailability could tilt the balance in England’s favor, especially as they prepare with a formidable pace attack. Both teams face fitness uncertainties, with England’s Ben Stokes also recovering from a shoulder injury. The outcome of the Ashes may hinge on which captain can stay fit and lead their team effectively.
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Australian prosecutors appeal mushroom murderer’s ‘inadequate’ sentence
In a high-profile legal battle, Australian prosecutors have launched an appeal against the sentence handed to Erin Patterson, the woman convicted of orchestrating a deadly mushroom meal that claimed three lives and left another critically ill. Patterson, 51, was sentenced last month to life imprisonment with no possibility of parole for at least 33 years, marking one of the longest sentences ever imposed on a female offender in Australia. The Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) argued that the sentence was ‘manifestly inadequate’ given the gravity of her crimes. The appeal was filed on the final day of the deadline, with the DPP emphasizing the severity of Patterson’s actions. The case has drawn global attention, with media outlets and the public flocking to the small courthouse in Morwell, Victoria, during the nine-week trial. Patterson was found guilty of murdering her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66, by serving them beef Wellington laced with toxic death cap mushrooms in 2023. Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, a local pastor, survived but continues to suffer from health complications. Patterson’s estranged husband, Simon Patterson, narrowly escaped the fatal meal after canceling at the last minute. It was later revealed that Simon had previously fallen critically ill after consuming meals prepared by Erin, leading to a coma and the surgical removal of a significant portion of his bowel. During sentencing, Justice Christopher Beale acknowledged the heinous nature of Patterson’s crimes but cited the ‘harsh prison conditions’ she faces as a factor in allowing parole eligibility. Patterson has spent 15 months in solitary confinement and is likely to remain isolated for her safety due to her ‘major offender status’ and the notoriety of her case. She is currently held at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a maximum-security prison in Melbourne, where she spends 22 hours a day in her cell with no contact with other inmates. Patterson’s legal team has indicated plans to appeal her conviction, though no formal application has been submitted yet. Her defense must demonstrate legal errors to secure a hearing. The case continues to captivate public interest, with Patterson expected to remain a notorious figure in the Australian penal system for years to come.
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Australia and PNG sign defence deal as China grows influence in the Pacific
In a landmark move to bolster regional security, Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) have signed a comprehensive defense agreement, solidifying their partnership amidst growing geopolitical tensions in the Pacific. The pact, inked by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and PNG Prime Minister James Marape in Canberra on Monday, grants Australia access to PNG’s military facilities and troops, with both nations pledging mutual defense in the event of an attack. Dubbed the ‘Pukpuk Treaty’—a nod to the PNG pidgin word for ‘crocodile’—the agreement underscores the strategic interoperability and preparedness of the two militaries. The treaty also allows up to 10,000 Papua New Guineans to serve in Australia’s armed forces, with the option to pursue Australian citizenship. Marape emphasized that the pact is rooted in shared geography and history, not geopolitics, and assured that PNG has been transparent with China about its alliance with Australia. Albanese highlighted the treaty’s role in maintaining peace and stability in the Pacific, stating, ‘By continuing to build our security relationships in the region, we safeguard our own security.’ The deal includes annual joint military exercises and enhanced collaboration in cyberspace and electromagnetic warfare. Analysts view the agreement as a strategic counter to China’s expanding influence in the region, particularly following its security deals with the Solomon Islands. Oliver Nobetau of the Lowy Institute noted that the treaty addresses Australia’s military recruitment challenges while signaling to the U.S. that Australia and PNG are capable of managing regional stability. However, concerns have been raised in PNG about the treaty potentially undermining its ‘friends to all, enemies to none’ foreign policy stance.
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Norwegian oats win world porridge championship
In a remarkable display of culinary innovation, Sven Seljom from Norway has emerged victorious at the prestigious World Porridge Making Championship, held annually in Carrbridge, Scotland. Seljom, a first-time competitor, clinched the coveted Golden Spurtle trophy by infusing his own unique twist into the traditional Scottish dish. His winning creation featured Norwegian Black Oats, sea salt, and water, ingredients he brought from his homeland. This year’s competition saw 30 participants from 14 countries, including the USA, Canada, Australia, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Finland, showcasing their porridge-making prowess. Seljom, upon being crowned champion, expressed his pride, stating, ‘This is a great honour.’ He revealed that his inspiration to compete stemmed from hearing about the event on Norwegian radio years ago, which piqued his interest due to its distinctive nature. The black oats used in his dish are an ancient grain that was once widely cultivated across Europe but nearly vanished in the 1800s. Seljom shared his meticulous preparation process, explaining that he experimented with various steel-cut oats and sourced his ingredients from an organic farm, soaking them for 24 hours prior to the competition. Meanwhile, the award for the best specialty porridge went to Australian food stylist Caroline Velik, who impressed the judges with her porridge jaffles—a yoghurt flatbread filled with rum bananas, Bundaberg banana toffee rum liqueur, oatmeal, and waffle seeds, all coated in Davidson plum sugar. Porridge Chieftain Alan Rankin praised the high standard of this year’s entries, noting the event’s continued growth and success.
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Fatal attack revives debate over controversial shark nets in Australia
The ocean has always been a central part of Glen Butler’s life. A seasoned surfer for over five decades, the 61-year-old rarely worried about sharks until a recent tragedy shook his confidence. Last month, while surfing at Long Reef in Sydney’s northern beaches, his friend Mercury Psillakis was fatally attacked by a great white shark just minutes after Butler had exited the water. This incident has reignited a contentious debate about how to safeguard beachgoers in Australia, particularly in New South Wales (NSW), where shark nets are a widely used but controversial measure. These nets, deployed each summer, aim to reduce shark encounters but have drawn criticism from conservationists for their indiscriminate harm to marine life. Despite their limitations, many beachgoers view them as a necessary layer of protection. Australia, home to some of the world’s most iconic beaches, sees over 80% of its population living along the coast, making shark safety a pressing concern. While shark attacks remain rare, the country ranks second globally for such incidents, trailing only the United States. Recent years have seen an increase in shark sightings, attributed by some to warming oceans and changing marine behaviors. However, experts caution that heightened awareness and social media may amplify perceptions of risk. Alternatives to shark nets, such as drumlines, eco-barriers, and drone surveillance, are gaining traction, though funding constraints limit their widespread adoption. The tragic death of Psillakis has prompted authorities to reconsider the use of nets, but the fear of subsequent attacks has stalled progress. As Australia grapples with balancing human safety and marine conservation, the debate over shark mitigation strategies continues to evolve.