Australia

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Crocodiles Can Surf: Scientists

Beasts use currents to travel vast stretches of ocean

(Newser) - Crocodiles use their bodies as a sort of surfboard to travel vast distances on the open ocean, scientists have found. Researchers studying the territorial habits of the saltwater crocodile in Australia made the surprise discovery that the crocs, who are poor swimmers, used knowledge of river currents to ease their...

Restaurant Charges Extra for Not Finishing Meal
 Restaurant Charges Extra 
 for Not Finishing Meal 
in case you missed it
Jun 6, 2010 5:45 PM CDT

Restaurant Charges Extra for Not Finishing Meal

Leftovers are frowned upon at Wafu

(Newser) - Don’t even think about asking for a doggie bag at Australian restaurant Wafu. The chef not only charges diners who don’t finish their meal 30% more than diners who do, but she also asks them not to return. “Finishing your meal requires that everything is eaten except...

Watch Out for Drunk, Falling Parrots
 Drunk 
 Parrots 
 Falling 
 From Sky 
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Jun 6, 2010 6:25 AM CDT

Drunk Parrots Falling From Sky

Australians have to be on alert these days

(Newser) - It's that special season in Australia—you know, when stoned parrots drop from the sky in bunches. Every year around this time, the parrots begin eating some as-yet unidentified substance that renders them unable to fly or do much of anything. "They lose all balance and we do find...

Obama Cancels Indonesia Trip, Heads to Gulf

He'll head back to Louisiana for 2nd time in 8 days

(Newser) - President Obama's trip to Indonesia and Australia is again getting trumped by domestic concerns. The White House canceled his upcoming visit because it would be a political faux pas to leave for a week in the midst of the oil cleanup, suggests the New York Times . He had to cancel...

The iPad Goes International
 The iPad Goes International 
May 28, 2010 5:27 AM CDT

The iPad Goes International

'I wanted to touch it as soon as possible!'

(Newser) - Some 1,200 people waited in a half-mile-long line outside Apple's flagship store in Tokyo this morning in anticipation of the international iPad launch. "I wanted to touch it as soon as possible. I felt real excitement when it was finally in my hands," one man tells Reuters...

Stroller Hit by Train, Baby Fine

Driver's quick reaction saves Aussie boy

(Newser) - A 15-month-old baby managed to escape with only minor cuts and bruises after his stroller tumbled onto the tracks and into the path of an oncoming train in Melbourne, Australia. The driver, who jammed on his brakes immediately and pulled the baby out from under the train, was praised for...

Aussie Ninjas Foil Mugging
 Aussie Ninjas Foil Mugging 
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
May 23, 2010 10:25 AM CDT

Aussie Ninjas Foil Mugging

Ninjitsu class interrupts attack outside martial arts school

(Newser) - A gang of would-be muggers picked the worst dark alley in Sydney to attack their victim—right outside the gates of a ninja school. A student at the Japanese martial arts school saw the attack and raised the alarm. The attackers hotfooted it as five black-clad ninjas ran out, the...

Teen Slain by Facebook 'Friend': Cops

Nona Belomesoff, 18, was lured online, found in creek bed

(Newser) - Australian police are urging Facebook members to make themselves less readily identifiable in real life after an 18-year-old woman was found murdered, allegedly by a "friend" from the website. Nona Belomesoff's body was discovered in a creek bed Friday night. Christopher James Dannevig, 20, has been charged with murder...

Slug-Eating Dare Leaves Man In Critical Condition

(Newser) - An Australian man is fighting for his life after eating a raw slug for a dare. The Sidney man, 21, contracted a disease called rat lungworm, which many slugs and snails carry from eating infected rat feces. Similar to meningitis, it can be fatal because it causes the brain and...

Aussie Teen Completes Solo Voyage Around World

16-year-old sailor is the youngest person to do so

(Newser) - After 210 days at sea, 16-year-old Australian Jessica Watson sailed into Sydney Harbour today to complete her solo and unassisted circumnavigation of the globe. She's the youngest person ever to make such a trip. Australia's ABC reports that thousands of cheering locals crowded the shore to welcome Watson, who, after...

Vogue Goes Aboriginal
 Will She 
 Be the First 
 Aboriginal 
 Supermodel?
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
May 15, 2010 7:08 AM CDT

Will She Be the First Aboriginal Supermodel?

