US Senate fast-tracks Amy Coney Barrett nomination
The United States Senate has voted to advance the Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett towards confirmation despite objections from the Democrat party. The Republican-led Senate voted mostly united in support of President Donald Trump’s pick to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Many Democrat party representatives have said whoever wins the election next week should elect the next Supreme Court justice.
Polish protests over anti-abortion ruling
Protests have erupted in several cities in Poland on the weekend over the near-total ban on abortions. The protestors were reacting to last week’s ruling by Poland’s constitutional court that an existing law allowing abortion of non-viable fetuses was “incompatible” with their Constitution. The court’s verdict was criticized by several European human rights groups including the Council of Europe.
Industry Minister says vaccine is "nine months away"
Federal Industry Minister Karen Andrews has said she believes the rollout of a coronavirus vaccine would be at least nine months away. Appearing on the ABC political show Insiders, Andrews said it would take time before a drug could be approved, manufactured, and distributed to the population. In this month’s budget, the federal government committed $1.5 billion to medical technology and manufacturing.
Increased cap on international arrivals
The weekly cap on international arrivals to Australia will be increased by hundreds of places next month, allowing more stranded Australians to return home. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the news on Friday after a national cabinet meeting. The current weekly cap on arrivals is 6,000.
Year 12 students to sit ATAR exams
More than 37,000 Queensland Year 12 students will start their external exams today for the first time in the state. This will be the first Queensland cohort to receive Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) scores instead of an OP. This comes after a school year dominated by the pandemic, which had students learning online and canceling events such as formals.
Qld Police investigation after social media video
The Queensland Police Service is investigating a video uploaded to social media last night showing a police officer hitting a man from behind at a refugee rights rally in Brisbane. The video shows the man standing alone before an officer runs up and pushes him in the head causing the man to fall to the ground. A police spokesperson said they were investigating the incident.
Chloe Alison Escott - 'Stars Under Contract'
Stars Under Contract is the new solo album by Chloe Alison Escott, renowned as the frontwoman for Hobart, Tasmania’s cult post-punk duo the Native Cats.
Stepping away from the propulsive bass rhythms and sharp declaimed vocals of the Native Cats, Chloe delivers a starkly arresting album of solo piano and reflective songwriting.
Stars Under Contract was recorded start to finish in one day in February. It places more focus than ever before on Chloe’s imaginative, incisive, and often dryly amusing lyrics.
Chloe says - "The concept of Stars Under Contract is that I've had an eight-album career fronting a band - not the Native Cats, but a different, imaginary band, let's say a six-piece with a regular string section - and now I'm revisiting this nonexistent band's best songs solo, renewed and more confident than ever, surrounded by ghosts and shadows.”
“I wanted it to be like John Cale's Fragments of a Rainy Season, except that the haunted, spacious piano versions are the only versions. These songs are questions of transformation and shame and self-acceptance over a long, lonely night."
Since the late 2000s, the Native Cats have cultivated pockets of fervent followers around the world, releasing four albums and a swathe of singles on labels from Tasmania to Boston. They’ve had praise from NPR, Stereogum, Brooklyn Vegan and many more.
Stars Under Contract was recorded and mixed by Evelyn Ida Morris (formerly of Chapter artists Pikelet) and mastered by Becki Whitton.
4ZZZ Top 20
1. Adele & The Chandeliers - First Date
2. Mitch, Please - The Bin Collection
3. Spirit Bunny - Paper Handshakes (Single)
4. Julia Jacklin - To Perth, Before The Border Closes (Single)
5. King Stingray - Hey Wanhaka (Single)
6. Sweater Curse - Push//Pull EP
7. Jodie Flange - Welcome To The Elephant Graveyard, Honey
8. Sammm. - Fresh Sheet Feeling EP
9. The Stress Of Leisure - Banker On TV (Single)
10. Baker Boy x Dallas Woods - Better Days (Feat. Sampa The Great) (Single)
9am Zedlines - October 26
[Image: Flickr]
Europe coronavirus spike
Europe has seen a major spike in new coronavirus infections, with Spain and France becoming the first European countries to record one million cases. Polish President Andrzej Duda has become the latest public figure to test positive. The World Health Organisation has warned of the exponential rise in infections threatening health systems’ ability to cope with the second wave.