Melbourne news stories on Newser

Melbourne Ousts Vancouver as Top Place to Live

Kevin Spak — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 14:21:44 CDT

Dear readers, we have a question for you: Why don’t you live in Canada or Australia? Because apparently those are the world’s bestest places to live, according to an annual study from the Economist Intelligence Unit , which rates cities from around the world based on factors like political stability, health...

World's Most Liveable City Is...

Evann Gastaldo — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 12:40:05 CST

Looking for a new place to hang your hat? Consider Vancouver, which tops the list of the world’s most liveable cities for the fifth year running, Reuters reports. The annual survey from the Economist Intelligence Unit ranks cities on stability, health care, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure, and Vancouver...

Stroller Hit by Train, Baby Fine

Rob Quinn — Thu, 27 May 2010 02:04:31 CDT

A 15-month-old baby managed to escape with only minor cuts and bruises after his stroller tumbled onto the tracks and into the path of an oncoming train in Melbourne, Australia. The driver, who jammed on his brakes immediately and pulled the baby out from under the train, was praised for...

2,500 Atheists Gather in Melbourne

Harry Kimball — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:26:00 CST

If ever there was a group unafraid of a vengeful lightning bolt, it's the 2,500 atheists converging on Melbourne—likely the largest concentration of godless thinkers ever. The Global Atheist Convention says it doesn't intend to proselytize, and in fact discourages any “missionary zeal." Still, the convention plans to...

'Aussie Fritzl' Charged With Raping Daughter for 30 Years

Rob Quinn — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 06:17:00 CDT

An Australian man has been charged with rape and incest after allegedly raping his daughter for more than 30 years and fathering four children with her, Reuters reports. The man was arrested after the victim contacted police and told them she had been kept a prisoner in their home in...

Aussies Bust Islamist Terror Plot

Will McCahill — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:15:59 CDT

Australian security forces today busted an Islamist terror outfit that was planning to attack an army base in retaliation for the country’s involvement in Muslim countries, the Australian reports. An undisclosed number of Australians of Somali and Lebanese descent were arrested in the sweep, which centered around the southern city...

Katie Crew Forced to Sign Scientology Censor Pact

Mary Papenfuss — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 03:58:56 CDT

Holy scientology, Batman! The film crew on Katie Holmes' newest movie are being forced to sign pacts agreeing not to ask the scientology convert about her religion, reports the Australian Herald Sun. The Batman Begins actress, hubby Tom Cruise and daughter Suri are in Melbourne taking in the sights and...

It's Lights Out for Earth Hour

Harry Kimball — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 10:44:18 CDT

Earth Hour is under way. The annual event in which cities around the world dim their lights for an hour at 8:30pm local time kicked off in Sydney, Australia, the Age reports. China's Bird's Nest stadium, London's Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, the Vatican, and the Empire State Building...

Jet Tail Hits Australian Runway on Takeoff

Sat, 21 Mar 2009 07:42:59 CDT

The tail of an Emirates jetliner carrying more than 225 people slammed into the runway as it took off from Melbourne, Australia, last night, sending smoke into the cabin and forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing. No one was hurt, but passengers described being terrified after learning something...