news

Thursday 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. Bali Nine case has been adjourned.

The appeal for Bali Nine inmates Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran has been adjourned until Thursday 19 March.

Meanwhile, the Australian government has offered to pay for the imprisonment costs of prisoners if Indonesia will spare them from the death penalty.

It is alleged Foreign Minister Julie Bishop wrote to her Indonesian counterpart a week ago with the offer.

However, the death row inmates’ latest clemency hearing could be delayed for weeks, the ABC reports.

The appeal of another inmate — with whom Chan and Sukumaran will face the firing squad — has been delayed until later this month.

The Indonesian government had previously indicated that the executions would be postponed until all legal avenues had been exhausted.

The Bali Nine pair’s legal team will appear in the state administrative court today in the hope of securing a full hearing designed to force the president to reconsider their request for clemency.

2. Family of murdered Sydney woman plead for killer to come forward.

The family of murder victim Prabha Arun Kumar has appealed for information on her fatal stabbing in Parramatta Park, in Sydney’s west, on Saturday night.

The Indian national was attacked while she was speaking to her husband in India by phone.

Police said Ms Kumar’s husband heard her scream at the moment she was attacked.

The mother of one, who reportedly had been planning to return to India in April, was using a public walkway between the park and a golf course in the western Sydney suburb when she was attacked, police said.

 

The 41-year-old was treated at the scene for stab wounds to her neck and later died at Westmead Hospital.

This morning, her husband Arun Kumar and brother Shankar Shetty asked the public for help in finding the person who killed her.

Arun Kumar said his wife was planning to send a toy home to their daughter, and now will never get the chance.

“I cannot describe to you the pain I feel,” he said.

“My wife was a most caring and dutiful soul … I know that we can’t bring her back but I want whoever killed my gorgeous wife to be brought to justice.

“If you have any information that can help police, please, please contact Crime Stoppers.”

 

Mr Shetty said his sister was a loving wife, mother, daughter and sibling, and was loved by many.

“I say this to the person who did this, you have taken my sister’s life, please step forward, get help and get your life back,” he said.

NSW Police said they were no closer to identifying a motive for the attack on Ms Kumar, but added that there was no evidence of sexual assault or robbery.

Detective Superintendent Mick Willing said detectives interviewed a number of witnesses and gathered a large amount of CCTV footage.

He said police did not know if the attack was targeted or random.

This article was originally published by the ABC and has been republished here with full permission. 

3. Britain to adopt Australia’s plain packaging laws.

Britain is set to introduce plain packaging of tobacco, on the back of Australia’s successful laws.

The legislation hopes to cut the number of child smokers, and improve general public health.

 

The new laws have prompted an immediate legal response from the country’s $38 billion tobacco industry.

Despite the industry’s protestations, the public seem to be in favour of the move, with polls showing 72 per cent of Brits to be in support of the plain packaging.

The law passed 367 votes to 113, and should come into effect by May 2016.

4. Tuna brand cleared of scombroid poisoning.

The tuna that was believed to have infected several Sydney residents with Scombroid food poisoning has been declared safe for consumption.

John Bull tuna was used in salads sold at Soul Origin cafe in Sydney CBD, where people ate before reporting the food poisoning.

However, after testing, the NSW Food Authority has said the brand is fit for consumption and the poisoning could possibly have occurred after the tuna can was opened.

5. Hundreds farewell domestic violence victim Tara Costigan.

Trigger warning: this post deals with subjects of domestic violence. It may be triggering to some readers.

By ABC.

A young mother allegedly murdered in Canberra’s south has been remembered as a loving and caring woman who dedicated her life to her children and caring for others.

Hundreds of family members, friends and strangers gathered in Canberra on Wednesday to farewell Tara Costigan.

The 28-year-old mother of three was allegedly killed by her former partner in Calwell 11 days ago.

 

More than 300 people crowded into Albert Hall to pay their respects and remember a life cut short.

Ms Costigan’s uncle Michael began the service by reminding those present that the day was not about anger or hate.

“The sole purpose of today is to celebrate the life of Tara Maree Costigan,” he said.

“We are not here to commiserate, we are not here to express our anger or our hatred or any feelings of injustice about what has happened.

“As a family, as friends, as a Canberra community and indeed as a nation we are here to show our respect.”

 

Ms Costigan’s farewell was about love, respect and her “three angels” – Rhiley, 11, Drew, 9, and two-week-old Ayla.

“We are formally here to say goodbye to your mummy and to help you to see just how precious and wonderful your mummy is and how loved she is,” Mr Costigan said.

A service full of love, laughter and tears

Ms Costigan’s family told stories of a hard working and playful woman with a wicked sense of humour.

Her son Rhiley spoke with his father, brother and baby sister by his side, describing Ms Costigan as the “best mum in the world”.

“She always gave us big cuddles when we were sad and lots of the time just because she loved us,” he said.

“Everyone will always remember you as a beautiful mum, cousin, aunty and close friend.”

 

Many friends and family were still overcome by the loss.

Ms Costigan’s sister Rikki was supported by a friend who read words she had written for the service.

“Now that you’re gone I don’t know what to do without you,” she said.

Following her death, Ms Costigan’s family and friends rallied around her three children, setting up an online campaign to raise funds to help support them.

The website had collected more than $90,000 by Wednesday afternoon.

This article was originally published by the ABC and has been republished here with full permission.

If this post brings up any issues for you, or if you just feel like you need to speak to someone, please call 1800 RESPECT(1800 737 732) – the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service. 

6. More arrests to be made after Australian charged in Philippines padeophile ring.

Trigger warning: This post features explicit details of child abuse that could be distressing for some readers.

Police in the Philippines are preparing to arrest more suspects involved in an international child sex syndicate, following the arrest of Australian businessman Peter Gerard Scully.

Scully, 51, was arrested in February on charges of abusing 11 minors, including an 18-month-old baby, after a body belonging to a 3-year-old girl was found buried under his house.

It is alleged Scully was live streaming pornographic videos featuring his child sex slaves.

According to the Daily Mail, police described the footage as the most horrific they’ve ever secured in the Philippines.

Now, it is alleged two international arrests have been made in relation to Scully’s online sex ring. It is believed are European nationals.

If this post brings up any issues for you, you can contact Bravehearts here.

What is making headlines for you today? 

Related Stories

Recommended