Northern Territory protests escalate
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.
Koala hospital receives $350 000 in donations
The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital has received almost $350,000 in donations in the wake of recent bushfires.
The koala hospital is mobilising drink station to give dehydrated koalas a chance of surviving in the wild and providing medical aid to injured koalas.
Koala Conservation Australia president Sue Ashton says the hospital decided to triple the number of drinking stations, thanks to the generous donations of the public.
“It’s just so heart-warming and fabulous that people are showing that they care.” Ms Ashton said.
Irukandji threat can be better monitored
Queensland scientists studying Irukandji jellyfish claim local councils are ignoring the threat of the infamous box jellyfish and should be setting up monitoring programs to help prevent injury.
Griffith University's Sea Jellies Research Laboratory is working with scientists at James Cook University to try to understand the Irukandji's complicated life cycle and what impact climate change might have on it.
Professor in Marine Biology Michael Kingsford says DNA technology identifying where the jellyfish have been could be part of a beach warning system.
Queensland Rail gifts commuters 4 days free travel
Queensland rail is giving commuters an early Christmas gift; four days of free train travel.
Travel will be free every Monday from the 18th of November until the 9th of December.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the funding for the free travel days would come of money previously set aside for senior managers’ bonuses.
“Queensland Rail’s board has voted to phase outperformance payments, starting from the current financial year, and will work with its senior management team to implement that,” Mr Bailey said.
Human-looking fish discovered in Japan
A video of a fish that has a human-like face has gone viral online.
According to Snopes, a website that specialises in debunking urban myths, the original source of this footage cannot be located, however, It was reported in April 2019, that a fish with a human face was spotted in a pond outside of a local temple in Tsuruoka City, Japan.
The video began circulating on Douyin, a Chinese video mobile platform.
Two people in China being treated for black plague
Two people in China are being treated for pneumonic plague, commonly knowns 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.
A spokesperson for the World Health Organisation says it understood that close contacts were being screened and managed.
“The Chinese National Health Commission are implementing efforts to contain and treat the identified cases and increasing surveillance,” the spokespersons said.
Sydney fires suspected to be arson
Authorities suspect two fires that started on Tuesday in Turramurra on Sydney’s north shore were an act of arson.
Shane Fitzsimmons from NSW Rural Fire Service said they are treating the fire as suspicious and have declared the area a crime scene.
Mr Fitzsimmons said the fire is a heinous crime and the perpetrators deserve to have the whole weight of the law against them.
AEMC tells Australia to prepare for two-sided energy market
The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) says Australia needs to prepare the ground for a two-sided national energy market, where buying and selling energy can be provided for consumers in real-time.
The AEMC also clarified the advent of smart devices and virtual power plants has created the opportunity for a fully-fledged two-sided market.
AEMC chairman John Pierce said digitalisation has progressed to the point where it is time to consider a completely new approach.
Redlands Centre for Women finds a new home
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams officially opened the Redlands Centre for Women headquarters at the Cleveland historical precinct.
Councillor Williams said the centre will now be able to extend its service delivery by providing a welcoming women’s hub to enhance social connectedness.
The council is pleased to have been able to offer RCW more stability after almost three years of uncertainty,” Cr Williams said.
Redlands Centre for Women secured the facility after the council invited local community groups to submit proposals to use the building.
Brisbane neighbours go to court over 34cm of land
Two neighbours in South Brisbane are at war over 34 centimetres of building foundation buried about three metres down in South Brisbane.
HS South Brisbane is seeking $524 000 in damages from United Voice, a union representing paramedics, childcare workers, and security guards, over the 34 centimetre of concrete that allegedly encroaches on neighbouring land by ‘intrusion upon the soil’.
The presiding Supreme Court Judge has not yet decided whether to award compensation or the small section of land, which cannot be removed without risking the collapse of the building.