If you weren’t paying attention this week, we’ve got you sorted.
Abbott returns to the backbench
Earlier this week, Tony Abbott sat on the backbench in parliament question time for the first time in nearly two decades. Parliament resumed after a three-week break, and Turnbull’s new ministry took its place for the first time since being sworn in in mid-September. Abbott is yet to make a decision on his future in politics.
Queensland passes new domestic violence laws
Victims of domestic violence will no longer have to face their abusers in court under new laws introduced by the Queensland government. Instead, victims will automatically gain a ‘special witness’ status in court. The legislation also increased maximum penalties for repeated breaches of domestic violence orders to three years jail for first-time breaches and five years jail for subsequent breaches. Later that day, parliament rose early so MPs could take part in the ‘Enough is Enough’ rally against domestic violence.
Parliament rises early today so all #Queenslanders can say #enoughisenough at the #Queensland says enough rally. pic.twitter.com/dlcuY3JzDU
— AnnastaciaPalaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) October 15, 2015
Dutch MH17 report confirms missile strike
Dutch authorities have confirmed that Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was shot down by a Russian made BUK missile fired from eastern Ukraine They said that the Boeing 777 crashed as a result of a warhead detonating to the left of the plane’s cockpit. The report also concluded that the 298 people onboard were either killed instantly or would have been unconscious within moments. Since the report was released, Russia’s aviation chief has called on the United Nations to open up a fresh investigation, and pro-Russian rebels in the Ukraine have rejected the report.
Antioxidants could increase spread of cancer cells
A new study has raised questions about over consumption of antioxidants, normally found in acai berries, green tea and leafy vegetables. Antioxidants contain vitamins C and E and beta-carotena, and was originally thought to protect cells by acting as a defender against ‘free radicals’, which the body produces. However, researchers at the University of Texas found that antioxidants can affect cancerous cells and speed up the process by which they grow and spread. “What we’re starting to learn is that there can be bad cells from cancer that appear to benefit more from antioxidants than normal cells. Personally, from the results we’ve seen, I would avoid supplementing my diet with large amounts of antioxidants if I had cancer,” researcher, Sean Morrison said.
Lamar Odom found unconscious in Nevada brothel
911 calls made after Lamar Odom was found unconscious, reveal that the NBA star was found with blood and a white substance coming from his mouth and nose. The former Los Angeles Lakers player is fighting for his life after being found unconscious at Dennis Hof’s Love Ranch South in Pahrump. In the audio made public by Nye County Sherriff’s Office, the caller claims Odom had been doing cocaine. There are also conflicting reports circulating in U.S. media that he had taken a herbal substitute for Viagra and drank alcohol before he collapsed. Odom’s former partner, Khloe Kardashian, and her family travelled to Nevada to be by his bedside.
Everyone please pray for @RealLamarOdom to make it through this. Great player, even better person!
— Kris Humphries (@KrisHumphries) October 14, 2015
please don't go.
— Kendall (@KendallJenner) October 14, 2015
AFL trade news
The AFL trade period officially began on Monday, and Geelong were quick to secure Patrick Dangerfield and Scott Selwood. Carlton has also traded Lachie Henderson to Geelong for a 2016 first-round draft pick. Matthew Leuenberger is now an Essendon player and Matt Suckling has signed a three-year deal with the Western Bulldogs. Troubled footballer Harley Bennell is heading home to Fremantle after being traded from the Gold Coast Suns. Yesterday, Hawthorn made a move on the in-demand Jake Carlisle in a three-way deal with North Melbourne. However, Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson still expects a deal between Essendon and St Kilda to be done on Carlisle.
Shanghai Masters
Nick Kyrgios is making headlines again for all the wrong reasons. He was given a $2,062 fine and narrowly escaped a 4-week ATP tour ban following unsportsmanlike contact in his loss to Kei Nishikori at the Shanghai Masters, after he slammed a ball in frustration and narrowly avoided a linesman. Japanese star Nishikori outclassed Kyrgios, winning 1-6, 6-4, 6-4. While media attention has been focussed on Twitter spats between Tex Walker and Kyrgios, Bernard Tomic is climbing his way up the ranking ladder. Tomic continued his stellar season by storming past seventh-seeded Spaniard David Ferrer 6-4 6-2 at the Shanghai Masters on Wednesday night, and then beating France’s Richard Gasquet in a late-night nail-biter last night.
Reading Playboy for the articles
Playboy, arguably the most well known men’s magazine in the world, has announced that it will no longer be publishing images of fully nude women. “You’re now one click away from every sex act imaginable for free. And so it’s just passé at this juncture,” CEO Scott Flanders told the New York Times. The magazine will still feature provocative images of women, but they have been called PG-13 (or MA 15+ to Australian audiences).
Zoo Weekly gives haters the finger
Discontinued men’s magazine Zoo Weekly published its last issue this week, with a large middle finger on the cover. The cover reads “sticking it up to the prudes one final time”. The cancellation of the magazine has drawn an unsympathetic response, with many feeling the magazine was offensive and outstayed its welcome.
Audio produced by: Jack Howard.
Feature image: Jake Stevens.
Joely Mitchell, Tam Kendi, Ewa Staszewska, Tijan Biner, Johanna Brasier and Ethan Miller are the editors of upstart this semester. They are all third-year Bachelor of Journalism students at La Trobe University. You can follow them on Twitter here: @joelymitchell, @tamkendi, @EwaStaszewska, @tijanb,@JohannaBrasier and @ethanmiller1994.
