news

Thursday'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. Two-year-old dies after wall collapses on him.

A two-year-old boy who was critically injured after a wall collapsed on him on a farm near Toowoomba last night has died in hospital.

The little boy, Matthew Vietheer, was with his father on their Irongate pig hobby farm when blocks from the wall of a sow stall, used to hold pregnant pigs, collapsed on top of him.

The little boy was flown by Careflight helicopter to hospital, accompanied by his mother but died yesterday morning.

A police spokesman said, “Around 6pm, a boy was severely injured after a wall collapsed on a property,”

The child was flown to the Lady Cilento Hospital, but passed away this morning.”

“The QPS has advised Workplace Health and Safety and will prepare a report for the Coroner.”

2. Dick Smith could unseat Brownyn Bishop.

Dick Smith is reportedly considering standing against his former classmate Bronwyn Bishop at the next federal election in Mrs Bishop’s seat of Mackellar on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

Fairfax Media reports Mr Smith has been approached by senior figures in the aviation industry and he is considering standing as an Independent in a bid to push through aviation reform.

Polling of voters in Mackellar paid for by the group indicated Mr Smith would win the seat.

“They told me they spent money on polling and ‘you would romp it in’,” Mr Smith told Fairfax Media.

He told Fairfax Media the first person he would ring if he does stand would be Ms Bishop. The two went to primary school together and have known each other for years.

ADVERTISEMENT

3. SA Premier to apologise after same-sex marriage not recognised on death certificate.

South Australian Premier, Jay Weatherill has said he will apologise to the family of a British man after his marriage was not recognised on his death certificate.

As reported yesterday British man David Bulmer-Rizzi, 32, was tragically killed in an accident in Adelaide, while honeymooning there with his husband Marco.

The couple were married in the United Kingdom last year, but South Australian law did not recognised their marriage.

Mamamia reported yesterday that David Bulmer-Rizzi fell down a staircase at a friend’s home and fatally cracked his skull. But his death certificate was stamped “never married”.

Mr Weatherill told the ABC last night he wanted to offer a personal apology to David Bulmer-Rizzi’s family.

He said the family’s experience underscored the hurt caused by senseless discrimination.

“It is another example of how senseless discrimination of sexual orientation can cause pain and hurt,” Mr Weatherill said.

Marco Bulmer-Rizzi told BuzzFeed News the premier had said he would work on ways to change the legislation.

“I thank [Mr Wetherill]. I think it’s amazing. It’s so much further than I ever thought last night when I was wondering what I could do. My mind is blown away that the premier of South Australia called to apologise. It’s such an acknowledgment, coming from the top of the state.”

 

4. Swimming coach says the tickle torture he used on 12-year-old girl was “fun” as he faces court.

A 46-year-old swimming coach accused of indecently assaulting a 12-year-old girl has pleaded not guilty in court.

ADVERTISEMENT

Anthony O’Donnell pleaded not guilty to three counts of indecent acts with a child under 16 at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday despite the fact he said that he used “tickle torture” and spanking as a “fun” punishment.

O’Donnell taught the girl in 2013 during his time as a swimming coach at the Waterlions Swimming Club, in Melbourne’s south-east.

Nine News reports that he spanking the girl on her bare bottom while sitting her on the “spanking chair” and admitted to police that he may have spent 20-30 seconds tickling the young girl under her shirt as a part of the punishment “rituals.”

Senior Constable Wood said the girl was also made to sit on Mr O’Donnell’s knee where he would “rub his erection against her buttocks”.

Mr O’Donnell has repeatedly denied engaging in any alleged sexual interactions.

For help: Lifeline 13 11 14. Kid’s Helpline: 1800 55 1800. DV and Sexual Abuse hotline 27/4: 1800 737 732

5. NSW Health admits more than half a dozen babies given to wrong mothers to breastfeed in hospitals.

NSW Health also refused to reveal the hospitals responsible for the seven mistakes.

NSW Health has admitted a frightening number of newborns are given to the wrong mothers to be breastfed in hospital and say that the real figure could be higher as they do not have the records for the private system.

The Daily Telegraph reports that seven babies were potentially exposed to serious health risks when hospital staff misidentified newborns and placing them in the arms of a different mother between 2011 and 2015.

NSW Health also refused to reveal the hospitals responsible for the seven mistakes.

Opposition health spokesman Walt Secord said parents had the right to know where these mix-ups where taking place.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I want them to publicly release a list of hospitals where these mix-ups occurred. The community has a right to know. This is the human cost of the massive cuts to the health and hospital system.”

6. Dozens feared dead as gunmen attack Pakistan university.

As many as 40 people are feared to have been killed after gunmen attacked the Bacha Khan University in northwest Pakistan and opened fire.

Police said 21 people had so far been confirmed dead, according to the Agence France Presse news agency, with dozens more injured.

Four suspected attackers also died in a battle that lasted nearly three hours.

There is confusion over which group carried out the attack after one Pakistani Taliban commander said the group had carried out the assault, but its main spokesman denied it.

Nobel-prize winner Malala Yousafzai has said she is “heartbroken by the attack on students and staff at the Bacha Khan University” which may have killed up to 40 people.

In a statement, Malala, who was shot by the Taliban for her views on female education, “strongly condemned” the attack.

“I am heartbroken by the attack on students and staff at the Bacha Khan University in Charsadda and strongly condemn this brutal assault. My prayers are with the families of all the victims and all those who suffer as a result of extremist violence.

This brutality must be stopped. The authorities must act to ensure that all schools and universities are safe. I urge all people with peace in their hearts to renew their resolve to stand up to terrorism and ignorance and work together to protect life and learning.”

ADVERTISEMENT

7. Young woman freezes to death in SU after leaving party in shorts and tank top.

A 21-year-old woman has frozen to death after leaving a house party in Wisconsin in the US wearing shorts, a tank top and no coat.

The temperature outside was -20 degrees.

AP reports that Elizabeth Luebke was found dead about 9 a.m. Sunday just a few blocks from the house where she was partying with friends.

CCTV captured her collapsing outside of a home at around 4:30 a.m

Luebke was intoxicated and “not dressed for the elements” in shorts, fishnet tights and a tank top, the medical examiner told WTAQ.

8. North Korea invents hangover free alcohol.

North Korea has claimed to have invented a hangover-free liquor that is between 30 and 40 per cent alcohol but leaves you “clear-headed in the morning.”

The Pyongyang Times said the drink, Koryo Liquor, used a combination of “six-year-old, top quality ginseng and scorched glutinous rice”.

It is said to be a blend of sweet and savoury that is “highly appreciated by experts and lovers as it is suave and causes no hangover”.

The report said the drink was “highly appreciated by experts and lovers” for its “suave” nature.

Of course it also “exudes national flavour” and has been registered as a “national scientific and technological hit” the BBC details.

Can’t wait till you export it Kim Jong Un.

 

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