NewsBite

RUSH HOUR: The stories you need to know today

RUSSIA is on the hunt for a daredevil with a love of heights. See his impressive feat, and why Moscow wants him imprisoned.

Matt YoungMatt Young
@MattYoung
6 min read
August 28, 2014 - 6:33AM
Redfoo glassed in face

GOOD morning, and welcome to our morning news coverage. We will be bringing you the best of what’s happening this morning, so you can get across the news quickly.

TODAY:

• Why our Bachelor was a bad, bad boy last night

• Russia isn’t happy with this Ukrainian daredevil

• Redfoo glassed at Sydney pub

• Higher education reforms introduced in parliament today

• Incredible pictures of Northern Lights from outer space

• Sneaky government ensures school chaplaincy program continues

• Qantas posts record $2.84bn loss, financial results are grim

10:15am

That’s it for our live #RUSHHOUR news blog. You can get across the stories you need to know today below or go to news.com.au for the latest headlines.

9:45am

The news.com.au office received an unexpected guest this morning...

It’s all a big promo for the DVD release of Bad Neighbours, but could you resist a giant cardboard Zac Efron cut out? Us either.

The promo is off the back of a study by McCrindle research that reveals Fear of Growing Older (FOGO) is affecting almost 60 per cent of Australian men aged 18 to 49.

Yes, FOGO. Write it down people, because YOLO.

9:30am

Ukraine has appealed for NATO’s help after a huge convoy of tanks and weaponry from Russia steamrolled through the southeast of the country.

It’s the latest blatant move by an increasingly bold Russia after weeks of mounting evidence it is directly involved in Ukraine’s civil war.

Unmarked Russian military hardware, the social media posts of Russian soldiers — even funerals for Russian soldiers — are just part of the growing tide of evidence of Russia’s direct intervention.

Bystanders watch a fire consuming a school in downtown Donetsk yesterday after being hit by shelling. Picture: Francisco Leong
Bystanders watch a fire consuming a school in downtown Donetsk yesterday after being hit by shelling. Picture: Francisco Leong
Women rush across the street after shelling in Donetsk yesterday. Picture: Mstislav Chernov
Women rush across the street after shelling in Donetsk yesterday. Picture: Mstislav Chernov
A woman reacts as she stands at her window with broken panes in downtown Donetsk. Picture: Francisco Leong
A woman reacts as she stands at her window with broken panes in downtown Donetsk. Picture: Francisco Leong

9:15am

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce will hold a news conference in approximately 30-minutes to discuss airline’s record $2.84bn loss.

Follow the story live from Finance Editor Wenlei Ma as the news unfolds.

The outlook is grim.
The outlook is grim.

9:10am

The federal government is giving money to the states to ensure the controversial school chaplaincy program continues.

A High Court decision in June ruled that the commonwealth had no executive power to fund the national program, limiting its ability to administer and directly fund it.

But the Sydney Morning Herald reports the government is now inviting the states and territories to opt-in to a new arrangement whereby they receive $243 million in federal funding, but run the program themselves.

Participation is voluntary, meaning some states could opt out. In its effort to protect to program, the government said school chaplains made a valuable contribution to the wellbeing of students and school communities.

- words by AAP

9:05am

Incredible picture of a foggy Melbourne yesterday afternoon.

9:00am

Did Justin Bieber just compare his recent run-in with the paparazzi to Princess Diana’s death? Oh yes he did.

It comes after the pop star collided with a photographer’s Prius in West Hollywood, where it has been suggested the paparazzo was tailing Bieber, but both he and his red Ferrari were unharmed. Still, Bieber made comparisons...

8:50am

You’d think it would be this simple, unfortunately international relations aren’t always as black and white.

The tweet comes as Kiev’s security services on Tuesday released video purporting to show captured Russian paratroopers confessing to entering Ukrainian territory in an armoured convoy.

Ukraine said it detained 10 Russian soldiers Monday close to the village of Dzerkalne, some 20 to 30 kilometres from the Russian border.

8:25am

Remember the story about the guy who was refused work at a Sydney cafe because, according to the owner, people “don’t want their coffee made by black people”?

The good news is that this is one story with a happy ending — he got a job!

The Daily Mail Australia reports Nilson dos Santos has scored a barista gig at Darlinghurst establishment Coco Cubano, just a few minutes from the cafe where Mr dos Santos’ race row all began.

Congrats Nilson, we wish you all the best.

8:15am

No doubt echoing the sentiments of Gaza’s 1.8 million citizens.

8:05am

Twitter is a wonderful tool to connect with the world...and beyond.

Astronauts are a particular favourite to follow, and here’s why.

On Tuesday, German Astronaut Alexander Gerst tweeted footage of the Northern Lights after last week’s solar mass ejection — a burst of solar wind and magnetic fields that released into space.

Overnight Reid Wiseman found himself flying straight into it again and shared with us Earth dwellers.

