11am Zedlines
This has been Phoebe and Vivienne with your 11am Zedlines.
An American grand jury report has investigated abuse allegations and archived documents which reveal a cover-up of sexual abuse that began in the 1950’s.
Senior church officials in Pennsylvania and the Vatican systematically concealed information where over 1000 children were sexually abused by more than 300 priests.
Lombok lifted by 25 centimeters following earthquake
The Indonesian island of Lombok has been lifted 25 centimetres following the earthquake that killed more than 300 people.
Scientists from NASA and the California Institute of Technology say the rupturing fault-line lifted the ground near the epicentre by a quarter of a metre, while in other areas it dropped by up to 15 centimeters.
Approximately 270 000 people have been made homeless or displaced due to the earthquake at the popular tourist destination.
Emergency warning issued for Woodstock region
An emergency warning has been issued by the NSW Rural Fire Service for an ‘out of control’ bushfire affecting Woodstock and surrounding regions.
Drought and strong north-westerly winds are exacerbating the blaze, with embers creating spot fires.
Residents are warned that under current conditions, the fire may be unpredictable and fast-moving.
Euthanasia debate will continue in Parliament
The debate over whether to allow territories to legalise euthanasia will continue today in federal parliament.
Senators shared stories of the deaths of their terminally ill loved ones during the hearing yesterday which has divided politicians.
Senator David Leyonhjelm’s private bill to lift the ban on the legalisation of euthanasia in the ACT and Northern Territory will be top of the agenda again today.
Terminally ill prisoner had parole unnecessarily deferred
A terminally ill women who died at Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre in 2016, was unable to see her family before she passed away because her parole application was delayed.
The state coroner’s inquiry into her death found she would have seen her family, but her parole application was unnecessarily deferred from the Parole Board to get a specialist opinion.
The inquiry found the application process is flawed and a spokesperson for Queensland Corrective Services says the coroner’s recommendations are being considered to make improvements.
Local governments under investigation by Crime and Corruption Commission
Four of south-east Queensland’s largest metropolitan local governments are now under investigation by the Crime and Corruption Commission.
The Moreton Bay Regional Council is the latest to be under investigation, regarding a multimillion dollar contract given to a major political donor.
Conflict of interest and lack of transparency are key issues as the donor and local business owner is a friend of mayor Allan Sutherland and other councillors.
10am Zedlines
This has been Phoebe and Libby with your 10am Zedlines.
A surge of break-ins, vandalism, and assaults in the Kimberley by children has caused frustration and racial tension in Broome and Kununurra.
Car thefts and burglaries have increased significantly in the past 8 years and the crime surge has prompted residents to express their anger and threats of retaliation on social media.
Local police say the majority of the crimes are being committed by a relatively small group of boys aged between 10 and 16.
RNA Showgrounds revitalised as one of Brisbane's largest inner-city projects
The RNA Showgrounds are almost finished work on a $2.9 billion revamp project, making it one of Brisbane’s largest inner city projects.
Machinery and King Streets are the final areas to be completed, with construction expected to finish by the end of the year.
Today the showgrounds will host People’s Day at the Ekka, with 60,000 people expected to be in attendance.
Labour and Greens back cashless welfare cards
Federal plans to introduce cashless welfare cards to Queensland has been backed by Labor and the Greens.
A report found some residents in Bundaberg and Hervey Bay spend up to 80% of their welfare money on alcohol and gambling.
However, there is still concern about the efficacy of the scheme which is already operating in Western and South Australia.
Study reveals Google monitors user locations for corporate practices
Google is still recording your whereabouts even when you turn off location on your Apple or Android apps, according to a new study from the Associated Press.
Google Maps monitors when you open the app, pinpoints user location via automatic weather updates and identifies precise longitude and latitude. This data mining of personal information can be used by Google for corporate practices.
To stop your location being saved and shared, phone users need to switch off a default setting called Web and App Activity.