Rainbow Flag Confiscated at World Cup

English LGBT group Three Lions Pride claimed their rainbow flag was confiscated at England's World Cup match against Panama.

The group claims that their flag was taken down in the stadium while they left to get a drink, only to then be handed back after texting and putting pressure on a FIFA official.

In Russia, it is illegal to show the rainbow flag in public, but exemptions have been made for the World Cup, allowing it to be displayed in stadiums for matches.

Small Plane Crashes in Mumbai

A small plane crashed into a construction site in Mumbai yesterday, killing five people, four of which were on-board and one on the ground.

India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation has said the plane was on a test flight but that weather conditions did not appear to be a factor in the crash. A team is currently investigating the nature of the crash.

Former Indian Aviation Minister Praful Patel praised the pilot for the guiding the plane into an open area, saving many lives at the cost of her own.

New Laws Passed to Prevent Foreign Interference in Elections

The Federal Parliament has passed new legislation which aims to prevent foreign interference  in Australian elections, by strengthening espionage offences and forcing those working for overseas companies or governments to declare their actions.

Critics to the bill included The Greens spokesman Nick McKim, who said the legislation was not only “draconian” but would “clamp down on dissent”.

The new laws have been introduced before a number of by-elections are expected to occur across the country.

BOM Staff Hijack Weather Bureau’s Website In Protracted Pay Negotiations Campaign  

Bureau of Meteorology staff have hijacked the weather bureau’s website and media appearances to step up their campaign in protracted pay negotiations after a five-year pay freeze.

In online weather forecasts across Australia this week, staff wrote the message, “Bureau staff have been fighting for years to hold on to the conditions we have, but they are under attack.”

Brisbane Lord Mayor Says Return of Trams Unrealistic

While the Committee for Brisbane’s Liveability Survey indicated trams were a highly requested transport method by residents, it’s unlikely trams will return to Brisbane.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk acknowledged the “romance” surrounding trams, but said that it wasn’t a realistic transport method for Brisbane streets.

Standard trams require a width of 7.5 metres for the tracks, and 14 metres for the stations, a distance which would close many of Brisbane’s narrow streets, including Anne Street.