Canada is the first G20 nation to ban shark fin trade in an effort to curb the decline in threatened shark populations around the world.

Canada was the largest importer of shark fins outside of Asia, importing over 148 tonnes of fin in 2018.

Director for Oceana Canada Josh Laugren says the ruling is significant even though Canada is not the biggest player in shark trade since it encourages other countries to follow suit.

The US launches a cyber attack on Iranian weapons system.

The hack is suspected to be in retaliation to the recent shooting of a US drone and attacks on oil tankers believed to be conducted by the Iranian government.

President Donald Trump has said sanctions are needed to stop Tehran from obtaining Nuclear weapons and economic pressure will continue until the city changes course.

New South Wales researchers are ready to trial a new vaccine aimed to lessen the havoc on native bird populations by possibly stamping out beak and feather disease.

Professor Shane Raidal from Charles Sturt University says the vaccine is 10 years in the making and could save critically endangered species such as the orange-bellied parrot.

Professor Raidal says the parrots need to be regularly tested for the disease to prevent it from spreading, but testing costs tens of thousands of dollars.

Hundreds of Sudanese-Australians have taken to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne streets to protest military crackdowns in Sudan.

A three-week long communications blackout in Sudan sparked the peaceful rallies which had protesters banging drums while dressed in blue.

Protester Yousif Ali says he has been losing sleep and desperately waiting to hear from his family in Sudan since the blackout.

The Brisbane City Council has approved a temporary development ban blocking major developments on the historic Lamb House in Kangaroo Point.

In a special meeting on Thursday night, State Development Minister Cameron Dick told the council the ban was approved and they could now support it.

City planning chair Matthew Bourke says the council is pleased to protect the property as they believe any development would be detrimental to the landmark.

The Queensland flu epidemic has claimed 38 lives despite 1 million Queenslander having already received vaccinations this year.

Chief Health Officer Jeanette Young advises those infected to stay at home in order to avoid spreading the virus.

Confirmed cases of influenza have peaked at four times the five year average with over 1000 people being hospitalised.

The Brisbane City Council has locked in $1 billion to fund over one thousand new Brisbane buses.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey says the new contract will have a greater focus on real-time performance management and will allow the state to work with the council on network planning.

Council transport chairwoman Krista Adams says the council welcomes the state government’s support and looks forward to delivering the bus fleet.

Turkey’s ruling party concedes in the Istanbul election with the opposition winning 54 percent of the vote with most of the ballots counted.

The opposition had won the Istanbul election three months ago but the results were overturned by authorities amid claims of irregularities.

The opposition leader says the victory marks a new beginning for the country.