Great Barrier Reef Foundation grant intended as a ‘trial case’
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Brisbane City Bus system faces delays
Image Source: Brisbane City Council
9am Zedlines
Image Source: Pixabay, pexels
Identity Database Approved
India’s high court has approved the legality of the world’s first biometric database, saying it does not violate its citizens’ rights to privacy.
The Aadhaar database already has 1 billion people enrolled in it, handing over personal details such as fingerprints and iris scans.
The system was designed to reduce welfare fraud, and if citizens don’t sign up, they can’t receive basic welfare services such as food rations.
Big Bird, but this is no Sesame Street
The largest bird to ever live has been revealed as the Vorombe Titan—an extinct feathered leviathan from Madagascar.
This bird has been described as an ostrich-like elephant, standing at almost three metres tall and weighing just under 800kg.
Experts have spent decades debating which bird is the largest to exist. According to scientists from the Zoological Society of London, a study of Madagascar’s elephant birds is what brought the final answer.
Australian University Ranking Slipping
Australian universities have been revealed to have slid down in the 2019 world university rankings, with six of the country’s top nine moving down in rankings.
Three Universities have had major declines, including the University of New South Wales sliding 11 points and University of Western Australia sliding 23.
Cane Toad Coexistence
Cane Toad’s on Kimberley Island in Western Australia are baffling researchers as they continue to thrive and prosper alongside our native wildlife.
WA’s cane toad strategy team are surprised that the national pest is able to coexist with animals that in the rest of the country are negatively impacted by the toads.
There is no permanent water on the island, and it is believed the cane toads spend more time underground where the soil is moist, leaving more food sources for species like yellow spotted goanas, and quolls.
Landmark Trees to be Cut Down
Four landmark trees near the Wheel of Brisbane are going to be cut down to make way for the new Neville Bonner Bridge, connecting South Bank and the Casino at Queen’s Wharf.
Three fig trees and a poinciana will be removed, and hopefully replanted, as the area is redesigned to have more concrete rather than grass and trees.
These plans are not yet finalised, and changes could still be made to the landscaping around the new bridge.
Firey Accident
A six year old boy has suffered horrific burns to his feet after stepping on a hidden fire pit at the Sunshine Coast.
Kai Dight and his family had been camping north of Noosa when the boy ran through a still-smoldering fire pit that had been covered over by sand.
In the last year alone, the Queensland Children’s Hospital has treated more than 50 children for burns caused by fire ashes and embers.
Officials warn in the wake of the accident, that even if a fire has been put out using sand, it can retain heat of over 100 degrees.