11AM Zedlines
This is Robyn and Micheala with your 11am Zedlines
Bosses Kept in the Dark About Train Design Flaws
A report on Queensland's flawed trains is yet to be released, but top bosses have been kept in the dark about design flaws, including toilets and aisles that breached discrimination laws.
Retired judge Michael Forde said middle managers did raise other issues with the trains but not the ones that have left disability advocates fuming.
Queensland has copped a bill of at least $150 million to fix problems with the trains, worth $4.4 billion.
Heatwave Breaks BOM Records
The Queensland heatwave smashed Bureau of Meteorology November records, with temperatures hitting high 30s and into the 40s.
Cairns logged a high of 42 degrees two days in a row, and Mount Stuart scored the hottest temperature in the state; being 45.2 degrees.
The heatwave has caused trouble for firefighters around the state who are still trying to manage more than 100 bushfires, including a bushfire in North Stradbroke Island.
South Australia Coca-Cola Factory Closes
Coca-Cola has vowed to retain a strong presence in South Australia despite closing its bottling line in Adelaide, and they end 66 years of local production.
The line will produce its final bottle of Coke on Tuesday. General Manager Mr. Mortimer said after 66 years and around 10 billion bottles produced, it's time for this plant to retire.
The decision to close the Adelaide bottling line came after a national review that recommended boosting production in Queensland and Western Australia but winding it down in SA.
Usman Khawaja's Brother Arrested Over Terrorist Hit List
Counter terrorism police detained 39 year old Arsalan Khawaja at his home in Western Sydney this morning over an alleged terror hit list.
The brother of Test Cricket player Usman Khawaja was found to have written down plans to kill senior politicians, including former prime minister Malcom Turnball and Julie Bishop.
The arrest comes after the notebook was discovered in a office at the University of New South Wales back in August.
Ukraine bans Russian Men From Entering the Country
Ukraine has placed a ban on Russian men aged 16-60 years crossing into the country.
Martial law was imposed this week following fears that Russia was planning a full scale invasion after Russian ships fired on and captured Ukrainian vessels last week.
The head of border service, Petro Tsygykal, has said the entry of foreigners is limited, primarily citizens of the Russian Federation.
Nigerian President Denies Dying
Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari denies claims that he died and was replaced by a Sudanese imposter, breaking his silence on a rumor that has circulated on social media for months.
Buhari, who is running for re-election in February, spent 5 months in the UK last year, receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness. One theory widely shared on social media and by some political opponents was that he had been replaced by a lookalike from Sudan called Jubril.
Katter Proposes Bill to Legislate Gendered Pronouns
A bill proposed by Queensland cross bencher, Robbie Katter, seeks to legislate the right to use gendered pronouns in the workplace.
The Anti-Discrimination Commission of Queensland has received no complaints from people forced to use non-gendered language at work, and are ‘not aware of it happening and it being a concern’.
Commissioner, Scott McDougall, says the bill could expose vulnerable people, such as those who are transgender, gender diverse or intersex, to increased discrimination.
Brisbane Ferry Strike
Brisbane ferry drivers will strike for two days this Thursday to protest a lack of job security and low wages.
Ferry drivers also accuse ferry operator Transdev of eroding maintenance and safety standards under the contract it holds to run CityCat and CityFerry services for the Brisbane City Council.
Jason Miners from the Maritime Union of Australia says many workers are being paid under award rates and many had no sense of job security because they were employed on casual contracts.
One in Five Workers Experience harassment at work
Leaked Border Force report showed one in five staff bullied or harassed at work and the same proportion has suffered discrimination.
These leaked internal documents that confirm the profoundly toxic culture is destroying the quasi-military agency.
The Australian Border Force, which merged customs, immigration, and border protection, has been controversial since its inception in 2015. Critics questioned the military-style uniforms and hardline, "hairy-chested" image of the agency.