Thursday's news

19 Dec 2013

Arctic 30 avoid trail for protests against oil drilling in the Arctic. In other news, infamous criminal Ronnie Biggs has died, aged 84.

Arctic 30 avoid trial

The Greenpeace activists known as the Arctic 30 will avoid trial after the approval of an amnesty bill in the Russian parliament. Tasmanian Colin Russell is part of the 30-strong team of activists from 17 countries. The Arctic 30 had been charged with hooliganism over their protest against drilling for oil in the Arctic. ABC News has more.

ACCC warns of parcel scams and fake online shopping sites

The ACCC is warning people to be wary of parcel scams and online shopping sites in the lead-up to Christmas. ACCC deputy chair Delia Rickard says the complaints they receive are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to scams. Read the tips the ACCC have provided on ABC News.

Iraqi policeman dies after embracing suicide bombing

An Iraqi policeman has died protecting Shiite pilgrims, embracing a suicide bomber just moments before the man detonated the bomb. The bomb killed five people, including the policeman, and wounded 10. Read more.

Student charged for Harvard bomb hoax

A second-year Harvard student has been charged for the bomb hoax that caused the evacuation of four buildings and the cancellation of final exams. Eldo Kim, 20, allegedly concocted the bomb hoax to get out of a final exam. News.com.au has more.

Ronnie Biggs, infamous criminal, dies aged 84

Ronnie Biggs has died, age 84, after suffering from poor health for the past few years. Biggs is famous for his part in the Great Train Robbery of 1963, when the gang robbed a mail train travelling between Glasgow and London. Read Ronnie’s story.