Authorities fear African swine fever outbreak in Aus

A 60-year-old Vietnamese man has been deported from Australia after failing to declare almost four kilograms of pork products he carried with him to Sydney International Airport, sparking concerns of an African swine fever outbreak.

The disease has the power to wipe out pig herds across the world, and is expected to kill more than 200 million pigs this year in China alone.

China provides more access to Taiwanese companies

China announced a series of measures on Monday to further open up Taiwanese autonomous enterprises, including self-financing, to the market, because Taiwan warned its people not to take "temptation" actions before the presidential election in January.

Since President Tsai Ing-wen took office in 2016, China has claimed that Taiwan is a Taiwanese democracy and has put pressure on strategically located islands because she fears that she wants to promote its formal independence. This is Beijing's red line.

Vietnam arrest eight more people in relationship with Bristish Truck deaths

Official media said on Monday that Vietnamese police arrested eight people suspected of being linked to 39 deceased in a truck near London last month, all of whom were considered Vietnamese, bringing the total number of arrests in Vietnam to 10.

British police last week charged two men with manslaughter over the deaths of the group. Their bodies were found in a container of a truck on October 23.

Melbourne Cup protests ensue in WA

Animal rights activists are expected to join together today on Western Australia’s Ascot Racecourse in protest of the Melbourne Cup. 

Event organiser James Sparrow said protestors want to stand up against the horse racing industry.

He said, “We want to gather together to show our disgust at this event and just demand the industry be thoroughly investigated… eventually we want this industry to be abolished that’s been corrupt and cruel.”

Protests began at the Melbourne Cup parade in Melbourne CBD yesterday.

Gastro outbreak at Tangalooma

More than 50 people have fallen ill with gastroenteritis at Tangalooma Island Resort on Moreton Island, and investigators say the resort’s contaminated drinking water is to blame.

Metro South Health public health physician Dr Kari Jarvinen said people who have recently visited the resort should stay alert for symptoms and seek medical advice if necessary.

Dr Jarvinen said, “Gastro caused by bacteria can give you nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhoea … and fever.”

41 immigrants were found by Greek police on Monday

Officials said the Greek police found 41 immigrants on Monday, most of them Afghans, hiding in refrigerated trucks on highways in northern Greece.

The discovery was 10 days after the discovery of 39 bodies believed to be all Vietnamese immigrants behind a refrigerated truck near London. The deceased were charged two in the UK and eight in Vietnam.

Greek police officials said that the refrigeration system on the trucks that found immigrants in northern Greece did not open, and although some immigrants demanded medical assistance, there was no injured immigrant.

Dozens of people were injured in Hong Kong’s protest last week

The authorities said on Monday that dozens of people were injured in Hong Kong during a chaotic weekend of anti-government protests, leaving a man in a critical state. China called for a tougher stance to end the months of unrest.

Police said 12 policemen were injured during the weekend clash and more than 300 14-54-year-olds were arrested between Friday and Sunday.

Redlands mayor calls for better funding

The Mayor of the Redland City Council is calling for government funding to be allocated more equitably to the Southern Moreton Bay Islands.

Councillor Karen Williams says the Redlands area is classed as metropolitan, meaning the islands are ineligible for Works for Queensland funding, despite geographical isolation and unemployment.

Cr Williams said “The fact that our community is not eligible… fails to recognise the unique challenges faced  by parts of our city, in particular our island communities”.

Giant water battery helping university’s carbon neutrality goal

The University of the Sunshine Coast has installed an experimental water battery that has cut their energy costs by $100 million.

Standing three stories high, the battery will aid the university in reaching their goal of being carbon neutral by 2025, with the battery already reducing reliance on the energy grid by 40 percent.

The giant battery harnesses 6,000 solar panels to cool water used in the university’s air conditioning systems.