In a bold and unconventional literary venture, Ander Louis, a Melbourne-based IT worker and part-time writer, has crafted a ‘bogan’ rendition of Leo Tolstoy’s monumental novel, ‘War & Peace.’ This unique adaptation transforms the 19th-century Russian aristocracy into a world filled with Australian slang, where princes become ‘drongos’ and princesses are referred to as ‘sheilas.’ Louis, whose real name is Andrew Tesoriero, began this project in 2018 as a humorous experiment, aiming to make the dense and often intimidating text more approachable and entertaining. The bogan version, characterized by its irreverent tone and casual language, has since garnered unexpected attention, particularly after excerpts were shared online by a New York-based tech writer. The sudden surge in interest led to a spike in sales, with Louis selling 50 copies overnight. He attributes this newfound popularity to the ‘Bluey effect,’ referencing the widespread appeal of Australian culture in the United States. Louis’s adaptation not only makes the classic more accessible but also challenges traditional notions of literary reverence, as he playfully reinterprets Tolstoy’s work through the lens of Australian colloquialism. Despite its unconventional approach, Louis believes that Tolstoy, who himself renounced his noble privileges later in life, might have appreciated the bogan version for its audacity and humor.
标签： Oceania
大洋洲
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Australian schools shut over asbestos risk in children’s sand
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.
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‘Fortune teller’ and daughter allegedly behind A$70m fraud in Australia
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.
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Hazlewood cleared of injury but Abbott out of Test
Australian cricket fans can breathe a sigh of relief as veteran pace bowler Josh Hazlewood has been declared fit to join the squad for the first Ashes Test against England, despite a recent injury scare. However, the team has suffered a setback with the exclusion of fellow fast bowler Sean Abbott due to a hamstring injury. Both players sustained their injuries during a Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and Victoria earlier this week. Scans revealed that Hazlewood, 34, did not suffer a muscle strain, while Abbott, 33, has been diagnosed with a ‘moderate grade’ injury. The absence of Abbott, who is yet to make his Test debut, is unlikely to significantly impact the team’s strategy for the Perth Test, as Hazlewood is expected to partner Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland as the primary seamers. Meanwhile, Australia’s captain Pat Cummins remains sidelined for the opening Test as he recovers from a back injury, with Steve Smith stepping in as interim captain. Cummins is anticipated to return for the second Test in Brisbane. Hazlewood, who had not played a first-class match in over a year prior to this week, experienced tightness in his hamstring during the match against Victoria but opted for precautionary measures. Both he and Abbott refrained from batting in New South Wales’ second innings, which ended in a 300-run defeat. Cummins emphasized the importance of caution, stating, ‘We’re a week away from the Test series – always err on the side of caution.’ He also expressed relief at seeing Hazlewood in good spirits after the injury scare. Abbott, a seasoned white-ball cricketer with 57 caps, will be missed, but uncapped seamer Brendan Doggett has been included in the squad as backup. The Ashes series, set to begin on November 21, promises high stakes as Australia aims to defend its title against a formidable English side.
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Australia’s spy chief accuses China of targeting key infrastructure
Australia’s top intelligence official has issued a stark warning about the escalating threat of cyber-attacks linked to China, targeting the nation’s critical infrastructure. Mike Burgess, Director-General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), revealed that hackers associated with the Chinese government and military are actively probing and attempting to breach vital systems, including water, transport, telecommunications, and energy networks. Speaking at a business forum in Melbourne, Burgess emphasized that these activities pose a significant risk of “high-impact sabotage” in the coming years. He specifically identified two Chinese hacking groups, Salt Typhoon and Volt Typhoon, as key perpetrators. While Salt Typhoon focuses on espionage, Volt Typhoon aims to disrupt critical infrastructure, potentially causing widespread societal and economic damage. Burgess highlighted the potential consequences of such attacks, including the crippling of financial systems, contamination of water supplies, and prolonged power outages. He also noted that foreign espionage has already cost Australia an estimated A$12.5 billion in the past year, with A$2 billion worth of trade secrets and intellectual property stolen. Burgess described the hackers’ methods as highly sophisticated, enabling them to maintain persistent, undetected access to compromised systems. The Chinese embassy has yet to respond to these allegations.
