Brisbane Scooters Hailed A Success

Since the roll out of Lime Scooters across Brisbane two weeks ago, more than 50,000 trips have been taken, exceeding expectations and creating a demand for growth beyond the inner city suburbs.

Hundreds of scooters have been distributed around the CBD, South Bank, Fortitude Valley and other inner-city suburbs and were quickly adopted by residents, with a 251 per cent increase in daily trips since Friday.

Highest Earning YouTuber Revealed

According to Forbes, 7-year-old primary school student, Ryan ToysReview has made $29.8 million in reviewing children’s toys on YouTube this year.

Launching his channel in March of 2015, Ryan now has over 17.3 million subscribers and 25 billion views, with his video content showing him reviewing and unboxing new toys.

Ryan tops the list of this year's top YouTube earners overtaking YouTube stars such as brothers Jake and Logan Paul as well as Jeffree Star.

Brexit Legal Advice Ruling

The British Government has been found in contempt of court for the first time ever, after refusing to release the full legal advice underpinning its Brexit deal.

Theresa May’s government lost the vote 311 to 293 just hours after May had told Cabinet the “candid” legal advice given to ministers must remain confidential.

The opposition Labour Party’s spokesperson, Keir Starmer, said the defeat is a “badge of shame” for the government, and the decision had huge constitutional and political significance.

Push for Australians to Have Digital ID

Australia’s three tiers of government should be connected online, a new report has recommended, with all citizens issued a unique digital ID to easily access services online.

The report, published by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, has detailed a vision for a digitally connected future, which could significantly cut costs and improve communication between the three levels of government.

Despite scepticism regarding its privacy, the plan has already been successfully introduced in Estonia, with strong privacy controls for citizens.

QLD Renters Living in Squalor

A new survey has revealed almost half of Queensland tenants are living in homes in need of repair and nearly two-thirds fear a repair request will result in a rent rise.

The report, conducted by the National Associations of Tenant Organisations, lays out alarming figures, with 8% of tenants being evicted at least once without explanation.

Tenants Queensland are calling for a restriction to rent increases to once a year, saying too many tenants are living in substandard housing.

France Backflips on Fuel Tax

The French Government has backflipped on fuel tax increases following weeks of violent protests, suspending three proposed increases over a six month period.

The so-called “yellow vests protests”, which started on November 17, were prompted by French President Emmanuel Macron’s taxes on diesel, but have since evolved into a more general anti-Macron uprising.

It is unlikely the suspension of tax increases will quell the demonstrations, with protestors continuing to block several fuel depots and insist the fight is not over.

Italian Government Sacks Top Medical Panel

Italy’s vaccine-sceptic health minister sacked every member of the country’s top panel of health advisors on Monday, saying that she wanted to give “space to the new.”

Health Minister Giulia Grillo, a member of the vaccine-sceptic Five Star Movement, fired all 30 members of the Higher Health Council, which is responsible for advising the government on health policy.

UQ Researchers Discover Unique Cancer Marker

Researchers at the University of Queensland have discovered a unique DNA signature common to multiple cancers that could one day revolutionise the way we diagnose the disease.

The cancer marker can be identified with a simple blood test, and has so far appeared in every type of breast cancer examined, as well as in people with prostate cancer, colorectal cancer and lymphoma.

The researchers are now working with the University of Queensland’s partner company UniQuest to further develop the technology.