Sunshine Coast Council's are warned not to dump millions litres of PFAS-tainted water into the sea

Chemical experts have warned the Sunshine Coast Council that a proposed plan to dump millions of litres of PFAS-tainted water into the sea off the Sunshine Coast is "insanity".

 

The Council’s proposed plan involves building a pipeline to funnel the contaminated water froSum the Sunshine Coast airport construction site into the ocean at Marcoola.

 

Two people killed in a car crash on the Bruce Highway

Two people have been killed in a car crash involving a stolen vehicle on the Bruce Highway in Brisbane’s north.

 

The stolen vehicle was travelling on the wrong side of the Bruce Highway at Bald Hills when it crashed head-on into an oncoming car around midnight while attempting to flee from police.

 

Queensland Ambulance Services said a person from each car involved in the crash were found dead at the scene, and two others, including the driver of the stolen vehicle were taken to hospital in a critical condition.

 

Film Review: The Cat Rescuers at Brisbane International Film Festival 2019

The Cat Rescuers played as part of Brisbane International Film Festival this year. The film was an excellent display of cat warriors doing their best to make a difference for the lives of stray kittens and cats in the streets of New York. Directed by Rob Fruchtman and Steve Lawrence this 87-minute documentary feature film was heartwarming and informative at the same time.

Review: Ray Chen Returns presented by Queensland Symphony Orchestra

Conductor Erin Helyard
Soloist Ray Chen, violin

J.S. Bach Orchestral Suite No.4 in D minor, BWV1069
Mendelssohn Sinfonia No.10 in B minor
Mendelssohn Concerto in E minor for Violin and Orchestra, Op.64

 

An endearing, exquisite and poignant concert from Queensland’s own violin virtuoso 

 

Police release hundred of captives in northern Nigeria

Police in northern Nigeria have released hundreds of captives who were beaten, abused and held in squalid conditions at an Islamic boarding school in Katsina.

Nearly 300 men and boys from 7 to 40 years of age had been at the facility where police said they discovered “inhuman and degrading treatments” following a raid to free the remaining students.

67 of the inmates who were freed by the police were shackled in chains, and many were taken to hospital for treatment, police are now working to reunite the captives with their families. 

 

Dutch family found after 9 years

A Dutch family have been discovered by police after being locked away in a remote, boarded-up farmhouse in a secret room for nine years, where they were reportedly “waiting for the end of time.”

The five siblings, ages 18-25, were found with a 58-year-old man who was initially believed by police to be their father, however the man has since been arrested after this was found not to be the case.

Murdoch University condemned for its treatment of a whistleblower

Academics from across the globe have condemned Murdoch University’s treatment of a whistleblower who spoke out about international student exploitation.

The Western Australian university is suing associate professor Gerd Schröder-Turk for criticising its treatment of international students during an episode of the ABC’s Four Corners where he said that the university was admitting students who did not meet its own academic standards.

New federal regulations normalise the use of chemical restraints in aged care facilities

New federal regulations which promised to tighten the rules on the use of chemical restraints in aged care actually normalise the practice, a report has said.

The practice of using medication to modify the behaviour of dementia patients has come under scrutiny in recent years, prompting Federal Government to announce the regulation change in July.

Domestic violence should not solely rely on GPS trackers

The Queensland Palaszczuk Government has found that the issue of domestic violence should not solely rely on GPS trackers.

Trackers send out life alerts when the offender is approaching the victim and authorities. 

However, reports have found that their efficiency is limited because only a quarter of breaches are detected.

Brisbane vacant carparks turned to shelters for the homeless

Non-profit organization, Beddown, has introduced a trial where vacant carparks are turned into pop-up accommodation for homeless people in the Brisbane 

The initiative was started by Norman McGillivray, who has been previously impacted by homelessness, noticed this potential to help more homeless people.

Services provided include toilets, takeaways and dental services, 15 homeless people are sleeping in the carpark every night.