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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. Sydney high school students routinely threaten to murder and rape teachers.

Teachers at a school in Western Sydney say they are routinely threatened with rape and murder by out-of-control students, who allegedly trade knives and drugs at school.

Granville Boys High School staff say some terrified teachers walk to their cars in groups, fearing students will carry out the threatened attacks, News Limited reports.

“They make threats, they say they’ll kill us, they’ll bash us. They say things like, ‘I’ll meet you down a dark alley and rape you’; ‘Wait ’til I see you after school, Miss’. And it’s males and females that they say that to, it’s not just the female (staff),” one teacher said.

The school carried out a knife amnesty last month after it was revealed students were trading knives “for protection”, but it is believed many arming themselves with the weapons.

Some students call themselves “street pharmacists” and have methamphetamines and other drugs at school, it is claimed.

“They’re carrying knives (and) we have no control over them — what’s to stop them from killing one of us?” a female teacher said.

NSW Teachers’ Federation president Maurie Mulheron has called on the Department of Education to investigate the matter.

2. Tennis champ Eugenie Bouchard cops a serve over her choice of bra at Wimbledon.

Canadian tennis sensation Eugenie Bouchard’s has caused a controversy at the world’s most prestigious tennis event by simply wearing a black sports bra.

The black bra, worn under a white bra and hidden by a dress, apparently breached Wimbledon’s strict whites-only dress code, Fairfax Media reports.

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Umpire Louise Engzell spotted a portion of the black strap and alerted the tournament referee, who questioned the 21-year-old on court about the offending strap, but did not give her an official sanction.

That wasn’t the only disappointment for Bouchard – she also lost the first-round qualifier to China’s Ying-Ying Duan.

Under the strict dress code, Roger Federer was banned from wearing white shoes with orange soles during the 2013 tournament.

3. A Sydney man attempted to murder a cab driver after a horror movie marathon, court hears.

A man who stabbed a taxi driver after binging on horror movies wanted to do “something seriously violent” so he would be institutionalised, a court has heard.

Luke Woods, 36, told police he got a “taste for blood” from watching six horror movies before stabbing 72-year-old driver Neal Kent 13 times in a “violent, unprovoked and frenzied style” on December 30, 2013, the Daily Telegraph reports.

Woods told police the movies – which included Friday the 13th and Texas Chainsaw Massacre – made him “feel like … murdering someone”.

But forensic psychiatrist Gerald Chew said he doubted the movies inspired him to kill because he told police “he wanted to be put away”.

“I think he wanted to demonstrate how much of a risk he was to the public and society so that he could be cared for.”

Woods pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, but pleaded not guilty to attempted murder.

The judge-only trial continues.

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4. Landslides kill at least 21 people and wash away more than 100 homes.

At least 21 people are reportedly dead and many more feared trapped under mounds of mud after landslides triggered by heavy rain his India’s Darjeeling region.

The ABC reports that more than 100 houses were also washed away on slopes of two towns in the West Bengal state.

“Rescuers have so far dug out 13 bodies in Mirik, five bodies in Kalimpong and three bodies in Darjeeling town,” Darjeeling district police superintendent Amit P Javalgi said.

“At least 15 people are missing in Kalimpong.”

He said rescuers were still digging through mud and rubble, searching for survivors.

Small bridges have been washed away and road access and telephone lines cut, leaving some residents stranded.

5. Female athlete turned away from airport lounge due to clothing.

An Australian sportsperson has been refused entry to the Melbourne Qantas Club  — allegedly for wearing leggings and joggers.

West Coast Fever star Caitlin Bassett tweeted on Tuesday: “Just got denied entry from Qantas Club for wearing leggings and joggers … What do they expect me to wear on a 4 hr flight to Perth? A ball gown?”

News.com.au reports a Qantas spokesperson has been reminding its customers for months about its smart casual dress guidelines.

6. Sydney dental patients at risk of HIV.

Four Sydney-based dental clinics may have exposed thousands of patients to HIV and hepatitis.

The Gentle Dentist clinics in Campsie and Sydney CBD, as well as two clinics run by Dr Robert Starkenburg at Surry Hills and Bondi Junction, may have contaminated up to 11,000 people, NSW Health fears.

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Fairfax Media reports NSW Health is contacting patients who visited the clinic over the past 10 years, and will reach out to other clinics in the region.

Concerned patients are urged to call the Australian Dental Association NSW hotline on 1800 610 344.

7. PM fights back against same sex marriage bill.

The Prime Minister and other conservative members of the Coalition are unimpressed with news of a cross-party same sex marriage bill, to be introduced when Parliament resumes.

Tony Abbott still does not support marriage equality.

Liberal Party members Warren Entsch and Teresa Gambaro have sponsored a marriage equality bill with Labor and Independent MPs to be introduced in August.

However, Tony Abbott maintains that marriage should be between a man and a woman and is skeptical the bill will be a success, ABC reports.

Coalition Senator Eric Abetz has also smacked down dreams of marriage equality in an article written for Fairfax Media, stating he wants to “preserve” the Liberal Party’s anti-same-sex marriage position.

8. Q&A Producer given formal warning over appearance of Zaky Mallah.

The Board of the ABC has issued an official warning to Q&A producer, Peter McEvoy, following the appearance of acquitted terrorist suspect Zaky Mallah on the program.

“Given his criminal background and past public statements, the live broadcast meant that the ABC was not in a position to manage unpredictable or inappropriate actions or responses,” the Board said in a statement.

The warning comes as the public broadcaster is facing an official inquiry into the incident, headed up by broadcasting legend, Ray Martin.

Do you have a news tip? Email us at news@mamamia.com.au.
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