What a view, eh?

Here’s a few other favourites from overnight.

7:55am

Our favourite Simpsons character has jumped on the Ice Bucket Challenge bandwagon.

7:45am

The Abbott government is expected to introduce its higher education reforms to parliament today. The legislation will spell out its budget plans to deregulate university fees, expand commonwealth funding for private providers and sub-bachelor courses, cut per-student funding and increase the interest rate for HELP debts.

The bill is guaranteed to pass the lower house unchanged.

But Education Minister Christopher Pyne has conceded the package won’t get through the Senate in its original form.

He’s set to step up negotiations with the Palmer United Party and the Australian Greens to persuade them to back the reforms. Both want university education to be free.

Labor has called on the government to “see sense” and scrap the package.

Education Minister Christopher Pyne visits Principal Roger Ashcroft at Yirara College boarding school in Alice Springs earlier this month. Picture: Calum Robertson
Education Minister Christopher Pyne visits Principal Roger Ashcroft at Yirara College boarding school in Alice Springs earlier this month. Picture: Calum Robertson

7:25am

Our Bachelor was a bad, bad boy last night.

In case you missed it, Blake found himself in hot water after pashing contestant Jess on a group date. Problem is, the rest of his gaggle of gal’s saw the kiss unfold — and all hell broke loose.

Here’s a hilarious catchup in 42 seconds ...

(Sound can be found in the bottom right-hand corner of each Vine).

The group went to Luna Park — and Amber couldn’t control her sarcasm towards Jess.

Jess was totally stealing all of Blake's time, and they end up having a snog. (This goes quick, take it all in!)

The fallout over THE KISS.

Laurina didn’t take it well at all. In fact she asked Blake to DENY HER A ROSE at the rose ceremony. “I can’t maintain my dignity,” she cried.

Happily Ever After? Don’t count on it!

7:00am

The X Factor judge Redfoo has reportedly been a victim of a violent glassing at a Sydney hotel just before 1am this morning.

It is believed a 21-year-old man allegedly threw a glass bottle at Redfoo. The celebrity was treated for a cut above his right eye at the scene by ambulance, reports The Daily Telegraph.

Patrons of Golden Sheaf Hotel in Double Bay, where Redfoo was allegedly attacked, took to social media to express their concern.

Redfoo in the clip for his new single, New Thang.
Redfoo in the clip for his new single, New Thang.

6:25am

The Abbott government is promising a long-awaited code of conduct with Indonesia will lead to unprecedented intelligence sharing between Indonesia and Australia.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop will sign the joint understanding with her counterpart Marty Natalegawa today, almost a year after ties were strained by a spying scandal.

Indonesia suspended co-operation on people smuggling, defence and intelligence sharing with Australia after revelations Canberra spied on President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, his wife and inner circle.

The agreement broadly stipulates that both nations won’t use their intelligence resources to harm the other’s interests.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, left, is greeted by his Indonesian counterpart Marty Natalegawa prior to their meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2013. Picture: Tatan Syuflana
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, left, is greeted by his Indonesian counterpart Marty Natalegawa prior to their meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2013. Picture: Tatan Syuflana

6:20am

Russian authorities are on the hunt for a Ukrainian thrill seeker after he painted the star of one of Moscow’s iconic Stalin-era skyscrapers in the colours of the Ukrainian flag in the name of Ukraine’s Independence Day.

Urban “roofer” Grigory, known online by his moniker Mustang Wanted, fessed up to the deed after he posted a selfie atop a skyscraper on the Kotelnicheskaya Embankment.

Mustang covered the flag attached to its spire and its Soviet-star pinnacle in yellow and blue paint last Wednesday.

Post by Mustang Wanted.

“I consider what I did an art performance and dedicate it to Ukraine’s Independence Day,” he wrote.

“I’m that person who in an outburst of sincere patriotic feelings climbed the roof of the high-rise Kotelnicheskaya Embankment Building and repainted the star on top of it in the colours of our dear Ukrainian flag, and then also raised a flag of independent Ukraine. I have photo and video evidence of that.”

The climber said he made the confession to save four Russian climbers, who have been detained under house arrest over the incident. The group denied the claims, claiming they were base jumpers climbing separate high rises at the time.

Atop a skyscraper in Dubai.
Atop a skyscraper in Dubai.
Mustang Wanted...daredevil and super spunk.
Mustang Wanted...daredevil and super spunk.

Mustang has particularly targeted the Kotelnicheskaya skyscraper, along with a number of other Stalinist buildings in Moscow known as the “Seven Sisters” — considered the city’s top landmarks.

He’s now gained a reputation for online for his daredevil stunts, climbing high rise buildings in all conditions — with no safety equipment. Check out a compilation of his best climbs here.

Whatever you do, just don’t look down.

More related stories

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/national/rush-hour-the-stories-you-need-to-know-today/news-story/af9dd644a9293ed7b378bd5ccc7e9f64