E-cigarette liquid poses health risk to children
E-cigarette liquid containing nicotine can be lethal to children, according to a new Queensland study published in the Medical Journal of Australia.
Author and manager of the Queensland Poisons Informations Centre in Brisbane Carol Wylie says the number of child poisonings and deaths from e-liquids rise every year.
The paper reports children become exposed through uncapped vials, drinking separated liquid containers, inhalation or eating exposed cartridges.
Venezuelan opposition minister will be recognised as president if election not called
Venezuelan opposition minister and self proclaimed rightful interim president Juan Guaido says he plans to force acting president Nicolas Maduro from power and re-establish peace and prosperity within the country.
Mr Guaido says international support, opposition unity and strong local support give Venezuela a unique opportunity to leave the chaos and economic devastation behind.
Britain, France, Germany and Spain say they will recognise Mr Guaido as president unless a new election is called within the next 8 days.
Kenyan dhow raises environmental awareness
A traditional dhow sailing boat made entirely of trash has set off on an expedition along the Kenyan coast to raise awareness about the harmful effects of plastic waste.
Dhows, with their billowing triangular sails, are iconic on the Kenyan coast, having traversed Indian Ocean waters for some 2,000 years.
On Sunday, the dhow set off from the coastal town of Watamu for the fourth leg of a 500-kilometre expedition that began on Lamu island on Thursday and is set to finish in Zanzibar on February 6.
Bill Shorten promises environmental spending
Opposition leader Bill Shorten promises environmentally conscious voters he will spend $200 million restoring urban rivers and waterways.
Mr Shorten says he will engage with state and local governments, councils and community groups to revitalise Australia’s wetlands, creeks and rivers which have for too long been treated like industrial waste drains.
Australian professor found dead in Argentina
Australian university professor and scientist Lily Pereg and her sister have been found dead after disappearing more than two weeks ago in Argentina.
54 year old Dr Pereg, a microbial ecologist at the University of New England, and her sister, 63 year old Israeli citizen Pyrhia Sarusi, were last heard from on January 11 after travelling to the country to visit Ms Sarusi's son.
Their bodies were found on a lot beside the home of Ms Sarusi's son Gilad Pereg, near the city of Mendoza on Saturday.
Ranking system allows new subjects to be introduced to Queensland schools
Queensland high schools see the introduction of five new subjects this year as the state moves to abolish the OP system in favour of nationally adopted Australian Tertiary Admission Rank System in 2020.
The change is prompting a review of Queensland’s secondary school curriculum to allow subjects that would not have been graded under the OP system.
The new subjects are psychology, design, engineering, food and nutrition, and literature, with a 6th subject Aboriginal and Torres strait islander cultural studies still pending approval.
Brisbane protesters call for abolition of Australia Day
On Saturday, thousands took to the streets of Brisbane CBD and Southbank to protest and ultimately call to abolish Australia Day.
Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance and Brisbane Aboriginal-Sovereign Embassy organisers led approximately 2000 people from Emma Miller Place to Musgrave Park in South Brisbane.
One organiser Philip Marrii says their wider message is that the Australian colonial project needs to be dismantled and Aboriginal sovereignty must be recognised to respect all people that live in our country.
Review: APT9 Up Late
Sometimes it’s easy to convince yourself that Brisbane is a sleepy little town. On hot January days it’s so hard to unstick yourself from your housemate’s leather couch, it’s impossible to imagine the world moving beyond the stillness of the living room.
But on the morning of the 18th of Jan, I managed to pry myself loose from the death grip of our steaming old Queenslander and into the death grip of my steaming old Mazda, because we were playing a gig at GOMA that night, and GOMA has air conditioning.
11am Zedlines
This is Jack and Dan with your 11am Zedlines!
Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
Tourism sector booms in QLD
Acting Tourism Industry Development Minister Di Farmer says new data released by Brisbane Airport proves Queensland’s tourism sector is booming.
International seat numbers through Brisbane Airport grew by 5.5 per cent to six million passengers in 2018 277,000 passengers more than the last year.
Meanwhile, domestic visitor numbers grew by 0.7 per cent to more than 17.5 million.