# Environment

Aus state closes beaches after shark attack

Authorities in Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) state on Friday ordered the closure of beaches in Port Macquarie town after…

IANS | New Delhi | August 26, 2023 5:15 pm

Aus state closes beaches after shark attack

Authorities in Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) state on Friday ordered the closure of beaches in Port Macquarie town after a man was hospitalised due to serious injuries to his leg and foot following a shark attack earlier in the day.

Surf Life Saving NSW said in a statement that at around 10 a.m. on Friday, the man in his 40s was attacked by the shark in waters off Port Macquarie located in the state’s mid-north coast, reports Xinhua news agency.

According to the statement, beaches in the area would remain closed until further notice, with signs erected at the site to warn local residents to stay out of the water.

The type of shark involved has yet to be confirmed.

Australian Shark-Incident Database revealed that there has been eight shark attack incidents so far this year, of which two were fatal.

# Sports

Ponting backs McSweeney as opener to debut against India

In the lead-up to the crucial five-Test series for the Border-Gavaskar trophy against India, Australia’s hunt for a second opener to partner Usman Khawaja aren’t yet over with former World Cup-winning skipper Ricky Ponting now backing Nathan McSweeney to make his debut after his impressive show in the recently-held unofficial Test against India ‘A’.

# India

Jaishankar to leave for Australia, Singapore on Sunday

During the visit to Australia, he will travel to Brisbane and inaugurate India’s fourth consulate in Australia. He will also co-chair the 15th Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue (FMFD) with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Canberra.

# Sports

India to directly play 1st Test in Perth after intra-squad match scrapped

Doing away with the tradition of warming up for red-ball tours DownUnder with a couple of practice games, India will straightway head to Perth for the first Test against Australia without any significant game-time, as the BCCI has scrapped the sole three-day intra-squad game at the WACA.