Category Archives: headline

World's oldest man dies aged 112

Saturnino de la Fuente, a Spaniard described by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest man, has died at the age of 112 years and 341 days, the records agency said.

Mr se la Fuente passed away at home in León, a city in northwest Spain on Tuesday, it said.

Guinness World Records named Mr de la Fuente as the world's oldest man in September, when he was 112 years and 211 days. It said he was born in the Puente Castro neighbourhood of León on February 11, 1909.

READ MORE: Man charged with murder of nine-year-old NSW girl

Mr de la Fuente was a cobbler by trade and started working in a shoe factory at the age of 13, Spain's state-run news agency EFE reported.

He survived the Spanish flu pandemic that broke out in 1918 and with his wife Antonina had seven daughters and one son, followed by 14 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, it said.

He was to be buried on Wednesday at a local cemetery, EFE said.

Japanese woman Kane Tanaka, the world's oldest living person, turned 119 years old earlier this month, according to a Twitter post published by her great-granddaughter, Junko Tanaka.

READ MORE: Volcano destroyed every home on Tongan island

January 27

Born on January 2, 1903, Ms Tanaka married a rice shop owner at the age of 19, and worked in the family store until she was 103.

The Guinness Book of World Records recognised her as the world's oldest living person in 2019.

Australia to rebate overseas students, backpackers to fill job shortages

Australia will rebate visa application fees for students and backpackers for at least the next three months as the country works to fill critical workplace shortages created by COVID-19.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that from today, any overseas student who arrives in Australia will have their visa rebated at a cost of $630 per student.

The initiative will be in place for the next eight weeks and will be organised via the Department of Home Affairs.

READ MORE: Man charged with murder of nine-year-old NSW girl

Mr Morrison said there are around 150,000 students currently overseas who have an approved visa to come and study in Australia, and he hopes the rebates will inspire them to return to the country to continue their education.

The prime minister said Australia will also rebate the visa application fees for backpackers who wish to travel and work in the country.

Currently there are 23,500 backpackers overseas who have existing visas to enter the country.

READ MORE: Volcano destroyed every home on Tongan island

The backpacker rebate scheme will be in place for the next 12 weeks from today and will be supported by a $3 million tourism campaign to air overseas.

"My message to backpackers is come on down. Come on down because you wanted to come to Australia, you got your visa, we want you to come to Australia and enjoy a holiday here," Mr Morrison said.

"We want you to move all the way around the country, and at the same time join our workforce and help us in our agricultural sector, in our hospitality sector and so many other parts of the economy that rely on that labour workforce."

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the visa rebate scheme is expected to cost $55 million.