Refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi has become an Australian citizen after a nearly five-year wait.The Bahrain-born player took the oath at a ceremony at Melbourne’s Federation Square this morning. The 25-year-old made headlines after being detained in Thailand in November while on his honeymoon and spending more than 70 days in a[Read More…]
Melborune
Bunyip State Park fire destroyed 29 houses, Victorian authorities confirm
Victorian authorities have confirmed 29 houses were destroyed in a bushfire that was sparked by lightning strikes in the Bunyip State Park in eastern Victoria a week ago. A further two houses were damaged by the blaze but were considered habitable, the state control centre said in a statement.It said[Read More…]
Qantas flight from Adelaide to Canberra makes emergency diversion to Melbourne
A passenger on a Qantas flight involved in a mid-air emergency has told the ABC they heard a loud bang before the plane went into a “rapid” descent and oxygen masks were deployed. The ABC understands the Adelaide to Canberra flight, QF 706, landed safely just after 8:00am after being diverted[Read More…]
It’s all gone’: Victorian winery owner’s livelihood up in flames
Andrew Clarke of Jinks Creek winery was sitting in a cafe watching television when he saw a building explode in flames. He quickly realised it was his property. A winemaker has watched footage of his home of 40 years and livelihood being reduced to ashes after escaping a ferocious blaze in[Read More…]
Homes under threat as bushfires affect more than 20 Victorian towns, CFS save Hills couple
Five buildings have been lost in bushfires burning out of control in eastern Victoria as hot temperatures and strong winds challenge firefighters battling the blazes. Conditions are set to escalate today and although it will not be as hot as it has been, it will be windier. A north-westerly wind[Read More…]
New technology to give trams priority at traffic lights
Trams will soon get new powers that have long eluded motorists – the ability to sail through traffic lights when running late. Trams will be given the green light over cars in a trial of the new technology on the 75 tram route that runs along Toorak Road and the[Read More…]
Two men released over shooting of former police detective in Melbourne’s West
Two men arrested over the shooting of an ex-detective in Point Cook have been released, pending further inquiries. Sid Morgan, a former NSW police officer, was shot in the face on Spraypoint Drive around 11pm Thursday night.Mr Morgan remained in the Royal Melbourne Hospital on Sunday morning in a critical[Read More…]
Would you pay $1600 to sleep on a bed hanging off a cliff?
An Airbnb is offering accommodation which probably isn’t for the faint of heart.For about $1600 a night, two people can enjoy the view of the Mount Buffalo gorge, in Victoria’s northeast, from a portaledge – a type of deployable platform. The portaledge is suspended off the mountain’s north wall about[Read More…]
Why 5 million Australians can’t get to work, home or school on time
Australian cities are changing. You see that change in our newest outer suburbs and former country towns that now make up our commuter belt, where a third of the nation’s population growth has taken place over the past eight years. Here, up to 70 kilometres from the CBD, is where[Read More…]
Highlighting challenges faced by revert Muslims
Muslim converts from three diverse backgrounds talked about their personal experiences after accepting Islam at a community event in Melbourne on Monday 4 February, organised by Islamic Science and Research Academy and Benevolence Australia. It is very exciting to hear when a person decides to join us as a new[Read More…]