Parents and playgroups are calling for Queensland state school playgrounds to remain open over school holidays.

New South Wales government allowed 42 schools to keep their grounds open over christmas break last year, Education Queensland currently have a hire system for holiday periods.

Everton MP Tim Mander has expressed interest in implementing a similar policy in the sunshine state, calling the current system a waste of resources.

The US State Department announced a campaign of economic and diplomatic pressure on Iran to drive the nation towards a better nuclear deal.

Director of Policy Planning Brian Hook says Washington’s goal is to get as many countries as possible down to zero Iranian oil imports.

The move comes two months after US President Donald Trump announced a withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal.  

Israeli parliament passed new laws which withhold hundreds of millions of dollars worth of Palestinian welfare payments.

The new legislation will deduct the money allocated to Palestine for the families of prisoners and those killed by Israeli forces.

The stipends are worth approximately $330 million US dollars and benefit around 35-thousand Palestinian families.

Red Cross are calling for urgent donations of O negative type blood as current supply continues to drop to only two days of blood.

The low supply is a result of increased demand for O negative blood, as well as a drop-off in donor numbers due to cold and flu symptoms.

Red Cross are calling for 4,500 donations by the end of July to return supply to normal levels.

Two South Australian hospitals are being investigated for concerning workload practices, including poor governance structure for medical interns.

Royal Adelaide Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital both failed to obtain proper accreditation in their most recent visit from relevant accreditation bodies, being given a year to rectify these issues.

Jet skiers have been told to steer clear of whales or risk injuries and a fine.

With the whale migration season in full swing, jet skiers and water users are being urged to follow the rules when it comes to approaching whales.

In 2017, A Sunshine Coast woman was fined $630 for an offence after she rode a jet ski within 300 metres of a whale.

Cancer Council Queensland and the Heart Foundation have joined together to research soft drink consumption habits and public support for regulations aiming to reduce sugar consumption.

Cancer Council CEO Chris McMillan said sugar-sweetened drinks are known to have little nutritional value and cause increases in chronic disease as they contribute to weight gain and obesity.

Heart Foundation CEO Stephen Vines also said obesity is a major risk factor in developing heart disease, with soft drinks playing a big part in the issue.

85 local communities will receive $20,000 in Saluting their services grants to deliver projects commemorating Australia’s wartime history.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said funding will delivering meaningful projects to recognise the sacrifice of Australians who have served and will continue to serve our nation.

Over the years, Saluting their services grants have helped various initiatives such as getting a Boer War honour board at the Morwell Historical Society to recognise personnel from the local area.