Egypt’s ousted President Mohammed Morsi dies during trial

Egypt’s former President Mohammed Morsi has collapsed in a courtroom and died.


According to officials Morsi, who had been in custody since 2013 on espionage charges, had just addressed the court on the charges.


The cause of death has not been confirmed but the Muslim Brotherhood are calling it a ‘full- fledged murder’, with activists and his family saying Morsi was denied access to treatment for various health conditions.

Kenyan Ebola alert false alarm

Kenyan authorities have reassured the public and foreign visitors on Monday after a suspected Ebola outbreak turned out to be false.

 

The case was reported near their border with Uganda where an ebola outbreak was recorded earlier.

 

The woman suspected of having the disease had the symptoms of ebola but was cleared by medical staff and is in a stable condition.

Review: Tosca at QPAC

The production of Puccini’s Tosca by Opera Queensland, directed by Patrick Nolan, is a powerful and engaging work. Though deeply dramatic in all three acts, it’s not excessive and captivates the whole way through. The opera will give you a sense of being caught up in a grand unfolding tale, without overwhelming the senses or being hard to follow. It has a compelling story with themes of sanctity, virtue, love, jealousy, freedom, power and justice, and makes for a great evening at QPAC.

 

The Biology of Plants - EP - Vol 2

Art As Catharsis is proud to announce the release of The Biology of Plants’ new EP – Vol. 2, an immersive release that balances lush compositions with understated technicality and astounding textural detail. Inspired by the likes of Sigur Ros, Tigran Hamasyan, Phillip Glass, Bela Bartok, Bon Iver and even Tool, The Biology of Plants take the skills of two classically trained musicians next to two jazz educated performers to create a platform where both can shine. The resulting music lies on the precise side of experimentation – each song a masterpiece of instrumental expression. Coming off the back of a well-deserved win for Best Jazz Song at the Queensland Music Awards (thanks to their stunning track Long Black), The Biology Of Plants are only continuing to challenge themselves as both musicians and masters of composition. “We like to combine elements of spacial improvisation, with openness and room for interpretation, but often this is transformed into a defined rhythmic idea/melody to provide contrast to our sound,” explains bassist Helen Svoboda. “Our music is easily compared to that of a live film score, due largely to our instrumentation - the synth drones and textural ‘carpet’ of sound provides a solid underpinning for the soaring cello melodies. Above all, our music is inspired by nature, and the ever-changing scenery that surrounds us.” Vol 2. is more than a rare and impressive addition to a promising catalogue from The Biology of Plants. This unexpected harmony between proficiency and emotion, delivered through cunning instrumentation, easily matches the standards of Sigur Ros and Mogwai. The EP is well worth exploring – the definitive ending of this journey being a new high-point for Australian instrumental music.

Upgrade in Brisbane North Motorways

In local news, the Palaszczuk government will commit 200 million dollars to upgrade the motorway on Brisbane’s North Region.

Transport and Road Minister, Mark Bailey said the commitment will help provide the 83,000 vehicles traveling on the northern gateway from Bracken ridge to the Bruce highway over the next four years.

Transport infrastructure from the North Brisbane through to the Sunshine coast is already underway and will help provide much needed relief for Brisbane’s northside.  


 

Adani mine student protest this Friday at Brisbane CBD

For the second time this month, thousands of university and high school students as well as city workers will cause major traffic disruption in Brisbane’s CBD on Friday evening during peak hour as part of a campaign to escalate mass street demonstrations in response to the Palaszczuck’s government’s fast-tracking of the Adani mine.

Sydney apartment residents evacuated

In national news, residents of an apartment in Sydney were forced to leave their homes after cracks on the buildings left residents homeless.

The NSW government says it will hold everybody accountable once the cause is identified but until then residents will not be able to return home to collect personal items.

Builders association director Brian Seidler told SBS News the problem is still being investigated and this is the second time cracks in buildings occurred after the Opal tower apartment complex in December.

 

Tonsley train station closure in Adelaide rises concerns

The Tonsley train station closure in Adealide’s South from the 28th of June is part of the 125 million dollar Flinders Link project to extend the railway line by 650 metres to Flinders University and Flinders Medical Centre, and create a rail bridge over Main South Road.

One local is concerned the station might not reopen once work is complete saying the removal of the station will condemn a lot of residents with disabilities and frailties as well as the eldery.