In April 2006 a rockfall at the Beaconsfield gold mine in Tasmania killed miner Larry Knight and trapped Todd Russell and Brant Webb about a kilometre underground. They were found alive five days later and stayed there until rescuers broke through on May 9, then walked out with their fists raised. The story gripped Australia, and the television networks competed to own it: Channel Nine reportedly paid between $2.75 million and $3 million for the first major interview, a landmark for chequebook journalism in Australia. A bestselling book, a Dave Grohl instrumental, a telemovie and a heritage centre kept the tale of mateship and resilience alive. Russell, who recently died aged 54, said the frenzy left him feeling he had lost his identity.

Israeli reports also say the cabinet directed the military to prepare for a possible new attack on Iran.

Angkor, near Siem Reap in northern Cambodia, was the capital of the Khmer Empire, which ruled much of mainland Southeast Asia between roughly the 9th and 15th centuries. At its height the city spread across about 3,000 square kilometres, making it the largest pre-industrial city on Earth by area. Its growth depended on water: huge reservoirs called barays, along with canals and embankments, stored monsoon rain and carried it to rice fields. That system let farmers harvest more than once a year and fed a very large population through the dry season. The temple complex of Angkor Wat, built in the early 12th century, is the best-known monument and still stands at the heart of the park.