标签： Oceania

In a significant development in the high-profile murder trial of Toyah Cordingley, jurors were taken to the remote Wangetti Beach in northern Queensland, where the 24-year-old’s body was discovered in 2018. The visit aimed to familiarize the jury with key locations in the case, though no official evidence was presented during the trip. The jury, consisting of ten men and two women, along with three backup jurors, accompanied the judge and barristers to the site, marking the second week of the trial. The tropical conditions prompted an unusual courtroom attire, with Justice Lincoln Crowley opting for a T-shirt, sports shorts, and trainers instead of traditional robes. The prosecution alleges that Rajwinder Singh, a 41-year-old former nurse, repeatedly stabbed Ms. Cordingley with a sharp object and buried her in a shallow grave, leaving her with ‘little or no hope of surviving.’ Singh, who fled to India shortly after the murder, denies the charges. The prosecution has presented circumstantial evidence, including DNA from a stick at the scene, which is 3.8 billion times more likely to belong to Singh than a random individual. Additionally, the movements of Ms. Cordingley’s phone after the killing reportedly matched those of Singh’s blue Alfa Romeo. The defense has yet to present its case but has described Singh as a ‘placid’ and ‘caring’ man who was in the ‘wrong place at the wrong time.’ The trial is set to resume in the conventional courtroom setting on Tuesday.

In a significant public health response, 69 schools across the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) will remain closed on Monday following the recall of colored play sand due to asbestos contamination risks. The recall, initiated by major retailers Kmart and Target on Saturday, was prompted by the discovery of asbestos traces in some product samples. The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has assessed the risk of asbestos becoming airborne as ‘low,’ but authorities are taking no chances. ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry confirmed that air testing across all schools has so far returned negative results for airborne asbestos. However, comprehensive inspections are ongoing and may take several days to complete. This development follows the partial or full closure of several schools and preschools in the region last Friday, triggered by similar asbestos concerns in sand products sold by Officeworks. The issue has also extended to New Zealand, where at least two schools are set to close for testing on Monday. Berry emphasized that the recalled sand products are more widely used in ACT schools than the Officeworks items, necessitating a broader response. Over the weekend, State Emergency Service volunteers and school staff conducted thorough inspections, mapping all colored sand in school premises. The ACT government has assured the public that individuals exposed to the products do not require clinical assessments, but the government is committed to eliminating risks ‘as much as reasonably practicable.’ Meanwhile, 23 schools will remain open, either due to minimal stock or the absence of the recalled products. The affected items include the Active Sandtub 14-piece Sand Castle Building Set and Blue, Green, and Pink Magic Sand. Asbestos, a hazardous material once commonly used in construction, can release toxic fibers when disturbed, posing long-term health risks such as cancer. Both Australia and New Zealand strictly prohibit the import or export of asbestos-containing goods.

A tragic incident unfolded during the annual Walcha Motorcycle Rally in southeastern Australia, leaving nine people injured, one critically, after a car veered off the track and crashed into a crowd. The accident occurred on Saturday night in the town of Walcha, New South Wales, during a demolition derby—a motorsport event where drivers intentionally collide with each other. According to police, the car breached a fence and struck the grandstand, causing injuries to bystanders aged between 20 and 75. The critically injured individual is a 54-year-old man. Authorities revealed that the 27-year-old driver had been involved in a collision on the track moments before the crash. An investigation is currently underway to determine the exact circumstances of the incident. The Walcha Council expressed shock and sadness in a statement on the rally’s Facebook page, pledging to collaborate with authorities to examine the causes of the accident. Local politicians, including Brendan Moylan, Member of Parliament for Northern Tablelands, and Barnaby Joyce, former deputy prime minister, extended their thoughts and prayers to the victims, praising the emergency responders for their swift and professional actions. The Walcha Motorcycle Rally, described as a grassroots event for motorcycle enthusiasts, ended on a somber note as the community grappled with the aftermath of the tragedy.

Approximately 30 schools in Australia have been fully or partially shut down following the discovery of tremolite asbestos in children’s colored sand products. The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued a recall notice on Wednesday after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of this naturally occurring asbestos. While the ACCC emphasized that the risk of asbestos becoming airborne or inhalable is ‘low,’ it cautioned that the substance ‘may still pose a risk.’ By Friday, at least 15 schools and seven preschools in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) had closed entirely, with six others partially shutting down as a precaution. Reports also emerged of a school closure in Queensland. The affected sand products, imported from China and sold nationwide between 2020 and 2025, include Kadink Sand (1.3kg), Educational Colours – Rainbow Sand (1.3kg), and Creatistics – Coloured Sand (1kg). These items were distributed by major stationery retailers, including Officeworks. New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment also issued a voluntary recall for EC Rainbow Sand (1.3kg) and Creatistics – Coloured Sand (1kg) as a precautionary measure. Yvette Berry, ACT’s education minister, acknowledged the potential distress for families, stating that school closures would expedite testing and remediation efforts. Meanwhile, Victoria and New South Wales have opted against closing schools, citing the low health risk. Authorities in these states are working to identify and remove the recalled products from educational settings. Asbestos, a banned substance in Australia, poses severe health risks when inhaled, potentially causing lung damage and cancer.

A mother and daughter, allegedly part of a highly sophisticated criminal syndicate, have been arrested in Sydney, Australia, for orchestrating a massive fraud scheme targeting vulnerable members of the Vietnamese community. The duo, aged 53 and 25 respectively, are accused of scamming nearly A$70 million (approximately $46 million) through deceptive practices, including posing as a fortune teller and feng shui master. The mother allegedly convinced victims to take out loans by promising them a future as billionaires, while keeping a significant portion of the funds for herself. The pair were arrested at their multi-million-dollar mansion in the exclusive suburb of Dover Heights, where police seized luxury items, financial documents, and a 40-gram gold bar worth A$10,000. The mother faces 39 charges, including directing a criminal group and obtaining financial advantage by deception, while her daughter faces seven charges related to money laundering and involvement in criminal activities. The investigation, led by NSW Police’s Strike Force Myddleton, has uncovered a broader syndicate involved in large-scale fraud and money laundering, with assets worth A$75 million already frozen. The case, dubbed the Penthouse Syndicate, is believed to be one of the largest financial crime operations in Australia, involving corrupt bank staff and fraudulent loans to purchase luxury properties.