Microplastics Found in Marine Life

A new study on ocean pollution has discovered microplastics in the bodies of every dolphin, whale and seal studied.

The study conducted by the University of Exeter and Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) in the UK examined 50 animals from 10 species of dolphins, seals and whales and discovered the presence of microplastics in all of them.

4ZZZ Top 20

1. Asha Jefferies - Hold Yourself Together EP

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6. Shrimpwitch - Gave Me The Itch

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10. Cub Sport - Cub Sport

11. Harley Young & The Haymakers - Barina Jean (Single)

12. Big Bad Echo - Pop Godz EP

Iraqi novelist gunned down

A motorcycle gunman has shot dead an Iraqi novelist close to his house in the holy shiite Muslim city of Kerbala, police and witnesses say.

50 year old Alaa Mashzoub was on his way home when he was shot multiple times, police say late Saturday night.

Iraq's Culture and Tourism Minister says in a statement released yesterday the local cultural scene has lost one of its special authors and creators.

Theresa May returns to Brexit negotiations with two months remaining

United Kingdom prime minister Theresa May is back in negotiations with less than two months until the UK is scheduled to leave the European Union.

Britain faces a disorderly ‘no deal’ exit if the UK parliament cannot reach an agreement on the post-brexit border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Ms May says she is armed with a fresh mandate, new ideas and a renewed determination to find a pragmatic solution Brussels will approve of.

Melbourne fire prompts cladding questions

80 firefighters were deployed to a building in Melbourne’s Spencer Street on Monday morning to battle a blaze that has prompted fresh concerns about combustible cladding on apartment buildings.

The fire began shortly before 6am and shot up several floors of the apartment complex, prompting the Metropolitan Fire Brigade to upgrade the emergency.

Scott Morrison promises greater medical care for asylum seekers

Doctors may receive greater power to bring critically ill asylum seekers into Australia, according to a new proposal by prime minister Scott Morrison.

Mr Morrison is pledging to create a new independent medical review panel that would allow doctors to bypass departmental blocking if needed to provide medical or psychiatric care for those residing in offshore detention centres.

The proposal hopes to alleviate suspected human rights violations that have seen twelve people die due to medical neglect.

Smokers fined thousands for lighting up

Around 400 fines were dished out last financial year to smokers who decided to light up in Queensland smoke-free zones, including bus stops, taxi ranks and ferry terminals.

A caution or on the spot fine of $261 is issued to people who breach a smoking ban, totalling to over $100,000.

Executive Director of Queensland Health’s Preventative Health Branch Kaye Pulsford said the fines were a tough, but necessary reminder that smokers not only put themselves at risk of serious health problems, but also the people around them.

Women take centre court at Brisbane International tennis championship

A new format will see the Brisbane International tennis championship attracting ‘exclusive’ female talent, according to a new statement by Queensland Premier Anastasia Palaszczuk.

The championship will become a women’s only event from 2020 and combine with the first leg of a new international men’s team event, the ATP Cup.

Brisbane tennis fans will now receive ten full days of action from top international players instead of the usual seven.

Denuclearisation talks strengthen with North Korea

North Korea is committed to closing the door on 70 years of war and hostility with the destruction of plutonium and uranium sites, according to US Special Envoy for North Korea Stephen Biegun.

The US and North Korean governments must first reach an agreement on expert access and the mapping and monitoring of key sites before North Korea can achieve full denuclearisation.

Male cheerleaders appear at 53rd Superbowl

History is being made at the 53rd Superbowl in Los Angeles with the first ever male cheerleaders participating in the event.

Napoleon Jinnies and Quinton Peron became the first ever male cheerleaders in the NFL in March 2018, and, almost a year later, they will make history again as the first male cheerleaders to perform during America's most-watched event.

While male cheerleaders are relatively common in high school and college teams, up until now they have been largely missing from professional squads.