Two people in China are being treated for pneumonic plague, commonly known as the black plague, one of the deadliest pandemics in human history. 

The two patients from the Chinese province of Inner Mongolia were diagnosed by doctors in Beijing. 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says it understood that close contacts are being screened and managed. 

 “The Chinese National Health Commission are implementing efforts to contain and treat the identified cases and increasing surveillance,” said WHO China. 
 

A strong earthquake hit off the Indonesian coast in the Molucca Sea early today, prompting a tsunami warning for nearby areas. 

Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climate and Geophysics Agency said the tsunami warning issued for North Sulawesi and North Maluku was cancelled about two hours after the quake hit. 

Authorities have told residents to return to their homes. 
 

The state government of Western Australia announced yesterday a new rule of racing where the industry must aim to re-home all healthy and behaviourally sound horses when their career ends. 

Racehorses in Western Australia will get a ‘passport’ to track their condition and whereabouts under new proposed animal welfare reforms. 

Western Australia Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia said owners should be compelled to make and effort. 

The proposal also includes financial incentives for new owners taking on retired horses. 
 

It was revealed The Brisbane City Council spent more than $44 million on recruitment and labour hire agency contracts across one year, after the LNP administration released the figures. 

Finance and administration committee chairman Adam Allan did not respond to questions about why the council was spending so highly on multiple recruitment agencies.  

A spokeswoman from the lord mayor’s office said Brisbane City Council uses agencies to find the best qualified people.

Brisbane City Council released a strategy document yesterday that emphasises their desire to see more green landscapes, public art and easier accessibility  in future development. 

City planning chairman Matthew Bourke said the council’s strategy was focused on utilising public spaces and buildings with more community events, workshops and festivals.

“We want these spaces to be enjoyed by all our residents and visitors, so we’re encouraging the development of fully accessible pathways and buildings,” said Mr Bourke. 

Hundreds of bottles of rare cognac and liqueur from a ship that was sunk by a German U-boat during World War I was salvaged by the Ocean X team. 

Peter Lindberg, from the Ocean X Team said they are researching the cognac and talking to Bacardi to try to determine the value of the haul. 

“We don’t know yet if it is drinkable. We get a fraction of smell from the Benedictine bottles and it smells sweet and from herbs,” said Mr Lindberg. 

They recovered 600 bottles of De Haartman & Co. cognac and 300 bottles of Beneductine liquer. 

Anger mounts in Lebanon as protesters burn tyres, block main roads, and march on the presidential palace in reaction to the death of one protester. 

The country has been gripped by 28 days of protests with tens of thousands taking to the streets to voice their anger at government corruption and the worst economic crisis since the 15-year civil war in 1990.

President, Michel Aoun warned demonstrators should emigrate as the protest movement is threatening Lebanon’s interest. 

Protests in the Northern Territory over the police murder of Warlpiri teenager Kumunjayi Walker are escalating with a rally expected to take place in Alice Springs later this morning. 

The Yuendumu community say the police murder charge is not enough and are demanding comprehensive justice in the form of bodycam footage of the murder, an independent investigation, and a coronial inquest. 

Over 150 cars and six buses have traveled into Mparntwe Alice Springs to join protesters.