Saturday's news in under 5 minutes.

1. Australians having less sex

2. Blanc visa cancelled

3. Tony Abbott to meet with Putin at APEC

Prime Minister Tony Abbott will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who he famously threatened to “shirtfront” over the MH17 plane crash, during a summit in Beijing next week.

It was expected that the leaders first face-to-face meeting since the downing of MH17 would take place at the G20 summit in Brisbane next week, but at the at the request of Australian officials a formal meeting will take place at APEC.

Mr Abbott said he did not want the G20 event to be overshadowed by their rift.

“Australians turned (to us) with an official request for a meeting during an APEC summit and we are agreeing to such a meeting in China,” Mr Putin’s top foreign policy adviser Yury Ushakov told reporters.

During talks with visiting Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Mr Abbott insisted he would directly confront Mr Putin “one way or another” over the Malaysia Airlines tragedy which killed 38 Australian citizens and 1196 Dutch citizens.

4. Gammy twin to stay with parents

A new twist in the case of baby Gammy. Western Australian couple Wendy and David Farnell will be allowed to keep the abandoned boy’s twin sister after months of investigation by the WA Department for Child Protection.

The department said after comprehensive testing the couple will retain custody of their baby girl Pipah but a “robust saftey plan” has been implemented to ensure the welfare of the girl.

The couple made international headlines when it was claimed that they abandoned one of their twin baby’s with his surrogate mother in Thailand after they learned he had Down Syndrome. It was also revealed that David Farnell had a history of imprisonment for child sex abuse.

The case provoked intense debate about international surrogacy. Mamamia followed this story, you can read more about it here.

5. Barrett Centre closure ends in tragedy

The ABC is reporting that three seriously ill teenagers have died, despite the Queensland Government receiving warnings that the closure of a specialised mental health facility for young people in Brisbane could endanger patients.

The Barrett Adolescent Psychiatric Centre at Wacol provided 24/7 care for teenagers at serious risk of suicide, but it was closed down by the State Government in January. Since then, three former patients – Will Fowell, Caitlin Wilkinson and Talieha Nebauer – died and the coroner is investigating.

Documents uncovered by the ABC under Freedom of Information legislation found that the Government proceeded with plans to close the centre, despite numerous warnings from independent experts about the potential impacts of the closure on vulnerable patients.

Queensland Health Department spokesman Dr William Kingswell told the ABC, “those three children we failed. The coroner will tell us in what ways we failed.”

6. Seinfeld says he is on the autistic spectrum

In a tv interview with NBC’s Brian Williams, comedian Jerry Seinfeld as being on the autism spectrum. His disclosure has been welcomed by autism advocates.

“I think, on a very drawn-out scale, I think I’m on the spectrum,” Seinfeld explained.

“Basic social engagement is really a struggle. I’m very literal, when people talk to me and they use expressions, sometimes I don’t know what they’re saying,” he said. “But I don’t see it as dysfunctional, I just think of it as an alternate mindset.”

Ari Ne’eman, president of the Autistic Advocacy Network has said that Seinfeld’s comments will help to relieve some of the stigma experienced by people living with autism.

“Think about what this does for a closeted autistic person who goes into the workplace knowing that their co-workers have just seen somebody they know, respect, and have a positive opinion of, like Jerry Seinfeld, identify in this way — it’s a valuable and important step in building a greater tolerance for autism,” Ne’eman said.

7. Pink condom erected in park

ACON’s “I’m on” campaign aims to promote safe sex amongst gay men with a view to eradicating HIV transmission in NSW by 2020.

Wendy Francis from the Australian Christian Lobby said that the spectacle was disappointing and “inappropriate for open spaces where children can see it”.

In news that is truly disappointing and shocking to everyone who sees it: the number of new HIV cases in Australia is at its highest level in 20 years with 1,235 new cases diagnosed last year. 26,800 people are living with HIV in Australia, according to a national report compiled by the University of NSW in July. 14 percent of people with HIV don’t realise they have it.

 

8. Autopsy on Robin Williams reveals no drugs in system

Authorities in California have revealed that Robin Williams was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of his death.

The autopsy results found that the 63-year-old actor had taken prescription medications, but in “therapeutic concentrations”.

The coroner ruled Williams’ death a suicide.

Robin Williams passed away on August 11th leaving behind a wife and two children and a body of work beloved by millions. His daughter, Zelda, recently got a tattoo to commemorate her dad’s passing. You can see her tattoo tribute here.