News for Friday

21 Dec 2012

The Mayan apocalypse has supposedly come and gone, and Port Botany comes under scrutiny on the back of the customs scandal. Here are Friday’s top stories.  

21.12.12 Apocalypse

The Mayan calendar has ended and with it comes predictions that the world is about to end. NASA, scientists and other experts have dismissed the claims, but media fascination with the subject has put the spotlight back on the Mayan civilisation. Read more. 

Port Botany also under watch

After ABC and Fairfax lifted the lid on corrupt customs officials at Sydney Airport yesterday, it has been alleged that smuggling is also being assisted through Port Botany. It is feared that officials are helping drugs, illegal tobacco and guns over the border. The ABC has the story. 

Sensitive Santa

Highpoint Shopping Centre in Melbourne is offering families a chance to book a 20-minute appointment with Santa, before the centre opens in a bid to help children with autism deal with meeting the large man in the red suit. A total of 28 families met Sensitive Santa this year with overwhelmingly positive feedback. Read the full story.

College expels students over rituals

The University of Sydney college, St John’s, has expelled more than 20 students over hazing rituals during orientation week that left a female student close to death. There were 33 students involved and none will be returning to the college next year with 21 formally having their re-admission declined and 12 deciding not to reapply. Read more on the Sydney Morning Herald.

Barrier Reef’s sea floor collapsing

Researchers are predicting that a giant slab of sea floor collapsing in the Great Barrier Reef may trigger a tsunami in the future. While in the early stages of breaking away, the block is stable at the moment. Read the full story.

ACCC clears Qantas-Emirates deal

The competition watchdog has approved the Qantas-Emirates deal with the ACCC believing the alliance is likely to result in material benefits to Australian consumers. It was not all rosy for Qantas however, with the ACCC prepared to grant a five-year term rather than the 10-years requested by the airline. Read more. 

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