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Evidence of ancient tree-climbing ‘drop crocs’ found in Australia
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have uncovered Australia’s oldest known crocodile eggshells, believed to belong to the enigmatic ‘drop crocs’—tree-climbing crocodiles that once roamed the continent. The 55-million-year-old eggshells were found in a sheep farmer’s backyard in Queensland, with the findings published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. These eggshells are linked to the mekosuchines, an extinct group of crocodiles that thrived in inland waters when Australia was still connected to Antarctica and South America. Co-author Prof. Michael Archer, a palaeontologist at the University of New South Wales, described these creatures as ‘bizarre,’ suggesting they may have hunted like leopards, dropping from trees onto unsuspecting prey. The mekosuchines, which could grow up to five meters in length, were abundant long before their modern counterparts arrived in Australia around 3.8 million years ago. The eggshells were discovered decades ago but were only recently analyzed with the assistance of Spanish scientists. This discovery complements earlier findings of younger mekosuchine fossils in 25-million-year-old deposits elsewhere in Queensland. Prof. Archer has been part of a team excavating a clay pit in Murgon since the early 1980s, a site renowned as one of Australia’s oldest fossil locations. The area, once a lush forest, was home to the world’s oldest-known songbirds, Australia’s earliest frogs and snakes, and a variety of small mammals with South American connections. Prof. Archer recounted how he and a colleague first approached the farmer in 1983, leading to the excavation of this prehistoric treasure trove. He expressed optimism that further digging will reveal even more surprises from this ancient ecosystem.
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‘Sea legs meant I couldn’t bowl’ – when England travelled to Australia by boat
The Ashes, cricket’s most storied rivalry between Australia and England, has always been more than just a series of matches—it’s a journey steeped in history, tradition, and evolution. As the 2025-26 Ashes series approaches, the contrast between modern-day tours and those of the past couldn’t be more striking.
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New ‘Lucifer’ bee with devil-like horns found in Australia
Australian researchers have unveiled a fascinating new native bee species, distinguished by its tiny, devil-like horns, earning it the name Megachile Lucifer. The discovery was made during a study of a rare wildflower endemic to the Bremer Ranges in Western Australia’s Goldfields region, located 470 kilometers east of Perth. The unique horns, found exclusively on female bees, are believed to serve multiple purposes, including defense, pollen collection, and nest-building material gathering. Dr. Kit Prendergast from Curtin University, the lead scientist of the study, revealed that the name Lucifer was inspired by the Netflix series she was watching at the time. She emphasized that this is the first new addition to this bee group in two decades. The name Lucifer, meaning ‘light bringer’ in Latin, also symbolizes the urgent need for enhanced conservation efforts for native bee species and a deeper understanding of their role in pollinating endangered plants. The findings, published in the Journal of Hymenoptera Research, advocate for the formal protection of the area where the bee and wildflower were discovered, highlighting the risks posed by habitat disturbance and climate change. Dr. Prendergast warned that many mining operations overlook native bees in environmental impact assessments, potentially leading to the loss of undiscovered species critical to ecosystem health. ‘Without knowing which native bees exist and their plant dependencies, we risk losing both before we even realize their presence,’ she concluded.
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Once a sure thing, Australia’s bid to host COP31 falters amid deadlock with Turkey
As the COP30 climate summit unfolds in Belém, Brazil, a high-stakes diplomatic standoff is brewing between Australia and Turkey over the hosting rights for COP31 next year. Both nations are steadfast in their ambitions, with neither willing to concede, leaving the decision unresolved as the current summit nears its conclusion. If no agreement is reached by the end of this week, the hosting duties will default to Bonn, Germany, the headquarters of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Australia initially proposed a compelling joint bid with Pacific nations, emphasizing the region’s vulnerability to rising sea levels and the opportunity to showcase the tangible impacts of climate change. This move was seen as both a strategic geopolitical effort to counterbalance China’s growing influence in the Pacific and a demonstration of Australia’s commitment to its neighbors. However, Turkey has remained resolute in its bid, complicating Australia’s plans.
Despite Australia’s confidence in securing support, the negotiations have hit a snag. Critics argue that Australia’s climate leadership credentials are undermined by its status as the world’s largest coal exporter and one of the highest per capita emitters. While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged ambitious emissions reduction targets, his administration’s recent extension of the North West Shelf gas project has raised eyebrows.
Turkey, on the other hand, has close ties with Russia and Saudi Arabia, nations historically resistant to climate action. This has led to concerns about the potential direction of COP31 under Turkish leadership. The stakes are high for both countries, with Australia facing domestic criticism over the estimated A$1 billion cost of hosting, while Turkey seeks to bolster its international standing.
As the clock ticks down, the outcome remains uncertain. The decision will not only determine the host of COP31 but also shape the future of global climate negotiations.
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John Laws, veteran Australian talkback radio host nicknamed ‘Golden Tonsils’, dies aged 90
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.