French label Hermes buys croc farm in Aus

The French fashion label, Hermes, has joined together with Northern Terriotorian Mick Burns, to build Australia’s biggest crocodile farm near Darwin.

The former melon and banana Darwin farm was bought for $7.25 million.

The plan is to construct an area that has the ability to accommodate 50,000 saltwater crocodiles, which will be farmed for skin and meat products.

Fog in Dehli

The Indian capital Delhi faced a toxic smog on Monday that heavily reduced the city’s visibility.

Residents were struggling to get through the thick air, where they claimed it was impossible to see even 200 metres ahead.

The smog is a result of a combination of pollution and winter, and has left many Dehli residents battling to fight through the fog and continue on with their days.

Trump campaign to hold rallies

In the USA, the Trump campaign has announced the plan to hold a series of rallies to claim the election was fraudulent.

Tim Murtuagh, the campaign spokesperson for Trump, reported the party is set to join together to support the president’s unproven allegations of a forged election. The details of these rallies have not yet been announced.

Trump is adamant that the election was falsified, and is still yet to admit defeat.

The Ancient Bloods - 'Where We Stand'

Building on an anthology of First Nations musical work, The Ancient Bloods is a musical project coming together in so-called Brisbane to celebrate song lines and create new ones; bringing a contemporary response to political issues and cultural heritage. The brand new album ‘Where We Stand’, from the land on which we exist through to the place we inhabit in society, explores First Nations relationships with the ancient past, with ongoing colonization, with a modern and evolving society and how each of these impact on both the individual and on the world’s oldest living and thriving culture—all through the lens of emerging community leaders on their own personal journeys. The Ancient Bloods current members include Nadia Morrison, Michaella Stubbs, Cormac Finn, Will Probert and Loki Liddle, working in the Digi Youth Arts mentoring program with guidance from artists including lead mentor Luke Daniel Peacock. With backgrounds including the Kabi Kabi, Bundjalung, Wiradjuri, Jabirr Jabirr, Garrwa, Butchulla, Darug the group explores a range of stories, truths and musical styles from their unique perspectives. The project, which began in 2018, is about exploring identity for both the band and its audience, creating both learning and legacy. Agnostic to genre and an exploration of individual journeys coming together in art, the album opens with ‘ANCSTR’ exploring the rich history of First Nations culture and survival and the strength drawn from it and moves through eight tracks of strength and self-discovery, through to the closer ‘Aunties On My Timeline’, a nod to the lighter side as it covers the far more contemporary phenomenon of having elders drop in on your socials.

Japanese Prince declared heir to the throne

Prince Fumihito, the younger brother of Japan’s Emporer Naurhito has been officially declared the heir to the throne during a ceremony in Tokyo. The ceremony was postponed seven months due to the coronavirus pandemic. The current Emperor has no sons, and his only daughter is barred from inheriting the throne under Japanese law, despite calls for reforms when the Emporer took the throne.

Tropical Storm Eta hits Central America

Tropical Storm Eta has brought strong winds and torrential rain to Cuba over the weekend, cutting a destructive path though Central America and Mexico. Guatemala authorities raised the death toll to 27, and said more than 100 people were missing as a result of a landslide. The storm is now headed for the US, where Florida officials have closed beaches, ports and public transportation.

Scott Morrison refuses to commit to net-zero emissions

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said Joe Biden’s election to the United States presidency will not change Australia’s climate policies, refusing to commit to net-zero emissions by 2050. The Prime Minister’s reluctance on climate change policy has garnered criticism from Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, who says Australia has the capacity to be a ‘renewable energy superpower’.

Plans for scaled-back ANZAC Day

With five months until April, plans are already underway for ANZAC Day, with Queensland considering a scaled-back coronavirus-safe parade at the Ekka Showgrounds. The invite-only event would mean many veterans would miss out. Returned Services League Queensland’s Tony Ferris noted the importance of having a COVID-safe event as many veterans fall in the age demographic most susceptible to the virus.