Indian Police Accuse Brother and Sister 'Marrying' Each Other For Visas
Indian police have accused a brother and sister of ‘marrying’ each other to obtain an Australian visa for the woman.
Indian Authorities allege the siblings forged identity documents and registered themselves as married, with the brother already holding an Australian residency.
The Australian Department of Home Affairs confirmed that all documents provided as proof of identity when applying for the visa were thoroughly checked and verified with the authorities based in the country of origin.
Researchers Develop Robot To Seed Great Barrier Reef
Researchers at two Australian universities have developed a robot that is designed to move autonomously along the barrier reef, seeding it with hundreds of thousands of microscopic baby corals.
In a trial run, the robot dispersed 100,000 baby specimens derived from coral which is believed to be especially tolerant of warmer water.
This development follows the discovery that the number of coral bleaching events has risen dramatically in recent years, with about half of the Great Barrier Reef having died off.
Scientists Warn That Two-Thirds of Himalyan Glaciers Are at Risk
Scientists have warned in a major new study issued Monday that two-thirds of the himalayan glaciers - the world’s “third pole” - could melt by 2100 if global emissions are not sharply reduced.
Even if the most ambitious Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is achieved, one-third of the glaciers would go, according to the Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment.
European Countries Recognise New Venezuelan President
The UK, France, Germany, Spain and other European countries have officially recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president of Venezuela.
This comes after President Nicolas Maduro defiantly rejected a deadline they set for Sunday to call fresh elections saying he would not accept “ultimatums”. He denounced Mr. Guaido’s move as a coup.
As head of Venezuelan National Assembly, Mr. Guaido says the constitution allows him to assume power temporarily when the president is deemed illegitimate.
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Education Authorities Admit Not Knowing if Cyberbullying is Getting Better or Worse
Education authorities have admitted to not knowing if the problem of cyberbullying amongst students is getting better or worse.
In September last year, the cyberbullying task force made 29 recommendations to the Queensland government, with the main focus set on establishing a baseline bullying figure.
The Queensland Government has allocated $3.5 million over the next two years, with hopes to develop a scientific algorithm to detect cyber bullying.
Safer Internet Day
Queensland Police Service has delivered a message to parents, caregivers and educators as part of Safer Internet Day.
Detective Inspector Jon Rouse, head of operations at State Crime Command’s Argos said most crimes started with a stranger requesting images or videos from a child online.
Safer Internet Day has been created to educate all those who use the internet, and can aid in the prevention of identity theft and romance scams.
Gay Conversion Therapy Banned in Victoria
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says the practice of gay conversion therapy is “bigoted quackery that masquerades as healthcare” and it will will be banned in the state.
The state government says the ban would be an Australian first and comes after an investigation by the Health Complaints Commission found the practice resulted in long-term psychological harm and distress.
Should Australia Grow and Export Cotton?
South Australian Senator Rex Patrick believes there should be a national debate and plans to introduce legislation next week which proposes a ban on all cotton exports.
Twenty-seven percent of the entire allocation of irrigation water across the Murray Darling goes to cotton farming and international export.
North Pole moves 55 Kilometres per Year
Scientists have discovered earth’s north magnetic pole is wandering about 55 kilometers per year.
The north pole has been moving so fast that scientists on Monday released an update of where true north really was, nearly a year ahead of schedule.
It crossed the international date line at the end of 2017, it’s leaving the Canadian Arctic on its way to Siberia. The shifting magnetic pole is a problem for compasses. Planes and boats rely on magnetic north usually as backup navigation.