Users will no longer see the number of likes, reactions and video views on other’s posts in a world-first trial which starts rolling out from Friday.

Instead, likes will be private and only visible to the post’s author in a change that follows a similar test on Instagram which started in July in Australia.

Facebook Australia’s director of policy Mia Garlick said  It’s hoped that people will be more comfortable with sharing on the platform rather than feeling like it’s a competition

In a global ranking of digital competitiveness Australia’s rank has dropped to 14th  out of a total of 63 countries.
 
Data strategist Rowena Martin says "the investment in digital literacy skills really hasn't been there. From the federal government there's been cuts and a lack of support for universities.”
 
The fall is due to poor performance in areas of business agility, tech skills and communications. 
 

The whale was caught in nets off the popular tourist spot about 7:00am.

Fisheries Department officers from Noosa and Mooloolaba spent almost three hours trying to cut the whale free.

The whale's mother was close by during the rescue.

Fisheries shark control program manager Michael Mikitis said "They seem to sort of sense that we were there to help," he said.

"The mother wasn't distressed, [she] was actually laying alongside the juvenile for most of the release."
 

The research commissioned by Brisbane City Council has found that local residents are happier with their quality of life that residents of every other Australian capital city.
 
Lord mayor Adrian Schrinner says that the council has collated the data for a new “Better Brisbane Index” to be updated annually.
 
The research finds Brisbane residents report a 93% quality-of-life rating, compared with Melbourne and Perth residents who reported an 89% rating and Sydney residents who reported a 76% rating.  
 

She will talk with 150 members of the community in a bid to resolve a political crisis that has been ongoing for nearly four months and has involved violent protests.
 
Ms Lam says “Deep wounds have been opened in our society. These will take time to heal.”
 
Each community member will be given around three minutes to express their views in the district of Wan Chai.

A formal impeachment inquiry into president trump ensues after a phone call transcript with Ukraine’s leader was released.  
 
The transcript of a call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky outlines Trump pushing the Ukraine leader to reopen an investigation of his potential 2020 presidential rival, Joe Biden and his son.
 
Meanwhile, Trump in his tweet is labelling this as “another fake news story” and has denied that he has tried to pressure Ukrainian president.

 The year six student, Ariel Elhers, in Queensland is staging a protest by herself in her home two that is surrounded by hundreds of coal seam gas wells, multiple coal mines and gas and coal-fired power stations.
 
“Everybody loves coal and gas, and people hate the idea that they're going to have to stop.”
 
These industries are driving the local economy which sits in the middle of the seat of Maranoa, the most conservative electorate in the country. 

 The Therapeutic Goods Administration is increasing regulations due to concerns over links between certain types of breast implants and a rare form of cancer.
 
The TGA says "eight models of breast implants are to be suspended from supply in Australia for six months, while a number of safety and performance concerns are addressed.”
 
Around 100 cases of cancer, including four deaths, have been reported in Australia.