'Smoldering' Samantha Harris wows Aussies

(Newser) - A striking Aboriginal model has nailed the cover of Australian Vogue after Aussie Fashion Week fans were blown away by her "smoldering beauty"—and may be on her way to being the first Aboriginal supermodel. Samantha Harris, 19, showed off creations by 18 different designers at Australian Fashion...

Bikini 'Meter Maids' May Be Washed Up

Tourism chiefs tell Aussies they need to cover up

(Newser) - These are tough times for the famous, gold bikini-clad "meter maids" of Australia's Gold Coast. The women—who, since 1965, have been patrolling the streets of the Surfers Paradise resort town topping up parking meters to save motorists from fines—have suffered from the introduction of pay and display...

Sin City's Latest: Virginity-Auction Reality Show
Sin City's Latest:
Virginity-Auction Reality Show
WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS
May 10, 2010 3:30 PM CDT

Sin City's Latest: Virginity-Auction Reality Show

Australia threatened producer with prostitution charges

(Newser) - If you're going to round up a bunch of sexual novices, auction off their virginity, and make a reality show out of the stunt, you might as well do it in Las Vegas. At least, that's what the would-be producer of said show quickly decided after Australia threatened prostitution charges...

Renegade Space Balloon Creams SUV

Bystanders narrowly escape as Outback launch goes wrong

(Newser) - Bystanders at a botched space balloon launch in the Australian Outback say they're lucky to be alive. Strong winds caused the giant balloon to break from its mooring as it was filled with air. The attached car-sized gondola full of expensive scientific equipment smashed into an SUV and narrowly missed...

Bieber Concert Canceled After Fans Faint

Mob rushes stage amid 'Bieber Fever'

(Newser) - Australian authorities have canceled a concert by 16-year-old Canadian heartthrob Justin Bieber after screaming fans mobbed the performance site, causing injuries and several teens to faint and hyperventilate. Bieber was to sing 3 songs at a Sydney Harbor venue for a TV broadcast today. But the gig was nixed when...

Try Some Locusts on Your Pizza
 Try Some Locusts on Your Pizza 
Apr 19, 2010 4:00 PM CDT

Try Some Locusts on Your Pizza

Australians beset by plague of insects try to make the best of it

(Newser) - When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. When life gives you swarms of locusts, make pizza. One enterprising politician in the Australian state of Victoria, which is under siege by the aggressive insects, collected a garbage bag full to be used in place of pepperoni and meatballs. "You can't...

13 International Celebrity Tiffs
 13 International 
 Celebrity Tiffs 
robin williams vs. australia
Apr 9, 2010 10:23 AM CDT

13 International Celebrity Tiffs

The big names who've gotten in hot water overseas

(Newser) - Robin Williams’ comment to David Letterman last week that “Australians are basically English rednecks” set off quite a chain reaction—the Australian prime minister is mad at Williams, and the Alabama governor is mad at the Australian PM for implying Alabamians are the real rednecks. The Daily Beast rounds...

The Square: Harshly Funny Film Noir

Middle-aged man meets femme fatale, disaster ensues

(Newser) - In this Aussie noir thriller, a married middle-aged man (David Roberts) and his younger lover (Claire van der Boom) seize the chance to escape with a bundle of cash. The finely wrought fallout involves an arsonist, a shark attack, and depravity and greed to spare. Most critics agree: it's sinfully...

Tanker in Danger of Breaking Up on Great Barrier Reef

Chinese coal-hauler was 9 miles outside shipping lane

(Newser) - A coal-laden ship that ran aground at full speed some 9 miles outside a shipping lane in protected waters was leaking oil on Australia's Great Barrier Reef and in danger of breaking apart, officials said today. Authorities fear an oil spill will damage the world's largest coral reef, which is...

Williams' Digs at Aussies Spark Global Beefing

PM rips Alabama after 'English rednecks' jab; governor fires back

(Newser) - Robin Williams’ characterization of Australians as “English rednecks” has set up a domino effect of beefing, with Alabama’s governor the latest to get his licks in. The American comedian made the remark yesterday on Letterman, prompting Australian PM Kevin Rudd to say “Robin Williams should go and...

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