Ffredi Blino: The Dishwasher Tapes

- Like all international crises, the pandemic has been tempered with the small pleasures that ensue while people are forced into isolation. One of those pleasures is this COVID-era set of tunes from former Brisbane musician Owen Jolly who has called Wales home for the past twenty or so years.

Search Continues for Man lost at sea at Broadbeach

A Woman has drowned overnight, and a search is still underway for a man believed to still be missing in the ocean, with aerial crews resuming their search this morning.

The couple were last seen at Broadbeach entering the surf at nine twenty pm yesterday.

Anyone with information regarding the couple are urged to contact authorities.
A hazardous surf warning is in place for the south-east coast, which is likely to last through the weekend. 
 

UN Response to Myanmar Coup

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres says he plans to mobilise enough international pressure on Myanmar’s military to ensure the Myanmar coup fails.

His comment comes after China blocked a United Nations Security Council joint statement condemning Monday’s coup in Myanmar during a meeting on Tuesday.

The Myanmar army detained the country’s leader and others on Monday in response to alleged election fraud, however, António Guterres believes the election took place fairly.  

International Travel Biggest Factor Causing COVID-19 Deaths

A study has found that International travel has had the biggest impact on COVID-19 related deaths for the pandemics first wave.  

The study looked at countries including Spain, France, the UK, America, Italy and Brazil. 

It found an increase of one million international arrivals being associated with a 3.4% rise in the mean daily increase in COVID-19 deaths. 


Researchers said this data will be used to inform future policies in preventing the spread of COVID-19. 

 

Thailand Salt-Water Intrusion

Thailand is urgently tackling a salt-water intrusion problem after the amount of sodium in tap water exceeded the standard level. 

The president in charge of managing the subcommittees said the water is deemed brackish.

Due to the drought this year the government could not afford to use large amounts of freshwater.  

The Thailand government has suggested making foldable water retaining walls to prevent seawater intrusion. 

 

Tourism Operators Urged to Learn Chinese

Tourism operators are being encouraged to learn basic Chinese to help attract visitors after the pandemic. 

In July 2020, the Australian Chinese Business Council produced a report from tourism China supporting future growth. 

The report indicated the Australian Tourism sector lacks adequate language and cultural skills for dealing with Chinese tourists. 

The president of the Chinese Language Teachers Association in Queensland said staff need to be trained in basic Chinese language and culture. 

 

Gold Coast Firefighting and Rescue Boost

The Gold Coast is receiving a 3.7 million dollar firefighting and rescue boost.

The initiative is providing the Surfers Paradise Fire and Rescue Station with a new Combined Aerial Pumping appliance and Hydraulic Platform appliance today.

Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan says the new appliances would significantly increase Queensland Fire and Emergency Services capability across the whole region.

Zero QLD COVID-19 Cases

Queensland has reported zero new COVID-19 cases overnight. The state marks 29 days since registering a community transmission. 

Queensland health minister has said the state is calling on anyone who has visited the sites listed by Victoria Health to get tested and quarantine for 14 days.

The minister said they are not declaring Victoria a hotspot at this time but call on people to get tested in line with Victorian authorities.