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Medieval Abbot's Kneecap Returned to Glastonbury Abbey After 70 Years

Medieval Abbot's Kneecap Returned to Glastonbury Abbey After 70 Years

A kneecap believed to belong to a medieval abbot has been returned to Glastonbury Abbey in Somerset, England, over 70 years after it was taken by an 11-year-old schoolboy, George Box, during an archaeological dig in 1956. Along with the kneecap, a fragment of a medieval floor tile was also taken. These items remained with Box throughout his life, including after he emigrated to Australia in the 1970s. Following his death in 2025, his widow returned the artefacts to the abbey while visiting Somerset to scatter his ashes. The items are now displayed in the abbey's museum. The return was initiated by an unexpected email to the abbey, revealing the story behind the artefacts.
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Glastonbury Abbey Receives Returned Artefacts After 70 Years

Glastonbury Abbey Receives Returned Artefacts After 70 Years

A kneecap believed to have belonged to a medieval abbot has been returned to Glastonbury Abbey in Somerset, England, more than 70 years after it was taken by an 11-year-old schoolboy during an archaeological dig. The bone was taken in 1956 by George Box, who also took a fragment of a medieval floor tile. After George Box's death in 2025, his widow returned the artefacts to the abbey while visiting to scatter his ashes. The items are now on display in the abbey's museum. The unusual return began with an unexpected email received by the abbey staff, who appreciated the return despite the abbey's stance against removing archaeological objects.
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Glastonbury Abbey Receives Stolen Kneecap After 70 Years

Glastonbury Abbey Receives Stolen Kneecap After 70 Years

A kneecap belonging to an abbot at Glastonbury Abbey has been returned by the widow of George Box, who stole it as a child during a school trip in 1956. Box, who passed away last year, took the bone from an excavation site at the abbey and kept it in Australia, where he displayed it alongside other artifacts. The abbey expressed gratitude for the return of the kneecap, which could belong to one of three abbots buried in the 13th century. The item is now on display at the abbey's museum.
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Australia's 2026 Student Visa Rules: Key Changes and Implications

Australia's 2026 Student Visa Rules: Key Changes and Implications

Australia has updated its student visa rules for 2026, impacting international students. Key changes include a proposed increase in work hours from 48 to 60 hours per fortnight, although this is not yet law. The Subclass 500 Student Visa requires continuous enrollment and compliance with visa conditions. The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) eligibility is influenced by study location and course load, with regional study offering extended post-study stay options. Students must also navigate administrative tasks like opening bank accounts and obtaining Tax File Numbers.
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American Patriotic Songs: A Historical Overview of Cultural and Social Impact

American Patriotic Songs: A Historical Overview of Cultural and Social Impact

The history of American patriotic songs is explored, highlighting their role in expressing love for the country through various themes such as endurance, divine approval, and social protest. Songs like 'The Star-Spangled Banner' and 'God Bless America' celebrate national pride, while Woody Guthrie's 'This Land Is Your Land' and Curtis Mayfield's 'This Is My Country' incorporate elements of social protest. The evolution of these songs reflects cultural independence, with early adaptations of popular melodies from England. Notable songs include 'The Liberty Song' by John Dickinson, 'Yankee Doodle,' and 'My Country 'Tis of Thee,' each contributing to the narrative of American identity and resistance.
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Australia's Green Iron Export Ambitions Face High Investment Hurdles

Australia's Green Iron Export Ambitions Face High Investment Hurdles

Australia's Green Iron Export Ambitions Face High Investment Hurdles
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Biosecurity Risks Loom as Ships Depart Strait of Hormuz

Biosecurity Risks Loom as Ships Depart Strait of Hormuz

The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz poses significant biosecurity risks as over 1,500 commercial vessels, which have been stationary since February, are expected to spread marine biofouling species to new regions. These ships, having accumulated non-native marine species on their hulls, could potentially cause an international biosecurity 'super-spreader' event. The Persian/Arabian Gulf, home to over 50 non-native species, presents a threat to ecosystems and industries in regions like New Zealand and Australia. Both countries have robust biosecurity frameworks, but managing biofouling on short-term commercial arrivals remains challenging.
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Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Alumni Cruise in Sydney

Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Alumni Cruise in Sydney

On August 6, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) marked its 20th anniversary with an alumni cruise event in Sydney Harbour. Over 100 alumni gathered at King Street Wharf for the first Southern Hemisphere stop in the university's 'Next Together' series. The event featured a two-and-a-half-hour cruise, allowing alumni to reconnect and network against the iconic backdrop of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Professor Youmin Xi, Executive President of XJTLU, delivered a keynote address highlighting the university's growth from its inception in 2006 with just over 160 students to its current enrollment of over 26,000 students. The event also included speeches from alumni working in various sectors in Australia, emphasizing the importance of language skills and internship experience for career advancement.
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Couple Sells Homes to Live Permanently on Cruise Ships, Enjoys Global Travel

Couple Sells Homes to Live Permanently on Cruise Ships, Enjoys Global Travel

Couple Sells Homes to Live Permanently on Cruise Ships, Enjoys Global Travel
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Argentina's Albornoz Banned for Four Matches After England Rugby Incident

Argentina's Albornoz Banned for Four Matches After England Rugby Incident

Argentina's Albornoz Banned for Four Matches After England Rugby Incident
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The 2026 Marquette Men’s Soccer Season Preview: The Returning Players

The 2026 Marquette Men’s Soccer Season Preview: The Returning Players

Head coach David Korn brings back 14 players from last season, but questions are plentiful.
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Qantas, pilots' union reach provisional agreement in pay talks

Qantas, pilots' union reach provisional agreement in pay talks

SYDNEY, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Qantas and an Australian pilots' union said on Thursday they had reached a provisional agreement on a wage deal after the airline's long-haul pilots this week voted in favour of industrial action, including 24-hour stoppages and delayed sign-ons.