Iran Responds to US Sanctions

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has responded to US sanctions on the country’s oil sales with air defence drills, saying the nation faces a “war situation”.

Oil is a crucial source of income for Iran, and sanctions are expected to further wound the country’s weak economy, which has seen it’s currency plummet and cost of living rise.

Eight countries will be temporarily exempt from the sanctions, aimed at curbing Iran support for regional militant groups and development of long-range missiles.

Rise in Japanese Youth Suicides

Suicides by Japanese youth have reached a 30-year-high despite overall suicide numbers across Japan steadily declining over the past 15 years.

A total of 250 children in elementary, middle and high school have taken their lives since March, the highest since 1986.

Of the 250 cases, concerns for the future, family problems, and bullying were the main reasons for the deaths, surveys showed.

Listeners seeking support and info regarding mental health call Lifeline Australia @ 13 11 14

Koala Population In Decline

Only two of 180 tagged koalas relocated by the State Government for Gold Coast development between 2008 and 2014 have been rediscovered.

Saunder Havill Consultants say 632 hectares of bushland had disappeared around Coomera since 2006, and this forced relocation could be the reason for the decline of koala populations.

Queensland's koala translocation policy has been under review since August 2018.

Billion Dollar Island Development Approved

An anonymous Australian Developer has been given the green light to move forward with a $1.2b development on Hummock Hill Island.

The approval came from the State Government last Monday and will allow the construction of 2500 residential units, including 770 permanent homes as well as resorts.

The Gladstone Regional Council previously said the project was too big and unnecessary but this ruling was overturned by the state, a move that hasn’t been made in four years.

Refugee Children Remain in Nauru Detention

Refugee advocates say there are less than 30 children remaining in Nauru detention.

The announcement comes after 25 people, including eight children,  were moved to Australia on Monday for medical treatment.

Asylum Seeker Resource Centre spokesperson Jana Favero said the decision was a welcome one, but that after five years, every moment is too long.

Privacy Concerns Over Health Record System

Despite privacy concerns, 17 million Australians will be automatically registered in the federal government’s My Health Record system if they don’t opt out by Thursday the 15th of November.  

Wentworth MP Kerryn Phelps has called on Health Minister Greg Hunt to extend the opt-out period, saying he is concerned about the privacy, security, and data mining potential of the system.

Legislation that would allow patients to delete their record and restrict police access to their record is yet to pass Parliament.

Conflict Between Yemen Insurgents And Saudi Coalition

Conflict between Yemen’s Houthi insurgents and a Saudi coalition has led to more than 100 fighter casualties and left thousands of civilians trapped on the coast of Hodeidah.

The alliance has amassed thousands of Yemeni troops despite recent calls from international leaders for an end to the country’s ongoing conflict.

The Norwegian Refugee Council Area Manager Isaac Ooko says all the people living between the airport and the university are trapped, and labelled the situation “beyond catastrophic”.

School Children Kidnapped in Cameroon

Over 80 school children have been kidnapped from a school in western Cameroon, according to government and military sources.

No one has claimed responsibility for the abduction from a Presbyterian school in the Nikwen village, in the region of Bamenda.

Conflict has been escalating within Cameroon between president Paul Biya’s French speaking government and separatists over issues of marginalisation.

4ZZZ Top 20

1. Tia Gostelow - Thick Skin

2. LALKA - CTRL ALTer Ego (Single)

3. Requin - The Noisy Miners Swoop Him EP

4. The Goon Sax - We're Not Talking

5. Emerson Snowe - If I Die, Then I Die (Single)

6. The Aints! - The Church Of Simultaneous Existence

7. Sweater Curse - Mon's Song (Single)

8. Cub Sport - Sometimes (Single)

9. Nice Biscuit - Digital Mountain

10. Rat Revenge - Neon Tomb (Single)

11. The Shakeouts - Glitter Tongue (Single)

12. FELIVAND - In Bloom EP

13. Regurgitator - HEADROXX