Australia

What happened on Adele's Aussie tour

During the performance in Melbourne she said: "Just before we go to the next song… excuse me sir? Could you stop telling people to sit down?"

But it's just the latest Adele-ism from her Australian tour to get people talking.

In her time down under she's had run-ins with bugs, announced a secret social media account and revealed her unusual approach to getting on stage.

She loves a proposal

Sydney airport staff on split shifts 'sleeping under terminals'

Footage obtained by the ABC's 7.30 current affairs programme revealed bed rolls and dirty sheets next to the baggage carousel in the staff-only area of Sydney Airport's international terminal.

Napping between shifts is a result of the "Americanisation" of the Australian workforce, according to the Transport Workers Union (TWU).

Split shifts that start early and finish late and limited guaranteed hours mean it is not worth workers' while - financially or timewise - to return home when they are rostered off, according to the union.

Sydney Harbour Bridge celebrated 85th birthday

The Queen Mother said it was "one of the wonders of our time".

But of all the nicknames Sydney's iconic landmark received in the past 85 years, the Iron Lung is one that echoes its significance for those who built it.

The construction employed 1,400 builders who were paid as little as four pounds a week at the height of the Great Depression.

More than 200 families living in the far New South Wales south coast town of Moruya were able to put food on their tables because they worked out of the quarries which provided the granite for the bridge pylons.

Famous Australian artworks go under the hammer

The Gould Collection of Important Australian Art was made up of 74 impressive works, including Sidney Nolan's Outlaw and Burke Lay Dying, Charles Blackman's The Friends, and Brett Whitleley's Galah.

While many artworks exceeded auctioneers' expectations, none managed to make it into the top five most expensive Australian artworks.

The collection had been owned by Rob Gould, a well known and highly respected art dealer, who specialises in Australian art.

Australia considers childcare ban on unvaccinated children

Some Australian states already have "no jab, no play" laws, but Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has called for nationwide legislation.

Health groups support the push, arguing parents and the community has an obligation to protect children.

An Australian Child Health Poll survey of nearly 2000 parents showed 5 percent of children were not fully vaccinated.

Mr Turnbull said more needed to be done.

"This is not a theoretical exercise - this is life and death," Mr Turnbull said.

A brilliant cartoonist who polarised Australia

Bill Leak, who created some of Australia's most recognisable and inflammatory cartoons, has died of a suspected heart attack in hospital. He was 61.

Last year, his caricature of an indigenous man with a beer can who could not remember his son's name was labelled "disgusting" and "discriminatory" by Aboriginal leaders. The artist had also faced death threats and was forced to move out of his home after publishing an image of the Prophet Muhammad following the Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris.

Wallabies star Kurtley Beale to return to Australia

The former Waratahs centre is currently the highest earning player in England after signing a A$1.5 million (NZ$1.63m) one-year deal, with the option of a second season, last May.

Beale had to wait until December to make his debut for Wasps after suffering a serious knee injury during a Super Rugby clash just hours after signing for the English giants.

He's been in fine form since finally making it onto the field, helping Wasps to the top of the Aviva Premiership table with two tries in last week's win over Bath.

Australia officers disciplined for using police boat on surf trip

The pair were taking part in a training exercise on Swan Island, south-east Australia, last week.

They used the vessel to reach Corsair Rock, a remote spot popular with surfers.

The officers have not been identified. No details have been given about the disciplinary measures.

The area off Point Nepean National Park is known for having some of the best waves in Victoria state. The place is hard to reach and surfers often travel by boat.

Why an Australian lake has turned pink

Wildlife officers said algae growing in the salt crust at the bottom of Westgate Park's lake produce a red pigment.

"Enjoy the views, but we recommend you don't come into contact with the water," Parks Victoria said.

The phenomenon also occurs in Spain's Salina de Torrevieja, Canada's Dusty Rose Lake and Senegal's Lake Retba.

In Australia, the natural occurring sight can be seen in Victoria's Murray-Sunset National Park and Western Australia's Lake Hillier.

'Fake doctor' worked in Australia for 11 years

Shyam Acharya is accused of stealing a doctor's name and qualifications in India before moving to Australia.

He used the credentials to work in local hospitals between 2003 and 2014, New South Wales (NSW) Health said. He also became an Australian citizen.

Mr Acharya was never the individual subject of a complaint.

He is facing a fine of up to A$30,000 (£18,600; $18,700) but is likely to have left Australia, said NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard on Wednesday.