Thursday's news in less than 5 minutes.

1.Nick Kyrgios knocked out of Wimbledon

Australian Nick Kyrgios has been knocked out of Wimbledon by Canadian Milos Raonic at the quarter finals overnight. The 19-year-old from Canberra who beat world number one Rafael Nadal yesterday, despite being ranked 144, lost to fast serving Ranoic 6-7 (4-7), 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).  

After the match Kyrgios told reporters that “It all happened pretty fast”. ‘Never did I think that I was ever going to make quarter-finals of Wimbledon and beat (Rafael) Nadal on centre court,  don’t think it’s completely sunk in yet, you know, the achievement. I’m just going to reflect on that the next couple days” he said.

Kyrgios is now ranked World number 66. A fine feat for a young man who was basically unheard of until two days ago.

 2. Mystery surrounds death of Australian Commando

Mystery continues to surround the death of the Sydney based Commando who was killed in Afghanistan yesterday. The un-named multiple tour Afghanistan veteran was found by mates fatally injured at the Kabul airport. It is believed that one shot was fired, however no weapon was found in the room. 

The report which was filed by US NATO Military Police investigators, also revealed that there was no sign of the bullet entering the building. 

Yesterday Australia’s chief of defence Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin, released details about an Australian officer who died in Afghanistan. The soldier died in what is being described as non-combat incident. 

The soldier’s family has asked for personal details not to be released.

3. Fresh claims of Rolf Harris sexual abuse

Fresh claims have surfaced against 84-year-old Rolf Harris, the Australian entertainer who was

found guilty of 12 charges related to indecent assault. 

Queenie van de Zandt, an Australian actress and singer is one of may women who have come forward following Harris’ verdict. Speaking to Fairfax Van de Zandt said that she was allegedly targeted by Harris while working as a back-up singer at a 1988 concert in Brisbane.

Van de Zandt recalls that she was with other backing singers when Harris approached them. ‘‘I remember thinking, ‘That’s weird; we don’t even know him’,’’  she said. ‘‘The very next thing that came out of his mouth was, ‘Has anyone got a boyfriend?’

Van de Zandt then went on to say the next thing he said was ‘Sex is great, girls. Oh, you wait. You wait ’til you start having sex. It is so great. You will never want to stop once you do.’ ’

Each charge Harris was found guilty of carries a maximum sentence of two years. 

4. Reports reveal siblings abuse each other in Victorian state care

The Department of Human services has revealed that siblings who are placed in Victorian State care have been sexually abused by other children. The ABC reported that children as young as 10 are subjects of neglect and abuse, despite the fact they are managed by workers.

Details of this abuse and neglect surfaced recently in a Victorian court that was deciding whether or not two siblings should be returned to their mother or left in the care of the department.

5. Young father dies due to the latest internet craze Punch4Punch

English father Tommy Main has died after playing the latest internet craze. The 23-year-old father was rushed to a hospital on Sunday afternoon after being punched by a mate in what is now being likened to the next ‘Neknominate’ – an internet game called ‘Punch4Punch’.

The game involves two people punching each other, while being filmed until one person gives up.

A 20-year-old man has been arrested in relation to his death.

 

6. Burst water-pipe causes QANTAS flight to return to LA

A burst water-pipe has caused a QANTAS Airbus 380 flight  to return to Los Angeles, after water began to fill the cabin. QF94 was an hour into it’s flight bound for Melbourne when the water started leaking. A spokesperson for the Australian based company said that ‘there were no safety concerns for passengers on board’.

‘Crew on board did everything they could to help customers, including moving them to unaffected areas’. 

7. China reveals plans for floating city

China has revealed plans to build a floating city  on a reclaimed Island off the coast of Colombo in Sri Lanka. It is believed the city will include underwater chambers and a self-contained ecosystem along with houses to provide residents in China’s overcrowded cities more space. In a bid to gain tourism, the floating city will also have multiple entertaining zones, a theme park and an underwater stadium.

8. Murder victims family sues WA government and Police.

The family of Andrea Pickett, the woman who in 2009, was was stabbed to death by her former husband outside a relative’s home is suing the Western Australian government and Police in what is being coined a ‘landmark case for Australia’.

In 2008 Andrea left her husband. She alleged cruelty, threats, abuse and violence on his part. In the years that followed she approached the police and other agencies for help as she continued to fear for her safety. However Police failed to investigate. 

Yesterday, her family filed a statement of claim, and according to the ABC they are ‘seeking financial compensation and systemic changes’.

Her brother, Gary Bentley told the ABC “I believe Andrea would still be alive today if the systems that are in place were just followed through, or investigations done, then it could be a whole different thing today than it currently is”. 

9. Skier caught in Avalanche at Thredbo

Mike Grace, a Sydney based skier spent an hour trapped under snow on Sunday. The 35-year-old man was on an ‘unofficial’ run at Thredbo when he was caught in an avalanche. His friend attempted to pull him out, however failed and rushed to get ski patrol, who probed him out. Thankfully he was uninjured.

10. Details emerge of surfer who died in Sydney on Wednesday.

The surfer who died at Sydney’s Tamarama Beach yesterday has been identified as Matthew Richell, a publisher with Hachette Australia.

Richell had settled in Sydney’s Balmain after moving with his young family from the UK. His wife, Hannah, is an author with the publishing house. He has two children, aged three and six.

The 41-year-old was pulled unconscious from the waves yesterday after being swept onto the rocks while surfing.

11. Cororner rules on death of Daniel Thomas

Little Daniel Thomas disappeared in 2003 – but his body wasn’t found until 2008. His body was discovered buried underneath his mother’s house five years later.

A coroner’s findings have now been released, which reveal that babysitter Mandy Martyn – who was responsible for Daniel’s care at the time of his disappearance – killed the toddler. Shockingly, the boy’s mother, Donna Thomas, has also been implicated.

Coroner Jacinta Heffey told the Victorian Coroners Court, “His death was caused by Mandy Martyn, who inflicted the injuries that led to his death… Thomas contributed to his death by her inaction and her failure to protect her son.”

Daniel’s father Kevin Ruffels has revealed that he always blamed Mandy Martyn, saying outside the court, “She was obviously the one all along we thought was the main suspect so I hope she goes to hell.”

What news are you talking about today?