New genetic testing may hold the key to harsher sentences for ivory poachers, and a better chance for elephants.

Using genetic analysis, researchers are able to identify whether small intercepted shipments of ivory are all coming from the same ivory poaching cartels, and if they are this leads to longer sentences for the poachers shipping the product.

Due in part to poaching, there are less than half a million elephants left in the wild, down from 5 million at the turn of the century.

The International Criminal Court or ICC has begun its preliminary investigation into Myanmar’s actions against the Muslim majority Rohingya, many of whom were forced to flee to Bangladesh border.

The investigation aims to examine all the available information as to determine whether there is a reasonable basis for proceeding with an investigation.

International scientists, working with the University of New South Wales, the University of Sydney and Deakin University, have unlocked more than 90% of the Australian cane toad’s DNA code.

These poisonous toads have wreaked havoc since they were introduced in Queensland in 1935 to help control cane beetles; millions of toads now occupy more than 1.2 million square kilometres of Australia.

A liquor company already under investigation by the ABC has recalled several of its brands of spirits, stating that they “could cause injury” if consumed.

The Sydney based company warned that GJ products bought in bottle shops in Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT should be returned due to risk of chemical contamination.

The affected products include vodka, tequila, rum, bourbon, whiskey, brandy and gin

Despite its electoral promise to continue funding till 2020, the Queensland Government has stripped the Queensland Aids Council of funds totaling $740,000

The Queensland Government attributes 2 reasons for this removal of funds, citing that the AIDs virus or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome had been removed from the states list of notifiable diseases 2 weeks ago as well as the cost for the drug that stopped the spread of the virus having its cost reduced from ‘thousands of dollars’, to about 30 dollars.

There has been a very high fire danger warning issued for QLD over the coming days.

Because of rapidly rising temperatures, dry air, and fresh winds, there is an increased risk of bushfire across the state.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services say that firefighting crews are on high alert, and have placed fire bans across much of the south-east.