Jordan and Syria reopen border
Jordan and Syria have agreed to reopen a border crossing between the two countries, three years after the commercial lifeline fell to rebel groups and traffic halted.
The move comes after the Syrian government troops reclaimed their side of the crossing in July as part of a deal with rebel fighters.
The resumption of commercial trade through the crossing should bring major relief to Syria.
Film Review: Jirga BIFF 2018
Jirga is defined as a tribal council, in Afghanistan.
Jirga is a powerful depiction of an Australian soldier Mike, played by Sam Smith, who in his search for forgiveness finds himself in a village in Afghanistan, where three years prior he stood on the same ground and shot an unarmed civilian.
Film Review: The Pretend One GCFF 2018
The Pretend One (2017) is an Australian feature film co-written by Tony Prescott and James Raue, with Prescott directing. The feature stars Geraldine Hakewill as Charlie, a young woman who lives with her Dad on a cotton farm in Condamine QLD. Her best friend is Hugo, played by Michael Whalley, who happens to be imaginary.
Hanny J: Possessions
- Hanny J is a name and face familiar to many in the Brisbane punk scene. As a solo artist, but also as frontwoman for bands like powerpoppers Main St Brats, hardcore band Midwife Crisis, and short-lived but much loved pop-punk act Goosebumps.
Eves Karydas: summerskin
- Local fave Eves Karydas has finally delivered her debut album, after a few long years of name changes, abandoned projects, cross-continental moves and stunning singles. Her first LP summerskin though, is not an album of self discovery, journey or reimagination, but rather a polished collection of sharp, catchy pop tracks that showcase the talent that's been brewing over the last few years.
John Grant: Love Is Magic
- You really must approach any release from John Grant with your eyes wide open as much as your ears. It doesn’t do to presuppose what he’s going to provide you with based on previous aural essays. His fourth album Love Is Magic has as many prickly points as the previous trio of melancholic piano based sorrowful tunes, this time collaborating with electronic creative Benge (aka Ben Edwards of Wrangler) and then… something else.
Marissa Nadler: For My Crimes
- Marissa Nadler has one of the most spellbinding voices of this millennium. It's an otherworldly, ethereal wonder, communicating levels of heartbreak and loss that surely no 37-year-old could possibly have experienced. Her voice is rich, pure and vulnerable, while simultaneously containing a great strength.
Phosphorescent: C'est La Vie
- It’s been a long time between drinks (and albums) for Matthew Houck, better known under the sobriquet, Phosphorescent. During the five-year interval, Houck has started a family and significantly cut down on drinking if there’s anything to be ascertained from the line “I was drunk for a decade / I’m thinking about giving that stuff away” from These Rocks. Regardless, Phosphorescent have returned with C’est La Vie, their sixth LP of original music.
10am Zedlines
This has been Max and Juanita with your 10am zedlines.
Image source: News 711
Africa's youngest billionaire has been kidnapped in Tanzania
Mohammad Dewji, one of East Africa's leading business figures, was walking into a gym in an-upscale hotel when he was taken from the street by armed gunmen.
Dewji is personally worth $1.5 billion and has been the first Tanzanian to join the Giving Pledge, a commitment by billionaires around the world to help address society's most pressing issues by promising to dedicate more than half their funds to charity.