Tropical Cyclone Zelia Closes Schools and Port in Western Australia

Matthew Radalj, an Australian citizen, has come forward about his harrowing experience of spending five years in Beijing's No. 2 prison, where he endured inhumane conditions, including sleep deprivation, forced labor, and psychological torture. According to Radalj, he was wrongfully convicted following a dispute over an electronics repair and coerced into signing a false confession with the belief it would shorten his sentence. During his time in prison, he described overcrowded cells with never-ending lights, lack of sanitation, and a diet primarily consisting of cabbage and plain bread, leading to widespread malnutrition among inmates. His testimony is corroborated by former prisoners who chose to remain anonymous due to fears of retaliation, as noted by the BBC. The Chinese government did not respond to requests for comment. Radalj, who has now returned to Australia, not only shares his story but is also advocating for the rights of those still incarcerated. He reflects on the psychological impact of his imprisonment, stating, "With freedom comes a great sense of gratitude" and a responsibility to support fellow prisoners.

Matthew Radalj, an Australian, has recounted his harrowing experience of nearly five years in a Chinese prison, where he faced severe mistreatment, forced labor, and deplorable living conditions. According to a report by the BBC, Radalj was wrongfully convicted in 2020 following a dispute with shopkeepers over a mobile phone screen price, leading to a coerced confession of robbery. During his incarceration in Beijing No. 2 prison, Radalj shared a cramped cell with other inmates, often suffering from sleep deprivation and psychological torture. He described being beaten for two days and enduring months without proper hygiene or access to sanitation facilities. The food was reportedly insufficient, primarily consisting of cabbage in dirty water. Radalj also disclosed a punitive "good behaviour points system" that manipulated prisoners' actions through the promise of reduced sentences. Guards would penalize inmates for minor infractions, leading to a strategy of psychological torment. Released in October 2024, Radalj now grapples with the trauma while attempting to reconnect with fellow inmates' families.

An 11-year-old girl from Australia was reportedly groomed and sexually abused by a 23-year-old man after she added him on Snapchat as part of a competition with her friend. According to The Guardian, the victim, who was competing to achieve a Snap score of 100,000, used the app's 'Quick Add' feature, which suggested connections based on shared interests. The perpetrator, Jai Clapp, initially lied about his age, claiming to be 17. Over a span of 12 days, he groomed the girl before meeting her three times in a local park, where he sexually assaulted her. A judge described Clapp's actions as "abhorrent," and he received an eight-year and ten-month prison sentence, along with a four-year, eight-month non-parole period. Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat, stated that any sexual exploitation of minors is horrific and against their policies. Beginning December 2025, the Australian government plans to restrict Snapchat use to individuals 16 and older, with current policies allowing users from the age of 13.