Australia

Australian airline Jetstar on Tuesday refused to back down over an incident on a flight in Queensland in which a mother-of-two was ordered by cabin crew to cover up a tattoo on her shoulder blade depicting a naked couple engaging in sex. Flight attendants on the January 26 flight obliged Peta Bull (36) to wear a jacket until she was off the domestic flight and in the Brisbane airport terminal.

Australia was drawn on Monday into the widespread anger over cartoons depicting the Islamic prophet Muhammad after a weekend newspaper printed one of the images. The president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, Ameer Ali, urged newspapers not to print the cartoons.

The Super 14 governing body on Monday told the New South Wales Waratahs not to wear their controversial initialled jerseys in the new season’s provincial rugby competition, which kicks off on Friday. The team experimented with players’ initials instead of numbers in a trial game against Canterbury Crusaders in Sydney on Saturday, which the Waratahs lost 32-30.

Opener Adam Gilchrist smashed 88 runs from 66 deliveries on Sunday as Australia compiled a record target of 344 for six wickets on its way to a 57-run win over South Africa in a tri-series limited-overs international. South Africa scored 287 for six in reply with Mark Boucher scoring 76 and Herschelle Gibbs adding 46.

Opener Adam Gilchrist smashed 88 runs from 66 deliveries on Sunday to lead Australia to a record score of 344 for six wickets against South Africa in a tri-series limited-over international. Australia’s total was its highest against South Africa and the second-highest at the Sydney Cricket Ground in one-day matches.

Australia won the toss and opted to bat first in their triangular series limited overs match with South Africa at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday. Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath was again rested for the match after deciding to spend time with his family. McGrath’s wife was diagnosed with a recurrence of cancer last week.

This was an auto accident with a difference. A 2m saltwater crocodile leapt out of a roadside culvert and slammed into the side of a passing car, Australian authorities said on Thursday. The crocodile died in the collision and was given to local Aborigines, who ate it, said a crocodile-management officer at the Kakadu National Park.

A bit of decorum, please. Prime Minister John Howard wants Australia’s television networks to clean up their acts, bemoaning the ”marked deterioration in good manners”. ”I think there are certain vulgar expressions that have no place on television,” Howard told reporters on Tuesday.

A ”brutally honest” review of the Wallabies disastrous 2005 season has highlighted a raft of shortcomings that must be overcome by a new coach if Australia is to have a chance in the 2007 World Cup. Australian Rugby Union chief Gary Flowers said the review had already influenced selectors tasked with picking a replacement for sacked coach Eddie Jones.

A Hungarian hang glider who spent an uncomfortable night dangling from the branches of a 12-metre tree was on Friday rescued unharmed by emergency services, police said. The 42-year-old had been competing in an international hang gliding competition in the southeastern state of Victoria when he crashed into trees on Thursday.

Twelve towns in the south-eastern Australian state of Victoria were on high alert on Thursday against raging bushfires that have already destroyed 27 homes and killed two people and thousands of farm animals. Dozens of fires fuelled by scorching temperatures and rising winds were burning around the state.