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Monday afternoon's news in under 5 minutes.

 

We’ve rounded up all the latest stories from Australia and around the world – so you don’t have to go searching.

1. Mother appeals for help to find the people who bashed her son.

A mother has taken to Facebook in the hope of finding the man who bashed her 17-year-old son.

Kathy Chapman from the Newcastle on the NSW north coast said her son, Jesse, was beaten in a road rage attack at 11pm on Friday, ABC News reports.

Kathy Chapman posted this image of her son, Jesse, on Facebook. Image: Facebook.

According to Kathy’s Facebook post, Jesse and his friends were “hanging out” at a lookout after youth group.

The teenager then accidentally reversed into the suspect’s Toyota ute — sparking the vicious attack.

“So he opens the door and lays into Jesse, then drags him out and continues to punch his face,” Kathy said in her Facebook post.

“Please Share so we can find the Bastard that did this!!!!”

The post has been shared 7,500 times.

According to police, Jesse’s alleged attacker was Caucasian, about 190cm tall and was wearing an orange high-visibility work shirt.

Police are urging anyone with information in relation to these incidents to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/.

2. Toddler on Nauru suffered illness for months before receiving medical treatment.

An asylum seeker child in detention on Nauru waited three months before receiving treatment for tuberculosis, Fairfax Media reports.

Paediatrician David Isaacs visited the detention centre in December where he noticed a lump on the child’s neck. The node had reportedly been there for three months prior to Dr Isaacs ordering treatment.

After the medication arrived, the parents of the child grew suspicious about the urgency, considering the lumps had been present for months. They subsequently waited three weeks before administering the treatment.

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The child is currently in Villawood detention centre receiving treatment, and will soon return to Nauru.

3. Teenage boy has been charged after sexting scandal.

A 15-year-old boy has been charged with child sex offences after distributing an illicit video of a 14-year-old girl.

According to The Daily Telegraph, the boy filmed the girl engaging in a sex act and then sent it to his peers.

woman using mobile phone smart phone text app street
Principal warns against sexting. Image: iStock.

The boy was charged after his school principal became aware of the issue and reported it to police.

Australian Secondary Principals’ Association Chief Rob Nairn told the Daily Telegraph that parents and schools needed to further educate young people about ‘sexting‘ — and that possessing and distributing child pornography can land you with a criminal record.

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The boy will appear in court next month.

4. Aussie parents in legal battle over a hyphenated name.

The parents of a toddler are in court this week over their child’s surname.

Ms Reynolds and Mr Sherman — as the couple are known, according to SBS — cannot agree on the appropriate surname for a child that resulted from their “fleeting” relationship.

While Ms Reynolds wants the baby boy to receive her surname, Mr Sherman is aiming for a hyphenated name.

The two feel so passionately, they are prepared to fight it out in court.

boy bashed in newcastle
Image: iStock.
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According to SBS, Ms Reynolds is concerned a hyphenated name won’t fit on a lunchbox. She also argues the name would be a “reminder of the man who deserted him.”

Among issues raised in a hearing before a Federal Circuit Court judge last year was a concern that the child would have trouble fitting a hyphenated surname on the top of homework sheets or on lunchboxes.

Related content: This is what it’s like to live with the surname ‘F**k’.

Another was that he might face difficulties naming his own children if he ended up marrying someone who also had a hyphenated surname.

Ms Reynolds feared the father might “disengage” from the child, leaving him with a surname that would serve “as the reminder of a man who deserted him”.

While the judge initially ruled in Mr Sherman’s favour, the pair are now headed back to court on an appeal.

5. First class hotel opens a woman-only floor.

A prestigious hotel in Norway has opened up a floor specifically for single women.

The Mikado Suite at the Grand Hotel in Oslo. Image: Facebook.

Lost at E Minor reports the The Grand Hotel in Oslo wants to offer special suites to women traveling for business.

The 13 rooms on the floor will be fitted with more female-friendly decor and products, including beauty products, a yoga mat, and books and magazines targeted at women.

Men are still permitted to stay in the rooms.

Do you have a story to share with Mamamia? Email us at news@mamamia.com.au.
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