News: Bieber to sue woman who says he got her pregnant

1. Bieber to sue woman who alleges he impregnated her

This was only a matter of time. Justin Bieber plans to take a DNA test to prove he’s not the father of a fan’s baby. The woman, Mariah Yeater, 20, alleges Bieber and her had sex more than a year ago and that she gave birth to his child. Apparently Justin and his team will then sue the woman once paternity (or not) has been tested.

2. Black Saturday arsonists walk free

Two boys accused of lighting a fire that killed a disabled man and wiped out 61 properties have been allowed to walk free from court after prosecutors dropped the charges on account of their ‘mild to moderate’ intellectual impairment. Both boys have an IQ below 60. They were 13 and 14 at the time of the fires.

3. Turnbull savages climate critics

Former opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull, who was rolled in the job due to his support for an emissions trading scheme, has attacked climate change deniers by comparing them to smokers who don’t think it will likely give them lung cancer. “They’re like the guy who gets told by his doctor to stop smoking, lose weight and decides not to do that,” he said. “He met a mate down the pub who said his Uncle Ernie had lived ’til 95 but he smoked a packet every day. It’s ridiculous.” Mr Turnbull referred to a University of Berkeley (California) study which found the Earth was on average 1C warmer than it was in the 1950s. The study, Mr Turnbull pointed out, was partially funded by a family with ties to the climate change denier movement.

4. News International executive Rebekah Brooks receives $2.6m severance package

The executive at the centre of the News Corporation phone hacking scandal, former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks, resigned at the height of the hacking scandal and has received a $2.6m payout and the use of a company, chauffeur-driven limousine and office in London for the next two years on top. Labour MP Tom Watson who has led the charge exposing the hacking cover-up said: “It is remarkably curious that such a generous package is given to Ms Brooks when others have been cut loose. It is almost as if she hasn’t really left the company. I am sure Mr Murdoch will want to explain the decision to his shareholders.”

5. Bali drug charge teen’s $200,000 TV deal.

UPDATE: The boy’s agent in Australia has confirmed the deal has now fallen through, according to Sky News.

So the mega bucks media deal seemed a fait accompli and it appears the first deal has been struck with Channel 9 and the boy’s family, worth between $200,000 and $300,000. The cost will be spread between 60 Minutes and an ACP (Nine’s magazine arm) title. The deal has drawn critics who said it could hinder his trial in Indonesia.

6. Bodies of Australian troops arrive home

The bodies of the three Australian soldiers killed by a rogue Afghan soldier last week were transported back to Brisbane at the weekend. Captain Bryce Duffy, 26, Corporal Ashley Birt, 22, and Lance Corporal Luke Gavin, 29 will be laid to rest this week. Birt and Gavin were on their first deployment. Seven other soldiers were wounded in the attack.

7. Child brides: is 17 old enough to come into Australia as a spouse?

Over the past five years more than 200 17-year-old girls have been brought into Australia and granted prospective spouse Visas to live with partners ‘decades their senior’. Critics of the program said these teenagers needed to be monitored to ensure they are safe from harm when they arrive. One Lebanese girl applied for a court protection order after she realised her partner was still with his first wife. Her own family threatened to kill her. The Immigration Department said a range of strict criteria must be met before visas are granted.

8. Beyonce is having a girl.

In a Beyonce bump-date, it can be revealed the pop superstar is having a girl. The secret was let slip after the singer’s best friend Kelly Rowland, who was in Destiny’s Child with Beyonce, mentioned the baby shower in an interview with Entertainment Tonight. “I have no idea what I’m going to buy Beyonce at the baby shower because Jay is going to buy that little girl every single thing possible. She won’t be spoiled but she will be very well looked-after.” Well, that settles it then!