Stray dog paws way to new home after running half marathon
A stray dog has won over the hearts of a Western Australian community after it completed a half-marathon alongside human competitors.
1-year-old Stormy pawed his way through the 21 kilometre Goldfields Pipeline Marathon and was awarded a participants medal after passing through each checkpoint along the course.
Some runners have lodged an expression of interest to adopt the dog, which is expected to be freed this week unless its owner comes forward.
Cambodia to resettle refugees from Australia
Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Sen, says his country is ‘preparing’ to receive more refugees from Australia in a controversial deal that has cost the Federal Government $50 million.
In 2014, Australia signed a four-year deal with Cambodia, committing an extra $40 million in aid in exchange for resettling refugees from offshore detention centres in Nauru.
The deal has been labelled an expensive failure with just three of seven resettled refugees from Nauru remaining in Cambodia.
Plane with 101 people crashes in Mexico
An Aeromexico plane carrying 101 people has crashed near an airport in Northern Mexico.
TV images show the tail of a plane bearing an Aeromexico logo emerging from scrubland and a column of smoke rising to the sky.
Aeromexico said it was seeking to verify the information and obtain details about the incident.
9am Zedlines
This is Amy and Ha-Teya with your 9am Zedlines.
Coles has “caved” on their plastic bag ban amid pressure from angry shoppers.
To help customers “adjust”, Coles offered to give the 15 cent reusable bags away free of charge, ending today.
However, the supermarket chain has promised to hand out free “reusable” bags indefinitely.
A Coles spokeswoman confirmed today the supermarket giant will not be putting a stop to their free distribution of the “reusable” bags since customers “aren't coping” with the change.
8am Zedlines
This is Risa and Amy with your 8am Zedlines.
Sharknapped: shark smuggled out of an aquarium in the US
A 45 centimeter shark was smuggled out of an aquarium in a baby stroller in the US last night.
Leon Valley police Chief Joseph Salvaggio said two men and a woman stole the shark from an open pool where visitors were allowed to reach in and touch the animals in the tank.
Chief Salvaggio said one of the men had grabbed the shark while the others wrapped it in a wet towel and put it in the stroller.
Police have recovered the shark and returned it the aquarium.
Hikers stranded in Lombok, Bali have been rescued following earthquake
Hundreds of hikers stranded in Lombok, Bali have been rescued following an earthquake on the island.
Retrieval efforts are continuing after 16 people were killed and more than 350 injured by the earthquake triggered by landslides.
Out of the 543 hikers rescued, close to 200 were foreigners.
Queensland should expect an "El Nino" summer
Parts of south-east Queensland have recorded the hottest July temperatures on record this year, with Australian climatologists warning of more to come.
Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes expert Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick says “we are heading towards an El Nino summer, so are more likely to have hotter weather.”
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) will today release weather figures showing maximum temperatures on record for areas including Brisbane, Oakey, Gatton, and parts of the Gold Coast.
My Health Record: Federal Government to protect privacy
The Federal Government has confirmed the law will be changed to protect privacy in the My Health Record System following crisis talks last night with the Australian Medical Association.
Amidst concerns police and government agencies could access private health records, Health Minister Greg Hunt says legislative amendments to the online health system will be made that require a court order or warrant in order for documents to be accessed by anyone other than a health professional.
Residents angered by early-morning construction
Early-morning construction work has prompted hundreds of Brisbane residents to call for a review into the city’s construction hour times.
Woolloongabba resident, Leah Govorko, launched a petition arguing the construction start time of 6:30am was too early and needed to be pushed to a later time.
The petition has gained over 500 signatures and is open until August 25th.