NZ deports 'climate change refugee'

WELLINGTON • New Zealand has deported a Pacific Islander who launched a failed bid to become the world's first climate change refugee, his supporters said yesterday.

Mr Ioane Teitiota, 39, was sent to Kiribati on Wednesday after exhausting all avenues of appeal in his four-year battle to stay in the country.

He had argued that he should not be sent back to Kiribati as rising seas threaten to deluge the island nation of 100,000.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Minister quits Greek govt after outcry

ATHENS • A junior minister in the new Greek government stepped down less than 24 hours after being appointed, as outrage erupted on Wednesday over anti-Semitic and homophobic remarks attributed to him .

Mr Dimitris Kammenos, who had been named junior infrastructure minister, sparked uproar earlier this year by comparing the European Union to Auschwitz. He has also been accused of writing tweets and Facebook posts that contain racist and homophobic comments.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Aussie koala survives high-speed car crash

SYDNEY • A lucky koala has been nicknamed "Bear Grylls" (after the British adventurer and TV host) after suffering just a few scratches in a high-speed collision with a car, the driver and wildlife rescuers said yesterday.

The male marsupial became wedged between the car's bumper and front grilles after it was hit crossing the South Eastern Freeway about 20km south-east of Adelaide on Tuesday night, said driver Loren Davis.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Uganda opposition fails to pick leader

KAMPALA • Ugandan opposition parties said they have failed to unite behind a single presidential candidate for next year's vote, potentially weakening their challenge to veteran leader Yoweri Museveni.

They said late on Wednesday they had not agreed on a leader and would "take different paths in respect to the matter of a presidential candidate".

REUTERS